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The Friar's Notebook, Novaliches (2025)

11/07/2025

O Mary, my Mother...

10/07/2025

WHY IS THIS MEDAL SO POWERFUL?

A visually striking religious medal, a St. Benedict medal is complex and detailed. It is also, at first, a little mysterious. The first question that comes to mind is what do the various letters, symbols and words on the St. Benedict medal mean? This article will walk you though the details of the medal.

The St. Benedict medal is believed to be a very powerful medal, as it declares the wearer’s trust in God’s authority over evil and His ability to protect His children.

St. Benedict Medal Front

One one side of the medal there is an image of St. Benedict holding a book, “The Rule of St. Benedict” in his left hand, and a cross in his right hand. To one side of him is a raven, and on the other side of him there is a cup. Encircling the medal are the Latin words, “Eius in obitu nostro praesentia muniamur,” which means, “May we, at our death, be fortified by His presence.”

St. Benedict Medal Back

The back of the medal has a cross.

Along the vertical bar of the cross are the initials “CSSML,” standing for “Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux,” or, “May the Holy Cross be my light.”

On the horizontal bar of the cross are the initials, “NDSMD,” or “Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux,” or “Let not the dragon be my overlord.”

In the interior angles of the cross are the initials, “CSPB,” standing for “Crux Sancti Patri Benedicti,” or “The Cross of our Holy Father Benedict.”

In most cases, there is an additional inscription at the top of the cross, usually the word “Pax,” or “Peace,” or sometimes “IHS,” which is a symbol for the name of Jesus Christ.

Encircling the medal on this side is an abbreviation: “VRSNSMV,” meaning “Vade Retro Satana, Nonquam Suade Mihi Vana,” or “Begone Satan, do not suggest to me thy vanities.” Following these words is another abbreviation: “SMQLIVB,” meaning “Sunt Mala Quae Libas, Ipse Venena Bibas” or “Evil are the things thou proferrest, drink thou thy own poison.”

The medal was first struck in 1880 in commemoration of the 14th century since the birth of St. Benedict, though earlier versions were made throughout Europe. The first official approval of the medal was made by Pope Benedict XIV in 1741. The medal is often worn as a necklace, but can also be carried in one’s pocket, attached to a rosary, placed in the home, or placed in the center of a cross/crucifix.

07/07/2025

In the quiet of the evening, when the world begins to slow down, Heaven leans in closer.

The Rosary is not just a string of beads—it is a lifeline.

A prayer whispered in the darkness.

A cry of the heart answered by a Mother who never turns away.

Tonight, come to Mary.

Speak to her as a child speaks to a mother.

She knows your wounds. She sees your silent battles.

And she brings every intention to the feet of Jesus.

Let every Hail Mary be a step toward peace, healing, and grace.

Pick up your Rosary.
Heaven is listening. (ccto)

07/07/2025

On Saturday 5 July 2025, Fr. Matteo Balzano , a priest of the Diocese of Novara in Italy and assistant priest of the parish of Cannobio, was found lifeless in the home of the parish rectory. He was 35 years old. He had taken his own life.

The death of a priest, especially when it comes to an extreme and silent choice like su***de, forces us to stop, because behind the collar, behind the altar, behind the patient smile and constant availability, there is a man.... and we often forget that.

The priest is not a lone hero, nor a sacrament vending machine. He is a man who answered a radical call, who gave up so much - family, career, affections - to serve. But to serve does not mean to disappear. And consecrating oneself does not mean to become vulnerable. And yet the communities that are supposed to be family to him often turn into cages, or worse, "lion dens" and "viper dens." They become tribunals where every word is judged, every choice questioned, every defect magnified. Everything is expected from him, without granting him anything: neither the right to fragility, nor the time to rest, nor the space to simply be human.

Mission is mistaken for perfection. It is thought that being a "man of God" makes you indifferent to loneliness, to misunderstanding, to injustice. But it is not like that. The priest never ceases to be a man, and a wounded man, abandoned, neglected in his deepest needs, sooner or later collapses. And that breakdown is sometimes final. Maybe we cannot know what was going on in Fr. Matteo's heart. But we can honestly ask ourselves: how are priests treated in the communities they are sent to? Do we support them as much as we criticize them? Sometimes a kind word would be enough. A look that says "you're here and we love you". A simple yet authentic gesture, because the most painful loneliness is not the absence, but the one experienced among many, without being truly seen. Community is not a crowd. It is not an evaluation committee. It's a home. And if it's not a home for your pastors too, it's not the Church.

Fr. Matteo died alone, but he also died in the blindness of those who could not or would not see.

Those who love the Church today must learn to love their pastors too. Not idealizing them but being truly close to them. With kindness, with respect, with the same mercy we expect from them. They too need saving every once in a while. (By: Scottston Brentwood)

04/07/2025

“Mary knows our needs; she intercedes to make grace overflow in our lives and to guide them to authentic fulfilment.” - Pope Francis

30/06/2025

Thank you, Lord....

29/06/2025

Saints Peter and Paul
Feast day ~ June 29

On June 29 the Church celebrates the feast day of Sts. Peter & Paul. As early as the year 258, there is evidence of an already lengthy tradition of celebrating the solemnities of both Saint Peter and Saint Paul on the same day. Together, the two saints are the founders of the See of Rome, through their preaching, ministry and martyrdom there.

Peter, who was named Simon, was a fisherman of Galilee and was introduced to the Lord Jesus by his brother Andrew, also a fisherman. Jesus gave him the name Cephas (Petrus in Latin), which means ‘Rock,’ because he was to become the rock upon which Christ would build His Church.

Peter was a bold follower of the Lord. He was the first to recognize that Jesus was “the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” and eagerly pledged his fidelity until death. In his boldness, he also made many mistakes, however, such as losing faith when walking on water with Christ and betraying the Lord on the night of His passion.

Yet despite his human weaknesses, Peter was chosen to shepherd God's flock. The Acts of the Apostles illustrates his role as head of the Church after the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ. Peter led the Apostles as the first Pope and ensured that the disciples kept the true faith.

St. Peter spent his last years in Rome, leading the Church through persecution and eventually being martyred in the year 64. He was crucified upside-down at his own request, because he claimed he was not worthy to die as his Lord.

He was buried on Vatican hill, and St. Peter's Basilica is built over his tomb.

St. Paul was the Apostle of the Gentiles. His letters are included in the writings of the New Testament, and through them we learn much about his life and the faith of the early Church.

Before receiving the name Paul, he was Saul, a Jewish pharisee who zealously persecuted Christians in Jerusalem. Scripture records that Saul was present at the martyrdom of St. Stephen.

Saul's conversion took place as he was on his way to Damascus to persecute the Christian community there. As he was traveling along the road, he was suddenly surrounded by a great light from heaven. He was blinded and fell off his horse. He then heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He answered: “Who are you, Lord?” Christ said: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

Saul continued to Damascus, where he was baptized and his sight was restored. He took the name Paul and spent the remainder of his life preaching the Gospel tirelessly to the Gentiles of the Mediterranean world.

Paul was imprisoned and taken to Rome, where he was beheaded in the year 67.

He is buried in Rome in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.

In a sermon in the year 395, St. Augustine of Hippo said of Sts. Peter and Paul: “Both apostles share the same feast day, for these two were one; and even though they suffered on different days, they were as one. Peter went first, and Paul followed. And so we celebrate this day made holy for us by the apostles' blood. Let us embrace what they believed, their life, their labors, their sufferings, their preaching, and their confession of faith.”

Saints Peter and Paul, pray for us.

Source: CatholicNewsAgency.com

28/06/2025

6 Amazing Things to Know About Saints Peter and Paul, Martyrs & Founders of the Church

The Church celebrates the feasts of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29th.

Who is Saint Peter?

1. Saint Peter's name was originally Simon and he was a fisherman of Galilee.

2. He was one of the 12 apostles. His brother, Andrew, introduced him to Jesus.

3. Saint Peter struggled with doubt and human weakness, yet Jesus still chose him!

4. Saint Peter was the first Pope. The Catholic Church can trace the succession of every pope back to Saint Peter!

5. The Acts of the Apostles illustrate his role as the Church's head–the rock upon which Christ would build His Church.

6. He died by crucifixion. Tradition says he requested an upside-down crucifixion because he considered himself unworthy to die the way Jesus did. Saint Peter’s Basilica is built over his tomb.

Who is saint Paul?

1. Before receiving the name Paul, he was Saul, a Jewish pharisee who zealously persecuted Christians in Jerusalem. (CNA)

2. He underwent a huge conversion on his way to persecute Christians in Damascus. He instead went on to be baptized there and dedicated his life to spreading the Gospel.

3. Saint Paul was imprisoned and beheaded under Emperor Nero.

4. His letters are in the New Testament. These writings shed light on the faith of the early Church.

5. He is buried in Rome in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.

6. Saint Paul is the patron saint of missionaries and evangelists!

As Saint Augustine said,
“Both apostles share the same feast day, for these two were one; and even though they suffered on different days, they were as one. Peter went first, and Paul followed. And so we celebrate this day made holy for us by the apostles' blood. Let us embrace what they believed, their life, their labors, their sufferings, their preaching, and their confession of faith.”

Prayer for the feast of Saints Peter and Paul:

God Our Father, today you give us the joy of celebrating the feast of the apostles Peter and Paul. Through them, your Church first received the faith. Keep us true to their teaching. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Credits to
Caroline Perkins, ChurchPOP

Make holy all the things!

28/06/2025

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒂 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅 𝑱𝒆𝒔𝒖𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒕𝒉 𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒌𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒆𝒇𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒃𝒐𝒕𝒉 𝑶𝒖𝒓 𝑳𝒂𝒅𝒚'𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆, 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒑𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑.

Our Lady of the Holy Rosary and Visitation of Piat, remains ever close to us, walking with us in this “valley of tears,” ever ready to wipe with her handkerchief the sweat from our brows and the tears falling down our cheeks. She beckons us to draw close to her, and doing so, find the greatest treasure she possesses and the grandest blessing she has received: the baby she carries in her arm Jesus Christ.

27/06/2025

Morning Petitions
Dear Jesus,

The Journals

27/06/2025

A Saint Praying The Rosary And Red and White Roses Poured from His Mouth!

𝟰 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆

𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 ‘𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘰𝘴𝘢𝘳𝘺’ 𝘣𝘺 𝘚𝘵. 𝘓𝘰𝘶𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘦 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵:

The word “Rosary” means “Crown of Roses;” every time people say the Rosary devoutly they place a crown of one hundred and fifty-three roses upon the heads of Jesus and Mary. Each time you say a “Hail Mary” you are giving Her a beautiful rose. To show that this is literally true, St. Louis de Montfort tells the following story:

1. The Jesuit brother, Alphonsus Rodriguez, used to say his Rosary with such fervour that he often saw a red rose come out of his mouth at each Our Father, and a white rose at each Hail Mary, both equal in beauty and differing only in colour.

2. The chronicles of St. Francis tell of a young friar who had the praiseworthy habit of saying this crown of our Lady every day before dinner. One day, for some reason or other, he did not manage to say it. The refectory bell had already been rung when he asked the Superior to allow him to say it before coming to the table, and, having obtained permission, he withdrew to his cell to pray. After he had been gone a long time, the Superior sent another friar to fetch him, and he found him in his room bathed in a heavenly light in the presence of our Lady and two angels. Beautiful roses kept issuing from his mouth at each Hail Mary, and the two angels were taking them one by one and placing them on our Lady’s head, while she smilingly accepted them. Finally, two other friars who had been sent to find out what had happened to the first two saw the same scene, and our Lady did not leave until the whole Rosary had been said.

3. One day Saint Gertrude had a vision of our Lord counting gold coins. She summoned the courage to ask Him what he was doing, and he answered, “I am counting the Hail Marys that you have said; this is the money with which you purchase Heaven.”

This is what Our Lady herself said to Saint Gertrude: “Never has any man composed anything more beautiful than the Hail Mary. No salutation could be dearer to my heart than those beautiful and dignified words that God the Father addressed to me Himself.”

4. Father Dominic, a Carthusian, who was deeply devoted to the holy Rosary, had a vision in which he saw Heaven opened and the whole heavenly court assembled in magnificent array. He heard them sing the Rosary in an enchanting melody, and each decade was in honour of a mystery of the life, passion, or glory of Jesus Christ and his holy Mother. Fr. Dominic noticed that whenever they pronounced the holy name of Mary they bowed their heads, and at the name of Jesus they genuflected and gave thanks to God for the great good he had wrought in heaven and on earth through the holy Rosary. He also saw our Lady and the Saints present to God the Rosaries which the Confraternity members say here on earth. He noticed too that they were praying for those who practice this devotion. He also saw beautiful crowns without number, which were made of sweet-smelling flowers, for those who say the Rosary devoutly. He learned that by every Rosary that they say they make a crown for themselves which they will be able to wear in heaven.

“I am the Lady of the Rosary. You must say the Rosary every day, and say it properly”. – Our Lady of Fatima

27/06/2025

🌟 ALLIANCE OF TWO HEARTS 🌟
JUNE 27 — SOLEMNITY OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
JUNE 28 — MEMORIAL OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY

The beautiful union of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary is celebrated in two profound feasts. On June 27, we honour the boundless love and mercy of Christ in the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The next day, June 28, we commemorate the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a heart filled with purity, compassion, and unwavering devotion.

This liturgical pairing reflects the deep spiritual bond between Jesus and His Blessed Mother. In 1969, Pope Saint Paul VI arranged the calendar to place these feasts side by side—symbolizing the unity of their mission: to bring salvation to humanity through love, sacrifice, and intercession.

Prayer to the United Hearts of Jesus and Mary

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, fountain of divine mercy,
Immaculate Heart of Mary, refuge of sinners and Queen of Peace,
we consecrate ourselves and our families to your loving care.
Unite our hearts to Yours, that we may grow in holiness,
respond to God's will with joy, and radiate Your love to the world.
Grant us the grace to remain faithful in trials,
peace in our homes, and courage in our witness to the Gospel.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us. Amen.

The Friar's Notebook

11/07/2025

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07/07/2025

07/07/2025

04/07/2025

30/06/2025

29/06/2025

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27/06/2025

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