June 2021 ITE MISSA EST

A Newsletter from the Missions Office/Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States Catholic Diocese of Columbus, Ohio

St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Pray for us!

To monthly mission donors: mortification and Thank you for your support! penance.” In this earthly life, we need to focus on On behalf of His Excellency God and straighten our Robert J. Brennan, the Bishop of lives by mortification and Columbus, and Very Rev. Father penance. We have to Andrew Small, OMI, the National make use of every Director of the Pontifical Mission opportunity which God Societies in the United States, I provides in our lives to would like to thank you for your do good and comfort the prayers, sacrifices and financial needy. support for the missions. When we sacrifice our **************************** wants it becomes the St. Aloysius Gonzaga was a Jesuit need for someone else so Deacon who lived in Italy and that we can freely offer to them. Our little sacrifices Rome. June 21st is his feast day. He have great merits in the was well-known for his purity. He eyes of God. Penance is had taken a vow of perpetual the pinnacle in our virginity while very young, spiritual life. When we safeguarding himself from the ask any favor of God temptations of this world. with penance it would be granted because God is In 1591, when a plague broke out so pleased by our total in Rome, he volunteered to serve in trust in Him. the hospital. It was not long before he came down with the plague As the Coronavirus himself. He died on at the age of 23 convulses us, it is giving and he is the patron saint of youth us an opportunity to and plague victims. reflect on the vulnerabil- ity of our very being and In this Covid-19 pandemic, we can our need to turn towards rely on St. Aloysius’ intercession the Lord to build up soli- for healing and also for the grace to darity among all of us. be a witness for the love of God and neighbor. It is very significant We can permit the Holy during these difficult times and Spirit to take control of global pandemic to reflect on St. our life. Similar to St. Aloysius’ quote: “I am but a Aloysius who loved the crooked piece of iron, and have promptings of the Holy come into religion to be made Spirit and lived his life straight by the hammer of accordingly. St. Aloysius was a very devout JULY June Missions Collections soul too the Blessed Mother, Mary Universal intention - Social Catholic Home Missions who is the Mediatrix of all graces. friendship June 5 - 6 He was very fond of offering We pray that, in social, economic mortifications and praying the and political situations of conflict, Peter’s Pence Rosary in honor of our Heavenly we may be courageous and Mother, Mary. passionate architects of dialogue June 26 - 27 and friendship. Visit our website for more details Our little sacrifices have great and information. merits in the eyes of God. During Count your blessings! this COVID-19 pandemic, we are Quest: The world seeks victory by isolated, but we are not alone; the Every day is a gift from God. trying to get back on its feet, the pandemic cannot and must not Knowing that truth, we can marvel Christian by getting down on his stop the work of the Church! about God’s infinite love every knees. single day! We can rely on God’s Let us ask God for the end of blessings rather than our own Quote: “You cannot stumble if you Covid-19 through the intercession limitations. are on your knees”. (Unknown) of St. Aloysius. Let us partake in the Church’s penitential life and Always remember: Nothing can Quip: It is a pity that common sense is such an uncommon serve God and our neighbors. take away the joy which God in- stilled in your heart and nobody commodity St. Aloysius pray for us! can take away God’s zeal from ************************ your soul which imprints that you Dear God, help me to enter into a are God’s child! You are not owed time of quiet each day with you. to anybody for your soul except Let me hear your voice every God and He alone who is the morning in the silence of my author of every single life on this heart. Refresh me with your word earth. Thank God for His goodness and in your life as well as others’ life. renew my spirit that I may zeal- Life is good when you are simple ously do everything for your glo- and joyful, but much better when ry. Amen. others are happy because of you. Pope Francis’ quote: “Rivers do ************************ not drink their own water; trees do “The poor…are your not eat their own fruit; the sun brothers and sisters in Christ. You does not shine on itself and must never be content to leave flowers do not spread their them just the crumbs from the fragrance for themselves. Living feast. You must take of your sub- for others is a rule of nature. We stance, and not just of your abun- are all born to help each other. No dance, in order to help them. And matter how difficult it is … Life is you must treat them like guests at good when you are happy; but your family table.” much better when others are happy Pope John Paul II Pope Francis’ June & July because of you.” Prayer Intentions: (from the homily at Yankee Sta- When we do something good for dium, New York, 1979). JUNE others, God is pleased in you as you have done for Him because ************************** Intention for evangelization - everyone is made in His image and Sr. Zephrina Mary The beauty of marriage likeness. When we help others Gracykutty, Missions Office Let us pray for young people who which makes them happier that is Director are preparing for marriage with the better than simply being happy support of a Christian community: Gina Sergio, Program with ourselves. Coordinator may they grow in love, with gener- osity, faithfulness and patience. Visit us on the web at www.columbuscatholic.org