Day 177 -- Blessed Villana de’Botti

Blessed Villana de’Botti was born in 1332 in Florence, Italy and was a very pious child. So much in fact that at age 13 she ran away from home to join a convent, but was refused and had to return home. Her family soon married her to Rosso de Piero. Her rejection from the convent and her marriage led her to a drastic change in her lifestyle. She became lazy and worldly, only concerned with pleasure. One day as she was getting ready, her reflection in a mirror was that of a demon. Villana took this as a reflection to how her soul was laden with sin. She took off those clothes and put on something simple and went to the Dominican Fathers of Santa Maria Novella for help. She became a Dominican tertiary, and concentrated her vocation of marriage. In her free time she prayed much and read the Scriptures and the lives of the saints. She received visions from Mary and saints. She died on January 29, 1361 of natural causes. The Fathers were unable to bury her body for a month because there were so many mourners.

Day 176 -- Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows

I chose Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows because of his devotion to Our Lady. Mary has been someone I have been coming closer to in the past several months and I pray I will continue to grow closer to her and reach out to her when I am in need. He was born on March 1, 1838 in Assisi, Italy as Gabriel Possenti and one of thirteen children. As a child he was involved in worldly things such as going to the theater and dating, but he was lead to the Passionist Order by Our Lady. He made his profession on September 22, 1857. He devoted his life to prayer, sacrifice, and devotion to Mary and her sorrows of the suffering Jesus. He died on February 27, 1862 in Abruzzi, Italy of tuberculosis.

Many miracles are attributed to him after his death and Saint Gemma Galgani was cured when she prayed to him. Pope Benedict XV proclaimed him as patron of all young people. He is also patron of Abruzzi, clerics, Catholic Action, and students. He was canonized on May 13, 1920 by Pope Benedict XV.

His name means "God is my strength."

PRAYER
O God, You taught Saint Gabriel to dwell upon the sorrows of Your most sweet Mother, and You raised him to the glory of holiness and miracles. Grant that we may also share Our Lady's sorrows, and be saved by her protection and intercession. Amen.

QUOTE
"Love Mary! She is lovable, faithful, constant. She will never let herself be outdone in love, but will ever remain supreme. If you are in danger, she will hasten to free you. If you are troubled, she will console you. If you are sick, she will bring you relief. If you are in need, she will help you. She does not look to see what kind of person you have been. She simply comes to a heart that wants to love her. She comes quickly and opens her merciful heart to you, embraces you and consoles and serves you. She will even be at hand to accompany you on the trip to eternity."

Day 175 -- Saint Paula of Saint Joseph of Calasanz

When I think that I am "old" and have not done much with my life yet, I should be reminded of Saint Paula of Saint Joseph of Calasanz who was thirty and still single and devoting her life to God.

As a youth she worked as a seamstress and lace-maker and helped to raise her siblings and helped in her parish to care for other children.

At age thirty, she and her friend Inez Busquets opened a school in Gerona, Spain to provide a good eduction combined with spiritual guidance. The school was a success and she founded a college in 1842 and another school in 1846. To staff the schools, she founded the Daughters of Mary on February 2, 1847 and she took the name Paula of Saint Joseph of Calasanz. Paula served as the leader of the congregation and they received approval from the Pope, Blessed Pius IX in 1860. The schools are now on four continents. Paula died on February 26, 1889 in Barcelona, Spain; she was almost 90 years old. She was canonized by Pope John Paul II on November 25, 2001.

Day 174 -- Blessed Maria Adeodata Pisani

Today I am writing about another Italian blessed. Blessed Maria Adeodata Pisani was born on December 29, 1806 in Naples, Italy (where my family is from!). Adeodata was born to a rich and noble family, but she renounced her wealth and title when she made her final vows at age 21 as a cloistered Benedictine nun. Her father was an alcoholic and Adeodata was raised by her grandmother. Her father joined in a revolt and was exiled to Malta in 1821. Adeodata and her mother joined him in 1825. As a Benedictine nun, Sister Adeodata worked as a seamstress, sacristan, porter, teacher, and novice mistress. She was also the abbess from 1851 to 1853, but her ill health forced her to leave this service early. She had a great love for the poor and had been seen to levitate. She died from heart problems on February 25, 1855 in the monastery in Malta. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II on May 9, 2001. The miracle for her beatification occurred on November 24, 1897 when Abbess Giuseppina Damiani from the monastery of Saint John the Baptist Subiaco, Italy was suddenly healed of a stomach tumor following the intercession of Maria Adeodata Pisani. The Cause was delayed for many years due to lack of funds and political problems between Malta and Italy.


Words of Pope John Paul II at her beatification Mass:
"Sister Adeodata’s holy example certainly helped to promote the renewal of religious life in her own monastery. I therefore wish to commend to her intercession a special intention of my heart. Much has been done in recent times to adapt religious life to the changed circumstances of today, and the benefit of this can be seen in the lives of very many men and women religious. But there is need for a renewed appreciation of the deeper theological reasons for this special form of consecration. We still await a full flowering of the teaching of the Second Vatican Council on the transcendent value of that special love of God and others which leads to the vowed life of poverty, chastity and obedience. I commend to all consecrated men and women the example of personal maturity and responsibility which was wonderfully evident in the life of Blessed Adeodata."

Day 173 -- Blessed Tommaso Maria Fusco

Blessed Tommaso Maria Fusco was born on December 1, 1831 as the seventh of eight children to a pious and Italian noble family. His mother died when he was only six years old and his father died when he was ten and he was educated by his fraternal uncle, who was a priest and school teacher. Tommaso entered the seminary in 1847, the same year his uncle died. He was ordained in 1855.

He opened a school for boys in his own and organized prayer groups at night in the parish. He joined the Congregation of the Missionaries of Nocera in 1857 and became a traveling missionary in southern Italy. He opened another school and trained priests in the ministry of confession. He founded the Priestly Society of the Catholic Apostolate to support missions. he also founded Daughters of Charity of the Most Precious Blood in 1873. They were devoted to care for orphans. He wrote on topics of moral theology which always expressed his devotion to the Precious Blood. Toward the end of his life, a brother priest became jealous of his good works and Father Fusco became a victim of slander. Father Fusco prayed throughout the whole matter, continued his work, and was vindicated. He died of a chronic liver disease on February 24, 1891. He was beatified on October 7, 2001.

"May work and suffering for God always be your glory and in your work and suffering, may God be your consolation on this earth, and your recompense in heaven. Patience is the safeguard and pillar of all the virtues."

Day 172 -- Saint Polycarp of Smyrna

Saint Polycarp of Smyrna was converted by and a disciple of Saint John the Apostle. He fought gnosticism and was the bishop of Smyrna (present day Turkey). He was the predominate Christian leader in the first half of the second century. He wrote a letter to the Church of Philippi which has survived. At the age of 86 he was burned alive in a stadium in Smyrna, but the flames did not harm him, so he was killed by a dagger. This is one of the earliest accounts of a Christian martyr's death.

"Stand fast, therefore, in this conduct and follow the example of the Lord, ‘firm and unchangeable in faith, lovers of the brotherhood, loving each other, united in truth,’ helping each other with the mildness of the Lord, despising no man."

Day 171 -- Chair of Saint Peter

Today is one of several feast days for Saint Peter the Apostle. It is the Chair of Peter...emblematic of the world unity of the Church. Peter was born around the year 1 as Simon in Bethsaida. He was a fisherman by trade. His brother was Saint Andrew the Apostle. Simon was renamed Peter "rock" by Jesus to indicate that Peter would be the "rock-like" foundation on which the Church would be built. Saint Peter was the first pope and a miracle worker. He died as a martyr in Rome around the year 64. He was crucified head downward because he claimed he was not worthy to die in the same manner as Jesus.

He is the patron of many occupations, cities and diocese, most notably our Universal Church.


PRAYER
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 170 -- Saint Peter Damian

Born as the youngest child to a large impoverished family in 1007 in Italy was Saint Peter Damien. He was orphaned young and was sent to live with a brother who mistreated him and forced him to work as a swine-herd. He was pious and was sent to live with another brother, Damian who was a priest. Peter was so grateful that he took the name Damian. He was well educated and taught, but gave up teaching around 1035 to become a Benedictine monk. He was assigned to teacher his brother monks and then the public. He became prior and held that position for the rest of his life. He expanded monastery, improved its library, and founded other hermitages. He was friends with Pope Gregory VI. He was created a cardinal and did a lot for the pope, and wrote sermons, seven biographies, and poetry which was the best in Latin for its time. He planned to retire to live as a simple monk, but was often called on by the pope to make peace between arguing monastic houses, clergymen, and the government. He died on February 22, 1072 of a fever with his brother monks by his side reciting the Divine Office. He was canonized in 1823 and declared a doctor of the Church in 1828.

"It is not sinners, but the wicked who should despair; it is not the magnitude of one’s crime, but contempt of God that dashes one’s hopes."

Day 169 -- Blessed Jacinta Marto and Blessed Francisco Marto

Today we honor and remember two of the young visionaries of Our Lady of Fatima from Portugal. I chose them today since I will be in Fatima in a few months before World Youth Day.
Blessed Jacinta Marto and Blessed Francisco Marto received visions of Our Lady in 1917. Jacinta was born on March 11, 1910 and died on February 20, 1920 in Lisbon. Francisco was born on June 11, 1908 and died on April 4, 1919. They were beatified on May 13, 2000.
Jacinta is patron of prisoners, sick people, and bodily ills.

Day 168 -- Saint Odran

Saint Odran was Saint Patrick's chariot driver. When he spotted an ambush he traded places with Saint Patrick, but never told him why. Saint Odran died -- a death meant for the passenger -- Saint Patrick. He died around the year 452.

DAy 167 -- Saint Bernadette of Lourdes

O God, protector and lover of the humble, You bestowed on Your servant, Bernadette, the favor of the vision of Our Lady, the Immaculate Virgin Mary, and of speech with her. Grant that we may deserve to behold You in heaven. Amen.

Saint Bernadette of Lourdes was the oldest of six children and grew up very poor. She was born on January 7, 1844 in Lourdes, France. When she was 12 to 14 years old she was hired out as a servant. She also worked as a shepherdess. Around the time of her first Communion, on February 11, 1858, she received a vision of the Virgin Mary. She received 17 more in the next five months and was led to a spring of healing waters. She moved into the house with the Sisters of Nevers learned to read and write. They cared for the sick and at age 22, Bernadette entered their order. She was very often sick herself. She died with a prayer for Mary's aid. Since the appearances of Mary to Bernadette more than 200 million people have visited the shrine of Lourdes. She died on April 16, 1879. Her body is incorrupt and her sisters covered the body in wax and it is on display in Nevers. She was canonized on December 8, 1933. Her name means "brave as a bear."

"I must die to myself continually and accept trials without complaining. I work, I suffer and I love with no other witness than his heart. Anyone who is not prepared to suffer all for the Beloved and to do his will in all things is not worthy of the sweet name of Friend, for here below, Love without suffering does not exist."

Day 166 -- Saint Alexis Falconieri

When Pope Benedict XI approved the Order of Servants of Mary in 1304, Saint Alexis Falconieri was the last of the seven founders still alive. Alexis came from a wealthy Florentine family. He joined the Laudesi, also known as the Praisers of Mary, a confraternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Florence around 1225. It was while in this group that he met the others who founded the Servite Order. He received a vision of Mary on August 15, 1233. The other members of the Laudesi were ordained, but he felt unworthy, so he remained a lay brother and he worked to make sure the community was set with all material and financial requirements. He often begged on the streets. He died on February 17, 1310 in Monte Sennario, Italy. He and the six other founders were canonized on January 15, 1887 by Pope Leo XIII.

Day 165 -- Blessed Joseph Allamano

Blessed Joseph Allamano was born on January 21, 1851 in Asti, Italy. His uncle was Saint John Cafasso. He studied at the Salesian Oratory and Saint John Bosco was one of his spiritual directors. He entered the seminary in 1866 and was ordained in 1873. He ended up becoming the spiritual director of the Turin seminary. He was then appointed rector of the Consolata Shrine in 1880. He remolded the shrine and it brought forth spiritual renewal for the entire diocese. In 1901 he founded the Consolata Missionary Priests and Brothers. Their first missionaries went to Kenya in 1902. In 1910 he founded the Consolata Missionary Sisters for women with a missionary vocation. He died of natural causes on February 16, 1926 in Turin. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on October 7, 1990 and awaits canonization.

Here is information about the Consolata Shrine.
Here is information about the two orders he founded: sisters and brothers

Day 164 -- Saint Claude de la Colombiere

If FAO Schwartz needed a patron saint, he might have turned to Saint Claude de la Colombiere who is the patron saint of toy makers. He was born to French nobility on February 2, 1641. At an early life he felt called to religious life. He was educated by the Jesuits. When he was ordained he taught humanities, then was a tutor. He preached against Jansenism, advocating for dedication to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He was the spiritual director of Saint Margaret Mary of Alocoque. There were rumors against the king, so he was imprisoned. He was spared martyrdom and was banished to England, but by then he was in poor health form being in prison. He is considered a "dry" martyr since he suffered every abuse for the faith except death. He died on February 15, 1682. He was canonized on May 31, 1992.

Despair Prayer
Lord, I am in this world to show Your mercy to others. Other people will glorify You by making visible the power of Your grace by their fidelity and constancy to You. For my part I will glorify You by making known how good You are to sinners, that Your mercy is boundless and that no sinner no matter how great his offenses should have reason to despair of pardon. If I have grievously offended You, My Redeemer, let me not offend You even more by thinking that You are not kind enough to pardon Me. Amen.

~Saint Claude de la Colombiere

Day 163 -- Saint Valentine of Rome

Even though today Catholics celebrate the feast day of Saints Cyril and Methodius, I chose who write about Saint Valentine. Saint Valentine was a priest in Rome and possibly a bishop from the 3rd century. He was imprisoned and while he was there, he converted the jailer by restoring sight to the jailer's daughter.

There are many theories about the origins of Valentine's Day celebrations of love. One is the boys drew the names of girls in honor of the fertility goddess, Februata Juno. Another is that by 1477 in England, lovers associated with the feast because “every bird chooses him a mate” on that day. The custom of men and women writing love letters to their Valentine started on this day as well. Another is to pin a bay leaf on your pillow on February 13 and in your dreams you will see your mate.

Saint Valentine is patron of many things regarding love: engaged couples, happy marriages, lovers, but also of young people, travelers, bee keepers, and against epilepsy and fainting.

May all of us find the love we are searching for in our hearts.

Day 162 -- Blessed Archangela Girlani

Blessed Archangela Girlani was born in 1460 as Eleanor Girlani in Trino, Italy. From an early age she was drawn to religious life and she planned to become a Benedictine nun. But when she left for the convent, her horse refused to move. She took this as a sign and joined the Carmelites in Parma, Italy in 1478 and took the name Archangela. She became prioress in Parma. She had a special devotion to the Holy Trinity and had the gifts of ecstasy, levitation, and miracles. She died on January 25, 1495 in Mantua, Italy of natural causes. She was beatified on October 1, 1864 by Pope Pius X.

Father in heaven, you gave the virgin Blessed Archangela Girlani particular dedication to the mystery of the eternal Trinity. Through her prayers may we taste the delights of your glory already here on earth, and look upon you for ever in heaven. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.

from the Carmelite Proper of the Liturgy of the Hours, 1993

Day 161 -- Saint Julian the Hospitaller

Saint Julian the Hospitaller was a noble layman, friend and counselor to the king, and he married a wealthy widow. His parents came to visit and his wife gave them their bed, and thinking it was his wife and another man in his bed, he killed his parents. For his penance, he and his wife traveled to Rome seeking absolution. On his way home, he built a hospice by a river and cared for the sick and poor. He helped many travelers and gave up his own bed for a leper who nearly froze to death.

His is the patron of boatmen, carnival workers, childless people, circus workers, clowns, ferrymen, fiddlers, fiddle players, hospitallers, hotel-keepers, hunters, innkeepers, jugglers, knights, murderers, pilgrims, shepherds, to obtain lodging while traveling, travelers, and wandering musicians.

Day 160 -- Blessed Helwisa

Blessed Helwisa lived in Normandy, France as a recluse. She never joined the Benedictine Abbey that was nearby, but she lived under its direction. She died around the year 1065.

Day 159 -- Saint Scholastica

It is very appropriate that today I would write a saint whose name means "she who has leisure to devote to study." I met with my thesis advisor today and he said I am DONE! (with the exception of doing 2 more small things to it). Today we learn about Saint Scholastica. She was born around the year 480 and her twin brother was Saint Benedict. They were born to Italian nobility and her mother died while in childbirth. She became a nun and led a community of women at Plombariola. She died in 543 of natural causes. From his cell, Saint Benedict had a vision of her soul flying to heaven in the form of a dove.

Below is a reading from Pope Saint Gregory the Great about Saint Scholastica.

"Scholastica, the sister of Saint Benedict, had been consecrated to God from her earliest years. She was accustomed to visiting her brother once a year. He would come down to meet her at a place on the monastery property, not far outside the gate. One day she came as usual and her saintly brother went with some of his disciples; they spent the whole day praising God and talking of sacred things. As night fell they had supper together. Their spiritual conversation went on and the hour grew late. The holy nun said to her brother, “Please do not leave me tonight; let us go on until morning talking about the delights of the spiritual life.” “Sister,” he replied, “What are you saying? I simply cannot stay outside my cell.” When she heard her brother refuse her request, the holy woman joined her hands on the table, laid her head on them and began to pray. As she raised her head from the table, there were such brilliant flashes of lightning, such great peals of thunder and such a heavy downpour of rain that neither Benedict nor his brethren could stir across the threshold of the place where they had been seated. Sadly, he began to complain. “May God forgive you, sister. What have you done?” “Well, she answered, “I asked you and you would not listen; so I asked my God and he did listen. So now go off, if you can, leave me and return to your monastery.” So it came about that they stayed awake the whole night, engrossed in their conversation about the spiritual life. Three days later, Benedict was in his cell. Looking up to the sky, he saw his sister’s soul leave her body in the form of a dove, and fly up to the secret places of heaven. Rejoicing in her great glory, he thanked almighty God with hymns and words of praise. He then sent his brethren to bring her body to the monastery and lay it in the tomb he had prepared for himself." - from Dialogues

Day 158 -- Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich

Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich was born on September 8, 1774 in Westphalia, Germany to poor but pious parents. She suffered as a child with poor health. She worked on the family farm and as a seamstress and servant to an organist where she studied to play. She entered the Augustinian convent in 1802. Even though her health was poor, she had great enthusiasm for religious life and energized her sisters. Her convent closed by the government in 1812 and she moved in with a poor widow. As her health continued to fail, her visions increased and in 1813 she received the stigmata on her hands and feet and on her head the crown of thorns. She lived off nothing but Holy Communion for the rest of her life.

In 181 she was relieved of the stigmata and the following year the government opened their own investigation and she was imprisoned, threatened and kept until 24-hour-a-day surveillance. They found no evidence either way, so they gave up, and when they were forced to report they could not explain why they did not publish their findings.

She died on February 9, 1824. There were rumors that her body was stolen, so her grave was opened six weeks after hear death and her body was incorrupt.

Her cause for canonization was formally introduced in 1892, but due to accusations about her vow of chastity, the investigation was but on hold until 1928. They were proven false and the investigation resumed in 1973. She was beatified on October 3, 2004 and awaits canonization.

"The Church is the only one, the Roman Catholic! And if there were left upon earth but one Catholic, he would be the one, universal Church, the Catholic Church, the Church of Jesus Christ against which the gates of Hell shall never prevail."

Day 157 -- Saint Josephine Bakhita

"Mary protected me even before I knew her!"

I first heard about Saint Josephine Bakhita when I read Pope Benedict's encyclical Spe Salvi (Saved in Hope) and Msgr. Chris mentioned her in his homily recently.

Saint Josephine Bakhita was born to a wealthy Sudanese family, in Darfur, in 1868, but then she was kidnapped by slave-traders at 9 years old and given the name Bakhita (lucky) by them. She was sold and resold in the markets. Then she was finally puchased in 1883 by Callisto Legani, and Italian consul who planned to free her. She went to Italy in 1885 and worked as a nanny and was treated very well and grew to love Italy. She joined the Catholic Church on January 9, 1890 and to symbolize her new life she took the name of Josephine.

She entered the Institute of Canossian Daughters of Charity in Italy in 1893 and took her vows on December 8, 1896 in Verona, Italy. She served as a Canossian Sister for the next 50 years. She had a gentle presence and a warm voice which brought comfort to the poor and suffering who came to the door of the Institute. A biography of her was written in 1930 and many people wanted her to perform at speaking engagements, which raised funds to support missions. She died on February 8, 1947 of natural causes in Italy. She was canonized on October 1, 2000 in Rome by Pope John Paul II: "Rejoice, all of Africa! Bakhita has come back to you: the daughter of the Sudan, sold into slavery as a living piece of merchandise, and yet still free: free with the freedom of the saints." She is the only saint originally from Sudan. She is the patron saint of her native country. She is such an example of love and trust in the Lord.

PRAYER

O Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we thank you for the gifts of humility and charity which you bestowed on Saint Josephine Bakhita Deign to glorify her for her singular virtues and grant the prayers of those who invoke her. Amen.

I thought these were great quotes from Saint Josephine Bakhita:

If I were to meet the slave-traders who kidnapped me and even those who tortured me, I would kneel and kiss their hands, for if that did not happen, I would not be a Christian and Religious today.

The Lord has loved me so much: we must love everyone… we must be compassionate!

I can truly say that it was a miracle I did not die, because the Lord has destined me for greater things.

Day 156 -- Blessed Eugenie Smet

I wanted to learn more about Blessed Eugenie Smet because I thought she did interesting work--she felt called to make charity acts on behalf of the souls in purgatory. Blessed Eugenie was born on March 25, 1825 in Lille, France. She was friends with Saint John Vianney. She founded the Society of Helpers of the Holy Souls in Paris on January 19, 1856. The Society continues its missionary work today in 22 countries. She died on February 7, 1871 in Paris of cancer. She was beatified on May 26, 1957 in Rome by Pope Pius XII. She is one of the many patrons of people rejected by religious orders.


"If one of our friends was imprisoned in a house of fire, how we should rush to her help. Then think how we should try to deliver the souls in Purgatory."

Day 155 -- Saint Paul Miki

Saint Paul Miki was born in 1562 in Japan to a wealthy, military family. He felt called to religious life in his youth and he joined the Jesuits in 1580. Politics made Christianity hostile, but he decided to continue his ministry, and he was arrested. He and other Christians, fellow martyrs, were imprisoned and marched 600 miles. They were abused but they sang Te Deum on the way. His last sermon was given from the cross. He was crucified on February 5, 1597 in Nagasaki, Japan. He was canonized on June 8, 1862 by Pope Pius IX.

Here is Mozart's version of Te Deum.

"The only reason for my being killed is that I have taught the doctrine of Christ. I thank God it is for this reason that I die. I believe that I am telling the truth before I die. I know you believe me and I want to say to you all once again: Ask Christ to help you become happy. I obey Christ. After Christ's example, I forgive my persecutors. I do not hate them. I ask God to have pity on all, and I hope my blood will fall on my fellow men as a fruitful rain."

Day 154 -- Saint Agatha of Sicily

We may be familiar with today's saint: Saint Agatha of Sicily (not to be confused with Saint Agatha of Hildegard of Carinthia who's feast day we also honor today). Saint Agatha was born in prison in either Catania or Palermo, Sicily (sources vary) and little reliable information is available about this martyr from the 3rd century. Her name means 'good' and is included in the canon of the Mass. When she was still young, Saint Agatha consecrated her life to God. During edicts against Christians, Saint Agatha was handed over to a brothel, but she refused to accept customers. When she rejected Quinctianus’s advances, she was beaten, imprisoned, tortured and her breasts where crushed and cut off. She told the judge “Cruel man, have you forgotten your mother and the breast that nourished you, that you dare to mutilate me this way?” One version is that Saint Peter healed her. She was imprisoned again and rolled on hot coals. When she was near death, and earthquake struck. After the earthquake the magistrate fled and she thanked God for an end to her pain and she died around the year 250 in Catania, Sicily.

"Jesus Christ, Lord of all, You see my heart, You know my desired. Possess all that I am. I am Your sheep; make me worthy to overcome the devil"

"Lord, my creator, you have protected me since I was in the cradle. You have taken me from the love of the world and given me patience to suffer. Now receive my spirit."

PRAYER
Dear Virgin and Martyr, whom the Church recalls in her liturgy, you heroically resisted the temptations of a degenerate ruler. Subjected to long and horrible tortures, you remained faithful to your heavenly Spouse. Saint Peter, we are told, gave you some solace and so you are invoked by nurses. Encourage them to see Christ in the sick and to render true service to them. Amen.

Day 153 -- Saint Andrew Corsini

Today's saint is a patron against civil disorder and against riots. In times like these, when there is chaos and disorder in so many of our countries I think we should pray fervently to Saint Andrew Corsini. Saint Andrew was born in Florence, Italy in 1302 and became a Carmelite in Florence. He studied in Paris and Avignon. He became bishop of Fiesole, Italy on October 13, 1349. He had the gift of prophecy and miracles and he was a peacemaker between quarreling Italian houses. He died on January 6, 1374 in Fiesole and his relics are in Florence. He was canonized on April 29, 1629 by Pope Urban VIII.

Day 152 -- Saint Blaise

So who is going to get their throat blessed today? Today we celebrate the feast day of Saint Blaise and he is the patron saint against throat diseases. He got this affiliation because he saved a young boy who was choking on a fish bone. So today people have their throats blessed, using the prayer below, to help fight off aliments of the throats. After being thrown into a lake to drown, Saint Blaise stood there and asked his persecutors to come out there to prove the power of their pagan gods, but they drowned. He as a bishop He died a violent death around the year 316. He is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers.


BLESSING
Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, may God deliver you from ailments of the throat and from every other evil. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

PRAYER
O glorious Saint Blase, who by thy martyrdom didst leave to the Church a precious witness to the faith, obtain for us the grace to preserve within ourselves this divine gift, and to defend, without human respect, both by word and example, the truth of that same faith, which is so wickedly attacked and slandered in these our times. Thou who didst miraculously restore a little child when it was at the point of death by reason of an affliction of the throat, grant us thy mighty protection in like misfortunes; and, above all, obtain for us the grace of Christian mortification together with a faithful observance of the precepts of the Church, which may keep us from offending Almighty God. Amen.

Day 151 -- Blessed Andrea Carlo Ferrari

Today we celebrate the Presentation of the Lord, World Day of Consecrated Life, and some saints feast days. Today I have chosen to learn about Blessed Andrea Carlo Ferrari who was born in Pratopiano, Italy on August 13, 1850. He was educated at the seminary for the Diocese of Parma, Italy and was ordained on December 20, 1873. He quickly became coadjutor bishop and then vice-rector of the seminary, including a professor of physics and mathematics. By 1877 he was rector of the seminary. He was bishop of two diocese and was made cardinal on May18, 1894. He chose his middle name as Carlo to honor Saint Charles Borromeo. He participated in the conclave that chose Pope Pius X and Pope Benedict XV. He died in Milan on February 2, 1921 of natural causes. He is buried in the chapel of Virgo Potens, the cathedral of Milan. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on May 10, 1987.

Day 150 -- Saint Brigid of Ireland

Saint Brigid of Ireland was born in County Louth, Ireland around the year 453 to a pagan Scottish king and Christian slave; her mother was baptized by Saint Patrick. Saint Brigid heard Saint Patrick preach. I chose to write about her today because when I was in Ireland in 2003 and I saw the place where Saint Patrick preached.

Saint Brigid did all she could to help those who were hungry and cold. When older, her father arranged a marriage for her, but she refused and she wanted to keep her virginity so she went to Bishop Saint Mel of Ardagh and took first vows. Saint Patrick heard her final vows. She started her first convent around the year 468 with seven nuns and at the invitation of bishops she started other convents all over Ireland. She was a great traveler, and she is the patron of travelers and sailors. She died on February 1, 523 in Kildare, Ireland or natural causes.


I would like the angels of Heaven to be among us.
I would like an abundance of peace.
I would like full vessels of charity.
I would like rich treasures of mercy.
I would like cheerfulness to preside over all.
I would like Jesus to be present.
I would like the three Marys of illustrious renown to be with us.
I would like the friends of Heaven to be gathered around us from all parts.
I would like myself to be a rent payer to the Lord; that I should suffer distress, that he would bestow a good blessing upon me.
I would like a great lake of beer for the King of Kings.
I would like to be watching Heaven’s family drinking it through all eternity.
-Saint Brigid