Letter of July 8, 2005

SUMMER SAINTS The Most Reverend Carl F. Mengeling, Bishop of Lansing During the lovely summer months of June, July and August, our church calendar marks the feasts of NINE unique saints. All have much in common as contemporaries of Jesus.

They were chosen and called to be his friends and followers. They were believers who experienced his salvation and became the beginnings of his continuity of Church. They are New Testament people. We know about them from the Gospels and the other New Testament books. Several actually wrote books of the New Testament. With these NINE, we go back to the beginning; to the first believers and followers of Jesus and the first members of his Church. Celebrating these NINE saints will strengthen our faith and sanctify us. They will be a spiritual tonic and as they say ‘‘a shot in the arm’’.

Here they are: June 24 - Birthday of St. John the Baptist. He prepared people to welcome and receive Jesus the Messiah. His final witness was martyrdom. Five are APOSTLES, of the Twelve chosen by Jesus and the twelve foundation stones of the Church. June 29 - St. Peter, the Vicar of Christ and St. Paul, missionary to the world. July 3 - St. Thomas the Apostle (Doubting Thomas). July 25 - St. James the Greater, brother of John. Sons of Zebedee. August 24 - St. Bartholomew the Apostle. July 22 - Mary Magdalen, the penitent and first to see The Risen Christ. July 26 - St. Anne and St. Joachim, parents of Mary and grandparents of Jesus. August 15 - The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the one who brought Jesus into the world and now shares his glory.

All are in the New Testament with an exception. There is no mention of the parents of Mary; not even their names. Of course Mary had parents. The names ‘‘Anna" and "Joachim’’ are a very early tradition and are most likely correct.

All of these rank high in the calendar, but some are of the highest rank. Three are Solemnities: June 24 - The Birth of John the Baptist, June 29 - Saints Peter and Paul and the Assumption are Solemnities. They have two distinct masses. Each has a Vigil mass and a Mass during the day..

Here are ways to prepare for the celebration of these New Testament saints who know and followed Jesus. These first members of Jesus’ Church are prototypes and examples for all subsequent believers.

Find and reflect on the texts of the Scriptures that refer to them, e.g. John the Baptist is a central figure at the start of all four Gospels. This gives us a composite picture of John the Baptist.

Read and reflect on the Scripture Readings for the Mass. They relate us to the profound meaning of the saint in relation to Christ and the Church and each of her members. Each of these high feasts has a special preface. The preface introduces the Eucharistic Prayer. They are wonderful summaries about the meaning of the feast in few words. They are a rich source for our meditation.

These Summer Saints who knew Jesus and are the first members of the Church will teach and inspire us. They are our family, the Communion of Saints, our friends, who intercede for us.