Category Archives: patron saints

Martyr, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Maria Goretti, Feast Day July 6




St. Maria Goretti Public Domain Image
St. Maria Goretti

The feast day of St. Maria Goretti is celebrated on July 6. St. Maria Goretti is the patron saint of rape victims, purity, chastity,  forgiveness, and youth.  She was the third of six children; having two sisters and three brothers. St. Maria Goretti died a martyr after an attempted rape and being stabbed to death.

Maria was born in Ancona, Italy on Oct. 16, 1890. Her father died of malaria when she was six years old, leaving her family very poor. They moved to Le Ferriere.

On July 5, 1902, she was sitting on her front steps, sewing and babysitting when her eighteen old neighbor, Alexander, attempted to rape her. She began screaming…

“No! It is a sin! God does not want it!”

After choking Maria, she still refused to submit to him, preferring to die. He then stabbed her eleven times. Maria tried to escape but Alexander then stabbed her three more times before running away. Maria was found bleeding and was taken to the hospital. Maria forgave Alexander before she died as she lay in a hospital bed.

Alexander was captured shortly after she died. Because he was a minor he was not sentenced to life in prison. He received a sentence of thirty years. He was unrepentant until he had a dream. In the dream, Maria appeared to him in a garden. She gave him flowers.

After 27 years in prison, he was released. Alexander went directly to Maria’s mother begging forgiveness. Her mother said,

“If my daughter can forgive him who am I to withhold forgiveness.”

All three of Maria’s brothers claimed to have had the intervention of St. Maria in their lives. Angelo heard a voice telling him to immigrate to America. Sandrino miraculously received money to finance his own immigration to join Angelo. Mariano heard a voice telling him to remain in his trench while fighting in World War I.

Maria was canonized in 1950 by Pope Pius XII. Pope Pius compared her to ‘St. Agnes of the 20th century’. Both her mother and Alexander attended the ceremony to celebrate her canonization.

Prayer to St. Maria Goretti

Oh Saint Maria Goretti who, strengthened by God’s grace, did not hesitate even at the age of twelve to shed your blood and sacrifice life itself to defend your virginal purity, look graciously on the unhappy human race which has strayed far from the path of eternal salvation. Teach us all, and especially youth,with what courage and promptitude we should flee for the love of Jesus anything that could offend Him or stain our souls with sin. Obtain for us from our Lord victory in temptation, comfort in the sorrows of life, and the grace which we earnestly beg of thee (here insert intention), and may we one day enjoy with thee the imperishable glory of Heaven. Amen

205px-Saint_maria_goretti_02 public domain image

He loves, He hopes, He waits,

Our Lord prefers to wait, Himself,

for the sinner….

rather than keep us waiting for an instant.

Quote of St. Maria Goretti

 

July is the Month of the Most Precious Blood

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Apostle, Martyr, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Thomas the Apostle, Feast Day July 3




St. Thomas the Apostle Public Domain Image
St. Thomas the Apostle

The Feast Day of St. Thomas the Apostle is celebrated on July 3. Thomas was also called Didymus which means twin. St. Thomas is the patron saint of India and architects.

Thomas the Apostle was known for questioning things. He was not afraid to ask questions or state his disbelief. Jesus treated him with love and compassion.

St. Thomas was also known as “Doubting Thomas”. After the resurrection Jesus appeared to the Apostles. Thomas was not there and did not believe that Jesus had risen from the dead. When Jesus later appeared to him he said “Peace be with you. Do not doubt but believe.” (John 21:24) St. Thomas also asked Jesus “How can we follow you, when we know not where you are going?” Jesus responded, “I am the way, the truth and the life. Whoever follows me will live forever.”

Thomas was one of the original twelve apostles. He was present at the Last Supper. He was also present when Jesus had the Apostles lower their nets and they miraculously caught many fish. After the resurrection, St. Thomas was sent to evangelize the Parthians, the Persians and India. He is believed to have built the first church in India. St. Thomas died a martyr’s death when at Calamine in India he was speared to death while praying.

My Lord and my God!

Quote of St. Thomas the Apostle

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Apostle, Martyr, patron saints, Pope, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Peter and St. Paul, Feast Day June 29




The Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul Public Domain Image
The Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul

The Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of St. Paul and St. Peter on June 29.

Both saints were martyred for their faith during the persecution of Nero. St. Peter was crucified upside down by his own request. He did not consider himself worthy to be crucified in the same manner as Our Lord. St. Paul was beheaded. It is possible they were both martyred on the same day.

St. Peter was one of the original Apostles. He was a fisherman before he was called to follow Jesus. He was the brother to the Apostle Andrew. St. Peter was clearly the leader of the apostles. With James and John he witnessed the Transfiguration and the Agony in the Garden. His mother-in-law was cured by Jesus. Originally, Peter’s name was Simon. Jesus asked the apostles, “Who do you say that I am?” Simon said, “You are the Messiah, the son of the living God.” Jesus then said:

“Blessed are you Simon, Son of Jonah, for flesh and blood have not revealed this to you but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

During the crucifixion of Jesus, Peter denied Jesus three times. Jesus also told Peter three times…

“Feed my sheep”.

St. Peter is the patron saint of fishermen.

St. Paul was not one of the original apostles. While persecuting Christians after the death of Jesus, he was thrown to the ground by a bright light. He heard a voice asking him,

“Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

He responded with “Who are you, Lord?” Jesus answered him:

“I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city and you will be told what you are to do.”

Paul was blinded by the light for three days after which scales fell from his eyes. He then joined the apostles, becoming known as “The Apostle of the Gentiles”. He wrote many of the epistles in the Bible. He is the patron saint of writers, the press, and missionaries.

Prayer to St. Peter and St. Paul

Grant, we pray, O Lord our God, that we may be sustained by the intercession of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, that as through them you gave your Church the foundations of her heavenly office, so through them you may help her to eternal salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever. Amen

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Quote of St. Paul
Lord, you know that I love you.
Quote of St. Peter
June is the Month of the Sacred Heart

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Martyr, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Eurosia, Feast Day June 25




St. Eurosia Public Domain Image
St. Eurosia

The Feast Day of St. Eurosia is celebrated on June 25.  St. Eurosia is considered the patron saint against bad weather.

St. Eurosia was a French martyr. She was born in Bayonne, France into a noble family. Betrothed against her will to a Moore, she escaped through the mountains and hid in a cave. Eurosia was pursued and captured. Her captures dragged her out of the cave by her hair. She was then martyred. Her limbs were amputated and then she was beheaded. At the moment of her death a violent storm came which terrorized her captures.

St. Eurosia’s remains were discovered by a shepherd. Her head remained at the original shrine, but her body was taken to Jaca for burial. Miracles were reported at the original shrine which became a site of pilgrimage.

St. Eurosia was canonized by Pope Leo XIII.

Where the sign of the cross is erected,
the wickedness of the devil is immediately repelled.
Quote of St. Maximus of Turin;                   Feast day June 25
June is the Month of the Sacred Heart

Martyr, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Thomas More, Feast Day June 22



St. Thomas More Public Domain Image
St. Thomas More

The Feast Day of St. Thomas More is celebrated on June 22.  St. Thomas More is the patron saint of lawyers.

St. Thomas More was born in London, England in 1478. He wrote the famous book Utopia which was a work of fiction which depicted a pagan and communist island which was ruled by reason. It touched on many controversial issues and established him as a humanist.

St. Thomas More attended St. Anthony’s School in London and served as a page for the archbishop of Canterbury. He continued his studies at Oxford University eventually becoming a lawyer. He was tempted to become a monk and moved near to a Cathusian monastery near London. He participated as much as possible. Torn becoming a monk or working as a civil servant his desire to become a civil servant won. In 1504, he entered Parliament.
Life began to change in 1527 when King Henry tried to use the Bible to prove to Thomas More that his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, who failed to produce a male child, was void. St. Thomas More could not agree with King Henry’s plan to divorce Catherine.

In 1532, Thomas More resigned from the House of Commons because of his health. When More refused to swear to King Henry’s Act of Succession and the Oath of Supremacy he was refusing allegiance to the King.

St. Thomas More was sent to the Tower of London on April 17, 1534 and found guilty of treason. He was beheaded on July 6, 1535. His last words were:

“The king’s good servant, but God’s first.”

St. Thomas More is considered a martyr of the faith.
St. Thomas More was canonized in 1935 by Pope Pius XI.

Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.
Quote of St. Thomas More
June is the Month of the Sacred Heart

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Faith, Jesuit Saints, patron saints, Saint of the Day, Visionary

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Feast Day June 21




St. Aloysius Gonzaga Public Domain Image St. Aloysius Gonzaga

 

The Feast Day of St. Aloysius Gonzaga is celebrated on June 21.   He was a Jesuit Deacon who lived in Italy and Rome from 1568-1591.  He is the patron saint of youth and plague victims.

St. Aloysius was born in Castiglione, Italy in 1568. He was one of seven children and lived in a castle. He was expected to follow his father into the military, but by the early age of nine Aloysius had decided he had a religious calling. He received his 1st communion from St. Charles Borromeo, who was a Cardinal.

St. Aloysius’ family was living in Florence when Aloysius came down with kidney disease. He spent his time while he was ill reading the lives of the saints. After reading about Jesuit missionaries in India he became determined to join the Society of Jesus.  Against the will of his father he joined the Jesuits at the age of 18. He gave up his right to an inheritance.

In 1590 Aloysius returned to Rome. While he was in Rome he had a vision of Archangel Gabriel who told him he would die within a year. In 1591, a plague broke out in Rome. Aloysius volunteered to serve in the hospital. It was not long before he came down with the plague himself.  After receiving another vision, St. Aloysius told several people he would die on the Feast of Corpus Christi, (Body of Christ). The Feast  of Corpus Christi fell on June 21 that year. In the morning he seemed fine but he grew weaker quickly. St. Bellarmine gave him the last rites and he died just before midnight at the age of 23.

St. Aloysius was known for his purity. He had taken a vow of perpetual virginity while very young, safeguarding himself from temptation by always looking downward when in the presence of women. His prayers included the Office of Mary and the Psalms. St. Aloysius had been ordained a deacon but was never ordained a priest.

A Carmelite mystic, St. Maria Magdalena de Pezzi claimed to have had a vision of St. Aloysius on April 4, 1600. She described him as radiant in glory because of his interior works and said he was a hidden martyr for his great love of God.

Pious legend tells us his first words were the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary.  Before his death, his final words were “Into Thy hands.”

St. Aloysius was canonized on Dec. 31, 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII.

I am but a crooked piece of iron,
and have come into religion to be made straight
by the hammer of mortification and penance.
Quote of St. Aloysius Gonzaga

 

June is the Month of the Sacred Heart

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Doctor of the Church, Franciscan Saints, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Anthony of Padua, Feast Day June 13




Bartolome_Esteban_Murillo_-_'The_vision_of_Saint_Anthony_of_Padua'._61_x_39.7_cm public domain image
The Vision of Saint Anthony of Padua by Bartolome Esteban Murillo

The Feast day of St. Anthony of Padua is celebrated on June 13. He is the patron saint of sailors, lost articles and fishermen.

St. Anthony was born in Lisbon, Portugal in 1195. His name at Baptism was Fernando. At the age of 15 Fernando entered the Augustinian Monastery. He did not focus on his studies and prayer, but spent time with friends and enjoyed political discussions. He was sent to Coimbra where he studied for nine years. He was ordained a priest during this time.

A turning point occurred in Fernando’s life after the massacre of five Franciscans. They had been tortured and beheaded. Their bodies were returned from Morocco and carried in a solemn procession to Fernando’s monastery. He was inspired to change orders and become a Franciscan, taking the name Anthony.

St. Anthony was sent to Morocco. but decided to return after becoming ill. He never arrived. His ship was hit by stormy weather and sent off course. He eventually landed on the East coast of Sicily. He was nursed back to health by the friars. While still ill, he attended the great Pentecost Chapter of Mats which was attended by 3000 Friars including St. Francis. Anthony was asked to give a short simple sermon. From then on he became a public preacher. The fire and knowledge with which he spoke inspired many to conversion.

St. Anthony made over 400 trips across Italy and France preaching against heresies. He presented the Christian faith in a positive light. Anthony became the teacher of sacred theology to the friars.

In 1226, St. Anthony was appointed provincial superior at the age of 31. It was in Padua that St. Anthony preached his last and most famous Lenten sermon. The crowds were near 30,000 so he preached in open fields. He was exhausted after the sermon. He knew death was near and received the last rites in the town of Arcilla singing with the friars there.

Shortly before he died he exclaimed,

“I see my Lord!”

He died in 1231 at the age of 36 after serving as a Franciscan for ten years.

St. Anthony is often shown in art holding the child Jesus in his arms. Tradition tells us that one night as Anthony was praying the room was filled with brilliant light. Jesus appeared to St. Anthony as a little child.

St. Anthony was canonized in 1232 by Pope Gregory IX. In 1946 Pope Pius XII declared him a Doctor of the Church.

 

Poverty is an easy way to God…

Poverty is the mother of humility.

It is as difficult to preserve humility amid riches

as purity in the midst of delights and luxury.

Quote of St. Anthony of Padua

 

June is the Month of the Sacred Heart.

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14 Helpers, Faith, Martyr, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Erasmus (St. Elmo), Feast Day June 2




Martyrdom of St. Erasmos Public Domain Image
Martyrdom of St. Erasmus

The Feast Day of St. Erasmus (also known as St. Elmo), is celebrated on June 2. He is the patron saint of sailors and against intestinal troubles.

St. Erasmus lived in Italy. He is also known as St. Elmo. He served as the Bishop of Formiae, Campagna, Italy and was martyred during the persecutions of Christians by Diocletan.

Trying to flee the persecutions St. Elmo fled to Mt. Lebanon and lived in solitude for a time. When he was found, he was tortured and imprisoned. Because he refused to deny his faith he was scourged and cast into boiling oil, sulfur and pitch. He was miraculously saved from harm. According to legend and angel led him to freedom.

After escaping prison he converted many with his preaching and miracles. A second time he was captured, imprisoned and tortured. Again, an angel led him to freedom.  During his torture he had hot iron hooks struck into his intestines. He survived these wounds which is why he is invoked for intestinal problems.

St. Elmo is also the patron saint of sailors. A blue light appears at mastheads before and after a storm; the seamen took it as a sign of St. Erasmus’s protection. This became known as St. Elmo’s Fire.

St. Elmo died was martyred in 303. He was tortured and disemboweled.

St. Elmo is considered one of the 14 Helpers. These fourteen saints are considered very effective in their ability to intercede in times of trouble, especially matters of health.

Nothing unites us so intimately
to the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ
as does the cross.
Quote of St. Margaret Mary;                                  Feast day October 17
June is the Month of the Sacred Heart.

Faith, Martyr, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Justin Martyr, Feast Day June 1

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St. Justin Marty by Theophanes the Cretan Public Domain Image
St. Justin Martyr
by Theophanes the Cretan

The Feast Day of St. Justin Martyr is celebrated on June 1. He is a martyr and the patron saint of philosophers.

St. Justin Martyr was born at Flavia Neapolis, Palestine about the year 100. He was raised pagan in a Jewish culture. Justin was a student of philosophy. He was very interested in the teachings of Plato. As a student he studied a multitude of different philosophies before converting to Christianity. After his conversion, Justin began to proclaim his new found faith as he traveled from town to town trying to convert others to the faith. He also spent a great deal of time in Rome. After debating Crescens in Rome, Justin was denounced and condemned to death. Records of his death still exist. He was beheaded in 165.

St. Justin was known as an Apologist. An apologist is one who defends in writing the Christian faith. Two of his Apologies still exist. They are addressed to the Roman emperor and to the Senate. St. Justin is considered the first Christian Philosopher and the patron saint of philosophers.

The greatest grace God can give someone is to send him a trial
he cannot bear with his own powers…and then sustain him
with His grace so he may endure to the end and be saved.
Quote of St. Justin Martyr

June is the Month of the Sacred Heart.



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Faith, Featured, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Bona of Pisa, Feast Day May 29




St. Bona of Pisa
St. Bona of Pisa

The Feast Day of St. Bona of Pisa is celebrated on May 29. She is the patron saint of flight attendants, travelers, pilgrims and travel guides.

St. Bona of Pisa was born in 1156 in Pisa, Italy. She was the child of a single mother. She was told that her father had vanished during a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. As a child she was very pious. In a vision while praying before the crucifix, Jesus reached out his hand and touched her. By the age of ten she had become an Augustinian tertiary. (A tertiary is a lay member of a monastic order).

In another vision she learned that her father was still alive and fighting in the Crusades in Jerusalem. St. Bona decided to make a trip to Jerusalem to find her father. After finding him she returned home, only to be captured by pirates on the Mediterranean Sea!  Countrymen came to her rescue and she eventually arrived home safely.

St. Bona was appointed the official pilgrimage guide by the Knights of St. James.  She made nine trips to Spain and Santiago de Compostella, always leading a group of pilgrims. On her final trip she became very ill. She died at the age of 51 after returning home from the pilgrimage.

Pope John XXIII named her the patron saint of flight attendants, travel guides, couriers and travelers.

The greatest method of prayer is to have none.
If in going to prayer one can form in oneself a pure capacity
for receiving the spirit of God, that will suffice all method.
Quote of St. Jane Francis de Chantal; Feast day December 12

May is the Month of Our Lady.

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Faith, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Eugene de Mazenod, Feast Day May 21




St. Eugene de Mazenod Public Domain Image
St. Eugene de Mazenod

The Feast Day of St. Eugene de Mazenod is celebrated on May 21.

St. Eugene Mazenod was born in Aixen Provence, France in 1782 on August 1. He was born into a wealthy family during the French Revolution. Because of the Revolution his family fled France and lived in exile for eleven years. His family life was filled with turmoil and fighting. Although Eugene tried to keep his family together, his parents eventually divorced. At the age of 20, Eugene returned to France. After having a mystical experience at the foot of the cross on Good Friday in 1807 Eugene was led to enter the seminary of Saint Sulpice in Paris in 1808. He was ordained a priest on Dec. 21, 1811 at Amiens, France.

As a priest, Eugene began by serving those in prison and the youth. He founded the Missionaries of Provence, asking the Pope directly that his group be recognized. It was approved by Pope Leo XII in 1826 under the name “Oblates of Mary Immaculate”. As Superior General St. Eugene led and inspired his missionaries for 35 years until his death. They worked with the youth, cared for shrines, worked in the prisons and heard confessions. Because of his zeal he earned the nickname, “the second Paul”.

In 1832, St. Eugene was named Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Marseilles. Five years later he became the Bishop. As Bishop, he sent his missionaries to Canada the United States, Africa, Asia, Australia and Latin America. They would preach and baptize.

St. Eugene died at age 79. He was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1955. There are over 4000 Missionary Oblates in 67 countries today. St. Eugene de Mazenod is the patron saint of dysfunctional families.

In spiritual life, when you cease to climb, you begin to descend.
Quote of St. Bernard; Feast day August 20

May is the Month of Mary

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Faith, Franciscan Saints, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Ivo of Kermartin, Feast Day May 19




St. Ivo Painting by Rogier van der Weyden Public Domain Image
St. Ivo
Painting by Rogier van der Weyden

The Feast Day of St. Ivo of Kermartin is celebrated on May 19.  St. Ivo is the patron saint of lawyers, judges, orphans and widows.

St. Ivo was born in Kermarton, Brittany, France on Oct. 17, 1253. He studied at the University of Paris, becoming a lawyer. He quickly became well known for his knowledge of philosophy, theology and canon law. He was appointed a judge of the Ecclesiastical Court and received minor orders. It is believed he entered the Third Order of Franciscans. He was ordained a priest in 1284.

St. Ivo’s defense of the downtrodden earned him the title “Advocate of the Poor.” He often visited the poor in prison and payed their expenses. He refused to take bribes which was a common corruption of that time.

Eventually, St. Ivo was elected as an official for the Bishop of Treguier. In this position he resisted the taxation imposed upon the church. St. Ivo also built a hospital. St. Ivo served as a parish priest for 18 years. He died on May 19, 1303 at the age of 50. He was canonized by Pope Clement VI in 1347.

The truth that many people never understand, until it is too late, is that the more you try to avert suffering the more you suffer, because smaller and more insignificant things begin to torture you in proportion to your fear of being hurt.
Quote of Thomas Merton

May is the Month of Our Lady.