Cristy Li

St John of Kanty (1390-1473) Image Courtesy: Catholic Online

(Franciscan Media) John was a country lad who made good in the big city and the big University of Krakow (Poland) after brilliant studies, he was ordained a Priest and became a Professor of Theology.

The inevitable opposition which Saints encounter, led to his being ousted by rivals and sent to be a parish Priest at Olkusz–an extreme humble man, he did his best but his best was not to the liking of his parishioners, besides he was afraid of the responsibilities of his position but in the end, he won the people’s hearts. After sometime, he returned to Krakow and taught the scripture for the rest of his life.

A serious man and humble, John was known to the poor of Krakow for his kindness, his goods and his money, were always at their disposal and time and again, they took advantage of him. John would only keep the money and clothes absolutely needed to support himself, he slept little and then on the floor, he ate sparingly and took no meat.

John made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem hoping to be martyred by the Turks, he made four pilgrimages to Rome, carrying his luggage on his back. When he was warned to look after his health, he was quick to point out that, for all their austerity, the fathers of the desert lived remarkably long lives.

John of Kanty is a typical Saint, he was kind, humble and generous, he suffered opposition and led an austere, penitential life. Many Christians in an affluent society can understand all the ingredients except for the last:

Anything more than mild self-discipline seems reserved for athletes and ballet dancers–Christmas is a good time at least to reject self-indulgence.

Saint John of Kanty is the patron Saint of Teachers, Students, Priests and Pilgrims according to uCatholic Pope John Paul II drew much inspiration at the grave of his Patron Saint of learning. It was no surprise therefore, during his 1997 pilgrimage to Poland, he once more prayed at Saint John of Kanty’s tomb and it was there during a special gathering with professors from the Jagiellonian-both his and Saint John of Kanty’s alma-mater, he alluded to the Master from Kanty when he stated: “Knowledge and wisdom seek a covenant with holiness.”

More here on Saint John of Kanty from –365 Rosaries

Blessed Jacopone da Todi  (1230-1306)
Image Courtesy: 365 Rosaries

(Franciscan Media) Jacomo was born a noble member of the Benedetti family in the Northern Italian City of Todi, he became a successful lawyer and married a pious, generous lady named Vanna.

Jacomo young wife took it upon herself to do penance for the worldly excesses of her husband. One day at the instance of Jacomo attended a public tournament, she was sitting in the stands with the other noble ladies when the stands collapsed, Vanna died–her shaken husband was even more disturbed when he realized the penitential girdle she wore was for his sinfulness, on the spot, he vowed to radically change his life.

Dividing his possessions among the poor, Jacomo entered the ‘Secular Franciscan Order’ often dressed in penitential rags, he was mocked as a fool and called Jacopone or “Crazy Jim” by his former associates–the name became dear to him.

After 10 years of such humiliation, Jacopone asked to be a member of the ‘Order of Friars Minor because of his reputation his request was initially refused. Jacopone composed a beautiful poem on the vanities of the world, an act that eventually led to his admission to the Order in 1278 he continued to lead a life of strict penance, declining to be ordained a Priest. Meanwhile he was writing popular hymns in the vernacular.

Jacopoene suddenly found himself a leader in a disturbing religious movement among the Franciscans –‘The Spirituals’ as they were called, wanted a return to the strict poverty of Francis. They had on their side two Cardinals  of the Church and Pope Celestine V (1215-1296) these two Cardinals though opposed Celestine’s successor Boniface VIII (1230-1303)

At the age of 68 Jacopone was excommunicated and imprisoned as penance, he spent the final three years of his life more spiritual than ever, weeping “because Love is not loved.” During this time, he wote the famous Latin hymn ‘Stabat Mater.’

On Christmas Eve 1306 Jacopone felt that his end was near–In a convent for the Poor Clares with his friend Blessed John of La Verna (1259-1322) Like Francis, Jacopone welcomed “Sister Death” with one of his favorite songs.

It is said that he finished the song and died as the Priest intoned the Gloria from the midnight Mass at Christmas. From the time of his death, Brother Jacopone has been venerated as a Saint.

Saint Peter Canisius (1521-1597) –Image: Catholic Online

(Franciscan Media) The energetic life of Peter Canisius, should demolish any stereotypes we may have of the life of a Saint as dull or routine.

Peter Canisius lived his 76 years at a pace which must be considered heroic, even in our time of rapid changes. A man blessed with many talents, Canisius is an excellent example of the scriptural man who developed his talents for the sake of the Lord’s work.

Canisius was one of the most important figures in the Catholic Reformation in Germany, his was such a key role that he has often been called the ‘Second Apostle of Germany’ in that his life parallels the earlier work of Saint Boniface (672-754)

Although Canisius once accused himself of idleness as a youth, he could not have been idle for to long, for at the age of 19 he received his Masters degree from the University of Cologne, soon afterwards he met Peter Faber, the first disciple of the Ignatius Loyola, who influenced Canisius so much that he joined the recently formed Society of Jesus.

At this early age, Canisius had already taken up a practice he continued throughout his life–a process of study, reflection, prayer and writing. After his ordination in 1546 he became widely known for his editions of the writings of Saint Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) and St Leo the Great (400-461)

Besides this reflective literary bent, Canisius had a zeal for the apostolate, he could often be found visiting the sick or prisoners, even when his assigned duties in other areas were more than enough to keep most people fully occupied.

Saint Peter Canisius strengthened the Catholic faith in German and Austria, Switzerland and other parts of Central Europe–During the mid 1500s, Canisius journeys took him to Prague where he founded the Jesuit school along with another in Bavaria and later a third in Munich. The year of 1555 in particular was a landmark for Canisius, Saint Ignatius promoted him to a leadership position within the order which he held until 1569–he published the  first and the longest version of his Catholic catechism, this work and its two shorter adaptations , went through hundreds of printings and remained in use for centuries.

Canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1925 Saint Peter Canisius was declared Doctor of the Church–In a famous saying, the Jesuit Priest revealed the secret behind the accomplishments of his energetic and fruitful life: “If you have to much to do, with God’s help you will find time to do it all.”

Related: More here about Saint Peter Canisius, visit, Catholic Online

St. Dominic of Silos (1000-1073) Image: Catholic Online

(EWTN) St. Dominic of Silos, founder of the Order of Preachers was named after this Benedictine Abbot who lived a century before him. According to Dominican tradition, St Dominic of Silos, appeared to Blessed Joan of Aza (Mother of the later St. Dominic) who made a pilgrimage to his shrine before the birth of her Son and named him after the Abbott of Silos.

Dominic of Silos, was born in Spain into a peasant family. As a young boy he spent time in the fields where he welcomed the solitude–he became a Benedictine Priest and served in numerous leadership positions.

Following a dispute with the King over property, Dominic and two other Monks were exiled, they established a new Monastery at what at first seemed an unpromising location, under Dominic’s leadership however, it became one of the most famous houses in Spain–many healings were reported there.

About 100 years after Dominic’s death, a young woman made a pilgrimage to his tomb, there ‘Dominic of Silos’ appeared to her and assured her that she would bear another son. The woman was ‘Joan of Aza’ and the son she gave birth to grew up to be the ‘other’ Dominic–the one who founded the Dominicans.

More here from Franciscan Media

(Catholic Online) Dominic Uy, Augustine Moi and companions, known as the Martyrs of Tonkin and Cochinchina were martyred in 1839 by strangulation for their faith in Christ Jesus and were canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1988

The Vatican estimates there were between 130,000 to 300,000 Vietnam martyrs, Pope John Paul II, decided to canonize the entire group whose names are known and unknown.

Jesus: “Do not fear those who kill the body but can not kill the soul, rather fear Him (Almighty God)
who can destroy both soul and body in Hell.” –Matthew 10:28

Related: Why Do Catholic’s Seek the Intercession of Saint’s?

How Can You Become a Saint?

St. Auxentius (Died 321) — Image Courtesy: Anastpaul.com

(Catholic Online) Soldier in the Roman army of Emperor Licinius Licinianus (265-325) Auxentius refused to take part in sacrifices before pagan gods and was persecuted for his faith, subsequently released from military service he was ordained a Priest and became Bishop in Cilicia, Turkey.

Related: Why Do Catholic’s Seek the Intercession of Saint’s?

How Can You Become a Saint?

(Catholic Online) Albina was born in Caesarea, in the Roman Empire, she was caught up during the persecutions conducted under Emperor Trajanus Decius (190-251) and martyred in 250 for her devotion and faith in Christ Jesus.

Jesus: “Do not fear those who kill the body but can not kill the soul, rather fear Him (Almighty God)
who can destroy both soul and body in Hell.”
–Matthew 10:28

More here from Saint For a Minute

Related: Why Do Catholic’s Seek the Intercession of Saint’s?

How Can You Become a Saint?

St. Maria di Rosa (1813-1855)
Image Courtesy: St. Paul Street Evangelization

(EWTN) Born into a wealthy family at Italy Brescia, Maria is the founder of the Handmaids of Charity (also known as the ‘Servants of Charity’) by the age of 17 Maria was managing her father’s household and caring for the girls in her father’s mill and estate.

During the cholera epidemic of 1836 Maria became well known as she directed a ‘Home for Girls’ together with another residence for deaf an mute children and young ladies. In 1840 Maria became Superior of a community that evolved into a congregation — the Women of the ‘Servants of Charity’ ministered to the wounded on the battlefield of Northern Italy and in hospitals.

Sister Maria passed away on this date, she was Beatified in 1940 and Canonized in 1954 by Pope Pius XII

More here from SQPN and here from Catholic Online