Cristy Li

St. Peter together with St. Martha, St. Mary Magdalene
& St. Leonard Artwork by: Antonio da Correggio

(CNA) St. Leonard was a French nobleman of great reputation in the Court of Clovis I according to EWTN and in the “flower of his age” converted Christianity together with many thousands of others according to SQPN through the witness of Archbishop Saint Regimius subsequent to the victorious Battle of Tolbiac in 496

Following Leonard’s conversion to Christianity, he began a life of ministry and austerity dedicated to God–with his earnest desire to know God better, Leonard decided to enter the Monastery at Orleans, where Saint Mesmin governed that had been founded by his uncle Saint Euspicius in 508 — In this house, Leonard took the religious habit, subsequently his brother Saint Lifiard would follow Leonard’s example according to SQPN leaving the King’s Court, building a Monastery at Meun and living there.

Leonard further desiring a life of solitude and prayer, with drew into the forest at Limousin, converting many along on the way, he would sustain himself on herbs, wild fruits and spring water. Subsequently, Leonard would build an Oratory, leaving it only for journeys to Churches.

People would soon recognize Leonard’s holiness and would beg to live with him at a Monastery that he would subsequently form around his Oratory. — Leonard possessed great compassion for imprisoned prisons and would convert many of them to Christianity and obtained their release.

In 559 Leonard passed away, following his death, many Churches were dedicated to him in France, England, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Bohemia, Poland and other countries. Pilgrims would flock to Leonard’s tomb. — In one small village in Bavaria, there are records of 4,000 prayers granted through Saint Leonard’s intercession.

More here from Catholic Online

Related: Alternative Saint of the Day: St Nicholas Tavelic & Companions -Franciscan Media

St. Zechariah & St. Elizabeth
Image Courtesy: St. Paul Street Evangelization

(SQPN) St. Zechariah was a Jewish Priest in Jerusalem and married to St. Elizabeth, they were the parents of St. John the Baptist (more here on the Solemnity of John the Baptist birth and here on his Martyrdom)

During Zechariah’s latter years he was visited in the Temple by the Angel Gabriel who Foretold the Birth of John the Baptist See: Luke 1:5-24 to Zechariah for he and his wife Elizabeth:

“Both of them being righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord but they had no children because Elizabeth was barren and they were both getting on in years.” See: Luke 1:6-7 — God heard their prayers and would bless them with a son which they would name him John, and they “will have joy and gladness and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.” See: Luke 1:13-15

Saint Elizabeth’s name which has been borne by several Saint’s which means in Hebrew ‘Worshiper of God’ she was the descendant of Aaron the Patriarch brother of Moses and high Priest of the Torah.

More here on Saint Aaron the Patriarch

Related: Other Memorials 05 November:
St. Bertille -EWTN
and St. Sylvia -Catholic Online

St. Charles Borromeo (1538-1584)
Image Courtesy: Laurent Benoit-Marie

(Franciscan Media) Born in Italy Novara to a wealthy family, Charles was the third of six children according to SQPN his father was Giberto II Borromeo, his mother Margherita de Medici and his uncle Pope Pius IV (1559-1565)

Even though Charles belonged to the Milanese (Milan) nobility and his mother and uncle were ascendants of the powerful ‘Medici’ family, Charles desired to devote himself to the Church. — When his uncle Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Medici, was elected Pope, he made Charles Cardinal-Deacon and Administrator of the Archdiocese of Milan, even though he was yet a laymen — because of his intellectual qualities, Charles was entrusted with several important office connected with the Vatican, he would later be appointed Secy of State with the responsibility of the Papal states.

With the untimely death of Charles’ elder brother brought Charles to the definite decision to be Ordained a Priest, despite his relatives persuasion that he instead be married. Soon after he was Ordained a Priest at the age of 25, Fr. Charles was consecrated Bishop of Milan.

Due to Bishop Charles Borromeo work at the Council of Trent he was not permitted to take up residence in Milan until the ‘Council’ was over. Bishop Borromeo encouraged the Pope to renew in 1562 after it had been suspended for 10 years all the while working behind the scenes. — Bishop Borromeo deserves the credit for keeping the ‘Council’ in session when at several points it was on the verge of breaking up, Bishop Borromeo, took it upon himself, the arduous task of the entire correspondence during the final phase.

Eventually Bishop Borromeo was allowed to devote his time to the Archdiocese of Milan, where the religious and moral picture was far from positive. The reform needed in every phase of Catholic life among both the Clergy and Laity was initiated at a Provincial Council of all the Bishop’s under him. — Specific regulations were drawn up for the Bishop’s and other Clergy. If the people were to be converted to a better life, Bishop Borromeo had to be the first to give a good example and renew their apostolic spirit.

Bishop Borromeo took that initiative of providing a good example and would allot most of his income to charity, he would forbid himself of all luxury and would impose strict penances upon himself. — Bishop Borromeo would sacrifice wealth, high honors, esteem and influence to become poor.

During the plague and famine of 1576, Bishop Borromeo attempted to feed between 60,000 to 70,000 people daily. To accomplish this mission, he borrowed large sums of money that took years to repay. — Where the civil authorities fled at the height of the plague and famine, Bishop Borromeo stayed in the city, where he would minister and provide counsel to the sick and dying, always helping anyone in need.

Bishop Borromeo’s work and heavy burdens took their toll on him and began affecting his health and at just 46 yrs of age he died in November 1584 — Bishop Borromeo was Beatified in 1602 by Pope Clement VIII and Canonized just 8 yrs later in 1610 by Pope Paul V

Related: For Today’s Holy Scripture Readings on the Memorial of St. Charles Borromeo, Visit: -USCCB

St. Martin de Porres (1579-1639) Image Courtesy: uCatholic

(CNA) Born in Peru Lima, St. Martin de Porres was the son of a Spanish Grandee (nobleman) Juan de Porres and a freed slave Ana Valasquez from Panama.

Born biracial, Martin was in his day of a lower social caste, though his father looked out for him and made sure that his son, apprenticed in a good trade. Martin would study to be a barber, which at that time meant that he’d also learn medicine. Martin would become quite well known for his compassion, skill as a barber, together with his care for many people and animals.

In 1594 Martin chose to become a Dominican Lay Brother in Peru Lima, according to EWTN and served in various humble offices. Outside of the Monastery, he became widely known for his continuing care for the poor and sick. — Martin would go on to found an orphanage and would minister to African-American slaves brought to Peru Lima, he was aided by St. Rose of Lima (Feast Day: 23 August) who respected his penances and labors.

During St. Martin’s lifetime, he became a formidable fundraiser, obtaining thousands of dollars for dowries for poor young Women so that they could marry or enter the Convent.

Many of St. Martin’s Lay Brothers accepted him as their ‘Spiritual Director’ but he would continue to call himself a “poor slave” throughout his lifetime.

St. Martin de Porres passed away on this date in 1639, he was Beatified in 1837 by Pope Gregory XVI and Canonized in 1962 by Pope John XXIII

More here from Franciscan Media

Related: For Today’s Most Holy Scripture Readings for the Memorial of St. Martin de Porres, Visit: -USCCB

On ‘All Souls Day’ We Remember
Those Who Have Gone Before Us
By Saying a Prayer for Our Dearly Departed
Image Courtesy: CRS@Twitter

(Franciscan Media) The Church has encouraged prayers for those who have passed away before us from the earliest of times as an act of charity.

“If we had no care for the dead,
we would not be in the habit of praying for them.”
–St. Augustine

Yet pre-Christian rites for the deceased retained such a strong hold on the superstitious imaginations, that a liturgical commemoration was not observed until the early Middle-Ages, when monastic communities began to mark an annual day of prayer for their departed members.

In the middle of the 11th century, St. Odilo Abbot of France Cluny, decreed that all Cluniac Monasteries offer special prayers and sing for ‘Office for the Dead’ on the 02 November the day after the Solemnity of All Saints — This custom spread from Cluny and was finally adopted throughout the Church.

The theological underpinning of today’s Feast, is the acknowledgement of human frailty. Since few people achieve perfection in life but rather go to their graves still scarred with traces of sinfulness, some period of purification seems necessary before a soul comes face-to-face with God. — The Council of Trent affirmed this purgatory state and insisted that the prayers of the living can speed the process of purification.

Superstition easily clung to the observance. Medieval popular belief held that the souls in purgatory could appear on this day in the for of Witches, toads or will-o’-the-wisps (a phosphorescent light seen hovering or floating at night over marshy ground) graveside food offerings would supposedly ease the rest of the dead.

Observances of a more religious nature have survived. These include: Public processions or private visits to cemeteries, the decorating of graves with flowers, lights and candles. — Today Feast of ‘All Souls Day’ is observed with great fervor in Mexico.

Candles Light Up a Cemetery in Commemoration
of All the Faithful Departed on ‘All Souls Day’

Related: For Today’s Most Holy Scripture Readings and More, Visit: -USCCB

St. Alphonsus Rodriguez (1533-1617)
Image Courtesy: St. Paul Street Evangelization

(America Magazine) Alphonsus had come to the ‘Society of Jesus’ by a circuitous route. Born in Spain Segovia, Alphonsus was the second son of a prosperous cloth merchant. When St. Peter Faber (Favre) one of the original Jesuits visited the city to preach, the ‘Rodriguez Family’ provided hospitality to the Jesuit Priest Fr. Faber, who would help prepare the young Alphonsus for his First Communion.

At the age of 12 Alphonsus was sent to the Jesuit College at Alcala but his father’s death, put an early end to his studies and he was sent back home to take over the family business. — At the age of 27, Alphonsus would get married, he and his wife Maria would have three children (two died during infancy) one child survived according to SQPN but would later die, together with his wife Maria. Heavy taxes and expenses led Alphonsus to the brink of financial ruin. Many biographers depict him as feeling like a failure in life.

In his desperation Alphonsus called on the Jesuits for help and guidance–the lonely Widower prayed for many years to understand God’s desire for him.

Gradually Alphonsus found within himself the desire to become a Jesuit. At the age of 35 he was deemed to old to begin the long training for the Priesthood and besides lacked the education required according to SQPN and was rejected for entrance but Alphonsus’ holiness was evident to the local Provincial who accepted him into the Novitate as a Brother two years later–he stayed there for only 6 months before being sent to the Jesuit school in Spain Majorca in 1571 where he assumed the duties of porter/doorkeeper.

Each time Brother Alphonsus would open the door he said to himself, “I’m coming Lord.” — This practice reminded him to treat each person with as much respect as if it were Jesus Himself.

In 1605 Peter Claver then a 25 yr old Jesuit Seminarian (he would later be Canonized, St. Peter Claver Feast Day: 09 September) met the humble 72 yr old Brother Alphonsus at the college. The two would meet almost daily for spiritual conversations and in time, Alphonsus would encourage the young Peter Claver, to consider working overseas as a Missionary to the Spanish colonies.

This prospect thrilled Peter, who wrote to his Provincial for permission and in 1610 now a Priest, was sent to Cartagena (a port city) present day Colombia, to work with the West African Slaves (slavery was repeatedly condemned by Pope Paul III during the previous century) which had been captured and imprisoned by Slave Traders and shipped to South America.

Brother Alphonsus humbleness and holy life he led, attracted many to him. While his life as a doorkeeper may have been humdrum, he caught the attention of Poet and fellow Jesuit Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889) who made St. Alphonsus Rodriguez the subject of one of his poems.

St. Alphonsus Rodriguez died on this date in 1617 he was Beatified in 1825 by Pope Leo XII and Canonized in 1887 by Pope Leo XIII

More here from Franciscan Media and here from EWTN

St. Frumentius –Image: St. Paul Street Evangelization

(CNA) St. Frumentius helped in a great capacity to bring Christianity to Ethiopia — Born in Lebanon, he was shipwrecked in East Africa while voyaging on the Red Sea, only he and his brother Saint Aedeius survived.

They were subsequently taken to the King at Ethiopia and became members of the Court, when the King passed away, the two brothers stayed on as part of the Queen’s Royal Court — She permitted the two brothers to introduce Christianity to the country, as well as opening up trade between Ethiopia and the West.

Frumentius convinced St. Athanasius (Feast Day: 02 May) to send Missionaries from Alexandria — Frumentius was later consecrated as the Bishop of Ethiopia. During his lifetime, he helped to convert many people to Christianity before his death in 380

Blessed Bartholomew of Vicenza

(Franciscan Media) Dominicans honor one of their own today. — Blessed Bartholomew of Vicenza was born in 1200 in Italy, at the age of 20 he entered the Dominicans, following his Ordination into the Priesthood, he would go on to serve in several leadership positions. — As a young Priest, he founded a military Order whose purpose was to keep civil peace in towns throughout Italy.

In 1248 Fr. Bartholomew was appointed a Bishop, for most men, this appointment would be an honor, a tribute to their holiness and their demonstrated leadership skills but for the new Bishop Bartholomew, it was a form of exile that had been urged by an anti-papal group that was only too happy to see him leave Cyprus. — Not many years later however, Bishop Bartholomew was transferred back to Vicenza. Despite the anti-papal feelings that were still evident, Bishop Bartholomew worked diligently, especially through his preaching, to rebuild his Diocese and strengthen the people’s loyalty to Rome.

During his years in Cyprus, Bishop Bartholomew befriended King Louis IX of France, it is said he gave the Holy Bishop Bartholomew a relic of Christ’s Crown of Thorns.

Bishop Bartholomew passed away in 1270 he was Beatified in 1793 by Pope Pius VI