Category Archives: Saint of the Day

Benedictine Saints, Our Lady, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Herman the Cripple, Feast Day September 25




Bl. Herman the Cripple
Bl. Herman the Cripple

 

The Feast Day of Bl. Herman the Cripple  is celebrated on September 25.  He is the patron saint of the unborn child and the disabled.

Bl. Herman was  the son of the Earl of Altshausen in southern Germany.  He was born with a cleft palate, cerebral palsy and possibly spina bifida.  The doctors told his parents he would not live past five years of age.  He lived to be 41.

Herman had trouble with both moving and speaking.  His parents cared for him until the age of seven.  He was then given to the Abbey of Reichenau to be cared for.  The monks raised him in the Benedictine monastery where he became interested in theology and the spiritual world.  In spite of his disabilities, Bl. Herman was very intelligent.  He studied math, astronomy, theology, history, poetry , Arabic, Greek and Latin.  He built musical instruments and was known for his poetry.  At the age of 20 Herman became a Benedictine monk.

Towards the end of his life Herman suffered from blindness.  He began writing hymns.  The most famous are the Salve Regina, Hail Holy Queen and Redemptoris Mater.  Bl. Herman used prayer and music to grow closer to God.

Bl. Herman died at the age of 41 in 1054.  Because so many children with disabilities die because of abortion, Bl. Herman is the saint of the unborn child.  He is also the patron saint of the disabled.

Hail Holy Queen

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy!   Our life, our sweetness, and our hope!
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve.  To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.  Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us;  and after this, our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. 
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.  Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Prayer of Bl. Herman the Cripple
September is the Month of Our Lady of Sorrows

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Martyr, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Gerard Sagredo, Feast Day September 24




 

 

The Feast day of St. Gerard Sagredo is celebrated on September 24.  He is a martyr and patron saint of Hungary.

St. Gerard was born in Venice in 980.  He went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land but his ship landed at Istria.  He became the educator of the prince and played a role in the conversion of Hungary to Christianity.

St. Gerard became the first Bishop of Csanad in 1030.  After the death of the King, St. Stephen, he refused to serve the new King.  Persecution against Christians became common.

St. Gerard was martyred on September 24, 1046.  Legend states he was placed in a wooden barrel hauled to the hilltop and rolled down what is now named Gillert Hill.  At the bottom he was beaten to death.

St. Gerard Sagredo was canonized in 1083.

“It is in loving the cross that one discovers his heart.”
Quote of St. Bernadette;  Feast Day April 16
September is the Month of Our Lady of Sorrows

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Saint of the Day, Spirituality

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Padre Pio, Feast Day September 23




 

St. Padre Pio Public Domain Image
St. Padre Pio
Public Domain

 

The Feast Day of St. Padre Pio is celebrated on September 23.  He is the first priest to receive the stigmata (wounds of Christ).

The name of Padre Pio at birth was Francesco Forgione.  He was born on May 25, 1887 in Pietrelc

ina, Italy.  He showed signs of a religious calling at a very early age, dedicating his life to God at the age of 5. Francesco was able to communicate with Jesus, Mary and his Guardian Angel.  He assumed this was common.

At the age of 15, he joined the Capuchin Order of the friars Minor in Morcone, Italy.  He was known for being a very contemplative priest.  When he celebrated Mass they lasted several hours due to the long, silent  moments of contemplative prayer.  When he was asked if he could shorten the Mass he replied:

“God knows that I want to say Mass just like any other priest,

but I cannot do it.”

He gained a reputation of being a good counselor and people traveled many hours to speak with him.  Padre Pio was known as a man of prayer.  He encouraged praying the rosary and praying for the deceased souls in Purgatory.

On September 20, 1918, just a month after his ordination, he received the stigmata while praying before a crucifix at the age of 31.  For 50 years he suffered with the wounds of Christ.  He was given the gifts of healing, prophecy, miracles and the gift of tongues. He was also given the gift of “odor of sanctity”.  Quite often the scent of roses or lilies was present while people were with him.

Although given many spiritual gifts he always remained humble and in service to God.  He became sought out as a confessor, spending an average of 19 hours a day in the confessional.  People came from all corners of the earth to confess their sins to him.  He heard the confession of Pope John Paul II when he was a young priest.

Padre Pio founded a hospital called The Home for the Relief of Suffering.

“Bring God to all those who are sick.

  This will help them more than any other remedy.”

At the age of 81 Padre Pio died while praying the rosary.

“After my death I will do more. 

My real mission will begin after my death”

Over 100, 000 people attended the funeral of St. Padre Pio to celebrate his life.

Padre Pio was canonized by Pope John Paul II on June 16, 2002.

“Your tears were collected by the angels

and were placed in a gold chalice

and you will find them

when you present yourself before God.”

Quote of St. Padre Pio
St. Padre Pio Public Domain Image
St. Padre Pio
Public Domain Image

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September is the Month of Our Lady of Sorrows

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Saint of the Day, Spirituality

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Thomas of Villanova, Feast Day September 22




 

 

St. Thomas Villanova by Murillo Public Domain Image
St. Thomas Villanova Dividing His Clothes
by Murillo

The feast day of St. Thomas of Villanova is celebrated on September 22.  He served as the Bishop of Valencia for 11 years.

St. Thomas of Villanova was born in Fuenlana, Spain in 1488.  He was very generous to the poor and needy from a very early age.  He was known to give his clothes to those less fortunate.  At the age of 16 he entered the University of Alcala.  When his father died he gave away his inheritance to feed unmarried women.  He finished his studies in theology at Alcala and then became a Professor of Philosophy and Theology.  He joined the Hermits of St. Augustine becoming well known for his holiness and generosity.  He was ordained a priest of the order in 1518.

St. Thomas was chosen to be Archbishop of Granada but turned down the position.  Out of obedience to his superiors he accepted the position of Bishop of Valencia.  He served as bishop for eleven years.  While serving the people of Valencia he founded two colleges and built a hospital.  His love of the poor inspired him supply food for those who were hungry. He was given the gift of healing, miracles and conversion of sinners.

St. Thomas of Villanova died of Angina Pectoris at the age of 67 in 1658.  Miracles were attributed to him before and after his death.

Pope Alexander VII canonized St. Thomas of Villanova in 1658.

“Contrition is the remedy for sins.”
Quote of St. Thomas of Villanova
September is the Month of Our Sorrowful Mother

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Apostle, Martyr, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Matthew, Feast Day September 21




 

St. Matthew Public Domain Image
St. Matthew

Sept. 21 is the feast day of St. Matthew the Apostle. The Catholic Church will be celebrating his life and martyrdom during the holy Mass.  St. Matthew is the patron saint of accountants and bankers.

St. Matthew is also known as “Levi”. Matthew was a tax collector by trade. Tax collectors were despised by most of the people. He was called by Jesus to be one of the twelve Apostles.

The Apostles lived and traveled with Jesus during the three years leading up to his crucifixion.  After the crucifixion they received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and began to spread the “Good News”  of salvation.

It is believed that St. Matthew is the author of the first gospel. This gospel was written in Aramaic, which was the language of the Hebrew people. The Gospel of Matthew is referred to as the “teaching gospel”. It contains most of the parables of Jesus and the Beatitudes, which were given to us by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount.

After the death and resurrection of Jesus, Matthew is believed to have preached in Ethiopia. Reports of his martyrdom vary greatly. It is not known if he was burned, stoned, beheaded or killed with an ax. However, the Church considers him to be a martyr who died for the faith.
                                                                                                                                               Traditional prayer:

Glorious St. Matthew, in your Gospel you portray Jesus as the longed-for Messiah who fulfilled the Prophets of the Old Covenant and as the new Lawgiver who founded a Church of the New Covenant. Obtain for us the grace to see Jesus living in His Church and to follow his teachings in our lives on earth so that we may live forever with him in heaven.
Acquire the spirit of peace and thousands around you will be saved.
Quote of St. Seraphim of Sarov; Feast Day February 5
September is the Month of Our Lady of Sorrows

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Faith, Martyr, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: The Korean Martyrs, Feast Day September 20




 

Korean Martyrs Public Domain Image
Korean Martyrs

The martyrdom of 103 Koreans is celebrated on September 20.

For over 100 years the Christians in Korea practiced their faith in secret.  The government of Korea was based on Confucianism and believed that Christians were a threat to the government.

The first known martyrs are Paul Youn and James Kouen.  They were martyred after refusing to offer sacrifice on the death of a relative.

  Over the next 100 years over 10, 000 Korean Christians were tortured and executed.

On May 6, 1984, in Seoul, Pope John Paul II canonized 103 of the martyrs.  Their feast day is celebrated on September 20.

Martyrdom is the heroic act of love.
Quote of St. Just Bretenie’res……Korean Martyr; Feast Day March 7
September is the Month of Our Lady of Sorrows

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Faith, Our Lady, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Our Lady of La Salette, Feast Day September 19




 

Our Lady La Salette Public Domain Image
Our Lady La Salette

On Saturday, Sept. 19, a globe of light opened to reveal a beautiful woman seated on a stone.  The woman appeared to two shepherd children in Salette, France.  The apparition was approved and is celebrated on September 19.

The children’s names were Melanie Calvat, age 15,  and Maiximin Graud, age 11.  The woman was gently crying and asking for the people and the priests to repent of their sins.   She called for penance.

Our Lady was tall, wearing a pearl studded dress and white shawl with a tiara on her head.  A crucifix was hanging from her neck.  She seemed to be made of light.  As she talked to the children she warned of coming war and famine.

Our Lady asked the children to pray day and night for the salvation of the world.

Our Lady of La Salette warned of chastisements that would fall upon humanity if they didn’t change their ways. Before ascending into heaven she urged the children to pray more and gave each of them a secret that was revealed to Pope Pius IX in 1851 concerning threats to the church and to the world.

While Our Lady’s message focused on conversion and penance she also gave the children a message of hope regarding the power of prayer saying:

“if they are converted, the stones and rocks will change into mounds of wheat, and the potatoes will be self-sown in the land”,

After the apparition many people made amends for the wrongs they had done.  Miracles began occurring at the site, as people were cured over various ailments from water from the spring there within weeks of Our Lady’s appearance. The Church officially approved of this apparition (deeming it worthy of belief) after much investigation and debate in 1851. Construction of a church at La Salette began in 1852 and was completed in 1865.  It was designated as the Basilica of Our Lady of La Salette in 1879.

Pope John Paul II made the following comment on the Apparition of La Salette:

“In this place, Mary, the loving Mother appeared manifesting her pain for the moral evil caused by humanity.  Her tears help us to understand the seriousness of sin and the rejection of God, and at the same time it is a manifestation of the passionate fidelity that her Son has for each person, even though His redemptive love is marked by the wounds of treason and abandonment by men.”
  Of all the virtues of the Virgin Mary, the most admirable is her great humility;  it is a virtue of which we ourselves have a great need.
Quote of Bl. Alphonsus de Orozco;  Feast Day September 19
September is the Month of Our Lady of Sorrows

 

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Faith, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Joseph of Cupertino, Feast Day September 18




 

St. Joseph of Cupertino Public Domain Image
St. Joseph of Cupertino

The Feast Day  of St. Joseph of Cupertino is celebrated on September 18.  St. Joseph of Cupertino is the patron saint of air travelers, pilots, astronauts, and those with learning disabilities.

St. Joseph of Cupertino was born on June 17, 1603 in Puglia, Italy.  His father died before he was born leaving his mother destitute.  He was born in a stable.  As a child he was a slow learner, probably having a learning disability.  When he was 17 he was denied acceptance to the Order of the Friars Minor Conventuals due to lack of an education.  He was however, accepted into the Capuchins at Martino near Cupertino.  He gardened, tended the animals and worked in the kitchen.

Because of his learning disabilities St. Joseph could only study small amounts of material at a time.  He then prayed to remember the material for the test.  St. Joseph was ordained in 1628.

St. Joseph was a mystic with the gift of miraculous levitation and visions.  Anything religious could cause him to levitate.  During prayer he was known for his ecstasies and  suddenly levitating.  The first time levitation occurred was on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, October 4 1630.  During the procession he suddenly rose into the sky and hovered over the crowd.  He was so embarrassed he fled and hid.  The levitation happened so often he earned the title “The Flying Saint”.   

The most famous act of levitation occurred while he was in the presence of Pope Urban VIII.  He was filled with reverence and immediately was lifted into the air.  During the Inquisition he was confined for several weeks but released.  Crowds tried to meet him until he was place in seclusion…unable to speak to anyone other than the bishop the vicar general of the Order, his fellow friars and a doctor if needed.

After his death on Sept. 18, 1663, great crowds of people attended his funeral.  Pope Clement XIII canonized St. Joseph of Cupertino on July 16, 1767.

A movie has been made of his life named A Reluctant Saint.  St. Joseph of Cupertino is the patron saint of air travelers, pilots, astronauts, and those with learning disabilities.

“The fullness of joy is to behold God in everything.”
Quote of St. Catherine of Genoa;  Feast day September 15
September is the Month of Our Lady of Sorrows
Faith, Franciscan Saints, Saint of the Day, Visionary

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Stigmata of St. Francis, Feast Day September 17



Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi Public Domain Image
Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi

The Feast Day of the Stigmata of St. Francis is celebrated on September 17.

What is a stigmata?  A stigmata is the spontaneous appearance of the wound marks of Jesus Christ on a person’s body.  St. Francis is the first known saint to receive the stigmata.

St. Francis was born in 1181 in Assisi, Italy. His father was Pietro di Bernardone, a wealthy cloth salesman. Francis was indifferent to school. He enjoyed good times with his friends. He was attracted to the military and was a prisoner of war for two years.  After returning home he experienced a profound conversion after having a dream.   Christ appeared and spoke to St. Francis in a vision in the chapel at San Damiano.  He  said

“Francis go out and build up My house, for it is nearly falling down.”

St. Francis took these words literally and began to repair the old chapel.  St. Francis embraced poverty, founding the Order of St. Francis after living for a time as a hermit.  He had a strong devotion to the cross and to the Eucharist.  He served the poor and the sick, caring for the lepers who were suffering at that time.

On Sept. 14, 1224, St. Francis was just beginning the second month of a retreat in honor of St. Michael the Archangel.  He was fasting for 40 days.  Near the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, St. Francis experienced a vision in which a seraph with six wings appeared.  The figure not had wings but also showed signs of being crucified.  While contemplating the crucifixion of Christ, St. Francis experienced joy mingled with pain.  The vision of Christ nailed to a cross touch his soul with compassion.   The vision vanished but St. Francis was left with marks on his own body as if had been crucified.  His hands and feet now had nail wounds.  His right side had a wound as if it had been pierced and frequently it bled.

At first St. Francis tried to conceal the wounds which were real and painful.  Eventually he revealed them publicly, saying;

“Nothing gives me so much consolation as to think of the life and passion of our Lord.”

While St. Francis of Assisi was the first saint to receive the stigmata, currently 62 Saints and Blesseds have been known to receive the stigmata.  St. Catherine of Siena (1380) and Padre Pio (1918) are only two of the many who have received this grace.

The stigmata is a considered a supernatural sign that a person has united their suffering with that of Christ.   The suffering of Christ during His Passion is called redemptive suffering.  When we join our suffering to His (no matter how small our suffering is in comparison) we are participating in the Passion of Our Lord.  Our suffering can be beneficial to the salvation of others.   The sign of the stigmata shows us that our suffering has a purpose.  It unites us to Our Lord Jesus Christ.

May I feel in my soul and in my body, as much as possible, that pain which You, dear Jesus, sustained in the hour of Your most bitter Passion.  May I feel in my heart, as much as possible, that excessive love with which You, O Son of God, were inflamed in, willingly enduring such suffering for us sinners.
Quote of St. Francis of Assisi
September is the Month of Our Lady of Sorrows
St. Francis of Assisi

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Feast Days, Our Lady, Saint of the Day, Suffering

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Our Lady of Sorrows, Feast Day September 15

Baciccio Pieta 1667 Public Domain Image
Baciccio Pieta 1667

The Feast Day of Our Lady of Sorrows is celebrated on September 15. It dates back to the 12th century when it was promoted by the Cistercians and the Servites.

The focus of the devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows is the grief Mary felt during the suffering of her Son, Jesus. As His mother, her heart felt intense pain and sorrow.

Below are the seven sorrows of Mary:

  1. The prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25-35)
  2. The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15)
  3. Loss of the Child Jesus for three days (Luke 2:41-50)
  4. Mary meets Jesus on his way to Calvary (Luke 23:27-31; John 19:17)
  5. Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25-30)
  6. The body of Jesus being taken from the Cross (Psalm 130; Luke 23:50-54; John 19:31-37)
  7. The burial of Jesus (Isaiah 53:8; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42; Mark 15:40-47)

As we reflect on the sorrows and suffering Mary experienced as the Mother of God, we can remind ourselves of the human nature of both Jesus and Mary. They felt pain. They felt grief. They felt loss. They wept.

Jesus has two natures: Human and Divine. Mary is not Divine. She is human like you and me. We can only wonder at her strength and holiness as she drank from the bitter cup of suffering.

Giovanni bellini pieta martinengo Public Domain Image
Giovanni bellini pieta martinengo
Public Domain Image
Whoever you are who love the Mother of God, take note and reflect with all your innermost feelings upon her who wept for the Only Begotten as He died…The grief she felt in the Passion of her son goes beyond all understanding.
Quote of St. Amadeus of Lausanne; Feast Day January 28

La Pieta Michelangelo Public Domain Image
La Pieta Michelangelo

September is the Month of Our Lady of Sorrows

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Martyr, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Cyprian, Feast Day September 16




St. Cyprian Public Domain Image
St. Cyprian

 

The Feast Day of St. Cyprian is celebrated on September 16.  Cyprian was born in North Africa in the 3rd century.  He is an important Christian writer.  He is the patron saint of North Africa.

At the age of 35, Cyprian converted to Christianity.   Soon after his baptism he was ordained, later becoming the Bishop of Carthage.  After his baptism he gave away his possessions.

When the persecutions of Christians began in Carthage,  Cyprian went into hiding rather than give sacrifices to pagan gods or face execution.  Fourteen months later he returned.  He called a council to determine the fate of those who had lapsed and denied their faith.  The council agreed with Cyprian who disagreed with both extreme answers.  He was against allowing anyone to return with little or no penance.  He was also against not allowing the lapsed Christians back at all.

Persecutions began again in 256.  St. Cyprian proclaimed his faith in Christ and refuesed to sacrifice to pagan gods.  He was banished to Curubis.  On September 13, 258, St. Cyprian was imprisoned and sentenced to die by the sword.

The execution of St. Cyprian happened in public very quickly.  He removed his clothing, knelt down, prayed and then blind folded himself.  He was then beheaded with a sword.

To him who still remains in this world, no repentance is too late.  The approach to God’s mercy is open.
Quote of St. Cyprian
September is the Month of Our Lady of Sorrows

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Faith, Feast Days, Prayer, Saint of the Day, Spirituality

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: The Exaltation of the Cross, Feast Day September 14




Crucifixion of Jesus Public Domain Image
Crucifixion of Jesus

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross is celebrated on September 14.

This feast day actually celebrated two events.

In the year 320, the actual cross on which Jesus was crucified was discovered by St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine.  Constantine then had a shrine and basilica built in 335.  The Basilica, named Martyrium and the shrine named The Calverium were destroyed by the Persians in the year 614.

On a more personal level, we celebrate how we are saved by the cross.  It is the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus which redeems us.  As Christians, we must be willing to suffer for the faith, looking to Jesus in moments of weakness.

The suffering of Jesus on the cross is called Redemptive Suffering.  In today’s world it is hard to understand the meaning of suffering.  Does anything good come from suffering?

Our salvation came from the suffering of Jesus who died for our sins.

One way that helps me to understand suffering is to think about the meaning of love.  When two people love each other and promise to be there for each other they believe they are in love.  The test of true love is what happens when the going gets tough?  It is only when we are willing to suffer for another that we know we are loving them.

Willingness to suffer defines love!  Jesus is not the only one who is capable of redemptive suffering.  We too, can offer our suffering for the good of another.  Think of all the times you have suffered in silence because to complain would not help the situation.  Give your suffering to God.  You will grow in virtue and love.

Remember… God is Love.  He showed us he loved us by suffering and dying on the cross for us.

On this feast day reflect on the suffering in your life.  Can you name the cross you are carrying?  Give all your suffering to God and you will come closer to Him who is called Love.

Suffering is a sign that we have come so close to Jesus on the cross that He can kiss us;  that He can show that He is in love with us by giving us an opportunity to share in His Passion.
Quote of St. Teresa of Calcutta;  Feast Day September 5
September is the Month of Our Lady of Sorrows

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