Archive for the ‘Saint Articles’ Category
Franciscan Saints and Blessed
As we recall them in the Litany of Franciscan saints and blessed we pray to them to intercede for us:
St. Francis, holy seraphic father of the Franciscan Order
Holy martyrs of the Franciscan Order:
Sts. Bernard, Accursius, Adjutus, Otto, & Peter, first martyrs of the Franciscan Order
Sts. Daniel Angelo, Domnus, Hugolinus, Leo, Nicholas, & Samuel, martyrs inAfrica
St. Peter Baptista & his twenty-five companions, martyrs inNagasaki
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, martyr, tireless in the spreading of the faith
St. Thomas More, faithful servant and martyr inEngland
Blessed Apollinaris Franco & companions, martyrs inJapan
Blessed Apollinaris of Fribourg, martyr of the French Revolution
Blessed Engelbert Kolland who called his murderer “friend”
St. Maximilian Kolbe who gave his life for his brother in Christ at Auschwitz
All the Saints and blessed men of the Franciscan Family:
St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, marked with the stigmata of Jesus
St. John Mary Vianney, inspired by the Good Shepherd
Blessed John Duns Scotus, defender of the Kingship of Jesus Christ and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Blessed John of Parma, “angel of peace,” fierce protector of the Holy Rule
St. Anthony of Padua, powerful teacher of the Gospel life
St. Ferdinand, King ofCastile
St. Louis, strong in faith
St. Bonaventure, teacher of the Seraphic Order
St. Roch, helper in times of the plague
St. Bernardine of Siena, great preacher, unifier of east and west
St. John Capistrano, peacemaker and apostle of charity
St. Joseph Cafasso, man of limitless patience
St. Conrad of Parzhan, mediator of divine mercy
St. Pius X, full of apostolic zeal to renew everything in Christ
St. Paschal Baylon, patron of Eucharistic congresses and Eucharistic associations
Blessed John XXIII, humble and beloved pope
Blessed Luchesius, first confessor of the Secular Franciscan Order
Blessed Giles of Assisi, third companion of St. Francis
Blessed Contardo Ferrini, lay helper in a student community
Blessed Joseph Freinademetz, example of missionary poverty inChina
Blessed Pope John II
Venerable Solanus Casey, Priest, Order of Friars Minor Capuchin
Blessed and holy women of the Franciscan Family:
St. Clare, mother of the Poor Ladies of St. Damiano
St. Elizabeth ofHungary, mother of the poor and joyful in persecution
St. Rose of Viterbo, model of perfection at the age of 18 years
St. Agnes of Assisi, filled with the Seraphic spirit
St. Margaret of Cortona, great penitent
St. Elizabeth of Portugal, exemplary mother and promoter of peace
St. Bridget of Sweden, gifted with extraordinary love for the Crucified
St Colette, great reformer with the Spirit of prayer
St. Angela Merici, caring and wise educator of youths
Blessed Mother Thesesa of Calcutta
The wonderful Francisan saints and blessed are models of holiness for us all. Let us remember them as we wear a beautiful image of the Franciscans – a Franciscan Tau Cross ring.
St. Francis of Assisi
Lived 1181-1226
Feast day – October 4, 2011
Francis was born Giovanni Francesco Bernardone in the Italianvillage ofAssisi. He was the son of a wealthy merchant. His early years were spent living in luxury, known as a joyful young man who loved to entertain. He was a soldier who dreamed of being a great victorious knight. But, on one of his first military missions he was captured. He spent one year in captivity during which time he began a spiritual conversion. This was the first of the heavenly calls to Francis. He feared that he was dying and thought of how he spent his life on frivolous things. However, after his health returned Francis returned to his life of wealth and parties with his friends and the dream of becoming a victorious soldier. But, now he it wasn’t as appealing to him. He began to find this way of life very empty, and he was drawn to the needs of the poor.
One day on his return fromRomeand still as a soldier, Francis had stopped at a little chapel of St. Damien’s outside the city ofAssisito pray. As he looked up to the old crucifix he heard the voice of Jesus tell him three times, “Go, Francis and rebuild my house, which as you see is falling into ruin.”. Francis interpreted this message to be a request to rebuild the physical church building which was in ruins. So he went off to rebuild the old church building stone by stone. He did not at this time understand the meaning of the message. Jesus was actually pleading with Francis to reform and rekindle the “spirit of the Church” by rekindling the love of God in the hearts of men.
Then onMay 14, 1209Francis was praying at the little chapel of Our Lady of Angels and the Gospel of St Matthew, chapter 10, 7-19 was read. In these verses where Jesus told his disciples ,… “And going, preach, saying The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand…. Freely have you received, freely give. Take neither gold nor silver nor brass in your purses . . . nor two coats nor shoes nor a staff…. Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves….” Francis understood these words as his new directive. He knew he was to live a life of simplicity and poverty in his total service to Christ. This was the manner in which he instructed his followers – the brothers (friars) as well.
St. Francis taught his brothers to see Christ in everyone, especially the poor, ill, elderly, and lonely. And, in his final years his brothers related that Francis not only imitated Christ but, he seemed to be totally united to Him. When people saw St. Francis, they saw in him the loving face of Christ. It is no wonder then that of all of the saints that Christ would chose St. Francis to be the first to receive the stigmata – the wounds of Christ – on his hands and feet. Francis found great joy in sharing the suffering of Christ in his heart, in his poverty, and in assisting the suffering brothers and sisters in Christ that he encountered any day of his life. He spent most of his time in prayer and solitude when he was not preaching.
St. Francis started the Franciscan Order which consisted of three orders: the Friars Minor, The Poor (Ladies) Clares, and the Brothers and Sisters of Penance. They are known today as the First, Second, and Third Orders of St. Francis. The Third Order of St.Francis, now called the Secular Order of Franciscans, wear the Franciscan Tau Cross as their habit.
St. Francis saw God in all of God’s creation and loved all creatures as being one with God. As we attempt to see Christ in everyone as St. Francis did we ask St. Francis to intercede for us to Jesus. And, we can express our devotion to this dear saint as we lovingly wear the gold St. Francis saint medal.
The Transitus of St Francis ofAssisi
On October 3, the date of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, Franciscans of the first, second, and third orders celebrate a ritual service to remember the passing of St. Francis from life on earth to his place with God. It is the goal of this commemorative service that Franciscans remember the teachings of St. Francis as seen through the words of St. Thomas of Celano and St. Bonaventure.
St. Francis lived to serve God. And, he instructed not only all of his followers, but all creatures to so as well. For St. Francis did indeed see all creatures through the eyes of God with great love and affection. Even death itself was welcomed by St. Francis as he saw it as a way to praise God. He went joyfully in his final hours to meet what he called, “my sister death”.
When the hour of his death had approached, St. Francis called all of the Franciscan brothers to his side and addressed them with great fatherly love. He reminded them of the value of poverty, humility, patience, living the Gospel, following Christ, and remaining faithful to the Holy Church. Then, at the moment of his death he stretched out his arms in the form of a cross and gave all his brothers, those present and those absent, a blessing in the name of Christ crucified. He told them that he was on his way to God and he commended them to the favor of God. Then he asked his brothers to read the passage in the Gospel of John describing Jesus washing the feet of his apostles at the Last Supper. It is this final image of humility which he shared with his dearly beloved Franciscan brothers. At this, St. Francis fell asleep in Christ and his soul was taken to God.
As we look at the life of St. Francis as a great model of living the Gospel and being Jesus Christ to the world we ask Francis to bless us and assist us to be Jesus Christ to the world. And, we can remember St. Francis daily as we wear a beautiful gold St. Francis saint medal or Franciscan Tau cross medal.
Saint Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower
Feast day – October 1
Lived 1873 – 1897
Saint Therese, the Little Flower, is a doctor of the Church. And, yet she was not a very educated person by the world’s standards. She did not attend any college or university. But, she did possess the greatest wisdom and knowledge concerning the path to holiness and the path to heaven. She called that path to holiness “The Little Way”. Her little way consisted in serving God in the very ordinary tasks of everyday life which she did with great love. The “little way” involved total abandonment in God’s service and perfect accomplishment of the simple and small duties of everyday life. In fact, Therese spent her days in the convent performing very menial tasks which included: working as a sacristan setting up and caring for the altar in the chapel, doing the laundry in the convent, and working in the convent kitchen.
Therese wanted to go to heaven in a different way from the path described in books of the lives of the saints. She did not consider the lives of these saints to be realistic. They all seemed to have accomplished such grand things in their lives. And her life was very simple and ordinary. But, Therese gave every moment of her simple little life to Jesus with total trust in God’s love and protection. As she stated, “I wanted to find an elevator that would raise me to Jesus”. And, the elevator would be the arms of Jesus lifting her up in her littleness, her simplicity, her humility.
St Therese’s great mission was to open our eyes and hearts to the great mercy of God. She wanted us to know that God is a merciful Father. And, in the “little way”, little souls must take the first step of knowing God and His loving mercy. Then we seek to love God. And, we love Him in our actions performed with pure intentions. Every action that we perform in love is done with a pure intention. As Therese had said, “To pick up a pin with love may save a soul”. It is the intention in our hearts that is seen by God.
One of the greatest quotes from the saints is this one from St. Therese which has influenced my life in many ways. She said, “When I die, I will send down a shower of roses from the heavens, I will spend my heaven by doing good on earth.” Let us strive to live a life which reflects that same goal right now of doing good on earth. As we ask St. Therese to intercede for us on earth and as we remember this great saint how wonderful to display and wear the St. Therese saint medal or St. Therese ring.
Saint Michael the Archangel
Feast of the archangels -September 29
Saint Michael is one of the seven archangels. He is known as “the prince” over all of the other angels. His name means “who is like God?” In his great humility Michael would never consider himself like God but, battled Satan and his evil, arrogant army who refused to serve God.
Saint Michael is recorded in the bible in the book of the prophet Daniel as the protector of Israel and the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. In this book of the bible, Michael is also promised to be the protector of God’s faithful ones at the end of time.
In the book of Revelation John, the evangelist, sees the vision of Michael defending the world in the final battle against Satan and his evil army. Clad in a warrior’s battle gear, Michael defeats the evil army of Satan and casts them from heaven.
We recognize the great power that God has granted to Saint Michael the archangel in the promise that he will:
- fight against Satan in our earthly battles,
- defend us in our final hour before death against the temptations of Satan,
- protect the Church until the end of time, and
- accompany our souls as we depart from earth to our final judgment
Saint Michael the archangel is the patron saint of: soldiers, police officers, and paratroopers. We should invoke the intercession of Saint Michael often in prayer and display our belief and trust in his role as our protector as we wear a Saint Michael medal.
St. Vincent De Paul
Feast Day Sept. 27
Lived 1581-1660
Patron Saint of charities
St. Vincent De Paul was a French priest who was very active in serving the poor. He founded the Congregation of the Mission called the Vincentians which is a society of missionary priests. His works were not limited to his homeland of France. He sent missionary priests to Rome, Ireland, Scotland, Poland, and Turkey, He also helped found the Daughters of Charity with Louise de Marillac. Among his works to assist the poor included founding a hospice, a shelter for the poor, and a hospital. He begged for alms and received funds from many benefactors to assist in serving the poor.
Saints Cosmas and Damian
Feast Day today – September 26
Martyrs
Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian were twin brothers who lived during the late 3rd century. They were physicians who practiced in the region of Cilicia (now part of Turkey) and later in a province of Rome. They were known and loved for their charitable medical practice. They accepted no payment for their medical services. Miraculous healings were reported during their lifetime. One of the famous accounts of a miraculous healing involved grafting a leg from an Ethiopian man who had recently died to replace an ulcerated leg of their patient. Many paintings illustrate this famous healing. illuminations.
They were tortured, but did not die as they were hung on a cross and arrows shot into their bodies. They were finally killed by beheading. They suffered this martyrdom when they refused to renounce their Christian faith.
Saints Cosmas and Damian are regarded as the patrons of physicians and surgeons. We hear their names invoked in the Canon of the Mass.
Prayer to St. Joseph for Employment
During this time of anxiety over the high unemployment rate many of us find ourselves lost and afraid as we face an uncertain future without a job to support ourselves and our loved ones. Let us turn our hearts in prayer to the foster father of Jesus, to whom God the Father entrusted the care of His only Son.
“Dear Saint Joseph, you were yourself once faced with the responsibility of providing the necessities of life for Jesus and Mary. Look down with fatherly compassion upon me in my anxiety over my present inability to support my family. Please help me to find gainful employment very soon, so that this heavy burden of concern will be lifted from my heart and that I am soon able to provide for those whom God has entrusted to my care. Help us to guard against bitterness and discouragement, so that we may emerge from this trial spiritually enriched and with even greater blessings from God. Amen.”
Remember St. Joseph often as you invoke the name of the dear foster father of Jesus and display a beautiful St. Joseph saint medal. He is the patron saint of workers, families, and a happy death. St. Joseph pray for us.
Saint Padre Pio Feast Day
St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina
St Pio of Pietrelcina, baptized Francesco Forgione, was lovingly known as Padre Pio. He lived from May 25, 1887 – September 23, 1968. He was a Capuchin Franciscan priest from the region of Campania in Italy.
St. Padre Pio is most known for his stigmata which he had for 50 years. He received the stigmata while praying before the Crucifix in an old church. This of course, is the same history of St. Francis of Assisi, his order’s founder, who was the first recorded Christian to receive the stigmata. He also received the stigmata while praying before the Cross of Christ in a church at San Damiano. The stigmata are the bleeding wounds of Christ on the hands and feet.
He led many souls to holiness through reconciliation. It was reported that St. Pio had true insight into a person’s soul and was able to identify their sins and assist the penitent to identify sins they had forgotten or were unwilling to confess. As one of the Church’s greatest spiritual directors his guidance included 5 rules for spiritual growth:
1. Weekly confession
2. Daily Communion
3. Spiritual Reading
4. Meditation
5. Examination of conscience
St. Pio lived with the cross of Christ and The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as the center of his life. He believed that the love of God is inseparable from suffering and that suffering all things for the sake of God is the way for the soul to reach God. This explanation of the value of suffering with Christ is a recurring theme with all saints and held by the great Blessed John Paul II as well. The life of St. Pio was an example of living out our call to be conformed to the image of Jesus and His Gospel.Padre Pio was also blessed with the vision of souls in purgatory who would appear to him and request his prayers. It is a wonderful gift to recognize this great saint and invoke his prayers as we wear and display a St Pio Saint Medal. We should remember daily to pray for all souls to assist them on their journey to heaven. | |