Cristy Li

St. Alphonsus Rodriguez (1533-1617)
Image Courtesy: St. Paul Street Evangelization

(America Magazine) Alphonsus had come to the ‘Society of Jesus’ by a circuitous route. Born in Spain Segovia, Alphonsus was the second son of a prosperous cloth merchant. When St. Peter Faber (Favre) one of the original Jesuits visited the city to preach, the ‘Rodriguez Family’ provided hospitality to the Jesuit Priest Fr. Faber, who would help prepare the young Alphonsus for his First Communion.

At the age of 12 Alphonsus was sent to the Jesuit College at Alcala but his father’s death, put an early end to his studies and he was sent back home to take over the family business. — At the age of 27, Alphonsus would get married, he and his wife Maria would have three children (two died during infancy) one child survived according to SQPN but would later die, together with his wife Maria. Heavy taxes and expenses led Alphonsus to the brink of financial ruin. Many biographers depict him as feeling like a failure in life.

In his desperation Alphonsus called on the Jesuits for help and guidance–the lonely Widower prayed for many years to understand God’s desire for him.

Gradually Alphonsus found within himself the desire to become a Jesuit. At the age of 35 he was deemed to old to begin the long training for the Priesthood and besides lacked the education required according to SQPN and was rejected for entrance but Alphonsus’ holiness was evident to the local Provincial who accepted him into the Novitate as a Brother two years later–he stayed there for only 6 months before being sent to the Jesuit school in Spain Majorca in 1571 where he assumed the duties of porter/doorkeeper.

Each time Brother Alphonsus would open the door he said to himself, “I’m coming Lord.” — This practice reminded him to treat each person with as much respect as if it were Jesus Himself.

In 1605 Peter Claver then a 25 yr old Jesuit Seminarian (he would later be Canonized, St. Peter Claver Feast Day: 09 September) met the humble 72 yr old Brother Alphonsus at the college. The two would meet almost daily for spiritual conversations and in time, Alphonsus would encourage the young Peter Claver, to consider working overseas as a Missionary to the Spanish colonies.

This prospect thrilled Peter, who wrote to his Provincial for permission and in 1610 now a Priest, was sent to Cartagena (a port city) present day Colombia, to work with the West African Slaves (slavery was repeatedly condemned by Pope Paul III during the previous century) which had been captured and imprisoned by Slave Traders and shipped to South America.

Brother Alphonsus humbleness and holy life he led, attracted many to him. While his life as a doorkeeper may have been humdrum, he caught the attention of Poet and fellow Jesuit Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889) who made St. Alphonsus Rodriguez the subject of one of his poems.

St. Alphonsus Rodriguez died on this date in 1617 he was Beatified in 1825 by Pope Leo XII and Canonized in 1887 by Pope Leo XIII

More here from Franciscan Media and here from EWTN

St. Frumentius –Image: St. Paul Street Evangelization

(CNA) St. Frumentius helped in a great capacity to bring Christianity to Ethiopia — Born in Lebanon, he was shipwrecked in East Africa while voyaging on the Red Sea, only he and his brother Saint Aedeius survived.

They were subsequently taken to the King at Ethiopia and became members of the Court, when the King passed away, the two brothers stayed on as part of the Queen’s Royal Court — She permitted the two brothers to introduce Christianity to the country, as well as opening up trade between Ethiopia and the West.

Frumentius convinced St. Athanasius (Feast Day: 02 May) to send Missionaries from Alexandria — Frumentius was later consecrated as the Bishop of Ethiopia. During his lifetime, he helped to convert many people to Christianity before his death in 380

Blessed Bartholomew of Vicenza

(Franciscan Media) Dominicans honor one of their own today. — Blessed Bartholomew of Vicenza was born in 1200 in Italy, at the age of 20 he entered the Dominicans, following his Ordination into the Priesthood, he would go on to serve in several leadership positions. — As a young Priest, he founded a military Order whose purpose was to keep civil peace in towns throughout Italy.

In 1248 Fr. Bartholomew was appointed a Bishop, for most men, this appointment would be an honor, a tribute to their holiness and their demonstrated leadership skills but for the new Bishop Bartholomew, it was a form of exile that had been urged by an anti-papal group that was only too happy to see him leave Cyprus. — Not many years later however, Bishop Bartholomew was transferred back to Vicenza. Despite the anti-papal feelings that were still evident, Bishop Bartholomew worked diligently, especially through his preaching, to rebuild his Diocese and strengthen the people’s loyalty to Rome.

During his years in Cyprus, Bishop Bartholomew befriended King Louis IX of France, it is said he gave the Holy Bishop Bartholomew a relic of Christ’s Crown of Thorns.

Bishop Bartholomew passed away in 1270 he was Beatified in 1793 by Pope Pius VI

St Peter of Alcantara (1499-1562)
Image Courtesy: Pinterest

(EWTN) Born in Spain Alcantara, Peter’s father was born in a noble family with his father Governor and his mother was of the noble family of Sanbia.

Following a course of Grammar and Philosophy in his native community, Peter was sent at the age of 14 to the University of Salamanca — Returning home two years later, Peter would become a Franciscan in the Convent of the ‘Stricter Observance of Manxaretes’ at the age of 22 he was sent to found a new community of the ‘Stricter Observance’ at Badjoz — In 1524 Peter was Ordained a Priest and the following year, made Guardian of the Convent of ‘St Mary of the Angels’ at Robredillo.

Fr. Peter within a few years began preaching with much success, he preferred ministering to the poor; Fr, Peter’s sermons taken largely from the Prophets and Sapiential Books/Writings (Wisdom) breathe the tenderest human sympathy.

Despite Fr. Peter’s success as a minister, still he was not above washing dishes and chopping firewood according to Franciscan Media he did not seek attention, indeed he preferred solitude and prayer — It is said, that he only 90 minutes each night. Fr. Peter’s penitential side was also evident when it came to food and clothing, while others spoke of Church reform, Fr. Peter’s ‘reform’ began with himself, his patience was so great that a Proverb arose regarding Fr. Peter:

“To bear such an insult one must have the patience of Peter of Alcantara.”

In 1544, Fr. Peter received permission to form a group of Franciscans that followed the Rule of St. Francis with even greater rigor. These Friars became known as the ‘Alcantarines’ — Some of the Spanish Friars who went to North & South American during the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries were members of this order. By the end of the 19th century the ‘Alcantarines’ were joined by other observant Friars to form the Order of the Friars Minor.

Fr. Peter passed away at the age of 63 in Spain and was Beatified in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV and Canonized in 1669 by Pope Clement IX

St. Anthony Mary Claret (1807-1870)
Image Courtesy: Catholic Online

(CNA) Born in Spain Catalonia at Salent in the Diocese of Vich, Anthony was trained for manual labor since his father was a weaver according to EWTN but in 1829 Anthony entered the Seminary at Vich and Ordained into the Priesthood in 1835 and was subsequently assigned as a pastor in his home parish and for 10 yrs worked there.

In 1849 Fr. Anthony gathered together 5 other Priests and formed the basis of the ‘Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary’ –popularly known as ‘The Claretians’ subsequently at the suggestion of the Queen of Spain Isabella II, Fr. Anthony was named Archbishop of Cuba Santiago in 1850 successfully reforming the Clergy and Laity, preaching against Slavery and regularized numerous marriages.

As a result of Archbishop Claret’s activities, he would often receive death threats and on one occasion, an attempt was actually made on his life.

In 1857 Archbishop Claret was recalled back to Spain as Confessor to the Queen00in this position, he was able to exert some influence in the naming of Bishop’s together with establishing a ‘Center for Ecclesiastical Studies’ at the Escorial (Monastery in Central Spain) and worked towards the recognition of religious orders in Spain.

In 1869 while in Rome preparing for the ‘First Vatican Council’ Archbishop Claret followed Queen Isabella II into exile and at the insistence of the Spanish Ambassador, Archbishop Claret was placed under house-arrest in the Cistercian Monastery in France, where he would subsequently breathe his last on this date in 1870

Archbishop Claret was Beatified in 1934 by Pope Pius XI and Canonized in 1950 by Pope Pius XII

More here from Franciscan Media

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

St. John of Capistrano (1386-1456)
Image Courtesy: St Paul Street Evangelization

(Franciscan Media) Its been said that Saint’s are the worlds greatest optimists. Not blind to the existence and consequence of evil, they based their confidence on the power of Christ’s redemption. The power of conversion through Christ, extends not only to sinful persons but also to calamitous events.

Imagine being born in the 14th century, one third of the population and nearly 40% of the Clergy were wiped out by the bubonic plague. The Western schism split of the Church with 2 or 3 claimants to the Holy See at one time. — England and France were at war, Italy’s cities in conflict, its not a wonder that ‘doom and gloom’ dominated the spirits of people living during this period.

John Capistrano born in Italy Capistrano, was the son of a German Knight according to SQPN and he would bury his father while he was still quite young.  As a young man, John studied at the University of Prague and later worked as an Attorney in Naples, becoming a reforming Governor in Italy Perugia under King Landislas. When war broke out between Perugia and the ‘House of Malatesta’ in 1416 John attempted to broker a peace treaty but when the opponents ignored the truce, John was taken as a prisoner-of-war.

During John’s imprisonment, he made a decision to change vocations. He had married just before the war but his marriage was never consummated and with his bride’s consent, his marriage was subsequently annulled.

At the age of 30 John joined the Franciscans at Perugia and was Ordained a Priest, 4 years later.

Fr. John’s ministry attracted great throngs during a time of religious apathy and confusion–Subsequently he together with 12 Franciscan Brethren were received warmly, instrumental in reviving Christianity throughout Italy, Germany, Bohemia, Austria, Hungary, Poland and Russia together with establishing communities of Franciscans.

The Franciscan Order during this same period was in turmoil concerning the interpretation and observance of the Rule of Saint Francis — Through Fr. John’s tireless efforts and his expertise in law, the heretical Fraticelli were suppressed and the ‘Spirituals’ were freed from interference in their stricter observance.

When the Muslims of Turkey captured Constantinople in 1453 Fr. John, was commissioned by Pope Callistus II to preach at a crusade in defense of Europe. Gaining little response in Bavaria and Austria, Fr. John decided to concentrate his efforts in Hungary, leading an Army of 70,000 Christian Soldiers according to SQPN to Belgrade under the great General John Hunyadi there they gained and overwhelming victory and the siege of Belgrade was lifted.

Worn out by his years of indefatigable work, Fr. John became easy prey to infection and illness subsequent to the battle to free Europe from the Muslims and he passed away on this date in 1456 at Hungary Villach.

Fr. John of Capistrano was Beatified in 1650 by Pope Innocent X and was Canonized in 1690 by Pope Alexander VIII

Related: For Today’s Most Holy Scripture Readings on the Memorial of St. John of Capistrano, Visit: -USCCB

Saint Mary Salome, Zebedee with their sons Saint James the Greater and Saint John the Apostle Image/Artwork:–Mutual Art.com

(EWTN) One of the Holy Women present at the Crucifixion of Christ and who visited His tomb on the morning of the Resurrection.

See: Mark 15:40 and Mark 16:1

In Mark 15:40 we read: “There were also Women looking on from a distance, among them were Mary Magdalene and Mary the Mother of James the Younger (also referred as James the Less) and of Joses (also referred to as Joseph) and Salome.”

The parallel passage of Matthew 27:56 reads: “Among them were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.”

Comparison of the two gives a well grounded probability that the Salome of the former is identical with the mother of the sons of Zebedee, in the latter, who is mentioned also in Matthew 20:20 in connection with the petition (favor) of her sons.

Beyond these references in the Gospel narrative and what may be inferred from them nothing is known of Salome, though some scholars conjecture more or less plausibly that she is the sister of the Blessed Virgin Mary mentioned in John 19:25

Related: Feast of St. Mary Salome –Catholic News Agency

Alternative Feast Day: Pope Saint John Paul II –Franciscan Media

Saint Hilarion (291-371)
Image Courtesy: SQPN

(EWTN) Born in Israel, (*) Hilarion’s parents were idolaters, he was sent to Egypt Alexandra to study grammar when he was still quite young, due to his good nature, he was exceedingly beloved by all that knew him and people were naturally attracted to him throughout his life.

Following his conversion to Christianity according to Franciscan Media Hilarion spent two months with St. Anthony of Egypt (251-356 — Feast Day: 17 January) who spent much of his life in solitude and prayer in the desert. Moved by St. Anthony’s example of virtue, his manner of life, fervent prayer and humility in receiving Brethren.

Hilarion would travel back to his home together with some Monks, upon his arrival according to EWTN — Hilarion, now just 15 yrs of age, would find that his parents had passed, he then would give away all of his possessions, some to his Christian Brethren and the rest to the poor reserving nothing for himself. — Returning to a life of solitude and prayer, Hilarion retired into the desert about 7 miles from Egypt Majuma.

At the beginning of this period, certain bandits who hid in the desert would encounter Hilarion and inquired of him, what if thieves and assassins came to him? Hilarion responded: “The poor and the naked fear no thieves.”

They replied, ‘They may kill you.”

Hilarion replied: “It is true and for this very reason, I am not afraid of them because it is my endeavor to be always prepared for death.”

After spending some 20 yrs in the desert, Hilarion would perform his first miracle:

A certain married Woman of Eleutheropolis (a Roman City in Israel about 30 miles SW of Jerusalem) who was the scorn of her husband for being unable to conceive children, sought out Hilarion and prevailed upon him to pray that God would bless her with a child. Before the end of that year, she conceived a son.

A second miracle, much enhanced Hilarion’s reputation. Elpidius who was subsequently perfect of the ‘praetorium’ and his wife Aristeneta, returning from a visit of they had with St. Anthony, to receive his blessings and instructions arrived into Israel with their three children that had fallen sick — with their fever proving worse than than the power of medicines, their mother Aristeneta distraught sought out Hilarion. Upon his invoking the ‘Holy Name of Jesus’ by the children’s bedside, the children fell into a violent sweat by which they were refreshed and able to eat, to know their mother and kissed Hilarion’s hand.

Upon the report of this miracle, many people flocked to Hilarion, among other miraculous cures, several persons possessed by demons were delivered.  As Hilarion’s fame grew, a small group of disciples wanted to follow him. — In time, Hilarion began a series of journeys searching for a place where he could live away from the world, he would later settle in Cyprus, living until the age of 80

Saint Hilarion is celebrated as the founder of ‘Monasticism’ a religious way of life in which one renounces worldly pleasures to devote oneself entirely to a spiritual life.

(*) EWTN reports that St. Hilarion was from Gaza, — I disagree with their historical interpretation of the reference to a geographical location called ‘Palestine’ given its common/ordinary usage today, based upon scholarly and Biblical authority.

For a more detailed analysis see here ‘A Brief Historical Review of the Gaza Jewish Community’ –The Jewish Magazine, 2013