Tag Archives: Saint of the Day

Martyr, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Maria Goretti, Feast Day July 6




St. Maria Goretti Public Domain Image
St. Maria Goretti

The feast day of St. Maria Goretti is celebrated on July 6. St. Maria Goretti is the patron saint of rape victims, purity, chastity,  forgiveness, and youth.  She was the third of six children; having two sisters and three brothers. St. Maria Goretti died a martyr after an attempted rape and being stabbed to death.

Maria was born in Ancona, Italy on Oct. 16, 1890. Her father died of malaria when she was six years old, leaving her family very poor. They moved to Le Ferriere.

On July 5, 1902, she was sitting on her front steps, sewing and babysitting when her eighteen old neighbor, Alexander, attempted to rape her. She began screaming…

“No! It is a sin! God does not want it!”

After choking Maria, she still refused to submit to him, preferring to die. He then stabbed her eleven times. Maria tried to escape but Alexander then stabbed her three more times before running away. Maria was found bleeding and was taken to the hospital. Maria forgave Alexander before she died as she lay in a hospital bed.

Alexander was captured shortly after she died. Because he was a minor he was not sentenced to life in prison. He received a sentence of thirty years. He was unrepentant until he had a dream. In the dream, Maria appeared to him in a garden. She gave him flowers.

After 27 years in prison, he was released. Alexander went directly to Maria’s mother begging forgiveness. Her mother said,

“If my daughter can forgive him who am I to withhold forgiveness.”

All three of Maria’s brothers claimed to have had the intervention of St. Maria in their lives. Angelo heard a voice telling him to immigrate to America. Sandrino miraculously received money to finance his own immigration to join Angelo. Mariano heard a voice telling him to remain in his trench while fighting in World War I.

Maria was canonized in 1950 by Pope Pius XII. Pope Pius compared her to ‘St. Agnes of the 20th century’. Both her mother and Alexander attended the ceremony to celebrate her canonization.

Prayer to St. Maria Goretti

Oh Saint Maria Goretti who, strengthened by God’s grace, did not hesitate even at the age of twelve to shed your blood and sacrifice life itself to defend your virginal purity, look graciously on the unhappy human race which has strayed far from the path of eternal salvation. Teach us all, and especially youth,with what courage and promptitude we should flee for the love of Jesus anything that could offend Him or stain our souls with sin. Obtain for us from our Lord victory in temptation, comfort in the sorrows of life, and the grace which we earnestly beg of thee (here insert intention), and may we one day enjoy with thee the imperishable glory of Heaven. Amen

205px-Saint_maria_goretti_02 public domain image

He loves, He hopes, He waits,

Our Lord prefers to wait, Himself,

for the sinner….

rather than keep us waiting for an instant.

Quote of St. Maria Goretti

 

July is the Month of the Most Precious Blood

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St. Maria Goretti

Faith, Incorruptible, Saint of the Day

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




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.  He is the patron saint of physicians and medical doctors.  

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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Franciscan Saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Elizabeth of Portugal, Feast Day July 4




St. Elizabeth of Portugal Public Domain Image
St. Elizabeth of Portugal

The Feast Day of St. Elizabeth of Portugal is celebrated on July 4. She was a Spanish princess who was named after her great aunt St. Elizabeth of Hungary. At the age of twelve, she married King Denis of Portugal who was 26 years old. She was a very beautiful queen, but she was also very devout. She attended Mass daily.  St. Elizabeth is the patron saint of brides and widows.

St. Elizabeth’s marriage was a difficult one. The king did not share her pious beliefs. He was also very jealous. His jealousy of one of the pages resulted in an attempt to have the page murdered. The attempt failed, however another page was mistakenly killed instead. This event changed the King’s attitude. He apologized to everyone for what had happened. He began to treat his wife with more respect. She cared for him until his death.

For eleven years after the death of the king,  Queen Elizabeth did works of charity. She joined the monastery of Poor Clare Nuns, becoming a member of The Third order of St. Francis. As a Poor Clare Nun she served the poor and the sick rather than having the servants usually bestowed upon a queen.

“In humility is perfect freedom.”

Quote of Thomas Merton
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Apostle, Featured, Martyr, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Thomas the Apostle, Feast Day July 3




St. Thomas the Apostle Public Domain Image
St. Thomas the Apostle

The Feast Day of St. Thomas the Apostle is celebrated on July 3. Thomas was also called Didymus which means twin. St. Thomas is the patron saint of India and architects.

Thomas the Apostle was known for questioning things. He was not afraid to ask questions or state his disbelief. Jesus treated him with love and compassion.

St. Thomas was also known as “Doubting Thomas”. After the resurrection Jesus appeared to the Apostles. Thomas was not there and did not believe that Jesus had risen from the dead. When Jesus later appeared to him he said “Peace be with you. Do not doubt but believe.” (John 21:24) St. Thomas also asked Jesus “How can we follow you, when we know not where you are going?” Jesus responded, “I am the way, the truth and the life. Whoever follows me will live forever.”

Thomas was one of the original twelve apostles. He was present at the Last Supper. He was also present when Jesus had the Apostles lower their nets and they miraculously caught many fish. After the resurrection, St. Thomas was sent to evangelize the Parthians, the Persians and India. He is believed to have built the first church in India. St. Thomas died a martyr’s death when at Calamine in India he was speared to death while praying.

My Lord and my God!

Quote of St. Thomas the Apostle

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Incorruptible, Jesuit Saints, Saint of the Day

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




St. Bernadino
St. Bernadino

The Feast Day of St. Bernadino Realino is celebrated on July 2. St. Bernadino is the patron saint of advertising and communication.

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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Franciscan Saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Junipero Serra, Feast Day July 1




St. Junipero Serra Public Domain Image
St. Junipero Serra

The Feast Day of St. Junipero Serra is celebrated on July 1.

St. Junipero Serra was born Miguel Jose Serra on the Island of Mallorca, Spain in 1713. At a young age Miguel joined the Order of St. Francis of Assisi taking the name Junipero which was the name of St. Francis’ original companion friar. Until he was 35, he was a student and them a professor. He was well known for his preaching ability.

Suddenly he gave up his life as a professor. He volunteered to serve in the Franciscan missions in the new world. He traveled by ship to Vera Cruz, Mexico and then walked with a companion the 250 miles to Mexico City. The Franciscans of Mexico were asked to take over the missions in Baja, California. It became Father Serra’s responsibility. St. Serra established nine of the missions in California. He baptized over 6,000 people and confirmed over 5,000. He died at the age of 70 and is buried at Mission San Carlos Borromeo.

St. Junipero Serra was beatified in 1988. Pope Francis canonized St. Junipero Serra on Sept. 23, 2015 while visiting the United States.  He is the first saint to be canonized on U. S. soil.

We found on our journey, as well as in the place where we stopped,
that they treated us with as much confidence and goodwill
as if they had known us all their lives.
Quote of St.  Junipero Serra
.July is the Month of the Most Precious Blood
Featured, Martyr, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: The First Martyrs, Feast Day June 30


Early Christian Martyrs Public Domain Image

The First Martyrs of the Church of Rome are honored on June 30. The feast day has been celebrated beginning in 1969.

More than half of Rome was destroyed by fire in July of 64. The unpopular Emperor Nero was blamed for the fire but he accused the Christians to cover his own crimes. The martyrs were executed in many different ways. Some were burned alive at night to be used as living torches. Others were crucified and still others were fed to wild animals. The crime they were charged with was “their hatred of the human race”.

There was a large Jewish population in Rome at the time of the persecution. Paul had not yet visited Rome, however there were Christians living there.

St. Peter and St. Paul were probably among the victims of this persecution.

Emperor Nero committed suicide at the age of 31 when he was facing an army revolt and condemned to death by the Senate.

They are the ones who truly live, they who merit to be slain for Christ.
Quote of St. Peter Chrysologus;
June is the Month of the Sacred Heart
Apostle, Featured, Martyr, patron saints, Pope, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Peter and St. Paul, Feast Day June 29




The Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul Public Domain Image
The Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul

The Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of St. Paul and St. Peter on June 29.

Both saints were martyred for their faith during the persecution of Nero. St. Peter was crucified upside down by his own request. He did not consider himself worthy to be crucified in the same manner as Our Lord. St. Paul was beheaded. It is possible they were both martyred on the same day.

St. Peter was one of the original Apostles. He was a fisherman before he was called to follow Jesus. He was the brother to the Apostle Andrew. St. Peter was clearly the leader of the apostles. With James and John he witnessed the Transfiguration and the Agony in the Garden. His mother-in-law was cured by Jesus. Originally, Peter’s name was Simon. Jesus asked the apostles, “Who do you say that I am?” Simon said, “You are the Messiah, the son of the living God.” Jesus then said:

“Blessed are you Simon, Son of Jonah, for flesh and blood have not revealed this to you but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

During the crucifixion of Jesus, Peter denied Jesus three times. Jesus also told Peter three times…

“Feed my sheep”.

St. Peter is the patron saint of fishermen.

St. Paul was not one of the original apostles. While persecuting Christians after the death of Jesus, he was thrown to the ground by a bright light. He heard a voice asking him,

“Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

He responded with “Who are you, Lord?” Jesus answered him:

“I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city and you will be told what you are to do.”

Paul was blinded by the light for three days after which scales fell from his eyes. He then joined the apostles, becoming known as “The Apostle of the Gentiles”. He wrote many of the epistles in the Bible. He is the patron saint of writers, the press, and missionaries.

Prayer to St. Peter and St. Paul

Grant, we pray, O Lord our God, that we may be sustained by the intercession of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, that as through them you gave your Church the foundations of her heavenly office, so through them you may help her to eternal salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever. Amen

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Quote of St. Paul
Lord, you know that I love you.
Quote of St. Peter
June is the Month of the Sacred Heart

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Faith, Martyr, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Irenaeus, Feast Day June 28




St. Irenaeus of Lyons Public Domain Image
St. Irenaeus of Lyons

The Feast Day of St. Irenaeus of Lyons is celebrated on June 28.

St. Irenaeus of Lyons is considered a martyr and Church Father. St. Irenaeus was born around 125 in Asia Minor. He was raised in a Christian family, becoming a student of St. Polycarp of Smyrna.

St. Irenaeus was ordained a priest in 177 and became the Bishop of Lyons after the martyrdom of St. Pothinus. He is considered one of the first great Christian theologians. The most well known of his books is titled “Against Heresies”. He defended the holiness of the body and preached to the Gnostics.

St. Irenaeus was martyred in 202 in Lyons, France under the Emperor Septimus Severus.

The Glory of God is man fully alive.
Quote of St. Irenaeus
June is the Month of the Sacred Heart
Faith, Our Lady, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Feast Day June 27




Our Lady of Perpetual Help Public Domain Image
Our Lady of Perpetual Help

The Feast Day of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is celebrated on June 27.

Many people believe the icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help was originally painted by St. Luke. It is presently in the Church of St. Alphonsus under the care of the Order of Redemptorists. Numerous miracles have followed the icon.

The icon is an authentic expression of Byzantine art from ancient times. The gold background reflects God’s glory. In the portrait are Mary, the Mother of God, the Christ Child and the Archangels Michael and Gabriel. Mary is gazing at the person who is looking at the icon moving everyone to love Jesus her son and Our Savior. The Christ Child is comforted in his mother’s arms. One of his sandals is almost lost indicating that we sometimes need to seek assistance in our troubles. It is Mary who protected Our Lord in his childhood. She will protect us also.


Our Lady of Perpetual Help Icon
Chapel Bydgoszcz

The Icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help was first venerated in Crete. Tradition tells us however, that in 1480 the icon was smuggled from Crete to Rome by a thief! The smugglers asked Mary for protection during a storm at sea and God answered their prayers. After arriving in Rome, the merchant who had stolen the icon became very ill. He asked his caretaker to return the icon to the Church. The wife of the caretaker however insisted they keep the picture for themselves after the man had died. The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared several times to the man and his wife requesting that the icon be returned to a church. When she was ignored, she began appearing to their six year old daughter, requesting that the icon be placed between the Churches of St. Mary Major and St. John Lateran. Eventually, the icon was returned and enshrined at St. Matthews in 1499. St. Matthews was destroyed when Napoleon’s army invaded Rome in 1798. The icon was believed to be lost.

In 1855, The Order of Redemtorists came to Rome. They were granted possession of the land on which St. Matthew’s previously existed to build a new church. A Redemptorist priest remembered that he had learned as a young boy that the holy icon was in an Augustinian monastery near Rome. The Redemptorists petitioned the pope to allow the image to be returned to the spot the Blessed Virgin had requested that it be placed.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Public Domain Image
Our Lady of Perpetual Help

On April 26, 1866 the icon was transferred in a solemn procession to the Church of St. Alphonsus. They were given permission to spread the devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

Prayer to Our Lady:

Mother of Perpetual Help, Woman of Eternal Hope, your wordless gaze tells us so much about you. Knowing eyes look upon us with tender love. The slight bend of your head reveals such maternal concern. While. your left hand supports the Child, your right hand is ready to receive us, too. Just as He feels the beating of your heart, so you encourage us to lead a life of hope and holiness. Just as His sandal will fall on your lap, through your intercession may God pick us up as we stumble and fall. Never let us be parted from you and your son, Jesus.

Lady of love, you invite us to place our hand where His fingers touch yours — near a heart of endless hope — so that we may be united often in prayer here on earth and joined forever with you in heaven.     Amen.

Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much.  You can never love her more than Jesus did.
Quote of St. Maximilian Kolbe; Feast Day August 14
June is the Month of the Sacred Heart.

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Prayer, Saint of the Day, Spirituality

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Josemaria Escriva, Feast Day June 26




St. Josemaria Escriva Public Domain Image
St. Josemaria Escriva

The Feast Day of St. Josemaria Escriva is celebrated on June 26.

St. Josemaria Escriva was born in Barbastro, Spain on Jan. 9, 1902. He was the second of six children and attended Catholic schools. At an early age he learned the meaning of suffering when three of his younger sisters died.

After reflecting on footprints in the snow from a discalced Carmelite, he became aware that he had a religious calling. He decided to study for the priesthood and was ordained a priest in 1925. Within three years in 1928, he was inspired to found Opus Dei which was dedicated to all people following Christ. Married people and non Catholics were allowed to join. Their ministry included working among the poor in schools and hospitals. He also founded the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross. Opus Dei spread to many countries throughout the world.

St. Josemaria is also an author of three popular books: The Way, Furrow and The Forge.

On June 26, 1975, St. Josemaria died in his office suddenly at the age of 73. He was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002.

It’s not enough to be good, you need to show it.
What would you say of a rose bush which produced only thorns?
Quote of St. Josemaria Escriva
June is the Month of the Sacred Heart.

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Martyr, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Eurosia, Feast Day June 25




St. Eurosia Public Domain Image
St. Eurosia

The Feast Day of St. Eurosia is celebrated on June 25.  St. Eurosia is considered the patron saint against bad weather.

St. Eurosia was a French martyr. She was born in Bayonne, France into a noble family. Betrothed against her will to a Moore, she escaped through the mountains and hid in a cave. Eurosia was pursued and captured. Her captures dragged her out of the cave by her hair. She was then martyred. Her limbs were amputated and then she was beheaded. At the moment of her death a violent storm came which terrorized her captures.

St. Eurosia’s remains were discovered by a shepherd. Her head remained at the original shrine, but her body was taken to Jaca for burial. Miracles were reported at the original shrine which became a site of pilgrimage.

St. Eurosia was canonized by Pope Leo XIII.

Where the sign of the cross is erected,
the wickedness of the devil is immediately repelled.
Quote of St. Maximus of Turin;                   Feast day June 25
June is the Month of the Sacred Heart