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

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Conversion of St. Paul, Feast Day January 25




Conversion of St. Paul
Michelangelo

 

The Feast day of the Conversion of St. Paul is celebrated on Jan. 25.  St. Paul is the patron saint of writers, publishers, musicians and evangelists. St. Paul was not one of the original twelve Apostles. He persecuted the early Christians. He was present at the stoning of St. Stephen, the first martyr. On the road to Damascus, he was struck by a heavenly light. He heard a voice saying to him,

“Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He asked “Who are you Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city and you will be told what you are to do.” (Acts 9:4-6)

After three days of blindness, scales fell off his eyes. He joined the Apostles becoming known as the Apostle to the Gentiles. St. Paul convinced St. Peter that the Gentiles did not need to become Jewish to follow Jesus. Because of this decision they decided not to require Gentiles to be circumcised to become Christian.

St. Paul wrote many of the books in the New Testament. He was instrumental in the Council of Jerusalem His missionary journeys took him many places: Asia Minor, Macedonia, Jerusalem and Europe.

St. Paul spoke about the mystical body of the church. He taught that the church is the living Body of Christ. It is one body, made up of many parts. It’s members are given different gifts to serve the Lord.

St. Paul suffered many hardships including three shipwrecks.  St. Paul died a martyr. He was beheaded in Rome in the year 65.

St. Paul is the patron saint of writers, publishers, musicians and evangelists.

The Feast of Sts. Peter and St. Paul is celebrated June 29.

O my Jesus,
what a soul
inflamed in Your love
accomplishes!
Quote of St. Teresa of Avila; Feast day October 15
Conversion of St. Paul
The Month of January is the Month of the Holy Name

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patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Brigid of Ireland, Feast Day Feb. 1

The Feast Day of St. Brigid of Ireland will be celebrated on Feb. 1. She was born in 453 near Dumdalk, Loathe, Ireland. Her father had been kidnapped by Irish pirates (as St. Patrick was) and he was a slave to a druid. Brigid is believed to have been baptized by St. Patrick.  She is the patron saint of babies; blacksmiths; boatmen; cattle; chicken farmers; children whose parents are not married; children whose mothers are mistreated by the children’s fathers; dairymaids; dairy workers; fugitives; infants; Ireland; midwives; milk maids; nuns; poets; poor; poultry farmers; printing presses; sailors; scholars; travelers; and water-men.

From a very early age, Brigid showed a desire to pursue a religious life. She was known for her generosity and concern for the poor. Brigid’s mother was in charge of the Master’s dairy. Brigid tended to give the produce away to the poor. The dairy prospered in spite of her generosity. When she gave produce to the poor it tended to multiply! When she gave water to a thirsty stranger, the water turned to milk!

These are only two of the legendary miracles attributed to Brigid. Most of the miracles dealt with healing and domestic tasks. She was known for her holiness and generosity. The following quote by Brigid explains her spirituality:

“Christ dwells in every creature.”

Brigid refused to marry, choosing instead to serve Jesus only. Brigid founded a double monastery at Kildare. She was the Abbess of the convent which was the first convent in Ireland. She also founded a school of art at Kildare. The illuminated manuscripts became famous, especially the Book of Kildare.

St. Brigid 2
In art, Brigid is often depicted holding a reed cross made from the palm branches blessed on Palm Sunday. The cross is known as St. Brigid’s Cross. It is a symbol of peace. She often holds a lamp, which is called a lamp of learning and wisdom.

st-brigids-cross
The Mantle of St. Brigid is a small rectangular piece of cloth kept in a reliquary, which is made of wood with a glass covered opening for viewing. It is brought out for viewing on her feast day of Feb. 1. The mantle is dark crimson and is believed to represent the protection provided by the prayers of St. Brigid.

Devotion to Brigid can be found in the eighth century. Her relics are in the Church of Pierre de Vare in Stocking.

St. Brigid died of natural causes at the approximate age of 70 in Kildare, Ireland in 523.

The passion of Jesus
is a sea of sorrows,
but it is also an ocean of love.
Ask the Lord to teach you to fish in this ocean.
Dive into its depths.
No matter how deep you go,
you will never reach the bottom.
Quote of St. Paul of the Cross
February is the Month of the Passion of the Lord

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

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Marianne Cope, Feast Day January 23




St. Marainne Cope        Patron Saint of Outcasts

The Feast Day of St. Marianne Cope is celebrated on Jan. 23. St. Marianne Cope was the first Franciscan woman from North America to become a saint.  St. Marianne Cope is the patron saint of outcasts.

The birth name of St. Marianne Cope was Barbara Koob (now officially Cope) She was born on Jan 23, 1838 in SE Hessen, West Germany. She was one of ten children. Her father was a farmer. The family moved to the United States one year after her birth.

Her vocation to the religious life was delayed by the necessity to support her family when her father became ill. At the age of 25, Barbara entered the Sisters of St. Francis in Syracuse, New York. She received her religious habit and the name of Sister Marianne. She served as a teacher and principal in several elementary schools in New York. She also helped establish two of the first hospitals in central NY. In 1870, she became a nurse administrator at St. Joseph’s in Syracuse, NY.

In 1882, a priest requested help managing hospitals and schools in Hawaii; primarily working with leprosy patients. She responded to his letter with the following words.

“I am hungry for the work and I wish with all my heart to be one of the chosen ones, whose privilege it will be to sacrifice themselves for the salvation of the souls of the poor Islanders…I am not afraid of any disease, hence, It would be my greatest delight to minister to the abandoned lepers.”

Along with six other sisters of St. Francis, she arrived in Honolulu in Nov. 1833. Mother Marianne was the supervisor as they managed Kakóako Branch Hospital on Oahu which treated 200 leprosy patients. They began by thoroughly cleaning the hospital. They also opened a home for the healthy daughters of the patients who were ill. Mother Marianne met Fr. Damien (now St. Damien…the Apostle to Lepers) in January 1884 while he was still healthy.

In 1887 the new government in charge of Hawaii closed the Hospital. In 1888, she went to Kalaupapa several months before the death of St. Damien. She reassured him she would provide care for the patients at the Boy’s Home at Kalawao on the Island of Molokai. Three Sisters ran the Bishop Home for boys and girls.

Mother Marianne died in Hawaii of natural cause on August 9, 1918 and is buried on the grounds of Bishop Home. The Saint Marianne Cope Shrine and Museum was built to honor her memory.

Mother Marianne was beatified on May 14, 2005 by Pope Benedict XVI. St. Marianne Cope was canonized on Oct 21, 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI.

“I am not thinking of reward.  I am working for God and do so cheerfully.“
Quote of St. Marianne Cope
January is the Month of the Holy Name

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Faith, Incorruptible, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Vincent Palliotti, Feast Day January 22




St. Vincent Palliotti

The Feast Day of St. Vincent Palliotti is celebrated on Jan. 22. St. Vincent Palliotti was born in Rome in 1795.

St. Vincent Palliotti  had a devotion to the Bl. Virgin from an early age. He also had a devotion to St. Francis of Assisi. He became a Franciscan Tertiary in 1816. After finishing his studies he was ordained a Franciscan priest in 1818. He was known for his zeal and was tireless in his work for the needy. He founded guilds for workers, agriculture schools, loan associations, orphanages, and homes for girls. This led to the foundation of the Society of Catholic Action. He founded the Pallottine Fathers and Pallottine Missionary sisters.

St. Vincent Palliotti died at the age of 55 in 1850 after coming down with a severe cold.

1906 the body of St. Vincent was exhumed and found to be incorrupt.

“Humility is nothing but truth,
while pride is nothing but lying.”
Quote of St. Vincent de Paul; Feast day Sept. 27
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Faith, Martyr, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Agnes of Rome, Feast Day January 21




St. Agnes of Rome

The Feast Day of St. Agnes of Rome will be celebrated on January 21. Agnes was born in 291 and died a martyr in 304 at the age of 13.

St. Agnes was born to a noble family in Rome. She was very beautiful, however at an early age she promised her life to God, refusing marriage. The governor’s son, Procop, offered to marry her, but she refused, saying;

“I am already promised to the Lord of the Universe. He is more splendid than the sun and the stars, and He has said He will never leave me!”

Angered by rejection, Procop sentenced her to death.

Agnes was not afraid of death, but was joyful at the thought of meeting our Lord, saying;

“He chose me first and He shall have me.”

She then prayed and bowed, her head to receive the death stroke of the sword.

The daughter of Constantine I was said to have been cured of leprosy after praying at Agnes tomb. In art Agnes is shown with a lamb. The lamb is a symbol of innocence and purity. In Latin, Agnes means lamb. The Greek meaning is chaste, pure, and sacred. On the feast day of St. Agnes two lambs are brought to the Trappist Abbey in Rome. On Holy Thursday they are shorn and their wool is used to weave the palliums which the pope gives to new archbishops.    

St. Jerome has written the following about St. Agnes. “All nations, especially their Christian communities, praise in word and writing the life of St. Agnes. She triumphed over her tender age as well as over the merciless tyrant. To the crown of spotless innocence she added the glory of martyrdom.”

St. Ambrose gave an early account of Agnes’ death, stressing her steadfastness and virginity.

Christ is my Spouse,
He chose me first and His I will be.
He made my soul beautiful
with the jewels of grace and virtue.
I belong to Him
whom the angels serve.

Quote of St. Agnes

January is the Month of the Holy Name.

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Faith, Martyr, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Sebastian, Feast Day January 20




St. Sebastian:  Patron Saint of Athletes and Plague Sufferers

The Feast Day of St. Sebastian is celebrated on January 20.  He is the patron saint of athletes and plague sufferers.  He died a martyr in 268.

The legend of St. Sebastian begins with Sebastian joining the Roman army to support and assist Christians and martyrs. The emperor did not know he was a Christian. He was named Captain. While serving as a soldier he converted many to the faith. When it was discovered that he was a Christian, Emperor Dioletian ordered him shot to death. His body was pierced with arrows and he was left for dead. Those who came to bury him found him still alive. He recovered but refused to flee. One day he met the emperor and denounced him for his cruelty to Christians. This time Sebastian was beaten to death with clubs. He is buried in the Appian Way near the catacombs.

St. Ambrose venerated St. Sebastian as a Saint in the early church. St. Sebastian is considered the patron saint of athletes because of his physical endurance and energetic way of evangelizing. He is also the patron of plague sufferers because of the healings said to have occurred by his prayers.

“The devil strains every nerve to

secure the souls which belong to Christ.

We should not grudge our toil

wrestling them from Satan and

giving them back to God.”

Quote of St. Sebastian

St. Sebastian

January is the Month of the Holy Name

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Faith, Martyr, Pope, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Fabian, Feast Day January 19




St. Fabian

 

The Feast Day of St. Fabian is celebrated on January 19.  He was the Bishop of Rome and a martyr.

St. Fabian was a Roman layman. He was visiting Rome after the death of Pope Anteros in 236. During a discussion about who the next pope should be, a dove landed on Fabian’s head, which was taken as a sign from the Holy Spirit. He was soon elected the next Bishop of Rome! He served as pope for 14 years and was known for his sanctity.

There was peace at the time of his election. However, after the death of the emperor Philip, Decius, the new emperor began to persecute Christians, demanding that they worship idols. Pope Fabian held fast to the faith and was martyred in the year 250. He is buried in the Catacombs of St. Callistus which he helped to restore. The stone on his grave has the following words in Greek: “Fabian, bishop, martyr”.

A bird can be held by a chain
or a thread,
still it cannot fly.
Quote of St. John of the Cross; Feast day December 14
January is the Month of the Holy Name

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Doctor of the Church, Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Hilary of Poitiers, Feast Day January 13




St. Hilary St. Hilary of Poitiers

The Feast Day of St. Hilary of Poitiers is celebrated on January 13.

St. Hilary was raised a pagan; however, he was in search of God. After reading the story of Moses in the Old Testament he found a definition of God which inspired him. In Exodus 3:14 God told Moses:

“I am who I am.”

The simplicity of this statement led St. Hilary to study the bible further. He loved the psalms and stories about the prophets. After reading the Gospel of John he accepted Jesus as the Son of God.

St. Hilary was already married and had one daughter named Apra when he was elected Bishop of Poitiers. He defended the belief that Christ is both human and divine. The Arian heresy was growing which denied the divinity of Christ. He wrote about the Trinity and composed hymns.

When Emperor Constantius ordered the bishops of the West to sign a condemnation of Athanasius, Hilary refused and was banished to Phrygia (Turkey). He became known as “Athanasius of the West”. After seeking a public debate, he was allowed to return home where he was welcomed.

St. Hilary died in the year 368.  He was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church.

“Satan once loved me ardently
in the death of sin;
let him behold me reigning with
You throughout the ages.”
Quote of St. Hilary of Poitiers
January is the Month of the Holy Name.

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Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Peter Donders, Feast Day January 14




Bl. Peter Donders

 

The Feast Day of Bl. Peter Donder is celebrated on January 14.  He was a Redemptorist priest in Holland.

Bl. Peter Donder was born in Tilburg, Holland in 1809. His family was poor. From an early age he desired to become a priest. He was ordained on June 5, 1841. Father Peter Donder was drawn to serve the missions of the Dutch colony of Surinam. He ministered to many slaves. In 1856, he was sent to the leper station of Batavia where he served the people with leprosy for the rest of his life. He persuaded the authorities to provide more nursing services. When the Redemptorists arrived in 1866, taking charge of the mission, Father Donders joined their congregation. He learned the native languages to enable him to serve the Indian people there.

Father Donders was known for his holiness. He died after being confined to bed for two weeks on Jan. 14, 1887.

Bl. Peter Donders was beatified by Pope John Paul II on May 23, 1982.

“Meditate on an infinite God who made
earth and man, the absolute Master
of lands, rivers, and seas.
The One who in an instant, simply by
willing it, with but a thought, created all
that exists from nothing.”
Quote of Bl. Rafael Arnac Baron
January is the Month of the Holy Name

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Dominican Saints, Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Margaret of Hungary, Feast Day January 18




 

St.Margaret of Hungary

 

St. Margaret of Hungary was the daughter of King Bela IV of Hungary. Her grandfather was the Byzantine emperor. Her parents pledged their child to God and Margaret was placed in a Dominican convent.

Her father arranged a marriage for her to King Ottokar II of Bohemia, but she refused to cooperate. At the age of 18 she took her vows as a Dominican Nun. She lived in the Convent of the Blessed Virgin on an island on the Danube.

St. Margaret  wanted no special treatment because of her noble birth. She performed the same work as the other nuns in the convent. St. Margaret spent many hours in prayer and fasting. She died before reaching the age of 30 in the year 1271. Many miracles of healing are attributed to her.

“Jesus,
whom I know as my redeemer,
cannot be less than God.”
St. Athanasius; Feast day May 2
January is the Month of the Holy Name

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Faith, Prayer, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Anthony of Egypt, Feast Day January 17




St. Anthony of Egypt

The Feast Day of St. Anthony of Egypt is celebrated on January 17.  He was a hermit and monk.

St. Anthony of Egypt was orphaned at the age of 20. His inheritance was quite large. He was inspired by the Gospel of Mark 10:21:

“Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor.”

St. Anthony proceeded to do just that. He was drawn to a life of solitude, fasting and prayer. He eventually chose to go out into the desert to live in solitude. He was followed by other monks who turned to him for guidance. With them a monastery was founded. St. Anthony became well known for his teaching. He tutored Athanasius, Jerome, Basil and Augustine.

While it is known that St. Anthony wrestled with the devil to resist many temptations, he was also known for the healings which occurred through his prayers of intercession.

St. Anthony died in solitude at the age of 105 in the year 356.

“My secret is quite simple…..
I pray!”
Quote of St. Teresa of Calcutta; Feast day September 5
January is the Month of the Holy Name

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Faith, Franciscan Saints, Martyr, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Berard of Morocco, Feast Day January 16




 

St. Berard of Morocco

St. Berard was born at Carbro, Umbria, Italy.  He became a Franciscan monk at the time of St. Francis in 1213. He spoke Arabic.

St. Francis sent him and other Franciscans to preach to Muslims in Morocco, (Peter Otho, Accursius, and Adjutus). When they arrived they began preaching in the marketplace. They were immediately arrested and told to stop. They refused which resulted in them being beaten.

After refusing to renounce Christ, the sultan beheaded them on January 16, 1220.  They are believed to be the first Franciscan martyrs. After viewing their relics, Anthony of Padua decided to join the Franciscans.

St. Berard was canonized in 1481 by Pope Sixtus IV.

Watch, dear Lord, with those who wake
or watch or weep tonight, and give your angels
charge over those who sleep. Tend your sick ones,
O Lord Jesus Christ, rest your weary ones,
bless your dying ones, soothe your suffering ones,
shield your joyous ones,
and all for Your love’s sake.
Quote of St. Augustine: Feast day August 28
January is the Month of the Holy Name

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