All posts by Vicki Scheenstra

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

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John Joseph, Feast Day March 5

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St. John Joseph
The feast day of St. John Joseph of the Cross is celebrated on March 5.

St. John Joseph was born on the Feast of the Assumption, to a noble family on the Island of Ischia in Southern Italy in 1654. From early childhood he lived a life of penitence and prayer. Although he was from a noble family his love of poverty led him to wear the clothes of the poor and often he gave them food and money.

When John was sixteen years old he entered the Order of St. Francis at Naples. He joined the Franciscan Friars of the Alcantarine Reform, which was begun by St. Peter of Alcantara. He fasted constantly and slept little.

In 674, St. John Joseph founded a friary at Afila in Piedmont. He worked alongside the builders while it was being built. He was ordained a priest and was appointed Vicar Provincial of the Alcantarine Reform in Italy. He was known for having the gift of miracles. As a result, many people came to him seeking cures from illness.

 

St. John Joseph had a great devotion to Our Lady and urged others to have the same devotion.

St. John Joseph died in1734. St. John Joseph of the Cross was beatified in 1789 and canonized in 1839.

 

 

There stood by the cross of Jesus His Mother…the nails pierced the hands of the Son and the heart of the Mother.

Quote of St. Thomas of Villanova; Feast day Sept. 22

 

March is the Month of St. Joseph

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Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Casimer, Feast Day March 4

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St. Casimer
The feast day of St. Casimer is celebrated on March 4. 

St. Casimer was born to the King of Poland, King Casimer IV and Elizabeth of Austria in 1469. He was the third of thirteen children.

From an early age, Casimer was drawn to a life committed to God. He rebelled against a rich lifestyle, wearing only plain clothes. He slept little, preferring prayer. When he did sleep, he slept on the floor rather than in a bed meant for royalty. He was mocked for his faith and lifestyle but he chose to ignore it.

Out of obedience to his father, he led an army to take over the throne of Hungary even though he felt it was wrong. After soldiers began to desert he turned the army around and returned home. His angry father banished him to a castle in Debski. Casimer refused to cooperate with his father anymore. He preferred to spend time in prayer to the true king in his life, Christ. Choosing to remain celibate, he refused to marry the emperor’s daughter.

For a short time St. Casimer reigned as king of Poland during his father’s absence.  St. Casimer was also the Grand Duke of Lithuania.

While visiting Lithuania, he died at the age of 23 from tuberculosis in 1482. He was buried in Vilnius, Lithuania with his favorite song; “Omni die die Mariae” which is Latin for “Daily, Daily, Sing to Mary.” It became known as the Hymn of St. Casimer even though he had not written the hymn.

 

There is no saint without a past, no sinner without a future.

Quote of St. Augustine of Hippo; Feast day August 28

 

March is the Month of St. Joseph

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Faith, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Katherine Drexel, Feast Day March 3

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St. Katherine Drexel
The feast day of St. Katherine Drexel is celebrated on March 3.

St. Katherine Drexel was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Nov. 26, 1858. She was the child of wealthy parents who taught her to be generous.  She is the patron saint of philanthropists and racial justice.

Katherine became a Sister in 1889 at the age of 31. She founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Black and Native American people. She dedicated her life and great wealth to this work.  She helped to open the first mission school for Indians in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Other schools soon followed. She then founded Xavier University in New Orleans.

In 1935, St. Katherine Drexel suffered a heart attack. Two years later she retired from her leadership position. She died in 1955 at the age of 96. Her order had over 500 active members at the time of her death. They had opened 145 missions, 49 elementary schools and 12 high schools.

St. Katherine Drexel is the second recognized American born saint.   Katherine Drexel was beatified on Nov. 2, 1988 by Pope John Paul II. St. Katherine Drexel was canonized on Oct. 1, 2000 by Pope John Paul II.

 

O most merciful Jesus!  I embrace Your wounded hands and feet!

Quote of St. Katherine Drexel

 

March is the Month of St. Joseph

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Dominican Saints, Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Henry Suso, Feast Day March 2

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Bl. Henry Suso Public Domain Image
Bl. Henry Suso

The feast day of Bl. Henry Suso is celebrated on March 2.

Bl. Henry Suso was born Heinrich von Berg in Constance, Swabia in 1300. He became a Dominican at an early age, studying under Meister Eckhart in Cologne. After making his profession he returned to Constance to teach and write. He wrote many books which were popular during the middle ages. The Little Book of Eternal Wisdom was written by Bl. Henry Suso.

At the age of 18, Bl. Henry Suso had a mystical experience which changed his life. He was filled with divine light and joy which seemed to transport him out of the world. From this point on, he had a burning love for the Eternal Wisdom which dominated his thoughts and led his actions. He referred to himself as “the Servant of the Eternal Wisdom”.

Bl. Henry Suso also preached in Switzerland and was an adviser to the Dominican Order.

Bl. Henry Suso died in 1366.  Pope Gregory XVI beatified him in 1831.

 

A man who has not suffered, what does he know?

Quote of Bl. Henry Suso; Feast day, March 2

 

March is the Month of St. Joseph

 

Faith, Martyr, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. David of Wales, Feast Day March 1

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St. David of Wales Public Domain Image
St. David of Wales

 

Benedictine Saints, Faith

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Oswald, Feast Day Feb. 29

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St. Oswald
The feast day of St. Oswald is celebrated on Feb. 29.

 

St. Oswald was born to a military family in England. He was raised by his uncle, St. Odo, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury.

St. Oswald studied in France where he decided to join the Benedictine Order. He was appointed Bishop of Worcester then Archbishop of York. He was known for his reforms and the founding of monasteries. He was an adamant supporter of education especially math, science and astronomy. He was known for his love of the poor and his personal holiness.

St. Oswald died in 992 during the ceremony of washing the feet of the poor during the season of Lent. He is buried in the Church of St. Mary at Worcester.

Silence is the cross on which we must crucify our ego.

Quote of St. Seraphim of Sarov; Feast day February 5

 

February is the Month of the Passion of the Lord

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