Friday, February 13, 2015

February 13: St. Catherine de Ricci

St. Catherine de Ricci 

History

When Catherine de Ricci became a nun at the age of 14, her superiors realized she was a very good spiritual leader. She exchanged letters with quite a few other people, including Saint Philip Neri and three men who would later become pope: Marcellus II, Clement VIII, and Leo XI. Every Thursday from noon until Friday at 4 p.m., she was given a holy experience called an ecstasy. During that time, she would be totally focused on the Passion of Christ, as if she could see nothing but Jesus’ love, poured out for us on the Cross. 

Activity

Today is Friday, so before 4 p.m. today, pray St. Catherine's canticle (below). If you can, pray it every hour until  4 p.m. 
THE CANTICLE OF THE PASSION

My friends and My neighbors
have drawn near and stood against Me.
I was delivered up and came not forth; 

My eyes languished through poverty.
And my sweat became as drops of blood,
trickling down and upon the ground.

For many dogs have encompassed Me
the council of the malignant hath besieged Me.

I have given My body to the strikers
and My cheeks to them that plucked them.

I have not turned away My face from them that rebuked Me
and spit upon Me.

For I am ready for scourges,
and My sorrow is continually before Me.
The soldiers, plaiting a crown of thorns, placed it upon My head.

They have dug My hands and feet;
they have numbered all My bones.

And they gave Me gall for My food; 
and in My thirst, they gave me vinegar to drink.

All they that saw Me laughed Me to scorn; 
they have spoken with lips and wagged their heads.

They have looked and stared upon Me;
they parted My garments among them and upon My vesture they cast lots.

Into Thy hands I commend My spirit;
Thou has redeemed me, O God of truth.

Be mindful, O Lord, of Thy servants,
when Thou shalt come into Thy kingdom.

And Jesus having cried out with a loud voice
gave up the ghost.

The mercies of the Lord 
I will sing for all eternity.

Surely He hath borne our infirmities
and carried our sorrows.
He was bruised for our sins.

All we, like sheep, have gone astray; 
every one hath turned aside into his own way.

For the Lord hath placed upon him
the iniquities of us all.

Arise, why sleepest Thou, O Lord?
Arise and cast us not off to the end.

Behold, God is my Savior,
I will deal confidently, and will not fear.

We beseech Thee, O Lord, help Thy servants
whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy Precious Blood.

Have mercy on us, O benign Jesus. 
Who in Thy clemency didst suffer for us.

Look down, we beseech Thee, O Lord, on this Thy family for which Our Lord Jesus Christ did not hesitate to be delivered into the hands of the wicked, and suffer the torments of the Cross.

St. Catherine de Ricci, pray for us!

More reading for parents:


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