All posts by Vicki Scheenstra

Vicki Scheenstra is a former Catholic Bookstore owner and has been active in Catholic Education.
Faith, Martyr, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Matthias, Feast Day May 14




St. Matthias Public Domain Image
St. Matthias

 

The Feast Day of St. Mathias is celebrated on May 14. St. Mathias was not one of the original twelve Apostles. He was not present at the Last Supper.

After the suicide by hanging of Judas Iscariot, the Apostles decided to choose either Mathias or Joseph called Barsabbas to replace Judas Iscariot. They prayed, saying. “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry which Judas left to go where he belongs.” Acts (1:24) They drew lots and chose Mathias to replace him.

Mathias preached in Judea, Egypt and Ethiopia. Stories of his martyrdom vary. It is believed he was stoned and beheaded.

St. Mathias is the patron saint against alcoholism and smallpox. He is also the patron of carpenters.

 

“Who except God can give you peace? 

Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?”

 

Quote of St. Gerard Majilla;   Feast Day October 16

 

May is the Month of Mary

Faith, Martyr, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Carthusian Martyrs, Feast Day May 11




Carthusian Martyrs Public Domain Image
Carthusian Martyrs

 

 

The Feast Day of the Carthusian Martyrs is celebrated on May 11. The Carthusian Order was founded in 1084 by St. Bruno of Cologne. It was a strict order. Its members lived as hermits, focusing on contemplative prayer. It consisted of 25 houses with 350 male and 75 female members. They came under attack during the Hessite Revolution in Bohemia in the 15th century.

In 1537 during the English Reformation the London Charter house was dissolved. Its members were put in prison and later executed when they refuse to declare King Henry the head of the Church of England. King Henry issued the “Act of Supremacy” declaring any who refused to take an oath recognizing him as head of the Church of England to be guilty of high treason. Eighteen Carthusians refused and were sentenced to death.

The first Carthusians to be martyred were hanged, drawn and quartered. All were tortured before they were martyred. Eighteen were beatified by Pope Leo XIII in 1886. Three were canonized in 1970 by Pope Paul VI.

 

“Our Lord likes courage.  Get it from Him.

  You won’t find it in yourself.”

 

Quote of St. Katherine Drexel; Feast Day March 3 

 

May is the Month of Our Lady

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Faith, patron saints, Quote, Sacred Heart, Saint of the Day, United States

Prayers, Quips and Quotes; St. Damien of Molokai, Feast Day May 10




St. Damien Public Domain Image
St. Damien

The Feast Day of St. Damien of Molokai is celebrated on May 10. He is the patron saint of leprosy and outcasts.

St. Damien of Molokai was born Josef de Veuster on Jan. 3, 1840 in Treinelo, Belgium.  His parents were farmers. He attended college at Braine-le-Comte. Josef became a novitiate at the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. He took the name of Damien when he made his vows. As a missionary he arrived in Honolulu in 1864. He was ordained a priest on May 1864.

Hawaii was in the midst of a health crisis; primarily, influenza, syphilis and leprosy. The king of Hawaii, Kink Kamehameha IV created a leper colony on the island of Molokai. Fr. Damien requested to be sent to Molokai to tend to their spiritual needs. He arrived at Kalaupapa on May 10, 1873, where he cared for 600 lepers.

 

St. Damien Public Domain Image
St. Damien
Public Domain Image

 

Fr. Damien built the Parish Church of St. Philomena where he preached and taught the Catholic faith. He restored pride and dignity to the people in the settlement. He organized a band, horse riding and choir. He provided comfort to the people on the island for 16 years serving as priest, doctor and home builder. He built their coffins and dug their graves.

Father Damien said,

“My greatest pleasure is to go there (the cemetery)

to say my beads, and meditate on that unending happiness

which so many of them are already enjoying.”

 

Fr. Damien had a profound faith in the Holy Eucharist, believing his strength came from receiving the Eucharist on a daily basis. In 1885 he contracted the illness of leprosy, yet he continued to serve the people of the settlement. He died April 15, 1889, at the age of 49.  St. Damien is known as the Apostle of the Lepers.

 

“Without the constant presence of Our Divine Master

upon the altar in my poor chapels,

I never could have persevered casting my lot with the lepers of Molokai”

Quote of St. Damien of Molokai

 

St. Damien of Molokai Public Domain Image
St. Damien of Molokai

 

May is the Month of Our Lady

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Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Pachomius, Feast Day May 9




St. Pachomius Public Domain Image
St. Pachomius

The Feast Day of St. Pachominus is celebrated on May 9.

St. Pachomius was born in Egypt in 298 and entered the army when he was twenty years old. The kindness of the Christians he met led to his conversion after he left the army. After his baptism he became a disciple of Palamon. They led a life of poverty and dedicated themselves to God and a life of prayer as hermits.

St. Pachominus built a monastery on the banks of the Nile River at Tabansi. They soon had 100 monks join them; living a life in community and prayer. St. Pachomius established ten other monasteries and two nunneries for women. Over seven thousand monks were living in his monasteries at the time of his death in 346. He was the first to organize hermits into groups and write a Rule for them to follow.

 

“If the highest aim of a Captain were to preserve his ship,

he would keep it in port forever.”

Quote of St. Thomas Aquinas; Feast Day Jan. 28

 

May is the Month of Our Lady

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Benedictine Saints, Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Julian of Norwich, Feast Day May 8




Bl. Julian of Norwich Public Domain Image
Bl. Julian of Norwich

 

The Feast Day of Bl. Julian of Norwich is celebrated on May 8.

Very little is actually known about Julian of Norwich. It is believed her birth name is Julian and that she was born to a privileged family in Norwich in 1341. She lived as a recluse, probably as a Benedictine Nun.

At the age of 30, she became deathly ill. Near death she experienced visions of Christ. She wrote about her visions immediately in her book Revelation of Divine Love. The book has been translated into many languages.

Bl. Julian believed in God’s love and mercy. She believed sin brings someone to self-knowledge which leads to acceptance of the role of God in their life. She believed the pain caused by sin is a reminder of the passion of Christ. Bl. Julian saw God as both Father and Mother which was controversial.  Bl. Julian always accepted the authority of the Church.

Bl. Julian of Norwich died in the year 1416.

 

“He did not say:  You will not be assailed, 

You will not be belabored,  You will not be disquieted, 

but He said….”You will not be overcome.”

Quote of Bl. Julian of Norwich

 

May is the Month of Our Lady

Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Rose Venerini, Feast Day May 7




St. Rose Venerini Public Domain Image                                                                                                  

St. Rose Venerini

 The Feast Day of St. Rose Venerini is celebrated on May 7.  St. Rose was born at Viterbo, Italy in 1656. She was one of four children. Her father was a doctor. At an early age Rose was drawn to the religious life.

In 1676, at the encouragement of her father she entered the Dominican Monastery of St. Catherine, planning to make her vows there. Several months later, her father died suddenly and she returned home to care for her mother. The following years were filled with grief. Her brother Domenico died at the age of 27. Her mother died a few months later suffering greatly from grief.

Rose formed a rosary group in her home. A Jesuit priest became her advisor and she decided to become a teacher rather than a contemplative nun. On August 39, 1685, she left home to open her first school. Soon the cardinal asked her to supervise the training of teachers in the Diocese of Montefiascone. She organized and opened many schools in many cities of Italy, including Rome.

St. Rose celebrated the Eucharist daily. She meditated on the crucifix and united her suffering to the suffering of Christ. When she died in 1728 a number of miracles were attributed to her. She was canonized in 2006. The Venerini Sisters which she founded can now be found in the United States.

 

“I feel so nailed to the will of God

that nothing else matters,

neither death nor life. I want what He wants. 

I want to serve Him

as much as pleases Him and no more.”

Quote by St. Rose Venerini

 

May is the Month of Our Lady




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Faith, Jesuit Saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Francis de Laval, Feast Day May 6




St. Francis de Laval Public Domain Image
St. Francis de Laval

 

The Feast Day of St. Francis de Laval is celebrated on May 6.

St. Francis de Laval was born in Normandy, France in 1628. He wished to become a priest at an early age. His Father placed him with the Jesuits. where he lived for 14 years.

He eventually became the first bishop of New France, (Quebec). He served as Bishop for over 30 years before resigning due to age. He was known for living a holy and simple life, believing in a spirit of poverty. Under his leadership many new schools and churches were opened.

St. Francis de Laval died in 1708 from an ulcer which became progressively worse.

 


“Trust the past to the mercy of God; the present o His Love,

and the future to His Providence.”

Quote of St. Augustine; Feast Day August 28

 

May is the Month of Our Lady.

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Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Caterina Citadini, Feast Day May 5




 
Faith, Martyr, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Florian, Feast Day May 4




St. Florian Public Domain Image Patron Saint of Firefighters
St. Florian
Patron Saint of Firefighters

 

The Feast Day of St. Florian is celebrated on May 4.

St. Florian was born in the third century in what is present day Austria. He became a commander in the Roman army. One of his duties was leading the firefighting brigade. Florian was a Christian during a time of persecution. He refused to participate in the persecutions the army was ordered to do. He also refused to offer sacrifices to the Roman gods.

When Florian’s beliefs became known it was suggested that he be burned to death as many Christians were during that time.  Florian stated that he would climb to Heaven on the flames of the funeral pyre which was made for him. The soldiers then decided to use a different method to execute him. They flogged him and then flayed him. A large stone was tied around his neck and he was set on fire before being thrown into the Ennis River to drown.

St. Florian died in the year 304. His body was recovered and moved to the Augustinian Abbey of St. Florian near Linz, Austria.

St. Florian is the patron saint of firefighters. Many miracles of healing are attributed to St. Florian. He is considered a protector from danger of both fire and water.

A great flame follows a little spark.

Quote by Dante Alighierri

 

May is the Month of Our Lady

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Doctor of the Church, Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Athanasius, Feast Day May 2




St. Athanasius of Alexandra Public Domain Image
St. Athanasius of Alexandra
Public Domain Image

 

The Feast Day of St. Athansius is celebrated on May 2.

St. Athanasius was born in Alexandria, Egypt in 295. He received a classical education. He was ordained a priest and then became bishop of Alexandria. He was a true defender of the Church’s teaching against Arianism, which held the belief that Christ was not divine. The heresy had just begun but became very controversial. During the Council of Tyre, Emperor Constantine exiled him to northern Gaul. Constantine’s son succeeded after his death and restored St. Athanasius as bishop. A year later he was exiled again by a coalition of Arian bishops. When St. Athanasius appealed to Rome, Pope Julius I called a synod to review the situation.

St. Athanasius was exiled five times for defending the divinity of Christ. Although he spent 17 years in exile, his final years were peaceful. He wrote the book, “The Life of St. Anthony”, which described the great monk’s struggles with demons. St. Athanasius died on May 2, 373. He was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church.

If the world is against the truth, then I am against the world.”

Quote of St. Athanasius

 

May is the Month of Our Lady

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Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Joseph the Worker, Feast Day May 1




The Holy Family Public Domain Image
The Holy Family
Joseph, Mary and Jesus

 

The feast day of St. Joseph the Worker is celebrated on May 1.

St. Joseph was entrusted by God to be the guardian of Jesus Christ, the son of God. His primary mission was to keep Jesus safe and to provide for him. Joseph, Mary and Jesus are referred to as “The Holy Family”. St. Joseph was a carpenter.

Joseph was engaged to be married to Mary, when she was found with child. He was going to divorce her quietly to avoid scandal, however an angel appeared to him in a dream, saying;

“Joseph, son of David, do no be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. Mat: 1: 20-21

Joseph immediately took Mary as his wife.

The angel appeared to Joseph a second time. This time he was told his family was in danger. They fled to Egypt where they stayed until the angel told him it was safe to return.

We celebrate two feast days for St. Joseph. The first is on March 19; Feast day of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary. The second feast day is May 1; The Feast day of St. Joseph the Worker.

St. Joseph is the patron for a happy death because tradition tells us that he died with Jesus and Mary at his side. He is also the patron of fathers and workers.

St. Joseph with Angel Public Domain Image
St. Joseph with Angel

First, do what is necessary, then do what is possible, and before long you will find yourself doing the impossible.

Quote of  St. Francis of Assisi;  Feast day Oct. 4

May is the Month of Our Lady.

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Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes; St. Marie de l’Incarnation, Feast Day April 30




St. Marie de l'Incarnation Public Domain Image
St. Marie de l’Incarnation

 

The Feast Day of St. Marie de l’Incarnation is celebrated on April 30.

St. Marie de l’Incarnation was born in Tours, France. She was the daughter of a baker. Against her will she married Claude Martin, a silk manufacturer at the age of 17. She had one son. Two years later she became a widow and worked as an embroiderer.

St. Marie experienced a vision in which she saw all of her faults and human frailties. Then she was immersed in the Blood of Christ. This transformed her and led her to become an Ursuline Nun at Tours, France. Her son became a Benedictine priest. She experienced another vision which led her to become a missionary to Canada. She came to New France (Quebec) on July 4, 1634. She worked as a missionary with the Jesuits in Canada. She taught the children of both the natives and the settlers.

St. Marie de l’Incarnation died on April 30, 1762 from hepatitis.

St. Marie de l’Incarnation was both a mystic and writer. She experienced many visions. St. Marie de l’Incarnation was canonized on April 3, 2014 by Pope Francis.

Truth is not determined by a majority vote.

Quote by Pope Benedict XV

 

April is the Month of the Eucharist

 

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