Tag Archives: Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John I, Feast Day May 18

May 17, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra Leave a comment

St. John I Public Domain Image — St. John I

The feast day of St. John I is celebrated on May 18.

Pope John I was born in Tuscany, Italy. Little is known about his early life. He was elected pope one week after the death of his predecessor Hormisdas on August 13, 523.

There was great turmoil during the time of his election. The heresy of Arianism (the belief that Jesus was not divine) was causing persecution in many areas. Pope John was frail but he was the first pope to travel to Constantinople. He counseled the Byzantine emperor Justin, who persecuted heretics, to treat heretics with mercy. He celebrated Easter Mass in Constantinople before returning to Rome.

The king of Ostrogoths, Theodoric, was an Arian Christian. Because the edict against Arianism had not been lifted he became furious. While Pope John was returning to Rome, he had him kidnapped and imprisoned. St. John died in prison of thirst and starvation on May 18, 526. He is honored as a martyr.

When Doubting Thomas was refuted face to face, all mankind was given instruction.

Quote of St. Paulinas of Nola; Feast day June 22

May is the the Month of Our Lady

Faith, Franciscan Saints, Prayer, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Paschal Baylon, Feast Day May 17

May 16, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra 1 Comment

The feast day of St. Paschal Baylon is celebrated on May 17.

St. Paschal Baylon was born into a peasant family in Aragon, Spain. He worked as a shepherd while he was young. He taught himself to read while tending the sheep. He was known from an early age to have the gift of miracles. After having a mystical vision to enter a Franciscan Community nearby he joined the Reformed Franciscan Order as a lay Franciscan brother in 1564. He worked as a doorkeeper.

St. Paschal Baylon had a great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. He spent many hours before the Blessed Sacrament in prayer. He is known to have defended the belief in the Real Presence to the Calvinists he knew. He lived a life of poverty and prayer.

St. Paschal died on May 17. Miracles were reported immediately after his burial. St. Paschal was canonized in 1690.

O Father Eternal God, Grant me faith and courage;

Son, wisdom of the Father, grant me light and make me wise;

Holy Spirit, beloved of Father and Son, inflame my heart and purify my soul,

that I may approach this majestic Sacrament with faith and love.

Quote of St. Paschal Baylon; Feast day May 17

May is the Month of Our Lady.

Faith, Franciscan Saints, Prayer, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Leopold, Feast Day May 12

May 15, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra Leave a comment

St. Leopold Public Domain Image — St. Leopold

The feast day of St. Leopold is celebrated on May 12.

St. Leopold was born in Croatia, Italy. He joined the Capuchin Franciscans and was ordained even though he had disabilities and health problems. He had a speech impediment which made it difficult to preach. He also suffered from severe arthritis, poor eyesight and a stomach ailment. His vocation became that of a confessor. He was known to spend as many as 15 hours a day hearing confessions. Several bishops were known to seek his spiritual direction. He was often criticized for his compassion and leniency. He was very understanding and caring towards expectant mothers and children. This led to his work starting orphanages.

St. Leopold wanted to become a missionary and work for the reunion between Roman Catholics and Orthodoxy. Because of his health he was unable to travel but unity was constantly in his prayers. He became known as the Apostle of Confession and Unity.

Most of his life St. Leopold lived in Padua, Italy. However, because he did not want to renounce his Croatian nationality he spent one year in prison during World War I.

St. Leopold had a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He often prayed the Rosary. He also received the Eucharist daily and visited the sick in nursing homes.

St. Leopold died from esophagus cancer on July 30, 1942. While he was dying the friars gathered around him and sang the Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen). St. Leopold was canonized in 1982 by Pope John Paul II..

You have become an ornament to heaven,

O Mother of God, and a light for all the earth!

Quote of St. Germanus of Constantinople; Feast day May 12

May is the Month of Our Lady

Carmelite Saints, Faith, Our Lady, Saint of the Day, Visionary

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Simon Stock, Feast Day May 16

May 15, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra Leave a comment

St. Simon Stock Public Domain Image — St. Simon Stock

The feast day of St. Simon Stock is celebrated on May 16.

Little is known about the early life of St. Simon Stock. Legend has told us that from the age of twelve he lived as a hermit in a hollow tree trunk. As a young man he went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. There, he joined a group of Carmelites. They returned together to Europe.

St. Simon was elected Superior General of his Order in London in 1254. St. Simon founded many Carmelite Communities in Cambridge, Oxford, Paris and Bologna. He was instrumental in the transition from a hermit Order to an Order of mendicant friars.

In 1251 he experienced an apparition during a time when the order was being oppressed. The Virgin Mary appeared to him holding the brown scapular in one hand. She told him,

“Receive, my beloved son, this scapular of thy Order; it is a special sign of my favor which I have obtained for thee and thy children of Mt. Carmel. He who dies clothed with this habit shall be preserved from eternal fire. It is the badge of salvation, a shield in time of danger and a pledge of special peace and protection.”

The scapular is made of two squares of cloth connected by strings. It is worn over the shoulders, one on the chest, one on the back.

The promise from the Virgin Mary is believed to mean that Carmelites who live their vocation well, with love and sincerity will be saved. It is a reminder that Mary is their role model in love. The Carmelite Order is a contemplative Order which focuses on contemplative prayer. Mary leads those in the Carmelite Order to a deeper love of Jesus Christ, the Eucharist and the Beatitudes. The role models for the Carmelite Order are the Virgin Mary and the prophet Elijah. It was Elijah who heard the voice of God in the whisper of the gentle breeze.

St. Simon Stock was known to have a special gift of miracles and prophecy. St. Simon Stock. died on July 16, 1265 in Bordeaux, France.

God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience,

but shouts in our pain.

It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.

Quote of C.S. Lewis

May is the Month of Mary

Faith, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Isidore the Farmer, Feast Day May 15

May 14, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra Leave a comment

St. Isidore the Farmer Public Domain Image — St. Isidore the Farmer

The feast day of St. Isidore is celebrated on May 15.

He is the patron saint of farmers. St. Isidore was born to poor parents at Madrid, Spain in the 12th century. As a young boy he worked for a wealthy farmer in Madrid. He married Maria de la Cabeza who also became a saint. They had one son who died as a child.

Isidore was very religious. He attended daily Mass before going to work in the fields. This sometimes caused complaints that he spent too much time in church. He prayed as he worked in the fields. It is said that angels sometimes helped him with his work. On holidays he would visit the many churches in Madrid. He loved the poor, often giving those more poor than himself food to eat. He also cared for animals. His concern that they be treated well was well known. He was kind and generous.

St. Isidore is a role model for everyone. He practiced his faith always and showed kindness and generosity to those he met.

St. Isidore died on May 15, 1130 after living a simple but holy life. He was canonized in 1622.

Like a tree in spring the cross has burst into flower…
the cross on which the Lord of glory hung.

Quote by St. Bernard; Feast day August 20

May is the Month of Our Lady

Save

Faith, Martyr, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Matthias, Feast Day May 14

May 14, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra Leave a comment

St. Matthias Public Domain Image — St. Matthias

The feast day of St. Mathias is celebrated on May 14. St. Mathias was not one of the original twelve Apostles. He was not present at the Last Supper.

After the suicide by hanging of Judas Iscariot, the Apostles decided to choose either Mathias or Joseph called Barsabbas to replace Judas Iscariot. They prayed, saying. “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry which Judas left to go where he belongs.” Acts (1:24) They drew lots and chose Mathias to replace him.

Mathias preached in Judea, Egypt and Ethiopia. Stories of his martyrdom vary. It is believed he was stoned and beheaded.

St. Mathias is the patron saint against alcoholism and smallpox. He is also the patron of carpenters.

Who except God can give you peace?

Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?

Quote of St. Gerard Majilla; Feast day October 16

The Mystery of Faith

Tag Archives: Saint of the Day