Cristy Li

Pope Saint Damasus I –Image: Pinterest

(CatholicOnline@Facebook) All lovers of scripture have reason to celebrate this date. Damasus was the Pope that commissioned Saint Jerome to translate the scriptures into Latin, the Vulgate version of the  Bible.

To his Secretary St. Jerome, Damasus was “an incomparable person, learned in the scriptures, a virgin doctor of the virgin Church, who loved chastity and heard its praises with pleasure.”

As Pope, his lifestyle was simple in contrast to other ecclesiastics of Rome and he was fierce in his denunciation of Arianism and other heresies. A misunderstanding of the Trinitarian terminology used by Rome threatened amicable relations with the Eastern Church and Damasus was only moderately successful in dealing with that challenge.

More here from Catholic Online and here from Franciscan Media

Blessed Fr. Adolph Kolping (1813-1865) –Image: The Black Cordelias

(Franciscan Media) Born in the village of Kerpen Germany in 1813 Adolph Kolping became a shoemaker at an early age because of his families economic situation–Ordained in 1845, Kolping ministered to young workers in Cologne, establishing a choir which by 1849 grew into the ‘Young Workman’s Society’ a branch of this began in St Louis, Missouri in 1856

Nine years later, there were over 400 ‘Gersellenvereine’ (workman societies) around the world more commonly called the Kolping Societies today this group has over 500,000 members in 54 countries emphasizing the sanctification of the family life and dignity of labor.

Father Kolping, worked to improve conditions for workers and greatly assisted those in need.

Father Kolping once told his followers: “The first thing a person finds in life and the last to which he holds out his hand and the most precious he possesses even if he does not realize it, is his family.”

Blessed Fr. Kolping was beatified by Pope John Paul II on the 27 October, 1991 who said during his homily:

“Adolph Kolping gathered skilled workers and factory laborers together thus he overcome their isolation and defeatism–a faith society gave them strength to go out into their everyday lives as Christ’s witnesses before God and the world, to come together, to become strengthened in the assembly and thus to scatter again is and still remains our duty today. We are not Christians for ourselves alone but always for others too.”

More here on Blessed Fr. Adolph Kolping from The Black Cordelias

(Franciscan Media) A feast called the ‘Conception of Mary’ arose in the Eastern Church during the 7th Century and came to the West in the 8th Century.

In the 11th century it received its present name–the ‘Immaculate Conception’ and during the 18th century it became a feast of the universal Church and is now recognized as a solemnity.

In 1854, Pius IX solemnly proclaimed: “The Most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first in the first instant of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin.”

It took a long time for this doctrine to develop. While many Fathers and Doctors of the Church considered Mary the greatest and holiest of the Saints, they often had difficulty in seeing Mary as sinless–either at her conception or throughout her life. This is one of the Church teachings that arose more from the piety of the faithful than from the insights of the brilliant theologians. Even such champions of Mary as Bernard of Clairvaux and Thomas Aquinas, could not see theological justification for this teaching.

Two Franciscans, William of Ware and Blessed John Duns Scotus, helped develop the theology–pointing out that Mary’s Immaculate Conception enhances Jesus’ redemptive work. Other members of the human race are cleaned from original sin after birth.

In Mary, Jesus’ work was so powerful as to prevent original sin at the outset.

More here from EWTN

Related: For Today’s Bible Readings and More Visit -USCCB

Where is the Immaculate Conception in the Holy Scriptures

Seven Quotes From Canonized Saint’s on the Immaculate Conception

St. Romaric –Image Courtesy: The Metropolitan Museum

(America Needs Fatima) Romaric a Merovingian nobleman gave up his title, renounced the world becoming a Homeless Monk at Luxeuil, subsequently meeting Amatus a French Abbot that had converted to Christianity, Romaric and Amatus established a Monastery on Romaric’s former estate.

More here from Catholic Online

Related: Why Do Catholic’s Seek the Intercession of Saint’s?

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(Catholic Online) Crispina was a wealthy Roman wife and mother of several children in Africa, arrested for being a Christian, she was taken before Proconsul Anulinus at Thesbaste in Numidia and ordered to deny Christ Jesus, when she refused, Crispina was tortured, publicly ridiculed and beheaded on this date in 304

Crispina’s  death was observed by Bishop Augustine of Hippo in his sermons, mentioning her by name during his message on Psalm 120, observing: “The persecutors turned their rage against Crispina, whose birthday we celebrate today. They unleashed their savagery against a rich woman delicately nurtured but she was strong because the Lord was for her a better defense than the hand of her right hand and He was guarding her. Is there anyone in Africa who does not know about these events, brothers or sisters?”

• 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 Catholic Encyclopedia

Related: Why Do Catholic’s Seek the Intercession of Saint’s?

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(Catholic Online) Barbara was the daughter to a wealthy pagan named Dioscorus, after the death of her mother, Dioscorus dedicated himself to his only daughter. Barbara was known for her beauty and as a way of protecting his daughter, Dioscorus shielded her from the world, locking her high up in a tower, he would only permit pagan teachers to see her.

Barbara would spend her days gazing upon the hills and admiring God’s splendor of creation, she would often ponder about God and the harmonious world and soon began to realize the idols which her father and teachers worshiped were not of God’s creation. Barbara secretly became a Christian and dedicated herself to knowing the One and only true God of creation and consecrated to the Lord her virginity. As Barbara grew older, her father Dioscorus began presenting her to men for marriage, she refused them all and warned her father that his persistence could forever damage their relationship.

Dioscorus permitted Barbara to leave her room in the tower, hoping that some freedom would change her attitude to his chosen suitors. Barbara however took this opportunity to meet other Christians, that taught her about the Lord, Christ Jesus, the Holy Trinity and the Church, a Priest disguised as a merchant baptized Barbara (See: Mark 16:15-16) into Christ Jesus and His Holy Church.

While Barbara was out exploring the world, her father Dioscorus has a private bath house built for her, this bath house became a place of healing power, many miracles would occur there. After Barbara returned from her travels, she informed her father that she had become a Christian, was baptized and would no longer worship any of his idols. Full of anger and rage, Dioscorus grabbed his sword but before he could hurt her, Barbara ran off, Dioscorus searched and searched for his daughter but could not find her.

Dioscorus came upon two shepherds, asking them if they had seen his daughter? The first denied seeing her, the second however betrayed Barbara, Dioscorus subsequently would beat his daughter, locked her away and would starve her before handing Barbara over to Martianus, a city authority, together they would beat Barbara, demanding that she renounce Jesus and her Christian faith but she refused and prayed that God would heal her wounds.

Miraculously Barbara’s were healed and Christ Jesus gave to her the strength and courage to stand firm in her faith. This would only enrage Maritianus, who subsequently would torture Barbara and another Christian woman named Juliana with rakes and hooks, then led them naked throughout the city.

Barbara would pray to Jesus, an Angel of God appeared and would cover the two women with robes, torches that were lit to burn Barbara would go out when they would come near her. Finally Barbara was condemned to death by beheading by her father, for failing to renounce Jesus, her martyrdom took place on this date during the third century.

Both Dioscorus and Martianus were struck by lightning and killed, this would be seen as punishment from God for their actions.

• 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 Lives of the Saint’s.com

Related: Why Do Catholic’s Seek the Intercession of Saint’s?

How Can You Become a Saint?

St. Francis Xavier (1506-1552)
Image Courtesy: –Catholic Online

(Franciscan Media) Born in Northern Spain, Basque Province and given the birth name Francisco (Francis) de Jasso y Azpilicueta, Francis studied and taught Philosophy at the University of Paris according to SQPN and planned a career as a Professor. Francis’ friend St. Ignatius of Loyola (Feast Day: 31 July) after converting Francis to Christianity, he would convince him to use his natural abilities to spread the Gospel.

In 1534 Francis would join St. Ignatius of Loyola newly formed group ‘The Company of Jesus’ today known as the ‘Society of Jesus’ (Jesuits) which received Papal approval in 1540 Together at Montmarte, they took vows of poverty, chastity and apostolic service according to the direction of Pope Paul III (1534-1549)

From Venice, where Francis was Ordained a Priest in 1537 Fr. Francis Xavier, went on to Lisbon and from there, set sail to the East Indies landing in India Gao — While in Gao awaiting on a ship according to SQPN Fr. Francis Xavier witnessed for Christ on the streets, cared for the sick and taught children their Catechism, it is said that he walked through the streets ringing a bell to call the children to their studies. During Fr. Francis Xavier stay in Gao, its reported that he was able to convert the entire city to Christianity. For the next 10 yrs he labored to bring Christianity to such widely scattered people as the Hindu’s, the Malayans and Japanese. Fr. Francis Xavier would however spend much of that time in  India and served as Provincial of the newly established ‘Jesuit’ province of India.

Wherever Fr. Francis Xavier went, he lived with the poorest people, sharing their food and tough accommodations. Fr. Francis Xavier would spend countless hours caring and ministering to the needs of the sick and poor but especially to those with Leprosy. Very often he had no time to sleep or even to say his breviary but as we know from his letters, Fr. Francis Xavier was always filled with joy.

Fr. Francis Xavier went through the islands of Malaysia and then to Japan, where he learned enough Japanese to speak to people, preach, baptize Christians and to establish missions for those who followed him. From Japan, he had dreams of going to China to minister but this was never realized as he died this month in 1552 at China, Sancian Island, where St. Francis Xavier Memorial Church was built in his honor.

More here from EWTN

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

(uCatholic) In 363 during the reign of Emperor Julian the Apostate, Apronianus was appointed as the Governor of Rome, the era marked the start of brutal persecutions of Christians — Bibiana and her sister Demetria came from a devout Catholic family though were orphaned at an early age.

Bibiana and Demetria, devoted their lives to piety, fasting and prayer in the home they lived, their steradfast faith in Jesus, caught the attention of Governor Apronianus, who summoned the sisters before him.

Demetria, declared her faith in Christ Jesus and mysteriously died on the spot, leaving her sister Bibiana to face further trial and persecution.

Bibiana was handed over to a merciless woman named Rufina who tried unsuccessfully to corrupt Bibiana, despite facing both physical abuse and temptation, Bibiana’s faith in Jesus remained unshaken. Governor Apronianus frustrated by Bibiana’s resilience, ordered more severe punishment of her, binding Bibiana to a pillar, savagely having her beaten with lead weighted scourges until she finally succumbed to her injuries. Throughout the torture, Bibiana maintained a joyful spirit.

• 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  Catholic Online

Related: Why Do Catholic’s Seek the Intercession of Saint’s?

How Can You Become a Saint?