Saint Paul of Tarsus

Feast Day: June 29

Before St. Paul the apostle became a zealous follower of Christ, he was the much-feared Jewish Saul of Tarsus, a Roman city in a province of present-day Turkey. Saul was an infamous persecutor of early Christians until his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus. Unthinkable that a staunch believer of Judaism could suddenly turn into a Gentile? Not when Jesus gets into the act. Like when a stroke of lightning blinded him and a thunderous voice boomed from the heavens, “Saul, Saul, why dost thou persecute me?” Saul shifted directions when his sight returned after a few days. Who wouldn’t? He began to preach the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. The change in him was so radical he preached the gospel even inside synagogues! Clearly, these were Jewish holy territories, definitely off-limits to evangelizing Christians. Paul’s gumption incurred the hatred of his fellow Jews who drove him out of the city. Isn’t it ironic that it was this Jew who had brutally killed early Christians thereby quashing newly-formed groups of budding Christians? The tables have turned, St. Paul was now at the receiving end of relentless persecution. Undaunted, he tirelessly travelled far and wide to spread the Word of God, imbued as ever with missionary fervor. It was then that he journeyed to Jerusalem to give his respects to the head of the Church, St. Peter. His being both a Jew and a Roman citizen influenced Jewish and Roman audiences alike enabling him to form many Christian communities. Returning to Tarsus, he evangelized province mates, converting many to Christianity. In the span of twenty years, St. Paul founded many churches in Asia Minor (now the Middle East) and Europe. Still, the persecution went on. He was imprisoned for his beliefs not once but twice. After his release, he traveled to Spain and the East. Returning to Rome, he was jailed again, this time even chained, until he was beheaded in AD 67. St. Paul the Apostle is one of the most important figures of the Apostolic age. Of the 27 books of the New Testament, he wrote seven epistles. Scholars undisputedly say these are his authentic works. Six others are also attributed to him but this is under argument. Still, seven is a considerable number. Not only that, about half of the Acts of the Apostles is devoted to his life and works. How influential could he be? Rightly so, as he was a deep theological thinker. Endowed with leadership qualities, his hand in the development of Christianity is undeniable. Today, many churches are named in honor of St. Paul the apostle all over the Christian world as well as schools, hospitals, even Catholic printing presses. 

Patronage:

Saint Paul is the patron saint of numerous cities, including Rome, Malta, and London. He is also the patron saint of missionaries, theologians, and evangelists due to his significant role in spreading the Christian faith.

Prayer:

Dear Saint Paul,

You were once a fierce persecutor of the early Christians but were transformed by a divine encounter with Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. Your life's journey became an inspiring example of God's boundless grace and the power of conversion.

Help us, Saint Paul, to find the strength and courage to overcome our own shortcomings and obstacles on our spiritual paths. Inspire us to live lives of faith, love, and service to others, just as you did. Pray for us as we seek to deepen our relationship with God and spread the message of Christ's love to all people, just as you did during your missionary journeys.

May your example remind us that God's grace is always available to transform our lives and lead us on a path of righteousness. Amen.

Reflection:

*The life of Saint Paul is a testament to the transformative power of faith and divine intervention. His conversion from a persecutor of Christians to one of the most influential figures in the history of Christianity illustrates the possibility of redemption and renewal for all of us.

We, too, may have moments in our lives when we feel lost, misguided, or distant from God. Saint Paul's story reminds us that God's grace is always at work, seeking to bring us closer to Him. We can find inspiration in his journey of faith and his unwavering commitment to spreading the message of Christ's love and salvation.

As we reflect on Saint Paul's life, let us remember that no one is beyond God's reach, and it is never too late to turn our lives around and follow the path of righteousness. Let us strive to be instruments of God's love and grace in the world, just as Saint Paul was, and trust that God can work miracles in our own lives as well.

*St. Paul the apostle’s one-hundred-eighty-degree-turn from persecutor of Christians to indefatigable worker for Christ is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Imagine such a notorious sinner instantly transforming into a saint. If he can do it, then so can ordinary sinners like you and I.

Saint Gerard Majella

Feast Day: Oct 16

Gerard, youngest and only boy of five children of Dominic and Benedetta Majella of Muro, Italy was sickly

Even at 5, he prayed in a nearby chapel and came home with bread “from a handsome boy.” Curious, his sister followed and saw the Virgin and Child come alive!  Jesus climbed down from his mother’s arms to play with the kneeling Gerard. That was only the first miracle. His first communion was given to him by  Michael the Archangel himself. Only 12 when his tailor father died, Gerard apprenticed to a cruel tailor who beat him mercilessly.  Later, as houseboy of a Bishop, the latchkey fell in the well as he fetched water. Gerard prayed as he tied a statue of Baby Jesus and lowered it into the water. Bystanders gasped upon seeing the latchkey on the statue’s hand.

Striving to be a Brother but in ill health, he was refused 3 times.  Meanwhile, he set up shop at home.  He didn’t make much because he gave away most of his income as apportioned: 1/3 for his mother, 1/3 for the poor and the lastly, Masses for the dead. He also rendered free service to the needy.  Once, fabric brought for a suit was a few yards short when measured.  Shyly, the customer admitted he had no more money.  No problem.   Gerard simply measured it again and wonder of wonders, it magically lengthened!

 At 23,  the Redemptorists accepted Gerard upon the recommendation of a priest who warned, “useless in physical work.”  He surprised everyone by doing the work of 3 healthy men, serving as sacristan, porter, gardener, tailor and infirmarian.    Impressed by his piety, wisdom and ability to read consciences, superiors allowed him to counsel communities of religious women.


Patronage: 
Various groups claim St. Gerard as their patron saint like workingmen, expectant mothers for a happy delivery, for a good confession.  

St Gerard is notably the patron saint of expectant mothers and childbirth. This patronage comes from a miracle where he was falsely accused by a pregnant woman of fathering her child; the woman later recanted her accusation.

His experience of being falsely accused also makes him the patron of those falsely accused. He’s also the patron of vocations. 

Prayer to St. Gerard:

O Glorious Saint Gerard,

beloved servant of Jesus Christ,

perfect imitator of your meek and humble Savior,

and devoted Child of the Mother of God,

enkindle within my heart one spark of that heavenly fire of charity

which glowed in your heart and made you a seraph of love.

O glorious Saint Gerard,

because when falsely accused of crime,

you bore, like your Divine Master,

without murmur or complaint,

the calumnies of wicked men,

you have been raised up by God as the Patron and Protector of expectant mothers.

Preserve me from danger and from the excessive pains accompanying childbirth,

and shield the child which I now carry,

that it may see the light of day and receive the lustral waters of baptism

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Reflection:

* I can’t help but be amazed at what a miracle-worker St. Gerard was.  And to think that he was such a humble, self-effacing man, how admirable! On second thought, maybe the reason God so favored him with miraculous powers is precisely because of his humility, innate goodness and lack of love for material things.since birth. Obedient, selfless and patient, he was only 29 when  TB claimed his life in 1775.  Wonders  crammed his life, it seemed he specialized in performing miracles. Grown pale and thin thru fasting and self-denial, he got weaker but this didn’t prevent him from healing the sick.  Incredibly, he also levitated in ecstasy, bi-located by materializing in front of a superior to do his bidding even if he was somewhere else and produced loaves of bread from nothing.  A farmer who lost his crops to rats asked him for money.  Penniless himself, he commanded the pests to drop dead instead.  Seeing a boatload of fishermen tossing in treacherous waves, he walked and pulled their boat to shore! He escaped from the adoring fishermen who chased him shouting, “Saint, saint!”  

*Emulating Humility and Charity: Reflect on the life of St. Gerard, particularly his humility, obedience, and charity. Despite hardships and false accusations, he remained devout and forgiving, embodying the Christian virtues of patience and love.

Trust in God during Trials: Gerard's life teaches us to maintain faith and trust in God, even when falsely accused or during times of hardship. Reflect on the importance of inner strength and faith in overcoming life’s challenges.

Care for Expectant Mothers: Gerard's patronage of expectant mothers invites us to pray for and support mothers-to-be, recognizing the sacredness of life and the challenges of motherhood.

St. Gerard's life is a testament to faith, humility, and the power of forgiveness, offering a spiritual model for all, especially those facing false accusations, expectant mothers, and those devoted to the care of others.

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 Maximilian Kolbe

Feast Day: August 14


Known as Apostle of Consecration to Mary

Pope John Paul II declared him the “The Patron Saint of Our Difficult Century”

Maximilian was born in 1894 as Raymond Kolbe. He is the second of the 3 sons born to a poor Catholic family in Poland which was then occupied by Russia.   His parents were both Franciscan lay tertiaries who worked at home as basket weavers. His father later ran a religious book store then enlisted in the army.  His mother, on the other hand, soon worked as a midwife and owned a grocery store in part of her rented house. In 1907, Kolbe and his elder brother Francis decided to join the Conventual Franciscan junior seminary in Lwów. In 1910, Raymond Kolbe was allowed to enter the novitiate and professed his first vows a year after. He adopted the name Maximilian Maria to show his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary
and received the final vows at age 20. That same year, his father who fought for Polish independence from Russia was captured and hanged by the Russians as a traitor. Maximilian's mother eventually became a Benedictine nun.

While in seminary, Maximilian and his six friends founded the Immaculata Movement to work for the conversion of sinners, opposition to freemasonry, as well as the spread of the Miraculous Medal and devotion to Our Lady.

During this time, he contracted tuberculosis which nearly killed him and though he recovered, Maximilian remained frail all his life. In 1915, he earned a doctorate in philosophy at the Pontifical Gregorian University,
and a doctorate in theology at the Pontifical University of St. Bonaventure for years after. 
After receiving a doctorate in theology, Maximilian Kolbe spread the Immaculata Movement through a monthly magazine publication called "The Knight of the Immaculata" which had over a million circulation.  The Immaculata friars also published catechetical and devotional tracts as well as newspapers reaching thousands of people daily.

Maximilian founded the monastery of Niepokalanów near Warsaw. He established a seminary, a radio station (used to spread Catholic faith and to speak out against the atrocities of the Nazi regime) and several other
organizations and publications. Kolbe is the only canonized saint to have held an amateur radio license.

In 1930, Maximilian along with 4 brothers left for Japan and within a month upon their arrival was printing a Japanese version of the Knight of the Immaculata. Six years after, the magazine grew to a circulation of 65,000.  Maximilian founded a monastery in Nagasaki in 1931 that still stands today as a center of Franciscan work in Japan.

He was forced to return to Poland because of poor health and by 1939, following the Nazi invasion of Poland, Maximilian along with several of his brothers were arrested.  They were released barely 3 months later.  But on 17 February 1941, Maximilian was imprisoned in Pawiak, Warsaw and the brothers dispersed for housing Polish refugees many of whom were Jewish and for publishing materials considered to be anti-Nazi.  He was transferred to Auschwitz and branded as prisoner #16670. Maximilian suffered a lot from the abusive guards and was even left for dead after being beaten and lashed. Nevertheless, Maximilian ministered to other prisoners and spent his time hearing confessions, conducting Mass and giving communion when unleavened bread is made available.

On July 31, 1941, there was an escape from the camp and in retribution for one prisoner's escape, ten men were to be starved to death. One of the selected men, Francis Gajowniczek, was a young married man and father.  Father Kolbe offered himself in place of him.

In the prison cell, Kolbe led the other 9 men in prayer and worship. Each time the guards checked on him, he was seen praying and ministering to others or would be singing hymns to the Virgin Mary. After enduring 3 weeks of starvation and dehydration, only Kolbe remained alive. 

The guards wanted the bunker emptied so Maximilian Kolbe was murdered with an injection of carbolic acid.

Kolbe was canonized by Pope John Paul II on October 10, 1982 in the presence of Franciszek Gajowniczek and declared Maximilian Kolbe a martyr of charity.
   
Maximilian Kolbe's beatification miracles include the cure of intestinal tuberculosis of Angela Testoni in July 1948 and the cure of calcification of the arteries/sclerosis of Francis Ranier in August 1950.

Patronage:

    drug addicts (against drug addiction)
    prisoners
    journalists
    pro-life movement
    families

Prayer to St Maximilian Kolbe:

"O Lord, we remember the courage and love of Saint Maximilian Kolbe. Grant us the strength to be selfless in service and steadfast in faith, as he was. May his life inspire us to hold firm in our beliefs and to offer compassion and aid to those in need. Help us to follow his example of sacrificial love, and may his intercession guide us on our spiritual journey. Amen."

Reflection: 

St. Maximilian Kolbe's life reminds us of the profound impact of faith, sacrifice, and love. His willingness to lay down his life for another reflects the highest form of Christian love – agape. In our daily lives, we can honor his legacy by showing selfless love and kindness to those around us, standing firm in our beliefs, and using our talents and resources for the greater good.

Saint Boniface also known as Bonifacius

Feast Day: June 5

Boniface, or Winfrid (his baptismal name), was born into a Christian family of noble rank. At a very young age, Winfrid found himself listening to the conversation of some monks then visiting their home.  Soon after, he devoted himself to the monastic life.  At first, the boy's father was againsts it but a serious illness made him change his decision and sent Winfrid to the neighboring abbey of Exeter.  He received further theological training in the Benedictine monastery and minster of Nursling and after completing his studies he was appointed head of the school.

At the age of thirty, Winfrid was ordained priest but God revealed to him that their was greater work needed in the foreign lands. Northern Europe and most of Central Europe were still living in paganism. Willibrord, the Northumbrian missionary, had long been striving to bring the Gospel to these people and it was to this region that Winfrid felt himself called.


In 716, he set out on a missionary expedition to Frisia but after a year their efforts were frustrated by the war and had to go back.  He went straight to Rome, where Pope Gregory II renamed him Boniface and appointed him missionary bishop for Germania.

Boniface along with Saint Albinus, Saint Abel and Saint Agatha propagated Christianity in the Frankish Empire during the 8th century. Although, isolated missionary groups had penetrated central German, it was not until the 8th century that a systematic effort was formed to Christianize the vast pagan territory. From that time the work of evangelization proceeded steadily. Saint Boniface paved the way to this region and created a hierarchy under direct commission from the Holy See. Boniface established the first diocese in Germany at the Frankish fortified settlement of Büraburg. They destroyed idols and pagan temples, and then built churches on the sites.


Boniface became the first Archbishop of Mainz. Saint Boniface is regarded as a unifier of Europe, and is seen as a German national figure.
He reformed the churches in his see and became the chief fomentor of the alliance between the papacy and the Carolingian family.  Boniface helped shape Western Christianity through his efforts to reorganize and regulate the church of the Franks.  St Boniface built religious houses in Germany, founded or restored the dioceses of Bavaria, Austrasia, Alemannia, Franconia, Thuringia etc.  Boniface was able to carry through many important reforms and many of the dioceses remain until today.  Boniface has been called the pro-consul of the papacy.


After 36 years of missionary labor, Saint Boniface was killed in Frisia in 755, along with 52 others including Saint Adaler and Saint Eoban.

Ending at last in martyrdom, Saint Boniface was quickly given the designation "Apostle of Germany".

Patronage:

St. Boniface is the patron saint of:

Germany and the German people.

Brewers.

Tailors.

File cutters.

Feast Day

His feast day is celebrated on June 5th, the anniversary of his martyrdom.

Prayer to St. Boniface:

"O Glorious Saint Boniface, by your grace and fortitude, you turned many from darkness to the Light of Christ. You faced opposition with courage and sealed your faith with your blood. Guide us in our times of struggle and doubt, and help us to remain steadfast in faith. May your life inspire us to bear witness to the truth, and may your patronage keep us strong in our spiritual endeavors. Amen."

Reflection:

*It is said that St. Boniface won more than 100,000 people to Christianity in the course of his ministry. Boniface shaped the church through his zeal, love, faith and evangelization efforts.
It was for Christ's sake that Boniface toiled for souls and that in Jesus Christ, salvation is offered to all men. 

Evangelization is a duty of every Christian. It is an essential mission of the Church and we must embrace this calling and make it a part of our every day life.

For most Catholics, however, evangelization is perceived to be the work of a special group of people within the Church like the priests, missionaries and those with a special vocation.

We take for granted what we have today.

Let us remind ourselves to be thankful to those who like Saint Boniface labored for us. 

May we evangelize as he did. By the example of Saint Boniface, may we be reminded that we have been called to bring home those who have lost their way, to heal wounds and to proclaim Christ to all peoples.

We may not be living in pagan darkness but our challenge today as Catholics is to evangelize to those who do not yet believe in Christ and to bring back Christ to the non-practicing Christians.

*The life of St. Boniface reminds us of the transformative power of faith and the impact one individual can have on the world. His courage to evangelize, even in the face of danger, challenges us to be bold in our own expressions of faith. The felling of the Oak of Thor symbolizes the triumph of truth over superstition, encouraging us to confront our own 'oaks' – whatever they may be – with conviction and trust in God. St. Boniface's martyrdom is a testament to his unwavering commitment to his mission, reminding us of the ultimate sacrifice made for the sake of the Gospel. Let us seek his intercession to live our lives with a fraction of his zeal and dedication to the Christian faith.

Saint Emerentiana also known as St. Emerentia

Feast Day: January 23


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.

Saint Francis de Sales

Feast Day: January 24


Francis de Sales was born to a wealthy family in France in 1567. His parents intended for him to become a lawyer, but Francis believed he is pre-destined to be a priest.

During the time of the Protestant reformation (1517-1648), Francis decided to go to Switzerland then a Calvinist territory, to convert around 60,000 Calvinists back to Catholicism. Everyone thought this to be an absurd plan that even his father refused to help him.  By the time he left, he only got one supporter - his cousin.

They trudged through the countryside enduring the bitter winter and patiently evangelizing from district to district.  Doors shut in their faces and rocks thrown at them.  After three years with not a single convert, his cousin left him alone.

Francis kept on praying and continually searched for ways to reach the people.  As no one would even open their doors to him, he wrote out his sermons, made several copies of it and slipped them under the doors. These tracts consist of the leading dogmas of the Church and the logical reasoning behind the teachings of the Church. This first recorded religious tracts were later collected and printed in a volume called Catholic Controversy: St. Francis De Sales Defense of the Faith

By the time Francis left to go back to France, he is said to have converted 40,000 Calvinists back to Catholicism.

In 1602, Francis was made bishop of the diocese of Geneva, another Calvinist territory.
 He believed that the foremost duty of a bishop was spiritual direction.  Francis gave spiritual direction to lay people and proved with his own life that people can grow in holiness even when they are not called for “religious life”.  To keep his flock strong in faith he wrote books such as Introduction to Devout Life, Treatise on the Devout Life and Treatise of the Love of God.   Francis advice to busy people is to "Retire at various times into the solitude of your own heart, even while outwardly engaged in discussions or transactions with others and talk to God."

Through his zeal and kind preaching he brought encouragement and guidance to innumerable persons, one of whom was St. Jane Frances de Chantal.

Patronage:

St. Francis de Sales is the patron saint of writers, journalists, and the Catholic press due to his prolific writings and his efforts to use the written word to spread the faith.

Prayer to St Francis de Sales:

O God, who through Saint Francis de Sales

gave us a great teacher of the devout life,

grant that we may learn to follow his teachings

and practice his virtues with ardent love for You.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Reflection:

* Saint Francis de Sales' life and teachings emphasize the importance of gentleness, patience, and love in spreading the message of faith. His approach to spirituality encourages us to lead lives of devotion and holiness in the midst of our daily routines. Let us strive to emulate his example by approaching our faith with sincerity, compassion, and a deep love for God and our fellow human beings. May his intercession guide us in our journey toward a more devout and meaningful life.

* St. Francis de Sales love for God enabled him to surpass all the obstacles, even conquering his own temper and impatience.  He was convinced of the existence of God and the teachings of the Church instituted by Christ that he defended God and His Church amidst all the difficulties and seemingly hopeless efforts.  He shared this love with others by patiently bringing people to God and accompanying them on their spiritual journey so that they too will experience and see for themselves this wonderful, awesome God.