Saint of the day and Feast days.

[odhiambo]

August 10
Today is the Feast day of
Saint Lawrence of Rome
Among many other saints

[odhiambo]

Saint Lawrence of Rome
Deacon and Martyr.

Saint Lawrence is one of those saints whose martyrdom is said to have made a deep impression on the early Church. According to Tradition, he was born at Huesca, Spain. He was a deacon of Pope Saint Sixtus II; specifically he was chief of the seven deacons of the congregation at Rome, i.e., the seven men who, were in charge of administering the church budget, particularly with regard to the care of the poor.
At the beginning of the month of August in 258, Emperor Valerian issued an edict commanding that all bishops, priests and deacons should immediately be put to death.
The imperial command was carried out in Rome. On Aug. 6, Pope Sixtus II was apprehended in one of the catacombs. As the Pope and four of his seven deacons were being led to die, Lawrence was so overwhelmed with grief that he was not being taken too. Crying out to the Pope he asked,”Will you go to heaven and leave me behind?"  The Pope reportedly consoled him thus: “Do not cry my son, in three days you will follow me!”
Overjoyed at this prediction, Lawrence sold many of the Church's possessions and donated the money to the poor.
When the Prefect of Rome heard this, he had Lawrence brought before him and demanded all the treasures of the Church for the Emperor. Lawrence said he would need three days to collect them. He then used the three days to assemble the sick, the aged, and the poor, the widows and orphans, the blind, the crippled and other unfortunates. He presented them to the prefect, and said, "These are the treasures of the Church." The prefect was enraged. He ordered the Saint to be roasted alive on a gridiron.
Accordingly, Saint Lawrence was placed naked on a red-hot grill. He bore the agony with unbelievable equanimity, and in the midst of his torment, with a touch of humor, instructed his executioners thus: "You may turn me over; I am done on this side." And so it was, that Saint Lawrence died, on 10 August 258. while praying for the city of Rome.
The spectacle of his death reportedly led to the conversion of Rome and signaled the end of paganism in the city.
He was buried at the Campus Veranus on the Via Tiburtina where a basilica in his honor was erected.
He is mentioned in the First Eucharistic Prayer, and in liturgical art, he depicted as a deacon with a grid-iron grill.
 
 Saint Lawrence of Rome'
Pray for us!

[Bailey2]

Following is an excerpt from a spiritual newsletter on Blessed Franz Jägerstätter.
It is used with permission from Father Jacques Marie of  the Abbey Saint Joseph de Clairval.

August 1943. In Berlin's Tegel Military Prison, a man condemned to death clumsily writes the following lines: «Even if I write with chained hands, it is better than having my will chained. Sometimes God shows Himself by giving His strength to those who love Him and do not put earthly things above eternal realities. Neither prison, nor chains, nor even death, can separate one from the love of God, or rob him of his faith and free will. God's power is invincible.» This «martyr of conscience» was beatified by the Church on October 27, 2007, with his 94-year-old wife in attendance.

This put a lump in my throat.
And I will say that Edith Stein is a hero of mine for other reasons besides martyrdom and Franz Jagerstatter is also a favorite-- perhaps because my grandparents all lived through WWII and having heard stories about it and having it in history class in high school..... these Blesseds and Saints feel closer.....  Thanks odhiambo

[martin]

As the Pope and four of his seven deacons were being led to die, Lawrence was so overwhelmed with grief that he was not being taken too. Crying out to the Pope he asked,”Will you go to heaven and leave me behind?"  The Pope reportedly consoled him thus: “Do not cry my son, in three days you will follow me!”
Overjoyed at this prediction, Lawrence sold many of the Church's possessions and donated the money to the poor.
When the Prefect of Rome heard this, he had Lawrence brought before him and demanded all the treasures of the Church for the Emperor. Lawrence said he would need three days to collect them. He then used the three days to assemble the sick, the aged, and the poor, the widows and orphans, the blind, the crippled and other unfortunates. He presented them to the prefect, and said, "These are the treasures of the Church." The prefect was enraged. He ordered the Saint to be roasted alive on a gridiron.

Many years ago I read a short biography of Saint Lawrence of Rome and I remember how the story kind of shook me out of complacency regarding my faith and realizing how little impact it had on my everyday life.
I thank the saints so much for the example they've left us in what it means to truly love God. Thanks odhiambo from me too.

[odhiambo]

Many years ago I read a short biography of Saint Lawrence of Rome and I remember how the story kind of shook me out of complacency regarding my faith and realizing how little impact it had on my everyday life.
I thank the saints so much for the example they've left us in what it means to truly love God. Thanks odhiambo from me too.

Now that I have "found" the Saints, I regret so much the time I have wasted in useless mills and boons, and such like novels, Saint Augustin's cry of remorse is now my very own," Late have I loved you…."

[odhiambo]

August 11
Today is the Feast day of
Saint Clare of Assisi
Among many other Saints

[odhiambo]

Saint Clare of Assisi
Foundress of the Franciscan Poor Clare
Patroness of Modern Television.

Clare was born on 16 July 1194 in Assisi, Italy. She was the daughter of the nobleman, Count Favaronne Offredduccio. Her mother was the Countess Orsolana Fiumi, a woman of great holiness. Although Clare was brought up among the nobility, she cared little for the wealth and glitter that surrounded her. She was greatly influenced by her mother's piety and decided to dedicate her life to God by caring and praying for the poor. She used to save food from her family table and distribute to the needy outside the doors of her home.
Clare’s parents decided that she would marry a wealthy young man but she refused.
When she was 18, Saint Francis came to preach the Lenten Sermon at the Church of San Giorgio in Assisi. His words really affected her. She sought him out secretly and asked him to help her so that she too might live a holy life like him. Francis, at this point in his life, had no plans to include women in his apostolic work. For three years, he had no answer for her. After three years and on the eve of Palm Sunday of that year, Clare again went to Francis and begged him to receive her into his order. She received the habit of the Franciscans from Saint Francis at the little chapel of the Portiuncula (Another account states that she took her vows in the Church of Saint Mary of the Angels).
Since Francis did not yet have a convent for women, he placed her in the Benedictine convent of Saint Paul, near Bastia.
Her father was furious when he learnt of her vow and came to take her away by force. She however resisted his attempt to forcebly remove her. She was moved by Francis to Sant' Angelo di Panzo convent where she was soon joined by her fifteen year old sister, Agnes, who also received the habit from Francis.
Her father reportedly sent twelve armed men to bring Agnes back. Clare prayed and Agnes was apparently rendered so heavy that the men were unable to move her so she remained.
In 1215, Clare moved into a house adjoining the Church of Saint Damiano. She was made superior by Saint Francis and she ruled the convent for 40 years. This was the founding of The Poor Clares. Clare was joined in her convent by her mother, another sister, Beatrice, three members of the famous Ubaldinifamily of Florence and others.
The Poor Clares adopted a rigid rule, practiced great mortifications and austerities and took a vow of strict poverty. Pope Innovent III granted them a rule of absolute poverty. Clare firmly maintained this rule in later years.
Other convents were founded and the Order flourished. Clare was visited by many high ranking officials, both clergy and secular, because of her wisdom.
Before she died, there were Poor Clares throughout Italy and in France and Germany.
Clare reportedly performed many miracles, including saving the city of Assisi from the army of Emperor Frederick II. She also defended her convent by carrying the ciborium against an attack by Muslim raiders.
As she was nearing the end of her life, Clare reportedly had a vision of the Mass from her bed. Because of this mystical gift Clare had, she was made patroness of modern television.
Clare, whose name (Chiara) means light , illustrious, bright; or brilliant, died on 11 August 1253 of natural causes. She was canonized two years later on 26 September 1255 by Pope Alexander IV. She is patroness of Assisi, among others.
Her relics are in the Saint Chiara Church in Assisi. They were placed there in 1260.
In liturgical art, she is depicted as a Poor Clare, sometimes carrying a ciborium or monstrance.

Saint Clare of Assisi
Pray for us!
Ref:
1: Dictionary of Saints by John J. Delaney.
2: Our Sunday Visitor Encyclopedia of Saints.
By Matthew Bunson, Stephen Bunson, and Margaret Bunson:

[odhiambo]

12 August

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

[odhiambo]

Saint Porcarius
Benedictine monk.
Abbot.
In the year 732, Porcarius was abbot of a large abbey, the Abbey of Lerins, situated on the island of Lerins, off the coast of Provence, in France.
One night, Porcarius had a vision in which he was warned that the monastery was about to be attacked by Saracens. There was one ship available to the community. Porcarius sent the younger members of the community to safety on this ship. He and most of the religious who remained at the abbey were slaughtered by the barbarians. Four were spared but were put in chains and were carried off as slaves.
Saint Porcarius,
Pray for us!

[martin]

"Totally love Him, Who gave Himself totally for your love."

St. Clare of Assisi

[odhiambo]

August 13

Today is the Feast day of
Blessed Mark of Aviano
Among many others.

[odhiambo]

Blessed Mark of Aviano
He is also known by the following names:
Carlo Domenico Cristofori
Marco D’Aviano
Marco of Aviano
 
Mark was born on 17 November 1631 in Aviano, Italy.  His parents were Marco Pasquale Cristofori and Rosa Zanoni.  On the day of his baptism, he was given the name Carlo Domenico. He started his education at home but later attended the Jesuit school in Gorizia, Italy.
Mark loved reading the stories of the various saints. He was so fascinated with these stories that he made up his mind; he too would become a saint. At the age of 16 therefore, he left home, on foot, and headed for the island of Crete where the Venezians were at war with the Ottoman Turks. His plan was to go and preach to the  Muslims and concert them to Christianity and hopefully he martyred there.
A few days into his journey, tired and hungry, Mark arrived in Capodistria. He went to the Capuchin house and knocked at the door. He was welcomed by the superior of the Order. They fed him and prayed with him. After he had rested, they advised him to go back home. He took their advice and returned home.
This encounter with the Capuchins at Capodistria affected Mark deeply. He now felt that this was God’s calling God for him. Accordingly, in 1648, at Conegliano Veneto, Mark entered the novitiate of the Capuchins.
After one year, he professed his vows and was given the name Father Mark of Aviano. On 18 September 1655 he was ordained a priest in Chioggia.
 During the few years following his ordination, Father Mark lived his life as a dedicated Capuchin; spending time in prayers and the duties required of him as a member of the community.
In 1664, Father Mark was called to missionary duties. He was given permission to preach and he embarked on this ministry with a zeal, preaching throughout Italy, especially during the seasons of Advent and Lent.
In 1672, Mark was elected superior of the convent of Belluno, and in 1674, that of the convent of Oderzo.
The Father’s life changed abruptly On 8 September 1676. On this day, while preaching at a monastery in Padua, Italy, he prayed over Sister Vincenza Francesconi who had been bed-ridden for 13 years. After praying, he blessed her.
On receiving Father Mark's blessing, Francesconi was miraculously healed.
The news of the miracle spread throughout the town, and it was not long before the sick and suffering came in search of him and his blessing.
In obedience to his superiors and to the direct instructions of the Holy See, he continued to preach inside and outside of Italy.
Among those who sought his help and counsel was the Austrian Emperor Leopold I.
Father Mark offered spiritual, political and even economic guidance to the Emperor for many years.
He was appointed Papal legate and Apostolic Nuncio to Austria by Pope Blessed Innocent XI.
Father Mark was successful in freeing Vienna from the Ottoman Turks on 12 September 1683.
He participated in military campaigns, worked as a peacemaker throughout Europe, and alerted them on the threat posed by the Ottoman Turks.
“Legend has it that when the Ottomans fled before the European army, they left behind a lot of their strong, bitter coffee. The Christian soldiers, to make this liberated coffee more palatable, mixed it with honey and milk; they named the drink after Mark’s Order, the Capuchins, and thus cappuccino was created”
SQPN
Whatever Father Mark did, he always lived in the presence of God. He once wrote:
"God knows that the scope of all of my works is only to do His will.
My only interest is God's glory and the good of souls. I am always an obedient son of
Holy Mother Church and am ready to shed my blood and give my life for Her".
 
Capuchin Father Mark of Aviano died of cancer on 13 August 1699 in Vienna.
He was declared venerable on 6 July 1991 by Pope John Paul II and  beatified on
27 April 2003 by Pope John Paul II
Canonization is pending
“if you have information relevant to the canonization of Blessed Mark, contact
   Fra Florio Tessari, OFMCAP
   Vicepostulazione B. Marco d’Aviano
   P.zza Pescheria, 3
   33170 Pordenone, ITALY “
From SQPN
 
Blessed Mark of Aviano
Pray for us!

[odhiambo]

August 14

Today is the Feast day of
Saint Maximillian Mary Kolbe
Among many other Saints

[odhiambo]

Saint Maximillian  Mary Kolbe
Martyr

Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe was born in Zdunska Wola, in Russian Occupied Poland on 8 January 1894 to  a poor weaver named Julius, and his wife Maria Kolbe (Marianne Dabrowska). Although the couple was poor they were devout; both were Franciscan lay tertiaries and had a special devotion to Our Lady. He was baptized Raymond at the Parish Church.
As a child, he was said to be wild and troublesome. One day, when he was about 12 years old, his mother scolded him for a wrong he had done. He must have given a lot of thought to his life then because something happened that changed the course of his life. This is how he puts it as found in SQPN:

I asked the Mother of God what was to become of me. Then she came to me holding two crowns, one white, the other red. She asked if I was willing to accept either of these crowns. The white one meant that I should persevere in purity, and the red that I should become a martyr. I said that I would accept them both. - Saint Maximilian

In 1907, Raymond and his elder brother entered a Franciscan seminary in Lwow. He took the name of Maximilian. In 1911, Maximilian made his temporary vows. He was then sent to Rome to study phylosophy at the Jesuit Gregorian College. He also studied theology at the Franciscan Collegio Serafico in Rome from 1915 to 1919.

 In 1917, one year before his ordination to the priesthood, Maximilian founded the Militia of Mary Immaculate in Rome, to advance Marian devotion. He was ordained in Rome in 1918.
Father Maximilian returned to Poland in 1919 and began spreading his Militia of the Mary Immaculata movement whose members are also called MIs. About one year after returning to Poland from Rome, Maxililian was diagnosed with , and treated for tuberculosis. The disease left its toll on him. Because of his subsequent ill health, he was freed to devote his time exclusively to the promotion of the Militia.
First,  he founded the "Knight of the Immaculate," a monthly Roman Catholic Magazine promoting the knowledge, love and service of the Immaculate Virgin, in the conversion of all souls to Christ Our Lord. The magazine was initially in Polish, but other languages soon followed.
The rapid growth of this apostolate led to the foundation of  an evangelization center near Warsaw called Niepokalanow, the "City of the Immaculate." This was a monastery
 of Franciscan priests and brothers engaged in the use of all kinds of modern equipment so as to promote, via the mass media the Militia through all parts of Poland.
In 1930, Maximilian and four brothers volunteered to go to Japan as missionaries. Soon, Maximillian was printing a Japanese version of the Knight; the magazine, Seibo no Kishi. He also founded  another city of the Immaculate, Mugenzai No Sono in Nagasaki,  comparable to Niepokalanow.
In 1936, Maximilian  returned to Niepokalanow, as its spiritual father.
On 19 September 1939, following the Nazi invasion of Poland, the monks dispersed and Niepokalanow was ransacked. Maximilian and about 40 others were taken to holding camps, first in Germany, and later in Poland. On the feast of the Immaculate Conception of that year, they were all released and allowed to return home. When World II broke out, the friars started caring for Jewish refugees.
In February of 1941, the Gestapo came to Niepokalanow and arrested Maximlian. He was taken to Pawiak Prision in German Occupied Warsaw, Poland, and later was transferred to Auschwitz and branded as prisoner 16670.
In the camp, Maximillian returned the vicious hatred and brutality of the prison guards, with obedience, meekness, and a forgiving attitude. He advised all his fellow prisoners to "Trust in the Immaculate!";  to "Forgive!"; to "Love your enemies and pray for your persecutors!". He was noted for his generosity in surrendering his food despite the fact that all were suffering from starvation; to cap it all, he was a sick man  suffering from the chronic ill health brought about by tuberculosis.

On the night of August 3, 1941 a prisoner successfully escaped from the same section of the camp in which  Maximilian was detained. It was the Nazi policy to kill ten prisoners every time one inmate escaped. In reprisal for the successful escape, the commandant ordered death by starvation for 10 men chosen at random from the same section. what follows is an excerpt from  Feast of all Saints .

"One of these, named Franciszek Gajowniczek, a father of nine, wailed: “No, God! Not me, please! What will become of my poor wife and children?” Deeply moved, Fr Kolbe stepped out of the ranks and standing before Commandant Fritsch, pointed to Sergeant Gajowniczek and said: “I am a Catholic priest from Poland. I am old. I want to take his place because he has a wife and children”,

Thus, Maximilian volunteered to die in the place of the married prisoner.
According to SQPN, Maximilian died on 14 August 1941 by lethal injection of carbolic acid after three weeks of starvation and dehydration at the Auschwitz, Poland death camp.
He was pronounced venerable on 30 January 1969 by Pope Paul VI; beatified on 17 October 1971 by Pope Paul VI. His beatification miracles include the July 1948 cure of intestinal tuberculosis of Angela Testoni, and August 1950 cure of calcification of the arteries/sclerosis of Francis Ranier.
He was canonized on 10 October 1982 by Pope John Paul II and declared a martyr of charity.
He is patron of the following:
against drug addiction
 drug addicts
  imprisoned people
   journalists
   political prisoners
   pro-life movement
and more.

Saint Maximillian  Mary Kolbe
Pray for us!
 

[odhiambo]

"Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends"

John 15:13

[Patricia]

Blessed Mark pray for us!! Saint Kolbe pray for us!!

“Legend has it that when the Ottomans fled before the European army, they left behind a lot of their strong, bitter coffee. The Christian soldiers, to make this liberated coffee more palatable, mixed it with honey and milk; they named the drink after Mark’s Order, the Capuchins, and thus cappuccino was created”

Yay!