Category: Pupil Reports

Pupil Report - Sts. Simon and Jude

10/28/2015

The feast of Saints Simon and Jude is celebrated on October 28. Both saints are among the twelve apostles.

Simon is normally called “the Zealot” to distinguish him from Saint Peter. Most of the then known world claimed that Simon preached the Gospel to them. However, it is generally believed that he preached in Persia and Babylonia. Saint Simon was martyred in the first century. He is frequently depicted with a saw as it is believed he was hacked to pieces.

Saint Jude, also called Thaddeus, was the brother of James the Lesser. He is credited with the Epistle of Saint Jude. It is believed that he preached in Palestine, where he was martyred in the first century. Saint Jude is the patron saint of impossible causes.

The liturgical prayers for the feast of Saints Simon and Jude highlight their role as apostles:

Collect
O God, through Your Blessed Apostles, Simon and Jude, You have brought us to the knowledge of Your name; grant that we may celebrate their everlasting glory by advancing in good works, and that we may advance in good works by celebrating it. Through our Lord.

Gradual
To me, Your friends, O God, are made exceedingly honorable; their principality is exceedingly strengthened. Alleluia.

Secret
Honoring the everlasting glory of Your holy Apostles, Simon and Jude, we beseech You, O Lord, that, being cleansed by the sacred mysteries, we may the more worthily celebrate that glory. Through our Lord.

Communion
You who have followed Me shall sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Postcommunion
We, who have received the sacraments, humbly beseech You, O Lord, that, by the intercession of Your Blessed Apostles, Simon and Jude, what we do in honoring their martyrdom may profit us as a remedy. Through our Lord.

Sancti Simon et Thaddaee, orate pro nobis!

This post was written by Kirsten Fontenot, an SJCA pupil in the Rhetoric Stage of her curiculum.

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Pupil Report - St. Raphael: “God Has Healed”

10/24/2015

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St. Raphael and Tobias

On October 24th, we celebrate the feast of The Archangel, St. Raphael. The name ‘Raphael’ means ‘God has healed’, which is fitting because of all the acts of healing attributed to the Archangel on Earth, Scripture tells us.

Raphael first arrives in Scripture in the book of Tobit under the disguise of a human traveling with Tobias in his youth. Later in Tobit 12:15, he makes himself known to be the Archangel called Raphael. He is believed to be one of the 7 Archangels that sit before the throne of the Lord (Revelations 8:2). The healing works of Raphael include healing Tobias of his blindness in his elder years, as well as the deliverance of Tobias’ daughter in law from a demon that tormented her

The liturgy for St. Raphael’s feast day is all taken from Tobit as a testament to all his works of healing:

THE COLLECT: O God, who sent the blessed Archangel Raphael to accompany Your servant Tobias on his journey, grant that we, Your servants, may also be guarded by him always and strengthened by his assistance. Through our Lord.

THE GRADUAL: I will sing Your praise in the sight of the angels; I will worship in Your holy temple and give glory to Your Name, O Lord. Alleluia!

THE SECRET: O Lord, graciously accept the sacrifice of praise we offer You. May it bring us closer to our salvation through the angel's prayers of intercession. Through Christ, our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON: All you Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord; sing a hymn of praise and exalt Him above all forever.

POST-COMMUNION: O Lord God, send the holy Archangel Raphael to help us, so that he, who we believe stands always before Your Throne, may present our humble prayers for Your blessing. Through our Lord .

St. Raphael, ora pro nobis!

This post was written by Mary Broussard, an SJCA pupil in the Rhetoric Stage of her curiculum.

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Pupil Report - Sts. Simon and Jude

Pupil Report - St. Raphael: “God Has Healed”

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