Tag Archives: May Feast Days

Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Pachomius, Feast Day May 9

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St. Pachomius Public Domain Image
St. Pachomius

The feast day of St. Pachominus is celebrated on May 9.

St. Pachomius was born in Egypt in 298 and entered the army when he was twenty years old. The kindness of the Christians he met led to his conversion after he left the army. After his baptism he became a disciple of Palemon. They led a life of poverty and dedicated themselves to God and a life of prayer as hermits.

St. Pachominus built a monastery on the banks of the Nile river at Tabenisi. They soon had 100 monks join them; living a life in community and prayer. St. Pachomius established ten other monasteries and two nunneries for women. Over seven thousand monks were living in his monasteries at the time of his death in 346. He was the first to organize hermits into groups and write a Rule for them to follow.

If the highest aim of a Captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep it in port forever.

Quote of St. Thomas Aquinas; Feast day Jan. 28

 

May is the Month of Our Lady

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Benedictine Saints, Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Julian of Norwich, Feast Day May 8

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Bl. Julian of Norwich Public Domain Image
Bl. Julian of Norwich

 

The feast day of Bl. Julian of Norwich is celebrated on May 8.

Very little is actually known about Julian of Norwich. It is believed her birth name is Julian and that she was born to a privileged family in Norwich in 1341. She lived as a recluse, probably as a Benedictine Nun.

At the age of 30, she became deathly ill. Near death she experienced visions of Christ. She wrote about her visions immediately in her book Revelation of Divine Love. The book has been translated into many languages.

Bl. Julian believed in God’s love and mercy. She believed sin brings someone to self knowledge which leads to acceptance of the role of God in their life. She believed the pain caused by sin is a reminder of the passion of Christ. Bl. Julian saw God as both Father and Mother which was controversial.  Bl. Julian always accepted the authority of the Church.

Bl. Julian of Norwich died in the year 1416.

 

He did not say:  You will not be assailed,  You will not be belabored,  You will not be disquieted,  but He said….”You will not be overcome.”

Quote of Bl. Julian of Norwich

 

May is the Month of Our Lady

Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Rose Venerini, Feast Day May 7

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St. Rose Venerini Public Domain Image
St. Rose Venerini

The feast day of St. Rose Venerini is celebrated on May 7.

St. Rose was born at Viterbo, Italy in 1656. She was one of four children. Her father was a doctor. At an early age Rose was drawn to the religious life.

In 1676, at the encouragement of her father she entered the Dominican Monastery of St. Catherine, planning to make her vows there. Several months later, her father died suddenly and she returned home to care for her mother. The following years were filled with grief. Her brother Domenico died at the age of 27. Her mother died a few months later suffering greatly from grief.

Rose formed a rosary group in her home. A Jesuit priest became her advisor and she decided to become a teacher rather than a contemplative nun. On August 39, 1685, she left home to open her first school. Soon the cardinal asked her to supervise the training of teachers in the Diocese of Montefiascone. She organized and opened many schools in many cities of Italy, including Rome.

St. Rose celebrated the Eucharist daily. She meditated on the crucifix and united her suffering to the suffering of Christ. When she died in 1728 a number of miracles were attributed to her. She was canonized in 2006. The Venerini Sisters which she founded can now be found in the United States.

I feel so nailed to the will of God that nothing else matters, neither death nor life. I want what He wants.  I want to serve Him as much as pleases Him and no more.

Quote by St. Rose Venerini

 

May is the Month of Our Lady




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Faith, Jesuit Saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Francis de Laval, Feast Day May 6

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St. Francis de Laval Public Domain Image
St. Francis de Laval

The feast day of St. Francis de Laval is celebrated on May 6.

St. Francis de Laval was born in Normandy, France in 1628. He wished to become a priest at an early age. His Father placed him with the Jesuits where he lived for 14 years.

He eventually became the first bishop of New France, (Quebec). He served as Bishop for over 30 years before resigning due to age. He was known for living a holy and simple life, believing in a spirit of poverty. Under his leadership many new schools and churches were opened.

St. Francis de Laval died in 1708 from an ulcer which became progressively worse.

 

Trust the past to the mercy of God; the present o His Love, and the future to His Providence.

Quote of St. Augustine; Feast Day August 28

 

May is the Month of Our Lady.

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Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Caterina Citadini, Feast Day May 5

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Faith, Martyr, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Florian, Feast Day May 4

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St. Florian Public Domain Image Patron Saint of Firefighters
St. Florian
Patron Saint of Firefighters

The feast day of St. Florian is celebrated on May 4.

St. Florian was born in the third century in what is present day Austria. He became a commander in the Roman army. One of his duties was leading the firefighting brigade. Florian was a Christian during a time of persecution. He refused to participate in the persecutions the army was ordered to do. He also refused to offer sacrifices to the Roman gods.

When Florian’s beliefs became known it was suggested that he be burned to death as many Christians were during that time.  Florian stated that he would climb to Heaven on the flames of the funeral pyre which was made for him. The soldiers then decided to use a different method to execute him. They flogged him and then flayed him. A large stone was tied around his neck and he was set on fire before being thrown into the Ennis River to drown.

St. Florian died in the year 304. His body was recovered and moved to the Augustinian Abbey of St. Florian near Linz, Austria.

St. Florian is the patron saint of firefighters. Many miracles of healing are attributed to St. Florian. He is considered a protector from danger of both fire and water.

 

A great flame follows a little spark.

Quote by Dante Alighierri

 

May is the Month of Our Lady

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Apostle, Faith, Martyr, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Philip and St. James, Feast Day May 3

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Prayers, Quips and Quotes:

St. Philip and St. James,

Feast Day May 3

Martyrdom of St. Philip by Jose Ribera Public Domain Image
Martyrdom of St. Philip
by Jose Ribera

The feast day of St. James the Lesser and St. Philip is celebrated by the Church on the same day, May 3. They are both Apostles and martyrs.

St. Philip was also one of the original apostles. He was born in Bethsaida, Galilee and was a follower of John the Baptist. He was present at the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. He was also present at the Last Supper. During the Last Supper, it was Philip who asked Jesus to show them the Father. Jesus responded by teaching them about the unity of the Father and the Son. After the resurrection Philip preached in Greece and Syria. St. Philip died a martyr. He was crucified upside down at Hierapolis under the rule of Emperor Domitian.

St. Philip is the patron saint of cooks and bakers.

St. James the Lesser was one of the original twelve apostles. The title Lesser probably meant he was younger than James the Greater. James was a cousin of Jesus and brother to St. Jude Thaddeus. St James the Lesser was the first Bishop of Jerusalem. He was known for his devotion to the poor. He was beaten to death with a club while praying for his attackers.

St.James the Lesser is the patron saint of fullers and pharmacists.

Martyrdom of the Apostle St. James the Less by Master of the Winkler Epitaph Public Domain Image
Martyrdom of the Apostle St. James the Less
by Master of the Winkler Epitaph

Teach us to be generous, good Lord.  Teach us to serve You as You deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to ask for any reward save that of knowing we do Your will.

Quote of St. Ignatius of Loyola; Feast Day July 31

 

May is the Month of Our Lady.

 

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Doctor of the Church, Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Athanasius, Feast Day May 2

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St. Athanasius of Alexandra Public Domain Image
St. Athanasius of Alexandra
Public Domain Image

The feast day of St. Athansius is celebrated on May 2.

St. Athanasius was born in Alexandria, Egypt in 295. He received a classical education. He was ordained a priest and then became bishop of Alexandria. He was a true defender of the Church’s teaching against Arianism, which held the belief that Christ was not divine. The heresy had just begun but became very controversial. During the Council of Tyre, Emperor Constantine exiled him to northern Gaul. Constantine’s son succeeded after his death and restored St. Athanasius as bishop. A year later he was exiled again by a coalition of Arian bishops. When St. Athanasius appealed to Rome, Pope Julius I called a synod to review the situation.

St. Athanasius was exiled five times for defending the divinity of Christ. Although he spent 17 years in exile, his final years were peaceful. He wrote the book, “The Life of St. Anthony”, which described the great monk’s struggles with demons. St. Athanasius died on May 2, 373. He was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church.

If the world is against the truth, then I am against the world.”

Quote of St. Athanasius

 

May is the Month of Our Lady

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Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Joseph the Worker, Feast Day May 1

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The Holy Family Public Domain Image
The Holy Family
Joseph, Mary and Jesus

 

The feast day of St. Joseph the Worker is celebrated on May 1.

St. Joseph was entrusted by God to be the guardian of Jesus Christ, the son of God. His primary mission was to keep Jesus safe and to provide for him. Joseph, Mary and Jesus are referred to as “The Holy Family”. St. Joseph was a carpenter.

Joseph was engaged to be married to Mary, when she was found with child. He was going to divorce her quietly to avoid scandal, however an angel appeared to him in a dream, saying;

“Joseph, son of David, do no be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. Mat: 1: 20-21

Joseph immediately took Mary as his wife.

The angel appeared to Joseph a second time. This time he was told his family was in danger. They fled to Egypt where they stayed until the angel told him it was safe to return.

We celebrate two feast days for St. Joseph. The first is on March 19; Feast day of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary. The second feast day is May 1; The Feast day of St. Joseph the Worker.

St. Joseph is the patron for a happy death because tradition tells us that he died with Jesus and Mary at his side. He is also the patron of fathers and workers.

St. Joseph with Angel Public Domain Image
St. Joseph with Angel

First, do what is necessary, then do what is possible, and before long you will find yourself doing the impossible.

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

May is the Month of Our Lady.

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