Calendar

July 1900

01 Jul - 01 Jul

Cf. Spiritual Letters, IV, 458, 1847.

Be faithful and you will advance greatly in holiness.

01 Jul - 01 Jul

Daniel Brottier: from the Roman document, "Copia Public", p. 256

Nothing is too good for the orphans! These children, who have been deprived of all the joys of family life, must find a new family at Auteuil, a certain comfort…

02 Jul - 02 Jul

Cf. Spiritual Letters, IV, 458, 1847.

A strong and truly apostolic soul is always calm, gentle, and unshakable in the midst of pains and contradictions. It is never sad, gloomy, agitated, abrupt, sullen, silent, nor a…

02 Jul - 02 Jul

Libermann to Féret, 15.12.1839. L.S. II, p. 317

Our Lord came to save everybody; he sacrificed himself for all from the worst to the best, so his whole attitude as a priest is one of reconciliation and salvation…

03 Jul - 03 Jul

Cf. Spiritual Letters, IV, 463, 1847.

Do not listen easily to the words of people who walk along the coast, when they tell you about the people they have. Hear what they say to you, but…

03 Jul - 03 Jul

General Chapter, 1980. No. 76

Our evangelising work for justice is inspired by the charity of Christ which is poured into our hearts by his Spirit who is given to us. It is that same…

04 Jul - 04 Jul

Cf. Notes and Documents, XIII, 709, 1851.

During the novitiate, it is something like rowing a boat, then on becoming an apostle, one sets out to the sea and the sails have to be unfurled, because it…

04 Jul - 04 Jul

General Chapter, 1980. No. 108

Growing numbers of young people are choosing our Institute. Aware of this new phenomenon, the Congregation extended the scope of its welcome to offer young people of different continents every…

05 Jul - 05 Jul

Cf. Spiritual Letters, I, 461, 1838.

The spirit of our Divine Master is in you, let him be the master in everything but especially in the word of God that you proclaim.

05 Jul - 05 Jul

P. Joaquim Alves Correia, Vida Mais Alta

Rather than sacrifice justice and goodness, I have accepted to be persecuted. It is those who persecute who are miserable; to suffer for justice, to be punished for the sake…

06 Jul - 06 Jul

Cf. Notes and Documents, IV, 269, 1843.

Do not be surprised if people judge you, condemn you and annoy you unceasingly. By venting their bad temper on you they will be more peaceful with others. Look at…

06 Jul - 06 Jul

John Paul II: Ecclesia in Africa, 117-118

Together with the Synod Fathers, I urge a serious commitment to foster conditions of greater social justice and good government on the African continent, in order to prepare the ground…

September 14, 1995

07 Jul - 07 Jul

Cf. Notes and Documents, XIII, 709, 1851.

In order for our missionaries to have external grace to strengthen them against external world, we have community life which shelters them from the external rocks of the world, as…

07 Jul - 07 Jul

Libermann to Gamon. N.D.X : p. 323

Financial problems were in no way behind my decision to enter into negotiations (regarding fusion with the Spiritans): we are cer-tainly not rich, but things are not too bad since…

08 Jul - 08 Jul

Cf. Notes and Documents, XIII, 709, 1851.

Community life has been adopted in the Congregation as something essential, with the express intention of forewarning the missionaries against exterior dangers and to maintain them in the religious fervour…

08 Jul - 08 Jul

Guide for Spiritan Formation, 1966: no. 7

We find the source of our formation in the call received from the Lord to follow him, to imitate him and to let ourselves be trans-formed by him (SRL 101).…

09 Jul - 09 Jul

Cf. Spiritual Letters, IV, 455, 1847.

God has chosen you to be the first stones of the building. If the first stones of a building are not well placed, all the others will be crooked. You…

09 Jul - 09 Jul

General Chapter, 1968-1969: no. 26

We may never overlook the truth which Libermann so strongly inculcated upon his sons and which the Council has recalled, that 'the missionary must be a man of prayer', centring…

10 Jul - 10 Jul

Cf. Notes and Documents, IV, 303, 1843.

We are all a poor lot brought together by the Master’s will, who alone is our hope.

10 Jul - 10 Jul

Libermann: Règlements of 1849, Art 501. N.D.X, p.497-498

Members of the Congregation will devote themselves in a special way to the practise of holy poverty, perfect detachment from the goods of the earth and a total indifference to…

11 Jul - 11 Jul

Cf. Notes and Documents, IV, 303, 1843.

If we had powerful means at hand, we would not accomplish much good. Now that we are nothing, that we have nothing and are worth nothing, we can form great…

11 Jul - 11 Jul

Official approval of the Rule by Rome: 07.07.1987. SRL p. 11

After an attentive study of the document, the Congregation for Religious and Secular Institutes recognises that this Rule of Life commits Spiritans to respond to the needs of evangelisation in…

12 Jul - 12 Jul

Cf. Notes and Documents, VI, 3, 1844.

Be courageous, my dear brothers, devote yourselves to the glory of God and the salvation of so many souls.

12 Jul - 12 Jul

Pierre Schouver: Introduction to the Chapter documents of Maynooth

Our founders were quoted many times and the Chapter gave its approval to a programme for making us more aware of our tradition. This was in answer to an increased…

13 Jul - 13 Jul

Cf. Notes and Documents, VI, 3, 1844.

You have much to suffer, now and in the future. Remember that it is for God you suffer, who will recompense you a hundred fold in this world for all…

13 Jul - 13 Jul

Daniel Brottier, 01.01.1936. L14, art.ms.

At the time when Thérèse of the Child Jesus decided to take over the running of the house for orphans at Auteuil, the situation was pretty desperate. All the hard…

14 Jul - 14 Jul

Cf. Notes and Documents, VI, 3, 1844.

You have, now and in the future, much to suffer. Remember that it is for God you suffer, who will reward you a hundredfold, in this world, for all the…

14 Jul - 14 Jul

The Superior General confirms his fellow members in their Spiritan calling, in keeping with the spirit of the founders and the living tradition of the Institute. He makes the unity…

15 Jul - 15 Jul

Cf. Notes and Documents, VI, 3, 1844.

Never be dismayed by the difficulties you experience. They must never discourage you. You do not come in your own name, it is not you who will do the work,…

15 Jul - 15 Jul

Anne-Marie Javouhey to Sister Claire of Madagascar

I really admire the way Providence works. Imagine him choosing us country bumpkins for such a wonderful mission! It's his work so he will give us the grace to succeed.…

16 Jul - 16 Jul

Cf. Notes and Documents, IX, 330, 1847.

Do not judge by first impressions, do not judge according to what you have seen in Europe, according to what you have been used to in Europe. Rid yourself of…

16 Jul - 16 Jul

Vie du Vén.Serviteur de Dieu, F.M.P. Libermann, by Cardinal Pitra, 5th edition,...

The divine Master, in a distinct and perceptible vision, showed himself to him (Libermann) under the appearance of the supreme pontiff. He saw him, his hands full of lights and…

17 Jul - 17 Jul

Cf. Notes and Documents, VI, 3, 1844.

You are not alone, the Master is always with you if you are faithful. Do not be fainthearted then or weak in faith. An apostle Jesus Christ can never be…

17 Jul - 17 Jul

John Paul II: Ecclesia in Africa, nº 57

It is essential that the new evangelisation be centred on a transforming encounter with the living person of Christ. The first proclamation ought to bring about this overwhelming and exhilarating…

September 14, 1995

18 Jul - 18 Jul

Cf. Notes and Documents, IX, 330, 1847.

Become Black with the Blacks, to form them appropriately, not in the European way, but leaving them what belongs to them. Be to them as servants should be to their…

18 Jul - 18 Jul

Guide for Spiritan Formation, no. 10

A formator should be able to draw on his own experience of religious apostolic life and on-going formation and pass on what he himself has discovered and received. The action…

19 Jul - 19 Jul

Cf. Notes and Documents, XII, 699, 1850.

Action or practical union consists in divesting oneself of one’s natural impressions to open one’s soul to divine impressions. As long as the soul is a slave to its natural…

19 Jul - 19 Jul

January, 1844, to the community of Cap des Palmes. N.D. VI, p....

Although you must be prepared for anything, to undertake and to sacrifice anything for the glory of God, take care not to expose yourselves to unnecessary dangers. Remember that if…

20 Jul - 20 Jul

Cf. Notes and Documents, XII, 699, 1850.

As soon as we master our natural impressions and are fully committed to receiving divine communications and acting, then our soul becomes spiritual and transparent. Then we have a superabundance…

20 Jul - 20 Jul

John Paul II: Ecclesia in Africa, n. 61

This emptying of self (Jn 12:24.32), this kenosis necessary for exaltation, which is the way of Christ and of each of his disciples (Ph. 2;6-9) sheds light on the encounter…

September 14, 1995

21 Jul - 21 Jul

Cf. Notes and Documents, VIII, 352, 1846.

The spirit of Jesus is among you, it unites you in his charity and will unite you more and more in his love which embraces all his people in his…

21 Jul - 21 Jul

John Paul II: Redemptoris Missio, n. 55

I recently wrote to the Bishops of Asia: "Although the Church gladly acknowledges whatever is true and holy in the religious traditions of Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam as a reflection…

22 Jul - 22 Jul

Cf. Notes and Documents, XII, 699, 1850.

One can have distractions in prayer without ceasing to be united to God. Oftentimes, we are in a passivity which makes us think that the process is not working, that…

22 Jul - 22 Jul

Memoire of Pierre Thomas in Claude Poullart des Places

How often he was observed doing what seemed most humiliating in the eyes of those who knew him best when it was a matter of provid-ing for the needs of…

23 Jul - 23 Jul

Cf. Spiritual Writings, 383.

Holiness, is life, the life of God in us and for us “In Him was life and life was the light of men”. When the life of man has the…

23 Jul - 23 Jul

Libermann: Memoire sur les Missions des Noirs, 1846

Wherever we set ourselves up, we will establish schools. We will teach all those who come to us, but above all, we will have a certain number of young children…

24 Jul - 24 Jul

Cf. Commentary of Saint John, 689.

As long as we live on earth, we must keep on to be assured of God’s mercy, and return to him regardless of our state. To lose hope in God’s…

24 Jul - 24 Jul

John Paul II: Ecclesia in Africa, nº63

Not only did the Synod speak of inculturation, but it also made use of it, taking the Church as God's family as its guiding idea for the evangelisation in Africa.…

September 14, 1995

25 Jul - 25 Jul

Cf. Commentary of Saint John, 162.

The divine goodness of Jesus does not wait until sinners finally have the idea to come and knock at [its door]. It is the first to come knocking at the…

25 Jul - 25 Jul

Libermann: last conference given at Notre Dame du Gard, April 1851. N.D....

Prayer is essential for the life of the soul just as the air we breath and the light of the sun are essential for the body. Contemplative union is not…

26 Jul - 26 Jul

Cf. Commentary of Saint John, 322.

My Lord Jesus, I hear your cry, you call me, Lord, here I am: I am thirsty, my adorable Jesus. Take me into yourself, and give me to drink from…

26 Jul - 26 Jul

Libermann: Règle Provisoire no. 586: the Act of Consecration

I am resolved and ardently desire to seek henceforth all happiness and consolation only in the works that I will undertake and in the sufferings I will experience for your…

27 Jul - 27 Jul

cf. Spiritual Writings, 21.

It is in vain to seek for one’s satisfactions and to have all the happiness that creature can give, we still feel the same emptiness and the same need, and…

27 Jul - 27 Jul

Mgr. Le Roy, 1887: Talk given to scholastics

Make sure that you never belittle the magnificent idea that is your vocation by your thoughts, desires, words or actions. On the other hand, you are all sons of Adam…

28 Jul - 28 Jul

Cf. Spiritual Letters, II, 424, 1840.

May Jesus live in us as he lived in Mary. May we be united to Mary as she was united with Jesus, in a union of desire, a union of…

28 Jul - 28 Jul

Letter of Frans Timmermans, Superior General: April 1976

We may rightly say that with this "internationality" we shall make ourselves a much clearer sign of what Mission is all about: bringing together, reconciling in Christ, breaking down walls.…

29 Jul - 29 Jul

Cf. Spiritual Letters. Cf. Spiritual Letters, II, 424, 1840.

It would be a great and admirable thing if the Holy Spirit accomplished in our souls this holy union with Jesus in Mary, and with Mary in Jesus.

29 Jul - 29 Jul

Charles Besnard: Life of Grignon de Montfort

Claude Poullart des Places felt that God wanted to use him for staffing his sanctuary with teachers and guides. He also understood that in order to succeed, he could do…

30 Jul - 30 Jul

Cf. Commentary of Saint John, 122.

Jesus, my most adorable Lord, I too, am, miserable, despicable in the eyes of men and of all your creatures. I also come to draw water, but heavenly water from…

30 Jul - 30 Jul

Libermann to Mangot, 01.01.1836. LSI, p.246-248

Without a spiritual director, you would not have made much progress; you would simply have vegetated. The Lord has been very good to you in providing an experienced director, so…

31 Jul - 31 Jul

Cf. Spiritual Letters, II, 424, 1840.

May the Spirit of Jesus be all occupation, every movement and life, to unite us and make us the same thing with him in Mary, through Mary and with Mary.

31 Jul - 31 Jul

Sister Eugénie Kaps, founder of the Spiritan Sisters

Tomorrow (November 3, 1924), our first sisters will leave France for Africa to bring the Good News to our dear black brothers and sisters. Dear Jesus, this work was started…