Category Archives: Faith

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Julia Billiart, Feast Day April 8

April 7, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

The feast day of St. Julia Billiart is celebrated on April 8.

St. Julia Billiart was born in 1751 near Cuvilly, France. She was the daughter of wealthy farmers. As a teenager she helped support her family when they face financial difficulties. She attended a one room school house in Culvilly. Playing school was her favorite activity as a child. Her favorite subject was religion. A priest noticed her devotion and allowed her to receive her first communion at the age of nine rather that thirteen. She developed a great love of the Eucharist.

When Julia was 30 years old she came down with a strange illness. Shortly after, she witnessed an attempt on her father’s life. The trauma from the incident resulted in complete paralysis which lasted for 22 years. For part of that time she also experience a great difficulty in speaking. St. Julia offered all her pain and suffering to God. Although she was paralyzed she taught catechism from her bed for twenty years. She gave spiritual advise to those who came to visit her. She was known for often exclaiming,

“How good God is!”

St. Julia offered her home as a hiding place for priests during the French Revolution. As a result, Julie became a target herself. Five times she went into hiding to protect her friends. During this time she receive a vision. She saw her crucified Lord surrounded by religious women dressed in a habit she had never seen before. An inner voice told her that these would be her daughters and that she would begin an institute for the Christian education of young girls. With the financial help of Francoise Blin de Bourdon she became the co-founder of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Julia began living a religious life in 1803 with several companions.

In 1804 she was miraculously cured of her illness and walked again for the first time in 22 years. In 1805 she and three others made their profession and final vows. She became the Mother General of the Congregation.

After founding the Sister of Notre Dame, Julia opened a variety of schools in France and Belgium serving both the poor and the wealthy.

St. Julia died peacefully on April 8, 1816 when she was 64. She was beatified in 1906 and canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1969.

Look to God as a sunflower looks to the sun…for life.

Quote of St. Julia Billiart

April is the Month of the Eucharist.

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Faith, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John Baptist de la Salle, Feast Day April 7

April 6, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

The feast day of St. John Baptist de la Salle is celebrated on April 7. He is the patron saint of teachers.

St. John Baptist de la Salle was born on April 30, 1651 at Rheims, France. He was the oldest of ten children in a noble family. He studied in Paris and was ordained a priest in 1678 at the age of 27. Father John’s first assignment was as a spiritual director for the Sisters of the Holy Infant and their orphanage. They urged him to begin an orphanage for boys. Soon, a second orphanage was begun in the same diocese.

St. John knew he was called to educate the poor. During this time, education was only possible for the rich. Because he was in need of more teachers, Father John established two teachers colleges; Rheims and St. Denis. He emphasized classroom teaching over individual instruction and taught in the native language rather than Latin. He also began a reform school for boys at Dijon.

St. John Baptist de la Salle sold everything he owned and gave his large inheritance to the poor in the province of Champagne which was suffering from famine. He depended on Divine Providence for all his needs. St. John founded the Institute of the Brother of the Christian Schools. It was a group of lay men wishing to educate the poor. The Brothers founded a school in the U.S. in 1846.

On Good Friday in 1719, St. John died at the age of 68. He had been suffering from asthma and rheumatism.

You can work miracles by touching the hearts of those entrusted to your care.

Quote of St. John Baptist de la Salle

April is the Month of the Eucharist.

St. John Baptist de la Salle in Art

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Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Michele Rua, Feast Day April 6

April 5, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

The feast day of Bl. Michele Rua is celebrated on April 6.

Bl. Michele Rua was born in Turn, Italy. He was the youngest of nine children. He attended Don Bosco Oratory as a boy where he met St. John Bosco. St. John was so impressed by Michele that he sent him to college. Later he became John Bosco’s assistant in youth ministry.

Bl. Michele was ordained a priest and was one of the first members of the Salesians of Don Bosco which focused on youth ministry for boys. John was the first successor to St. John Bosco as Superior General. Under his direction the community grew from 700 to 4,000 members, 64-341 houses in 33 countries.

Bl. Michele Rua was known for his gifts of reading hearts, healing and prophecy.

The soul hungers for God, and nothing but God can satiate it. Therefore He came to dwell on earth and assumed a Body in order that this Body might become the food for our souls.

Quote of St. John Vianney; Feast day August 4

April is the Month of the Eucharist

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Dominican Saints, Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Vincent Ferrer, Feast Day April 5

April 4, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

The feast day of St. Vincent Ferrer is celebrated on April 5.

St. Vincent Ferrer was born on Jan. 23, 1350 at Valencia, Spain. Before he was born his father had a prophetic dream in which a Dominican preacher told him his son would be famous. His mother was told by a blind woman that her son would restore her sight. (He did restore her sight.)

As a child St. Vincent had a devotion to the Passion of Christ and honored his spiritual mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. He chose to enter the Dominican Order. After making his profession he was appointed to lead lectures of philosophy and published a treatise at the age of 24.

During one period of his life, Vincent was tried by serious temptations of the flesh. Through prayer and penance he survived the ordeal.

St. Vincent encouraged praying the rosary by saying…

“Whoever observes this practice is beyond the reach of adversity!”

During the last twenty years of his life he preached in Spain, France, Switzerland, the Low countries and Lombardy. He stressed the need for repentance. He was known for his preaching and successfully converted many thousands of people. However he was always known for his humility. He was also known for his gift of healing; cripples walked, the mute spoke and the blind were able to see.

St. Vincent fell ill with fever and died in 1419.

Once humility is acquired, charity will come to life; a burning flame devouring the corruption of vice and filling the heart so full that there is no place for vanity.

Quote of St. Vincent Ferrer

April is the Month of the Eucharist

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Doctor of the Church, Faith, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Isidore of Seville, Feast Day April 4

April 3, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

The feast day of St. Isidore of Seville is celebrated on April 4.

St. Isidore was born in Cartagena, Spain in 560. He had two brothers and a sister. He was raised by his older brother, Leander, who was quite strict. Isidore had a great love of learning. He succeeded Leander as Bishop of Seville. As bishop he focused on reforming the clergy and fostering monastic life. He presided over the Second Council of Seville and the Fourth Council of Toledo.

St. Isidore was a prolific writer. His twenty volume set titled Etymologies was perhaps the first known encyclopedia. His writings also included a dictionary and books on the history of the world. For this reason, Pope John Paul II chose him to be patron of the internet.

After serving as bishop for 37 years, St. Isidore died in 636 nearing the age of 80. He was named a Doctor of the Church.

Confession heals, confession justifies, confession grants pardon of sin. All hope consists in confession. In confession there is a chance for mercy. Believe it firmly. Do not doubt, do not hesitate, never despair of the mercy of God. Hope and have confidence in confession.

Quote of St. Isidore of Seville

April is the Month of the Eucharist.

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Faith, Martyr, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Sts. Irene, Agape and Chiona, Feast Day April 3

April 2, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

Sts. Irene, Agape and Chionia were sisters living in Salonika. Their feast day is celebrated on April 3. They lived during the reign of Emperor Diocilian in a pagan family. In 303 he issued a decree making it an offense punishable by death to possess sacred Christian writings. The sisters owned several volumes of Holy Scriptures which they kept hidden.

The three sisters were arrested for refusing to eat food that had been offered to the Gods. The governor (Dulcetius) questioned each of them. Agape answered his questions by saying…

“I believe in the living God and will not by an evil action lose all the merit of my past life”

St. Chionia and St Agape were sentenced to be burned alive. Irene, because of her age was to be imprisoned. After her sisters were executed, the house was searched and the forbidden books were found. Irene was sent to a brothel where she was forced to strip naked. Miraculously she was protected from harm. After once again refusing to conform she was sentenced to death. She died either by being forced to throw herself into flames or by being shot in the throat with an arrow. The books were publicly burned after her death.

The martyrdom of the three sisters is recorded in an existing document.

It is in loving the cross that one discovers his heart.

Quote of St. Bernadette; Feast day April 16

April is the Month of the Eucharist

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Doctor of the Church, Dominican Saints, Faith, Incorruptible, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Catherine of Siena, Feast Day April 29

April 1, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

St. Catherine of Siena Public Domain Image — St. Catherine of Siena

The feast day of St. Catherine of Siena is celebrated by the Catholic Church on April 29. St. Catherine is the patron saint against fire, illness and miscarriage.

St. Catherine was the 25th child to Giacomo and Lapa Benincase. She was born in 1347. Her father was a wealthy wool dyer in Northern Italy. She began having mystical experiences at the age of six, seeing guardian angels clearly. She also had visions of Heaven, hell and purgatory. She consecrated herself to Christ at the age of seven.

At the age of 16, Catherine became a Dominican tertiary (lay Dominican), continuing to have visions of Christ, Mary and the saints. In many of her ecstasies, Catherine fell into fire; however, she was untouched by the flames. This is why she is the patron saint against fire.

St. Catherine received a divine call to enter the public life . She began writing letters to princes and republics of Italy. She was consulted by papal legates. She persuaded Pope Gregory XI to return to Rome from Avignon and reform the clergy and the Papal States. She referred to the pope as “sweet Christ on earth”. St. Catherine also cared for the sick (working among lepers) , served the poor and worked tirelessly to convert sinners. St. Catherine’s reputation for holiness grew.

On the 4th Sunday of Lent, 1375, she received the Stigmata, (the wounds of Christ). They were only visible after her death.

St. Catherine’s writings are considered historical in the Church. They include: “The Dialogue, Letters of Catherine Siena and Little Talks with God.

At the age of 33, on April 29, 1380, Catherine died of a mysterious and painful illness which came on without notice. It was not diagnosed. Her body was discovered to be in-corrupt in the year 1430. In 1970, Pope Paul VI declared St. Catherine of Siena to be a Doctor of the Church.

Enough of all this soft soap! All it does is cause the members of Christ’s Spouse to stink!

Quote of St. Catherine of Siena

St. Catherine of Siena in Art

April is the Month of the Eucharist.

Faith, Franciscan Saints

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Francis of Paola, Feast Day April 2

April 1, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

The feast day of St. Francis of Paola is celebrated on April 2.

St. Francis was born in Paola, Italy in 1416. His parents named him after St. Francis of Assisi. He was educated at San Marco at the Franciscan friary. At the age of fifteen, Francis decided to become a hermit. He lived in a cave on the seashore eating food which grew wild. He soon had followers and they founded an order called the Hermits of St. Francis. The Order was approved by Pope Sixtus IV in 1474. In 1492 the name of the Order was changed to Minim Friars. Minim means ‘least’. The orders primary focus was on humility. It also emphasized penance and chastity.

St. Francis of Paola was credited with many miracles becoming known as a wonder worker. He was also known for his gift of prophecy. He was so well known that King Louis XI of France requested his help while nearing death. Pope Sixtus II ordered him to go to France. Unable to cure the king, St. Francis told him not to fear death but to fear the loss of eternal life. He became the spiritual advisor to the king. He encouraged the king to surrender his heart and soul to God before it was too late. The king died in Francis’ arms in 1482. The son of the king, Charles, became a friend to Francis. He endowed several monasteries for the Minims in France. Francis spent his final years at the monastery in Plessis, France where he died.

St. Francis spent the final three months of his life in complete solitude. He died at the age of 91 on Good Friday, April 2.

The recollection of injury is…a rusty arrow and poison for the soul.

Quote of St. Francis of Paola

April is the Month of the Eucharist

St. Francis of Paola in Art

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Faith, Martyr, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Anacleto, Feast Day April 1

March 31, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

The feast day of Bl. Anacleto Gonzalez Florez is celebrated on April 1.

Bl. Anacleto Gonzalez Florez was born on July 13, 1888 in Tepatitlan, Jalisco, Mexico. He studied law during a time of persecution.

Anacleto was greatly involved in social and religious activities and a member of the Catholic Association of Young Mexicans. He taught religious education, wrote articles and books and was dedicated to works of charity. In 1922 he married Maria Concepcion Guerrero and they had two children.

Anacleto joined the League for the Defense of Religious Freedom after four journalists were murdered. He began a weekly newspaper named “Word”. He was periodically imprisoned; however, he preached the gospel to inmates while in prison.

In 1927 guerrilla warfare spread. Anacleto wrote bulletins from his hiding places. He was captured on April 1, 1927 in the home of the Vargas Gonzalez family. He and two of the Vargas brothers were arrested. Anacleto was tortured be being hung by his thumbs until his fingers were dislocated and having the bottoms of his feet slashed. He refused to give his captors any information.

Bl. Anacleto was sentenced to death and was shot with the Vargas Gonzalez brothers and Luis Padilla Gomez on April 1, 1927.

The last words of Bl. Anacleto were….“I die, but God does not die. Viva! Cristo Rey!”

Well, Lord, if this is how You treat Your friends, no wonder You have so few!

Quote of St. Teresa of Avila; Feast day Oct. 15

April is the Month of the Eucharist

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Faith, Martyr, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Benjamin, Feast Day March 31

March 30, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

The feast day of St. Benjamin is celebrated on March 31.

St. Benjamin was a deacon serving in Persia. There had been twelve years of peace in Persia when Abdas, a Christian bishop, burned the Temple of Fire which was a great sanctuary. King Isdegerd threatened to destroy all Christian churches unless it was rebuilt. When Abdas refused to rebuild the sanctuary the King proceeded to carry out his threat.

It was during this time that St. Benjamin was arrested. He was imprisoned for one year for his faith. At the end of the year he was released on the condition that he could not speak about religion.

St. Benjamin declared that it was his duty to preach about Christ and refused to be silent. He was arrested again and tortured. Reeds were thrust between his nails and then withdrawn. A knotted stake was inserted into his bowels to rend and tear him.

St. Benjamin died a martyr in 424. St. Benjamin is the patron of Evangelists.

The cross means there is no shipwreck without hope; there is no dark without dawn; nor storm without haven.

Quote of St. John Paul II; Feast day October 22

March is the Month of St. Joseph

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Faith, Prayer, Saint of the Day, Spirituality

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John Climacus, Feast Day March 30

March 29, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

The feast day of St. John Climacus is celebrated on March 30.

St. John Climacus was born in Syria in 525. He enjoyed studying science and the arts. In 547, at the age of 16 he dedicated himself to God. He went to Mt. Sinai to live as a hermit. His spiritual advisor was Martyrius. St. John lived in silence and solitude living with humility and obedience. He never argued with anyone. After four years of living as a hermit John made his profession at the age of twenty.

St. John had received from God the power to heal spiritual disorders. One person he healed was named Isaac who was on the verge of despair by temptations of the flesh. St. John could see that Isaac had faith and said to him, “My son, let us have recourse to God by prayer.” They both lay prostrated on the ground in fervent prayer and Isaac felt the despair leave and was filled with peace. Many others came to John for assistance. Due to jealousy, St. John was censored and accused of vanity. John imposed on himself a year of silence. Those who charged him asked him to resume giving advice and told him not to bury the talent given to him by God.

St. John became Abbot of Mt. Sinai and Superior General to all the monks and hermits in that country when he was 75. During a severe drought the people asked him to intercede on their behalf to God. His prayers were soon answered with large rain storms.

After four years as Abbot he resigned to prepare for death. St. John died on March 30, 605. After his death, his book Ladder of Divine Ascent became very popular making him very well known.

Humility is the only virtue no devil can imitate. If pride made demons out of angels, there is no doubt that humility can make angels out of demons.

Quote of St. John Climacus

March is the Month of St. Joseph

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Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Mark of Arethusa, Feast Day March 29

March 28, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

The feast day of St. Mark of Arethusa is celebrated on March 29.

St. Mark was a priest in Syria during the reign of Constantine. He became the Bishop of Arethan. There were many conversions to Christianity during this time. Mark undertook the challenge of transforming pagan temples into Christian churches. He faced resistance, however his gentle demeanor, compassion and humility made it possible. However, when Emperor Julian the Apostate succeeded the throne the advances of Christianity came to a sudden halt and persecutions began.

A mob turned on St. Mark. The mob demanded that he pay to have the temple rebuilt. When he refused, they tortured him. They cut off his ears, stripped him naked, smeared him with honey and bound him to a tree for wasps, mosquitoes and hornets to eat. He still refused to pay for the temple to be rebuilt. His endurance impressed the people who began to feel sorry for him. They eventually set him free. Many people who had left the faith because of Emperor Julian began to return to the faith.

St. Mark died on March 28, 389.

Our discovery of God is, in a way, God’s discovery of us. We cannot go to heaven to find Him because we have no way of knowing where heaven is or what it is, He comes down from Heaven and finds us.

Quote of Thomas Merton

March is the Month of St. Joseph

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The Mystery of Faith

Category Archives: Faith

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Julia Billiart, Feast Day April 8

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John Baptist de la Salle, Feast Day April 7

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Michele Rua, Feast Day April 6

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Vincent Ferrer, Feast Day April 5

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Isidore of Seville, Feast Day April 4

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Sts. Irene, Agape and Chiona, Feast Day April 3

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Catherine of Siena, Feast Day April 29

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Francis of Paola, Feast Day April 2

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Anacleto, Feast Day April 1

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Benjamin, Feast Day March 31

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John Climacus, Feast Day March 30

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Mark of Arethusa, Feast Day March 29

Discovering the Spirituality of Catholicism