August 6: Pope Saint Hormisdas

History

Hormisdas was a widower with grown children when he became a priest. When he was elected pope in 514, there was a schism in the Church. A schism is when the Church is divided because of differing beliefs. Schisms are bad, because Jesus Himself prayed that the Church would always be one, just as Jesus and the Father and the Holy Spirit are one (John 17). Pope Hormisdas successfully brought the divisions back together so the Church was one again.

Activity

The schism that Pope Hormisdas dealt with didn’t last very long, but other schisms have happened since then. The Great Schism in 1054 pretty much split the Church into two (Catholic and Orthodox), and the Protestant movement led to not just one schism, but thousands. All Christians should work to end divisions in the Church so that we can all be unified in the Lord, as Jesus intended. Today, pray that all Christians will become one Church once again.

Saint Hormisdas, pray for us!

ALSO...

Today is the Feast of the Transfiguration. It is not commonly observed among Catholics in the U.S. and other nations, but the Transfiguration is such an awesome event, you and your family might wish to commemorate it. Read the story of the Transfiguration in Matthew 17, Mark 9 or Luke 9. Raisins and new wine are traditional feast items for this day, so try to incorporate raisins in one of your meals today, or let the kids crush grapes and drink the juice. 

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia
Catholic Online
About the Feast of the Transfiguration