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.
The feast day of Bl. Caterina Citadini is celebrated on May 5.
Bl. Caterina was born in Italy in 1801. Her mother died when she was six years old. She and her sister were taken to an orphanage when their father abandoned them. She became very devoted to the Bl. Virgin Mary and her guardian angel. She received her teaching degree and left the orphanage.
Caterina and her sister Giuditta lived the town of Somasca where they began a school and an orphanage. In 1840 Caterina’s sister died suddenly. After Caterina died in 1857 her educational institute was finally granted recognition as a religious congregation known as the Ursuline Sisters of Somasca.
The passion of the Lord is here in truth, shaking the earth, rending the rocks and opening tombs.
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 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.
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
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
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.”
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
First, do what is necessary, then do what is possible, and before long you will find yourself doing the impossible.
