Cristy Li

Saint Cajetan (1480-1547)
Image Courtesy: Catholic Online

(EWTN) Born in Italy Vicenza, Cajetan family were of Venetian nobility and under the care of his deeply religious mother he was a studious and exemplary youth. As a young man, he studied law in Padua according to SQPN earning his law degree by the age of 24 becoming a Prothonotary Apostolic in the Court of Julius II, taking an important share in reconciling the Republic of Venice with the Pope.

Upon the death of Julius II in 1513, Cajetan withdrew from the Court and is credited with the founding shortly thereafter the Theatine Order to foster the Church mission, together with reviving the spirit and zeal of the Clergy in Rome, which spread to other communities. Though remarkable because of Cajetan love of God, he didn’t enter the Priesthood himself  until 1516

Recalled to Vicenza in the following year due to the death of his beloved mother, he subsequently founded there a hospital for the terminally ill, thus giving proof of the active charity that filled his life. — Fr. Cajetan passion was however more moved by spiritual diseases that plagued mankind and infected the Clergy of all ranks and like Saint Augustine (Feast Day: 27 May) in earlier times, he was diligent to help reform them by instituting a body of regular Clergy who should combine the spirit of monasticism with the exercises of the active ministry.

Returning to Rome in 1523 Fr. Cajetan laid the foundations of his new congregation which was Canonically erected by Pope Clement VII in 1524 — One of Fr. Cajetan four companions was Giovanni Pietro Caraffa, Bishop of Chieti — later Pope Paul VI — They managed to escape to Venice after their house in Rome was wrecked when Emperor Charles V’s troops sacked Rome in 1527 The Theatines were outstanding among the Catholic reform movements that took shape before the Protestant Reformation.

Fr. Cajetan likewise founded a ‘Monte de Pieta’ (a bank to help the poor and offer an alternative to Loan Sharks) in Naples, one of the many charitable, non-profit credit organizations that loaned money on the security of pawned objects, which later became the Bank of Naples.

In 1547 Fr. Cajetan passed away in Naples — In 1629 he was Beatified by Pope Urban VIII and Canonized in 1671 by Pope Clement X

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Related: For Today’s Bible Readings for the Memorial of St. Cajetan, Visit: -USCCB

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
Image: Archbishop Jose Gomez

(Franciscan Media) All the Synoptic Gospels tell the story of the Transfiguration: Matthew 17:1-8  Mark 9:2-9  Luke 9:28-36 with remarkable agreement. All three place the event shortly after Peter’s confession of faith, that Jesus is the Messiah and Jesus’ first prediction of His passion and death. Peter’s eagerness to erect tents or booths on the spot suggests it occurred  during the Jewish week long Fall celebration of Sukkot, celebrated the 15th day of Tishrei (varies in either September or October) just before the arrival of Diaspora.

In spite of the texts agreement, its difficult to reconstruct the Disciples’ experience, according to Scriptural Scholars because the Gospels drew heavily on Old Testament descriptions of the Sinai encounter with God and prophetic visions of the Son of Man. — Certainly Peter, James and John had a glimpse of Jesus’  divinity strong enough to strike fear into their hearts. Such an experience defies description, so they drew on familiar religious language to describe it and certainly Jesus warned them that His glory and His suffering were to be inextricably connected–a theme John highlights throughout his Gospel.

Tradition names Mt. Tabor as the site of the revelation. A Church first raised there in the 4th century was dedicated on the 06 August — A Feast in honor of the Transfiguration was celebrated in the Eastern Church from about that time–Western observances began in some localities about the 8th century.

On 22 July, 1456 Crusaders defeated the Turks at Belgrade, news of this victory reached Rome on the 06 August and Pope Callistus III placed the Feast on the Roman calendar the following year.

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

Dedication of St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome
Image Courtesy: Catholic Online

(EWTN) There are in Rome three patriarchal Churches in which the Pope officiates on different festivals–These are the Basilica’s of St. John Lateran (09 November) St. Peter’s on the Vatican Hill (25 April) and St. Mary Major — This last one is so called because it is both in antiquity and dignity, the First Church in Rome among those that are dedicated to God in Honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

First raised by the Order of Pope Liberius in the mid 4th century according to Franciscan Media the Liberian Basilica was rebuilt by Pope Sixtus III, shortly after the ‘Council of Ephesus’ affirmed Mary’s title as ‘Mother of God’ in 431 — Rededicated at that time to the ‘Mother of God’ St. Mary Major is the largest Church in the world honoring God through Mary.

Standing atop on of Rome’s seven hills, the Esquiline has survived many restorations without losing its character as an early Roman Basilica. Its interior retains three naves divided by colonnades in the style of Constantine’s era – 5th century mosaics on its walls testify to its antiquity.

One legend, unreported before the year 1000 gives another name to today’s Feast: ‘Our Lady of the Snows’ — According to that story, a wealthy Roman couple pledged their fortune to the ‘Mother of God’ in affirmation, she produced a miraculous Summer snowfall and told them to build a Church on that site. This legend was long celebrated by releasing a shower of white rose petals from the Basilica’s Dome every 05 August.

Related: For Today’s Bible Readings on the ‘Memorial of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major’ in Rome, Visit: -USCCB

St. Peter Julian Eymard (1811-1868) Image: Pinterest

(Franciscan Media) Born in Southeaster France La Mure, Peter grew up in a poor working family according to SQPN during the anti-Catholic aftermath of the French Revolution.

Peter wanted to begin study for the Priesthood as a youth but his father forbid it, wanting him to takeover the family business instead but by the age of 18, Peter was finally permitted to join the ‘Oblate Novitiate’ however he became very ill, so ill that they sent Peter back home to die. — Peter however didn’t die but made a remarkable recovery, entering the Seminary once more, following his father’s death.

In 1834 Peter was Ordained to the Diocesan Priesthood, later joining the Society of Mary (Marist Fathers) — Fr. Peter Julian’s years as a Marist, included service as a provincial leader, together with his deepening of his Eucharist devotion especially through his preaching of ‘Forty Hours’ in many Parishes.

Inspired at first by the idea of reparation for indifference to the Eucharist, Fr. Peter Julian was eventually attracted to a more positive spirituality of Christ centered-love.

In 1851 Fr. Peter Julian answered a call to establish a community of men according to Catholic News Agency called the ‘Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament’ its mission was to promote the importance and significance of the Eucharist, together with working with the poor and helping then to prepare for their first Communion.

Fr. Perter Julian passed away this month in 1868 following a stroke. In 1925 he was Beatified by Pope Pius XI and Canonized in 1962 one day after Vatican II first session ended by Pope John XXIII

St. Eusebius of Vercelli (300-371)
Image: Catholic Online

(Franciscan Media) Born in Italy Sardinia, Eusebius became a member of the Roman Clergy and is the first recorded Bishop of Vercelli in Piedmont, Northwestern Italy and likewise is the first to link the Monastic life with that of the Clergy, establishing a community of his Diocesan Clergy on the principle that the best way to sanctify his people, was to have them see a Clergy formed in solid virtue and living in a community.

Bishop Eusebius was sent by Pope Liberius to persuade the Emperor to call a council to settle Catholic-Arianism troubles. When it was called in Milan, Bishop Eusebius went reluctantly, sensing that the Arianism (heresy) block would have its way–although, the Catholic were more numerous. Eusebius, refused to go along with the condemnation of Bishop St. Athanasius (Feast Day: 02 May) instead, he laid the Nicene Creed on the table and insisted that all execute it before taking up any other matters.

The Emperor put pressure on him but Bishop Eusebius insisted on Athanasius’ innocence and reminded the Emperor that secular force should not be used to influence Church decisions. At first, the Emperor threatened to kill Eusebius but sent him into exile in Israel. There the Arians dragged him through the streets and shut him up into a little room, releasing him only after his four day hunger strike–they resumed their harassment of Eusebius shortly thereafter.

Bishop Eusebius’ exile continued in Cappadocia according to SQPN and in Egypt until a new Emperor permitted him to be welcomed back to his See in Italy Vercelli — Bishop Eusebius would attend the Council of Alexandria with Bishop Athanasius and approved the leniency shown to Bishop’s who had wavered. Subsequently Eusebius would work with St. Hiliary of Poitiers (Feast Day: 13 January) against Arianism.

In August 371, Bishop Eusebius passed away in his own Diocese in Italy Vercelli.

St. Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Image: Fr. Julian’s Blog

Born in Italy Naples, Alphonsus father was a Naval Officer –A child prodigy according to SQPN Alphonsus was extremely well educated receiving his Juris Doctorate from the University of Naples by the age of 16 and had his own legal practice when he was but 21 soon becoming one of the leading lawyers in Naples — A little unknown fact about Alphonsus, he would never go to Court without first Celebrating Mass.

Alphonsus loved music and could play the harpsichord, likewise often attend the Opera which he loved and would go on to compose numerous Classical works — As Alphonsus matured in years and learned even more of the world he began to like it less-and-less.

The turning point in Alphonsus’ legal career came in 1723 when he was representing a litigant in a civil case which involved a substantial amount of money. Alphonsus misunderstood a critical piece of documentary evidence, suffering a humiliating defeat, Alphonsus would leave the Court House that day, never again to return, he likewise became so anguished that he didn’t eat for three days.

Later that year in August, while Alphonsus was visiting the sick at a local hospital, he had a ‘life changing experience’ — seeing a mysterious light as the building shook and hearing the voice of God telling him to “leave the world” and place himself totally in His service.

Alphonsus father already dismayed that his son abandoned a brilliant legal career opposed his plan to become a Priest but his stubborn son Alphonsus would not be dissuaded and following completion of his Theological studies, Alphonsus Liguori was Ordained a Priest in 1726

Fr. Liguori worked as a missionary around Naples becoming known for his simple, clear and direct style of preaching, with a gentle and understanding spirit in the Confessional, according to SQPN — Fr. Liguori would find him often at odds with Church officials for his perceived laxity of parishioners and government officials who opposed anything religious.

In 1729 Fr. Liguori met an older Priest, Fr. Thomas Falcoia who envisioned the founding of a new religious order, with the aim of imitating Jesus Christ’s virtues more perfectly — In 1731 a local Nun had a vision in which Jesus Christ Himself indicated that he had chosen Fr. Alphonsus Liguori to lead a new religious order.

Within a year, the ‘Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer’ better known as the The Redemptorists had its formal beginning. During its early years, Fr. Alphonsus Liguori struggled to keep the new Order from fragmenting, while continuing to travel, write, preach and above all pray. In 1749 The Redemptorists statutes and rule of life received formal approval from Pope Benedict XIV

Despite the approval The Redemptorists met with hostility from the Prime Minister of Naples Bernardo Tanucci, who sought to eliminate the privileges of the Church and secularize the kingdom. Tanucci refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of The Redemptorists which was consequently in danger of state suppression for decades.

Against his own will, Fr. Alphonsus Liguori reluctantly became the Bishop of Naples’ small Diocese of St. Agatha in 1762 and for the next 13 years, he would serve the poor and effectively would reform Church institutions that had fallen into serious disorder — Though he felt disappointed with his own work and would ask a series of Pope’s to accept his resignation.

Bishop Alphonsus Liguori also struggled with declining health and was partially paralyzed  during the final two decades of his life,  he would receive ‘The Anointing of the Sick’ eight times prior to his final reception at death.

In 1775, Pope Pius VI finally permitted Bishop Alphonsus Liguori to resign from his Diocese–the good Bishop Liguori was expecting death to come soon and began preparing accordingly, he would however recover and would survive more than a decade following his resignation.

On this date in 1787 Bishop Alphonsus Liguori passed away during the middle of the day, his death coincided with the bells that were calling the faithful to pray the Angelus. During his life, Bishop Liguori gave the Church more than 100 books, including The Glories of Mary the Preparation for Death and The Passion and Death of Jesus Christ together with leading a religious Order that survives to this day in service to God  throughout the world.

Bishop Alphonsus Liguori was Beatified in 1816 by Pope Pius VII and Canonized in 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI

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