Cristy Li

Blessed Jacopone da Todi  (1230-1306)
Image Courtesy: 365 Rosaries

(Franciscan Media) Jacomo was born a noble member of the Benedetti family in the Northern Italian City of Todi, he became a successful lawyer and married a pious, generous lady named Vanna.

Jacomo young wife took it upon herself to do penance for the worldly excesses of her husband. One day at the instance of Jacomo attended a public tournament, she was sitting in the stands with the other noble ladies when the stands collapsed, Vanna died–her shaken husband was even more disturbed when he realized the penitential girdle she wore was for his sinfulness, on the spot, he vowed to radically change his life.

Dividing his possessions among the poor, Jacomo entered the ‘Secular Franciscan Order’ often dressed in penitential rags, he was mocked as a fool and called Jacopone or “Crazy Jim” by his former associates–the name became dear to him.

After 10 years of such humiliation, Jacopone asked to be a member of the ‘Order of Friars Minor because of his reputation his request was initially refused. Jacopone composed a beautiful poem on the vanities of the world, an act that eventually led to his admission to the Order in 1278 he continued to lead a life of strict penance, declining to be ordained a Priest. Meanwhile he was writing popular hymns in the vernacular.

Jacopoene suddenly found himself a leader in a disturbing religious movement among the Franciscans –‘The Spirituals’ as they were called, wanted a return to the strict poverty of Francis. They had on their side two Cardinals  of the Church and Pope Celestine V (1215-1296) these two Cardinals though opposed Celestine’s successor Boniface VIII (1230-1303)

At the age of 68 Jacopone was excommunicated and imprisoned as penance, he spent the final three years of his life more spiritual than ever, weeping “because Love is not loved.” During this time, he wote the famous Latin hymn ‘Stabat Mater.’

On Christmas Eve 1306 Jacopone felt that his end was near–In a convent for the Poor Clares with his friend Blessed John of La Verna (1259-1322) Like Francis, Jacopone welcomed “Sister Death” with one of his favorite songs.

It is said that he finished the song and died as the Priest intoned the Gloria from the midnight Mass at Christmas. From the time of his death, Brother Jacopone has been venerated as a Saint.

Saint Peter Canisius (1521-1597) –Image: Catholic Online

(Franciscan Media) The energetic life of Peter Canisius, should demolish any stereotypes we may have of the life of a Saint as dull or routine.

Peter Canisius lived his 76 years at a pace which must be considered heroic, even in our time of rapid changes. A man blessed with many talents, Canisius is an excellent example of the scriptural man who developed his talents for the sake of the Lord’s work.

Canisius was one of the most important figures in the Catholic Reformation in Germany, his was such a key role that he has often been called the ‘Second Apostle of Germany’ in that his life parallels the earlier work of Saint Boniface (672-754)

Although Canisius once accused himself of idleness as a youth, he could not have been idle for to long, for at the age of 19 he received his Masters degree from the University of Cologne, soon afterwards he met Peter Faber, the first disciple of the Ignatius Loyola, who influenced Canisius so much that he joined the recently formed Society of Jesus.

At this early age, Canisius had already taken up a practice he continued throughout his life–a process of study, reflection, prayer and writing. After his ordination in 1546 he became widely known for his editions of the writings of Saint Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) and St Leo the Great (400-461)

Besides this reflective literary bent, Canisius had a zeal for the apostolate, he could often be found visiting the sick or prisoners, even when his assigned duties in other areas were more than enough to keep most people fully occupied.

Saint Peter Canisius strengthened the Catholic faith in German and Austria, Switzerland and other parts of Central Europe–During the mid 1500s, Canisius journeys took him to Prague where he founded the Jesuit school along with another in Bavaria and later a third in Munich. The year of 1555 in particular was a landmark for Canisius, Saint Ignatius promoted him to a leadership position within the order which he held until 1569–he published the  first and the longest version of his Catholic catechism, this work and its two shorter adaptations , went through hundreds of printings and remained in use for centuries.

Canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1925 Saint Peter Canisius was declared Doctor of the Church–In a famous saying, the Jesuit Priest revealed the secret behind the accomplishments of his energetic and fruitful life: “If you have to much to do, with God’s help you will find time to do it all.”

Related: More here about Saint Peter Canisius, visit, Catholic Online

St. Dominic of Silos (1000-1073) Image: Catholic Online

(EWTN) St. Dominic of Silos, founder of the Order of Preachers was named after this Benedictine Abbot who lived a century before him. According to Dominican tradition, St Dominic of Silos, appeared to Blessed Joan of Aza (Mother of the later St. Dominic) who made a pilgrimage to his shrine before the birth of her Son and named him after the Abbott of Silos.

Dominic of Silos, was born in Spain into a peasant family. As a young boy he spent time in the fields where he welcomed the solitude–he became a Benedictine Priest and served in numerous leadership positions.

Following a dispute with the King over property, Dominic and two other Monks were exiled, they established a new Monastery at what at first seemed an unpromising location, under Dominic’s leadership however, it became one of the most famous houses in Spain–many healings were reported there.

About 100 years after Dominic’s death, a young woman made a pilgrimage to his tomb, there ‘Dominic of Silos’ appeared to her and assured her that she would bear another son. The woman was ‘Joan of Aza’ and the son she gave birth to grew up to be the ‘other’ Dominic–the one who founded the Dominicans.

More here from Franciscan Media

Blessed Pope Urban V (1310-1370)

(uCatholic) Blessed Pope Urban V was born Giullaume de Grimoard in France Languedoc, he studied Canon Law and Theology in Avignon becoming a Benedictine Monk and in 1352 he was named Abbott of his Monastery , serving as a papal diplomat and was sent as an Ambassador to various locations–also serving as a Bishop around Italy and throughout Europe.

In 1362 the man elected Pope declined the office, when the Cardinal’s could not find another person among them for that important office, they turned to a relative stranger–the holy person we honor today.

Pope Urban V proved a wise choice, as a Benedictine Monk and Canon Lawyer, he was deeply spiritual and brilliant, living simply and modestly which did not always win him friends among clergymen who become used to comfort and privilege.

Still Pope Urban V pressed for reform and saw to the restoration of the Churches and Monasteries. Except for a brief period, he spent most of his 8 years as Pope living away from Rome at Avignon, seat of the papacy from 1309 until shortly after his death.

Pope Urban V came close but was not able to achieve one of his biggest goals–reuniting the Eastern and Western Churches.

Blessed Anthony Grassi (1592-1671)

(uCatholic) Anthony’s father died when his son was only 10 yrs old but the young lad inherited his father’s devotion to Our Lady of Loreto. as a schoolboy, he frequented the local Church of the Oratorian Father’s, joining the religious order when he was 17

Already a fine student, he soon gained a reputation in his religious community as a ‘walking dictionary’ who quickly grasped scripture and theology. For sometime he was tormented by scruples but they reportedly left him at the very hour he celebrated his first Mass, from that day serenity penetrated his very being.

In 1621 at the age of 29, Anthony was struck by lightning while praying in the Church of the Holy House at Loreto, he was carried paralyzed from the Church expecting to die. When he recovered in a few days, he realized that he had been cured of acute indigestion.  Anthony’s scorched clothes were donated to the Loreto Church as an offering of thanks for his new gift of life. More important, Anthony now felt that his life now belonged entirely to God and each year thereafter he made a pilgrimage to Loreto to give thanks.

Anthony also began hearing confessions and came to be regarded as an outstanding confessor. Simple and direct, he listened carefully to penitents, said a few words, giving a penance and absolution, frequently drawing on his gift of reading consciences. In 1635 he was elected ‘Superior of the Fermo Oratory, he was so well regarded, that he was reelected every three years until his death. Anthony was a quiet person and a gentle Superior, who did not know how to be severe–at the same time, he kept the Oratorian Constitutions literally, encouraging the community to do likewise.

Full biographical article here from Franciscan Media