Tag Archives: France

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Joan of Arc, Feast Day May 30

St. Joan of Arc
Burning at Stake

St. Joan of Arc was born in Domremy, France in 1412 on the Feast of the Epiphany on Jan. 6.  Her parents, Jacques and Isabelle were peasants. She was the youngest of four children, having three older brothers. She helped her mother with spinning and helped shepherd the animals. She was very devout as a child enjoying her religious faith and spending her free time in church.

St. Joan grew up during the “Hundred Years War”, which never seemed to end. The French were losing the war while she was young. England was invading the country of France causing much suffering. Joan prayed with great devotion and fervor for the suffering people.

At the age of thirteen, Joan began to have visions and hear voices which counseled her. She claimed to hear the Voice of God, Michael the Archangel, St. Catherine of Alexandria and St. Margaret of Antioch. In 1428, the voices told her to go tho the King of France and help him reconquer his kingdom. She was told to accompany Prince Charles to his coronation. St. Joan went to the town of Vaucouleurs seeking help from the military commander. After three trips he decided to listen to her.

She was given an escort of six which included two knights. They left on Feb. 23, 1429. The journey was 400 miles, taking eleven days in the winter to travel. She was given permission to meet with Prince Charles VII. However, he concealed himself in the crowd to test Joan. Joan, however, recognized him. St. Joan spoke to him, saying:

“I am Joan the Maid and to you is sent word by me from the King of Heaven that you will be anointed and crowned in Reims and you will be Lieutenant to the King of Heaven who is King of France.”

After being questioned by clerics who asked for a sign Joan was eventually given a sword, armor and a banner with the names of Jesus and Maria to lead the French Army to Tours in 1429. She was only 17 years old.

St. Joan led French troops against the English and recaptured the cities of Orleans and Troyes. Prince Charles was then anointed King with St. Joan at his side holding the banner in 1429.

St. Joan of Arc
Burning at Stake

St. Joan was later captured and then sold to the English. Joan spent six months in prison before she was put on trial for heresy and witchcraft. After being found guilty she was burned at the stake in 1431. Her ashes were scattered in the Seine River. A second trial was held 25 years later which overturned the first verdict because it was politically motivated. Joan was declared a martyr.

St. Joan was beatified by Pope Pius X and canonize by Pope Benedict XV in 1920 who said that she is a “most brilliantly shining light of God.”

I know this now,
Every man gives his life for what he believes.
Every woman gives her life for what she believes.
Sometimes people believe in little or nothing.
One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it and then it’s gone.
But to surrender what you are and to live without belief
is more terrible than dying…even more terrible than dying young.

Quote of St. Joan of Arc

May is the Month of Our Lady

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Francis de Sales, Feast Day January 24




Prayers, Quips and Quotes:

St. Francis de Sales, Feast Day January 24

St. Francis de Sales

 

The feast day of St. Francis de Sales is celebrated on Jan. 24. St. Francis was born in Savoy, France in 1567. His father wanted him to be a lawyer which led to his studies in Padua. After he received his doctorate, he told his parents he wanted to become a priest. Although his father initially opposed the idea, he eventually consented. He was ordained in the Diocese of Geneva.

Geneva was surrounded by Calvinist Protestants whom he tried persistently to convert. After three years without a single convert, Francis began writing pamphlets explaining the faith. He would slip his writings under doorways hoping they would be read.

St. Francis is also the author of several books and many sermons.
His writing was addressed to the lay people of the time.The most well known of his books are:

  • Introduction to the Devout Life
  • A Treatise on the Love of God.

Eventually, Francis met St. Jane Frances de Chantel and became her spiritual director. He helped her to establish the Sisters of the Visitation.

Francis designed a sign language to enable him to teach a deaf man. For this reason, he is also the patron of the deaf.

In 1602, he became the Bishop of the Diocese of Geneva. He had a great devotion to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, helping to spread the devotion. Francis was well known for his excellent preaching and remembered for both his wit and his writing.

St. Francis died after having a stroke in Dec. 1622. He was buried on Jan. 24 which is his feast day.

We shall steer safely through every storm

so long as our heart is right,

our intention fervent, our courage steadfast,

and our trust fixed on God.

If at times we are somewhat stunned

by the tempest, never fear.

Let us take breath, and go afresh.

Quote of St. Francis de Sales

St. Francis de Sales

January is the Month of the Holy Name

 

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Charles de Foucauld, Feast Day Dec. 1




Prayers, Quips and Quotes:

Bl. Charles de Foucauld, Feast Day Dec. 1

Bl. Charles de Foucauld
Bl. Charles de Foucauld

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Charles de Foucauld, Feast Day Dec. 1

The feast day of Bl. Charles de Foucauld is celebrated on December 1.  He is the patron saint of diocesan priests.  He was a hermit, priest and martyr.

Bl. Charles de Foucauld was born in Strasbourg, France on Sept. 25, 1858. His father was in the military. Orphaned at the age of six, he and his sister Marie were raised by their grandfather. Charles joined the military, becoming an officer. When his grandfather died, Charles lost his faith. During his period of doubt he repeatedly prayed,

“My God, if you exist, let me come to know you.”

Charles was discharged from the military for misconduct. At the age of 28, he regained his faith. After a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, he decided to become a Trappist monk. He spent seven years as a Trappist monk, first in France and then in Syria. After deciding this was no longer God’s will, he was released from his vows. He became a servant for a convent of Poor Clares and began studying for the priesthood. He was ordained in 1901 at the age of 43. He wished to work with the poor and abandoned. In an attempt to begin a religious order he wrote a Rule for it to follow. However, he found few followers.

On Dec. 1, 1916, he was killed by a band of marauders who surrounded his house. Twenty years after his death religious orders began to form following his rule. The Little Brothers of Jesus, Little Sisters of the Sacred Heart and the Little Sisters of Jesus all follow the Rule written by Bl. Charles de Foucauld.  An Association of diocesan priest known as Jesus Caritas also follow the spirituality of Bl. Charles de Foucauld.

Bl. Charles de Foucauld was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI in 2005. He is the patron saint of diocesan priests.

 

Let us pray a great deal for the conversion of sinners,

since it was above all for them that Our Lord worked

and suffered and prayed.

Quote of Bl. Charles de Focauld

 

December is the Month of the Divine Infancy

 

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Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Denis of the Nativity, Feast Day Nov. 29




 

Prayers, Quips and Quotes:

Bl. Denis of the Nativity, Feast Day Nov. 29

Bl. Denis of the Nativity and Bl. Redemptus of the Cross Public Domain Image
Bl. Denis of the Nativity and Bl. Redemptus of the Cross

Bl. Denis of the Nativity on the left 

The feast day of St. Denis of the Nativity is celebrated on November 29.  He was a Carmelite priest and a martyr.

Peter Berthelot was born on December 12, 1600 in Calvados, France. He became a sailor at the age of twelve, traveling to Spain, England and America. In 1619 he traveled to India where he was a cosmographer and first pilot of the Kings of France and Portugal. In 1635 he met his spiritual counselor Father Philip of the Most Trinity and decided to join the Discalced Carmelites. He chose the name Denis of the Nativity when he made his profession on Dec. 25, 1636. He was given the gift of contemplation and known for his holiness.

As a missionary, he and his companion Redemptus left for Goa in 1638 where they were taken prisoner. They were tortured in an attempt to force their conversion to Islam. During his captivity, Denis helped others by sacrificing his needs. He always had encouraging words and set a strong example.

Both Denis and Redemptus were condemned to die. He was killed by a sword that split his head in two.

Both Carmelites were beatified on June 10, 1908, by Pope Leo XIII.

 

Prayer is a mighty weapon,

an unfailing treasure,

a wealth which is never expended,

a harbor that is always calm.

Quote of St. John Chrysostom; Feast Day September 13

 

November is the Month of the Holy Souls

 

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Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Catherine Laboure, Feast Day November 28




St. Catherine Laboure
St. Catherine Laboure

 The feast day of St. Catherine Laboure is celebrated on November 28.  She is the visionary who began the devotion to the miraculous medal.

Catherine Laboure was born on May 2, 1806 in Paris, France. Her father was a successful farmer. She was the ninth of eleven children. Her mother died when she was only nine years old.   After the funeral service, Catherine went to her room and gave a kiss to a statue of Mary, saying;

“Now, dear Lady, you are my mother.”

Catherine was called “Zoe” by those who knew her, because her birthday was on the feast day of St. Zoe.

After having a dream about St. Vincent de Paul, at a young age, she joined the Daughters of Charity founded by him. She is known as a Marian visionary because of the apparitions which she reported of Mary appearing to her.

On July 18, the first apparition occurred. Catherine saw a lady seated in the sanctuary. She approached her and was instructed how she was to act during times of trial, pointing to the altar for consolation. Mary told her,

“”Sorrows will come upon France; the throne will be overthrown.”

A week later the French revolution began in Paris.

On Nov. 27, the lady showed St. Catherine the Medal of the Immaculate Conception, now known as the “Miraculous Medal” She gave Catherine the mission of having the medal made and to spread devotion to it.

Catherine reported the visions to her spiritual director, Father Aladal. Forty five years later, she spoke fully to her supervisors about the apparitions.

The miraculous medal which Mary showed to Catherine was oval showing Mary standing on a globe crushing the head of the serpent. (the devil). Around the image of Mary were the words:

“O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”

Mary’s hands were showering a cascade of brilliant rays upon the world.

On the reverse side of the medal was a cross, the symbol of Christ’s redeeming Sacrifice on Mount Calvary for the salvation of the world. The cross was intertwined with the letter “M”.

The “M” stands for both Mary and for Mother and was to be surrounded by twelve stars. The two hearts are the Sacred Heart of Jesus encircled by a crown of thorns and the Immaculate of Mary, pierce by a sword. The Flames symbolize the burning love of Jesus and Mother Mary.

Mary told Catherine,

“All who wear them will receive great graces.”

After two years of investigation Father Aladal went to the archbishop with the request. The request was approved.

 

 

St. Catherine served humbly, not wishing to be known as a visionary.  It was only after 46 years of service that she informed her Sister Superior that she was the Sister Mary had appeared to.  At Catherine’s death, on December 31, 1876, at the age of 70, few people knew of her visions. She preferred a silent life, spending her time caring for the aged and sick.

Stories of many miracles and cures caused the devotion to spread rapidly.

In 1922 the body of St. Catherine was exhumed.  It was found to be incorrupt.  Her body is encased in glass in the chapel in Paris near where Our Lady appeared to her.

St. Catherine’s feast day is celebrated on Nov. 27, the day of the apparition.

 

St. Catherine Laboure
St. Catherine Laboure

 

Lord, I am here.  Tell me what you would have me do.

If He gives me some task I am content and I thank Him.

If he gives me nothing, I still thank Him

Since I do not deserve to receive anything more than that,

and then I tell God everything that is in my heart.

I tell him about my pains and my joys, and then I listen.

If you listen, God will also speak to you.

For with the good Lord, you have to both speak and listen.

God always speaks to you when you approach him plainly and simply.

Quote of St. Catherine Laboure

 

November is the Month of the Holy Souls

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Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Rose Phillippine Duchesne, Feast Day Nov. 18




Prayers, Quips and Quotes:

St. Rose Phillippine Duchesne, Feast Day Nov. 18

St. Rose Phillippine Duchesne
St. Rose Phillippine Duchesne

The feast day of St. Rose Phillippine Duchesne is celebrated on Nov. 18.  St. Rose is the patron saint of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Missouri

St. Rose was born in Grenoble, France in 1769. She was drawn to the contemplative life. During the French revolution she spent her time nursing prisoners. She soon joined the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

During Eucharistic Adoration she experienced a vision where she was serving God in the New World. Twelve years later , at the age of 49, she moved to the United States. She was sent to the Louisiana Territory.

In Louisiana, she opened the first free school west of the Missouri River. By 1828 she had founded six houses. She worked among the Potawatomie Indians who named her Quah-kak-ka-num-ad, “Woman-Who-Prays-Always”.

St. Rose died at the age of 83 at St. Charles, Missouri on November 18, 1852.

St. Rose was Beatified by Pope Pius XII in 1940.

St. Rose was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1988.

 

Humility is the virtue that requires the greatest amount of effort.”

 Quote of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne

November is the Month of the Holy Souls

 

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Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Martin of Tours, Feast Day Nov. 11




Prayers, Quips and Quotes:

St. Martin of Tours, Feast Day Nov. 11

St. Martin of Tours
St. Martin of Tours

 

The feast day of St. Martin of Tours is celebrated on November 11.  He is the patron saint of soldiers and beggars.

St. Martin was born in 315 in Pannonia, a Roman Province. Martin’s father was an army officer. Secretly he became a catechumen (a student preparing to become Catholic) at the age of ten. He longed to be a monk so that he could be alone with God in prayer. He was forced to join the army at the age of 15 before he had been baptized. His job was to protect the emperor. He became an officer and was assigned garrison duty in Gaul.

He is portrayed in art helping a beggar who was freezing cold and in need of help. Martin removed his cloak, cut it in half with his sword and gave one half to the beggar. That night, Martin had a dream in which Jesus was wearing his cloak. The dream inspired Martin to immediately seek baptism. He was eighteen years old. Two years after his baptism Martin refused to fight any longer, saying,

I have served you as a soldier, now let me serve Christ.”

Martin was eventually ordained an exorcist. He was chosen as the Bishop of Tours because of his holiness. Martin lived outside the city because of his need for solitude.

St. Martin was known for his miracles and his compassion. St. Martin died on Nov. 8 and was buried at his request in the Cemetery of the Poor.  Near the time of his death, St. Martin prayed the following prayer:

“Lord, if your people still need me, I do not refuse the work.  Thy will be done.”

 

Quote of St. Martin of Tours

 

November is the Month of the Holy Souls

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Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, Feast Day Nov. 8




Prayers, Quips and Quotes:

St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, Feast Day Nov. 8

Bl. Elizabeth of the Trinity
Bl. Elizabeth of the Trinity

The feast day of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity is celebrated on Nov. 8.  She is the patron saint of the sick and the loss of parents.  St. Elizabeth was born into a military family in 1880. She was strong willed and exuberant. When seven, her father died and her family moved to Dijon.

From her bedroom window, she could see the monastery of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns. After the death of her father she experienced outbursts of anger. She experienced both conversion and peace from the sacrament of confession.

At the age of 14 she received her first communion. From that time on she was no longer angry. She developed a great devotion to the Eucharist. It was on her first communion day that she met the prioress of the monastery for the first time. The prioress explained to her that the meaning of the name Elizabeth is “house of God”.

While Elizabeth had an early desire to become a Carmelite nun, she was delayed by her mother’s objections until she was 21. Until then, she sang in two choirs and helped students prepare for their first communion.

In 1901, she finally entered the Carmel monastery taking the name Sister Elizabeth of the Trinity. She had a great devotion to the Carmelite saints but was also drawn to the teachings of St. Paul. She believed the core of his teaching was the love of Christ.  St. Elizabeth was a contemplative who wrote many poems and prayers including her famous Prayer to the Trinity.

St. Elizabeth died from Addison’s Disease in 1906 (kidney disease) at the age of 26. Elizabeth viewed suffering as a gift; a way to share in the redemptive suffering of Jesus.

St. Elizabeth of the Trinity was canonized by Pope Francis on October 16, 2016.

 

“Jesus gives His cross to His true friends
so he can come even closer to them.”

Quote of Bl. Elizabeth of the Trinity

 

November is the Month of the Holy Souls

 

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Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Quintin, Feast Day October 31




Prayers, Quips and Quotes:

St. Quintin, Feast Day October 31

St. Quintin Public Domain Image
St. Quintin

The feast day of St. Quintin is celebrated on October 31.  St. Quintin was also known as Quintinus.  He was born in the third century in Rome, Italy.  His father was a Roman senator.

St. Quintin converted to Christianity.  He was a missionary who went to Gaul with St. Lucian of Beauvais.  He won many converts with his preaching.  In 286, he was arrested during the Marmian persecution.  He was tortured and beheaded in 287 at Augusta, Gaul which is now Saint Quintin, France.  His body was thrown into the river and then recovered and buried by the people he was instrumental in converting.  His tomb was a site known for miracles.

 

“What you call folly is supreme wisdom.  What is there wiser than to recognize the unique true God and to reject with disdain the counterfeits, which are mute, false and deceiving?

Quote of St. Quintin

 

October is the Month of the Most Holy Rosary

 

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




 

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




Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Denis and Companions,

Feast Day October 9

St. Denis
St. Denis

 

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

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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Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Vincent de Paul, Feast Day September 27




Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Vincent de Paul,

Feast Day September 27

St. Vincent de Paul Public Domain Image
St. Vincent de Paul
Public Domain Image

 

The feast day of St. Vincent de Paul is celebrated on September 27.  He is the patron saint of charities, hospitals and volunteers.

St. Vincent was born at Pouy, Gascony in Southern France in 1581 into a large peasant family.  At the age of 15, he entered a Franciscan seminary.   He tutored children until he was ordained a priest in 1600.

In `1605, St. Vincent was traveling on a ship from Marseilles to Narborne when he was captured by Moorish pirates!  He was sold as a slave in Africa.  After two years as a slave, he escaped and returned to France.

At Avignon St. Vincent continued to study.  He became the chaplain to the Count of Goigny and was placed in charge of the charities for the poor.   This inspired him to preach missions to provide relief for the poor.  St. Vincent founded a missionary group known as the  Vincentians. The priests in the Order served people primarily in small towns and villages.  They had a devotion to helping the poor.

Next, St. Vincent along with the help of St. Louise de Marillac, founded the Sisters of Charity.  He organized the rich women in Paris to collect money for hiss missionary projects, including several hospitals.  He also collected money for victims of war and ransomed over 1200 slaves from N. Africa.

The motto of St. Vincent was “God see you”.  He became known as the Apostle of Charity and the Father of the Poor.

St. Vincent died at the age of 80.  His heart remains incorrupt and can be found in the Convent of the Sisters of Charity in Paris.  He is credited with two miracles.  The first was the curing of a nun with ulcers.  The second was a laywoman cured of paralysis.

St. Vincent de Paul was canonized by Pope Clement XII on June 16, 1737.

St. Vincent’s bones and heart are perfectly incorrupt and have been placed inside a wax figure of his body. His relics can be seen in the Church of St. Vincent de Paul in Paris.

 

Do not feel that all is lost because of the revolt you feel inside.  It has rained hard.  The thunder has crashed.  Is the weather any less beautiful because of that?  Be assured you are not, for all that, any less dear to our Lord.

Quote of St. Vincent de Paul

 

September is the Month of Our Sorrowful Mother

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