ST. MARIA KATHARINA KASPER – FOUNDRESS OF THE POOR HANDMAIDS OF JESUS CHRIST (PHJC)

The life of St. Maria Katharina Kasper explains clearly the saying widely attributed to Frederick R. Barnard - “My life: a picture worth a thousand words”. The real benefit of a picture is what it stirs up within the beholder and the life of St. Katharina, from the 19^th century till this present century, has been a light shining on others; showing the way to our heavenly Father. 

Saint Katharina Kasper lived in Germany, in the Westerwald area, from 1820 to 1898. She was born on the 26^th of May 1820 in Dernbach, Germany. Her parents; Henry and Catherine Kasper, were poor peasant farmers who lived a deep religious life. Katharina was a sickly child and because of this, missed school often but the few times she was able to go to school, she learned so quickly. She loved reading and she especially liked the ‘Bible’ and ‘The Imitation of Christ’ by Thomas a Kempis. God endowed her with Divine wisdom and insights. After the death of her father, life became very difficult for her family, that she had to start working in order to take care for her mother. The difficulties in her family did not hinder her from seeing to the needs of other poor people around her. 

THE DOCILITY OF ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL

“Your heralds brought glad tidings to greatest and to least; They told all men to hasten to share the great kings feast. And this was all their teaching in every deed and word, to all alike proclaiming: One Church, one Faith, one Lord.” –Edward H. Plumptre.

            In the life of the two great apostles Peter and Paul, we see the marvels of God’s glorious work and manifestation. The Divine hand worked on them and through them brought about his glorious plans. The glorious works performed by Peter, the prince of the apostles, cannot be recounted without great awe. Jesus named him as his vicar and set him as a foundation upon which he built his church. Jesus asked him to feed his lamb and prayed that his faith will not fail. After the Pentecost, we see him preaching fearlessly and boldly before the people of Israel, and even to disobeying the Sanhedrin saying, that is better to obey God rather than men. What can we say about the mighty miracles performed by this great apostle? It is recorded that the sick was brought out on the road, so that his shadow can fall on them for healing (Acts 5:15). He raised the dead and wrought so many other glorious works. Finally, he bore the ultimate witness by giving his life for the sake of his love for Christ.

            What of the glorious St. Paul? He is rightly referred to as thegreatest missionary of all time. His missionary zeal and firmness in proclaiming the word of God to all nations cannot be measured. Despite the difficulties that accompany the work, he never relented. Both in hunger and

IS GOD UNJUST?

         It happened that those in Hell murmured against God, saying that God was unjust by sending them to the torments of Hell. God, even though He owed no one any explanation for His actions, decided to prove his justice to them. Thus, He announced to those in hell that He will give them another chance to prove their worthiness of the Kingdom.

God, then, decided to hold a great feast for them. He commanded the angels to prepare a mighty pot, containing hot and freshly prepared porridge which they placed in the middle of the Hall for the celebration. Each of the condemned was given a spoon with a long handle, in other to get to the mighty pot in the middle of the Hall. God, now, instructed them to eat and make merry because it has been long

OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP

        

Devotions to Mary, Mother of Perpetual help is one of the most popular devotions to Mary. The title of our Lady as the Mother of Perpetual help evokes the sentiments of hope in two ways: Firstly, Mary is invoked as a mother. Generally, the word ‘mother’ brings to mind the idea of continuous concern, undying love, tender care. Secondly, she is not just a mother with all these attributes but a mother whose concern is ever perpetual. Perpetual, in a sense, can be synonymous to eternal, thus, her tender

ST. FRANCIS-MARY CROESE OF CAMPOROSSO_ PADRE SANTO

The book of Hebrew asserted that, with so many cloud of witnesses, a great a cloud around us, we too, then, should throw off everything that weighs us down and the sin that slings so closely, and with perseverance keep running in the race which lies ahead of us” (Hebrew 12:1 NJB). Francis-Mary was very much aware of this that he decided to be a lay brother, following the humble witness of his seraphic father Francis.

            Born at Camporosso (Imperial) Italy, on 27^th December, 1804. He was named John Evamgelist. His family owned a modest house and maintained small parcels of farmland. At the age of 18, his zeal for the service of God led him to seek admission among the Friars Minor Conventuals, where he took

ARE THE VICTIMS OF RAPE DEFILED BY THE ACT?

ST. AUGUSTINE ON RAPE

            Rape, which is basically the abduction or the use of force on someone in other to get sexual gratification, has always been a serious crime from antiquity. Women are most times the victims of rape. It is an unforgettable experience and in some cases causes trauma. However, many have some wrong conceptions about rape. Sometimes, the women are blamed for been too exposed or been the cause of the action especially through their manner of dressing and conduct. More so, another group of people have this idea that women are practically defied by the act.

            St. Augustine in his City of God, addressed these issues. First, he sets out to console the women who were raped during the invasion of Rome. He goes further to argue that victims of rape are not defied by the act. He argues that chastity is a thing of the mind and no one can touch it unless we give