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.”
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.
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.
The feast day of Bl. Caterina Citadini is celebrated on May 5.
Bl. Caterina was born in Italy in 1801. Her mother died when she was six years old. She and her sister were taken to an orphanage when their father abandoned them. She became very devoted to the Bl. Virgin Mary and her guardian angel. She received her teaching degree and left the orphanage.
Caterina and her sister Giuditta lived the town of Somasca where they began a school and an orphanage. In 1840 Caterina’s sister died suddenly. After Caterina died in 1857 her educational institute was finally granted recognition as a religious congregation known as the Ursuline Sisters of Somasca.
The passion of the Lord is here in truth, shaking the earth, rending the rocks and opening tombs.
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 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.
The feast day of St. James the Lesser and St. Philip is celebrated by the Church on the same day, May 3. They are both Apostles and martyrs.
St. Philip was also one of the original apostles. He was born in Bethsaida, Galilee and was a follower of John the Baptist. He was present at the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. He was also present at the Last Supper. During the Last Supper, it was Philip who asked Jesus to show them the Father. Jesus responded by teaching them about the unity of the Father and the Son. After the resurrection Philip preached in Greece and Syria. St. Philip died a martyr. He was crucified upside down at Hierapolis under the rule of Emperor Domitian.
St. Philip is the patron saint of cooks and bakers.
St. James the Lesser was one of the original twelve apostles. The title Lesser probably meant he was younger than James the Greater. James was a cousin of Jesus and brother to St. Jude Thaddeus. St James the Lesser was the first Bishop of Jerusalem. He was known for his devotion to the poor. He was beaten to death with a club while praying for his attackers.
St.James the Lesser is the patron saint of fullers and pharmacists.
Martyrdom of the Apostle St. James the Less by Master of the Winkler Epitaph
Teach us to be generous, good Lord. Teach us to serve You as You deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to ask for any reward save that of knowing we do Your will.
Quote of St. Ignatius of Loyola; Feast day July 31
