National Shrine of The Divine Mercy
2 Prospect Hill Road
Eden Hill
Stockbridge, MA 01262
413-298-3931
Ven. Casimir Wyszynski Novena
October 12 - 20
The Venerable Servant of God Father Casimir of St. Joseph Wyszynski was born August 19, 1700, near Warsaw, Poland.
While making a pilgrimage to Rome's churches and carrying out works of mercy, a young Wyszynski learned that his brother (who was in the Marian novitiate) had caused harm to the new Order. Wyszynski declared, "I want to make up for what my brother ruined," and he asked to become a Marian.
As an ordained priest in Poland, he showed ardent devotion to the mystery of the Immaculate Conception and active care for those suffering injustice. He also zealously worked for the beatification of the Marian founder, Fr. Stanislaus Papczynski (1631-1701) — who was recently beatified (Sept. 16, 2007).
Fr. Casimir Wyszynski helped the Marians grow as an international community, and founded the Marian monastery at Balsamao, Portugal. He died there October 21, 1755, in the opinion of sanctity.
Many report graces obtained through the intercession of Fr. Casimir. Even today the Portuguese call him "Santo Polacco" — the Holy Pole.
St. Jude Novena
October 19 - 27
St. Jude's Feast Day is October 28
St. Jude — the "Worker of Miracles" and "Patron of Hopeless Causes" — is invoked in desperate situations.
Yet in his New Testament letter, he exhorts the faithful to persevere despite adversity. He writes:
But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life (Jude 20, 21).
According to one popular story, St. Jude was entrusted with an image of Jesus. He delivered it to a king of Edessa, who was suffering from leprosy. The king was cured, and the king and his people became Christians.
For this reason, the saint is usually portrayed with an image of Jesus as a medallion on his chest, as well as a tongue of fire, indicating his receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
Coming up...
Immaculate Conception Novena
November 29 - December 7
Feast Day: December 8
