Day 208 -- Blessed Bonaventure Tornielli

Blessed Bonaventure Tornielli was born around the year 1411 in Forli, Italy. He joined the Servite Order in 1448 and became known as a Bible expert. Although he was noted by his brothers for his love of contemplative silence, he became one of the greatest Servite preachers throughout southern Italy and the Papal States. He always preached on the theme of repentance. Pope Sixtus IV referred to him as the Apostolic Preacher. He served as vicar general of his Order for several years. He died on March 31, 1491 of natural causes. He was beatified in 1911 by Pope Saint Pius X.

PRAYER
Oh God, who didst impart to Blessed Bonaventure, the Confessor, the grace of recalling sinners to repentance, grant we beseech thee, through his merits and intercession, that we may also weep over our sins, so that, renewed in heart and will, we may serve thee faithfully until death. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Day 207 -- Blessed Mary Restituta Kafka

"I have lived for Christ; I want to die for Christ."
her last words

Blessed Mary Restituta Kafka was the 6th daughter of a shoemaker born on May 1, 1894 in Brno, Czechoslovakia (modern day Czech Republic) as Helena. She grew up in Vienna, Austria. She worked as a sales clerk and then a nurse.

She joined the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity in 1914 and took the name Restituta who was a martyr of the early Church. Beginning in 1919, she worked as a surgical nurse for 20 years. She was known as a protector of the poor and oppressed. She was a vocal opponent of the Nazis. Sister Restituta hung a crucifix in every room of the new hospital wing. The Nazis ordered them to be removed and she refused. She was arrested by the Gestapo in 1942 and was sentenced to death on October 28, 1942 for "aiding and abetting the enemy in the betrayal of the fatherland and for plotting high treason." However, Martin Bormann decided that her execution would provide "effective intimidation" for other Nazi opponents. Therefore she spend the rest of her life in prison caring for other prisoners, even Communist prisoners spoke well of her. She was offered freedom if she would abandon her religious community; she declined and died a martyr. She was beheaded on March 30, 1943 in Vienna, Austria. She was beatified on June 21, 1998 and awaits canonization.

Day 206 -- Saint Secundus of Asti

Saint Secundus of Asti lived in the 1st and 2nd centuries. He was a soldier and officer in the imperial Roman army which was a low rake which means he was probably a young man. He converted to Christianity and was baptized in Milan, Italy. He illegally gave a Christian burial to martyr Saint Marcian of Tortona and then his family fled to Asti, Italy. It was there that he was arrested, tortured, and beheaded. He died a martyr. There are a few legends about him. His relics are in the cathedral in Asti.

Day 205 -- Pope Saint Sixtus III

Pope Saint Sixtus III was born in Rome, Italy and was elected as the 44th pope on July 31, 432. He approved the results of the Council of Ephesus. He corresponded a lot with Saint Augustine of Hippo. He restored several Roman basilicas including Saint Peter's and Saint John Lateran. He defended the supremacy of the pope over local bishops. He died on August 18, 440 in Rome of natural causes.

Day 204 -- Saint Augusta of Treviso

There are not many saints for today; I have chosen Saint Augusta of Treviso. She lived in the 5th century. She was the daughter of the Teutonic duke of Friuli. She converted to Christianity and this enraged her father. Unfortunately it enraged him so much that he killed her. She was buried at Treviso in northern Italy.