Cristy Li

‘Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary’ Image: —Daily Gospel

(Franciscan Media) This is a fairly late Feast, going back only to the 13th or 14th century, it was established widely throughout the Church to pray for unity. The present date of celebration was set in 1969 in order to follow the ‘Annunciation of the Lord’ (25 March) and precede the ‘Nativity of John the Baptist’ (24 June)

Like most Feasts of Mary, it is closely connected with Jesus and His saving work. The more visible actors in the drama — See: Luke 1:39-45 are Mary and Elizabeth however, Jesus and John the Baptist steal the scene in a hidden way. Jesus makes John leap with joy–the joy of Messianic Salvation. Elizabeth in turn is filled with the Holy Spirit and addresses words of praise to Mary, words that echo down through the ages.

It is helpful to be reminded of, that we do not have a Journalist account of this meeting, rather Luke, speaking for the Church, gives a powerful Poet’s rendition of the scene.

Elizabeth’s praise of Mary as ‘the Mother of My Lord’ can be viewed as the earliest Church’s devotion to Mary. As with all authentic devotion to Mary, Elizabeth’s (the Church’s) words first praise God for what God has done through Mary, only secondly, does Elizabeth praise Mary for trusting God’s words.

Then comes the Magnificat –See: Luke 1:46-55 here Mary herself (like the Church) traces all of her greatness to God.

More here from USCCB & here from EWTN

Saint Joan of Arc (1412-1431)
Image Courtesy: Women of Grace

(Franciscan Media) Born in France Domermy, Joan was one of five children in a fairly well to do peasant family.

From the age of 13 according to Catholic News Agency Joan experienced visions (later identified as the Saint’s Michael the Archangel, Catherine of Alexandria & Margaret of Antioch) telling her to go to the King of France and help him reconquer his kingdom from the invading forces of England and Burgundy.

Overcoming opposition, together with  convincing members of the Royal Court and the Church, Joan was put in charge of a small army, she charged into battle bearing a banner which bore the names of ‘Jesus’ and ‘Mary’ as well as the symbol of the Holy Spirit.

Due to Joan’s leadership and trust in God, she was able to raise the siege of Orleans in 1429 and her army went on to win a series of battles and the King was able to enter Rheims and was crowned with Joan at his side.

Joan was however captured near Compiegne the following year, was sold to England and subsequently, placed on trial for heresy and witchcraft.

Bishop Pierre Cauchon of Beauvais presided over Joan’s trial and Cardinal Henry Beaufort interrogated her at trial for which she was found guilty and condemned to death.

On this date in 1431, Joan was burned at the stake in France Rouen, she was but 19 years old.

It wasn’t until 30 yrs after Joan’s trial and execution that her case was again heard and this time, Joan was exonerated.

Joan of Arc was Beatified in 1905 by Pope Saint Pius X and Canonized in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV

Saint Joan of Arc stands alone in history. Many Women have found sanctity in the cathedral, some have shown bravery in battle but no other ever trained herself to holiness in a Soldiers camp and surely no female Saint ever died at the stake, condemned by an ecclesiastical tribunal as a witch and a heretic.

More here from EWTN

Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat (1779-1865)
Image: Liste Intl

(Franciscan Media) Born in France in the little Burgundian town of Joigny, Sophie received an extensive education thank to her brother Louis, 11 yrs older than her and designated her Godfather at Baptism.

Louis a seminarian decided that his youngest sister Sophie would like him learn Latin, Greek, History, Physics and Mathematics–always without interruption and with a minimum of companionship. By the age of 15, Sophie was well educated in the scriptures, receiving a thorough exposure of the Bible, the teachings of the Church Fathers and theology. Despite the oppressive regime in study Louis imposed, his little sister thrived and developed a genuine love of learning.

Meanwhile, this was the time of the French Revolution, Sophie went to Paris initially considered becoming a Carmelite according Phil Kilroy, author of ‘Madeleine Sophie Barat — A Life’ however Sophie’s own experiences of Revolutionary violence in Joigny and Paris, led young Sophie on a different path.

In 1800 Sophie founded the ‘Society of the Sacred Heart’ whose purpose was to make known the love of God revealed in the Heart of Christ and take part in the restoration of Christian life in France, through the education of young Women both rich and poor alike.

The ‘Society of the Sacred Heart’ rapidly expanded within Europe and beyond. — At the same time, Sophie also grew, transformed by her experience as a leader and friend to many Women who would join the organization.

In 1826 the ‘Society of the Sacred Heart’ received formal Papal approval–by then, Sophie had served as Superior at a number of Convents from the age of 23 until her death in 1865 after being stricken with paralysis.

Sophie was Beatified in 1908 by Pope Saint Pius X and Canonized in 1925 by Pope Pius XI

Today the ‘Society of the Sacred Heart’ has more than 2,200 members in 41 countries educating both girls and boys. Members of the Society are known as ‘Religious of the Sacred Heart’ (“RSCJ” for Religieuses du Sacre-Coeur de Jesus) and its mission is:

• To Reveal to the World a God who loves us.

• To educate children to be a source of transformation in their world.
  

More here from EWTN

Pierre Toussaint (1766-1853)
Image: Info Catolica

(Franciscan Media) Born a slave in Haiti, Pierre’s Master Jean Berard taught him to read and write according to SQPN and when Berard moved to New York in 1787 he took Pierre together with his youngest sister Rosalie.

Pierre apprenticed with a leading hairdresser, learning the trade very quickly and would one day, very successfully work in the homes of some very wealthy ladies in NYC — When Berard passed away, Pierre stayed on to care for his ailing widow, he was freed from slavery when Madame Berard passed away in 1807

Subsequently working for himself, Pierre became quite wealthy and later fell in love with Marie Rose Juliette whose freedom he purchased and then the two were married. The young couple later adopted Euphemie, his orphaned niece.

Pierre attended daily Mass at St. Peter’s Church on Barclay Street, the same parish that Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton (Feast Day 04 January) attended.

Very benevolent and charitable, Pierre donated to various organizations assisting others in need without regard to race, Pierre and his wife Marie, opened their home to orphans, educated them and would care for abandoned individuals suffering from Yellow Fever. — Later, urged to retire and enjoy his wealth, Pierre responded:

“I have enough for myself but if I stop working,
I have not enough for others.”

To his final days, Pierre worked tirelessly to help anyone who needed it, he passed away at the age of 87 in NYC — In 1996 Pierre was declared Venerable by Pope Saint John Paul II 

More here from Natl Catholic Register

St. Augustine of Canterbury
Image: Longbows & Rosary Beads

(EWTN) When Pope Gregory began to plan for the evangelism of England, the land was still largely pagan although in the Southwest, there were remnants of earlier missionary efforts. To lead this important mission, Pope Gregory chose Augustine–Nothing much is known of him until the year 596 when with a party of 40 Benedictine Monks, he set out Northwards from Rome according to Franciscan Media to evangelize the Anglo-Saxons in England.

Upon reaching Provence, the Monks accompanying Augustine grew fearful of the dangers that lay ahead, alarming stories were being told of the ferocity of the Pagans and the hazards of crossing the treacherous waters of the English Channel.

Augustine subsequently returned to Rome and to Pope Gregory only to be assured by him that the fears of the Monks were groundless–Augustine again set out. This time the group crossed the English Channel and landed in the territory of Kent, ruled by King Ethelbert, a pagan married to a Christian, Bertha Ethelbert who received them kindly and set up a residence for them in Canterbury.

After King Ethelbert listened carefully to the Monks teaching, he gave them permission to evangelize his subjects–One year later on Pentecost in 597 King Ethelbert converted and was baptized.

Subsequent to this promising start, Augustine returned to Provence to be consecrated Bishop in France and then returned to Canterbury where he set up his See.

Now a Bishop,  in 603 Augustine constructed a Church and Monastery on property given by King Ethelbert–these structures formed the nucleus for the metropolitan cathedral–they were destroyed by fire in 1067 and the present cathedral begun by Lanfranc in 1070 stands on its site. As the Christian faith spread, additional Sees were established at London and Rochester.

Work was often slow and Bishop Augustine did not always meet with success. Attempts to reconcile the Anglo-Saxon Christians with the Briton Christians (who had been driven into Western England by the Anglo-Saxon invaders) ended in dismal failure.

While the Briton Christians were sound in fundamental doctrine, Bishop Augustine failed to convince them to give up certain Celtic customs at variance with Rome and to forget their bitterness with the Anglo-Saxon Christians.

Laboring patiently, Bishop Augustine wisely heeded the missionary principles–quite enlightened for his time, suggested by Pope Gregory:

• Purify rather than destroy pagan temples and customs;

• Allow pagan rites and festivals be transformed into Christian Feasts;

• Retain local customs as far as possible.

Bishop Augustine’s last years were spent in spreading and consolidating the Christian faith in the short eight years since his arrival, which would eventually bear great fruit, leaving the continuation of his work to others long after his death in 604 — Bishop Augustine of Canterbury can truly be called the ‘Apostle of England’ for which he is the Patron Saint.

Related: For Today’s Holy Scripture Readings for the Memorial of St. Augustine of Canterbury, Visit: -USCCB

Saint Philip Neri (1515-1595) Image Courtesy: Christian Forums

(Franciscan Media) Born in Italy Florence, his family was poor. Philip Neri’s family moved to San Germano in 1533 according to SQPN to help some relatives with their businesses, while there, Philip would escape to a local Dominican Chapel in the mountains–Philip abandoned any chance to go into business like his relatives and moved to Rome with the resolve to devote his life and individuality to God.

While in Rome, Philip studied philosophy and theology and for the next 13 years his time was unusually spent as a lay person in his day, Philip actively engaged in prayer and evangelism.

As the ‘Council of Trent’ was reforming the Church on a doctrine level, Philip’s appealing personality was winning him friends from all levels of society–from Beggars to Cardinals. Philip rapidly gathered around himself a group of other laypersons, won over by his audacious spirituality. Initially they met as an informal prayer and discussion group and also served the poor in Rome.

At the urging of Philip’s Confessor, he was ordained a Priest in 1551 and soon became an outstanding Confessor, gifted with the knack of piercing the pretenses and illusions of others, though always in a charitable manner and often with a joke.

Fr. Philip Neri would arrange talks, discussions and prayers for his penitents in a room above the Church, he would on occasion lead ‘excursions’ to other Churches, often time with music and a picnic along the way.

Some of Fr. Philip Neri’s followers would later become Priests, living together in a community–this was the beginning of the ‘Congregation of the Oratory’ which Fr. Philip Neri founded. A feature of their life was a daily afternoon service of four informal talks together with vernacular hymns. — Cardinal Newman founded the first English speaking house of the Oratory, three centuries later.

Fr. Philip Neri’s advice was sought by many prominent figures. Fr. Neri became one of the most influential figures of the Counter-Reformation, mainly for converting to personal holiness many of the influential people within the Church. — Fr. Neri died at the Church of San Maria in Italy Vallicella at the age of eighty.

In 1615 Fr. Philip Neri was Beatified by Pope Paul V and was Canonized in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV

More here from EWTN

Saint Bede the Venerable (672-735) Image: Catholic Fire

(CNA) Born in England Wearmouth, Bede’s parents sent him at a young age to study at the Monastery of St. Paul in Jarrow, that was founded by Benedictine Abbot Benedict Biscop (later be Canonized in his own right) Biscop’s extensive library may have sparked a curiosity in young Bede, who would grow up to be a voracious reader and prolific writer.

Bede’s teachers could see in their pupil that his life exhibited a remarkable devotion to prayer and study–Later when Bede returned to Jarrow and continued his studies with Abbot Ceolfrid (a companion of Benedict Biscop) the Abbot and a group of other Monks instructed Bede not only to study scripture and theology but also sacred music, poetry and Greek –Bede would continue his studies for 11 more years before entering the Priesthood at the age of 30 around the beginning of the 8th Century.

Subsequently Fr. Bede took on the responsibility of celebrating daily Mass with the members of his Benedictine community, while also farming, baking and doing other works at the Monastery.

Fr. Bede gave absolute priority to prayer, fasting, charity and hospitality, he regarded all other works as ‘valueless’ without the love of God and one’s neighbor. — Fr. Bede also possessed outstanding intellectual gifts, which he used to survey and master a wide range of subjects according to an all-encompassing vision of Christian scholarship.

Later, Fr. Bede declined a request to become Abbot at his Monastery, instead he concentrated on writing and produced more than 45 books during his lifetime–primarily about Theology and the Bible but also on Science, Literature and History. Fr. Bede would go on to teach hundreds of students at the Monastery and its school, which would become renowned throughout Great Britain.

During Fr. Bede’s lifetime, his spiritual and intellectual gifts garnered wide recognition. his writings on scripture were considered so authoritative, that a Church council ordered them to be publicly read in English Churches.

Some of the most illustrious members of English society made pilgrimages to Fr. Bede’s Monastery to seek his guidance and he was personally invited to Rome by Pope Sergius.

Fr. Bede was unfazed by these honors, perhaps inspired by the Benedictine monastic ethos, which emphasizes ones absolute commitment to the monastic community–Fr. Bede chose not to visit Rome or travel any significant distance beyond the Monastery of St. Paul during his entire lifetime.

Instead the world would come to Fr. Bede, through the visitors that he received according to the Benedictine tradition of hospitality and through his voluminous reading. Fr. Bede in-turn reached the world without leaving his monastery, writing books that were copied with reverence for centuries and still read to this day. Fr. Bede is one of the last Western Christian writers to be numbered among the Church Fathers.

Fr. Bede understood that love rather than learning was his life’s purpose saying:

“It is better to be a stupid and uneducated Brother who, working at the good things he knows, merits life in heaven, than to be one who–though being distinguished for his learning in the Scriptures or even holding the place of a teacher, lacks the bread of love.”

Fr. Bede died on this date on the Vigil on the Feast of the Ascension of Christ in 735 shortly after finishing the Anglo-Saxon translation of the Gospel of John.

In 1899 Fr. Bede was declared ‘Doctor of the Church’ and was Canonized by Pope Leo XIII

More here from EWTN and here from Franciscan Media

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

St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi
Image: Catholic Online

(CNA) Born in Italy Florence, the future ‘Mary Magdalene’ was given the name of Caterina at the time of her baptism, she came of noble, prominent parents and was their only daughter.

Caterina was drawn to the Holy Eucharist from a young age and made her first Communion at the age of 10 and shortly thereafter vowed her virginity to God. At the age of 14, Caterina was sent to school at the ‘Convent of Cavalaresse’ where she lived in such a disciplined and fervent manner as to make the Sister’s prophesy that one day she would become a great Saint.

In December 1582 Caterina entered the ‘Carmelite Convent of Santa Maria Degl’ where Holy Communion was administered daily (unusual for the time period) which was the chief reason for her choosing this convent.

The following year, Caterina received her religious habit and took the name Mary Magdalene, being then so ill that they feared she would not recover, she was professed.

Sister Mary’s recovery marked the start of an extended mystical experience which lasted 40 days and involved extraordinary experiences that were taken down by her Sister’s in a set of manuscripts. — Sister Mary served the monastery in a series of teaching and supervisory positions, while also contributing to her community through manual labor, her fellow Camelites respected Sister Mary’s strict sense of discipline which was accompanied by profound charity and practical wisdom, her experiences of suffering and temptation helped her to guide and inspire others.

Extraordinary spiritual occurrences were a frequent feature of Sister Mary, to a much greater degree than is typical in the tradition of Catholic mysticism–while she often disliked the attention and would seemingly have preferred for these events to remain private.

Sister Mary did wish however to call attention to God’s love, which she saw as tragically under appreciated and unreciprocated by mankind. –Sister Mary is remembered for making dramatic gestures, running through the halls of her monastery or ringing the bells at night, while proclaiming the urgent need for all people to awaken to God’s love and respond in kind.

In 1607 when Sister Mary Magdalene was just 41 yrs of age, she passed away from an excruciating illness, borne with heroic joy to the end.

Innumerable miracles followed Sister Mary’s death and the process for her Beatification was begun in 1610 under Pope Paul V and finished under Pope Urban VIII in 1626 — Sister Mary Magdalene was Canonized by Pope Clement IX in 1669

More here from Franciscan Media

Pope Saint Gregory VII (1020-1085)
Image: —Spread Jesus.org

(Franciscan Media) Born in Italy Sovama and named Hildebrand, he was educated in Rome and subsequently went to France according to Catholic News Agency and became a Monk at Cluny.

During the 10th century and the first half of the 11th century, these were dark days for the Church partly because the Papacy was the pawn of various Roman families. In 1049 these things began to change when Pope Leo IX a reformer, was elected and brought a young Monk Hildebrand, to Rome as his Counselor and special representative on important missions; he would later become Pope Gregory VII

Three Evils Plagued the Church at That Time:

• Simony: The buying/selling of Sacred offices and things);

• Concubinage: The practice of keeping a concubine and the unlawful marriage of the clergy;

• Investiture: Kings and Nobles controlling the appointment of Church officials.

To all of these Hildebrand directed Pope Leo XI attention to as his Counselor and would never ceased to condemn.

When Hildebrand was elected Pope (taking the name Gregory VII) in 1073 his Papal letters stressed the role of ‘Bishop of Rome’ as the Vicar of Christ and the visible center of the unity in the Church — Pope Gregory is well known for his long dispute with Roman Emperor Henry IV over who should control the selection of Bishops and Abbots.

Pope Gregory subsequently excommunicated the Emperor Henry IV, his subjects turned against him and at last he sough absolution of Pope Gregory at Canossa but the Emperor did not persevere and set up an anti-Pope and besieged Pope Gregory at the castle of St. Angelo resulting in the aged Pontiff attempt to flee, fiercely resisting any attack on the liberty of the Church –Pope Gregory subsequently died in exile saying: “I have loved justice and hated iniquity, therefore I die in exile.”

His faithful attendant answered: “Vicar of Christ, an exile thou canst never be, for to thee God has given the Gentiles for an inheritance and the uttermost ends of the earth for thy possession.”

Thirty years later the Church finally won its struggles against Lay Investiture.

Saint Rita of Cascia (1381-1457)
Image: Patheos

(CNA) Born in Italy Umbria, Rita’s parents Antonio and Amato Lotti were known as ‘Peacemakers’ of Jesus. From her earliest of days, Rita visited the Augustine Nuns at Cascia and showed interest in a religious life but at the age of 12, she was married off to a violent and hot tempered husband Paolo Mancini, he was murdered some 18 yrs later. Rita forgave his murderers and prayed that her two sons that promised to avenge their father’s death may also forgive. — Rita was given this grace, her son’s who died while young men had reconciled with God.

Subsequent to the death’s of Rita’s sons, she again felt called to a religious life and went to the Augustine Convent at Cascia but initially was refused entry. Rita prayed and sought the intercession of Saint’s Augustine, Mary Magdelene and John the Baptist — Rita was finally permitted to enter the convent and lived a life of prayer, penance and service to the people of Cascia. Over the years, her austerity, prayerfulness and charity became legendary.

When Sister Rita received a stigmata like thorn wound in answer to her prayers to be more profoundly conformed to the passion of the Lord Jesus. Sister Rita’s care for ill Nuns was especially loving and she would counsel lay persons who came to the Monastery.

Sister Rita was bedridden the last 4 yrs of her life, consuming almost nothing except for the Eucharist, she passed away on this day in 1457 at the Augustinian Convent,  Cascia of tuberculosis.

In 1627 Sister Rita was Beatified by Pope Urban VIII and Canonized in 1900 by Pope Leo XIII

On the 100th Anniversary of Saint Rita’s Canonization, Pope Saint John Paul II, noted  her remarkable qualities as a Christian Woman saying:

“The Saint of Cascia belongs to the great host of Christian Women who have had a significant impact on the life of the Church as well as society — Rita well interpreted well the feminine genius by living it intensely in both physical and spiritual motherhood.”

More here from the Vatican and here from Franciscan Media

Related: National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia, Philadelphia, PA