Bulletins
June 3, 2018
Download the Bulletin as a PDFSt. Basil the Great, the Bishop of Caesarea, and one of the most distinguished Doctors of the Church was born around 329 and died 1 January, 379. He ranks after St. Athanasius as the great defender of the Oriental Church against the pernicious Arian heresies of the fourth century: one denying the divinity of Christ, another denying the divinity of the Holy Spirit. With his friend St. Gregory of Nazianzus and his brother St. Gregory of Nyssa, he makes up the trio known as "The Three Cappadocians". St. Basil is recognized as the founder of Eastern monasticism. Today he teaches us about the Blessed Sacrament...
What is the mark of a Christian? That he be purified of all
defilement of the flesh and of the spirit in the Blood of
Christ, perfecting sanctification in the fear of God and the
love of Christ, and that he have no blemish nor spot nor
any such thing; that he be holy and blameless and so eat
the Body of Christ and drink His Blood; for 'he that eateth
and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to
himself.' What is the mark of those who eat the Bread and
drink the Cup of Christ? That they keep in perpetual remembrance
Him who died for us and rose again.
“The Morals” Ch. 22
He, therefore, who approaches the Body and Blood of
Christ in commemoration of Him who died for us and rose
again must be free not only from defilement of flesh and
spirit, in order that he may not eat drink unto judgment, but
he must actively manifest the remembrance of Him who
died for us and rose again, by being dead to sin, to the
world, and to himself, and alive unto God in Christ Jesus,
our Lord.
“Concerning Baptism” Book I, Ch. 3.
To communicate each day and to partake of the holy Body
and Blood of Christ is good and beneficial; for He says
quite plainly: 'He that eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood
has eternal life.' Who can doubt that to share continually in
life is the same thing as having life abundantly? We ourselves
communicate four times each week, on Sunday,
Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday; and on other days if
there is a commemoration of any saint.
“Letter to a Patrician Lady Caesariaca.” 372 A.D.
St. Basil the Great, pray for us, inspire us to deeper reverence for the Blessed Sacrament, more worthy reception of Holy Communion and more frequent participation in Holy Mass.
God bless you.
Fr. Christopher J. Pollard
