Saints' Discussion Forums

In this second year of the thread, Saint of the day and Feast days,
 I will be posting the lesser known saints.
May they be with us as we remember them and learn from the examples that they have set for us. :crucifix:

March 7
Today let us remember
Saint Paul the Simple
Among many other Saints

Saint Paul the Simple
Hermit and disciple of Saint Anthony.
Paul was a simple farmer in Egypt. When he was an old man of sixty, the poor man discovered that his wife was unfaithful to him. He left her and sought out Saint Anthony in the desert so as to become one of his disciples. At first, Anthony refused to accept him because he was now old and also because he doubted that Paul was sincere in his wish to become a hermit. As Paul was persistent, Saint Anthony gave him demanding and difficult tasks in an attempt to test his resolve. Paul did them all with eagerness. Saint Anthony was so impressed by his humility, obedience and simplicity that he called him “ the ideal monk”.and the “ Pride of the Desert”, bearing with honor the title of “ the Simple” He was so named because of his childlike innocence.
Paul was reputed to read minds and cure the sick.
He died in 340 and was canonized Pre-Congregation
Saint Paul the Simple
Pray for us!

Ah yes, I remember St. Paul the Simple! What a splendid one.. where's some more of his story, I know I have it somewhere...

Ah, here it is! (http://saintsworks.net/forums/index.php?topic=1360.0)

 :D

It is very good reading!
When Paul found his wife with this other man, he walked out on her, literally.
Where does that leave the bond of marriage?
"….for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part..." ?
"What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder"
Mark 10: 9 ?

Ah, this would be a case of, it appears..

'And I say to you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and he that shall marry her that is put away, committeth adultery.'

Matthew 19:9

In a case such as this, it is adultery, so he is allowed to 'put away' or 'separate from' his wife. While still married in sacrament, because of the adultery, it is now permissible for them to be parted permanently though neither can marry again while the other is living, as the concluding part indicates.

Thanks. I have understood  :thumbsup:

If I recall correctly too, in canon law -- if one accepts the adultery, and reconciles, then one no longer has the 'put away' option anymore. It's an occasion where a decision has to be made.

But I would have to look it up to be sure. Now where's my old book.. Ah here it is. This 1917 translation of the code has been a good acquisition.

Canon 1129

1. Because of the adultery of a spouse, the other spouse, the bond remaining, has the right of dissolving, even in perpetuity, the communion of life, unless he consented to the crime, or gave cause for it, or otherwise expressly or tacitly condoned it, or indeed himself committed the same crime.

2. Tacit condonation is considered [to have occurred] if the innocent spouse, after being made certain of the crime of adultery, freely engages in marital affection with the other spouse; but it is presumed unless, within six months, he expels or abandons the adulterous spouse, or makes a legitimate accusation against the other.

Canon 1130

The innocent spouse, whether he leaves by judicial sentence or by his own legitimate authority, is never bound by the obligation of readmitting the adulterous spouse to the consortium of life; but he may admit or recall the other, unless with his consent the other has taken up a life contrary to the married state.

Canon 1131

1. If one spouse gives his name to a non-Catholic sect; if he raises the children non-Catholic; if he leads a criminal or disgraceful life; if one creates a grave danger to the soul or body of the other; if by cruelty, one renders common life too difficult; these reasons and others of their sort are for the other spouse completely legitimate reasons for leaving, with the authority of the local Ordinary, or even on [the spouse's] own authority if these things appear certain and there is danger in delay.

2. In all such cases, the cause of the separation ceasing, life together is to be restored; but if the separation was decided by the Ordinary for a certain or uncertain time, the innocent spouse is not bound [to return] except by decree of the Ordinary or upon the completion of the time.

I never knew all this detailed.
What if the innocent party stays on in the marriage but denies the offender the intimacy of marriage. Is that permitted by the Church?

For what little it's worth, after a case of adultery, I think this is correct. And if this is not denied, then it is taken as condonation.

I recall listening to an Audio Sancto (or was it Sensus Traditionis?) sermon that also went into cases when denial is a sin, but I do not recall the details.

I've been reading old books on family roles lately, it's quite interesting and quite hmm.. hard to find these days.

For what little it is worth it appears some material that runs counter Western culture is not being made available (to put it politely). I am hoping a fellow I've been in communication with, who is a linguist, will help make available some extracts.

It is rather complicated  :(
There is also Hosea and Gomer in the Old Testament. Very difficult to understand.
One can only trust in God and His mercy; it is all too easy to put a foot wrong.

March 8
Today we remember
Saint Duthus of Ross
Among many other Saints.

Saint Duthus
Bishop of Ross.
Saint Duthus, who is also known as Duthac, was born in the year 1000. Sources differ as to whether he was a Scotsman or an Irishman. According to SQPN and Dictionary of Saints by John J. Delaney, he was a Scotsman, born in a place called Tain in Scotland. According to Catholic on Line and Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints by Matthew Bunson, Margaret Bunson, and Stephen Bunson, however, he was an Irishman. ( The Irish among you would probably agree )
Wherever the place of his birth, Duthac was educated in Ireland. He was ordained a priest and in time, he became Bishop of Ross in Scotland. He was highly venerated for his miracles and prophecies. He is recorded as having predicted the Danish Invasion that was repulsed by King Harold Godwinson at the battle of Stamford Bridge 25 September 1066. He however died before witnessing his prophesy.
He died on 8 March 1065 in Ireland.
He was canonized on 11 July 1898 by Pope Leo XIII.
Saint Duthac,
Pray for us!

March 9
Today we remember
Saint Pacian of Barcelona
Among many other Saints

Saint Pacian
Bishop of Barcelona
He is also known as Pacianus of Barcelona.
Pacian was born in Spain.
Little is known about his life beyond the fact that he was married and had a son named Flavius Dexter and that he wrote extensively but only a few of his writings on penance, baptism, the supremacy of the Pope and against Novatianism are reportedly, still extant.
The saint is also remembered for including in one of his letters the phrase: “ Christianus mihi nomen est, catholicos vero cognomen” meaning “My name is Christian, my surname is Catholic.”  :crucifix:
Saint Jerome reportedly wrote about Pacian in De Viris Illustribus, praising him for his eloquence, learning, and deep sanctity.
Pacian died in 390 at Barcelona, Spain. He was canonized Pre Congregation.
Saint Pacian
Pray for us!

Odhiambo, what is Pre Congregation?  ???

Hi Bailey.
Pre-congregation canonization is how the early saints of the Church were declared to be saints i.e, by popular acclamation as opposed to the present day lengthy process.
The exact dates  of these early canonizations are therefore not available.

March 10
Today we will remember
Saint Anectus
Among many other Saints

Saint Anectus
Martyr
Anectus, aka Anicetus was born in Greece. During the persecutions of Christians under Emperor Dioclatian, He was arrested, tortured, and martyred with a group of fellow Christians, most likely in Caesarea, Palestine in modern Israel. He was reportedly thrown to wild animals but when the animals did not maul him, he was beheaded in.258.
Saint Saint Anectus
Pray for us!

Ah, "santo subito!"  at John Paul's funeral.  I think that was a better process. 

Yep, something like that  :)
Vox populi, vox Dei!  ;D
Well, if saints are made in heaven as we Catholics believe, then the method of canonization should not matter too much.
The good Lord would see to it that only saints are canonized  ;D

March 11
Today, let us remember
Saint Constantine II
Among many other Saints

Saint Constantine II
Constantine was a King of Scotland. He was son of King Kenneth II. He died defending his Christian people against pagan invaders, the Danes. He was murdered in 874 in a cave near Crail by the Danish invaders.
He was baried on Iona
He was canonized Pre-Congregation .
Saint Constantine II
Pray for us!

March 12
Today we remember
Saint Seraphina
Among many other Saints

Saint Seraphina
She is also known as Fina. She was born of poor parents at San Geminiano, Tuscany, Italy. As a little girl,and following soon after her father died, Seraphina was stricken with paralysis. She spent her life in great pain from a variety of afflictions. She bore her sufferings with patience for years until her death on 12 March 1253.
Seraphina distinguished herself for the remarkable patience she displayed in her innumerable sufferings.
She is patron saint of physically challenged people.
Saint Seraphina
Pray for us!

March 13
Today we remember
Saint Gerald
Among many other Saints

Saint Gerald.
Abbot
Disciple of Saint Colman of Lindesfarne

Gerald was born in Northumbria, England. He became a monk at Lindesfarne. When the Celtic traditions in the liturgy were forbidden in Northumbria, Greald left England in protest. He entered a monastery on the island Innisboffin off the coast of Ireland. When the English and Irish monks there quarreled, he built a monastery for English monks on the main land. He succeeded Saint Colman who had been abbot of both monasteries, as abbot of the English monastery in Mayo.
It is believed that Saint Gerald founded a convent and two other monasteries.
He died on 13 March 731 in Galway, Ireland and is buried at Mayo, Ireland.
He was canonized Pre-Congregation
Saint Gerald.
Pray for us!

October 14

Today we remember
Saint Peter and
Saint Aphrodisius of Africa
Among many other Saints

Saint Peter and
Saint Aphrodisius of Africa
Martyrs
Peter and Aphrodisius were martyred by Arian Vandals who conquered North Africa in the 5th century. The saints defended the orthodox faith against these heretics. That was the reason for their martyrdom. Nothing else is known about them.
Saint Peter of Africa,
Pray for us.
Saint Aphrodisius of Africa,
Pray for us!

Saint Seraphina, St. Gerald, St. Colman, St. Peter, St. Aphrodisius, St. Constantine II, pray for us!

Good evening odhiambo!  :D

Good evening Shin  :)

March15

Today we remember
Saint Speciosus
Among many other Saints

Saint Speciosus
Benedictine monk
Speciosus was a wealthy land owner from Campania, Italy. He and his brother Gregory entered the famed monastery of Monte Cassino where they became monks. They received the habit from none other than Saint Benedict of Nursia. Speciosus later became a member of the monastery of Terracina.
He died in 555 at Capua, Italy.
Saint Speciosus
Pray for us!

St. Speciosus ora pro nobis!

Saints and saints!  ;D

March 16
Today we remember
Saint Abraham Kidunaia
Among many other Saints

Saint Abraham Kidunaia
Hermit
Apostle of Edessa.
Abraham was a 6th century hermit born at Edessa, Mesopotamia. His parents, who were wealthy, arranged a marriage for him. Abraham fled from this marriage into the desert where he lived a celibate and hermitical life in a sealed cabin with just a single opening through which he received food. When his parents died, Abraham gave away his large inheritance to the poor.
When the Bishop of Edessa asked him to go and convert the pagans living at Beth Kiduna, near the city, Abraham reluctantly left his cabin. According to Dictionary of Saints by John J. Delaney, Abraham was ordained, then went to Beth Kiduna to preach. The pagans in the region persecuted him after he destroyed their idols. He was beaten up and driven away from the village but he returned and persisted in his mission until, after a few years, the town was converted to Christianity.
Abraham then returned to his cell where he remained until his death at the age of seventy..
Saint Abraham Kidunaia
Pray for us!

March 17
Today we remember
Saint Paul of Cyprus
Among many other Saints

Saint Paul of Cyprus
Martyr.
Paul was a resident of Cyprus during the reign of the iconoclast emperor Constantine Copronymus. He was a monk. Because of his opposition to the iconoclasm of the Emperor, he was arraigned before the governor of the island. When he refused to desecrate a crucifix, he was tortured and then burned to death in 775.
Saint Paul of Cyprus,
Pray for us!

St. Paul of Cyprus pray for us!

And it is also after all, St. Patrick's day!

 :biggrin: :irishwisdom: :thrones:

A Latin and English Edition of the Confession of St. Patrick is in the works for Saints' Books, I might add -- because it is not very long, this is possible.

I doubt it will be ready for today, but at least it is in the works. And the Confession and his other writings are widely available already thankfully. :D

'But after I came to Ireland -- every day I had to tend sheep, and many times a day I prayed -- the love of God and His fear came to me more and more, and my faith was strengthened. And my spirit was moved so that in a single day I would say as many as a hundred prayers, and almost as many in the night, and this even when I was staying in the woods and on the mountains; and I used to get up for prayer before daylight, through snow, through frost, through rain, and I felt no harm, and there was no sloth in me -- as I now see, because the spirit within me was then fervent.'

St. Patrick

I was reading an article on St. Patrick and this excerpt caught my eye:

"Once the Saint had a great vision, in which the actual state and the future of the Church in Ireland were revealed to him. In the first place, he saw the whole land, as it were, like a great furnace whose flames reached to the sky. And he clearly heard the voice of an Angel saying, "Such is now - the state of Ireland in the sight of the Lord."

After a little time, instead of this far-spreading universal fire, he saw flaming mountains here and there over the land, then torches shining, succeeded by glimmering lights amidst an ever-increasing darkness. Last of all, he saw a few live coals buried and burning deep in the earth. Then an angelic voice was heard, saying that such should be the successive states of the Irish people in times that were coming

Then, with tears rolling down his cheeks, the Saint repeated many times those words of the Psalmist, "Will God then cast us off forever ? Or will He never more be favorable again? Or will He cut off His mercy forever from generation to generation? Or will God forget to show mercy? Or will He in anger close off His mercies?"

The Angel answered and told him to look to the north of the land, and that there he should see that the Hand of the Most High. The Saint lifted up his eyes, and, behold, a little light arose in Uladh (Ulster), which had struggled long in the darkness, until at length the whole island was filled with the brightness of its glory, and Ireland returned to its first state of all-pervading fire. (Acta SS., p. 575)."

Saint Patrick,
Pray for us!

St. Patrick’s Breastplate

I like this portion of the poem.
.....
I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me:
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s host to secure me
against snares of devils
against temptations of vices
against inclinations of nature
against everyone who shall wish me ill,
afar and anear,
alone and in a crowd…..

Amen amen! :D I love this prayer!

Shin, I love that story.  :)

March 18
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Salvator of Horta
Among many other Saints

Saint Salvator of Horta
Salvator was born in 1520 at Santa Columba, Gerona, Spain. He was orphaned as a child and became a shoemaker. When he was twenty, he joined the Franciscans as a lay brother. in Barcelona. Salvator worked for msany years as a humble cook in the friary of Horta. He died in 1567 at the friary at Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy. During his life, Salvator was known for his severe austerities and many miracles of healing.
He was beatified on 5 February 1606 by Pope Paul V and canonized on 17 April 1938 by Pope Pius XI.
Saint Salvator of Horta,
Pray for us!

Today I have decided to post two Saints.
As you know, there are usually many saints listed on a single day. We never get to hear about many of these saints. One such saint is
Saint Anselm of Lucca the Younger
He was
Bishop of Lucca
Nephew of Pope Alexander II
Anselm was born in 1036 at Mantua, Italy.
He was called the Younger by his contemporaries. He was the nephew of Anselm of Lucca the Elder who became Pope Alexander II in 10 61.
Anselm was named Bishop of Lucca in 1073 by his uncle Pope Alexander who had just vacated the see. He reluctantly accepted the investiture.by Emperor Henry IV. He soon regretted accepting the symbol of his office from Emperor Henry IV, a lay man. He resigned from his office and retired to the monastery of Cluniac at Polirone where he became a Benedictine monk. He was recalled by Pope Gregory VII. Anselm soon had a conflict with his canons over lack of observance of an austere life (the Gregorian reform began by the Pope, which he was vigorously enforcing). The conflict led to the excommunication of the canons who, in turn revolted against Anselm. They had the support of the emperor. In 1079, Anselm was driven from his see. He retired to Canossa, Italy, and became the spiritual director of Countess Matilda of Tuscany. Anselm was a firm supporter of Pope Gregory VII’s struggles to end lay investiture. After Gregory’s death, Pope Victor III appointed him papal legate to Lombardy.
Anselm wrote a treatise against lay investiture, Contra Guibertum et Sequaces ejus.
He died on 18 March 1086 at Mantua, Italy.
Saint Anselm
Pray for us!

March 19
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Alkmund of Northumbria
Among many other Saints

Saint Alkmund of Northumbria
Prince.
Martyr.
He is also known as Alcmund of Northumbria. Alcmund was born in 774 in northern England.
He was the son of Saint Alhred ( Alcred) King of Northumbria, England. Accounts vary somewhat but his father Alcred and his brother Osred were reportedly murdered in 792 and according to Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Bunson, Margaret Bunson, and Stephen Bunson, he was exiled to Scotland where he lived among the Picts. According to Dictionary of Saints by John J. Delaney, he was killed in 800 Shropshire, England while attempting to regain his father’s throne.
The circumstances of his death reportedly gave rise to the designation of martyrdom.
Miracles were reported at his tomb in Lilleshall after his death. He was first venerated at Lilleshall and then in Derby, England.
Saint Alcmund,
Pray for us!

And just to remind us,
today is also the
Memorial of Saint Joseph.

Prayer to Saint Joseph
Blessed Joseph, husband of Mary,
be with us today.
You protected and cherished the Virgin,
loving the Child Jesus as your Son,
you rescued Him from danger of death.
Defend the Church, the household of God,
purchased by the blood of Christ.
Guardian of the Holy Family,
be with us in our trials.
May your prayers obtain for us the
strength to flee from error and wrestle with
the powers of corruption, so that in life, we may grow in holiness
and in death, rejoice in the crown of victory.
Amen!
From a Prayer Book by
Paulines Publications Africa

March 20

Today we remember
Saint Herbert of Derwentwater
Among many other Saints

Saint Herbert of Derwentwater
Herbert was a priest in England in the 7th century. He was a disciple and close friend of of Saint Cuthbert. He lived as a hermit on an island in Lake Derwentwater, England. The island was later named Saint Herbert’s Island in his honor. Every year, Saint Herbert visited Saint Cuthbert at Lindisfarne. According to SQPN, in 686 Cuthbert visited Herbert on his island and told his friend that he had foreseen that he would soon die. The two prayed to die at the same time. Soon after, Herbert reportedly became ill. They both died on 20 March 687.
Saint Herbert of Derwentwater
Pray for us!

St. Herbert, St. Cuthbert, pray for us!

Good evening odhiambo!

I love reading about hermit saints! :D

I wonder if Martin's ever been anywhere near St. Herbert's island?  :biggrin:

It is early morning here Shin, 6.20 am to be exact.
Good  morning /evening  ;D
Hope he will tell us all about it if he has  ;D

Early to bed, early to rise! A good way to live, getting to see the break of day!  :flower:

March 21
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Serapion.
Among many other Saints

Saint Serapion the Scholastic.
Bishop and head of the famed catechetical school of Alexandria, Egypt. He is also known as Serapion of Arsinoe and also as Serapion of Thmuis ( Thumis). He is called “the Scholastic” because of his learning. Serapion was at first, a monk in the Egyptian desert and a friend and companion of Saint Anthony. If you remember, Saint Anthony left in his will, the gift of two sheepskin cloaks. One was for Serapion and the other was for Athanasius of Alexandria. Serapion was called from the desert to be bishop of Thmuis, Lower Egypt on the Nile delta. He was a close friend of Saint Athanasius and actively supported him against the Arians in Egypt.
He attended the Council of Sardis in 347. Besides Arianism, Serapion also fought against Manichaeism.
Serapion was a brilliant scholar and a theologian. He had a series of writings to his name, viz
He wrote a treatise against the Manichaeans; a treatise on the titles of the Psalms; a sacramentary called the Euchologium and a collection of liturgical prayers.
He was exiled by the ardent Arian Emperor Constantius II for his opposition to Arianism and his support of Saint Athanasius.
He died in exile in 370.
He was canonized Pre-Congregation.
Because of his opposition to Arianism, Serapion was exiled for a time by the Emperor Constantius II
Saint Serapion
Pray for us!

I've had holy oil from St. Serapion for a long time.  :D

???

March 22
Today we remember
Saint Trien
Among many other Saints

Saint Trien of Killelga
He is also known as Trienan of Killelga. Trien lived in the Fifth century. He was a disciple of Saint Patrick. He served as a missionary and then as abbot of Killelga Monastery in Ireland.
He was canonized Pre-Congregation
Saint Trien
Pray for us!

St.. Trien pray for us! St. Patrick pray for us! :D

Oh, there use to be, I do not believe it is around any more, a place where you could send a donation for a wide variety of holy oils and holy waters, that had either come directly from various shrines, or at least (perhaps more likely), been blessed with and/or touched to relics of the saints. One has to sift through these kinds of places a little prudently I tend to think.

There are other places not quite the same as the one that's offline now, that offer things like this still I think. And perhaps now, some of the shrines themselves offer these off their webpages, though mostly these being in Europe there is likely the language barrier to finding it in English at times.

So in any case, I have, somewhere in a box for sorting through still I think some old holy oil and water bottles the latter may I think almost be all gone, with associations with various saints. Such as, holy oil of 'The Martyrs of the Plague in Alexandria', of 'St. Serapion', holy water of St. Blaise, and so forth. But I think there is very little left if it is in that old box, as I made regular use of it. I shall have to go look.

Do you use it medicinally or just to bless yourself ?
I would love to have some holy oils. :)

Well, I would use it for blessing myself and spiritual protection mainly, but I have used them to help with health and recovery too.

I've been through a good deal of "spiritual warfare" and so I have always been looking for ways to do better in the spiritual conflict, and have found quite a few helps not well known.

Well, I am definitely going to go through my old box now. I have needed to finish up some sorting and neatening. Old broken rosaries, worn out scapulars, old memories.

As for "spiritual warfare" Shin, remember Saint Anthony the Great and his trials in the desert?
You are in good company there. The more one tries to leave the world, the more intense to warfare.

March 23
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Rafqa
Among many other Saints

Saint Rafqa.
This Saint is known by many names. Some of them are:
Agnes; Anissa; Lily of Himlaya
Little Flower of Lebanon; Petra; Petronilla; Pierette; Purple Rose; Rafqa Shabaq al-Rayes and
Rebecca.
Known as “the Little Flower of Lebanon” and “the Silent, Humble Nun”, Rafqa was born on 29 June 1832 in Himlaya, Lebanon. She was the only child of Mourad Saber Shabaq Al-Rayes and Rafqa Gemayel. Her mother died when she was six and her father remarried. The child did not get along well with her stepmother. When she was 14, she told her parents she wanted to become a nun. The father objected but she entered the Marian Order of the Immaculate Conception at Bikfaya as a postulant, taking the religious name of Anissa ( Agnes). She made her final vows in 1856.
In 1860, Anissa witnessed the massacre of Christians at Deir-el-Qamar.
In 1871, her Order merged with the order of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to form the Order of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
The sisters were given the choice of joining the new order, joining other orders, or being released from their vows. She prayed for guidance then on 12 July 1871, she joined the ascetic Baladiya Order of the Maronites and the Cloistered convent of Saint Simom in El-Qarn. (The Lebanese Order of Saint Anthony of the Maronites).She took the name Rafqa (Rebecca).
Gifted with supernatural visions and dreams, in 1885 Rafqa offered herself to Our Lord that she might share in His suffering. From that time, her health deteriorated steadily. She went blind, became paralised, and was in constant pain. She endured her suffering with joy and without complaint.
Rafqa died on 23 March 1914, at the Convent of Saint Joseph, Grabta, Lebanon. Four days after her death, her Mother Superior Ursula Doumit, experienced the first miracle brought about by Rafqa’s intercession.
She was beatified on 17 November 1985 by Pope John Paul II
and canonized on 10 June 2001 by Pope John Paul II.
Saint Rafqa,
Pray for us!

From the evidence presented for her Canonization process, a group of specialists.in ophthalmology, neurology and orthopedics,
concluded that the Rafqa most likely suffered from disseminated tuberculosis, with widespread lesions affecting the eyes, the spine, etc.  :(

When you mentioned "Spiritusl Warfare" Shin, I decided to have a look at the subject because I was not really clear in my mind what exactly we mean by the expression.
Has Satan zeroed in on the person or is it that one is more tempted than the next person.
I found this article from a Catholic source that I have really liked and has made me understand what is all about.
I wish I could share but.
I have sought permission to reproduce the article. Hope I get it. :)

Haha, when you can put what you learned into your own words, it always help the reader to remember a thing too.  :D

"Spiritual warfare" is from Ephesians 6:12:

'For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and power, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places.'

And describes the battle against the evil spirits, that cause temptations, troubles, passions, etc. as the Christian's primary battle.

The desert fathers stories are all about these, that's all they talk about -- overcoming the passions, which the fallen angels try to incite to put them to the test in all the ways that can be done. And one could say it's because that's all there is to do in the desert, pray and be put to the test and grow in virtue and purity of one's love of God, it's simpler to focus on out there properly.

This reminds me that a daily duty for those of responsibility in families is to pray for the spiritual protection of the entire family every day -- this would especially be fathers and mothers. To not do this, is to leave a great emptiness where there should be defenses, and a failure of responsibility. It reminds me of how important for example, one sees in Holy Scripture, a father's blessing can be.

The way Hell works, is a hierarchy not unlike it used to be in Heaven, except this time it's for evil rather than overseeing the world for good.

Satan gives the orders and then there are the supervisory roles, and various lesser ranks, a gigantic cloud of innumerable demons with their various responsibilities of setting forth and tempting souls to ruin to become a part of Hell.

Those who are not troubled by the devils are those who are already damned, and so they do not experience spiritual warfare in a truly meaningful sense -- except the fallen angel making certain they stay that way. They are on the other side. But Christians who struggle in virtue immediately find that their actions are far more limited than they might first suspect, because the fallen angels set to work to prevent salvation and growth in virtue, and good works. They particularly for example will work to prevent prayer, and prayer that is pleasing to God, by for example, distractions, etc. And for those attempting to overcome vice, they will incite the passions related to that vice, cause forgetfulness, and attempt to cause distractions and fascinations, idolizations and obsessions that lead away from the road of salvation.

And then there is on the larger level, the overall grand work of suppressing of Christianity and corrupting those who have any positions of authority or influence, and what they teach to others, so that it is not the Faith. Well, but I am going on a bit lengthily.

"Length" is good, the better to understand  ;D
Thanks for explaining. I do understand now how life is really a battle zone for us Catholics.
After reading that article I mentioned, I came home and looked for a book, " the Secret", I had bought some years back but never really read it other than a quick overall look at the content. I had also bought a C.D of the same which I watched only half way as it proved to be faulty. Well, I found the C.D and dumped it in the waste basket. The book, I am yet to locate. I had been told the the Secret is "New Age" thinking. ???
Anyway, I lost interest without really understanding what " New Age" was all about. The article mentions it as having  a connection with the occult. :(

March 24
Let us remember today
Saint Aldemar
Among many other Saints

Saint Aldemar the Wise
Aldemar was an abbot and a miracle worker called “the Wise”.
He was born in Capua, Italy. He became a monk in Monte Cassino and came to the attention of a princess of the region, Princess Aloara. When she built a new convent in Capua, Aldemar was appointed its director. As director of the convent, Aldemar reportedly performed many miracles and became known as “the Wise”. He was reassigned by his abbot to Monte Cassino, a move that the princess did not like at all. She wanted him to stay on as director of the convent, the abbot on the other hand, wanted him back at Monte Cassino. To escape the dispute, Aldemar moved to Boiana, Italy. Even here, a companion involved in the said dispute, attempted to kill him. Aldemar fled into the region of Bocchignano in the Abruzzi. He founded several more religious houses here which he directed until his death in 1080.
Saint Aldemar
Pray for us!

Ah-ha, the famous Monte Cassino.

St. Aldemar, pray for us!

Yes, Saint  Benedict of Nursia founded the Benedictine Order there and he and his twin sister Saint Scholastica
are buried there.
A word here and a word there, one is reminded of so much!
Do you remember how Saint Scholastica came to spend her last day on earth with her brother?
Unforgettable!

March 25
Let us today remember
Saint Harold
Among many other Saints

Yes, it's something too touching to forget. All ye holy saints, pray for us!

March 26
Today is the The Solemnity of
The Annunciation of the Lord.

The Feast of the Annunciation
The Feast of the Annunciation commemorates the angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary
that she would conceive Jesus, and the conception of Jesus by the Holy Spirit at that moment. The feast on this day, is celebrated 9 months before Jesus' birth at Christmas.
The story of the Annunciation, meaning the announcing, from the Latin annuntiare, is told in Luke's gospel. At the Annunciation, the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would conceive a Son, and his name would be Jesus. His greeting, "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you" has echoed down through the ages in many prayers,it is the "Hail Mary."
Mary was initially confused as to how she would bear God's Son, seeing as she was a virgin. The angel then explained that the Holy Spirit would come upon her. This was why when we recite the Nicene creed we say "by the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary and became man." The Apostles Creed likewise affirms that Jesus was "conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit." Thus, the Feast of the Annunciation is the beginning of Jesus' miraculous life.
Mary's response to the angel, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word," (Latin: ecce ancilla Domini; fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum) is a statement of humble faith, and a model for how we are to respond when God calls us to do what seems impossible. This response is called Mary's fiat, from the Latin word meaning "let it be done." The Catechism addresses the significance of Mary's faith in relation to her role as Christ's mother:
By pronouncing her "fiat" at the Annunciation and giving her consent to the Incarnation, Mary was already collaborating with the whole work her Son was to accomplish. She is mother wherever he is Savior and head of the Mystical Body

March 26
Today is also the Memorial of
Saint Braulio of Saragossa
Among many other Saints

Saint Braulio of Saragossa
Braulio was born to a noble family in Saragossa, Spain in 590. He entered Saint Engratia's monastery where he became a monk. He also studied in Seville, under Saint Isidore. In 631, he became the Bishop of Saragossa . Braulio proved to be an outstanding scholar and preacher. He encouraged learning and fought Arianism. He also help Isidore in his effort to reform the Spanish Church. When Pope Honorius I charged that the Spanish Bishops were neglecting their responsibilities, Braulio wrote in their defense.
The Saint was known for his devotion to the BVM, his visions, his miracles, his austerities as well as for his compassion for the poor and the help he rendered them.
Braulio wrote the “Acts of the Martyrs of Saragossa”, a life of Saint Emilian.
He also wrote many letters.
He died in 651 at Saragossa and was buried in the church of Nuestra Senora Merced del Pilar.
He is the patron of Aragon
Saint Braulio
Pray for us!

Thank you for introducing me to St. Braulio of Saragossa odhiambo!

I looked him up some more and found he encouraged St. Isidore of Seville to write his etymologies! :D

And that it's said his eyesight became extremely poor when he aged and this was a bitter cross for him as he was unable to continue his studies.

St. Isidore, St. Emilian, St. Braulio, pray for us!

The Will of God in our lives  :crucifix:

I was just tidying up the etymologies the other day. Little piles of books I have out reading tend to gather in stacks and eventually need to all be piled up back on the shelf.

Let's see what few snippets are in here.

"Ichthyophagi, 'fish-eaters', are named because they fare well by hunting in the sea, and are nourished by fish alone. They hold the mountainous regions behind the Indus. When Alexander the Great subjugated them, he forbade them to eat fish."

"Kings are named 'reges' from 'regendo', ruling, just as a priest is called 'sacerdos' from 'sacrificando', making holy. One who does not correct, 'corrigit', does not rule, 'regit'. The name king, 'rex', is held by doing rightly, 'recte', as it is lost by erring. Whence there was a proverb among the ancients: 'Rex eris, si recte facias: si non facias, non eris.' (You will be king, if you behave correctly, if not, you will not be.)

There are two outstanding regal virtues: justice and piety. Piety is more lauded in kings, for justice in itself is stern.

Consules are named 'consules' from 'consulendo', deliberating, just as kings are named 'reges' from ruling, 'regendo', and laws are named 'leges' from 'legendo.' When the Romans could not endure the proud domination of kings, they created yearly magistracies and two consuls.

Well, all I can say is that the "Ichthyophagi' or  'fish-eaters', whoever they were, must have been very clever people. Here in Kenya, those who live by the lake side-Lake Victoria, that is, they are fish-eaters though not exclusively of course, and they are known to be clever people, many of them are in academics as opposed to other fields. It is told that the head of the fish is it, that is the part you have to eat if you want to be clever. ;D
I never touch the head, and am not too fond of fish because I fear the bones.  ;)

I thought it was because they "offer sacrifice" to God?

March 27
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Augusta of Treviso
Among many other Saints

Saint Augusta of Treviso
Virgin Martyr.
Augusta was the daughter of the duke of Friuli in Italy.
 He was reportedly so infuriated by Augusta’s conversion to Christianity that he beheaded her himself.
Her shrine is near Treviso in northern Italy.
Saint Augusta
Pray for us!

That would be my thought too! That is the purpose of the priesthood!

And looking it up sacrificando means sacrifice.  :crucifix:

That reminds me of thy 'why are fish so smart' riddle! :D

Are they so smart?
 How come they get hooked and end up on a dish? ;D
Anyway, why are they "so smart" then?  ;D

Haha, there are two good answers and you already half have one of them!  :fishie: :fishie: :fishie:

March 28
One of the Saints we remember today is
Saint Guntramnus

Saint Guntramnus
King of Burgundy, France.
He is also known as Gunthramus, Gontram , Gontran or Contran.
What is known of this saint is from Saint Gregory of Tours who recorded his life.
According to this record, Guntramnus was King of Burgundy and part of Aquitaine from 561.
He reportedly divorced one wife and executed the second one (Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Bunson, Margaret Bunson, and Stephen Bunson).
Overcome with remorse for what he had done, Guntramnus performed penance for years.
As part of his atonement, he built monasteries and churches and supported monastic reforms.
He died on 28 March 592 and was buried in the church of Saint Marcellus, which he had founded.
His canonization was Pre-Congregation.
He is the patron saint of divorced people and also of murderers.
Saint Guntramnus
Pray for us!

March 29
Let us remember today
Saint Gwynllyw
Among many other Saints

Saint Gwynllyw
Husband of Saint Gladys
Father of Saint Cadoc, a hermit of Wales.
He is also known as Woollos and Gundleus( Latin for Gwynllyw). According to legend, Gwynllyw was a Welsh chieftain who wanted to marry Gladys ( Gwladys), the daughter of Brychan of Brecknock ( or Brecknow). When Brychan refused his daughter’s hand, Gwynllyw kidnapped Gladys and married her. The young couple then embarked on a riotous way of life. They engaged in violence and banditry. It was their first son, Saint Cadoc who eventually convinced them to follow a religious way of life. At first they lived together at Newport, Monmouthshire. Later, he had them separate and live as hermits with Gwladys eventually living at a place called Oencarnau, Bassaleg.
Saint Gwynllyw
Pray for us!
Saint Gwladys
Pray for us!

Some memorable saints these last few!

A reader over at CAF agrees with you.
 of Saint Guntramnus who reportedly divorced one wife and executed
another, he commented that there is hope for us all since the Saint repented his way to sainthood, so to speak.
I agree completely with him. Where there is genuine sorrow for sins committed, the Lord stands ready to forgive.

I remember I've read the story of St. Gwynnlyw adn St. Gwladys and St. Cadoc before, I'm glad you brought them to mind again. They were so very repentantly good! Great models!

March 30
Today is the Memorial of
Saint John Climacus
Among many other Saints

Saint John Climacus
Also known as John of the Ladder, John Scholasticus and John the Sinaita. He was born between 505 and 579 in Syria or possibly even in Palestine. When he was sixteen years old, he joined the monks on Mount Sinai and lived for many years as a hermit on Sinai. When he was 35, he went to Thale where he continued to live as a hermit. John was revered as a Bible scholar. He wrote the famous book, Scala Paradisi ( Ladder of Paradise, sometimes called Ladder of Perfection). In the book, he described the thirty steps of the ladder required to attain religious perfection. The thirty chapters of the book was reportedly intended to correspond to the age of Jesus at the time of His baptism by John the Baptist. The book was very popular during the middle ages.
At the age of 70, John was elected abbot of the monks on Mount Sinai. He died there on March 30.
Saint John Climacus,
Pray for us!

Anyone any idea what the thirty steps are?

Hmm, I have a book, and there's a chapter for each I think, though this particular edition isn't quite all it could be.

Could you list the steps for us on this thread?

The Ladder of Divine Ascent
of St. John Climacus

1) The Break with the World

A) Renunciation (Step 1)
B) Detachment (Step 2)
C) Exile (Step 3)

2) The Practice of the Virtues (the Active Life)

A) The Fundamental Virtues

1) Obedience (Step 4)
2) Penitence (Step 5)
3) Remembrance of Death (Step 6)
4) Sorrow (Step 7)

B) The Struggle Against the Passions

1) Nonphysical Passions

(a) Anger (Step 8)
(b) Malice (Step 9)
(c) Slander (Step 10)
(d) Talkativeness (Step 11)
(e) Falsehood (Step 12)
(f) Deception/Despondency (Step 13)

2) Physical Passions

(a) Gluttony(Step 14)
(b) Lust (Step 15)
(c) Avarice (Step 16)

3) Nonphysical Passions (cont.)

(a) Insensitivity (Steps 18-20)
(b) Fear (Step 21)
(c) Vainglory (Step 22)
(d) Pride/Blasphemy (Step 23)

C) Higher Virtues of the “Active Life”

1) Simplicity (Step 24)
2) Humility (Step 25)
3) Discernment (Step 26)
3) Union with God (the Contemplative Life)

A) Stillness (Step 27)
B) Prayer (Step 28)
C) Dispassion (Step 29)
D) Love (Step 30)

I was hoping someone else would do it for me, and so I searched and found it and here it is.  :D

Sorry no one else did  :)
Thank you for the trouble.
If it is okay with you, I'll post the same at CAF.
Thanks again.

I am reminded of a saying about: Anybody, Nobody, Somebody, and Everybody. Some years back I used to see such sayings adorned a  number of office walls in the city.

   " An important job had to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done." !  ;D

Feel free! I just didn't want to type it up at the moment, that's all. :D

That belongs on a joke thread!  :happyroll:

I have linked them to this page. Easier that way.

I am not really enthused about the particular translation of St. John Climacus' Ladder that I have. There's another translation out there but it's pricey so I keep holding off on getting it. But even the few excerpts of it that I have read sound more sonorous.

The other edition is out of print at the moment but should be back in it in a month, so I am hoping for the best. I have never read the book front to back, just excerpts. I should.

But when I have two of them, yes I think I shall have to pick it up, it will be interesting to compare. I wonder if I might find it in its original language online one of these days too.

I always wish I could provide folks with a ton of books by the saints in Latin and English, for free, or at charity/cost prices from a charity press. I know that there are few people with good sense with money, because if there were this would have been long ago done, in English and other languages, and be a centerpiece of spiritual work, from the heart of the Church.

On the other hand, Providence guides all things and, there is 'pearls before swine' and 'shaking the dust off one's feet' to consider, or how God can decide not to give truth to those who will treat it sinfully, and Pope St. Gregory the Great's words. I come back to this at times and think on it, again and again, wondering at our role here.

If people knew the true value of these works they would gather them up themselves, everywhere, and be understood as priceless. Without even comparison to gold or diamonds or material things.

It does give some idea Shin, of what he meant.

March 31
Today we remember
Saint Guy of Pomposa
Among many other Saints

Saint Guy of Pomposa
Guy, sometimes called Guido, was born at Ravenna, Italy. As a youth he was said to be meticulous about his appearance and his clothing until he realized what was really important in life.
He gave out all his possessions to the poor and went to Rome where he was tonsured. He spent three years with a hermit named Martin on an island in the Po River. Then he joined the community at Pomposa Abbey near Ferrara.
Guy became abbot of Saint Severus at Ravenna and abbot of Pomposa as well. He attracted so many disciples to his community by his sanctity and wisdom that he had to build for them another monastery. Guy retired late in life to live as a hermit.
He died in 1046 at Borgo San Donnino, while on his way to Piacenza where he had been summoned by Emperor Henry III who wanted to consult him.
Saint Guy of Pomposa
Pray for us!

Funny name for a town! :D

St. Guy pray for us!

Yeah !
Too close for comfort to pompous; pomposity :)

Haha! That's what I was thinking! St. Guy of the Pompadour!

St. Catherine of Palma and St. Hugh of Grenoble pray for us!

St. Catherine of Palma

'Orphan who lived an unhappy childhood in the home of her paternal uncle. Felt a call to the religious life at age 15, but her confessor convinced her to wait a little. Domestic servant in Palma, Spain where she learned to read and write. Joined the Canonesses of Saint Augustine at Saint Mary Magdalen convent in Palma. Subjected to many strange phenomena and mystical experiences including visits from angels, Saint Anthony of Padua and Saint Catherine of Siena. Had the gifts of visions and prophecy. Assaulted spiritually and physically by dark powers, she sometimes went into ecstatic trances for days at a time; her wounds from this abuse were treated by Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian. During her last years she was almost continually in ecstasy. Foretold the date of her death.'

St. Hugh of Grenoble

'Son of a soldier named Odilo, a man known for his Christian life, and who later became a Cistercian monk; his mother was known for her life of prayer and alms-giving. Uncle of Saint Hugh of Bonnevaux. Hugh was an exceptionally good student as a child. Canon in the cathedral of Valence, France at age 25. Bishop of Grenoble, France in 1080 at age 27, consecrated by Pope Gregory VII; he served there for 52 years. He went to Grenoble as a reformer, but after two years, convinced that he had not improved the lives or the holiness of his clergy, he resigned and retired to become a Benedictine monk at Chaise-Dieu in Auvergne, France; after a year of this, Pope Gregory ordered him back to Grenoble. This time his work and his example paid off – large crowds attended his preaching, his clergy brought new zeal to their ministry, the poor were cared for, and religious life had a new start in his diocese. He gave land to Saint Bruno for La Grande Chartruse abbey, and helped him found the Carthusians. Gave both his mother and his 100 year old father their Last Rites. A frequent sufferer of head pain and headaches, which led to his patronage of the problem. '

- P.S.I.

 ???

Patron Saints' Index

Now why, why, did I not think along that line?
I thought of everything but  ;D
Thanks !

A new month,
The month of April.
April is traditionally dedicated to
The Blessed Sacrament.
And Sundays, which today happens to be, is dedicated to:
The Resurrection and the Holy and Undivided Trinity.

April 1
One of the Saints we remember to day is:
Saint Macarius
the Wonder Worker
Today is also
Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion
i.e. Passion Sunday

Saint Macarius the Wonder Worker
Macarius, also known as Christopher, was born in the 9th century at Constantinople . He was baptized Christopher. He became a monk at Pelekete Monastery, taking the name Macarius. In time, he was elected abbot and became known for his miracles which earned him the name “the Wonder Worker’. Macarius was imprisoned and tortured by Emperor Leo the Armenian, for his opposition to iconoclasm. He was released by Leo’s Successor, Emperor Michael the Stammerer. When he refused Michael’s demands that he support the iconoclastic heresy, he was exiled to the island of Aphusia off the coast of Bithynia. He died there on 18 August 850.
He was Canonized Pre-Congregation.
Saint Macarius
Pray for us!

Dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament!  :crucifix:

'The man ensnared by pride will need God's help, since man is of no use to him.'

St. John Climacus

I wonder if a man such as that would be willing to accept the Lord's help  :(

April 2
One of the many Saints we remember to day is:
Saint Abundius of Como

Saint Abundius
Bishop of Como.
He was born in Thessalonica, modern Greece; was ordained and named bishop of Como, Italy. A noted theologian, Abundius attended the Council of Constantinople in 450. As a result of his obvious intellect and holiness, he was sent by Pope Leo the Great to Emperor Theodosius II, as envoy of the Holy See. His mission led to the Council of Chalcedon in 451 and to the Council of Milan in 452.
Abundius served as the pope’s representative in various councils, clearly stating the Church’s role and concerns. He died in 469.
Saint Abundius
Pray for us!

Good question! Pride is a disability that prevents someone from seeing honestly how things are!  :crucifix:

April 3
One of the many Saints we remember to day is:
Saint Mary of Egypt

Saint Mary of Egypt
Also known as Maria Aegyptica, Mary was born in, Egypt in 344. The following account is taken from SQPN.
Mary was reportedly, a beautiful, spoiled rich girl. At the age of twelve, she ran away from home to Alexandria where she found work as as a dancer and a singer. She also worked as a prostitute. This was the sad state of affairs for many years.
Around age 30, Mary went on a pilgrimage to Palestine, where she hoped to get customers from the ranks of the pilgrims. She went up to Jerusalem.
On the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, Mary intended to go to the church, not to pray but to look for possible customers. At the church door, however, a miracle happened. As SQPN puts it, “she found herself invisibliy repelled” According to Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Bunson, Margaret Bunson, and Stephen Bunson, however, she was converted when she visited the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. And still, according to Dictionary of Saints by John J. Delaney, she was brought to the realization of her sinful life before an icon of the BVM and at the Virgin’s direction, she went to the Jordanian desert where she lived as a hermitess for 47 years, not seeing a single human being.
Around the year 430, Mary was 'discovered' in the desert by a holy man named Zosismus who was impressed by her spiritual knowledge and wisdom. He saw her the following Lent but when he returned, he found her dead and buried her. When he returned to his monastery near the Jordan, he told the others what had happened and the story spread.
The Dictionary of Saints by John J. Delaney states that in Cyril of Scythopolis’ life of Saint Cyriacus, he tells of a woman named Mary found by Cyriacus and his companions living as a hermitess in the Jordanian desert. She told him she had been a famous singer and actress who had sinned and was doing penance in the desert; when they returned later, she was dead. It appears that she met at least two people during her life of penance out there in the desert, before she died in 421.
She is patron saint of penitent women, reformed prostitutes and against sexual temptation.
Saint Mary of Egypt
Pray for us!

April 4
One of the many Saints we remember to day is:
Saint Zosimus of Palestine

Saint Zosimus of Palestine
Hermit.
Zosimus was a 5th century hermit who settled on the banks of the Jordan River. He discovered Saint Mary of Egypt, the saint we whose Memorial was yesterday. He reportedly brought her the Eucharist one Easter, and on returning one year later, found she had died. He wrote a biography of her.
Saint Zosimus,
Pray for us!

While we don't yet have a copy here, one can easily find 'Life of Our Holy Mother Mary of Egypt' online and read the full story.

There are many writings about St. Zosimus.

Abba Zosimus said: "Of many kinds are the effects of our intentions. It is possible for an ardent spirit to find with God, in a single moment, favor that another spirit, if it is cold and lax, cannot find in a period of fifty years. Thus, for example, if the demons see that someone has been insulted, belittled, and hurt, or has suffered some similar thing and is upset, not because he suffered something bad, but because he failed to endure this temptation with courage and without feeling sorrow -- such a spiritual disposition the demons greatly fear. For they know that this man has found the way of truth and wishes to walk in accord with the commandments of God"

Another time, the same Abba said, "If one brings to mind someone who has caused him upset, ridiculed him, hurt him, or has in any way caused him some evil, he should think of him as a physician and from the depths of his heart thank him for these things. If, however, he entertains in his mind thoughts against such a person, then he is giving thought, like the demons, to something contrary to his soul. Indeed, he becomes a demon himself and his own enemy, since he does not wish to be released from this evil, but to continue uncured. For if he were not ill, he would not be occupied with feelings against the person who made him sad and upset him and whom Christ sent to him as a physician to reveal his illness through assault and injury.

If, indeed, he truly wishes to be cured, it is to his benefit to consider the person who troubled him his benefactor and to accept all the evil things coming from that person as therapeutic medicines that have been sent to him by Jesus -- and to be thankful for these things, even if for the moment they may cause him sadness. For an ill man is not happy when he has an operation, or undergoes cauterization, or takes a cathartic. Indeed, quite the opposite: he is unsettled even thinking about it. But when he convinces himself that, without these things, he is not going to be cured form his illness, he yields himself all the more to his physician, for he knows well that after a little inconvenience, he can be delivered from even the most bothersome chronic disease."

- the sayings of the Desert Fathers

Dancer, singer, prostitute. Notice how they are all grouped together!

Meaning?

April 5
Today we remember the
Martyrs of North-West Africa
Among many other saints

Martyrs of North-West Africa.
In 459, a large group of Christians were murdered in North-West Africa while celebrating Easter Mass, during the persecutions of Genseric, the Arian king of the Vandals.
Martyrs of North-West Africa
Pray for us!

They definitely are associated in more ways than one!

The association can be seen more readily today if one looks at the entertainments business and all the immorality that seems to be part and parcel of this kind of life.

I was listening to an audio book recently written by the 2nd century theologian Tertullian. He went into the history of theatre and how it originated from idol worshipers and made its way into Christian entertainment which he said was abominable and should not be a part of the Christian culture.
A few years ago I would have probably thought that this was a bit of exaggeration but now I think not. Even if the whole world accepts a thing as being harmless, doesn't mean that the whole world is right, and if a thing can be judged by its fruits then what can one say about sensual entertainment in general?

Martin the same thing was on my mind earlier. There were denunciation of the synagogues in the writings of the early church, for using this method, turning their synagogues into theatres to try to draw Christians away from their churches. History and methods do not change much.

Theatre versus liturgy -- priests as actors and performers, or priests as priests -- here we are today.

The theatres, dancing, acting, these all have very bad associations generally. 

What of instances where these means are used to spread the Gospel?
Surely that cannot be frowned upon?

Well, what are you thinking of?  :D

Well, I have in mind  EWTN. I used to watch it on occasions and follow Mass or hear someone preach. One time I watched Scott Hahn teach a group of seminarians.
Today too,  our parish is going to screen the movie The Passion of Christ. That is "theatre, acting". 
Then there is "Servant of God", Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, who I understand, was well known for his preaching and especially for his work on television and radio. I only read about these things of course, I have no first hand knowledge.
These are examples of what I had in mind. :)

April 6
One of the many Saints we remember today is
Saint Prudentius of Troyes

While reviewing this biography, I came across some controversy. I think it best to leave it alone.
Saint Prudentius,
Pray for us!

I thought that this would be appropriate for today,
Good Friday of the Lord's Passion.

"Shahbaz Bhatti was a devout Catholic serving as a minister in the Government of Pakistan.
He was championing the cause of Christians and religious freedom, calling for the abolition of the law of blasphemy.
On March 2, 2011, he was brutally murdered.
For the Christians in Pakistan, he has become a martyr. His brother, speaking to reporters in Rome on April 5, said his family had forgiven the assassins, "because our faith teaches us to forgive” The crucified Jesus is our inspiration to lay down our lives for the Gospel. Not all of us merit bearing witness with blood. More ordinary ways include prayer and fasting…."

From my "Bible Diary.
African Edition 2012".
May the Crucified Jesus rest Shahbaz Bhatti’s soul in Eternal peace!

April 7
One of the many Saints we remember today is
Saint George the Younger

Saint George the Younger
Bishop of Mitylene
George was born in the 8th century at Mitylene, the capital of the island of Lesbos in Greece. He was a wealthy man. He donated his wealth to the poor then entered a monastery and was named Bishop of Mitylene, Lesbos. Though noted for his holiness and charity, George became involved in the Iconoclastic Controversy and was exiled to the Chersonese by Emperor Leo the Armenian. He died in exile in 816.
He was called the Younger to distinguish him from two of his predecessors as bishop of Mitylene named George.
Saint George,
Pray for us!

April 8
Today my brothers and sisters in Christ is
Easter Sunday 2012
Easter is the greatest feast for us Catholics.
Today, all the prayers, the abstinence and the fasting as well as the spiritual struggles that we have been going through during Lent were all to give meaning to this great day, the day that Jesus Christ arose from the dead.
I hope that we all died “ spiritually with Christ on Good Friday” when He was crucified and that early this morning we all resurrected with Him and will hence forth lead new lives in Christ.
For as the Servant of God. Fulton J. Sheen puts it:
“Unless there is a Good Friday in your life, there can be no Easter Sunday.”
Happy Easter everyone.  :crucifix:

'Brethren and fathers, Lent is already galloping past and the soul rejoices at the imminence of Easter, because by it it finds rest and is relieved of many toils. Why did this thought sound for me in advance? Because it is as if our whole life directs its reason contemplating the eternal Easter. For this present Easter, even though it is great and revered, is nevertheless, as our fathers explain, only a type of that Easter to come.

For this Easter is for one day and it passes, while that Easter has no successor. From it pain, grief and sighing have fled away; there everlasting joy, gladness and rejoicing; there the sound of those who feast, a choir of those who keep festival and contemplation of eternal light; where there is the blessed breakfast of Christ and the new drink of which Christ spoke, I shall not drink of the fruit of this vine, until I drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father. Of this he spoke to his disciples when he was about to ascend to heaven, I am going to prepare a place for you and, if I go, I will prepare a place for you. I am coming again and I will take you to myself, so that where I am you maybe also. And where I am going you know, and the way you know. And a little further on, On that day you will know that I am in the Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. And elsewhere, Father, I wish that where I am they may be with me also, so that they may see my glory, which you gave me, because you loved from before the foundation of the world. But because this concerns not only the Apostles, but also ourselves, he also said, I do not ask this only for them, but also for those who through their word believe in me, so that all may be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you, that they may also be one in us.

What could be more comforting than these words? What could be more appealing? What soul can they not soften? What heart not prick with compunction, even should someone say that the human heart is a nature of stone? With thoughts like these the saints bore all that they bore, considering afflictions as joys, constraints as freedoms, struggles as delights, harsh training as relaxation, deaths as lives.'

St. Theodore the Studite

April 8
Today is also the Memorial of
Saint Herodion of Patras
Saint Asyncritus of Marathon
Saint Phlegon of Hyrcania
Among many other Saints.
__________________

Saint Herodion of Patras
Saint Asyncritus of Marathon
Saint Phlegon of Hyrcania
The three were First Century martyrs. They may have been among the “70 Disciples of Christ”.
Herodion was a relative of Saint Paul, as noted in Romans 16:11. The three were bishops overseeing several Christian Communities. Herodion was bishop of Patras, Greece. Asyncritus was bishop of Marathon, Greece and Phlegon was bishop of Hyrcania, modern Iran. Each of these saints died as martyrs under unknown circumstances.
Saint Herodion of Patras,
Pray for us!
Saint Asyncritus of Marathon,
Pray for us!
Saint Phlegon of Hyrcania,
Pray for us!

April 9
Today we remember
The Martyrs of Masyla
Among many other Saints.

The Martyrs of Masyla
The date of these martyrdoms unknown. A group of Christians, called the Martyrs Massylitani, were put to death in Masyla in North Africa. The 4th century Latin poet, Prudentius, reportedly wrote a hymn in their honor.
Ref: Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia Of Saints - Revised
Martyrs of Masyla,
Pray for us!

I have already posted this prayer at the Quote of the Day thread. I think it has a place here as well. :)

Prayer of Saint Melito Bishop of Sardis.
Born as a Son,
led forth as a Lamb,
sacrificed as a Sheep,
buried as a Man,
He rose from the dead as a God,
for He was by nature God and man.

He is all things:
He judges, and so He is Law;
He teaches, and so He is Wisdom;
He saves, and so He is Grace;
He begets, and so He is Father;
He is begotten, and so He is Son;
He suffers, and so He is Sacrifice;
He is buried, and so He is man;
He rises again, and so He is God.
This is Jesus Christ,
to whom belongs glory for all ages.

St. Melito, holy martyrs, pray for us!

Good afternoon, good evening, good morning, and good night odhiambo! :D

I pray you have had a happy Easter!

Good Day Shin.
Yes, Easter was nice.
There had been some fear of a terror attack during this holidays but so far, so good.
We are grateful to God for that. :crucifix:

Who will help me sing this hymn ?  :)

I have been humming it over and over for the last few days.
A great hymn. I love it.
God must have inspired the composer of both the lyrics and the music.

On a hill far away
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suffering and shame;
and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain:
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it some day for a crown.

O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
has a wondrous attraction for me;
for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
to bear it to dark Calvary.
 Refrain

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
a wondrous beauty I see,
for 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
to pardon and sanctify me.
Refrain

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
its shame and reproach gladly bear;
then he'll call me some day to my home far away,
where his glory forever I'll share.
Refrain

April 10
Todday  is the Memorial of
Saint Africanus of Carthage
Saint Terence of Carthage
Saint Pompeius of Carthage
Among many other Saints.

Terence, with Africanus, Pompeius and companions were a group of fifty martyrs who were cruelly martyred during the persecutions of Emperor Trajanus Decius. According to tradition, they were forced into a pit filled with serpents and stinging reptiles. Those who survived those ordeals were then beheaded.
This took place in 250 at Carthage.
Saint Pompeius,
Pray for us!
Saint Africanus ,
Pray for us!
Saint Terence,
Pray for us!

All ye holy martyrs, pray for us!

April 11
Today we remember
Saint Isaac of Monteluco
Among many other Saints

Saint Isaac of Monteluco
He is also known as Isaac of Spoleto. He was a Syrian who fled his native land to escape the Monophysite persecution. He became a hermit on Monte Luco in Italy. Isaac is believed to be one of those who restored eremitical life in Italy in his era. He founded a large hermitage in the vicinity Spoleto. He reportedly had a vision of Our Lady and was known for miracles and prophesies.
He died in 550.
Saint Isaac of Monteluco
Pray for us!

St. Isaac pray for us!

I love the hermit saints! God help me, and help me hermit saints!  :crucifix:

Amen!

April 12
One of the many saints we remember today is:
Saint Joseph Moscati

Saint Joseph Moscati
Joseph Moscati aka Giuseppe Moscati, was born on 25 July 1880 in Benevento, Italy, to pious, aristocratic Italian parents. He was the seventh of nine children. His father, Francesco, was a well-known lawyer and his mother, Rosa De Luca dei Marchesi di Roseto, came from the nobility. In 1884, when Joseph was four years old,
Francesco moved the family to Naples, the city where Joseph spent most of the rest of his life.
Joseph was a very friendly and well-liked boy. He was also extremely intelligent; even better, he was a pious, prayerful child.
He received his First Holy Communion at age eight and was confirmed at age ten.
Joseph attended medical school at the University of Naples from 1897.
During his first year at the University, his father died and for the rest of his medical studies, Joseph faced a lot of ethical and religious problems.  As can be expected, most of his colleagues were materialistic and had no time for Christianity. He, however, persevered with his convictions and resisted the temptation to conform.
Despite the personal loss and grief, Joseph graduated “summa cum laude” with a doctorate from the medical school on April 4, 1903. He was only 23 years old.
Immediately after graduation, Dr. Moscati began working at the Ospedali Ruinity degli Incurabili (Santa Maria del Popolo), (Hospital of the Incurables), in Naples where he became an administrator.
On April 8, 1906, Mount Vesuvius erupted. In an act of selflessness, Giuseppe heroically rescued the patients trapped inside the hospital at Torre del Greco, which was located just a few miles from the volcano’s crater, just before the roof collapsed from the weight of the ash.
In 1911 there was an outbreak of cholera in Naples. Giuseppe worked day and night treating the poor without charge.
He worked hard to try and prevent the spread of the epidemic by performing public health inspections and researching the causes of the disease so as to prevent it's further spread.
That same year, Joseph became the medical superintendent of the Incurabili. He was later given the chair in Chemical Physiology at the University of Naples and became world renowned for his academic research.
Joseph had a special love for the poor and the homeless. Often times he would secretly leave money and a prescription with patients who were unable to afford medical care.
He saw his patients as persons with a body and a soul and believed that the health of the body and the health of the soul were inseparable. He reportedly said: “One must attend first to the salvation of the soul and only then to the salvation of the body” Accordingly, before he examined a patient or engaged in research he would place himself in the presence of God.
Professionally, he commanded the highest admiration and respect from his peers and his students. Some of his pupils would accompany him to Mass. He received communion everyday and had a great devotion to Our Lady, the Immaculate Conception.
On 12 April 1927, after doing his normal rounds in the hospital, visiting the poor and seeing patients in his house, he felt ill. He stopped work and went to his room, sat in his chair and died quietly. It was around 3pm. He was 46 years old.
He was buried in the cemetery of Poggio Reale in Naples
In 1920 he was re-intered in the church of Gesù Nuovo, Naples
Pope John Paul II canonized Joseph Moscati on October 25, 1987.
His canonization miracle:
A young ironworker who was dying of leukemia was cured. The patient‘s mother dreamed of a doctor wearing a white coat; she later identified him as Moscati when shown a photograph of him.
He is the patron saint of bachelors and physicians. He reportedly referred to medicine as the “sublime mission”
Saint Joseph Moscati
Pray for us!

April 13
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Ida of Boulogne
Among many other Saints

Saint Ida of Boulogne
Ida was born in 1040. She was descended from Charlemagne. Her father was Duke Godfrey IV of Lorraine; Her mother, was called Doda. When she was 17, she married Count Eustace II of Boulogne. She had Saint Anselm as her spiritual adviser and enjoyed a happy married life.
When Eustace died, Ida spent much of her inheritance helping the poor and building and restoring monasteries. The last years of her life she spent as a Benedictine oblate at Saint Vaast, Arras, France.
According to Dictionary of Saints by John J. Delaney, two of her sons, Godfrey of Bouillon, the conqueror of Jerusalem, and Baldwin, became Kings of Jerusalem.
She died in 1113
Saint Ida of Boulogne
Pray for us!

April 14
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Benezet
Among many other Saints

Saint Benezet
Benezet, who is also known as Benedict the Bridge Builder, Benet and Benoit, was born in 1163 in Savoy, France. He was a shepherd in Avignon. He reportedly had a vision that told him to build a bridge over the Rhone River at a dangerous ford. The bishop of Avignon reluctantly gave him permission and Benedict started the work in 1177. The bridge was completed in 1188, four years after his death.
So many miracles took place at his tomb and during the construction of the bridge that a chapel was built on the bridge for his relics.
Saint Benezet
Pray for us!

April 15
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Hunna
Among many other Saints

Saint Hunna
Hunna was a noblewoman, the daughter of the duke of Alsace. She married an Alsatian nobleman named Huno of Hunnaweyer. Hunna devoted herself to the poor of  Strasbourg, France, earning the title of “the Holy Washerwoman” when she even washed for the poor.
She died in 679  and was canonized in
1520 by Pope Leo X .
Saint Hunna
Pray for us!

April 16
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Drogo
Amonf many other Saints

Saint Drogo
Patron of Shepherds
Drogo, also known as Dreux, Drugo or Druon was born in 1105 of noble Flemish parents. His mother died giving birth to him, i.e, he was orphaned at birth. At the age of 18, Drogo became a penitent pilgrim, visiting several shrines. He worked for six years as a shepherd at Sebourg near Valencienne in France. He was revered by his neighbors for his holiness.
Drogo resumed his pilgrimages after six years. He was reportedly stricken with a disease that made him physically repulsive. He built a hut at Sebourg and lived there as a hermit for 40 years until his death.
He is the patron of shepherds.
Saint Drogo,
Pray for us!

April 17
Today is the Memorial of
Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha
Among many other Saints and Blesseds

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha
She is also known as Catherine Tekakwitha and as Lily of the Mohawks.
Kateri was born in 1656 in the Indian village of Osserneon, Auriesville, New York, USA. This was actually the site of the martyrdom of Saint Isaac Jogues and Saint Jean de Lalande in 1646. Remember the eight Holy North American Martyrs, members of The Society of Jesus?
Kateri was the daughter a Christian Native American woman who had been captured by Iroquois Indians and married to a non-Christian Mohawk chief. Her parents died in a smallpox epidemic which left her partially blind and disfigured.
Kateri was converted to Catholicism in 1676 by Father Jacques de Lamberville, a Jesuit missionary priest. Following her conversion, her relatives and the other Indians Shunned and abused her for her Faith. Afraid for her very life, Kateri fled her native village and trekked some 200 miles through the wilderness to the Christian Indian village of Sault Sainte Marie, near Montreal Canada in 1677.
Kateri received her First Holy Communion on Christmas of that year. She lived a life of holiness and austerity. In 1679, Kateri took a vow of Chastity and dedicated herself to Christ.
She died on 17 April 1680 at Caughnawaga, Canada.
She was venerated for her holiness. Known as the Lily of the Mohawks, many miracles were attributed to her.
She was declared venerable on 3 January 1943 by Pope Pius XII; beatified on 22 June 1980 by Pope John Paul II.
Canonization is pending.
If you have information relevant to the canonization of Blessed Kateri, contact
Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha League
136 Shrine Road
Auriesville, NY 12016, USA
or
Centre Kateri
C.P. 70
Kahnawake, Quebec, J0L 1B0, CANADA
Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha
Pray for us!

April 18
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Agapitus
Among many other Saints

Saint Agapitus
Martyr.
Traditionally, Agapitus was reportedly a Christian youth, 15 years old at the time of the persecution of Christians in Antioch in the reign of Emperor Aurelian. He was tortured and beheaded by order of the governor of Antioch when he refused to denounced his faith.
Saint Agapitus
Pray for us!

April 19
Today is the Memorial of
Saint George of Antioch
Among Many other Saints

Saint George
Bishop of Antioch
George was one of the Fathers of the Second Council of Nicea in 787. He was an opponent of the iconoclasts heretics. He was exiled by. Emperor Leo V, the Armenian. He died in 814 in exile.
Saint George of Antioch
Pray for us!

St. George, pray for us!

I find the iconoclast heresy interesting, because it makes me think more about the necessity of art lifting the mind towards Heaven rather than fixating it upon earth.

April 20
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Agnes of Montepulciano
Among many other Saints

Saint Agnes of Montepulciano
Agnes was born in 1268 at Gracchiano-Vecchio, Tuscany, Italy. As early as age six, Agnes started telling her parents she wanted to become a nun. She was able to enter the convent at nearby Montepulciano at age nine. When a new convent was opened at Procena, she was transferred there and soon became abbess although she was only fifteen at the time. Many women joined the convent attracted by the sanctity and austerity of her life.
In 1300, the people of Montepulciano built a new convent and Agnes returned there as prioress of the new convent which she put under the Dominican rule.
Agnes was famous for her visions. Reportedly, she received Communion from an angel; held the Infant Christ in her arms; experienced levitations and performed many miracles.
She died on 20 April 1317 at the convent of Montepulciano.
She was canonized in 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII
Saint Agnes,
Pray for us!

What a beautiful sounding life!

One of the interesting feasts remembered today:

"the Seven Angels who stand before God's throne"

'For I am the angel Raphael, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord.'

Tobias 12:15

'And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was made silence in heaven, as it were for half an hour. 2 And I saw seven angels standing in the light of God: and there were given to them seven trumpets. '

Apocalypse 8:1-2

I wonder why the memorial was removed from the calender; 
You have caught my interest Shin, I will read a little about them since I do not know much and post what I find.

The Seven Angels Before the Throne of God
These favored seven angels are the highest Princes of the Heavenly court. They are believed to form a privileged circle most close to Almighty God.  Although their most important occupation is “the contemplation and praise of the Divine Essence”, we have been encouraged to invoke them that they may obtain for us the grace to avoid the seven deadly sins and that they may enrich us with the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

The Seven Angels Before the Throne of God,
we invoke you,
pray for us!

Prayer to The Seven Angels Before the Throne of God

O bright Spirits, behold my soul, cleanse it in the streams of the Blood that has merited for us every grace, every protection, every help, for time and for eternity.
 By that same Divine Blood, obtain that I may treasure all Its precious drops offered to me in God's graces and in the Sacraments of Holy Church.
Amen!

April 21
Today let us remember
Saint Ethelwald of Lindisfarne
Among many other Saints
His Memorial is 12 February
Today is memorial for translation of relics.

Saint Ethelwald
Bishop of Lindisfarne
Ethelwald, also known as Ethelwold, was born in at Northumbria, England. He was an assistant to Saint Cuthbert. He became Prior of Old Melrose monastery in Scotland and later was made abbot. He was elected Bishop of Lindisfarne to succeed Eadfrith on his death in 721. Ethelwald was highly praised by Bede, the English historian.
He died in740 and was buried in the cathedral at Lindisfarne. His relics were taken to taken to Durham.
Saint Ethelwald
Pray for us!

Let us also remember
Saint Anselm of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury,
Doctor of the Church, whose Memorial also falls today; if it be God's Will,. I will write something about him next year at this time.
Saint Anselm,
pray for us!

April 22
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Leonidas of Alexandria
Among many other Saints

Saint Leonidas of Alexandria
Martyr
Leonidas was the father of Origen (Origen Adamantius of Alexandria, reportedly one of the greatest Christian theologians). His family was devoutly Christian and well educated. He was a noted Scholar. He was arrested and imprisoned by Laertus, Governor of Egypt during the persecutions of Christians in the reign of Emperor Septimus Severus. All his property was confiscated. He was eventually beheaded for his faith in 202 in Alexandria. His son Origen was a lad of seventeen at the time.
Saint Leonidas of Alexandria
Pray for us!

April 23
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Gerard of Toul
Among many other Saints

Saint Gerard
Bishop of Toul
Gerard was born in 935 Cologne, Germany. He was educated at the cathedral school there. His mother was reportedly killed by lightening. After this sad occurrence, Gerard devoted himself to the religious life. He became a canon at the cathedral and in 963, was appointed Bishop of Toul, France. He was predecessor of Pope Saint Leo IX in that see. Gerard ruled the see of Toul for thirty one years. He was a noted preacher. He made Toul a center of learning by bringing Irish and Greek monks into the diocese. He rebuilt churches and monasteries and, according to Dictionary of Saints by John J. Delaney, he founded the Hotel Dieu Hospital in Toul.
Gerard died on April 23, 994 at Toul. He was canonized in 1050 by Pope Leo IX.
Saint Gerard,
Pray for us!

St. Gerard, pray for us!

April 24
Today we remember
Saint Mary Euphrasia Pelletier
Among many other Saints

Saint Mary Euphrasia Pelletier
Foundress.
Disciple of Saint John Eudes.
Mary was born during the French Revolution on 31 July 1796 on the island of Noirmoutier, off the coast of Brittany in France. She was baptized Rose Virginie. She studied at Tours, and in 1814, she joined the Institute of Our Lady of Charity that was founded by Saint John Eudes in 1641 to help wayward women. She made her religious profession on 9 September 1817, taking the name Mary Euphrasia. In 1825, she was elected superior of the institute.
In 1829, Saint Mary Euphrasia founded the The Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd at Angers. The Congregation was dedicated to working with wayward girls. It received papal approval in 1839.
The congregation spread quickly and by the time of her death, it had almost three thousand nuns in foundations all over the world.
She died at Angers, France on 24 April 1868 and was canonized on 2 May 1940 by Venerable Pope Pius XII.
Saint Mary Euphrasia Pelletier
Pray for us!

St. Leonidis, St. Anselm, St. Ethelwald, orate pro nobis!

Prayer to The Seven Angels Before the Throne of God

O bright Spirits, behold my soul, cleanse it in the streams of the Blood that has merited for us every grace, every protection, every help, for time and for eternity.
 By that same Divine Blood, obtain that I may treasure all Its precious drops offered to me in God's graces and in the Sacraments of Holy Church.

Amen!

Thank you odhiambo very, very much for these!

I hadn't known we were encouraged in this way, thank you!

Thank you Shin  ;D
I had not even known about them as a special group of seven angels till you mentioned them. I was intrigued and wanted to know more about them.

Today is the Memorial of
Saint Mark the Evangelist.
Among Many other saints
Suffice it to just mention his Memorial because I will post a short account of him at this time next year, if that be the Will of God as well.
Saint Mark,
Pray for us!

April 25
Let us remember today
Saint Mella of Doire Melle
Among many other Saints

Saint Mella
Abbess of Doire-Melle
Mella was born at Connaught, Ireland where she lived and died.
 She was the mother of Saint Cannech and Saint Tigernach.
 She became the Abbess of Doire-Melle in Leitrim till her death in 780.
Saint Mella
Pray for us

April 26
Let us remember today
Saint Lucidius of Verona
Among many other Saints

Saint Lucidius
Bishop of Verona
 We do not know the exact details of Saint Lucidius’ life ,nor that of his birth and death. We do know that he was a 4th century  Bishop of Verona, Italy and that he was revered for his holiness and learning.
He was canonized pre congregationally.
Saint Lucidius.
Pray for us!

Let us remember today
Saint Asicus
Among Many other Saints

Saint Asicus
Abbot
First bishop of the diocese of Elphin in Ireland.
Disciple of Saint Patrick.
Asicus is also called Ascicus, Assic and Tassach. He was a Coppersmith and silversmith. He was married when he first met Saint Patrick for whom he made crosiers, patens, chalices, credences and crosses for the many churches Saint Patrict founded. In time, he was made the first abbot and bishop of Elphin Monastery in the diocese of Elphin, Ireland in Roscommon.( According to Dictionary of Saints by John J. Delaney, Saint Asicus was the first bishop of Raholp Down, Ireland). A very humble man, he believed himself not worthy of the office; consequently, he went to an island in Donegal Bay where he became a hermit. After seven years, the monks of Elphin found him and persuaded him to return to the monastery. He died on the return journey in 490 at Raith Cungilor
(Racoon), Donega.l
According to Dictionary of Saints by John J. Delaney, Asicus gave the last rites to Saint Patrick when the latter was dying.
Saint Asicus
Pray for us!

Sts. Lucidius and Asicus pray for us!

It's also St. Peter Canisius' day on the traditional calendar. :D

'The heretics have made their false theology popular and presented it in a way that is within the capacity of the common people. They preach it to the people and teach it in the schools, and scatter pamphlets that can be bought and understood by many; they influence people by their writings when they cannot reach them by preaching. Their success is largely due to the negligence of those who should have shown some interest, and the bad example and the ignorance of Catholics, especially the clergy, have made such ravages in the vineyard of the Lord.'

St. Ignatius of Loyola, 'Letter to St. Peter Canisius'

'It behooves us unanimously and inviolably to observe the ecclesiastical traditions, whether codified or simply retained by the customary practice of the Church.'

St. Peter Canisius

Today is St. Paul of the Cross's day. :D

'Suppose that you had fallen into the river, and that a charitable person threw himself into the water to save you. What would you say to such kindness? Moreover, suppose that, hardly drawn from the water, you had been attacked by assassins, and that your rescuer again came to your assistance, and saved your life at the risk of his own. What would you do in return for such friendship? It is certain that you would do all in your power to heal the bruises he received on your account. So ought we to act towards Christ: we must contemplate Him engulfed in an ocean of sorrows to save us from the eternal abyss; consider Him all covered with wounds and bruises to purchase for us eternal life. Then let us make His pains our own, sympathize with His sorrows, and consecrate to Him all our affections.'

St. Paul of the Cross

'The days of the Passion are days when the very stones melt into tears. What! the High-Priest is dead, and we cannot weep over Him? We must have lost faith, O my God!'

St. Paul of the Cross

St. Paul of the Cross founded the Passionists order! At one point all the brothers of the Order deserted him.. Is this not like Christ?

It is. It confirms that those close to Jesus tend to suffer most.

April 28
Today we remember
Saint Pollio
Among many other Saints.

Saint Pollio
Martyr.
Lector.
Pollio was a member of the Christian Community of Cybalae in Pannonia, a province on the Danube. He was serving as a lector. He became leader of the Christians there after Bishop Eusebius was martyred. When he defied the edicts of Emperor Diocletian and refused to sacrifice to the gods, he was condemned to death and burned at the stake in 304..
 Saint Pollio
Pray for us!

I can just imagine the Saint saying: “ That is Pollio with a double l!”
everytime he is introduced to someone  ;D

April 29
Today we remember
Saint Ava of Denain( Dinart)
Among many other Saints.

Saint Ava of Denain
Benedictine Abbess.
Ava was reportedly the daughter of King Pepin the Short.( His niece according to SQPN). She was blind as a child but was miraculously healed by Saint Rainfredis. In thanksgiving, she entered a convent of Benedictine at Dinart, Hainault, Belgium and became a nun. In time, she was elected abbess there.
She died in 845.
Canonized Pre-Congregation.
Saint Ava
Pray for us!

April 30
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Joseph Benedict Cottolengo
Among many other Saints

Saint Joseph Benedict Cottolengo
Founder.
Joseph was born on 3 May 1786 at Bra, near Turin, Italy to a middle class family. Answering to the call of Holy Orders, he entered the seminary in Turin and was ordained in 1811 and engaged in pastoral work until something happeded that directed his energies elsewhere. Here is how SQPN puts it:In 1827 he opened a small home or hospital for the sick and the poor. When it began to expand, he organized the volunteers who had been manning it into the Brothers of Saint Vincent and the Daughters of Saint Vincent( Vincentian Sisters).
When cholera broke out in 1831, the local police closed the hospital for fear that it was a source of the illness. He moved the facilities to just outside the city at Valdocco and continued ministering to the stricken there. He called the new facility the Little House of Divine Providence (Piccola Casa). Saint Joseph depended entirely on Divine Providence for the necessary funds to run the hospital.
The hospital grew and Joseph expanded his activities to helping the aged, the deaf, the blind, the insane, etc not forgetting wayward girls. The Piccola Casa became a great medical institution.
To further minister to the unfortunates in the society, Saint Joseph also founded the following:
1: Daughters of Compassion.
2: Daughters of the Good Shepherd.
3: Hermits of the Holy Rosary, and 4: Priests of the Holy Trinity.
According to SQPN, Saint Joseph founded a total of fourteen communities!
Weakened by typhoid which he had contracted, he died on 30 April 1842 at Chieri, Italy.
He was canonized on 1934 by Pope Pius XI.
He is sometimes referred to as the Italian Vincent de Paul and as the "Workman of Divine Providence".
Saint Joseph Benedict Cottolengo
Pray for us!

It is the Month of May once again.
This month is traditionally dedicated to
The Blessed Virgin Mary.

Sub Tuum Praesidum
We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God;
Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers,
O glorious and blessed Virgin.
Amen.

May 1
Today is the Memorial of
1:Saint Joseph the Worker
2:Saint Peregrine Laziosi
Among many other Saints

A Prayer for Workers

O glorious Joseph! Who concealed your incomparable and regal dignity of custodian of Jesus and of the Virgin Mary under the humble appearance of a craftsman and provided for them with your work, protect with loving power your sons, especially entrusted to you.
You know their anxieties and sufferings, because you yourself experienced them at the side of Jesus and of His Mother. Do not allow them, oppressed by so many worries, to forget the purpose for which they were created by God. Do not allow the seeds of distrust to take hold of their immortal souls. Remind all the workers that in the fields, in factories, in mines, and in scientific laboratories, they are not working, rejoicing, or suffering alone, but at their side is Jesus, with Mary, His Mother and ours, to sustain them, to dry the sweat of their brow, giving value to their toil. Teach them to turn work into a very high instrument of sanctification as you did.
Amen.

Today is also the Memorial of:
Saint Peregrine Laziosi
Monk and Mystic
Peregrine was born in 1260 at Forli, Italy of well to do parents. He led a dissolute youth. He was active in the antipapal party in Romagna. He reportedly became so carried away during some public disturbance that he struck the papal peace negotiator, Saint Philip Benizi, on the face. When the Saint calmly turned the other cheek, Peregrine underwent a profound conversion. Soon after the incident, he joined the Servites at Siena, Italy, was ordained and then he went back to Forli where he founded a new Servites house. He became famed for his preaching, austerities holiness and as a confessor. His fame became widespread when a healing miracle occurred to him. Peregrine had advanced cancer of his foot and according to SQPN, had been“scheduled for an amputation. He spent the night before the operation in prayer; he received a vision of Christ who touched the diseased area. The next morning, Peregrine found his cancer completely healed.”
Thus, the Saint was miraculously cured overnight. He is now the patron saint
against cancer; against open sores; against skin diseases; AIDS patients and
sick people in general.
He died on 1 May 1345 at Forli, Italy. He was canonized on 27 December 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII.
Saint Peregrine Laziosi
Pray for us!

Prayer to Saint Peregrine
Oh great Saint Peregrine, you who have been called "The Mighty" and "The Wonder-Worker" because of the numerous miracles which you have obtained from God for those who have had recourse to you. For so many years you bore in your own flesh this cancerous disease that destroys the very fiber of our being, and who had recourse to the source of all grace when the power of man could do no more. You were favored with the vision of Jesus coming down from His Cross to heal your affliction. Ask of God and Our Lady, the cure of these sick persons whom we entrust to you.
Aided in this way by your powerful intercession, we shall sing to God, now and for all eternity, a song of gratitude for His great goodness and mercy.
Amen!

May 2
Today we remember
Saint Saturninus of Alexandria
Among many other Saints

Saint Saturninus of Alexandria
Martyr.
Saturninus was put to death in Alexandria, Egypt during the persecutions under Emperor Diocletian. Martyred with him were others named Neopolus, Germanus, and Celestine.
They were martyred in 304.
Saint Santurninus,
Pray for us!

May is my favorite month of the year. It reminds me of my first few years at school when each May we all would stand and sing a hymn to Our lady before commencing class.  :flower:

AVE MARIA, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.

O St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in thee all my interests and desires. O St. Joseph, assist me by thy powerful intercession and obtain for me all spiritual blessings through thy foster Son, Jesus Christ Our Lord, so that, having engaged here below thy heavenly power, I may offer thee my thanksgiving and homage.

O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating thee and Jesus asleep in thine arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near thy heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me, and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath.

St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for us.

I remember it as the Month of the Rosary and not October which has been so dedicated.

May 3
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Philip of Zell
Among many other Saints.

Saint Philip of Zell
Hermit
Founder.
Philip was born in England. He made a pilgrimage to Rome where he was ordained.
He became a hermit near Worms, in Germany. He met King Pepin the Short of the Franks and became a friend and adviser to him.
He was highly regarded for his holiness and miracles. He attracted many followers and founded the monastery of Zell, so named because it started from a single cell or room. Around this monastery, grew the town of the same name in Germany.
Philip died in 770 and was canonized pre congregationally.
He is the patron of babies.
Saint Philip. 
Pray for us!     

Ah, I have a nice little pamphlet with prayers and a third class relic of St. Peregrine's. I remember I acquired it back in the beginning days from the International Crusade for Holy Relics.

St. Peregrine, St. Philip, St. Saturninus, St. Neopolus, St. Germanus, and St. Celestine pray for us.

St. Joseph, model and patron of those who love the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us.

The month of May, a happy month!  :angelblue:

May 4
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Florian of Lorch
Among many other Saints

Saint Florian
Martyr.
Florian was a Roman military officer stationed at Noricum, modern Austria. Florian surrendered himself to Aquilinus, the Roman governor of  Lorch, when  Aquilinus’ troops were hunting down Christians during the  persecutions of Emperor Diocletian. He was scourged, and then thrown into the River Enns with a rock tied to his neck..
He died in 304.
He is the patron of Poland and Upper Austria.
Saint Florian
Pray for us!

A fine name, St. Florian. Flower of flowers.

St. Florian, pray for us.

May 5
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Sacerdos of Saguntum
Among many other Saints

Saint Sacerdos
Bishop.
Sacerdos was Bishop of Saguntum Sagunto, Spain.
He was  much revered and noted for his holiness and fevor. He died in 560.
He is the patron of Saguntum, Spain
Saint Sacerdos,
Pray for us!

Another fine name!

St. Sacerdos, pray for us! Pray for the sacred and holy to be treated with respect!

Yes, the name "Sacerdos" means priest or priestess.
I do not know why the word priestess is somehow associated with the occult in my mind.
Maybe because we do not have them in the Church  :)

May 6
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Lucius of Cyrene
Among many other Saints

Saint Lucius
Bishop.
Lucius was the  First bishop of Cyrene in Ptolemais, Africa( In present day Lybia).
He was one of the “prophets and teachers” mentioned in Acts of the Apostles.
13:1
Saint Lucius
Pray for us!

A good reason I am thinking!

St. Lucius and St. Sacerdos, pray for us!

Lucius comes from the word for light, if I recall correctly. Like St. Lucy for eyes. :D

Saint Lucy, patron saint of the blind and of those of us who have problems with our eyes,
pray for us!

May 7
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Agostino Roscelli
Among many other Saints

Saint Agostino Roscelli
Priest
Founder of the Sisters of the Immaculate
Agostino was born on 27 July 1818  to a poor family at Liguria, Italy. For much of his youth, he was a shepherd in the mountains. As we have seen many times in the past, the solitary life and long hours of the shepherd is beneficial to spiritual growth. Agostino responded to a call to the priesthood and joined a seminary at Genoa. He was ordained on 19 September 1846. He proved to be a gifted confessor to whom many people flocked for penance and counsel; spent long hours at a time in the confessional and was especially trusted by the young.
To provide care for the many poor young women in Genoa, especially those women at risk of falling into prostitution, Father Agostino established a residential center in the city. It was so successful that he founded the Institute of Sisters of the Immaculata to provide the support needed for the many young women who found their way into the care of the centers that sprang up across Italy.
The foundation was supported by Pope Pius IX. The Sisters of the Immaculate continue to serve disable children and the elderly.
Agostino died on  7 May 1902 at Genoa, Italy. He was canonized on 10 June 2001 by Pope John Paul II.
Saint Agostino Roscelli
Pray for us!

May 8
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Gibrian
Among many other Saints

Saint Gibrian
Irish Priest.
He led his four brothers and three sisters (six brothers and three sisters according to other sources) to Brittany, France where they became recluses. They were: Saint Tressan, Saint Helan, Saint Germanus, Saint Abran, Saint Petran, Saint Franca, Saint Promptia, and Saint Possenna.
They lived at the junction of the Marne and Coole rivers. They were all venerated as saints in the area.
He died in 515 and was canonized pre congregationally.
Saint Gibrian
Pray for us!

May 9
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Beatus of Lungern
Among many other Saints

Saint Beatus
Monk and Hermit.
Saint Beatus was earlier  known as the “Apostle of Switzerland.” He was reportedly baptized in England by Saint Barnabas and ordained  in Rome by Saint Peter who sent him to evangelize the Swiss. Accordingly he went to Swizerland where he lived and died in a cave on Mount Beatenburg above lake Thun.
According to legend, Beatus had the mother of all fights with a dragon which he killed.
 The cave where the struggle took place subsequently became a popular destination for pilgrims.
He died in 112 on Mount Beatenburg as mentioned above.
Saint Beatus
Pray for us!

St. Beatus, St. Gibrian, St.Agostino, pray for us!

St. Tressan, St. Helan, St. Germanus, St. Abran, St. Petran, St. Franca, St. Promptia, and St. Possenna pray for us!

So many saints!

I hear that shepherding is becoming popular again in some places.

I hope more and more people realize that we are meant to live simpler lives.

This world with so much bureaucracy and complication.. it is not good for us to live so separated from the more natural lives we're made for..

Very true. The modern world has become too high-tech.

May 10
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Alphius of Lentini
Among many other Saints

Saint Alphius of Lentini
Martyr.
Alphius was born in Vaste, Italy.
According to legend, Alphius, together with his brothers, Philadelphus and Cyrinus as well as their sister Benedicta and several companions, were arrested during Decius persecutions of Christians. They were taken to Rome and tortured. They were then taken to Pozzuoli near modern Naples. One of the Christians, Onesimus, was executed here. The brothers went on to Sicily where they were martyred at Lentini.
Alphius, twenty two, had his tongue torn from his mouth.
Philadelphus, twenty one, was burned to death and Cyrinus, nineteen, was boiled to death. No details of execution are given for the sister, Benedicta.
They were martyred in 251
Saint Alphius
Pray for us!

St. Alphius and companions pray for us!

What a grace, martyrdom!

May 11
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Ignatius of Laconi
Among many other Saints

Saint Ignatius of Laconi
He is also called Francis Ignatius Peis. He was born on17 December 1701 at Laconi, Sardinia. He was the second of nine children of poor parents. As a child, he reportedly displayed remarkable devotion; waiting eagerly and in prayer at the door of a local church before dawn. He joined the Franciscans as a lay brother in 1722 at Buoncammino.
He served at several monasteries and then spent 15 years as a weaver at the Capuchin monastery at Cagliari. In 1741, he was sent out from Saint Anthony’s at Buoncammino to beg and for the remaining forty years of his life, spent his days seeking alms. He became famous for his holiness and concern for his fellow men especially the sick and the poor. Reportedly performed miracles and cures.
He died on 11 May 1781.
He was canonized on 21 October 1951 by Pope Pius XII.
Saint Ignatius,
Pray for us!

What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.
Saint Augustine

St. Ignatius pray for us! What a priceless gift from God, a devout childhood.

It is also St. Nereus of Terracin's day. I read he was "a soldier in the imperial Roman army, and a member of the Praetorian Guard. Convert to Christianity, baptized by Saint Peter the Apostle. Exiled for his faith, he suffered with Saint Flavia Domitilla, and was martyred with his brother Saint Achilleus." (P.S.I.)

St. Peter, St. Nereus, St. Achileus, St. Flavia, pray for us!

Amen!

May 12
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Dominic de la Calzada
Among many other Saints

Dominic de la Calzada
Also known as Dominic of the Causeway.
Hermit.
Dominic was a Basque, born in Biscay, Spain. He tried severally to join the Benedictines at Valvanera, but was unsuccessful. He ended up living as a hermit at Rioja and became a follower of Saint Gregory of Ostia. When Gregory died, Dominic became a hermit in a forest near La Calzada, on the road to Compostela, the famed shrine in Spain. He devoted his time to creating a causeway for pilgrim travelers. He built a highway, a bridge and a hospice to make the path of the pilgrims a little less difficult. When he died in 1109, many miracles were reported at his tomb. The siteof his hermitage became a shrine.
Saint Dominic de la Calzada,
Pray for us!

May 13
Today is the Memorial of
Martyrs of Alexandria
Among many other Saints and Martyrs.

Martyrs of Alexandria
In 372 in Alexandria, Egypt, Arian Adherents attacked Saint Athanasius for his opposition to the Arian heresy. A group of Catholic Christians were martyred in the church of Theonas, a suburb of Alexandria. They are the ones remember today. Their names have not come down to us.
They were canonized Pre-Congragation.
Martyrs of Alexandria
Pray for us!

Today we also have two Memorials of Our Lady:
1:Our Lady of Fatima
2:Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament

It is Mother's Day today.
In John 19: 26-27, we learn that:
“When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother’”.
With these words, Jesus Made His own Mother, Mary, our Spiritual Mother
We turn  therefore to you for protection, holy Mother of God. Listen to our prayers and help us in our needs. Save us from every danger, glorious and blessed Virgin.
Amen!

Let us run to Mary, and, as her little children, cast ourselves into her arms with a perfect confidence.
Saint Francis de Sales

May 14
Today we remember
Saint Michael Garicoits
Among many other Saints

Saint Michael Garicoits
Founder of the Priests of the Sacred Heart,
(The Betharram Fathers)
Michael was born on 15 April 1797 in Bayonne, France. As a boy he worked as a shepherd on neighboring farms. He wanted to becaome a priest but his family could not afford his eduction. An arrangement was made allowing Michael to work in the parish rectory and then in the kitchen of the bishop of Bayonne in return for his education. This way, Michael received the necessary education. He was ordained in December 1823 and held several diocesan posts, including rector of Betharram Seminary.
In 1838 Michael founded the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Betharram (Betharram Fathers) for mission work among the people. Unfortunately, he was no longer alive when his congregation received formal approval by the Holy See.
Michael died on 14 May 1863 in Betharram, France. He was canonized on 6 July 1947 by Pope Pius XII.
Saint Michael Garicoits,
Pray for us!

May 15
Today we remember
Saint Hilary
Among many other Saints

Saint Hilary of Galatea
Also known as Ilaro .
Hilary was born in Tuscany, Italy. He was attracted to the religious life when he was just 12 years old. Soon after, he left home and built for himself a hermitage. He and some other hermits joined to build the Galeata monastery; it was later renamed Sant-Ilaro in his honour, and given to the Camaldolese Order.
When Theodoric and his Ostrogoths invaded the region Hilary persuaded him to spare the monastery as well as the land.
He died in 558 and was canonized Pre-Congregation.
Saint Hilary,
Pray for us!

St. Hilary and St. Michael pray for us!

Aren't shepherds wonderful?

If you ever come to Kenya, Shin, I will give you a sheep to care for so you can be a shepherd.
 ;D

It sounds so pastoral! The beauties of the wilderness, the fresh air, taking care of one's flock, keeping watch. . . But I know it is hard work!

I heard once that outdoor shepherd's understand their sheep perhaps better than any other livestock owners -- because they live with their flock, the flock takes on the personality of the owner to a certain degree. If the shepherd is careless the sheep will be careless and wandering too, if the shepherd is careful. . .

There's a particular priest on Audio Sancto who was a shepherd, and I love some of the sermons he has given when he relates about the subject.

Here is one of the subject. (http://www.audiosancto.org/sermon/20080406-Good-Shepherd-Sunday.html) And here is an all time favorite. (http://www.audiosancto.org/sermon/20030114-Follow-the-Good-Shepherd.html)

'Do you wish to know if the people of any place are righteous? Look what sort of a pastor they have. If you find him pious, just, sound, believe the people will be the same, for they are seasoned with the salt of his wisdom.'

St. John Chrysostom

'The author of the Imperfect Work says that all that see a tree covered with pale and withered leaves immediately infer that its roots have been injured; and when we see a people immoral, we may justly conclude, without danger of rash judgment, that the priest is a man without virtue.'

St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

May 16
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Honorius of Amiens
Among many other Saints

Saint Honorius
Bishop of Amiens
Saint Honorius, also known as Honoratus, Honortus, or Honoré of Amiens, was born at Port- le-Grand,( Porthieu) near Amiens, France. Reportedly a pious child, he was educated by Saint Beatus of Amiens. He also became bishop of Amiens, albeit reluctantly as with humility, he considered himself unworthy. According to SQPN, there is this legend that " when word reached the family home in Porthieu that Honorius had been chosen bishop, his old nursemaid, who was baking bread at the time, announced that the boy was no more going to be a bishop that then baker‘s peel she was leaning on would turn back into a tree. The wooden peel promptly grew roots and branches and turned into a blackberry tree that was still be shown to pilgrims 900 years later. This naturally led to a baker‘s peel being one of his emblems, and his patronage of trades associated with baking”
Bishop Honorius governed the see until his death there on 30 September 653. He had a widespread following in France following reports of numerous miracles at his tomb in 1060 when his body was exhumed.
He is the patron of bakers and confectioners. The famous Rue Saint-Honore in Paris is named after him.
Saint Honorius,
Pray for us!

May 17
Let us remember today
Blessed Antonia Mesina
Among many Saints and Blesseds

Antonia Mesina
Martyr
Antonia was born on 21 June 1919 in Orgosolo, Sardinia, Italy. According to SQPN, Antonia left school after just four years of formal education, in order to take over the housekeeping duties from her mother who was bed ridden. She was raised in a pious family. Accounts of her death, considered a martyrdom, differs somewhat. According to SQPN, one day, Mesina, turned 16, was out gathering woods for home use when “she was beaten and murdered ” apparently by another youth who attacked her.
According to Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Bunson, Margaret Bunson, and Stephen Bunson, “ At age sixteen, on May 17, 1935. While walking with a young companion, Antonia was accosted by a male youth, Giovanni  Ignacio Catgui. Antonia’s companion ran to the nearby village for help as Giovanni assaulted Antonia. She refused his advances and in a rage, he killed her. Her body bore seventy-four wounds from the stones that he used in his murderous assault…”
Antonia was beatified on Sunday 4 October 1987 by Pope John Paul II at Rome.
Canonization is pending.
Blessed Antonia Mesina
Pray for us!

The 17th was also St. Paschal Baylon's day again.

What a splendid saint!

And the traditional Ascension day.

And the 18th, St. Theodatus, an innkeeper martyred for giving Christian burial to seven martyred nuns.

May 18
Today we remember
Saint Elgiva
Among many other Saints

Saint Elgiva
Elgive was a queen.
She was the wife of King Edmund the First and the mother of King Edwy of Saxony( Edwy the Fair) and King Edgar of England( Saint Edgar the Peaceful). The Queen was known for her piety and support of the Church.
She gave up public life and became a Benedictine nun at Shaftesbury, England.
She died in 944 and was canonized pre congregationally.
Saint Elgiva
Pray for us!

May 19
Today we remember
Saint Theophilus of Corte
Among many other Saints

Saint Theophilus
Theophilus was born at Corte on Corsica, off the coast of Italy. His given name was Biagio Arrighi. He joined the Franciscans in 1693, and took the name Theophilus  which means ‘friend of God’. He was ordained in Naples, taught at Civitella, and then he embarked upon a mission to promote the faith in Corsica and Italy
He also encouraged his fellow Franciscans to observe keenly, the rules of the Order.
He died in 1740 and was canonized in 1930 by Pope Pius XI.
Saint Theophilus
Pray for us!

May 20
Today we remember
Saint Basilla of Rome
Among many other Saints.

Saint Basilla
Martyr.
 A martyr during the reign of Emperor Galerius, Basilla was a member of a noble Roman family. She is also known as Basilissa. According to tradition, she was betrothed to a pagan aristocrat named Pompeius while still a pagan. When she became a Christian, she refused to marry him, preferring instead to devote herself and her life to Christ.  She was denounced to the Emperor by her would be suitor. She was given a choice, marry Pompeius or die for the faith. She remained steadfast in her refusal to marry him and was beheaded in 304.
Canonization was Pre-Congregation.
Saint Basilla
Pray for us!

May 21
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Ageranus.
Among many other Saints.

Saint Ageranus.
Martyr.
Ageranus was a Benedictine monk in the monastery of the Order of Beze Cote-d’Or, in France. During the Norman invasion when the invading army arrived on the scene, Ageranus chose to stay and defend the sacred precints of the monastery. Others who made the same choice were: a priest, Ansuinus; four other monks namely: Berard, Genesius; Rodron and Sifrard. A young lad, probably a novice, Aldaric also remained. The other monks had long fled the monastery. They were all murdered defending the alters in 888.
All were canonized Pre-Congragation!
Saint Ageranus.
Pray for us!
Saint Ansuinus
Pray for us!
Saint Berard,
Pray for us!
Saint Genesius;
Pray for us!
Saint Rodron
Pray for us!
Saint Sifrard
Pray for us!

May 22
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Humility
Among many other Saints

Saint Humility
Foundress.
Also called Rosanna or Humilitas.
She was born in 1226 at Faenza, Italy and her name was Rosanna. She got married at age fifteen to a nobleman named Ugoletto. They had two children who both died in infancy. In 1250 Ugoletto recovered from a near fatal illness. After this, the couple decided on a different course of life. Ugoletto became a monk. Rosanna became a nun, taking the name of Sister Humility. She lived as a recluse until she founded the convent of Santa Maria Novella on Malta, the first Vallombrosan convent for nuns, and served as its abbess. She also founded a second convent at Florence, Italy, and lived her remaining years there.
Sister Humility died on 22 May 1310 at Florence.
She was canonized on 27 January 1720 by Pope Clement XI.
Saint Humility
Pray for us!

St. Humility pray for us!

May 23
Today we remember
Saint William of Rochester
Among many other Saints.

Saint William of Rochester
William was born in the 12th century in Perth, Scotland. He reportedly had a wild youth but reformed completely as a young adult devoting himself to God and caring particularly for poor and neglected children. He was a baker and for every 10 loaves he made, he reportedly gave away one. He attended daily Mass.
One morning on his way to church he found an infant abandoned on the threshold. He took the baby home, adopted him and named him "Cockermay Doucri", which is reportedly Scots for "David the Foundling".  He taught David his trade as is expected of any father. Years later, the two started out on a pilgrimage to the Holy Lands. They made a stop over at Rochester where they stayed three days intending to proceed the next day to Canterbury. It was not to be; with robbery in his heart, David turned on his benefactor, felled him with a blow on the head and cut his throat! David robbed his father and fled from the scene. The body was discovered by a mad woman, who reportedly plaited a garland of flowers and placed it first on the head of the corpse and then her own head, whereupon the madness left her. When the monks of Rochester heard of the miraculous happening, they carried the body to the cathedral of Rochester and buried it there.  Miracles were soon reported at his grave.
Due to the fact that William was on a holy mission when he was killed and the fact that miracles have occurred at his tomb, he is considered a martyr.
Saint William of Rochester,
Pray for us!

 :Eeek:

I know  :(
 It goes to show that upbringing is not always the explanation of our adult character.

May 24
Today we remember 
Saint Simeon Stylites the Younger
Among many other Saints
 

Saint Simeon Stylites the Younger.
Simeon was born in 521 in Antioch. His father died when he was five years old. Saint John Stylite, who was then a monk living nearby, adopted him. When he was seven, under the tutelage of his adopted parent, Simeon became a stylite and lived on a pillar that was to be his home for the next 68 years. By the time he was twenty, his reputation for holiness attracted such crowds that he retired to a less accessible spot in the mountains near Antioch which was soon called “the Hill of Wonders”
When he was 30, he founded a monastery in response to a vision making sure that there was a pillar in it for him. At age  33 or 35, he was ordained on one of his pillars. Huge crowds were attracted to his pillars because of his preaching. Saint Simeon was venerated for his holiness, spiritual wisdom, prophecies and miracles. He reportedly went for long periods of time with hardly any sleep or nourishment.  He died in 597 and was canonized Pre-Congregation.
 Saint Simeon
Pray for us!                                     

Aren't the stylites amazing?

Living out of doors atop a pillar their entire lives.. truly.. only God could sustain such a way of life..

To tell you the truth Shin, I do not even understand how that is possible.

I have a few excerpts about the life of the first pillar saint, St. Symeon Stylites the Great, or the Elder.

The elder I read was originally a shepherd, and at thirteen years old he was very affected by listening to the beatitudes being read in the church, and so decided to enter the cloister. He lay several days outside, without eating or drinking, begging to be admitted, and thenceforth after being so, he was accustomed to fast and eat only once a week on Sunday.

During Lent he went the entire forty days without any food. He came close to death the first time, but then he became capable of it. He would also lace himself with a cord pressed through to his bones, which could only be removed with the most terrible pain -- and this caused him to be dismissed from the cloister.

So he became a hermit, and then lived on a mountain, with an iron chain around his feet, and then after this, was inspired to ascend to live atop a pillar. The top of which was only three feet in diameter. The first one was six cubits high, the last one near to forty.

He wore garments of the skins of beasts, and a chain around his neck, and and he even took the holy Eucharist on the pillar top. So he spent his years atop there, through the sun, wind, rain, storms, and frost, living a life of daily martyrdom.

He could neither lie down, nor would he sit, but he would only stand, or lean upon a post, or devoutly bow. He would bow so low that his head nearly touched his feet. A spectator watched him do this, and counted the bows he made, and after twelve hundred and forty-four bows, stopped counting. . .

So you can see religious images of him bent over, with a long trailing beard, bowing down, atop the pillar.

He died 69 years old in 459 A.D. due to an ulcer on his leg.

Symeon Stylites the younger I read is said to have spent sixty eight years on a pillar.

Here is a direct excerpt from the life of St. Symeon Stylites the Great:

When St. Symeon was contemplating living on a pillar -- an unprecedented form of ascetism -- and reports about him had spread throughout the desert, the ascetics were astounded by this novel and strange undertaking, and they sent some representatives to him. They ordered them, on the one hand to reprimand St. Symeon for this curious invention of his and, on the other hand, to instruct him to traverse the accustomed path of asceticism traced by the holy Fathers and not to look down upon it, since thereby multitudes of blessed ascetics had ascended to the heavens and found rest in the eternal tabernacles.

But then, fearing lest this idea of St. Symeon might be pleasing to God, while they viewed the matter in a human way, they also gave instructions to their representatives: If they saw the man immediately departed of his own will and descending form his pillar in obedience to them, they should at once restrain him and order him to remain steadfast in his purpose. For in this way they would be convinced that Syemon's ascetic feat was Divinely ordained, and they would not be afraid for the future -- that such a beginning in asceticism would not have a good end. But if he took umbrage and would not tolerate listening even for a short while to their advice, but doggedly and heedlessly followed his own will, it would become quite obvious that he was far removed from humility; in which case who would not say that the Evil One had suggested the idea to him? Therefore, if such were the case, the Fathers of the desert instructed their representatives to bring him down from the pillar, even if by force and against his will.

After receiving this command, the envoys of the ascetics reached Symeon, the Father of humility and obedience; but as soon as they saw him and greeted him, they were overcome by reverence for him and were unable to look at his face. However, on account of the order of the Fathers who had sent them and for the sake of the service to which they had been assigned, they related to him in detail what the Fathers had told them. St. Symeon, truly meek and humble of heart, listened to the reprimand without offering any objection; he neither grew angry nor argued nor said anything at all -- neither a little nor a lot. He immediately accepted the reproof and, with eyes lowered and with a kindly countenance, gave thanks to God and expressed his gratitude to the Fathers for their concern for him; and without any hesitation, he undertook to descend from his pillar. The envoys at once restrained him and made known to him the mind of the Fathers. They then besought him to remain steadfastly and unceasingly on the pillar, and wishing him a good end, that he might find sure rest from God for his constant labors, they departed.

May 25
Let us remember today
Saint Madeline Sophie Barat
Among many other Saints

Saint Madeline Sophie Barat
Foundress of: the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Madeline was born on 12 December 1779 at Joigny, Bugundy, France. She was educated strictly by her older brother Louis, who later became a priest and who imposed the strictest discipline and penances on her. On his recommendation, Father Joseph Varin, who planned to form an institute of women to teach girls( a female counterpart of Jesuits, as ‘A Dictionary of Saints’ puts it), received her and three other companions into the religious life in 1800, thereby founding the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, devoted to the Sacred Heart, and dedicated to teaching girls.
They founded their first convent and school at Amiens the following year and in 1802, Madeline, though the youngest member of the group at 23 years of age, was appointed superior. She was destined to rule for 63 years. The society spread throughout France.
Saint Rose Phillippine Duschesne brought the Society to the United States in 1818. 
The Society received formal approval from Pope Leo XII in 1826. In 1830, Madeline moved the novitiate to Switzerland because of the instability of the French political life. By the time of her death on 25 May 1865 at Paris, she had opened more than one hundred houses and schools in twelve countries,
She was canonized on 24 May 1925 by Pope Pius XI.
Saint Madeline Sophie Barat,
Pray for us!

St. Madeleine Sophie Barat pray for us!

May 26
Today we remember
Saint Quadratus
Among many other Saints

Saint Quadratus
Bishop of Athens
Martyr
Apologist.
He was reportedly the disciple of the Apostles and was possibly the Bishop of Athens in Greece. He is best known for his letter, believed to be the first apologetic writing, a defense of Christianity composed around 124 and addressed to Emperor Hadrian.
According to SQPN,he is quoted in works by Saint Eusebius and Saint Jerome, and is mentioned in early martyrologies.
Saint Quadratus
Pray for us!

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May 27
Today we also remember
Saint Julius of Dorostorum
Among Many other Saints

Saint Julius of Dorostorum
Martyr
He is also known as Saint Julius the Veteran. Julius was a retired soldier of the Roman army during the reign of Emperor Dioclatian.
He was accused of being a Christian at Dorostorum on the Danube at Silistnia( in modern Romania). When he did not deny his faith, he was beheaded on May 27, 302. On the way to his martyrdom, he was encouraged by a fellow Christian soldier, Hesychius who was executed a few days later.
Two days before Julius was beheaded, i.e. on 25 May 302, two other Christians, Pasicrates and Valentino had also been martyred for their faith,
Saint Julius of Dorostorum
Pray for us!

St. Augustine's Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
 Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
 Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.
 Amen.

Pray for us, saints of Pentecost!

What a fine prayer! How much we need to love holiness and treat it properly!

May 28
Today we remember
Saint Bernard of Menthon
Among many other Saints
 

Saint Bernard of Menthon
The patron Saint of mountaineers.
Also known as Bernard of Montjoux or Bernard of Aotha.
He was born in 996 in Italy. He became a priest and was made vicar general of the diocese of Aosta. A post he held for four decades. His duties included visiting alpine regions and doing missionary work there. He built schools and churches in the diocese. He is especially remembered for two Alpine hospices he built to aid lost travelers in the mountain passes. The hospices were named the Great and the Little Bernard after him.
He died in 1008 at Novara, Italy and was canonized in 1681 by Pope Innocent XI.
Pope Pius XI proclaimed him the patron saint of mountain climbers in 1923.
Saint Bernard,
Pray for us!

May 29
Today we remember
Saint John de Atares
Among many other Saints

Saint John de Atares
John was a  Spanish hermit in the Aragonese Pyrenees. He lived under a rock promontory. A monastery, Benedictine abbey of Saint John de Pena, was later established at the site. It served as the cradle of the religious and spiritual life of the Navarre and Aragon
He died in 750
Saint John
Pray for us!

Navarre and Aragon! Interesting places! I wish I knew more about them. :D

According to Saint Augustine,
“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.”

I guess I am stuck in this one page called Kenya  ;D

May 30
Today we remember
Saint Isaac of Constantinople
Among many other Saints

Saint Isaac
Hermit.
Isaac, a hermit, went to Constantinople to protest to Arian Emperor Valens about his persecutions of Christians! He prophesied disaster for the Emperor if he persisted in the persecutions. He narrowly escaped death as he was arrested but set free by Emperor Theodosius when Valens was killed in the battle of Adrianople in 378 by the Visigoths. His prediction thus came to pass.
Isaac resumed his eremitical life and attracted so many disciples that he was obliged to found a monastery for them at Constantinople where he also attended the second General Council ( First Council of Constantinople) held there in 381. It was at this General Council the Arian cause was finally defeated.
Isaac died in 410 at Constantinople and was canonized pre-congragationally.
 Saint Isaac
Pray for us!

May 31
Today we remember
Saint Camilla Battista Varani
Among many other Saints

Saint Camilla Battista Varani.
Camilla is also known as Attista Varano and Camilla da Varano. She was born on 9 April 1458 in Camerino, Italy. She was of noble birth; her father being the prince of Camerino, Italy. She was baptized Camille. She received a fine education for a woman in those days. Camilla was expected to marry but she decided her vocation was that of a religious life. She joined the Poor Clare in Urbino, taking the name Battista in 1481 and began to experience revelations on the Passion of Our Lord. Her father built a convent for Poor Clares at Camarino to which she was moved. Blessed Peter of Mogliano became her spiritual director. In the following years, Camilla experienced extraordinary revelations and visitations, mainly concerning the Passion and death of Christ. The revelations alternated with periods of spiritual aridity and desolation. She found a Poor Clare convent at Fermo, but after a year, she returned to Camarino where she remained until her death on 31 May 1524.
Camilla wrote the “The Sufferings of the Agonizing Heart of Jesus”, describing her revelations on the Passion and a series of instructions on how to attain perfection.
She was canonized on 17 October 2010 Pope Benedict XVI.
Saint Camilla Battista Varani
Pray for us!

The month of June is traditionally dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.


O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in Thee,
Whatever may befall me, Lord, though dark the hour may be;
In all my woes, in all my joys, though nought but grief I see,
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in Thee.

When those I love have passed away, and I am sore distressed,
0 Sacred Heart of Jesus, I fly to Thee for rest.
In all my trials, great or small, my confidence shall be
Unshaken as I cry, dear Lord, I place my trust in Thee.

This is my one sweet prayer, dear Lord, my faith, my trust, my love,
But most of all in that last hour, when death points up above,
O sweet Saviour, may Thy face smile on my soul all free.
Oh may I cry with rapturous love, I've placed my trust in Thee.

June 1
Today we remember
Blessed Andreas Murayama Tokuan
Among many other Saints and Blesseds

Blessed Andreas Murayama Tokuan
Martyr
Andrew, born in Nagasaki, was one of the martyrs of Japan. He was a layman who was a member of the Confraternity of the Rosary in the Archdiocese of Nagasaki. He was arrested by the authorities for sheltering missionaries. After his arrest, Andrew was offered his freedom if he would deny Christianity; he declined. He was burned alive on 18 November 1619 at Nagasaki, Japan. Sharing in his martyrdom was Blessed Leonard Kimura.
He was beatified on 7 May 1867 by Pope Blessed Pius IX.
Blessed Andrew Tokuan,
Pray for us!

June 2
Today we remember
 Saint Stephen of Sweden
Among Many other Saints

 
Saint Stephen of Sweden
Stephen , also known as Stephen of Corbie and Stephen of Corvey, was born in the 11th century.
He became a monk and was stationed at New Corbie monastery in Saxony. He was ordained then sent as a missionary bishop of Sweden. He was very successful in making conversions to Christianity. He was murdered  by pagans in 1075 either in Uppsala or Norrala , Sweden for his efforts to suppress the worship of the pagan god Woden.
 Saint Stephen,
Pray for us!

June 3
Today we remember
Saint Liphardus of Orleans
Among many other Saints.

Saint Liphardus of Orleans
Abbot
Founder of a Monastery.
Liphardus, also called Lifard, was a successful lawyer and judge in Orleans.
At the age of 40( 50 according to other sources), he gave up this prestigious job to become a hermit in a ruined castle with a companion, Urbicius. They attracted numerous disciples. Liphardus was ordained and founded the monastery of Meung-sur-Loire. He became abbot of this monastery until he died 550, when Urbicius.succeeded him.
Saint Liphardus,
Pray for us!
Saint Urbicius.,
Pray for us!

Today is also the Memorial of
Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions or,
 as is more popularly known,
The Martyrs of Uganda.
Will post an account of these martyrs same time next year, if that be the Will of Our Lord as well.

June 4
Let us remember today
Saint Walter of Fontenelle
Among many other Saints.

Saint Walter of Fontenelle
Benedictine Abbot.
Walter was born in England. He served as a monk before becoming abbot of of the monastery at Fontenelle, France. This was a famed Benedictine spiritual center.  His holiness and zeal was noted by Pope Innocent II.
He died in 1150
Saint Walter,
Pray for us!

June 5
Today we remember
Saint Luke Loan
Among many other Saints

Saint Luke Loan
Martyr.
Luke was a Vietnamese, born in 1756 .
He was a priest serving the Catholic Community in Vietnam until he was arrested by unti Christian forces. He was beheaded on 5 June 1840 in Hanoi, Vietnam. He was canonized on 19 June 1988 by Pope John Paul II.
Saint Luke Loan,
Pray for us!

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in Thee.

Holy saints, pray for us.

June 6
Today we remember
Saint Alexander of Fiesole
Among many other saints

Saint Alexander of Fiesole
Bishop of Fiesole
Martyr.
Alexander was the Bishop of Fiesole towards the end of the 6th century. He fell prey to the political ambitions of the nobles of Lombardy. The nobles wanted to extend their authorities into the affairs of the Church. Alexander would have none of it. When they attempted to place their own selected clients in position of power within the Church, Alexander opposed them. In revenge, the Saint was ambushed and drowned near Bologna in 590.
He was canonized Pre-Congragation.
Saint Alexander
Pray for us!

June 7
Today we remember
Saint Paul of Constantinople
Among many other Saints

Saint Paul
Bishop of Constantinople
Paul was Bishop of Constantinople during the period of bitter controversy in the Church ove the Arian heresy. He was elected to the see in 336 to succeed Alexander of Constantinople. The following year, Paul was exiled to Pontus by Emperor Constantius II because of his staunch stand against Arianism. He was replaced by the heretic bishop Macedonius. In 338, he was allowed to return only to be exiled again, this time to Trier in Germany. He returned in 340. Once more he was seized and on the orders of Emperor Constantius, he was exiled to Mesopotamia.
In 344, Paul returned to Constantinople. They still would not let him be. He was sent yet again into exile, this time round, it was to Cucusus in Armenia.
Here, Paul was delibertly starved and finally strangled by Arian adherents in 350. He was reportedly a close friend of Saint Athanasius. He is considered a martyr for the orthodox cause.
Saint Paul of Constantinople
Pray for us!

June 8
Today we remember
Saint Victorinus of Camerino
Among many other Saints

Saint Victorinus
Bishop of Camerino.
Hermit.
Victorinus was the brother of Saint Severinus.The two brothers distributed their wealth to the poor in their area, then retired to live as hermits on Montenero. Victorinus was ordered by Pope Vigilius to become bishop of Camerino, Italy. His brother Severinus became the bishop of Septemeda, Italy, which, ever since, has been called San Severino.
Victorinus died in 543
Saint Victorinus
Pray for us!

Sts. Victorinus and Severinus pray for us!

June 9
Today we remember
Saint Cumian of Bobbio
Among many other Saints

Saint Cumian
Bishop
He is also known as Cummian or Cumin. He was a Benedictine Bishop in Ireland. He gave up his Episcopal ministry , traveled to Bobbio in Italy. where he lived as a monk.
Saint Cumian
Pray for us!
 

St. Cumian pray for us!

A saintly friend of Martin no doubt! :D

I hope martin remembered him. :)

June 10
Let us remember today
Blessed Walter Pierson
Among many other Saints and Blesseds

Walter Pierson
Martyr.
Walter was a Carthusian lay brother in England in the 16th century. He was a member of the Carthusian Charterhouse of London. He was arrested with his companions by English authorities for opposing the religious policies of King Henry VIII, specifically his Dissolution of the Monastery and his Act of Supremacy. He was starved to death in prisin with six other Carthusian. He died on 10 June 1537 in Newgate Prison, London, England.
He was beatified on 29 December 1886 by Pope Leo XIII (cultus confirmed)
canonization is pending.
Blessed Walter Pierson
Pray for us!

June 11
Today we remember
Saint Paula Frassinetti
Among many other Saints

Saint Paula Frassinetti
She is also known as Paola Frassinetti. She was born on 3 March 1809 at Genoa, Italy, the only daughter of John and Angela Frassinetti who had five children. Her mother died when she was nine years old. An aunt moved in to help but she too passed on three years down the line. Paula, aged just 12 years old, took over as homemaker and cared for her father and her brothers. All the four brothers became priests. One of her brothers was a parish priest in the city. She assisted him by teaching poor children in their parish.
In 1834, Paula started a school for girls in Quinto, Italy. From this, developed the Congregation of Saint Dorothy (Frassinetti Sisters). dedicated to educating poor children. It soon spread across Italy and then to the Americas.
Paula died on 11 June 1882 from pneumonia.
She was canonized on 11 March 1984 by Pope John Paul II.
She is patron saint of the sick.
Saint Paula Frassinetti
Pray for us!

June 12
Today we remember
Pope Saint Leo III
Among many other Saints

Pope Saint Leo III
Pope Leo III, reportedly, is sometimes called Charlemagne‘s Pope. He was born in Rome, Italy, the son of Atypius and Elizabeth. Leo was the papal treasurer when he was elected pope on 26 December 795, the day his predecessor, Pope Hadrian I (Adrian) was buried.
On 25 April 799, Pope Leo was the victim of a plot by relatives of Pope Hadrian I to oust him from the papacy. He was attacked by armed men who tried to gouge out his eyes and cut out his tongue! He managed to escape to Saint Erasmus Monastery where he recovered very quickly. There were many who termed his recovery miraculous. The Pope fled to Charlemagne‘s protection at Paderborn, Germany. He was escorted back to Rome a few months later by a contingent of Charlemagne‘s men.
In 800, Charlemagne came to Rome. There were accusations brought against the Pope. At a synod, Charlemagne completely exonerated Leo of all false charges by his enemies.
On Christmas day in 800, Leo crowned Charlemagne emperor, marking the beginning of the Holy Roman Empire.
Leo and Charlemagne worked harmoniously for the next several years. When Charlemagne died in 814, Leo’s protection died with him. His enemies again rose against him but he was able to crush these revolts.
Leo died on 12 June 816. His relics are at Saint Peter’s, Rome, Italy.
He was canonized in 1673 by Pope Clement X.
Pope Saint Leo III
Pray for us!

June 13
Let us remember today
Blessed Gerard of Clairvaux
Among many other Saints and Blesseds

Blessed Gerard of Clairvaux
Gerard was the brother of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. He was a soldier when Bernard entered Citeaux, the first Cistercian monastery which observed a strict interpretation of the Benedictine rule. Recall that Bernard, after his mother died, left school and convinced 31 of his friends and relatives, including four of his brothers, to come to this monastery for spiritual growth.
Meanwhile, Gerard got wounded in combat at the siege of Grancy. He followed his brother to Citeaux and became the Cellarer or bursar for the community. He was a close confidant and assistant of Saint Bernard. He was also noted for his holiness.
He died in 1138,
Blessed Gerard of Clairvaux
Pray for us!

June 14
Today we remember
Saint Joseph the Hymnographer
Among many other Saints

Saint Joseph the Hymnographer
Joseph was born in 810 in Sicily . In 830, he fled his home land in the wake of the Arab invasion. He went to Thessalonica where he became a monk. Later he moved to Constantinople, where he joined a monastery. Yet again, in 841, Joseph was forced to flee Constantinople  to escape the severe  iconoclast persecution. He was on his way to Rome when he was captured by pirates and spent several years as a slave in Crete. When he finally escaped, he returned to Constantinople and founded a monastery. Trouble still dogged him however, as he was sent into exile to the Chersonese by Emperor Theophilus for his ardent defense of the icons.
Joseph is credited with composition of about one thousand canons
He died in 886
Saint Joseph,
Pray for us!

June 15
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Vitus
Among many other Saints

Saint Vitus
Martyr.
Patron Saint against epilepsy.
Reportedly one of the most popular saints of the Middle Ages.
Vitus  is also known as Guy, Veit and Vito,
According to legend, Vitus was the only son of  a pagan Sicilian senator named Hylas. When he was twelve years old, he became a Christian through the efforts of his tutor, Saint Modestus, the husband of  his nurse Saint Crescentia..
He proved to be such a dedicated Christian that he was taken to the governor of Sicily who tried unsuccessfully to compel him to abandon the faith. Vitus fled to Lucania with Saint Modestus and Saint Crescentia and then to Rome.
In Rome, they were captured and subjected to various tortures. The legend goes that during a storm in which temples were destroyed, they were  freed by an angel who guided them back to Lucania where they were eventually martyred in 303 by being boiled in oil.
According to Dictionary of Saints by John J. Delaney, a great devotion to Saint Vitus developed in Germany when his relics were translated to Saxony in 836.  He is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers and is the patron of those suffering from epilepsy, those afflicted with "Saint Vitus dance", an ailment which was named after him, dancers and actors. He is also a protector against storms.
Saint Vitus
Pray for us!

June 16
Today we remember
Saint Berthaldus
Among many other Saints

June 16
Today we remember
Saint Berthaldus
Among many other Saints

Saint Berthaldus
Saint Berthaldus, who is also known as Bertaud and Berthold, was a hermit in the Ardennes region of France.
He was ordained by Saint Remigius of Rheims.
He died in 540 and miracles were reported at his death.
Saint Berthaldus
Pray for us!

St. Berthaldus, pray for us!

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!

June 17
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Emily de Vialar
Among many other Saints

Saint Emily de Vialar
Emily, also known as Anne Marguerite Adelaide Emily de Vialar, Emilie de Vialar and Emilie de Vialard, was an aristocratic. She was the eldest of three children, and the only daughter of Baron James Augustine de Vialar and Antoinette de Portal. She was born on 12 September 1797 at Gaillac, Languedoc, in southern France. Her given name  was Anne Marguerite Adelaide Emily de Vialar. From the age of seven, Emily was sent to Paris for her education. When she was 15, her mother died. Her father wanted her to marry but she refused. This caused some strains in their relationship. She further antagonized her father when she began to teach abandoned and poor children and to treat and help the sick and the destitute in his house.
In 1832, Emily’s grandmother died and left her a fortune. She bought a house at Gaillac, and with the help of her spiritual director, Abbe Mercier, and three other women, founded the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Apparition on Christmas Day in 1832. It was dedicated to the care of the sick and needy and the education of young children in France and abroad. She travelled a lot and the congregation soon spread. Due to problems the organization was having in Gaillac, Emily moved the mother house to Toulouse and in 1854, to Marseilles. By the time of her death on 24 August 1856 at Marseilles, there were some forty houses all over the world.
She was canonized on 24 June 1951 by Pope Pius XII.
Saint Emily de Vialar
Pray for us!

Our Lady Consolata, pray for us!  :crucifix:

June 18
Let us remember today,
Saint Alena of Dilbeek
Among many other Saints

Saint Alena of Dilbeek
Martyr.
Alena was born into a pagan family near Brussels in Belgium.
 She became a Christian secretly.
She was arrested and martyred  in 640, during a secret celebration of the Holy Euchrist.
Canonized  Pre-Congregation.
Saint Alena of Dilbeek
Pray for us!

What a blessed death!

June 19
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Juliana Falconieri
Among many other Saints

Saint Juliana Falconieri
One of the Founders ( foundress ) of the Servite Nuns, the "Mantellate."
Juliana was born in a very wealthy and noble family in 1270 in Florence, Italy . Her father, Chiarissimo Falconieri, died when she was very young. She was there after raised by her mother Riguirdata Falconieri and her uncle Alexis Falconieri.
According to SQPN, Juliana was “Given to chronic gastric problems throughout her life. Legend says she never gazed into a mirror, never looked at a man's face, trembled at the mention of sin, and fainted upon hearing scandalous gossip” Her uncle Saint Alexis reportedly once said that Juliana “grew up, more like an angel than a human being”
Juliana rejected her family’s plan for her to marry when she was 14. Her devotion to the sorrows of Our Lady drew her to the Servants of Mary and, at age fifteen, she became a Servite tertiary, receiving the habit from Saint Philip Benizi, her spiritual director. She continued to live at home. When her mother died in 1304, Juliana, with a group of women dedicated to prayer and charitable works, founded the Servite Order of Mary i.e. Servite Nuns, or the Mantellate Servites, She was named the firsr Superior of the Order. She is considered the Founder of the Order.
Juliana died on 12 June 1341 at Florence, Italy. Her relics  are at Saint Annunziata in Florence
She was beatified on 26 July 1678 by Pope Innocent XI and canonized on 16 June 1737 by Pope Clement XII .
Saint Juliana Falconieri
Pray for us!

Saint Juliana Falconieri
Pray for us

June 20
Let us today remember
Saint Florentina of Cartagena
Among many other Saints

Saint Florentina
abbess of Cartagena
Florentina, also known as Florence of Cartagena, was born in Cartagena, Spain. She was the sister of Saint Leander of Seville, Saint Fulgentius of Ecija and Saint Isidore of Seville. Florentina was orphaned young and was raised by her eldest brother, Leander. She reportedly consecrated herself to God, though when this was done is not known. She became Abbess of a convent Leander had founded for her in Cartagena.
Before he died, Leander wrote for Florentina some regulations to follow as a nun. This is how EWTN puts it:
“..In any case, it is certain that she had consecrated herself to God before the year 600, as her brother Leander, who died either in the year 600 or 601, wrote for her guidance an extant work dealing with a nun's rule of life and with contempt for the world ("Regula sive Libellus de institutione virginum et de contemptu mundi ad Florentinam sororem", P.L. LXXII, 873 sqq.). In it the author lays down the rules according to which cloistered virgins consecrated to God should regulate their lives. He strongly advises them to avoid" interacting "with women living in the world, and with men, especially youths; recommends strict temperance in eating and drinking, gives advice concerning the reading of and meditation on Holy Scripture, enjoins equal love and friendship for all those living together in community, and exhorts his sister earnestly to remain true to her holy state….”
Florentina heeded her brother’s advice and led a holy life which ended in 636 when she died.
Saint Florentina
Pray for us!

June 21
Today we remember
Saint Lazarus
Among many other Saints.

Saint Lazarus
He is also known as Lazaro. Lazarus is the poor man at the gate of the rich man in Christ’s parable of rich man poor man related in Luke 16: 19-31
In the Middle ages, Lazurus’ name was perpetuated by such Italian words as lazaretto, a hospital; lazarone, a beggar in the street. There was also a military Order of Saint Lazarus, founded in the 12th century,  dedicated to the care of lepers. Saint Lazarus is its patron. He is also patron saint of those suffering leprosy.
Saint Lazarus
Pray for us and for those suffering from leprosy throughout the world.

Has anyone wondered about Saint Lazarus? At the Saints thread at CAF, Reginator raised the point that the story of Lazarus in the Bible according to Saint Luke is a parable, not fact; and yet here we have him appearing on the Comprehensive Calender.
According to Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary, St. Ambrose did not take it as a parable but a real fact.

June 22
Today we remember
Saint Flavius Clemens
Among many other Saints

Saint Flavius Clemens
Martyr
Flavius was a brother of the Emperor Vespasian, an uncle of Emperor Titus and Emperor Domitian, who were Vespasian’s successors as emperors. He married Flavia Domitilla, a niece of Domitian. Flavius enjoyed imperial favor and was consul with Domitian in 95. The following year however, when Domitian learnt he was a Christian, he and Flavia were arrested for promoting the Christian faith. Both were condemned with several friends including Euphrosyna and Theodora. They were beheaded.
 Saint Flavius Clemens
Pray for us!

I'd believe St. Ambrose over a poster at CAF. The fact that the Lord mentioned him by name (if it were a parable He could have simply referred to him as "a poor man") is more consistant with St. Ambrose' view.

The poster was " Reginator". He is a member here as well. He was not doubting but just wanted to know if Lazarus was a real man as he always thought, same as I , that it was a parable that Jesus told.  Now we know of course that Lazarus was real.
Saint Lazarus,
Pray for us!

June 23
Today we remember
Saint Agrippina of Rome
Among many other Saints

Saint Agrippina of Rome
Martyr.
Also known as Agrippina of Mineo, She reportedly came from a good Roman family. She  consecrated herself to God. Agrippina was a victim of the persecutions instituted by Emperor Valerian and Gallienus. She was either beheaded or scourged to death in Rome (Records vary about how she met her martyrdom). Her body was taken to Mineo Sicily by three devout Christian women. The gravesite became a popular pilgrimage destination noted for the many miracles that took place through her intercession.
Saint Agrippina,
Pray for us!

June 24.
Let us remember today
Saint Heros
Among many other saints

Saint Heros
Martyr.
Hero was martyred with Saint Cyriacus, Saint Firminus, Saint Firmus, Saint Longinus, Saint Orentius, and Saint Pharnacius. According to the pre-1970 Roman Martyrology, they were seven brothers in the Imperial Roman Army. They were stripped of their positions in the army and executed in 304 during the reign of co-Emperor Maximian.
Saint Heros and fellow martyrs,
Pray for us!

Today we also celebrate the the Birth of Saint John the Baptist, one of the only three births celebrated in the Catholic Church.

June 25
Today we remember
Saint Eurosia
Among many other Saints

Saint Eurosia
Martyr.
Also known as Orosia, Eurosia was born in Bayonne, France. She was promised to a Moor in an arranged marriage. Eurosia refused to marry a Saracen. She went and hid herself in a cave, unfortunately for her, the smoke from her fire betrayed her position. She was dragged from the cave by the hair and martyred in 714 at Jaca in the Pyrenees of Aragon, Spain, near the French border.
She is the patron of Jaca, Spain,
Saint Eurosia
Pray for us!

St. Eurosia pray for us!

Her martyrdom shines forever for her by the grace of God!  :D

June 26
Let us remember today
Saint Pelagius of Oviedo
Among many other Saints

Saint Pelagius of Oviedo
Martyr
Also known as Pelagius the Martyr and Pelayo. He was born in 912 at Asturias, Spain. His uncle left him, when still a child, as hostage to the Saracens of Cordoba. As he remained unransomed for three years, the Cordoban ruler Caliph Abd al-Rahman III offered to free him if he would but renounce his Christianity and become a Muslim. Pelagius refused. The emir ordered him tortured. The thirteen year old died in 925 after six hours of agony. According to Our Sunday Visitor Encyclopedia Of Saints.
By Matthew Bunson, Stephen Bunson, Margaret Bunson, Rhoswitha of Gandersheim, a Benedictine poetess, composed a poem in his honor.
Saint Pelagius
Pray for us!

June 27
Today we remember
Blessed Madeleine Fontaine
Among many other Saints and Blesseds

Blessed Madeleine Fontaine
Madeleine was born in 1723 at Etepagny, France. She joined the Sister of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul in 1748 . She was Superior of the convent at Arras in 1767 when she, Francoise Lanel, Therese Fantou and Joan Gerard, all sisters at the same convent were arrested by the French Revolutionary authorities. When they refused to take the Constitutional Oath, they were accused, on trumped up charges, of counter-revolutionary activities. Madeleine was convicted of the charges by a tribunal at Cambrai, and the other three, of being accomplices. All four were guillotined in 1794 at Cambrai, France.
They were beatified on June 1920 by Pope Benedict XV
Canonization is pending.
Blessed Madeleine Fontaine
Pray for us!

Blessed Madeleine, pray for us!!

June 28
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Vincentia Gerosa
Among many other Saints

Saint Vincentia Gerosa
Co-Founder of the Sisters of Charity
Vincentia , also known as Catherine Gerosa and as Vincenza Gerosa, was born in
1784 at Lovere, Lombardy in Italy and chritened Catherine Gerosa. She was orphaned in her youth and from that time, she devoted her life to helping the poor.
About the year  1824, she and Saint Bartholomea Capitanio founded the Sisters of Charity of Lovere, to help the poor and the sick and to educate children. When Saint Bartholomea died in 1833, Vincentia assumed the directorship of the order and carried on its works and was able to expand it. After a long illness, Vincentia died on 28 June 1847. She was canonized on 18 May 1950 by Pope Pius XII.
Saint Vincentia
Pray for us!

St. Vincentia and St. Bartholomea pray for us!

June 29
Let us remember today
Saint Cocha
Among many other Saints

Saint Cocha
She is also known as Coecha.
She lived in the Sixth century.
She was the nurse of the infant Saint Kieran of Saighir.
Later she became the abbess of Ross Benchuirin Ireland.
Died and canonized pre-congragationally.
Saint Cocha
Pray for us!

June 30
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Martial of Limoges
Among many other Saints

Saint Martial                 
Bishop.of Limoges
Saint Martial was the first bishop of the  area around modern Limoges, France.
According to tradition, he was one of the seven missionary bishops sent from Rome before 250 to preach the Gospel in France. His efforts were recorded by Saint Gregory of Tours.
 He evangelized the limousine region and founded the diocese of Limoges of which he was the first bishop.
Saint Martial 
Pray for us!

July 31
Let us remember today
Saint Neot.
Among many other Saints

Saint Neot.
Neot was reportedly a small man, just 15 inches tall. He started life as a soldier but later gave up this life to follow a more spiritual one at Glastonbury Abbey serving as a sacristan.  later Neot lived as a monk in Cornwall. Saint Neot cared for the poor and reportedly had a way with animals and birds and worked miracles through them. The
village of St Neot in Cornwall and the Cambridgeshire town of St Neots are named after him.
He died in a natural death in 877 and was canonized by acclamation as was the practice then.
Saint Neot,
Pray for us!

The Month of July is dedicated to the Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus.

July 1

Today re remember
Saint Gall of Clermont
Among many other Saints

Saint Gall
Bishop of Clermont.
Gal was born in 489 at Clermont, Auvergne , France; of a distinguished family. He was an uncle and teacher of Saint Gregory of Tours. Gall refused an arranged marriage to the daughter of a senator. Instead, he became a monk at Cournon Monastery, a deacon at Clermont and then a cantor in the court King Theirry I, before being appointed Bishop of Clermont in 526. He ruled in Clermont for the next 25 years. He was noted for his charities and humility.
Saint Gall,
Pray for us!

How come no one has commented on this glaring mistake? ;D
Sorry. I am a little bit ahead of myself; one month to be exact ;D

July2
Today we remember
Saint Monegundis
Among many other Saints

Saint Monegundis
Born in the 6th century at Chartres, France. She married and had two children; unfortunately, both  died in childhood. When the children died, Monegundis sought and received her husband’s permission to become a recluse in a cell at Chartres. Later, she moved to Tours, built a cell near the tomb of Saint Martin of Tours and attracted numerous disciples for whom she was forced to establish a rule that led to the founding of a convent dedicated to Saint Pierre le Puellier. Many miracles reported at her tomb after her death in 570 at Tours.
Saint Monegundis
Pray for us!

I am sure the saint appreciates the extra mention though! :D

Thanks Shin, I thought it was end of July and at the same time I am also posting 1st of July. Crazy!
It must have have been the confusion of the attacks at the churches yesterday.

More attacks? Sigh.

Yes, killing is a means of terror they do not hesitate to unleash on the innocent.

July 3
Let us remember today
Saint Bladus
Among many other Saints

Saint Bladus
Bishop.
Bladus was one of the early bishops on the Isle of Man, off the coast of Scotland.
Nothing else is known about him with certainty.
Saint Bladus
Pray for us

July 4
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Odo the Good
Among many other Saints

Saint Odo the Good.
Archbishop of Canterbury
Odo was born in 870, of Danish parents, in East Anglia, England. He is also known as Odo of Canterbury, Oda of Canterbury and Oda the Good.  He became a monk at Fleury-sur-Loire and was later appointed bishop of Rambury in Wessex. Odo became Archbishop of Canterbury in 942.
He played an active role in both secular and ecclesiastical affairs. He had a deep concern for the welfare of the people. He established East Anglia as a separate diocese and supported Saint Dunstan’s monastic reforms at Glastonbury. Saint Odo was called “the Good” because of his famed holiness. He was also credited with miracles.
Odo died on2 June 959. Was proclaimed a saint pre-congragationally.
Saint Odo
Pray for us!

St. Odo the Good, pray for us!

What a fine title!

 :)

July 5
Let us today remember
Saint Edana
Among many other Saints.

Saint Edana.
The saint is also known as Edana of West Ireland, Edaene and Etaoin. Not much is known about her though, not even when she was born. All we know is that she was Irish. She lived near the Boyle and Shannon rivers and that there is a well that was named after her. She is reportedly venerated in western Ireland where some parishes also bear her name.
Saint Edana
Pray for us!

St. Edana, pray for us, and for Ireland!

July 6
 
Today we remember
Saint Goar of Aquitaine
Among many other Saints

Saint Goar
Goar was born in Aquitaine, France. He was ordained a priest and served as parish priest in Aquitaine for several years before leaving to become a hermit at Oberwesel, on the Rhine River in Germany. He was falsely accused of sorcery by the local bishop, Rusticus of Trier. Luckily the Saint was cleared of the charge by King Sigebert I of Austrasia. Rusticus on his part, ended up being deposed partly because of the false accusation and partly because of his extravagant lifestyle. Goar was offered Rusticus’ see but he chose to return to his hermitage.
He died in 575. Emperor Charlemagne later built a church over his hermitage.
Saint Goar
Pray for us!

July 7
Let us remember today
Blessed Peter To Rot
Among many other Saints and Blesseds

Blessed Peter To Rot
Martyr of the Japanese Military.
Peter was born in 1912 in Rakunai, New Britain, an island off the northeast coast of Papua New Guinea. His father , To Puia, was the chielf of the village. His mother’s name was Maria la Tumul. Peter’s father had invited missionaries to the village and he and his family were baptized and were part of the region’s first generation of Catholics. Peter was trained as a catechist and in 1933, he became chief catechist in his village. He married Paula la Varpit, a former student and the couple had three children.
In 1942, when the invading Japanese military forces arrived in New Britain, they arrested all the missionary priests and their staff. Peter was arrested several times for opposing the Japanese policies. One 7 July 1945, one month before the Japanese surrendered to the Allied Forces in the Pacific region, Peter was taken to a hut in the secluded Vunaiara region. There, he was reportedly, given a lethal injection and was, again, reportedly held down while he died in agony.The next day, his body was returned to his village for burial.
Venerated on 2 April 1993 by Pope John Paul II and beatified on 17 January 1995 by Pope John Paul II
Canonization is pending.
Blessed Peter To Rot
Pray for us!

Ah, what  way to die!

GLORY

An awful death Shin  :(
The Lord's Holly Will be done in our lives!

July 8
Today we remember
Saint Sunniva
Among many other Saints

Saint Sunniva
She is also known as Sunnifa, Synnove of Norway and Sunniva of Bergen.
According to an old legend, she was an Irish princess, daughter of a tenth century Irish king. She reportedly fled her homeland with her brother Alban and several companions to escape marriage. They were shipwrecked on the island of Selje, off the coast of Norway. The runaways lived peacefully in a cave until one day, their local neighbors, sent an armed force against them after some cattle were discovered missing. When the warriors arrived at the cave, they found there had been a land slide which had sealed up the cave.
In 995, King Olaf Tryggvason ordered the cave opened. The incorrupt body of Sunniva was discovered. The king built a church in her honour and the body was moved there.
Saint Sunniva,
Pray for us!

July 9
Today we remember
Saint Brictus of Martola
Among many other Saints

Saint Brictus
Bishop of Martola
Brictus ( Brictius) was the Bishop of Martola, near Spoleto, Italy. He was imprisoned in the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian. He was, however not martyred. He died in 312 during the era of Constantine the Great.
Saint Brictus
Pray for us!

July 10
Let us remember today
Saint Etto
Among many other Saints

Saint Etto
Bishop of Fescau
Etto is also known as Hetto and Hitto. He was an Irish missionary bishop in Belgium. He served as Abbot of Saint Peter’s monastery at Fescau and as Bishop of Fescau.
He died in 670 and was proclaimed a saint.
Saint Etto
Pray for us!

July 11
Let us remember today
Saint Olga of Kiev
Among many other Saints

Saint Olga of Kiev.
Also known as Helena, Helga, Olga Prekrasa, Olga the Beauty and Olha.
 She was born in 879 at Pskov, Russia. In 903, she married Igor I duke of Kiev, a Varangarian prince. After her husband’s assassination in
in 945, Olga took over the reign of the country and exacted a bloody revenge on her husband’s assassins. She had them scalded to death and hundreds of their supporters were murdered. She ruled the country ably as regent for her son, Svyastoslav until he came of age on 964. Olga then became a Christian. She was baptized at Constantinople about 957 and changed her lifestyle. She devoted herself to converting the Russian people to Christianity but sadly, she was not very successful as she was not even able to convert her own son, Svyastoslav. Her efforts did lay some of the groundwork for the far more fruitful efforts of her grandson Prince Saint Vladimir.
She died on 11 July 969 in Kiev.
Saint Olga
Pray for us!

All ye holy saints pray for us. :D

July 12
Today we remember
Saint Veronica
Among many other Saints

Saint Veronica
Veronica was the woman of Jerusalem who wiped the face of Jesus Christ with a veil when He was on His way to Calvary.
According to legend, when Christ was carrying His Cross to Calvary, an unknown woman offered Him a cloth to wipe His brow, and when He returned it to her, it bore the imprint of His Face. In time, this unknown woman came to be known as “Veronica” (Vera-true; icon-image). What happened to her after this incident is told in a variety of legends. In one version, she went to Rome and cured Emperor Tiberius with her relic. In another version, she is the wife of Zacchaeus, the tax collector who climbed the sycamore tree in Luke 19:1-10; and other versions also exist. Suffice it to say that there is no factual information about her, only the fact that she wiped the Lord’s Face and Jesus rewarded her with His holy image imprinted on the cloth.
On her death, Veronica bequeathed the holy relic to Pope Saint Clement.
The relic is still preserved in Saint Peter’s and the memory of Veronica’s act of charity is commemorated in the Stations of the Cross. She is represented by a woman holding a cloth that bears the image of Christ’s face
Saint Veronica
Pray for us!

St. Veronica pray for us. . .

Here's an unfinished page on devotion to the Holy Face, (http://saintsprayers.net/Devotions,%20Litanies,%20and%20Novenas%20-%20Devotion%20to%20the%20Holy%20Face.htm) not completed so not off the main website, but since it's St. Veronica's day perhaps people will like reading bits of it here..

I very much find myself full of the thought expressed in the revelations of St. Gertrude about works of charity exceeding sins..

It makes me think of filling up the moments with little works of charity, rather than anything that is focused on the self one's own desires. But how to begin! And how to continue?

July 13
Today we remember
Saint Clelia Barbieri
Among many other Saints

Saint Clelia Barbieri
Founder of the Little Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows.
Clelia, also known as Cloelia Barbieri, was born on 13 February 1847 in Budrio, Emilia, Italy. She was the daughter of Joseph and Hyacintha Nanetti Barbieri. From her earliest life, Clelia paid no attention to this world, only the spiritual life mattered and she was focused on this.
She founded the Little Sisters on May 1, 1864. The archbishop of Bologna, Lucida Maria Cardinal Parocchi, blessed the Little Sisters and their work which was to minister to the sick, the elderly , the lonely and the poor. The members of Clelia’s congregation are also called the Minims of Our Lady of Sorrows.
Clelia died very suddenly on 13 July 1870 at the age of 23 at Bundrio, Italy. She reportedly died of tuberculosis. Since her death, her voice has been mysteriously heard singing along with the nuns, in the convents she founded.
She was canonized on 9 April 1989 by Pope John Paul II. Clelia is the patron of people ridiculed for their piety.
Saint Clelia Barbieri
Pray for us!

This reminds me of a saint whom God called His nightingale..

St. Mechtilde. :D

How blessed the saint was.

July 14
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Francis Solano
Among many other Saints.

Saint Francis Solano
Franciscan Missionary to Lima, Peru.
He is also known as Francis Solanus, Thaumaturgus of the New World or Wonder Worker of the New World. He was born on 10 March 1549 in Andalusia, Spain. His parents, Matthew Sanchez Solanus and Anna Ximenes, were reportedly, noble and pious. He joined the
Franciscan at the age of 20. For two decades, Francis worked in Spain, becoming known for his teaching and conversions. At his request, Francis was sent as a missionary to Peru in in 1589 and for the rest of his life, he worked for the welfare of the Indians and the Spanish Colonists in South America. He learned the dialects and customs of Indian tribes; served as custodian of Franciscan houses in Argentina, Paraguay, and finally in Lima, Peru. He reportedly had tremendous success in his preaching and had many converts earning him the nickname, “ Wonder Worker of the New World” in recognition of his extraordinary achievement.
Francis died on 14 July 1610 at Lima. He was canonized on 27 December 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII.
Saint Francis Solano
Pray for us!

July15
Let us remember today
Saint Vladimir I of Kiev
Among many other Saints

Saint Vladimir I
Grand Prince of Kiev, Ukraine.
Prince of Novgorod.
The Apostle of the Russians and Ruthenians.
From Catholic Encyclopedia, Ruthenians are “A Slavic people from Southern Russia, Galicia and Bukowina in Austria, and North-eastern Hungary.”
Vladimir was born in 956 in Kiev as Vladimir Svyatoslavich. He was the illegitimate son of Grand Duke Svyatoslav of Kiev and his mistress Malushka.  He was raised as a pagan. In 970, his father gave him Novgorod to rule. When his father died, however, things changed. His stepbrother, Yaropolk, defeated and killed another stepbrother named Oleg, and captured the great city of Novgorod. Vladimir fled to Scandinavia. The following year, with the help of an uncle, Vladimir returned to Russia and stormed Kiev, conquered Novgorod and killed Yaropolk. He embarked on other campaigns which saw him ruler of Russia. He was notorious for his cruelty and barbarity. According to SQPN,” Christianity had made some progress in Kiev, but Vladimir remained pagan, had seven wives, established temples, and participated in idolatrous rites, possibly involving human sacrifice.”
Around the year 987, Byzantine Emperor Basil II sought military aid from Vladimir in suppressing a revolt. In 988, Vladimir, impressed by the progress of Christianity, married Princess Anne, daughter of Emperor Basil ( His sister according to other sources), and became a Christian the following year. His conversion marked the beginning of Christianity in Russia. He reformed his life, putting aside his seven former wives( five according to other sources) and tried to live uprightly.
He built schools and churches, destroyed idols, brought Greek missionaries to Russia and even exchanged ambassadors with Rome. Despite the personal reforms mentioned, a touch of his autocratic tendencies showed itself in that those who refused baptism were harshly treated and his evangelization was accompanied by compulsion and fear.
Towards the end of his life, Vladimir was troubled by rebellions led by the sons from his earlier marriages. Two of his sons by Anne, Romanus( Boris) and David( Gleb), became saints.
Vladimir died on 15 July 1015 at Berestova, near Kiev, while leading a campaign against one of his rebellious sons, Yaroslav in Novgorod. He reportedly gave all his possessions to his friends and to the poor on his deathbed.
It is my understanding that he is the patron of Russian Catholics.
Saint Vladimir,
Pray for us!

July 16
Today we remember
Saint Helier
Among many other Saints

Saint Helier
Martyr.
He is also known as Helerous and Hielier. He was born at Tongres, Belgium and raised a Christian by a priest named Cunibert, who, unfortunately, was murdered by Helier’s pagan father. Later, Helier spent some time with Saint Marcou ( Marculf, Marculfus) at Nanteuil and then became a hermit on the Isle of Jersey where he reportedly lived in a cave. He was, reportedly, murdered by some local inhabitants in Jersey, England, while giving a sermon.
Saint Helier
Pray for us!

All ye saints pray for us!

July 17
Let us remember today
The Seven Apostles of Bulgaria
Among many other Saints

The Seven Apostles of Bulgaria
This is a group of apostles honored in the Bulgarian liturgy for their role in bringing Christianity to Bulgaria. The Seven are: Cyril and Methodius, Clement of Okhride. Sabas, Nahum. Angelarius, and Gorazd.
The Seven Apostles of Bulgaria
Pray for us!

July 18.
Today we remember
Saint Theneva
Among many other Saints

Saint Theneva
She is also known as Thaney, Thenaw, Thenew, Thenog, Thenova, etc.
She was reportedly a British princess. As we saw from the biography of her son, Kentigern, when she was found to be with child of an unknown man, she was, reportedly again, hurled from a cliff. She landed at the foot of the cliff where she was discovered still alive. She was set adrift in a boat on the Firth of Forth ( according to Wikipedia, the Firth of Forth is the estuary of Scotland's River Forth). She reached Culross where she was given shelter by Saint Serf. She delivered her baby and Serf named him Mungo which means "dear one" .
He became the foster father of her son, Saint Kentigern( Mungo).
Saint Theneva is the patron saint of Glasgow, Scotland jointly with her son, Saint Kentigern.
Saint Theneva,
Pray for us!

St. Kentigern and St. Theneva, pray for us! Ye seven apostles of Bulgaria, pray for us!

July 19
Let us remember today
Saint Macrina the Younger
Among Many other Saints

Saint Macrina the Younger
Macrina the Younger was born in 327 at Caesarea, Cappadocia. She was the granddaughter of Saint Macrina the Elder, so called to distinguish between the two of them. She was the sister of Saint Basil the Great, Saint Gregory of Nyssa, and Saint Peter of Sebastea. She was reportedly well educated, especially in scripture. When she was twelve years old, she was engaged to a young lawyer. Unfortunately, her fiancé died before the wedding. Macrina refused other offers of marriage, deciding instead, to dedicate her life to God. When her father died, she and her mother retired to the family estate of Pontus where they lived a life of prayer and contemplation in a community of women they formed there. When her mother died, Macrina became head of the group and lived in Pontus until her own death there in 379.
Saint Macrina the Younger
Pray for us!

Saints Macrina pray for us!

St. Basil, St. Gregory, St. Peter, pray for us!  :D

July 20
Today we remember
Saint Ansegius
Among many other Saints

Saint Ansegius
Ansegius was born around the year 770 in Lyonnais, France. At the age of eighteen, he became a Benedictine monk at Fontenelle. One of his his relatives, Saint Girowald, was abbot there and saw that Ansegius was a holy man with learning. He sponsored him before Emperor Charlemagne who appointed him to reform the Saint Sixtus abbey near Rheims and Saint Memius in a place called Chalone-sur-Marne in France. Ansegius did his best and Charlemagne was so pleased with his effort and what he achieved that he appointed Ansegius abbot of Floy or Saint Germer, in the Bauvais region of France.
Under Louis the Pious, Charlemagne’s son and heir, Ansegius became abbot of Fontenelle in 823. He reigned for 10 years during which period, he supervised the building of a great library in Rouen which became renowned for its vast collection of original works.  Ansegius also wrote treaties on the religious life.
He died on July 20, 833 or 834.
Saint Ansegius
Pray for us!

St Macrina, St. Ansegius, pray for us!!

St. Ansegius, St. Sixtus, St. Girowald, and St. Memius pray for us!  :D

July 21
Today we remember
Saint Praxedes
Among many other Saints

Saint Praxedes
According to legend, Praxedes, whose birth date is unknown, was the daughter of a Roman senator named Pudens, and the sister of Saint Prudentiana. She reportedly helped care for and hide Christians during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. She died on July 21, 164 in Rome. She was buried in the catacombs of Saint Priscilla, near Saint Prudentiana. Scholars have shown doubt that the two were actually sisters or that Pudens was even her father. A basilica in Rome is dedicated to her and her relics are there in the Saint Praxedes Church.
Saint Praxedes
Pray for us!

July 22
Today we remember
Saint Dabius
Among many other Saints

Saint Dabius
Among many other Saints
Saint Dabius, also known as Davius, was an Irish missionary to Scotland. Several churches there bear his name. He may earlier, have been a spiritual student of Saint Patrick.
Saint Dabius
Pray for us!

St. Dabius, St. Praxedes, St. Priscilla, St. Prudentia, pray for us!

July 23
Today we remember
Saint Romula
Among many other Saints

Saint Romula
Romula was a hermitess. She lived with Saint Redempta, who was raised and instructed in the life of a hermitess by Saint Herundo in Palestine. The two, together with another woman, lived near the church Mary Major in Rome in about 575. They formed a small community in Rome, earning the praise of Pope Saint Gregory I, also known as Gregory the Great. For the last years of her life, Romula was stricken with paralysis and was bedridden.
She died in 580
Saint Romula
Pray for us!

July 24
Today we remember
Saint Christina the Astonishing
Among many other Saints

Saint Christina the Astonishing
Christina the Astonishing is also known as Christina Mirabilis. She was born to a peasant family in 1150 at Brusthem near Liege, Belgium. She was orphaned when three years old and was raised by two older sisters. When Christiana was about 21, she had an epileptic fit and it seemed like she died in the attack and was pronounced dead. During her funeral Mass, however, Christina suddenly soared to the roof of the church. When the priest ordered her to come down, she did so. She said that she had been to hell, purgatory, and heaven, and had been allowed to return to earth to pray for the suffering souls in purgatory. This was just one of the astonishing events that reportedly took place during her lifetime.
She could not stand the odor of other people , in other words, she could smell sin and to avoid human contact or smell, she resorted to such extraordinary means as climbing trees, soaring up, and reportedly, even hiding in ovens! etc. She lived a life of poverty and was thought to be insane by many though others venerated her.
Christina spent the last years of her life in Saint Catherine’s convent at Saint Trond, where she died on 24 July 1224.
She is patron against against insanity,
Saint Christina,
Pray for us!

St. Christina the Astonishing has long been a favorite for me, ever since I first learned of her life.

St. Christina, pray for us!

And what an amazing life that was! O:)

If the miracle of her coming to life after being pronounced dead had happened here and now, she would most likely be murdered by the mourners!
Some time this year a man had reportedly died, the body was  put in a coffin and was being taken for burial when he started knocking on the roof of the coffin which he eventually split open and struggled out. The mourners at first scattered, terrified. Then some gained courrage, returned and attacked the hapless man, killing him and then took the dead body for burial!
One wonders why they wept at all  :(

St Cristina , pray for us!  :crucifix:


Its a crazy world we live in!  :faint:

July 25
Today we remember
Saint Christopher
Among many other Saints

Saint Christopher.
Martyr.
Christopher, also known as Cristobal, Kester, Kitts and Offero, was born in Canaan. Not much is known about him. His fame derives from the legend of him being a “Christ-bearer”. According to this legend, Christopher was an ugly giant who made his living carrying people across a river. One day a small child asked for a ride and Christopher put him on his shoulder and off he went wading into the water. With each step that he took, the child he carried grew heavier and Christopher struggled, fearing for his life. The child then revealed to him that he was Christ (Christopher means Christ bearer) and the heaviness was caused by the weight of the world he was carrying on his shoulders. Because of this legend, Saint Christopher is the patron saint of motor travelers. He is also patron of America, so I have read. :)
Saint Christopher is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers who appeared to Saint Joan of Arc.
He was, reportedly, martyred in 251 in Lycia, Asia Minor, now Turkey, in the persecutions of Decius.
Saint Christopher
Pray for us!

July 26
Let us remember today
Blessed George Swallowell
Among many other Saints and Blesseds
 

Blessed George Swallowell
Martyr
George was born in Shadforth, Durham, England. He became a Protestant minister and a schoolmaster but later he returned to the Catholic Church. He was arrested and charged with being a Catholic convert, He was convicted and executed on 26 July 1594 at Darlington, England.
He was beatified on 15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI
Canonization is pending.
Blessed George Swallowell
Pray for us!

This reminds me of St. Robert Southwell. Similar names, both English.

Robert Southwell and George Swallowell, hmmm, ok the surnames sort of sound the same I'll give you that , but as to similas Shin? ;D

Well, if one wrote a poem about them, there'd be no problem with the rhyme. Haha!

So too they did both die for the crime of being Catholic.   :crucifix:

That, sadly, is only too true. :(

July 27
Today we remember
Saint Aurelius
Among many other Saints.

Saint Aurelius
Martyr.
According to his biography by Saint Eulogius of Toledo, Aurelius' father was a Moslem and his mother a Spanish woman. Both parents died while he was still a child. He was then secretly raised a Christian by his aunt. This was during the Moorish occupation of Spain and their persecution of Christians. When he was grown, Aurelius married a woman called Sabigotho. She too came from a family background similar to his; she was half Moor. He converted her to Christianity and she took the name of Natalia.
Aurelia and Natalie befriended a Christian monk, George of Jerusalem. The three of them were arrested by the Moors and beheaded for the faith on 27 July 852
Their Memorials falls on this day.
Saint Aurelius,
Pray for us!
Saint Natalia
Pray for us!
Saint George
Pray for us!

Amen

July 28
Today we remember
Saint Botwid
Among many other Saints

Saint Botwid
Martyr.
Saint Botwid, also known as Botuid, Botuidus and Botwinus , was born in Sweden and raised a pagan. He became a Christian while on a journey to England. He returned to Sweden as a missionary and was murdered on 1120
by a Finnish slave whom he had set free. Botwid had reportedly  converted the slave who subsequently rejected the faith.
He was canonized Pre-Congregation
Saint Botwid
Pray for us!

St. Botwid pray for us!

July 29
Today we remember
Saint Flora
Among many other Saints

Saint Flora
Martyr.
Flora was One of 23 Christians martyred in the persecutions of Gallienus. No other information has survived. She was martyred with  Lucille, Antoninus, Eugene, Theodore and eighteen other companions.
They were martyred in 260.
Saint Flora, and Companions,
Pray for us!

July 30
Today we remember
Saint Tatwine of Canterbury
Among many other Saints

Saint Tatwine
Archbishop of Canterbury.
Tatwine was an Englishman. He became a monk at Bredon and was eventually named archbishop of Canterbury in 731. He succeeded Brithwald. Tatwine was reportedly much respected by Saint Bede. According to Saint Bede, Tatwine authored several works, including a grammar and riddles. He died in 734.
Saint Tatwine
Pray for us!

July 31
Today we remember
Saint Neot
Among many other Saints

Saint Neot
Hermit.
According to Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints, Neot was a monk at Glastonbury Abbey in England. He was ordained, but left the abbey to become a hermit in Cornwall, an area that later became known as Saint Neot. According to tradition, Neot was related to King Alfred the Great who used to visit him for advise. Somewhat unkindly, the Saint was called " the Pigmy Saint", awing to the fact that he was, reportedly, just 15 inches tall.
He died in 877. His relics are at Saint Neot's church, Cambridgeshire, England, and at the abbey of Bee, Normandy, France
He was canonized,
Pre-Congregation
Saint Neot
Pray for us!

St Neot, pray for us!


Do not let any occasion of gaining merit pass without taking care to draw some spiritual profit from it; as, for example, from a sharp word which someone may say to you; from an act of obedience imposed against your will; from an opportunity which may occur to humble yourself, or to practice charity, sweetness, and patience. All of these occasions are gain for you, and you should seek to procure them; and at the close of that day, when the greatest number of them have come to you, you should go to rest most cheerful and pleased, as the merchant does on the day when he had had most chance for making money; for on that day business has prospered with him.

-- Saint Ignatius of  Loyola

Saint Ignatius of Loyola
Please pray for us

August.
The Month of August is Dedicated to The Immaculate Heart of Mary

August 1
Today is the Memorial of
Saints Faith, Hope and Charity
Among any other Saints

Saints Faith, Hope and Charity.
Martyrs.
According to legend, Faith, Hope and Charity were the daughters of Wisdom, known as Sophia in the Roman Martyrology. Sophia was a widow living in Rome.
The daughters suffered martyrdom during Hadrian’s persecutions of Christians.
Faith, twelve, was scourged, and boiling pitch was poured on her but she remained unharmed. She was subsequently beheaded.
Hope, ten and Charity , nine, were also heheaded after emerging unscathed from a furnace. Wisdom, their mother, died three days later while praying at their graves.
Faith, hope and Charity are also called: Fides, Spes and Caritas in Latin, and Pistis, Elpis and Agape in Greek.
Saints Faith, Hope and Charity.
Pray for us!
1:
SQPN
2:
Our Sunday Visitor Encyclopedia Of Saints.
By Matthew Bunson, Stephen Bunson, Margaret Bunson:
3:
Dictionary of Saints by John J. Delaney

August 2
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Plegmund
Among many other Saints

Saint Plegmund
Archbishop of Canterbury
Plegemund was born in Mercia England, and was a hermit near Cheshire. According to Our Sunday Visitor Encyclopedia Of Saints, Plegemund was the tutor of King Alfred the Great, and at the request of Alfred, Pope Stephen V or IV, appointed him archebishop of Canterbury.
According to Dictionary of Saints by John J. Delaney, however, Plegemund became a member of King Arthur’s court and at Arthur’s request was named Archbishop of Canterbury in 890 and consecrated in Rome by Pope Formosus. In 908, Plegemund returned to Rome probably to secure approval of his archbishopric by Pope Sergius III since Formosus’ consecrations were condemned in 897 and 905.
He died at Canterbury in 923.
Saint Plegmund
Pray for us!

It's also St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori's day, a saint we have so many wonderful quotes from!  :D

Will post him this time next year, if it be the Lord's Will.  :)
 St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori,
Pray for us!

August 3
Today we remember
Saint Gamaliel
Among many other Saints

Saint Gamaliel
Gamaliel was one of the great teaches of the law.  As found in Acts 22:3, he was Saint Paul’s teacher in Jerusalem. Gamaliel counseled the Jewish Sanhedrin in Jerusalem to release Saint Peter and the Apostles who had been arrested for preaching. They were flogged then released.
According to an ancient tradition, Gamaliel later became a Christian. The finding of his body in Jerusamen is celebrated on this day, August 3 by early Christians.
Saint Gamaliel
Pray for us!

August 4
Today is the Memorial of
Saint Ia
Among many other Saints

Saint Ia
Martyr.
Ia was a Greek slave. She was reportedly so very success in converting Persian women to the faith that she was arrested during the persecution of Christians by King Shapur II of Persia; tortured for months in an attempt to force her to apostatize but to no avail. She was flogged and subsequently beheaded in 360.
Saint Ia
Pray for us!

St Ia, brave martyr Saint, pray for us!!

August 5
Today we remember
Saint Nonna
Among many other Saints

Saint Nonna
Nonna was the wife of Saint Gregory of Nazianzen the Elder. Mother of Saint Gregory Nazianzen the Younger, Saint Caesarius of Nazianzen, and Saint Gorgonia ( Gorgonius). She was a Christian when she married Gregory, a magistrate at Nazianzus, Cappadocia. Gregory was a member of a a Jewish pagan group, the Hypsistarians ( Hypsistorians). She converted him to the Christian faith. He became a priest and then a bishop. All of their children became Saints. Nonna outlived her husband and the latter two children.
She died in 374 and was canonized Pre-Congregation.
Saint Nonna
Pray for us!

August 6
Today we remember
The Martyrs of Cardena
Among many other Saints

The Martyrs of Cardena
Sometime in the 8th century, more than two hundred Benedictine monks, in the monastery of Cardena, Spain, under Abbot Stephen, were put to death by Arabs during their conquest of the peninsula.
They were beatified in 1603.
 Martyrs of Cardena,
Pray for us!

August 7
Today we remember
Blessed Agathangelus Nourry
Among many other Saints and Blesseds

Blessed Agathangelus Noury
Martyr.
Agathangelus, who is also known as Agathangelo, was born on 31 July 1598 near Vendome in France. He was baptized Francis. He entered the Capuchin monastery at Le Mans in 1619 and was ordained a priest in 1625 taking the name of Agathangelo. After preaching in France for a while, he was sent as a missionary to Aleppo, Syria where he became known as an Arabic scholar because he published Catholic works in Arabic.
In 1633, Agathangelus was sent to Cairo and was joined there by Father Cassian Lopez Neto. The two priests worked together to bring the Coptic Christians into communion with Rome. A synod of Coptics in 1637, to discuss reunion failed dismally reportedly because many Catholics in Cairo at the time were notorious for their dissolute lifestyles; from the French consul down through his staff, to the others in the consulate. Agathangelus attempted to excommunicate the worst of the offenders. He wrote to the prefect of propaganda in Rome for authotity to excommunicate. Before receiving a reply, however, he left with Father Cassian to establish a Capuchin mission in Ethiopia.
In 1638, through the influence of one Peter Heyling, a Lutheran doctor who hated Catholicism, they were arrested at Dibarua, near Suakim, and taken in chains before King Gondar( King Basilides, from other accounts). They were tried and found guilty of interfering with Ethiopian religious matters. They were hanged by the cords of their Franciscan habits.
Both were beatified in 1905 by Pope Pius X.
Canonization is pending.
Blessed Agathangelus Noury
Pray for Aleppo; pray for Syria; pray for us!
Blessed Cassian Vaz Lopez Neto
Pray for us!

It's so important to spread the works of the saints to folks everywhere! I am glad to hear of a blessed scholar publishing works in Arabic! :D

It is hard to imagine that Christianity was there in all these areas before Islam was. :(

I found this bit of information worth pondering over. It follows, does it not, that Christianity is where it is today; i.e. divided and weak; completely wiped out from some areas of the world where it was once dominant, as a consequence of our own lackuster approach to the Faith. It is like God is punishing us Christians the way He punished the Isaelites and allowed them to be scattered from the land He gave them. :(

August 8
Today we remember
Saint Famianus
Among many other Saints

Saint Famianus
Hermit
He is also known as Famian and as Quardus. He was born in 1090 at Cologne, Germany He went on a pilgrimage to Rome, the Holy Lands, and Compostela in Spain. He remained at Compostela as a hermit and stayed for 25 years at San Placido on the River Minho. When a Cistercian abbey was built nearby, he joined the Order. In time, Famianus made a second pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and on to Umbria in Italy, where he died in 1150 at Gallese.
Saint Famianus
Pray for us!

I talk to my Egyptian Coptic Orthodox neighbors and learn a few things. Egypt now has majority Muslims. My neighbor told me how the Muslims invaded years back and persecuted the Coptic Orthodox. If anyone spoke Coptic their tongues were cut off by the Muslim invaders. So now in the present time Coptic has been wiped out and only Arabic is spoken. Even my neighbor speaks Arabic.
We must pray for the return of these people to the Roman Catholic Church. I see their strong faith, orthodoxy and piety but they still need to return to Rome , to the Vicar of Christ on earth.  :crucifix:

August 9
Today we remember
Saints Firmus and Rusticus
Among many other Saints

Saints Firmus and Rusticus
Martyrs.
According to Our Sunday Visitor Encyclopedia Of Saints.
the two were martyrs of Bergamo, Lombardy in Italy. Sources differ however, as according to SQPN , the two were born in North Africa.
They were supposedly related to each other and prominent citizens of Bergamo. They were martyred in 290 in Verona during the severe persecutions of Emperor Maximian in that region.
Saints Firmus,
Pray for us!
Saint Rusticus,
Pray for us!

August 10
Today we remember
Saint Blane
Among many other Saints

Saint Blane
Bishop
Blane, also known as Blaan; Blan, was born in the 6th century on the island of of Bute, Scotland . He went to Ireland and studied there for seven years subsequentyl becaming a monk there. When he returned to Scotland, he was ordained and devoted himself to missionary work. He was consecrated bishop. Blane made a pilgrimage to Rome to seek papal blessing on his bishopric.
The Saint was credited with performing miracles.
He died in 590 at a place then known as Kingarth, but now called Dunblane, on Bute island.
Canonized pre congregation.
Saint Blane
Pray for us!

August 11
Today we remember
Saint Alexander of Comana
Among many other Saints

Saint Alexander of Comana
Bishop and Martyr.
Alexander was born Greek and pagan. He was well born and well educated. He converted to Christianity while still in his native land, subsequently going to Comana, Pontus in Asia Minor. Here, he chose to be a Charcoal Burner. He did this to practice humility. Because of this trade, he is also known as Alexander the Charcoal Burner( Carbonarius). Alexander was chosen by Saint Gregory Thaumaturgus to be the bishop of Comana, Pontus, located along the Southern Black sea. Saint Gregory had interviewed many candidates for the bishopric but was unable to find a suitable candidate. When Alexander’s name was derisively suggested, he interviewed him and found him a wise and holy man worthy of being a bishop.
Alexander was burned alive for his faith in 275 at Comana during Decius' persecution of Christians.
Saint Alexander,
Pray for us!

St. Blane, St. Alexander, and St. Philomena pray for us!

August 12
Today we remember
Saint Gracilian
Among many other Saint

Saint Gracilian
Martyr.
He is also known as Gratiliano. He was a Christian in prison in Faleria, Italy, awaiting execution for his faith during the Diocletian persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. He cured a young blind girl named Felicissima. She was so amazed at the miracle and holiness of Gracillian that she converted to the Christian faith. She was promptly arrested and both were beheaded.304.
Saint Gracilian
Pray for us!
Saint Felicissima,
Pray for us!

St. Gracilian, St. Felicissima, pray for us!

What a fine name, sounds of 'grace' in English. :D

And I believe Felicissima's name root means 'happy'.

August 13
Today is the Memorial  of
Saint Cassian of Imola
Among many other Saints

Saint Cassian
Martyr,
Cassian was a Christian teacher at Imola, near Ravenna in Italy( Date unknown except that it was in the 4th century).
He was brought before the governor of the province during the persecutions of Christians. He was ordered to sacrifice to pagan gods. He refused. He was hacked to death by his students by order of the governor. Prudentius reportedly recorded the grisly martyrdom of Saint Cassian, noting that the students could not wield mortal blows, thus prolonging his agony.
Saint Cassian
Pray for us!

St. Cassian, pray for us!

I wonder how many would refuse today? Some folks seem to think it's a good thing for everyone to do together!

St. Cassian reminds me of St. John Cassian.

Sts. Cassian, pray for our grace and virtue!

August 14
Today we remember
Saint Werenfridus
Among many other Saints

Saint Werenfridus
Missionary.
He is also known as Werenfrid and Werenfried. He was born in England; became a Benedictine monk and traveled to the Netherlands where he became an assistant to Saint Willibrord in their very successful effort to convert the Frisians.
He died in 780 at Arnhem, in the Netherlands.
He is the patron saint against gout and stiff joints. ( don't ask me why.  ;D )
Saint Werenfridus
Pray for us!

August 15.
It is the day we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary our Spiritual Mother.
On this day we commemorate the death of Mary and her bodily assumption into Heaven. God did not allow her precious body to go the way of the bodies of us all, i.e decay.
Mary is in heaven now body and soul. At the end of time, we too will reunite with our resurrected bodies and join her in eternal life.
Happy Feast Day.

August 15
Today we remember
Saint Tarcisius
Among many other Saints

Saint Tarcisius
Martyr
He is also known as Tarsicius. According to Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints, quoting from one of the Epigrammata written by Pope Saint Damasus I, Tarcisius was possibly a deacon in Rome. It was the Saint’s custom to bring the Blessed Sacrament to Christians locked away in Roman prisons. On one such a mission, he was accosted by a mob on the Appian Way. When he refused to surrender the Sacred Hosts, he was beaten to death. According to Dictionary of Saints by John J. Delaney, the incident is included in Cardinal Wiseman’s novel, Fabiola. Dictionary of Saints also mentions the fact the Poe Damasus wrote a poem about it.
His relics were originally placed in the catacombs of Saint Callistus, but later transferred.
Saint Tarcisiusis the patron saint of First Communicants.
Saint Tarcisius
Pray for us!

Today, August 15 is also the Memorial of another person.  I only learnt about him last Sunday when I saw his name in the Daily Missal. His story so touched me that I wanted others to read about him as well. Here it is:

Blessed Isidore Bakanja
‘Martyr of the Carmelite Brown Scapular.
Blessed Isidore was born in 1887 or thereabouts, the correct date is not known,  at Bokendela. He was born into a fishing community on the banks of the River Botato in the northeast Republic of what was then  known as the Belgian Congo , but is today properly referred to as the Democratic Republic of Congo ( Zaire) , a Central African Republic. His given name was Bakanja.
In 1904, when he was about 16, Bakanja left his village in search of work. He started off working as a stone mason for a state owned construction company. He was assistant to the headman, who was called  Linganga who, as fate would have it, was a Christian, having been baptized only about one year earlier by Cistercian (Trappist) Missionaries .
Bakanja began taking catechism instructions from Trappist missionaries from Westmalle Abbey in Belgium. He was baptized on 6th May 1906, taking the Christian name of “Isidore”. He also started wearing round his neck the Carmelite brown scapular, which they referred to as ‘Bonkoto Malia’ meaning ‘the habit of Mary’. It seems that the missionaries then encouraged all their converts to wear the scapular. They reportedly told the converts that the scapular and the rosary were the means by which they could show their Christian faith to others.
Isidore was confirmed on 25th November 1906 and received Holy Communion for the first time on 8th August 1907.
 Bakanja was a serious, good natured young man.  He took his faith very seriously and was said to be a devout Catholic, very devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary and prayed the Rosary frequently.
After his Confirmation and First Holy Communion, he returned to his village but stayed only a short time before setting off again to find some other means of earning a living.
. This time he got a position as a house boy or domestic servant for an agent of a large white-owned rubber producing company, the Societe Anonyme Belge (SAB).
 His Belgian boss was called Reynders. All was well for a time and Isidore was contented with his life.
In 1908 however, Reynders moved to take a new position at a place called Ikili.
The manager of the new estate was one Andre Van Cauter, a man notorious for his unpredictable rages and brutality. He treated the workers as slaves despite the fact that slavery had officially been abolished. Productivity and profit were all that mattered to him; to crown it all Van Cauter hated Christians with a passion because Christian missionaries preached that all were equal in God’s eyes. He twisted the respectful address,   ‘Mon Père’ (Father), using the term mockingly, derogatively as a catch-phrase for priests and all that had to do with religion.
Isidore had the pious habit of praying.  He prayed often and many times, rosary in hand, he looked for opportunities to share with others what he knew about the Catholic Faith. Many thought of him as a catechist.
His prayerful ways and sharing of his Faith only served to  incense Van Cauter. He forbade Bakanja to pray either alone or with others. Things got from bad to worse when one day Isidore was serving at table for Van Cauter and the Belgian saw that Bakanja was still wearing his brown scapular under his shirt. He demanded Bakanja take it off, and when the young man refused Van Cauter had Bakanja stripped and flogged a total of 25 lashes; still, Isidore would not remove the Scapular from around his neck.
A short while after this incident, after a drinking spree Van Cauter ordered his men to find Bakanja and bring him to him.
Bakanja was brought and when he again refused to take off his scapular, Van Cauter ripped the Scapular from his neck and reportedly threw it to his dogs. He then had some of his men hold Bakanja face down on the ground and ordered first one, then another, to flogged him mercilessly using a specially designed whip made of elephant hide with nails protruding at the end.
 Although reluctant, the men knew if they did not do as they were told they would suffer the same fate, and rather than stand up to injustice they beat Bakanja savagely as ordered.
Isidore cried out  for mercy. "My God, I'm dying", he muttered. But Van Cauter kept kicking him in the neck and head, and ordered his workers to scourge him harder still. After  about 100 lashes, those assisting lost count of the number of blows, Isidore's back was one open wound with some of his bones exposed.
When the men could flog him no more because they were tired, Bakanja was thrown, legs chained, into a hut for processing rubber. He could not move , not even to relieve himself.
He was more or less abandoned here until, quite by chance, an inspector from the company arrived at the estate.
Terrified that he would be found out for his vicious behaviour, Van Cauter
 went to the hut and dragged Bakanja out, ordering him to walk through the bush to a nearby village. With his dreadful wounds, the poor man could hardly stand.  He managed somehow to drag himself along. As soon as Van Cauter was out of sight,
 Bakanja hid himself in the bush by the wayside where, thanks to God, he was later discovered by the inspector, a kind man named Dorpinhaus, who was horrified at the sight of Bakanja.
Here is  a written account of his impression: "I saw a man come from the forest with his back torn apart by deep, festering, malodorous wounds, covered with filth, assaulted by flies. He leaned on two sticks in order to get near me -he wasn't walking; he was dragging himself".
 On hearing Isidore’s sad story, the inspector, full of pity, took him to his own settlement, hoping to help him heal. Despite having his wounds tended and receiving the best of care, Bakanja died of his wounds on 15th August, the Feast of Our Lady’s Assumption, 1909. He died with his scapular around his neck and his rosary clutched in his hand.
From his words, before he died, he was in no doubt as to why he was killed and he also forgave the killer: Listen to this:
‘Tell the people that I have been attacked because I am a Christian.’ and 
‘If the white man beat me that’s his problem, not mine. If I die, I’ll pray for him in heaven.’
He was buried with his scapular around his neck and his rosary still clutched in his hand, as at the time of his death.
Isidore Bakanja was beatified by Pope John Paul II in April 1994.
Blessed Isidore Bakanja
Pray for us!
Ref:
1: EWTN Document Library:
2: 1: a  presentation given  by Carmelite Tertiary Maureen Pickman on the life and death of Blessed Isidore Bakanja, ‘Martyr of the Carmelite Brown Scapular’,
at the York Carmelite Spirituality Group’s February 2010.

With tears in my eyes.
Blessed Isidore Bakanja
Pray for us

 :( :crucifix:

August 16
Today we remember
Saint Roch
Amomg many other Saints

Saint Roch
Saint Roch is also known as Rocco in Italy ; Roque in Spain and still other variants of the same name in other places.
He was born in 1295 at Montpelier, France . He was the son of the governor there. At birth, he was found to have a birth mark in the form of a red cross on his chest. Roch lost his parents when he was twenty years old. He later went on a pilgrimage to Rome and devoted himself to caring for the victims of a plague that was ravaging Italy at the time. He too became a victim at Piacenza but recovered. Roch was reputed to have performed many miracles of healing.
When he returned to Montpelier, his uncle, who was then governor, did not recognize him and ordered him imprisoned for five years as a spy in the disguise of a pilgrim. Roch did not identify himself to his uncle. He died in prison in1327 and was only identified after his death by the afore mentioned birth mark. According to Dictionary of Saints by John J. Delaney, another biographer says that Roch was arrested at Angers, Lombardy, and died in prison there.
Miracles were reported at his intercession after his death.
He patron against cholera , against epidemics , against plague, against knee problems, against skin diseases, etc
Saint Roch
Pray for us!

St. Roch, pray for us!

I have prayed for his help before but I did not know his story!

Blessed Isidore Bakanja, pray for us!! Heart rending story!!   :'(  He died on the Assumption! What a brave martyr....to refuse to take off his scapular.
Saint Roch pray for us!

August 17
Today we remember
Saint Mamas
Among many other Saints

Saint Mamas
Martyr.
Mamas, who is also known as Mammas and also as Mamans, was a shepherd at Caesarea in Cappadocia, now Turkey. He was noted for his faith, for which he was martyred. The Roman Martyrology, reportedly identifies him as the son of Saint Theodotus and Saint Rufina, and that he was executed for his faith in old age during the reign of Emperor Aurelian. An Eastern tradition, on the other hand, reportedly, has him stoned to death while still a boy. Saint Basil and Saint Gregory Nazianzus, both wrote of him.
Saint Mamas,
Pray for us!

August 18
Today we remember
Saint Edburgh of Bicester
Among many other Saints

Saint Edburgh of Bicester.
Edburgh was born in 620 in Mercia, present day England. She was born a princess, the daughter of the pagan King Penda of Mercia. She was the sister of Saint Cuneburga and Saint Edith of Aylesbury and aunt of Saint Osith. ( So many saints in the family!). She became a nun at Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England. The towns of Adderbury and Edburton in England are thought to have been named for her.
She died on 18 July 650 at Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England. Her shrine is at Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire, but her relics were transferred to Flanders, Belgium in 1500 by order of Pope Alexander VI.
Saint Edburgh,
Pray for us!

Let us also remember today
Blessed Victoria Rasoamanarivo
Among others remembered on this day, the 18th of August.

Blessed Victoria Rasoamanarivo
Victoria Rasoamanarivo was born in 1848, in the capital city of Antananarivo, Madagascar.
Her family was one of the most influential in the country; her grandfather served as prime minister and so did her brother in his time. 
She was educated by the Jesuits and by the Sisters of the Congregation of St Joseph of Cluny. At age 15, Victoria was baptized and so became a Catholic. This, however, was a bad time for the Church;  a time of persecutions aimed at the Catholic Church. Her parents tried in vain to get her to give up her faith. Victoria wanted very much to become a nun but instead she was given in marriage to a non Christian; an officer of the royal army; the son of the Prime Minister, no less.
The husband unfortunately lived an immoral life. He was, reportedly, an alcoholic and violent to boot! Victoria, on her part, remained faithful to her vows and refused to divorce him despite the urgings of her parents and of the queen herself.  To her, Christian matrimony was, as per the marriage vows, “for better, for worse”…, i.e. indissoluble.
Her exemplary Christian life gained her the admiration of the court and the people and this approval of her was instrumental in her single handed and successful fight to keep the Faith alive in the country,  after the expulsion of the Catholic missionaries.
She publicly defended the Catholic Church against the authorities and kept the people’s faith alive. She pleaded with the authorities for permission to use the churches that had been closed. When the missionaries returned in 1886 they found a thriving Church, all thanks to her.
Victoria also prayed for the conversion of her husband. In 1888, he was critically injured in a serious accident. He, like Saint Augustine’s father, asked for baptism on his deathbed and received it through his wife.
Victoria, who was by now forty years old and without any children, decided to fulfill her childhood dream and devote herself to charity and the care of the sick.
She died on 21 August 1894 and was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1989.
The Pope described her as  “ a true missionary “ and “ a model for today’s laity”
Blessed Victoria Rasoamanarivo
Pray for us!

August 19
Today we remember the following Saints:
Saint Timothy of Gaza
Saint Thecla
Saint Agapius
Among many other Saints.

St. Thecla! Now there's a famous one!

August 20
Today we remember
Saint Ronald
Among many other Saints

Saint Ronald
Roland was a warrior chieftain in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. He was described as: “elegant and accomplished". Ronald made a vow to build a church and he fulfilled this vow by erecting the Cathedral of Saint Magnus at Kirkwall.
Ronald was murdered in 1158 by a group of warriors rebelling against him, his rule and his religion.  He is considered a martyr in Kirkwall.
Saint Ronald
Pray for us!

I was just pondering a way of translating the following into my daily life:


From Divine Office, Office of Readings, for August 20:


I love because I love, I love that I may love
Love is sufficient of itself, it gives pleasure by itself and because of itself. It is its own merit, its own reward. Love looks for no cause outside itself, no effect beyond itself. Its profit lies in its practice. I love because I love, I love that I may love. Love is a great thing so long as it continually returns to its fountainhead, flows back to its source, always drawing from there the water which constantly replenishes it. Of all the movements, sensations and feelings of the soul, love is the only one in which the creature can respond to the Creator and make some sort of similar return however unequal though it be. For when God loves, all he desires is to be loved in return; the sole purpose of his love is to be loved, in the knowledge that those who love him are made happy by their love of him.
The Bridegroom’s love, or rather the love which is the Bridegroom, asks in return nothing but faithful love. Let the beloved, then, love in return. Should not a bride love, and above all, Love’s bride? Could it be that Love not be loved?
Rightly then does she give up all other feelings and give herself wholly to love alone; in giving love back, all she can do is to respond to love. And when she has poured out her whole being in love, what is that in comparison with the unceasing torrent of that original source? Clearly, lover and Love, soul and Word, bride and Bridegroom, creature and Creator do not flow with the same volume; one might as well equate a thirsty man with the fountain.
What then of the bride’s hope, her aching desire, her passionate love, her confident assurance? Is all this to wilt just because she cannot match stride for stride with her giant, any more than she can vie with honey for sweetness, rival the lamb for gentleness, show herself as white as the lily, burn as bright as the sun, be equal in love with him who is Love? No. It is true that the creature loves less because she is less. But if she loves with her whole being, nothing is lacking where everything is given. To love so ardently then is to share the marriage bond; she cannot love so much and not be totally loved, and it is in the perfect union of two hearts that complete and total marriage consists. Or are we to doubt that the soul is loved by the Word first and with a greater love?

would that we all loved thus!  :crucifix:

August 21
Today we remember
Saint Quadratus
Among many other Saints.

Saint Quadratus
Bishop of Utica.
Martyr.
Quadratus was Bishop of Utica, France, as already noted. The Christians of this region suffered severely under the Romans. Quadratus and most of his flock were martyred in the 3rd century . He was praised by Saint Augustine, who , together  with others in the African Church, reportedly, deeply revered the Saint.
Saint Quadratus,
Pray for us!

It's very good to read and very good to hear from you Reginator!

I think about virtue as uniting us with Christ.. and so to practice virtue, some virtue, all the time.. If one is always doing this.. and keeping this in mind..

Practicing, for example, modesty all the time. . . indoors and out..

Even when we are alone.

August 22
Today we remember
Saint Symphorian of Autun
Among many other Saints

Saint Symphorian of Autun
Martyr.
Symphorian was a Christian of noble birth in Autun, Gaul, during the reign of Septimius Severus. He was ordered by the authorities of Autun, to make sacrifices to the goddess Cybele. When he refused, he was tried by Heraclius, the governor. He was beaten, tortured and finally beheaded. ( reportedly beheaded in 178, 180 or even 200, dates vary.)
Saint Symphorian ,
Pray for us!