TWO GREAT FRENCH SAINTS: LOUIS DE MONTFORT AND PETER CHANEL.

FEAST OF SAINTS LOUIS MARIE DE MONFORT AND PETER CHANEL. 

YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN. 

THE GOSPEL:

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

He came to Jesus at night and said to him,

"Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God,

for no one can do these signs that you are doing

unless God is with him."

Jesus answered and said to him,

"Amen, amen, I say to you,

unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God."

Nicodemus said to him,

"How can a man once grown old be born again?

Surely he cannot reenter his mother's womb and be born again, can he?"

Jesus answered,

"Amen, amen, I say to you,

unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.

What is born of flesh is flesh

and what is born of spirit is spirit.

Do not be amazed that I told you,

'You must be born from above.'

The wind blows where it wills,

and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." (John 3: 1 - 8).

Monday 28th April 2025, in the 2nd Week in the Easter Season is the feast of two French saints: St Peter Chanel and St Louis de Monfort. 

Louis de Monfort was born on the 31st of January 1673 in Monfort in France. Louis was ordained a priest in 1700. His great contribution was in fostering devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the holy Rosary.

In 1715, he founded the Missionaries of the Company of Mary. Among his books which are still in print are: TRUE DEVOTION TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN; SECRET OF THE Rosary.

Louis de Monfort made the Rosary one of the most popular Catholic devotions throughout the world. Catholics everywhere are indebted to him for articulating the incredible

powers of this simple devotion.

St Peter Chanel (1803 - 1841). Priest and Martyr. St Peter Chanel died a martyr in the island of Futuna in the Oceania.

Jesus was born, lived and died to establish the Kingdom of God. 

Jesus answered Nicodemus in the AMP Bible translation, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God.” 

The carnal man is incapable of experiencing spiritual things. He is acquainted only with material carnal things. (Cf Romans 8: 6; 1 Corinthians 2: 14). This is what Jesus teaches Nicodemus. This is also a truth anyone can bear witness to by reflecting on his acquaintances. 

Everything is created twice. The first creation is from the earth and unsurprisingly earthy. The second creation is from above and is heavenly. It is the Holy Spirit who gives us the second birth. And this happens when we are baptized. We become born anew and in fact new creation. 

Since we died with Christ when we were immersed into the water of Baptism and raised with Christ, let us seek what is above where Jesus is seated at the right hand of God. (Cf Colossians 3: 1). 

THE CHURCH HONORS THE EUCHARIST IN APRIL. 

"282. How is Christ present in the 

Eucharist?

 Jesus Christ is present in the Eucharist in 

a unique and incomparable way. He is 

present in a true, real and substantial way, 

with his Body and his Blood, with his Soul 

and his Divinity. In the Eucharist, 

therefore, there is present in a 

sacramental way, that is, under the 

Eucharistic species of bread and wine, 

Christ whole and entire, God and Man."

My flesh is real food and My blood is real drink says the Lord. 

For Teachings, Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-holy-eucharist_31.html?m=1