St. Aedan of Ferns

 

Feast Day: January 31

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 Anthony of Padua

Feast Day: January 13
Doctor of the Church

St. Anthony of Padua was always seen in public squares and market places preaching and defending the truths of the Catholic Faith.  His preachings were simple yet it resounded and touched the hearts of so many that crowds of people including the heretics returned to the Church. For this reason, he is called the “hammer of the Heretics”.

Though most of his work was in Italy, Anthony was born in 1195 at Lisbon, of a noble Portuguese family. His father was a captain in the royal army.  At the age of fifteen he joined the canons regular of St. Augustine where for a period of eight years, he devoted himself to study and prayer.

One day, a group of missionaries on their way to preach the Gospel of Christ to the inhabitants of Morocco passed by their monastery.  These missionaries namely St. Bernard, St. Peter, St. Otho, St. Accursius, and St. Adjutus were massacred by the Moors and became the first martyrs of the Franciscan Order.  When the remains were brought to be buried in his church, Anthony was so moved by their martyrdom that he repeatedly begged his superiors to be given the permission to join the Franciscan Order and go to Morocco to evangelize. He was 26 years old when this earnest wish was fulfilled.

On his way to Africa, he was stricken with severe illness and so resigning to the will of God, he boarded a ship back to Portugal.  As the ship was driven out of its course by storm winds, St. Anthony found safety in the harbour at Messina, Sicily. From there, he made his way to Assisi.  St. Anthony was greeted by the Franciscans and remained there for nine months as chaplain to the Friars. When he was not praying, he was serving them by doing the lowliest duties in the convent.

In 1222, a ceremony of ordination attended by a number of Dominicans and Franciscans was held at Forli. The scheduled speaker failed to appear, so the provincial asked if someone else can give a sermon. All declined the invitation, until finally, St. Anthony was asked to give it.  St Anthony so impressed them that he was thereafter constantly invited to evagelize, preach, and teach theology throughout Italy and France. A gifted speaker, he attracted crowds everywhere he went and St Anthony's devotion to the Sacred Scriptures and to Mary were evident in his teachings.

Saint Anthony was only 36 years old when he died. Upon receiving the last sacrament he gazed
up and smiled. When asked what he saw, he answered: "I see my Lord."

The following year after his death, Saint Anthony was canonized  by Pope Gregory IX and was
proclaimed Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XII in 1946.

Patronage:

Saint Anthony is the patron saint of various causes, most notably:

Lost Items: He is famously invoked for the recovery of lost items, a tradition stemming from a story where a novice took his psalter, which was miraculously returned.

Travelers and Sailors: His extensive travels during his missionary work made him a patron for those who travel.

The Poor and Oppressed: His dedication to the poor and sick is a significant part of his legacy.

Marriage and Family Issues: Known to intercede in matters of the heart and family.

Prayer to Saint Anthony:

"O Holy Saint Anthony, gentlest of Saints, your love for God and charity for His creatures made you worthy when on earth to possess miraculous powers. Encouraged by this thought, I implore you to obtain for me [mention your request]. O gentle and loving Saint Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms, and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Amen."

Reflection:

Prayer is St Anthony's expression of his dependence on God.

Saint Anthony earnestly sought God through prayer and diligent study of the Scriptures,
meditating constantly on the Divine. It is this deep relationship with God that made his
heart burn within him to share and proclaim Christ to all people.  By this relationship, St.
Anthony lived more faithfully as Jesus' disciple, evangelizing, reconciling sinners with God
and sharing Jesus love with others.

Another fruit that St Anthony manifested was humility. Humility is accepting ourselves as we
truly are before God and realizing that our confidence and our greatness lies
in Christ.

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 John Bosco

Feast Day : January 31

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.

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.

Saint Arnold Janssen

Feast Day: January 15

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.