Cristy Li

Saint Ludovico of Casoria (1814-1885)
Image: Franciscan Sisters of Saint Elizabeth

(Franciscan Media) Born in Italy Casoria, today’s Saint was given the name Arcangelo Palmentieri  and was a cabinet maker before entering the Friars Minor in 1832 taking the name Ludovico–after his ordination five years later, Fr. Ludovico taught chemistry, physics and mathematics to younger members of his province for several years.

In 1847 while praying in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in the Church of the Sacramentine Sisters in Naples, according to Franciscan Sisters of Saint Elizabeth Fr. Ludovico had a spiritual experience characterized as a ‘rebirth’ to a new life.

The first people to see the change in Fr. Ludovico were his students, that one day saw him wearing a habit made out of inexpensive fiber and rough sandals. Fr. Ludovico told his students that he desired to emulate Saint Francis, the reaction was one of surprise.

From that day on, Fr. Ludovico consecrated himself totally to the service of the poor and sick, establishing a medical clinic for them, two schools for African children, an institute for the children of nobility, one for orphans, the deaf and mute and other institutes for the blind, elderly and for travelers, in addition to a medical clinic for Friars of Fr. Ludovico’s province together with charitable institutes throughout Italy.

To help continue his works of mercy, in 1859 Fr. Ludvico established the ‘Gray Brothers’ a religious community composed of Men who had formally belonged to the Secular Franciscan Order — Three years later, Fr. Ludvico established a congregation of religious Women, known as the Franciscan Sisters of Saint Elizabeth, whom he placed under the protection of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary among the first members of the Third Order of Saint Francis and its Patroness. Their work continues to this day in Italy, the United States, Ethiopia, India, Panama.

Fr. Ludovico was a man ahead of his time, he would encourage the Apostolate of the Laity, to interchange with different cultures, with the goal of invigorating society with the light of the Gospel.

It is said that Fr. Ludovico had the charisma to attract others to his initiatives who were willing to work for God’s love. One day a friend inquired how many institutions and projects he had established around Naples, it was estimated that Fr. Ludovioc established some 200 projects all dedicated to the service of the poor and needy.

Fr. Ludovico was a practical man who would say of himself that he was just an old carpenter, his secret was his faith, conviction and the belief that not by human reasoning but with the help of Divine Providence–anything could be accomplished.

Toward the end of Fr. Ludovico’s life, he wrote a spiritual testament which described faith as “light in the darkness, help in sickness, blessings in tribulations, paradise in the crucifixion and life amid death.”

The work for Fr. Ludovico’s Beatification began within 5 months subsequent of his death, he was Beatified in 1993 by Pope Saint John Paul II according to SQPN and was Canonized on the 23 November, 2014 by Pope Francis.

Lazarus the Friend of Jesus and Brother of Martha & Mary
Image: Catholic Online@Facebook

(EWTN)  Legends abound about the life of Lazarus, after the death and resurrection of Jesus. Lazarus is supposed to have left a written account in what he saw in the next world before he was called back to life.

Some report that Lazarus followed Peter into Syria, another story is that despite being put into a leaking boat by the Jews at Jaffa, Lazarus, his sisters and other landed safely in Cyprus and there he died peacefully after serving as a Bishop for 30 years. A Church was built in Lazarus’ honor in Constantinople and some of his reputed relics were transferred there in 890

A Western legend has the oarless boat arriving in Gaul (Western Europe–present day France) there Lazarus is said to have been the first Bishop of France Marseilles and was martyred after converting a number of people and was buried in a cave, with his relics being transferred to the new Autun Cathedral (in France) in 1146

It is certain there was an early devotion to Saint Lazarus–Around the year 390 the pilgrim lady Etheria, talks of the procession that took place on the Saturday before Palm Sunday at the tomb where Lazarus had been raised from the dead.

In the West, ‘Passion Sunday’ was called Dominica de Lazaro and Augustine tells us that in Africa the Gospel of the raising of Lazarus was read at the office of Palm Sunday.

Saint Catherine of Genoa (1447-1510)
Image: Adoremus Books

(Franciscan Media) Born in Italy Genoa, the life of Catherine may be more properly described as a state than a life says EWTN than as a life in the ordinary sense.

Catherine’s parents were members of the nobility in Genoa, at the age of 13 Catherine attempted to become a Nun but was rejected because of her age–three years later, Catherine married a fellow by the name of Julian, a nobleman himself but he turned out to be a gambler according to Catholic Culture, selfish and unfaithful to her her–for a time, Catherine attempted to numb her disappointment by a life of selfish pleasure.

One day in Confession, Catherine had a new sense of her own sins and how much God loved her, she reformed her life and gave good example to Julian, who soon himself turned from his self-centered life of distraction.

Julian’s spending however ruined him and Catherine financially, they decided thereafter to live in a large hospital and dedicated themselves to the works of charity there–after Julian’s death in 1497 Catherine took over management of the hospital.

Catherine thought on purgatory for which she reasoned begins on earth for souls open to God. Life with God in heaven is a continuation and perfection of the life with God begun on earth.

Exhausted by her life of self-sacrifice, Catherine passed away at the age of 63 and was Canonized in 1737 by Pope Clement XII

Happy Feast of the Annunciation
Image Courtesy: Giselle Theresa Cua

(Franciscan Media) For centuries the ‘Feast of the Annunciation’ has been celebrated by Christians–Its central focus is the Incarnation. God has become one of us. From all eternity God has decided that the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity should become human. — As Luke 1:26-38 tells us, the decision is being realized. Jesus Christ embraces all humanity, indeed all creation to bring it to God in one great act of love–however because humans have rejected God, Jesus will accept a life of suffering and an agonizing death.

“Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” —John 15:13

Blessed Virgin Mary has an important role to play in God’s plan–she is the Virgin Mother who fulfills Isaiah 7:14 and is united with her Son, in carrying out the will of God Psalms 40:8-9; Hebrews 10:7-9; Luke 1:38

The Blessed Virgin Mary shows us that we must listen to God and do His will, writes the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Prayer and action therefore go hand-in-hand. As followers of Jesus Christ, we must make time to talk and listen to Him in prayer. Examining all that we do or simply ‘living’ in the light of our prayers is essential.

Living with a heart open to God’s will has enormous implications. Different people will realize that God calls them to different things.

For an adolescent, it may mean resisting peer pressure to take part in drinking or unchaste activity. For a single adult, it may require offering personal time in service of a needy person. A businessperson may find that honesty and fairness requires a certain course of action. A married couple may realize they should have another child. A frightened pregnant Woman may understand that she needs to ask for help to resist the temptation of having an abortion. A person who is ill may have to accept her/his illness and join her/his suffering to that of Jesus Christ.

Doing God’s will is not easy. We usually have our own plans for our lives, its good to have plans but never at the expense of our growth in relationship to God.

Like Mary, we must trust that God’s will is the best for us and our world. Let us follow the example of Mary and call upon her to help us open our hearts to say “yes” to God.

More here and here from USCCB

St. Dismiss, Penitent Thief, Canonized from the Cross
Image Courtesy:  Memento Mori

(Catholic Online)  Dismis is the Penitent Thief crucified with Christ Jesus at Calvary, the other thief Gestas, the most Holy Scriptures describes the exchange at Calvary between Jesus, Dismis and Gestas:

Two others also who were criminals (Dismis and Gestas) were led away to be put to death with Jesus. When they came to the place that is called ‘The Skull’ they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on the right and one on His left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Then they (soldiers) cast lots to divide His clothing and the people stood by watching, the leaders scoffed at Him saying, ‘He saved others, let Him save Himself if He is the Messiah of God, His chosen One.’ The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up and offering Jesus sour wine and saying, ‘If You are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’ There was also an inscription over Jesus, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’

One of the criminals (Gestas) who was hanging there kept deriding Jesus and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.’

The other criminal (Dismis) rebuked him saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? We indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds but this Man (Jesus) has done nothing wrong.’

Then Dismis said, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.’

Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”  –Luke 23:32-43

Related: Why Do Catholic’s Seek the Intercession of Saint’s?

Canonized from the Cross: How St. Dismis, Shows Its Never Too Late to be a Great Saint -Seton Magazine

How Can You Become a Saint?

Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo (1538-1606)
Image: Samuel Miranda

(EWTN) Turibius (or Turibio) was the second son to the Lord of Mogrovejo and born in the Kingdom of Spain Mayorga and from his earliest years he discovered a strong inclination to charity and it was his delight.

One day seeing a poor Woman street peddler angry because she had lost something out of her pack, Turibius most movingly encouraged her and said that she would not displease God by her anguish and in order to appease her, Turibius gave her money for the value of her loss, which he had begged from his mother for that purpose.

Turibius was very devout to the Blessed Virgin Mary, saying everyday the Rosary, together with fasting every Saturday in her honor. While at school, he would often give away part of his meager dinner to a poor person.

Educated in Law according to Franciscan Media Turibius became a brilliant scholar, subsequently becoming a Professor of Law at the Univ of Salamanca and eventually a Chief Judge.

When the Archdiocese of Peru Lima, required a new leader Turibius was selected to fill that vacancy–he was one of strength, character and holiness of spirit to resolve the conflicts that had infected the area.

Turibius later was ordained as a Priest & Bishop in Peru which he found colonialism at its worst–the Spanish conquerors were guilty of every sort of oppression of the native populace, abuses amongst the clergy were flagrant, so Bishop Turibius first devoted his energies to the needs of the suffering.

Bishop Turibius began the long and arduous visitation of the vast diocese, staying in each place two or three days without neither a place to sleep or sustenance, he made Confession every morning to his Chaplain and celebrated daily Mass with intense fervor.

Among those Bishop Turibius gave the ‘Sacrament of Confirmation’ to were Saint Rose of Lima and possibly Saint Martin de Porres who was a Lay Brother of the Dominican Friary.

In Bishop Turibius 68th yr while visiting in his diocese, he fell sick at Santa Maria del Mar — In his ‘Last Will & Testament’ he bequeathed what he had be distributed to his servants and whatever else remaining be given to the poor. Bishop Turibius was carried to the Church to receive the Holy Viaticum and died this date in 1606

Bishop Turibius was Beatified by Pope Innocent XI in 1679 and Canonized in 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII

(Catholic Online) Rosanna Negusanti, born into a noble family in Italy, Rosanna  would wed at the age of fifteen to a nobleman Ugoletto dei Caccianemici, they would have two children that passed away during infancy.

In 1250, Rosanna and Ugoletto decided to enter a double Monastery of St. Perpetua at which time Rosanna would take the name Humilitas, four years later Sister Humilitas would begin living the religious life of a hermit for twelve years, her example would attract other young women, who built other cells and would live under Sister Humilitas‘ guidance.

In 1266 at the request of the Abbot-General, Sister Humilitas would establish a new Convent, Santa Maria Novella alla Malta, in which Sister Humilitas would become its Abbess. In 1282 Sister Humilitas, would establish a second Convent near Florence, dedicated to St. John the Evangelist, where Sister Humiltas on this date in 1310 would pass away.

Sister Humilitas was Canonized in 1720 by Pope Clement XI

Related: Why Do Catholic’s Seek the Intercession of Saint’s?

How Can You Become a Saint?

(Vatican) Born in Genoa Italy, Benedetta’s family were devoted Christian’s raising their children in a life of faith. At the age of twenty, Benedetta felt called by God to lead a life of prayer and penance, however in obedience to her parents she would wed Giovanni, the two however would agree to live lives chastely like brother and sister, consecrating their lives to God and taking care of Benedetta younger sister Maria, who was dying of intestinal cancer.

Following Maria’s death, Giovanni  would enter the ‘Somaschi Fathers’ and Benedetta devoted herself completely to God, dedicating herself to high quality education of poor and abandoned young girls.

Bishop Tosi of Pavia would ask Giovanni to leave the ‘Somaschi Fathers’ and help Benedetta, together they made a vow to live in perfect chastity as they would continue in Benedetta’s work to promote the education and Christian formation of young marginalized girls, they were later helped by young woman volunteers which would help teach useful skills to their students and transform their students into models of Christian life.

Sister Benedetta would later in life establish the ‘Congregation of the Benedictine Sisters’ stressing the importance of education of young girls, the new Congregation would grow quickly which Sister Benedetta would guide its development until her death.

Today Sister Benedetta’s Congregation of Benedictine Nuns continue in service in Italy, Spain, Peru and Brazil, caring for young people, together with the poor, sick and elderly.

Sister Benedetta was Canonized in 2002 by Pope John Paul II

More here from Catholic Online

Related: Why Do Catholic’s Seek the Intercession of Saint’s?

How Can You Become a Saint?

Saint Salvator
Image: Vendita di Santini Holy Cards

(Franciscan Media) Born Salvador (Salvator) Pladevall i Bien in Spain Girona to a poor family, his parents worked as servants, Salvator developed a reputation of righteousness which can be its own nuisance at times.

At the age of 21 young Salvator, entered the Franciscans as a Brother and soon became known for his self-discipline, humility and simplicity.

As a cook, porter and a mendicant for the Friars in Tortosa, Salvator became well known for his charity, visitation and intercessory prayers for the sick. When crowds of sick people came to see Salvator, the Friars transferred him to Horta but once again, the sick would continue to flock to him, asking for his intercessory prayers–one person estimated that 2,000 people a week came to see him.

Salvator would tell those people seeking his intercessory prayer to examine their consciences, go to confession and receive the Eucharist worthily, refusing to say intercessory prayers for those who would not receive the sacraments.

The public attention given to Salvator was relentless, crowds would sometimes tear off pieces of his religious habit as relics.

Two years before Salvator’s death, he was moved again, this time to Italy Cagliari the capitol of Sardinia where he passed away saying his final words:

“Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.”

Salvator was Beatified in 1606 by Pope Paul V and Canonized in 1938 by Pope Pius XI