Cristy Li

Saint Romuald (951-1027)
Image: Catholic Online

(CNA) Born in Italy Ravenna into a noble family, Romuald grew up in a luxurious, worldly environment of privilege, where he learned little in the way of self-restraint or spiritual devotion, yet Romuald felt an unusual attraction towards the simplicity of a monastic lifestyle, prompted by the beauty of nature and the experience of solitude.

It was not beauty or tranquility but a shocking tragedy that spurred Romuald to act on his desire for a monastic life–when he was just 20 yrs old, Romuald saw his father Sergius kill one of his relatives in a duel according to Franciscan Media over a dispute concerning some property. Disgusted by this action, Romuald went to the Monastery of St. Apollinaris to do 40 days of prayer and penance for his father.

These 40 days confirmed Romuald’s monastic calling as they became the foundation for the rest of his life but this wouldn’t be lived out at St. Apollinaris, where Romuald’s strict self-discipline brought him into conflict with some of the other Monks. Subsequently Romuald left the Monastery and went to Venice where he would become a Disciple of Hermit Narinus according to eCatholic2000 and would live a life of extraordinary austerity.

Both Romuald and Hermit Narinus went on to encourage the monastic vocation of a Venetian politician Peter Urseolus (he would later be Canonized St. Peter Urseolus Feast Day: 10 January) — When Peter joined a French Benedictine Monastery, Romuald would join him.

In the meantime Romuald’s father Sergius followed his son’s course, repenting of his sins and became a Monk himself — Romuald then decided to return to Italy to help his father after he learned that his father was struggling in his new vocation. Though Romuald’s assistance, Sergius found the strength to persist in a religious life.

After guiding his penitent father Sergius in the way of Salvation, Romuald traveled throughout Italy serving the Church — By 1012, Romuald helped to establish (or reformed) almost 100 Hermitages and Monasteries. When a piece of land called the ‘Camaldoli’ located in the Diocese of Arezzo was granted to Romuald, it would become the site of fiver Hermits  quarters and a Monastery soon thereafter.

Romuald’s  approach to the contemplative life is reminiscent of the early ‘Desert Fathers’ and may be seen in the short piece writing known as his ‘Brief Rule’ which reads as follows:

“Sit in your cell as in Paradise, put the whole world behind you and forget it. Watch your thoughts like a good fisherman watching for fish. The path you must follow is in the Psalms–never leave it.

If you have just come to the Monastery and in spite of your good-will you cannot accomplish what you want, take every opportunity you can to sing the Psalms in your heart and to understand them with your mind and if your mind wanders as you read do not give up, hurry back and apply your mind to the words once more.

Realize above all that you are in God’s presence and stand there with the attitude of one who stands before the Emperor. Empty yourself completely and sit waiting, content with the Grace of God, like the chick who tastes nothing and eats nothing but what his mother brings him.”

Romuald died on this date in his cell/room in 1027 and was Canonized in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII

More here from EWTN

Venerable Matt Talbot (1856-1925)
Image: Catholic Fire

(Franciscan Media) Born in Ireland Dublin, Matt (Matthew) Talbot was born into a poor family with a history of alcoholism and so, Matt took to drinking yet when he was still a child according to SQPN and was considered a hopeless alcoholic by the age of thirteen.

Matt’s father worked on the docks and had a challenging time supporting his family–with just a few years of education, Matt was forced to find employment and obtained work as a Messenger for some liquor merchants, which didn’t help his alcohol addiction, there he began to drink even more excessively for the next 15 years.

When Matt was 28 an incident occurred  that changed his entire life according to Catholic Ireland — For a week, Matt stayed away from work drinking quite heavily, at the end of the week, Matt found himself sober, thirsty but penniless. Confident that his co-workers for whom he often purchased alcohol from would come to his assistance now, Matt stood with his brother near O’Meara’s Pub on the North Strand to meet his friends coming from ‘Pemberton’s’ — the men just passed him in pairs but none stopped to ask the brothers if they would want to join them for a drink. Matt said later that he was “cut to the heart” by this treatment and went home.

Matt’s Mother preparing the midday meal looked up with surprise and exclaimed, “Matt you’re home early and you are sober.” After lunch, Matt turned to his Mother and said, “I’m going to take the pledge.” As Matt left the house his Mother said gently, “God give you strength to keep it.” From there, Matt went to ‘Holy Cross Church’ and according to his own account, went to Confession and took the pledge from Fr. Keane and kept that pledge the rest of his life.

From that time on, Matt attended daily Mass at 5:00 AM in ‘St. Francis Xavier’s Church’ before heading off to work one hour later–Following Matt’s evening meal, he would walk to a Church on the north side of the city where he prayed until it was about time for him to retire and go to bed in order to get up for the next day–this was to avoid the temptation of meeting up with his former buddies, as the effort to stay sober and quell his cravings for a dink was causing him immense suffering.

Every week evening, every Saturday afternoon and every Sunday morning, Matt was in Church–he gave up all of his former drinking companion friends (temptation) and confided only in his Mother — When Fr. John Cullen a Jesuit Priest, founded the ‘Pioneer Total Abstinence Assn’ in 1898 Matt became one of its first members.

From that day with his brother outside O’Meara’s Pub at the age of 28 when Matt’s drinking buddies ignored him and for the next 41 years of his life, Matt never took another drink.

On Sunday’s, Matt attended every Mass, only upon returning to his home at about 2:00 PM would he break his fast since 6:30 PM of the previous evening, the remainder of Matt’s time was spent in prayer, reading the Scriptures and about the lives of the Saints — Matt had also become very charitable with his money, donating what little he had to his neighbors in need and to missions.

On Matt’s way to Mass on ‘Trinity Sunday’ (07 June, 1925) he collapsed and died — Fifty years following his death on the 03 October, 1975 Matt was given the title ‘Venerable’ by Pope Paul VI

More here from Catholic Ireland.net

Marguerite d’Youville (1701-1771)
Image: Catholic Online

(Franciscan Media) Born in Canada Quebec, Marie Marguerite (Margaret) d’Youville, was the eldest of six children, her father died when she was just 7 yrs old according to the Vatican leaving her family in great poverty. — It was only through the influence of Marie Marguerite’s great-grandfather, that she was enabled to study for two years at Ursulines in Quebec, the oldest Catholic educational institution for Women founded in 1639

Upon Marie Marguerite’s return home, she became an invaluable support to her mother, undertaking the education of her brothers and sisters.

In 1722 Marie Marguerite married Francois d’Youville and the young couple made their home with her mother-in-law who made life miserable for Marie Marguerite and she soon came to realize that her husband Francois, had no interest in making a home life–his frequent absences and illegal liquor trading with the Indians, caused her much grief and suffering.

Marie Marguerite was pregnant with her sixth child when Francois took ill, she faithfully cared for him until his death in 1730–by the age of 29, Marie Marguerite had experienced desperate poverty and suffered the loss of her father and husband, together with 4 of her children dying during their infancy.

Through all of Marie Marguerite’s adversities, she grew in belief of God’s presence in her life and of His tender love for every human person. Marie Marguerite in turn, wanted to make known God’s compassionate love to all and undertook many charitable works with complete trust in God who she loved as a Father.

Marie Marguerite provided for her two son’s education (both later became Priests) she paid off her late husband’s debts and welcomed a blind Woman into her home. Marie Marguerite was soon joined by three other young Women who shared her love and concern for the poor.

On New Years Eve 1737 they consecrated themselves to God and promised to serve Him in the person of the poor. Marie Marguerite without even realizing it at the time had become the founder of the ‘Sisters of Charity of Montreal’ today known as the Grey Nuns today bringing care, comfort and love to the poor, the sick. abandoned children throughout North and South America.

Marie Marguerite always fought for the rights of the poor and broke with the social conventions of her day. It was during a move that made her the object of ridicule and taunts by her own relatives and neighbors. Marie Marguerite persevered in caring for the poor despite many obstacles. — In weakened health and while mourning the death of one of her companions, fire destroyed their home. This only served to deepen Marie Marguerite’s commitment  to the poor.

On the 02 February, 1745 Marie Marguerite and two of her early companions, pledged themselves to put everything in common in order to help a greater number of persons in need. Two years later, Marie Marguerite was asked to become Director of the ‘Charon Brothers Hospital’ in Montreal which had been falling into ruin. With the help of her Sisters, they rebuilt the hospital, caring for those in most desperate human misery. — With the help of her Sisters and Lay Collaborators, Marie Marguerite laid the foundation for service to the poor of a thousand faces.

The hospital later was called the ‘General Hospital in Montreal’ becoming known as the ‘Hotel Dieu’ (House of God) setting the standard for medical care and Christian compassion.

In 1765 fire destroyed the hospital but nothing could destroy Marie Marguerite faith and courage. Marie Marguerite asked her Sisters and the poor who lived at the hospital to recognize the hand of God in the disaster and offer Him praise. — At the age of 64, Marie Marguerite undertook the reconstruction of a new hospital for the poor and home for her Sisters.

Totally exhausted from a lifetime of self-sacrifice, Marie Marguerite passed away on the 23 December, 1771 and is remembered as a loving mother who served Jesus Christ in the poor.

Marie Marguerite was Beatified in 1959 by Pope John XXII and Canonized in 1990 by Pope Saint John Paul II

More here from the Vatican

Saint Albert Chmielowski (1845-1916)
Image: Via Karolus

(Franciscan Media) Born in Poland. Igolomia (near Krakow) Albert (christened ‘Adam’) was the eldest of four children from a wealthy family. — During the 1864 revolt against Czar Alexander III, Adam;s wounds forced the amputation of his left leg at the age of 18 according to Catholic News Agency subsequently, Adam became a popular artist and his talent in art led him to study in Warsaw, Germany Munich and France Paris.

A kind and compassionate person, Adam was always deeply aware of human suffering and felt called by God to help those in need.

Adam subsequently returned to Krakow in 1874 determined to dedicate his talents to the glory of God, he began to paint subjects of a Christian theme. One of his most famous artistic works was ‘Ecce Homo’ the result of his recognition of God’s love for mankind which led Adam to a spiritual metamorphose.

While in Krakow, Adam visited public dormitories and seen the material and moral misery of the homeless and derelicts first hand — for the love of Christ, Adam decided to abandon his career, to live among the poor and the needy, accepting a beggars life and fate.

In August 1887 Adam clothed himself in a grey habit and assumed a new name ‘Brother Albert’ — The following year, he professed religious vows and founded the ‘Congregation of the Brother’s of the Third Order of Saint Francis Servants of the Poor’ (today The Albertine Brothers) In 1891 Albert founded a similar congregation of ‘Albertine Sisters’ whose aim was to provide assistance to poor, needy Women and Children.

Brother Albert subsequently organized Shelters and Homes for the lame and those with incurable diseases; Soup kitchen for the poor; Nurseries and Institutions for homeless children and youth; Brother Albert sent Sisters to work in Military Hospitals and Quarantine Stations–A helping hand was extended to anyone without regard to ones religious beliefs or nationality.The homeless found a place to live, the children were clothed and work was made available to the unemployed.

While trying to meet the basic needs of the poor, Brother Albert with a Fatherly love, concerned himself  with the spiritual welfare of those he ministered, instilling within them a proper respect for ones dignity and brought them to reconciliation with God. Brother Albert drew his strength to fulfill these acts of charity and kindness from his love of the Eucharist and for Jesus Christ on the Cross.

Brother Albert died on Christmas Day 1916 in Krakow in the shelter founded by him. Recognizing the sanctity of Brother Albert, his contemporaries referred to him as ‘the greatest person of his time.’

In 1983 Brother Albert was Beatified and in 1989 he was Canonized by Pope Saint John Paul II

More here from the Congregation of Albertine Brothers

Related: St. Albert Chmielowski – The Painter Who Became an Advocate for the Poor -N.C. Register

Blessed Jolenta of Poland (1235-1298)
Image: Paxetbonum/Franciscan Saints

(Franciscan Media) Born a Princess in Hungary, Jolenta was the daughter of King Bela IV her mother was the daughter of the Greek Emperor of Constantinople; Jolenta’s eldest sister Saint Cunegunda (Feast Day: 24th July) was married to the Duke of Poland–Jolenta was sent to Poland, where her sister was to supervise her education.

Eventually, Jolenta married Duke Boleslas V (Prince of  Poland Kalisz) –Jolenta was able to use her material assets to assist the poor, sick, widows and orphans, Jolenta husband Boleslas V, joined her in constructing hospitals, a Poor Clare Convent and Monastery in Poland, Gnesen and Churches so that he received the surname, ‘The Pious’ Upon the death of Jolenta husband and the marriage of two of her daughters, Jolenta and her third daughter entered the Convent of the ‘Poor Clares at Sandec’ according to Paxetbonum where despite her reluctance, Jolenta was named the Abbess.

So well did Jolenta serve her Franciscan Sisters by word and example, that her fame and good works continued to spread beyond the walls of the Convent — Jolenta favorite devotion was the ‘Passion of Christ’ indeed Jesus appeared telling Jolenta of her coming death –many miracles, even to our own day are said to have occurred at Jolenta grave.

Jolenta passed away on the 11 June 1298 in Poland Gnesen and was Beatified in 1827 by Pope Leo XII in 1827

More here from SQPN

Saint Joachima (1783-1854)
Image: Padre Eduardo Sanz de Miguel

(Franciscan Media) Born in Spain Barcelona into an aristocratic family, Joachima was just 12 yrs old when she expressed a desire to become a Carmelite Nun but her life took an altogether different turn when she married at the age of 16 to a young lawyer Theodore de Mas, both deeply devout Christians, they became secular Franciscans and during their marriage, they brought up 9 children.

The normalcy of their family life abruptly changed when Napoleon invaded Spain, Joachina decided to flee with her children, her husband decided to stay behind and subsequently died.

Following Thedore de Mas death in 1816, Joachima reexperienced a desire to enter a religious community but she attended to her duties as a mother–while at the same time, Joachina now 33 years old, led a life of austerity and chose to wear the habit of the ‘Third Order of St. Francis’ as her ordinary dress–she likewise spent much time in prayer and visiting the sick.

Four years later with some of Joachima children now married and younger ones caring for themselves, Joachina confessed her desire to a Priest to join a religious order.

With the Priest’s encouragement, Joachima established the ‘Carmelite Sisters of Charity’ (which exists today as Order of Carmelites in Italy Rome) in the midst of the fratricidal wars occurring at the time.

Joachima opened numerous houses for the care of the sick, together with helping and looking out for those who were uneducated and impoverished. — Illness ultimately compelled Joachima to resign as Superior of the ‘Carmelite Sisters of Charity’ and over the next four years, she slowly succumbed to paralysis and passed away at the age of 71 in 1854

Beatified in 1940 by Pope Pius XII, Joachima was Canonized in 1959 by Pope Saint John XXIII

More here from Carmelnet.org