Cristy Li

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

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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