Cristy Li

Saint Ephrem (306-373)

(Franciscan Media) Born in Syria Mesopotamia, Ephrem was a young man when he was baptized and became a famous Teacher, Poet, Orator and defender of Christianity–Ephrem is the only Syrian recognized as a Doctor of the Church.

Ephrem took it upon himself the special task of opposing the many false doctrines that were rampant in his time, always remaining a true and forceful defender of the Catholic Church.

One of Ephem’s biographers relates a story according to EWTN that on a certain occasion he cursed from the city walls the Persian hosts, whereupon a cloud of flies and mosquitoes settled on the Army of Sapor II King of Persia and compelled it to withdraw. The adventurous campaign of Julian the Apostate, which for a time menaced Persia ended, as is well known in disaster and his successor Jovianus, was only to happy to rescue from annihilation some remnant of the great army which his predecessor had led across the Euphrates.

Ephrem was Ordained as a Deacon (declining to become a Priest) in Edessa and also became quite well known for his sermons according to Catholic News Agency which combined articulate expressions of Catholic orthodoxy with urgent and fruitful calls for repentance.

A voluminous writer and author, Ephrem produced commentaries on the entire Bible as well as theological poetry for which he is best remembered. — Ephrem used the Syriac language verse as a means to explain and popularize theological truths, a technique that he appropriated from others who had used poetry to promote religious error.

Ephrem’s works reflected deep insight and knowledge of the scriptures. In writing about the mysteries of humanity’s redemption, Ephrem reveals a realistic and humanly sympathetic spirit, together with a great devotion to the divine nature of Jesus.

It is inspiring to read the hymns that Ephrem wrote against the heretics of his day, he would take the popular songs of the idolatrous and heretical groups and using their own melodies, composing beautiful hymns emboding orthodox doctrine.

Ephrem became one of the first to introduce music into the Church public worship as a means of instruction for the faithful. — His many hymns earned him the title: Harp of the Holy Spirit.

Near the end of his life according to Catholic News Agency Ephrem briefly served the poor and the sick during a famine which may have attributed to his own death. When Ephrem’s last day had come to his life, he told his friends:

“Sing no funeral hymns at Ephrem’s burial…Wrap not my carcass in any costly shroud. Erect no monument to my memory. Allow me only the portion and place of a Pilgrim, for I am a Pilgrim and a stranger as all my fathers were on earth.”

Ephrem passed away on this date in Edessa (modern day Iraq) — Soon after his death, Ephrem was remembered in a public address by his contemporary Saint Gregory of Nyssa (Feast Day: 10 January) who closed his remarks by asking Ephrem’s intercession:

“You are now assisting at the divine alter and before the Prince of Life with the Angels, praising the most Holy Trinity. Remember us all and obtain for us the pardon of our sins.” 

More here from Butler’s Live of the Saints

St. Anthony Mary Gianelli
Image: Aquinas and More

(CNA) Born 1789 in Italy Cerreto, Anthony grew up in a poor but devout Christian family in a small farming village in Italy Genoa, his mother taught him Catechism according to SQPN his father was known as a man of generosity and a peace maker in their community.

The owner of Anthony’s family farm paid for his Seminary education because he was such a promising student. Ordained a Priest in 1812 at the age of 23, he required special dispensation. Fr. Anthony Gianelli served as a Parish Priest and eventually founded several religious communities–some of them short lived:

• Missionaries of St. Alphonsus in 1827 (which existed until 1848)

• Oblates of St. Alphonsus in 1828 (which existed for 20 years)

• The Sisters of Our Lady of the Garden in 1829 which exists to this date, now called: ‘Daughters of Our Lady of the Garden‘ operating in the United States, Europe and Asia.

In 1837 Fr. Gianelli was named Bishop of Italy Bobbio, which he actively restored devotions and instructed the faithful, Bishop Gianelli became known as the ‘People’s Bishop’ visiting with his Parishes and organizing two Synods.

After serving as Bishop for just 9 years, Bishop Anthony Gianelli died on this date in 1846 at the age of just 57 as a result of a serious fever.

Bishop Gianelli was Beatified in 1925 by Pope Pius XI and Canonized in 1951 by Pope Pius XII

More here from Catholic Online

Saint Norbert (1080-1134)
Image: Catholic Culture

(Franciscan Media) Born into nobility in Germany Xanten, Norbert was raised around the Royal Court according to SQPN and served as Almoner (official distributor of Alms) for Emperor Henry V — While in the Court, he developed a very worldly view and joined the Benedictines at Siegburg.

During the 12th century in the French region of Premontre, Norbert founded a Religious Order known as the Premonstratensians (also known as the: Norbertines) the founding of the Order was a huge undertaking. They followed the Rule of Saint Augustine, with attention in five areas:

• Singing of the Divine Office
• Devotion to Saving of Souls for Christ
• Spirit of Habitual Penance
• Commitment to the Holy Eucharist
• Passion for the Immaculate Conception

Norbert entertained no pretensions about his own ability to accomplish the multiple tasks, even with the aid of Priests, Nuns and Clerics that joined the Order, he realized that nothing could be accomplished without God’s power and direction.

Finding this help especially in devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, the ‘Premonstratensians’ praised God in the successes they had in converting heretics, reconciling numerous people and others, together with rebuilding faith within dispassionate believers.

Norbert was later made Archbishop in Germany Magdeburg, in this position Bishop Norbert continued his work zealously and courageously for the Church until his death on this date in 1134 — Norbert was Canonized in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII

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Saint Boniface (675-754)
Image: Catholic Online

(CNA) Born in England, Boniface was educated at a Benedictine Monastery, becoming a Monk and was sent as a missionary to Germany.

Boniface was very bold in his faith and was well known for being very good at using the local customs and culture in his ministry to convert souls to Christ. In Germany, Boniface destroyed pagan idols and temples, subsequently constructing Churches on the sites — Boniface later was made Archbishop of Germany Mainz.

One story about Archbishop Boniface tells us about when he met a tribe in Saxony worshiping a Norse deity in the form of a huge oak tree according to SQPN Boniface walked up to the tree, removed his shirt, took an ax and without uttering a word, hacked down the 6 foot wooden idol. Subsequently Bonface stood at the trunk and inquired: “How stands your mighty god? My God is stronger than he.” The crowds reactions were mixed but some conversion to Jesus Christ begun as a result thereof.

Archbishop Boniface was martyred for Jesus Christ on this date in 754 while on a mission trip to Holland, where a gang of Pagans attacked and killed him, together with 52 of his companions.

More here from EWTN

Related: For Today’s Holy Scripture Readings and More, Visit: -USCCB

Blessed Angeline of Marsciano (1377-1435)
Images Courtesy: Key to Umbria

Born in Italy near Orvieto, Angeline was 12 yrs old when her mother passed away–three years later, she made a vow of perpetual chastity. That same year however, she yielded to her father’s decision that she wed the ‘Duke of Civitella’ her new spouse agreed to respect her vows to God.

When Angeline’s spouse passed away two years later, she joined the ‘Secular Franciscans’ and with several other Women, dedicated herself to caring for widows, orphans the poor and the sick.

Many other Women were attracted to Angeline’s community, subsequently she and other Women went to Foligno where Angeline founded of the First Community of Franciscan Women (other than ‘Poor Clares’ to receive Papal approval) which received Papal approval in 1397

Angeline soon established 15 similar communities of Women in other Italian cities. — Angeline passed away on the 14 July, 1435 and was buried in the Franciscan Church in Foligno according to Butler Lives of the Saints/Wikipedia she was Beatified in 1825 by Pope Leo XII

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St. Charles Lwanga & Companions
Image: Catholic Online

(CNA) In 1879 Christianity began to spread in Uganda when the White Fathers (a congregation of Priests founded by Cardinal Lavigerie) were peacefully received by King Mutesa of Uganda.

The Priests soon began preparing Christian converts for baptism and before long a number of the young pages of the King’s Court had become Catholics. However following the death of Mutesa, his son Mwanga a corrupt man who ritually engaged in pedophilia with young pages ascended to the throne.

When King Mwanga had a visiting Anglican Bishop murdered, his Chief Page Joseph Mukasa a Catholic, went to great lengths to protect the young male pages from Mwanga’s lust, Mukasa denounced the King’s actions and was subsequently beheaded.

On the night of the martyrdom of Joseph Mukasa, some 100 of the other Pages fearing for their lives, went to the ‘White Fathers’ to receive baptism — another 100 of the Christian converts were baptized in the week following Mukasa death.

Following the death of Joseph Mukasa, a young 25 yr old Charles Lwanga, who was totally dedicated to God and the Christian instruction to the young pages became the Chief Page, and he just as forcefully protected the young men in his care from King Mwanga’s advances.

In May of the following year, King Mwanga learned that one of his young pages was learning Catechism, he became furious and ordered all of the Pages to be questioned to separate the Christians from the others–the Christians, 15 in all ranging in ages of 13 to 25 stepped forward. King Mwanga inquired if they were willing to keep their faith? They replied in unison: “Until Death.”

The Christian Pages were then subsequently all bound together and taken on a two day walk to Namugongo — On the way there Matthias Kelembia, one of the older young men exclaimed, “God will rescue me but you will not see how he does it because he will take my soul and leave you only my body.” The executioners cut him into pieces and left him to die alone along the road.

When the rest of the Christians arrived in Namugongo where they were to be burned at the stake, the King’s henchmen bound the Christians together for a week and prepared the wood for the fire.

On this date in 1886 Charles Lwanga was separated from the others tortured and slowly burned at the stake first. — The executioners slowly burnt his feet until only the charred remained, while still alive, they promised they would release him if he renounced his faith in Jesus Christ.

Charles Lwanga refused saying: “You are burning me but it is as if you are pouring water over my body.” Lwanga subsequently continued to pray silently as the executioners set him on fire. Just before the flames reached his heart, he looked up and said in a loud voice: “Katonda” — My God and subsequently died.

Lwanga’s young companions (the remaining Christian Pages) were all burned to death the same day while praying and singing hymns until they died.

In all there were 22 Martyrs for Jesus Christ, the last being a young man named John Mary, who was beheaded by the wicked King Mwanga in 1887 –the persecution of Christians continued to spread during Mwanga’s reign with many more Christians both Catholic and Protestants tortured and killed.

Charles Lwanga was Beatified in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV and Canonized in 1964 by Pope Paul VI

More here from Franciscan Media

Related: Today’s Holy Scripture Readings on the Memorial of St. Charles Lwanga & Companions Visit: -USCCB

Saints Marcellinus and Peter
Image: Catholic News Agency

(EWTN) Both Fr. Marcellinus and Fr. Peter (who performed exorcisms) were of the Clergy of Rome and eminent for their zeal and devotion to Christianity.

During these days of persecution by the Roman Emperor Diocletian, according to Franciscan Media in or about in the year 304 they were condemned to die (beheaded) for their faith.

Pope Damasus said when he was yet a child, he learned of all the particulars of the deaths of Fr. Marcellinus and Fr. Peter first hand from the executioner himself and he subsequently inserted them in an epitaph in Latin placed at their tomb. — Pope Constantine erected a Basilica over their crypt.

Related: For Today’s Most Holy Scripture Readings for the Memorial of St’s Marcellinus & Peter, Visit: -USCCB

Saint Justin (100-165) Martyr for Jesus Christ
Image Courtesy: Streams of the River

(Franciscan Media) Born in the year 100 in the City of Nablus (30 miles north of Jerusalem) Justin was a Pagan philosopher according to SQPN who converted to Christianity at the age of 30 by reading the scriptures, together by witnessing the heroism and faith of martyrs for Jesus Christ.

As a young man, Justin was principally attracted to the School of Plato, spending his youth reading the Poets, Orators and Historians, however he would find that Christianity answered the great questions about the mystery of life and existence better than all the great Philosophers.

Upon Justin’s conversion to Christianity, he continued to wear the Philosophers mantle and became the first Christian Philosopher, combining the values of Christianity with the best elements of Greek philosophy. — In Justin’s view, philosophy was a pedagogue (teacher) of Jesus Christ, an educator that was to lead one to Christianity.

Justin became known as one of the first great Christian apologists (one who defended Christianity against the attacks and misunderstandings of the Pagans and other unbelievers) and opened a school of public debate in Italy Rome.

For Justin’s strong adherence to Christianity, extolling the power of divine grace in the virtue of Christians, teaching of the miraculous works of the Holy Spirit of curing the sick and casting out Demons in the name of Jesus Christ, excluding from salvation willful heretics and infidels, he was scourged and beheaded along with 6 companions who joined him in Justin’s confession of faith in Jesus Christ in Rome in 165

More here from EWTN

Related: For Today’s Most Holy Scripture Readings on the Memorial of St. Justin -USCCB

‘Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary’ Image: —Daily Gospel

(Franciscan Media) This is a fairly late Feast, going back only to the 13th or 14th century, it was established widely throughout the Church to pray for unity. The present date of celebration was set in 1969 in order to follow the ‘Annunciation of the Lord’ (25 March) and precede the ‘Nativity of John the Baptist’ (24 June)

Like most Feasts of Mary, it is closely connected with Jesus and His saving work. The more visible actors in the drama — See: Luke 1:39-45 are Mary and Elizabeth however, Jesus and John the Baptist steal the scene in a hidden way. Jesus makes John leap with joy–the joy of Messianic Salvation. Elizabeth in turn is filled with the Holy Spirit and addresses words of praise to Mary, words that echo down through the ages.

It is helpful to be reminded of, that we do not have a Journalist account of this meeting, rather Luke, speaking for the Church, gives a powerful Poet’s rendition of the scene.

Elizabeth’s praise of Mary as ‘the Mother of My Lord’ can be viewed as the earliest Church’s devotion to Mary. As with all authentic devotion to Mary, Elizabeth’s (the Church’s) words first praise God for what God has done through Mary, only secondly, does Elizabeth praise Mary for trusting God’s words.

Then comes the Magnificat –See: Luke 1:46-55 here Mary herself (like the Church) traces all of her greatness to God.

More here from USCCB & here from EWTN

Saint Joan of Arc (1412-1431)
Image Courtesy: Women of Grace

(Franciscan Media) Born in France Domermy, Joan was one of five children in a fairly well to do peasant family.

From the age of 13 according to Catholic News Agency Joan experienced visions (later identified as the Saint’s Michael the Archangel, Catherine of Alexandria & Margaret of Antioch) telling her to go to the King of France and help him reconquer his kingdom from the invading forces of England and Burgundy.

Overcoming opposition, together with  convincing members of the Royal Court and the Church, Joan was put in charge of a small army, she charged into battle bearing a banner which bore the names of ‘Jesus’ and ‘Mary’ as well as the symbol of the Holy Spirit.

Due to Joan’s leadership and trust in God, she was able to raise the siege of Orleans in 1429 and her army went on to win a series of battles and the King was able to enter Rheims and was crowned with Joan at his side.

Joan was however captured near Compiegne the following year, was sold to England and subsequently, placed on trial for heresy and witchcraft.

Bishop Pierre Cauchon of Beauvais presided over Joan’s trial and Cardinal Henry Beaufort interrogated her at trial for which she was found guilty and condemned to death.

On this date in 1431, Joan was burned at the stake in France Rouen, she was but 19 years old.

It wasn’t until 30 yrs after Joan’s trial and execution that her case was again heard and this time, Joan was exonerated.

Joan of Arc was Beatified in 1905 by Pope Saint Pius X and Canonized in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV

Saint Joan of Arc stands alone in history. Many Women have found sanctity in the cathedral, some have shown bravery in battle but no other ever trained herself to holiness in a Soldiers camp and surely no female Saint ever died at the stake, condemned by an ecclesiastical tribunal as a witch and a heretic.

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