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July, 2008 - Overview for the Month
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The month of July is dedicated to The Precious Blood of Jesus. The entire month falls within the liturgical season of Ordinary Time, which is represented by the liturgical color green. This symbol of hope is the color of the sprouting seed and arouses in the faithful the hope of reaping the eternal harvest of heaven, especially the hope of a glorious resurrection. It is used in the offices and Masses of Ordinary Time. The last portion of the liturgical year represents the time of our pilgrimage to heaven during which we hope for reward.
General: That there may be an increase in the number of those who volunteer to serve the Christian community with generous and prompt availability.
Missionary: That World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia, may kindle the fire of divine love in numerous young people and render them sowers of hope for a new humanity.
The feasts on the General Roman Calendar celebrated
during the month of July are:
The Gospel readings for the first four Sundays in July are taken from St. Matthew — all are from Year A, Cycle 2.
The main feasts of this month are Bl. Junipero Serra (July 1), St. Thomas the Apostle (July 3), St. Elizabeth of Portugal (July 4), St. Augustine Zhao Rong (July 9), St. Benedict (July 11), Bl. Kateri Tekakwitha (July 14), St. Bonaventure (July 15), Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (July 16), St. Camillus (July 18), St. Mary Magdalene (July 22), St. Bridget (July 23), St. Sharbel (July 24), St. James (July 25), Sts. Joachim and Anne (July 26), St. Martha (July 29), St. Peter Chrysologus (July 30) and St. Ignatius of Loyola (July 31). The feast of St. Maria Goretti (July 6) falls on a Sunday so it is suppressed this year.
July’s longer and warmer days also provide us with the opportunity for renewal, both interior and exterior. Schedules relax and pressures ease, inviting travel. But, whether we travel or not, like the missionary, Bl. Junipero Serra (July 1), we preach to others — by our conduct, our speech, even the clothes we wear. May we be modest in everything we do, imitating St. Maria Goretti, the young martyr for purity (July 6), and “preaching” Christ to everyone we meet. The summer Readings of Ordinary Time remind us that our earthly pilgrimage is also a journey, a great adventure towards union with Christ, the Beginning and the End of our journey. Each Sunday with its Easter renewal becomes a mile marker along the way, linking where we have been with where we are going. May the Precious Blood of Jesus sustain us as we journey to our true home, with Mary and the angels as our companions on the way. |
The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not the sharing of the Blood of Christ?
Highlights
July 16
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel 
The
Blessed Virgin appeared to St. Simon Stock, holding in her hand
a scapular, and directed him to found a Confraternity whose members
should wear this scapular and consecrate themselves to her service.
The Sabbatine privilege will then insure their early release from
Purgatory on the Saturday after their death.
The food associated with St. Swithin in legend and poetry is the apple,
and his blessing is asked each year by the apple growers.
Recording the "memories" of Jesus'
life with His friends and family is a wonderful way to gain more knowledge
of Christ and enter more closely into the Paschal Mystery. Summer
is a good time to start this project with your family.
Symbols
The mother of Our Lady, whose loving care of
her daughter is shown by the silver border with black masonry. The lily refers to the girlhood of the Virgin.
The Founder of the Society of Jesus, and writer
of the "Spiritual Exercises." "IHS" and rays,
with the letters "AMDG" meaning "To the greater glory
of God".
The patron of builders. He is said to have
built a Church with his own hands in East India. The spear refers
to the instrument of his martyrdom.
St. Martha is mentioned as serving Christ
with refreshment. A covered table with cloth, cups, pitcher and
bowl containing fruit — all symbols of St. Martha's service.
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July
is the month when we tend to become more patriotic as we celebrate
the birthday of our country. It is usually hot and a time for relaxing.
It is also the time when crops planted in the Spring are maturing
and growing. Just as the crops are dependent upon summer rains not
only to grow but to survive so our spiritual development is dependent
upon our frequenting the sacraments and receiving the Blood of Christ. 
The
Blood that coursed through the veins of Christ was a part of that
Sacred Humanity made possible by the maternity of Mary, whose parents,
St. Joachim and St. Ann are honored this month. (July 26). Our Lord's
blood poured out on the Cross purchased our salvation, washed clean
the robes of the martyrs, and gave birth to the Church as it flowed
from his wounded side. The Precious Blood of Christ — now pulsing
through his Mystical Body — continues its salvific work, preserving
and purifying, repairing and providing nourishment for regeneration
and renewal of its members. 
