Cristy Li

Saint Peter Regalado (1390-1456)
Image: Pinterest

(Saint Mary’s Press) Peter came from a wealthy and religious family and was only 13 yrs of age when he entered the Conventual Franciscan Order in his hometown of Spain Valladolid, after several years, he decided to transfer to the more simplistic and rigorous monastery at Tribulos.

While at this monastery, Peter became know for his strict-discipline and delight during his prayers. Following his ordination, Peter was made Superior of the Friary in Aguiar according to Franciscan Media and became part of a group of Friars who desired to lead a life of indigence and penance–In 1442, Fr. Peter Regalado was appointed head of all the Spanish Franciscans in his reform group.

Fr. Peter Regalado led the Friars by his example, a special love of the poor and the sick characterized him. Miraculous stories have been told about his charity to the poor, for example bread never seemed to run out as long as Fr. Regalado had hungry people to feed.

Immediately following Fr. Regalado’s death, his grave became a place of pilgrimage.

Fr. Peter Regalado was Beatified in 1684 by Pope Innocent XI and Canonized in 1746 by Pope Benedict XIV

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

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