Cristy Li

Blessed Rafal Chylinski (1694-1741)
Image Courtesy: Holy Spirit RE

(Catholic Online) Born in Poland Poznan and given the name Melchior Chylinski, his father John Arnold Chylinski and his mother Margaret Kierski were both nobles, even though Melchior was born into nobility, he left his heredity rights and privileges to become a Conventual Franciscan Minor in Poland Krakow according to SQPN taking the name Rafal and Ordained into the Priesthood in 1717

Melchior attended school in the Village of Buk, in 1707 his father passed away as a result of the plague and their home was subsequently burned to the ground. Since Melchior and his family no longer had a place to live, Bishop Stanislaus Kierski (who may have been Melchior’s Uncle) helped Margaret raise her sons.

In 1712 Melchior had served in the Polish Army and became an Officer, in 1715 he left the military and moved to Krakow where he joined the Franciscan Fathers as a Cleric. — In 1715 Melchior was Baptized into the Order and took the name Rafal and Ordained into the Priesthood in 1717

Fr Rafal was assigned to Parishes in 9 cities and traveled to Monasteries in: Poland Radziejow, Poznan, Gniezno, Warsaw, Kalisz, Warta and Krakow, where he distributed food, supplies and clothing to the poor according to SQPN and played a harp, lute and mandolin to accompany liturgical hymns. Fr. Rafal was known for candid sermons, generosity and as a great Confessor. Fr. Rafal devoted his life to prayer, together with caring for the poor and sick.

From 1728 to 1736 he served in the Lageiewniki, part of the Parish of Lodz where he would pass away on this date in 1742

In 1949 he was Venerated (declared heroic in virtue) by Pope Pius XII and Beatified in 1991 by Pope Saint John Paul II

More here by Angel Fire and here by Franciscan Media

Blessed Charles de Foucauld, Martyr for Christ (1858-1916)
Image Courtesy: Salt of the Earth

Born in France Strasbourg, into an aristocratic family, Charles was orphaned by the age of 6 he and his sister Mary, according to SQPN were raised by their devout Christian Grandmother and studied from 1872-1875 at the Jesuit schools in Nancy and Paris.

Charles as a teenager came to reject his Catholic heritage and in 1876 entered the French Army Saint Cyr Military Academy, in 1880 Charles would join the 4th Hussar regiment and his unit was sent to Algeria, Charles would take along his mistress Mimi. When Charles declined to give Mimi up, he was discharged from the Army in 1881 for misconduct and moved back to France Evian.

When Charles eventually broke it off with Mimi he reenlisted into the Army (during the revolt of Bon Mama in Algeria, South Oran) Charles would reenlist into the Army and fought during the 8 mo rebellion. During this period of time, Charles became so fascinated with the Arabs he met, when he could obtain a leave-of-absence to study their beliefs, he would resign his commission.

During the next 15 months Charles would spend time learning Arabic and Hebrew — In May, 1885 Charles received the ‘Gold Medal’ of the French Geographic Society for his work. Charles subsequently began an exploration of Algeria and Tunisia from Sept 1885 to January 1886 and following, returned to Paris to begin working on his book Reconnaissance au Maroc (available at Amazon.com) which was published in 1888

Charles lived simply, sleeping on the floor, spending hours each day in prayer at home and in Church. From November 1888 to February 1889 Charles visited and explored Israel, during much of the rest of 1889 he would spend time at spiritual retreats.

On the 16 January, 1890 Charles would join the Trappist Monks at the Monastery of Notre Dame-des-Neigis, taking the name Brother Marie-Alberic, he would subsequently move to the Monastery in Syria at Akbes in June–In October 1896 Charles was sent to Rome to study but after 3 months, it was clear that his heart wasn’t into being there and he was released from his vows. During the subsequent year, Charles would make another pilgrimage to Israel on foot before returning to France to begin studying for the Priesthood.

In June 1901 Charles was Ordained at Viviers, he would subsequently move to the Oran region of Morocco to establish a base and would found an Order to evangelize Morocco — In 1902 Fr. Charles de Foucauld, began a program of purchasing Slaves in order to free them. In 1904 he began to evangelize nomadic Tauregs in the area of south and central Sahara great desert.

Fr. Charles  de Foucauld would translate the Gospels into the language of the Tauregs, in November 1903 he would translate Tauareg poetry to French and would spend years compiling a Taureg lexicon. In March 1909 Fr. Charles de Faucauld succeeded in founding the ‘Union of Brothers and Sisters of the Sacred Heart’ to evangelize the French Colonies in Africa.

Martyred for Christ: Fr. Charles de Foucauld was killed on this date in 1916 when he got caught in the middle of combat in Algeria between the Army of France and Arab insurrectionists.

Fr. Charles de Foucauld was Venerated by Pope Saint John Paul II in 2001 and Beatified in November 2005 by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

More here from the Vatican

St Andrew The Apostle
Image Courtesy: St. Paul Street Evangelization

(CNA) Today Christians celebrate the Feast of Saint Andrew — Once a fisherman from Bethsaida, his brother was St Peter (Feast Day: 29 June) St. Andrew is said to have spread the the Good News of Jesus Christ in Russia and Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) after Pentecost during the first century.

St. Andrew was crucified by the Romans in Greece on an ‘X-Shaped Cross’ which is now his distinctive symbol as well as the symbol of Scotland of which he is her Patron Saint. — St. Andrew demonstrated his love for his brother as well as his apostolic zeal, convinced that Jesus was the Messiah he sought out St. Peter:

‘Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, he first found his brother Simon and said to him,”We have found the Messiah,” -then he brought him to Jesus.’ –John 1:40-42

More here from Franciscan Media and here from EWTN

Related: Christmas Anticipation Prayer -EWTN

Saint Saturninus  -Image Courtesy: uCatholic

(EWTN) St. Saturninus was says French historian Fr. Tillemont (1637-1698) “One of the most illustrious Martyrs France has given to the Church.”

History today only possess only his Acts which are very old since they were utilized by St Gregory of Tours (538-594) We know that Saturninus was the first Bishop of Toulouse, whether he went during the consult of Decius and Gratus (250) whether there were already Christians in the town, or his preaching resulted in numerous conversions, Saturninus soon had a little Church. — To reach it, Saturninus had to pass before the Capitol where there was a temple and according to the Acts, the Pagan priests ascribed to his frequent passing the silence of their oracles.

One day the Pagan priests seized Saturninus and on his unshakable refusal to make a sacrifice to the idols, they condemned him to death by being tied by the feet to a bull which drug him about the town until the rope broke.

After Saturninus death, two Christian Women reverently gathered up his remains, burying them in a deep ditch so that they would not be defiled by the evil Pagans. — Saturninus successors St. Hilary (Feast Day: 13 January) and St. Eusbius (Feast Day: 02 August) gave him a more honorable burial. A Church was erected where the Bull which caused his death had stopped and still exists to this day and is called, Notre-Dame du Taur (Church of the Bull) — The body of St. Saturnunus was transferred at an early date and is still preserved in the Church of St. Sernin (or St. Saturnin) one of the most ancient and beautiful in Southern France.

St. Saturninus Feast Day was entered on the Hieronymian Martyrology on this date. — The account of his Acts were embellished with several details and legends linked to his name with the beginning of the Churches: Eauze, Auch, Pamplona and Amiens but these are without historic foundation.

More here from Catholic Encyclopedia/New Advent 2012

Alternative Saint of the Day: Saint Clement -Franciscan Media

St. Catherine Laboure (1806-1876)
Image: St. Paul Street Evangelization

(CNA) Born in France Burgundy and given the birth name Zoe, she was of a large family and the 9th of 11 children, her mother passed when Zoe was just 8 yrs old according to SQPN and her older sister joined the ‘Sisters of Charity’ which necessitated Zoe to assume the daily household duties, it was said of her, that she was a very quiet and practical child, subsequently Zoe worked as a waitress in Paris at her Uncle’s cafe.

As a young Woman of 24,  Zoe became a member of the nursing order founded by St. Vincent de Paul (Feast Day: 27 September) according to Laboure Society — Zoe was very devout, of a somewhat romantic nature, given to visions and insights, she chose the Daughters of Charity after receiving a vision in which St. Vincent told her that God wanted her to work with the sick and upon joining the Order, took the name Catherine.

On the night of the 18 July, 1830 Catherine awoke from sleep after hearing the voice of a child calling her to the Chapel and subsequently heard the Virgin Mary say to her, “God wishes to charge you with a mission. You will be contradicted but do not fear, you will have the grace to do what is necessary. Tell your spiritual director all that passes within you. Times are evil in France and the world.”

On the 27 November, 1830 the Blessed Mother returned to Catherine during evening meditations, displaying herself in an oval frame, standing upon a globe, wearing many rings of different colors, most of which shone rays of light over the globe, around the margin of the fame appeared the words: “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” As Catherine watched, the frame seemed to rotate, showing a circle of 12 stars, a large letter ‘M’  surmounted by a Cross and the styled Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary underneath. — Catherine asked why some of the rings did not shed light? Blessed Mother Mary replied:

“Those are the graces for which people forgot to ask.”

Catherine then heard Mary ask her to take these images to her Priest (Confessor) telling him that they should be put on medallions and said, “All who wear them will receive great graces.”

Doing as she was instructed, after two years of investigation and observation of Catherine’s normal daily behavior her Priest (Confessor) took the information to his Archbishop without revealing Catherine’s identity. The request was approved and medallions began to be produced.

The medallions proved to be exceedingly popular. The principles laid down by the Church of the ‘Immaculate Conception’ had not yet been officially promulgated but the medal with its “Conceived Without Sin” slogan was probably influential in popular approval of the idea.

Pope Saint John Paul II used a slight variation of the reverse of the image as his coat of arms, a plain Cross with an ‘M’ in the lower right quadrant of the shield.

Catherine lived her remaining years as an ordinary Nursing Sister, she was very pleasant and well liked by everyone. Catherine never told anyone but her Priest (Confessor) about her visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, so even at her death on New Years Eve 1876 no one knew that it was Catherine who brought the Miraculous Miracle to the world.

Beatified in 1933 by Pope Pius XI, Catherine was Canonized in 1947 by Pope Pius XII

More here by Catholic Online and here by Laboure Society

Related: The Hidden Symbolism in the Miraculous Medal — Church POP

St. Virgilius of Salzburg
Image Courtesy: Catholic News World

(EWTN) Born during the 8th century in Ireland, Virgilius was a Scientist before his time and in his Monastery of Aghaboe, he was known as the ‘Geometer’ because of his knowledge of Geography.

In 743 Virgilius left Ireland for a pilgrimage to Israel but got no further than the Court of Pepin — In 745 Pepin defeated Odilo Duke of Bavaria and sent Virgilius to be Abbot of the Monastery of St. Peter and in charge of the Diocese of Salzburg.

In accordance with the Irish custom of the time, the Bishop was subject to the Abbot who was the head of the diocese. As this was contrary to the continental custom, Virgilius consented to be consecrated Bishop; His most notable accomplishments was the conversion of the Alpine Slavs and sending Missionaries to Hungary.

During his first days at Salzburg, Bishop Virgilius was involved in controversies with Saint Boniface (Feast Day: 05 June) one over the form of Baptism, which the Pope decided in Bishop Virgilius’ favor. — Bishop Virgilius also expressed a number of opinions on Astronomy, Geography and Anthropology which to Saint Boniface smacked in the face of novelty if not heresy which he reported to Rome and the Pope demanded an investigation of Bishop Virgilius.

Nothing ever became of the allegations as Bishop Virgilius was able to defend his scholarly opinions.

During his tenure as as Bishop, Virgilius would construct a grand Cathedral at Salzburg, he would Baptize the Duke’s of Carinthia and would send Missionaries into lands where no Missionaries had before been.

While returning from a evangelistic mission to a distant part of his diocese, Bishop Virgilius fell ill and died on this date in 784 — When the Cathedral of Salzburg was destroyed by fire in 1181 the grave of Bishop Virgilius was discovered and this led to his Canonization in 1233 by Pope Gregory IX

Bishop Saint Virgilius Feast day is honored in the Diocese of Sallzburg and throughout Ireland.

More here from CatholicSaints.Info

Dedication of the Basilicas of St. Peter & St. Paul
Image: St.Paul Street Evangelization

Today Christians celebrate the dedication of two of the 4 major Basilicas in Rome: St. Peter’s Basilica was originally built in 323 by the Emperor Constantine over the tomb of Saint Peter the Apostle (Feast Day: 29 June) the Church’s first Pope.

After standing for more than 1,000 years Pope Julius II ordered the building to be torn down due to structural concerns. The reconstruction of the new Church spanned over 200 years before its completion. It was dedicated on this date in 1626 and is considered  the most famous Church in Christendom.

St. Paul’s Basilica is located outside the original walls of Rome. Originally build by Emperor Constantine, it was destroyed by fire in 1823 however donations from around the world made the reconstruction possible.

Before the completion of St. Peter’s Basilica – St. Paul’s Basilica was the largest Church in Rome–This Basilica was built over the grave of St. Paul (Feast Day: 29 June) — Pope Pius IX consecrated the Basilica in 1854

• On the 09 November, I wrote here about the Feast of the Dedication of St. John Leteran Basilica in Rome and on the 05 August, I wrote here about the Feast of the Dedication of St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome.

St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Paul’s Basilica continue to draw millions of tourists each and every year.

More here from EWTN

Related: For Today’s Bible Readings for the Memorial of the Dedication of the Basilica of St’s Peter and Paul, -Visit: -USCCB

Interior of the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome
Image Courtesy: Indianapolis Museum of Art

Many people think of St. Peter’s Basilica as the Pope’s main Church but they are wrong. St. John Lateran is the Pope’s Church, the Cathedral of the Diocese of Italy Rome, where the Bishop of Rome presides.

The first Basilica on the site was built in the 4th century when Constantine donated he had received from the wealthy ‘Lateran Family’ however that structure and its successors were damaged by fire, earthquake and the ravages of war but the ‘Lateran’ remained the Church where Pope’s were consecrated until the Pope’s returned from France Avignon, in the 14th century to find the Church and adjoining palace in ruins.

Pope Innocent X commissioned the present structure in 1646 — One of Rome’s most imposing Churches the ‘Lateran’ towering facade is crowned with 15 colossal  statutes of Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, John the Evangelist, together with 12 Doctors of the Church. — Beneath its high altar rests the remains of the small wooden table on which tradition holds, Pope Saint Peter himself celebrated Mass.

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

Feast of the Dedication of St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome

Happy “All Saints Day”
Image Courtesy: Archdiocese of Los Angeles

(Franciscan Media) Today the Church celebrates all of the Saints: Canonized or Beatified and the multitude of those who are in heaven enjoying the beatific vision that are only known to God.

During the early centuries the Saints venerated by the Church were all Martyr’s — Later on the Pope’s set the 01 November, as the day for commemorating all the Saints. We all have this ‘universal call to holiness.’

What must we do in order to join the company of the Saints in heaven?

We must follow in His footsteps and conform ourselves to His image, seeking the will of the Father in all things. — We must devote ourselves with all (of) our being to the glory of God and the service of our neighbor. In this way, the holiness of the people of God will grow into an abundant harvest of good, as is admirably shown by the life of so many Saints in Church history. —Lumen Gentium 40

During the year, the Church celebrates one-by-one the Feasts of the Saints but today, She joins them all in one festival. In addition to those whose names She knows, She recalls in magnificent vision all the others “of all nations and tribes standing before the throne and in the sight of the Lamb (of God) clothed with white robes and palms in their hands, proclaiming Him who redeemed then in His Blood.”

The ‘Feast of All Saints’ should inspire us with tremendous hope. Among the Saints in heaven are some that we have known. All lived on earth, lives like our own. They were baptized, marked with the sign of faith, they were faithful to Christ’s teaching and they have gone before us to the heavenly home, where they call on us to follow them.

The Gospel of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12) read today, while it shows their happiness shows too, the road that they followed, there is no other that will lead us to which they have gone.

The Commemoration of “All Saints” was first celebrated in the East, how the Western Church came to celebrate today’s Feast now recognized as a Solemnity in November is a puzzle to historians. The Anglo-Saxon theologian Alcuin observed the Feast on the 01 November, 800 as did his friend Arno, the Bishop of Salzburg — Rome finally adopted that date in the 9th century.

More here from EWTN

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

St. Wolfgang (924-994)
Image Courtesy: St. Paul Street Evangelization

(Franciscan Media) Born in Swabia what is now SW Germany and receiving an ecclesiastic by a tutor at home according to EWTN by a Tutor, later Wolfgang attended the celebrated monastic school on the Reichenau, here he would form a strong friendship with Henry, a young noble and brother of Bishop of Poppo of Wurzburg, who would later go onto be Archbishop of Trier.

Meanwhile Wolfgang, remained in close contact with the Archbishop, teaching in his Cathedral school and supporting his efforts to reform the Clerical discipline and spirituality according to SQPN in his diocese.

Upon the death of the Archbishop Henry of Trier, Wolfgang entered the Order of St. Benedict in the Abbey of Maria Einsiedeln in Switzerland  and was Ordained a Priest according to EWTN in 968 — Subsequently appointed director at the Monastery school there. Later Fr. Wolfgang was sent to Hungary as a missionary, though his zeal of good will yielded limited results.

Following the death of Bishop Michael of Ratisbon (23 September, 972) Bishop Piligrim obtained from the Emperor Otto II, the appointment of Fr. Wolfgang as Bishop of Ratisbon (modern day Germany Regensberg) Christmas Day 972 — Bishop Wolfgang’s services in this new position were of the highest importance not only for the diocese but also for the cause of civilization.

As Bishop of Ratisbon, Fr. Wolfgang would become the Tutor of Emperor Saint Henry II who learned from him the principles which would govern his Saintly and energetic life.

Bishop Wolfgang, initiated reforms of the Clergy and of religious life. Preaching with vigor, effectiveness and always demonstrating a special concern for the poor, he wore the habit of a Monk and lived an austere life.

The draw to a monastic life of prayer and solitude never left Wolfgang, at one point he would leave the diocese so that he could better devote himself to prayer but his responsibilities as Bishop of Ratisbon, called him back.

In 994 Bishop Wolfgang became ill while journeying, he died on this date at Pupping Linz (modern day Austria) — In 1052 Bishop Wolfgang was Canonized by Pope Leo IX