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Faith, Incorruptible, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John Vianney, Feast Day August 4

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Prayers, Quips and Quotes:

St. John Vianney, Feast Day August 4

St. John Vianney Public Domain Image
St. John Vianney
Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John Vianney, Feast Day August 4

The feast day of St. John Vianney is celebrated on August 4.  St. John was born into a family of farmers on May 8 1786 in Dardilly, France.

St. John lived through the French Revolution.  Because their work had to be done in secret, he admired the courage of priests.  He received his first communion and confirmation in secret at the age of 13.

When John was 20, he left home to study in Ecully, struggling to learn Latin.  He was drafted in 1809 into Napolean’s army.  He soon fell ill and was hospitalized.  While praying in a church he met a man who led him into the mountains where deserters met.  He lived with them for fourteen months.  While living there he opened a school for the local children.

It wasn’t until 1810 that deserters were granted amnesty.  He returned to his studies and was ordained a deacon in June 1815.  On August 12, 1815 he was ordained a priest.  St. John Vianney became the parish priest of the Ars parish.  Father Vianney spent many hours hearing confessions.  He was also known for his sermons calling everyone to repent from their sins.  His fame as a confessor spread and soon pilgrims began arriving.  As many as 20,000 pilgrims a year came to confess their sins to hm.  He spent as many as 16 hours a day hearing confessions.

Father Vianney wanted to become a monk and spend his time praying alone.  He attempted to leave  Ars four times before deciding he was meant to stay and hear confessions.    He became known as the Holy Cure de Ars. He was always kind, patient, gentle and cheerful.

On August 4, 1859, St. John Vianney died peacefully fter serving as a parish priest for 41 years.

His body was exhumed in 1859 due to the impending beatification, and was found to be incorrupt. His heart, later removed,  is kept in a building known as the Shrine of the Cure’s Heart.

Pope Pius IX canonized St. John Vianney on May 31, 1925.

 

The most Holy Virgin places herself between her Son and us.  The greater sinners we are, the more tenderness and compassion does she feel for us.  The child that has cost its mother the most tears is the dearest to her heart.

Quote of St. John Vianney

 

August is the Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

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Faith, Incorruptible, Sacred Heart, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Veronica Giuliani, Feast Day July 9

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St. Veronica Giuliani Public Domain Image
St. Veronica Giuliani

The feast day of St. Veronica Giuliani is celebrated on July 9.

St. Veronica was born in Mercatello, Italy in 1660. She was the youngest of seven children. Her mother died when she was seven. Even as a child she had a great compassion for the poor. She was known to give away food and her clothing. At the age of 17, she refused to marry. After pleading with her father, she joined the Poor Clares in 1677. She worked in the kitchen, infirmary and sacristy.

St. Veronica had a great devotion to the Sacred Heart and to the Eucharist. She offered her sufferings to the missions. She was known as a mystic. After a vision in which she saw her own heart as a ‘heart of steel’ she became much more compassionate and loving.

At the age of 34 St. Veronica became the novice mistress. She held the position for twenty two years. In 1697, at the age of 37, Veronica received the stigmata. She bore the marks of the crown of thorns and five wounds on her body. She underwent a humiliating investigation during which she was temporarily removed from her position. The investigation concluded the stigmata was real and she regained her position of novice mistress. She became the abbess at the age of 56.  Eleven years later she died on July 9, 1727.

The body of St. Veronica was found to be incorrupt. She was canonized by Pope Gregory XVI on May 26, 1839.

 

We must fight our battle between fear and hope

in the knowledge that hope is always the stronger

because He who comes to our help is almighty.

Quote of St. Francis de Sales; Feast day June 24.

 

July is the Month of the Most Precious Blood.

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Faith, Incorruptible, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Anthony Zaccaria, Feast Day July 5

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St. Anthony Zaccaria Public Domain Image
St. Anthony Zaccaria

The feast day of St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria is celebrated on July 5.

 

St. Anthony of Zaccaria is known for beginning the devotion of Eucharistic adoration and founding the religious order of the Society of Clerics.

St. Anthony was born in Cremona, Italy in 1502 into a noble family. His father died when he was still an infant. His mother was 18 and chose to devote herself to charity and caring for her son. Anthony studied philosophy in Pavia and then medicine at the University of Padua. He returned to Cremona with a degree at the age of 23.

 

St. Anthony not only practiced medicine, he taught catechism and then began teaching adults. Eventually he decided to study for the priesthood. He was ordained at the age of 26. At his first Mass, he experienced the presence of angels around the altar and supernatural light during the consecration of the Eucharist. Many witnessed and testified about this event after his death.

 

St. Anthony was an eloquent preacher. It was the time of the counter-reformation which was begun after Martin Luther began the Reformation.  He founded a priestly society the Clerics Regular of St. Paul  to combat  the  corruption which surrounded him. They were inspired by the Apostle Paul and sought humility, poverty and preaching. Their society became known as the Barnabites named after the companion of St Paul…St. Barnabas. They were active at a well known church named St. Barnabas.

St. Anthony encouraged the “40 hours” devotion which involved continuous prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

 

St. Anthony died at his mother’s house in 1539 after he became seriously ill. He was only 36 years old. Thirty years after his death St. Anthony’s body was found to be incorrupt. He was canonized by Pope Leo XIII in 1897.

 

 

Jesus is happy to come with us…
as truth is to be spoken, as life is to be lived,
as light is to be lit, as love is to be loved,
as joy is to be given, as peace is to be spread.

Quote of St. Francis of Assisi; Feast day Oct. 4

 

July is the Month of the Most Precious Blood

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Incorruptible, Jesuit Saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Bernadino, Feast Day July 2

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St. Bernadino
St. Bernadino

The feast day of St. Bernadino Realino is celebrated on July 2.

St. Bernadino was born to a noble family of Capri, Italy in 1530. He studied medicine and law at the University of Bologna. He received his doctorate in 1563. After attending a retreat giving by the Jesuits, Bernadino realized he had a religious calling. He joined the Society of Jesus and was ordained a Jesuit priest in 1567. After ministering to the poor and the youth of Naples for several years he was sent to Lecce where he served for 42 years.

St. Bernadino was a powerful preacher and confessor. He was known for his acts of kindness and serving the poor. He died in 1616. His fame occurred after his death when his body was found to be partially incorrupt when his tomb was opened in 1711.

St. Bernadino Realino was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1947.

 

It has hands to help others.

It has feet to hasten to the poor and the needy.

It has eyes to see misery and want.

It has ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of women and men.

That is what love looks like.

Quote of St. Augustine; Feast day August 28

 

July is the Month of the Most Precious Blood

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Incorruptible, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Audrey, Feast Day June 23

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St. Audrey

The feast day of St. Audrey is celebrated on June 23.

St. Audrey was also known as Etheldreda. She was born an English princess. At her parents insistence, she married a prince named Tonbert. He permitted her to keep the vow of virginity which she had earlier made. However, after three years she was a widow.

She was later forced to marry a king from Northumberland, named Egfrid. After twelve years he tried to change her mind about living as brother and sister. When she refused he tried to bribe the bishop St. Wilfred of York, asking him to release her from her vows. St. Wilfrid refused.

With the permission of her husband St. Audrey became a nun and founded the Abbey of Ely. She died from an enormous growth on her neck in 679. She was not yet 50 years old.

Sixteen years later her body was found to be incorrupt. 

 

Charity is the sweet holy bond that binds the soul with the Creator.

Quote of St. Catherine of Siena

 

June is the Month of the Sacred Heart

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Incorruptible, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Germaine Cousins, Feast Day June 15

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St. Germaine Public Domain Image

St. Germaine

The feast day of St. Germaine Cousins is celebrated on June 15. St. Gemaine was born in the small village of Pebrac, France in 1579.  Her mother died soon after her birth.  Germaine was born with a paralyzed right arm and a disease which caused abscesses around the neck.

Her father  soon remarried.  The step-mother treated her harshly, refusing to let her sleep in the house.  Germaine slept on a mattress of hay in the stable or in the cupboard under the stairs.  She was underfed being given only scraps of food and forbidden to play with her step-siblings.

At an early age, Germaine was given the chore of caring for the family sheep.  While caring for the sheep, Germaine developed a relationship with God, attending Mass whenever possible.  When she heard the nearby church bells ring, she entrusted the sheep to her guardian angel so that she could receive communion.  The sheep were always found safe on her return.

One day in the winter the village people saw the stepmother pursuing Germaine and accusing her of stealing bread and concealing it in her apron. She threatened to hit her with a stick and Germaine opened her apron.  Summer flowers fell to the ground.  After this incident the parents decided she had been touched by God and invited her to live in the house.  Germaine, however, refused.   She preferred to go on living as she had been.

One morning in 1601 she was found dead in the cupboard under the stairs at the age of 21.  After her death her body became very beautiful.  Word spread and many people  came to see the change.  She was buried in the church of Pibrac.  Forty three years later when a relative had died and was to be buried, her body was exhumed and found to be incorrupt and flexible.

St. Germaine was canonized on June 29 1867 by Pope Pius IX.

 

Most merciful heart, pitying heart,

loving heart of my Father and my Savior,

refuse not your help to my needy heart.

Quote of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque; Feast day October 16

 

June is the Mont of the Sacred Heart

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Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Rita of Cascia, Feast Day May 22

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St. Rita De Cascia Public Domain Image
St. Rita De Cascia

 

The feast day of St. Rita of Cascia is celebrated on May 22. She is the patron saint of impossible causes, abuse victims and widows.

St. Rita was born in 1386 in Cascia, Italy. She was known to be very spiritual even as a young child. She enjoyed visiting shrines and wished to become a nun. Her parents were opposed to the idea and arranged for her to be married. Her husband turned out to have a bad temper and was very difficult for her to live with. She dealt with his abuse with prayer, patience and kindness. They had twin sons. Their difficult marriage lasted 22 years. St. Rita De Cascia public domain image

One day while returning home from work her husband was ambushed and killed. St. Rita’s sons were now teenagers and began to talk of revenging their father’s death. St. Rita turned to prayer. She prayed that her sons would not be able to go through with the revenge. Her prayer was soon answered. Both her sons died from a deadly illness soon after without taking revenge on their father’s killer.

After the death of her husband and sons, Rita applied to enter the Augustinian Convent. Her first attempt was denied because of the ongoing feud. Rita persisted however. She convinced her husband’s family to put aside their hostility. The two rival families embraced peace. Rita turned to St. John the Baptist, St. Nicholas of Tolentino and St. Augustine, requesting their intercession. The convent changed their decision and allowed her entry. She was 36 when she entered the monastery.

St. Rita had a great devotion for the passion of Christ. She meditated often on the crucifix. On Good Friday, 1442, St. Rita meditated on the suffering of Jesus on the crucifix. She offered to relieve Christ’s suffering by sharing even the smallest part of his pain. As she was meditating, a small wound on her forehead appeared. It appeared to be a thorn from the crown that Jesus wore. St. Rita had this stigmata for 15 years.'Saint_Rita_of_Cascia'_by_Antonio_de_Torres,_c._1720

St. Rita was confined to bed for the last four years of her life. She ate very little. The Eucharist sustained her and she remained joyful during her suffering. Before her death St. Rita requested a rose be brought to her from her parents’ garden even though it was January. Surprisingly, a rose was discovered to be blooming on the rosebush and it was presented to her. St. Rita gave thanks to God for this sign of God’s love.

Because this impossible request of St. Rita for a rose in January was answered she became the patron of impossible causes. It was also known that her prayers were known to obtain remarkable cures.

St. Rita died on May 29, 1456. Many miracles were recorded after her death . She was canonized by Pope Leo XIII in 1900.

St. Rita’s incorrupt body is venerated today in the Nation Shrine of Cascia.

St. Rita public domain image

Be at peace with your own soul, then heaven and earth will be at peace with you.

Quote of St. Jerome; Feast day September 30

May is the Month of Our Lady

Faith, Incorruptible, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Zita, Feast Day April 27

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St. Zita
St. Zita

 

The feast day of St Zita is celebrated on April 27.  St. Zita is the patron of maidservants and housewives.

Zita was born in Tuscany, Italy in 1212. At the age of 12, she became a servant for the Fatinelli household. She was mistreated by her employees and criticized for her hard work by her fellow servants. She continued to be meek and humble and had an inward peace that everyone could see. She was good and loving to everyone regardless of how they treated her. Eventually she gained everyone’s trust and was put in charge of the house.

Zita believed that her work was assigned to her by God. She always rose early to pray before work. She attended daily mass and spent the rest of the day working tirelessly.

When Zita died at the age of 60 on April 27, 1271 it is said that a star appeared above the attic where she slept. She had served the family for 48 years. Miracles reported at the time of her death numbered 150.

In 1580, the body of Zita was exhumed and found to be incorruptible.  Her body was put on display in a silver casket, as is tradition, in the church where she had prayed while alive.  Although her body is “incorruptible,” it is browned and wizened, probably the result of a form of natural mummification. Only her hands and face are uncovered for viewing.

St. Zita was canonized in 1696.

 

 

There is no place for selfishness…and no place for fear! Do not be afraid,then, when love makes demands.  Do not be afraid when love requires sacrifice.

Quote of St. John Paul II

 

April is the Month of the Eucharist.

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Dominican Saints, Faith, Incorruptible, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Agnes of Montepulciano, Feast Day April 20

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St. Agnes of Montepulciar
St. Agnes of Montepulciano

 

The feast day of St. Agnes is celebrated on April 20.

St. Agnes was born into a noble family in Gracciano, Italy in 1268. On the day of her birth burning torches appeared around her crib indicating that she was to live a special calling. At the age of 4 she began seeking solitude to pray to Jesus whom she loved. She decided at the age of nine that she wished to become a Dominican and join the monastery at Montepulciano. Her parents were opposed so she asked God to change their minds. Soon after she joined the convent, living under the rule of St. Augustine.

St. Agnes lived an austere life. She slept on the ground with a stone for a pillow and fasted on bread and water. She worked without complaint. Agnes reached a high degree of contemplative prayer and was favored with many visions. She was observed levitating while in prayer two feet above the ground. Violet, lilies or roses often were found growing up through the stones where St. Agnes had just prayed. Many miracles were recorded while Agnes lived in the monastery including the multiplication of loaves.

The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Agnes several times. In the first vision Mary said that she would one day found a large monastery based on faith in God and the Trinity. An angel instructed her to build the convent in 1300. On the night of the Feast of the Assumption the Blessed Virgin Mary placed the Infant Jesus in St. Agnes’ arms. She encouraged Agnes to continue suffering for the love of Christ. Agnes had been sick most of her life. When the vision ended Agnes was holding the gold cross that the Infant Jesus had been wearing on a chain. Mary also appeared to Agnes on the Feast of the Purification while Agnes was at Mass. She again let Agnes hold the Infant Jesus.

Shortly before her death, Agnes bathed in a spring thought to have healing powers. Although it did not cure her a new spring appeared which healed many. It was named “the Water of St. Agnes.” While there Agnes prayed over a child who had just drowned, bringing the child back to life.

St. Agnes died at the monastery in 1317 at the age of 43. Many miracles occurred at her tomb. Her body is incorrupt. St. Agnes was canonized by Pope Benedict XIII in 1726.

 

The life of Christ has furnished me with a pattern for living; but His death has delivered me from death.

Quote of St. Bernard; Feast day Aug. 20

 

April is the Month of the Eucharist.

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Faith, Incorruptible, Our Lady, Saint of the Day, Visionary

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

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St. Bernadette 3The feast day of St. Bernadette of Lourdes is celebrated on April 16.

 

St. Bernadette was born in 1844 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.

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. Bernadette promised she would do so. Our Lady said;

 

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

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.”

A doctor examined Bernadette and concluded there was nothing 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 Bernadette did not know. The priest told her he needed a miracle and she should ask the lady for the rose bush to blossom.

On Feb. 25, Our Lady told Bernadette to drink from the fountain. Puzzled, Bernadette looked around for water. She discovered water coming up from the ground which soon became a pool of water.

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 he healing waters of Lourdes.

St. Bernadette joined the Sisters of Charity seeking God in the silence of the convent. She 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 under glass. This is the convent 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.

 

 

St. Bernadette of Lourdes in Art



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

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

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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.

Author:   Vicki Scheenstra