Cristy Li

St. Anthony of Saint Anne Galvao (1739-1822)
Image: Catholic Thoughts

(Franciscan Media) God’s plan in an individuals life takes unexpected turns which become life-giving through cooperation with God’s grace.

Anthony was born in Brazil Guaratingueta near Sao Paulo to a deeply religious family of high social standing. — According to the Vatican Anthony’s father Antonio Galvao de Franca, was active in the would of commerce, belonged to the ‘Third Order of St. Francis’ and was known for his generosity. Anthony’s mother Izabel Letite de Barros, bore 11 children before her premature death in 1755 at the age of 38 she too was well known for her generosity, in fact, when she passed, none of her clothes could be found because she had given them all to the poor.

When Anthony was 13 yrs old his father Antonio, sent him to a Jesuit Seminary in Belem but due to a growing anti-Jesuit climate, Antonio later recommended that Anthony pursue his vocation with the Franciscan Friars instead.

In 1760 at the age of 21,  Anthony entered St. Bonaventure Friary in Macacu in Rio de Janeiro, during this period, Anthony was known for his devotion, zeal and exemplary values. In 1761 Anthony made his solemn profession and took the Franciscan vow to defend the Blessed Virgin Mary’s title of the ‘Immaculate’ at the time, it was still a controversial doctrine. One year later, Anthony was Ordained as a Priest and sent to St. Francis Fiary in Sao Paulo, where he continued his studies in theology and philosophy. — In 1768 Fr. Anthony was appointed Preacher, Confessor and  Porter at the Convent, an important post.

Within a few years, Fr. Anthony was appointed Confessor to the ‘Recollects of St. Teresa’ a group on Nun’s in Sao Paulo — Subsequently, Fr. Anthony and Sister Helena Maria of the Holy Spirit, founded a new community of Sisters, under the patronage of ‘Our Lady of the Conception of Divine Providence’ with Sister Helena Maria’s premature death the following year, this left Fr. Anthony, responsible for the new congregation, especially for building a Convent and Church adequate for their growing numbers.

Fr. Anthony served as the Novice Master for the Friars in Macacu and as Guardian of ‘St. Francis Friary’ in Sao Paulo. Subsequently Fr. Anthony founded ‘St. Clare Convent in Sorocaba Sao Paulo — After 11 months, he returned to ‘St Francis Friary’ — Because of his old age, Fr. Anthony obtained permission from the Bishop and Guardian to stay at the Recolhimento da Luz, where he passed away two days before Christmas.

On this date in 1998 Fr. Anthony of Saint Anne Galvao was Beatified by Pope Saint John Paul II and Canonized in 2007 by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

St. Ignatius of Antioch
Image Courtesy: Archbishop Jose Gomez

(CNA) Born around the year 50 in Syria, Saint Ignatius is said to have been personally instructed together with another future Martyr for Christ Saint Polycarp (Feast Day: 23 February) by the Apostle St. John.

When Ignatius became the Bishop of Antioch around the year 70, he assumed leadership of a local Church that was according to tradition, first led by Saint Peter before his move to Rome.

Although Saint Peter transmitted his Papal primacy to the Bishop’s of Rome rather than Antioch, the city played an important role in the life of the early Church. — Located in present day Turkey, it was the chief city of the Roman Empire and was also the location where the Believers in Jesus’ teachings and the resurrection were first called ‘Christians.’

Ignatius led the Christians of Antioch during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian the first of the emperors to proclaim his divinity by adopting the title ‘Lord and God’ — Subjects who would not worship the emperor under his title were subject to the punishment of death. As the leader of a major Catholic diocese during this period, Ignatius showed courage and worked to inspire it in others.

After Domitian’s murder in the year 96 his successor Nerva reigned only briefly and was soon followed by Emperor Trajan and during his reign, Christians were once again liable to death for denying the pagan state religion and refusing to participate in its rites. It was during his reign that Ignatius was convicted for his Christian testimony and sent from Syria to Rome to be executed.

Escorted by a team of military guards, Ignatius nonetheless managed to compose seven letters, six to various local Churches throughout the empire (including the Church of Rome) and one to his fellow Bishop Saint Polycarp, who gave his own life for Christ several decades later.

Saint Ignatius’ letters passionately stressed the importance of Church unity, the dangers of heresy and the surpassing importance of the Eucharist as “the medicine of immorality.” These writing contain the first surviving description of the Church as ‘Catholic’ from the Greek word indicating both universality and fullness. 

One of the most striking features of Ignatius’ letters is his enthusiastic embrace of martyrdom as a means to union with God and eternal life.

“All the pleasures of the world and all the kingdoms of this earth shall profit me nothing. — It is better for me to die in behalf of Jesus Christ, than to reign over all the ends of the earth,” Ignatius wrote to the Church of Rome.

“Now I begin to be a disciple,” Ignatius declared. “Let fire and the cross; Let crowds of wild beasts; Let tearing, breakings and dislocations of bones; Let shatterings of the whole body and let the dreadful torments of the Devil come upon me, only let me attain to Jesus Christ.”

Saint Ignatius bore witness to Jesus Christ publicly for the last time in Rome’s Flavian Amphitheater where he was mauled to death by lions.

“I am the wheat of the Lord,” Saint Ignatius declared before facing the lions. “I must be ground by the teeth of these beasts to be made the pure bread of Christ.”

In 2007 Pope Benedict XIV said of Saint Ignatius: “No Church Father has expressed the longing for union with Christ and for life in Him with the intensity of Ignatius.”

More here from Franciscan Media and here from EWTN

St. Mother Theodore Geurin (1798-1856)
Image Courtesy: Guerin Catholic High School,
Noblesville, Indiana

(CNA) Born in France Brittany, Anne Therese (birth name) grew up at a time that the French government was shutting down Seminaries and Churches–Anne’s life was shattered when her father was murdered while she was only 15 following this tragedy, Anne helped to care for her mother and younger sister together with her cousin a Seminarian lived in hiding in her families home, while there he instructed Anne thoroughly in faith and theology which Anne exhibited a remarkable knowledge of.

In 1823 at the age of 26 Anne entered the ‘Sisters of Providence’ and took the name Sister Saint Theodore, according to SQPN and made her final vows in 1831 — In 1840 Sister Saint Theodore was sent to the State of Indiana in order to found a Convent of the ‘Sisters of Providence’ in the Diocese of Vicennes located in the far south-western part of the state. There Sister Saint Theodore pioneered Catholic education and would open the first Girls Boarding School.

Sister Saint Mother Theodore became well known for her Heroic witness in faith, her hope and her love of God. During the fledgling years at the Convent of ‘Our Lady of the Woods’ were challenging (now called, Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary of the Woods) with the ever present danger of it being burned down by the anti-Catholics. Persecution also came within the Church from Sister Saint Theodore own Bishop, who on not being able to tamper with the ‘Sisters of Providence’ Order’s Rule, excommunicated her–the excommunication was eventually lifted by his successor.

Sister Saint Mother Theodore’s ‘holiness was evident to people who knew her,’ writes the Vatican and many described her simply as “Saintly” she possessed the ability to draw out the best in people, to enable them to attain more than they thought possible–her love was one of her greatest hallmarks, she loved God, God’s people, the ‘Sisters of Providence’ together with the Church and the people that she served.

Sixteen years after arriving at ‘Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary of the Woods’ Sister Saint Theodore passed away, during the years of her life, she touched countless lives which continues to this day.

Sister Saint Mother Theodore was Beatified in 1998 by Pope Saint John Paul II and Canonized in 2006 by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

Painting: ‘The Calling of St. Matthew’
Artist: Matthias Stomer (1600-1650)
Image Courtesy: Molly/Flickr

(CNA) St. Matthew, the first century ‘Tax Collector’ turned Apostle, chronicled the life and ministry of Christ in his Gospel. While little is known of Sr. Matthew, the account which he wrote about Christ’s Ministry is of inestimable value to Christians, particularly to his verification of Jesus as the Messiah.

The Gospel accounts of St. Mark (Feast Day: 25 April) and St. Luke (Feast Day: 18 October)  like St. Matthew’s own, describe the encounter between Jesus and Matthew: Matthew 9:9-13 under the surprising circumstances of Matthew’s tax-collecting duties. Jewish Publicans who collected taxes on behalf of the Roman authorities of first century Judea were objects of scorn, even hatred among their own communities–since they worked on behalf of the occupying authority, often earning their living by collecting more than the state’s due.

Jesus most likely encountered Matthew near the house of St. Peter (Feast Day: 29 June) in Capernaum, near the Sea of Galilee — Matthew’s calling into Jesus’ inner circle, was a dramatic gesture of of the Messiah’s universal message and mission, causing some religious authorities of the Jewish community to ask: “Why does your teacher eat with the tax-collectors and sinners?” —Matthew 9:11 Jesus significant response indicated a central purpose: “For I came not to call the righteous but sinners.” Matthew 9:13; See also: Mark 2:15-17 and Luke 5:29-32

A witness to Christ’s resurrection after death as well as His ascension into Heaven and the events of Pentecost, Matthew also recorded Jesus’ instruction for the Apostles:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you and Lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” — Matthew 28:19-20

Like 11 of the 12 Apostles, St. Matthew is traditionally thought to have died as a Martyr for Christ, while ministering the Gospel.

There is some disagreement as to the place of St. Matthew’s martyrdom according to EWTN and the kind of torture inflicted upon him, therefore its is not known whether St. Matthew was beheaded, burned or stoned to death.

Both St. Matthew and his Gospel have inspired important works of religious art, ranging from the ornate illuminated pages of the ‘Book of Kells’ to the St. Matthew Passion of J.S. Bach — Three famous paints of Caravaggio, depicting St. Matthew’s calling, inspiration and martyrdom, hanging within the Contarelli Chapel in Rome’s Church of St. Louis of the French.

Reflecting on St. Matthew’s calling, from the pursuit of dishonest financial gain to the heights of holiness and divine inspiration, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI said, “…the persuasive voice of the publican Matthew, who having become an Apostle, continues to proclaim God’s saving mercy to us and let us listen to St. Matthew’s message, meditating upon it ever anew also to learn to stand up and follow Jesus with determination.”

More here from Franciscan Media

Related: For Today’s Holy Scripture Readings on the Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle & Evangelist, Visit: -USCCB

Saint Cyprian 200-258
Image Courtesy: DC-Laus Deo

(EWTN) Cyprian was an African of Noble-birth but of an evil early life, a Pagan and a Teacher of rhetoric until midway through his life, Cyprian converted to Christianity (around 246 according to Britannica) and amazed his friends by making a vow of chastity shortly before his Baptism according to Franciscan Media and within two years, was Ordained a Priest — Cyprian was chosen as Bishop of Carthage (near Tunis) notwithstanding his resistance.

When the Decian persecution broke out (around 250) he fled from his Episcopal See, that he may be better able to minister to the needs of the people but returned when pestilence broke out, urging Christians to help everyone including their enemies and persecutors.

Later he was banished by the Emperor but refused to leave and then recalled from exile for trial a sentence of death was pronounced against him which he received with the words: “Thanks be to God.”

Saint Cyprian ‘courageously faced martyrdom in the midst of his people’ according to Pope Benedict XIV and beheaded.

More here from Catholic News Agency

Saint Jeanne Jugan (1792-1879)
Image Courtesy: Catholic Online

(CNA) In his homily for the Canonization of Saint Jeanne Jugan on the 11 October, 2009 Pope Benedict XVI praised St. Jeanne as a “beacon to guide our societies” adding:

“Jeanne Jugan was concerned with the dignity of her brothers and sisters in humanity whom age had made more vulnerable, recognizing in them the Person of Christ Himself. ‘Look upon the poor with compassion,’ she would say, ‘and Jesus will look kindly upon you on your last day.’ Pope Benedict recalled how Jeanne, “lived the mystery of love, peacefully accepting obscurity…Her charism (good gift that flows from God) is ever timely while so many elderly people are suffering from numerous forms of poverty, solitude and are sometimes abandoned by their families.”

Born in France Brittany, Jeanne grew up during the political and religious upheavals of the French Revolution. Four years following her birth, her father was lost at sea. Jeanne’s mother struggled to provide for Jeanne and her 3 siblings, while also providing them ‘secretly’ with religious instruction amid the ant-Catholic persecutions of the day.

At the age of 15 or 16 Jeanne became a kitchen maid for a family that not only cared for its own family members according to Franciscan Media but also served the poor and elderly people nearby. When Jeanne was 18 and again 6 yrs later, she declined two marriage proposals from the same man, telling her mother, that God had other plans and was calling her to “a work which is not yet founded.”

When Jeanne was 25 yrs old she would join a religious order founded by St. John Eudes (Feast Day: 19 August) Jeanne became a Nurse at the hospital at Le Rosais for six years but later had to resign her position due to health issues, subsequently she became a servant and a friend of a Woman she met through the religious order. They would pray together, visit the poor and taught Catechism to children.

Following Jeanne’s friend’s death, she and two other Women (one an older Woman and a orphaned young lady) carried on a similar life of charity in the city of Saint-Sevran — During 1839 it was a year of economic hardship, Jeanne and the other two Women met Anne Chauvin, an elderly, blind Woman, partially paralyzed and had no one to care for her, she became the first permanent guest of Jeanne and the other two Women.

Soon thereafter Jeanne and her two companions, took in two more elderly Women in need of help and by 1841 Jeanne had rented a room to provide housing for a dozen elderly men and women. — The following year, Jeanne acquired an unused Convent building that could house 40 people.

During the 1840s many other young Women joined Jeanne in her mission of service to the elderly poor, by soliciting charitable gifts by others, Jeanne was able to establish 4 additional homes for the elderly poor by the end of the decade.

By 1850 over 100 Women joined Jeanne’s religious order which today is known as the Little Sisters of the Poor and by 1853 the association numbered 500 Women and had houses as far away as England.

Pope Leo XII would give final approval of the Little Sisters of the Poor constitutions in 1879 which by then had 2,400 houses for the elderly poor. Jeanne would later pass away on this date that same year.

Jeanne was Beatified in 1982 by Pope Saint John Paul II and Canonized in 2009 by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

Related: Why Charles Dickens Cried When He Met St. Jeanne Jugan -Natl Catholic Register

Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist
Image Courtesy: Archbishop Jose Gomez

(EWTN) St. John the Baptist was called by God to be the forerunner of His divine Son. In order to preserve his innocence spotless and improve the extraordinary graces which he had received, he was directed by the Holy Ghost to lead an austere and contemplative life in the wilderness and in the continual exercises of devout prayer and penance, from his infancy until he was 30 yrs of age.

• On the 24 June we Celebrated the Feast of the Solemnity of the Nativity of John the Baptist)

Subsequently this faithful minister began to discharge his mission. Clothed with the weeds of penance, John the Baptist announced to all mankind the obligation they lay under of washing away their iniquities with the tears of sincere contrition and proclaimed the Messiah–Who was then coming to make His appearance among them.

John the Baptist was received by the people as the true Herald of the Most High God and his voice was as it were, a trumpet sounding from Heaven to summon all mankind to avert the divine judgments and to prepare themselves to reap the benefit of divine mercy that was offered them.

The Roman Emperor Herod Antipas (who bore the title ‘Tetrarch’ meaning Ruler of a Quarter) having in defiance of all laws divine and human, married Herodias. the wife of his brother Philip was was yet living.

John the Baptist boldly reprimanded the Tetrarch Herod and his accomplice for such a scandalous and indecent act of adultery– Herod urged on by his lust and anger cast John the Baptist into prison.

About one year later, Herod gave a lavish party for the nobility of Galilee. Salome, daughter of Herodias (of her lawful husband) pleased Herod by her dancing so much that he promised to grant her whatever she wanted. — Salome consulted with her mother of what to ask for? Herodias instructed her daughter to demand the death of John the Baptist and his head be brought to her in a dish.

This most peculiar request even startled the tyrant Herod but he agreed, sending a Soldier of his guard to behead John the Baptist in prison, with an Order to deliver his head in a charger (large dish) and present it to Salome who would later deliver it to her mother — St. Jerome relates that the wrathful Herodias made it her inhuman pastime to prick the sacred tongue bodkin (thick needle) hence, John the Baptist died. The great forerunner of our Blessed Savior a little more than 2 years after his entrance in his public ministry and about a year before the death of our Blessed Redeemer.

More here by Pope Benedict XVI

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

Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430)
Image Courtesy: Archbishop Jose Gomez

(Franciscan Media) Born in Tagaste (modern day Algeria) Augustine was the eldest of three siblings, a brother Nagivius and a sister Perpetua, his father Patritius (or Patricius) was a pagan with a bad temper and had a disdain for anything Christian (he would later in life become a Christian and was Baptized into the Church a year before his death) while his mother Saint Monica (Feast Day: 27 August) was a God-fearing Woman, that believed prayer would change lives and spent many years praying for her family.

Augustine a Christian by the age of 33, Priest by 36 and Bishop by the age of 41 many people know the biographical sketch of Augustine, one time follower of the Manichaeism heresy who later converted and became a Saint but to really get to know this man is a rewarding experience.

There quickly surfaces the intensity how Augustine lived his early years, abandoning his mother, his path in life away from God, later boarding a ship bound for Rome (an event that would serve God’s greater purpose) when Augustine left to become a teacher in the place he was destined to become Catholic and instruction of Bishop Saint Ambrose of Milan (Feast Day: 07 December) which turned his life around.

Augustine having earlier in his life being so deeply immersed in a cycle of pride, fathering a child out of wedlock and later disciple of Manichaeism heresy, it isn’t surprising that Augustine should have turned with a holy fierceness against the many demonic thrusts that were rampant in his day, which were truly decadent–politically, socially and morally.

Following Augustine’s conversion and Baptism soon after his mother Saint Monica died with the knowledge that all she had hoped for in this world had been fulfilled, Augustine returned to his hometown of Tagaste, “having now cast off from himself the cares of the world, he lived for God.”

Augustine would sell off his property donating the proceeds to the poor, founded a Monastery in Hippo where he would become a Priest in 391 according to Pope Benedict XVI and with a few companions began a Monastic life dividing his time in prayer, study and ministry. Four years later Fr. Augustine was Ordained a Bishop, following which he continued to deepen his study in Scripture, texts of the Christian tradition, ministered to the faithful, supported the poor and orphans, supervised the formation of the Clergy together with both the Men and Women Monasteries.

In more than 35 years of Augustine’s Episcopate, he exercised a vast influence in his guidance of the Catholic Church in Roman Africa and more generally in Christianity of his time, coping with religious tendencies and tenacious, disruptive heresies such as Manichaeism, Donatism and Pelaegianism which endangered the Christian faith, in the one God, rich in mercy.

Augustine entrusted himself to God everyday until the very end of his life which came on this date in 430 at the age of 76 as he calmly resigned his spirit to God. — Augustine, a man of tremendous gifts and vital personality, who had piloted the African Church through some of the worlds darkest years, never doubted the ultimate victory of that ‘most Glorious City of God.’

More here from EWTN

Related: For Today’s Bible Readings on the Memorial of St. Augustine, Visit: -USCCB