Day 87 -- Saint Andrew

"Come, and you will see."

Somehow Saint Andrew has become associated with unmarried women and even has some strange superstitions attached to him. All I know is that I will pray to him today to help me discover God's plan in my life and I do not think marriage is part of that plan.

Saint Andrew was a fisherman by trade and he was Simon Peter's brother. He became a follower of John the Baptist. Saint Andrew was the first Apostle of Jesus. Saint Andrew went through his life leading others to Jesus. He was a missionary to Asia Minor and Greece, and even modern-day Russia and Poland. He was martyred in Greece on an x-shaped cross where it is said that he preached from there for two days before he died. The picture here is an saltire cross or as crux decussata, transverse cross, Saint Andrew’s cross or simply an x-shaped cross, representing his martyrdom.

In addition to being the patron of unmarried women, he is also the patron on Scotland and there are a few explanations for this. One is that in 345, Emperor Constantine the Great decided to bring Saint Andrew's bones from Greece to Constantinople, but an angel instructed Saint Regulus of Scotland to take the relics to the far northwest. He was told to stop on the Fife coast of Scotland and he found a settlement of Saint Andrew.

One of the marriage superstitions that has become associated with Saint Andrew is an old German tradition which says that single women who wish to marry should ask for Saint Andrew's help on the eve of his feast and they will see their future husbands in their dreams.

He is also the patron saint against gout, fishermen, and singers.


PRAYER
O Glorious Saint Andrew, you were the first to recognize and follow the Lamb of God. With your friend Saint John you remained with Jesus for that first day, for your entire life, and now throughout eternity.
As you led your brother Saint Peter to Christ and many others after him, draw us also to him. Teach us to lead others to Christ solely out of love for him and dedication in his service. Help us to learn the lesson of the Cross and to carry our daily crosses without complaint so that they may carry us to Jesus.

Day 86 -- Saint Cuthbert Mayne

We heard a little bit about Saint Cuthbert Mayne back in October when he was celebrated along with the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. It was becuase of them we have the Christmas song "Twelve Days of Christmas."

Saint Cuthbert Mayne was born in 1544 and raised protestant by his uncle and he was ordained a protestant minister at age 19. He converted to Catholicism in 1570 when he was a graduate student at Saint John's College, Oxford. He was then ordained a Catholic priest in Douai, France--he was the first Englishman trained there. After his ordination he went back to England in 1575 with Saint John Payne to minister to convert Catholics in Cornwall. A year later he was arrested and condemned to death for the crime of being a priest. He was hanged, drawn, and quartered on November 25, 1577. His relics are at the Carmelite convent in Cornwall, England. He was canonized by Pope Paul VI on October 25, 1970 with the other martyrs of England.

Today, during the first week of Advent, I am reminded of all the catechumens and candidates in our Diocese and across the country who were welcomed to the Catholic Church today by way of the Rite of Acceptance and Welcoming. Let us pray to Saint Cuthbert for these individuals and their families.

Day 85 -- Saint Catherine Laboure

“O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”

Saint Catherine Laboure was born as Zoe on May 2, 1806 in Burgundy, France. She was the ninth of eleven children of a farm family. From an early age Catherine felt a call to religious life. She never learned to read or write. When her mother died when she was eight years old she was forced to take over the running of the house when her older sister joined the Sisters of Charity. She worked as a waitress in her uncle's cafe in Paris. She received a vision from Saint Vincent de Paul told her that God wanted her to work with the sick and she joined the Sisters of Charity taking the name Catherine.

On July 18, 1830 she had a vision of the Blessed Mother who described to her a medal which she wished to be made. On one side it had the the image of Our Lady with the words “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” On the other side are the hearts of Jesus and Mary. Mary told Catherine that the people who wore the medal would receive great graces. It became known as the Miraculous Medal and the devotion has spread across the world. Saint Catherine died on December 31, 1876 and miracles have been reported at her tomb in the convent chapel. Her body is incorrupt.


Saint Catherine Labouré, you were the chosen confidant of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She revealed to you her desire that her children wear the Miraculous Medal as a mark of their love for her and in honor of her Immaculate Conception.

Intercede for us, that we may follow our heavenly mother's desires. Ask that we may receive those special graces which flow from her motherly hands like rays of light. Amen.

Day 84 -- Saint Francesco Antonio Fasani

At the age of 14 Saint Francesco Antonio Fasani entered the Conventual Franciscan order in 1695 taking the name of Francis and he was ordained in 1705. He taught philosophy to the younger friars, then the provincial of the order, master of novices and then pastor in his hometown. People sought after him for confession. He was a friend to the poor and found benefactors for what was needed. He was a mystic and had a deep prayer life and was known to levitate while in prayer. He was known for his great preaching. From an eyewitness account about his preaching for his canonization, "In his preaching he spoke in a familiar way, filled as he was with the love of God and neighbor; fired by the Spirit, he made use of the words and deed of Holy Scripture, stirring his listeners and moving them to do penance." When he died on November 29, 1742, children ran though the street crying "The saint is dead! The saint is dead!"

Pope John Paul II said at his canonization on April 13, 1986, "Francesco made the love taught us by Christ the fundamental characteristic of his existence, the basic criterion of his thought and activity, the supreme summit of his aspirations."

When I die, what will people be saying about me? How will people remember me?

Day 83 -- Blessed Gaetana Sterni

The more widely known saint for today is John Berchmans, but I would like to tell you about a lesser known saint, a blessed actually...Blessed Gaetana Sterni.

She was born on June 26, 1827 and was one of six children and they lived comfortably until her oldest sister and father died and her brother left home to be an actor. This left the family is a bad shape financially. Gaetana was a pious girl and did what she could to help her mother, but soon married a widower with three children, Liberale Conte. She soon was pregnant, but during prayer she received a prophecy of her husband's death. It was true and she was a widowed before the birth of their child and the baby died a few days after birth. Her late husband's family demanded that his three children be returned to them.

So at age 19, Gaetana found herself a widow, buried a child, alone, and alienated from her in-laws so she returned to her mother's house. She spent much of her time in prayer looking for direction for her future and then came to understand she had a call to religious life. She joined the Canosian convent at Bassano for five months, but received another prophetic message in prayer of her mother's death. Her mother died a few days later and Gaetana left the convent to care for her younger siblings. She did this for the next six years.

Finally at age 26 she responded to another message she received while in prayer with the Canosians. She had been told "to employ there all of herself in the service of the poor and thus fulfill His will." This message was confirmed by a Jesuit priest and in 1853 she began working at the hospice. She was there for 36 years, taking care of the aged, sick, and dying. In 1860 at age 33 she made a private vow of total devotion to God.

In 1865, she and two friends formed what would become the Daughters of the Divine Will. She chose this name to indicate that the members would surrender themselves completely to God's plans. They worked in service to the sick and poor, but they still lived in their own homes. The bishop of Vicenza approved the congregation in 1875 and today the Daughters are in Europe, America, and Africa. Blessed Gaetana died on November 26, 1889.

From the Vatican's website on Blessed Gaetana's biography: "Complete uniformity to the Divine Will through a total abandonment in God and a strong zeal for the well-being of one’s neighbor, ready to sacrifice anything in order to make them well."


Oh Lord, may I always do my best in trying to follow Your Divine will and plans for my life.

Day 82 -- Saint Catherine of Alexandria

Saint Catherine, victorious defender of the Faith and of purity, pray for us!

I first learned about Saint Catherine of Alexandria when I was in college. She was the patron saint of my table when I made my Encounter with Christ retreat. That weekend was truly a turning point in my life in finding Christ and finding myself in relationship to Christ, others, and myself. And most recently I relearned about Saint Catherine of Alexandria from a dear friend of mine.

Saint Catherine was born into nobility and she learned science and converted to Christianity after receiving a vision. At 18 years old she debated pagan philosophers and many were converted because of her arguments and then she was sentenced to be immediately martyred. Maximinus had her scourged and imprisoned. The leader of the army of Maximinus were amazed by the stories and went to see Catherine in prison and they were converted and martyred. Then Maximinus ordered her to be broken on a wheel, but when she touched it the wheel was destroyed. So she was beheaded and her body was taken away by angels. This was around the year 305.

Saint Catherine of Alenandria was popular in the Middle Ages and there are many chapels and churches devoted to her in Europe. She is reported as one of the divine advisors to Saint Joan of Arc.

She was a wise and learned woman and this led to her patronage of libraries, teachers and archivists and unmarried women, nurses, and potters. I think I will begin to pray to her to help me discover God's plan for me in my life. And since she argued and debated so well with the philosophers, this led to her patronage of lawyers and jurists. She is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers and here is the Litany of the Fourteen Holy Helpers.

Today on Thanksgiving Day I give thanks for many things in my life...my family, friends, faith, Cursillo...so many people and things have helped me to understand I am loved and to show God's love to me. I thank God for all these things in my life.

PRAYER
Glorious Saint Catherine, virgin and martyr,
help me to imitate your love of purity.
Give me strength and courage
in fighting off the temptations of the world and evil desires.

Help me to love God with my whole heart and serve Him faithfully.

O Saint Catherine, through your glorious martyrdom for the love of Christ, help me to be loyal to my faith and my God as long as I live.

Day 81 -- Saint Andrew Dũng-Lac and His Companion

When I was at a National Cursillo Encounter a few years back, the Vietnamese Community presented a slide show presentation detailing the lives of the Martyrs of Vietnam including Saint Andrew Dung-Lac and his companions. It was a very moving display of their heroic lives.

Saint Andrew was born around 1795 in Bac Ninh, Vietnam a priest in the area of West Tonkin and he worked in the missions with the priests of the Foreign Mission Society of Paris. He was imprisoned and tortured in the persecutions of Minh-Meng. He beheaded on December 21, 1839 and died with Saint Peter Thi. He and over 100 of his companions were canonized on June 19, 1988 by Pope John Paul II.

Recording keeping was poor because the government did not care about those who were murdered, so there is not too much information on the martyrs.


“The Church in Vietnam is alive and vigorous, blessed with strong and faithful bishops, dedicated religious, and courageous and committed laypeople.... The Church in Vietnam is living out the gospel in a difficult and complex situation with remarkable persistence and strength.”
statement of three U.S. archbishops returning from Vietnam in January 1989

Day 80 -- Blessed Miguel Pro

It is amazing to know there are martyrs and saints in our day and age. Blessed Miguel Pro was one of them. From an early age, he had an affinity for helping the poor and was known for his cheerfulness. Born in a pious home, Miguel was born on January 13, 1891 in Zacatecas, Mexico and had a recurring stomach disorder. He joined the novices at age 20 and he was exiled during the Mexican Revolution and finished his studies abroad and was ordained in 1925 in Belgium at age 36. He returned to Mexico the following year. This was a time in Mexico when churches were closed, priests were hiding, and persecution of the Church was a government policy. Father Miguel disguised himself in an underground ministry to bring comfort and the sacraments to the faithful.

In 1927, he was falsely accused of a bombing attempt and he became a wanted man, betrayed to the police, and without a trial was sentenced to death. The photo here was taken on the day of her martyrdom. As he was about to be shot, he forgave his executioners, refused a blindfold and died shouting “Long live Christ the King!” The government prohibited a public funeral, but the faithful lined the streets when his body passed. He died on November 23, 1927 in Mexico City. He was beadified on September 25, 1988 by Pope John Paul II.

I think that takes great faith and courage for them as well knowing how Father Miguel was martyred that they would publicly display their love for their priest.

There is a chaplet of Blessed Miguel Pro which I thought was very nice and would like to pray it on a regular basis.


I believe, O Lord, but strengthen my faith.

Heart of Jesus, I love Thee; but increase my love.

Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee; but give greater vigor to my confidence.

Heart of Jesus, I give my heart to Thee; but so enclose it in Thee that it may never be separated from Thee.

Heart of Jesus, I am all Thine; but take care of my promise so that I may be able to put it in practice even unto the complete sacrifice of my life.
- Miguel Agustin Pro

Day 79 -- Saint Cecilia

Oh Cecilia, you're breakin' my heart!

I have always liked Saint Cecilia...and our parish has a beautiful stained glass window in the choir loft and it was lost for many years until it was uncovered when the choir loft was remodeled. I pray to Saint Cecilia for my brother....a musician.

It was not until today did I realize how many years ago she lived. For some reason I thought she was from the Middle Ages, but she died around the year 117.

She vowed her virginity to God, but her parents married her to Valerian of Trastevere. She told her new husband that she as with an angel, but in order for him to see it, he had to be purified. So he was baptized and from coming back from the baptism, he found her in prayer accompanied by a praying angel. The angel placed a crown on each of their heads and offered Valerian a favor; he asked that his brother be baptized.

The two brothers started a ministry of giving proper burials to martyred Christians. In their ministry they were arrested and martyred for their faith. Cecilia buried them at her villa and she was arrested for doing this. She was ordered to sacrifice to false gods and she refused and she was martyred. They tried to suffocate her, but that didn't kill her, so she was beheaded. Her grave was discovered in 817 and her body was moved to the church of Saint Cecilia in Rome. The tomb was opened in 1599 and her body was found in-corrupt.

The Acta of Cecilia includes the following: “While the profane music of her wedding was heard, Cecilia was singing in her heart a hymn of love for Jesus, her true spouse.” It was this phrase that led to her association with music, singers and musicians. She is also the patron of poets and composers. As the prayer below states, she was never musician, but heard the angels sing.

PRAYER
Dear Saint Cecilia, one thing we know for certain about you is that you became a heroic martyr in fidelity to your divine Bridegroom. We do not know that you were a musician but we are told that you heard Angels sing. Inspire musicians to gladden the hearts of people by filling the air with God's gift of music and reminding them of the divine Musician who created all beauty. Amen.

Day 78 -- Saint Albert of Louvain

Most people join a religious order after having had another career, but Saint Albert of Louvain joined a religious order at age 12, but at age 21 he became a knight under Count Baldwin V who was a enemy of his native Brabant. He talked of going on a Crusade, but religious life was calling him again and this was true vocation.

He became archdeacon of Brabant, then was ordained a priest, and then bishop in 1191. There were still tensions in the area especially with the king's knights and Albert was murdered on November 21 on the road outside of Rheims. He was buried there, but then his relics were transferred to a Carmelite convent in Brussels in 1612. Some of his relics are located in the cathedral in Leige, Belgium in 1822.

I often think and pray what God wants me to do with my life and I often wonder, like Saint Albert, if there is something more the Lord is calling me to do in this life. I continue to pray about this and ask for His help.

Day 77 -- Blessed Maria Fortunata Viti

Today I am reminded of the simple things in life, talking with a friend, receiving an email, reaching out to someone who you love. For me, today's saint models that for me. Blessed Maria Fortunata Viti was born on February 10, 1827 in Veroli, Italy as Anna Felicia Viti. After her mother died when she was 14 years old, she had to take care of her eight younger siblings. She worked as a servant to support them. Her father was a gamble and a heavy drinker. She joined the Benedictines in Veroli, Italy on March 21, 1851 at age 24 and she took the name of Sister Maria Fortunata. She spent 70 years in the Order doing the simple things--spinning, sewing, washing, mending, and of course praying the whole time. Sister Maria never learned to read or write and she never held a position in her house, but she had a great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. Many people, nuns and lay people included, learned from her quiet, humble, happy, and prayerful example! Blessed Maria Fortunata died on November 20, 1922 in Veroli of natural causes. She was put into a mass grave and there are reported miracles at the grave site. She was beatified on October 8, 1967 by Pope Paul VI and awaits canonization.

She is the patron saint of mental illness, loss of parents, against poverty and temptations.

I take to heart her example of prayer, especially with the Blessed Sacrament. When I am able to spend time in the chapel or church with Jesus, the time is always well spend reflecting and talking to him about my life and which direction it is going and God's plan for me.

Day 76 -- Pope Saint Pontian

Not much is known about today's saint...Pope Saint Pontian. He was born in Rome and was made the 18th pope in the year 230. He ended the schism of Hippolytus and reconciled the schismatics with the Church. He was the exited with Hippolytus by Emperor Maximinus Thrax to Sardinia and sentenced to work in the mines. I cannot even imagine a pope begin sentenced to work the mines! He abdicated the papacy on September 28, 235 so a new man could lead the Church. His remains were brought to Rome by Pope Saint Fabian and he was buried in the catacomb of Callistus.

Abdicated means to resign or renounce o clerical dignity. Abdication must be voluntary. Papal abdication should be made into the hands of the College of Cardinals, since they will elect the successor. The following popes abdicated:

• Benedict IX
• Celestine V
• Gregory VI
• Gregory XII
• Liberius
• Marcellinus

Pius VII signed a conditional abdication in 1804 before he set out for France to crown Napoleon, to take effect if he were imprisoned.

I will say it again....I would love to meet the pope!

Day 75 -- Saint Peter

Jesus said: “Upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

I have often thought, if Saint Peter the Apostle can deny Jesus and he can forgive him and then give to him the keys of the kingdom, who am I that I cannot forgive my brothers and sisters, and this includes myself.

Today is one of a few feast days of Saint Peter. Today is the feast of the dedication of the Basilicas of Peter and Paul. There are two books in the Bible attributed to him.

By profession, Peter was a fisherman and his brother was Saint Andrew the Apostle. It was Andrew who led Peter to Christ. Jesus renamed him Peter, from Simon, which means "rock" which indicates that Peter would be the rock-like foundation on which the Church would be built. Peter was a miracle worker and he is the first pope. He was martyred in Rome around the year 64. He was crucified with his head downwards because he said he was not worthy to die in the same manner as Christ.

He is the patron of many things, cities, and dioceses. A few include:

• bakers
• fishermen
• the papacy
• the Universal Church
• the Diocese of Las Vegas, NV
• the cities of Leuven, Belgium
• London, England

Prayer to Saint Peter
O Glorious Saint Peter, because of your vibrant and generous faith, sincere humility and flaming love, our Lord honored you with singular privileges and especially leadership of the whole Church. Obtain for us the grace of a living faith, a sincere loyalty to the Church, acceptance of all her teaching, and obedience to all her precepts. Let us thus enjoy an undisturbed peace on earth and everlasting happiness in heaven.

Day 74 -- Saint Elizabeth of Hungary

Even though Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, whose name means worshiper of God, died young, she did much in her young life. She was the daughter of King Andrew of Hungary and she married Prince Louis at age 13. She built a hospital at the foot of the mountain of her castle and she took care of the patients herself. Her family opposed this, but she insisted becuase she had to follow Christ's teachings. Upon the death of her husband, Elizabeth sold everything she had and worked to support her four children. She gave gifts of bread to the poor and large gift of grain to a famine stricken Germany. This in turn led to her patronage of bakers, and also hospitals, nursing homes, homeless, and widows. She died of natural causes in Germany when she was only 24 years old. Everything she owned she wanted to go to the poor. Her relics including her skull wearing a gold crown she wore and they are preserved at the convent of Saint Elizabeth in Vienna, Austria.

"Apart from those active good works, I declare before God that I have seldom seen a more contemplative woman."

~from a letter by Conrad of Marburg, spiritual director of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary

Day 73 -- Saint Agnes of Assisi

Imagine the parents of sisters who become saints--they must have been remarkable people. Today, the feast day of Saint Agnes of Assisi and her sister Clare are both proclaimed saints in the Catholic Church.

They were daughters of Count Favorino Scifi and Blessed Hortulana and were raised in castles around Assisi. Agnes, born in 1197, was the younger sister of Clare and her first follower who left home two weeks after Clare did to join the Benedictines at San Angelo di Panzo at age 15. Agnes' family tried to bring Agnes back by force dragging her from the monastery, but her body became heavy that even several knights could not move her. Her uncle Monaldo tried to beat her, but he became temporarily paralyzed. After that, the family left the two sisters in peace.

In 1221 a group of Benedictine nuns in Monticelli asked to become Poor Clares and Saint Francis assigned Agnes as their Abbess. Agnes missed her sister Clare very much and the other nuns at San Damiano. After establishing other Poor Clare monasteries in Italy, in 1253 Agnes returned to see Clare when she was dying. Agnes died three months later. She died in the monastery of San Damiano on November 16, 1253. She is buried in the Santa Chiara Church in Assisi.

I had always heard of the Poor Clare nuns, but I had not idea there order was almost 1,000 years old. There are convents in over 20 countries in the world.


PRAYER
O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst set up Blessed Agnes before many virgins as a model and guide to evangelical perfection, grant, we beseech Thee, that the seraphic spirit, which she so wisely taught and confirmed by her holy example, may be preserved in us from all taint. Who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.

Day 72 -- Saint Malo of Aleth

If it was God's will I would have gone to the Saint Malo Retreat Center in Colorado this past summer, but it was not part of His plan, instead my parents, brother, and I spend a week in NJ.

Saint Malo of Aleth was born around the year 520 in Wales. He was an adult convert to Christianity and he was baptized by Saint Brendan the Navigator and Malo became Brendan's spiritual student. Saint Malo lived the life of a monk at Llancarfam Abbey in Wales. He and other Celtic monks were among the first people of the Middle Ages to travel out on the seas of the Atlantic. They lived in a time where people did not travel far past their hometown. He went on missionary work with Saint Aaron of Brittany. Around the year 543, Saint Malo was the first bishop of Aleth which is modern day Saint-Servan, France, but he was driven out by his enemies and settled at Saintes. After a severe drought, the people of Aleth begged for Bishop Malo to return. He did return and pursued a life of prayer and meditation. He established churches in the Brittany area, which has since changed names to Saint-Malo in his honor. During World War II, the town of Saint-Malo was heavily damaged, but after the war, the ramparts which surround the town and the old citadel were rebuilt. Today, Saint-Malo is a popular tourist destination on the coast of Brittany. Saint Malo died around the age of 100 on November 15, 620 in Archingeay, France.

One day, with God's help, I will make a retreat at the Saint Malo Retreat Center in Allenspark, CO.

Day 71 -- Blessed Maria Teresa of Jesus

I have come to realize that many saints have waited for many things and that brings me comfort that in my journey I too experience waiting and I can pray to the saints to help me in this waiting period.

Blessed Maria Teresa of Jesus was born on May 15, 1825 in Arezzo, Italy as Maria Scrilli. As a child she was bedridden for 2 years from an unknown illness. She was cured from a vision of Saint Fiorenzo and it was from then that she felt a call to religious life. One May 28, 1846 she entered the monastery of Saint Magdalene de'Pazzi in Florence. Even though she loved the cloistered life, she soon realized it was not her calling and left after 2 months. She entered a Carmelite tertiary and took the name of Maria Teresa of Jesus. She began teaching to the local girls and in turn started a small school for them. She was looking for a place to start a formal school and she was asked by a town council to take over a local school and then formed a religious institute. One October 15, 1854 she founded the Sisters of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, but 5 years later she was ordered for the school to be dissolved and the school became secularized. It was here that she waited--19 years--on March 18, 1878 that Mother Maria was able to resurrect her community in Florence and started a school, boarding house, and Marian association. It was here that she lived her vocation of teaching, parish work, and visiting the sick. Mother Maria died on November 14, 1889 in Florence of natural causes. She was beatified on October 8, 2006 by Pope Benedict XVI and she is awaiting canonization.

Today there are about 250 sisters in Italy, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Israel, Poland, Canada, Philippines, United States and the Czech Republic where they teach, catechize, and care for the sick and aged.

Here is the homily of Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins at her beatification.

Day 70 -- Saint Didacus

I cannot believe I have been writing this blog for 70 days now. It has meant a lot to me and I hope I am have been able to touch some lives and bring others to learn about the lives of the saints.

Today I have chosen another saint from Spain and as I read more about saints from Spain the more excited I am getting about going there next summer for World Youth Day. From his youth, Saint Didacus loved the solitary life and when he was young he became a hermit. He supported himself by weaving mats. He became a Franciscan lay-brother in Arizafa. He did not have a formal education, but he looked for insights into the Christian life.

In 1442, he was sent as a missionary to the Canary Islands. Later he became the superior of the community at Fuertaventura. He was a great preacher and converted many by his preaching and example. In 1450, went to Rome for the canonization of Saint Bernardine of Siena. While he was there, an epidemic broke out among the Franciscans and Didacus worked very hard to help his brothers and miracles were reported that he cured the sick. He returned to Spain and spend the rest of his life in prayer in Alcala. He died there on November 12, 1463 of natural causes. He was 63 years old. He was canonized in 1588 by Pope Sixtus V.

He is the patron saint of lay Franciscan brother and of the Diocese of San Diego.

Day 69 -- Saint Nilus the Elder

Saint Nilus the Elder was a Byzantine imperial official and may have been a Praetorian Prefect in the 4th century. He was married and had two children and when his children were grown he and his wife agreed to have separate lives devoted to God. He was a monk on Mount Sinai with his son Theodulus. After a few years on Mount Sinai, his son was kidnapped by Arab raiders and Nilus went in search of him. The bishop in Palestine had ransomed him out of slavery and made him the door-keeper of his church. The bishop ordained them both and they returned to Sinai. He wrote theological topics and his works influenced the Eastern Church. He was friend, supporter, and spiritual student of Saint John Chrytostom. He died around the year 430 of natural causes.

Day 68 -- Saint Martin of Tours

“Lord, if your people still need me, I am ready for the task; your will be done.”


This afternoon I met with my advisor for my thesis and Saint Martin of Tours can maybe be the saint I pray to as I finish this up (I am writing about the RCIA Process). Martin was born around the year 316 into a pagan family and raised in Pavia, Italy and he was baptized at age 18. He really tried to live out his faith even to the point to not let his servant wait on him. He met a beggar on the street and all Martin had to give him was the clothes on his back, so he cut his officer's cloak in half and gave it to the beggar (represented in the icon here). Later, Martin had a vision of Christ wearing this cloak.

Before a battle, he announced that his faith prohibited him from fighting and he was charged with cowardice and jailed and the superiors planned to put him in the front line of the battle, but the battle never happened and he was released from the military.

On a trip to visit his parents, he was robbed, but he managed to convert one of the thieves and when he arrived home he found his mother had converted to Christianity, but his father had not.

In 361, Martin became a hermit for 10 years and had the reputation for holiness and he attracted other monks and they formed what would become a Benedictine Abbey. He preached and evangelized and many locals held strong to the old beliefs. Martin destroyed the old temples and built Churches on the same land and more converts came.

In 371 the bishop of Tours, France died and Martin was the immediate choice of replacement, but Martin declined stated his was unworthy. He was tricked to come to the city and he was declared bishop by popular demand and consecrated on July 4, 372. Even while bishop, he lived in a hermit's cell and other monks joined him.

He died on November 8, 397 in Tours, France of natural causes. At his request, he was buried in the Cemetery of the Poor on November 11, 397. His relics are at the basilica of Tours which is a place of pilgrimage for many and known miracles. But in 1562 the basilica and relics were destroyed by militant Protestants, but in 1860 small fragments of his tomb were found during an excavation.

Saint Martin is the patron of many things including, beggars, against alcoholism, Pontifical Swiss Guards, wine makers, the Archdiocese of Tours, France,

Here is a prayer Saint Martin of Tours wrote
"Prayer to Continue to Fight for God"
Lord, if your people still have need of my services, I will not avoid the toil. Your will be done. I have fought the good fight long enough. Yet if you bid me continue to hold the battle line in defense of your camp, I will never beg to be excused from failing strength. I will do the work you entrust to me. While you command, I will fight beneath your banner.

Day 67 -- Saint Pope Leo the Great

Pope Leo the Great was pope from 440 to 461 and during his reign in 445 he persuaded Emperor Valentinian to recognize the primacy of the Bishop of Rome. The doctrine of the Incarnation was formed by him in a letter to the Patriarch of Constantinople and this same letter also confirmed the expression of the Catholic faith concerning the person of Christ.

He encountered Attila the Hun at the gates of Rome and Saint Leo persuaded him to turn back. Vandals occupied Rome and Saint Leo persuaded the invaders from not harming the residents or pillaging the city. He wrote many letters and writings that have great historical value.

Day 66 -- Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity

"Oh! If you only knew how the good God loves pure hearts! It is there that He loves to reign."

Today's saint that I have chosen reminds me a little bit of myself...Elizabeth of the Trinity was extremely stubborn and had fits of rage! It is good to know she is on her way to canonization!

Elizabeth's father died when she was seven and her mother took care of her and her sister Marguerite. In addition to her stubbornness, she was lively, popular and had a great reverence for God. It was at an early age that she was attracted to a life of prayer and would visit the sick and teach catechism to children. She was also a gifted pianist.

In 1901 at age 21, against her mother's wishes, she entered the Discalced Carmelite monastery in Dijon, France. Even though she had a great spirituality, she was plagued with periods of powerful darkness and even her own spiritual director doubted Elizabeth's vocation. She took her final vows on January 11, 1903 and in turn she became a spiritual director for many people. She also wrote letters and retreat guides.

She died on November 9, 1906 from Addison's Disease and her last words were "I am going to Light, to Love, to Life!" She was beatified in 1984 and is awaiting canonization.


Prayer written by Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity
O my God, Trinity whom I adore; help me to forget myself entirely that I may be established in You as still and as peaceful as if my soul were already in eternity. May nothing trouble my peace or make me leave You, O my Unchanging One, but may each minute carry me further into the depths of Your mystery. Give peace to my soul; make it Your heaven, Your beloved dwelling and Your resting place. May I never leave You there alone but be wholly present, my faith wholly vigilant, wholly adoring, and wholly surrendered to Your creative Action.

O my beloved Christ, crucified by love, I wish to be a bride for Your Heart; I wish to cover You with glory; I wish to love You...even unto death! But I feel my weakness, and I ask You to "clothe me with Yourself," to identify my soul with all the movements of Your Soul, to overwhelm me, to possess me, to substitute yourself for me that my life may be but a radiance of Your Life. Come into me as Adorer, as Restorer, as Savior.

O Eternal Word, Word of my God, I want to spend my life in listening to You, to become wholly teachable that I may learn all from You. Then, through all nights, all voids, all helplessness, I want to gaze on You always and remain in Your great light. O my beloved Star, so fascinate me that I may not withdraw from Your radiance.

O consuming Fire, Spirit of Love, "come upon me," and create in my soul a kind of incarnation of the Word: that I may be another humanity for Him in which He can renew His whole Mystery. And You, O Father, bend lovingly over Your poor little creature; "cover her with Your shadow," seeing in her only the "Beloved in whom You are well pleased."

O my Three, my All, my Beatitude, infinite Solitude, Immensity in which I lose myself, I surrender myself to You as Your prey. Bury Yourself in me that I may bury myself in You until I depart to contemplate in Your light the abyss of Your greatness.

Day 65 -- Four Crowned Martyrs

The Four Crowned Martyrs are known as four saints: Castorus, Claudius, Nicostratus, and Simpronian. Each were stone carvers of quarries in the 3rd century. They were martyred when they refused to carve an idol of Aesculapius for Diocletian. They were all drowned in the River Sava in 305. They were buried in the catacomb of Albano.

There is a basilica in Rome in honor of these martyrs.

They are the patrons saints of sculptors, stone-cutters and masons and against fever. (I wonder how that last one got in there!)

Day 64 -- Saint Peter Ou

The reason why I chose the saint today was becuase of this quote I found by him: "Be loyal to the Lord, accept his will." This was written by Saint Peter Ou in a letter to his wife while he was in prison. He is known as one of the martyrs of China. I feel like I am in the constant search for the Father's will and after days like yesterday (Catechetical Congress) it just heightens that feeling.

Saint Peter was born into non-Christian family and he was one of the first convert by the missionaries in his area. He was born in 1768. During his youth, he was known for his sense of justice and defense of the poor and oppressed. He married and was a businessman and owned and ran a large hotel. When he did convert, he threw out his idols and preached Christianity to anyone who came to him. He then became a leader of the converts in his town. It was at his baptism that he took the name Peter. He then began to work as a catechist for the missionaries and instructed over 600 people in Christianity. On April 3, 1814 he was arrested during a violent backlash against the faith. He was put in prison and tortured in order to break him from his faith, but he inspired other prisoners about the faith and led prayer services there. He was condemned to death for refusing to step on a crucifix. He was strangled on November 7, 1814. He was beatified in 1900 by Pope Leo XIII on May 27. He was canonized 100 years later by Pope John Paul II on October 1.

"Heaven, heaven, my true home! I see my heavenly Mother and my guardian angel coming to take me home." -Saint Peter’s dying words

Day 63 -- Blessed Josepha Naval Girbes

After such a wonderful day at our Catechetical Congress for our Diocese, I don't know where to begin (to journal and reflect). The day was full of wonderful graces and reminded me that I should never doubt God's great love for me. Today has also helped me to understand that I do have a vocation to the Church and with prayer, discernment, trust, and that I need to consult with prudent people (aka my spiritual director) I will fully be able to embrace that one day.

As a young woman, Blessed Josepha Naval Girbes consecrated herself to a personal perpetual vow of chastity. She was very active in her parish and she opened a school for girls in her home where she taught needlework, prayer, and evangelic virtues. She was a member of the Third Order Secular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Teresa of Jesus. She had a great devotion to our Blessed Mother. Her name means "whom the Lord adds."

Blessed Josepha was born on December 11, 1820 in Valencia, Spain and died on February 24, 1893. She is buried at her home parish of Saint James in Algemesi, Spain. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II on September 25, 1988 and is awaiting canonization.

"Josefa Navel Girbes is an exceptional mistress of secular holiness: a model of Christian life in her heroic simplicity; a model of parish life. Her entire life proves how one can reach holiness in all states of life in a total consecration to God and in a selfless love for one’s brothers and sisters, even while living in the world. Without extraordinary gifts an exceptional woman in her genuine simplicity as a daughter of the people. She carried out her duties faithfully, in intense union with God, in the midst of the ordinary circumstances of her working day."

A quote from the General Promoter of the Faith, Monsignor Petti, at the conclusion of the Theological Consultors’ examination

Day 62 -- Saint Elizabeth

Most of what we know about today's saint, Saint Elizabeth we learn from Scripture. Elizabeth was the wife of Zachary, the temple priest. She was the cousin of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the mother of John the Baptist. The Blessed Virgin Mary visited Elizabeth soon after the Annunciation of the birth of Jesus to Mary. This "visitation" is also described in the second joyful mystery. Below are meditations for each Hail Mary of this mystery:

1. Mary's cousin Elizabeth conceived a son in her old age . . . for nothing is impossible with God.
2. Charity prompts Mary to hasten to visit Elizabeth in the hour of her need.
3. The journey to Elizabeth's home is about eighty miles requiring four or five days.
4. Though long and arduous, the journey is joyous, for Mary bears with her the Incarnate Word.
5. At Mary's salutation, John the Baptist is sanctified in his mother's womb.
6. Elizabeth exclaims: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb."
7. "How have I deserved that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"
8. "Blessed is she who believed that the Lord's words to her would be fulfilled."
9. Mary replies: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit finds joy in God my Savior."
10. Mary serves her cousin in all humility for three months until the birth of John the Baptist.

Saint Elizabeth became pregnant very late in life. Elizabeth is described in the Gospel of Luke as "righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly."

Saint Elizabeth is the patron saint of expectant mothers.

"NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD."

Day 61 -- Saint Charles Borromeo

Saint Charles Borromeo

Born
Morning of Wednesday, October 2, 1538 in the castle at Aron in the Diocese of Novara, Italy

Died
at 8:30pm on November 3, 1584 of a fever in Milan, Italy. He was buried in the metropolitan cathedral of Milan

Canonized
November 1, 1610 by Pope Paul V

Saint Charles was an abbot and cardinal.

He is the patron of many things, including: against colic, against ulcers, against abdominal pain, apple orchards, bishops, catechists, catechumens, seminarians, and spiritual directors.

Today I pray for the catechumens in our Diocese and for my spiritual director as she has done so much in my life to bring me closer to the Lord and to help me increase my relationship and friendship with him and myself.


O Saintly reformer, animator of spiritual renewal of priests and religious, you organized true seminaries and wrote a standard catechism. Inspire all religious teachers and authors of catechetical books. Move them to love and transmit only that which can form true followers of the Teacher who was divine. Amen.


"If we wish to make any progress in the service of God we must begin every day of our life with new eagerness. We must keep ourselves in the presence of God as much as possible and have no other view or end in all our actions but the divine honor."

Day 60 -- Saint Martin de Porres

I first heard about Saint Martin de Porres in 2004 from a friend of mine. Her family is related to the person who recived the mircale for Martin's canonization. I love to hear her and particularly her father share the story.

Martin was born on December 9, 1579 to a Spanish nobleman, Juan, and a young freed black slave, Anna Velasquez. His parents were not married and Martin lived with his mother in poverty. He spend part of his childhood with a surgeon-barber. From this gentleman, he also learned medicine and to care for the sick. At 11 years old he became a servant in the Holy Rosary Dominican priory in Lima, Peru. He was able to collect over $2,000 a week by begging from the rich to support the poor and sick in Lima. His superiors dropped the stipulation that "no black person may receive the holy habit or profession of our Order" and they allowed Martin to take vows as a Dominican brother in 1603. He established an orphanage and children's hospital for poor children in the slums. Then he set up a shelter for stray dogs and cats and nursed them back to health. He fasted very often and spent much time in prayer and meditation and had a great devotion to the Holy Eucharist. He was a friend of Saint John de Massias. He died on November 3, 1639 in Lima of a fever. He was canonized on May 6, 1962.

He is the patron saint of many things including: hairdressers, hotel-keepers, public education, and racial harmony.

Saint Martin, faithful servant of Christ, pray for us!

Saint Martin, lover of the Blessed Eucharist, pray for us!

Saint Martin, devoted to our Blessed Mother, pray for us!

Saint Martin, lover of the most holy rosary, pray for us!

Saint Martin, comfortor of the sick and dying, pray for us!

Saint Martin, model of obedience, pray for us!

Saint Martin, apostle of mercy, pray for us!

"The example of Martin’s life is ample evidence that we can strive for holiness and salvation as Christ Jesus has shown us: first, by loving God “with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind; and second, by loving your neighbor as yourself.” Pope John XXIII at the canonization

Day 59 -- All Souls Day

Today as we celebrate and remember our faithful departed, especially those in purgatory, I would like to remember a few of my family members: Grampa, Nana, and Aunt Kitty. Each of them have taught me something and I will never forget them.

In 998, Abbot Odilo of Cluny institued this in his monasteries of his congregation, and then other religious orders adapted the observance, then Dioceses, then the entire Church. Pope Benedict XV granted priests the privilege of celebrating three Masses of requiem:

• one of the souls in purgatory
• one for the intentions of the Holy Father
• one for priests

The Feast of All Souls is the patron of Monselice, Italy.

Contemplation of the lives of those who have followed Christ encourages us to lead a good, upright Christian life which makes us "worthy of the kingdom of God" (2 Thes 1:5)."

-Venerable Pope John Paul II (1920-2005) All Souls Day reflection

Day 58 -- All Saints Day

Since this is a saints blog, I have to write about All Saints Day. All Saints Day honors the saints known and unknown. Christians have been honoring the dead, saints and martyrs, since the 2nd century. Over the years as Christianity grew and became more universal. Saint John Chrysostom (AD407) assigned a day to the feast of all saints, which was the first Sunday after Pentecost. The current observance probably originates from the time of Pope Gregory III (d. 741) and was likely observed for the first time on November 1 in Germany. Having All Saints Day on November 1 may counteract the Irish festival of Samhain, the festival of light. I remember reading about this and doing research for a paper when I was taking a class in Ireland in 2003.

There are a few Scripture references to All Saints Day: Mark 12:26-27; Ephesians 6:18; Hebrews 12:1, Revelation 5:8, but none of them are the readings chosen for the readings of the day at Mass.

One of the popular songs that we sing at Mass at work on saints feast days is "For All the Saints."

Another tradition that I really like from the Catholic Church is the Litany of Saints. I actually have 2 versions in iTunes that I like to listen to. I found two on YouTube that I liked. The first here from Pope Benedict's visit with youth and seminarians in New York and the other is Matt Maher's version. I particularly liked the icons in this video.

Let us pray today for all the saints, recognized by the Church and not recognized, for all the holy men and women who have made the Church what it is today. And I pray for that saint to find me so I can have a special devotion to him or her.

"We should not only want to be with the saints, we should also hope to possess their happiness. While we desire to be in their company, we must also earnestly seek to share in their glory. Do not imagine that there is anything harmful in such an ambition as this; there is no danger in setting our hearts on such glory." ~Saint Bernard of Clairvaux