St Aloysius & The Sacred Heart Parish

18th August St Helena

St. Helena was the mother of Emperor Constantine the Greatand an Empress of the Roman Empire. Between the years 326-328, Helena took a trip to the Holy Places in the Middle East. During her journey, Helena had many churches constructed, including the one at the site of Jesus Christ's birth – the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem and another at the site of his Ascension - Church of Eleona on the Mount of Olives.

At this time Jerusalem was still being rebuilt after Titus' destruction. Around the year 130, Emperor Hadrian had a temple built over the site of Jesus' death. This temple was believed to be dedicated to Venus. Helena had this temple destroyed and chose a site in this location to be excavated. This led to the discovery of three crosses. Tradition says Helena brought a woman near death to the crosses. There she had the woman place a hand on all three crosses. Nothing happened when she touched the first two crosses, but when she placed her hand on the third cross she suddenly recovered. Helena declared the third cross to be the True Cross. At this site, Constantine ordered the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to be built.

20th August St. Bernard of Clairvaux

In 1113 St. Bernard was appointed Abbot of the Abbey ofClairvaux and began that active life which has rendered him the most conspicuous figure in the history of the 12th century. He founded numerous other monasteries, composed a number of works and undertook many journeys for the honour of God. Several Bishoprics were offered to him, but he refused them all. The reputation of St.Bernard spread far and wide; even Popes were governed by his advice.

21st August St. Pious X

Two of the most outstanding accomplishments of this saintlyPope were the inauguration of the liturgical renewal and the restoration of frequent communion from childhood. He also waged an unwavering war against the heresy and evils of Modernism, gave great impetus to biblical studies, and brought about the codification of Canon Law. His overriding concern was to renew all things in Christ. From St. Pious X we learn again that "the folly of the Cross", simplicity of life, and humility of heart are still the highest wisdom and the indispensable conditions of a perfect Christian life, for they are the very source of all apostolic fruitfulness. His last will and testament bears the striking sentence: "I was born poor, I have lived in poverty, and I wish to die poor".

23rd August St. Rose of Lima

Born in 1586 in Lima, Peru to Spanish colonists, and namedIsabel Flores de Olivia, she was exceptionally beautiful. Her beauty was so great that she was nicknamed "Rose," a name that remains with her to this day. According to legend, a servant had a vision where her face turned into a rose. At her confirmation in 1597, she officially took the name of Rose.
When she turned 20, she was permitted to join the ThirdOrder of St. Dominic. She continued a life of extreme prayer, fasting and penance. On one occasion she burned her hands as a self-imposed act of penance.
She continued a life of extreme prayer, fasting and penance. On one occasion she burned her hands as a self-imposed act of penanceShe was known to wear a heavy silver crown, with spikes that could pierce her flesh. The spikes reminded her of the Crown of Thorns. At one point, one of the spikes become so lodged in her skull that the crown was removed with great difficulty. St. Rose died in on August 25, 1617, at the age of 31. According to legend, she accurately predicted the date of her death. Her funeral was a major event attended by all the city's authorities. St. Rose is the patroness of embroiderers, gardeners,florists, those who suffer ridicule for their piety, and people who suffer family problems.

The Queenship of Mary (August 22nd)

Pope Pius XII established this feast in 1954. But the Blessed Virgin Mary's queenship has roots inScripture. At the Annunciation, Gabriel announced that Mary’s Son would receive the throne of David and rule forever. At the Visitation, Elizabeth calls Mary “mother of my Lord.” As in all the mysteries of Mary’s life, she is closely associated with Jesus: Her queenship is a share in Jesus’ kingship. We can also recall that in the Old Testament the mother of the king has great influence in court.
In the fourth century Saint Ephrem called Mary “Lady” and“Queen.” Later Church fathers and doctors continued to use the title. Hymns of the 11th to 13th centuries address Mary as queen: “Hail, Holy Queen,” “Hail, Queen of Heaven,” “Queen of Heaven.” The Dominican rosary and the Franciscan crown as well as numerous invocations in Mary’s litany celebrate her queenship.

The feast is a logical follow-up to the Assumption, and isnow celebrated on the octave day of that feast. In his 1954 encyclical Tothe Queen of Heaven, Pius XII points out that Mary deserves the titlebecause she is Mother of God, because she is closely associated as the New Eve with Jesus’ redemptive work, because of her preeminent perfection, and because of her intercessory power.