A blog about the inspiring lives of Saints. It also includes the reflection of the blogger on the featured Saint. The readers are also encouraged to reflect and pray as they get to know these saints.
Saint Aedan of Ferns, also known as Máedóc or Áedán or Aidan, was an early Christian saint in Ireland. He is remembered for his piety, humility, and dedication to spreading Christianity in Ireland.
Born around 558 A.D. in County Cavan, Ireland.
As a young man, Aedan was known for his deep religious fervor. He studied under St. David in Wales and later returned to Ireland. Aedan was renowned for his austerity, devotion, and miracles.
He founded a monastery at Ferns in County Wexford, which became a center of religion and learning.
His life was characterized by humility, a deep sense of prayer, and compassion for the needy. St. Aedan of Ferns died of natural causes on January 31, 632 A.D.
He left a lasting impact through his missionary work and the establishment of the Diocese of Ferns.
Patronage:
St. Aedan of Ferns is known to be the patron saint of:
The Diocese of Ferns in Ireland.
He is often invoked for protection and guidance.
Prayer to St. Aedan of Ferns:
"O Holy St. Aedan, faithful servant of God, you who tirelessly spread the Christian faith in Ireland and founded the monastery of Ferns, guide us in our spiritual journey. May we learn from your humility, your unwavering faith, and your dedication to serving others. Intercede for us, that we may find strength in times of trial and remain steadfast in our love for Christ. Amen."
Reflection on St. Aedan's Life:
Reflecting on the life of St. Aedan, we are reminded of the importance of humility and service in our Christian journey. His dedication to prayer and his compassion for others serve as an example for us in our daily lives. As we seek to follow his example, we are called to deepen our faith, to serve others selflessly, and to spread the message of Christ's love through our actions and words. St. Aedan's life encourages us to pursue a closer relationship with God and to be a light to those around us.
Saint Emerentiana was the milk sister of Saint Agnes for Emerentiana's mother was the nanny and wet nurse of Saint Agnes. One of the obscure saints and a Roman virgin- martyr, who lived in the 3rd century,
Emerentiana was much of the same age as St. Agnes when she suffered martyrdom. This little girl was a catechumen and was still learning about Christianity before she was even officially baptized. Martyrs, as catholic believe, are "baptized by blood".
A few days after St Agnes' death, Emerentiana she was found weeping and praying by her tomb. The pagans who were as furious as ever, attacked the little girl but Emerentiana refused to leave the place, claiming she was a Christian. Emerentiana was stoned to death by the crowd of pagans and her
body was buried alongside Agnes.
Emerentiana's relics were recovered near the Church of Saint Agnes on the Via Nomentana when it was being restored during the reign of Pope Paul V. The relics were later transferred to the Basilica of Saint Agnes. The body of Saint Agnes lies under the altar, together with that of her milk sister Saint Emerentiana.
Emerentiana is represented as a young girl who either carries stones in her lap, also with a palm/lilies in her hand, or a girl being stoned to death by a mob.
Patronage:
She is the patron saint of stomach problems, including colic and stomach aches, likely due to her representation with stones, which might symbolize these ailments.
In remembrance of St. Emerentiana, here's a reflective prayer:
"O Holy St. Emerentiana, brave defender of faith and follower of St. Agnes, inspire us with your courage to stand firm in our beliefs. Guide those who suffer from stomach ailments towards healing and comfort. May your story remind us of the strength found in faith and the power of standing up for what is right, even in the face of adversity. Amen."
Reflections:
* St Agnes lived her faith by example and Emerentiana is the first fruit of her labor. Emerentiana stood up to the pagans out of love and fidelity to what Agnes believed in. These two saints bore witness to
their faith and it is through the witness of lives such as these that others will come to believe and find salvation as well.
As Christians, it is through our works that others will come to see the faith that we have in God. May others see our good works and give glory to our God.
*The life and martyrdom of St. Emerentiana teach us about the power of conviction and the strength to stand up for our beliefs. Her story is a testament to the enduring power of faith and a reminder that even in the face of great trials, our beliefs can give us the courage to face any challenge.
Don Bosco was born on 16 August 1815 in a village called Becchi north of Italy. John’s father died when he was two years old and was brought up by his mother, Margaret. At the age of nine, John Bosco had been having dreams that revealed God's will in his life. He was in a field with an unruly crowd of children and John was asked to lead them. “Not with blows, but with kindness and love you must win over these your friends. I shall give you a Teacher under whose guidance you will become wise”. This vision became a guiding force that inspired him to become a priest and led him to minister to the poor and neglected boys.
While attending college and seminary, he did myriads of work such as a shoemaker, tailor, carpenter, baker and John Bosco would go to circuses, fairs and carnivals to learn how to juggle and do magicians tricks in order to relate to the boys that he was teaching. His aim was to provide fun and games with teaching and praying so as to catch the attention of the children. After this entertainment, he would talk about God and teach them.
John Bosco was ordained in 1841, just short of his 26th birthday. In Italy, priests are called Don, so John Bosco was also known as Don Bosco. He continued to teach catechism to orphans and with loving guidance led the young people to a useful, fulfilled lives. Don Bosco saw education as the key to helping the boys. He built technical schools to teach them skilled jobs like printing, bookbinding and mechanics. In those days, these were the skills that were needed to provide a better future for these young generation.
Soon enough, others were inspired to follow him in responding to the needs of the youth. Thus, he started the Salesian Missions in South America and founded the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) in 1859. He also founded the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians in 1872, and Union of Cooperator Salesians three years after.
Don Bosco died on January 31, 1888 and was canonized a saint by Pope Pius XI in 1934.
Patronage:
St. John Bosco is the patron saint of schoolchildren, young people, and magicians (due to his use of magic tricks to engage children in his religious teachings).
Prayer to St. John Bosco:
"O glorious St. John Bosco, who, in order to lead young people to the feet of the divine Master and to mold them in the light of faith and Christian morality, did heroically sacrifice yourself to the very end of your life and set up a proper religious institute destined to endure and to bring to the world the sweet and comforting fruits of your major labors, obtain also for us from Our Lord the grace of a truly Christian education for our children, and especially obtain for the youth of our times a complete dedication to their duties, the avoidance of any vice, and the courageous practice of all virtues. Amen."
Reflection:
*Saint John Bosco became the bearer of God's love to these young boys. With John's gift of friendship, joy, love of life...he dedicated his life to service and reached out to these children to provide for them both their material and spiritual needs.
May we continue to walk with others in the spirit of St. John Bosco and fulfill every human longing for love, joy and meaning.
*Reflecting on the life of St. John Bosco, we are reminded of the profound impact that love, education, and faith can have on shaping the lives of the young. His dedication to empowering the youth, especially those marginalized, shows the transformative power of compassion and dedication. In today's world, where many young people face challenges and uncertainties, the example set by St. John Bosco encourages us to support and guide them with patience, understanding, and unwavering faith.
Arnold Janssen was born in Goch, Germany on November 5, 1837. At a young age, he manifested an inclination for the priesthood. He took up philosophy at the Academy of Munster and then studied at the University of Bonn and was ordained a Catholic priest on August 15, 1861. He is best known for founding 3 congregations. One is the Society of the Divine Word also known as the Divine Word Missionaries. This society was designed to provide priests and lay brothers for the missions. The first missionaries were sent out in the mid 1890's and rapidly spread around the world. The 2 other congregations are for women in recognition of the important role women played in the missionary outreach. "Servants of the Holy Spirit served as educators especially for young girls while the "Sister Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration" are contemplative nuns who devote themselves to praying for the success of the missions.
Father Arnold Janssen died in Steyl on January 5, 1909, and was beatified in 1975 by Pope Paul VI. He was canonized on October 5, 2003 by Pope John Paul II after the miraculous healing of a Filipino teenager.
Patronage:
St. Arnold Janssen is recognized as the patron saint of missionaries, particularly those who labor in foreign lands to spread the Gospel and bring the message of Christ to people of different cultures and backgrounds.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank you for the life and example of St. Arnold Janssen, who dedicated his life to spreading your Gospel to the farthest corners of the earth. We ask for his intercession on behalf of all missionaries who continue his work today. May they be filled with the same missionary zeal and unwavering faith that characterized St. Arnold's life.
Grant them the courage to face the challenges of cultural differences and the difficulties of missionary life. May they find strength in their vocation, knowing that they are instruments of your love and mercy to those who have yet to hear your Word.
St. Arnold Janssen, pray for all missionaries, that they may be inspired by your dedication and commitment to the mission of Christ. Help them to bring the light of faith to those in darkness and to make disciples of all nations, as you did in your lifetime.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Reflections:
St. Arnold Janssen's life serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of sharing our faith with others, especially in places where it has not yet taken root. His unwavering commitment to missionary work and his founding of the Society of the Divine Word and Missionary Sisters are a testament to the transformative power of faith.
As we reflect on his life, let us also consider how we can be missionaries in our own lives, whether by sharing our faith with those around us, supporting missionaries in their work, or simply being a source of love and compassion to those in need. May we draw inspiration from St. Arnold Janssen's dedication and continue to spread the message of Christ's love to all corners of the world.
Saint Arnold Janssen demonstrated how it is to be a true servant of God. He was in constant search for God's will and he let God use him for His purposes.
Feast Day: January 28
Doctor of the Church (Angelicus Doctor), Prince of Scholastics
Born at Rocca Secca in the Kingdom of Naples, the year of Thomas’ birth is not certain; either 1225 or 1227.
His father, Landulph, was Count of Aquino while his mother, Theodora, was Countess of Teano. His family was related to the Emperors Henry VI and Frederick II, and to the Kings of Aragon, Castile, and France.
At the age of five, as it was the custom of that time, he was sent to obtain his first training from the Benedictines of Monte Casino then to the University of Naples around 1236. At the age of seventeen, in spite of the opposition of his family, he entered the Order of St. Dominic in Naples.
At the request of their mother, the brothers of Thomas, who were soldiers under the Emperor Frederick, took him back forcibly and imprisoned him in the fortress of San Giovanni. He was detained nearly two years; they even went so far as to send a beautiful young lady into Thomas’ room for the purpose of alluring him. But as soon as the lady came inside, he drew a burning stick from the fire and drove her out from his room.
These long months of imprisonment were not put to waste, however, for Thomas spent his time reading the valuable books (Holy Scriptures, Aristotle's Metaphysics, and the "Sentences" of Peter Lombard),which his kind sister obtained for him.
After eighteen months or so in confinement and with all their efforts put in vain, her mother relented and Thomas was set free.
He was ordained priest in 1250. Upon the advice of Albert the Great, Thomas Aquinas then journeyed to Paris to continue his studies and to teach in their Study House. This may be regarded as the beginning of his public career, for his teaching soon attracted the attention of both the professors and the students. Subsequently, St. Thomas began teaching, lecturing and writing. At the same time, he also began to publish his first works.
The reputation of Saint Thomas as a Philosopher and theologian spread far and wide, and he was frequently invited to preach and give lectures.
In due time, Saint Thomas was admitted to the degree of Doctor in Theology. By the age of thirty-one, he received his doctorate.
On his way to the second Council of Lyons, he fell sick and died at the Cistercian monastery of Fossa Nuova in 1274 leaving the "Summa Theologica" unfinished.
St. Thomas was one of the greatest and most influential theologians of all time. But despite that, he remained childlike. Once, there was this friar who made a ruse about a horse flying over the priory. The friars were laughing at Thomas as he ran to the window to look at the flying horse. Laughing at himself, he added, “I thought it was easier for a horse to fly than for a friar to utter a lie”.
Saint Thomas was canonized in 1323 and declared Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius V.
Patronage:
St. Thomas Aquinas is the patron saint of a variety of individuals and groups, including theologians, philosophers, academics, Catholic schools, universities, and students. He is also often invoked by those seeking to understand and deepen their faith through intellectual exploration.
Prayer to St Thomas Aquinas:
O God, who inspired St. Thomas Aquinas with an ardent love for knowledge and truth, and who enabled him to harmonize faith and reason, we humbly ask for your guidance and wisdom. May we, like him, seek to understand the mysteries of our faith and the world around us with a heart full of devotion and a mind open to the light of reason.
St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church, intercede for us before the throne of grace. Help us to navigate the challenges of our time, especially in matters of faith and morality. Grant us the courage to pursue truth relentlessly, and may our pursuit of knowledge always lead us closer to you, the source of all wisdom.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Reflections:
Before he began his study, Saint Thomas always prays for God's assistance, for he acknowledged that not all truths are learned by human intellect alone but that some truths are known through revelation (God revealing the truth to us) and through experience (our own personal experience of God).
For Saint Thomas Aquinas, faith and reason are not in conflict.
The fullness of truth is found only in God.
Saint Thomas Aquinas' constant search for truth is essential in a life dedicated to the pursuit of sanctity and perfect charity.
St. Thomas also teaches us the importance of humility. Despite his incredible intellect, he remained humble and open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He recognized that human knowledge is limited, and our understanding of God's mysteries is always incomplete.
Here's a video I saw in YouTube (Fr. Barron comments on St. Thomas Aquinas) that I'd like to share with you.
