Cristy Li

St. Irenaeus “The Glory of God is Man Fully Alive” –Image: Patheos

(CNA) Born in Smyrna (Asia Minor — Modern Day Turkey Izmir) Irenaeus was a Bishop and Writer in what is present day France, he is best remembered for defending Christian orthodoxy, especially the reality of Jesus Christ’s human Incarnation against the set of heresies known as Gnosticism an ancient cult that believed in salvation by knowledge; Gnostics were people that believed that the faith taught in the Church was merely symbolism for the simple-minded that were unable to grasp difficult concepts.

Pope Benedict XVI spoke admiringly of Saint Irenaeus in March, 2007, recalling how this early Church Father, “refuted the Gnostic dualism and pessimism which debased corporeal realities. He (St. Irenaeus) decisively  claimed the original holiness of matter, of the body, of the flesh no less than of the spirit but his works went far beyond the confutation of heresy: in fact one can say that he emerges as the first great Theologian who created systematic theology; he himself speaks of the system of theology, that is, of the internal coherence of all faith. At the heart of his doctrine is the question of the ‘Rule of Faith’ and its transmission. For Irenaeus the ‘Rule of Faith’ coincided in the practice with the ‘Apostles Creed’ which gives us the key for interpreting the Gospel, for interpreting the Creed in light of the Gospel. The Creed, which is a sort of Gospel synthesis , helps us understand what it means and how we should read the Gospel itself.”

While some of Saint Irenaeus most important writings have survived, the details of his life are not well preserved.

We do know that Saint Irenaeus  became a Priest in served in the Church of Lyons during a difficult time in the late 170s During this time of state persecution and doctrinal controversy, Fr. Irenaeus was sent to Rome to provide Pope Saint Eleutherius with a letter about the heretical movement known as ‘Montanism’ — After returning to Lyons, Fr. Irenaeus, became the city’s second Bishop, following the Martyrdom of Saint Pothinus (Feast Day: 02 June)

Bishop Irenaeus refuted the ‘Gnostic’ errors in his concise book “Against Heresies’ which is still studied to this day for its historical value and theological insights.

Saint Irenaeus earthly life ended around 220, some have speculated that he was Martyred however as with his birth and youth, the details of his death are not definitively known.

More here from Franciscan Media

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

St. Cyril of Alexandria (376-444)
Image: Company of Voices

(CNA) Born in Egypt Alexandria, there doesn’t seem to be much known of his youth except that he was likely the nephew of Pope Theophilis of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark and should he be the Cyril addressed by Isidore of Pelusium, Cyril was for a time a Monk before becoming a Bishop.

From Cyril’s writing one knows that he received a solid literary and theological education and together with his Uncle Pope Theophilus, played a role in an early 5th century dispute between the Egyptian and Greek Churches.

When Pope Theophilus papacy ended in 412, Cyril was evidently chosen to succeed him as the head of the Egyptian Church — Bishop Cyril of Alexandria continued the policy of his Uncle (Pope Theophilus) on insisting on Alexandria’s preeminence within the Church over Constantinople, despite the political prominence of the imperial capitol. — The two Eastern Churches eventually reestablished communion in approximately 418

Ten years later however, a theological dispute resulted in a new break between Alexandria and Constantinople, Cyril’s reputation as a Theologian and later a ‘Doctor of the Church’ arose from his defense of Catholic orthodoxy during this time.

In 428 a Monk named Nestorius became the new Patriarch of Constantinople, it became clear that Nestorius was not willing to use the term ‘Mother of God’ to describe the Blessed Virgin Mary but instead instead insisted on using the phrase ‘Mother of Christ’ — During the 4th century, the Greek Church had already held two Ecumenical Councils to confirm Jesus Christ’s eternal preexistence as God prior to His Incarnation as man. From this perennial belief, it followed logically that the Blessed Virgin Mary was the Mother of God. Veneration of Mary as the ‘Blessed Virgin Mother of God’ confirmed the doctrine of the Incarnation and Jesus Christ’s status as equal to God the Father.

Nestorius insisted that he to held these these doctrines but Cyril and many others argued that Nestorius refusal to acknowledge Mary the ‘Blessed Virgin Mother of God’ appeared to reveal a heretical view and which would split him into two united but distinct persons: One fully human and born of the Blessed Virgin Mary; The other fully divine and not subject to birth and death.

Cyril responded to this heretical tendency first through a series of letters to Nestorius (which are still in existence today) then through an appeal to Pope Celestine I (422-432) and finally through summoning of a Ecumenical Council in 431 — Cyril presided over this Council stating that, “he was filling the place of the most Holy and Blessed Archbishop (Pope Celestine I) of the Roman Catholic Church.” Pope Celestine I had authorized it.

The Ecumenical Council was tumultuous, ‘John of Antioch’ a friend of Nestorius came to the city and convened a rival council which sought to condemn and depose Bishop Cyril — Tensions between the advocates of Cyril and Nestorius erupted into physical violence at times and both parties sought to convince the Emperor in Constantinople to back their position.

During the authorized Ecumenical Council which ran from 22 June to 31 July, 431 Bishop Cyril brilliantly defended the Orthodox belief in Jesus Christ as a single, Eternally Divine Person who had also became Incarnate as a man. The Council condemned Nestorius who was deposed as Patriarch and subsequently suffered exile. Bishop Cyril however reconciled with John and many of the other Theologians of Antioch that once had supported Nestorius.

Bishop Cyril after 32 years in his position,  passed away in 444 in Egypt Alexandria — Long celebrated as a Saint particularly in the Eastern Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches he was declared ‘Doctor of the Church’ in 1883 by Pope Leo XIII

More here from Pope Benedict XVI and here Franciscan Media

Related: For Today’s Holy Scripture Readings on the Memorial of St. Cyril of Alexandria, Visit: -USCCB

Saint Joseph Cafasso (1811-1860)
Image: Newman Connection

(EWTN) Born in Italy at Castelnuovo d’Asti, Joseph was born physically challenged with a deformed spine according to SQPN he was short in stature and handicapped throughout his life but that didn’t stop him, Joseph Cafasso, loved attending Mass as a young man and was known for his humility and passionate prayers.

Following Joseph’s Cafasso’s completion of high school and two years studying philosophy at Chieri College, he then transferred to seminary to study theology in 1830 and was Ordained a Priest three years later.

Subsequent to Fr. Joseph Cafasso Ordination, he was sent to the place that would be the main and the only ‘stage’ in his life as a Priest, the Ecclesiastical Institute of St. Francis in Italy Turin, to perfect his skills in pastoral care but it was there, he was able to put to use his gifts as a spiritual director and his devotion to charity.

The ‘Ecclesiastical Institute of St. Francis’ was not merely a school of moral theology where young Priests coming mainly from the countryside learned to hear confessions and minister effectively, it was truly a school of Priestly life, where Priests were formed in the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola (Feast Day: 31 July) and in the moral and pastoral theology of the well known Bishop St. Alphonsus Liguori (Feast Day: 01 August) The Priests that Fr. Joseph Cafasso encountered at the institute and that he helped to strengthen–especially when he was Rector, were those Priests that truly were shepherds, with a rich interior life and a deep zeal for Pastoral care: Faithfulness to prayer, commitment to ministry and catechesis, dedication to celebrating the Eucharist and the sacrament of penance.

A few well chosen words by St. John Bosco (Feast Day: 31 January) summarize the educational activity of the institute: “At the institute, men learned to be Priests.”

Fr. Joseph Cafasso, sought to establish this model for the formation of young Priests so that they in turn could also form other Priests, religious and Laypersons, thereby creating a unique and an effective chain.

As a professor of moral theology, Fr. Joseph Cafasso, educated his Priests to be good Confessors and spiritual directors who were concerned with the spiritual well being of each individual, yet mindful of the necessary balance, so that each person would have an acute, vivid sense of sin while experiencing at the same time God’s mercy.

Fr. Joseph Cafasso who passed many hours in the confessional, ‘loved the Lord totally, he was animated by a well rooted faith and supported by profound and prolonged prayer, he showed sincere charity to everyone–he knew moral theology but was equally well aware of the condition of peoples hearts for which, like the Good Shepherd, he took responsibility.’

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI further related, ‘St. Joseph Cafesso was St. John Bosco’s spiritual director from 1835 to 1860–that at no time did the former seek to make the latter “a disciple in  his image and likeness.” While St. John Bosco, never copied his teacher, “he imitated him in the human and Priestly virtues–defining him as a ‘model of priestly life’ but maintained his own attitudes and his own specific vocation…This is a precious lesson from those involved in the formation and education of young generations,” said Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

Another element that characterized the ministry of Fr. Joseph Cafasso was “his concern for the lowest–especially for prisoners who lived in inhuman and dehumanizing conditions.’ If at first in his ministry to prisoners, Fr. Joseph Cafasso, ‘often delivered great sermons that came to involve almost the entire prison population. With the passage of time, he came to favor individual catechesis made up of conversations and personal meetings. While respecting the individual situation of each individual, he tackled the great themes of Christian life, speaking of trust in God, adherence to His will, the utility of prayer and the Sacraments, the culmination of which is Confession, the meeting with God Who, for us becomes infinite mercy.”

Fr. Joseph Cafasso passed away in 1860 of pneumonia and complications of his congenital medical issues — Saint John Bosco, presided over his funeral Mass and delivered the Homily — Fr. Cafasso was Beatified in 1925 by Pope Pius XI and Canonized in 1947 by Pope Pius XII

More here from Pope Benedict XVI

St. Anthony of Padua (1195-1231)
Image: Catholic Online

(Franciscan Media) Born in Portugal Lisbon into a wealthy family, at his baptism he was given the name ‘Fernando’ according to Pope Benedict XVI and was educated by a group of Priests writes Catholic News Agency until the age of 15 when he made a decision to enter a religious life.

Fernando moved into St. Vincent’s Monastery in Lisbon which followed the monastic Rule of St. Augustine — Fernando however disliked the constant visits and interruptions of  his friends and subsequently moved to a more remote house of the same Order, there he dedicated himself to solitude study of the Bible and of the Church Fathers, acquiring theological knowledge that was to bear fruit according to Pope Emeritus Benedict, later in life in his teaching and ministry activities.

In 1220 when the remains of Saint Berard and Companions (Feast Day: 16 January) the first Franciscan Martyrs were brought to Portugal for burial and veneration, Fernando was inspired by their lives and commitment to the Gospel. — Later when a group of Franciscan’s later visited the Monastery, Fernando told them that he wanted to adopt their humble lifestyle. Some of the Augustine Monks criticized and mocked Fernando’s interest in the Franciscans which had only been established recently before in 1209 but prayers, confirmed his desire to follow the example of St. Francis (Founder of the Franciscan Order) who was still living at the time.

Fernando eventually obtained permission to enter the Franciscans. At that time, he took the name ‘Anthony’ after the 4th century Monk St. Anthony of Egypt (Feast Day: 17 January)

Anthony desired to emulate the commitment of St. Berard and Companions the Franciscan Martyrs that gave their life to God while ministering to the Muslims. Traveling by ship, Anthony became seriously ill and could not carry out his intended work–the ship was supposed to take him to Spain for treatment but was blown off course and ended up in Italy.

Through this series of mishaps,  Anthony ended up near Assisi, where St. Francis was holding a major meeting for members of his Order of Franciscans. Despite Anthony’s poor health, he resolved to stay in Italy to be closer to St. Francis himself, initially concealing his deep knowledge of Theology and Scripture, offering to serve in the kitchen among the Brothers, together with reading scriptures and performing other menial tasks.

At the time, no one realized that Anthony was anything but a kitchen assistant and obedient Franciscan Priest according to Catholic News Agency however around 1224 Anthony became obligated to deliver an improvised speech before an assembly of Dominicans and Franciscans, none of who had prepared any remarks. Anthony’s eloquence stunned the crowd and St. Francis himself soon learned what kind of man the ‘Dishwashing Priest’ really was.

Subsequently St. Francois gave Fr. Anthony permission to teach theology in the Franciscan Order, “provided however, that as the Rule prescribes the spirit of prayer and devotion may not be extinguished.”

Fr. Anthony taught theology in several Italian and French cities, while strictly following his Franciscan vows while also preaching regularly–Later he dedicated himself entirely to the work of preaching as a Missionary in France, Italy and Spain, teaching an authentic love of God to many people–whether they be Royalty or Peasants who had fallen away from the Christian faith, Catholicism and morality.

Known for his bold preaching and austere lifestyle, Fr. Anthony also had a reputation as a worker of miracles which often came about in the course of disputes with heretics.

Fr. Anthony’s biographers related stories of a few of the miracles:

• The first being of a horse which refused to eat for three days, accepting food only after it had been placed in Adoration before the Eucharist  that Fr. Anthony brought in his hands;

• Another miracle involved poisoned meat which Fr. Anthony ate without any harm after making the sign of the Cross over it;

• A final miracle recounted a group of fish which rose out of the sea to hear Fr. Anthony’s preaching where heretical residents of a city refused to listen.

Following Lent in 1231 Fr. Anthony’s health was in decline–he retreated to a remote location, taking along two companions for assistance. When his worsening health persisted, Fr. Anthony was carried back to the Franciscan Monastery in Padua, where crowds of people converged in groups, in hopes of paying their homage to the Holy Priest–After receiving last rites, Fr. Anthony prayed the Church’s seven traditional penitential psalms, sung a hymn to the Virgin Mary and died on this date at the age of 36 in 1231

Fr. Anthony’s well established holiness, combined with many miracles working during his lifetime, so moved Pope Gregory IX who knew Fr. Anthony personally to Canonize him just 1 year following his death adding:

“St. Anthony, residing now in heaven is honored on earth by many miracles daily seen at his tomb, which we are certified by authentic writings.”

More here from EWTN and here from CatholicSaints.Info

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

Saint Barnabas and Apostle Paul in Lystra
Image Courtesy: 33 Knots

(EWTN) Barnabas (originally named Joseph) was born Jewish in Cyprus around the time of the Birth of Jesus, later on when Jesus’ public ministry began, Barnabas may have been one of those who heard Him minister in person.

Barnabas comes as close as anyone outside the original 12 disciples to being an Apostle according to Franciscan Media and was closely associated with Saint Paul (Feast Day 29 June) serving as a kind of mediator of the suspicious Jewish converts to Christianity of his day.

When a Christian community developed at Antioch, Barnabas was sent as the official representative of the Church of Jerusalem, to incorporate them into the community, subsequently both Barnabas and Paul stayed in Antioch for about one year and were remembered for their charismatic ministry together with their enormous success.

Following a miracle at Lystra, the people desired to offer a sacrifice to them as ‘gods’ — Barnabas being ‘Zeus’ and Pail being ‘Hermes’ but the two told the multitudes:

“Men why are you doing this? We also are men of like nature with you and bring you Good News, that you should turn away from these vain things to a living God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations He allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways,  yet he did not leave himself without witness, for He did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” —Acts 14:8-17

Barnabas and Paul subsequently departed Antioch together with Barnabas’ cousin John Mark (who would later compose the most concise account of Jesus Christ life and be Canonized as Saint Mark — Feast Day: 25 April) The group’s first forays into the pagan world met with some success however Mark became discouraged and returned to Jerusalem. The question of Mark’s dedication to the mission would arise again later and resulted in a significant personal disagreement between Paul and Barnabas.

The remarkable success of Barnabas and Paul led to one of the earliest controversies in Church history, regarding whether or not Christian converts would continue to have to observe Jewish traditions?

During the landmark ‘Council of Jerusalem’ (outline courtesy of the Vatican) around the year 48 the assembled Apostles confirmed Paul’s earlier proclamation that the Laws of the Torah would not be mandatory for Christians.

Barnabas and Paul later separated in their ministries while remaining Apostles. — Little is known of the subsequent career of Barnabas according to EWTN except that we know that he was still living and laboring as an Apostle in 56 or 57 when Paul wrote 1 Corinthians 9:5-6 from which we learn that Barnabas like Paul earned his own living though on an equality with other Apostles.

With the exception of Saint Paul and certain of the Twelve Disciples, Barnabas appears to have been the most esteemed man of the first Christian generation. Saint Luke breaking his habit of reserve, speaks of Barnabas with affection:

“For he was a good man full of the Holy Spirit and of faith and a large company was added to the Lord.” —Acts 11:24

Barnabas is said to have died a Martyrs death by stoning in 61 at Cyprus Salamis and is the Patron Saint of Antioch and is invoked as a peacemaker.

More here from Pope Benedict XVI

Related: For Today’s Holy Scripture Readings on the Memorial of St. Barnabas, Apostle Visit: -USCCB

Saint Joseph Damien of Molokai
Image Courtesy: Aquinas & More

When Joseph de Veuster was born in Belgium Tremelo, few people in Europe had any first-hand knowledge of Hansen’s Disease (Leprosy) however by the time he passed away at the age of 49 people all over the world knew about the disfiguring disease caused by the Mycobacterium laprae bacteria because of Fr. (Joseph) Damien of Molokai.

Joseph de Veuster, joined the Picpus Fathers in France according to SQPN and at the age of 20 and took the name ‘Damien’ as a Seminarian, volunteering for missionary work while still in Seminary, he was sent to Hawaii where he was Ordained a Priest in 1864

After serving in Hawaii for 9 yrs pioneering Catholicism Fr. Damien faced a new and frightful challenge–a leprosy epidemic. To halt the spread of the disease according to EWTN the Hawaiian government had isolated several hundred Lepers on the island of Molokai Kalawao County.

Molokai Catholic Lepers begged Bishop Louis Maigret for a Priest, many Missionaries despite the dangers, offered to go however Fr. Damien was selected.

Thirteen years earlier, while Fr. Damien was studying for the Priesthood in France, he had symbolically faced and accepted death. At the public profession of his final vows, he truly believed then that only by accepting death would he discover life. Now thirteen tears later, Fr. Damien was putting his dedication to the test, he sought to serve the most pitiful of all men–the lepers of Molokai. 

Between 1866 and 1873 seven hundred and ninety seven (797) lepers had arrived on Molokai, almost half died.

Bishop Maigret accompanied Fr. Damien to Molokai, presenting him to the Catholic Lepers as their new pastor.

With the Lepers help Fr. Damien added a rear wing to the Molokai Chapel also constructing a rectory.

Molokai became known as the ‘Colony of Shame’ medical care was minimal. Fr. Damien was deeply moved by the ‘Leper Children’ struggling to preserve them from the physical and moral corruption of the island.

At the outset of his mission, Fr. Damien aimed to restore in each leper a sense of personal worth and dignity. To show his poor battered flock the virtue of their lives, he had to demonstrate to them the value of their deaths and so he first turned his attention to the cemetery area beside his little Chapel. Fr. Damien constructed first a fence around it to protect the grave sites from animals; he built coffins and would dig graves and organized lepers into the ‘Christian Burial Assn’ to provide a decent burial to each of the deceased–the newly found organization arranged for the requisite Mass, proper funeral ceremonies and sponsored a musical group that played during the funeral processions.

Fr. Damien continued ministering to the sick, bringing the Sacraments of Confession; Holy Communion and anointing bedridden lepers. He would likewise cleanse their bodies, bandaged their wounds and would tidy their rooms. Fr. Damien did all that he could to make them as comfortable as possible.

Soon the settlement had new houses thanks to Fr. Damien and the assistance of lepers and together they constructed a new Church, School and an Orphanage. Morale improved considerably. A few year later, Fr. Damien succeeded in getting the ‘Franciscan Sisters of Syracuse’ led by Mother Marianne Cope (Feast Day 23 January) to help staff the Leper Colony’s hospital and schools at Kakaako and Kapiolani.

One day in 1884 while soaking his feet in extremely hot water, Fr. Damien experienced no sensation of heat, the evil disease that he battled for so many years, had now claimed him.

During his final years, Fr. Damien engaged in a flurry of activity–as much as his body would allow, he hastened to complete his many new building projects and enlarge the orphanages.

Fr. Damien died during Holy Week in 1889 — Some weeks before Fr. Damien breathed his last, he had said the Lord wanted him to spend Easter Sunday in heaven.

On the 03 June, 1995 Fr. Damien was Beatified by Pope John Paul II and Canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on the 11 October, 2009

More here from Franciscan Media

Related: “A Leper For Christ: St. Damien of Molokai” -Word on Fire

Saint Rosa Venerini (1656-1728)
Image: Rosettagrams

(Vatican) Born in Italy Viterbo, Rosa was the daughter of a Physician  and had three siblings, was naturally gifted with intelligence and an uncommon sensibility–the education that Rosa received in her formidable years, allowed her to develop her many talents, together with Christian values and principles.

According to Rosa Venerini’s first biographer Fr. Girolamo Andreucci, she made a vow to consecrate her life to God at the age of seven. During the early years of her youth, she lived a conflict between the attractions of the world and the promise made to God, Rosa overcame this crisis with trusting prayer and discipline.

At the age of twenty, Rosa raised questions about her own future, that Women of her time, she could choose marriage or seclusion in a religious order. Rosa invited neighborhood Women in her home to pray the Rosary according to Franciscan Media and sought spiritual guidance from a Jesuit Priest, Fr. Ignatius Martinelli, over time Rosa was convinced that she was called by God to become a Teacher instead of a Nun.

With two friends according to SQPN Rosa opened a free pre-school for Girls in 1685 which was well received, in 1692 Cardinal Barbarigo, asked Rosa to oversee training of Teachers and the administration of schools in his diocese. Rosa organized new schools in many parts of Italy including room–at the time of her death in 1756 there were 40 schools under her direction.

During Rosa’s entire life she moved the Ocean of the Will of God and said: “I feel so nailed to the Will of God that nothing else matters, neither life or death, I want what He wants. I want to serve Him as much as pleases Him and no more.”

Rosa did not practice her education mission only in the school but took every occasion to announce the love of God, she comforted and cared for the sick until they were well, raised the spirits of the discouraged, consoled the afflicted, called non-Christians to repent and to live a new life, exhorted to fidelity, helped the poor and helped to free people from every form of slavery.

“Educate to Set Free” became Rosa’s model to the world. To be free from ignorance and evil so that the project of God which every person carries within can be visible.

Rosa died in Rome at the age of 72 where a number of miracles were attributed to her. Rosa was Beatified in 1952 by Pope Pius XII and Canonized in 2006 by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

The sodality of Women that Rosa invited to pray the Rosary with her, were ultimately given the rank of a religious congregation becoming known as the ‘Venerini Sisters’ working with Italian immigrants. Today they render apostolic service through Teaching, Catechesis, Pastoral Ministry, Health Care, Social Services, Youth Ministry and Foreign Missions in Italy, the United States, Chile, Brazil, Venezuela, Albania, Romania and throughout Africa, guided the Charism of their Foundress Saint Rosa Venerini — Educate to Set Free.

Saints Philip & James
Image Courtesy: Young Adult Ministry Sacred Heart

(EWTN) Born in Galilee, Philip was called by Jesus Christ to be His disciple the day after St. Peter and St. Andrew and straightaway he obeyed. In Philip’s zeal and charity he sought to win Nathaniel also saying: “We have found Him of whom Moses and the Prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth.” When Nathaniel in wonder asked, “Can any good come of out Nazareth?” Philip replied: “Come and see,” he then brought Nathaniel to Jesus. John 1:46

“In his dry but clear response,” Pope Bendict XVI says, “Philip displayed the characteristics of a true witness, he is not satisfied with the presenting the proclamation theoretically but directly challenges the person addressing him by suggestion he have a personal experience of what he had been told.”

After our Lord’s ascension, the Gospel was to be ministered to the whole world by a few persons who had been eye-witnesses to Jesus’ many miracles and were enabled by the power of the Holy Spirit to confirm their testimony concerning Him by doing the like wonderful works themselves. So that this may be accomplished, it was necessary for the disciples should quickly disperse themselves into all parts of the world. Philip accordingly ministered the Gospel in the two Greece Phrygia writes EWTN as Theodoret and Eusebius assures us from undoubted monuments.

From Saint Philip, we particularly learn an ardent love of God and desire to see the Father–Philip died as a Martyr for Jesus Christ, being stoned to death while tied to a cross.

More on Saint Philip here from SQPN and here from Franciscan Media

Saint James the Lesser

St. James the Lesser came from Nazareth says Pope Benedict XVI and was probably related to Jesus —Matthew 13:55 and  Mark 6:3 he was called “Less” because he was younger than the other apostle by the same name.

The Book of Acts of the Apostles emphasizes the prominent role that St. James played in the Church of Jerusalem after the resurrection of Jesus —Acts 12:17; Acts 15:13-21 and Acts 21:18

Saint James most important act says Pope Benedict XVI was his intervention in the matter of the difficult relations between the Christians of Jewish heritage and those of pagan origins. In this matter, together with Peter, he contributed with integrating the original Jewish dimension of Christianity, with the need not to impose upon converted pagans the obligations to submit to all the norms of the ‘Law of Moses’ — Torah.

The Book of Acts has preserved for us the solution of compromise proposed precisely by James and accepted by all the Apostles present, according to which pagans who believed in Jesus Christ, were to be asked only to abstain from idolatrous practices of eating the meat of animals offered in sacrifice to gods and from “impropriety” a term which alluded to irregular matrimonial unions. In practice, it was a question of adhering to only a few prohibitions of Mosaic Law held to be very important.

Thus two important complimentary results were obtained, both of which are still valid today: (1) the inseparable relationship that binds Christianity to Judaism, as to a perennially alive and effective matrix was recognized; (2) Christians of pagan origins were permitted to keep their own sociological identity, which they would have lost had they been forced to observe the ‘ceremonial precepts’ of Moses –Saint James however continued to observe all of the ‘Laws of Moses’ himself as part of his heritage.

The oldest information on the death of St. James, is provided by the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, written in Rome towards the end of the 1st century.

Flavius Josephus says in his Jewish Antiquties: Chapter 9 No.1 the death of James was decided with an illegal initiative by the High Priest Ananus–in the year 62, he profited from the gap between the deposition of Roman Procurator (Festus) and the arrival of his successor (Albinus) to hand him over for stoning.

More here from EWTN and here from Catholic Saints.Info

St. Athanasius -Image Courtesy: Pellham Plastics

(Franciscan Media) Born into a Christian family in Egypt Alexandria and provided a classical education, Athanasius became Secy to Alexander the Bishop of Egypt Alexandria, an outspoken critic of a new movement growing in the East–the heresy of Arianism.

Athanasius entered the Priesthood and eventually named a Bishop himself and becoming known as the ‘Champion of Orthodoxy’ according to EWTN his strength of ascetical writings among which was of the ‘Life of Saint Anthony’ (Feast Day 17 January) earned him the title of Doctor of the Church.

When Athanasius accepted his new position as Bishop of Alexandria, which he served for 46 years according to SQPN he continued to fight against the heresy of Arianism, which spilled over from theology to politics, resulting in Bishop Athanasius being exiled 5 different times for his defense of the doctrine of Jesus Christ’s divinity.

Following the death of Constantine in 337 his son restored Athanasius as Bishop, this lasted but for only a year however as he was deposed again by a group of  Arian Bishops. — Athanasius took his case to Rome which Pope Julius I called a synod to review the case and other related matters.

While the theological controversies which marked this period were complex writes EWTN they were an important milestone in the history of the Church which Bishop Athanasius rendered an outstanding service. As Cardinal Newman said, he stands as “a principal instrument after the Apostles by which the sacred truths of Christianity have been conveyed and secured to the world.”

In 2007 Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI said that “Athanasius was undoubtedly one of the most important and revered early Church Fathers but this Great Saint was above all the impassioned theologian of the Incarnation of the Logos, the Word of God who as a Prologue of the fourth Gospel says–“became flesh and dwelt among us.” —John 1:14

“We have many causes which to be grateful to St. Athanasius, his life like that of St. Anthony (Feast Day 17 January) and of countless other Saints shows us that ‘those who draw near to God do not withdraw from men but rather become truly very close to them.’ (Deus Canitas Est, n.42)

Full address here of Saint Athanasius by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI