St. Helen (St Helena)

Feast Day: August 18 

Born in mid-3rd century in the Middle East, St. Helen lived to a ripe old age as Empress Helena, mother of Constantine the Great.  A daughter of humble inn-keepers, Helena married Roman general, Constantius, who later divorced her upon becoming junior emperor to marry--for political expediency--the stepdaughter of his patron, co-emperor Maximianus.  Remaining loyal, her only child, Constantine,  succeeded his father’s throne upon his death.  When he defeated his rivals becoming sole ruler, Constantine summoned Helena to the imperial court, bestowing on her the title “Empress.” Furthermore, he honored his mother by ordering coins made with her name and portrait.    

Influenced by Constantine, Empress Helena converted to Christianity becoming even more devout than those born and raised as Christians.  Known for her charitable acts, she gave generously to whole towns, not just individuals, especially the needy. Her generosity and zeal in building churches and visiting shrines encouraged the wider spread of Christianity.   In her late 70’s, Empress Helena made a pilgrimage to Palestine. In a dream, she saw the Cross of Christ buried under a pagan temple.  She had it demolished, the ground dug out.  Helena found fragments of the Cross, recognizable for its inscription between 2 plain ones.  She sent the nails to Constantine who put one in his crown, another in his horse’s bridle, making the prophecy of Zechariah come true (14.20).  In that day there shall be upon the bells of the horses, “Holy Unto The Lord.”

St. Helen lived so long ago, legend and fact have intertwined. Legend credits her for building churches in Rome and other places and decorating them lavishly. The fact remains, as Palestine’s Bishop Eusebius asserted, she did build a church near the Grotto of Nativity in Bethlehem, another on the Mount of the Ascension near Jerusalem and embellished the Grotto.

Already past 80, Helen returned to her native land which Constantine, then residing in the East, had improved renaming it, Helenapolis.  Constantine was at her deathbed in 330, the last year known to have coins with her image.  Her body was transported to Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey) to the imperial vault of the church of the Church of the Apostles. Today, the sarcophagus of St. Helen lies in the Vatican Museum.

St. Helen was venerated as a saint as early as the 9th century, devotees reaching even western countries.  Her religious pictures show her holding a cross.  She left a lasting impact on Christian history and is revered as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Roman Catholic churches.

Patronage:

Saint Helena is the patron saint of new discoveries, converts, difficult marriages, and archaeologists.

Prayer to Saint Helena:

"O Saint Helena, who, with faith unwavering, journeyed to the Holy Land to seek the True Cross, guide us on our own journeys of faith. Teach us to search tirelessly for the Lord and embrace the crosses we find along the way. May your example inspire us to convert our hearts fully to God’s will. Amen."

Reflection:

* Let us reflect on St. Helen’s journey to sainthood.  Isn’t it impressive that she used the massive wealth at her disposal in church-building and uplifting the lives of the needy?  She could have wallowed in a luxurious lifestyle befitting a Roman empress had she been self-indulgent. Hadn’t she the pick of the finest jewelry to bedeck herself?  Couldn’t she have caroused in endless banquets and merry-making with the high and mighty? Instead, she used the resources of the empire to decorate the churches she built and devoted her time to visiting shrines and holy places.

* Reflecting on the life of Saint Helena encourages us to consider the importance of faith and perseverance. Her dedication to finding the True Cross symbolizes the Christian pursuit of truth and the embracing of one's cross in life. Her influence on her son, Constantine, reminds us of the profound impact that our faith can have on those around us, often leading to transformative changes in their lives and in the wider world. Saint Helena's story is a testament to the power of faith to inspire great deeds and lasting change.

Saint Teresa of Avila

Doctor of the Church
Feast day: October 15


Saint Teresa was born in Avila, Spain in 1515. She is extroverted, hyperactive and an imaginative child. Her parents were people of position in Avila. Don Alfonso Sanchez de Capeda has 3 children from his first marriage and 9 children (Teresa was the third) from his second wife Dona Beatriz Davila y Ahumada.  At the age of 7 Teresa left home with her brother Rodrigo with the intention of going to Moorish territory to be martyred for Christ, but their uncle upon knowing it hindered them as they were leaving the city.

Teresa grew up to be a beautiful lady and enjoyed being with people. Her mother died when she was only fourteen and a visit from a girl cousin made her less lonely but this had a not so good effect on her as she became interested in mundane things.  Though Teresa was raised piously, her father noted some changes in his daughter's personality and seeing the need of prudent guidance, decided to place her in a convent of Augustinian nuns in Avila.

She recovered her piety after a year and a half in the convent but got sick and was brought home. After recovering, Teresa began to discern if she should enter the religious life and reading the Letters of St. Jerome led her to the decision to enter a convent. Teresa entered the Carmelite Monastery of the Incarnation at Avila on Nov. 2, 1535 and began wholeheartedly to give herself to prayer and penance. Teresa started to learn and practice mental prayer and progressed towards the "prayer of quiet," or when the soul rest in divine contemplation.

She had mystical experiences, visions, raptures and enjoyed a vivid experience of God's presence within her.

However, some people thought her favors were the work of the devil and she had to endure the distrust given to her.

She reformed Carmel and founded the discalced Carmelites or shoeless Carmelites and went back to the basics of a contemplative order. She braved all obstacles to spread her reform movement and soon she had postulants desiring to join her reform convents. Soon her reform movement swept across Europe. But Teresa's great work of reform began with herself as she always try to follow what pleases the Lord.

She died in Alba on October 4, 1582 and was canonized in 1662. Teresa was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1970 for her writing and teaching on prayer.

Patronage:

Saint Teresa of Avila is the patron saint of headache sufferers and Spanish Catholic writers. She has also been looked to for guidance by those pursuing a contemplative life and by those seeking to reform and renew religious communities.

Prayer to Saint Teresa of Avila:

"O Saint Teresa, seraphic virgin, beloved spouse of thy crucified Lord, thou who on earth didst burn with a love so intense toward thy God and my God, and now dost glow with a brighter flame in paradise: obtain for me, I beseech thee, a spark of that same holy fire which will enable me to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil, and so to be worthy to appear in the presence of my God as thou dost. Amen."

Reflection:

Reflecting on the life of Saint Teresa, one can contemplate the importance of inner spiritual life, the value of discipline and austerity in pursuing a deeper relationship with God, and the transformative power of mystical experience. Her life reminds us of the possibility of profound spiritual renewal and the enduring impact of a life dedicated to prayer and reform.

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 Ines (Saint Agnes)

Feast Day: January 21


Saint Agnes who also goes by the name of Saint Ines (c. 291 – c. 304) was a member of the Roman nobility and raised in a Christian family. At age 12 or 13 year old Agnes suffered martyrdom in the time of the persecutions of Christians during the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. She has a foster sister, Emerentiana, who like her became a saint.

The Prefect Sempronius wanted Agnes to marry his son but when Agnes refused, he reported her to the authorities as being a Christian. Ines/Agnes was condemned to death but as Roman law did not permit the
execution of virgins, they planned to rape her as a sacrifice to the gods they worshiped.  The authorities had the naked Agnes dragged through the streets to a brothel but her purity was miraculously preserved.

Legend has it that while walking the streets, she prayed to the Lord and this was answered by making her hair grow to cover up her body. Another legend says that the men who attempted to rape her were struck blind immediately.  There was also a story about one being struck dead but when Agnes prayed for him the man was revived.  Since none of them succeeded, they tried to burn St Agnes at the stake but the wood didn't burn even a slightest bit.  Because of this, a frustrated lieutenant decided to take matters into his own hands and ended up beheading Agnes with a sword.

She maybe too young to know of death, yet she bravely faced it than be offered to the pagan gods and lose her virginity by rape.  Being the good Christian that she was, she showed awesome virtue and gave up her life for her faith. Her virginity and heroism are renowned and has help bring an end to the persecutions.

One of Emperor Constantine's daughters built a church where Agnes was buried.

Patronage: 

Saint Ines is the patron saint of young girls, chastity, rape survivors, and gardeners. She is often invoked by those seeking guidance in maintaining their faith and purity.

Prayer to Saint Ines:

"O Saint Ines, pure and devoted servant of Christ, you who bravely faced persecution and martyrdom at a tender age for the love of your Divine Spouse, guide us in our journey. Help us to remain steadfast in faith and purity, standing courageously against the challenges of this world. May your example of virtue and your intercession lead us closer to Christ. Amen."

Reflection:

*Reflecting on Saint Ines's life, we are reminded of the virtues of faith, courage, and purity. Her story teaches us the value of standing firm in our beliefs, even in the face of great adversity. It encourages young people, especially, to stay true to their convictions and to trust in God's plan for their lives. Her unwavering commitment to her faith at such a young age is a testament to the strength that can be found in devotion and a deep relationship with God. In our daily lives, we can look to Saint Ines as a source of inspiration and guidance in maintaining our integrity and faith.

*St. Agnes' martyrdom inspire us to be pure, courageous and loyal to our God. Agnes had the courage and the faith to act as boldly as she did in standing up for the teachings of Christ. She trusted the Lord no matter what. We, too, must believe and trust God and pray in humility and patience especially when we are in most need of help.   Let us pray to gain that confidence to fight our own battles and to be courageous witnesses of God.

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 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.

Saint Vincent Ferrer

Feast Day: April 5

Saint Vincent Ferrer was born at Valencia, Spain on January 23, 1357.

In 1374, he entered the Order of St. Dominic and on the following year was sent to the house of studies at Barcelona. He received his doctorate at Catalonia and devoted most of his time to preaching. For twenty years, St. Vincent Ferrer evangelized nearly every province of his country and had tread through Western Europe preaching in France, Italy, Germany, the Alpine Region, Flanders, England, Ireland and Scotland.  People flocked as he preached in marketplaces and squares and though St Vincent Ferrer could only speak the language of Valencia, multitudes were won over by his preaching and numerous conversions were made.   For this, he was known as the missionary of the fourteenth century.

Saint Vincent labored zealously among the people.  He not only preached but he lived them.  He arose at two in the morning for prayer and meditation. Celebrated the daily Mass at six, preached, visited the sick and made himself available for spiritual counseling.  At eight in the evening, St. Vincent Ferrer would prepare his sermon for the next day.  He lived simply and refused all ecclesiastical dignities, including the opportunity to be a cardinal.  

 St Vincent Ferrer lived in an era when the Church was divided by the great schism. During his last days, St Vincent lived to see the Council of Constance ending the Western Schism and electing Martin V as pope.

Because of his work in uniting and building the church in brotherly love, St. Vincent Ferrer became the patron saint of builders.

Patronage:

St. Vincent Ferrer is often venerated as the patron saint of several causes and places, including:

Builders: He is believed to have helped find building materials for the construction of churches and monasteries.

Orphanages: Due to his care for the needy and destitute.

Bridge builders: Symbolically representing his role in building bridges between people and God.

Vannes, France: The city where he passed away, and he is especially venerated there.

Prayer to St. Vincent Ferrer:

Dear St. Vincent Ferrer, patron of builders, orphans, and bridge builders, we turn to you in our times of need. Just as you dedicated your life to spreading the Gospel and helping those less fortunate, we ask for your intercession in our lives.

Help us to build strong foundations in our faith, to care for the orphaned and vulnerable, and to bridge the gaps that separate us from God and one another. Pray for us, that we may follow your example of fervent preaching and tireless service to the Church. Amen.

Reflection:

*St. Vincent Ferrer’s zeal is remarkable. He worked for the salvation of souls and for unity in the Church.  He also showed great humility and patience in bearing all things for the love of Christ and for the work of the Church.

For someone who had constantly preached about brotherly love and unity, the schism must have been a constant source of misery to St. Vincent Ferrer.  And what amazes me is that God in His goodness, relieved St Vincent of this burden by letting him witness the end of the great schism.

*St. Vincent Ferrer's life serves as an inspiration for us all. His dedication to God, his unwavering faith, and his commitment to helping others, especially the marginalized, are qualities that we can strive to emulate. In our own lives, we can reflect on how we can be bridge builders, bringing people closer to one another and to God. St. Vincent Ferrer's legacy reminds us of the transformative power of faith and the importance of reaching out to those in need, just as he did throughout his life.

Saint Josephine Bakhita

Feast Day: February 8

Bakhita was not the name given to her by her parents at birth. The trauma of her abduction caused her to forget her own name and Bakhita, an Arabic name which means “lucky” or “fortunate”, was given to her by her captors.

St. Josephine Bakhita was born in the Darfur region of Sudan in 1869. At about 9 years old, she was kidnapped and sold into slavery, and resold in the markets of El Obeid and of Khartoum. She experienced a series of humiliations, was tortured, mutilated and was even left half dead.

Finally, Bakhita was bought by an Italian diplomat, Callisto Legnani. When the consul had to leave for Italy, Bakhita obtained permission to go with them. On arrival in Genoa, at the request of Michieli’s wife, Bakhita became the nanny to Michieli’s daughter, Mimmina. Josephine Bakhita was loved and treated well by the family.

When the Michieli’s moved to the Red Sea to manage their hotel business in Suakin, Bakhita and Mimmina were entrusted to the Institute of the Daughters of the Canossian Charity. It was there that Bakhita came to know about God. After several months, Bakhita was baptized into Catholic faith on January 9, 1890 and was given the name, Josephine.

When Mrs. Michieli came back to get her daughter and her nanny, Bakhita in her great desire to know and serve God, remained with the Canossian Sisters.

For another 50 years, Bakhita lived in the community in Schio doing various services. And because one her duties was attending to the door, she was in frequent contact with the local community. She is well-known for her smile, gentleness as well as charisma and everyone calls her “Mother Moretta (Our little brown mother).
Josephine Bakhita died on February 8, 1947 and on her death bed she uttered her last words with a smile saying “Our Lady! Our Lady!”

Patronage:

St. Josephine Bakhita is the patron saint of Sudan and of those who have suffered from human trafficking and slavery.

Prayer to St. Josephine Bakhita:

Dear St. Josephine Bakhita, you who knew the depths of suffering and yet found the light of faith and love in Christ, we turn to you in our times of need. Pray for all those who are enslaved, oppressed, and abused, that they may find freedom, healing, and hope. Intercede on behalf of victims of human trafficking, that they may be rescued from their plight and experience the love of God.

St. Bakhita, you who forgave those who caused you great pain, teach us the power of forgiveness and the strength of love. Help us to be instruments of God's mercy in a world filled with darkness and cruelty.

Guide us with your gentle spirit and inspire us to work for justice and the liberation of all who suffer. Through your intercession, may we strive to bring the light of Christ's love to those in the darkest of circumstances. Amen.

Reflection:

*In her trials, Bakhita met Jesus. She didn’t know His name. Perhaps, she just called Him hope until she met this familiar face again whom the nuns in the Canossian Charity called Jesus. Bakhita’s hope is in the Lord and her trials led her into a deeper spiritual life that made Bakhita’s life fruitful.

Whatever situation you find yourself in, there is hope. It maybe difficult to see or feel it at the moment, but it is there for you.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."- Jeremiah 29:11

*St. Josephine Bakhita's life is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of faith and love. Despite enduring unimaginable suffering as a slave, she not only found freedom but also discovered the freedom that comes from embracing Christ.

Her journey from slavery to sanctity reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace and love. St. Bakhita's ability to forgive those who had harmed her and her capacity to radiate joy serve as a profound example of the Christian message of love and forgiveness.

As we reflect on St. Bakhita's life, let us remember all those who are trapped in modern forms of slavery and human trafficking. Let us pray for their liberation and for the strength to work towards a world where such injustices no longer exist. May St. Josephine Bakhita intercede for us and inspire us to be agents of change and compassion in our world.

Saint Martin de Porres

Feast Day: November 3

The father of Martin de Porres was a Spanish knight & adventurer and his mother a colored freed-woman from Panama.  Martin de Porres was born on the 9^th of December, 1579 in Lima, Peru.  Don Juan de Porres left Martin’s mother and just sent money every now and then.   Martin grew up in poverty and bore the stigma of having mixed blood and the shame of being an illegitimate child.  

When Martin turned 8, his father sent money for him and his sister to go to school. At age 12, he became an apprentice to a barber-surgeon where he learned to cut hair as well as to draw blood, prepare medicinal herbs, set broken bones and to properly care for the sick.  It was also during this time that he became a servant in the Holy Rosary Dominican priory.  At fifteen, he was allowed to become a lay brother at the Dominican Friary and was placed in charge of the infirmary.

St. Martin de Porres spent much time in prayer and meditation and had a great devotion to the sacrament of the Eucharist.  God endowed him with many supernatural graces and lights.  There are recorded instances when he was seen bi-locating or was inside the chapel levitating and so filled with love for Christ.  He went about curing the sick and giving alms to the poor; helped the farm laborers, Negroes and mulattoes.  He was good-natured and charitable and thus gained the name “Martin the charitable”.  He is also known as the first Black Saint from the Americas.

Patronage:

Animals: St. Martin de Porres is the patron saint of animals, especially for those who care for and show kindness to them.

Racial Harmony: He is also venerated as a symbol of racial harmony and social justice due to his mixed-race heritage and his tireless efforts to help all people, regardless of their background.

Prayer to St. Martin de Porres:

O compassionate St. Martin de Porres, you who humbly served the marginalized and cared for the suffering, we turn to you in our times of need. You, who showed love to all, regardless of their race or station in life, inspire us to follow your example of boundless charity.

Help us to embrace humility and find joy in serving others, especially those who are most in need. Intercede for us, dear Saint, in our petitions for healing, unity, and harmony among all people. Pray for us that we may become instruments of God's love and peace in the world.

St. Martin de Porres, patron of animals and advocate for social justice, we seek your guidance and intercession. Amen.

Reflection:

*What amazes me about Saint Martin de Porres is his profound humility.  He had suffered much and had experienced terrible humiliation yet instead of wallowing in self-pity  or  instead of redeeming himself by compensating or retaliating he continued to live in self- imposed poverty and reached out to the sick, the poor and the oppressed.  To me, this is a clear evidence that he was able to transcend the prejudice and humiliation he went through in his childhood.

 This reminds me of the quote from Mother Teresa about if you are humble nothing can hurt you.  Here's an  accurate quote on that one:

"Humility is the mother of all virtues; purity, charity and obedience.  It is in being humble that our love becomes real, devoted and ardent.  If you are humble nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know what you are.  If you are blamed you will not be discouraged.  If they call you a saint you will not put yourself on a pedestal." 
-Mother Teresa of Calcutta, 'The Joy in Loving' page 363

 To Martin de Porres, only God suffices. His knowledge of the greatness of God, made him aware of his dignity as a child of God as well as his nothingness.  Though he is nothing, God loves him profoundly.  This experience of God’s love is all that mattered.  God’s love redeemed Martin and healed him of his pains.  To Saint Martin de Porres, God’s love was the source of all the love he generously shared to the poor, the sick and the unwanted and he looked on these poor people the way he looked at himself - a child of God.

* In God’s great wisdom, He chose Martin de Porres, an illegitimate, Negro to be a Saint to show that His love is universal.  

* St. Martin de Porres' life reminds us of the profound impact one person can have through simple acts of kindness and selfless service. His example teaches us to look beyond outward appearances and prejudices, to see the inherent dignity in every person, and to treat all with love and compassion.

As we celebrate his feast day, let us reflect on how we can emulate his virtues in our own lives. May we find joy in humble service, reach out to those in need, and work towards a world where all people are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their race or background. St. Martin de Porres, pray for us and help us be agents of love, unity, and peace in our communities and in the world.

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.

Saint John Fisher

Feast Day: June 22

John Fisher was born in 1459 at Beverly, Yorkshire, England. He studied theology in Cambridge and in 1491, he occupied the vicarage of Northallerton, Yorkshire. Three years after, he became proctor of his university and soon after was appointed Master of Michaelhouse. It was also during this time that he became chaplain and confessor to Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond and Derby and mother of King Henry VII.

By Bull dated 14 October, 1504, Fisher became Bishop of Rochester and in the same year was elected Chancellor of Cambridge University. He also acted as tutor to Prince Henry who later became King Henry VIII.

Fisher was known to be a good preacher and had denounced various abuses in the Church.

When Henry VIII called all the Bishops of England and asked them to declare his marriage with Catherine of Aragon invalid. Fisher did not give his consent for he fear offending God more than the King, adding that just like St. John the Baptist, he was ready to die on behalf of the indissolubility of marriage. Henry VIII was so enraged that he issued a document entitled “The Supremacy Act” declaring that he was henceforth be considered the supreme head of the Church in England. Those who refused to sign the act were immediately imprisoned.

In May, 1532, Sir Thomas More resigned the chancellorship and in August, the Archbishop of Canterbury, died and was succeeded by Cranmer. By January, Henry secretly married Anne Boleyn; Cranmer's consecration took place two months after. All this time, St. John Fisher preached publicly against the divorce and a week after Cranmer’s consecration, Fisher was arrested and was sent to the Tower of London.

The purpose of this arrest was to prevent Bishop Fisher from opposing the sentence of divorce which Cranmer pronounced in May, as well as the coronation of Anne Boleyn a month after. In March, 1534, a special bill of attainder against the Bishop of Rochester and others was passed forfeiting all their goods and personal estate. In the same session, the Act of Succession was passed, declaring that all who should be called upon to do so were compelled to take an oath of succession, acknowledging Henry and Anne as legitimate heirs to the throne.

Several efforts were made to induce to change his mind, but without effect.

Bishop John Fisher along with his friend Sir Thomas More gave up their lives in testimony to the indissolubility of marriage and to the unity of the Church.


The Bishop’s friend Thomas More, said to have written this about John, "I reckon in this realm no one man, in wisdom, learning, and long approved virtue together, meet to be matched and compared with him."


John Fisher had always been a man of principles and he met death with a calm dignified courage. He blessed his executioner before speaking briefly to the crowd and said his prayer of thanksgiving to God

Of all the English bishops, only Bishop John Fisher of Rochester publicly opposed Henry VIII's Oath of Allegiance, which unlawfully declared him the head of the Church of England. He was canonized in 1935 by Pope Pius XI.

Patronage:

St. John Fisher is the patron saint of bishops, theologians, and the Diocese of Rochester in England. He is also considered a patron of those who defend the sanctity of marriage and the rights of the Church.

Prayer to St John Fisher:

O God, who in your providence chose St. John Fisher to be a faithful bishop and martyr, grant that we may be strengthened by his example and intercession in our own faith and dedication to your Church. Through his intercession, may we remain steadfast in our beliefs and committed to upholding the sanctity of marriage and the truth of your Gospel. We ask this 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:

John Fisher showed how it is to be a good leader. God had entrusted him with this task and he defended it to the point of death.

As St. Paul says, “and keep your faith and a clear conscience. Some men have not listened to their conscience and have made a ruin of their faith.” 1 Timothy 1:19

St. John Fisher's life serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of unwavering faith, even in the face of adversity and persecution. His commitment to the truth and his refusal to compromise his principles, even at the cost of his own life, inspire us to stand firm in our own faith and convictions. In a world filled with challenges to our beliefs and values, St. John Fisher's example encourages us to remain faithful to our Christian heritage and to defend the teachings of the Church with courage and love. Let us reflect on his life and pray for the strength to follow his example in our own lives, always seeking to uphold the truth and remain steadfast in our faith.

Saint Augustine

Feast Day: August 28

Early Life: Augustine was born on November 13, 354, in Thagaste (present-day Souk Ahras, Algeria), in the Roman province of Numidia. His mother, Saint Monica, was a devout Christian, while his father, Patricius, was a pagan who converted to Christianity on his deathbed.

Education and Early Career: Augustine received a classical education and was initially influenced by Manichaeism and later by Neo-Platonism. He was a rhetorician in Carthage, Rome, and Milan.

Conversion and Christian Life: Augustine's spiritual journey and conversion to Christianity were profoundly influenced by the prayers of his mother, Monica, and the preaching of Saint Ambrose, the Bishop of Milan. His conversion is famously chronicled in his autobiographical work "Confessions," where he details his struggles with moral questions and his quest for truth. He was baptized in 387.

Bishop of Hippo: After his conversion, Augustine returned to North Africa and was ordained a priest in 391 and became a bishop in 395 in Hippo Regius (now Annaba, Algeria). He was a prolific writer, with his most notable works being "Confessions" and "The City of God."

Theology and Philosophy: Augustine's contributions to theology include his teachings on original sin, divine grace, and predestination. He also contributed significantly to the development of just war theory and Christian philosophy.

Death: Augustine died on August 28, 430, in Hippo, during the siege of the city by the Vandals.

P.S.

After the death of his mother St. Monica, Augustine remained several months in Rome, chiefly engaged in refuting Manichæism. He sailed for Africa and after a short sojourn in Carthage, returned to his native Tagaste in 388.

Upon arriving, he sold his father’s estate as well as all his possessions and gave the proceeds to the poor. Then, with his friend, Alypius, he carried out his idea of living a life in poverty, devoting themselves to reading the Scriptures and intensive prayer. It was also during this time that Augustine wrote his first philosophical treatises. This sabbatical, however, lasted only 3 years for one day as he entered the basilica, the churchgoer upon recognizing him as the famous rhetorician, suddenly gathered around him, cheered him, and begged Bishop Valerius to raise him to the priesthood. Augustine did not think of entering the priesthood but eventually was obliged to yield to their appeal, and was ordained in 391.

The two friends were ordained priests at Hippo. Alypius became the bishop of Tagaste; serving in that capacity for thirty years. Before long, Bishop Valerius made Augustine coadjutor and then bishop of Hippo in 396. Augustine remained in that post for almost 40 years until his death.

Right in the first paragraph, on his famous Confessions, there is a sentence "You have made us for yourself, Oh God, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you."

Augustine saw that the human heart is created with a great abyss that only God can fill. The earthly satisfactions that we can throw to fill this abyss are but a handful of stones that is not even enough to cover the bottom.

Patronage:

Saint Augustine is the patron saint of brewers, printers, theologians, and a number of cities and dioceses.

Prayer to St. Augustine:

"O Holy Saint Augustine, who has famously declared that 'Our heart is restless until it rests in You,' help us to seek God's will in all things and to find peace in His grace. Inspire us with your love for truth and your journey from sin to sanctification. Guide us to live in faith and virtue, turning away from worldly distractions. May we follow your example in seeking deeper understanding and love for God. Through your intercession, may we grow in wisdom, charity, and humility. Amen."

Reflection:

*Reflecting on Saint Augustine's life encourages us to consider our own spiritual journey. His transformation from a life of worldly pleasures to one of profound spiritual depth reminds us that it's never too late to turn towards God. His intellectual quest for truth and understanding serves as an inspiration for all who seek deeper meaning in life and faith. His teachings on grace, divine love, and the human condition continue to resonate, offering insights into how we can live a life oriented towards God and our community.

*The one practical thing we can do really is to do the will of God. It can be the most difficult thing we can do but in the end you will realize that the best thing you’ve really done in your life is following God.

*In St. Augustine, we read a great deal about human weakness and how much we need every day to be converted. At the same time, you see God’s grace, His ineffable love, compassion, mercy and infinite goodness. He longs to embrace us... and if we only let Him he can take hold of our lives and change it.

Saint Scholastica

Feast Day: February 10

Of this Saint, little is known, and almost everything there is to say about Saint Scholastica comes from the Dialogues of Saint Gregory the Great.

St. Scholastica, sister of St. Benedict, was born in Nursia (Nurcia), Italy, at around 480 AD. It is said that she was as devoted to Jesus as her brother and at such an early age she consecrated herself to a religious life. When Benedict established his monastery at Monte Cassino, Scholastica founded a Convent of Nuns in nearby Plombariola, about five miles from the Benedictines. The convent is said to have been under the direction of her brother, thus she is regarded as the first Benedictine nun.

Scholastica visited her brother once a year, but as Benedict would not allow her to enter his monastery, he would go with some of his monks to meet her at a house at some distance. There conversations were occasions spent in praising God, in conferring together on spiritual matters, and encouraging one another to a life of perfection.

St. Gregory relates a charming story of the last of these visits:

Scholastica spent the day with him in the usual practice of singing Psalms, and pious discourse followed by a frugal meal.

After it was over, Scholastica, perhaps foreknowing that it would be their last opportunity to see each other alive, asked him to delay his return till the next day and spend the evening in conversation.

St. Benedict, unwilling to break his own rule, told her he could not pass a night out of his monastery. Scholastica finding him resolved on going home, thereupon, laid her head upon the table, and prayed that God would intervene for her. Her prayer has barely ended, when the clouds broke into a storm of rain, thunder, and lightning. With such a torrential downpour, Benedict and his companions were unable to leave.

"May Almighty God forgive you, sister for what you have done," said Benedict
"I asked a favor of you," Scholastica simply replied, "and you refused it. I asked it of God, and He has granted it!"

St. Benedict was therefore obliged to comply with her request.

The next morning they parted. Three days after their last meeting, St. Scholastica died in her solitude.

At that time, Benedict was alone in contemplation on Mount Cassino. Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Benedict saw a vision of Scholastica's soul departing her body and ascending to heaven in the form of a dove. She died about the year 543, and St. Benedict followed her soon after.

 

Patronages:

Saint Scholastica is the patron saint of nuns, convulsive children, schools, tests, books, reading, and those suffering from storms and rain.

Prayer to Saint Scholastica:

"O God, to show us where innocence leads, you made the soul of your virgin Saint Scholastica soar to heaven like a dove in flight. Grant through her merits and her prayers that we may live in innocence and peace. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen."

 
Reflection:

* Saint Scholastica's life reminds us of the importance of spiritual relationships and the power of prayer. Her final meeting with Saint Benedict teaches us the value of cherishing time with loved ones and the profound impact of prayer. Scholastica's faith was so strong that it could change the weather, a metaphor for how faith can transform our circumstances. Her life encourages us to deepen our spiritual connections and trust in the power of prayer.

* To God nothing is too great or too trivial. He is always ready to hear the petitions and grant the desires of his people.

* When we are dependent on God, we are convinced that everything we are and have comes from Him. When we acknowledge our helplessness that’s when we turn to God with all our needs, hopes and dreams. St. Scholastica’s dependence on God is so great that only her confidence in God’s love and providence equals that.

Saint Ignatius of Antioch

Feast Day: October 17 formerly February 1

Early Career

St. Ignatius of Antioch also known as Theophorus ("God-Bearer”), had been fully instructed in the doctrines of Christianity by the disciple St. John the Apostle. Ignatius was chosen to be Bishop of Antioch and for more than 40 years, he continued in his charge at Antioch, proving himself in every way an exemplary pastor.


Vigilant and Faithful Servant

In 107 AD, Emperor Trajan, puffed up with his late victory over the Scythians and Dacians and feeling he owed his victories to the pagan gods, authorized the death penalty for those Christians who refused to acknowledge these divinities publicly.

Bishop Ignatius was ordered taken to Rome to be devoured by wild beasts in the Colosseum. On the way, a journey which took months and brought him through Asia Minor and Greece, he wrote letters of inspiration and instruction to Christians - exhorting them to keep in harmony with their bishops and other clergy as well as to continue their zeal against heresy. The bishop was dedicated to defending the true teaching handed down by the Apostles in order for the early Christian communities not to be led astray by false teachings. Ignatius encourages them to assemble often in prayer, to be meek and humble and to suffer injuries without protest. Bishop Ignatius was also the first who used the term “catholic” to describe the whole Church.

For a great part of the journey, Ignatius had 2 companions - a deacon, Philo, and a friend, Agathopus - supposedly the authors of an account of his martyrdom.

Total Self-Giving to God

Wherever the ship put in, the faithful gathered to receive benediction and rejoiced in his presence. During this time, Christianity had a number of influential converts that could have intervened or mitigated the punishment but Ignatius prevented the Christians from taking steps to obtain his release.

Below is a letter to the Romans by St Ignatius of Antioch

“I am God's wheat and shall be ground by the teeth of wild animals. I am writing to all the churches to let it be known that I will gladly die for God if only you do not stand in my way. I plead with you: show me no untimely kindness. Let me be food for the wild beasts, for they are my way to God. I am God’s wheat and shall be ground by their teeth so that I may become Christ’s pure bread. Pray to Christ for me that the animals will be the means of making me a sacrificial victim for God. No earthly pleasures, no kingdoms of this world can benefit me in any way. I prefer death in Christ Jesus to power over the farthest limits of the earth. He who died in place of us is the one object of my quest. He who rose for our sake is my one desire”.

Upon arriving in Rome, Ignatius was hurried off to the Colosseum and died a martyr’s death.

Patronage and Feast Day

Patronage: St. Ignatius is the patron saint of the Church in eastern Mediterranean and Northern Africa, and of the sick. His intercession is often sought for unity among Christians.

Feast Day: His feast day is celebrated on October 17 in the Roman Catholic Church and December 20 in the Orthodox Church.

Prayer to St Ignatius of Antioch:

"O God, who bestowed on the Bishop Saint Ignatius of Antioch a share in the Passion of your Only Begotten Son, grant, we pray, through his intercession, that, united to Christ in suffering, we may also be coheirs in His glory, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen."

Reflection:

*Reflecting on the life of St. Ignatius of Antioch invites us to consider the depth of our faith and the strength of our convictions. His unshakable faith in the face of persecution and death is a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel. Ignatius' teachings, especially his emphasis on church unity and the Eucharist, remind us of the importance of community and sacramental life in our journey with Christ. In a world often divided, his life is a beacon of hope and a call to deeper unity in faith and love.

*At the time when he was supposed to be thinking of himself and of his impending death, he was selfless - totally given to God and to men. Just like Jesus, Ignatius is a good shepherd, tending his flock and becoming even more productive in his last days, sending out letters of encouragement and instructions to the early Christian communities.

* His martyrdom was the culmination of a life that is lived conformed to Jesus Christ.

What is a Saint?

From: Our Catholic Faith (A Manual of Religion) p 394

The model of Christian perfection is our Lord. The saints, who imitated Him steadfastly, are also patterns of perfection. This aiming, "to be holy as our heavenly Father is holy," this seeking to be like Christ - "another Christ," is to strive for Christian perfection.


"the Church,,, is held, as a matter of faith, to be unfailingly holy. This is because Christ, the son of God, who with the Father and the Spirit is hailed as 'alone holy', loved the Church as his Bride, giving himself up for her so as to sanctify her; he joined her to himself as his body and endowed her with the gift of the Holy spirit for the glory of God.' The Church, then, is "the holy People of God," and her members are called "saints".


From: Catechism of the Catholic Church p.2013

"All Christians in any state or walk of life are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of charity." All are called to holiness: "Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

In order to reach this perfection the faithful should use the strength dealt out to them by Christ's gift, so that...doing the will of the Father in everything, they may wholeheartedly devote themselves to the glory of God and to the service of their neighbor. Thus the holiness of the People of God will grow in fruitful abundance, as is clearly shown in the history of the Church through the lives of so many saints.

From: Lives of Saints p. 9-10

“Saints are human and lovable.”

“It is true indeed that some Saints performed miracles while they were still alive; it is true that many of them could have moments in which they seemed to have no feelings at all. But this is looking at the Saints only from one angle.  The truth is also that many Saints did not perform any miracle while they were still alive, for miracles are given through them not for their own sake, but in view of their service to their fellowmen.  It is also a fact that Saints have intense feelings.  It is enough to look at the martyrs and their unflinching courage.”

“Even this image of the Saints, however, would still just be another angle.  The greater part of the lives of the saint is passing 24 hours a day as we do, experiencing the same sun and the same season as we do…For the greater part of their lives, they are very much like us.”

“What makes them different from us?  Fundamentally, one thing is clear – they have lived their lives fully.  They have found a purpose and have set their whole lives on that purpose.  They have found other people, and they were ready to respond to the real needs of people.  They have experienced God and spent their days in His presence.  In short, the Saints have discovered love and know that to live they have to be transformed into love.  Yes, for Saints, to live fully means to love.  That’s why they are the most lovable humans.”
“….Their love is one, that is the love of God and neighbor, but their lives are many according to their diverse temperaments, cultures, circumstance and historical conditions.  This should be an encouragement for us.  It means that however diverse are the conditions in which we find ourselves, we can still imitate the Saints.  When the Church canonizes a Saint, She is proclaiming before the world an exemplary life which the faithful can imitate.  After all, we, too, are human, and seek to live a life fully alive, fully in love.”