Category Archives: Saint of the Day

patron saints, Sacred Heart, Saint of the Day, Visionary

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Feast Day October 16




 

 

St. Margaret Mary Public Domain Image
St. Margaret Mary

The Feast day of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque is celebrated on October 16.  She is known as the Apostle of the Sacred Heart.

St. Margaret Mary was born to Claude and Philiberte Lamyn on July 22, 1647 in Lhautecour, France.  She was the fifth of seven children.  She was baptized with name of Margaret and added the name of Mary when she was confirmed in the faith in 1669.   From an early age Margaret had a strong devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.   Margaret’s father died when she was eight years old.  She was sent to a school run by Urbanist Nuns at Chavolles.

Margaret became very ill and was unable to walk.  After consecrating herself to the Blessed Virgin, she promised that if cured, she would be one of her daughters.  She was immediately cured.

Thrust into poverty after her father’s death, she considered marriage, which caused her internal conflict.  Her desire to become a nun prevailed.  She joined the Visitation Order in 1671.

St. Margaret Mary began having visions on Dec. 17, 1073.  They continued until June 1675.  Jesus appeared to her giving her the task of encouraging and teaching a devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  This included a Holy Hour on Thursdays to reflect on how the Apostles abandoned Him  during the Agony in the Garden.  It also encouraged receiving communion on 1st Fridays.

After suffering many years of from doubt and despair, St. Margaret Mary died at the age of 43.    She had served two terms as assistant supervisor.    With the help of St. Claude de la Columbiere, the  feast day  became popular.  The Sacred Heart symbolizes the boundless love given by Jesus in the Eucharist and His Passion and death

I need nothing but God and to lose myself to the Heart of Jesus.
Quote of St. Margaret Mary
October is the Month of the Most Holy Rosary

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patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John Chrysostom, Feast Day September 13




St. John Chrysostom Icon Public Domain Image
St. John Chrysostom Icon

The Feast day of St. John Chrysostom is celebrated on September 13. 

St. John was born to Christian parents about the year 344.  After studying law he became a deacon and was ordained a priest.  He served as a priest in Syria for 12 years before becoming Bishop of Constantinople.  St. John Chrysostom is the patron saint of preachers, speakers and  epilepsy.

St. John was known for his powerful sermons.  He believed in the need to help the poor and wanted the wealthy to  be generous with their money.  This was not appreciated by all who listened to him.

In 403 he was charged with heresy and sent into temporary exile.  He was recalled and then exiled permanently.  He died on Sept. 14, 407 while marching in the hot sun.  His last words were:

“Glory to God for all things.”

St. John Chrysostom (which means golden mouthed) has been given the title of Doctor of the Eucharist for his preaching on the belief in the Real Presence.  He is considered one of the four great doctors of the Eastern Church along with St. Athanasius, St. Gregory Nazianzen and St. Basil.

 Faithfulness in little things is a big thing.
Quote of St. John Chrysostom
September is the Month of Our Lady of Sorrows

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

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


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
St. Catherine of Siena
St. Catherine of Siena
St. Catherine of Siena
St. Catherine of Siena
St. Catherine of Siena
St. Catherine of Siena
St. Catherine of Siena
St. Catherine of Siena


St. Catherine of Siena

April is the Month of the Eucharist.

Incorruptible, Our Lady, Prayer, Quotes of Saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes; St. Bernadette of Lourdes, Feast Day April 16

The Feast day of St. Bernadette of Lourdes is celebrated on April 16.

St. Bernadetta was born in 1833 in France. Our Lady first appeared to St. Bernadette in Lourdes.
France on Feb. 11, 1858. Bernadette was a poor shepherdess who was only 14 years old. Our Lady actually appeared to her eighteen times.

During the first vision Bernadette saw a bright light and a beautiful lady dressed in a brilliant white dress adorned with a blue ribbon. A long veil covered her body from her head to her feet. Her hands were clasped as if praying and she carried a white and gold rosary with a gold cross in her hands. Bernadette took her rosary out of her pocket and guided by Our Lady they prayed the rosary. After praying, the vision ended.

St.Bernadette of Lourdes

Bernadette asked the girls with her if they had seen anything and they said no. She told them not to say anything, but her sister told their mother who did not believe the story.

On Feb. 14, Bernadette returned to the Grotto where the vision had happened. She asked those with her to pray the rosary. When Our Lady appeared again, Bernadette’s face was transfigured. She sprinkled the holy water which had been given her and said, “If you come from God, come near us.” The holy water touched Our Lady, and she smiled and came closer. They began to pray the rosary together.

On Feb. 18, after Mass she was accompanied by a lady and a religious. When she began praying, Our Lady appeared again and they all prayed the rosary. Our Lady asked Bernadette to return for 15 consecutive days. Benadette promised she would do so. Our Lady said;

Bernadette went to the Grotto with a lit candle for the next 15 days. Hundreds of people began coming with her. On Feb. 21, Bernadette observed that Our Lady seemed sad. She asked her, “What is wrong? What can I do?” Our Lady said,

“Pray for sinners.”

“I also promise to make you happy, not in this world, but in the next.”

A doctor examined Bernadette and concluded there was northing wrong with her. Bernadette was ridiculed nonetheless.

On Feb. 23, Our Lady requested that a Sanctuary be built on the site. She told Bernadette to talk to the priest. When the priest asked her the name of the lady, Bernadeete did not know. The priest told her he needed a miracle and she shoul ask the lady for the rose bush to blossom.

On Feb 26, Our Lady revealed to Bernadette her name saying:

“I am the Immaculate Conception”

During one apparition people witnessed Bernadette praying for fifteen minutes with the candle flame burning through her fingers. She remained unharmed. The last apparition occurred on the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Many miracles of healing have been attributed to the healing waters of Lourdes.

St. Bernadette joined the Sisters of Charity seeking God in the silence of the convent. St. Bernadette died on April 16, 1879.

The message of Our Lady Of Lourdes is timeless.

Pray for Sinners!

The incorrupt body of St. Bernadette of Lourdes may be viewed at St. Gildard Convent where it is kept uner glass. This is the Conven St. Bernadette spent the last nine years of her life in prayer with God.

Always stay very close to our Lord, present in the tabernacle. Be completely absorbed by devotion to Him there and never let go.

Quote of St. Bernadette

April is the Month of the Eucharist

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

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Feast Day Nov. 17




 

St. Elizabeth of Hungary by Moroder Public Domain Image
St. Elizabeth of Hungary
by Moroder

The Feast Day of St. Elizabeth of Hungary is celebrated on November 17.  Elizabeth was a Princess born in 1207 to King Andrew II of Hungary.  St. Elizabeth of Hungary  is the patron saint of widows, charities, bakers and young brides.

St. Elizabeth of Hungary was born in 1207 in Hungary. She was the daughter of Alexander II who was the King of Hungary. She was betrothed at the age of four to be married to Louis of Thuringa (a German principality). At the age of 14 she married Louis who was 21.

Elizabeth was very pious from a young age.  Louis, also was quite religious. Their marriage was a happy and fruitful union. They had three children.  Louis was a brave soldier. While he was away Elizabeth devoted herself to charity. She helped to build a hospital which had 12 beds.

He encouraged her works of charity. After six years of marriage Louis was killed during the crusades while she was pregnant with their third child at the age of 20. Elizabeth’s relatives resented how generous she was with the family’s money. They mistrusted her and eventually threw her out of the palace.

Upon hearing the news of her husband’s death, Elizabeth cried out,

“The world with all its joys is now dead to me.”

After finding care for her children, Elizabeth left the castle and became a Third Order Franciscan, joining them on Good Friday. She devoted herself entirely to helping the sick and poor. A Franciscan hospital was built in which she was able to care for the sick and suffering.

St. Elizabeth died at the age of 24 in 1231. Soon after her death miracles of healing were reported at her grave site

A legend exists that her husband met her unexpectedly as she went secretly on an errand to help the poor. The bread she was carrying was turned into roses. Pictures of St. Elizabeth often show her carrying bread or roses.

St. Elizabeth of Hungary died  at the age of 24 in 1231 at Marburg, Germany of natural causes.  She was canonized on May 27, 1235 by Pope Gregory IX.

https://stelizabethdallas.org/

“How could I bear a crown of gold
when the Lord bears a crown of thorns?…
and bears it for me!”
Quote of St. Elizabeth of Hungary
November is the Month of the Holy Souls

 

November is the Month of the Poor Souls

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Carmelite Saints, Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Raphael Kalnowski, Feast Day Nov. 19




 

Bl. Raphael Kalnowski
Bl. Raphael Kalnowski

The Feast Day of Bl. Raphael Kalnowski is celebrated on Nov. 19.

The name at baptism given to Bl. Raphael Kalnowski was Joseph.  He was born to Polish parents in Vilnius in 1835.  After military service he studied engineering at St. Petersburg.  He helped design the Kursk-Kiev-Odessa railway.

During the Polish insurrection against Russia, he accepted the post of Minister of War.  He was arrested on March 24, 1864 and condemned to death.  The sentence was changed to ten years hard labor in Siberia.

After his release, he became a tutor for Prince Augusto Czarteryski in Paris.  Augusto was inspired to become a priest, becoming a member of the Salesians.  Through his travels, Joseph met St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross, both Carmelites.  Two years later he decided to join the Carmelite Order taking the name of Brother Raphael of St. Joseph.  H studied theology in Hungary and was ordained a priest on Jan. 15, 1882.

He served as a priest with apostolic zeal.  He was known as a good confessor and a spiritual director.  He worked for church unity and was known for his holiness.

Bl. Raphael died of natural causes on Nov. 15, 1907.  Miraculous healings which were attributed to him led to his canonization by Pope John Paul II in 1991.

I like to find at least a few moments each day spent in doing good for others out of love for God.  These few moments, almost unnoticeably used, bring something like rays of peace and comfort behind them;  they unite us with people and God by a pure feeling of tender sweetness.
Quote of Bl. Raphael Kalnowski
November is the Month of the Holy Souls

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Martyr, North America, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: The North American Martyrs

The Feast Day of the North American Martyrs is celebrated on October 19 in the United States.  In Canada it is celebrated on September26th.

In the 1600’s, eight French Jesuit missionaries lost their lives while trying to spread the news of the gospel to the Huron, Iroquois, and Mohawk Indians. Three of them died in what is now New York State, five of them died in what is now Canada.

Isaac Jogues, René Goupil and Jean La Laude died in New York.

John DeBrebeuf, Gabriel Lalemant, Charles Garnier, Anthony Daniel, and Noel Chabanel died in Canada.

St. René Goupit was a Jesuit Lay brother. He was the first to be martyred. He was killed by tomahawk at Osermenon, (Auriesville, NY)) in 1942.

Father Isaac Jogues, a Jesuit priest, was held captive by the Mohawks for thirteen months. He had several fingers cut off his hand. He escaped and returned to France. He later returned to the mission. He was killed by tomahawk by a Mohawk brave in 1946.

St. Jean de La Lande, a Jesuit donné (not a member of the Society, but at their service) tried to retrieve Father Isaac Jogues’ body, but was killed also.

These martyrs were the first saints of North America.

The martyrs were canonized by Pope Pius XI on June 29, 1930.

Eucharist, Heaven, Pope Leo XIV, Quotes of Saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Carlo Acutis

The Feast Day of Carlo is celebrated on October 12.  Carlo Acutis was born on May 3, 1991  in London to Italian parents who working there.   He was raised in Milan, Italy.  Carlo died at the age of 15 in Manza, Italy of leukemia on October 12, 2006.

St. Carlo Acutis was beatified by Pope Francis in 2020 and Canonized by Pope Leo XIV on Sept. 7, 2025.  He is considered the first millennial saint and the patron saint of the internet.

At a young age of 11, Carlo became very interested in Eucharistic Miracles.   He visited the birthplace of many of the saints and sites of the Eucharistic miracles.  His passion for the Eucharist led him to use his skills as a coder to build a website cataloging over 150 Miracles.  He listed them by country and date.   His site is still active at Carlo Acutis La dlinea del tempo di Carlo Acutis

St. Carlos was known for being very generous.  He helped the poor and defended students in his school from bullies.  He enjoyed helping the elderly and disabled.    His passion for his faith inspired his parents to become active in their faith.  They enrolled in a theology class so they could answer questions which came up.

At the age of 14, Carlo fell ill.  At first, they believed he had the flu; however he was diagnosed with acute Myeloid Leukemia.  Afte r suffering from a cerebral hemorrhage, he went into a coma and died on October 12.

Initially buried in Ternengo his body was reburied in January 2007 in Assisi because of his devotion to St. Francis of Assisi.

St. Carlo is credited with two miracles.  The healing of a Brazilian boy born with a malformed pancreas was healed after prayers of intercession to Blessed Carlo in 2020.  The second miracle occurred in Costa Rico then a woman was healed in 2024 after suffering a serious head injury.  Prayers of intercession were prayed at St. Acutis’s tomb after which she was healed.   These miracles led to the canonization of St. Carlo in 2025 by Pope Leo XIV.

Eucharist, Heaven, Pope Leo XIV, Quotes of Saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Carlo Acutis

The Feast Day of Carlo is celebrated on October 12.  Carlo Acutis was born on May 3, 1991  in London to Italian parents who working there.   He was raised in Milan, Italy.  Carlo died at the age of 15 in Manza, Italy of leukemia on October 12, 2006.

St. Carlo Acutis was beatified by Pope Francis in 2020 and Canonized by Pope Leo XIV on Sept. 7, 2025.  He is considered the first millennial saint and the patron saint of the internet.

At a young age of 11, Carlo became very interested in Eucharistic Miracles.   He visited the birthplace of many of the saints and sites of the Eucharistic miracles.  His passion for the Eucharist led him to use his skills as a coder to build a website cataloging over 150 Miracles.  He listed them by country and date.   His site is still active at Carlo Acutis La dlinea del tempo di Carlo Acutis

St. Carlos was known for being very generous.  He helped the poor and defended students in his school from bullies.  He enjoyed helping the elderly and disabled.    His passion for his faith inspired his parents to become active in their faith.  They enrolled in a theology class so they could answer questions which came up.

At the age of 14, Carlo fell ill.  At first, they believed he had the flu; however he was diagnosed with acute Myeloid Leukemia.  Afte r suffering from a cerebral hemorrhage, he went into a coma and died on October 12.

Initially buried in Ternengo his body was reburied in January 2007 in Assisi because of his devotion to St. Francis of Assisi.

St. Carlo is credited with two miracles.  The healing of a Brazilian boy born with a malformed pancreas was healed after prayers of intercession to Blessed Carlo in 2020.  The second miracle occurred in Costa Rico then a woman was healed in 2024 after suffering a serious head injury.  Prayers of intercession were prayed at St. Acutis’s tomb after which she was healed.   These miracles led to the canonization of St. Carlo in 2025 by Pope Leo XIV.

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

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Denis and Companions, Feast Day October 9




St. Denis
St. Denis

 

The Feast day of St. Denis and Companions is celebrated on October 9.  St. Denis is the patron saint of France and against headaches.

St. Denis was born and raised in Italy.  He is also known as St. Dionysius.  He was sent to Gaul by Pope St. Clement.  He is probably the first Bishop of Paris.  St. Denis was martyred along with two companions according to the writings of St. Gregory of Tours.  His companions are believed to be St. Rustreus and St. Eleutherius, a priest and deacon.  They were beheaded with a sword under the persecution of Emperor Valerius in 258.   The head of St. Denis was carried into the nearby village before their bodies were thrown into the Seine River.  St. Denis body was recovered and a chapel was built over his tomb.

St. Denis is one of the 14 helpers who were invoked in the middle ages against the Black Plaque.  It is for this reason he became the patron saint against headaches.

 

Remember that this life is short, and that eternity is very long.
Quote of Bl. Susanna Araki Chabyoye

 

October is the Month of the Most Holy Rosary

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Faith, Feast Days, Our Lady, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Immaculate Conception of Mary, Feast Day December 8




 

The Immaculate Conception
by Padre Manuel

The Feast day of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated on Dec. 8 during the season of Advent.  The feast day celebrates the belief that Mary was conceived without the stain of original sin. It is often misunderstood as the celebration of the conception of Jesus.

Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception is the Patron Saint of Brazil and the United States.

The feast day became a celebration for the universal church in the 18th century. Pope Pius IX declare;

“The most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instant of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin.”

Mary herself confirmed her title to St. Bernadette saying to her;

” I am the Immaculate Conception.”

The largest Marian shrine in the U S. is the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception located in Washington D.C.

Just as Eve was conceived without sin, Mary also was conceived without sin. Mary is considered, ‘the new Eve’.

Rather than disobeying God, Mary said, “Let it be.”

Purer than heaven’s purest angels, brighter than its brightest seraph:
Mary, after her Creator, God, made her and gave her all,
the most perfect of beings, the masterpiece of Infinite Wisdom,
Almighty Power and Eternal Love.
To such a being we cannot reasonably suppose that
a perfection was denied her which had been already
gratuitously bestowed on inferior creatures;
on the angelic spirits.

Quote of St. John N. Newmann; Feast Day January 5

The Immaculate Conception in Art

December is the Month of the Divine Infancy

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The Immaculate Conception
by Rubens
The Immaculate Conception
The Immaculate Conception
by Padre Manuel