Liturgical Calendar

Saint of the day

Saint Agnes of Assisi (1197-1253)

Saint Agnes was the sister of Saint Clare, and also her first follower. At first, her family disapproved of her choice, and tried to bring her back home. However, when they tried to take her from the monastery, her body suddenly became so heavy that even several knights could not carry her. When the knights realized that they could not lift her, they left both Agnes and Clare alone. Agnes was just as devout and dedicated as Clare. When a community of Benedictine nuns expressed their interest in becoming Poor Clares, Agnes became the abbess of their monastery. Even though she enjoyed her time with this new group, Agnes missed Clare and her fellow nuns at San Damiano. She eventually rejoined them when Clare was dying. Three months after the passing of her sister, Saint Agnes was also called to her heavenly home. She was canonized in 1753.

Reflection

It must have been difficult for Saint Agnes to defy her parents' wishes and follow her sister, Saint Clare. However, she had to endure a little heartache in order to live out her vocation. Ask God to bless you on your path to your vocation, especially if you face opposition or bumps along the way.

Prayer

Joyful God, to follow your path means many things. May I always remember that your way leads to joy and pleasure. You are the God of life and all good things. (Taken from “Good News Day by Day: Bible Reflections for Teens.”)

Meditations

Meditation for Gospel

Even though the man was blind, he was able to see something that those who had their sight could not: he recognized that Jesus was the 'Son of David,' and that he was capable of healing miracles. Even though his sight was not in tact, his faith was flourishing. We must learn from the blind man in this Gospel that there is a difference between sight and recognition, between seeing and believing. Recognizing and believing are not things you can do with your senses, they are things you do with you heart and mind. A Buddhist person may see a picture of Jesus, and see that it is Jesus; however, that person does not recognize Jesus as the Christ, and does not believe He is the Son of God. Recognition and belief are deeply rooted in the relationship you have to Jesus - pray today that the eyes of your heart may be opened to recognize and believe in Jesus more deeply, just like the blind man in the story.