Saint of the day and Feast days.

[Patricia]

If I may recommend another good book ..' The devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus'---How to practice the Sacred Heart devotion   By Fr. John Croiset, S.J.

Written by the spiritual director of St. Margaret Mary, the book comes from the pen of a man intimately familiar with every aspect of the revelations given by Our Lord to this famous saint.  This book was actually commissioned by Our Lord Himself through St. Margaret Mary, and as the author neared completion of it, the Saint told him that Our Lord said it was so completely in accord with His wishes, that it would never be necessary to make any change to it.   

[martin]

"Behold this Heart which has loved men so much, and yet men do not want to love Me in return. Through you My divine Heart wishes to spread its love everywhere on earth."
Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary in a vision
 

[odhiambo]

18th October.

Today is the Memorial of
Saint Luke
Evangelist

[odhiambo]

Saint Luke
Evangelist
Saint Luke is the author of the third Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles.
He was a physician and a painter. Luke is believed to have been Greek from Antioch, now Turkey. That he was a medical practitioner is confirmed by a passage in Colossians in which Paul described him as a “the beloved physician”
Saint Luke accompanied Saint Paul on his second missionary journey, remained for six years in Philippi, Greece and went on the third missionary journey; the journey to Italy that included the famous shipwreck off the coast of Malta.
He remained with Paul during Paul’s imprisonment. Paul wrote of Luke at least three times in the New Testament. In Colossians, as mentioned already; in 2 Timothy 4:11 and in Philemon 24.
When Saint Paul was martyred in 66, Luke went back to Greece where he is believed to have died at the age of 84 “ Full of the Holy Spirit”. Some report is to the effect that Saint Luke was martyred, but there is no agreement on this.
He is believed to have visited the Blessed Virgin Mary at some point in his life.
Luke is the patron saint of doctors as well as painters, owing to the belief that he painted a picture of the Virgin Mary. This work is said to be preserved in the Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.
Luke’s Gospel was written between 70 and 85, possibly in Greece. It was written with Gentile Christians in mind.
In art, Saint Luke is accompanied by a winged ox, the symbol of hisGospel.
He is also depicted holding a painting of the Blessed Virgin.
Saint Luke,
Pray for us!

[Shin]

I am going to have to read that book Patricia!

[Patricia]

It is a good book, Shin. You may get it at Tan.

Luke is the patron saint of doctors as well as painters, owing to the belief that he painted a picture of the Virgin Mary.

Odhiambo, if you browse through the Saints Gallery here you will see a picture of Our Lady and Baby Jesus painted by St. Luke. 

St. Luke pray for the members of this forum and for all our intentions! 

[odhiambo]

It is a good book, Shin. You may get it at Tan.

Luke is the patron saint of doctors as well as painters, owing to the belief that he painted a picture of the Virgin Mary.

Odhiambo, if you browse through the Saints Gallery here you will see a picture of Our Lady and Baby Jesus painted by St. Luke. 

I browsed and I did see, not forgetting the fish 
Thanks Patricia.

[odhiambo]

19th October

Today is the Feast day of
Saint Peter of Alcantara

[Shin]

'It is most certain that the malice of our own hearts is the principal cause that hinders us from attaining to our beatitude and everlasting happiness, because it makes us slow to godly actions, dull to virtuous exercises, and suggests a greater difficulty in them than there is, which if it were not a man might walk without any molestation in the way of virtue, and at length without labor attain to his desired end.'

St. Peter of Alcantara

'The first thing that hinders devotion are our sins, not only mortal sins but also venial sins. While little sins do not take away charity, they diminish its fervor, which is the same as devotion. So we should carefully avoid them, if not for the harm they do, at least for the great good that they prevent.

Excessive remorse of conscience that flows from our sins also impedes devotion. It makes the soul restless, depressed, faint and weak for every good practice.

Scruples obstruct devotion for the same reason. They are like thorns that prick the conscience and prevent it from resting in God and enjoying true peace.

Too many cares constitute another hindrance. They are those mosquitos from Egypt that disturb the soul. They do not allow it to sleep the spiritual sleep that lulls the soul in prayer. What's worse, they disturb the soul and divert it from its spiritual exercise.

Preoccupation with sensual comforts is another block to devotion because the person who indulges too much in worldly delights does not deserve those of the Holy Spirit.'

St. Peter of Alcantara

'Truly, matters in the world are in a bad state; but if you and I begin in earnest to reform ourselves, a really good beginning will have been made.'

St. Peter of Alcantara

[Shin]

8000 views and over 1000 replies on this thread odhiambo.

Deo gratias et Mariae semper Virgini!

[odhiambo]

Saint Peter of Alcantara
Peter was born at Alcantara, Estramadura, Spain in 1499. His father was the Governor of Alcantara.
He studied law at Salamanca University. He then joined the Observant Franciscans, also known as Discalced of barefoot friars as they were unshod.
After his ordination in 1524, he headed several houses. He became provincial of the Estramaduran Province of Saint Gabriel from 1538-1541. In this position, Saint Peter reformed several constitutions, thereby promoting a much more severe Franciscan reform.
At the end of his term in office, Saint Peter retired to a hermitage on Arabida Mountain near Lisbon, Portugal, where he was joined by other friars.
After some years, Saint Peter returned to Spain and established a community at El Pedrosa del Acim, with the permission of Pope Julius III. This served as the foundation for the congregation that was later named the Alcatarines, the Observance of Saint Peter of Alcantara.
Saint Peter was a valued friend, adviser and confessor to Saint Teresa of Avila who admired him greatly. He encouraged her in promoting the Carmelite reform.
His preaching brought many people to religious life.
Saint Peter was a contemporary of well known 16th century Spanish saints including Ignatius of Loyola and John of the Cross.
He is renowned as a Spanish mystic and author of the Treatise on Prayers and Meditations.
He died at Estramadura on 18th October 1562
He was canonized in 1669.
He is the patron saint of Brazil.
Saint Peter of Alcantara,
Pray for us!

[odhiambo]

 author=Shin link=topic=1352.msg19189#msg19189 date=131902280

'Truly, matters in the world are in a bad state; but if you and I begin in earnest to reform ourselves, a really good beginning will have been made.'

St. Peter of Alcantara

 So true today;  it is as if it was uttered just yesterday!

[odhiambo]

20th October

Today we remember
Saint John Cantius
Among many other Saints

[odhiambo]

Saint John Cantius
John was born at Kenty near Oswiecim Diocese of Cracow (Krakow), Poland. He was the son of Stanislaus and Anne who were both pious country folks. He received his primary education at his native town, later joining the University of Cracow to study Philosophy and Theology. He soon impressed his professors and colleagues with his pleasant and amiable disposition. He was humble and godly and seemed always happy. He won the hearts of many who came into contact with him.
He was also a very good student and made good progress in his studies. He graduated with a bachelor degree, a master’s degree as well as a doctorate. He was ordained priest and then appointed professor of theology at the University of Cracow where he studied.
After working briefly in the position mentioned above, John was sent to Olkusz, diocese of Cracow to be parish priest. Even there he was popular as both parish priest and preacher.
He was next returned to the University of Cracow, again as professor of Sacred Scriptures. He held this position till his death in 1473.
Saint John Cantius was noted for his extreme humility and charity. He is reported to have performed miracles during his life and that even after his death, there were miracles associated with his tomb.
He was canonized by Pope Clement XIII in 1767.
Saint John Cantius is the Patron Saint of Poland and Lithuania.
Saint John Cantius,
Pray for us!

[odhiambo]

“conturbare cave: non est placare suave,
Infamare cave; nam revocare grave.”
That was Saint John Cantius' motto.
I have no clue as to what that motto is, Latin not being my thing.

[odhiambo]

Saint  John Cantius reportedly, distributed to the poor all the money and clothes he had, retaining only what was absolutely necessary to support himself. He slept on the floor and for very few hours. He ate very sparingly and abstained completely from meat after he became a doctor.
He reportedly made one pilgrimage to Jerusalem hoping to become a martyr among the Turks, and four pilgrimages to Rome, visiting the tombs of the Apostles and to pay honor to the Holy See.
It is said that he always traveled on foot. One day he was robbed by bandits. He had a few gold pieces sewn into his cloak and these were not discovered at the time of the robbery and he himself had not remembered about them. As soon as he remembered, however, he called the robbers back and handed over the gold pieces! They were so astonished they refused to accept the gold and even returned to him whatever they had taken!