All posts by Vicki Scheenstra

Vicki Scheenstra is a former Catholic Bookstore owner and has been active in Catholic Education.

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Macarius of Egypt, Feast Day January 15

January 17, 2017 Vicki Scheenstra Leave a comment

The feast day of St. Macarius of Egypt is celebrated on January 15. He was and Egyptian priest and monk.

St. Macarius was born in Upper Egypt in the year 300. He went into the desert of Skete. He was falsely accused of assaulting a woman, but proven innocent. He was ordained a priest at the age of 40. St. Macarius was a student of St. Anthony the Abbot.

Because of his opposition to Arianism, which is the belief that Christ is not divine, he was sent into exile. He was known for his gift of healing and his sanctity. He believed in mercy and forgiveness.

St. Macarius died at the age of 90 in the year 391.

“When you hear that Christ, going down to hell,

freed the souls who were prisoners there,

do not think that these things are far removed

from what is being done now,

Believe me, the heart is a tomb.”

Quote of St. Macarius of Egypt

January is the Month of the Holy Name

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Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Marguerite Bourgeoys, Feast Day January 12

January 16, 2017 Vicki Scheenstra Leave a comment

The feast day of St. Marguerite Bourgeoye is celebrated on January 12. She was a Canadian missionary.

St. Marguerite Bourgeoye was born in Troyes, France in 1620. She died in 1700. After her mother’s death at the age of 19, she consecrated herself to the service of God. Eventually she became a missionary in Canada. She established a school for Indian girls in Montreal and became known as “Mother of the Colony”. She spent her time teaching the poor, the natives and young girls.

St. Marguerite co-founded the Congregation of Notre-Dame. St. Marguerite Bourgeoye was canonized on October 31, 1982.

It seems to me that we do not pay enough attention to prayer, for unless it arises from the heart which ought to be its center, it is no more than a fruitless dream. Prayer ought to carry over into our thoughts, our words and our actions.

Quote of Marguerite Bourgeoys

January is the Month of the Holy Name

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Faith, Martyr, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. William Carter, Feast Day January 11

January 14, 2017 Vicki Scheenstra Leave a comment

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The feast day of Bl. William Carter is celebrated on January 11. He was born in London, England in 1548. He was a book publisher and a martyr.
Bl. William Carter was a married bookseller living in London. He owned his own printing press. The press was so small he could only produce one page at a time. He used the press to publish Catholic literature. He was always in danger from the Elizabethan authorities.

When the authorities searched his house they found vestments and chalices put in his care. They also found prayer books which contained Catholic prayers, meditations and spiritual exercises. He was charged with printing and publishing the Treatise of Schisme which allegedly incited violence by Catholics and was said to have been written by a traitor.

After the trial, the jury met for 15 minutes before finding him guilty. While the jury was deliberating, William had his final confession heard by a priest who was also on trial. The next day, which was January 11, 1584, he was executed by being hanged, drawn and quartered.
Bl. William Carter was beatified in 1987.

“You have made us for yourself, O Lord,
and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”

Quote of St. Augustine; Feast day August 28

January is the Month of the Holy Name

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Benedictine Saints, Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Peter Orseolo, Feast Day January 10

January 12, 2017 Vicki Scheenstra Leave a comment

The feast day of St. Peter Orseolo is celebrated on January 10.

St. Peter Orseolo married at the age of 18. He had one son. At the age of 20 he became the Commander of the Venetian Fleet and led them against Dalmatian pirates. After the revolution, he became a Doge (chief magistrate) in 976. He worked on restoring the city and began to rebuild the Church of San Marco. He also tried to help the widows and orphans and built hospitals. After two years of service as a Doge he joined the Benedictine Monastery in Southern France living the life of a hermit in the forest surrounding the monastery.

In 976, he decided to live a life of complete solitude, having contact only with God.

St. Peter Orseolo died in 987. His tomb became a site popular with pilgrims.

“Before all, and above all, attention shall be paid to the care of the sick, so that they shall be served as if they were Christ Himself.”

Quote of St. Benedict of Nursia

January is the Month of the Holy Name

Faith, Franciscan Saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Eurosia Fabris, Feast Day January 9

January 12, 2017 Vicki Scheenstra Leave a comment

The feast day of Bl. Eurosia is celebrated on January 9.

Bl. Eurosia was born in Quinto Vicentino, Italy in 1866. Her parents were farmers. She was called Rosina by her family. At age four they moved to Marola where she attended school for only two years before stopping to help with the farm work and domestic chores. She joined the Association of the Daughters of Mary and taught catechism. She had a devotion to the infant Jesus, the Eucharist, the Virgin Mary and the souls in purgatory.

After the death of a neighbor, Rosina began caring for the two children left with no mother. Eventually, she married the father, Carlo Barban. They had nine children, Bl. Eurosia became known as “Mama Rosa”. She became a member of the Franciscan Third Order. She was known for feeding the hungry and nursing the sick.

In Jan, 1932, Bl. Eurosia died surrounded by family.

“I want to spend my heaven in doing good upon earth.”

Quote of St. Thérèse of Lisieux

January is the Month of the Holy Name

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Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Apollenaris, Feast Day January 8

January 10, 2017 Vicki Scheenstra Leave a comment

The feast day of St. Apollenaris is celebrated on January 8.

St. Apollenaris was a bishop during the second century. What we know about him we learned from St. Jerome, Theodoret and Eusebius. Each spoke highly about him.

Apollenaris wrote an ‘Apology’, which is a defense of the Christian faith. He wrote it to Emperor Marcus Ayrelius trying to protect his flock from persecution. The emperor’s army, which was in dire need of water, fell on their knees and invoked the aid of God. Rain began to fall and with the help of the storm his army defeated the Germans. The emperor gave his legion the name “Thundering Legion” and ended his persecution.

St. Apollenaris died about the year 175.

“The Lord was Baptized not to be cleansed Himself,

but to cleanse the water so that those waters

cleansed by the flesh of Christ which knew no sin,

might have the power of Baptism.”

Quote of St Ambrose; Feast day December 7

January is the Month of the Holy Name

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The Mystery of Faith

All posts by Vicki Scheenstra

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Macarius of Egypt, Feast Day January 15

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Marguerite Bourgeoys, Feast Day January 12

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. William Carter, Feast Day January 11

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Peter Orseolo, Feast Day January 10

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Eurosia Fabris, Feast Day January 9

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Apollenaris, Feast Day January 8

Discovering the Spirituality of Catholicism