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Saint Pius V
Pius V was born on January 17, 1504 and was named Michael Ghislieri. His parents though very poor peasants were deeply devout. With a special love for the Mother of God he desired to consecrate himself to God's service. Naturally there was no money to pursue this, but encouraged by his mother to pray to our Lady she soon presented a way for him. It came naturally enough while he was tending a couple flocks of sheep. Two Dominican Friars passing by, started up a conversation with him, and impressed by his piety and intelligence they suggested he study latin with them and try his vocation. A gentleman of the neighborhood who was sending his own son to the Domincans offered to send him as well. Thus was the way provided and because his progress was so great he was allowed to take the Domincan habit in only two years.

At the age of 63, in 1566 he was elected Pope and though he had a relatively short term of only six years he made great accomplishments. He issued the Roman Missal, the revised Breviary and the Catechism of the Concil of Trent (all of which were used by the Church for almost 400 years). He established the Index of Forbidden Books, chose 314 bishops, wrote hundreds of bulls, and gathered an allied Christian Force which brought about the end of the Turkish dominance in the Mediterranean Sea. He was a very stern man - who was stern with himself and with others, one of the sadder notes of this was the excommunication of Elizabeth I of England which brought about a great many hardships and persecutions on the Catholics in England.

He is recognized as being one of the greatest Popes of all times.

Text written by Sr. Patricia Proctor, osc

To send today's card: Saint Pius V

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Quote for the Day:
Make your requests with definite earnestness if you would
have definite answers. Aimlessness in prayer accounts for
so many seemingly unanswered prayers. Be definite in your
petitions. Fill out your check for something definite, and it will
be cashed at the bank of Heaven when presented in Jesus' Name.
Dare to be definite with God.
Annonymous

Quote from the book, "101 Inspirational Stories of the Power of Prayer"

Well, I've reached an all time high in procrastination in writing the JoyNotes. Sometime back we saw on the news an episode that stated the most uclean place in the whole house was the computer keyboard. And for some strange unknown reason, this evening I started looking at my keyboard to see just how bad it was. And yeah it sort of looked bad. So I took a little paper clip to sort of dig into the depths between the keys to see if there was enough soil down there to plant anything... and I think it was very close. Maybe not a potato patch but I'm sure if I had a few lettuce seeds and a bit of water I could grow something. Isn't that just the lowest of the low? Why do they have things like that on TV for people like me who never knew that there was a life below the keyboard keys? I might need psychological counseling after this.

I bet you are thinking I should spend more time in prayer than disecting computer keyboards, eh? Oh well....its just that these moments of earthly reality sort of sneak in between my bouts of levitation. Sigh.

Last Sunday we started watcing, "Into the Great Silence" the video about the Carthusian monks. Which I have to say we are totally loving. It was too long to finish in one recreation period - so we have been watching about 20 minutes of it a night since then. It is just fascinating. And then somehow the contrast of my being absorbed with a computer keyboard seems a bit much.... but that is how life sneaks in between the cracks. One minute you think you might have a chance at being a bit holy and then something like that hits.

Good thing our God is a forgiving God! A loving God! A God who allows for people who live between the cracks some days or most days perhaps and still maintains constant loving place in his heart for them.

Holiness I think lies more in how much we let God take over our life just as we are.... just where we are than how much we strive of our own merit. Could be wrong of course. If I get to heaven and they won't let me in, I will be sure to come back and let you know on my way down.

Presales Start Tomorrow!

At any rate this is what I love about the book I have been working on. The stories come from so many varied and different sources... and the beauty of the stories is that glimpse to see just how powerful God is working in each and everyone of our lives. Just where we are. It's very comforting and very inspirational I think at the same time. It's not how much we struggle - but rather how much we love and let ourselves be loved by God.

Tomorrow the first of May - the Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker is the day I hope to start the presales. This year they will be operated a bit differently in that I am working through our local Independent book store here in Spokane. There are two main reasons for this. The main one is that I honestly believe this is the best book that God has allowed me to do so far and that I hope it will reach a wider audience. By starting off with it in a major Independent bookstore - every time a book is sold it registers in almost every large Independent store in the country. (Technology lives again!) AND I know this is sort of over the top.. but wouldn't it be nice... if a book on prayer actually became a popular book in the secular world?

My hope for this book - which I have put completely into the hands of the Blessed Mother since day one - is that it might be a Missionary book. A book that will touch ordinary people - living ordinary lives and show them just how much PRAYER is surrounding our world. That it will send a message that PRAYER is a bigger force then we often fail to remember.

The second reason for not handling the presales myself - is more of a practical reason. I simply do not have the time and energy to do it well. Every year I seem to lose people's orders, mix up things, lose checks, which is both distressing to the person placing the order and to Me! So it just seemed better to let the "selling" part of the book be in the hands of those who are more suited to that task.

Today, will you please pray that this book will do well? Pray that an angel might be with each and every person who reads these beautiful stories and will be encouraged and strengthened in their life of prayer.

Thank you!

Love and Prayers,
Sr. Patricia

Sr Patricia

Celebrate the Day!

Celebrate
the
Day!