Day 118 -- Pope Saint Sylvester I

Pope Saint Sylvester I ascended as pope in 314. This was the same time when Emperor Constantine I reigned. He built the Basilica of Saint John Lateran and other churches. He sent legates to the first Counil of Nicea, and was involved in the controversy over Arianism. He died on December 31, 335 in Rome.






THE NICENE CREED
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit
he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died, and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in fulfillment of the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Day 117 -- Saint Ruggero of Canne

Saint Ruggero was born in the 11th century. He was a very pious child and he became a deacon. He then reluctantly became the bishop of Canne at age 30. As legend has it, when he traveled around his Diocese, an eagle flew above him to protect him from the weather, as pictured here. He died on December 30, 1129 and was buried in Canne cathedral. His relics were transferred to Barletta, Italy in the 13th century. He is the patron of that diocese.

Day 116 -- Saint Thomas a Becket

Saint Thomas a Becket was born in London, England on December 21, 1118. He was educated at Merton Priory, Paris. He was a civil and canon lawyer and a soldier and officer. He was ordained on June 2, 1162 and appointed archbishop of Canterbury on June 3, 1162. He opposed the king's interference in ecclesiastical matters, and was exiled several times. Saint Thomas a Becket was murdered on December 29, 1170 in the Cathedral at Canterbury, England. He was canonized only three years later on February 21, 1173 by Pope Alexander III.


"Many are needed to plant and water what has been planted now that the faith has spread so far and there are so many people.... No matter who plants or waters, God gives no harvest unless what is planted is the faith of Peter and unless he agrees to his teachings."

Day 115 -- Holy Innocents

Today the Church honors the holy ones, called the Holy Innocents who died at the hands of Herod after Jesus' birth. We read about that is today's Gospel of Matthew, chapter 2:

When the magi had departed, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said,
“Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt,
and stay there until I tell you.
Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”
Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night
and departed for Egypt.
He stayed there until the death of Herod,
that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled,
Out of Egypt I called my son.

When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi,
he became furious.
He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity
two years old and under,
in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi.
Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:

A voice was heard in Ramah,
sobbing and loud lamentation;
Rachel weeping for her children,
and she would not be consoled,
since they were no more.

PRAYER
Pray that the massacre of the Holy Innocents is not perpetuated with the continued destruction of innocent human life through the sin of abortion. Lord Jesus, source of life, deliver us from all sorrow and pain, darkness and death. Grant that we may see the day when the darkness of abortion may be dispelled by your light. For you are Lord,
for ever and ever. Amen.

The children die for Christ, though they do not know it. The parents mourn for the death of martyrs. The Christ child makes of those as yet unable to speak fit witnesses to himself. But you, Herod, do not know this and are disturbed and furious. While you vent your fury against the child, you are already paying him homage, and do not know it. - Saint Quodvultdeus (d. 450) Sermon on the Holy Innocents

Day 114 -- Saint John the Apostle

"Perfect Love Casts Out Fear."
1 John 4:17

Saint John the Apostle is the patron saint of friendships. I have two particular friends whose friendships has grown deeper and closer this past year and I would like to say a prayer in thanksgiving today to Saint John. Also, Saint John wrote 1 John, and this quote above was the one that I chose when I coordinated the Women's Cursillo Weekend in November 2009.

Saint John was the son of Zebedee and Salome and brother of Saint James the Greater. He was a fisherman. He was a disciple of Saint John the friends with Saint Peter. When Jesus began his public ministry Saint John became a faithful follower and then traveled everywhere with Jesus. He became known as the beloved disciple. He was there at the Last Supper. Saint John was the only one from the Twelve not to leave Jesus in his hour of His Passion, and he stood by at the foot of the cross. While on the cross, Jesus left him in charge of Our Lady and Saint John took her into his home. After hearing of Jesus' resurrection, he was the first person to reach the tomb and when he saw our Risen Lord, he was the first to recognize him.

Saint John was imprisoned with Peter for preaching after Pentecost. Saint John wrote the fourth Gospel, three Epistles, and possibly the Book of Revelation. He survived all of his fellow apostles.

Saint John died around the year 101 in Ephesus (modern Turkey). Once a year his grave gave off a fragrant dust that cured the sick. A church was built was over his tomb, and was later converted to a mosque.


PRAYER
O Glorious Saint John, you were so loved by Jesus that you merited to rest your head upon his breast, and to be left in his place as a son to Mary. Obtain for us an ardent love for Jesus and Mary. Let me be united with them now on earth and forever after in heaven.

Day 113 -- Saint Stephen the Martyr

Yesterday love came down and dwelt among us to stay. Because of this baby, millions have followed him and have given up their lives for him. Let us continually thank God for the gift of our faith and our Catholic identity. Saint Stephen was the first Christian martyr who died around the year 33. We read about him in the Acts of the Apostles and that he was a deacon. While he was preaching the Gospel in the streets, Jews who believed his message to be blasphemous, dragged him outside the city and stoned him to death. In the crowd would later be known to us as Saint Paul the Apostle. Saint Stephen is a witness to us of how we can live better lives each day of evangelization.

"Yesterday we celebrated the birth in time of our eternal King. Today we celebrate the triumphant suffering of his soldier. Yesterday our king, clothed in his robe of flesh, left his place in the virgin’s womb and graciously visited the world. Today his soldier leaves the tabernacle of his body and goes triumphantly to heaven." ~Saint Fulgentius of Ruspe

Day 112 -- Christmas

The word Christmas is derived from Old English: Cristes Maesse, Christ’s Mass.

Below I have some really good quotes about our Savior's birth that I wanted to share with you. Merry Christmas! Remember to Christmas does not end on December 26...it lasts for eight days....share the love and peace that God wants to give to everyone!

The Virgin today brings into the world the Eternal, and the earth offers a cave to the Inaccessible. The angels and shepherds praise Him, and the Magi advance with the star, for You are born for us, little Child, God eternal!-Saint Romanus the Melodist (490-556)

In every child which is born and in every person who lives or dies we see the image of God's glory. We celebrate this glory in every human being, a sign of the living God, an icon of Jesus Christ.- Venerable Pope John Paul II (1920-2005)

‎"And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us and we saw his glory, the glory of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” Matthew 1

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2

Day 111 -- Saint Emiliana of Rome

I chose today's saint because Emiliana of Rome is one of the patrons of single laywomen and that is what I am and today is my birthday! There is a whole list of patron saints of single laywomen and I should really pray to them more as I continue to figure out God's plan for my life.

Emiliana was the daughter of the senator of Gordian and Saint Silvia of Rome. Other saints were also in her family: her sister was Saint Trasilla and the paternal aunt of Pope Saint Gregory the Great and the niece of Pope Saint Felix III. She spent so much time kneeling in prayer that her knees and elbows were locked from arthritis in that position. She and her sister lived as hermits in their father's house until Thrasilla's death. She received a vision from her recently deceased sister inviting her to depart from the vale of tears and Emiliana died a few days later. Her relics are in the Oratory of Saint Andrew on the Celian Hill in Rome.

Day 110 -- Saint John of Kanty

Saint John of Kanty was born on June 23, 1390 in Kanty, Poland. He was brilliant and studied at the University of Krakow; he became a priest and a professor of theology at the University of Krakow. He was falsely accused and ousted by university rivals and at age 41 he was assigned as a parish priest in Bohemia, but was terrified of this new position, even though he took it very seriously and he did his best. It took his parishioners a long time to warm up to him, but eventually they did and he won their hearts. After several years in the parish he returned to Krakow and taught Scripture for the rest of his life.

He slept very little, ate no meat, and was a humble man. He made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and wanted to be martyred by the Turks. He made four pilgrimages to Rome and he carried his luggage on his back.

He died on December 24, 1473 on Krakow of natural causes. He was so well loved that veneration began immediately. His doctoral gown was worn for years by graduates receiving advanced degrees on the University of Krakow. He was declared the patron saint of Poland and Lithuania in 1737, thirty years before his canonization; he was canonized in 1767.

"Fight all error, but do it with good humor, patience, kindness, and love. Harshness will damage your own soul and spoil the best cause."

Day 109 -- Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini

"We must pray without tiring, for the salvation of mankind does not depend on material success; nor on sciences that cloud the intellect. Neither does it depend on arms and human industries, but on Jesus alone."

Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini is one of my favorite saints, I guess because she was the first citizen of the USA to be canonized and she is from Italy. She did so much to pioneer for women and children. She was one of thirteen children who were raised on a farm. She was born on July 15, 1850 in Lombardy, Italy. She received her education from a convent as a teacher. She tried to join that order at 18 but due to her poor health she was unable. She was asked to teach at a local girl's school and did for six years. She did end up taking religious vows in 1877 and continued to work in that orphanage until it closed in 1880. Her bishop asked her to found the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart which would care for poor children in schools and hospitals. Pope Leo XIII then sent her to the United States to carry on this mission.

She and six Sisters arrived in New York in 1889. They worked with the immigrants, especially Italians. Mother Cabrini founded 67 institutions including schools, hospitals, and orphanages in the USA, Europe, and South America. She became a United States citizen. She died on December 22, 1917 in Chicago of malaria. She was beatified on November 13, 1938 with the miracle of sight restored to a child who had been blinded due to excess silver nitrate in the eyes. She was canonized on July 7, 1946 and that miracle was the healing of a terminally ill nun.

When I went with a friend to see the Sisters in America display at Ellis Island they had a display about Mother Cabrini and all her work that she did in the USA. I find it amazing that her bishop asked her to found a religious order and then the pope sent her to the USA.

PRAYER
O God, through the work of Saint Frances Cabrini You brought comfort and love to the immigrants and those in need. Mary her example and work be continued in the lives of those dedicated to You. Amen.

Day 108 -- Saint Peter Canisius

Saint Peter Canisius was a very busy person and he said "If you have too much to do, with God’s help you will find time to do it all."

Saint Peter was born in the Netherlands on May 8, 1521. His father died soon after Peter was born. He studied in Cologne by studying art, civil law, and theology. He was an excellent students and received a master's degree by age 19. He joined the Jesuits on May 8, 1543 (a birthday present to himself?). He helped to found the first Jesuit house in Cologne. He was ordained in 1546. He worked and traveled with Saint Ignatius of Loyola who was his spiritual director in Rome. He received a doctorate of theology in 1549. He began teaching and preaching and worked in hospitals and prisons. During Mass one day he received a vision from the Sacred Heart of Jesus and he then offered his work to the Sacred Heart. He lead the Counter-Reformation in Germany, Austria, Bohemia, and Switzerland and his work led to the return of Catholicism in Germany. His catechism went through 200 editions in his lifetime and was translates in 12 languages. He gave an address at the Council of Trent on the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. He received a message from Saint Nicholas of Myra to stop travelling and he stayed in Fribourg, Switzerland. He taught, preached, and edited books and support the Catholic press and printers. He was friends with Saint Francis de Sales and Saint Charles Borromeo. He died on December 21, 1597 of natural causes. His relics are in the Church of Saint Michael at the Jesuit College in Fribourg. He was proclaimed a doctor of the Church in 1925 by Pope Pius XI.

Day 107 -- Blessed Peter Massalenus

So I have been writing this blog for 107 days now and usually there is a saint whose story is impressive even though he or she is not on the liturgical calendar as a feast day when celebrating Mass. Today all the saints had very short biographies, so I chose Blessed Peter Massalenus. I chose him becuase he was a layman, which is a vocation and something that I continue to struggle with on an almost daily basis, but the Lord has put extraordinary people in my life to remind me that I am loved. Peter was born in 1375 in Othoca, Sardinia and as a layman, Peter made several pilgrimages to the Holy Land and then he became a Camaldolese Benedictine monk in Venice, Italy. He was known for his gift of mystical contemplation. He died in 1453 in Venice, Italy.

Day 106 -- Saint Pope Saint Anastasius I

Not much is known about our saint today and it is remarkable that after 1,500 years we even know what we do. Saint Pope Anastasius I was born in Rome and was a pious youth and did not care for material things as an adult. When he was ascended to the papacy in year 399 on November 27 he was immediately involved in the turmoil that resulted from the heretical writings of Origen. He convened a synod to condemn his works. He found against the heresy of Donatism. He was friends with Saint Augustine of Hippo, Saint Jerome, and Saint Paulinus of Nola. He died in the year 402 of natural causes.

Day 105 -- Saint Flannan of Killaloe

Saint Flannan of Killaloe was the son of an Irish chieftain born in the 7th century. He was the student of Saint Molua. He didn't have the support from his family but he became a monk anyway. He was a missionary monk in Ireland and Scotland. He was the first bishop of Killaloe who was consecrated by Pope John IV when he made a pilgrimage to Rome. He was was a very persuasive preacher that his own father gave up his life as a chieftain and became a monk as well.

He is the patron saint of the Diocese of Killaloe, Ireland.

Day 104 -- Saint Olympias

Today's saint, Saint Olympias, I believe was a pioneer for women religious communities. She was born to a wealthy and noble family in Constantinople in the 4th century. She was orphaned as a child. She married Nebridius, but was widowed and then refused the several other offers she had for marriage and she devoted her life to the Church. She was a deaconess and led a non-cloistered group of prayerful women in her home. She devoted herself to charity and built a hospital and orphanage. She was close friends with Saint John Chrysostom and he even told her she was over doing it with so much charity. In 404, because she supported Saint John, she was persecuted, her community disbanded and her house was seized and sold. She spent the rest of her days in exile in Nicomedia. She died less than a year after Saint John died on July 25, 408 after a long illness.

Day 103 -- Blessed Mary Fontanella

Blessed Mary Fontanella must have had a strong urge to know what the Lord wanted of her. She joined the Cistercians at age 12 in the year 1673. Unfortunately her father died soon after she entered and she had to return home to help with her family. Four years later she joined the Carmelites in Turin, Italy, over protests of her family. She was the victim of many attacks. She was a visionary and mystic. At age 33 she became the novice mistress in 1691 and became prioress in 1694. She founded a Carmelite monastery at Moncaglieri. She had a strong devotion to Saint Joseph. She died on December 16, 1717 of natural causes. She was beatified in 1865 and has not been canonized yet.

I pray I can continue to hear the Lord's voice and act with courage.

Day 102 -- Blessed Mary Frances Schervier

When there is not a saint on the liturgical calendar to celebrate, I seem to be drawn to women who lived closer to my time. Blessed Mary Frances Schervier was born January 3, 1819 in Aachen, Germany (my Grama's birthday is January 3). I am inspired about those who hear the voice of the Lord and respond....they are so courageous!

After the death of her mother and two older sisters from tuberculosis, Blessed Mary Frances had to run the household. She had a reputation for generosity to the poor. In 1844 she became a Secular Franciscan and a year later she and four companions established a religious community devoted to caring for the poor. This group, Sisters of the Poor of Saint Francis, approved by their bishop on July 2, 1851.

They established their first community in the United States in 1858 and Mother Frances visited in 1863. Her sisters were helping wounded soldiers from the Civil War. She visited the USA again five years later and encouraged Philip Hoever in his establishment of the Brothers of the Poor of Saint Francis, and they oversaw the foundation of several hospitals.

Mother Frances was cured of asthma when she made a pilgrimage to the healing waters of Lourdes in 1870. When Mother Frances died on December 14, 1876, there were 2,500 members of her community worldwide and their numbers continue to grow as they open and operate hospitals and homes for the aged.

She was beatified in 1974 by Pope Paul VI and awaits canonization.


"You are my friends if you do what I command you.... I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another." (John 15:14,17) If we do this faithfully and zealously, we will experience the truth of the words of our father Saint Francis who says that love lightens all difficulties and sweetens all bitterness. We will likewise partake of the blessing which Saint Francis promised to all his children, both present and future, after having admonished them to love one another even as he had loved them and continues to love them.
-Mother Frances, writing to her sisters in 1868

Day 101 -- Saint John of the Cross

"Live in the world as if only God and your soul were in it; then your heart will never be made captive by any earthly thing."

In the words of my brother yesterday on the 100th day of my blog..."I have not done anything for 100 days straight." Writing this blog everyday has given me much joy and brought me closer to the Lord and to so many holy men and women.

Today we will learn about Saint John of the Cross. He was born into poverty on June 24, 1542 in Fontiveros, Spain. He became a Carmelite lay brother in 1563 and he lived more strictly than the Rule required. He was ordained a Carmelite priest in 1567 at age 25. He was friends with Saint Teresa of Avila. He was the master of the novices, spiritual director and confessor of Saint Teresa's convent. Saint Teresa persuaded him to begin the Discalced (barefoot) reform within the Carmelite Order, and he took the name John of the Cross. His reforms did not sit will with some of his brothers and he was ordered to return to Medina de Campo, but he refused and was imprisoned in Toledo,; he escaped nine months later. Eventually his reforms did revitalize the Order. He died on December 14, 1591 in Andalusia, Spain; his relics are in Segovia, Spain. He was canonized on December 27, 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII. He was a great contemplative and spiritual writer and was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XI on August 1926.

He is the author of Dark Night of the Soul. He is one of the patron saints of World Youth Day 2011.

"In giving us His Son, His only Word, He spoke everything to us at once in this sole Word -- and He has no more to say, because what he spoke before to the prophets in parts, he has now spoken all at once by giving us the All Who is His Son."

Day 100 -- Saint Lucy

"Those whose hearts are pure are temples of the Holy Spirit."

I have been fascinated by Saint Lucy for many years. We have a statue of Saint Lucy in our parish, similar to the one to the left here.

Saint Lucy was born around 283 in Syracuse, Sicily. Her name means bringer of light. She was raised in a pious family of Greek ancestry and she vowed her life to Christ. Her father died when she was young and her mother arranged for her marriage, but for three years she was able to hold off on the marriage. Saint Lucy had to change her mother's mind and she prayed at the tomb of Saint Agatha and her mother's hemorrhage was cured. Saint Lucy's mother agreed with her for her desire to live for God. This is how she became known as patron of people with hemorrhages.

Since her bridegroom was pagan, he denounced Lucy's love for Christ to the governor of Sicily and the governor sentenced her into forced prostitution, but when the guards came to get her they could not move her. So the governor ordered that she be killed. She was tortured and even had her eyes torn out. She was surrounded by fire wood, but when lit, the fire went out. She eventually was martyred by being stabbed in the throat in the year 304 in Syracuse, Sicily and her relics are throughout Europe. Her name is listed in the prayer “Nobis quoque peccatoribus” (though we are sinners) in the Canon of the Mass.

She is also the patron of those with eye ailments because legend says her eyesight was restored before her death.


I particularly liked this prayer to Saint Lucy:
Saint Lucy, you did not hide your light under a basket, but let it shine for the whole world, for all the centuries to see. We may not suffer torture in our lives the way you did, but we are still called to let the light of our Christianity illumine our daily lives. Please help us to have the courage to bring our Christianity into our work, our recreation, our relationships, our conversation -- every corner of our day. Amen.

Day 99 -- Our Lady of Guadalupe

"A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars."
Revelation 12:1

Today we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Over the years, I have come to pray to and love Our Lady more and more. We the Cursillo Community, pray to Our Lady of Guadalupe. And when I was teaching Spanish I made sure I always included a lesson about Our Lady of Guadalupe. The story of Our Lady of Guadalupe is quite amazing.

We learned a little bit about Our Lady and her apparition to Juan Diego the other day when it was his feast day. I particularly love the symbolism of the image. This was the image that was left on Juan Diego's tilma when he dropped roses for the Bishop. This tilma is in the basilica in Mexico. These tilma's would have long deteriorated, after only 15 years, but it is still in existence after 500 years. In 1791 ammonia was spilled on it and caused considerable damage, but it repaired itself with no external help. In 1926 an bomber destroyed the altar but the icon was unharmed.

Our Lady represents the Immaculate Conception--a lone woman with the sun, moon, and stars and an angel under the crescent moon. Upon her head is a crown of twelve stars. Mary's blue-green mantle was the color for the divine couple. She is wearing a belt which is a sign that she was pregnant. Even the stars represent the stars of the Mexican sky.

In 1929 and 1951 photographers found a figure reflected in the Virgin's eyes after inspection they said it's reflection is common found in human eyes; the Purkinje effect. An ophthalmologist, Dr. Jose Aste Tonsmann, later enlarged an image of the Virgin's eyes by 2,500 times and found images of all the witnesses present when the tilma was first revealed before Bishop Zumaragga in 1531. In addition, a small family group of mother, father, and a group of children, in the center of the Virgin's eyes, fourteen persons in all.


"Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish. Am I not here, who is your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish? Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything." -Mary's message to Saint Juan Diego


PRAYER
Our Lady of Guadalupe, mystical rose, intercede for the Church, protect the Holy Father, help all who invoke you in their necessities. Since you are the ever Virgin Mary and Mother of the true God, obtain for us from your most holy Son the Grace of a firm faith and sure hope amid the bitterness of life, as well as an ardent love and the precious gift of final perseverance. Amen.

Day 98 -- Saint María Maravillas de Jesús

"What happiness to die a Carmelite"
Saint Maria's dying words

From a very young age Saint María Maravillas de Jesús had a call to religious life. Her father was a Spanish ambassador to the Vatican and an active supporter of the Church. Saint Maria was baptized when she was eight days old. She was born on November 4, 1891 in Madrid, Spain. She was confirmed in 1896 and received her first Communion in 1902. She entered the Carmelite novitiate in Madrid in 1920 and took final vows on May 30, 1924. She became prioress of the house in 1926 and the house expanded so quickly that Mother Marvillas was sent to found another house in India, which over the years expanded to other Carmels in India. She returned to Spain in 136 in the midst of the Spanish Civil War. She and other Sisters were arrested, relocated to Madrid, and for 14 months was under house arrest and harassment.

From 1939 to 1964 she and other sisters restored and opened new houses around Spain and to unite these houses she founded the Association of Saint Teresa. One Carmel expanded with schools, houses for the poor, community halls. Mother Maraviallas was known for her dedication to prayer, the care for her younger sisters, and commitment to the Rules and spirituality to the Discalced Carmelites. She died on December 11, 1974 in the La Aldehuela monastery Madrid. She was canonized in 2003.

As I read more and more about saints from Spain, I am getting more excited of going there next year for World Youth Day. I went to WYD in 2008 and I of course was excited and had a awesome experience, but this time the feeling is different. I am closer to the Lord and allowing Him to move and act in me. I am more open to His plan and what I will discover about myself during this time and at WYD11.

Day 97 -- Pope Saint Gregory III

Not much is know about the early life of Pope Gregory III. He was the last pope, to date, who was born outside of Europe. He was born in Syria and died on November 28, 741. He was elected the 90th pope by popular demand in 731. He was noted for his learning and virtue, and was known for quoting Scripture often. He called a synod that same year to condemn iconoclasm. Pope Gregory supported the missions of Saint Boniface in Germany.

"Do not shrink, beloved brother, from difficult and protracted journeys in the service of the Christian faith, for it is written that small is the gate and narrow the road that leads on to life."

Day 96 -- Saint Juan Diego

One would think that if the Blessed Virgin Mary were to appear to you it wouldn't take that long to have that person declared a saint. There are 2 things I learn from this statement I just wrote...1. God's timing is not our own and 2. God's timing is not our own. This is the story for today's saint.

Saint Juan Diego (birth name of Cuauhtlatoatzin) was born in 1474 about 15 miles north of modern day Mexico City, Mexico. He was born as an impoverished free man in a class-conscious society. He worked has a field laborer and farmer. He was married but had no children and became a widower in 1529. He became a Christian around the age of 50 after having lived a life as a religious pagan. When he became Christian he took the name Juan Diego.

The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego at Guadalupe on December 9, 1531 leaving to him the image that we know today as Our Lady of Guadalupe. (Her feast day is December 12 and will discuss that apparition then.) Saint Juan Diego died of natural causes on May 30, 1548. He was canonized on July 31, 2002 by Pope John Paul II at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico.

I was fortunate to meet the postulator for the cause of his canonization a few years back when he came to speak about the life of Juan Diego and Our Lady...Msgr. Chavez. He was a delightful man to speak with and his presentation was wonderful.

PRAYER
Blessed Juan, you faced the skepticism and rejection of a bishop and the crowds to bring Mary's message to Mexico. Pray for us that when we are faced with obstacles to our faith we may show that same courage and commitment. Amen.

Day 95 -- Feast of the Immaculate Conception

On this Feast of the Immaculate Conception let us ponder on these words about Mary, our Mother and ask her and her Son Jesus Christ to come into our lives and help us in all our situations of daily life.

"I am the Immaculate Conception," thus Mary, the Mother of God, declared to Bernadette Soubirous after the child repeatedly asked the vision "Madame, will you have the goodness to tell me who you are?" This happened at the Grotto in Lourdes, France on March 25, 1858. It was not a coincidence that it was also the Feast of the Annunciation of Mary.

Bernadette knew that those words had something to do with Our Lady, but she did not know what they meant. And like her, it may seemed strange to many people during that time that Mary should have chosen that name during her last apparition at Lourdes even though the dogma had just been defined by the Church four years earlier. The fact is, Mary's declaration is a heavenly confirmation of the dogma. But there is so much more to the selection of that title.

The Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8. The Immaculate Conception was solemnly defined as a dogma by Pope Pius IX in his constitution Ineffabilis Deus on December 8, 1854. It defines that the Blessed Virgin Mary "in the first instance of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the human race, was preserved and exempt from all stain of original sin."

Everything in Mary was influenced by this great grace and privilege of being preserved from original sin. She is freed from all the evil influences that flow from that sin, and Mary is unique among us all in her perfection, whether natural or supernatural.

The privilege of the Immaculate Conception is very intimately associated with her divine maternity, which in turn is closely associated with her being mother to us all.

Mary's love is pure. And thus, her heart is pure. Or referred to as the Immaculate Heart. From the beginning of her human existence, Mary's heart was humanly perfect as can be, and spiritually full of grace as possible. The Immaculate Heart, as a result of the Immaculate Conception, was strong and never stained by any imperfections or sins. All these so that Mary will be a worthy Mother of Jesus and Mother of all mankind.

As our Blessed Mother, Mary takes us into her heart in a very special way and fully exercises her motherly love over us.

May we all always turn to Mary, our Mother and say that prayer inscribed on the Miraculous Medal, imploring her protection and saluting her Immaculate Conception. It was in 1830 when Mary appeared to Catherine Laboure, a Daughter of Charity, & in the vision, words written in gold were formed in a semi-circle beginning at the right hand of Mary, going over her head, and ending at the height of the left hand. This prayer was some 24 years before the Immaculate Conception was defined as a dogma: O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you.

We praise you, Lord, in this daughter of Israel, Mary, your faithful one and our mother. We pray as she did: may your name be holy; may the hungry be filled and the rich know hunger; may the proud be scattered and the oppressed raised up; may your love be ever with your people. We make our prayer always through Mary’s child; he arose from her the sun of justice, Jesus, who is Lord forever and ever. Amen.

Day 94 -- Saint Ambrose of Milan

But if these beings angels guard you, they do so because they have been summoned by your prayers.

I heard a great homily today about our saint...Saint Ambrose of Milan. He was born into Roman nobility around the year 340 (in present day Germany). He was a poet and a convert Christianity. Before he was even Christian people wanted him to become bishop of Milan. So he was baptized, ordained as a priest and consecrated as bishop. He immediately gave away his wealth to the Church and the poor, both for the good of doing it and as an example of his people he was about to lead. He was a gifted preacher and teacher, and a writer of liturgical hymns. His preaching even helped convert Saint Augustine of Hippo, who Ambrose baptized and brought into the Church. Since he was so well versed in his speaking and preaching, he was given the title of Honey Tongued Doctor and this is why bees and beehives are used in his iconography, which are symbols of wisdom. Therefore among many things he is the patron of bees, beekeepers, wax refiners, etc.

He died on Holy Saturday, April 4, 397 in Milan, Italy of natural causes. His relics are in the basilica of Milan. He was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1298 by Pope Boniface VIII.


Prayer that We May Seek God and Find Him, by Saint Ambrose

Lord, teach me to seek you, and reveal yourself to me when I seek you. For I cannot seek you unless you first teach me, nor find you unless you first reveal yourself to me. Let me seek you in longing and long for you in seeking. Let me find you in love, and love you in finding.

Day 93 -- Saint Nicholas of Myra

To who were you Santa Claus today? I hope I was Santa Claus to my Grama today. I visited her for a little while, helped her get into bed from her wheelchair, talked to her about my days, and watched her roll her eyes at her roommate!

Saint Nicholas of Myra was who we get the term Santa Claus from. He lived in modern day Turkey (Myra, Lycia) in the 4th century. He was a priest, abbot, and bishop. Because of his generosity to the poor, was how he became associated with Santa Claus. One story is that after her heard a local man fell into hard times and was going to sell his daughters into prostitution, Nicholas went during the night and threw three sacks of gold through the window which saved the girls.

He is the patron of children and also of sailors. He was once on a voyage to the Holy Lands and a bad storm kicked up, and he prayed and the storm calmed. He is also the patron of newlyweds, judges, pilgrims, penitent murders, and many cities throughout the world. He died around the year 346 and his relics are in Bari, Italy.

But why do we have to act like "Santa Claus" only one or two days a year? Let's be Santa Clauses every day of the year!

Day 92 -- Saint Christina of Markyate

Today we go back about 1,000 years to find our saint...to the year 1097 when Saint Christina of Markyate was born in Huntingdon, England. She was born to nobility and at age 15 she visited Saint Albans Abbey where to made a private vow of celibacy. Her parents, however, opposed this vow and arranged for her marriage to a man named Berktred. Christina took her case to Bishop Robert Bloet. He initially sided with her, but was later bribed into changing his mind. Christina was betrothed and married against her will and spend the first years of her married life as a prisoner because she did not want to consummate the union.

A hermit named Eadwin came to her aid and she escaped and went to Flamstead where she lived two years with an anchoress named Alfwen. She moved to a hermitage at Markyate in 1118 and became the spiritual student of hermit Blessed Roger of Albans. In 1122, Burktred obtained an annulment. This and the death of Bishop Bloet in 1123 allowed Christina to return to Markyate where she lived the rest of her life.

She had a reputation of holiness and others were attracted to this and her house became a priory of nuns. She was offered the position of abbess in York, but chose to stay at Markyate.

She was a skillful needle worker and she embroidered mitres and sandals for the Pope Adrian IV. She died in 1160 in Markyate.

Day 91 -- Saint Giovanni Calabria

"Be living Gospels."

Not that I don't like to learn about the saints who lived hundreds of years ago, I do, but I like reading about the modern say saints. When I find "my" saint or when he/she finds me, I think he/she will be a modern day saint. Saint Giovanni Calabria was born on October 8, 1873 in Verona, Italy. He was a priest who opened homes for abandoned children throughout Italy. He was the founder of the Congregation of the Poor Servants of Divine Providence. And he was in frequent communication, in Latin, with C.S. Lewis. He died on December 4, 1954 in San Zeno, Italy. He was canonized on April 18, 1999 by Pope John Paul II.

I liked reading about his life for one reason because he lived in Italy his entire life. He was not called to be a missionary. In my action of my Catholic faith, I do not feel like I am called to be a missionary. I feel that I need to "Bloom Where I Was Planted" and I hope and pray I am doing a good job for the Lord.

Day 90 -- Saint Francis Xavier

Francisco de Jaso y Azpilicuta was born on April 7, 1506 in Spanish Navarre. I have often wondered how people when they enter a religious order how they know which name to pick. I often wonder who I would want to pick. Saint Francis Xavier was born of nobility and studied and taught philosophy at the University of Paris, and had planned his career as a professor. But his good friend Saint Ignatius of Loyola convinced him that his talents were to spread the Gospel. Saint Francis was one of the founding Jesuits and was the first Jesuit missionary.

He went to Goa, India he preached in the streets, cared for the sick, and taught the children catechism. He walked through the streets and the kids would run up to him for their studies. He was said to have converted the entire city.

He was a great missionary in India for ten years, the East Indies, and Japan and he baptized more than 40,000 people. He got extremely sea sick, but still went to missionary territory and traveled thousands of miles and most of the time in his bare feet. He had the gift of tongues. He died on December 2, 1552 at Sancian, China of a fever that he caught on a mission journey to China, where he always want to go. He was canonized on March 12, 1622 by Pope Gregory XV.

I need to being to pray to him as he is one of the patrons for World Youth Day 2011. As we approach the new year, I am getting more excited about WYD11 in Spain! I may even be more excited since I attended in '08 and I have expectations, and that was one of the things that was holding me back to make my reservations. I didn't want to compare the two, but I know that will not be the case.


"It is not the actual physical exertion that counts towards a man's progress, nor the nature of the task, but by the spirit of faith with which it is undertaken."


PRAYER
Great Saint Francis, well beloved and full of charity, in union with you I reverently adore the Divine Majesty. I give thanks to God for the singular gifts of grace bestowed on you in life and of glory after death, and I beg of you, with all the affection of my heart, by your powerful intercession, obtain for me the grace to live a holy life and die a holy death. I beg you to obtain for me {mention your petition}. But if what I ask is not for the glory of God and for my well-being, obtain for me, I beseech you, what will more certainly attain these ends. Amen.

Day 89 -- Blessed Maria Angela Astorch

I usually try to make a Liturgical New Year's resolution. This year I have not decided yet, but I have been reading the USCCB's Advent calendar on their website. I have also ordered the Advent book from Magnificat--I hope it comes in soon. If I made decisions easier, I would have had it by now! One thing I have been wanted to learn how to do it pray the Liturgy of the Hours, so maybe I should pray to Blessed Maria Angela Astorch to help me.

Blessed Maria Angela was born on September 1, 1592 in Barcelona, Spain and was raised in a pious family. She entered the Poor Clare Capuchin nuns in Barcelona, Spain on September 16, 1603 and she made her religious profession on September 8, 1609. She was the novice mistress and director of formation. She founded a monastery in Zaragoza, Spain on May 9, 1614 and was made abbess in 1627. She then founded a monastery in Murcia, Spain on June 2, 1645 and she served as an abbess until 1661. She studied the sacred texts a lot in her spare time and the great Church writers, and it was here that she developed a profound understanding of the Breviary. She was a mystic and a visionary who could see and communicate with her guardian angel (hence the picture I have here).

She died on December 2, 1665 in Murcia, Spain. Her relics were damaged during the Spanish Civil War. She was beatified on May 23, 1982 by Pope John Paul II and awaits canonization. Below is a quote from Pope John Paul II from his homily at her beatification:

"From her we can learn to respect the ways of man, and at the same time make men open to the ways of God. She was able to respect the individuality of each person, helping the one concerned ‘to keep in step with God which means something different for each one. In this way, her profound understanding did not become inert tolerance."

Day 88 -- Saint John van Ruysbroeck

Today I prayed for the holy people who come into my life and have helped me learn my relationship with God, others, and myself. At age eleven Saint John van Ruysbroeck moved in with his uncle and was educated by him; his uncle was a priest in Brussels, Belgium. His mother was very pious and entered a convent. Saint John was ordained in 1317 and served as a chaplain for 26 years.

Saint John wrote about false mysticism which was in response to teachings about heresy. However, none of these writings have survived. Some of his writings have survived though including The Book of Supreme Truth and the Adornment of the Spiritual Marriage.

In 1343 Saint John and his uncle retired to a hermitage. The hermitage then attracted like-minded men of Saint John's holiness and wisdom. The group founded a formal community of Augustinian canons on March 13, 1349 and John was the prior. Many people came for spiritual guidance from them, especially Saint John. He had a life of extreme austerity and continued his writing. He lived from 1293 to 1381.

"Where I assert that we are one in God, I must be understood in this sense that we are one in love."