Saint Lucy also known as Saint Lucia or Santa Lucia of Syracuse

Feast Day: December 13

Saint Lucy or Santa Lucia's name is derived from Lux/Lucis which means
"light" and she is also the patron saint of the blind and those with eye
problems.

Lucy was a young, wealthy Christian lady of Syracuse, Sicily.  Her mother
singly took care of her as she lost her father when she was still an
infant. As she grew older, her mother urged Lucy to marry a young pagan
gentleman.  Her mother didn't know then that Lucy has already chosen to
live single for the Lord and has consecrated her life  to the service of
Christ.  Her mother continued to press Lucy to marry but she refused. When
her mother was afflicted with sickness and for four years suffered from it.

 Lucy persuaded her mother to go to Catania where the tomb of Saint Agatha
(patroness of Catania) was already a site of pilgrimage to ask for her
intercession.  It was here that Lucy disclosed her desire to devote herself
to God and convinced her mother that the dowry be spent on alms so that she
might retain her virginity.

Healed by the divine power, Lucy's mother, Eutychia, relented and allowed
Lucy to pursue her pious inclinations.

The young gentleman, however, did not take this kindly and in his rage
denounced her as a Christian to the governor of Syracuse.

Saint Lucy died a Christian martyr during the Diocletian persecution.

The relics of Saint Lucy were venerated in a church dedicated to her in
Venice until 1961 when it was demolished and transferred to the church of
San Geremia.

Patronage:

Saint Lucy is the patron saint of the blind and those with eye trouble, reflecting the legend that her eyes were gouged out either by her persecutors or as an act of sacrifice. She is also the patron saint of Syracuse, and her protection is invoked against throat infections and epidemics.

Prayer to Saint Lucy:

"O God, our Creator and Redeemer, mercifully hear our prayers that as we venerate Thy servant, Saint Lucy, for the light of faith thou didst bestow upon her, Thou wouldst vouchsafe to increase and preserve this same light in our souls, that we may be able to avoid evil, to do good and to abhor nothing so much as the blindness and the darkness of evil and of sin. Through Christ our Lord. Amen."

Reflection:

*During Diocletian's reign, many Christians suffered much torture and painful death for their faith.  St. Lucy was one of those who stood up with courage in defense of the faith.  At an early age, she committed her life fully to God, she chose to stay single and committed her life to God until she died.  May we also impart to the little kids the same faith and trust that Saint Lucy demonstrated.  We may live and die for Christ who is the way, the truth and the life.

*The story of Saint Lucy inspires the faithful to remain steadfast in their beliefs, even in the face of adversity. Her dedication to her faith, even to the point of death, serves as a reminder of the power of conviction and the strength of the human spirit. Her association with light, both literal and metaphorical, encourages us to seek spiritual enlightenment and to be a guiding light in the lives of others. Her life is a testament to the enduring power of faith and the impact one individual can have on the world.

Saint Barbara

Feast Day: December 4

Barbara lived in the 4th century in the city of Heliopolis.  She was the daughter of
Dioscorus, a wealthy nobleman and a pagan.  In his zeal to protect his young daughter,
Barbara was kept shut up in a tower and forbade her to have friends or speak to anyone
without his permission.

By way of a basket on a rope, she got her food and other things she needed.  It was in this
way too that she got the bible from a stranger.  One day, Barbara got ill and her father
sent for a doctor. Unknown to Dioscorus, a priest name Origen was sent instead and it was
through this that Barbara received baptism. In her solitude, she gave herself to prayer and
studied the Christian faith. 

Dioscorus, before going on a journey, instructed that a bath-house with 2 windows be built
for her daughter.  During his absence, Barbara had three windows put in instead of two, as a
symbol of the Holy Trinity and on the marble wall placed a large cross.  She, then
acknowledged herself to be a Christian.

His father was enraged by her conversion and dragged her before the civil tribunal.  She was
cruelly tortured but Barbara stood firm in her faith and would not deny Christ. Finally, she
was condemned to death by beheading and her father himself carried out the death sentence. 
On his way home, Dioscorus was struck by lightning that consumed his body.

St. Barbara is often depicted in art as standing in a tower with three windows and carrying
the palm of a martyr in her hand or she is seen holding a chalice and sacramental wafer.

Many pilgrims who came to her grave were healed or received aid and consolation. Before the
ninth century, Saint Barbara was publicly venerated  and became the patron saint in time of
danger from thunder-storms and fire as well as protector of artillerymen and miners.
Saint Barbara was proclaimed martyr on December 4, 306.

Patronages:

Miners and Artillerymen: Due to the legend involving lightning and explosions, she became the patron saint of miners, artillerymen, and others who work with explosives.

Architects and Builders: Her association with the tower led to her patronage of architects and builders.

Others: She is also considered a protector against sudden death and is invoked during storms.

Prayer to Saint Barbara:

"O Saint Barbara, you were a martyr of great renown, who converted to Christianity and bravely faced torture and death for your faith. Your courage and devotion inspire us. As our heavenly patron, protect us from danger and guide us in times of trouble. Grant us the strength to face our challenges with the same faith and determination you showed. Amen."

Reflection:

*Reflecting on the life of Saint Barbara, we are reminded of the virtues of courage and steadfastness in the face of adversity. Her story teaches us about the importance of standing firm in our beliefs, even when faced with overwhelming challenges. It encourages us to be resolute in our convictions and to trust in a higher power for guidance and protection. In her life and martyrdom, we find an enduring symbol of faith, resilience, and the triumph of the spirit over worldly fears and threats.

*In her solitude, Barbara encountered God.  Her mind, heart and soul were opened by the grace of God to feel His presence and because of this she was convinced of the existence of God and was able to endure the terrible torture.

Her love for God made Barbara stood firm as she held to her faith in Jesus in the face of death.  She fearlessly bore witness to Jesus by suffering death rather than recanting her faith.

Saint Clare of Assisi

Feast Day: August 11


Chiara Offreduccio more known as St. Clare of Assisi was born on July 16, 1194. She was the
eldest daughter of Favorino Scifi, Count of Sasso-Rosso and Ortolana also belonging to a
noble family.  Her father owned a large palace in Assisi being a wealthy representative of
an ancient Roman family. 

As a child,  Chiara was most devoted to prayer.  When she turned eighteen, she had a chance
to hear St.Francis of Assisi preached.  This kindled a flame in her heart and desired to
imitate Francis and live a poor humble life for Jesus.

Clare decided to lay aside her privileged life and sought to imitate Francis' virtues and the Franciscan theology of joyous poverty in imitation of Christ. One evening, she ran away from home, proceeded to the humble chapel of the Porziuncula and gave herself to God. She became the first followers of Saint Francis of Assisi.

She was temporarily placed by St. Francis in San Paolo with the Benedictine nuns then transferred to another monastery of the Benedictine nuns at Sant' Angelo in Panzo, then finally to the poor chapel of San Damiano, which Francis himself had rebuilt. Other women joined and thus the first community of the Order of Poor Ladies (Order of San Damiano) was founded.  This is a monastic religious order for women in the Franciscan  tradition, and their lives consisted of manual labour and prayer. St Claire led it for 40 years.  Following
her death, the order was renamed in her honor as the Order of Saint Clare also known as the
Poor Clares.

St Claire died at the age of 59, two days after the pope confirmed the Rule of Life (the rule written by Claire for her community and is considered the first monastic rule written by a woman) to serve as the governing rule for St. Clare's Order.

Patronage:

Saint Clare is the patron saint of eye disease, goldsmiths, laundry, television, and needleworkers. Her connection to television stems from a legend where she was ill and unable to attend Mass, yet she reportedly saw and heard the Mass on the wall of her room, similar to watching television.

Prayer to Saint Clare:

"O Glorious Saint Clare! God has given you the power of working miracles continually, and the favor of answering the prayers of those who invoke your assistance in misfortune, anxiety, and distress; we beseech you, obtain for us from Jesus, through Mary, His Blessed Mother, what we beg of you so fervently and hopefully, if it be for the greater honor and glory of God and for the good of our souls. Amen."

Reflection:

Reflecting on Saint Clare's life invites us to consider the power of faith, simplicity, and dedication. Her decision to leave a life of luxury for one of poverty and prayer is a stark reminder of the transient nature of worldly possessions and the lasting value of spiritual wealth. Saint Clare's life encourages us to find strength in our faith, to trust in divine providence, and to serve others selflessly.

Saint Clare's devotion to a life of prayer and her deep connection with God through her humble and simple life is an inspiration. It challenges us to look beyond the material and find fulfillment and peace in our spiritual journey.

Saint Blaise

Feast  Day: February 3


Only a few facts are known about Saint Blaise.

Saint Blaise was born in to a noble and affluent family who raised him to be a man of God. He spent time studying philosophy and later medicine.

Saint Blaise became the bishop of Sebastea in Armenia during the reign of Licinius in the early fourth century, when a series of persecution began again.  In one of his prayers, he got a message to set off to the mountains so as to escape persecution. He lived in a cave on Mount Argeus but as soon as people found out where he was, they came flocking to him from nearby countries and provinces for the cure of their ailments both spiritual and physical.

He was discovered by the huntsmen when they saw the myriads of people waiting outside the cave while Blaise was praying.  He was arrested, put in prison and was martyred. While in prison, a boy was brought to him who had a fishbone stuck in his throat -this led to the blessing of throats on February 3- Saint Blaise’s feast day.

The blessing of St. Blaise is done by consecrating two candles which are then held in a crossed position by a priest and pressed against the throat or over the head as the following blessing is said: "May God at the intercession of St. Blasius preserve you from throat troubles and every other evil."

Patronage:

Saint Blaise is venerated as the patron saint of:

Throat illnesses

Animals

Wool combers

Veterinarians

Various places and professions associated with throat diseases

Feast Day

Roman Catholic Church: Celebrated on February 3.

Eastern Orthodox Church: Celebrated on February 11.

Prayer to Saint Blaise

"O Glorious Saint Blaise, who by your martyrdom has left to the Church a precious witness to the faith, obtain for us the grace to preserve within ourselves this divine gift, and to defend, without human respect, both by word and example, the truth of that same faith, which is so wickedly attacked and slandered in these our times. You who miraculously cured a little child when it was at the point of death by reason of an affliction of the throat, grant us your powerful protection in like misfortunes; and, above all, obtain for us the grace of dying a holy death. Amen."

Reflection:

Reflecting on the life of Saint Blaise encourages us to consider the strength of faith in the face of adversity. His commitment to serving others, despite the danger to his own life, highlights the virtue of selflessness. In our own lives, we can draw inspiration from his example to aid those in need and to stand firm in our beliefs, even when faced with challenges. The story of Saint Blaise also reminds us of the power of intercessory prayer and the importance of spiritual well-being alongside physical health.

Saint Maria Goretti

Feast Day: July 6


Maria Teresa Goretti was born in Corinaldo, Ancona, Italy, on October 16 1890. She was the third out of six children of Luigi Goretti and Assunta Carlini. By the time she turned six, her family had become so poor that they were forced to give up their farm and moved to the Serenelli farm to survive. His father, a farmworker died of malaria and her mother had to struggle to feed her children. Her mother, sisters and brother worked in the fields while Maria stayed home to clean the house, sew and cook.


While alone in the house, sewing, Alessandro (Alexander) Serenelli came in and tried to rape her. Maria Goretti was 11. Not submitting to her assailant, she was stabbed several times with a knife.
As Maria Goretti lay in the hospital for two days, she prayed and forgave her attacker and died holding a crucifix and looking at the picture of the Blessed Virgin.

Alexander was captured and since he was a minor the sentence was commuted to 30 years in prison. He remained unrepentant until he had a dream that he was in a garden and Maria was there giving him lilies. This vision led to his conversion and later became a laybrother at the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin) where he worked as a receptionist and gardener.

Maria Goretti was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1950 and Assunta attended the canonization of her child. Alexander too witnessed St. Maria Goretti's canonization.

Maria Goretti, one of the youngest canonized saints is represented as a young girl with a bouquet of lilies in her hands.

Patronage:

Saint Maria Goretti is the patron saint of youth, young women, purity, and victims of rape.

Prayer to Saint Maria Goretti:

"Dear Saint Maria Goretti, your heart was so full of mercy that you forgave your assailant even as you lay dying. Help us to show mercy and forgiveness to others. Teach us to protect purity of heart, body, and soul, and to value the dignity of each person. Guide the youth in choosing what is right and help those who have fallen to rise again. Through your intercession, may we all find the strength to flee from sin and serve God with a pure heart. Amen."

Reflection:

*St. Maria Goretti prayed for Alexander - the first step and act in forgiveness as this let's you focus on God instead of the offender.

To forgive and be forgiven are two powerful, grace-filled experiences.

St Maria Goretti had extended to Alexander the love and forgiveness that God has extended to all of us through Our Lord Jesus Christ's crucifixion. Because of this St Maria Goretti was able to see her assailant as Jesus sees him. She loved as God loves.

*Reflecting on the life of Saint Maria Goretti, we are reminded of the profound virtues of forgiveness and purity. Her story is a testament to the strength of faith and the power of forgiveness, even in the face of unimaginable suffering. Her young age and steadfast commitment to her beliefs challenge us to consider our own convictions and the depth of our forgiveness. In a world where purity and innocence are often undervalued, Saint Maria Goretti stands as a beacon of hope and a reminder of the sanctity of every human life. Her legacy inspires us to seek a path of virtue, forgiveness, and love, no matter the challenges we face.