Cristy Li

Saint Benedict of Norcia (480-543) Image: Pinterest

(CNA) Born into the Nobility of Italy Rome, there is not much known of Benedict’s early childhood — In 2008 Pope Benedict XVI speaking of St. Benedict said:

“…Young Benedict was put off by the dissolute lifestyle of many of his fellow students and did not wish to make the same mistakes — he wanted only to please God…Thus even before he finished his studies, Benedict left Rome and with drew to the solitude of the mountains east of Rome. After a short stay in the village of Enfide (now Affile) where for a time he lived with a ‘religious community’ of Monks (and) he became a Hermit in the neighboring locality of Subiaco.”

There Benedict spent three years in solitude with God which was a time of maturity to him, facing and overcoming three fundamental temptations of every human being:

• (1) the temptation of self affirmation–putting oneself at the center of everyone else;

• (2) the temptation of sensuality;

• (3) the temptation of anger and revenge.

Pope Emeritus Benedict said, “In fact, Benedict was convinced that only after overcoming these temptations would he be able to say a useful word to others about their own situations of neediness. Thus having tranquilized his soul, he could be in full control of the drive of his ego and thus create peace around him. Only then did he decide to found his first Monasteries in the Valley of Anio, near Subiaco.”

Benedict’s Monasteries became centers of education for children, in tradition which would continue in the order during his lifetime and beyond. — Benedict’s monastic movement like its forebears in the Christian East, attracted large numbers of people who were looking to live their Christian faith more deeply.

During 529 Benedict left Subiaco for Monte Cassino (about 80 miles South of Rome) this move was geographically and spiritually significant, making a more public emergence of the Western Monastic movement. Benedict destroyed a Pagan Temple atop a mountain and constructed two Oratories in its place.

It was most likely at Monte Cassino that Benedict drew up a Rule for Life (known as the famous ‘Rule of St. Benedict’ which emphasized prayer, work, simplicity and hospitality–though known as a ‘Rule for Monks’ it is addressed to all those who seek ‘to do battle for Christ the Lord, the true King.’

Saint Benedict’s life was marked by various intrigues and miraculous incidents which are described in his biography, written by Pope Saint Gregory the Great — One of the most remarkable was Benedict’s meeting in 543 King Totila of the Goths, in which he rebuked the king’s lifestyle and prophesied his death.

Saint Scholastica (Feast Day: 10 February) Benedict’s sister also embraced a religious life as a Nun, she likely died just before or after her brother Saint Benedict. During his final years, it is reported that he had a profound mystical experience, which is said to have involved a supernatural vision of God and the whole of creation.

Around the age of 63 Benedict became ill, he was carried into the Church at Monte Cassino by his fellow Monks, where he received the Eucharist for the final time–Held up by his disciples, he raised up his hands in prayer before dying in their arms.

Benedict was Canonized in 1220 by Pope Honorius III

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

Saint Veronica Giuliani (1660-1727)
Image: Enrosadira

(Franciscan Media) Born in Italy Mercatell and given the name Ursula at Baptism, she showed marvelous signs of sanctity at an early age. — When but 18 mos old, she uttered her first words according to EWTN to a shopman who was serving a false measure of oil saying distinctly to him: “Do justice, God sees you.”

By the age of 3 , Ursula began to be favored with ‘Divine Communications’ and to show great compassion to the poor and would set apart a portion of her food and some of her clothing for poor, scantly clad children. These traits together with a great love of the Cross developed as she grew older.

When Ursula was 17 she joined the Capuchin ‘Poor Clares’ her father had preferred she would marry but she instead convinced him that she wanted to become a Nun — During this time in her life, Ursula took the name ‘Veronica’ in memory of the Passion. At the conclusion of the ceremony of her reception, the Bishop said to the Abbess, “I commend this new daughter to your special care for she will one day be a great Saint.”

During Veronica’s first years at the monastery,she became absolutely submissive to her directors, though her Novitiate was marked by extraordinary interior trials and temptations to leave the monastery and return to the world.

At Veronica’s profession in 1678 she conceived a great desire to suffer in union with Our Savior crucified for the conversion of sinners. — About this time she had a vision of Christ bearing His Cross and henceforth suffered an acute physical pain in her heart.

Following Sister Veronica’s death, the figure of the Cross was found impressed upon her heart.

In 1693 Sister Veronica entered upon a new phase in her spiritual life, when she had a vision of the Chalice symbolizing the ‘Divine Passion’ which was to be reenacted in her own soul. At first, Sister Veronica shrank from accepting it and only by great effort eventually submitted, she then began to experience intense spiritual suffering. — One year later, Sister Veronica received the impression of the ‘Crown of Thorns’ the wounds becoming visible and the pain permanent.

By Order of the Bishop, Sister Veronica submitted to medical treatment but received no relief from the pain. While Sister Veronica lived in this supernatural mystical life, she remained a practical Woman of her affairs.

Foe 34 years, Sister Veronica was the ‘Novice Mistress’ (trainer of the novices that came to the monastery) guiding them with great prudence. In 1716 Sister Veronica was elected Abbess and during her tenure, she enlarged the convent and had a good system of plumbing laid down.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI said of Saint Veronica Giuliani in December 2010 that she proved “a courageous witness of the beauty and power of Divine Love,” who received the divine gift of intimate unity with Christ in his suffering, death and a “true image” of  Jesus Christ on the Cross.

Saint Veronica placed Christ above all things in her life, as could be seen in her diary (which spans more than 22,000 handwritten pages) — In her writings, she described a relationship with Christ that saw him as a Divine spouse to whom she sought to be more and more united in love. — Sister Veronica, “also experienced  a relationship of profound intimacy with the Virgin Mary, attested by the words she heard Our Lady say one day which she reports in her diary:

“I made you rest on my breast, you were united with my soul
and from it you were taken as a flight to God.”

Saint Veronica Giuliani invites us to develop in our Christian life, our union with the Lord in living for others, abandoning ourselves to His will with complete and total trust and the union with the Church, the Bride of Christ.

Saint Veronica was Beatified in 1804 by Pope Pius VII and Canonized in 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI

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St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502-1539)

(CNA) Born into an Italian family of nobility in Cremona, Anthony’s father died shortly after his birth, his mother Antonietta though only 18 yrs old, chose not to remarry, preferring instead to devote herself to works of charity and Anothny’s education.

Antonietta’s son, took after her in devotion to God and generosity towards the poor. As a youth, Anthony studied Latin and Greek and later was sent to Pavia to study Philosophy subsequently studying Medicine and earning his degree by the age of 22 and then returned to Cremona.

Despite Anthony’s noble background and secular education, the young Physician had no interest in marrying or accumulating wealth. While caring for the physical infirmities of his patients, Anthony would also encourage that they find spiritual healing through repentance and the sacraments.

Anthony began teaching Catechism to children and went on to participate in the religious formation of young adults subsequently he decided to withdraw from medicine altogether and with the encouragement of his spiritual director, he went on to study for the Priesthood.

Ordained by the age of 26 now Fr. Anthony Zaccaria, is said to have experienced a miraculous occurrence during the Celebration of his first Mass as a young Priest–Being surrounded by a supernatural light and a multitude of Angels during the consecration of the Eucharist. — Contemporary witnesses marveled at the event and testified to it after Fr. Anthony’s death.

Church life in Cremona suffered a decline in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, Fr, Anthony encountered a widespread ignorance and religious indifference among the Laity, while many of the clergy were either weak or corrupt. — In these dire circumstances, Fr. Anthony devoted his life to proclaiming the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ both clearly and charitably. Within the span of just two years, his eloquent preaching and tireless pastoral care is said to have changed the moral character of the city dramatically.

In 1530 Fr. Anthony moved to Milan, where a similar spirit of corruption and religious neglect prevailed, there he decided to form a priestly society, the ‘Clerics Regular of St. Paul’ — Inspired by the Apostle’s life and writings, the new Order was founded on a vision of humility, asceticism, poverty and the ministry of preaching. Subsequently Fr. Anthony also founded a Women’s religious Order, ‘The Angelic Sisters of St. Paul” an organization the Laity of St. Paul, geared toward the sanctification of those outside the priesthood and religious life; Later Fr. Anthony pioneered the ’40 Hours’ of devotion, involving continuous prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

Less than 10 years after moving to Milan, Fr. Anthony became seriously ill, returning to his mother’s home in Cremona — The founder of the ‘Clerics Regular of St Paul’ subsequently died on this date in 1539 during the liturgical octave of the Feast of Saint’s Peter & Paul (Feast Day: 29th June) at the age of just 36 Fr. Anthony the young Physician later Ordained a Priest, was buried at St. Paul’s Convent of the Angelics in Milan.

In 2001 Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger the future Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI wrote the preface for a book on St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria ‘Igniting the Flame of Faith: St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria’ praising him as “one of the great figures of Catholic reform in the 1500s” who was involved “in the renewal of Christian life in an era of profound crisis.”

Fr. Anthony Zaccaria was Beatified in 1849 by Pope Pius IX and Canonized in 1887 by Pope Leo XIII

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Related: The Reformer: St. Anthony Zaccaria by Andrea Erba –Amazon

For Today’s Holy Scripture Readings for the Memorial of St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria, Visit: -USCCB

Saint Thomas the Apostle

(Franciscan Media) Poor Thomas, he made one poor remark and was branded as ‘Doubting Thomas’ ever since but if he doubted, he also believed. Thomas made what is certainly the most explicit statement of faith in the New Testament: “My Lord and My God.” —John 20:28 and in so expressing his faith, gave Christians a prayer that will be said until the end of time. — Thomas also occasioned a compliment from Jesus to all later Christians:

“Have you believed because you have seen Me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”
John 20:29

Saint Thomas should be equally well known for his courage. Perhaps what he said was impetuous–since he ran, like the rest at the showdown but he can scarcely have been insincere when he expressed his willingness to die for Jesus.

The occasion when Jesus proposed to go to Bethany after Lazarus had died. Since Bethany was near Jerusalem, this meant walking into the very midst of his enemies and to almost certain death. Realizing this, Thomas said to the other Apostles: “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” —John 11:16

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI reminds us that the “Apostle Thomas’ life is important to us for at least three reasons:

• First, it comforts us in our own insecurity;

• Second it shows us that every doubt can lead to an outcome brighter than any uncertainty;

• Lastly, because the words that Jesus addressed to him, reminds us of the true meaning of mature faith and encourages us to persevere, despite the difficulty along our journey of adhesion to him.

Saint Thomas’ example will never fail to strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Our God.”

Full text here of Pope Benedict XVI on St. Thomas

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Related: For Today’s Most Holy Scripture Readings and More, Visit: -USCCB