Saint of the day and Feast days.

[odhiambo]

Here is an excerpt from    Gale Encyclopedia of Biography to give us some idea of how Saint David’s Abbey was run:

“Saint David's monks followed a very strict rule "in the spirit of penance," according to Father Butler. Others say Saint David adapted his rule from that of monks in Egypt. "Every moment of the day had its duties," wrote Amy Steedman, one interpreter of Saint David's life. Wearing animal skins, they labored in the fields, plowing without farm animals; "every man his own ox," Saint David is reported to have said. Speaking was severely restricted, and they were to pray, silently if not aloud, at all times. When not in the fields, they prayed, studied, and wrote. They ate bread, vegetables, and salt and drank only water and a little milk. Following the evening meal, the only one of the day, they prayed for three hours before going to bed, then awoke at dawn. Because he didn't allow the consumption of wine or other spirits, Saint David is nicknamed "The Waterman." The monks were to pray continuously from evening on Friday until daybreak on Sunday, with only an hour after Saturday Matins for rest. Farmer noted, "David devoted himself to works of mercy and practiced frequent genuflexions and total immersion in cold water as his favourite austerities."…..
If someone wished to join Saint David's monastery, he had to wait outside for 10 days, "during which time he was tried by harsh words, repeated refusals, and painful labours, that he might learn to die to himself. When he was admitted, he left all his worldly substance behind him."

[odhiambo]

And still another excerpt.

“By the fifth century, Pelagius's heresy, called Pelagianism, was widespread in Britain. It was suppressed, but legend says it sprang up again in Saint David's lifetime, and a meeting of church officials, called a synod, took place at Brefi, in Cardigan, in about 519, to suppress it again. Saint David was invited to attend. Although he spoke to the assembly only reluctantly, his words were compelling, and legend says a hill rose up under his feet so that everyone could see and hear him and a white dove came and sat on his shoulder as he spoke. (He is represented in church art standing on his hill with the dove on his shoulder.) He not only put down the heresy, but was elected primate of the Cambrian, or Welsh, church unanimously. The incumbent primate, Dubricius, even resigned in Saint David's favor. Saint David accepted on the condition that the headquarters of the see be transferred to his home monastery in Mynyw (now Saint David's Cathedral). Some traditions say the legendary King Arthur approved the relocation of the see”

[odhiambo]

Saint David died in his monastery at Mynyw( Saint Davids) on Tuesday 1st March . The year of his death varies; it may have been in 560, 589, or 601. His actual age at the time of death is also not accurately known; some say he died at the age of 142 or 147. What is agreed upon is that he was very old by then. (He is credited with predicting the day).
His last words to his monks were said to be,
 "Be joyful, and keep your faith and your creed. Do those little things that you have seen me do and heard about”
He was buried in his cathedral, where his relics are still venerated to this day.
He was declared a saint in 1120 by Pope Callistus II
Saint David,
Pray for us!

[odhiambo]

2 March

Today is the Memorial of
Saint Agnes of Bohemia
Among many other saints.

[odhiambo]

Saint Agnes of Bohemia aka
Saint  Agnes of Praque.
Agnes was born in the year 1200 (1205 by other lists) She was a princess; daughter of Queen Constance and King Ottokar I of Bohemia. The Queen, her mother, was sister of Andreas II, King of Hungary. Saint Elizabeth of Hungary was her first cousin and two years younger.
At the tender age of 3, Agnes was promised in marriage to Boleslaus, son of Silesia and Saint Hedwig, the future Duke of Silesia.( In other lists she was betrothed to Emperor Fredrick II of Germany; and it seems that King Henry VII of Germany and Henry III of England were both keen on having her hand in marriage! )
But the final commitment for marriage was given by her brother, King Wenceslaus, to Frederick II, a widower.
She was educated in the Cistercian Convent of Trebnitz in Silesia.
At a very early age, however, Agnes felt the call to the religious life. She consequently declined to accept the marriage that had been arranged for her and Fredrick. Her brother insisted on the marriage, but Agnes appealed to Pope Gregory IX for help, explaining her desire to consecrate herself to the Lord. The Pope was able to intervene successfully and prevent the marriage.
This angered the Emperor, though in time he came to understand her decision, remarking magnanimously:
“If she had left me for a mortal man, I would have taken vengeance with the sword, but I cannot take offense because in preference to me, she has chosen the King of Heaven!.”
Agnes became a Poor Clare in the Franciscan Cloistered Order, entering the monastery of Saint Savior in Prague, which she herself had founded.
Agnes was a thaumaturgist or miracle worker. She was said to be gifted in miracles and had even predicted victory of her brother King Wenceslaus over the Duke of Austria.
Agnes became known for prayer, obedience and mortification.
She died on March 2, 1282 ( 1285 by other lists) at the age of 77.
Saint Agnes,
Pray for us!

[odhiambo]

3 March

Today is the Memorial of
Saint Katherine Drexel
Among many other saints.

[odhiambo]

The following is an excerpt from Gale Encyclopedia of Biography.

Katherine Drexel
“In her 60 years of service, Drexel, more than any other person, spearheaded the effort of the Church to respond more compassionately and more efficiently to the needs of Native and African Americans. She gave more than $12 million of her own money, and at her death 501 members of her order supported 49 houses in 21 states. She was in a very real sense a one-woman foundation. She reviewed personally every request, often indicating her decision with a note on the letter of inquiry. She travelled tirelessly. She gave strong priority to the creation of church buildings and schools. No believer in segregation, she recognized that in her time a segregated church or school was often the most that could be hoped for. A strong advocate of liberal education (she helped establish what came to be Xavier University in New Orleans - the first Catholic college for African Americsns), she readily acquiesced in the belief that for many African Americans "vocational" education was the most pressing need. She generally confined her response to pleas for aid to inspecting, buying land, erecting buildings, and - occasionally - paying salaries. She had neither the time nor the inclination to supervise. One result of her practice was that she almost completely avoided conflict with the priests and bishops in charge of the missions.”

[Shin]

St. Katherine Drexel's a special one for me. I used to go to St. Michael's in Long Branch, and the altar there was a donation to the church by her father.

They have some quite fine relics there, and one of the father's there will do a high traditional Latin Mass for special occasions -- has done that for a long time, not just recently.

[odhiambo]

St. Katherine Drexel's a special one for me. I used to go to St. Michael's in Long Branch, and the altar there was a donation to the church by her father.
They have some quite fine relics there, and one of the father's there will do a high traditional Latin Mass for special occasions -- has done that for a long time, not just recently.

Wow! One must feel her presence there when asking for her intercession 

[Shin]

They have some fine relics there. And both a low and high altar and altar rail.

That said it's not unscathed from these times.

[odhiambo]

4 March

Today is the Memorial of
Saint Casimir
Among many other saints.

[Shin]

St. Casimir ora pro nobis! 

[odhiambo]

Saint Casimir
Patron saint of Poland and Lithuania ,
Casimir was born on October 3, 1458, at the royal palace of Cracow .
His father was Casimir IV, King of Poland and Grand Prince of Lithuania.
His mother was Elizabeth of Austria, daughter of Emperor Albrecht II of Habsburg.
The Royal couple had six sons and five daughters. Casimir was their third child and their second son. His grandfather was Jogaila, one of the most influential of the Lithuanian grand dukes.
It was his grandfather, together with his cousin Vytautas, who Christianized Lithuania. Casimir was of both Lithuanian and German descent. He was, however, raised and educated in Poland.
The young prince grew up to be a gifted, well-educated and virtuous youth, displaying holiness at an early age.
In time, Prince Casimir’s older brother obtained the throne of Bohemia, as the second son, the saint became the successor to his father's throne.
When he was about 16 or 17 years old, he began traveling with his father throughout the kingdom, attending meetings of the State Council, and receptions of representatives of foreign countries, in order to gain experience in affairs of state. When he reached the age of 22, his father assigned him an active part in the government.
Casimir reportedly refused to obey his father when he ordered him to lead an army against King Matthias I Corvinus of Hungary. He believed that an attempt to seize the Hungarian throne was unjust and he did not take part in it.
He was confined to the Castle of Dzoki as punishment. He also refused to marry as his father commanded.
When his father was away from Poland, Casimir served as regent of the nation.
Casimir died from tuberculosis on March 4, 1484 while visiting Grodno , Lithuania . The Prince had lived for only twenty-five years and five months. His body was brought for burial to the Cathedral of Vilnius.
His tomb became famous for miracles.
He was canonized in 1522 by Pope Adrian VI.
Saint Casimir is also Patron of the Knights of Saint John. He is invoked against enemies of Poland as well as enemies of the Faith.
Saint Casimir
Pray for us!

[odhiambo]

5 March

Today is the Memorial of
Saint John Joseph of the Cross
Among many other saints

[odhiambo]

Saint John Joseph of the Cross.
John was born on the Island of Ischia , Naples , Southern Italy on 15 August 1654. His given name was Carlo Gaetano Calosirto. He was said to be of noble birth.
From his earliest years he was given to prayer and virtue, poverty and fasting. He always wore the dress of the poor though he was of the nobility.
At the age of sixteen, John entered the Order of St. Francis at Naples, amongst the Friars of the Alcantarine Reform, becoming the first Italian to join this reform which had been instituted in Spain by St. Peter of Alcantara.
The entire life of Saint John Joseph of the Cross was one of self-denial and austerity; he fasted constantly, never drank wine, and slept for just about three hours each night.
John’s reputation for holiness prompted his superiors to put him in charge of establishing a new friary even before he was ordained. This happened in 1674 when he was sent to found a friary at Afila, in Piedmont. He assisted with his own hands in the building.
Eventually he was ordained a priest although it was said to be against his will. In obedience John accept appointments as novice master, guardian and, finally, Vicar Provincial of the Alcantarine Reform in Italy.
John had the gift of miracles, prophecy and healing. He often swooned  into ecstasies; was known to levitate and bilocate.
People with various sicknesses were brought to him. He was devoted to the Blessed Virgin and urged others to do likewise.
When his term as provincial expired, John Joseph dedicated himself to hearing confessions and practicing mortification.
John died on 5 March 1734.
He was beatified on
24 May 1789 by Pope Pius VI. He was canonized on 26 May 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI.
Saint John is the Patron Saint of Ischia, Italy.
Saint John Joseph of the Cross
Pray for us!

[odhiambo]

6 March

Today is the Memorial of
Servant of God Sylvester of Assisi
Among many others.