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

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Teresa of Avila, Feast Day October 15

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St. Teresa of Avila Public Domain Image
St. Teresa of Avila

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Teresa of Avila,

Feast Day October 15

St. Teresa of Avila’s feast day will be celebrated on October 15th. She is known as being the patron saint of writers and headache sufferers.

Born in Avila, Spain in 1515, she was sent to a convent at the age of 16, because her father believed her to be “out of control”. At first she hated it, later she came to enjoy it, in part because they were less strict than her father.

Eventually, she decided to become a Carmelite nun. She practiced meditation and mental prayer. She fell ill with malaria and almost died. She awoke paralyzed, which lasted for three years. She found it very difficult to pray during this time. However at the age of 41 a priest convinced her to go back to prayer. She suffered many distractions and found it very difficult. As she began her prayer life anew, God gave her spiritual delights including ecstasies, and the prayer of union. She eventually became known as a mystic.

At the age of 43 she decided to form a new convent which met with much resistance. Her confessor St. John of the Cross helped to begin the reformed order of the Discalced (barefoot) Carmelites.

St. Teresa was known for her honest dialogue with God.    She wanted the nuns in her order to have the proper attitude and discipline in their prayer life.  But she too could be frustrated with life.   Every moment of her life was a prayer,  even the difficult ones.  She is known for the following exclamation.

“If this is the way you treat your friends, no wonder you have so few!”

St. Teresa has written many books. These include: The Interior Castle, The Life of Teresa of Jesus, and The Way of Perfection.  Her spirituality has led many to a much deeper prayer life.  She has been proclaimed a Doctor of the Church.

St. Teresa died on October 4 at the age of 67.

The following prayer is attributed to St. Teresa of Avila:

 

Let nothing disturb you.
Let nothing make you afraid.
All things are passing.
God alone never changes.
Patience gains all things.
If you have God you will want for nothing.
God alone suffices.

 

October is the Month of the Most Holy Rosary

 

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patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Alexandrina Maria da Costa, Feast Day October 13

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Bl.. Alexandrina Maria da Costa

 

 

The feast day of  Bl. Alexandrina Maria da Costa is celebrated on October 13. She is known for living on the Eucharist alone for three years. She is the patron saint of the bedridden and paralyzed.

Alexandrina was born on March 30, 1904. in Balasar, Portugal. She worked in the fields to earn money. She nearly died of an infection when she was twelve.

 

On Holy Saturday, at the age of 14, she and a friend were sewing when three men broke into her home threatening to rape them. In an attempt to escape she jumped out of a window and fell 4 meters. She had many injuries and the doctors predicted her paralysis would get worse. She was able to attend church until the age of 19 although she was quite hunched over. At the age of 21 she became totally paralyzed and bedridden.

Alexandrina prayed for a miraculous healing so that she could be a missionary. Eventually she realized that God wanted her to spend her time in prayer. She accepted her affliction as God’s will and offered herself as a “victim soul” for the conversion of sinners. She suffered from paralysis for over 30 years.

 

Describing her situation she stated the following:

“Our Lady has given me an even greater grace; first abandonment, then complete conformity to God’s will and finally the thirst for suffering.”

For 3 1/2 years Alexandrina experienced the mystical gift of feeling the pains of Christ on the Cross. Every Friday, for three hours she relived the “Passion of Jesus”. Her paralysis was overcome, but she suffered great pain. Alexandrina knew Jesus wanted her to suffer in joy so she was known for her smile.

For 13 years Alexandrina was nourished only by the Eucharist. Unable to keep anything down including water, she began a “fast” for Jesus. She offered her suffering for the salvation of souls. As news of her fast spread, pilgrims began to visit asking her for prayers. This tired her and increased her suffering but she promised to pray for everyone.

 

Because of the skepticism surrounding her fast, Alexandrina agreed to be admitted to a hospital where she would be examined. She was permitted the Eucharist daily. The disbelief of the doctors caused her great suffering, but after a month they certified that she had had nothing to eat or drink except the Eucharist. She kept a picture of St. Jacinta of Fatima by her bed.

In her prayers Jesus told her:

“You are living by the Eucharist alone because I want to prove to the world the power of the Eucharist and the power of my life in souls.”

Bl. Alexandrina died on October 13, 1955. She declared…

“I am happy because I am going to heaven.”

She was beatified by Pope John Paul II.  On her tombstone, Bl. Alexandrina requested the following statement:

“Sinners, how much I want to tell you. Do not risk losing Jesus for all eternity for He is so good. Enough with sin. Love Jesus, love Him!”

October is the Month of the Most Holy Rosary

 

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Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Maria Teresa Fasco, Feast Day October 12

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Bl. Maria Teresa Vasce
Bl. Maria Teresa Vasce

 

The feast day of Bl. Maria Teresa Fasco is celebrated on October 12.

Known as Marietta as a child, Bl. Maria Teresa was born on Dec. 27, 1881 in Torriglia, Italy.  Her mother died when she was eight years old.  Her older sister Luigia helped raise her.  The family was not poor and she received a good education.

The parish Marietta attended was under the pastoral care of Augustinian Friars.  She taught singing and was involved in religious education.  Marietta studied the spirituality of St. Augustine and was drawn to it.  When the Augustinian Nun St. Rita of Cascia was canonized in 1900 it made a great impression on her.  She applied to the Augustinian monastery at Casci against her families wishes.  She was denied entry because they felt she was used to the comforts of city living.  They did not believe  she would do well living a rural life.   However, she applied a second time and was accepted.

Maria Teresa became disillusioned when younger nuns joined who had a lack of  discipline.  Tension in the monastery grew between the younger and older sisters.  Maria Teresa left the community for a time in 1910.  She returned in 1911 determined to reform the monastery.  She began writing letters to supervisors explaining the situation.  Their response was to make her the Director of Novices!  In 1920 she was elected Abbess.  She served as Abbess for 27 years.  The monastery became a good example of the Augustinian way of life.

 

Sister Maria Teresa started an orphanage for girls and helped to build a larger church to receive pilgrims coming to learn about St. Rita. She referred to the orphans as her “bees”.  Sister Maria Teresa enjoyed teaching the orphans. Her newsletter called “From the Bees to the  Roses”  is still published today.

 

During World War II when Nazi troops forced their way into the monastery she was not intimidated.  They departed after speaking to her.

Sister Maria Teresa suffered from health problems.  including painful breast cancer which required two surgeries.  She also had asthma, diabetes, heart problems and poor circulation.  She had difficult walking.  She died peacefully on January 18, 1947 before the new basilica was completed.

“I am leaving this world with faith, hope and love!  I hope to find you there…where Good reigns and where we will live forever!”

 

Sister Maria Teresa was beatified by St. John Paul II in 1997.

 

I love Him even if it costs much,

I love Him because it is worth much,

I love Him at all cost.

Quote of Bl. Maria Teresa Fasce

 

October is the Month of the Most Holy Rosary

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Franciscan Saints, patron saints, Pope, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Pope John XXIII, Feast Day October 11

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St. John XXIII Public Domain Image
St. John XXIII

The feast day of St. John XXIII is celebrated on October 11.  He was known also known as “Good Pope John”.

Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli was born in 1881 near Borgano, Italy.  He was the oldest of 13 children.  Angelo joined the Secular Franciscan Order.  After he was ordained a priest in 1904, he returned to Rome to study canon law.  He became the bishop’s secretary, Church history teacher in the seminary and publisher of the diocesan paper.

During World War I, he served as a stretcher bearer for the Italian army.  During World War II  he was a papal diplomat, serving in Bulgaria, Turkey and France.  With the help of Germany’s ambassador in Turkey, Archbishop Roncalli, he helped save approximately 24,000 Jewish people from death.

In 1953 he was named a cardinal and Bishop.  He was elected Pope at the age of 77, taking the name of John.  He soon called an ecumenical council and presided over the first session of the Second Vatican Council.  The purpose of the Council was to bring the church into the modern world.  It also was an effort to end hostilities between religions.  Eastern Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant religious leaders were invited to attend.

One quote he is remembered for is:

“The Church has always opposed errors.  Nowadays, however, the Spouse of Christ prefers to make use of the medicine of mercy rather than that of severity.”

Pope John XXIII earned the title Good Pope John because of his kind and cheerful demeanor.

He died on June 3, 1963.  He was beatified November 15, 1881 by Pope John Paul II.  He was canonized on the same day as Pope John Paul II by Pope Benedict on April 27, 2014.

 

In the Blessed Sacrament a heavenly school is open to me, with the best teacher one can possibly imagine…Jesus Christ himself.

Quote of Bl. John XXIII

 

October is the Month of the Most Holy Rosary

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Franciscan Saints, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Mary Angela, Feast Day October 10

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Bl. Mary Angela

 

The feast day of Bl. Mary Angela is celebrated on October 10.

Bl. Mary Angela Truszkowska was baptized as Sophia Camille after she was born in Kalisz, Poland on May 16, 1825.  Her parents were well educated and devout Catholics.

As a child Sophia’s health was frail due to contracting tuberculosis.  She was tutored at home. After the family moved to Warsaw in 1837, Sophia enrolled for a short time at the Academy of Madame Guerin until she withdrew due to health issues.  She studied at home using her father’s library.  She developed a great interest in social justice.

Sophia was drawn to a strong prayer life. She attended daily Mass and had a devotion to adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  When she was 23 she experienced a conversion which changed her life.  She considered joining the cloistered Visitation Sisters but was advised by her confessor not to leave her ailing father.

While traveling with her father in Germany, Sophia felt called by Our Lord to serve the suffering poor and aging.  She became a member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.  She was constantly searching for God’s will while she served the poor.  Eventually, Sophia began to teach the poor children and help the aging and homeless.  Together with her cousin Clothilde they rented an attic with her father’s help and began the “Institute of Sofia Truszkowska”.

Both Clothilde and Sophia became Lay Franciscans.   Sophia took the name Mary Angela.   Their Franciscan spirituality led them to start a new order.  On the feat day of the Presentation of the Bl. Virgin Mary, they dedicated themselves before an icon of Our Lady of Czestvehowa and founded the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Felix of Cantalice.  St. Felix was the first Capuchin Franciscan to be canonized.  The purpose of the order was that “in all and by all”  God may be known, loved and glorified”.  They became known as the “Felician Sisters”.  Their ministry ranged from teaching to hospitals and caring for the poor and aging.

Mother Angela served for over 30 years.   The suffering she experienced from progressive deafness, malignant tumors and terrible headaches was mostly unknown by those she served.  Her Eucharistic spirituality inspired many.  She always tried to imitate Mary and was known for her great love.

Today the Congregation of Sisters of St. Felix are known for their devotion to adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

Mother Angela died on October 10, 1899.  Her face changed from one of suffering to an expression of peace.

 

“Jesus wants us to serve Him with a joyful heart”

Quote of Bl. Mary Angela

 

October is the Month of the Most Holy Rosary

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14 Helpers, Martyr, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Denis and Companions, Feast Day October 9

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St. Denis
St. Denis

 

The feast day of St. Denis and Companions is celebrated on October 9.  St. Denis is the patron saint of France and against headaches.

St. Denis was born and raised in Italy.  He is also known as St. Dionysius.  He was sent to Gaul by Pope St. Clement.  He is probably the first Bishop of Paris.  St. Denis was martyred along with two companions according to the writings of St. Gregory of Tours.  His companions are believed to be St. Rustreus and St. Eleutherius, a priest and deacon.  They were beheaded with a sword under the persecution of Emperor Valerius in 258.   The head of St. Denis was carried into the nearby village before their bodies were thrown into the Seine River.  St. Denis body was recovered and a chapel was built over his tomb.

St. Denis is one of the 14 helpers who were invoked in the middle ages against the Black Plaque.  It is for this reason he became the patron saint against headaches.

 

Remember that this life is short, and that eternity is very long.

Quote of Bl. Susanna Araki Chabyoye

 

October is the Month of the Most Holy Rosary

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