Tag Archives: Saint of the Day

Baptism, Martyr, Saint of the Day, Visionary

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John the Baptist, Feast Day June 24




St. John the Baptist Public Domain Image
St. John the Baptist

The Nativity of St. John the Baptist is celebrated on June.   The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated on the Sunday after January 6th.                                                                          

John  the Baptist is the last prophet proclaiming the coming of the Lord. We actually meet John when Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry,

“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy.”( Luke1: 39)

John was actually about six months older than his cousin Jesus.

The next time we hear of John the Baptist he comes out of the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.  John  proclaimed:

“I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”(Matthew 3: 11)
Baptism of Jesus Public Domain Image
St. John the Baptist baptizing Jesus Public Domain Image

In Matthew 3: 13,  Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.”

After Jesus had been baptized, the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and a voice from heaven said,

“This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

We learn in Mark 1:14 that it is after the arrest of John the Baptist by King Herod, that Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God and saying, “The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God has come near, repent, and believe in the good news.”

Why was John arrested? The story is told in Mark 6: 17-29. John was arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”  Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so because Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. On Herod’s birthday Herodias’ own daughter came in and performed a dance that so delighted Herod and his guests that Herod promised her whatever she requested. She went to her mother asking “What shall I ask for?” Herodias replied, “The head of John the Baptist.”  The girl hurried back to King

St. John the Baptist Public Domain Image
St. John the Baptist
Public Domain Image

Herod saying “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” King Herod was distressed at the request, but because of his oaths in front of guest he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back John the Baptists’ head. The head, on a silver platter, was given to the girl. In turn the girl gave it to her mother.

When the disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

John the Baptist is most remembered for his call to repentance and baptism. The following is one of his last statements before his death.

Jesus must increase;  I must decrease.

Quote of St. John the Baptist
June is the Month of the Sacred Heart

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Incorruptible, Saint of the Day

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




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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Featured, Martyr, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Thomas More, Feast Day June 22



St. Thomas More Public Domain Image
St. Thomas More

The Feast Day of St. Thomas More is celebrated on June 22.  St. Thomas More is the patron saint of lawyers.

St. Thomas More was born in London, England in 1478. He wrote the famous book Utopia which was a work of fiction which depicted a pagan and communist island which was ruled by reason. It touched on many controversial issues and established him as a humanist.

St. Thomas More attended St. Anthony’s School in London and served as a page for the archbishop of Canterbury. He continued his studies at Oxford University eventually becoming a lawyer. He was tempted to become a monk and moved near to a Cathusian monastery near London. He participated as much as possible. Torn becoming a monk or working as a civil servant his desire to become a civil servant won. In 1504, he entered Parliament.
Life began to change in 1527 when King Henry tried to use the Bible to prove to Thomas More that his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, who failed to produce a male child, was void. St. Thomas More could not agree with King Henry’s plan to divorce Catherine.

In 1532, Thomas More resigned from the House of Commons because of his health. When More refused to swear to King Henry’s Act of Succession and the Oath of Supremacy he was refusing allegiance to the King.

St. Thomas More was sent to the Tower of London on April 17, 1534 and found guilty of treason. He was beheaded on July 6, 1535. His last words were:

“The king’s good servant, but God’s first.”

St. Thomas More is considered a martyr of the faith.
St. Thomas More was canonized in 1935 by Pope Pius XI.

Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.
Quote of St. Thomas More
June is the Month of the Sacred Heart

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Faith, Jesuit Saints, patron saints, Saint of the Day, Visionary

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Feast Day June 21




St. Aloysius Gonzaga Public Domain Image St. Aloysius Gonzaga

 

The Feast Day of St. Aloysius Gonzaga is celebrated on June 21.   He was a Jesuit Deacon who lived in Italy and Rome from 1568-1591.  He is the patron saint of youth and plague victims.

St. Aloysius was born in Castiglione, Italy in 1568. He was one of seven children and lived in a castle. He was expected to follow his father into the military, but by the early age of nine Aloysius had decided he had a religious calling. He received his 1st communion from St. Charles Borromeo, who was a Cardinal.

St. Aloysius’ family was living in Florence when Aloysius came down with kidney disease. He spent his time while he was ill reading the lives of the saints. After reading about Jesuit missionaries in India he became determined to join the Society of Jesus.  Against the will of his father he joined the Jesuits at the age of 18. He gave up his right to an inheritance.

In 1590 Aloysius returned to Rome. While he was in Rome he had a vision of Archangel Gabriel who told him he would die within a year. In 1591, a plague broke out in Rome. Aloysius volunteered to serve in the hospital. It was not long before he came down with the plague himself.  After receiving another vision, St. Aloysius told several people he would die on the Feast of Corpus Christi, (Body of Christ). The Feast  of Corpus Christi fell on June 21 that year. In the morning he seemed fine but he grew weaker quickly. St. Bellarmine gave him the last rites and he died just before midnight at the age of 23.

St. Aloysius was known for his purity. He had taken a vow of perpetual virginity while very young, safeguarding himself from temptation by always looking downward when in the presence of women. His prayers included the Office of Mary and the Psalms. St. Aloysius had been ordained a deacon but was never ordained a priest.

A Carmelite mystic, St. Maria Magdalena de Pezzi claimed to have had a vision of St. Aloysius on April 4, 1600. She described him as radiant in glory because of his interior works and said he was a hidden martyr for his great love of God.

Pious legend tells us his first words were the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary.  Before his death, his final words were “Into Thy hands.”

St. Aloysius was canonized on Dec. 31, 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII.

I am but a crooked piece of iron,
and have come into religion to be made straight
by the hammer of mortification and penance.
Quote of St. Aloysius Gonzaga

 

June is the Month of the Sacred Heart

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Faith, Martyr, Pope, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Silverius, Feast Day June 20




St. Silverius Public Domain Image
St. Silverius

The Feast Day of St. Silverius is celebrated on June 20.

St. Silverius was the son of Pope Hermisdas who had been married before entering his ministry. St. Silverius was chosen as Pope while he was serving as a sub deacon. He was ordained on June 8, 536.

As Pope, St. Silverius refused to approve the doctrine of monophysitism which believed Christ had one nature not two (human and divine). Because of this ruling Pope Silverius was deposed and replaced by a deacon named Vigilus. St. Silverius was accused of treason and degraded to the rank of monk. After an appeal he was sent to Rome for an inquiry. Silverius however was forced to live on the island of Palmaria off Naples.

St. Silverius died from murder by starvation in the year 539. He was recognized a saint by popular acclamation.

Cast yourself into the furnace of the gentle heart of Jesus.
All your defects and imperfections will be consumed there.
Quote of St. Paul of the Cross; Feast day Oct. 19
June is the Month of the Sacred Heart.

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Benedictine Saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Romuald, Feast Day June 19




St. Romuald Public Domain Image
St. Romuald
Public Domain Image

St. Romuald was born at Ravenna, Italy in 951. His feast day is celebrated on June 19.

As a young man he pursued the pleasures of the world. However, at the age of 20, he witnessed a duel between his father and a relative over property. His father killed the relative. St. Romuald fled to a Benedictine monastery to do penance as if he had committed the crime himself.

St. Romuald became a monk at the Basilica of Saint Apollinare in Classe. Wanting a stricter order he founded several monasteries of his own. When faced with temptation he always turned to prayer. His rule states,

 “Sit in your cell as in paradise. Put the whole world behind you and forget it. Watch your thoughts like a good fisherman watching for fish. The path you must follow is in the Psalms – never leave it.”

St. Romuald spent 30 years founding monasteries. His father eventually followed him and became a monk. When he wavered he had the encouragement of his son.

St. Romuald died in the year 1027.

I arise today through God’s strength to pilot me.
God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s eye to see before me.
God’s ear to hear me, God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me, God’s way to be before me,
God’s shield to protect me, God’s host to secure me.
Quote of St. Patrick, Feast Day March 17
June is the Month of the Sacred Heart.
Benedictine Saints, Featured, Martyr, Saint of the Day, Visionary

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Elizabeth of Schoenna, Feast Day June 18




St. Elizabeth of Schoenna
St. Elizabeth of Schoenna

The Feast Day of St. Elizabeth of Schoenna is celebrated on June 18.

St. Elizabeth was born in 1129 in Bonn, Germany. She was raised in a monastery and at the age of twelve entered a Benedictine Monastery. She made her profession in 1147 and became superioress of the Benedictine Nuns in 1157.

Elizabeth often had visions and ecstasies which occurred on Holy Days and Sundays. She wrote down her visions and after her death in 1165, the material was published by her brother Egbert who was a priest. The church has not examined her work and has not given an opinion.

Although she has never been formally canonized her name has been entered in the Roman martyrology.

To be ignorant of the Scriptures is to be ignorant of Christ.
Quote of St. Jerome; Feast day September 30
June is the Month of the Sacred Heart.
Faith, Franciscan Saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Albert Chmielowski, Feast Day June 17




St. Albert Public Domain Image
St. Albert Chmielowski

The Feast Day of St. Albert is celebrated on June 17.

St. Albert was born into a wealthy family on August 29, 1845 in Iglomia, Poland , which is near Krakow in 1945. He was the oldest of four children. He was active in politics as a young man. During the war against the Czar Alexander II Adam suffered from wounds which resulted in the amputation of his leg.

Adam had a great talent as an artist. He studied art in Warsaw, Munich and Paris. He was a very kind and compassionate man and decided to give up his life as an artist to join the Secular Franciscans when he returned to Krakow. He took the name Albert when he founded the Brothers of the Third Order of St. Francis, Servants of the Poor, also known as the Albertines. He also founded a community of Albertine Sisters. They organized food and shelter for the poor and homeless. St. Albert died in1916.

Pope John Paul II was inspired by St. Albert while he was serving as a priest. Pope John Paul was active in theater and wrote a play about St. Albert called Our God’s Brother. In 1983, Pope John Paul II beatified St. Albert. On November 12, 1989, Pope John Paul II canonized St. Albert.

You go to pray; to become a bonfire,
a living flame, giving light and heat.

 

Quote of St. Josemaria Escriva;                 Feast Day June 26
June is the Month of the Sacred Heart.
Faith, Jesuit Saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John Francis Regis, Feast Day June 16





St. John Francis Regis

The Feast Day of St. John Francis Regis is celebrated on June 16. He was a Jesuit priest from France.

St. John Francis Regis was born into a wealthy family in southern France. He entered the Society of Jesus at age 19. After his ordination as a Jesuit priest he became a missionary working in various French towns. He would walk from town to town preaching from the heart. His speaking style was simple but poetic. He was easy to understand and his zeal attracted many people. He usually heard confessions in the morning and visited prisons and hospitals in the afternoon. His preaching missions successfully converted many people and brought others back to the faith.

St. John Francis Regis was well known for his work with at-risk women and orphans. He established safe houses and helped the unemployed find work. He led many to be trained as lace makers, giving them a stable income.

While serving on a mission in 1640, St. John Francis Regis died. He spent his last day meditating on the crucifix. His last works were:

“Into thy hand I commend my spirit”.

St. John Francis Regis was canonized in 1737. Regis Societies were formed throughout France to provide services for the poor and marginalized.

The incomparable heart of the Mother of the Redeemer  is a glorious heaven,
a paradise of delights for the Most Holy Trinity.
Quote of St. John Eudes; Feast Day August 19
June is the Month of the Sacred Heart

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Featured, Incorruptible, Quote, Saint of the Day

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




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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Carmelite Saints, Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Elisha, Feast Day June 14




St. Elisha Public Domain Image
St. Elisha

The Feast day of St. Elisha is celebrated on June 14.   St. Elisha was a prophet in the ninth century.  His Hebrew name means “God is Salvation”.

St. Elisha was called to follow the prophet Elijah, his mentor, when Elijah cast his mantle on him indicating that he was to be his successor.  As Elijah ascended into heaven in a fiery chariot, Elisha asked for a double portion of St. Elijah’s spirit.  The spirit he received enabled him  to protect the faith.

St. Elisha was known for many miracles.  He divided the waters of Jordan.  He made the water from the Jericho Spring fit to drink.  He saved a poor widow from death by increasing the oil in her vessel.  He raised a child back to life after death.  He healed a Syrian officer from leprosy by having him bathe in the Jordan seven times.

St. Elisha continued the devotion begun by Elijah to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.  He is considered a patron saint of the Carmelite Order.  According to tradition, Elijah had a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  The title of Mary “Star of the Sea” is believed go have originated with this vision.

St. Elisha died from old age at Samaria.

What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?
Quote of St. Ignatius of Loyola; Feast day July 31
June is the Month of the Sacred Heart

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Doctor of the Church, Franciscan Saints, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Anthony of Padua, Feast Day June 13




Bartolome_Esteban_Murillo_-_'The_vision_of_Saint_Anthony_of_Padua'._61_x_39.7_cm public domain image
The Vision of Saint Anthony of Padua by Bartolome Esteban Murillo

The Feast day of St. Anthony of Padua is celebrated on June 13. He is the patron saint of sailors, lost articles and fishermen.

St. Anthony was born in Lisbon, Portugal in 1195. His name at Baptism was Fernando. At the age of 15 Fernando entered the Augustinian Monastery. He did not focus on his studies and prayer, but spent time with friends and enjoyed political discussions. He was sent to Coimbra where he studied for nine years. He was ordained a priest during this time.

A turning point occurred in Fernando’s life after the massacre of five Franciscans. They had been tortured and beheaded. Their bodies were returned from Morocco and carried in a solemn procession to Fernando’s monastery. He was inspired to change orders and become a Franciscan, taking the name Anthony.

St. Anthony was sent to Morocco. but decided to return after becoming ill. He never arrived. His ship was hit by stormy weather and sent off course. He eventually landed on the East coast of Sicily. He was nursed back to health by the friars. While still ill, he attended the great Pentecost Chapter of Mats which was attended by 3000 Friars including St. Francis. Anthony was asked to give a short simple sermon. From then on he became a public preacher. The fire and knowledge with which he spoke inspired many to conversion.

St. Anthony made over 400 trips across Italy and France preaching against heresies. He presented the Christian faith in a positive light. Anthony became the teacher of sacred theology to the friars.

In 1226, St. Anthony was appointed provincial superior at the age of 31. It was in Padua that St. Anthony preached his last and most famous Lenten sermon. The crowds were near 30,000 so he preached in open fields. He was exhausted after the sermon. He knew death was near and received the last rites in the town of Arcilla singing with the friars there.

Shortly before he died he exclaimed,

“I see my Lord!”

He died in 1231 at the age of 36 after serving as a Franciscan for ten years.

St. Anthony is often shown in art holding the child Jesus in his arms. Tradition tells us that one night as Anthony was praying the room was filled with brilliant light. Jesus appeared to St. Anthony as a little child.

St. Anthony was canonized in 1232 by Pope Gregory IX. In 1946 Pope Pius XII declared him a Doctor of the Church.

 

Poverty is an easy way to God…

Poverty is the mother of humility.

It is as difficult to preserve humility amid riches

as purity in the midst of delights and luxury.

Quote of St. Anthony of Padua

 

June is the Month of the Sacred Heart.

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