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Month of April
The word April means “to open.” This is the time of year that leaf and flower buds open {in some parts of the world – LOL] In most northern countries, this is a month of transformation. The day is now longer than the night. Even if the nights are chilly, the daytime sun is strong and growing stronger. The earth itself seems to take part in the Passover of the Lord.” Companions to the Calendar – a guide to the Saints, Seasons, and Holidays of the Year, page 58
“Month of the Holy Eucharist – During the month of April, we give special honour to the Holy Eucharist. The Eucharist, the Second Vatican Council taught us, is “The source and summit of the Christian life” (Lumen Gentium, 11). What does that mean? It means that our participation in the Eucharist is the source from which we draw our strength to live as Jesus taught and to serve in his name. It is also the summit, the high point of our communal life. We use the word Eucharist to describe our celebration of the Mass. We use the same word when we speak of the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood. In this month of the Holy Eucharist, let us participate more fully and actively in the Church’s liturgy, our celebration of the Eucharist. And let us take time, too, for quiet adoration in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, and become more aware of the wondrous way Christ comes to us in the Eucharist.” Companions to the Calendar – a guide to the Saints, Seasons, and Holidays of the Year, page 58-59
“April 1st is the memorial of St. Avril, deacon, 1564-1598. St. Avril was born in France in 1564; he was a highly spirited person who enjoyed hearing the laughter of those around him. He would perform silly acts which would lighten the season of Lent or assist with the celebration of the Resurrection. He would often climb trees or small sheds and drop into the paths of his fellow citizens, creating humorous spectacles for onlookers. This began the tradition of April Fools’ Day that we enjoy today.” Created in the looney mind of S. Pat Carter for this special solemnity.
April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day. The theme for this year’s day is “Celebrate the Spectrum. Since 2007, World Autism Awareness Day has been celebrated on 2 April, during which we celebrate the achievements and accomplishments of people with Autism. During this time, many schools and awareness organizations also hold events to increase knowledge and understanding of Autism.
https://www.twinkl.ca/event/world-autism-awareness-day-2022
All Saints – Daily Reflections on Saints, Prophets, and Witnesses for our Time by Robert Ellsberg – pages pages 92-93
“Karl Rahner Theologian (1904-1984) March 5
“The real and total and comprehensive task of a Christian …is to be a human being, a human being of course whose depths are divine….To this extent Christian life is the acceptance of human existence as such.”
Karl Rahner was the foremost Catholic theologian of the twentieth century. His life passed externally in a fairly monotonous course of teaching and writing. But in his quiet and methodical way he did more than any other theologian to overcome the gulf between Catholic theology and the critical reason of the Enlightenment. His chief aim was to make Christian faith intelligible to human beings living in the modern world – a situation characterized by doubt, pluralism, science, and historical consciousness. Most but not all of his work was addressed to a theological audience. But he was never motivated by purely intellectual interests. He remained first of all a priest concerned with the pastoral needs of the Christian people and the importance of dialogue with all people of good will.” Pages 102-103
Catholic WORD of the Week“Latria This term is derived from a Greek root meaning “service,” but in Christian thought, latria has come to denote specifically that kind and degree of praise which is reserved for God alone. It is thus firmly to be distinguished from dulia or hyperdulia. It should also be observed that the ultimate form of veneration of God is adoration expressed in sacrifice, and that the Sacrifice of the Mass is the most perfect sacrifice which can be offered to God. This form of worship in sacrifice, then, is known as latreutic worship and falls under the strict regulation of Church authority.” Our Sunday Visitor’s CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA, page 577