Tag Archives: May Feast Days

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Germanus, Feast Day May 28




St. Germanus
St. Germanus

The feast day of St. Germanus of Auxerre is celebrated on May 28. He served as the Bishop of Paris.

St. Germanus of Auxerre was born in 496 near Autun, France. He was ordained by St. Agippinus the Bishop of his diocese. He became the Abbot and administrator of St. Symphorianus, a suburb of Autun. Although at first he declined the position, he was named Bishop of Paris in 566. He was known as an eloquent preacher who brought conversion and the Christian faith to many people. Under his influence the lifestyle in the city became less worldly and vain. He tried to end civil strife and the licentiousness of the kings and nobles.

St. Germanus was known to have received the gift of miracles and prophecy. After his death on May 28, 576, King Chilperic wrote his epitaph praising his virtues, miracles and the zeal he displayed in working for the salvation of souls.

 

For the Christian there is no such thing as a “stranger.” There is only the neighbor…..the person near us and needing us.

Quote of St. Edith Stein; Feast day August 9

 

May is the Month of Our Lady

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Augustine of Canterbury, Feast Day May 27




St. Augustine of Canterbury Public Domain Image
St. Augustine of Canterbury

The feast day of St. Augustine of Canterbury is celebrated on May 27.

St. Augustine was the prior of the Benedictine Monastery of St. Andrew in Rome. Pope Gregory decided he needed to send missionaries to England. Augustine and 30 monks were who he chose to send. The mission was to unite the Christians after the Saxon conquest of England.

The King of England listened with curiosity to what the missionaries had to say. On Pentecost Sunday in 597, King Ethelbert was baptized. He believed in religious freedom and did not make his new religion mandatory however many followed his example and were baptized. St. Augustine was not successful in uniting the Anglo-Saxon Christians with the original Briton Christians (Celtics). He followed Pope Gregory’s advice to purify rather than destroy pagan temples and customs. As much as possible pagan rites and festivals were changed into Christian feasts.

St. Augustine died eight years after arriving in England. He died on May 26.

God’s works are not regulated by our plans and wishes.

Quote of St. Vincent de Paul; Feast day September 27

 

May is the Month of Our Lady

Prayers, Quips and Quotes; St. Philip Neri, Feast Day May 26




St. Philip Neri
St. Philip Neri


Save

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Bede the Venerable, Feast Day May 25




St. Bede Public Domain Image
St. Bede

The feast day of St. Bede the Venerable is celebrated on May 25.

St. Bede was born  in Sunderland, England in 672 or 673 near the Monastery of St. Peter and St. Paul.  At an early age he was sent there to be educated.  His entire life became a life of study and prayer.

At the age of 19, he ordained a deacon.  He became a priest at the age of 30.  After declining  a request to be abbot of his monastery he chose to instead focus on writing.  He wrote over 60 books, which have not survived.  He also translated writings of the early church Fathers from Latin and Greek into English.

St. Bede died on Ascension Thursday, May 26, 735 while singing to God.   Pope Leo XIII proclaimed him a Doctor of the Church in 1899.

 

Christ is the morning star, who, when the night of this world is past, brings to His saints the promise of the light of life and opens everlasting day.

Quote of St. Bede

May is the Month of Our Lady

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Joanna, Feast Day May 24




St. Joanna

The feast day of St. Joanna is celebrated on May 24.

St. Joanna was a devoted follower of Jesus. We learn about her in Luke’s Gospel, Chapter 8. She was the wife of Chuza who was a steward for Herod. She, along with Mary Magdalene, Susanna, and other women, provided for Jesus out of their personal resources as he traveled from town to town preaching and healing.

St. Joanna was one of the three women who arrived at the tomb to prepare the body for burial on the first Easter morning. She is also referred to as the myrrh bearer. The women discovered the stone moved and the body gone. Two men appeared to them in dazzling clothes, telling them He had risen and reminding them that Jesus had said he would be crucified and rise again. The women reported to the Apostles all that they had seen and heard.

It is hard to imagine being such a close friend of Jesus. The disciples who followed and supported Jesus knew Him in a way we can only wish to know him. But St. Joanna shows us what a true disciple is. She supported Jesus and His ministry on a daily basis in any way possible. She heard the words he spoke and saw the miracles he worked. True friendship is what all of us should be seeking from Jesus. True friends are always there for each other. As disciples we should be serving Jesus in any way we can. We should also be turning to Him in all our needs weather they be small or large. We should never be afraid to be honest with Jesus, because He is our friend.

The instruments of God are always humble.

Quote of St. John Chrysostom; Feast day September 13

 

May is the Month of Our Lady

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John Baptist Rossi, Feast Day May 23




St. John Baptist Rossi
St. John Baptist Rossi

 

The feast day of St. John Baptist Rossi is celebrated on May 23.

St. John Baptist Rossi was born in Voltaggio, Italy in 1698. He was one of four children. He studied in Rome. Suffering from epilepsy, he was forced to leave college. However, he eventually finished his studies. He was ordained a priest at the age of 23.

St. John Baptist Rossi worked in Rome for 40 years. He served the sick, homeless and prisoners. He earned a reputation for being a good confessor. He especially supported the hospice of Saint Gala which gave overnight shelter to the poor. It was founded by Pope Celestine III.

In 1764, St. John died from a stroke. The papal choir sang at his choir and 260 priests attended his funeral. He was canonized by Pope Leo XII in 1881.

 

From silly devotions and sour faced saints, good Lord, deliver us!

St. Teresa of Avila; Feast day October 15

 

May is the Month of Our Lady