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San Expedito: Who was and why is your day celebrated on April 19?

He is considered the patron of just and urgent causes and is revered by thousands of people every year. What is your story and your prayer.

Every April 19 around the world is celebrated the day of  San Expedito , the patron saint of just and urgent causes . In Argentina it even has a Church: Our Lady of Balvanera Parish, which receives thousands of people every year to make its offering. However, this year is different: the quarantine due to the coronavirus prevented the faithful from being able to approach the place.

The history of San Expedito

According to those who studied the life of this saint, Expedito was born in the 3rd century (his place of birth, which could have been Armenia is unknown ) and had a military career: he was commander of the XII Roman Legions  at the orders of the Emperor Dioclesiano. This legion also carried the name " Fulminante ", due to a feat of war that made it famous.

Post in what would be Turkey today , the main mission of these soldiers was to defend the Roman territory from the attack of the Huns. In the midst of his task, Expedito began to have more and more devotion to the Christian faith , and after some hesitation he finally decided to convert.

According to tradition, before his decision, a crow appeared in front of him and said "Cras" , which in Latin means "tomorrow". However, Expedito replied "Hodie", that is, "today", referring to the fact that he would not allow more time to adopt Christianity . 

After this, Expedito decided to preach his faith to his entire troop and to defend all the Christians who were sent to the circuses to fight against and be devoured by lions, which aroused the wrath of the Emperor Dioclesiano , who gave the order to kill him.

Finally, after interrogating him for several days, on April 19, 303, Expedito was beheaded in Melitene , headquarters of one of the Roman Provinces in Armenia, along with his fellow soldiers Caio, Galatas, Hermogenes, Aristonico and Rufo.

How is the prayer to San Expedito

"My Saint Expedite of just and urgent causes, intercede for me together with Our Lord Jesus Christ, so that he may come to my aid in this hour of affliction and despair.

My Saint Expedite you who are the Holy warrior. You who are the Saint of the afflicted You who are the Saint of the desperate You who are the Saint of urgent causes, protect me, help me, granting me: strength, courage and serenity. Heed my request! (In this part the request must be made).

My Expedito, help me to overcome these difficult hours, protect me from all those who may harm me, protect my family, attend to my request urgently. Give me peace and tranquility.

My Expedito! I will be grateful for the rest of my life and I will spread your name to all who have Faith. Thank you very much

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Pope Francis invites to entrust himself to the Merciful Jesus

The Feast of the Lord of Divine Mercy will be celebrated this day, and constitutes an opportunity to ask God to end the pandemic.

Pope Francis invited Merciful Jesus to be commended "for the whole Church and for all humanity" who is suffering from the covid-19 epidemic caused by the coronavirus.

The Pope will leave his isolation to celebrate a mass this Sunday, where he will pray the Angelus in a church in Rome dedicated to Divine Mercy. The Holy Father announced since Wednesday that "next Sunday (now) we will celebrate the feast of Divine Mercy."

This is a Christian devotion promoted by the Catholic Church focused on the mercy of God.

The Eucharist will take place in the Church "Santo Spirito in Sassia", a place of particular devotion in Rome to the Divine Mercy and located near the Via de la conciliation, in front of the General Curia of the Jesuits.

As reported by the Press Office of the Holy See, the Mass will be held "privately, and in the end, from the same church, the Pope will lead the Marian prayer of Regina Coeli", instead of the Library of the Vatican Apostolic Palace as is usual.

Furthermore, the Vatican note explained that this Eucharist is held "on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the canonization of Saint Faustina Kowalska and the institution of Divine Mercy Sunday" by Saint John Paul II in 2000.

"Saint John Paul II instituted it responding to the request of Jesus transmitted to Saint Faustina: 'I wish that the feast of mercy be of reparation and refuge for all souls. Humanity will not find peace until it goes to the source of my mercy '", Santa Faustina wrote.

"With confidence, let us pray to the Merciful Jesus for the Church and for all humanity, especially for those who suffer in this difficult time. The risen Christ revive in us hope and the spirit of faith. From the heart, I bless you," he concluded.

The Vatican said the Mass will be broadcast live - with commentary in Spanish and other languages ​​- "to reach the faithful around the world."

On April 30, 2000, Saint John Paul II proclaimed the second Sunday of Easter as "Sunday of Divine Mercy" for the whole world.

In 2002, the Pontiff established that "Divine Mercy Sunday" is enriched with indulgences, which can also benefit the sick, seafarers or those who for just cause cannot leave their home or carry out an urgent activity.

With a brief message published on his profile on the social network Twitter, Pope Francis invited the faithful to open their hearts to forgiveness and brotherly embrace on this Mercy Sunday.

"If our hearts are open to mercy, if we seal forgiveness with a fraternal hug, we proclaim to the world that it is possible to overcome evil with good", is the content of the tweet spread in the account of the Holy Father.

Pope Francis says he is also a "sinner"

Also during the Regina Coeli prayer, Francis focused his reflection on mercy and invited him to approach the Risen Jesus and touch his wounds, which are the source of mercy and forgiveness.

"Let us draw near to Jesus and touch his wounds on our suffering brothers. Jesus 'wounds are a treasure, hence mercy arises. Let us be brave and touch Jesus' wounds. With those wounds, he stands before the Father," she said.

He also recalled that "with his wounds, Jesus intercedes before the Father. He gives us mercy if we approach and intercedes for us."

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Sunday, April 19: 5 online activities to enjoy at home

In times of quarantine, a daily guide with various cultural proposals specially chosen to take advantage of free and online

Film & Arts offers an exclusive concert from the auditorium of the National Academy of Santa Cecilia in Rome where classical music proves to be appreciated by both adults and children. Argentine pianist Martha Argerich , conductor Antonio Pappano and Latvian cellist Mischa Maisky perform famous pieces by Leclair, Schumann and Shostakóvich in the “Pappano-Argerich-Maisky” special, this Sunday at 19:30.

In addition, the concert will have a great special piece for children to discover the value of classical music with the French romantic Saint-Saëns and his composition "The Carnival of Animals" , a piece composed 131 years ago and which is essential in music teaching, not only for being fun but for including in its musical development all the instrumental ingredients that children love such as the flute, clarinet and xylophone.

It can be seen this Sunday at 19:30 on the signal on the following channels: Cablevisión (HD 457), Directv (746), Telecentro (SD 520 / HD 1086) and Movistar TV (HD 611).

Timbre4 will broadcast an online function registered in 2017 at the York Theater, in Olivos, along with the cast made up of Manuela Amosa, José Escobar, Diego Faturos, Jorge Fernández Román and Candela Souto Brey.

Synopsis : Sonia and her uncle Iván live in Carmen de Patagones, a town in the south of the country. They have a hostel where they live and work, and they also rehearse for their recitals. The only guest is called Pablo, a young doctor who does not know how long he will stay. With the arrival of Sonia's father, Alejandro, and his new wife, Elena, the coexistence begins to bother. Five lives adrift between songs, homemade sweets and fracking; and an implicit question: Can they do anything else? Can we do something else in the world?

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