Day 149 -- Saint John Bosco

Saint John Bosco was born as Giovanni Melchior Bosco on August 16, 1815 in Becchi, Italy. His mother is up for canonization (the venerable Margaret Bosco) and his father died when he was only two years old. When he was old enough he began doing odd jobs to support his family. He would put on one act shows that he would see at circuses and carnivals, he would also repeat the homilies that he heard on Sunday.

He was ordained in 1841 and worked as a teacher and helped youth find places they could pray and play. He was a chaplain in a hospice for girls and he helped explain the faith to children. He founded the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) in 1859, they are an order of priests who worked with to educate boys. He also founded the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians in 1872, and Union of Cooperator Salesians in 1875. He died on January 31, 1888 in Turin, Italy of natural causes. He was canonized on April 1, 1934. He is patron of young people.

"Do you want our Lord to give you many graces? Visit him often. Do you want him to give you few graces? Visit him seldom. Visits to the Blessed Sacrament are powerful and indispensable means of overcoming the attacks of the devil. Make frequent visits to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and the devil will be powerless against you."

PRAYER
God of mercy, You called Saint John Bosco to be a father and teacher of the young. Grant that inspired by his ardent charity we may serve You alone and never tire of bringing others to Your Kingdom.

Day 148 -- Saint Hyacintha of Mariscotti

Saint Hyacintha of Mariscotti was born into Italian nobility near Viterbo in 1585. She was educated in a Franciscan convent. She was a Franciscan tertiary who lived very comfortably. When she was ill and her confessor had to bring her communion, he was able to see her rooms for the first time. He was scandalized seeing the kind of life she was living and this priest told her to live more humbly. Hyacintha heeded his advice and became more humble in her dress and food, she did the most menial work in the convent, and even replaced her bed with bare boards. Over the years she developed a special devotion to the suffering of Christ and became an inspiration to the other sisters in the convent. She was the Foundress of the Oblates of Mary and dedicated to working with the aged poor. She died in 1640 and was canonized on May 24, 1807.

I couldn't help but think that he she didn't get sick and her confessor didn't bring her communion her life would not be what it was. Think of the circumstances when your life has changed you for the better. Do you have someone in your life who challenges you to do better and change your life for Christ? If not, find that person!

Day 147 -- Blessed Bronislaw Mickiewicz

So my brother told me today that he did not know that each of the saints I chose to write about, I write on their feast day. So today we will learn a little bit about Blessed Bronislaw Mickiewicz who was the 6th of 11 children; his dad was the mayor of Pruchnik, Poland. Blessed Bronislaw was born on July 19, 1842. By his parents, he was raised in a pious family. He became a seminarian in 1863 and ordained in 1867. He was a parish priest and local parishes and the cathedral and then taught theology at the seminary.

He then joined the Salesians near Turin in 1885 and made his final vows on March 25, 1887. He was a spiritual student of Saint John Bosco. In 1889 he contracted tuberculosis in 1889 and almost died. He returned to Poland in 1892 and served as a parish priest and began an effoert with youth ministry. He started a trade school for poor and orphaned boys and soon he had hundreds of children under his care. Founded the Society of Moderation and Work in 1898 with the youth based on the spiritual of Saint John Bosco. He opened an orphanage and it had over 400 residents. He worked very hard and it took his life. He died at age 69 on January 29, 1912 after a battle of consumption. He was beatified on June 19, 2005 by Pope Benedict XVI in Warsaw, Poland.

"The Church grows only by humiliations. You will do much more by humbling yourself than by preaching.... The lower we go, the more we resemble the Lord Jesus."

Day 146 -- Saint Joseph Freinademetz

Saint Joseph Freinademetz was born in Italy in 1852 but wanted to be Chinese and he even said "I want to be Chinese in heaven." Saint Joseph spoke 7 languages. He ordained in 1875 and joined the Divine Word Missionaries when the congregation was only three years old. He was sent as a missionary to China in 1879 and spent the rest of his life there. He did all he did to be Chinese in order to convert the Chinese.

He worked with the Franciscan missionaries so his group could get acclimated. The bishop of Hong Kong planned to put Father Joseph in charge of the group and later ordain him as bishop; but Father Joseph wanted the bishop to give the honor to someone else. Christians were being persecuted in China. Father Joseph and his co-workers were chase, arrested, and beaten. Father Joseph preached to his attackers while they were beating him; they were so moved and impressed that they left. Father Joseph worked on the roads and missions to preach and teach for the rest of his life. He died on January 28, 1908 in China of tuberculosis and typhus. He was canonized on October 5, 2001 by Pope John Paul II.

"Love is the only language everyone understands."

Day 145 -- Saint Angela Merici

"Disorder in society is the result of disorder in the family."

I did not know much about Saint Angela Merici (other than she was Italian) until I read more about her and wrote my blog for today. She seems to have been a pretty incredible woman, one to model my life after.

She was a Franciscan tertiary at age 15 and she received a vision telling her that she would inspire woman in their vocations. She was born on March 21, 1474 in Desenzano, Italy. She made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and while in Crete she was struck blind. Her friends wanted her to return home, but she insisted and pressed on and visiting shrines with much devotion and enthusiasm. While on the way home, while praying before a crucifix her sight was restored at the same where she had lost it on the way to the Holy Land.

In 1535 along with a group of female students she began what would become the Institute of Saint Ursula (Ursaline Sisters). It was founded to teach children. Her first schools were in Desenazno and Brescia in Italy. She died on January 24, 1540 in Brescia. Her relics are kept there in the Church of Saint Afra and her body is incorrupt.

She is the patroness against bodily ills, illness, death of parents, also of disabled people, handicapped people, physically challenged people, and sick people.

Be sincerely kind to every one according to the words of our Lord: ‘Learn of me, for I am meek and humble of heart.’ Thus you are imitating God, of whom it is said: ‘He has disposed all things pleasantly.’

Day 144 -- Saint Timothy

We have all probably heard of Saint Timothy who Saint Paul wrote to in the first century. His father was a Greek Gentile and his mother Eunice was Jewish. He converted to Christianity by Saint Paul around the year 47. He became a close friend of Saint Paul. He was a missionary and was the head of the Church in Ephesus. You can read more about Saint Paul's letters to Saint Timothy here on the USCCB website. Saint Timothy was martyred in the year 97 for not worshiping Dionysius. He is the patron saint against stomach and intestinal disorders.

Dear Saint, well known for your gentleness, you were a most faithful disciple of Saint Paul, and like him traveled much to bring the Good News to all people. The Letters Paul wrote to you reveal your zeal and inspire us with confidence in you. You too were cast into prison and you too gave your life for Christ. So with confidence we dare to ask, please obtain relief for {name of sufferer}, if it be God’s will. Amen.

Day 143 -- Saint Dwynwen

"Nothing wins hearts like cheerfulness."

Saint Dwynwen was a beautiful and pious daughter of the 5th century Welsh king. A man named Maelon fell in love with her and wanted to marry her, but she was set on becoming a nun. Saint Dwynwen realized that Maelon couldn't help his love for her, she prayed that all loved find happiness and that she never have the desire for marriage. Saint Dwynwen became a nun and lived on Llanddwyn Island. There is a well there and it has become a wishing well and a place of pilgrimage for lovers because of her love story. There are churches in Wales named after her and her feast day has become increasingly popular with cards being sent just as on Valentine's Day. She died around the year 460. In addition to being a patron of lovers, she is also the patron of lovers and sick animals. This patronage came from when women would come to her well, which had an eel in it, and put breadcrumbs on the surface and lay her handkerchief on the water's surface; if the eel distributed the handkerchief her lover would be faithful.

Day 142 -- Our Lady of Tears

Today we celebrate a Marian feast day--Madonna del Pianto (Our Lady of Tears). Even though Roe vs. Wade was passed in the United States on January 22, today January 24 the March for Life in Washington, DC is taking place. They moved the march so the legislative offices will be open. Let us pray with Mary for all those were have been affected by the pain of abortion. And let us pray for safety for all those traveling to Washington, DC to be witnesses to protect the sanctity of life.


"A nation that kills its own children, is a nation without hope." -Pope John Paul II

‎"No one ever has the authority to destroy unborn life." -Pope John Paul II

Day 141 -- Blessed Nikolaus Gross

Blessed Nikolaus Gross was born in Germany on September 30, 1898. He was the father of seven children and was a member of the Christian miners' labor union at age 19. He worked at the Catholic Workers' Movement at age 22 and became the director at age 24. He non-violently opposed Nazism from its beginning. He worked with distinguished Catholic intellectuals who opposed the regime. He worked to expose the lies of the Nazi propaganda. He was declared an enemy of the state and his newspaper was shut down in 1938, but with many risks he continued to publish an underground edition. Nikolaus was arrested on August 12, 1944 for treason and sentenced to death on January 15, 1945. He was executed on January 23, 1945 in a Germany prison. His body was cremated and his ashes were scattered. Pope John Paul II declared the decree of martyrdom in 2001 and was beatified on October 7, 2001 in Rome.

"The majority of great enterprises result from daily fulfillment of one’s duty in small, everyday things. What is valuable in the doing is our special love for the poor and the sick."

Day 140 -- Blessed William Joseph Chaminade

"A true Christian cannot live any life but the life of Our Savior Jesus. When we try to imitate Him the divine plan is carried out in our lives. The Blessed Virgin is our Model. She is a very exact copy of her Son Jesus. When we are devoted to Mary we will imitate Jesus."

I really liked a bunch of the quotes from Blessed William Joseph Chaminade so in addition to a brief biography, I would like to share the quotes.

Blessed William was the second youngest of 15 children born on Aprul 8, 1761 in Perigeux, France. His family was deeply religious and three of his brothers were also priests. He took the name Joseph as his confirmation name and preferred that to William. When he was 10 years old he went to the College of Mussidan (one of his brothers was a professor) and he remained there for 20 years as a student, teacher, and chaplain. He was a priest during the prerscutions and violence against the Church during the French Revolution.

He was exiled to Zaragoza, Spain from 1797 to 1800 and lived near the Shrine of Our Lady of the Pillar and he received a message telling him to be Mary's missionary, to found a society of religious to work with Mary to restore the faith in France. He returned to Bordeaux in November 1800 and founded the Sodalities of Our Lady. The Sodality gathered all Christians -- men, women, young, old, lay, clergy -- to follow Christ unafraid and committed to living and sharing the faith working under the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary. They had a special consecration to Mary and as an outward sign of this fourth vow, they wear a gold ring on their right hand. In the next years, he did much with France and the order. The order grew and they began teaching in schools. They spread to Switzerland and the United States. They established themselves in Dayton, Ohio in 1849 and Somerset, Texas in 1949. Blessed William Joseph died on January 22, 1850 and was beatified by Pope John Paul II on September 3, 2000 in Rome.


"It was Mary who conceived the plan of the Society. It was she who laid its foundations, and she will continue to preserve it."

"Our work is great; it is magnificent. It is universal because we are the missionaries of Mary, She says to us, ‘Do whatever He tells you.’ Yes, we are all missionaries."

"The deposit of the Faith is entirely in Mary. At the foot of the Cross she held the place of the Church."

"The mysteries which were announced to Mary were accomplished because she believed."

"What is a faithful man to do in the chaos of events which seem to swallow him up? He must sustain himself calmly by Faith. Faith will make him adore the eternal plan of God. Faith will assure him that to those who love God all things work together for good."

Day 139 -- Saint Agnes of Rome

"Christ made my soul beautiful with the jewels of grace and virtue. I belong to Him whom the angels serve."

Today's saint, Agnes of Rome is the patron of many things including children, gardeners, chastity, engaged couples, rape victims, Girl Scouts, and virgins. Her name, Agnes, means chaste, lamb, or pure one.

Around the age of 12 she was ordered to sacrifice to pagan gods and lose her virginity by rape. She was taken to a Roman temple to Athena and when led to the altar she made the Sign of the Cross. She was then tortured because she refused to turn against God. Several men presented themselves to marry her, but she said if she did marry it would insult her heavenly Spouse, and that she wanted to keep her consecrated virginity intact, accept death, and see Christ. She was martyred brutally on January 21, 254 or 304 (sources vary) by being beheaded, burned, and stabbed. Saint Agnes of Rome is mentioned in the First Eucharistic prayer. On her feast day two lambs are blessed in her church in Rome and the wool from the lambs are woven into the palliums (bands of while wool) which the pope confers on archbishops as a symbol of their jurisdiction.

Today we must remember the faith and the love for Christ this young girl had to willingly be martyred. She knew this world would come to pass and wanted to live for eternity with her heaving Father. May her love for Christ be an example for us all.


All-powerful and ever-living God, You choose the weak in this world to confound the powerful. When we celebrate the memory of Saint Agnes, may we like her remain constant in our faith. Amen.

Day 138 -- Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi

The birth name of today's saint was Iwemmaduegbunam and that means "let human malice not kill me." He was born in September 1903 in Nigeria. He was one of five children and even though his parents were not Christian, his parents sent him to live with and educated by his Christian uncle. He was baptized on January 7, 1912 and given the name Michael. He was accidentally blinded in his left eye while playing with his schoolmates. He became the headmaster of Saint Joseph's School in 1924 and entered the seminary the following year. He was ordained in 1937 for the archdiocese of Onitsha, Nigeria. He was a parish priest from 1937 to 1950. He traveled on foot for hours to minister to his parishioners. He was noted for working with women who were planning to marry. He traveled to England and became an oblate at the monastery of Mount Saint Bernard. He took the name Brother Cyprian and lived the rest of his life as a Trappist monk in the monastery. Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi died on January 20, 1964. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Oba, Nigeria on March 22, 1998.

"In every success we are right, I think, to take a modest share of joy and satisfaction while leaving the glory to God who is the Principal Author of our good work, we being just the instruments. Like the apostles we learn to rejoice not because of marvelous achievements obtained, but because our names are written in heaven, in the book of life, because God is to be glorified by our efforts."

Day 137 -- Blessed Marcelo Spínola y Maestre

Today we have a saint who was very well educated in the 1800s. Blessed Marcelo Spínola y Maestre was born on January 14, 1835 on the Isle of San Fernando Marcelo Rafael José María de los Dolores Hilario . He was educated at the University of Granada, University of Valencia, and University of Seville. His degrees were in civil and canon law. He graduated on June 29, 1856. He was a lawyer in Helva, Spain and worked for the poor for free. He was ordained on May 2, 1864 in Seville. He served as the Chaplain of the Church de la Merced, Sanlúcar de Barrameda from 1864 to 1869. Over the next twenty years he served as a canon, parish priest, titular bishop, auxiliary bishop, bishop, and archbishop. In 1885 he founded the Order of Slaves of the Divine Heart. He was the senator of the Spanish kingdom twice, 1891 to 1894 and then 1898 to his death in 1906. He was created a cardinal on December 11, 1905, but died before his formal installation. He is buried in the cathedral in Seville. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on March 29, 1987 in Vatican City.

Day 136 -- Saint Jaime Hilario Barbal

I cannot even imagine at 12 years old entering a religious order or a boy entering the seminary, but that is what Saint Jaime Hilario Barbal did. I guess that is why he is a saint! His family was hardworking and pious and grew up near the Pyrenees mountains. He was born on January 2, 1898 in northern Spain as Manuel Barbal Cosan. He entered the seminary at age 12, but he began to loose his hearing in his teens so he was sent home. He joined the Brothers of the Christian Schools at age 19. This is where he took the name Jaime Hilario. He was an exceptional teacher and catechist and believed in universal education, especially for the poor. But his hearing grew worse and in the early 1930s he was forced to retire from teaching and began working in the garden of the house.

When the Spanish Civil War broke out, he was imprisoned in 1936. He was on a prison ship with religious and one January 15, 1937 he was convicted of being a Christian brother. Two rounds from a firing squad did not kill him (it is believed some soldiers intentionally shot wide), bur their commander murdered with five shots in close range. Saint Jaime was the first of 97 LaSalle Brothers killed in Catalunia, Spain during the Spanish Civil War to be recognized as a martyr. He died on January 18, 1937. He was canonized on November 21, 1999 by Pope John Paul II.

Today we must be grateful for our religious freedom in the United States. We can pray without fear and we must take the time to be with our Lord in prayer each day.

I particularly loved this quote from Saint Jaime and that is why I chose to write about him today.
"The day you learn to surrender yourself totally to God, you will discover a new world, just as I am experiencing. You will enjoy a peace and a calm unknown, surpassing even the happiest days of your life."

Day 135 -- Saint Jenaro Sánchez DelGadillo

"I pardon you, and my Father God pardons you,

and long live Christ the King!"

Saint Jenaro Sánchez DelGadillo was born on September 19, 1886 in Jalisco, Mexico. He was a seminarian in Guadalajara, Mexico and was ordained in 1911. He was assigned to several parishes. He cared for his parishioners, especially those who were sick. He had great organization and administrative skills. Anti-religious laws were promulgated, so he began to celebrate Mass in people's homes. He was arrested on January 17, 1927 while preparing to celebrate Mass on a farm. He died on that day by being hanged from a tree in Jalisco, Mexico. His body was left there hanging as a warning. His relics are in Jalisco. He was canonized by Pope John Paul II in Mexico during the Jubilee Year on May 21, 2000.

Day 134 -- Blessed Juana Maria Condesa Lluch

Blessed Juana Maria Condesa Lluch was born on March 30, 1862 in Valencia, Spain. She was born into a wealthy and pious family and she received a good education. She was devoted to the Holy Eucharist and Mary as a child and she felt called to serve. As Juana Maria grew up she developed a deep prayer life and felt called to religious life, in particular to help the factory workers who lived in horrible and dehumanizing conditions that were part of the 19th century industrialization.

She wanted to found a religious congregation, but Cardinal Antolin Monescillo, archbishop of Valencia, initially refused; he said she was too young. But then in 1884 she received permission to open a shelter to provide material and spiritual assistance to the factory workers and their families. Then she was able to open a school for their children and other young women wanted to help her in the work. They formed Congregation of the Handmaids of the Immaculate Conception, Protectress of Workers in Valencia, Spain. They are teachers, spiritual directors, and protectors of the poor, especially young working women. The Congregation received diocesan approval in 1892, temporary papal approval on April 14, 1937, and definitive approval on January 27, 1947. She died on January 16, 1916 in Valencia. She was beatified on March 23, 2003.

Day 133 -- Saint Ita of Killeedy

Saint Ita of Killeedy was born to Irish nobility, maybe even royalty. She refused to marry and eventually she received her father's blessing to live a celibate life. She founded a convent at Hy Conaill in County Limerick and it attracted large numbers of nuns. She also founded a school for boys in Killeedy and one of her students was Saint Brendan. Saint Ita is only second only to Saint Brigid to Irish devotion. There have been many miracles associated with her. She died around the year 570. She is the patron of County Limerick.

Day 132 -- Blessed Alfonsa Clerici

Here is another "blessed" after my own heart. She is Italian and found her vocation after her career as a teacher in college. She also has the birthday of a very dear friend of mine. Blessed Alfonsa Clerici was born on February 14, 1860 in Milan, Italy. She was the oldest of ten children. Her parents were Angelo and Maria Romano Clerici. They were a poor family. Two of her brothers became monks and one sister joined the Sisters of the Precious Blood.

She received her master's degree from the College of the Sisters of the Precious Blood in Monza, Italy. She taught college and during her time as a teacher, Alfonsa felt called to religious life, but she worked in order to support her family, so she continued to teach. She finally answered the Lord's call on August 15, 1883 and joined the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood. While a religious, she continued to teach and was the director of the college in 1898.

She died on January 14, 1930 at 1:30pm in Vercelli, Italy of a cerebral hemorrhage suffered from the night before while in prayer. She was beatified on July 1, 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI. The miracle was the healing of a near-fatal heart condition of Mr Nedo Frosini by the prayers of his wife, Carla Demi Frosini.

Day 131 -- Saint Hilary of Poitiers

Saint Hilary of Poitiers was born into pagan and wealthy nobility. He lived an uneventful early life. He was married and had children (one child is Saint Abra) and he studied. Through his studied he came to believe in salvation through good works. He began studied the Bible for the first time, he became faithful, and converted. He lived the faith well and was bishop of Poitiers from 353 to 368. Since Hilary opposed the emperor's attempt the Church's matter and he was exiled. He used the time to write works explaining the faith. His teachings and writings converted many. He introduced Eastern theology to the Western Church and he fought Arianism. He was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1851.

"But yours it is, Lord, to grant our petitions, to be present when we seek you and to open when we knock. Impart to us, then, the meaning of the words of Scripture and the light to understand it, with reverence for the doctrine and confidence in its truth."

Father, keep us from vain strife of words. Grant to us constant profession of the Truth! Preserve us in a true and undefiled Faith so that we may hold fast to that which we professed when we were baptized in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit - that we may have Thee for our Father, that we may abide in Thy Son and in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Day 130 -- Saint Marguerite Bourgeous

I first heard about the life of Saint Marguerite Bourgeous is when I was on team for the first time and our table partner asked me if we could have her as our table saint. Her granddaughter was receiving her confirmation at the time and chose Saint Marguerite Bourgeous as her confirmation name. Today I will say a prayer for Jan and her granddaughter.

Saint Marguerite Bourgeous was born on April 17, 1620 in Aube, France. She was the sixth of twelve children. Her mother died when she was 19 and she cared for her younger siblings and then her dad died when she was 27. With her siblings raised, she prayed to know what to do with her life. At that time the governor of Montreal was in France and looking for teachers in Canada. He invited Marguerite to come to Montreal to teach religion classes. She agreed and lived in Canada the rest of her life.

Marguerite sailed to Canada in 1653. She began construction on a chapel to honor Our Lady of Good Help and she opened her first school in 1658. The following year she returned to France to recruit more teachers and returned with four. The next year she went back to France and brought back six more teachers. These women became the first sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame. The sisters helped people survive, opened a vocational school, and taught young people how to run a farm. The congregation grew to 18 sisters, 7 of them Canadian. The opened missions and two sisters taught a the Native American mission. Marguerite received the first two Native American women into the congregation.

Mother Marguerite handed over the congregation to her successor in 1693, Marie Barbier, the first Canadian to join the order. The religious rule was approved by the Church in 1698. Marguerite spent her last few years praying and writing an autobiography. On December 31, 1699, one of her young sisters was dying. Mother Marguerite asked the Lord to take her life instead. The morning of January 1, 1700, the sister was completely well and Mother Marguerite had a raging fever. She died 12 days later. She was canonized on October 31, 1982 by Pope John Paul II.

"Our Lady's love is like a stream that has its source in the Eternal Fountains, quenches the thirst of all, can never be drained, and ever flows back to its Source."

Saint Marguerite Bourgeous is the patron saint of:

• against death of parents
• against impoverishment
• against poverty
• people rejected by religious orders
• poor people

Reading about how Saint Marguerite Bourgeous died reminds of a quote I read yesterday. I am reminded that I should not be afraid to ask the Lord for something. He will give you what you need. Here is the quote from Pope Benedict XVI at his World Youth Day address from 2010:
“To discover the plan of life that could make you fully happy, listen to God, who has a plan of love for each one of you with Trust, ask Him: Lord, what is your plan for my life? What is your will? I want to fulfill it. Be sure that He will respond. Do not be afraid of His answer.”

Day 129 -- Saint Francisca Salesia

"Let us establish a permanent Spring season in our heart through ‘yes’ often repeated to all of God’s permissions and wills."

Saint Francisca Salesia was baptized on September 17, 1844 the day after she was born. She was born as Leonia Aviat in Sezanne, France. She was confirmed on July 2, 1856.

She entered religious life on April 11, 1866, she took the veil on October 30, 1868 taking the name of Sister Frances de Sales. She made her final vows on October 11, 1871. With Father Louis Brisson and Mother Marie Therese de Sales Chappuis she founded the Sister Oblates of Saint Francis de Sales in Troyes, France. Their mission was dedicated to helping young women who came to them during the Industrial Revolution. She took the Salesian Rule for the Congregation. She became Superior in 1872 and opened homes and schools for working class girls. Due to religious persecution and anti-religious legislation, she was exiled from France on April 11, 1904. She rebuilt her congregation in Perugia, Italy and the Order was approved by Pope Saint Pius X in 1911.

She died on January 10, 1914 in Perugia of natural causes. She was canonized on November 25, 2001. The miracle for her canonization was from the healing of the paralyzing spinal disease of a 14 year old girl from Philadelphia. Here are words from Pope John Paul II's homily at her beatification: " She dedicated her life to educating young working women. Union with the redemptive sacrifice of Christ by the daily practice of self denial was Mother Francois’s central orientation throughout her life. Her sole desire to be, as she said, ‘God’s little instrument.’”

"May my love unceasingly offer something to my Divine Jesus."

Day 128 -- Blessed Anna of the Angels Monteagudo

I have chosen today's saint, Blessed Anna of the Angels Monteagudo because of where she lived. She was born on July 26, 1602 in Arequipa, Peru. At three years old, her parents, Sebastiàn Monteagudo de la Jara and Francisca Ponce de León, entrusted her to the Dominican monastery of Santa Caterina for her education. She came home at 14 years old and spent one year with her family. In 1618 she wanted to return to the monastery, despite her father's opposition, to join the novitiate. She took the name of Anna de los Angeles. She became a Dominican nun in 1618 and spent almost 70 years in the Dominican monastery in Arequipa. She was the novice mistress for many years and she was the prioress of the monastery of San Caterina de Siena. She lived a life of exemplary prayer and charity, both inside and outside the monastery.

She died in Arequipa on January 10, 1686 after ten years of an illness which made her become paralyzed and blind. She was 84 years old. She was beatified on February 2, 1985 by Pope John Paul II in Arequipa.


Heavenly Father, we thank you for the many graces you bestowed on your servant Ana of the Angels. Through her prayers grant us the favor we now ask, and strength to imitate her shining example of Christian charity. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

Day 127 -- Blessed Tommaso Reggio

Today we celebrate the birthday of priest, Blessed Tommaso Reggio who was born in 1818 in Genoa, Italy. At age 20 he felt called to the priesthood and was ordained on September 18, 1841. By age 25 he was vice-rector of the seminary. He helped to found The Catholic Standard, the first Catholic newspaper. In 1865 the newspaper and 25 other papers supported slates of Catholic candidates in hopes to found a Catholic political party. Unfortunately in 1874, Catholics were told they could not vote, and he closed the newspaper.

In 1877 he became bishop of Ventimiglia. The diocese was so poor that he had to travel on a mule. He opened new parishes and set up teaching programs. He prayed every morning from 3am to 6am. He never let anyone see him worry. He founded the Sisters of Saint Martha in 1878, a congregation devoted to caring for the poor.

He then worked the injured after an earthquake in 1887. He ordered his priests to use all resources possible to help the displaced. He founded orphanages in Ventimiglia and San Remo to house and educate children to lost their families in the earthquake.

In 1892 he asked the Pope to relieve him of his duties and he was appointed in archbishop of Genoa. He died on the afternoon of November 22, 1901 in Imperia, Italy or natural causes. He was beatified on September 3, 2000 by Pope John Paul II.

On his ordination he said:
"I want to become a saint, cost what it may, living my life in accordance with the two cornerstones of Christianity: prayer and ascesis."

Day 126 -- Saint Apollinaris the Apologist

Saint Apollinaris the Apologist died around the year 175. He was a bishop of Phrygia. He was held in high regard by other early saints including Saint Jerome. He wrote in defense of the faith to the Emperor Marcus Aurelius. He reminded the emperor of a miraculous victory resulted from the prayers of Christian soldiers. He also wrote and worked against major heresies of his time. He was a prolific, unfortunately, most of his writing have been lost over the centuries. Here is one quote that has been saved.

"We therefore grossly deceive ourselves in not allotting more time to the study of divine truths. It is not enough barely to believe them, and let our thoughts now and then glance upon them: that knowledge which shows us heaven, will not bring us to the possession of it, and will deserve punishments, not rewards, if it remain slight, weak, and superficial."

Day 125 -- Saint Charles of Sezze

Our saint today Charles of Sezze was born as John Charles Marchioni on October 19, 1613 in Sezze, Italy. His family was poor, but pious and he worked has a shepherd as a child. His family encouraged his vocation to the priesthood, but Charles was a terrible student; he could hardly read or write and had no hope of entering the seminary. He was a Franciscan lay brother at age 22. He was in poor health which prevented him going to foreign missions and he had to do the menial positions as cook, porter, and gardener near Rome. (I don't think that is so bad!)

He worked among plague victims in 1656. Saint Charles wrote mystical works, and at the direction of his confessor, he wrote his autobiography entitled The Grandeurs of the Mercies of God. He had a strong devotion to the Eucharist and the Passion. Saint Charles was sought out for spiritual advice, and while Pope Clement IX was dying he asked for Charles to be at his bedside for a blessing.

"God does not command us to live in hair shirts and chains, or to chastise our flesh with scourges, but to love Him above all things and our neighbor as ourselves."

Day 124 -- Saint Andre Bessette

You may have heard about Saint Andre Bessette recently because he was recently canonized on October 17, 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI. Brother Andre was born as Alfred on August 9, 1845 near Montreal, Canada. He was the 8th of 12 children. His father died in a work-related accident (he was a woodcutter). And his mother died of tuberculosis and at age 12 he was adopted by an uncle and he had to work for his keep. He had various job and at age 25 he applied to join the Congregation of the Holy Cross, but was initially refused, but then gained the backing of Bishop Bourget and was accepted.

Brother Andre had a special ministry to work with the sick. He was known to heal people and many sick people came to his door. His superiors were uneasy, diocesan authorities were suspicious, and doctors called him a quack. He said "I do not cure, Saint Joseph cures." At the end of this life, he was receiving 80,000 letters each year from the sick who sought his prayers and healing.

The devotion to Saint Joseph as an intercessor of those buying or selling a home was started by Brother Andre. For many years the Congregation of the Holy Cross wanted to buy land on Mount Royal, so Brother Andre climbed the steep hill to Mount Royal and planted medals of Saint Joseph. Soon after the owners relented, and that is how the devotion started. Brother Andre collected money to build a chapel; the chapel is still there.

Brother Andre died on January 6, 1937 in Montreal. More than a million people paid their respects at his funeral. His tombstone reads: Pauper, servis a humilis (a poor and humble servant)

PRAYER
Lord our God, friend of the lowly, you gave your servant, St. André Bessette, a great devotion to St. Joseph and a special commitment to the poor and afflicted. Through his intercession help us to follow his example of prayer and love and so come to share with him in your glory. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen. St. André Bessette, pray for us!

Day 123 -- Saint John Nepomucene Neumann

I have only heard about Saint John Neumann from the Seton Neumann Center where I made my Cursillo weekend. Saint John Neumann had an interesting life. He had four sisters and one brother and was named after Saint John Nepomucene. He was born on March 28, 1811 in Bohemia. He was an excellent student and from an early age he felt called to religious life. He entered the seminary, in addition to studying theology, he studied astronomy and botany.

On the day of John's ordination, the bishop was sick and the ordination was not rescheduled because there was an over-abundance of priests, so John decided to go to America to be ordained. He walked almost all the way to France to take a ship to America.

John arrived unannounced in Manhattan in 1836 and Bishop John Dubois was happy to ordain him as there were only 36 priests and 200,000 Catholics in New York and New Jersey. He was ordained on June 28, 1836 and was sent to Buffalo. The parish priest, Father Pax, gave him the option of staying in Buffalo or going to the rural area; John chose the difficult area. He stayed in a small town with an unfinished church and when it was finished he moved to a town with a log church. He build a log cabin for himself, rarely slept, often lived on bread and water, and walked miles to visit the farms. His parishioners were from many counties, but he knew twelve languages, so he was able to work with them all.

He joined the Redemptorists in Pittsburgh in 1840 and took his final vows in Baltimore a year later; he was the first Redemptorist to take final vows in the USA. He was missioned to Maryland, Ohio, and Virginia. He became the superior of the Redemptorists in America in 1847. He was bishop of Philadelphia in 1852.

As bishop, he built 50 churches and began building a cathedral. He also open almost 100 schools and the number of students in Catholic schools grew from 500 to 9,000. He wrote newspaper articles, two catechisms and many works in German. He was the first American man and first American bishop to be canonized. He died on January 5, 1860 of a stroke in Philadelphia. He was canonized on June 19, 1977 by Pope Paul VI.

"A true education aims at the formation of the human person with respect to the good of those societies of which, as a man, he is a member, and in whose responsibilities, as an adult, he will share."

Day 122 -- Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

My saint has not found me yet, but I have always liked Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. I think this is because she was the first saint who was born in the United States to be canonized. I also have a good friend whose parish is Saint Elizabeth Seton and where I made my Cursillo weekend is called the Seton-Neumann Center.

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton was born into a wealthy and influential Episcopalian family on August 28, 1774 in New York City as Elizabeth Ann Bayley. Her father was a doctor and she was raised in New York high society. Her mother died when she was only three years old and her baby sister died a year later. At age 19, in 1794 she married the wealthy businessman William Magee Seton and was the mother of five children.

After ten years of marriage and then William's business failed he soon died on tuberculosis leaving Elizabeth as a widow and the mother of five small children. Four of their five children felt drawn to Catholicism and believing in the Real Presence of the Eucharist and the lineage of Christ and the Apostles. She converted to Catholicism and entered the Church on March 14, 1805. This led the the alienation of many of her Episcopalian family.

In order to support her family and to make sure her children received a proper education, she opened a school in Boston. Even though the school was a private and secular institution, it ran along the lines of a religious community. When the archbishop invited her, she established a Catholic girl's school in Baltimore which initiated the parochial school system in America. In order to run the school system, she founded the Sisters of Charity in 1809 the first American religious community for women.

She died on January 4, 1821 in Emmitsburg, MD of natural causes. She was canonized on September 14, 1975 by Pope Paul VI.


PRAYERS by Saint Elizabeth
O Father, the first rule of Our dear Savior's life was to do Your Will. Let His Will of the present moment be the first rule of our daily life and work, with no other desire but for its most full and complete accomplishment. Help us to follow it faithfully, so that doing what You wish we will be pleasing to You. Amen.

Lord Jesus, Who was born for us in a stable, lived for us a life of pain and sorrow, and died for us upon a cross; say for us in the hour of death, Father, forgive, and to Your Mother, Behold your child. Say to us, This day you shall be with Me in paradise. Dear Savior, leave us not, forsake us not. We thirst for You, Fountain of Living Water. Our days pass quickly along, soon all will be consummated for us. To Your hands we commend our spirits, now and forever. Amen.


"What was the first rule of our dear Savior’s life? You know it was to do his Father’s will. Well, then, the first purpose of our daily work is to do the will of God; secondly, to do it in the manner he wills; and thirdly, to do it because it is his will."

"We must pray without ceasing, in every occurrence and employment of our lives - that prayer which is rather a habit of lifting up the heart to God as in a constant communication with Him."

Day 121 -- Saint Genevieve

When Saint Genevieve she became a religious sister at age 15 after meeting and befriending Saint Genmanus of Auxerre when she was 7 years old. Saint Genevieve wanted to live a life for God. She was able to read consciences and calmed the possessed. She had the gift of prophesy and prophesied invasions and disasters for Paris. When Paris was attacked, she organized prayers for the city. She caused a church to be built on the tomb of Saint Denis. She died in 500 in Paris. In 1129 there was a procession of her relics in Parish and that is believed to have ended an epidemic. Unfortunately her relics were destroyed in 1871.

Day 120 -- Saint Basil the Great

In this new year let us contemplate new things, doing new things, and not just "new year resolutions." I plan on talking to new people, going to new places, and taking my prayer life to new heights with Mary as my model.

Today we honor the life of Saint Basil the Great. He was born in 329 to nobility and a pious family. His mother, father and four of his nine siblings were canonized and he was the grandson of Saint Macrina the Elder! As a child he organized famine relief. He studied in Constantinople and Athens with his friend Saint Gregory Nazianus. He ran a school of oratory and law in Caesarea. He was a great speaker and sought out often to give speeches. He was fearful that when tempted by pride it would overtake his piety, so he sold all he had, gave away the money and became a priest and monk. He founded monasteries and drew up rules for fellow monks living in the desert. He is considered the key to founding eastern monasticism as Saint Benedict of Nursia was to the west. He was bishop of Caesarea and celebrated Mass two times a day. He is a Greek doctor of the Church and Father of the Church. He died on January 1, 379 in Caesarea (modern Turkey).

"O sinner, be not discouraged, but have recourse to Mary in all you necessities. Call her to your assistance, for such is the divine Will that she should help in every kind of necessity."

PRAYER
Dear Saint Basil, you lived among Saints - your parents and your best friend, Gregory Nazianzen. You were an inspirer of true monastic life and a reformer of priests and laity. Help those who work for moral reform in our turbulent age. Give them a true knowledge of Jesus so they will draw all people to him. Amen.

Day 119 -- Mary, Mother of God

Through Christ to Mary and through Mary more fully to the Lord Jesus

Over the past year or so, I have been becoming closer to Mary and it has been a beautiful and wonderful friendship I am developing. I look forward to the year 2011 to become closer to her and what it has in store for me.

Today we celebrate Mary, the Mother of God, and as a friend told me we should begin and end all our days with Mary and the Catholic Church does it so wonderfully by beginning our year with Mary. The title of Mary, Mother of God is Theotokos. The English translation is God-bearer--the one who gives birth to God. At the Council of Ephesus in 431 declared Mary as Theotokos because her son Jesus is one person who is both God and man, divine and human. The image of Mary here is a stained glass window of the Theotokos. The Greek letters MP and OY are abbreviations for the term "Mother of God."

We are all called to pray to Mary and ask for her intercession. Here can be found a Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

"The three expressions which the Church has used down the centuries to describe her faith in the motherhood of Mary: "Mother of Jesus", "Virgin Mother" and "Mother of God", thus show that Mary's motherhood is intimately linked with the mystery of the Incarnation. They are affirmations of doctrine, connected as well with popular piety, which help define the very identity of Christ." Pope John Paul II

"If anyone does not wish to have Mary Immaculate for his Mother, he will not have Christ for his Brother." Saint Maximilian Kolbe

Here is a poem/prayer that I wrote about Mary back in March 2010 which was inspired from this statue of Mary:

When I See Our Mother Mary

When I see your eyes…

I see compassion, peace, and kindness.

When I see your lips…

I hear your fiat – “let it be done to me according to

your word.”

When I see your ears…

I want to ask our Lord and be able to answer the age-old question: “What do you want of me Lord?”

When I see your Immaculate Heart…

I notice love – love for your Son and for us. Your love is perfect, even though your heart is pierced. There is no other perfect love than a mother’s love. You teach us how to love others. You show us how to love ourselves. “Perfect love casts out fear.” 1 John 4:18

When I see your hand…

I know you are pointing the way of how I am to follow your Son. Your hand will guide me in the decisions of my life.

When I see your belt…

I remember you carried, labored, and bore our Lord. I can also carry your Son when I partake of His Precious Body and Blood in the Eucharist.

When I see your foot crushing the serpent…

I am reminded that I too can overcome my fears and crush the power of evil.

When I see your feet…

I am conscious of the hardship in the walk with your Son toward Calvary.

When I see the world upon which you stand…

I realize you are there for all people of all time on every continent.

When I see you, Mary…

I observe a woman with a pure heart. I witness a role model to guide me…to support me…to help me understand that my vocation is a gift from God that needs to be discovered and unwrapped gently and carefully with the Lord by my side.