Servant of God Luis de Cáncer, O.P. (Feast Day June 26) 

c. 1500 – June 26, 1549 

Fr. Luis de Cáncer de Barbastro, O.P., was a Dominican priest and Spanish missionary to the New World. In 1542 he went to the territory of Guatemala and successfully ministered to the Mayan people. Aware of their sensitivity for music and their mistrust of Europeans, he used song as a first means of contact. The Dominican friars translated the content of their preaching into rhythmic poetic form using the different languages of the region and employing images and musical expressions from the local cultures. Fr. Cáncer mastered the different dialects of the area and was the composer of Christian canticles in these native languages. His evangelization efforts were so successful that an area that was known for violence was renamed the “Province of True Peace.” He believed that aggression and violence were counter-productive to the spread of the Gospel and that the native peoples needed to be treated with dignity.

Following his missionary success in Guatemala, Fr. Cáncer went on a mission to Florida in 1549. His expedition set sail from Mexico and landed just north of modern-day Tampa Bay. Fr. Cáncer celebrated Mass in Florida on the Feast of Corpus Christi. At first the missionaries were welcomed by the native peoples, who knelt in prayer as Fr. Cáncer chanted litanies to God and to the saints. However, this welcome did not last long. Two of Fr. Cáncer’s companions went ashore to stay with the natives, but soon perished at the hands of their hosts. When Fr. Cáncer heard word of the killing, he resolved to continue with the mission despite the danger. On June 26, he made his way ashore where he was clubbed to death in sight of the rest who were still in the boat. Though not a canonized saint, he is nevertheless regarded by those working for the canonization of the martyrs of La Florida as the “proto-martyr” of Florida. 

·       In today’s Gospel, Jesus says that when a grain of wheat dies and falls to the ground, it produces much fruit. Share an example of how this happens in nature.

·       In what way do we benefit from Jesus’ death?

·       The Gospel makes it clear that those who put Jesus first gain eternal life. Is it easy or hard to put Jesus first? Explain your answer.

·       Fr. Cáncer and the Dominican friars used music to evangelize native cultures. How can music be used to evangelize today? What is your favorite church hymn or Christian song?

Hula Hoop Contest

A circle is a symbol of eternal life because it has no beginning and no end. Think about Jesus’ offer of eternal life as you do this activity.

See who can keep a hula hoop spinning the longest around their waist. Come up with other challenges: How many times can you spin it around your arm? Your neck? Your ankle?

Baked Parmesan Chicken

In the Gospel of John, Jesus’ “hour” refers to the hour of his Passion and Death. This easy recipe bakes in just one hour.

3 lbs. bone-in chicken thighs

1 cup of breadcrumbs

1 cup of grated parmesan cheese

garlic salt to taste

pepper to taste

paprika to taste

Preheat oven to 350 F. Rinse chicken thighs. Pour remaining ingredients in plastic bag. Coat each thigh by placing it in the bag and shaking it. Place chicken in one layer in a baking dish. Add 1/3 cup of water to the bottom of the dish. Dot each chicken thigh with butter or margarine. Bake for 1 hour. Enjoy!

St. Joseph Prayer

The Feast of St. Joseph is on March 19th. This week call on his protection and intercession.

A Prayer to St. Joseph for Protection

St. Joseph, whose protection is so great,

so strong, so prompt before the throne of God,

I place in you all my interests and desires.

St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession

and obtain for me from your divine son

all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, our Lord;

so that having engaged here below your heavenly power,

I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers.

St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms.

I dare not approach while he reposes near your heart.

Press him in my name and kiss his fine head for me,

and ask him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath.

St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for us.

Amen.

The word “Amen” means “so be it” or “it is so.” How many times do we say “Amen” at Mass?

As a family, pray for those who are being persecuted for their faith today. Pray for this intention all week.

The Catholic Church in the United States is in the midst of a national Eucharistic Revival. It started on the feast of Corpus Christi in 2022 and will continue through Pentecost 2025. Find out more at: https://www.eucharisticrevival.org/