Archive for the ‘Christianity’ Category

Today Christians Commemorate St. Catharine of Bologna, Please Pray For Us!

Thursday, March 28th, 2024

Saint Catherine...

St. Catharine of Bologna
Image: Catholic Bible 101

(EWTN) Born to a noble family in Italy Bologna, Catharine moved to Ferrara, where she entered the court of Niccolo III d’Este, as a Maid of Honor, there she was educated which later would serve her during her religious life when she used the ‘cultural and artistic knowledge’ she gleaned over the years to her advantage.

In 1427 Catharine at the age of 14 left the court to dedicate herself to a religious life in a community of young Women–two years later, the leader of this community founded an Augustinian Convent but Catharine and 15 other Sisters preferred Franciscan spirituality and established a ‘Poor Clare’ monastery in Florence according to Franciscan Media and as Abbess, Catharine worked to preserve the peace of the new community, her reputation for holiness drew many young Women to the ‘Poor Clare’ life.

Catharine passed away in 1463 and was Canonized in 1712 by Pope Clement XI

On the 29 December, 2010 Pope Benedict XVI spoke of Saint Catharine of Bologna and said that she was a ‘humble Woman–dedicated to prayer but was always ready to serve; generous in sacrifice but full of joy in welcoming Christ with the Cross”

In Catharine’s autobiography The Seven Spiritual Weapons (available from Amazon) Pope Benedict said, “Catharine offers in this regard teaching of deep wisdom and profound discernment, she speaks in the third-person in reporting the extraordinary graces which the Lord gives to her and in the first-person in confessing her sins…she identifies seven weapons in the fight against evil against the devil:

  • (1) Always to be careful and diligently strive to do good;
  • (2) To believe that alone we will never be able to do something truly good;
  • (3) To trust in God and for love of Him, never to fear in the battle against evil, either in the world or within ourselves;
  • (4) To meditate often on the events and words of the Life of Jesus and especially on His passion and His death;
  • (5) To remember that we must die;
  • (6) To focus our minds firmly on memory of the goods of Heaven;

  • (7) to be familiar with Sacred Scripture, always cherishing it in our hearts so that it may give direction to all our thoughts and all our actions. — A splendid program of spiritual life, today too, for each one of us.”

Today Christians Commemorate St. Lazarus, Bishop of Marseilles and Martyr for Jesus Christ – Please Pray For Us!

Wednesday, March 27th, 2024

Feast of LazarusLazarus 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.

Today Christians Commemorate St. Catherine of Genoa, Please Pray For Us!

Tuesday, March 26th, 2024

St. Catherine of Genoa

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

Today Christians Commemorate St. Dismas, Penitent Thief From the Cross, Please Pray For Us!

Monday, March 25th, 2024

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

Today Christians Commemorate St. Oscar Arnulfo Romero, Martyr For Jesus Christ – Please Pray For Us!

Sunday, March 24th, 2024

Archbishop Oscar Romero(CNA) On Sunday, 22 March, 2015 in Los Angeles, over 3,000 people gathered at the ‘Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels’ for Mass in honor of Archbishop Romero’s Beatification (in San Salvador on the 23 May) and prayed that his ‘shining example’ of sacrificial love and his alliance and friendship with the poor and oppressed will continue to be fruitful.

“Archbishop Romero preached nonviolence and reconciliation in a time of hate and vengeance,” Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles said in his Homily Sunday, adding that he, “Spoke out against every form of violence, every violation of the sanctity of life and the dignity of the human person,” noting that this included “the violence of abortion.”

Sunday 22 March, 2015 Holy Mass, marked the 35th anniversary of the assassination of Archbishop Romero during his celebration of Mass in a small Chapel outside of San Salvador.

The proclamation by Pope Francis confirming that Archbishop Romero died a martyr followed a vote by Theologians at the ‘Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints’ in January that Romero was murdered in “hatred of the faith.”

Archbishop Romero Radio BroadcastArchbishop Oscar Romero — El Salvador’s Most Trusted News Source

Catholic Agency For Overseas Development worked closely with Archbishop Romero during the 1970s supporting his famous Sunday radio broadcasts which — at a time of heavy press censorship, were often times the only means by which people in El Salvador, knew the truth about the atrocities occurring in their country.

A vocal critic of the country’s military dictatorship, the Sunday before his assassination, Archbishop Oscar Romero’s homily called upon Salvadoran soldiers to disobey their orders if asked to attack innocent civilians — his homily ended with the words: “In the name of God, I urge you, I plead with you, I order you—Stop the killing.”

Archbishop Jose Gomez said that Archbishop Romero is “a shining example to all of us,” showing us humility and courage, love for the poor and his “witness of solidarity and service to others, even to the point of laying down his life.”

More here from Franciscan Media

Today Christians Commemorate St. Turibius of Mogrovejo, Please Pray For Us!

Saturday, March 23rd, 2024

Saint Turibius...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

Today Christians Commemorate St. Nicholas Owen, Martyr for Jesus Christ – Please Pray For Us!

Friday, March 22nd, 2024

St Nicholas Owen

St. Nicholas Owen (1550-1606)
Image Courtesy: Fr. Willie Doyle

(Franciscan Media) Born at Oxford the son of a carpenter, Nicholas became a carpenter and a brick mason–two of his brothers became Priests and another a Publisher of underground Catholic books according to SQPN.com Nicholas used his skills to save the lives of Priests in secret hiding places when Catholics were being persecuted, that went completely undetected by raiding parties.

Nicholas (sometimes using the pseudonym John Owen) worked with Saint Edmund Campion one of the 40 Martyrs of England and Wales, Owen’s short stature led to his nickname ‘Little John’ but he was big in the esteem of his fellow Jesuits.

When Fr. Edmund was Martyred for Jesus Christ, Nicholas spoke out against the atrocity and was imprisoned. Following his release from prison, Owen worked in service of the Jesuit Priest Henry Garnet and was admitted into the Society of Jesus as a Brother — In 1594 Owen was arrested again and tortured because of his faith, he was released after a wealthy Catholic family paid his fine, the Jailers believed that he was just some insignificant friend of some Priests according to Wikipedia afterward, Owen returned to his work constructing hiding places for Priests from anti-Catholic authorities.

In 1605 Brother Owen and three other Jesuits were forced into hiding in Hinlip Hall (which according to SQPN.com had some 13 hiding places) to escape the Priest hunters. Owen spent 4 days in one of his secret hiding places but having no food or water, he finally surrendered and was taken to the Tower of London and was there endlessly tortured for information on the underground network of Priests and their hiding places with ‘such inhuman ferocity’ that he became disemboweled and died.

Brother Owen was Beatified in 1929 by Pope Pius XI and was Canonized in 1970 by Pope Paul VI

Today Christians Honor Blessed John of Parma, Please Pray For Us!

Thursday, March 21st, 2024

Blessed John of ParmaBlessed John of Parma (1209-1289)
Image/Video: Catholic Online

(Franciscan Media) The Seventh Minister General of the Franciscan Order, John was known for his attempts to bring back the earlier spirit of the Order after the death of Saint Francis of Assisi.

As a young philosophy professor known for his devotion to God that John entered the Franciscan Order. After his profession, John was sent to Paris to complete his theological studies. After becoming ordained into the Priesthood, Fr. John was appointed to teach theology in his home country of Italy and he was first sent to Bologna, then to Naples before being going to Rome.

In 1245 Pope Innocent IV, called a General Counsel in France Lyon, Crescentius the Franciscan Minister General at the time, was ailing and unable to attend. In his place, Fr. John was sent and he made a deep impression on the Church leaders gathered. Two years later when Pope Innocent IV presided at the election of a ‘Minister General to the Franciscans’ he remembered Fr. John and held him up as the man best qualified for this office.

Fr. John in 1247 was subsequently elected as the ‘Minister General’ — the surviving disciples of St. Francis rejoiced in his election, expecting to return to the spirit of penury and humility of the early days of the Order and they were not disappointed.

As ‘Minister General’ Fr. John traveled on foot, accompanied by one or two companions, to practically all of the Franciscan convents in existence. Sometimes he would arrive and not be recognized, remaining there for a number of days to evaluate the true spirit of the Brothers.

The Holy Father called on Fr. John to serve as Legate (his personal representative) to Constantinople, where he was most successful of winning back the schismatic Greeks. Upon his return, Fr. John asked that someone else take his place to govern the Order of Franciscans. St. Bonaventure, at Fr. John’s urging was chosen to succeed him.

Fr. John subsequently, tool up a life of seclusion in Italy Greccio. Many years later, Fr. John learned that the Greeks who had been reconciled with the Church for a time, had relapsed in schism.

Though 80 yrs old by then, Fr. John received permission from Pope Nicholas IV, to return to the East in an effort to restore unity once again but on his way, Fr. John tool ill and died.

Fr. John was Beatified in 1777 by Pope Pius VI

Today Christians Commemorate St. Salvator of Horta, Please Pray For Us!

Wednesday, March 20th, 2024

Saint Salvator

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

Today Christians Commemorate St. Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus – Please Pray For Us!

Tuesday, March 19th, 2024

St Joseph...

St. Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Image: A Christian Pilgrimage

(EWTN) The glorious St. Joseph was born in Jerusalem and it is generally believed that he died at Nazareth before Jesus began his ministry.

The Holy Scriptures tell us very little of Joseph but from the early chapters of Matthew and Luke, we glean that Joseph was a Carpenter by trade, a just and religious man, together with being an excellent husband and father.

The genealogy given in Matthew 1: 1-17 traces his lineage from Abraham and King David — The history of his life was not written by men but his principle actions are recorded by the Holy Spirit himself God entrusted him with the education of his divine Son, manifested in the flesh. In this view, he was espoused to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Later when Joseph learned that Mary was with child, though he had not been with her, he had privately considered putting her away, yet Joseph hesitated because Joseph was a kindly man and did not want to expose Mary to the reproach which such an action would bring.

It was at this time of uncertainty that the Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and revealed to him the ‘Mystery of the Incarnation: Joseph, Son of David, Do Not Be Afraid’  Saint Joseph had an important role in the history of salvation, he is part of the fulfillment of the covenant promises made to Abraham and David.

Joseph accepted without question the two-fold office with which he was charged: (1) Protector of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s honor; (2) foster father of the child Jesus that was to be born.

As we celebrate the solemnity of Saint Joseph today, we contemplate him as a model of faith and trust in God. We all should strive to imitate Joseph, asking God to increase our faith and help us in our unbelief. Likewise as we meditate today on Joseph’s role in the history of salvation, we ask God to enlighten us about our own mission and we ask Him for the grace and strength to fulfill that mission as Joseph did.

More here from Franciscan Media

Related: For Holy Scripture Readings and More Visit: -USCCB

Why do we Celebrate a Solemnity of St. Joseph? -EWTN