Cristy Li

(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

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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

St. Elizabeth of Hungary (1207-1231)
Image: St. Paul Street Evangelization

(Franciscan Media) Born in Hungary Presburg, in her short life Elizabeth manifested such great love for the poor and suffering that she became the Patron Saint of: Charitable Societies, Charity Workers and the Secular Franciscan Order.

Elizabeth was a Princess, the daughter of King Andrew of Hungary and according to SQPN she was the Great-Aunt of St. Elizabeth of Portugal (Feast Day: 04 July) Elizabeth chose a life of penance and self-discipline when a life of leisure and luxury could easily have been hers–this choice endeared her in the hearts and minds of the people throughout Europe.

At the age of 14 Elizabeth wed Prince Louis of Thuringia (a German Prince) who she deeply loved, they had 3 children.

Under the spiritual direction of a Franciscan Friar, Princess Elizabeth led a life of prayer, sacrifice, together with service to the poor and sick. Seeking to become ‘One with the Poor’ Princess Elizabeth wore simple clothing–Daily she would take bread to hundreds of the poorest people who would come to her gate.

After just six years of marriage, Prince Louis died during the Crusades which left Elizabeth grief stricken. Princess Elizabeth’s in-laws would look upon her as squandering the royal purse and would mistreat her, finally evicting her out of the palace. — The return of her late husband’s allies from the Crusades would result in Princess Elizabeth’s reinstatement as her son was legal heir to the throne.

In 1228 Princess Elizabeth joined the Secular Franciscan Order spending the remaining few years of her life, caring for the poor in a hospital in which she founded in honor of St. Francis, near the mountain side from where her castle stood.

Princess Elizabeth’s health began to deteriorate while she was yet in her early 20s, she passed away just before her 24th birthday — As a result of her great popularity, Princess Elizabeth was Canonized just 4 years following her death in 1235 by Pope Gregory IX

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

Blessed Mary of the Passion (1839-1904)
Image: Franciscan Missionaries of Mary

(FMM) Born in France Nantes into a noble Christian family according to the Vatican Helene Marie Philippine de Chappotin de Neuville, from childhood her deep faith and natural gifts attracted Helene to a religious life, first with the ‘Poor Clares’ and then with the ‘Society of Marie Repartrice’ where Helene received the name Mary of the Passion.

In March 1865 while still a Novice, Mary of the Passion was sent to India to the ‘Apostolic Vicariate of Madurai’ where she would take her vows and stay, ministering for the next 11 years.

In 1877 Mary of the Passion established the ‘Missionaries of Mary’ and in 1882 she was received into the Third Order of St. Francis for her congregation which became the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary.

Mary of the Passion zeal seemed to Know no bounds in responding to the calls of the poor and abandoned, she was particularly interested in the promotion of Women. With intelligence and discretion, she offered collaboration to others as she drew dynamism from contemplation of the great mysteries of the faith, in this way, she opened her institute to the horizons of universal mission, accomplished in St. Francis of Assisi’s evangelical spirit of simplicity, poverty and charity.

On this date in 1904 Mary of the Passion, passed away in Italy San Remo, leaving more than 2000 religious and 86 houses scattered abroad over 4 continents. – In 1999 Pope Saint John Paul II solemnly promulgated the Decree on the heroicity of the Virtues on Mary the Passions; She was Beatified in 2002

St. Gertrude the Great (1256-1302)
Image: St. Paul Street Evangelization

(Franciscan Media) Born at Thuringia Eisleben (today part of East Central Germany) we don’t know anything of her parents according to SQPN or what may have become of them — Gertrude may have been an orphan as she was raised at the Benedictine Abbey of ‘Saint Mary of Helfta’ from the age of five.

Gertrude is said to have been an extremely intelligent girl and dedicated student, excelling in her studies of Literature and Philosophy, when she became old enough, Gertrude took her vows and became a Benedictine Nun in Germany at Saxony Helfta, becoming one of the great Mystics of the 13th century.

Together with Sister Gertrude’s friend and teacher St. Mechtilde (Feast Day: 19 November) they practiced a spirituality called “Nuptial Mysticism’ that is, one comes to see themselves as the Bride of Christ. Gertrude’s spiritual life was a deeply personal union with Jesus and devotion to His Sacred Heart leading her into the very life of the Holy Trinity but this was no individualistic piety.

Sister Gertrude lived the rhythm of the Liturgy where she found Christ. In the Liturgy and the Holy Scripture, she found the themes and images to enrich and express her devotion–there was no clash between her personal prayer life and the Liturgy.

More here Monastery of St. Gertrude

St. Josaphat Kuncevyc (1580-1623)
Image: St. Paul Street Evangelization

(Franciscan Media) Born in Lithuania Volodymyr (modern day Ukraine) John Kuncevyc (taking the name ‘Josaphat’ in his religious life) was raised in a Catholic family according to EWTN and early in his life promoted Christian unity in the country divided between Orthodox and Catholicism.

In 1604 Josaphat would enter the Byzantine Monastery of Holy Trinity in Vilna and was elected as Archbishop of Polotsk 1o years later. While clinging firmly to unity with Rome, he firmly opposed the Latin’s who saw unity only in Latin terms and would rather suppress Byzantine traditions in the name of Catholic unity.

Archbishop Josaphat firmly opposed the Latinization of the people in his diocese, making enemies and severe critics among the Latin Clergy of Poland. — By Synod’s, Catechetical instruction, reform of the Clergy and personal example Archbishop Josaphat was successful in winning the greater part of the Orthodox in that area to the union.

The next year however a dissident hierarchy was established and a opposite number spread the allegations that Archbishop Josaphat had ‘gone Latin’ and that all of his people of his diocese would have to do the same.

Despite warning, Archbishop Josaphat went to Belarus Vitesbk, still a hotbed of trouble. Attempts were made to foment trouble for Archbishop Josaphat and drive him from his diocese. — A Priest was sent to shout insults at him from his own courtyard. When Archbishop Josaphat had the Priest removed and shut up in his house, the opposition rang the town bell and a mob assembled.

The vocal Priest was released but members of the riotous mob broke into Archbishop Josaphat’s home, he was hit with a ‘halberd’ (a two handed pole weapon commonly used in those days) then shot and his lifeless body thrown into the river on this date in 1623 — Later, Archbishop’s body was recovered and is now buried at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Archbishop Josaphat’s tragic death was a shock to both sides of the religious conflict according to SQPN and resulted in a ‘cooling off’ of the controversy.

Beatified in 1643 by Pope Urban VIII Archbishop Josaphat was Canonized in 1867 by Pope Blessed Pius IX

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

St. Martin of Tours (316-397)
Image Courtesy: St. Paul Street Evangelization

(EWTN) Saint Martin called ‘The Glory of Gaul’ was born in Hungary Savaria to Pagan parents. Martin’s father was an Officer in the Roman Army who had risen up through the ranks. While Martin was still a child, his father was transferred to a new duty station in Italy Pavia, here Martin learned about Christianity, feeling drawn to it he became a convert to Christianity.

As the son of a Veteran, at the age of 15 Martin was obligated to begin service in the Army, though never shirking his military duty, he is said to have lived more like a Monk than a Soldier. Martin was stationed in Gaul (European region today known as the areas of France, Belgium and Southern Netherlands) when the incident occurred which tradition and art work have rendered him famous.

As Martin rode toward the town of Amiens one Winter’s day, he noticed near the gates a poor man, thinly clothed, shivering in the cold and begging for charity. Martin saw that none who had passed this Beggar had stopped to help him. While Martin had nothing with him but the clothes he wore to help the miserable Beggar, Martin drew the sword from his scabbard, cutting his woolen cloak into two pieces, giving one half to the Beggar and he wrapped the other half around himself.

The following night the story continues, Martin in his sleep, saw Jesus Christ surrounded by Angels and dressed in the half of the cloak that he had given away to the Beggar. A voice would bid Martin to look at it well and say whether he recognized it? Martin then heard Jesus say to His Angels: “Martin as yet only a Catechumen has covered me with his cloak.”

Martin’s friend and biographer Sulpicius Severus said, that as a consequence of this vision, Martin “flew to be Baptized.”

At the age of 23 Martin would refuse a ‘War Bonus’ according to Franciscan Media and told the Emperor Juilan his Commander-in-Chief: “I have served you as a Soldier, now let me serve Christ. Give the bounty to those who are going to fight but I am a Soldier of Christ and it is not lawful for me to fight.”

Julian was angered and accused Martin of cowardice according to EWTN however Martin told Juilan that he was ready to go into battle the next day, unarmed and would advance alone against the enemy in the name of Christ — Julian had him taken off to prison but discharged Martin soon after a truce had been made.

Subsequent to Martin’s discharge from the Army, he would depart to be a disciple of St. Hilary Bishop of Poitiers (Feast Day: 13 January) Bishop Hilary gladly received Martin and Ordained him a Deacon.

Martin would work with great zeal against the Arians according to Franciscan Media and subsequently became a Monk, living first at Milan and later on a small island of Gallinara — When Bishop Hilary was restored to his See after being exiled, Martin went to France and established what may have been the first Monastery, living there for 10 years, forming his disciples and ministering throughout the countryside.

The people of France Tours would demand that Martin become their Bishop–he had been drawn to the City of Tours as a ruse, to minister to the needs of a sick person and was brought to the Church where he reluctantly allowed himself to be consecrated Bishop. Some of the consecrating Bishops thought his rumpled appearance and unkempt hair indicated that he was not dignified enough for the office.

Along with Saint Ambrose (Feast Day: 07 December) Bishop Martin rejected Bishop Ithacius’ principle of putting heretics to death, as well as the intrusion of the Emperor into such matters. — Bishop Martin prevailed upon the Emperor to spare the life of the heretic Priscillian for his efforts, Bishop Martin was then accused of the same heresy and Priscillian was executed. Bishop Martin subsequently would plead for the cessation of the persecution of Priscillian’s followers.

Bishop Martin passed away on the 08 November, 397 in France Candes and three days later was buried at Tours–Some 2,000 Monks and Nuns attended his funeral. Bishop Martin’s successor would build a Chapel over his grave which was later replaced by a fine Basilica.

More here from SQPN

Related: For Today’s Holy Scripture for the ‘Memorial of St. Martin of Tours’ Bishop, Visit: -USCCB