October Devotion

09-29-2019Weekly ReflectionFr. James Aboyi

Dear Parishioners,

This week we welcome the beautiful month of October. October is quite unique for several reasons. Significant within the first week, on October 4, is the memorial of St. Francis of Assisi when many people have their pets blessed. The blessing of pets on the feast day of St. Francis is not an official practice of the Church, but more of a private devotion. It originated from the biography of St. Francis, which shows that he loved animals so much that he called them brothers and sisters. There are so many stories about St. Francis’ friendship with animals. One of the most famous stories about him holds that he tamed a wolf, that used to terrorize the people of Gubbio village, by just asking it to be friendly with the people.

This year, our St. John Bosco community will observe their symbolic blessing of pets on Friday, October 4, right after the morning Mass. We will have the general blessing of pets on Saturday, October 5, at 10 am in the north parking lot. Please hold and stay with your pets. Remember to bring the cats and dogs (in particular) on a leash or be ready to separate fights.

Living here in Arizona, the month of October has become one of my most favorite months of the year, mostly because of the beautiful weather that is not too hot or cold. In the Catholic Church, the month of October is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Month of the Rosary, commonly known as “October Devotion.” The Church recommends that every Catholic make an effort to pray the Rosary every day throughout the month of October. There is a very rich history behind the October Devotion. This can be traced back to the origin of the use of the Rosary in 1206. At that time, the Church was in a crisis as the result of the influence of Albigensian heresy that was destroying the church. It was then that the Blessed Mother introduced the Rosary to St. Dominic in a vision as a powerful weapon to defeat the plague of the heresy.

We are so blessed to have a Rosary group here in our parish. We usually pray the Rosary at 7:45 am before morning Mass every day. I invite you to join us during our daily Rosary in observance of the October Devotion. I also invite you to participate at the Arizona Rosary Celebration, organized by the Diocese of Phoenix, on Sunday, October 20 at the Phoenix Convention Center. (More information about the Celebration can be found at azrosary.net .)

Thank you and Remain Blessed.

Fr. James

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