February 1
Saint Brigid
February 1
Daily Saints – 1 February.
Feast of Saint Brigid of Ireland.
She is the patron saint of babies, blacksmiths, boatmen, cattle, chicken farmers, children whose parents are not married, dairymaids, dairy workers, fugitives, infants, mariners, midwives, milk maids, newborn babies, nuns, poets, poultry, poultry farmers, poultry raisers, printing presses, sailors, scholars, travellers, watermen.
The name brigid means ‘fiery arrow’.
Brigid was born on 453 at Faughart, Ireland. She was the daughter of Dubtach, an Irish chieftain and Brocca, a Christian Pictish slave who had been baptized by Saint Patrick.
Just before Brigid’s birth, her mother was sold to a Druid landowner. Brigid remained with her mother till she was old enough to serve her legal owner Dubtach, her father.
She grew up marked by her high spirits and tender heart, and as a child, she heard Saint Patrick preach, which she never forgot. She could not bear to see anyone hungry or cold, and to help them, often gave away things that were Dubtach’s. When Dubtach protested, she replied that “Christ dwelt in every creature”.
Dubtach tried to sell her to the King of Leinster, and while they bargained, she gave a treasured sword of her father’s to a leper. Dubtach was about to strike her when Brigid explained she had given the sword to God through the leper, because of its great value.
The King, a Christian, forbade Dubtach to strike her, saying “Her merit before God is greater than ours”. Dubtach solved this domestic problem by giving Brigid her freedom.
Brigid’s aged mother was in charge of her master’s dairy. Brigid took charge ,and often gave away the produce. But the dairy prospered under her (hence her patronage of milk maids, dairy workers, cattle, etc.), and the Druid freed Brigid’s mother.
Brigid returned to her father, who arranged a marriage for her with a young bard. Bride refused, and to keep her virginity, went to her Bishop, Saint Mel of Ardagh, and took her first vows.
Legend says that she prayed that her beauty be taken from her so no one would seek her hand in marriage; her prayer was granted, and she regained her beauty only after making her vows.
Another tale says that when Saint Patrick heard her final vows, he mistakenly used the form for ordaining priests. When told of it he replied, “So be it, my son, she is destined for great things.”
Her first convent started c.468 with seven nuns. At the invitation of bishops, she started convents all over Ireland. She was a great traveller, especially considering the conditions of the time, which led to her patronage of travellers, sailors, etc.
Brigid invented the double monastery, the monastery of Kildara, which means Church of the Oak, that she ran on the Liffey river being for both monks and nuns. Saint Conleth became its first bishop; this connection and the installation of a bell that lasted over 1000 years apparently led to her patronage of blacksmiths and those in related fields.
Brigid died on 1 February 523 at Kildare, Ireland. She is the co-patroness of Ireland.
“I would like an abundance of peace. I would like full vessels of charity. I would like rich treasures of mercy. I would like cheerfulness to preside over all.”
Feast of Saint Brigid of Ireland.
She is the patron saint of babies, blacksmiths, boatmen, cattle, chicken farmers, children whose parents are not married, dairymaids, dairy workers, fugitives, infants, mariners, midwives, milk maids, newborn babies, nuns, poets, poultry, poultry farmers, poultry raisers, printing presses, sailors, scholars, travellers, watermen.
The name brigid means ‘fiery arrow’.
Brigid was born on 453 at Faughart, Ireland. She was the daughter of Dubtach, an Irish chieftain and Brocca, a Christian Pictish slave who had been baptized by Saint Patrick.
Just before Brigid’s birth, her mother was sold to a Druid landowner. Brigid remained with her mother till she was old enough to serve her legal owner Dubtach, her father.
She grew up marked by her high spirits and tender heart, and as a child, she heard Saint Patrick preach, which she never forgot. She could not bear to see anyone hungry or cold, and to help them, often gave away things that were Dubtach’s. When Dubtach protested, she replied that “Christ dwelt in every creature”.
Dubtach tried to sell her to the King of Leinster, and while they bargained, she gave a treasured sword of her father’s to a leper. Dubtach was about to strike her when Brigid explained she had given the sword to God through the leper, because of its great value.
The King, a Christian, forbade Dubtach to strike her, saying “Her merit before God is greater than ours”. Dubtach solved this domestic problem by giving Brigid her freedom.
Brigid’s aged mother was in charge of her master’s dairy. Brigid took charge ,and often gave away the produce. But the dairy prospered under her (hence her patronage of milk maids, dairy workers, cattle, etc.), and the Druid freed Brigid’s mother.
Brigid returned to her father, who arranged a marriage for her with a young bard. Bride refused, and to keep her virginity, went to her Bishop, Saint Mel of Ardagh, and took her first vows.
Legend says that she prayed that her beauty be taken from her so no one would seek her hand in marriage; her prayer was granted, and she regained her beauty only after making her vows.
Another tale says that when Saint Patrick heard her final vows, he mistakenly used the form for ordaining priests. When told of it he replied, “So be it, my son, she is destined for great things.”
Her first convent started c.468 with seven nuns. At the invitation of bishops, she started convents all over Ireland. She was a great traveller, especially considering the conditions of the time, which led to her patronage of travellers, sailors, etc.
Brigid invented the double monastery, the monastery of Kildara, which means Church of the Oak, that she ran on the Liffey river being for both monks and nuns. Saint Conleth became its first bishop; this connection and the installation of a bell that lasted over 1000 years apparently led to her patronage of blacksmiths and those in related fields.
Brigid died on 1 February 523 at Kildare, Ireland. She is the co-patroness of Ireland.
“I would like an abundance of peace. I would like full vessels of charity. I would like rich treasures of mercy. I would like cheerfulness to preside over all.”
Close
February 2
Daily Saints – 2 February.
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.
In obedience to the Old Law, the Lord Jesus, the first-born, was presented in the Temple by his Blessed Mother Mary and his foster father Joseph.
This is another ‘epiphany’ celebration insofar as the Christ Child is revealed as the Messiah through the canticle and words of Simeon and the testimony of Anna the prophetess.
There is a strong Marian dimension to this feast and so in the Liturgical Calendar of the Extraordinary Form it is called the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In Mary’s case this purification was not necessary, but it indicates the renewal of her total offering of herself to God for the accomplishment of His Divine Plan.
It is also called the Feast of Encounter because the New Testament, represented by the baby Jesus, encountered the Old Testament, represented by Simeon and Anna.
The feast was introduced into the Eastern Empire by Emperor Justinian I, and is mentioned in the Western Church in the Gelasian Sacramentary of the 7th century.
Candles are blessed on that day in commemoration of the words of Holy Simeon concerning Christ “a light to the revelation of the Gentiles” (Luke 2), and a procession with lighted candles is held in the church to represent the entry of Christ, the Light of the World, into the Temple of Jerusalem.
Originally, there was no connection between today’s festival and the blessing of candles. In the ancient East, this celebration occurred on February 14, forty days after Epiphany. On February 15, pagans celebrated the festival of Lupercalia, a great “light” festival. Perhaps this is an instance of the Church’s “baptizing” a pagan custom.
At the principal Mass, the celebrant blesses candles, and people take part in a candlelight procession. This should remind us that Jesus is our High Priest and the Light of the World.
In the figure of the venerable Simeon, Jesus’ presentation in the temple, also reminds us that prayer and contemplation are not just a waste of time or an obstacle to charity.
On the contrary, time could not be better spent than in prayer as true Christian charity is a consequence of a solid interior life. Only those who pray and offer penance, like Simeon and Anna, are open to the breath of the Spirit.
They know how to recognize the Lord in the circumstances in which He manifests Himself because they possess an ample interior vision, and they have learned how to love with the heart of the One whose very name is Charity.
Pope John Paul II taught that, “Simeon’s words seem like a second Annunciation to Mary, for they tell her of the actual historical situation in which the Son is to accomplish his mission, namely, in misunderstanding and sorrow.” (Redemptoris Mater, n16)
Simeon’s prophecy also announces that Christ will be ‘a sign of contradiction’. St Cyril of Alexandria, in one of his homilies, interpreted the words ‘sign of contradiction’ like a noble cross, as St Paul wrote to the Corinthians ‘a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles’ (1 Cor 1:23) “…It is a sign of contradiction in the sense that those who loose appear as foolish while in those who recognize its power [the cross] reveals salvation and life.” (c.f PG 77, 1044-1049).
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.
In obedience to the Old Law, the Lord Jesus, the first-born, was presented in the Temple by his Blessed Mother Mary and his foster father Joseph.
This is another ‘epiphany’ celebration insofar as the Christ Child is revealed as the Messiah through the canticle and words of Simeon and the testimony of Anna the prophetess.
There is a strong Marian dimension to this feast and so in the Liturgical Calendar of the Extraordinary Form it is called the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In Mary’s case this purification was not necessary, but it indicates the renewal of her total offering of herself to God for the accomplishment of His Divine Plan.
It is also called the Feast of Encounter because the New Testament, represented by the baby Jesus, encountered the Old Testament, represented by Simeon and Anna.
The feast was introduced into the Eastern Empire by Emperor Justinian I, and is mentioned in the Western Church in the Gelasian Sacramentary of the 7th century.
Candles are blessed on that day in commemoration of the words of Holy Simeon concerning Christ “a light to the revelation of the Gentiles” (Luke 2), and a procession with lighted candles is held in the church to represent the entry of Christ, the Light of the World, into the Temple of Jerusalem.
Originally, there was no connection between today’s festival and the blessing of candles. In the ancient East, this celebration occurred on February 14, forty days after Epiphany. On February 15, pagans celebrated the festival of Lupercalia, a great “light” festival. Perhaps this is an instance of the Church’s “baptizing” a pagan custom.
At the principal Mass, the celebrant blesses candles, and people take part in a candlelight procession. This should remind us that Jesus is our High Priest and the Light of the World.
In the figure of the venerable Simeon, Jesus’ presentation in the temple, also reminds us that prayer and contemplation are not just a waste of time or an obstacle to charity.
On the contrary, time could not be better spent than in prayer as true Christian charity is a consequence of a solid interior life. Only those who pray and offer penance, like Simeon and Anna, are open to the breath of the Spirit.
They know how to recognize the Lord in the circumstances in which He manifests Himself because they possess an ample interior vision, and they have learned how to love with the heart of the One whose very name is Charity.
Pope John Paul II taught that, “Simeon’s words seem like a second Annunciation to Mary, for they tell her of the actual historical situation in which the Son is to accomplish his mission, namely, in misunderstanding and sorrow.” (Redemptoris Mater, n16)
Simeon’s prophecy also announces that Christ will be ‘a sign of contradiction’. St Cyril of Alexandria, in one of his homilies, interpreted the words ‘sign of contradiction’ like a noble cross, as St Paul wrote to the Corinthians ‘a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles’ (1 Cor 1:23) “…It is a sign of contradiction in the sense that those who loose appear as foolish while in those who recognize its power [the cross] reveals salvation and life.” (c.f PG 77, 1044-1049).
Close
February 2
The Presentation of the Lord
February 3
Daily Saints – 3 February.
Feast of Saint Blaise.
He is the patron saint of angina sufferers, animals, cattle, children, healthy throats, motorists, pack horses, pets, pigs, bakers, brick layers, builders, carvers, cobblers, show makers, construction workers, cowherds, farm workers, hat makers, hatters, millers, musicians who play wind instruments, plasterers, sock makers, stocking makers, stone cutters, stone masons, swineherds, tailors, tanners, veterinarians, wool-combers, wool weavers and against angina, against bladder diseases, against blisters, against coughs, against dermatitis, against dropsy, against eczema, against edema, against fever, against goitres, against headaches, against impetego, against respiratory diseases, against skin diseases, against snake bites, against sore throats, against stomach pain, against storms, against teething pain, against throat diseases, against toothaches, against ulcers, against whooping cough, against wild beasts.
In accord with various traditions, St. Blaise was born to rich and noble parents, and received a Christian education. He was a physician before being consecrated a bishop at a young age.
During the persecution of Licinius, St. Blaise, receiving some divine command, moved from the town, and lived as a hermit in a cave. He made friends with the wild animals. According to legend, sick animals would come to him on their own for help, but would never disturb him at prayer.
Agricola, governor of Cappadocia, came to Sebaste to persecute Christians. His huntsmen went into the forests of Argeus to find wild animals for the arena games, and found many waiting outside Blaise’s cave.
They were first surprised and then frightened. The bishop was kneeling in prayer surrounded by patiently waiting wolves, lions and bears.
Discovered in prayer, Blaise was arrested, and Agricola tried to get him to recant his faith. As he was being taken to the governor Agricolaus, the governor of Cappadocia and Lesser Armenia, St. Blaise encountered a woman whose pig was being seized by a wolf; St. Blaise commanded the wolf to release the pig, and it was freed unhurt.
While in prison, Blaise ministered to and healed fellow prisoners, including saving a child who was choking on a fish bone; this led to the blessing of throats on Blaise’s feast day.
Thrown into a lake to drown, Blaise stood on the surface and invited his persecutors to walk out and prove the power of their gods; they drowned.
When he returned to land, he was martyred by being beaten, his flesh torn with wool combs (which led to his association with and patronage of those involved in the wool trade) and then beheaded on c.316.
Feast of Saint Blaise.
He is the patron saint of angina sufferers, animals, cattle, children, healthy throats, motorists, pack horses, pets, pigs, bakers, brick layers, builders, carvers, cobblers, show makers, construction workers, cowherds, farm workers, hat makers, hatters, millers, musicians who play wind instruments, plasterers, sock makers, stocking makers, stone cutters, stone masons, swineherds, tailors, tanners, veterinarians, wool-combers, wool weavers and against angina, against bladder diseases, against blisters, against coughs, against dermatitis, against dropsy, against eczema, against edema, against fever, against goitres, against headaches, against impetego, against respiratory diseases, against skin diseases, against snake bites, against sore throats, against stomach pain, against storms, against teething pain, against throat diseases, against toothaches, against ulcers, against whooping cough, against wild beasts.
In accord with various traditions, St. Blaise was born to rich and noble parents, and received a Christian education. He was a physician before being consecrated a bishop at a young age.
During the persecution of Licinius, St. Blaise, receiving some divine command, moved from the town, and lived as a hermit in a cave. He made friends with the wild animals. According to legend, sick animals would come to him on their own for help, but would never disturb him at prayer.
Agricola, governor of Cappadocia, came to Sebaste to persecute Christians. His huntsmen went into the forests of Argeus to find wild animals for the arena games, and found many waiting outside Blaise’s cave.
They were first surprised and then frightened. The bishop was kneeling in prayer surrounded by patiently waiting wolves, lions and bears.
Discovered in prayer, Blaise was arrested, and Agricola tried to get him to recant his faith. As he was being taken to the governor Agricolaus, the governor of Cappadocia and Lesser Armenia, St. Blaise encountered a woman whose pig was being seized by a wolf; St. Blaise commanded the wolf to release the pig, and it was freed unhurt.
While in prison, Blaise ministered to and healed fellow prisoners, including saving a child who was choking on a fish bone; this led to the blessing of throats on Blaise’s feast day.
Thrown into a lake to drown, Blaise stood on the surface and invited his persecutors to walk out and prove the power of their gods; they drowned.
When he returned to land, he was martyred by being beaten, his flesh torn with wool combs (which led to his association with and patronage of those involved in the wool trade) and then beheaded on c.316.
Close
February 3
Saint Blaise
February 4
February 4
Saint John of Britto.
Juan de Britto was born in Lisbon in 1647 to parents belonging to the Portuguese aristocracy.
His path was mapped out and he would have lived in court if he had not fallen seriously ill. The mother, devoted to San Francisco Javier, in exchange for her healing, vowed to have her son dress for a whole year the habit of Jesu s’ Company, which young John carried while frequenting court life, enduring numerous pranks but being exemplary in their behavior.
At sixteen he entered the novitiate of Jesu s’ Company. His heart dreamed of the East, following in the footsteps of his holy protector and model, San Francisco Javier.
In 1673, after his priestly ordination, he was finally destined for India’s missions. Upon arriving in Goa, John visited the tomb of San Francisco Javier at Jesuit Church and confirmed his vote to work for the conversion of the inhabitants of India.
He studied local languages and, after refusing to become a professor of Theology, reached the goal indicated by his superiors: Colei, in the Kingdom of Gingia. Overcoming again through the intercession of San Francisco Javier another serious illness, he worked from 1674 to 1679 in Colei, Tattuvancheri and elsewhere in the kingdoms of Tangiore and Gingia and, from 1685, was superior of the mission.
Upon learning that for eighteen years, no missionary had reached the Kingdom of Marav à, east of Madurai, wanted to go there personally and for three months baptized more than two thousand people, spending nights confessing and baptizing.
To solve the problem of castes and to attend to the evangelization of all, he endorsed the method of adaptation, with which his friend and predecessor, Father Baldassare da Costa, had achieved spectacular successes: he became pandara-suami, es say, ascetic, penitent. So enjoyed the privilege of dealing with all social conditions, living even with the same outcasts.
His missionary action had attracted numerous anti-hate from powerful locals and led to his arrest. He was also tortured, but after speaking directly to the king he got the release.
In 1686, John returned to Europe when he was called to Rome by the Father General to be appointed mission attorney. However, attempts to keep him, even offering him the episcopate – in 1690, he was returning to India, preferring not to abandon the neophytes.
In 1693, he was again taken prisoner in the kingdom of Marav à: he had converted and baptized Prince Teriadevem, forcing him into monogamy.
However, the princes who were relatives of their repudiated wives wanted revenge and to prevent churches from being burned in retaliation and houses of looted Christians, John de Britto surrendered himself to jailers: having been subjected to serious torture, was beheaded.
Saint John of Britto.
Juan de Britto was born in Lisbon in 1647 to parents belonging to the Portuguese aristocracy.
His path was mapped out and he would have lived in court if he had not fallen seriously ill. The mother, devoted to San Francisco Javier, in exchange for her healing, vowed to have her son dress for a whole year the habit of Jesu s’ Company, which young John carried while frequenting court life, enduring numerous pranks but being exemplary in their behavior.
At sixteen he entered the novitiate of Jesu s’ Company. His heart dreamed of the East, following in the footsteps of his holy protector and model, San Francisco Javier.
In 1673, after his priestly ordination, he was finally destined for India’s missions. Upon arriving in Goa, John visited the tomb of San Francisco Javier at Jesuit Church and confirmed his vote to work for the conversion of the inhabitants of India.
He studied local languages and, after refusing to become a professor of Theology, reached the goal indicated by his superiors: Colei, in the Kingdom of Gingia. Overcoming again through the intercession of San Francisco Javier another serious illness, he worked from 1674 to 1679 in Colei, Tattuvancheri and elsewhere in the kingdoms of Tangiore and Gingia and, from 1685, was superior of the mission.
Upon learning that for eighteen years, no missionary had reached the Kingdom of Marav à, east of Madurai, wanted to go there personally and for three months baptized more than two thousand people, spending nights confessing and baptizing.
To solve the problem of castes and to attend to the evangelization of all, he endorsed the method of adaptation, with which his friend and predecessor, Father Baldassare da Costa, had achieved spectacular successes: he became pandara-suami, es say, ascetic, penitent. So enjoyed the privilege of dealing with all social conditions, living even with the same outcasts.
His missionary action had attracted numerous anti-hate from powerful locals and led to his arrest. He was also tortured, but after speaking directly to the king he got the release.
In 1686, John returned to Europe when he was called to Rome by the Father General to be appointed mission attorney. However, attempts to keep him, even offering him the episcopate – in 1690, he was returning to India, preferring not to abandon the neophytes.
In 1693, he was again taken prisoner in the kingdom of Marav à: he had converted and baptized Prince Teriadevem, forcing him into monogamy.
However, the princes who were relatives of their repudiated wives wanted revenge and to prevent churches from being burned in retaliation and houses of looted Christians, John de Britto surrendered himself to jailers: having been subjected to serious torture, was beheaded.
Close
February 4
Saint John of Britto
February 5
Daily Saints – 5 February.
Feast of Saint Agatha of Sicily.
She is the patron saint of bell-founders, fire prevention, jewelers, martyrs, nurses, rape victims, single laywomen, torture victims, wet-nurses and against breast cancer, against breast disease, against earthquakes, against eruptions of Mount Etna, against fire, against natural disasters, against sterility, against volcanic eruptions.
It is believed that she was born around 231 in either Catania or Palermo, Sicily to a rich and noble family. Young, beautiful and rich, Agatha lived a life consecrated to God.
When Decius announced the edicts against Christians, the magistrate Quinctianus tried to profit by Agatha’s sanctity; he planned to blackmail her into sex in exchange for not charging her.
Quintianus, governor of Sicily, tried to seduce her; but she rejected his advances. As a result she was charged with being a Christian and brought before his tribunal. Quintianus was the Judge.
He expected her to give in to his demands when she was faced with torture and possible death, but she simply reaffirmed her belief in God by praying: “Jesus Christ, Lord of all, you see my heart, you know my desires. Possess all that I am. I am your sheep: make me worthy to overcome the devil.” With tears falling from her eyes, she prayed for courage.
To force her to change her mind, Quintianus had her imprisoned – in a brothel. Agatha never lost her confidence in God, even though she suffered a month of assaults and efforts to get her to abandon her vow to God and go against her virtue. Quintianus heard of her calm strength and ordered that she be brought before him once again.
To the question concerning her origin she replied: “I am noble-born, of a distinguished family, as all my relatives will attest.”
When asked why she lived the servile life of a Christian, she answered: “I am a handmaid of Christ, and that is why I bear the outward appearance of a slave; yet this is the highest nobility, to be a slave to Christ.”
Enraged, Quintianus sent her off to prison instead of back to the brothel – a move intended to make her even more afraid, but it was probably a great relief to her.
Agatha continued to proclaim Jesus as her Savior, Lord, Life and Hope. Quintianus ordered her to be tortured. He had her stretched on a rack to be torn with iron hooks, burned with torches, and whipped.
The governor threatened her with the most dreadful tortures if she did not renounce Christ. Agatha countered: “If you threaten me with wild beasts, know that at the Name of Christ they grow tame; if you use fire, from heaven angels will drop healing dew on me.”
After being tortured, Agatha went to prison radiant with joy and with head held high as though invited to a festive banquet. And she commended her agony to the Lord in prayer.
The next day, as she again stood before the judge, she declared: “If you do not cause my body to be torn to pieces by the hangmen, my soul cannot enter the Lord’s paradise with the martyrs.”
Noticing Agatha was enduring all the torture with a sense of cheer, he ordered that her breasts be cut off. She was then stretched on the rack, burned with red-hot irons, and despoiled of her breasts.
During these tortures she prayed: “For love of chastity I am made to hang from a rack. Help me, O Lord my God, as they knife my breasts.”
Agatha rebuked the governor for his barbarity: “Godless, cruel, infamous tyrant, are you not ashamed to despoil a woman of that by which your own mother nursed you?”
Returning to prison, she prayed: “You have seen, O Lord, my struggle, how I fought in the place of combat; but because I would not obey the commands of rulers, my breasts were lacerated.”
In the night there appeared to her a venerable old man, the apostle Peter, with healing remedies. Agatha, ever delicately modest, hesitated to show him her wounds. “I am the apostle of Christ; distrust me not, my daughter.”
To which she replied: “I have never used earthly medicines on my body. I cling to the Lord Jesus Christ, who renews all things by His word.”
She was miraculously healed by St. Peter: “Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, I give you praise because by Your apostle You have restored my breasts.”
Throughout the night a light illumined the dungeon. When the guards fled in terror, her fellow prisoners urged her to escape but she refused: “Having received help from the Lord, I will persevere in confessing Him who healed me and comforted me.”
Four days later she was again led before the judge. He, of course, was amazed over her cure. Nevertheless, he insisted that she worship the gods; which prompted another confession of faith in Christ.
Then by order of the governor, Agatha was rolled over pieces of sharp glass and burning coals. At that moment the whole city was rocked by a violent earthquake. Two walls collapsed, burying two of the governor’s friends in the debris.
Fearing a popular uprising, he ordered Agatha, half dead, to be returned to prison. Here she offered her dying prayer.
Agatha stood in the midst of the prison and with outstretched arms prayed to the Lord: “O Lord Jesus Christ, good Master, I give You thanks that You granted me victory over the executioners’ tortures. Grant now that I may happily dwell in Your never-ending glory.” Thereupon she died (c.250).
A year after her death the city of Catania was in great peril from an eruption on Mount Etna. Pagans, too, were numbered among those who fled in terror to the saint’s grave. Her veil was taken and held against the onrushing flames, and suddenly the danger ceased.
“Jesus Christ, Lord of all things! You see my heart, you know my desires. Possess all that I am – you alone. I am your sheep; make me worthy to overcome the devil.”
“Lord, my creator, you have protected me since I was in the cradle. You have taken me from the love of the world and given me patience to suffer. Now receive my spirit.”
Feast of Saint Agatha of Sicily.
She is the patron saint of bell-founders, fire prevention, jewelers, martyrs, nurses, rape victims, single laywomen, torture victims, wet-nurses and against breast cancer, against breast disease, against earthquakes, against eruptions of Mount Etna, against fire, against natural disasters, against sterility, against volcanic eruptions.
It is believed that she was born around 231 in either Catania or Palermo, Sicily to a rich and noble family. Young, beautiful and rich, Agatha lived a life consecrated to God.
When Decius announced the edicts against Christians, the magistrate Quinctianus tried to profit by Agatha’s sanctity; he planned to blackmail her into sex in exchange for not charging her.
Quintianus, governor of Sicily, tried to seduce her; but she rejected his advances. As a result she was charged with being a Christian and brought before his tribunal. Quintianus was the Judge.
He expected her to give in to his demands when she was faced with torture and possible death, but she simply reaffirmed her belief in God by praying: “Jesus Christ, Lord of all, you see my heart, you know my desires. Possess all that I am. I am your sheep: make me worthy to overcome the devil.” With tears falling from her eyes, she prayed for courage.
To force her to change her mind, Quintianus had her imprisoned – in a brothel. Agatha never lost her confidence in God, even though she suffered a month of assaults and efforts to get her to abandon her vow to God and go against her virtue. Quintianus heard of her calm strength and ordered that she be brought before him once again.
To the question concerning her origin she replied: “I am noble-born, of a distinguished family, as all my relatives will attest.”
When asked why she lived the servile life of a Christian, she answered: “I am a handmaid of Christ, and that is why I bear the outward appearance of a slave; yet this is the highest nobility, to be a slave to Christ.”
Enraged, Quintianus sent her off to prison instead of back to the brothel – a move intended to make her even more afraid, but it was probably a great relief to her.
Agatha continued to proclaim Jesus as her Savior, Lord, Life and Hope. Quintianus ordered her to be tortured. He had her stretched on a rack to be torn with iron hooks, burned with torches, and whipped.
The governor threatened her with the most dreadful tortures if she did not renounce Christ. Agatha countered: “If you threaten me with wild beasts, know that at the Name of Christ they grow tame; if you use fire, from heaven angels will drop healing dew on me.”
After being tortured, Agatha went to prison radiant with joy and with head held high as though invited to a festive banquet. And she commended her agony to the Lord in prayer.
The next day, as she again stood before the judge, she declared: “If you do not cause my body to be torn to pieces by the hangmen, my soul cannot enter the Lord’s paradise with the martyrs.”
Noticing Agatha was enduring all the torture with a sense of cheer, he ordered that her breasts be cut off. She was then stretched on the rack, burned with red-hot irons, and despoiled of her breasts.
During these tortures she prayed: “For love of chastity I am made to hang from a rack. Help me, O Lord my God, as they knife my breasts.”
Agatha rebuked the governor for his barbarity: “Godless, cruel, infamous tyrant, are you not ashamed to despoil a woman of that by which your own mother nursed you?”
Returning to prison, she prayed: “You have seen, O Lord, my struggle, how I fought in the place of combat; but because I would not obey the commands of rulers, my breasts were lacerated.”
In the night there appeared to her a venerable old man, the apostle Peter, with healing remedies. Agatha, ever delicately modest, hesitated to show him her wounds. “I am the apostle of Christ; distrust me not, my daughter.”
To which she replied: “I have never used earthly medicines on my body. I cling to the Lord Jesus Christ, who renews all things by His word.”
She was miraculously healed by St. Peter: “Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, I give you praise because by Your apostle You have restored my breasts.”
Throughout the night a light illumined the dungeon. When the guards fled in terror, her fellow prisoners urged her to escape but she refused: “Having received help from the Lord, I will persevere in confessing Him who healed me and comforted me.”
Four days later she was again led before the judge. He, of course, was amazed over her cure. Nevertheless, he insisted that she worship the gods; which prompted another confession of faith in Christ.
Then by order of the governor, Agatha was rolled over pieces of sharp glass and burning coals. At that moment the whole city was rocked by a violent earthquake. Two walls collapsed, burying two of the governor’s friends in the debris.
Fearing a popular uprising, he ordered Agatha, half dead, to be returned to prison. Here she offered her dying prayer.
Agatha stood in the midst of the prison and with outstretched arms prayed to the Lord: “O Lord Jesus Christ, good Master, I give You thanks that You granted me victory over the executioners’ tortures. Grant now that I may happily dwell in Your never-ending glory.” Thereupon she died (c.250).
A year after her death the city of Catania was in great peril from an eruption on Mount Etna. Pagans, too, were numbered among those who fled in terror to the saint’s grave. Her veil was taken and held against the onrushing flames, and suddenly the danger ceased.
“Jesus Christ, Lord of all things! You see my heart, you know my desires. Possess all that I am – you alone. I am your sheep; make me worthy to overcome the devil.”
“Lord, my creator, you have protected me since I was in the cradle. You have taken me from the love of the world and given me patience to suffer. Now receive my spirit.”
Close
February 5
Saint Agatha of Sicily
February 6
February 6
Saint Paul Miki and Companions.
They were 26, martyred on the same day, February 5, 1597.
In 1549 San Francisco Javier arrived in Japan and turned many heathens.
Already in 1597 there were several thousand Christians in that country. And a highly cruel and vicious emperor came to the government, who ordered that all Catholic missionaries should leave Japan within six months.
But the missionaries, instead of fleeing the country, what they did was hide, so they could continue to help Christians. They were discovered and brutally martyred.
Those who died on this day in Nagasaki were 26. Three Jesuits, six Franciscans and 16 Japanese Catholic laymen, who were catechists and had become Franciscan tertiary.
Jesuit martyrs were: Saint Paul Miki, a Japanese family of the high social class, son of an army captain and a very good preacher: Saint John Goto and Santiago Kisai, two Jesuit brothers coadjutors.
Franciscans were: St. Philip of Jesus, a Mexican who had gone mission to Asia. San Gonzalo Garcia who was from India, San Francisco Blanco, San Pedro Bautista, top of Franciscans in Japan and San Francisco de San Miguel.
Among the laymen were: a soldier: San Cayo Francisco; a doctor: San Francisco de Miako; a Korean: San Leon Karasuma, and three thirteen-year-old boys who helped mass to the priests: Children: San Luis Ibarqui, San Antonio Deyman, and St Totomaskasaky, whose father was also martyred.
The 26 Catholics cut off their left ear, and so bloodied were taken in the middle of winter on foot, from town to town for a month, to escarment and frighten all those who want to become Christians.
Upon reaching Nagasaki they were allowed to confess to the priests, and then crucified them, tying them to crosses with strings and chains in legs and arms and holding them to the wood with an iron ring to their neck. Between one cross and another was the distance of a meter and a half.
Witnesses to his martyrdom and death tell him as follows: ” Once crucified, it was admirable to see the fervor and patience of all. Priests encouraged others to suffer all for the love of Jesus Christ and the salvation of souls. Father Peter was still, with eyes fixed in heaven. Brother Martin sang psalms, in thanksgiving to the goodness of God, and between phrase and phrase he was repeating that prayer from Psalm 30: ” Father, I commend my spirit in Your hands “. Brother Gonzalo prayed fervorously the Father Ours and the Hailhouse “.
Father Paul Miki thought that cross was the pulpit or place to preach more honorable than they had obtained him, and he began to tell everyone present (Christians and curious) that he was Japanese, that he belonged to the company of Jesus, or Society of Jesuit Fathers, dying to have preached the gospel and thanked God for giving him the enormous honor of being able to die from spreading the true religion of God. Below he added the following words:
” Arrived at this final moment of my existence on earth, surely none of you will believe that I will dare to say what is not true. I declare to you, that the best way to achieve salvation is to belong to Christian religion, to be Catholic. And as my Lord Jesus Christ taught me with his words and his good examples to forgive those who have offended us, I declare that I forgive the chief of the nation who gave the command to crucify us, and to all who have contributed to our martyrdom, and I recommend that hopefully they will be instructed in our holy religion and baptized “.
Then, his eyes turned to his colleagues, he began to give them encouragement in that decisive struggle; on the face of all he saw a great joy, especially in that of the child Luis; he shouted to another Christian who would soon be in Paradise, He attracted to himself everyone’s looks for the joyful gesture he made.
Child Antonio, who stood next to Louis, with his eyes fixed in heaven, after invoking the holy names of Jesus, Joseph and Mary, could sing the psalms he had learned in the class of catechism.
Others were continually heard saying, ” Jesus, Joseph and Mary, I give you my heart and soul “. Several of the crucified advised the people there to remain faithful to our holy religion forever.
Then the executioners took their spears and assested each of the crucified two spears, thus ending their lives in a few moments.
The horrified Christian people shouted: Jesus, Joseph and Mary!
Saint Paul Miki and Companions.
They were 26, martyred on the same day, February 5, 1597.
In 1549 San Francisco Javier arrived in Japan and turned many heathens.
Already in 1597 there were several thousand Christians in that country. And a highly cruel and vicious emperor came to the government, who ordered that all Catholic missionaries should leave Japan within six months.
But the missionaries, instead of fleeing the country, what they did was hide, so they could continue to help Christians. They were discovered and brutally martyred.
Those who died on this day in Nagasaki were 26. Three Jesuits, six Franciscans and 16 Japanese Catholic laymen, who were catechists and had become Franciscan tertiary.
Jesuit martyrs were: Saint Paul Miki, a Japanese family of the high social class, son of an army captain and a very good preacher: Saint John Goto and Santiago Kisai, two Jesuit brothers coadjutors.
Franciscans were: St. Philip of Jesus, a Mexican who had gone mission to Asia. San Gonzalo Garcia who was from India, San Francisco Blanco, San Pedro Bautista, top of Franciscans in Japan and San Francisco de San Miguel.
Among the laymen were: a soldier: San Cayo Francisco; a doctor: San Francisco de Miako; a Korean: San Leon Karasuma, and three thirteen-year-old boys who helped mass to the priests: Children: San Luis Ibarqui, San Antonio Deyman, and St Totomaskasaky, whose father was also martyred.
The 26 Catholics cut off their left ear, and so bloodied were taken in the middle of winter on foot, from town to town for a month, to escarment and frighten all those who want to become Christians.
Upon reaching Nagasaki they were allowed to confess to the priests, and then crucified them, tying them to crosses with strings and chains in legs and arms and holding them to the wood with an iron ring to their neck. Between one cross and another was the distance of a meter and a half.
Witnesses to his martyrdom and death tell him as follows: ” Once crucified, it was admirable to see the fervor and patience of all. Priests encouraged others to suffer all for the love of Jesus Christ and the salvation of souls. Father Peter was still, with eyes fixed in heaven. Brother Martin sang psalms, in thanksgiving to the goodness of God, and between phrase and phrase he was repeating that prayer from Psalm 30: ” Father, I commend my spirit in Your hands “. Brother Gonzalo prayed fervorously the Father Ours and the Hailhouse “.
Father Paul Miki thought that cross was the pulpit or place to preach more honorable than they had obtained him, and he began to tell everyone present (Christians and curious) that he was Japanese, that he belonged to the company of Jesus, or Society of Jesuit Fathers, dying to have preached the gospel and thanked God for giving him the enormous honor of being able to die from spreading the true religion of God. Below he added the following words:
” Arrived at this final moment of my existence on earth, surely none of you will believe that I will dare to say what is not true. I declare to you, that the best way to achieve salvation is to belong to Christian religion, to be Catholic. And as my Lord Jesus Christ taught me with his words and his good examples to forgive those who have offended us, I declare that I forgive the chief of the nation who gave the command to crucify us, and to all who have contributed to our martyrdom, and I recommend that hopefully they will be instructed in our holy religion and baptized “.
Then, his eyes turned to his colleagues, he began to give them encouragement in that decisive struggle; on the face of all he saw a great joy, especially in that of the child Luis; he shouted to another Christian who would soon be in Paradise, He attracted to himself everyone’s looks for the joyful gesture he made.
Child Antonio, who stood next to Louis, with his eyes fixed in heaven, after invoking the holy names of Jesus, Joseph and Mary, could sing the psalms he had learned in the class of catechism.
Others were continually heard saying, ” Jesus, Joseph and Mary, I give you my heart and soul “. Several of the crucified advised the people there to remain faithful to our holy religion forever.
Then the executioners took their spears and assested each of the crucified two spears, thus ending their lives in a few moments.
The horrified Christian people shouted: Jesus, Joseph and Mary!
Close
February 6
Saint Paul Miki and Companions
February 7
Daily Saints – 7 February.
Feast of Saint Richard.
Feast of Saint Richard.
St. Richard was orphaned at a young age. His brother inherited his parents’ estate after he was of age, but the death tax was so great that they were sent into poverty, and Richard had to work on his brother’s farm. He was set to be next in line to inherit the estate, but Richard preferred a life of study and the church. When it was set for him to be married to a noblewoman, he rejected the proposed match, suggesting that his brother might marry her instead.
He was eventually elected as bishop, and lived an ascetic lifestyle.
Richard was the father of Saints Willibald, Winnebald, and Walburga. He was on a pilgrimage to Rome from his native Wessex, England, with his two sons when he was stricken and died at Lucca, Italy. Miracles were reported at his tomb and he became greatly venerated by the citizens of Lucca, who embellished accounts of his life by calling him “King of the English”.
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February 7
Saint Richard
February 8
Daily Saints – 8 February.
Feast of Saint Jerome Emiliani.
He is the patron saint of abandoned people and orphans.
Jerome was born on 1481 at Venice, Italy, to
wealthy, the son of Angelo and Eleanor Mauroceni Emiliani. His father died when Jerome was a teenager, and he ran away from home at age 15.
After a dissolute youth, he became a soldier in Venice, Italy in 1506. He became a military commander for Venice in charge of a fortress. He didn’t care much about God because he didn’t need him; he had his own strength and the strength of his soldiers and weapons.
On 27 August 1511, when Venice’s enemies, the League of Cambrai, captured the fortress, he was dragged off and imprisoned. There in the dungeon, Jerome decided to get rid of the chains that bound him. He let go of his worldly attachments and embraced God.
He prayed to Our Lady for help, was miraculously freed by an apparition, and hung his chains in the nearby church of Treviso as an offering – in gratitude not only for being freed from physical prison but from his spiritual dungeon as well.
After a short time as mayor of Treviso he returned his home in Venice where he studied for the priesthood. He was Ordained in the spotted-fever plague year of 1518.
Jerome devoted himself to service again. He cared the sick, and housed orphans in his own home. At night he roamed the streets, burying those who had collapsed and died unattended.
He felt a special call to help the orphans who had no one to care for them. All the loved ones who would have protected them and comforted them had been taken by sickness or starvation. He would become their parent, their family.
Using his own money, he rented a house for the orphans, fed them, clothed them, and educated them. Part of his education was to give them the first known catechetical teaching by question and answer.
But his constant devotion to the suffering put him in danger too and he fell ill from the plague himself. When he recovered, he had the ideal excuse to back away, but instead his illness seemed to take the last links of the chain from his soul. Once again he interpreted his suffering to be a sign of how little the ambitions of the world mattered.
He committed his whole life and all he owned to helping others. He founded orphanages in other cities, a hospital, and a shelter for prostitutes. This grew into a congregation of priests and brothers that was named after the place where they had a house: the Clerks Regular of Somascha.
His final chains fell away when he again fell ill while taking care of the sick. He died on 8 February 1537 in Italy.
“I urge you to persevere in your love for Christ and your faithful observance of the law of Christ. Our Goal is God, the source of all good. As we say in our prayer, we are to place our trust in God and in no one else. In his kindness, our Lord wished to strengthen your faith, for without it, as the evangelist points out, Christ could not have performed many of his miracles. He also wished to listen to your prayer, and so he ordained that you experience poverty, distress, abandonment, weariness and scorn. God alone knows the reasons for all this, yet we can recognize three causes. In the first place, our blessed Lord is tell young that he desires to include you among his beloved sons, provided that you remain steadfast in his ways, for this is the way he treats his friends and makes them holy. The second reason is that he is asking you to grow continuously in your confidence in him alone and not in others. Now there is a third reason. God wishes to test you like gold in the furnace. The dross is consumed by the fire, but the pure gold remains and its value increases. It is in this manner than God acts with his good servant, who puts his hope in him and remains unshaken in times of distress. God raises him up and, in return for the things he has left out of love for God, he repays him a hundredfold in this life and with eternal life hereafter. If then you remain constant in faith in the face of trial, the Lord will give you peace and rest for a time in this world, and for ever in the next.” – from a letter to his brothers by Saint Jerome Emiliani
Feast of Saint Jerome Emiliani.
He is the patron saint of abandoned people and orphans.
Jerome was born on 1481 at Venice, Italy, to
wealthy, the son of Angelo and Eleanor Mauroceni Emiliani. His father died when Jerome was a teenager, and he ran away from home at age 15.
After a dissolute youth, he became a soldier in Venice, Italy in 1506. He became a military commander for Venice in charge of a fortress. He didn’t care much about God because he didn’t need him; he had his own strength and the strength of his soldiers and weapons.
On 27 August 1511, when Venice’s enemies, the League of Cambrai, captured the fortress, he was dragged off and imprisoned. There in the dungeon, Jerome decided to get rid of the chains that bound him. He let go of his worldly attachments and embraced God.
He prayed to Our Lady for help, was miraculously freed by an apparition, and hung his chains in the nearby church of Treviso as an offering – in gratitude not only for being freed from physical prison but from his spiritual dungeon as well.
After a short time as mayor of Treviso he returned his home in Venice where he studied for the priesthood. He was Ordained in the spotted-fever plague year of 1518.
Jerome devoted himself to service again. He cared the sick, and housed orphans in his own home. At night he roamed the streets, burying those who had collapsed and died unattended.
He felt a special call to help the orphans who had no one to care for them. All the loved ones who would have protected them and comforted them had been taken by sickness or starvation. He would become their parent, their family.
Using his own money, he rented a house for the orphans, fed them, clothed them, and educated them. Part of his education was to give them the first known catechetical teaching by question and answer.
But his constant devotion to the suffering put him in danger too and he fell ill from the plague himself. When he recovered, he had the ideal excuse to back away, but instead his illness seemed to take the last links of the chain from his soul. Once again he interpreted his suffering to be a sign of how little the ambitions of the world mattered.
He committed his whole life and all he owned to helping others. He founded orphanages in other cities, a hospital, and a shelter for prostitutes. This grew into a congregation of priests and brothers that was named after the place where they had a house: the Clerks Regular of Somascha.
His final chains fell away when he again fell ill while taking care of the sick. He died on 8 February 1537 in Italy.
“I urge you to persevere in your love for Christ and your faithful observance of the law of Christ. Our Goal is God, the source of all good. As we say in our prayer, we are to place our trust in God and in no one else. In his kindness, our Lord wished to strengthen your faith, for without it, as the evangelist points out, Christ could not have performed many of his miracles. He also wished to listen to your prayer, and so he ordained that you experience poverty, distress, abandonment, weariness and scorn. God alone knows the reasons for all this, yet we can recognize three causes. In the first place, our blessed Lord is tell young that he desires to include you among his beloved sons, provided that you remain steadfast in his ways, for this is the way he treats his friends and makes them holy. The second reason is that he is asking you to grow continuously in your confidence in him alone and not in others. Now there is a third reason. God wishes to test you like gold in the furnace. The dross is consumed by the fire, but the pure gold remains and its value increases. It is in this manner than God acts with his good servant, who puts his hope in him and remains unshaken in times of distress. God raises him up and, in return for the things he has left out of love for God, he repays him a hundredfold in this life and with eternal life hereafter. If then you remain constant in faith in the face of trial, the Lord will give you peace and rest for a time in this world, and for ever in the next.” – from a letter to his brothers by Saint Jerome Emiliani
Close
February 8
Saint Jerome Emiliani
February 9
Daily Saints – 9 February.
Feast of Saint Apollonia.
The persecution of Christians began in Alexandria during the reign of the Emperor Philip. The first victim of the pagan mob was an old man named Metrius, who was tortured and then stoned to death. The second person who refused to worship their false idols was a Christian woman named Quinta.
Feast of Saint Apollonia.
The persecution of Christians began in Alexandria during the reign of the Emperor Philip. The first victim of the pagan mob was an old man named Metrius, who was tortured and then stoned to death. The second person who refused to worship their false idols was a Christian woman named Quinta.
Her words infuriated the mob and she was scourged and stoned. While most of the Christians were fleeing the city, abandoning all their worldly possessions, an old deaconess, Apollonia, was seized.
The crowds beat her, knocking out all of her teeth. Then they lit a large fire and threatened to throw her in it if she did not curse her God. She begged them to wait a moment, acting as if she was considering their requests. Instead, she jumped willingly into the flames and so suffered martyrdom.
There were many churches and altars dedicated to her. Apollonia is the patroness of dentists, and people suffering from toothache and other dental diseases often ask her intercession. She is pictured with a pair of pincers holding a tooth or with a golden tooth suspended from her necklace. St. Augustine explained her voluntary martyrdom as a special inspiration of the Holy Spirit, since no one is allowed to cause his or her own death.
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February 9
Saint Apollonia
February 10
Daily Saints – 10 February.
Feast of Saint Scholastica.
She is the patron saint of convulsive children, nuns and against lightning, against rain, against storms.
Scholastica was born to the Italian noblility on 480. She was the twin sister of Saint Benedict of Nursia. The twins’ mother died at their birth.
Scholastica and Benedict were brought up together until he left central Italy for Rome to continue his studies.
Little is known of Scholastica’s early life. Scholastica seems to have devoted herself to God from her earliest youth.
In time, Benedict left his studies to live first as a hermit, and then as the head of a community of monks in Italy.
When Scholastica learned of her brother’s total dedication to the Lord, she was determined to follow his example. It is not certain that she became a nun immediately, but it is generally supposed that she lived for some time in a community of pious virgins.
Some biographers believe she eventually founded a monastery of nuns there. The brother and sister communities were about five miles apart. St. Benedict seems to have directed his sister and her nuns, most likely in the practice of the same rule by which his own monks lived.
The twins visited each other once a year in a farmhouse because Benedict was not permitted inside the monastery. They spent these times discussing spiritual matters.
According to the Dialogues of St. Gregory the Great, the brother and sister spent their last day together in prayer and conversation. Scholastica sensed her death was close at hand and she begged Benedict to stay with her until the next day.
He refused her request because he did not want to spend a night outside the monastery, thus breaking his own Rule. Scholastica asked God to let her brother remain and a severe thunderstorm broke out, preventing Benedict and his monks from returning to the abbey.
Benedict cried out, “God forgive you, Sister. What have you done” Scholastica replied, “I asked a favor of you and you refused. I asked it of God and he granted it.”
Brother and sister parted the next morning after their long discussion. Three days later, Benedict was praying in his monastery and saw the soul of his sister rising heavenward in the form of a white dove.
Benedict then announced the death of his sister to the monks and later buried her in the tomb he had prepared for himself. She died about the year 543. St. Benedict followed her soon after, and was buried in the same grave with his sister.
Feast of Saint Scholastica.
She is the patron saint of convulsive children, nuns and against lightning, against rain, against storms.
Scholastica was born to the Italian noblility on 480. She was the twin sister of Saint Benedict of Nursia. The twins’ mother died at their birth.
Scholastica and Benedict were brought up together until he left central Italy for Rome to continue his studies.
Little is known of Scholastica’s early life. Scholastica seems to have devoted herself to God from her earliest youth.
In time, Benedict left his studies to live first as a hermit, and then as the head of a community of monks in Italy.
When Scholastica learned of her brother’s total dedication to the Lord, she was determined to follow his example. It is not certain that she became a nun immediately, but it is generally supposed that she lived for some time in a community of pious virgins.
Some biographers believe she eventually founded a monastery of nuns there. The brother and sister communities were about five miles apart. St. Benedict seems to have directed his sister and her nuns, most likely in the practice of the same rule by which his own monks lived.
The twins visited each other once a year in a farmhouse because Benedict was not permitted inside the monastery. They spent these times discussing spiritual matters.
According to the Dialogues of St. Gregory the Great, the brother and sister spent their last day together in prayer and conversation. Scholastica sensed her death was close at hand and she begged Benedict to stay with her until the next day.
He refused her request because he did not want to spend a night outside the monastery, thus breaking his own Rule. Scholastica asked God to let her brother remain and a severe thunderstorm broke out, preventing Benedict and his monks from returning to the abbey.
Benedict cried out, “God forgive you, Sister. What have you done” Scholastica replied, “I asked a favor of you and you refused. I asked it of God and he granted it.”
Brother and sister parted the next morning after their long discussion. Three days later, Benedict was praying in his monastery and saw the soul of his sister rising heavenward in the form of a white dove.
Benedict then announced the death of his sister to the monks and later buried her in the tomb he had prepared for himself. She died about the year 543. St. Benedict followed her soon after, and was buried in the same grave with his sister.
Close
February 10
Saint Scholastica
February 11
February 11
Our Lady of Lourdes.
Patroness of the sick.
The appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the wonderful story of a little girl named Bernadette, poor and broken in health, but chosen by God for a great mission.
Bernadette was then a fourteen-year-old girl, poor and ignorant, but very devoted to the Virgin Mary and Rosary. Bernadette went to Massabielle to collect firewood with her sister and another girl, but having to cross a river, she fell behind due to her delicate health.
Bernadette was near a grotto when she heard a noise and felt a wind. She was surprised by the appearance of a golden cloud and a woman dressed in white.
The woman wore barefoot feet and each had a golden rose. On his waist he wore a wide blue ribbon. In his hands, together and prayer position, he wore a Rosary.
In the face of the appearance of Our Lady of Lourdes, Bernadette’s reaction was to begin praying the Rosary. According to some versions of this story, when Bernadette was praying the Hail Marys of the Rosary, the lady said nothing and just passed the bills.
When she prayed Our Parents and Glories, the woman prayed at the same time as her. When Bernadette finished praying, the lady returned to the grotto and disappeared.
Bernadette said that she was not afraid to see the lady, but wished she had stayed contemplating her forever.
However, when he returned home and his mother found out what happened, he didn’t believe him. He banned him from returning but within days he allowed Bernadette to return to the grotto. The lady appeared to him again. This time Bernadette was joined by other people
To check if what she was seeing was true, Bernadette threw holy water at the lady and asked her if she came in God’s name, step forward. The lady took a step.
She later could convince her father to let her return to the grotto and he allowed her to go on February 18
It was during this third appearance on February 18 that Our Lady of Lourdes asked Bernadette to return for fifteen (15) days straight.
She spoke to her own Gascon dialect, and addressed her using the complimentary ′′ you He said, ′′ Would you do me the favor of coming here for fifteen days?”. He also promised him that he would be happy in the other world.
Some who heard of appearances, believed in the event and turned to the grotto. Others mocked Bernadette and what seemed like a creation of their imagination.
On February 25, Bernadette scavenged into the earth to seek a spring that the lady indicated to him and took from the water with land that he could get out of.
Bernadette was the cause of many mockery as she got muddy face for obeying the lady’s mandate to wash herself in the spring that had not yet fully appeared. Shortly after the waters of the miraculous spring sprout, which have since been the vehicle of many miracles certified by the Catholic Church.
Appearances continued. Our Lady of Lourdes encouraged Bernadette to beg for sinners and asked for a chapel to be built in that place. He also asked Bernadette to kiss the earth as an act of penance and a sign of humility, a practice that continues today in Lourdes
On March 25, 1858 Our Lady of Lourdes appeared for the sixteenth time. That’s when Bernadette asked him 4 times who he was and she finally replied to him that it was the Immaculate Conception.
Because Bernadette was an illiterate young woman without access to the Catholic dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary who had been proclaimed on December 8, 1854 by Pope Pius IX, these words allowed the priest to finally of his parish will believe him.
On April 7, Bernadette stayed in ecstasy during the Virgin’s appearance, even when the candle she was holding reached her hands and stayed lit in them without burning them.
Our Lady of Lourdes appeared to Bernadette for the last time on July 16, 1858. Her appearances were declared authentic.
Multitude of Catholics believed in the appearances of the Virgin Mary as a vehicle of God’s grace, and Pope Pius IX authorized the local bishop to allow the veneration of the Virgin Mary in Lourdes in 1862, about seventeen years before the Bernadette’s death.
Bernadette Soubirous was declared holy by Pius XI on December 8, 1933. Since then, the Virgin Mary’s advocacy as Our Lady of Lourdes has been a cause for great reverence, and her sanctuary is one of the most visited in the world ..
The Catholic Church invokes Our Lady of Lourdes as patroness of the sick.
Message from the Virgin of Lourdes:
It is a heavenly thank you for the definition of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, which had declared itself four years before (1854), while thus presenting herself as a mother and purity model to the world who is in need of this virtue.
It is an exaltation to the virtues of Christianly accepted poverty and humility, choosing Bernardita as an instrument of his message.
A very important message in Lourdes is the Cross. The Blessed Virgin repeats him that the important thing is to be happy in the other life, even if accept the cross for that matter.
Importance of prayer, rosary, penance and humility (kissing the ground as a sign of it); also, a message of infinite mercy to sinners and care for the sick
Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes:
Blessed Virgin of Lourdes, who to none helpless or discarded, look at me with eyes of mercy and reach me of your Son forgiveness of my sins so that with devoted affection celebrates your holy and immaculate Conception, in your miraculous image of Lourds and then receive the award of the blessedness of the same of who you are Mother. Through Jesus Christ Himself, Our Lord. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes.
Patroness of the sick.
The appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the wonderful story of a little girl named Bernadette, poor and broken in health, but chosen by God for a great mission.
Bernadette was then a fourteen-year-old girl, poor and ignorant, but very devoted to the Virgin Mary and Rosary. Bernadette went to Massabielle to collect firewood with her sister and another girl, but having to cross a river, she fell behind due to her delicate health.
Bernadette was near a grotto when she heard a noise and felt a wind. She was surprised by the appearance of a golden cloud and a woman dressed in white.
The woman wore barefoot feet and each had a golden rose. On his waist he wore a wide blue ribbon. In his hands, together and prayer position, he wore a Rosary.
In the face of the appearance of Our Lady of Lourdes, Bernadette’s reaction was to begin praying the Rosary. According to some versions of this story, when Bernadette was praying the Hail Marys of the Rosary, the lady said nothing and just passed the bills.
When she prayed Our Parents and Glories, the woman prayed at the same time as her. When Bernadette finished praying, the lady returned to the grotto and disappeared.
Bernadette said that she was not afraid to see the lady, but wished she had stayed contemplating her forever.
However, when he returned home and his mother found out what happened, he didn’t believe him. He banned him from returning but within days he allowed Bernadette to return to the grotto. The lady appeared to him again. This time Bernadette was joined by other people
To check if what she was seeing was true, Bernadette threw holy water at the lady and asked her if she came in God’s name, step forward. The lady took a step.
She later could convince her father to let her return to the grotto and he allowed her to go on February 18
It was during this third appearance on February 18 that Our Lady of Lourdes asked Bernadette to return for fifteen (15) days straight.
She spoke to her own Gascon dialect, and addressed her using the complimentary ′′ you He said, ′′ Would you do me the favor of coming here for fifteen days?”. He also promised him that he would be happy in the other world.
Some who heard of appearances, believed in the event and turned to the grotto. Others mocked Bernadette and what seemed like a creation of their imagination.
On February 25, Bernadette scavenged into the earth to seek a spring that the lady indicated to him and took from the water with land that he could get out of.
Bernadette was the cause of many mockery as she got muddy face for obeying the lady’s mandate to wash herself in the spring that had not yet fully appeared. Shortly after the waters of the miraculous spring sprout, which have since been the vehicle of many miracles certified by the Catholic Church.
Appearances continued. Our Lady of Lourdes encouraged Bernadette to beg for sinners and asked for a chapel to be built in that place. He also asked Bernadette to kiss the earth as an act of penance and a sign of humility, a practice that continues today in Lourdes
On March 25, 1858 Our Lady of Lourdes appeared for the sixteenth time. That’s when Bernadette asked him 4 times who he was and she finally replied to him that it was the Immaculate Conception.
Because Bernadette was an illiterate young woman without access to the Catholic dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary who had been proclaimed on December 8, 1854 by Pope Pius IX, these words allowed the priest to finally of his parish will believe him.
On April 7, Bernadette stayed in ecstasy during the Virgin’s appearance, even when the candle she was holding reached her hands and stayed lit in them without burning them.
Our Lady of Lourdes appeared to Bernadette for the last time on July 16, 1858. Her appearances were declared authentic.
Multitude of Catholics believed in the appearances of the Virgin Mary as a vehicle of God’s grace, and Pope Pius IX authorized the local bishop to allow the veneration of the Virgin Mary in Lourdes in 1862, about seventeen years before the Bernadette’s death.
Bernadette Soubirous was declared holy by Pius XI on December 8, 1933. Since then, the Virgin Mary’s advocacy as Our Lady of Lourdes has been a cause for great reverence, and her sanctuary is one of the most visited in the world ..
The Catholic Church invokes Our Lady of Lourdes as patroness of the sick.
Message from the Virgin of Lourdes:
It is a heavenly thank you for the definition of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, which had declared itself four years before (1854), while thus presenting herself as a mother and purity model to the world who is in need of this virtue.
It is an exaltation to the virtues of Christianly accepted poverty and humility, choosing Bernardita as an instrument of his message.
A very important message in Lourdes is the Cross. The Blessed Virgin repeats him that the important thing is to be happy in the other life, even if accept the cross for that matter.
Importance of prayer, rosary, penance and humility (kissing the ground as a sign of it); also, a message of infinite mercy to sinners and care for the sick
Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes:
Blessed Virgin of Lourdes, who to none helpless or discarded, look at me with eyes of mercy and reach me of your Son forgiveness of my sins so that with devoted affection celebrates your holy and immaculate Conception, in your miraculous image of Lourds and then receive the award of the blessedness of the same of who you are Mother. Through Jesus Christ Himself, Our Lord. Amen.
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February 11
Our Lady of Lourdes
February 12
February 12
Saint Benedict of Aniane.
Saint Benedict of Aniane.
He was born a Visigoth, the son of Aigul, Count of Maguelone. Educated at the court of Pepin. Courtier and cup-bearer to King Pepin and Blessed Charlemagne. Part of the 773 campaign of Charlemagne. Narrowly escaped drowning in the Tesin near Pavia, Italy while trying to save his brother.
Benedictine monk at Saint Sequanus monastery where he took the name Benedict. Lived two and one half years on bread and water, sleeping on the bare ground, praying through the night, and going barefoot.
In the Frankish empire, monasticism suffered lay ownership and the attacks of the Vikings. Monastic discipline decayed. In 779 Benedict founded the Aniane monastery on his own land; the monks did manual labor, copied manuscripts, lived on bread and water except on Sundays and great feast days when they added wine or milk, if they received any in alms. The results of his austere rule were disappointing, so he adopted the Benedictine Rule, and the monastery grew. He then reformed and inaugurated other houses; Saint Ardo travelled with him and served as his secretary.
Bishop Felix of Urgel proposed that Christ was not the natural, but only the adoptive son of God (Adoptionism); Benedict opposed this heresy, wrote against it, and assisted in the Synod of Frankfurt in 794.
Emperor Louis the Pious built the abbey of Maurmunster as a model abbey for Benedict in Alsace, France, and then Cornelimunster near Aachen, Germany, then made Benedict director of all the monasteries in the empire. The monk instituted widespread reforms, though because of opposition they were not as drastic as he had wanted.
Participated in the synods in Aachen. Benedict was an advisor and supported of the emperor. Wrote the Capitulare monasticum, a systematization of the Benedictine Rule as the rule for all monks in the empire. Compiled the Codex regularum, a collection of all monastic regulations, and Concordia regularum, showing the resemblance of Benedict’s rule to those of other monastic leaders. The rules stressed individual poverty and chastity with obedience to a properly constituted abbot, himself a monk. Benedict insisted upon the liturgical character of monastic life, including a daily Conventual Mass and additions to the Divine Office. He stressed the clerical element in monasticism which led to the development of teaching and writing as opposed to manual labor in the field. This direction lapsed some after Benedict’s death, but had lasting effects on Western monasticism. Benedict is considered the restorer of Western monasticism and is often called “the second Benedict”.
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February 12
Saint Benedict of Aniane
February 13
Daily Saints – 13 February.
Feast of Saint Martinian the Hermit.
Martinian was born on c.350 at Caesarea, Palestine. He went to live in the wilderness at the age of eighteen, not far from the city of Caesarea in Palestine.
For twenty-five years, he devoted himself to ascetic deeds and silence, and he was granted the gift of healing illnesses and casting out demons. However, the Enemy of the race of man would not stop bothering the hermit with various temptations.
Once a profligate woman made a wager with some dissolute people that she could seduce Saint Martinian, the fame of whose virtuous life had spread throughout all the city. She came to him one night pretending that she had lost her way in the storm, and asking for shelter.
The saint let her enter, unable to turn her away in such a storm. He went into his room and locked the door. The wicked guest changed into beautiful clothes and began to tempt the ascetic.
When morning came, Saint Martinian came out to send the woman away. Though he was tempted by the woman’s beauty, he was determined not to fall into sin.
Lighting a fire, he stepped into it, saying, “You want me to burn with temptation, and want to lead me into the fires of Hell. I will not let you. Instead, I will burn for my virginity and save my soul.”
The pain was so much and Martinian said: “If I cannot stand this fire how will I stand the fires of hell?”.
The woman came to see how evil she was. She repented and asked the saint to guide her onto the way of salvation. He told her to go to Bethlehem, to Saint Paula. There she lived as a nun for twelve years in strict asceticism until her blessed end. The woman’s name was Zoe.
Saint Martinian went to an uninhabited rocky island, and lived on it under the open sky for several years, nourished by the provisions brought by a certain sailor from time to time. In return the monk wove baskets for him.
Once a powerful storm wrecked a ship, and a woman named Photina floated on pieces of the wreckage to the island of Saint Martinian. Saint Martinian helped her to survive the island. “Remain here,” he told her, “for here is bread and water, and in two months a boat will come.”
Then he jumped into the sea and swam off. Two dolphins carried him to dry land. Thereafter, Saint Martinian led the life of a wanderer. Later, he came to Athens and fell ill. Sensing the approach of death, he went into church and lay upon the floor.
God revealed to the Bishop of Athens who Saint Martinian was, and the bishop buried his body with honor. This occurred around the year 422.
Feast of Saint Martinian the Hermit.
Martinian was born on c.350 at Caesarea, Palestine. He went to live in the wilderness at the age of eighteen, not far from the city of Caesarea in Palestine.
For twenty-five years, he devoted himself to ascetic deeds and silence, and he was granted the gift of healing illnesses and casting out demons. However, the Enemy of the race of man would not stop bothering the hermit with various temptations.
Once a profligate woman made a wager with some dissolute people that she could seduce Saint Martinian, the fame of whose virtuous life had spread throughout all the city. She came to him one night pretending that she had lost her way in the storm, and asking for shelter.
The saint let her enter, unable to turn her away in such a storm. He went into his room and locked the door. The wicked guest changed into beautiful clothes and began to tempt the ascetic.
When morning came, Saint Martinian came out to send the woman away. Though he was tempted by the woman’s beauty, he was determined not to fall into sin.
Lighting a fire, he stepped into it, saying, “You want me to burn with temptation, and want to lead me into the fires of Hell. I will not let you. Instead, I will burn for my virginity and save my soul.”
The pain was so much and Martinian said: “If I cannot stand this fire how will I stand the fires of hell?”.
The woman came to see how evil she was. She repented and asked the saint to guide her onto the way of salvation. He told her to go to Bethlehem, to Saint Paula. There she lived as a nun for twelve years in strict asceticism until her blessed end. The woman’s name was Zoe.
Saint Martinian went to an uninhabited rocky island, and lived on it under the open sky for several years, nourished by the provisions brought by a certain sailor from time to time. In return the monk wove baskets for him.
Once a powerful storm wrecked a ship, and a woman named Photina floated on pieces of the wreckage to the island of Saint Martinian. Saint Martinian helped her to survive the island. “Remain here,” he told her, “for here is bread and water, and in two months a boat will come.”
Then he jumped into the sea and swam off. Two dolphins carried him to dry land. Thereafter, Saint Martinian led the life of a wanderer. Later, he came to Athens and fell ill. Sensing the approach of death, he went into church and lay upon the floor.
God revealed to the Bishop of Athens who Saint Martinian was, and the bishop buried his body with honor. This occurred around the year 422.
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February 13
Saint Martinian the Hermit
February 14
Daily Saints – 14 February.
Feast of Saint Valentine of Rome.
He is the patron saint of affianced couple, apiarists, bee keepers, betrothed couples, engaged couples, greeting card manufacturers, greetings, happy marriages, love, lovers, travellers, young people and against epilepsy, against fainting, against plague.
Valentine was a priest. He was also a doctor. He helped people when they were sick, and he taught his Christian community in Rome how to follow Jesus. His example of always acting with love inspired many people to join the Church.
It is said that he was the former Bishop of Terni, Narnia and Amelia. Legend states that Valentine, along with St. Marius, aided the Christian martyrs during the Claudian persecution.
In addition to his other edicts against helping Christians, Claudius had also issued a decree forbidding marriage. In order to increase troops for his army, he forbade young men to marry, believing that single men made better soldiers than married men.
Valentine defied this decree and helped christians in secret. He also urged young lovers to come to him in secret so that he could join them in the sacrament of matrimony. Eventually he was discovered by the Emperor, who promptly had Valentine arrested and brought before him.
Because he was so impressed with the young priest, Claudius attempted to convert him to Roman paganism rather than execute him. However, Valentine held steadfast and in turn attempted to convert Claudius to Christianity, at which point the Emperor condemned him to death.
While in prison, Valentine was tended by the jailer, Asterius, and his blind daughter. Asterius’ daughter was very kind to Valentine and brought him food and messages.
They developed a friendship and toward the end of his imprisonment Valentine was able to convert both father and daughter to Christianity. Legend has it that he also miraculously restored the sight of the jailer’s daughter.
Valentine also wrote letters of encouragement to the other Christian prisoners and to the members of his community. He wrote about Jesus’ love and reminded everyone to stay strong in their faith.
The night before his execution, the priest wrote a farewell message to the jailer’s daughter and signed it affectionately “From Your Valentine,” a phrase that lives on even to today. He was executed (beaten and beheaded) on February 14 in Rome.
Feast of Saint Valentine of Rome.
He is the patron saint of affianced couple, apiarists, bee keepers, betrothed couples, engaged couples, greeting card manufacturers, greetings, happy marriages, love, lovers, travellers, young people and against epilepsy, against fainting, against plague.
Valentine was a priest. He was also a doctor. He helped people when they were sick, and he taught his Christian community in Rome how to follow Jesus. His example of always acting with love inspired many people to join the Church.
It is said that he was the former Bishop of Terni, Narnia and Amelia. Legend states that Valentine, along with St. Marius, aided the Christian martyrs during the Claudian persecution.
In addition to his other edicts against helping Christians, Claudius had also issued a decree forbidding marriage. In order to increase troops for his army, he forbade young men to marry, believing that single men made better soldiers than married men.
Valentine defied this decree and helped christians in secret. He also urged young lovers to come to him in secret so that he could join them in the sacrament of matrimony. Eventually he was discovered by the Emperor, who promptly had Valentine arrested and brought before him.
Because he was so impressed with the young priest, Claudius attempted to convert him to Roman paganism rather than execute him. However, Valentine held steadfast and in turn attempted to convert Claudius to Christianity, at which point the Emperor condemned him to death.
While in prison, Valentine was tended by the jailer, Asterius, and his blind daughter. Asterius’ daughter was very kind to Valentine and brought him food and messages.
They developed a friendship and toward the end of his imprisonment Valentine was able to convert both father and daughter to Christianity. Legend has it that he also miraculously restored the sight of the jailer’s daughter.
Valentine also wrote letters of encouragement to the other Christian prisoners and to the members of his community. He wrote about Jesus’ love and reminded everyone to stay strong in their faith.
The night before his execution, the priest wrote a farewell message to the jailer’s daughter and signed it affectionately “From Your Valentine,” a phrase that lives on even to today. He was executed (beaten and beheaded) on February 14 in Rome.
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February 14
Saint Valentine of Rome
February 15
Daily Saints – 15 February.
Feast of Saint Onesimus the Slave.
Onesimus was a slave to Philemon, an influential man who had been converted by St. Paul. Onesimus offended Philemon and fled in order to escape any sort of retribution. He then met St. Paul while Paul was in a Roman prison.
Shortly after, Onesimus was baptized. Paul then sent a letter to Philemon asking for Onesimus’ freedom, so Onesimus could become one of his own assistants. This letter is the Epistle to Philemon and entreats Philemon to accept Onesimus “no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a brother, beloved especially to me.”
Philemon pardoned Onesimus and he returned to faithfully serve St. Paul. We know that St. Paul made him, with Tychicus, the bearer of his Epistle to the Colossians. (Col. 4:7-9)
Later, as St. Jerome and other fathers testify, he became an ardent preacher of the Gospel and succeeded St. Timothy as bishop of Ephesus.
He was cruelly tortured in Rome, for 18 days, by a governor who was infuriated by his preaching on the merit of celibacy. Onesimus’ legs and thighs were broken with bludgeons before he was stoned to death. His martyrdom occurred under Domitian in the year 90.
“Therefore, although I have the full right in Christ to order you to do what is proper, I rather urge you out of love, being as I am, Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus. I urge you on behalf of my child Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment, who was once useless to you but is now useful to both you and me. I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. I should have liked to retain him for myself so that he might serve me on your behalf in my imprisonment for the gospel, but I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that the good you do might not be forced but voluntary.” – Philemon 1:8-14
Feast of Saint Onesimus the Slave.
Onesimus was a slave to Philemon, an influential man who had been converted by St. Paul. Onesimus offended Philemon and fled in order to escape any sort of retribution. He then met St. Paul while Paul was in a Roman prison.
Shortly after, Onesimus was baptized. Paul then sent a letter to Philemon asking for Onesimus’ freedom, so Onesimus could become one of his own assistants. This letter is the Epistle to Philemon and entreats Philemon to accept Onesimus “no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a brother, beloved especially to me.”
Philemon pardoned Onesimus and he returned to faithfully serve St. Paul. We know that St. Paul made him, with Tychicus, the bearer of his Epistle to the Colossians. (Col. 4:7-9)
Later, as St. Jerome and other fathers testify, he became an ardent preacher of the Gospel and succeeded St. Timothy as bishop of Ephesus.
He was cruelly tortured in Rome, for 18 days, by a governor who was infuriated by his preaching on the merit of celibacy. Onesimus’ legs and thighs were broken with bludgeons before he was stoned to death. His martyrdom occurred under Domitian in the year 90.
“Therefore, although I have the full right in Christ to order you to do what is proper, I rather urge you out of love, being as I am, Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus. I urge you on behalf of my child Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment, who was once useless to you but is now useful to both you and me. I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. I should have liked to retain him for myself so that he might serve me on your behalf in my imprisonment for the gospel, but I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that the good you do might not be forced but voluntary.” – Philemon 1:8-14
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February 15
Saint Onesimus the Slave
February 16
Daily Saints – 16 February.
Feast of Saint Juliana of Nicomedia.
She is the patron of sick people and against bodily ills or sickness.
Juliana was born in Nicomedia. She was the daughter of an illustrious pagan named Africanus. As a child, she was betrothed to a Elusius, a Roman senator.
Saint Juliana was endowed with a profound intellect and goodness of soul. She saw through the delusion and deception of the pagan faith, and secretly accepted holy Baptism.
Juliana put him off, first insisting that he become prefect of Nicomedia. When he became prefect, she insisted he become a Christian before they could marry, a condition he would never meet.
When the time of her wedding approached, Juliana refused to be married. Her father urged her not to break her engagement, but when she refused to obey him, he began to beat her viciously.
Then Africanus handed his daughter over to Roman senator, who happened to be Elusius, Juliana’s former fiancé. Elusius fervently asked Juliana to marry him, promising not to require her to abandon her faith. Saint Juliana refused and said that she’d rather be put to death.
Elusius called her before the tribunal during the persecutions of Maximianus, denounced her as a Christian. She was thereupon imprisoned and tortured.
While in prison, she is said to have been subjected to a vision of a demon, pretending to be an angel of light, urging her to sacrifice to the pagan gods. Recognizing the deception, Juliana cried out, “Lord God of heaven and earth, do not desert me, nor permit your handmaid to perish.” She vanquished the tempter, who admitted to her that the devils particularly suffer when Christians attend Mass.
They beat the saint both long and harshly, but after each beating she received healing and new strength from God. Her punishment took place before a large number of people. Of these, 500 men and 130 women came to confess Christ after witnessing the steadfastness and courage of the holy virgin miraculously healed from her wounds. They were all beheaded, and were baptized in their own blood.
Convinced of the futility of attempting to separate the holy virgin from her heavenly Bridegroom, Eleusius sentenced Juliana to death. She accepted the sentence with joy and glorified the Lord for permitting her to receive a martyr’s crown. She was burned, boiled in oil, and beheaded c.305. She was only 18 years old at the time of her beheading.
St. Juliana is known for opposition to unholy marriage and love for Christ, she has also been invoked for the safe delivery of women in labor and for protection from fever and contagious diseases.
Feast of Saint Juliana of Nicomedia.
She is the patron of sick people and against bodily ills or sickness.
Juliana was born in Nicomedia. She was the daughter of an illustrious pagan named Africanus. As a child, she was betrothed to a Elusius, a Roman senator.
Saint Juliana was endowed with a profound intellect and goodness of soul. She saw through the delusion and deception of the pagan faith, and secretly accepted holy Baptism.
Juliana put him off, first insisting that he become prefect of Nicomedia. When he became prefect, she insisted he become a Christian before they could marry, a condition he would never meet.
When the time of her wedding approached, Juliana refused to be married. Her father urged her not to break her engagement, but when she refused to obey him, he began to beat her viciously.
Then Africanus handed his daughter over to Roman senator, who happened to be Elusius, Juliana’s former fiancé. Elusius fervently asked Juliana to marry him, promising not to require her to abandon her faith. Saint Juliana refused and said that she’d rather be put to death.
Elusius called her before the tribunal during the persecutions of Maximianus, denounced her as a Christian. She was thereupon imprisoned and tortured.
While in prison, she is said to have been subjected to a vision of a demon, pretending to be an angel of light, urging her to sacrifice to the pagan gods. Recognizing the deception, Juliana cried out, “Lord God of heaven and earth, do not desert me, nor permit your handmaid to perish.” She vanquished the tempter, who admitted to her that the devils particularly suffer when Christians attend Mass.
They beat the saint both long and harshly, but after each beating she received healing and new strength from God. Her punishment took place before a large number of people. Of these, 500 men and 130 women came to confess Christ after witnessing the steadfastness and courage of the holy virgin miraculously healed from her wounds. They were all beheaded, and were baptized in their own blood.
Convinced of the futility of attempting to separate the holy virgin from her heavenly Bridegroom, Eleusius sentenced Juliana to death. She accepted the sentence with joy and glorified the Lord for permitting her to receive a martyr’s crown. She was burned, boiled in oil, and beheaded c.305. She was only 18 years old at the time of her beheading.
St. Juliana is known for opposition to unholy marriage and love for Christ, she has also been invoked for the safe delivery of women in labor and for protection from fever and contagious diseases.
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February 16
Saint Juliana
February 17
Daily Saints – 17 February
Feast of Seven Founders of the Servite Order.
Named the fifth mendicant order by Pope Martin V, it was founded in 1233 by
• Saint Alexis Falconieri
• Saint Bartholomew degli Amidei
• Saint Benedict dell’Antella
• Saint Buonfiglio Monaldi
• Saint Gherardino Sostegni
• Saint Hugh dei Lippi-Uguccioni
• Saint John Buonagiunta Monetti
These seven men were born in Florence, Italy and led lives as hermits on Monte Senario. They had a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
On Friday, April 13, 1240, the hermits received a vision of Our Lady. She held in her hand a black habit, and a nearby angel bore a scroll reading “Servants of Mary.”
Mary told them:
“You will found a new order, and you will be my witnesses throughout the world. This is your name: Servants of Mary. This is your rule: that of Saint Augustine. And here is your distinctive sign: the black scapular, in memory of my sufferings.
They accepted the wisdom of Our Lady, wrote a Rule based on Saint Augustine and the Dominican Constitutions, adopted the black habit of an Augustinian monk, and lived as mendicant friars. The men founded the Order of Servites which in 1304 received the approval of the Holy See.
They are venerated on February 17 because it is said to be the day on which Saint Alexis Falconieri, one of the seven, died in 1310.
All seven were beatified December 1, 1717 by Pope Clement XI and canonized in 1887 by Pope Leo XIII.
Saint Alexis Falconieri is one of the Seven Founders of the Servants of Mary. He was born on 13th century at Florence, Italy. He is the uncle of Saint Juliana Falconieri and the son of Bernard Falconieri, a wealthy Florentine merchant and a Guelph.
He joined the Laudesi, also known as the Praisers of Mary, a confraternity of the Blessed Virgin in Florence, Italy c.1225, and in this group met the others who would be the Servite Founders.
He received the vision of Mary on 15 August 1233. The other members of the Laudesi were ordained, but Alexis felt himself unworthy, remained a lay-brother, and worked to insure the material and financial requirements of the community, often begging in the street when he had no other resources.
He helped to build the Servite church at Cafaggio. He was the only one of the seven founders still alive when the Order was approved by Pope Benedict XI in 1304.
Feast of Seven Founders of the Servite Order.
Named the fifth mendicant order by Pope Martin V, it was founded in 1233 by
• Saint Alexis Falconieri
• Saint Bartholomew degli Amidei
• Saint Benedict dell’Antella
• Saint Buonfiglio Monaldi
• Saint Gherardino Sostegni
• Saint Hugh dei Lippi-Uguccioni
• Saint John Buonagiunta Monetti
These seven men were born in Florence, Italy and led lives as hermits on Monte Senario. They had a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
On Friday, April 13, 1240, the hermits received a vision of Our Lady. She held in her hand a black habit, and a nearby angel bore a scroll reading “Servants of Mary.”
Mary told them:
“You will found a new order, and you will be my witnesses throughout the world. This is your name: Servants of Mary. This is your rule: that of Saint Augustine. And here is your distinctive sign: the black scapular, in memory of my sufferings.
They accepted the wisdom of Our Lady, wrote a Rule based on Saint Augustine and the Dominican Constitutions, adopted the black habit of an Augustinian monk, and lived as mendicant friars. The men founded the Order of Servites which in 1304 received the approval of the Holy See.
They are venerated on February 17 because it is said to be the day on which Saint Alexis Falconieri, one of the seven, died in 1310.
All seven were beatified December 1, 1717 by Pope Clement XI and canonized in 1887 by Pope Leo XIII.
Saint Alexis Falconieri is one of the Seven Founders of the Servants of Mary. He was born on 13th century at Florence, Italy. He is the uncle of Saint Juliana Falconieri and the son of Bernard Falconieri, a wealthy Florentine merchant and a Guelph.
He joined the Laudesi, also known as the Praisers of Mary, a confraternity of the Blessed Virgin in Florence, Italy c.1225, and in this group met the others who would be the Servite Founders.
He received the vision of Mary on 15 August 1233. The other members of the Laudesi were ordained, but Alexis felt himself unworthy, remained a lay-brother, and worked to insure the material and financial requirements of the community, often begging in the street when he had no other resources.
He helped to build the Servite church at Cafaggio. He was the only one of the seven founders still alive when the Order was approved by Pope Benedict XI in 1304.
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February 17
Seven Founders of the Servite Order
February 18
Daily Saints – 18 February
Feast of Saint Simeon of Jerusalem.
In St. Matthew’s Gospel, we read of St. Simon or Simeon who is described as one of our Lord’s brethren or kinsmen. His father was Cleophas, St. Joseph’s brother, and his mother, according to some writers, was our Lady’s sister.
He is mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew, and was one of the 72 disciples. He was present at the Ascension, and is one of the brethren of Christ mentioned in Acts who was present at the birth of the Church on the first Pentecost.
When the Jews massacred St. James the Lesser, his brother Simeon reproached them for their atrocious cruelty. St. James, Bishop of Jerusalem, being put to death in the year 62, twenty-nine years after Our Saviour’s Resurrection, the apostles and disciples met at Jerusalem to appoint him a successor. They unanimously chose St. Simeon, who had probably before assisted his brother in the government of that Church.
In the year 66, in which Sts. Peter and Paul suffered martyrdom at Rome, the civil war began in Judea, by the seditions of the Jews against the Romans. The Christians in Jerusalem were warned by God of the impending destruction of that city.
They therefore departed out of it the same year,–before Vespasian, Nero’s general, and afterwards emperor, entered Judea,–and retired beyond Jordan to a small city called Pella, having St. Simeon at their head.
After the taking and burning of Jerusalem they returned thither again, and settled themselves amidst its ruins, till Adrian afterwards entirely razed it. The Church here flourished, and multitudes of Jews were converted by the great number of prodigies and miracles wrought in it.
Vespasian and Domitian had commanded all to be put to death who were of the race of David. St. Simeon had escaped their searches; but, Trajan having given the same order, certain heretics and Jews accused the Saint, as being both of the race of David and a Christian, to Atticus, the Roman governor in Palestine. The holy bishop was condemned to be crucified.
After having undergone the usual tortures during several days, which, though one hundred and twenty years old, he suffered with so much patience that he drew on him a universal admiration, and that of Atticus in particular, he died in 107. He must have governed the Church of Jerusalem about forty-three years.
Feast of Saint Simeon of Jerusalem.
In St. Matthew’s Gospel, we read of St. Simon or Simeon who is described as one of our Lord’s brethren or kinsmen. His father was Cleophas, St. Joseph’s brother, and his mother, according to some writers, was our Lady’s sister.
He is mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew, and was one of the 72 disciples. He was present at the Ascension, and is one of the brethren of Christ mentioned in Acts who was present at the birth of the Church on the first Pentecost.
When the Jews massacred St. James the Lesser, his brother Simeon reproached them for their atrocious cruelty. St. James, Bishop of Jerusalem, being put to death in the year 62, twenty-nine years after Our Saviour’s Resurrection, the apostles and disciples met at Jerusalem to appoint him a successor. They unanimously chose St. Simeon, who had probably before assisted his brother in the government of that Church.
In the year 66, in which Sts. Peter and Paul suffered martyrdom at Rome, the civil war began in Judea, by the seditions of the Jews against the Romans. The Christians in Jerusalem were warned by God of the impending destruction of that city.
They therefore departed out of it the same year,–before Vespasian, Nero’s general, and afterwards emperor, entered Judea,–and retired beyond Jordan to a small city called Pella, having St. Simeon at their head.
After the taking and burning of Jerusalem they returned thither again, and settled themselves amidst its ruins, till Adrian afterwards entirely razed it. The Church here flourished, and multitudes of Jews were converted by the great number of prodigies and miracles wrought in it.
Vespasian and Domitian had commanded all to be put to death who were of the race of David. St. Simeon had escaped their searches; but, Trajan having given the same order, certain heretics and Jews accused the Saint, as being both of the race of David and a Christian, to Atticus, the Roman governor in Palestine. The holy bishop was condemned to be crucified.
After having undergone the usual tortures during several days, which, though one hundred and twenty years old, he suffered with so much patience that he drew on him a universal admiration, and that of Atticus in particular, he died in 107. He must have governed the Church of Jerusalem about forty-three years.
Close
February 18
Saint Simeon of Jerusalem
February 19
Daily Saints – 19 February.
Feast of Saint Conrad of Piacenza.
He is the patron saint against hernias.
Conrad was born on c.1290 of a noble family in northern Italy. He married Euphrosyne, daughter of a nobleman; the two led a pious life in the world.
One day while hunting, Conrad ordered attendants to set fire to some brush in order to flush out the game. A strong wind carried the flames to nearby fields, forests, towns and villages, and Conrad fled in panic.
An innocent peasant was imprisoned, tortured into a confession and condemned to death for the fire. Remorseful, Conrad stepped forward to confess, saving the man. He then paid for the damaged property, selling nearly all he owned in order to raise the cash.
Conrad and his wife saw the hand of God in the dramatic events, and chose to give the poor everything they had left. They then separated, she to a Poor Clare monastery, he to a group of Franciscan tertiary hermits.
Conrad lived such a life of piety that his reputation for holiness spread quickly. He had the gift of healing. Visitors destroyed his solitude, so he fled to a the valley of Noto, Italy in Sicily where he lived 36 years in prayer as a hermit.
Legend says that when the Bishop of Syracuse visited him, the bishop asked if Conrad had anything to offers guests. Conrad said he would check in his cell. He returned carrying newly made cakes, which the bishop accepted as a miracle.
Conrad visited the bishop later to make a general confession to him. As he arrived, Conrad was surrounded by fluttering birds and they escorted him back to Noto.
Once he was visited at his hermitage by a former friend and companion in arms. His friend was suffering from the pain of a hernia he had developed. Seeing the pain his old comrade was suffering, Conrad was moved to pity and prayed for him. He was immediately cured of the hernia. Because of this incident St. Conrad is especially invoked for the cure of hernia.
Prayer and penance were his answer to the temptations that beset him. Conrad died on 19 February 1351 at Noto, Sicily while kneeling before a crucifix.
Feast of Saint Conrad of Piacenza.
He is the patron saint against hernias.
Conrad was born on c.1290 of a noble family in northern Italy. He married Euphrosyne, daughter of a nobleman; the two led a pious life in the world.
One day while hunting, Conrad ordered attendants to set fire to some brush in order to flush out the game. A strong wind carried the flames to nearby fields, forests, towns and villages, and Conrad fled in panic.
An innocent peasant was imprisoned, tortured into a confession and condemned to death for the fire. Remorseful, Conrad stepped forward to confess, saving the man. He then paid for the damaged property, selling nearly all he owned in order to raise the cash.
Conrad and his wife saw the hand of God in the dramatic events, and chose to give the poor everything they had left. They then separated, she to a Poor Clare monastery, he to a group of Franciscan tertiary hermits.
Conrad lived such a life of piety that his reputation for holiness spread quickly. He had the gift of healing. Visitors destroyed his solitude, so he fled to a the valley of Noto, Italy in Sicily where he lived 36 years in prayer as a hermit.
Legend says that when the Bishop of Syracuse visited him, the bishop asked if Conrad had anything to offers guests. Conrad said he would check in his cell. He returned carrying newly made cakes, which the bishop accepted as a miracle.
Conrad visited the bishop later to make a general confession to him. As he arrived, Conrad was surrounded by fluttering birds and they escorted him back to Noto.
Once he was visited at his hermitage by a former friend and companion in arms. His friend was suffering from the pain of a hernia he had developed. Seeing the pain his old comrade was suffering, Conrad was moved to pity and prayed for him. He was immediately cured of the hernia. Because of this incident St. Conrad is especially invoked for the cure of hernia.
Prayer and penance were his answer to the temptations that beset him. Conrad died on 19 February 1351 at Noto, Sicily while kneeling before a crucifix.
Close
February 19
Saint Conrad of Piacenza
February 20
Daily Saints – 20 February.
Feast of Saints Francisco and Jacinta Marto.
Patron of Bodily ills, Captives, People ridiculed for their piety, Prisoners, Sick people and against sickness.
Francisco Marto was born on June 11, 1908 and his sister Jacinta Marto was on March 11, 1910. The youngest children of Manuel and Olimpia Marto, Francisco and Jacinta were typical of Portuguese village children of that time. They were illiterate but had a rich oral tradition.
The brother and sister, Francisco and Jacinta, who tended to their families’ sheep with their cousin Lucia Santo in the fields of Fatima.
Francisco Marto and his sister Jacinta Marto, together with their cousin, Lúcia dos Santos were the children from Aljustrel near Fátima, Portugal, who witnessed three apparitions of an angel in 1916 and several apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1917, now commonly known as Our Lady of Fatima.
In her message to the children, Mary brought with her requests for conversion, prayer (particularly the recitation of the rosary), sacrifices on behalf of sinners, and a three-part secret regarding the fate of the world.
Francisco preferred to pray alone, as he said, “to console Jesus for the sins of the world”. Jacinta was deeply affected by a terrifying vision of Hell reportedly shown to the children at the third apparition. She became deeply convinced of the need to save sinners through penance and sacrifice as the Virgin had reportedly instructed the children to do.
All three children, but particularly Francisco and Jacinta, practiced stringent self-mortifications to this end.
The children followed Mary’s requests, praying often, giving their lunch to beggars and going without food themselves. They offered up their daily crosses and even refrained from drinking water on hot days.
With anti-Catholic sentiment very prevalent in the country, the mayor in the district of Fatima had grown suspicious of the growingly popular apparitions, and had unsuccessfully tried to get the children to renounce their story.
Wanting to stop the children from seeing the fourth apparition, Artur Santos, an apostate Catholic and high Mason who was the local mayor, devised a ruse to kidnap the children before the scheduled day of her appearance.
Despite bribes, threats of death by burning oil, and threatening to lock them in a cell with criminals, the children never recanted their story.
Convicted by Mary’s requests and the vision of hell, both children lived lives of prayer and penance after the apparitions, offering themselves for sinners as Mary had asked.
Francisco was known for his devotion to the Eucharist and his strict physical mortifications, while Jacinta was especially known for having a heart for the poor and the suffering.
Both children fell victim to the influenza epidemic of 1918 that swept through Europe. In October 1918, Mary again appeared to the sick siblings and promised to take them to heaven soon. On April 3, 1919, Francisco declined hospital treatment for influenza and died the next day on 4 April 1919.
Jacinta was given hospital treatment in hopes of prolonging her life, but she knew that she would soon join Francisco in heaven. On February 19, 1920, Jacinta asked the hospital chaplain who heard her confession to bring her Holy Communion and administer the last rites, because she was going to die “the next night.”
But the priest said that her condition was not that serious and that he would return the next day. The next day, on 20 February 1920, Jacinta was found dead – she had died in her sleep.
Sister Lucia, the third visionary, lived much longer, dying in 2005 at the age of 97.
Feast of Saints Francisco and Jacinta Marto.
Patron of Bodily ills, Captives, People ridiculed for their piety, Prisoners, Sick people and against sickness.
Francisco Marto was born on June 11, 1908 and his sister Jacinta Marto was on March 11, 1910. The youngest children of Manuel and Olimpia Marto, Francisco and Jacinta were typical of Portuguese village children of that time. They were illiterate but had a rich oral tradition.
The brother and sister, Francisco and Jacinta, who tended to their families’ sheep with their cousin Lucia Santo in the fields of Fatima.
Francisco Marto and his sister Jacinta Marto, together with their cousin, Lúcia dos Santos were the children from Aljustrel near Fátima, Portugal, who witnessed three apparitions of an angel in 1916 and several apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1917, now commonly known as Our Lady of Fatima.
In her message to the children, Mary brought with her requests for conversion, prayer (particularly the recitation of the rosary), sacrifices on behalf of sinners, and a three-part secret regarding the fate of the world.
Francisco preferred to pray alone, as he said, “to console Jesus for the sins of the world”. Jacinta was deeply affected by a terrifying vision of Hell reportedly shown to the children at the third apparition. She became deeply convinced of the need to save sinners through penance and sacrifice as the Virgin had reportedly instructed the children to do.
All three children, but particularly Francisco and Jacinta, practiced stringent self-mortifications to this end.
The children followed Mary’s requests, praying often, giving their lunch to beggars and going without food themselves. They offered up their daily crosses and even refrained from drinking water on hot days.
With anti-Catholic sentiment very prevalent in the country, the mayor in the district of Fatima had grown suspicious of the growingly popular apparitions, and had unsuccessfully tried to get the children to renounce their story.
Wanting to stop the children from seeing the fourth apparition, Artur Santos, an apostate Catholic and high Mason who was the local mayor, devised a ruse to kidnap the children before the scheduled day of her appearance.
Despite bribes, threats of death by burning oil, and threatening to lock them in a cell with criminals, the children never recanted their story.
Convicted by Mary’s requests and the vision of hell, both children lived lives of prayer and penance after the apparitions, offering themselves for sinners as Mary had asked.
Francisco was known for his devotion to the Eucharist and his strict physical mortifications, while Jacinta was especially known for having a heart for the poor and the suffering.
Both children fell victim to the influenza epidemic of 1918 that swept through Europe. In October 1918, Mary again appeared to the sick siblings and promised to take them to heaven soon. On April 3, 1919, Francisco declined hospital treatment for influenza and died the next day on 4 April 1919.
Jacinta was given hospital treatment in hopes of prolonging her life, but she knew that she would soon join Francisco in heaven. On February 19, 1920, Jacinta asked the hospital chaplain who heard her confession to bring her Holy Communion and administer the last rites, because she was going to die “the next night.”
But the priest said that her condition was not that serious and that he would return the next day. The next day, on 20 February 1920, Jacinta was found dead – she had died in her sleep.
Sister Lucia, the third visionary, lived much longer, dying in 2005 at the age of 97.
Close
February 20
Saints Francisco and Jacinta Marto
February 21
Daily Saints – 21 February.
Feast of Saint Peter Damian.
Peter was born on 1007 at Ravenna, Italy. But became an orphan and was treated shabbily by one of his brothers who mistreated him and forced him to work as a swine-herd.
Peter escaped poverty and the neglect of his own brother when his other brother, who was archpriest of Ravenna, took him under his wing. His brother sent him to good schools and Peter became a professor.
Already in those days, Peter was very strict with himself. He wore a hair shirt under his clothes, fasted rigorously and spent many hours in prayer. Soon, he decided to leave his teaching and give himself completely to prayer with the Benedictines of the reform of Saint Romuald at Fonte Avellana. They lived two monks to a hermitage.
Peter was so eager to pray and slept so little that he soon suffered from severe insomnia. He found he had to use some prudence in taking care of himself. When he was not praying, he studied the Bible.
The abbot commanded that when he died Peter should succeed him. Abbot Peter founded five other hermitages. He encouraged his brothers in a life of prayer and solitude and wanted nothing more for himself.
The Holy See periodically called on him, however, to be a peacemaker or troubleshooter, between two abbeys in dispute or a cleric or government official in some disagreement with Rome.
Finally, Pope Stephen IX made Peter the cardinal-bishop of Ostia. He worked hard to wipe out simony—the buying of church offices–and encouraged his priests to observe celibacy and urged even the diocesan clergy to live together and maintain scheduled prayer and religious observance.
He wished to restore primitive discipline among religious and priests, warning against needless travel, violations of poverty, and too comfortable living. He even wrote to the bishop of Besancon complaining that the canons there sat down when they were singing the psalms in the Divine Office.
He wrote many letters. Some 170 are extant. We also have 53 of his sermons and seven lives, or biographies, that he wrote. He preferred examples and stories rather than theory in his writings. The liturgical offices he wrote are evidence of his talent as a stylist in Latin.
He asked often to be allowed to retire as cardinal-bishop of Ostia, and finally Pope Alexander II consented. Peter was happy to become once again just a monk, but he was still called to serve as a papal legate.
When returning from such an assignment in Ravenna, he was overcome by a fever. With the monks gathered around him saying the Divine Office, he died on February 22, 1072.
“Do not be depressed. Do not let your weakness make you impatient. Instead, let the serenity of your spirit shine through your face. Let the joy of your mind burst forth.”
“Let us faithfully transmit to posterity the example of virtue which we have received from our forefathers.”
“It is not sinners, but the wicked who should despair; it is not the magnitude of one’s crime, but contempt of God that dashes one’s hopes.”
“The best penance is to have patience with the sorrows God permits. A very good penance is to dedicate oneself to fulfill the duties of everyday with exactitude and to study and work with all our strength.”
“Nobody can fight properly and boldly for the faith if he clings to a fear of being stripped of earthly possessions.”
“He pours light into our minds, arouses our desire and gives us strength… As the soul is the life of the body, so the Holy Spirit is the life of our souls.”
“For the wisdom of the flesh brings death, but that of the spirit brings life and peace, since the wisdom of the flesh is the enemy of God; it is not subject to God’s law, nor can it be. And since the wisdom of the flesh is unable to bear the yoke of God’s law, it cannot look upon it either, for its eyes are clouded with the smoke of pride.”
“We hold our tongues in check because if they are undisciplined they empty the soul of the strength of heavenly grace, and weaken its healthful vigour.”
“Through a woman [Eve] a curse fell upon the earth; through a woman [Mary] as well there returned to the earth a blessing.”
Feast of Saint Peter Damian.
Peter was born on 1007 at Ravenna, Italy. But became an orphan and was treated shabbily by one of his brothers who mistreated him and forced him to work as a swine-herd.
Peter escaped poverty and the neglect of his own brother when his other brother, who was archpriest of Ravenna, took him under his wing. His brother sent him to good schools and Peter became a professor.
Already in those days, Peter was very strict with himself. He wore a hair shirt under his clothes, fasted rigorously and spent many hours in prayer. Soon, he decided to leave his teaching and give himself completely to prayer with the Benedictines of the reform of Saint Romuald at Fonte Avellana. They lived two monks to a hermitage.
Peter was so eager to pray and slept so little that he soon suffered from severe insomnia. He found he had to use some prudence in taking care of himself. When he was not praying, he studied the Bible.
The abbot commanded that when he died Peter should succeed him. Abbot Peter founded five other hermitages. He encouraged his brothers in a life of prayer and solitude and wanted nothing more for himself.
The Holy See periodically called on him, however, to be a peacemaker or troubleshooter, between two abbeys in dispute or a cleric or government official in some disagreement with Rome.
Finally, Pope Stephen IX made Peter the cardinal-bishop of Ostia. He worked hard to wipe out simony—the buying of church offices–and encouraged his priests to observe celibacy and urged even the diocesan clergy to live together and maintain scheduled prayer and religious observance.
He wished to restore primitive discipline among religious and priests, warning against needless travel, violations of poverty, and too comfortable living. He even wrote to the bishop of Besancon complaining that the canons there sat down when they were singing the psalms in the Divine Office.
He wrote many letters. Some 170 are extant. We also have 53 of his sermons and seven lives, or biographies, that he wrote. He preferred examples and stories rather than theory in his writings. The liturgical offices he wrote are evidence of his talent as a stylist in Latin.
He asked often to be allowed to retire as cardinal-bishop of Ostia, and finally Pope Alexander II consented. Peter was happy to become once again just a monk, but he was still called to serve as a papal legate.
When returning from such an assignment in Ravenna, he was overcome by a fever. With the monks gathered around him saying the Divine Office, he died on February 22, 1072.
“Do not be depressed. Do not let your weakness make you impatient. Instead, let the serenity of your spirit shine through your face. Let the joy of your mind burst forth.”
“Let us faithfully transmit to posterity the example of virtue which we have received from our forefathers.”
“It is not sinners, but the wicked who should despair; it is not the magnitude of one’s crime, but contempt of God that dashes one’s hopes.”
“The best penance is to have patience with the sorrows God permits. A very good penance is to dedicate oneself to fulfill the duties of everyday with exactitude and to study and work with all our strength.”
“Nobody can fight properly and boldly for the faith if he clings to a fear of being stripped of earthly possessions.”
“He pours light into our minds, arouses our desire and gives us strength… As the soul is the life of the body, so the Holy Spirit is the life of our souls.”
“For the wisdom of the flesh brings death, but that of the spirit brings life and peace, since the wisdom of the flesh is the enemy of God; it is not subject to God’s law, nor can it be. And since the wisdom of the flesh is unable to bear the yoke of God’s law, it cannot look upon it either, for its eyes are clouded with the smoke of pride.”
“We hold our tongues in check because if they are undisciplined they empty the soul of the strength of heavenly grace, and weaken its healthful vigour.”
“Through a woman [Eve] a curse fell upon the earth; through a woman [Mary] as well there returned to the earth a blessing.”
Close
February 21
Saint Peter Damian
February 22
Daily Saints – 22 February.
Feast of Saint Margaret of Cortona.
She is the patron of falsely accused people, hoboes, tramps, homeless people, mentally ill people, midwives, penitent women, people ridiculed for their piety, reformed prostitutes, single laywomen, tertiaries and against the death of parents, against insanity or mental illness, against sexual temptation, against temptations.
Margaret of Cortona was born in Loviana in Tuscany in 1247. She was possessed of rare beauty. Her father was a small farmer. Margaret’s mother died when she was seven years old.
She was neglected by her careless father, who married again within a short time, and her unsympathetic stepmother dealt harshly with her.
Her stepmother had little care for her high-spirited daughter. Rejected at home, Margaret eloped with Arsenio, a youth from Montepulciano. For nine years she lived with Arsenio, though they were not married, and she bore him a son. In those years, she had doubts about her situation. She prayed for purity.
One day she was waiting for Arsenio and was instead met by his dog. The animal led Margaret into the forest where she found Arsenio murdered. This crime shocked Margaret into a life of penance.
In a penitential garb, her hair cut short, a cord around her neck, she knelt at the door of the church and publicly asked all the congregation to forgive the scandal she had given.
Many people were edified at this public humiliation, but her stepmother was all the more embittered at it. She, as well as Margaret’s father, forbade her and her son to enter their home again. This reception severely tempted Margaret to return to the road of vice, but God’s grace sustained her.
Led by divine grace, she repaired to Cortona, made a contrite general confession to a Franciscan there, and submitted to the spiritual direction of her confessor. In a poor little hovel she now lived a secluded life, in penance, tears, and prayer, earning her scanty nourishment by hard manual labor.
Yet Maragaret had difficulty overcoming temptations of the flesh. She attempted to mutilate her face, but was restrained by Friar Giunta.
Margaret earned a living by nursing sick ladies. Later she gave this up to serve the sick poor without recompense, subsisting only on alms. Evenually, she joined the Third Order of St. Francis, and her son also joined the Franciscans a few years later.
Day and night she wept over her sins, and often sobs so choked her voice that she could not speak. Satan made use of every wile and snare to cause Margaret to relapse, but prayer, mortification, and humiliation successfully put him to flight.
Margaret advanced rapidly in prayer and was said to be in direct contact with Jesus, as exemplified by frequent ecstacies. Friar Giunta recorded some of the messages she received from God. Not all related to herself, and she courageously presented messages to others.
In 1286, Margaret was granted a charter allowing her to work for the sick poor on a permanent basis. Others joined with personal help, and some with financial assistance. Margaret formed her group into tertiaries, and later they were given special status as a congregation which was called The Poverelle (“Poor Ones”).
She also founded a hospital at Cortona and the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mercy. Some in Cortona turned on Margaret, even accusing her of illicit relations with Friar Giunta. All the while, Margaret continued to preach against vice and many, through her, returned to the sacraments.
When finally, after uninterrupted struggling, she had triumphed over every earthly inclination, God assured her that her sins were fully pardoned and granted her special proofs of His knowledge of the innermost secrets of hearts.
In many an instance, even when people came from great distances, she recalled grievous sins to their mind, while her exhortations and prayers were instrumental in bringing about conversion. Many souls were released from purgatory upon her prayers.
Almighty God wrought many miracles through her even in her lifetime. Health was restored to the sick, a dead boy was raised to life, and at her approach evil spirits shuddered and left those whom they possessed.
She also showed extraordinary love for the mysteries of the Eucharist and the Passion of Jesus Christ. Divinely warned of the day and hour of her death, she died on February 22, 1297, having spent twenty-nine years performing acts of penance.
“In times of desolation, God conceals Himself from us so that we can discover for ourselves what we are without Him.”
“This morning my soul is greater than the world since it possesses You, You whom heaven and earth do not contain.”
“My daughter, I see more Pharisees among Christians than there were around Pilate.”
“Hide nothing from your confessor… a sick man can be cured only by revealing his wounds.”
“Don’t ask me to give in to this body of mine. I can’t afford it. Between me and my body there must be a struggle until death.”
Feast of Saint Margaret of Cortona.
She is the patron of falsely accused people, hoboes, tramps, homeless people, mentally ill people, midwives, penitent women, people ridiculed for their piety, reformed prostitutes, single laywomen, tertiaries and against the death of parents, against insanity or mental illness, against sexual temptation, against temptations.
Margaret of Cortona was born in Loviana in Tuscany in 1247. She was possessed of rare beauty. Her father was a small farmer. Margaret’s mother died when she was seven years old.
She was neglected by her careless father, who married again within a short time, and her unsympathetic stepmother dealt harshly with her.
Her stepmother had little care for her high-spirited daughter. Rejected at home, Margaret eloped with Arsenio, a youth from Montepulciano. For nine years she lived with Arsenio, though they were not married, and she bore him a son. In those years, she had doubts about her situation. She prayed for purity.
One day she was waiting for Arsenio and was instead met by his dog. The animal led Margaret into the forest where she found Arsenio murdered. This crime shocked Margaret into a life of penance.
In a penitential garb, her hair cut short, a cord around her neck, she knelt at the door of the church and publicly asked all the congregation to forgive the scandal she had given.
Many people were edified at this public humiliation, but her stepmother was all the more embittered at it. She, as well as Margaret’s father, forbade her and her son to enter their home again. This reception severely tempted Margaret to return to the road of vice, but God’s grace sustained her.
Led by divine grace, she repaired to Cortona, made a contrite general confession to a Franciscan there, and submitted to the spiritual direction of her confessor. In a poor little hovel she now lived a secluded life, in penance, tears, and prayer, earning her scanty nourishment by hard manual labor.
Yet Maragaret had difficulty overcoming temptations of the flesh. She attempted to mutilate her face, but was restrained by Friar Giunta.
Margaret earned a living by nursing sick ladies. Later she gave this up to serve the sick poor without recompense, subsisting only on alms. Evenually, she joined the Third Order of St. Francis, and her son also joined the Franciscans a few years later.
Day and night she wept over her sins, and often sobs so choked her voice that she could not speak. Satan made use of every wile and snare to cause Margaret to relapse, but prayer, mortification, and humiliation successfully put him to flight.
Margaret advanced rapidly in prayer and was said to be in direct contact with Jesus, as exemplified by frequent ecstacies. Friar Giunta recorded some of the messages she received from God. Not all related to herself, and she courageously presented messages to others.
In 1286, Margaret was granted a charter allowing her to work for the sick poor on a permanent basis. Others joined with personal help, and some with financial assistance. Margaret formed her group into tertiaries, and later they were given special status as a congregation which was called The Poverelle (“Poor Ones”).
She also founded a hospital at Cortona and the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mercy. Some in Cortona turned on Margaret, even accusing her of illicit relations with Friar Giunta. All the while, Margaret continued to preach against vice and many, through her, returned to the sacraments.
When finally, after uninterrupted struggling, she had triumphed over every earthly inclination, God assured her that her sins were fully pardoned and granted her special proofs of His knowledge of the innermost secrets of hearts.
In many an instance, even when people came from great distances, she recalled grievous sins to their mind, while her exhortations and prayers were instrumental in bringing about conversion. Many souls were released from purgatory upon her prayers.
Almighty God wrought many miracles through her even in her lifetime. Health was restored to the sick, a dead boy was raised to life, and at her approach evil spirits shuddered and left those whom they possessed.
She also showed extraordinary love for the mysteries of the Eucharist and the Passion of Jesus Christ. Divinely warned of the day and hour of her death, she died on February 22, 1297, having spent twenty-nine years performing acts of penance.
“In times of desolation, God conceals Himself from us so that we can discover for ourselves what we are without Him.”
“This morning my soul is greater than the world since it possesses You, You whom heaven and earth do not contain.”
“My daughter, I see more Pharisees among Christians than there were around Pilate.”
“Hide nothing from your confessor… a sick man can be cured only by revealing his wounds.”
“Don’t ask me to give in to this body of mine. I can’t afford it. Between me and my body there must be a struggle until death.”
Close
February 22
Saint Margaret of Cortona
February 23
Daily Saints – 23 February.
Feast of Saint Polycarp of Smyrna.
Patron against earache, dysentery.
Polycarp was born around the year 69 AD. He was converted to the faith by St. John the Evangelist about 80 A.D. He became the bishop of Smyrna about 96 A.D.
Growing up among the Greek-speaking Christians of the Roman Empire, Polycarp received the teachings and recollections of individuals who had seen and known Jesus during his earthly life.
This important connection – between Jesus’ first disciples and apostles and their respective students – served to protect the Catholic Church against the influence of heresy during its earliest days, particularly against early attempts to deny Jesus’ bodily incarnation and full humanity.
He was the friend St. Ignatius of Antioch. Saint Ignatius, on his way to Rome to be martyred, visited Polycarp at Smyrna, and later at Troas wrote him a personal letter. The Asia Minor Churches recognized Polycarp’s leadership by choosing him as a representative to discuss with Pope Anicetus the date of the Easter celebration in Rome—a major controversy in the early Church.
A defender of orthodoxy, he opposed such heretical groups as the Marcionites and Valentinians. Only one of the many letters written by Polycarp has been preserved, the one he wrote to the Church of Philippi in Macedonia. In the letter, he exhorts them to remain strong in the faith.
The letter is of great interest to scholars because it demonstrates the existence of New Testament texts, with quotes from Matthew and Luke, the Actsof the Apostles, and the first letters of Peter and John. When Ignatius was being taken to Rome to be put to death, he wrote of Polycarp being clothed “with the garment of grace.”
Around the year 155, Polycarp became aware that government authorities were on the lookout for him, seeking to stamp out the Catholic Church’s claim of obeying a higher authority than the Emperor.
He retreated to a country house and occupied himself with constant prayer, before receiving a vision of his death that prompted him to inform his friends: “I must be burned alive.” He changed locations, but was betrayed by a young man who knew his whereabouts and confessed under torture.
He was captured on a Saturday evening by two public officials, who urged him to submit to the state demands. “What harm is there,” one asked, “in saying, ‘Caesar is Lord,’ and in sacrificing to him, with the other ceremonies observed on such occasions, so as to make sure of safety?”
“I shall not do as you advise me,” he answered. Outraged by his response, the officials had him violently thrown from their chariot and taken to an arena for execution. Entering the stadium, the bishop – along with some of his companions, who survived to tell of it – heard a heavenly voice, saying: “Be strong, and show yourself a man, O Polycarp!” Before the crowd, the Roman proconsul demanded again that he worship the emperor.
“Hear me declare with boldness, I am a Christian,” the bishop said. “And if you wish to learn what the doctrines of Christianity are, appoint me a day, and you shall hear them.”
“You threaten me with fire,” he continued “which burns for an hour, and after a little is extinguished. But you are ignorant of the fire of the coming judgment and of eternal punishment, reserved for the ungodly.”
“But,” he challenged the proconsul, “what are you waiting for? Bring forth what you will.”
Although the crowds clamored for Polycarp to be devoured by beasts, it was decided he should be burned alive, just as he had prophesied. He prayed aloud to God: “May I be accepted this day before you as an acceptable sacrifice – just as you, the ever-truthful God, have foreordained, revealed beforehand to me, and now have fulfilled.”
What happened next struck Polycarp’s companions with amazement; they recorded the sight in the letter that they circulated after Polycarp’s death.
“As the flame blazed forth in great fury,” they wrote, “we to whom it was given to witness it, beheld a great miracle.” The fire did not seem to touch the bishop’s body. Rather, as they described, “shaping itself into the form of an arch, it encompassed – as by a circle – the body of the martyr. And he appeared within not like flesh which is burnt, but as bread that is baked, or as gold and silver glowing in a furnace.”
“Moreover, we perceived such a sweet odour coming from the flames – as if frankincense or some such precious spices had been burning there.”
The executioners perceived that Polycarp’s death was not going as planned. Losing patience, they ordered him to be stabbed to death. From the resulting wound, “there came forth a dove, and a great quantity of blood, so that the fire was extinguished.” Polycarp served Christ for 86 years and received martyrdom in 155.
“Eighty and six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong”
“How then can I blaspheme my King and Savior? You threaten me with a fire that burns for a season, and after a little while is quenched; but you are ignorant of the fire of everlasting punishment that is prepared for the wicked.”
“For every one who shall not confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is antichrist, … and whosoever shall not confess the testimony of the Cross, is of the devil; and whosoever shall pervert the oracles of the Lord to his own lusts and say that there is neither resurrection nor judgment, that man is the firstborn of Satan.”
“Let us therefore, without ceasing, hold fast by our hope and by the pledge of our righteousness.”
Feast of Saint Polycarp of Smyrna.
Patron against earache, dysentery.
Polycarp was born around the year 69 AD. He was converted to the faith by St. John the Evangelist about 80 A.D. He became the bishop of Smyrna about 96 A.D.
Growing up among the Greek-speaking Christians of the Roman Empire, Polycarp received the teachings and recollections of individuals who had seen and known Jesus during his earthly life.
This important connection – between Jesus’ first disciples and apostles and their respective students – served to protect the Catholic Church against the influence of heresy during its earliest days, particularly against early attempts to deny Jesus’ bodily incarnation and full humanity.
He was the friend St. Ignatius of Antioch. Saint Ignatius, on his way to Rome to be martyred, visited Polycarp at Smyrna, and later at Troas wrote him a personal letter. The Asia Minor Churches recognized Polycarp’s leadership by choosing him as a representative to discuss with Pope Anicetus the date of the Easter celebration in Rome—a major controversy in the early Church.
A defender of orthodoxy, he opposed such heretical groups as the Marcionites and Valentinians. Only one of the many letters written by Polycarp has been preserved, the one he wrote to the Church of Philippi in Macedonia. In the letter, he exhorts them to remain strong in the faith.
The letter is of great interest to scholars because it demonstrates the existence of New Testament texts, with quotes from Matthew and Luke, the Actsof the Apostles, and the first letters of Peter and John. When Ignatius was being taken to Rome to be put to death, he wrote of Polycarp being clothed “with the garment of grace.”
Around the year 155, Polycarp became aware that government authorities were on the lookout for him, seeking to stamp out the Catholic Church’s claim of obeying a higher authority than the Emperor.
He retreated to a country house and occupied himself with constant prayer, before receiving a vision of his death that prompted him to inform his friends: “I must be burned alive.” He changed locations, but was betrayed by a young man who knew his whereabouts and confessed under torture.
He was captured on a Saturday evening by two public officials, who urged him to submit to the state demands. “What harm is there,” one asked, “in saying, ‘Caesar is Lord,’ and in sacrificing to him, with the other ceremonies observed on such occasions, so as to make sure of safety?”
“I shall not do as you advise me,” he answered. Outraged by his response, the officials had him violently thrown from their chariot and taken to an arena for execution. Entering the stadium, the bishop – along with some of his companions, who survived to tell of it – heard a heavenly voice, saying: “Be strong, and show yourself a man, O Polycarp!” Before the crowd, the Roman proconsul demanded again that he worship the emperor.
“Hear me declare with boldness, I am a Christian,” the bishop said. “And if you wish to learn what the doctrines of Christianity are, appoint me a day, and you shall hear them.”
“You threaten me with fire,” he continued “which burns for an hour, and after a little is extinguished. But you are ignorant of the fire of the coming judgment and of eternal punishment, reserved for the ungodly.”
“But,” he challenged the proconsul, “what are you waiting for? Bring forth what you will.”
Although the crowds clamored for Polycarp to be devoured by beasts, it was decided he should be burned alive, just as he had prophesied. He prayed aloud to God: “May I be accepted this day before you as an acceptable sacrifice – just as you, the ever-truthful God, have foreordained, revealed beforehand to me, and now have fulfilled.”
What happened next struck Polycarp’s companions with amazement; they recorded the sight in the letter that they circulated after Polycarp’s death.
“As the flame blazed forth in great fury,” they wrote, “we to whom it was given to witness it, beheld a great miracle.” The fire did not seem to touch the bishop’s body. Rather, as they described, “shaping itself into the form of an arch, it encompassed – as by a circle – the body of the martyr. And he appeared within not like flesh which is burnt, but as bread that is baked, or as gold and silver glowing in a furnace.”
“Moreover, we perceived such a sweet odour coming from the flames – as if frankincense or some such precious spices had been burning there.”
The executioners perceived that Polycarp’s death was not going as planned. Losing patience, they ordered him to be stabbed to death. From the resulting wound, “there came forth a dove, and a great quantity of blood, so that the fire was extinguished.” Polycarp served Christ for 86 years and received martyrdom in 155.
“Eighty and six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong”
“How then can I blaspheme my King and Savior? You threaten me with a fire that burns for a season, and after a little while is quenched; but you are ignorant of the fire of everlasting punishment that is prepared for the wicked.”
“For every one who shall not confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is antichrist, … and whosoever shall not confess the testimony of the Cross, is of the devil; and whosoever shall pervert the oracles of the Lord to his own lusts and say that there is neither resurrection nor judgment, that man is the firstborn of Satan.”
“Let us therefore, without ceasing, hold fast by our hope and by the pledge of our righteousness.”
Close
February 23
Saint Polycarp
February 24
Daily Saints – 24 February.
Feast of Saint Ethelbert of Kent.
Ethelbert was born in 560. He was a worshipper of Odin, but in 588, when he married Bertha, a daughter of King Charibert of Paris, as part of the nuptial agreement, he agreed to permit her to continue practicing her Christian faith. Bertha brought a chaplain to England with her, and King Ethelbert gave him an old church at Canterbury.
In 597 Pope St. Gregory the Great sent St. Augustine to England to convert the pagans. Ethelbert allowed Augustine and his forty Benedictine monks to stay, and he gave them a house at Canterbury.
Ethelbert asked Augustine to instruct him and to baptize him, but he did not compel his people to embrace Christianity. Still, many thousands were baptized.
King Ethelbert gave Archbishop Augustine land for his episcopal see in Canterbury, and he built the church dedicated to St. Paul in London which would become St. Paul’s Cathedral. St. Ethelbert died on Feb. 24, 616.
Feast of Saint Ethelbert of Kent.
Ethelbert was born in 560. He was a worshipper of Odin, but in 588, when he married Bertha, a daughter of King Charibert of Paris, as part of the nuptial agreement, he agreed to permit her to continue practicing her Christian faith. Bertha brought a chaplain to England with her, and King Ethelbert gave him an old church at Canterbury.
In 597 Pope St. Gregory the Great sent St. Augustine to England to convert the pagans. Ethelbert allowed Augustine and his forty Benedictine monks to stay, and he gave them a house at Canterbury.
Ethelbert asked Augustine to instruct him and to baptize him, but he did not compel his people to embrace Christianity. Still, many thousands were baptized.
King Ethelbert gave Archbishop Augustine land for his episcopal see in Canterbury, and he built the church dedicated to St. Paul in London which would become St. Paul’s Cathedral. St. Ethelbert died on Feb. 24, 616.
Close
February 24
Saint Ethelbert of Kent
February 25
Daily Saints – 25 February.
Feast of Blessed Rani Maria Vattalil.
Patronage of Aid workers, Missionaries.
Mariam Vattalil was born in Kerala, India on 29 January 1954. She was the second of seven children to Paily and Eliswa Vattalil.
Mariam Vattalil joined the Franciscan Clarist Congregation following the completion of her secondary schooling and assumed the religious name of “Rani Maria” upon joining and entering their novitiate.
The motto of her life was: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed me to preach the Good News to the poor” (Lk.4:18). Imbued with the motto and filled with the mission spirit she worked in the Missions of Bijnor (1975-1983), Oadgady (1983-1992) and Udainagar (1992-1995).
Having realized her call within the call Rani Maria wrote: “I am deeply convinced that I am called to work for the poor and the oppressed. I am ready to die for them because they are children of God and as such our sisters and brothers”
After several transfers, she received a degree in sociology from Rewa university and settled to Udayanagar. Mariam dedicated herself to the poor and social justice reforms. She would especially help the landless poor who were often treated more as slaves than servants. In town, she organized women into self-help groups and aided the poor in financial planning to help save them from vicious local money lenders.
Her love for the poor that fructified through various mission activities aimed at individual and social upliftment of the tribal people. However concurrently it went counter to the vested interests of the unscrupulous money-lenders and social exploiters which at last resulted in her martyrdom.
She attained the Crown of Martyrdom on 25 February 1995 when Samundar Singh murdered her in a bus in which she was travelling to Indore as she was on her way to Pulluvazhy on Vacation.
According to the Police she was stabbed 54 times (40 stab wounds and 14 bruises) in front of more than 50 bus passengers in a jungle area near Udainagar (Madhya Pradesh) allegedly at the behest of moneylenders affected by the nun’s social work among village women, who were organizing self-help groups. As he continued to stab, the 41 year old nun continued repeating one word: “Jesus”.
Feast of Blessed Rani Maria Vattalil.
Patronage of Aid workers, Missionaries.
Mariam Vattalil was born in Kerala, India on 29 January 1954. She was the second of seven children to Paily and Eliswa Vattalil.
Mariam Vattalil joined the Franciscan Clarist Congregation following the completion of her secondary schooling and assumed the religious name of “Rani Maria” upon joining and entering their novitiate.
The motto of her life was: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed me to preach the Good News to the poor” (Lk.4:18). Imbued with the motto and filled with the mission spirit she worked in the Missions of Bijnor (1975-1983), Oadgady (1983-1992) and Udainagar (1992-1995).
Having realized her call within the call Rani Maria wrote: “I am deeply convinced that I am called to work for the poor and the oppressed. I am ready to die for them because they are children of God and as such our sisters and brothers”
After several transfers, she received a degree in sociology from Rewa university and settled to Udayanagar. Mariam dedicated herself to the poor and social justice reforms. She would especially help the landless poor who were often treated more as slaves than servants. In town, she organized women into self-help groups and aided the poor in financial planning to help save them from vicious local money lenders.
Her love for the poor that fructified through various mission activities aimed at individual and social upliftment of the tribal people. However concurrently it went counter to the vested interests of the unscrupulous money-lenders and social exploiters which at last resulted in her martyrdom.
She attained the Crown of Martyrdom on 25 February 1995 when Samundar Singh murdered her in a bus in which she was travelling to Indore as she was on her way to Pulluvazhy on Vacation.
According to the Police she was stabbed 54 times (40 stab wounds and 14 bruises) in front of more than 50 bus passengers in a jungle area near Udainagar (Madhya Pradesh) allegedly at the behest of moneylenders affected by the nun’s social work among village women, who were organizing self-help groups. As he continued to stab, the 41 year old nun continued repeating one word: “Jesus”.
Close
February 25
Blessed Rani Maria
February 26
Daily Saints – 26 February.
Feast of Saint Porphyrius of Gaza.
Saint Porphyrius was born about the year 346 at Thessalonica. His parents were people of substance, and this allowed Saint Porphyrius to receive a fine education.
Having the inclination for monastic life, he left his native region at twenty-five years of age and set off for Egypt, where he lived in the Nitrian desert under the guidance of Saint Macarius the Great. There he also met Saint Jerome, who was then visiting the Egyptian monasteries.
He went to Jerusalem on pilgrimage to the holy places, and to venerate the Life-Creating Cross of the Lord, then he moved into a cave in the Jordanian wilderness for prayer and ascetic deeds.
After five years, Saint Porphyrius was afflicted with a serious malady of the legs. He decided to go to the holy places of Jerusalem to pray for healing. As he lay half-conscious at the foot of Golgotha, Saint Porphyrius fell into a sort of trance. He beheld Jesus Christ descending from the Cross and saying to him, “Take this Wood and preserve it.”
Coming out of his trance, he found himself healthy and free from pain. Then he gave away all his money to the poor and for the adornment of the churches of God. For a time he supported himself by working as a shoemaker.
The words of the Savior were fulfilled when the saint was forty-five years old. The Patriarch of Jerusalem ordained Saint Porphyrius to the holy priesthood and appointed him custodian of the Venerable Wood of the Cross of the Lord.
In 395 the bishop of the city of Gaza (in Palestine) died. The local Christians went to Caesarea to ask Metropolitan John to send them a new bishop who would be able to contend against the pagans, which were predominant in their city and were harassing the Christians there.
The Lord inspired the Metropolitan to summon the priest Porphyrius. With fear and trembling the ascetic accepted the office of bishop, and with tears he prostrated himself before the Life-Creating Wood and went to fulfill his new obedience.
In Gaza there were only three Christian churches, but there were a great many pagan temples and idols. During this time there had been a long spell without rain, causing a severe drought. The pagan priests brought offerings to their idols, but the woes did not cease.
Saint Porphyrius imposed a fast for all the Christians; he then served an all-night Vigil, followed by a church procession around the city. Immediately the sky covered over with storm clouds, thunder boomed, and abundant rains poured down.
Seeing this miracle, many pagans cried out, “Christ is indeed the only true God!” As a result of this, 127 men, thirty-five women and fourteen children were united to the Church through Holy Baptism, and another 110 men soon after this.
The pagans continued to harass the Christians. They passed them over for public office, and burdened them with taxes. Saint Porphyrius and Metropolitan John of Caesarea journeyed to Constantinople to seek redress from the emperor. Saint John Chrysostom received them and assisted them.
Saints John and Porphyrius were presented to the empress Eudoxia who was expecting a child at that time. “Intercede for us,” said the bishops to the empress, “and the Lord will send you a son, who shall reign during your lifetime”.
Eudoxia very much wanted a son, since she had given birth only to daughters. Through the prayer of the saints an heir was born to the imperial family. As a result of this, the emperor issued an edict in 401 ordering the destruction of pagan temples in Gaza and the restoration of privileges to Christians.
Moreover, the emperor gave the saints money for the construction of a new church, which was to be built in Gaza on the site of the chief pagan temple.
Saint Porphyrius upheld Christianity in Gaza to the very end of his life, and guarded his flock from the vexatious pagans. Through the prayers of the saint numerous miracles and healings occurred. The holy archpastor guided his flock for twenty-five years, and reposed in 420 at an advanced age.
Feast of Saint Porphyrius of Gaza.
Saint Porphyrius was born about the year 346 at Thessalonica. His parents were people of substance, and this allowed Saint Porphyrius to receive a fine education.
Having the inclination for monastic life, he left his native region at twenty-five years of age and set off for Egypt, where he lived in the Nitrian desert under the guidance of Saint Macarius the Great. There he also met Saint Jerome, who was then visiting the Egyptian monasteries.
He went to Jerusalem on pilgrimage to the holy places, and to venerate the Life-Creating Cross of the Lord, then he moved into a cave in the Jordanian wilderness for prayer and ascetic deeds.
After five years, Saint Porphyrius was afflicted with a serious malady of the legs. He decided to go to the holy places of Jerusalem to pray for healing. As he lay half-conscious at the foot of Golgotha, Saint Porphyrius fell into a sort of trance. He beheld Jesus Christ descending from the Cross and saying to him, “Take this Wood and preserve it.”
Coming out of his trance, he found himself healthy and free from pain. Then he gave away all his money to the poor and for the adornment of the churches of God. For a time he supported himself by working as a shoemaker.
The words of the Savior were fulfilled when the saint was forty-five years old. The Patriarch of Jerusalem ordained Saint Porphyrius to the holy priesthood and appointed him custodian of the Venerable Wood of the Cross of the Lord.
In 395 the bishop of the city of Gaza (in Palestine) died. The local Christians went to Caesarea to ask Metropolitan John to send them a new bishop who would be able to contend against the pagans, which were predominant in their city and were harassing the Christians there.
The Lord inspired the Metropolitan to summon the priest Porphyrius. With fear and trembling the ascetic accepted the office of bishop, and with tears he prostrated himself before the Life-Creating Wood and went to fulfill his new obedience.
In Gaza there were only three Christian churches, but there were a great many pagan temples and idols. During this time there had been a long spell without rain, causing a severe drought. The pagan priests brought offerings to their idols, but the woes did not cease.
Saint Porphyrius imposed a fast for all the Christians; he then served an all-night Vigil, followed by a church procession around the city. Immediately the sky covered over with storm clouds, thunder boomed, and abundant rains poured down.
Seeing this miracle, many pagans cried out, “Christ is indeed the only true God!” As a result of this, 127 men, thirty-five women and fourteen children were united to the Church through Holy Baptism, and another 110 men soon after this.
The pagans continued to harass the Christians. They passed them over for public office, and burdened them with taxes. Saint Porphyrius and Metropolitan John of Caesarea journeyed to Constantinople to seek redress from the emperor. Saint John Chrysostom received them and assisted them.
Saints John and Porphyrius were presented to the empress Eudoxia who was expecting a child at that time. “Intercede for us,” said the bishops to the empress, “and the Lord will send you a son, who shall reign during your lifetime”.
Eudoxia very much wanted a son, since she had given birth only to daughters. Through the prayer of the saints an heir was born to the imperial family. As a result of this, the emperor issued an edict in 401 ordering the destruction of pagan temples in Gaza and the restoration of privileges to Christians.
Moreover, the emperor gave the saints money for the construction of a new church, which was to be built in Gaza on the site of the chief pagan temple.
Saint Porphyrius upheld Christianity in Gaza to the very end of his life, and guarded his flock from the vexatious pagans. Through the prayers of the saint numerous miracles and healings occurred. The holy archpastor guided his flock for twenty-five years, and reposed in 420 at an advanced age.
Close
February 26
Saint Porphyrius of Gaza
February 27
Daily Saints – 27 February.
Feast of Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows.
He is the patron saint of Catholic Action, clerics, Seminarians, students, school children, young people in general.
Saint Gabriel was born on 1 March 1838, in the little town of Assisi, Italy, into a large family. He was the eleventh child of Sante Possenti and Agnes Frisciotti. His father Sante was a distinguished Italian lawyer. He was given the name of the city’s illustrious patron, St. Francis, at baptism.
Gabriel lost his mother when he was only four years old. He grew up in a household where devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows was a hallmark of family life. Francis grew up, living the life of a typical teenager, he danced, he hunted, he went out with girls, but he still felt something was lacking. He turned to Jesus and His Sorrowful Mother and felt an inner calling.
He was educated by the Jesuits. He became very sick during his school years and had promised that if he got better, he would dedicate his life to God. St. Gabriel Possenti got better and forgot about it. He got sick again and made the same promise, but again got well and forgot his promise.
On August 22, 1856, while attending the procession of the “Holy Icon”, a Marian image venerated in Spoleto, the Virgin Mary spoke to his heart in order to in invite him with urgency, “You are not called to follow the ways of the world. What are you doing, then, in it? Enter the religious life”.
Young Francis wished to join the Jesuits but was turned down, probably because of his age, not yet 17. Following the death of a sister to cholera, his resolve to enter religious life became even stronger and he was accepted by the Passionists.
Upon entering the novitiate he was given the name Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows. Ever popular and cheerful, Gabriel quickly was successful in his effort to be faithful in little things. His spirit of prayer, love for the poor, consideration of the feelings of others, exact observance of the Passionist Rule as well as his bodily penances—always subject to the will of his wise superiors— made a deep impression on everyone.
He was blessed with an excellent memory and other gifts that made him an outstanding student. He also had a great devotion to the Passion of Christ and the Sorrows of Mary.
His superiors had great expectations of Gabriel as he prepared for the priesthood, but after only four years of religious life symptoms of tuberculosis appeared. Ever obedient, he patiently bore the painful effects of the disease and the restrictions it required, seeking no special notice. He died peacefully on February 27, 1862, at age 24.
The prayers of Saint Gemma Galgani to St. Gabriel lead to her being cured of her disease. Pope Benedict XVI has called him a patten for young people. Pius X and Leo XIII especially desired that he be the patron saint of young people and novices in religious orders, as their model in the interior life.
“I will attempt day by day to break my will into pieces. I want to do God’s Holy Will, not my own!”
“Love Mary! She is loveable, faithful, constant. She will never let herself be outdone in love, but will ever remain supreme. If you are in danger, she will hasten to free you. If you are troubled, she will console you. If you are sick, she will bring you relief. If you are in need, she will help you. She does not look to see what kind of person you have been. She simply comes to a heart that wants to love her. She comes quickly and opens her merciful heart to you, embraces you and consoles and serves you. She will even be at hand to accompany you on the trip to eternity.”
Feast of Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows.
He is the patron saint of Catholic Action, clerics, Seminarians, students, school children, young people in general.
Saint Gabriel was born on 1 March 1838, in the little town of Assisi, Italy, into a large family. He was the eleventh child of Sante Possenti and Agnes Frisciotti. His father Sante was a distinguished Italian lawyer. He was given the name of the city’s illustrious patron, St. Francis, at baptism.
Gabriel lost his mother when he was only four years old. He grew up in a household where devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows was a hallmark of family life. Francis grew up, living the life of a typical teenager, he danced, he hunted, he went out with girls, but he still felt something was lacking. He turned to Jesus and His Sorrowful Mother and felt an inner calling.
He was educated by the Jesuits. He became very sick during his school years and had promised that if he got better, he would dedicate his life to God. St. Gabriel Possenti got better and forgot about it. He got sick again and made the same promise, but again got well and forgot his promise.
On August 22, 1856, while attending the procession of the “Holy Icon”, a Marian image venerated in Spoleto, the Virgin Mary spoke to his heart in order to in invite him with urgency, “You are not called to follow the ways of the world. What are you doing, then, in it? Enter the religious life”.
Young Francis wished to join the Jesuits but was turned down, probably because of his age, not yet 17. Following the death of a sister to cholera, his resolve to enter religious life became even stronger and he was accepted by the Passionists.
Upon entering the novitiate he was given the name Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows. Ever popular and cheerful, Gabriel quickly was successful in his effort to be faithful in little things. His spirit of prayer, love for the poor, consideration of the feelings of others, exact observance of the Passionist Rule as well as his bodily penances—always subject to the will of his wise superiors— made a deep impression on everyone.
He was blessed with an excellent memory and other gifts that made him an outstanding student. He also had a great devotion to the Passion of Christ and the Sorrows of Mary.
His superiors had great expectations of Gabriel as he prepared for the priesthood, but after only four years of religious life symptoms of tuberculosis appeared. Ever obedient, he patiently bore the painful effects of the disease and the restrictions it required, seeking no special notice. He died peacefully on February 27, 1862, at age 24.
The prayers of Saint Gemma Galgani to St. Gabriel lead to her being cured of her disease. Pope Benedict XVI has called him a patten for young people. Pius X and Leo XIII especially desired that he be the patron saint of young people and novices in religious orders, as their model in the interior life.
“I will attempt day by day to break my will into pieces. I want to do God’s Holy Will, not my own!”
“Love Mary! She is loveable, faithful, constant. She will never let herself be outdone in love, but will ever remain supreme. If you are in danger, she will hasten to free you. If you are troubled, she will console you. If you are sick, she will bring you relief. If you are in need, she will help you. She does not look to see what kind of person you have been. She simply comes to a heart that wants to love her. She comes quickly and opens her merciful heart to you, embraces you and consoles and serves you. She will even be at hand to accompany you on the trip to eternity.”
Close
February 27
Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows
February 28
Daily Saints – 28 February.
Feast of Saint Auguste Chapdelaine.
Auguste Chapdelaine was born on February 6, 1814, in the tiny northwestern French village of La Rochelle-Normande. His family were farmers.
He was strong, and for this reason his parents were reluctant to “lose” him to the priesthood since they needed able-bodied people to work their land, especially as they grew older.
Ironically, it was the sudden death of two of his brothers that made his parents realize God’s calling for their youngest, and so they submitted to His will. Auguste entered the minor seminary at age 20.
He was much older than his fellow students, most of whom were ages 12-13. As a result, they called him, “Pops.” The nickname stuck for the rest of his life.
He received ordination in 1843. His bishop appointed him as a parochial vicar in Boucey, France. Before this appointment, he had told another one of his brothers, “I did not become a priest for those who already know God but for those who don’t.” Nonetheless he bided his time, and for seven years served the roughly 650 souls in the village.
Finally, around 1851, he was able to join the Foreign Missions of Paris (PIME) to work in one of their mission fields. The people of Boucey had grown to love him so much, they packed the church for his last Mass.
Before leaving for mission territory, he had to be evaluated by his PIME superiors at their seminary in Paris. After about a year in the French capital, he had his evaluation.
Afterward he wrote his mother, “I am being sent to China. You must treat this as a sacrifice made for God, and He will reward you in eternity. At your death, you shall appear before Him in confidence [and He will remember] your generosity for His greater glory in sacrificing what is dearest to you. Please sign the letter you will send me as soon as possible s a sign of your consent and also as a sign of your forgiveness for all the sorrow I have caused you. And as sign of your blessing, please add a cross after your name.”
He then wrote his brother, Nicolas, “I thank God for the wonderful family He has given me and for the conduct of all its members…. It has been my greatest happiness on earth to have had such an honorable family.”
The journey was arduous. All along the way, storms and hurricanes buffeted their ship. They finally landed in Macau on Christmas Day, and reached Hong Kong on January 10, 1853.
First he stayed in Hong Kong for a period. Then in October 1853, he took a journey of three days to the west, during which he was beaten and robbed. Finally he arrived at the village of Yaoshan, Xilin County, Guangxi Province.
He celebrated his first Mass there for 300 souls on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 1854. Accompanying him was the lay catechist and future martyr, St. Jerome (aka, Hieronymus) Lu Tingmei († January 28, 1858). Ten days later authorities arrested him for illegal missionary activities.
The reason was that at this time in China’s history, Christianity was only legal in five open ports. Everywhere else, it was not permitted. Because of the threats he received after his release from jail, he traveled to neighboring Guizhou Province.
By the end of the year, however, he had returned to minister to his people. His efforts led to several hundred people forswearing paganism, embracing Christ as their Savior, and entering the Church.
In February 1855, the pagan wife of a new convert didn’t like her husband chastising her for not being more like the Christian wives he knew. She complained to her brother and uncle, who denounced St. Auguste. Thus he was again arrested, charged with the crime of propagating an illegal religion. Under Chinese law at the time, this was a capital crime.
When the local mandarin attempted to question him, Father, like Christ at His own trial, said very little. Furious at what he considered to be disrespect, the official had him flogged 150 times on the cheeks. The very first lash drew blood. We can only imagine what damage the other 149 blows did. Next Father received 300 lashes with a cane on his back. They stopped only when they saw he could not move.
But when they went to drag him back to his cell, after only a few steps, he rose and began walking as if in perfect health. The Chinese couldn’t believe their eyes. The saint told them, “It is the good God Who protects and blesses me.”
They next placed him in a custom made cage. His head fit through a hole in the top, and it was just tall enough for him to barely touch his toes on the ground. Furthermore the cage was constructed to hold his arms in place so that he could not use them to pull himself up in order to breath more easily. Thus he was always hovering between suffocation and barely breathing.
On February 29, 1856, they beheaded him. He had been beaten so badly and his body had been so tortured, he was already dead. He was tortured with and died with Saint Lawrence Pe-Man and Saint Agnes Tsau Kouy.
Feast of Saint Auguste Chapdelaine.
Auguste Chapdelaine was born on February 6, 1814, in the tiny northwestern French village of La Rochelle-Normande. His family were farmers.
He was strong, and for this reason his parents were reluctant to “lose” him to the priesthood since they needed able-bodied people to work their land, especially as they grew older.
Ironically, it was the sudden death of two of his brothers that made his parents realize God’s calling for their youngest, and so they submitted to His will. Auguste entered the minor seminary at age 20.
He was much older than his fellow students, most of whom were ages 12-13. As a result, they called him, “Pops.” The nickname stuck for the rest of his life.
He received ordination in 1843. His bishop appointed him as a parochial vicar in Boucey, France. Before this appointment, he had told another one of his brothers, “I did not become a priest for those who already know God but for those who don’t.” Nonetheless he bided his time, and for seven years served the roughly 650 souls in the village.
Finally, around 1851, he was able to join the Foreign Missions of Paris (PIME) to work in one of their mission fields. The people of Boucey had grown to love him so much, they packed the church for his last Mass.
Before leaving for mission territory, he had to be evaluated by his PIME superiors at their seminary in Paris. After about a year in the French capital, he had his evaluation.
Afterward he wrote his mother, “I am being sent to China. You must treat this as a sacrifice made for God, and He will reward you in eternity. At your death, you shall appear before Him in confidence [and He will remember] your generosity for His greater glory in sacrificing what is dearest to you. Please sign the letter you will send me as soon as possible s a sign of your consent and also as a sign of your forgiveness for all the sorrow I have caused you. And as sign of your blessing, please add a cross after your name.”
He then wrote his brother, Nicolas, “I thank God for the wonderful family He has given me and for the conduct of all its members…. It has been my greatest happiness on earth to have had such an honorable family.”
The journey was arduous. All along the way, storms and hurricanes buffeted their ship. They finally landed in Macau on Christmas Day, and reached Hong Kong on January 10, 1853.
First he stayed in Hong Kong for a period. Then in October 1853, he took a journey of three days to the west, during which he was beaten and robbed. Finally he arrived at the village of Yaoshan, Xilin County, Guangxi Province.
He celebrated his first Mass there for 300 souls on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 1854. Accompanying him was the lay catechist and future martyr, St. Jerome (aka, Hieronymus) Lu Tingmei († January 28, 1858). Ten days later authorities arrested him for illegal missionary activities.
The reason was that at this time in China’s history, Christianity was only legal in five open ports. Everywhere else, it was not permitted. Because of the threats he received after his release from jail, he traveled to neighboring Guizhou Province.
By the end of the year, however, he had returned to minister to his people. His efforts led to several hundred people forswearing paganism, embracing Christ as their Savior, and entering the Church.
In February 1855, the pagan wife of a new convert didn’t like her husband chastising her for not being more like the Christian wives he knew. She complained to her brother and uncle, who denounced St. Auguste. Thus he was again arrested, charged with the crime of propagating an illegal religion. Under Chinese law at the time, this was a capital crime.
When the local mandarin attempted to question him, Father, like Christ at His own trial, said very little. Furious at what he considered to be disrespect, the official had him flogged 150 times on the cheeks. The very first lash drew blood. We can only imagine what damage the other 149 blows did. Next Father received 300 lashes with a cane on his back. They stopped only when they saw he could not move.
But when they went to drag him back to his cell, after only a few steps, he rose and began walking as if in perfect health. The Chinese couldn’t believe their eyes. The saint told them, “It is the good God Who protects and blesses me.”
They next placed him in a custom made cage. His head fit through a hole in the top, and it was just tall enough for him to barely touch his toes on the ground. Furthermore the cage was constructed to hold his arms in place so that he could not use them to pull himself up in order to breath more easily. Thus he was always hovering between suffocation and barely breathing.
On February 29, 1856, they beheaded him. He had been beaten so badly and his body had been so tortured, he was already dead. He was tortured with and died with Saint Lawrence Pe-Man and Saint Agnes Tsau Kouy.
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February 28
Saint Auguste Chapdelaine