Cristy Li

Blessed 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

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

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

St. Cyril of Jerusalem
Image: Catholic Online

Bishop of Jerusalem and Doctor of the Church, little is known of Cyril except from information that one gathers from his younger contemporaries  Epiphanius, Jerome and Rufinus, together from 5th century historians Socrates, Sozomen and Theodoret.

Raised in Jerusalem and well educated, especially in the Scriptures, Cyril was ordained a Priest by the Bishop of Jerusalem according to Franciscan Media and given the task of catechizing during Lent those preparing for baptism and during the Easter season the newly baptized. Cyril’s ‘Catecheses’ remain valuable as examples of the ritual and theology of the Church in the 4th century.

The crisis the Church faces today may seem minor when compared with the threat posed by the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Jesus Christ and almost overcame Christianity during the 4th century–Cyril was caught up in the controversies, accused later of Arianism by St. Jerome (345-420) but ultimately vindicated in his own time. In the Synodal Letter of 382 after the 2nd Council of Constantinople (381) writes Idle Speculations the Eastern Bishops, officially recognized Cyril’s flawless doctrine.

Cyril became Bishop of Jerusalem according to Justus Anglican.org in about 349 his ‘Catechetical Lectures’ found here at Amazon and here at SQPN.com remain invaluable resource documents for the Church’s early teachings.

Saint Patrick (415-493)
Image: Catholic Online

(Franciscan Media) Legends about Patrick abound but the truth is best served by our seeing the solid qualities in him: (1) a humble and courageous servant of God; (2) the determination to accept suffering and success with equal indifference guided Patrick’s life; (3) winning much of Ireland for Jesus Christ.

Specific details of Patrick’s life are a little uncertain but what one does know is that Patrick was a man of action. About in the year 442 tradition teaches us according to EWTN that Patrick went to Rome and met with Pope Leo the Great who had taken a special interest in the Irish Church.

In all of the ancient biographies of Saint Patrick, the marvelous is continually present–fortunately we have three of Patrick’s own writings, which helps us to see and learn about the man himself:

• The Letter to Coroticus was intended to shame the 5th century General, according to NC Register whose raiding soldiers declared to be ‘blood-stained, with the blood of innocent Christians’ as they were being baptized.

In his writings, Patrick shows his ardent human feelings and his intense love of God. — Patrick’s marvelous harvest, filled him with gratitude. During his apostolate of 30 years, he is reported to have consecrated some 350 Bishops and was instrumental in bringing the Christian faith to many thousands to which Patrick wrote:

“Wherefore those in Ireland who never had the knowledge of God but until now only worshiped idols and abominations, from them has has been lately prepared a people of the Lord and they are called children of God. Sons and Daughters of Chieftains are seen becoming Monks and Virgins of Christ.”

Related: St. Patrick’s Day Prayer -Direct From Lourdes

Saint Clement Mary Hofbauer
Image: TLDM

(Franciscan Media) Clement Hofbauer, was born the day after Christmas 1751 in Moravia Tasswitz (modern day Czech Republic) and was the 9th of 12 children–although he longed to enter the Priesthood, his family couldn’t afford it as his father died when he was just 6 yrs old according to SQPN.com and young Clement had to accept an apprenticeship to a Baker but God was guiding this young mans fortunes–finding work in the Bakery of a Monastery where he was permitted to attend classes in its Latin school.

After the Abbot at the Monastery passed away, Clement attempted to live the life in solitude and prayer but when Emperor Joseph II abolished monasteries and religious orders, Clement returned to Vienna and Baking.

One day after serving Mass at the Cathedral of St. Stephen, Clement called for a carriage for two ladies waiting in the rain, in conversation with them, they learned that Clement could not pursue his studies for the Priesthood because of a lack of funds–They generously offered to financially support him and his friend Thaddeus, in seminary studies.

Clement and Thaddeus went to Rome where they were drawn to St. Alphonsus and the Redemptorists and entered among them–the two young men were ordained in 1785

As new Priests, Fr. Clement Mary (as he was now called) and Fr. Thaddeus, were sent back to Vienna but religious difficulties persisted there, resulting them having to leave and go to Poland Warsaw, there they encountered many German speaking Catholics who had been left without Priests.

At first, they lived in extreme poverty and ministered outdoors, subsequently they were assigned to St. Benno Catholic Church and for the next 9 yrs they preached 5 sermons a day–two in German and three in Polish, converting many to Christianity. There they were also active in social work among the poor, founding an orphanage and then a school for boys.

Drawing new Parishioners to their congregation they were able to send Missionaries throughout Poland, Germany and Switzerland but all of these foundations had to be abandoned because of the political and religious tensions of the times.

After some 20 years of difficult work Fr. Clement Mary was imprisoned and later expelled from the country–Only after a subsequent arrest did he make it back to Vienna where he was to live and work for the remainder of his life.

Fr. Clement Mary soon became known as the ‘Apostle of Vienna’ hearing the confessions of the rich and poor alike, visiting the sick and establishing a Catholic college in his beloved city.

One of the most remarkable of the many figures behind the scenes at the Congress of Vienna was Fr. Clement Mary, helping to establish the Redemptorists following his death and as a consequence to this achievement, he was regarded by the Redemptorists as their second founder.

Fr. Clement Mary Hofbrauer, was Beatified in January, 1888 by Pope Leo XIII In May, 1909 he was Canonized by Pope Pius X and in 1914 was named the Patron Saint of Austria, Vienna.

Saint Louise de Marillac (1591-1660)
Image: The Journey of a Bishop

(Franciscan Media) Louise was born in France Meux and lost her mother, when she was yet a child and her beloved father when she was just 15 yrs old–Educated at the Dominican Convent at Poissy, Louise felt called to lead a religious life however after consulting her confessor, she decided not to pursue this vocation and instead was married in 1613 to Antony LeGras, a court official to the Queen.

Antony and Louise were blessed with a son in 1617 however shortly thereafter, Antony fell ill and Louise found herself caring for their son virtually alone and nursing her sick husband, after a long battle, Antony died in 1625

Following Antony’s death, Louise once again began thinking about joining a religious community and met with Fr. Vincent de Paul as her spiritual director, with his encouragement and direction, Louise formed a group of Women ‘Daughters of Charity’ dedicated to serving the sick, poor and neglected.

In 1642 Louise wrote the formal Rule for the ‘Daughters of Charity’ and in 1655 they received formal approval from the Vatican and placed under the direction of Fr. Vincent de Paul congregation of priests–Louise subsequently took her vows in the new Order and served as Superior for the rest of her life.

Sister Louise worked zealously continuing to help wherever she was needed and subsequently traveled throughout France, forming convents and instituting the ‘Daughters of Charity’ workers in hospitals, orphanages and other institutions dedicated to helping the neglected and the ill until her death on this day in 1660 in Paris.

In 1920 Sister Louise was Beatified by Pope Benedict XV and in 1934 Canonized by Pope Pius XI

More here from EWTN

Saint Maximilian (274-295)
Image: Vidas Santas

(Franciscan Media) Maximilian the son of Fabius Victor, a Roman Army Veteran according to Rev Alban Butler (1711-1773) Lives of the Saints Vol III  Maximilian was drafted into the military at the age of 21 but refused to swear allegiance to the Roman Emperor, serving in the military on the grounds of being a conscientious objector and was brought before Proconsul Dion, who advised him that he must serve or die.

Maximilian replied: “I will never serve. You can cut off my head but I will not be a soldier of this world for I am a soldier of Christ. My army is the Army of God and I cannot fight for this world, I tell you, I am a Christian.”

Proconsul Dion replied: “There are Christian soldiers serving our rulers…”

Maximilian though continued to refuse to serve and at the age of 21 offered his life to God in lieu of military service and was beheaded in Numidia, an ancient Roman empire city which is now present day Algeria.

St. Leander of Seville (550-600)
Image: Catholic Online

(Franciscan Media) Leander was born in Spain Cartagena of a family that included three other sibling Saints: Isidore, Fulgentius and Florentina — Leander became a Monk at Seville and later Bishop of the Holy See.

Saint Leander of Seville, is remembered for revising and unifying the Spanish  liturgy as a way to reinforce the faith of other Spaniards and as an antidote against the heresy of Arianism which denied the divinity of Jesus Christ. By the end of Leander’s life, Christianity flourished in Spain at a time of political and religious unrest.

Leander presided over the ‘Third Council of Toledo’ in 589 and introduced the saying the Nicene Creed at Mass so that Christians could continually be reminded that “God is the First and the Last, the beginning and the end of everything. The Credo begins with God the Father, for the Father is the first divine person of the Most Holy Trinity–Our creed begins with the creation of heaven and earth, for creation is the beginning and foundation of all God’s works.”