Blood of Martyrs

Sisters and brothers in Christ, throughout the history of the Catholic Church, “the blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church” (Tertullian). Many have died for their faith, for the sake of the kingdom of heaven, for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Their courage in the face of persecution inspires millions to follow God, to stand up and defend the Church and the faith. As Saint Paul wrote to the Ephesians: "For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens."

Like the holy men and women of God, saints and martyrs of Christ, we stand up for our beliefs in the face of persecution with faith, hope, and love because God is with us to strengthen us and give us courage. For as our Jesus Christ our Lord tells us in today's Gospel (in his Sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes). . .

"Blessed are you when people hate you,
and when they exclude and insult you,
and denounce your name as evil
on account of the Son of Man.
Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!
Behold, your reward will be great in heaven."

The clergy in Nicaragua is being persecuted by the government, put under house arrest and falsely imprisonment. Let us unite with them and with all persecuted sisters and brothers in Christ - at home and aboard - and pray that they "rejoice in hope, be patient under trial, persevere in prayer" (Romans 12:12).

Please see below and join us. Christ's Church is built on a rock foundation, it shall not fall, it will not fall, so let's put on the armour of God and go to battle in this spiritual warfare. Vivat Jesus!  Viva Cristo Rey! 🙏🕊❤️

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Fr. Rito will be offering a prayer vigil in the church to pray for imprisoned clergy in Nicaragua on Sept. 9th from 7 PM-12 AM.

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Gospel of the Day

Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said:
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for the Kingdom of God is yours.
Blessed are you who are now hungry,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who are now weeping,
for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when people hate you,
and when they exclude and insult you,
and denounce your name as evil
on account of the Son of Man.
Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!
Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.  
For their ancestors treated the prophets
in the same way.
But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.
But woe to you who are filled now,
for you will be hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will grieve and weep.
Woe to you when all speak well of you,
for their ancestors treated the false 
prophets in this way.”