Cristy Li

Saint Conrad of Parzham
Image: Seryu

(Franciscan Media) Born in Germany Bavaria in 1818, Conrad was devoted from an early age to solitary prayer and became known at all of the Churches and shrines–often times waiting at the door at sunrise for first Holy Mass.

Conrad joined the ‘Capuchins’ as a Brother and was assigned to the Shrine of ‘Our Lady of Altotting’ spending more than 40 yrs of his life as a Porter, letting people into the Friary, obtaining supplies and dispensing charity to the poor while indirectly encouraging them to let God into their lives. Conrad’s helpfulness was sometimes unnerving–once Fr. Vincent seeking quiet to prepare his sermon, went up to the bell-tower of the Church, Conrad tracked him down, when someone wanting to go to Confession specifically requested Fr. Vincent.

Working with children and supporting charities to help neglected children, Conrad developed a rapport with them and was able to teach them about Christian faith, values, principles and the Rosary.

Conrad would spend hours in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament and would regularly ask Our Blessed Mother to intercede for him, together with the many people he included in his prayers.

Three days prior to his death, Conrad realized that he could no longer perform his duties and resigned his position, he followed this by Celebrating Mass and retired to his bed for the last time. Local children that Conrad taught about Jesus and the Rosary recited it outside his window until he passed away.

Conrad was Beatified in 1930 and Canonized in 1934 by Pope Pius XI

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St. Gianna Molla with Son Pieluigi
Image Courtesy: Saint Gianna.org

(Franciscan Media) Born in Italy Milan in 1922, as a young lady according to EWTN Gianna willingly accepted the gift of faith and the Christian education that she received. Gianna dedicated herself to her studies enthusiastically during her early school years, together with her university education, while at the very same time, applying her faith in generous and apostolic service among the elderly and those less fortunate than she.

After Gianna earned her degree in Medicine and after completing a surgical residency from the University of Paula in 1949 Dr. Gianna Molla, opened up a medical clinic in in Magenta (near Milan) in the early 1950s specializing in Pediatrics, giving special attention to Mothers, Babies, Seniors and the Poor.

While practicing Medicine which she considered her ‘mission’ Dr. Gianna Molla increased her generous service to ‘Catholic Action’ especially among the very young, throwing light on Christian education knowing the values and guiding principles it provides.

When Dr.Gianna Mallo became engaged to be married to Pierto Mallo which she gave thanks and praise to the Lord for her many blessings, they were married in September, 1955 

In November 1956 to Gianna’s great joy, she became a Mother of Pieluigi (pictured with her above) and was subsequently blessed with two more children, Mariolina in 1957 and Laura in 1959, Dr. Gianna loved the joys of Motherhood, her marriage and being a physician.

In September 1961 toward the end of the second month of her fourth pregnancy, Fianna learned that she developed a fibroma in her uterus–before the necessary surgical procedure and knowing as a physician the risks that her continued pregnancy brought, Gianna pleaded with the surgeon to save the life of the baby, entrusting herself to prayer and Providence. The baby’s life was saved for which she thanked the Lord. A few days before the birth of her child, Gianna was ready to sacrifice her life to save her child and told her doctor:

“If you must decide between me and the child,
do not hesitate,choose the child
I insist on it. Save the baby.”

In the morning of the 21 April, 1962 Gianna Emanuela was born but unfortunately, despite all the doctors efforts to save Dr. Gianna Molla, one week later she died and is remembered for doing what was morally right to save the life of her unborn child while sacrificing her own.

Dr. Gianna Molla, M.D. was Beatified on Mother’s Day 1994 by Pope Saint John Paul II and proposed that she was a model for all Mother’s saying:

“A Woman of exceptional love, an outstanding wife and mother, she gave witness in her daily life to the demanding values of the Gospel. By holding up this Woman as an example of Christian perfection, we would like to extol, all those high-spirited mothers of families who give themselves completely to their family, who suffer in giving birth, who are prepared for every labor and every kind of sacrifice, so that the best they have can be given to others.”

On the 16 May, 2004 Saint Gianna Beretta-Molla was Canonized in St. Peter’s Square before more than 100,000 by Pope Saint John Paul II

More here from Saint Ginna.org

St. Benedict Joseph Labre (1748-1783)
Image: 365 Rosaries

(Franciscan Media) Born in France in a middle-class family, Benedict Joseph Labre was the eldest of 18 children and his parents were able to give to their children considerable opportunities in the way of education.

Benedict Joseph received his earliest education in a nearby school conducted by the Vicar of the Parish. By the age of 12, Benedict Joseph’s education was taken over by his Uncle (Francois Joseph Labre) with whom he went to live. During the next six years, he made considerable progress in his studies of Latin, History and Philosophy but found himself unable to conquer a constantly growing distaste for learning and knowledge. Benedict Joseph has a love of solitude, discipline and devotion to his religious exercises which were a distinguishable feature of his life.

At the age of 16 Benedict resolved to embrace a religious life as a Trappist (Cistercian Order of Monks established by the Abbot de Rance in 1664 and noted for an austere rule that included remaining silent for much of the time —Oxford Dictionary) however, on the advice of his Uncle Francois, he returned home to seek permission of his parents which they refused to consent so Benedict resume his visits to the Rectory, redoubling his penances and devotion, striving to make ready for his life of complete self-sacrifice to which the voice within his soul seemed to be calling him.

Following the death of his Uncle Francois during an epidemic in 1766 Benedict, dedicated himself to the service of the poor, sick and dying all the while, his absorbing thoughts were still to live a religious life–fearing however that further opposition of his parents would be resistance to the will of God.

Benedict’s petition at Val-Sainte Aldegonde was unsuccessful and he was referred to a different Monastery of the same Order at Neuville. There he was told that because he was not yet 20, there was no hurry and was encouraged to learn plaint chant and logic. During the next two years, Benedict applied twice unsuccessfully to be received at La Trappe, he was finally able to obtain admission to the ‘Cistercian Abbey of Sept-Fonts’ in 1769

After a brief stay at the ‘Cistercian Abbey of Sept-Fonts’ during which time Benedict’s exactness in religious observances and humility, endeared him to the entire community, his health deteriorated and it was decided that his vocation lay elsewhere.

During his time of convalescence he resolved that he would go to Rome and from Italy Chieri, he wrote to his parents a letter (which was the last they would receive from him) in which he informed them his intentions to enter one of the Monasteries in Italy noted for their strictness in religious life. A short time however after mailing the letter to them. Benedict appeared to have an internal illumination which set at rest further any doubts that he may have as to what his manner of living may be. Benedict realized ‘that it was God’s will that like St. Alexis he should abandon his country, his parents and whatever is flattering in the world to lead a new sort of life, a life most painful, most penitential, not in a wilderness nor in a cloister but in the midst of the world, devoutly visiting as a pilgrim the famous places of Christian devotion.’

Benedict traveled from one great shrine to another living off charity, he wore the clothes of a beggar and shared what little food he had with the poor. Filled with the love of God and his neighbor, Benedict had special devotion to the Blessed Holy Mother. While in Rome, he lived in the Colosseum for a time and was called ‘The Poor Man of the 40 Hours of Devotion’ and ‘The Beggar of Rome,’ the locals accepted his ragged appearance better than he did–his excuse to himself was that ‘our comfort is not in this world.’

Worn out by his poverty and self-denial, on the 16 April, 1783 Benedict made his way to the steps of the Church of Santa Maria dei Monti in Rome, utterly exhausted, he was carried a neighboring house where he passed away.

Following Benedict’s death, a multitude of unequivocal miracles were attributed to his intercession. The life written by his Confessor Marconi, evidenced 136 miraculous cures being certified up to 06 July, 1783 

Benedict was proclaimed Venerable in 1859 by Pope Pius IX and Canonized in 1881 by Pope Leo XIII

More here from EWTN

(Franciscan Media) Born in 1844 Bernadette was the eldest child of a very poor Mill Operator in France Lourdes. Her father Francois, was a good-natured, easy going man according to EWTN with little ability for operating a business and before many years, he forfeited the business due to debts.

During much of Bernadette’s childhood, her father worked menial jobs, picking up a days work as opportunity presented itself, from time-to-time Francois escaped his problems by turning to alcohol, something that is common to this day for some people.

Bernadette’s mother Louise and her children naturally were the ones that suffered the most as a consequence of Francois’ ineffectiveness to adequately provide for his family.

Louise was a hard worker, warm hearted neighbor and a model in her religious observances. To help feed and clothe her children, it was often necessary for Louise to go out and work by day–doing laundry for more prosperous citizens of her community and at least one occasion, she helped to harvest a crop of grain.

Bernadette was never strong as she suffered from a respiratory disease (it isn’t known whether it was asthma or tuberculosis) while her mother worked outside the home to help provide for her family, Bernadette cared for her siblings and helped in their moral and religious education.

During the Autumn of 1855 cholera struck Lourdes, Bernadette was not spared and because of her already weakened condition due to her health. A year later, the ‘Soubirous Family’ with less than a month of food in their home, sent Bernadette to live with her Auntie Bernarde to work with her.

When Bernadette returned to Lourdes, it made her very happy to be admitted to the day school conducted by the ‘Sisters of Charity’ and receive Christian instruction. At last, Bernadette began her secular education. The Nuns soon discovered that beneath the quiet and modest exterior, Bernadette had a winning personality and a sense of humor.

One very cold day when Bernadette returned home from school, her mother gave her permission to go down by the river and collect driftwood and fallen branches. Accompanied by her sister Toinette Marie and her friend Marie Abadie. Removing her stocking to cross the stream Bernadette heard a noise like a gush of wind toward the grotto, when she looked up, Bernadette saw a beautiful young lady who placed herself in a small niche in the rock, at one side of the opening and slightly above it. Bernadette starred in fascination when she saw the luminous apparition dressed in a soft white robe, golden roses gleamed on her bare feet–when the figure smiled at Bernadette, her sister and friend and beckoned them, the girls early reservations vanished and Bernadette reverently sunk to her knees and made a sign of the cross and drew her Rosary beads from her pocket that she always carried–the mysterious being also had a Rosary of large white beads and Bernadette recounted:

“The Lady let me pray alone, she passed the beads of the Rosary between her fingers but said nothing, only at the end of each decade, did she say the Gloria with me.”

When the recitation was finished, the Lady vanished into the cave and the golden mist disappeared with her–this experience affected Bernadette profoundly.

Bernadette subsequently exhibited independence. When she told her Confessor of the apparition, he made light of it think that she suffered from hallucinations. Nevertheless on the following Sunday, Bernadette asked for permission to go down to the grotto again, her father told her she may go as long as she took a flask of Holy water with her fearing that the apparition was actually a demon. Upon her arrival, Bernadette knelt down before the grotto and soon the Lady appeared as before. Bernadette sprinkled Holy water at her, the Lady smiled and bent her head, when the Rosary was finished she disappeared.

There were 18 appearances in all according to Franciscan Media the final one occurring on the ‘Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (16 July) although Bernadette, her sister Toinette Marie and their friend Marie Abadie provoked skepticism, Bernadette’s visions of ‘The Lady’ brought great crowds of the curious.

During the 13th appearance (02 March) of ‘The Lady’ Bernadette explained that she was instructed to, “Go tell the Priests to come here in procession to build a chapel here,’ at the grotto where the visions took place; During the 16th appearance (25 March) of ‘The Lady’ she revealed her name Bernadette recounted:

“She lifted up her eyes to heaven, joined her hands as though in prayer that were held out and opened towards the ground and said to me: ‘Que soy era Immaculada Concepciou.” (I am the Immaculate Conception) It was only when these word were explained to Bernadette, did she come to realize who ‘The Lady’ was.

Few visions have undergone the scrutiny that these appearance of the ‘Immaculate Conception’ were subject to. Lourdes became one of the most popular Marian shrines in the world, attracting millions of visitors. Many miracles have been reported at the Shrine and in the waters of the Spring. After thorough investigation, Church authorities confirmed the authenticity of the ‘Immaculate Conception’ in 1858

During Bernadette’s lifetime her privacy was continually invaded which she bore as patiently as she could but as her fame grew, she began to withdraw more and more.

In September 1878 Bernadette made her perpetual and final vows committing the rest of her life which was ebbing away to poverty, chastity, obedience and charity. When she was confined to a wheelchair or bed, she went on with her fine needlework and now had more time for prayer and meditation.

The Nun’s and the Superior all come to regard Sister Bernadette as the ‘Vessel of Divine Grace’ and believed in the reality of her visions of the ‘Immaculate Conception’ during her youth.

Once a visitor stopped Sister Bernadette as she was passing down a corridor and asked where she could get a glimpse of Sister Bernadette? The little Nun said, “Just watch that doorway and presently you will see her go through” and she slipped away through the door. Such was the prestige her presence gave to the Order, that many young Women now joined it.

In December 1878 Sister Bernadette illnesses worsened and she was confined to her bed in ‘The White Chapel’ as she referred to her bed with its white curtains, she passed away on this date a few months later.

Sister Bernadette Soubirous was Beatified in 1925 and Canonized in 1933 by Pope Pius XI

Related: Prayer For the Feast of St. Bernadette -Lourdes Prayer Request