Cristy Li

St. John Berchmans (1599-1621)
Image Courtesy: St. Paul Street Evangelization

(EWTN) Born in Belgium, Province of Brabant, John was the eldest of five siblings, growing up in an atmosphere of political turmoil caused by a religious war between the Catholics and Protestant sections of the Netherlands. — John would study at the Jesuit College at Malines according to SQPN and worked as a Servant in the household of Canon John Froymont, in order to continue his studies. John’s hopes and ambitions were to one day help and teach bilingual migrants, so he would go on to study all of the chief languages of Europe.

John was an ambitious, energetic student and became a leader among all the other students — St. Aloysius Gonzaga (Feast Day: 21 June) became John’s spiritual model and he was influenced in his life as well by the example of Jesuit English Martyrs.

It was John’s realistic appreciation for the value of ordinary things, a characteristic of the Flemish (Dutch language; One of the two official languages spoken in Belgium) traditions which constituted John’s holiness. John was affable, kind and endowed with an outgoing personality that endeared him to everyone.

In 1618 John was sent to Rome to continue his studies in philosophy, he was known as an exceptional student. John would request to become an Army Chaplain following his Ordination however by the Summer of 1619 the intense heat of Rome began affecting his health and he began to progressively become weak.

John’s physicians could not determine what was wrong with him and for the next two years, John would require continual medical treatment and care. By the Summer of 1621 it was becoming clear that John’s final days were just before him and he died peacefully soon thereafter. Many miracles were attributed to his intercessory prayers at the time of his funeral in August 1621

John was Beatified in 1865 by Pope Pius IX and Canonized in 1888 by Pope Leo XIII

St. Catherine of Alexandria (287-305)
Image: St. Paul Street Evangelization

(Franciscan Media) Born in Egypt Alexandria,Catherine converted to Christianity according to EWTN after receiving a vision of Our Lady and the Holy Child.

At the age of 18 Catherine debated 50 Pagan Philosophers. Amazed at her wisdom and her debating skills, they all became Christians, as did about 200 Soldiers and members of the Emperor’s family–all of them would be martyred.

Catherine was sentenced to be put to death on a spiked wheel. When she was fastened to the wheel, her bonds were miraculously loosened and the wheel itself broke, its spikes flying off killing some of the spectators, she was then beheaded. — Centuries later, Angels are said to have carried the body of St. Catherine to a Monastery at the foot of Mt. Sinai.

Devotion to St. Catherine spread as the result of the ‘Crusades’ shes been invoked as the Patroness of: Nurses, Lawyers, Librarians, Philosophers, Schoolchildren and Teachers. — St. Catherine is one of 14 ‘Holy Helpers’ venerated especially in Germany and Hungary.

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

St. Andrew Dung-Lac
Image Courtesy: St. Paul Street Evangelization

(Franciscan Media) Born 1795 in Vietnam, Andrew Dung-Lac was one of 117 people martyred for Christ in Vietnam between 1820-1862

Fr. Andrew Dung-Lac worked in missions with Priests of the ‘Society of Foreign Missions of Paris’ according to SQPN — Imprisoned and repeatedly tortured during the persecutions of Minh-Meng, he died together with St. Peter Thi in 1839

EWTN Video: St. Dung-Lac Priest, Martyr
and Martyred Companions

All 117 were part of the group Beatified on four different occasions between 1900-1951 and Canonized in 1988 by Pope Saint John Paul II

More here from EWTN

Pope Saint Clement I
Image Courtesy: St. Paul Street Evangelization

(CNA) Born in Italy Rome, the details before Pope Saint Clement I before his conversion and even afterward are largely unknown. Some aspects of his writings have led scholars to believe the 4th Pope either came from a Jewish background or he had converted to Judaism earlier in life before his conversion to Christianity.

Tradition suggests that Clement I was the son of a Roman named Faustinus and that he joined the Church in Rome during its early years, through the ministry of St. Peter or St. Paul (Feast Day: 29 June) Clement  I, went on to share in the missionary journeys of the Apostles of Christ and may even had assisted the first Pope in running the Church on a local level.

Following the death’s of St. Peter’s first two successors, the Canonized Pope’s St. Linus (Feast Day: 23 Sept) and St. Cletus (Feast Day: 26 April) Clement I, took up St. Peter’s position of primacy in the Church around the year 90 — One of his most important tasks during his 10 yrs as Pope was to resolve serious problems in the ‘Church of Corinth’ which St. Paul had struggled to discipline.

Clement I own letter to the Corinthians (though not part of the Biblical Canon) offers an important look at the role of authority and charity in the early Church. 

“Charity unites us to God. There is nothing mean in charity, nothing arrogant. Charity knows no schism, does not rebel, does all things in concord. In charity, all the elect of God have been made perfect.” –Pope Saint Clement I –Catholic Saints.Info

It’s introduction suggests that Pope Clement I composed it while his own local church faced persecution from the Roman Emperor Domitian.

In the letter, Pope Clement I describes how the Corinthians had once been “distinguished by humility” being “in no respect puffed up with pride and more willing to give then to receive,” however in time, “the worthless rose up against the honored, those of no reputation against such as were renowned, the foolish against the wise, the young against those advanced in years.” 

“Let us give up vain and fruitless cares and approach to the glorious and venerable rule of our holy calling,” Pope Clement I wrote in his call to repentance. “Let us attend to what is good, pleasing and acceptable in the sight of Him who formed us.”

Order and discipline Pope Clement I noted, are at least as important in the Church as they are in the rest of creation, where the powers of nature follow God’s decrees. — Pope Clement I, also warned the Corinthians to follow “those who cultivate peace with godliness,” rather than “those who hypocritically profess to desire it.”

The Church Pope Saint Clement I headed, was one that honored tradition and right order as fundamentals of its life.

“It behooves us all to do all things in order which the Lord has commanded us to perform at stated times,” Pope Clement I told the Corinthians. God he said, “has enjoined offerings and service to be performed…not thoughtlessly or irregularly but at the appointed times and hours.”

“Where and by whom (God) desires these things to be done, He Himself as fixed by His own Supreme will, in order that all things being piously done according to His good pleasure may be acceptable to Him.”

Pope Saint Clement I (the 4th Pope) own writings, reveal much about the early Church but little about his own life. According to one later account, he died (martyred in the year 101) while in exile during the reign of Emperor Trajan (98-117) who purportedly banished Pope Clement I, to Crimea (modern day Ukraine) and had him killed in retaliation for evangelizing the local population.

Related: For Today’s Bible Readings for the Memorial of Pope St. Clement I, Visit: -USCCB

(Catholic Stand) Son of a Roman Nobleman, young Maurus entered the Monastery at Subiaco around the age of twelve under the care of Benedict of Nursia (480-543) where he would become a Monk and Benedict’s protege.

It wasn’t uncommon in Maurus time for parents to offer their children as ‘Oblates’ to a Monastery where they would be provided with a sound education both intellectually and morally.

More here from Catholic Encyclopedia and here from Wikipedia

St. Cecilia (3rd Century)
Image Courtesy: St. Paul Street Evangelization

(Franciscan Media) Although Cecilia is one of the most famous of the Roman Martyrs for Christ, the familiar stories about her may not be founded in reliable material. There is no trace of honor being paid to her in early time. A fragmentary inscription of the late 4th century refer to a Church named after her and her Feast day was celebrated at least in 545

According to legend, Cecilia was a young Christian of high rank, betrothed to a Roman named Valerian of Trastevere through her influence, Valerian converted and was martyred along with his brother in Italy Rome in 229 

St. Cecilia was reportedly beheaded according to SQPN after attempts to suffocate her failed.

Since the time of the Renaissance, St. Cecilia has usually been portrayed with a viola or a small organ.

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

Blessed Virgin Mary
Image Courtesy: St. Paul Street Evangelization

(CNA) “Religious parents never fail by devout prayer to consecrate their children to the Divine service and love both before and after their birth,” writes EWTN and today’s Feast commemorates the presentation of the Blessed Virgin as a child in the temple. Tradition holds that all young Jewish girls were left in the care of the temple for a period of time, during which they were educated.

The Feast day originated in Asia, probably about the 7th century and is found in the constitution of ‘Manuel Comnenus’ (1166) as a recognized festival. — It was introduced in the Western Church in the 14th century. Pope Pius V, struck it from the calendar however Pope Sixtus V later reestablished the Feast in 1585

The Church Commemorates:

• Virgin Mary Mother of God (01 January)
• Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (31 May)
• Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (08 September)
• Feast of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (08 December) emphasizing the holiness conferred on Mary from the beginning of her life on earth, continued through her early childhood and beyond.
  

More here from Franciscan Media

(Catholic Online) Martyr and valiant defender of Christianity in Caesarea, Agapius was taken prisoner during the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian in 306 AD, three times suffered imprisonment for his faith in Jesus, released after enduring torture each time. When Agapius was arrested a fourth time, he was offered a pardon if he would deny Christ Jesus, when he refused, he was penned up with wild animals, while they inflicted severe trauma to him he was found still alive the following day, subsequently Agapius was weighted down with heavy stones, cast into the sea and drowned.

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. Agnes of Assisi Pray for Us That We May Also Have
The Gift of Great Faith —My Catholic Faith Ministries

(Franciscan Media) Born in Italy Assisi, Saint Agnes was the sister of Saint Clare of Assisi — Founder of Poor Clare Sisters (Feast Day: 11 August) and her first followers.

When Agnes left home two weeks after her sister Clare departed, her family attempted to bring Agnes back by force. — The attempted to drag her out of the Monastery but all of a sudden, her body became so heavy that several Knights could not budge it. Agnes’ uncle Monaldo attempted to strike/hit her but found himself temporarily paralyzed. The Knights subsequently left both Agnes and Clare in peace.

Agnes matched her sister Clare devotion to prayer and penance which characterized their lives at St. Damiano — In 1221 a group of Benedictine Nuns of Monticelli (near Florence) would ask to become Poor Clare Sisters  – Clare would send her her Sister Agnes to become Abbess of that Monastery, Agnes would subsequently write a rather sad letter, describing how much she missed her Sister Clare and the other Nuns at St. Damiano. After establishing other ‘Poor Clare Monasteries’ in Italy, Agnes was recalled to St. Damiano in 1253 when her Sister Clare was dying. — Agnes followed Clare in death just 3 months later and was Canonized in 1753 by Pope Benedict XIV

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne
-Image Courtesy: Catholic Online

(CNA) Born in France Grenoble to a family of wealth with political connections, Rose’s father Pierre Francois Duchesne was an Attorney, businessman and prominent civic leader, her mother Rose Perier according to SQPN was a member of a leading family.

From the age of 8 Rose had a desire to evangelize in the United States sparked by hearing a Jesuit Missionary speak of his work there.

Rose received a basic education at home from private tutors and religious instruction from her mother. At the age of 12, Rose was sent to be educated at the Convent of the ‘Visitations Nuns’ in Grenoble, she would join them at the age of 19 despite her parents opposition.

When the French Revolution broke out the Convent was closed and Rose began caring for the poor and sick, opening a school for homeless children and risking her life to help Priests in the underground.

When the political turmoil cooled, Rose rented her former Convent (now in shambles) and attempted to revive its religious life but the spirit was gone from it and there were only 4 Nuns left. Rose and her Sisters, joined the newly formed ‘Society of the Sacred Heart’ whose young Superior Saint Madeline Sophie Barat (Feast Day: 29 May) would be her lifelong friend.

In a short time Sister Rose ‘Philippine’ was a Superior and Supervisor of the Novitiate and school but her ambition from childhood, after hearing tales of Missionary work in Louisiana, was to go to the U.S. and work among the Indians there.

At the age of 49 Sister Rose Philippine believing this was her calling from God traveled together with four other Sisters, spending 11 months at sea enroute to New Orleans, then traveling 7 more weeks on the Mississippi River to St. Louis, which she then met one of the many disappointments in her life. — The Bishop had no place for the Nuns to live and work among the Indians but instead sent them to what she would call ‘the remotest village in the United States,’ St. Charles, Missouri but with characteristic, drive and courage, Sister Rose Philippine, founded the first ‘Free’ school for girls, West of the Mississippi.

Though Sister Rose Philippine was as hardy as any of the pioneer Women in the wagons rolling west to Florissant, MO, there she founded the first Catholic Indian school later adding others in the territory.

“In her first decade (in the U.S.) Mother Duchesne suffered practically every hardship the frontier had to offer, except the threat of Indian massacre–poor lodging, shortages of food, drinking water, fuel and money, forest fires and blazing chimneys, the vagaries of the Missouri climate, cramped living quarters and the privation of all privacy, the crude manners of children reared in rough surroundings and with only the slightest training in the country.” –Louise Callan, RSCJ, Philippine Duchsene

Finally at the age of 72 when unfortunately now in failing health and retired, Sister Rose Philippine got her lifelong wish, a new Mission was founded in Sugar Creek, KS among the Potawatomi Indians and she was taken along there. Though she was unable to learn the language of these Indians, they would soon name her as the “Woman-Who-Always-Prays.” — While others would teach, Sister Rose Philippine would be in prayer.

Legend has it that the Indian tribe’s children would sneak behind her as she knelt and would sprinkle bits of paper on her habit, coming back hours later and would find them undisturbed.

Sister Rose Philippine Duchesne passed away in St. Charles, MO at the age of 83 in 1940 she was Beatified by Pope Pius XII and Canonized in 1988 by Pope Saint John Paul II

More here from the Vatican