Pentecost

The very same Holy Ghost that gave the first Apostles the fortitude and courage to proclaim Christ's message is present to us. In fact, He dwells within us by virtue of our baptism and confirmation! We have the same power as the first disciples of Christ! We must believe with a lively faith that Christ is willing and ready to work within us as He did so for the Apostles at the first Pentecost! Come Holy Ghost!! Give us courage and a lively faith!

Fr Jeff Fasching

Easter!

Jesus Christ is risen!! Our lenten observances are now completed and we focus on the risen Christ! Christ has won the victory over sin and satan. Many people in Churches throughout the world have been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. The newly baptized must always remember they share in Christ's victory! We must never forget the power that is ours by virtue of our baptism. We have received God Himself into our very being. We must not underestimate the good we are capable of and the impact we can have upon others through our prayer and good works.

In Christ,

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Prayer

Go to Jesus Christ often and pray! His conversation has no bitterness! He is the joy of the angels and the delight of all the elect. It was Christ who created the heart of man to fill it with grace and happiness. Without Him we would be full of sin and unhappiness! Jesus Christ is our brother. Allow Him to be the center of your soul! We must cast aside all other cares if we want to hear His voice!

Fr. Jeff Fasching.

The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Epiphany means the Manifestation of God. Jesus Christ is God and Lord of the entire world! The star appears in the East, the water is changed into wine at the wedding feast of Cana, and tomorrow Jesus is Baptized in the Jordan by John..."This is my beloved Son," says the voice from heaven. All these miracles help us to recognize the Child Jesus as our God and King. They help us to adore Him with greater faith!

"We are the people of Your pasture and the sheep of your hand." (Psalm 94). Jesus reveals Himself to the world. We must beg Him to reveal Himself more and more to our own souls!

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 275

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeff Fasching

September 27th, 2015

18th Sunday after Pentecost

Epistle: 1 Cor. 1: 4-8
Gospel: Mt. 9: 1-8

Mon 28 No Latin Mass
Tues 29 No Latin Mass
Wed 30 St. Jerome-Priest, Confessor & Doctor
Thu 1 St. Remigius-Bishop & Confessor
Fri 2 Holy Guardian Angels


Sunday, October 25 is the feast of the Kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ. One may gain a plenary indulgence by the public recitation of the Act of Consecration of the Human Race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Jesus Christ has passed on to the Apostles and their successors in the priestly ministry the power to forgive sins: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, the are retained.” Jn. 20: 22-23. “Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven,” Mt. 18:18. Priests exercise the power in the sacrament of Penance. They act not in their own name but in Christ's—In persona Christi, as instruments of the Lord!

We should always approach Confession with respect, veneration and gratitude because we see Christ Himself in the person of the priest. The words of absolution are uttered by Christ Himself through the priest. This is why the priest says “I absolve you”, and not “Christ absolves you” from your sins! He speaks in the first person to fully identify himself with Jesus Christ Himself...St. Pius V.


In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,

Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 273

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeff Fasching

September 13th, 2015

16th Sunday after Pentecost

Epistle: Eph. 3:13-21
Gospel: Lk. 14: 1-11

Mon 14 No Latin Mass
Tues 15 Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Wed 16 SS. Cornelius * Pope & Cyprian * Martyrs
Thu 17 Stigmata of St. Francis
Fri 18 St. Joseph of Cupertino, Confessor


Did you know that Catholic Prayer in Latin is more powerful than in any other language?
This appears to be the opinion reached by certain members of the clergy, in particular exorcists. In the book " Hostage to the Devil " by Fr. Malachi Martin, an interesting comment is made by the author which sheds light on this particular point. On page 460 of the book, while explaining the Ritual of Exorcism, Fr. Martin goes on to say...." Nowadays part of the text - especially well known prayers- are sometimes prayed in the vernacular (German, English, French, etc.), but among exorcists as a class of Church Ministers, there seems to be a persuasion born from experience that the Latin Text has some special unction and disruptive value for Evil Spirit.” What this observation tells us is that the Rite of Exorcism when prayed in Latin has a more powerful effect in expelling demons. Why would this be so?

First, let's look at why the Catholic Church chose Latin as its Official Language. In the early days of the Church, communication between Rome and the rest of the Church was slow. Documents had to be translated into the different dialects for the various regions where Catholicism had spread to. Once translated they had to be written by hand because the printing press had yet to be invented. It was a time consuming process. In order to expedite communication something had to be done. Latin was the international language at the time and so it was the logical choice.

The Church then decreed that Latin would be its Official Language and anyone who was part of the Church would have to speak it. The Church chose Latin for practical reasons. Perhaps what the Church did not realize at the time was the effect that this decision would have on Catholic prayer. But why?

The answer can be found in the Gospel of Matthew (16:18-19) where we read ....." you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church...and whatsoever you shall bind on earth, shall be bound also in Heaven.” Therefore when His Church decreed that Latin would be the Mother Tongue of Catholicism it bound Latin in Heaven.

If this were not true then exorcists would not have noticed such a dramatic difference whenever they prayed the Ritual of Exorcism in Latin. Does this mean that as Catholics we must become fluent in Latin? No. But you will find that learning the basic Catholic prayers in Latin (as well as attending the Latin Mass) will have a profound effect & be spiritually profitable.

Start off by learning the shortest prayers (Sign of the Cross, Glory Be, Hail Mary, etc) , then move on to the rest (Our Father, Apostle's Creed, Latin Rosary, etc). We must emphasize that all Catholics should always pray with fervor & faith no matter which language they speak. But if you decide to take your prayer to another level then do so in Latin.

--- Regina Magazine


In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,

Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 266

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeff Fasching

July 26th, 2015

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

Epistle: 1 Cor. 10:6-13
Gospel: Lk. 19:41-47

Mon 27--No Latin Mass

Tue 28—SS. Nazarius & Celsus, Martyrs
Saint Victor I, Pope & Martyr, &
Saint Innocent I, Pope & Confessor

Wed 29—Saint Martha, Virgin

Thu 30—SS. Abdon & Sennen, Martyrs

Fri 31—Saint Ignatius Loyola, Confessor


“Now all these things happened to them in figure, and they are written for our correction...Wherefore, he that thinketh himself to stand, let him take heed lest he fall. (Saint Paul). Saint Paul urges us to embrace vigilance and humility. When God grants favors to us in any form, it should always deepen our humility of heart. We must be always on guard against presuming upon His graces. We must always humbly mistrust ourselves and trust in God alone. We must never consider ourselves free from weakness or, even worse, condemn others for theirs!

Saint Paul also urges us to have confidence: “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able: but will make also with temptation issue, that you may be able to bear it.” The knowledge of our weakness should never discourage us because God is always ready to help us with His grace! “God is faithful. God has always helped me...I count on His aid. My sufferings may reach even greater heights, but I am sure He will not abandon me.” St. Therese of the Child Jesus.


In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,


Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 260

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeff Fasching

June 14, 2015

Third Sunday after Pentecost

Epistle: 1Pet. 5: 6-11
Gospel: Lk. 15: 1-10

Mon 15 -- No Latin Mass

Tue 16 – Feria

Wed 17 – Saint Gregory Barbarigo, Bishop & Confessor

Thu 18 – Saint Ephrem of Syria-Deacon, Confessor & Doctor

Fri 19 – Saint Juliana of Falconieri, Virgin



Deacon Joseph Kelly will be ordained to the priesthood by His Excellency Bishop James V. Johnston on Friday, June 12 @ 6:00pm here at St. Agnes Cathedral...Kindly keep Deacon Kelly in your prayers. Fr. Kelly will offer his first Mass on Saturday, June 13 @ 9:00am here at St. Agnes. As Father Joseph Kelly he will also offer a Solemn High Mass in the Extraordinary Form on Sunday, June 14, 2015 at 2:30pm here at St. Agnes Cathedral...JOIN US!


There will be a pot-luck dinner following Fr. Kelly's Solemn High Mass in the school cafeteria.


O Lord, reveal to us the infinite treasures of mercy contained in your Heart...


We must have confidence in the merciful love of Jesus Christ. “Rejoice with Me for I have found the sheep that was lost.” This is the story of the love Jesus Christ has for all mankind and especially for every individual soul. The good shepherd and the Sacred Heart of Jesus are both concrete expressions of the merciful love of Jesus and they urge us to go to Him with complete confidence!

The Heart of Jesus is thrilled with joy when we humbly acknowledge our faults to Him and implore forgiveness! We must ask Jesus Christ to help us penetrate the secrets of His infinite, merciful love!


In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,


Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 258

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeff Fasching

May 31, 2015

Trinity Sunday

Epistle: Rom. 11:33-36
Gospel: Mt. 28:18-20

Mon 1 -- No Latin Mass

Tue 2 – Feria

Wed 3 – Requiem Mass + Frank Misso

Thu 4 – Corpus Christi

Fri 5 – Sacred Heart of Jesus


Would you like to learn more about spiritual warfare and the Catholic Church's role in it? Join me and Fr. Chad Ripperger, PhD, from the Diocese of Tulsa, OK on June 5th 6th and 7th 2015. Fr. Ripperger is a Theologian, Thomistic Psychologist, Philosopher, Seminary Professor and Author. Fr. Ripperger will be speaking here at St. Agnes Cathedral (Pallotti Center) the first weekend in June. Topics will include:

--Spiritual Warfare
--Magisterial Authority and the Binding Force of Tradition

Lectures to be presented on:

--Friday @ 6:00pm--Traditions of the Liturgy


--Saturday @ 10:00am—Binding Force of Tradition
--Saturday @ 1:30pm ---Magisterial Authority and Related Virtues
--Saturday @ 6:00pm ---Spiritual Warfare Part I

--Sunday @ 10:00am ---Spiritual Warfare Part II


Now is the season after Pentecost! It begins with the Feast of the Blessed Trinity and is the longest of the Liturgical year. In this last part of the ecclesiastical year, the Church, guided by the Holy Ghost, continues the work of Redemption...”The Holy Ghost, Whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring all things to your mind whatsoever I shall have said to you.”

This last season of the Liturgical Year is filled with feasts of major importance: those of the Blessed Trinity, Corpus Christi, the Sacred Heart, the Assumption and Nativity of Our Lady, All Saints and All Souls!

“Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen!”


In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,


Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 255

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeff Fasching

May 10, 2015

Fifth Sunday After Easter

Epistle: Jas. 1:22-27
Gospel: Jn. 16:23-30

Mon 11 -- No Latin Mass

Tue 12 – Ss. Nereus, Achilleus, Domitilla, Virgin, & Pancras, Martyrs

Wed 13 – Vigil of the Ascension

Thu 14 – Ascension of the Lord

Fri 15 – Saint John Baptist de la Salle, Confessor


At the last Supper, Christ warned His apostles that He would soon be leaving them. He would soon return to the glory He always had with His Father in heaven. At this point, the apostles were far from knowing and loving Jesus perfectly. They knew that He came forth from God, but their faith was still very weak, and they would soon lose it altogether. The apostles were now enjoying Christ's company after His Resurrection. Christ teaches them everything they are required to know in order to become the teachers of the whole world.

Jesus says to His apostles: “The Father loveth you, because ye have loved Me.” We ourselves should be consoled by these words. Christ tells us to ask God the Father for everything we need. We should ask first and foremost to persevere in the spirit of Eastertide. We should pray to Saint James, the apostle of Paschal Time and the apostle of good works that we may obtain the grace to persevere in this new life of grace with our risen Lord! It is not enough to simply believe, says Saint James, but we must also demonstrate our faith with good works!


In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,


Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 254

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeff Fasching

May 3, 2015

Fourth Sunday After Easter

Epistle: Jas. 1:17-21
Gospel: Jn. 16: 5-14

Mon 4 -- No Latin Mass

Tue 5 – No Latin Mass

Wed 6 – Feria of Paschaltide

Thu 7 – Saint Stanislaus, Bishop @ Martyr

Fri 8 – Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Graces


Saint Agnes Cathedral celebrates First Holy Communion Mass on Sunday, May 3rd at 2:00pm.

The Latin Mass on Sunday, May 3rd will be at 7:00pm.


Christ has confided to His Apostles the sacred deposit of the truths which are to form the object of our faith. During these forty days of Easter we must follow Him in His work of instituting the sacraments. We must not only believe, but we must also incorporate within us the great fruit of our redemption which is called grace. We are living members of our Divine Head and thus joint heirs with Him in the Kingdom of Heaven! It is by means of the sacraments that Christ produces in us this wondrous work of our justification. He applies to us His Incarnation and Sacrifice by a means which He Himself in His power and wisdom has instituted.

When instituting the sacraments, our Lord assigned to each an essential rite: and this rite is outward and sensible. He made the Flesh, which He united to His Divine Person, become the instrument of our salvation by His Passion and Death on the Cross. He redeemed us by shedding His Blood for us! The same is true with respect to the sacraments. He follows the same mysterious plan, taking physical things as His auxiliaries in effecting the work of our justification. He raises them to a supernatural state, and makes them the faithful and all-powerful conductors of His grace.


In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,


Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 253

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeff Fasching

April 26, 2015

Third Sunday After Easter

Epistle: 1 Pet. 2: 11-19
Gospel: Jn. 16: 16-22

Mon 27 -- No Latin Mass

Tue 28 – Saint Paul of the Cross, Confessor

Wed 29 – Saint Peter of Verona, Martyr

Thu 30 – Saint Catherine of Sienna, Virgin

Fri 1 – Saint Joseph the Workman—No Latin Mass


Saint Agnes Cathedral celebrates First Holy Communion Mass on Sunday, May 3rd at 2:00pm.

The Latin Mass on Sunday, May 3rd will be at 7:00pm.


We must stay true to the faith even when pagans criticize us! Enemies of the Church want to insult us and cause us to suffer! We must lead exemplary lives so as to be a good example to all. “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Mt 5:16). When we give good example we draw souls closer to God. “There would be no need for preaching if our lives were beacons of virtue-no call for words if we had deeds to show.” (St. John Chrysostom).


The saint says that there would be no pagans if we were truly Christians—if we kept Christ's commandments, if we put up with unjust treatment and deception, if we blessed those who cursed us, if we returned good for evil. “No one would be such a monster not to embrace the true religion immediately if we really lived like that” (Hom. On 1Tim, 10).


Our evil inclinations wage war against our souls says St. Peter. It takes constant effort and prayer to conquer our passions and overcome temptation! We cannot be humble without being despised. We cannot be chaste without mortifying our bodies. We cannot be patient unless we are willing to allow people to offend us. We cannot acquire virtues without the effort it involves to live them! Holiness is a battle!


In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,


Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 252

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeff Fasching

April 19, 2015

Second Sunday After Easter (Good Shepherd Sunday)

Epistle: 1 Pet. 2: 21-25
Gospel: Jn. 10: 11-16

Mon 20 -- No Latin Mass

Tue 21 – Saint Anselm—Bishop, Confessor & Doctor

Wed 22 – Ss. Soter & Caius—Popes & Martyrs

Thu 23 – Saint George, Martyr

Fri 24 – Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Martyr


Christ is the Good Shepherd. On the Cross His sufferings fulfill the prophecies written about the suffering servant Yahweh in the Book of Isaiah (52:13-53:12). His sufferings have a redemptive value. Christ takes our sins upon Himself and offers them on the Cross to God the Father as an atoning Sacrifice. We are now dead to sin and have the ability to live in righteousness and holiness with the help of God's grace!

No matter what suffering may come our way, it cannot compare to the suffering of Our Lord. When we unite our sufferings to the Passion of Jesus Christ, we have the opportunity to merit reward in heaven!

Christ is the Good Shepherd...”I will seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered” (Ezek. 34:12).




Discernment Retreat for College age men—April 24-26, 2015 at Meinrad Seminary in Indiana.


Encounter with God's call—April 18-20, 2015 at Conception Seminary College--for young men 16 and under who are considering a vocation to the priesthood.


For more information, please contact Fr. Patrick Nwokoye, Director of Vocation Promotion at 573-200-1814—email: pnwokoye@dioscg.org or Fr. J. Friedel, Director of Vocations/Seminarians, at jfriedel@dioscg.org.



In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,


Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 251

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeff Fasching

April 12, 2015

Low Sunday (Divine Mercy Sunday)

Epistle: 1 Jn. 5: 4-10
Gospel: Jn. 20: 19-31

Mon 13 -- No Latin Mass

Tue 14 – Saint Justin, Martyr

Wed 15 – Feria in Paschaltide

Thu 16 – Feria in Paschaltide

Fri 17 – Saint Anicetus, Pope & Martyr

The next potluck will be on Divine Mercy Sunday-April 12th.

A plenary indulgence is granted to those who take part in the prayers and devotions held in honor of Divine Mercy, or who, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the Merciful Lord Jesus (e.g., “Merciful Jesus, I trust in You!”).

If unable to get to church for the above, one may gain the same indulgence by reciting the Our Father and the Creed before a devout image of Our Merciful Lord Jesus Christ and, in addition, praying a devout invocation to the Merciful Lord Jesus (e.g., “Merciful Jesus, I trust in You!”).





Mercy is of the very essence of the redemptive incarnation of the priesthood of Jesus Christ. By its very nature, His priesthood is a work of mercy based on the covenant of mercy that God made with man. Christ brought God's gift of mercy to man, bringing forgiveness of sin by the Sacrifice of His own Body and Blood---a new and eternal covenant of God's merciful love.

We should be able to see the relationship between the Gospel and Divine Mercy. Listen to the words of Pope Benedict XVI from his Regina Caeli message on Divine Mercy Sunday in 2008: “Indeed mercy is the central nucleus of the Gospel message; it is the very name of God, the Face with which he revealed Himself in the Old Covenant and fully in Jesus Christ, the incarnation of creative and redemptive Love. May this merciful love also shine on the face of the Church and show itself through the sacraments, in particular that of Penance, and in works of charity, both communitarian and individual. May all that the Church says and does manifest the mercy God feels for man, and therefore for us…From Divine Mercy, which brings peace to hearts, genuine peace flows into the world, peace between different peoples, cultures and religions.”



Exploring Priesthood Weekend—April 17-19, 2015


Is a retreat designed to help men discern God's call to the diocesan priesthood. To be called by God to serve Him as a priest means to have one's soul stirred deep within. Throughout a weekend of prayer, discussion and group interaction, men begin to better understand God's movement in their life. Exploring priesthood weekends are held at Mundelein Seminary.


Discernment Retreat for College age men—April 24-26, 2015 at Meinrad Seminary in Indiana.


Encounter with God's call—April 18-20, 2015 at Conception Seminary College--for young men 16 and under who are considering a vocation to the priesthood.


For more information, please contact Fr. Patrick Nwokoye, Director of Vocation Promotion at 573-200-1814—email: pnwokoye@dioscg.org or Fr. J. Friedel, Director of Vocations/Seminarians, at jfriedel@dioscg.org.



In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,


Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 249

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeff Fasching

March 29, 2015

Palm Sunday

Epistle: Phil. 2: 5-11
Gospel: Mt. 26: 36-75; 27: 1-60

Mon 30 -- No Latin Mass

Tue 31--Tuesday of Holy Week-Latin Mass-12:15pm-Chrism Mass @ 7:00pm

Wed 1--Wednesday of Holy Week—No Latin Mass

Thu 2 Holy Thursday—No Latin Mass

Fri 3 Good Friday—No Good Friday Liturgy

The next potluck will be on Divine Mercy Sunday-April 12th.


The second Sunday in Passionide, or Palm Sunday, commemorates the last triumph of our Lord Jesus Christ on earth. It marks the beginning of Holy Week. “Let the faithful be invited to take part in the Procession of Palms in greater numbers, thus rendering Christ the King public witness of their love and gratitude.”

On Palm Sunday the Church celebrates the triumphant entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem. The crowds went before and after Jesus Christ with branches cut from trees thrown before Him. They shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.”

We commemorate this triumph by blessing palms and carrying them in solemn procession. Although this triumph ultimately led to the death of Jesus, we know for certain that His Passion and Death is how he conquered the world, sin, and Satan! “If I be lifted up...I will draw all things to Myself.” Jn. 12:32.

The following are announcements from the Office of Vocations regarding discernment opportunities for young men.


Quo Vadis-Kenrick-Glennon Seminary April 10-11, 2015


An opportunity for young men discerning a call to the priesthood or just
want to learn more about the priesthood to visit a local seminary, listen and interact with seminarians.


Exploring Priesthood Weekend—April 17-19, 2015


Is a retreat designed to help men discern God's call to the diocesan priesthood. To be called by God to serve Him as a priest means to have one's soul stirred deep within. Throughout a weekend of prayer, discussion and group interaction, men begin to better understand God's movement in their life. Exploring priesthood weekends are held at Mundelein Seminary.


Discernment Retreat for College age men—April 24-26, 2015 at Meinrad Seminary in Indiana.


Encounter with God's call—April 18-20, 2015 at Conception Seminary College--for young men 16 and under who are considering a vocation to the priesthood.


For more information, please contact Fr. Patrick Nwokoye, Director of Vocation Promotion at 573-200-1814—email: pnwokoye@dioscg.org or Fr. J. Friedel, Director of Vocations/Seminarians, at jfriedel@dioscg.org.



In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,


Father Jeff Fasching

Pope Francis and the Blood of St. Januarius

Saint Januarius was a Catholic bishop of Naples (in Italy) who was martyred for being a Christian under the reign of Caesar Diocletian in about AD 305. He was beheaded at the Solfatara crater near Pozzuoli. His martyrdom is honoured in both the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox churches. There is a cathedral in Naples which stands as a shrine in his memory, housing the relic of a small vile filled with some of his blood. According to legend, the blood was saved by a woman named Eusebia just after the saint's death. The blood, being some 1,700 years old now, has long since hardened. However, three times a year, a phenomenon occurs, in which the clotted and decayed blood returns to its liquid state. This happens on September 19 (Saint Januarius day, to commemorate his martyrdom), on December 16 (to celebrate his patronage of both Naples and of the archdiocese), and on the Saturday before the first Sunday of May (to commemorate the reunification of his relics). Religious pilgrims often visit the shrine on these dates to witness the phenomenon.

I call it a phenomenon, as opposed to a miracle, because the Vatican has never officially ruled it a miracle, though it does pay respect to the phenomenon and the devotion that has developed because of it.

In addition to these annual dates, the blood has also turned to liquid in the presence of three popes. The last time this occurred was in 1848 with Pius IX. It hasn't happened since, when other popes visited the shrine, until now. Pope Francis visited the cathedral on March 21, 2015. The following video tells of the encounter and the phenomenon...

Now, before we go on, let's be perfectly clear about some things. First, Pope Francis did not perform any miracle. He had no intention of turning the clotted blood back into liquid. He simply venerated the relic by kissing it, a sign of deep devotion and respect. Second, if indeed the phenomenon is miraculous, then it was God who performed the miracle, by the intercession of Saint Januarius. Again, Pope Francis did not do it. Third, whether it is a miracle or a phenomenon, God can use either to send us a message.

To try to find meaning in this, we should look back to when this happened with the last pope. Remember, popes have visited this shrine since then, and the blood has not liquefied for any of them. It did however liquefy for Pope Francis. This hasn't happened in 167 years. The last time this happened with a pope was in 1848 with Pope Pius IX, who was the longest reigning pope in Church history. Pius IX however, is also one of the most interesting popes in modern times. Following his visit to Naples in 1848, after the clotted blood of Saint Januarius had liquefied, that very same year Pope Pius IX was forced into exile from the Vatican. The exile was the result of political disputes and social unrest in Italy at the time. He returned to the Vatican two years later and from thence forth practically became a prisoner therein. Relations between the papacy and the Italian government where at an all time low, and the era was marked by riots in the streets and marauding gangs in the countryside. It was an especially dark time for the papacy, but Pius IX found himself purified in this crucible of fire. He proclaimed the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception infallibly, which is something Catholics had always believed, but hadn't been settled as an indisputable matter of faith until his proclamation. He approved a petition to name Mary, as the Immaculate Conception, the official patroness of the United States of America. He penned 38 papal encyclicals, and convened the First Vatican Council. He wrote the now famous 'Syllabus of Errors', which condemned the errors of Modernism, errors that have since led humanity into two world wars, and a global confrontation with communism, as well as the rapid deterioration of Western civilisation. During this time, Pope Pius IX was well known for a personal lifestyle of simplicity and poverty, which has since led the papacy to increasingly become a more spiritual office, and less of a temporal one. Pius IX's papacy is regarded by historians as the birth of the modern papacy, restoring the office to something closer to what it once was at the time of the apostles and the early centuries of the Church. Politically, Pius IX started out as a liberal, but later became much more conservative, after his initial exile from the Vatican. He became a reformer of the papacy and the Vatican. The spiritual aspects of Catholicism flourished under his reign, but the political relations between the papacy and the state suffered terribly. Pius IX was not well liked by the political rulers of his day; Italy, France, Germany, Russia and the United States of America. (Yes, even President Abraham Lincoln did not care for him, nor did his successor President Andrew Johnson.) Yet he was loved by Catholic clergy and laymen around the world.

Does this in any way sound like Pope Francis? I can see some similarities between Francis and the early years of Pius IX, during the liberal years of his papacy. Like Pius IX, Francis considers himself a reformer of the Vatican and seeks to reignite zeal among the Catholic faithful. The liquefaction of the blood of Saint Januarius for Pope Pius IX was immediately followed by unprecedented political trials for the Holy Father. This was accompanied by changes in his papacy, and the result was an incredibly holy man who changed the papacy for the better, and reignited the faith of millions of Catholics around the world. Does God have something similar planned for Pope Francis? Is the liquefaction of the blood of Saint Januarius at the kiss of Pope Francis a sign of this? There is no way we can know at this time. What we do know is that the liquefaction of the blood for the last pope turned out to be both a harbinger of evil and a herald of greatness at the same time. Does God use phenomenon like this to tell us something? Sure he does. We see the Bible littered with such things. The only problem is, we don't know exactly what it means until after it happens. For now, we can view the phenomenon of the liquefaction of Saint Janaurius' blood for Pope Francis as a possible sign from heaven, and that's all we can do. As for what it means, if anything, we'll just have to wait and see.

Written by Shane Schaetzel. Posted with permission of author.

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Shane Schaetzel is a published author and columnist for Christian print magazines and online publications. He is a freelance writer and the creator of 'FullyChristian.Com -- The random musings of a Catholic in the Ozarks.'

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Catholicism for Protestants

Bulletin 248

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

March 22nd, 2015

Passion Sunday

Epistle: Heb. 9: 11-15
Gospel: Jn. 8: 46-59

Mon 23-- No Latin Mass
Tue 24 Feria of Passiontide
Wed 25 Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Thu 26 Feria of Passiontide
Fri 27 Feria of Passiontide


Stations of the Cross will be prayed after Mass on Fridays during Lent.


On each of the Fridays of Lent, a plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who, after Communion, recite the “Prayer Before a Crucifix.”


The next potluck will be on Divine Mercy Sunday-April 12th.


St. John teaches that sin is the death of the soul and sanctifying grace is life. To attain eternal life we must do penance for our sins. John the Baptist preached penance in the wilderness. Even if by God's grace we have recognized our sins and made a good confession, there still remains an obligation to make satisfaction to God for the offenses we committed against Him by sinning.

Always carry out the penance imposed upon you by your confessor. Try to do much more than he assigns. We must pray, fast, give alms and make use of our indulgences. We must do our penance as soon as possible.

It is a sin to neglect carrying out our penance! If we feel indifferent to doing penance, pray! Consider the Passion of Jesus Christ and all He has merited for us!


The following are announcements from the Office of Vocations regarding discernment opportunities for young men.


Quo Vadis-Kenrick-Glennon Seminary April 10-11, 2015


An opportunity for young men discerning a call to the priesthood or just
want to learn more about the priesthood to visit a local seminary, listen and interact with seminarians.


Exploring Priesthood Weekend—April 17-19, 2015


Is a retreat designed to help men discern God's call to the diocesan priesthood. To be called by God to serve Him as a priest means to have one's soul stirred deep within. Throughout a weekend of prayer, discussion and group interaction, men begin to better understand God's movement in their life. Exploring priesthood weekends are held at Mundelein Seminary.


Discernment Retreat for College age men—April 24-26, 2015 at Meinrad Seminary in Indiana.


Encounter with God's call—April 18-20, 2015 at Conception Seminary College--for young men 16 and under who are considering a vocation to the priesthood.


For more information, please contact Fr. Patrick Nwokoye, Director of Vocation Promotion at 573-200-1814—email: pnwokoye@dioscg.org or Fr. J. Friedel, Director of Vocations/Seminarians, at jfriedel@dioscg.org.



In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,


Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 247

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

March 15th, 2015

Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday)

Epistle: Gal 4: 22-31
Gospel: Jn. 6: 1-15

Mon 16-- No Latin Mass
Tue 17 Feria of Lent
Wed 18 Feria of Lent
Thu 19 Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Fri 20 Feria of Lent


Stations of the Cross will be prayed after Mass on Fridays during Lent.


On each of the Fridays of Lent, a plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who, after Communion, recite the “Prayer Before a Crucifix.”


The next potluck will be on Divine Mercy Sunday-April 12th.


The following are announcements from the Office of Vocations regarding discernment opportunities for young men.


Quo Vadis-Kenrick-Glennon Seminary April 10-11, 2015


An opportunity for young men discerning a call to the priesthood or just want to learn more about the priesthood to visit a local seminary, listen and interact with seminarians.


Exploring Priesthood Weekend—April 17-19, 2015


Is a retreat designed to help men discern God's call to the diocesan priesthood. To be called by God to serve Him as a priest means to have one's soul stirred deep within. Throughout a weekend of prayer, discussion and group interaction, men begin to better understand God's movement in their life. Exploring priesthood weekends are held at Mundelein Seminary.


Discernment Retreat for College age men—April 24-26, 2015 at Meinrad Seminary in Indiana.


Encounter with God's call—April 18-20, 2015 at Conception Seminary College--for young men 16 and under who are considering a vocation to the priesthood.


For more information, please contact Fr. Patrick Nwokoye, Director of Vocation Promotion at 573-200-1814—email: pnwokoye@dioscg.org or Fr. J. Friedel, Director of Vocations/Seminarians, at jfriedel@dioscg.org.



In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,


Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 246

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

March 8th 2015

Third Sunday of Lent

Epistle: Eph. 5: 1-9
Gospel: Lk. 11: 14-28

Mon 9-- No Latin Mass
Tue 10 Feria of Lent
Wed 11 Feria of Lent
Thu 12 Feria of Lent
Fri 13 Feria of Lent


Stations of the Cross will be prayed after Mass on Fridays during Lent.


On each of the Fridays of Lent, a plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who, after Communion, recite the “Prayer Before a Crucifix.”


Zeal for my Father’s house has eaten my up, says Jesus Christ (psalm 69). Our Lord cannot tolerate disorder or anything unbecoming in His Holy Sanctuary. The Church is a House of Prayer and the palace of the King of Kings. We should have a jealous care of the cleanliness of the table of the altar. It is the throne on which the Divine Majesty descends! We must guard the purity of the holy vessels which will touch the Immaculate Lamb, and the decency of the vestments which must cover Christ in the person of His priest while the Holy Sacrifice is being offered. Those priests who truly love Jesus Christ perform with dignity and with great reverence the slightest ceremonies of the Sacred Liturgy. They do it with attention, with mind and heart united with Christ, the High Priest.


When a priest offers the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, heaven itself bends down toward him with reverence and gratitude. The angels and the Blessed surround Christ’s priests with veneration and urge them to offer the Divine Victim. They pray that we unite their adoration with that of the Sacred Host which the priest holds in his hands. The Blessed Virgin Mary herself, the Queen of all priests, is present each day at the Holy Sacrifice. She is happy to renew, thanks to her priests, the offering of her Son which she once made in tears at the foot of the Cross.


Your are invited to join myself and Father Justin Nolan, FSSP, associate pastor of Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne parish in Kansas City, who will be visiting St. Agnes on Friday, March 13. He will give a talk entitled, "The Liturgical Principles of the Mass: The Most Beautiful Thing This Side of Heaven". There will be a meet and greet with Fr. Nolan at 4 pm, followed by a potluck dinner at 5 pm. Fr. Nolan's talk begins at 6 pm. The event will be held in the school cafeteria. All are welcome!


In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,


Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 245

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

March 1st, 2015

Second Sunday of Lent

Epistle: 1 Thess. 4: 1-7
Gospel: Mt. 17: 1-9

Mon 2-- No Latin Mass
Tue 3 Feria of Lent-- No Latin Mass
Wed 4 Feria of Lent
Thu 5 Feria of Lent
Fri 6 Sacred Heart of Jesus

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament followed by benediction after Mass on March 6th.

Stations of the Cross will be prayed after Mass on Fridays during Lent.

The next pot luck is scheduled for Sunday, March 1st immediately following the 2:30pm Latin Mass.

On each of the Fridays of Lent, a plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who, after Communion, recite the “Prayer Before a Crucifix.”


After entering into Paradise, the Blessed will have no more sorrows. “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” “And death shall be no more, nor mourning, nor crying, nor sorrow, shall be any more, for the former things are passed away.” And He that sat on the throne, said: “Behold, I make all things new.” Rev. 21:5.

In Paradise, death and the fear of death are no more. There are no more sorrows, no infirmities, no poverty and no inconveniences. There are no persecutions and no envy. Each rejoices at the happiness of others as if it were his own. There is no more fear of eternal perdition. The soul is confirmed in grace. It cannot sin and cannot lose God!

All these are nothing, however, compared with seeing and loving God face to face. God Himself, whom the saints are allowed to behold, is the principal reward of the just in heaven. We must therefore bear with courage our current sufferings. They are nothing in order to gain heaven. “Your sorrow will be turned into joy.” John 16:20.

We must now love God and work for heaven. The saints wait for us. Mary expects us. Jesus Christ expects us. He holds a crown for each of us!


In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,

Father Jeff Fasching