SAINT OF THE DAY -- April 14 - Blessed Peter Gonzalez
April 14
Blessed Peter GonzalezPatron Saint of Spanish and Portuguese Sailors(1190 - 1246)
Popularly known as St. Elmo.
St. Paul had a conversion experience on the road to Damascus. Many
years later, the same proved true for Peter Gonzalez, who triumphantly
rode his horse into the Spanish city of Astorga in the 13
th
century to take up an important post at the cathedral. The animal
stumbled and fell, leaving Peter in the mud and onlookers amused.
Humbled,
Peter reevaluated his motivations (his bishop-uncle had secured the
cathedral post for him) and started down a new path. He became a
Dominican priest and proved to be a most effective preacher. He spent
much of his time as court chaplain, and attempted to exert positive
influence on the behavior of members of the court. After King Ferdinand
III and his troops defeated the Moors at Cordoba, Peter was successful
in restraining the soldiers from pillaging and persuaded the king to
treat the defeated Moors with compassion.
After retiring from the
court Peter devoted the remainder of his life to preaching in northwest
Spain. He developed a special mission to Spanish and Portuguese seamen.
He is the patron of sailors.
Peter Gonzalez died in 1246 and was beatified in 1741.
Prayer:Almighty God, you bestowed the singular help of Blessed Peter on those
in peril from the sea.
By the help of his prayers may the light of your grace shine forth in
all the storms of this life and enable us to find the harbor of
everlasting salvation.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Source: American Catholic Organization
Many great miracles have been associated with
the Rosary throughout history. The tremendous power of the Rosary can
overcome any problem, be it small or large, personal or worldwide.
Miracles continue to the present day.
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If you are a victim of domestic or sexual violence, please know that my husband and I pray for you every single night.
If you need immediate assistance, dial 911.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline:
1-800-799-SAFE OR (1-800-799-7233)
SIGNS OF AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP
Do you:
feel afraid of your partner much of the time?
avoid certain topics fear of angering your partner?
feel that you can’t do anything right for your partner?
believe that you deserve to be hurt or mistreated?
wonder if you’re the one who is crazy?
feel emotionally numb or helpless?
Does your partner:
- humiliate, criticize, or yell at you?
- treat you so badly that you’re embarrassed for your friends or family to see?
- ignore or put down your opinions or accomplishments?
- blame you for his own abusive behavior?
- see you as property or a sex object, rather than as a person?
Does your partner:
have a bad and unpredictable temper?
hurt you, or threaten to hurt or kill you?
threaten to take your children away or harm them?
threaten to commit suicide if you leave?
force you to have sex?
destroy your belongings?
Does your partner:
- act excessively jealous and possessive?
- control where you go or what you do?
- keep you from seeing your friends or family?
- limit your access to money, the phone, or the car?
- constantly check up on you?