Cristy Li

Lazarus the Friend of Jesus and Brother of Martha & Mary
Image: Catholic Online@Facebook

(EWTN)  Legends abound about the life of Lazarus, after the death and resurrection of Jesus. Lazarus is supposed to have left a written account in what he saw in the next world before he was called back to life.

Some report that Lazarus followed Peter into Syria, another story is that despite being put into a leaking boat by the Jews at Jaffa, Lazarus, his sisters and other landed safely in Cyprus and there he died peacefully after serving as a Bishop for 30 years. A Church was built in Lazarus’ honor in Constantinople and some of his reputed relics were transferred there in 890

A Western legend has the oarless boat arriving in Gaul (Western Europe–present day France) there Lazarus is said to have been the first Bishop of France Marseilles and was martyred after converting a number of people and was buried in a cave, with his relics being transferred to the new Autun Cathedral (in France) in 1146

It is certain there was an early devotion to Saint Lazarus–Around the year 390 the pilgrim lady Etheria, talks of the procession that took place on the Saturday before Palm Sunday at the tomb where Lazarus had been raised from the dead.

In the West, ‘Passion Sunday’ was called Dominica de Lazaro and Augustine tells us that in Africa the Gospel of the raising of Lazarus was read at the office of Palm Sunday.

Saint Catherine of Genoa (1447-1510)
Image: Adoremus Books

(Franciscan Media) Born in Italy Genoa, the life of Catherine may be more properly described as a state than a life says EWTN than as a life in the ordinary sense.

Catherine’s parents were members of the nobility in Genoa, at the age of 13 Catherine attempted to become a Nun but was rejected because of her age–three years later, Catherine married a fellow by the name of Julian, a nobleman himself but he turned out to be a gambler according to Catholic Culture, selfish and unfaithful to her her–for a time, Catherine attempted to numb her disappointment by a life of selfish pleasure.

One day in Confession, Catherine had a new sense of her own sins and how much God loved her, she reformed her life and gave good example to Julian, who soon himself turned from his self-centered life of distraction.

Julian’s spending however ruined him and Catherine financially, they decided thereafter to live in a large hospital and dedicated themselves to the works of charity there–after Julian’s death in 1497 Catherine took over management of the hospital.

Catherine thought on purgatory for which she reasoned begins on earth for souls open to God. Life with God in heaven is a continuation and perfection of the life with God begun on earth.

Exhausted by her life of self-sacrifice, Catherine passed away at the age of 63 and was Canonized in 1737 by Pope Clement XII

Happy Feast of the Annunciation
Image Courtesy: Giselle Theresa Cua

(Franciscan Media) For centuries the ‘Feast of the Annunciation’ has been celebrated by Christians–Its central focus is the Incarnation. God has become one of us. From all eternity God has decided that the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity should become human. — As Luke 1:26-38 tells us, the decision is being realized. Jesus Christ embraces all humanity, indeed all creation to bring it to God in one great act of love–however because humans have rejected God, Jesus will accept a life of suffering and an agonizing death.

“Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” —John 15:13

Blessed Virgin Mary has an important role to play in God’s plan–she is the Virgin Mother who fulfills Isaiah 7:14 and is united with her Son, in carrying out the will of God Psalms 40:8-9; Hebrews 10:7-9; Luke 1:38

The Blessed Virgin Mary shows us that we must listen to God and do His will, writes the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Prayer and action therefore go hand-in-hand. As followers of Jesus Christ, we must make time to talk and listen to Him in prayer. Examining all that we do or simply ‘living’ in the light of our prayers is essential.

Living with a heart open to God’s will has enormous implications. Different people will realize that God calls them to different things.

For an adolescent, it may mean resisting peer pressure to take part in drinking or unchaste activity. For a single adult, it may require offering personal time in service of a needy person. A businessperson may find that honesty and fairness requires a certain course of action. A married couple may realize they should have another child. A frightened pregnant Woman may understand that she needs to ask for help to resist the temptation of having an abortion. A person who is ill may have to accept her/his illness and join her/his suffering to that of Jesus Christ.

Doing God’s will is not easy. We usually have our own plans for our lives, its good to have plans but never at the expense of our growth in relationship to God.

Like Mary, we must trust that God’s will is the best for us and our world. Let us follow the example of Mary and call upon her to help us open our hearts to say “yes” to God.

More here and here from USCCB

St. Dismiss, Penitent Thief, Canonized from the Cross
Image Courtesy:  Memento Mori

(Catholic Online)  Dismis is the Penitent Thief crucified with Christ Jesus at Calvary, the other thief Gestas, the most Holy Scriptures describes the exchange at Calvary between Jesus, Dismis and Gestas:

Two others also who were criminals (Dismis and Gestas) were led away to be put to death with Jesus. When they came to the place that is called ‘The Skull’ they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on the right and one on His left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Then they (soldiers) cast lots to divide His clothing and the people stood by watching, the leaders scoffed at Him saying, ‘He saved others, let Him save Himself if He is the Messiah of God, His chosen One.’ The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up and offering Jesus sour wine and saying, ‘If You are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’ There was also an inscription over Jesus, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’

One of the criminals (Gestas) who was hanging there kept deriding Jesus and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.’

The other criminal (Dismis) rebuked him saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? We indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds but this Man (Jesus) has done nothing wrong.’

Then Dismis said, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.’

Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”  –Luke 23:32-43

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

Canonized from the Cross: How St. Dismis, Shows Its Never Too Late to be a Great Saint -Seton Magazine

How Can You Become a Saint?

Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo (1538-1606)
Image: Samuel Miranda

(EWTN) Turibius (or Turibio) was the second son to the Lord of Mogrovejo and born in the Kingdom of Spain Mayorga and from his earliest years he discovered a strong inclination to charity and it was his delight.

One day seeing a poor Woman street peddler angry because she had lost something out of her pack, Turibius most movingly encouraged her and said that she would not displease God by her anguish and in order to appease her, Turibius gave her money for the value of her loss, which he had begged from his mother for that purpose.

Turibius was very devout to the Blessed Virgin Mary, saying everyday the Rosary, together with fasting every Saturday in her honor. While at school, he would often give away part of his meager dinner to a poor person.

Educated in Law according to Franciscan Media Turibius became a brilliant scholar, subsequently becoming a Professor of Law at the Univ of Salamanca and eventually a Chief Judge.

When the Archdiocese of Peru Lima, required a new leader Turibius was selected to fill that vacancy–he was one of strength, character and holiness of spirit to resolve the conflicts that had infected the area.

Turibius later was ordained as a Priest & Bishop in Peru which he found colonialism at its worst–the Spanish conquerors were guilty of every sort of oppression of the native populace, abuses amongst the clergy were flagrant, so Bishop Turibius first devoted his energies to the needs of the suffering.

Bishop Turibius began the long and arduous visitation of the vast diocese, staying in each place two or three days without neither a place to sleep or sustenance, he made Confession every morning to his Chaplain and celebrated daily Mass with intense fervor.

Among those Bishop Turibius gave the ‘Sacrament of Confirmation’ to were Saint Rose of Lima and possibly Saint Martin de Porres who was a Lay Brother of the Dominican Friary.

In Bishop Turibius 68th yr while visiting in his diocese, he fell sick at Santa Maria del Mar — In his ‘Last Will & Testament’ he bequeathed what he had be distributed to his servants and whatever else remaining be given to the poor. Bishop Turibius was carried to the Church to receive the Holy Viaticum and died this date in 1606

Bishop Turibius was Beatified by Pope Innocent XI in 1679 and Canonized in 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII

(Catholic Online) Rosanna Negusanti, born into a noble family in Italy, Rosanna  would wed at the age of fifteen to a nobleman Ugoletto dei Caccianemici, they would have two children that passed away during infancy.

In 1250, Rosanna and Ugoletto decided to enter a double Monastery of St. Perpetua at which time Rosanna would take the name Humilitas, four years later Sister Humilitas would begin living the religious life of a hermit for twelve years, her example would attract other young women, who built other cells and would live under Sister Humilitas‘ guidance.

In 1266 at the request of the Abbot-General, Sister Humilitas would establish a new Convent, Santa Maria Novella alla Malta, in which Sister Humilitas would become its Abbess. In 1282 Sister Humilitas, would establish a second Convent near Florence, dedicated to St. John the Evangelist, where Sister Humiltas on this date in 1310 would pass away.

Sister Humilitas was Canonized in 1720 by Pope Clement XI

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

How Can You Become a Saint?

(Vatican) Born in Genoa Italy, Benedetta’s family were devoted Christian’s raising their children in a life of faith. At the age of twenty, Benedetta felt called by God to lead a life of prayer and penance, however in obedience to her parents she would wed Giovanni, the two however would agree to live lives chastely like brother and sister, consecrating their lives to God and taking care of Benedetta younger sister Maria, who was dying of intestinal cancer.

Following Maria’s death, Giovanni  would enter the ‘Somaschi Fathers’ and Benedetta devoted herself completely to God, dedicating herself to high quality education of poor and abandoned young girls.

Bishop Tosi of Pavia would ask Giovanni to leave the ‘Somaschi Fathers’ and help Benedetta, together they made a vow to live in perfect chastity as they would continue in Benedetta’s work to promote the education and Christian formation of young marginalized girls, they were later helped by young woman volunteers which would help teach useful skills to their students and transform their students into models of Christian life.

Sister Benedetta would later in life establish the ‘Congregation of the Benedictine Sisters’ stressing the importance of education of young girls, the new Congregation would grow quickly which Sister Benedetta would guide its development until her death.

Today Sister Benedetta’s Congregation of Benedictine Nuns continue in service in Italy, Spain, Peru and Brazil, caring for young people, together with the poor, sick and elderly.

Sister Benedetta was Canonized in 2002 by Pope John Paul II

More here from Catholic Online

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

How Can You Become a Saint?

Saint Salvator
Image: Vendita di Santini Holy Cards

(Franciscan Media) Born Salvador (Salvator) Pladevall i Bien in Spain Girona to a poor family, his parents worked as servants, Salvator developed a reputation of righteousness which can be its own nuisance at times.

At the age of 21 young Salvator, entered the Franciscans as a Brother and soon became known for his self-discipline, humility and simplicity.

As a cook, porter and a mendicant for the Friars in Tortosa, Salvator became well known for his charity, visitation and intercessory prayers for the sick. When crowds of sick people came to see Salvator, the Friars transferred him to Horta but once again, the sick would continue to flock to him, asking for his intercessory prayers–one person estimated that 2,000 people a week came to see him.

Salvator would tell those people seeking his intercessory prayer to examine their consciences, go to confession and receive the Eucharist worthily, refusing to say intercessory prayers for those who would not receive the sacraments.

The public attention given to Salvator was relentless, crowds would sometimes tear off pieces of his religious habit as relics.

Two years before Salvator’s death, he was moved again, this time to Italy Cagliari the capitol of Sardinia where he passed away saying his final words:

“Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.”

Salvator was Beatified in 1606 by Pope Paul V and Canonized in 1938 by Pope Pius XI

St. Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Image: A Christian Pilgrimage

(EWTN) The glorious St. Joseph was born in Jerusalem and it is generally believed that he died at Nazareth before Jesus began his ministry.

The Holy Scriptures tell us very little of Joseph but from the early chapters of Matthew and Luke, we glean that Joseph was a Carpenter by trade, a just and religious man, together with being an excellent husband and father.

The genealogy given in Matthew 1: 1-17 traces his lineage from Abraham and King David — The history of his life was not written by men but his principle actions are recorded by the Holy Spirit himself God entrusted him with the education of his divine Son, manifested in the flesh. In this view, he was espoused to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Later when Joseph learned that Mary was with child, though he had not been with her, he had privately considered putting her away, yet Joseph hesitated because Joseph was a kindly man and did not want to expose Mary to the reproach which such an action would bring.

It was at this time of uncertainty that the Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and revealed to him the ‘Mystery of the Incarnation: Joseph, Son of David, Do Not Be Afraid’  Saint Joseph had an important role in the history of salvation, he is part of the fulfillment of the covenant promises made to Abraham and David.

Joseph accepted without question the two-fold office with which he was charged: (1) Protector of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s honor; (2) foster father of the child Jesus that was to be born.

As we celebrate the solemnity of Saint Joseph today, we contemplate him as a model of faith and trust in God. We all should strive to imitate Joseph, asking God to increase our faith and help us in our unbelief. Likewise as we meditate today on Joseph’s role in the history of salvation, we ask God to enlighten us about our own mission and we ask Him for the grace and strength to fulfill that mission as Joseph did.

More here from Franciscan Media

Related: For Holy Scripture Readings and More Visit: -USCCB

Why do we Celebrate a Solemnity of St. Joseph? -EWTN