Cristy Li

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

St. John of the Cross (1542-1591)
Image Courtesy: Catholic Online@Facebook

(Franciscan Media) Born in Spain as Juan de Santa Maria de Yepes according to SQPN Juan became a Carmelite Lay Brother in 1563 studying for the Priesthood in NW Spain at Salamanca – Ordained a Priest in 1567 he took the name St. John of the Cross.

John is a Saint because his life was a heroic effort
to live up to his name:

• “If anyone want to become My followers,
  let them deny themselves
  and take up their cross and follow Me.”  Mark 8:34

Partnering with St. Teresa of Avila (Feast Day: 15 October) Fr. John vowed himself to the primitive Rule of the Discalced Carmelites ‘discalced’ meaning barefoot, symbolizing the simplicity which they chose to return the Order after a period of corruption. Fr. John engaged in the work of reform and came to experience the life of it from stiff opposition, misunderstanding and persecution–Fr. John in his lifetime, came to know the Cross he took up acutely.

Fr. John passed away on this date in 1591 in Spain, was Beatified in 1675 by Pope Clement X and Canonized in 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII

More here from EWTN

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

St. Lucy of Syracuse (283-304)

(Franciscan Media) Every young girl named Lucy must bite her tongue in disappointment when she attempts to find out what there is to know about her Patron Saint.

Lucy was born in Sicily Syracuse into a wealthy devout Christian family according to SQPN at an early Lucy vowed a life for Christ. When Lucy’s father passed away when she was still quite young, her Mother Eutychia arranged a marriage for her. For three years, Lucy managed to keep the marriage on hold.

to change her mother’s mind about her being married, Lucy prayed at the tomb of St. Agatha (Feast Day: 05 February) and her mother’s long hemorrhagic illness was cured. Subsequently Lucy’s mother agreed with Lucy’s desire to live for God.

Paschasius (Lucy’s disappointed suitor) wasn’t nearly as understanding. Accusing Lucy of being a Christian to the Governor of Sicily, she was sentenced to ‘forced prostitution’ – When the guard went to get Lucy, they could not move her even when they hitched a team of oxen to her. Subsequently as a result of this, the Governor of Sicily ordered that Lucy be tortured (which included blinding her) and burned to death. — Lucy was surrounded by bundles of wood but when the fire was set a blaze it went out. Lucy was subsequently Martyred by being stabbed to death.

One can easily imagine what a young Woman had to contend with in pagan Sicily in the year 300–If one has difficulty imagining, just take a look at today’s removal of God from all places an ‘pleasure at all cost’ society and the barriers it presents at leading an honorable Christian life.

Lucy’s ‘friends’ must have wondered aloud about Lucy’s hero, an obscure itinerant preacher in a far-away captive nation that was once a carpenter, that had been crucified by Roman soldiers after His own people turned against Him. — Lucy though believed with her whole being that this man named Jesus, had risen from the dead. Heaven had put a stamp on all He said and did, to give witness to her faith she had made a vow of chastity.

What a ruckus Lucy’s desire to lead a Christian life of chastity among her pagan acquaintances, the kindlier ones may have thought this was just a little peculiar, to be pure before marriage, though an ancient Roman ideal, it was rarely found but never condemned. To exclude marriage altogether, this was just too much in that day, Lucy must have something sinister to hide.

Lucy knew of the heroism of earlier virgin martyrs for Christ and she remained faithful to their example and the Carpenter whom she knew as the Son of God.

What an inspiring ‘Saint of the Day’ for all Christians — Lucy was an authentic first class heroine, an abiding inspiration for all Christians, whose moral courage shines forth as a guiding light for future generations just as it did in Lucy’s day.

More here from EWTN

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