Venerable Nelson Henry Baker (Feast Day July 29)

February 16, 1842 -- July 29, 1936

Nelson Baker was born the second of four boys in Buffalo, New York. He worked at his family's grocery store until the Civil War broke out and he enlisted as a Union soldier. When he came home from the war, Nelson went to work with his best friend. Together they ran a successful feed and grain business thanks to the business skills Nelson had developed while working in the grocery store. Eventually, Nelson answered the Lord's call to enter the priesthood.

After his ordination, Fr. Baker was assigned to the diocesan institutions at Limestone Hill, including St. Patrick Parish and St. Joseph's Orphanage which were in deep debt. He tried to negotiate payment plans with little success. Fr. Baker withdrew all his personal savings to pay off the debts. Then he had an idea. Fr Baker asked postmasters all over the country for the names of charitable Catholic women in their towns. Fr. Baker then wrote letters to those women and asked if they would contribute yearly to support the institutions at Limestone Hill. He requested one quarter per year and called the initiative The Association of Our Lady of Victory. His fundraising efforts were such a success that he was able to pay off all the debts and begin to work on building expansions and repairs!

Using that fundraising support and his business sense, Fr. Baker decided to drill for natural gas at Limestone Hill and build a home for unwed mothers and their children, a maternity hospital, and Our Lady of Victory National Shrine and Basilica. When the Great Depression began, Fr. Baker worked tirelessly to help the poor, hungry and homeless. He became known as the "Padre of the Poor," and served his community until his health began to deteriorate in 1936. He died at the age of 94 while being blessed by Fr. Joseph Burke, an orphan raised by Fr. Baker himself, who would later become the bishop of Buffalo.

• "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes him may have eternal life," (John 3:16) is one of the most widely used passages in Scripture. Why do you think that is?

• Jesus showed his connection to the Old Testament often. How do you think that might help people today understand his message more?

• How does it feel to know that Jesus came to save the world, not condemn it?

• Venerable Nelson Henry Baker used his organization and leadership skills to serve God. Why are these skills important in ministry?

Sardines

Venerable Nelson Henry Baker probably often played different games with his brothers. Invite family and friends to play this fun version of hide-and-seek.

One person hides while the others count in this reverse game of hide-and-seek. All the participants (the "Its") close their eyes and count while one person hides. When the counting is completed (usually to about 25), all the "Its" begin the search. When one of the "Its" finds the hider, he or she discreetly crawls into the hiding spot with him/her so that none of the other players see where they are. The last person to find the hider becomes the one to hide for the next round.

Classic Veal Piccata

Venerable Nelson Henry Baker started working at his family grocery store. When you get the ingredients for this recipe today, think of him.

½ cup all-purpose flour
Kosher salt (to taste)
Ground white pepper (to taste)
2 Tbsp high-heat vegetable oil (safflower, sunflower, peanut, or grapeseed)
8 (2 oz.) veal cutlets (pounded flat)
1 cup veal stock (or chicken stock)
½ cup dry sherry
1 lemon (juiced, divided)
2 Tbsp each of capers, butter, and Italian parsley (finely chopped)
Garnish: lemon slices

Combine the flour, salt, and pepper on a plate or in a shallow baking dish. Heat a heavy-bottomed sauté pan. Once hot, add oil and heat for another 30 seconds. Dredge both sides of the veal cutlets in the flour mixture. Shake off any excess flour and add them to the hot pan one at a time. Work in batches if necessary. Cook 2 to 3 minutes per side or until the cutlets are nicely browned. Remove them from the pan and set aside on a plate, covered with foil. (You can hold them in a very low-temperature oven if you like.) Add the stock, sherry, half of the lemon juice, and capers to the pan and scrape off any flavorful bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the liquid to a boil, then lower it to a simmer and cook for about 3 minutes or until the mixture has reduced by about a third. Swirl in the butter and chopped parsley just at the end of the cooking. Adjust seasoning with kosher salt and remaining lemon juice. Plate the cutlets, 2 per person, and garnish with lemon slices. Sauce generously and serve immediately.

https://www.thespruceeats.com/classic-veal-piccata-recipe-995302

Tantum Ergo

Tantum Ergo pays homage to our Lord both in the Eucharist and in His glory in the Trinity. It is the last two stanzas from the Eucharistic Hymn (Pange Lingua) composed by St. Thomas Aquinas and is used at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

This prayer is sung (in English or Latin) as the Eucharist is processed to the Altar of Repose. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite it.

Listen to this online at: Youtube Video (Latin & English). Follow along with the words to pray this prayer.

Down in adoration falling,
Lo! the sacred Host we hail,
Lo! oe’r ancient forms departing
Newer rites of grace prevail;
Faith for all defects supplying,
where the feeble senses fail.

To the everlasting Father,
And the Son Who reigns on high
With the Holy Spirit proceeding
forth from each eternally,
be salvation, honor, blessing,
might and endless majesty. Amen.

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross falls on September 14th every year. On this feast, we celebrate the cross on which Jesus was crucified. The cross, which is a symbol for all Christians, reminds us of Jesus' victory over death. When an image of the cross has the image of Jesus' body on it, it is called a crucifix. 

Count how many crosses or crucifixes you see at Mass today.

As a family, find time this week to attend Eucharistic Adoration together. Whether you go for a few minutes or an entire hour, take some time to reflect on John 3:17: "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him." After Adoration, take a few moments to share with one another about your experience in prayer.

When Venerable Nelson Henry Baker decided to drill for natural gas, he led a Eucharistic procession to find the spot where the drilling should start. At first, they found nothing, but once they dug to 1,137 feet, they found enough natural gas to heat all the buildings. It is still producing natural gas today!