Cristy Li

Saint Polycarp
Image: Vassallomalta

(EWTN) St. Polycarp was one of the most illustrious of the apostolic fathers who, being the immediate disciple of the Apostles, received instructions from their own mouths and inherited of them the Spirit of Jesus Christ, in a degree so much the more eminent.

Bishop of Smyrna (modern day Turkey Izmir) Saint Polycarp was a revered Christian leader during the first half of the second century.

St. Ignatius on his way to Rome to be martyred, visited Polycarp at Smyrna and later at Troas, wrote him a personal letter. The Asia-Minor (modern day Turkey) Churches recognized Polycarp’s leadership by selecting him as their representative  in about the year 158 to discuss with Pope Anicetus the date of the Easter celebration in Rome–a major controversy in the early Church.

Only one of the many letters written by Saint Polycarp has been preserved, according to EWTN the one that he wrote to the Church of Philippi in Macedonia.

• St. Polycarp helped to form many Holy Disciples
  among them were St. Irenaeus and St. Papias

During the sixth year of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-180) a violent persecution broke out in which the Christian faithful, gave heroic proof of their courage and love for God, to the astonishment of the infidels. When the Christians were torn to pieces with scourges until their very bowls laid bare, amidst the moans and tears of the spectators, who were moved with pity at the sight of their torments, not one of the Christians gave a so much as a single groan, so little regard had they for their own flesh in their cause for God.

No kinds of torture, no inventions of cruelty, cause them to to conform to the pagan worship of the times.

Polycarp was  subsequently led into the crowded Smyrna stadium to be burned alive at which time he said to his tormentors:

“You threaten me with a fire which burns for a short time then goes out but are yourselves ignorant of the judgment to come and the fire of everlasting torments which is prepared for the wicked. Why do you delay? Bring against me what you please.”

Miracle: St. Polycarp in the Flames
Which Did Not Consume Him

The flames did not harm Polycarp and an Order went out for a Spearman to pierce him through which he did and such a huge quantity of blood poured out of his left side that it quenched out the fire–the Centurion then ordered that Polycarp’s body be burned.

The “Acts” of Polycarp’s martyrdom are the earliest preserved, fully reliable account of a Christian Martyr’s death in 156

Saint Peter Damian (1007-1072)
Image Courtesy: Faith Warriors

(Franciscan Media) Peter was born into a good family but was orphaned at an early age and went to live with his brother.

According to EWTN his bother treated him more life a slave than one so closely related. Peter escaped poverty and the neglect of his brother, when he was sent away to another brother that was an Archpriest in Italy Raveena, who took pity on him and had the charity to provide him with an education–Peter became a professor

Maybe because he was orphaned, Peter was very good to the poor, it was an ordinary thing for him to have an impoverished person or two dine with him and he enjoyed the opportunity this provided to minister to them.

Already in those days, Peter was very strict with himself, he wore a chalice underneath his clothing, fasted rigorously and spent many hours in prayer–Later he left teaching and gave himself to prayer with the Benedictines of the Reform of Saint Romuald at Fonte Avellnam–they lived two Monks to a hermitage. Peter was so eager to pray, sleeping so little and studying the Bible, that he soon suffered severe insomnia, finding that he had to use some prudence to take better care of himself.

His superiors ordered that Peter make frequent appeals to the religious, as he had acquired a very good character for virtue and learning–later he founded 5 other hermitages (monasteries) encouraging his brother in a life of prayer and solitude, wanting nothing more for himself. The Holy See however periodically called on Peter to be a peacemaker/troubleshooter between two Abbey’s in dispute or between a Cleric and government official in some disagreement with Rome.

Pope Stephen IX in 1057 made Peter the Cardinal-Bishop of of Ostia (Rome) but such was his reluctance, that nothing less than Pope Stephen IX threatening him with excommunication and his commands, induced Peter to acquiesce.

Peter worked hard to to wipe out simony (buying or selling ecclesiastical privileges) and encouraged his priest’s to observe celibacy and even encouraged the diocesan clergy to live together to maintain scheduled prayer and religious observances–wanting to restore the discipline among the religious and priests, warning them against needless travel, violations of poverty and too comfortable of living.

Following Peter’s retirement, he continued to edify the Church by his penance and writing bust was still called to serve as a personal representative to the Pope.

Henry, Archbishop of Ravenna having been excommunicated for grievous moral offenses, Peter was sent by Pope Alexander II to take care of the affairs of the Church. When Peter arrived, he found the Bishop deceased but found his accomplices. Bringing them around to a sense of their guilt, he imposed suitable penances upon them.

This was Peter’s last undertaking for the Church before God, being pleased with his his labors soon after called him home on the 22 February, 1072

Peter was Canonized in 1823 by Pope Leo XII and in 1828 made Doctor of the Church.

Saint Conrad of Piacenza (1290-1350)
Image: Wikipedia

(Franciscan Media) Born into one of the noblest families of Italy Piacenza, Conrad married as a young man and led a virtuous and God fearing life.

One day while hunting Conrad ordered his attendants to fire some brushwood in which game had taken refuge. The prevailing winds caused the flames to spread rapidly and the surrounding fields and forest were soon engulfed –Conrad fled. An innocent beggar, who happened to be found near the place where the fire originated was accused of starting the inferno and was tried, found guilty and condemned to death.

As the poor man was being led away to execution, Conrad stricken with remorse came forward, admitted his responsibility and in order to pay compensation for all of the damages. he was obliged to sell all of his possessions.

Reduced to poverty, Conrad retired to a small lonely dwelling for a hermit some distance away from Piacenza, his wife agreed to a separation and went to a Poor Clare monastery.

Subsequently, Conrad went to Rome, then to Sicily where for 30 years he lived a most austere life–prayers and penance were his answers to the temptations that harassed him.

Conrad passed away from life while kneeling before a Crucifix.

In 1515 Pope Leo X approved the celebration of his Feast by Italy Noto and on this date in 1625 Pope Urban VIII approved the celebration by all Franciscans.

‘Annunciation and Decent from the Cross’
by Blessed John of Fiesole
Popularly Known as Blessed Fra Angelico

(Franciscan Media) Blessed John of Fiesole born in Vicchio overlooking Italy Florence, he took up painting as a young lad studying under the watchful eye of a local painting master and became known for the beauty of his paintings.

Given the name “Guido” at Baptism, he joined the Dominicans at the age of 20 taking the name ‘Fra Giovanni’ (nicknamed Angelico) by his brothers he eventually became known as ‘Fra Angelico’ as he ministered Jesus Christ by his life, his words and paintings.

Continuing studying painting and perfecting his own techniques which included broad brush strokes, vivid colors and generous life like figures, Michelangelo once said of Fra Angelico:

“One has to believe that this good Monk has visited paradise and been allowed to choose his models there.”

Whatever his subject matter, Fra Angelico sought to generate feelings of religious devotion in response to his paintings. Among his most famous works are the ‘Annunciation and Descent From the Cross’ as well as ‘Frescoes’ in the Monastery of San Marco in Florence.

Between 1425 and 1447 ‘Fra Angelico’ served in leadership positions for the Dominican convents and other ecclesiastical institutes at Fiesole in Florence, Cortona and Orvieto.

The fame of ‘Fra Angelico’ genius, merited him the esteem of  Pope Eugenio IV (1383-1447) and Nicholas V (1397-1455) whom they contracted with for the task of ‘frescoing painting’ several rooms in the Vatican Palace.

Fra Angelico Frescoes in the ‘Cappella Niccolina
of the Plazzi Pontifica in the Vatican’

Fra Angelico passed away on this date (18 February) 1455 in the ‘Convent of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva’ in Rome and was buried in the adjoining Basilica, where his body was covered by a simple slab on which was carved his portrait, with a personality that was uncomplicated and clear.

“The virtue and and profound religious spirit which characterized the life of this artist and Dominican, is reflected in his (Fra Angelico) spirituality, his purity and the luminosity of his art,” wrote the Dominican Sisters.

Even before his official as ‘Blessed of the Church’ Fra Angelico had been given the faithful title ‘Beato Angelico’ in a moving ceremony on the 18 October,  1984 when Pope Saint John Paul II on his knees in front of ‘Fra Angelico’ tomb, proclaimed him solemnly to be the universal patron of all artists.

“The incarnation was on of Fra Angelico’s favorite themes and he painted over 25 variations of it, his painted meditations, so needed at the time of the early Renaissance are still necessary today. God became man to bring us closer to Himself by way of all things human–He makes all things new by fashioning them into possible vehicles of grace for us, so that by visible realities and concrete concepts, we can arrive at an understanding and a love of higher, invisible realities, all leading to God Himself.”

Related: Fra Angelico Paintings — Convent of San Marco

Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order
Image: Art Institute of Chicago

(EWTN) Between years 1225 and 1227 seven young Florentines joined the Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin–popularly known as the ‘Laudesi’ at a time when the popular City of Italy Florence, was being ripped by political factions, distracted by the heresy of the Cathari and a relaxation  of morals even where devotional practices were maintained.

These seven young noblemen of Florence drawn together by friendship and devotion to the Blessed Virgin, gave themselves to common works of charity according to the Friar Servants of Mary and led them to leave their homes and their businesses to form a community outside the city walls.

Before long, finding themselves so much disturbed by the constant visitors of Florence, they decided to withdraw to the deserted slopes of Monte Senario, where the constructed a simple Church, where they followed a life of prayerful seclusion.

As others came to join them, they initially refused to accept new recruits until they were visited one day by the Bishop Ardingo and Cardinal Castiglione, who had heard about their sanctity and was greatly edified but made one adverse criticism:

“You treat yourselves in a manner boarding on barbarity and you seem more desirous of dying to time than living for eternity. Take heed, the enemy of souls often hides himself under the appearance of the angel of light…Harken to the counsels of your superiors.”

The Solitaries gave themselves up to the prayer of light and had a vision of Our Lady, who bore in her hand a black habit while an angel held a scroll inscribed with a title: ‘Servants of Mary’ telling them, she had chosen them to be her servants, wishing them to wear the black habit and to follow the Rule of St. Augustine–From that date, the 13 of April, 1240 they were known as the ‘Servants of Mary’ or Servites.

The Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order –Image: Da Mihi Animas

Clothed by the Bishop, Buonfigilo being elected their Superior and according to custom, they selected names by which they should forward be known, becoming Brothers Bonfilius, Alexis, Amadeus, Hugh, Sostenes, Manettus and Buonagiunta–By the wish of the Bishop, all except St. Alexis who in his humility begged to be excused, prepared to receive Holy Orders and in due time they were professed and ordained Priests.

The new order which took a form more like that of a Mendicant Friars than that of the monastic orders, increased amazingly and it soon became necessary to construct new houses:

Siena, Pistoia and Arezzo were the first places chosen and subsequently the houses at Carfaggio, the Convent and the Church of the Santissima Annunziata in Florence and the Convent at Lucca were established.

Meanwhile, although the ‘Servants of Mary’ had the approval of their immediate superiors, they had not been recognized by the Holy See, it was only in 1259 that the Order was practically recognized by Alexander IV but not until 1304, that it received the explicit and formal approbation of Pope Benedict XI — Saint Bonfilius had remained as Prior General until 1256 when he asked to be relieved due to his advancing years, he passed away on New Years night 1261

Saint Buonagiunta the youngest of the seven ‘Servants of Mary’ became the second Prior General but not long after his election, he breathed his last in chapel when the ‘Gospel of the Passion’ was being read. Saint Amadeus who had taken charge of the important convent of Carfaggio, returned to Monte Senario to end his days–Saint Manettus, became the fourth Prior General, sending missionaries to Asia, he subsequently retired to make way for Saint Philip Benzi upon whose breast he died.

Saint’s Hugh and Sostenes were abroad–Sostenes in Paris and Hugh had found convents in Germany, they were recalled in 1276 and being attacked by illness, they passed away, side-by-side the same night. Saint Alexis outlived them all and was the only one who survived to see the Order of the ‘Servants of Mary’ fully and finally recognized–he is reported to have passed away at the age of 110.

All seven were Beatified by Pope Clement XI on the 01 December 1717 and Canonized in 1887 by Pope Leo XII

Saint Gilbert of Sempringham Sculpture
at Essen Belgium –Image: Nobility.org

(Franciscan Media) Gilbert was born in Sempringham, a Hamlet in the South Kesteven District of Lincolnshire England, into a wealthy family but he followed a path quite different than expected of him as the Son of a wealthy Roman Knight.

Gilbert sent to France for higher education decided to pursue seminary studies. When he returned to England not yet ordained a Priest–he inherited several estates from his father Jocelin however, Gilbert decided to avoid the easy life he may have had, instead living a simple life at the Parish, sharing as much as possible with the poor.

Following Gilbert’s ordination into the priesthood, he served as a Parish Priest in Sempringham. Among the congregation were seven young Women who had expressed to him their desire to live a religious life. In response, Fr. Gilbert had a house built for them adjacent to the Church, there they live a austere life but one which attracted even more members–eventually, Lay Sisters & Brothers were added to work the land. A religious order was formed out of their small community known as the Gilbertine Order in 1131 the only religious order founded during the Middle Ages continued to thrive but came to an end when King Henry VIII suppressed all Catholic monasteries.

Site of ‘The Gilbertine Order’
Image Courtesy: 365 Rosaries

According to EWTN Gilbert departed to our Lord on the 03 February, 1190 at 106 yrs of age and he was Canonized by Pope Innocent III in 1202

Saint Claude de la Colombiere (1641-1682)
Holy Card: Ecrater.com

(Franciscan Media) Born in France Lyons, Claude de la Colombiere during his youthful days studied philosophy, writing and public speaking–It was during this period according to the Vatican that Claude first sensed his vocation to a religious life in the Society of Jesus–By the age of 17, he entered the ‘Jesuit Novitiate’ at Avignon. In 1660 he moved from the Novitiate to College (also in Avignon) where he pronounced his first vows, completing his studies in philosophy, following which he taught grammar and the humanities for five years.

In 1666 Claude went to the College of Clermont in Paris to study theology, he was assigned by his Superiors the additional responsibility of tutoring the children of Jean-Baptiste Colbert, Minister of Finance for King Louis XIV

With his theological studies completed and ordained a Jesuit Priest in 1675 he was appointed Superior at Paray-Le-Monial in France where the Convent of St. Margaret Mary was located, here Fr. Claude became the spiritual director, encouraging her in the spread of the devotion to the Sacred Heart.

Fr. Claude became known for his remarkable gift of judgment together with his solid ministry and was sent to England to be a Court Preacher to the Duchess of York, taking up residence in Saint James Palace in London, his radiant personality and talents were noted by everyone.

The intense pace of Fr. Claude’s work and poor climate combined to undermine his health and evidence of a serious pulmonary disease began to appear.

When the alleged ‘Popish Plot’ of 1678′ occurred, Fr. Claude was accused of complicity and taken to the severe King’s Bench Prison, where he remained for 3 weeks in very poor condition, until he was expelled from England by royal decree returning to France.

The events in England further weakened Fr. Claude, during the Summer of 1681 in a very weakened condition, he returned to spending Paray-Le-Monial, where he spent his last days.

Saint Claude de la Colombiere –Image Courtesy: Pinterest

 On the 15 February, 1682 during the First Sunday of Lent, Fr. Claude passed away–In June, 1929 Pope Pius XI Beatified Claude de la Colombiere, subsequently being Canonized on the 31 May, 1992 by Pope Saint John Paul II

Saint Giles Mary of St. Joseph
Image: All Saints & Martyrs

(Franciscan Media) In the same year that a power hungry Napoleon Bonaparte led his Army into Russia, Brother (Francesco) Giles Mary of St. Joseph, ended a life of humble service to the Franciscan community and to the citizens of Italy Naples.

Francesco was born in Italy Taranto to very poor parents and as a child according to All Saints & Martyrs (Francesco) Giles Mary had learned rope making and was very good at his trade–his father’s death when he was 18 necessitated him to care for his family.

After securing their future, Brother (Francesco) Giles Mary, entered the ‘Friars Minor at Galastone’ in 1754 and for 53 years, he served in various roles at St. Paschal Hospice in Naples.

“Love God, Love God” was Brother Giles Mary characteristic phrase as he gathered food for the Friars and shared some of his bounty with the poor–all the while consoling the troubled and urging everyone he met to repent. The charity which Brother Giles Mary reflected on the streets of Naples, was born in prayer and nurtured in the common life of the Friars.

The people that Brother Giles Mary met during his rounds earned his the nickname: ‘Consoler of Naples’ — Following his life of faithfulness to God, he was declared ‘Blessed’ by Pope Pius IX in 1888 and Canonized on the 02 June, 1996 by Pope Saint John Paul II