June 16, Wednesday, 11th Week in Ordinary Time
ST. JEAN-FRANCOIS (John Francis) REGIS (France, 1597-1650),
Jesuit, Missionary and Preacher
Born to a wealthy family in southern France, Jean-Francois received a Jesuit education and joined the order at age 18. He was as diligent in prayers as he
was with his studies. After he was ordained,he did missionary work in various parts of rural France, preaching in plain language which attracted faithful of
every class. He spent mornings saying Mass and hearing confessions, and afternoons visiting prisons and hospitals. He was particularly solicitous of
prostitutes whom he persuaded to a new life, by having them trained as lacemakers. Taking note of his gifts, the Bishop of Viviers assigned him to
evangelize the diocese which was prey to various forms of Protestantism, and where many parishes had been deprived of the sacraments for two decades.
For the next 12 years, he carried out this 'internal mission', under punishing conditions in a desolate part of France, although what he really wanted was
to be a missionary to the Indians of North America. During this time, he earned a reputation as a 'saint'. To his dying day, he continued preaching and
organizing social services for prisoners, the sick and the poor. He was canonized in 1717. He is the patron saint of the Jesuits in France.
Readings for today's Mass:
www.usccb.org/nab/readings/061610.shtml
OR today.
The only papal story in this issue was the brief item
anticipating the opening yesterday afternoon of the
annual Diocesan Convention of Rome by the Holy Father
as Bishop of Rome (translated and posted yesterday
in the preceding page of this thread). But there is a
Page 1 commentary by Fr. Robert Imbelli on the Pope's
homily at the closing Mass of the Year for Priests.
Page 1 international news: An international report on
terrorist killings by Muslim extremists since 2001 shows
that more than 90% of victims have been Muslims; a UN
Commission for Refugees report says that the number of
refugees worldwide in 2009 reached 43.3 million - only
128,000 were legally resettled in 19 host countries.
And for some reason, the newspaper devotes at least
four articles on 'The Blues Brothers', a 1970 film with
a God message.
THE POPE'S DAY
General Audience today - The Holy Father's catechesis was on the teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas.
The Vatican announced today the official program for the Holy Father's pastoral visit to Sulmona
in the Abruzzo region of Italy on Sunday, July 4.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 18/06/2010 15:54]