Cristy Li

Saint John Henry Newman (1801-1890)
Image Courtesy: Pinterest

(Franciscan Media) Saint John Henry Newman was an Anglican convert to Catholicism according to NC Register who later became a Cardinal and one of the great modern teachers of the faith. Through a diligent study of the Scriptures and Fathers of the Church, Cardinal Newman pursued the truth wherever it would lead him, his intellectual honesty and courage led him to give up the prestige he enjoyed at Oxford University in order to convert to the Catholic Church at the age of forty-four…

Born in England London, John Henry studied at Oxford’s Trinity College, was a tutor at Oriel College and for 17 years was a Vicar of the University Church St. Mary the Virgin located in the center of Oxford for over 700 years.

After 1833 John Henry Newman was a prominent member of the Oxford Movement which sought a renewal of ‘Catholic’ thought and practice within the Church of England in opposition to the Protestant tendencies of the Church.

Historical research made Newman suspect that the Roman Catholic Church was in closest continuity with the Church that Jesus established and in 1845 he was received into full communion as a Catholic. Two years subsequently, Newman was Ordained a Priest in Rome and joined the Congregation of the Oratory, founded three centuries earlier by Saint Philip Neri (Feast Day: 26 May) — Returning to England, Fr. Newman founded ‘Oratory’ Houses in Birmingham together in London and for seven years, served as a Rector of the Catholic University of Ireland.

Before Fr. Newman, Catholic theology tended to ignore history, preferring instead to draw deductions from first principles–much as plane Geometry does. After Fr. Newman, the lived experience of Believers was recognized as a key part of theological reflection.

Fr. Newman eventually would go on to write 40 books and 21,000 letters that survive. Most famous are his book length Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine 1878 — Fr. Newman accepted Vatican I’s teaching on ‘Papal Infallibility’ while noting its limits, which many people who favored that definition were reluctant to do.

When Fr. Newman was made a Cardinal in 1879 he took as a motto: “Cor ad cor loquitur” (“Heart speaks unto heart”) which as Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI points out, this “gives us an insight to his understanding of the Christian life as a call to holiness, experienced as the profound desire of the human heart to enter into intimate communion with the Heart of God.” — Cardinal Newman, “reminds us that faithfulness to prayer gradually transforms us into the divine likeness, as he wrote in one of his many fine sermons: A habit of prayer, the practice of turning to God and the unseen world in every season, in every place, in every emergency–prayer, I say,has what may be called a natural effect in spiritualizing and elevating the soul. A man, is no longer what he was before; gradually…he has embedded  a new set of ideas and become(s) embedded with fresh principles.” (Parochial and Plain Sermons, IV 230-231)

Cardinal Newman passed away in August 1890 of Pneumonia — Three years after his death, a ‘Newman Club for Catholic Students’ began at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and in time, Cardinal Newman’s name was linked to ministry centers at many public and private colleges and universities throughout the United States.

In 1991 Pope Saint John Paul II Venerated Cardinal Newman with a decree of Heroic Virtues; On the 19 September, 2010 Cardinal Newman was Beatified by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Canonized in 2019

Saint Padre Pio (1887-1968)
Image Courtesy: Archbishop Jose Gomez

(CNA) Born in Italy Benevento, Francesco Forgione (birth name) was one of seven children (two of which died in infancy) Francesco’s parents Grazio and Maria taught him and his siblings to live their faith in Christ in daily Mass, family prayer of the Rosary and regular acts of penance.

Francesco had already at a young age decided to dedicate his life to God, by the age of 10, he felt inspired by the example of a young Capuchin Franciscan and told his parents, “I want to be a Friar–with a beard.” Francesco’s father would spend time in the United States, working to finance his son’s education so that he could enter the religious life.

By the 22 January, 1903 Francesco would don the Franciscan habit for the first time, taking the name ‘Pio’ a modernized Italian form of ‘Pius’ in honor of Pope Saint Pius V (Feast Day: 30 April) he would subsequently make his solemn vows four years later and was Ordained into the Priesthood in 1910 — Shortly thereafter he received the Stigmata — Christ wounds present in his own flesh.

Along with these mystical however real wounds, Padre Pio also suffered some health problems, which forced him to live apart from his Franciscan community for the first six years of his Priesthood. — By 1916 Padre Pio managed to reenter community life at the Friary of ‘San Giovanni Rotondo’ where he would live until his death.

Padre Pio would handle many duties there as spiritual director and teacher, covering for Brothers that were drafted into WW I

During 1917-1918 Padre Pio himself briefly served in a medical unit in the Italian Army, he would later ‘offer himself’ as a victim for an end to the war, accepting suffering as a form of prayer for peace. — Once more he would receive a ‘Stigmata’ which remained with him for 50 years, through a succession of global conflicts.

Against Padre Pio’s own wishes, his reputation for holiness and realizing miracles began to attract huge crowds. Some Church officials however denounced Fr. Pio and would have him banned from public ministry in 1931 — Pope Pius XI ordered the ban be lifted two years later and his successor Pope Pius XII encouraged pilgrimages to Padre Pio’s Friary.

Padre Pio, known for patient suffering, fervent prayer and compassionate spiritual guidance, lent his efforts to the establishment of a major hospital (Cathedral of Charity) to ‘soothe physical pain and wounds’ known as the House for the Relief of Suffering in 1956 according to SQPN which serves 60,000 annually.

On this date in 1968 Padre Pio, passed away, he was Venerated in 1997, Beatified in 1999 and Canonized in 2002 by Pope Saint John Paul in Italy.

• More here from the Vatican here from Franciscan Media
  and here from EWTN

Related: For Today’s Bible Readings on the Memorial of St. Pius of Pietrelcina, Visit: -USCCB

Martyrdom of St. Januarius in 304
Image: Catholic Lane

(Franciscan Media) Born in Italy, little is known of the life of Saint Januarius except that he was a Bishop of Italy Benevento according to SQPN and was arrested during the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian (from about 284 until is reign ended in 305) when Januarius went to visit imprisoned Deacons and was martyred for Christ with them.

More here from EWTN

Saint Joseph of Cupertino (1601-1663)
Image: Catholic Online

(EWTN) Born in Italy Cupertino, Joseph’s father was a poor carpenter who died before he was born, leaving some debts–creditors would drive Joseph’s mother from her home while she was still pregnant with him and as a result Joseph, like the Baby Jesus, was born in a stable. — From this point on, not much is known about young Joseph until about the age of 7 or 8 when he began to have ‘mystical visions’ and was often times so lost to the world around him, that the other children would make fun of young Joseph, giving him the nickname “open-mouthed” for his gaping manner.

During this time, Joseph had a hot, irascible temper and read very poorly giving people the impression that Joseph was not very smart and not good for much. Aside from this, Joseph was continually drawn into a state of ecstasy which would leave him out of touch with things around him, making it impossible for him to be attentive to the tasks at hand. — Later when Joseph secured employment, he lost it very quickly.

According to EWTN at the age of 17, Joseph attempted to be admitted to the ‘Friars Minor Conventuals’ but was refused on the account of his ignorance. Subsequently Joseph applied to the ‘Capuchins at Martino’ near Italy Taranto and was accepted as a Lay-Brother at the age of 19 but his persistent ecstatic experiences would make him unfit to work and he was subsequently dismissed.

As a consequence to Joseph’s peculiar nature, he found himself to be scorned by his mother and uncle’s as ‘being good for nothing’ Joseph though did not lose hope. Though Joseph’s continual prayers and sincere desire, he succeeded in obtaining permission to work in the stable at the Franciscan Convent of La Grotella near Cupertino, at which time he would give evidence to his great virtues, humility, obedience and love of penance to such an extent that Joseph was admitted in 1625 and in just 3 years, he was Ordained a Priest.

Fr. Joseph was but a little versed in human knowledge and according to his biographers, he continued to read poorly (as was this case earlier in his life) yet he was said to be ‘infused by knowledge and supernatural light’ that he not only surprised all educated men but they were also surprised how Joseph could solve the most intricate questions.

Fr. Joseph’s life was now one long succession of visions and other heavenly favors–Everything that in any way had reference to God or Holy things, would bring on an ecstatic state: The sound of a bell, or of Church music, the mentioning of God, or the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Saint, any event in the Life of Christ, the Sacred Passion, a Holy picture to the thought of the Glory of Heaven, all would put Fr. Joseph into contemplation and nothing would have any effect on him during such times–only the voice of his Superior would have an effect on his state of consciousness.

These ‘States of Ecstasy’ would occur at any time or place but especially at Mass and during Divine Services. Fr. Joseph would likewise frequently would be raised up (levitating) in the air, as a result of such occurrences in public, this resulted in both much admiration of Fr. Joseph but also disturbances within the community.

As a result of such occurrences, for the last 35 years of Fr. Joseph’s life he was no longer permitted to attend choir, go to the common refectory, walk in procession or celebrate Mass in Church but was ordered to remain in his room where a private Chapel was prepared for him.

Evil minded and envious men would have Fr. Joseph investigated by the Inquisition and he would be transferred from one lonely house of the Capuchins or Franciscans to another but Fr. Joseph always retained his joyful spirit, submitting confidently to Divine Providence.

Fr. Joseph passed away on this date in 1663 in 1753 he was Beatified by Pope Benedict XIV and Canonized in 1767 by Pope Clement XIII

More here from Franciscan Media

Saint Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) Image: Catholic Truths

(CNA) Born in Italy at Montepulciano Tuscany, Robert’s uncle was a Cardinal who later became Pope Marcellus II — As a young man, Robert would be educated by the Jesuit’s which had only received Papal approval 2 yrs before his birth.

In September 1560 Robert entered the Jesuit Order himself, studying philosophy for 3 yr in Rome then taught humanities until 1567 when he began a study of theology for a little more than two years at which time he was Ordained a Priest in 1570 according to Franciscan Media in Belgium. — Fr. Robert Bellarmine sermons drew crowds of both Catholics and Protestants. In 1576 returning to Italy, he accepted an academic position addressing theological controversies, his resulting work Disputations became a classic of Catholic apologetics.

Near the end of the 1580s, Fr. Robert Bellarmine became ‘Spiritual Father’ of the Roman College according to SQPN teaching Jesuit students and children, writing a children’s catechism, together with one for teachers also. — Fr. Robert Bellarmine would serve as a Confessor  of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga (Feast Day: 21 June) who passed away at the age of just 23 then worked for the young man’s Canonization and likewise helped to produce the authoritative Latin text of the Bible, called for by the Council of Trent.

Around the end of that century, Fr. Robert Bellarmine would become an Advisor to Pope Clement VIII (1592-1605) who named him a Cardinal in 1599 declaring that Cardinal Bellarmine, was the most educated man in the Church.

Cardinal Bellarmine, played a part in a debate betweem Dominicans and Jesuits regarding Grace, though the Pope later decided to appoint and consecrate him as the Archbishop of Capua.

Cardinal-Archbishop Bellarmine 3 yrs in Capua, would stand out as an example of fidelity to the reforming spirit and decrees of the Council of Trent — Cardinal-Archbishop Bellarmine was subsequently considered as a possible Pope in two successive elections however, the thought of becoming Pope would disturb him and in the end, he was never chosen.

In the early years of the 17th century, Cardinal-Archbishop Bellarmine would take a stand for the Church’s independence when it came under attack in Venice and England — Archbishop-Cardinal Bellarmine would likewise attempt to negotiate a reconciliation between his friend Galileo and the Vatican but was unsuccessful.

Galileo had believed the sun was the fixed center of the universe which revolved around it. Today we now know that Galileo was incorrect in his hypothesis and the sun is not the center of the universe. See more here of the ‘Galileo Controversy’ from Catholic Answers.

In 1621 Cardinal Bellarmine retired due to health problems. Two years before,  he had set out his thoughts on the end of earthly life in a book entitled: ‘The Art of Dying Well’ (available at Barnes & Noble online which they describe as ‘one of his most famous devotional works,’) since the state of one’s soul at death, determines an individuals eternal destiny.

St. Robert Bellarmine, passed away on this date in 1621 at Rome, he was Beatified in 1923 and Canonized in 1930 by Pope Pius XI

More here from EWTN and Bible Readings here from USCCB

Painting of St. Anthony Abbot with Pope Saint Cornelius, St. Cyprian and a Page — By: Paolo Veronese at Pinacoteca di Brera Museum, Italy Milan –Image Courtesy: MyStudios.com

(Franciscan Media) There was no Pope for 14 months following the martyrdom of Pope Saint Fabian (Feast Day: 19 January) because of the intensity of the persecution of the Church. During the interim, the Church was governed by a College of Priests. — Saint Cyprian (Feast Day: 11 September) a friend of Pope Saint Cornelius writes that Cornelius was elected Pope: “By the the judgment of God and of Christ, by the testimony of most of the Clergy by the vote of the people, with the consent of aged Priests and of good men.”

The greatest problem of St. Cornelius two-year term as Pope, had to do with the Sacrament of Penance and centered on the readmission of Christians who had denied their faith during the persecution. Two extremes were finally both condemned. — St. Cyprian Bishop of Carthage appealed to Pope Cornelius to confirm his stand, that the relapsed could be reconciled only by the decision of the Bishop.

In Rome however, Pope Cornelius met with the opposite view. After his elect a Priest named Novatian had himself consecrated a rival Bishop of Rome–one of the first anti-popes. Novatian argued that the Church no power to reconcile not only the apostates but also those guilty of murder, adultery, fornication or second marriage. Pope Cornelius however had support of most of the Church, especially of St. Cyprian Bishop of Carthage in condemning Novatianism (though the sect persisted for several centuries) Pope Cornelius held a synod at Rome in 251 and Ordered the ‘relapsed’ Christians to be restored to the Church with the usual “medicines of repentance.”

The friendship of Pope Cornelius and St. Cyprian Bishop of Carthage, was strained for a time when one of St. Cyprian’s rivals made some allegations about him but the problem was resolved.

A document from Pope Cornelius showed the size of the Church in Rome during his Papacy: 46 Priest; 7 Deacons; 7 Subdeacons. It is estimated the number of Christians totaled about 50,000

Pope Cornelius was exiled by the Emperor Gallus and died a martyrs death as a result of hardships he endured while in exile in September 253 during the persecutions of the Emperor Valerian.

More here from EWTN

Related: For Today’s Holy Scripture Readings on the Memorial of Pope St. Cornelius & St. Cyprian, Visit: -USCCB