Cristy Li

Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo (1538-1606)
Image: Samuel Miranda

(EWTN) Turibius (or Turibio) was the second son to the Lord of Mogrovejo and born in the Kingdom of Spain Mayorga and from his earliest years he discovered a strong inclination to charity and it was his delight.

One day seeing a poor Woman street peddler angry because she had lost something out of her pack, Turibius most movingly encouraged her and said that she would not displease God by her anguish and in order to appease her, Turibius gave her money for the value of her loss, which he had begged from his mother for that purpose.

Turibius was very devout to the Blessed Virgin Mary, saying everyday the Rosary, together with fasting every Saturday in her honor. While at school, he would often give away part of his meager dinner to a poor person.

Educated in Law according to Franciscan Media Turibius became a brilliant scholar, subsequently becoming a Professor of Law at the Univ of Salamanca and eventually a Chief Judge.

When the Archdiocese of Peru Lima, required a new leader Turibius was selected to fill that vacancy–he was one of strength, character and holiness of spirit to resolve the conflicts that had infected the area.

Turibius later was ordained as a Priest & Bishop in Peru which he found colonialism at its worst–the Spanish conquerors were guilty of every sort of oppression of the native populace, abuses amongst the clergy were flagrant, so Bishop Turibius first devoted his energies to the needs of the suffering.

Bishop Turibius began the long and arduous visitation of the vast diocese, staying in each place two or three days without neither a place to sleep or sustenance, he made Confession every morning to his Chaplain and celebrated daily Mass with intense fervor.

Among those Bishop Turibius gave the ‘Sacrament of Confirmation’ to were Saint Rose of Lima and possibly Saint Martin de Porres who was a Lay Brother of the Dominican Friary.

In Bishop Turibius 68th yr while visiting in his diocese, he fell sick at Santa Maria del Mar — In his ‘Last Will & Testament’ he bequeathed what he had be distributed to his servants and whatever else remaining be given to the poor. Bishop Turibius was carried to the Church to receive the Holy Viaticum and died this date in 1606

Bishop Turibius was Beatified by Pope Innocent XI in 1679 and Canonized in 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII

St. Nicholas Owen (1550-1606)
Image Courtesy: Fr. Willie Doyle

(Franciscan Media) Born at Oxford the son of a carpenter, Nicholas became a carpenter and a brick mason–two of his brothers became Priests and another a Publisher of underground Catholic books according to SQPN.com Nicholas used his skills to save the lives of Priests in secret hiding places when Catholics were being persecuted, that went completely undetected by raiding parties.

Nicholas (sometimes using the pseudonym John Owen) worked with Saint Edmund Campion one of the 40 Martyrs of England and Wales, Owen’s short stature led to his nickname ‘Little John’ but he was big in the esteem of his fellow Jesuits.

When Fr. Edmund was Martyred for Jesus Christ, Nicholas spoke out against the atrocity and was imprisoned. Following his release from prison, Owen worked in service of the Jesuit Priest Henry Garnet and was admitted into the Society of Jesus as a Brother — In 1594 Owen was arrested again and tortured because of his faith, he was released after a wealthy Catholic family paid his fine, the Jailers believed that he was just some insignificant friend of some Priests according to Wikipedia afterward, Owen returned to his work constructing hiding places for Priests from anti-Catholic authorities.

In 1605 Brother Owen and three other Jesuits were forced into hiding in Hinlip Hall (which according to SQPN.com had some 13 hiding places) to escape the Priest hunters. Owen spent 4 days in one of his secret hiding places but having no food or water, he finally surrendered and was taken to the Tower of London and was there endlessly tortured for information on the underground network of Priests and their hiding places with ‘such inhuman ferocity’ that he became disemboweled and died.

Brother Owen was Beatified in 1929 by Pope Pius XI and was Canonized in 1970 by Pope Paul VI

Blessed John of Parma (1209-1289)
Image/Video: Catholic Online

(Franciscan Media) The Seventh Minister General of the Franciscan Order, John was known for his attempts to bring back the earlier spirit of the Order after the death of Saint Francis of Assisi.

As a young philosophy professor known for his devotion to God that John entered the Franciscan Order. After his profession, John was sent to Paris to complete his theological studies. After becoming ordained into the Priesthood, Fr. John was appointed to teach theology in his home country of Italy and he was first sent to Bologna, then to Naples before being going to Rome.

In 1245 Pope Innocent IV, called a General Counsel in France Lyon, Crescentius the Franciscan Minister General at the time, was ailing and unable to attend. In his place, Fr. John was sent and he made a deep impression on the Church leaders gathered. Two years later when Pope Innocent IV presided at the election of a ‘Minister General to the Franciscans’ he remembered Fr. John and held him up as the man best qualified for this office.

Fr. John in 1247 was subsequently elected as the ‘Minister General’ — the surviving disciples of St. Francis rejoiced in his election, expecting to return to the spirit of penury and humility of the early days of the Order and they were not disappointed.

As ‘Minister General’ Fr. John traveled on foot, accompanied by one or two companions, to practically all of the Franciscan convents in existence. Sometimes he would arrive and not be recognized, remaining there for a number of days to evaluate the true spirit of the Brothers.

The Holy Father called on Fr. John to serve as Legate (his personal representative) to Constantinople, where he was most successful of winning back the schismatic Greeks. Upon his return, Fr. John asked that someone else take his place to govern the Order of Franciscans. St. Bonaventure, at Fr. John’s urging was chosen to succeed him.

Fr. John subsequently, tool up a life of seclusion in Italy Greccio. Many years later, Fr. John learned that the Greeks who had been reconciled with the Church for a time, had relapsed in schism.

Though 80 yrs old by then, Fr. John received permission from Pope Nicholas IV, to return to the East in an effort to restore unity once again but on his way, Fr. John tool ill and died.

Fr. John was Beatified in 1777 by Pope Pius VI

Saint Salvator
Image: Vendita di Santini Holy Cards

(Franciscan Media) Born Salvador (Salvator) Pladevall i Bien in Spain Girona to a poor family, his parents worked as servants, Salvator developed a reputation of righteousness which can be its own nuisance at times.

At the age of 21 young Salvator, entered the Franciscans as a Brother and soon became known for his self-discipline, humility and simplicity.

As a cook, porter and a mendicant for the Friars in Tortosa, Salvator became well known for his charity, visitation and intercessory prayers for the sick. When crowds of sick people came to see Salvator, the Friars transferred him to Horta but once again, the sick would continue to flock to him, asking for his intercessory prayers–one person estimated that 2,000 people a week came to see him.

Salvator would tell those people seeking his intercessory prayer to examine their consciences, go to confession and receive the Eucharist worthily, refusing to say intercessory prayers for those who would not receive the sacraments.

The public attention given to Salvator was relentless, crowds would sometimes tear off pieces of his religious habit as relics.

Two years before Salvator’s death, he was moved again, this time to Italy Cagliari the capitol of Sardinia where he passed away saying his final words:

“Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.”

Salvator was Beatified in 1606 by Pope Paul V and Canonized in 1938 by Pope Pius XI

St. Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Image: A Christian Pilgrimage

(EWTN) The glorious St. Joseph was born in Jerusalem and it is generally believed that he died at Nazareth before Jesus began his ministry.

The Holy Scriptures tell us very little of Joseph but from the early chapters of Matthew and Luke, we glean that Joseph was a Carpenter by trade, a just and religious man, together with being an excellent husband and father.

The genealogy given in Matthew 1: 1-17 traces his lineage from Abraham and King David — The history of his life was not written by men but his principle actions are recorded by the Holy Spirit himself God entrusted him with the education of his divine Son, manifested in the flesh. In this view, he was espoused to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Later when Joseph learned that Mary was with child, though he had not been with her, he had privately considered putting her away, yet Joseph hesitated because Joseph was a kindly man and did not want to expose Mary to the reproach which such an action would bring.

It was at this time of uncertainty that the Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and revealed to him the ‘Mystery of the Incarnation: Joseph, Son of David, Do Not Be Afraid’  Saint Joseph had an important role in the history of salvation, he is part of the fulfillment of the covenant promises made to Abraham and David.

Joseph accepted without question the two-fold office with which he was charged: (1) Protector of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s honor; (2) foster father of the child Jesus that was to be born.

As we celebrate the solemnity of Saint Joseph today, we contemplate him as a model of faith and trust in God. We all should strive to imitate Joseph, asking God to increase our faith and help us in our unbelief. Likewise as we meditate today on Joseph’s role in the history of salvation, we ask God to enlighten us about our own mission and we ask Him for the grace and strength to fulfill that mission as Joseph did.

More here from Franciscan Media

Related: For Holy Scripture Readings and More Visit: -USCCB

Why do we Celebrate a Solemnity of St. Joseph? -EWTN

St. Cyril of Jerusalem
Image: Catholic Online

Bishop of Jerusalem and Doctor of the Church, little is known of Cyril except from information that one gathers from his younger contemporaries  Epiphanius, Jerome and Rufinus, together from 5th century historians Socrates, Sozomen and Theodoret.

Raised in Jerusalem and well educated, especially in the Scriptures, Cyril was ordained a Priest by the Bishop of Jerusalem according to Franciscan Media and given the task of catechizing during Lent those preparing for baptism and during the Easter season the newly baptized. Cyril’s ‘Catecheses’ remain valuable as examples of the ritual and theology of the Church in the 4th century.

The crisis the Church faces today may seem minor when compared with the threat posed by the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Jesus Christ and almost overcame Christianity during the 4th century–Cyril was caught up in the controversies, accused later of Arianism by St. Jerome (345-420) but ultimately vindicated in his own time. In the Synodal Letter of 382 after the 2nd Council of Constantinople (381) writes Idle Speculations the Eastern Bishops, officially recognized Cyril’s flawless doctrine.

Cyril became Bishop of Jerusalem according to Justus Anglican.org in about 349 his ‘Catechetical Lectures’ found here at Amazon and here at SQPN.com remain invaluable resource documents for the Church’s early teachings.

Saint Patrick (415-493)
Image: Catholic Online

(Franciscan Media) Legends about Patrick abound but the truth is best served by our seeing the solid qualities in him: (1) a humble and courageous servant of God; (2) the determination to accept suffering and success with equal indifference guided Patrick’s life; (3) winning much of Ireland for Jesus Christ.

Specific details of Patrick’s life are a little uncertain but what one does know is that Patrick was a man of action. About in the year 442 tradition teaches us according to EWTN that Patrick went to Rome and met with Pope Leo the Great who had taken a special interest in the Irish Church.

In all of the ancient biographies of Saint Patrick, the marvelous is continually present–fortunately we have three of Patrick’s own writings, which helps us to see and learn about the man himself:

• The Letter to Coroticus was intended to shame the 5th century General, according to NC Register whose raiding soldiers declared to be ‘blood-stained, with the blood of innocent Christians’ as they were being baptized.

In his writings, Patrick shows his ardent human feelings and his intense love of God. — Patrick’s marvelous harvest, filled him with gratitude. During his apostolate of 30 years, he is reported to have consecrated some 350 Bishops and was instrumental in bringing the Christian faith to many thousands to which Patrick wrote:

“Wherefore those in Ireland who never had the knowledge of God but until now only worshiped idols and abominations, from them has has been lately prepared a people of the Lord and they are called children of God. Sons and Daughters of Chieftains are seen becoming Monks and Virgins of Christ.”

Related: St. Patrick’s Day Prayer -Direct From Lourdes

Saint Clement Mary Hofbauer
Image: TLDM

(Franciscan Media) Clement Hofbauer, was born the day after Christmas 1751 in Moravia Tasswitz (modern day Czech Republic) and was the 9th of 12 children–although he longed to enter the Priesthood, his family couldn’t afford it as his father died when he was just 6 yrs old according to SQPN.com and young Clement had to accept an apprenticeship to a Baker but God was guiding this young mans fortunes–finding work in the Bakery of a Monastery where he was permitted to attend classes in its Latin school.

After the Abbot at the Monastery passed away, Clement attempted to live the life in solitude and prayer but when Emperor Joseph II abolished monasteries and religious orders, Clement returned to Vienna and Baking.

One day after serving Mass at the Cathedral of St. Stephen, Clement called for a carriage for two ladies waiting in the rain, in conversation with them, they learned that Clement could not pursue his studies for the Priesthood because of a lack of funds–They generously offered to financially support him and his friend Thaddeus, in seminary studies.

Clement and Thaddeus went to Rome where they were drawn to St. Alphonsus and the Redemptorists and entered among them–the two young men were ordained in 1785

As new Priests, Fr. Clement Mary (as he was now called) and Fr. Thaddeus, were sent back to Vienna but religious difficulties persisted there, resulting them having to leave and go to Poland Warsaw, there they encountered many German speaking Catholics who had been left without Priests.

At first, they lived in extreme poverty and ministered outdoors, subsequently they were assigned to St. Benno Catholic Church and for the next 9 yrs they preached 5 sermons a day–two in German and three in Polish, converting many to Christianity. There they were also active in social work among the poor, founding an orphanage and then a school for boys.

Drawing new Parishioners to their congregation they were able to send Missionaries throughout Poland, Germany and Switzerland but all of these foundations had to be abandoned because of the political and religious tensions of the times.

After some 20 years of difficult work Fr. Clement Mary was imprisoned and later expelled from the country–Only after a subsequent arrest did he make it back to Vienna where he was to live and work for the remainder of his life.

Fr. Clement Mary soon became known as the ‘Apostle of Vienna’ hearing the confessions of the rich and poor alike, visiting the sick and establishing a Catholic college in his beloved city.

One of the most remarkable of the many figures behind the scenes at the Congress of Vienna was Fr. Clement Mary, helping to establish the Redemptorists following his death and as a consequence to this achievement, he was regarded by the Redemptorists as their second founder.

Fr. Clement Mary Hofbrauer, was Beatified in January, 1888 by Pope Leo XIII In May, 1909 he was Canonized by Pope Pius X and in 1914 was named the Patron Saint of Austria, Vienna.