Saint of the day and Feast days - Part 2

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

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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!

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May 15
Today we remember
Saint Hilary
Among many other Saints

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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!

[Shin]

St. Hilary and St. Michael pray for us!

Aren't shepherds wonderful?

[odhiambo]

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.
 

[Shin]

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. And here is an all time favorite.

'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

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

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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!

[odhiambo]

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

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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!

[Shin]

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.

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May 18
Today we remember
Saint Elgiva
Among many other Saints

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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!

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

[odhiambo]

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!