Saint of the day and Feast days.

[odhiambo]

Saint  Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi
Discalced Carmelite Mystic and Healer.

Mary Magdalene was born, in the difficult times of the Reformation in Florence, on April 2, 1566, into a distinguished Florentine family. She was baptized with the name Catherine. Members of the family however called her Lucrezia after her paternal grandmother, Lucrezia Mannucci.
Even as a  very young girl Catherine  was attracted to prayer, solitude, and penance. She had a deep devotion for the Eucharist, receiving her First Holy Communion On March 25, 1576, at the San Giovani Convent in Florence where she was educated. A few days later, she made a vow of perpetual virginity. She was just 10 years old.
 In 1582, when she was 16 years old, she entered the Carmelites at Saint Mary of Angels Convent and took the name of Mary Magdalene.
After becoming seriously ill in March 1584, Mary Magdalene experienced numerous ecstasies. She could read people’s minds and performed healing miracles.
Her revelations were recorded and published.
Because of her deep spirituality, Saint Mary Magdalene was able to help the leaders of the Church to implement important reforms.
In the end, the Saint, who had contracted tuberculosis was forced to withdraw from the active life of the community.
She died on May 25, 1607 in Carmel. Her incorrupt body is under the altar of the Church of the Monastery of St. Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi in Careggi, Florence.
She was beatified on May 8, 1626, by Pope Urban VIII, also from Florence, and was canonized by Pope Clement IX on April 28, 1669.
Saint Mary Magdalene,
Pray for us!

[Shin]

St. Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi is a powerful one.  And Pope St. Gregory VII and St. Bede the Venerable!

Collect

'O God, the lover of purity, who didst inflame the breast of blessed Mary Magdalen with the fire of thy love, and enrich it with heavenly graces: grant we may imitate her purity and charity, whose festival we celebrate. Through Christ Our Lord.'

'St. Mary Magdalen of Pazzi was so filled with the love of God that her sisters in the monastery observed it in her love of themselves, and called her "the Mother of Charity" and "the Charity of the Monastery.' - Rev. Alban Butler

VISION OF ST. MAGDALEN OF PAZZI

'One day, when she was praying before the Blessed Sacrament she saw the soul of one of her sisters detained in Purgatory, come out of the earth. She was clothed in a mantle of fire, which hid a robe of dazzling whiteness, and she remained a whole hour at the foot of the altar, adoring in the most profound annihilation God hidden under the eucharistic species. Magdalen having wished to understand the meaning of this, God made her know that this soul was condemned to make this hour's adoration every day, clothed in a mantle of fire, to punish her for having often lost communions through her own fault, and that this robe of such dazzling whiteness was won by her virginity, and caused her great satisfaction. This hour's adoration, which Margaret saw her make, was the last of her expiation, and at its expiration she saw her ascend towards heaven.'

What a special day.. and so many more saints too..

'There are in the world thousands of men who risk death every day at the summons of their lords. Yet, when the interests of the King of Heaven, our Redeemer, are at stake, how many Christians shrink, not from death only, but even from the hatred of other men! And the few — thanks be to God for those few — who dare to resist the wicked openly, and to face death, are not only unsupported by their brethren, but are accused by them of imprudence, and indiscretion, and are treated as fools.'

Pope St. Gregory VII

'I do not desire to die soon, because in Heaven there is no suffering. I desire to live a long time because I yearn to suffer much for the love of my Spouse.'

St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi

'God does not ask of us the perfection of tomorrow, nor even of tonight, but only of the present moment.'

St. Madeline Sophie Barat

'I have loved justice and hated iniquity; therefore, I die in exile.'

Pope St. Gregory VII

'By uniting themselves to the divine will, the saints have enjoyed paradise by anticipation in this life. Accustoming themselves to receive all things from the hands of God, says St. Dorotheus, the men of old maintained continual serenity of soul. St. Mary Magdalene of Pazzi derived such consolation at hearing the words "will of God," that she usually fell into an ecstasy of love. The instances of jangling irritation that are bound to arise will not fail to make surface impact on the senses. This however will be experienced only in the inferior part of the soul; in the superior part will reign peace and tranquility as long as our will remains united with God's. Our Lord assured his apostles: "Your joy no man shall take from you . . . Your joy shall be full." He who unites his will to God's experiences a full and lasting joy: full, because he has what he wants, as was explained above; lasting, because no one can take his joy from him, since no one can prevent what God wills from happening.'

St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

'He who asserts that he cannot be bound by the Church's bonds, confesses that he cannot be loosed by her authority. And he who makes such an assertion, separates himself wholly from Christ.'

Pope St. Gregory VII

Memorials today:

25 Mexican Martyrs
Agustin Caloca
Aldhelm of Sherborne
Atilano Cruz Alvarado
Augustin Caloca Cortés
Bartolomeus Magi of Anghiari
Bede the Venerable
Boniface IV, Pope
Canio
Claritus Voglia
Cristobal Magallanes Jara
David Galván Bermúdez
David Roldán Lara
David Uribe Velasco
Dionysius of Milan
Dunchadh of Iona
Egilhard of Cornelimünster
Genistus
Gennadius of Astroga
Gerbald
Gerius of Monte Santo
Gregory VII, Pope
Heribert of Knechtsteden
Injuriosus
Jacob Philip Bertoni
Jenaro Sanchez Delgadillo
Jesús Méndez Montoya
José Isabel Flores Varela
José Maria Robles Hurtado
Julio Álvarez Mendoza
Julius of Dorostorum
Justino Orona Madrigal
Leo of Troyes
Luis Batiz Sainz
Madeline Sophie Barat
Manuel Moralez
Margarito Flores Garcia
Mary Magdalen of Pazzi
Mateo Correa Magallanes
Maximus of Acquiney
Miguel de la Mora
Nicholas Tsehelsky
Pasicrates of Durostorum
Pedro Esqueda Ramírez
Pedro de Jesus Maldonado Lucero
Peter Van
Philip of Troussey
Rodrigo Aguilar Alemán
Roman Adame Rosales
Sabas Reyes Salazar
Salvador Lara Puente
Sara the Black
Scholastica
Three Marys
Toribio Romo González
Tranquilino Ubiarco Robles
Urban I, Pope
Valentio of Durostorum
Victorinus of Acquiney
Zenobius of Florence

[odhiambo]

May 26

Today is the Feast day of
Saint Philip Neri
Among many other saints.

[odhiambo]

Saint Philip Neri
Missionary and Founder of the Congregation of the Oratory.

Philip was born in Florence, Italy in 1515 to Francesco Neri and his wife. He was one of four children . His mother died when he was still very young and was brought up by a step-mother.
As a young boy, he was so good natured that he was called "Pippo buono," which means "good little Philip”.
He studied under the Dominicans at San Marco.
At the age of 18, Philip was apprenticed to his uncle’s business with the expectation that he would become his heir since his uncle had no child of his own. This , however, was not to be.
Philip left the business in 1533 and traveled to Rome with no money, no definite plan but trusting entirely in the guidance of Divine Providence. All he wanted was to devote himself to God’s service.
He worked as a tutor, practicing stern austerities. In the same year, he embarked on the study of philosophy and theology. After three years of study, he gave it up. He wanted to organize a lay brotherhood to gather together in prayer and also to care for the sick as well as the many pilgrims who came to the city.
Philip used to spend many nights in prayers in the catacomb of San Sebastiano on the Appian Way. While in the catacomb one night, on the eve of Pentecost, 1544, he experienced an ecstasy that, as was proven after his death, enlarged his heart.
Here is an excerpt from Eternal Word Television Network.

“ He was praying on the eve of Pentecost, 1544, when there appeared to him what seemed to be a globe of fire; it entered his mouth and afterwords he felt a dilation of the heart. Immediately he was filled with such paroxysms of divine love that he fell to the ground exclaiming, "Enough, enough, Lord, I can bear no more " When he had come to himself and risen up, he discovered a swelling over his heart, though neither then nor later did it give him pain. From that day on, under stress of spiritual emotion, he was apt to be seized with palpitations; at such times he would ask God to mitigate His visitations lest he should die of love”

Philip devoted himself to his apostolate and soon made his community the Confraternity of the Most Holy Trinity. It was well known throughout the city.

In 1551, Philip was ordained a priest and joined a community at San Girolamo. Here, he became a renowned confessor, said to be capable of reading the hearts of those who visited him. He conducted religious discussions for young men, and he was supported by priests and others who made it possible for him to lay the ground-work for what became the Congregation of the Oratory. It is thought that the name was derived from the oratory room at San Girolamo where the religious meetings were conducted. The congregation was approved by Pope Gregory XIII in 1575.

Philip was a trusted adviser to popes, cardinals, kings as well as peasants and the simple people of the city. For his efforts to reach out to lay people in an attempt to “re-evangelize Rome, he was honored with the title of “ Second Apostle of Rome”.

Towards the end of his life, Philip was seriously ill on several occasions but rallied after being anointed.
He died on May 26, 1595 at the ripe old age of 80 and was canonized in 1622.


Saint Philip Neri,
Pray for us!

Ref: . Our Sunday Visitor Encyclopedia Of Saints.
By Matthew Bunson, Stephen Bunson, Margaret Bunson:

[odhiambo]

Prayer…

Father, kindle in us the fire of the Holy Spirit which so filled the heart of Saint Philip Neri so that , like him, we too may be faithful in serving You, with joy.

Amen!

Taken from:
Saints For All.
Lives of Saints For Every Week.
A Paulines Publication Africa.

[The Reginator]

This is a bit late as I've been away.  Even away from my laptop. *Shudder!*

In honor of the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians (May 24), Pope Benedict XVI composed the following prayer in May 2008. He asked that it be recited every year on May 24, and that May 24 be designated a World Day of Prayer for the Church in China.

    Virgin Most Holy, Mother of the Incarnate Word and our Mother,
    venerated in the Shrine of Sheshan under the title "Help of Christians,"
    the entire Church in China looks to you with devout affection.
    We come before you today to implore your protection.
    Look upon the People of God and, with a mother's care, guide them
    along the paths of truth and love, so that they may always be
    a leaven of harmonious coexistence among all citizens.

    When you obediently said "yes" in the house of Nazareth,
    you allowed God's eternal Son to take flesh in your virginal womb
    and thus to begin in history the work of our redemption.
    You willingly and generously co-operated in that work,
    allowing the sword of pain to pierce your soul,
    until the supreme hour of the Cross, when you kept watch on Calvary,
    standing beside your Son, Who died that we might live.

    From that moment, you became, in a new way,
    the Mother of all those who receive your Son Jesus in faith
    and choose to follow in His footsteps by taking up His Cross.
    Mother of hope, in the darkness of Holy Saturday you journeyed
    with unfailing trust towards the dawn of Easter.
    Grant that your children may discern at all times,
    even those that are darkest, the signs of God's loving presence.

    Our Lady of Sheshan, sustain all those in China,
    who, amid their daily trials, continue to believe, to hope, to love.
    May they never be afraid to speak of Jesus to the world,
    and of the world to Jesus.
    In the statue overlooking the Shrine you lift your Son on high,
    offering him to the world with open arms in a gesture of love.
    Help Catholics always to be credible witnesses to this love,
    ever clinging to the rock of Peter on which the Church is built.
    Mother of China and all Asia, pray for us, now and for ever. Amen!

[odhiambo]

This is a bit late as I've been away.  Even away from my laptop. *Shudder!*

In honor of the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians (May 24), Pope Benedict XVI composed the following prayer in May 2008. He asked that it be recited every year on May 24, and that May 24 be designated a World Day of Prayer for the Church in China.

    Virgin Most Holy, Mother of the Incarnate Word and our Mother,
    venerated in the Shrine of Sheshan under the title "Help of Christians,"
    the entire Church in China looks to you with devout affection.
    We come before you today to implore your protection.
    Look upon the People of God and, with a mother's care, guide them
    along the paths of truth and love, so that they may always be
    a leaven of harmonious coexistence among all citizens.

    When you obediently said "yes" in the house of Nazareth,
    you allowed God's eternal Son to take flesh in your virginal womb
    and thus to begin in history the work of our redemption.
    You willingly and generously co-operated in that work,
    allowing the sword of pain to pierce your soul,
    until the supreme hour of the Cross, when you kept watch on Calvary,
    standing beside your Son, Who died that we might live.

    From that moment, you became, in a new way,
    the Mother of all those who receive your Son Jesus in faith
    and choose to follow in His footsteps by taking up His Cross.
    Mother of hope, in the darkness of Holy Saturday you journeyed
    with unfailing trust towards the dawn of Easter.
    Grant that your children may discern at all times,
    even those that are darkest, the signs of God's loving presence.

    Our Lady of Sheshan, sustain all those in China,
    who, amid their daily trials, continue to believe, to hope, to love.
    May they never be afraid to speak of Jesus to the world,
    and of the world to Jesus.
    In the statue overlooking the Shrine you lift your Son on high,
    offering him to the world with open arms in a gesture of love.
    Help Catholics always to be credible witnesses to this love,
    ever clinging to the rock of Peter on which the Church is built.
    Mother of China and all Asia, pray for us, now and for ever. Amen!

You know what they say Reginator, better late than never. I did not know about this date and the connection with the Church in China till I read your post the other day. Somebody else may also not be aware, so better late than never

[odhiambo]

May 27

Today is the Feast day of
Saint Augustine of Canterbury
Among many other saints.

[odhiambo]

Saint Augustine of Canterbury

He is also known as
Apostle to the Anglo-Saxons
Apostle of England.
Austin of Canterbury

Augustine was the first archbishop of Canterbury. He was a Roman, born in Rome, Italy. He was serving in the Church at Rome as a prior in the monastery of Saint Andrew. In 596, Pope Saint Gregory the Great selected him to lead 40 companions to evangelize England. Missionaries had gone to Britain years before but the Saxon conquest of England had seriously undermined the faith. Many in the group, after hearing terrifying stories of the cruelty and barbarity of those they hoped to evangelize, wanted to return to Rome, but Saint Augustine would not allow it. ( I have read another account in which the monks were so frighteded by the tales that they actually did turn back to Rome. The Pope however gave them no choice in the matter; they had to go to England).
They landed at Ebbsfleet on Thames in 597. King Saint Ethelbert of Kent welcomed them and was baptized within a short time.
Many in the kingdom, besides the king, were converted. Augustine then went to Arles , France where Saint Virgilius, archbishop of Arles, consecrated him bishop of the English with his see at Canterbury. More missionaries arrived from Rome to help with the new task.
By the time of his death, Augustine had established and spread the faith throughout England.
He died of natural causes on 26 May 605 in Canterbury, England .
His remains were enshrined in his cathedral.
His canonization was Pre-Congregation .
He is the patron saint of England. In liturgical art, Saint Augustine is represented by a bishop baptizing a king.

Saint Augustine of Canterbury,
Pray for us!

[odhiambo]

While reading the biography of Saint Augustine, I learnt that he had to be very careful because, although the English had embraced the new religion they still respected the old. Under the wise orders of Gregory the Great, Augustine aided the growth from the ancient traditions to the new life by consecrating pagan temples for Christian worship and turning pagan festivals into feast days of martyrs. Canterbury was built on the site of an ancient church.

[odhiambo]

Today is the Feast day of
Saint Germanus
Among many other saints.

[odhiambo]

Saint Germanus
Bishop of Paris.
Also known as
Father of the Poor

Germanus was born in 496 in Autun ( Augustodonum), France. He was ordained a priest, by Saint Agrippinus of Autun. Later he was made abbot of Saint Symphorian’s monastery. He was especially known for his charity to the poor. In 555, Germanus was appointed bishop of Paris by King Childebert I. He wielded a lot of influence at the royal court.
When Childebert died, Germanus worked to prevent the bloody power struggle that soon followed. He excommunicated Charibert I for his brutal behavior.
Germanus also predicted that Sigebert I , King of what was then Austrasia, would die if he continued to use German troops against his own brother Chilperic.
It appears that the King did not heed the Saints’ words because he was murdered in 575.

Germanus died of natural causes on 28th of May, 576. He was eighty years old.
He was buried in the church of Saint Germain des Pres, named in his honor and built for him by King Childebert I, whom he had converted and cured from an unnamed illness.
His canonization was Pre-Congregation

Saint Germanus,
Pray for us!

[odhiambo]

May 29

Today is the Feast day of
Saint Cyril
Among many other saints

[odhiambo]

Saint Cyril
Child Martyr

Cyril lived during the time of the persecutions of Christians that occurred during the third century. He was a young lad in Caesarea, Cappadocia (Now Turkey).
Cyril had converted to Christianity secretly. He used to proclaim the name of Jesus constantly, confessing that the mere utterance of this Name was beneficial. His pagan father used to beat him for his faith and for refusing to adore his idols. Cyril accepted the beatings and other harsh treatment with joy. In fury, his father turned him out of the house. The boy regretted nothing, saying instead that he had lost little, and would receive a great recompense instead.
When the governor of the city learned of this occurrence, he asked for Cyril to be brought to him. When he heard Cyril confess the Name of Jesus, he was filled with wrath but manage to control it as he wanted to convince Cyril against his Christian Faith.
He promised him the pardon of his faults, a reconciliation with his father, and the inheritance of his estate, if he obeyed. Cyril answered, “I rejoice in suffering reproaches for what I have done. God will receive me, with whom I shall be better than with my father. I cheerfully renounce earthly estates and house, that I may be made rich in heaven. I am not afraid of death, because it will procure me a better life.” He said this courageously without a shadow of fear.
The judge commanded him to be publicly bound, and to be led as if it had been to execution, but he gave orders in private that they should only frighten him.

He was taken to a blazing fire as if for execution, and threatened to be thrown into it, still, he was not daunted. He was then carried back to the judge, who said to him, “My child, you have seen both the fire and the sword. Be wise, and return to your house and fortune.” Cyril answered, “You have done me a real prejudice in calling me back. I neither fear the fire nor the sword; God will receive me. Put me to death without delay, that I may the sooner go to him.”

All those who were there wept to hear him speak thus. He said to them, “You ought rather to rejoice; you know not what is my hope, nor what kind of kingdom I am going to possess.” With that , he went joyfully to his death. He was beheaded as a result of his constancy in the Faith.( Other accounts mention death by fire).

Saint cyril,
Pray for us!

[Patricia]

St. Cyril , pray for us!! 

[odhiambo]

May 30

Today is the Feast day of
Saint Joan of Arc
Among many other saints