Cristy Li

Happy Feast of the Annunciation
Image Courtesy: Giselle Theresa Cua

(Franciscan Media) For centuries the ‘Feast of the Annunciation’ has been celebrated by Christians–Its central focus is the Incarnation. God has become one of us. From all eternity God has decided that the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity should become human. — As Luke 1:26-38 tells us, the decision is being realized. Jesus Christ embraces all humanity, indeed all creation to bring it to God in one great act of love–however because humans have rejected God, Jesus will accept a life of suffering and an agonizing death.

“Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” —John 15:13

Blessed Virgin Mary has an important role to play in God’s plan–she is the Virgin Mother who fulfills Isaiah 7:14 and is united with her Son, in carrying out the will of God Psalms 40:8-9; Hebrews 10:7-9; Luke 1:38

The Blessed Virgin Mary shows us that we must listen to God and do His will, writes the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Prayer and action therefore go hand-in-hand. As followers of Jesus Christ, we must make time to talk and listen to Him in prayer. Examining all that we do or simply ‘living’ in the light of our prayers is essential.

Living with a heart open to God’s will has enormous implications. Different people will realize that God calls them to different things.

For an adolescent, it may mean resisting peer pressure to take part in drinking or unchaste activity. For a single adult, it may require offering personal time in service of a needy person. A businessperson may find that honesty and fairness requires a certain course of action. A married couple may realize they should have another child. A frightened pregnant Woman may understand that she needs to ask for help to resist the temptation of having an abortion. A person who is ill may have to accept her/his illness and join her/his suffering to that of Jesus Christ.

Doing God’s will is not easy. We usually have our own plans for our lives, its good to have plans but never at the expense of our growth in relationship to God.

Like Mary, we must trust that God’s will is the best for us and our world. Let us follow the example of Mary and call upon her to help us open our hearts to say “yes” to God.

More here and here from USCCB

St. John Baptist de la Salle -Image: Catholic Online

(EWTN) Born in Rhemis France, John was the eldest son of an aristocratic family, he inherited the rank and fortune of his parents which set a gulf between him and the teeming masses of the poor.

At the age of 16 when John was pursing a course in classical studies the the College des Bons Enfants, he became a Canon of the Rheims and seemed to be marked out for a successful career in the Church. John subsequently studied at Saint Sulpice and the Sorbonne for the Priesthood and was ordained at the age of twenty seven according to Franciscan Media and now, Fr. John now seemed assured of a life of dignified ease and a high position in the Church but God had other plans for him.

During a chance meeting with M. Nyle of Raven a French educator, in charge of the house of the poor in France Rouen, where he also oversaw the education of young boys, Fr. John became interested in establishing charity schools and this led him to take charge of the teachers that he brought into his home to train them.

Little-by-little Fr. John became further involved in the work until he began to realize that everything pointed to his being the chosen instrument for Providence for the creation of a system of Christian education for the poor.

As Fr. John made the will of God the guiding principle of his life, he decided to give himself up completely to this task, resigning his position as Canon and giving away his fortune to be in order to be on the same footing as the teachers (schoolmasters) that lived with him. — In so doing, this aroused the anger of Fr. John’s relatives but this in no way made him alter his resolution.

In 1684 Fr. John transformed his group of schoolmasters into a religious community under the name of ‘Brothers of the Christian Schools’ and this was the origin of the Order which continues to this day and is spread worldwide.

After opening schools in a number of neighboring towns, Fr. John went to Paris to takeover the school in the Parish of St. Sulpice and there he established his headquarters. In the Capitol of France, Fr. John’s work spread rapidly and before long, the ‘Brothers of the Christian Schools’ were teaching over 1,100 pupils.

In Paris Fr. John founded another training college with a charity school annexed and organized a Sunday Academy (or Constitution School) for youths already employed. 

The remainder of Fr. John’s life was closely entwined with the ‘Brothers of the Christian Schools’ (today known as the De La Salle Brothers) the religious community of men that Fr. John founded which grew rapidly and is successful and committed  to helping young people, working in 80 countries.

Fr. John lived until the age of 68 and passed away on Good Friday in France Rouen and was Canonized in 1900 by Pope Leo XIII

St. Maria Crescentia Hoss (1682-1744)
Image: Catholic Sisters & Brothers

(Vatican) Born in Bavaria Kaufbeuren, Maria Crescenzia Hoss, was the seventh of eight children, the daughter of a poor weaver according to Franciscan Media – that during her youthful days, she spent play time praying in the Parish Church, assisted those even poorer than herself and had so mastered the truths of her Christian faith, that she was permitted to make her Holy Communion at the then unusual early age of seven in the town which she called ‘The Little Angel.’

In 1703 Maria Crescentia desired to enter the Convent of the Franciscan Tertiaries of Mayerhoff but the Convent was poor and because she had no dowry, she was denied admission until the Protestant Mayor of the town pleaded her case–the Convent owing the Mayor a favor admitted Maria Crescentia but made her life miserable, assigning her nothing but menial tasks–even her cheerful spirit was misinterpreted as flattery or hypocrisy, despite all her challenges and difficulties, Maria Crescentia was professed a year later and remained throughout her life.

Conditions improved for Sister Maria when a new Superior was elected who realized her virtue, dedication and generosity and she was appointed the Mistress of Novices in 1726 and served until 1741 and then was elected Superior of the Community despite her attempts to refuse the post. To her Sisters, she recommended observing silence, recollection and spiritual reading especially the Gospels–the Teacher of their religious life had to be Jesus on the Cross.

Sister Maria was also a prudent and wise counselor to all that turned to her for strength and comfort–as what could be seen from her numerous letters.

In her three years as Superior of the Franciscan Tertiaries of Mayerhoff Sister Maria Crescentia became its second Foundress, she justified her selectivity regarding vocations by saying: “God wants the Convent rich in virtue not temporal goods.”

The principle points of Sister Maria’s program for the renewal of the Convent were: Unlimited trust in divine providence; Readiness in the acts of the common life, love of silence, devotion to Jesus crucified, devotion to the Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin Mother.

Sister Maria passed away on Easter Sunday 1744 and was buried in the Chapel of her Monastery.

In 1900 Sister Maria was Beatified by Pope Leo XIII and in 2001 Canonized by Pope Saint John Paul II who during his Homily of the Canonization Maria Crescentia Hoss said:

From her childhood, it was for His service that she used her talents. God gave her a beautiful voice. Already as a young lady she could sing a solo part not to display herself but to sing and to play for Christ the King.

Her knowledge of her fellow men she placed at the service of the Lord. The Franciscan was an esteemed advisor. To her Convent came many visitors, both simple Men and Women, Princesses and Empresses, Priests and Religious, Abbots and Bishops. In a certain way she became a kind of a ‘Midwife’ and helped those seeking counsel to bring forth the truth in their hearts.

Sorrow did not spare the (this) Saint — ‘Mobbing’ took place in her time, she endured the intrigues of her own community without ever doubting her vocation. The long period of suffering allowed her to grow in virtue of patience, this was helpful for her when she became Superior, for her to direct meant spiritually to serve–She was generous with the poor, Motherly with her Sisters and kind to all who needed a kind word.

St. Maria Crescentia lived what the Kingdom of Christ means: “Whatever you do to the least of your Brothers, that you do for me.” —Matthew 25:40

St. Vincent Ferrer (1350-1419)
Image: Women of Grace

(Franciscan Media) Born in Spain Valencia, Vincent was educated there, completed his studies in Philosophy by the age of 14 and in 1367 entered the Dominican Order and Ordained a Priest by Cardinal Peter de Luna, he subsequently was sent to the house of studies at Barcelona the following year.

After returning to Spain, in 1370 Vincent taught Philosophy at Lerida and three years later, he returned to the Dominican ‘Stadium Arabicum et Hebriacum’ at Barcelona.

During Vincent’s stay there famine was prevalent. Filled with compassion for those suffering, Vincent foretold while ministering one day, the near approach of ships carrying wheat–his prediction was fulfilled.

In 1377 Vincent was sent to continue his studies in France, Toulouse where in his own words: “Study followed prayer and prayer succeeded study.”

The polarization in the Church today among Christians is a mild breeze compared to the tempest that tore the Church apart during the life of Vincent–If any Saint is the Patron of ‘Reconciliation’ Vincent Ferrer most certainly is.

The Western division that divided Christianity between two and then three Pope’s: Clement VII lived at France, Avignon; Urban VI in Rome — Vincent was convinced the election of Urban was invalid through Catherine of Siena, was just as devoted a supporter of the Roman Pope.

In service of Cardinal Peter de Luna in 1379 as Legate of the Court of Argon, Vincent worked to persuade Spaniards to follow Clement VII. When Clement died, Cardina de Luna was raised to the Papal Chair at France Avignon and became Pope Benedict XIII

Vincent worked for Pope Benedict XIII as Apostolic Penitentiary and Master of the Sacred Palace but the new pope did not resign as all candidates in the conclave had sworn to, remaining stubborn despite being deserted King Charles VI and nearly all of the Cardinals. Vincent became disillusioned by the turmoil and quite ill but finally took up the work of simply, ‘Going into all the world and preach the Gospel to the whole creation,’ —Mark 16:15 though he felt that any renewal of the Church depended on healing the division.

An eloquent and enthusiastic minister, Vincent spent the last 20 years of his life spreading the ‘Good News of Jesus Christ’ throughout Spain, France, Switzerland and Italy, stressing the need for repentance and fear of the coming of judgment.

In 1408 at Genoa a meeting had been arranged there between Gregory XII and Vincent’s former friend Benedict XII in the hope of putting an end to the division–Vincent urged Benedict XII to resign but in vain.

Disappointed Vincent returned to Spain and continued ministering (sometimes for three hours) celebrating Mass daily–Vincent would arise very early every morning to pray. After his midday meal, Vincent tended to sick children and by evening, he was preparing his sermon for the following day. 

Vincent passed away in France in 1419 In 1455 he was Canonized by Pope Calixtus III at the Dominican Church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva in Rome, which stands to this day and is a popular tourist destination.

More here from EWTN

Saint Isidore of Seville
Image Courtesy: Catholic Online

(Franciscan Media) Isidore born in Spain Cartagena, three of his siblings — two brothers Leander and Fulgentius that became Bishops, together with his sister Florentina who became a Nun were later Canonized as Saints along with him.

As the Archbishop of Seville, Leander became an important influence on his younger brother Isidore, helping him to develop a commitment to study, prayer and intense work for the good of the Church. Isidore in turn, joined his brother’s mission to convert the generally heretical Visigoth’s had invaded the land a century and a half earlier and shortly before Isidore’s birth and followers of the Arian Heresy splitting Spain in two.

Isidore reunited Spain, making it a center of culture and learning–the country served as a teacher and guide for other European countries whose culture was also threatened by barbarian invaders.

When Isidore’s brother Leander died around 600, Isidore succeeded him as Archbishop of Seville, inheriting his brother’s responsibility for Church affairs in an intense period of change.

For the good of the Church and civilization, Isidore was determined to preserve the wisdom and knowledge of the past, maintaining the fruitful synthesis of classical Roman culture and Christian faith, while intent on preventing false teachings from shattering the unity of the Church in Spain.

Responsible above all for the good of the Church, Isidore sought the common good by encouraging study and development in areas such as Law, Medicine, Foreign Languages and Philosophy.

Sometimes called ‘The Schoolmaster of the Middle Ages’ because of the encyclopedia that he wrote written from a Catholic perspective that was used as a textbook for nine centuries.

Under Isidore’s leadership, he required seminaries to be constructed in every diocese, wrote a Rule for Religious Orders and founded schools that taught every branch of learning–never neglecting the service of those in need.

“Indeed just as we must love God in contemplation, so we must love our neighbor with action,” Isidore declared. “It is therefore impossible to live without the presence of both the one and the other form of life, nor can we love without experiencing both the one and the other.”

In the last month’s of Isidore’s life, he offered a moving testament to these words, intensifying his charitable outreach to the poor. Crowds of people in need flocked to his residence from afar, as Bishop Isidore offered his final works of mercy on earth.

Isidore died on this date in 636 and later named a Doctor of the Church, In 1598 he was Canonized by Pope Clement VIII and was named the Patron Saint of Schoolchildren and students–more recently, its been proposed that he also be named a Patron Saint of ‘Internet Users’ because of his determination to use the world’s accumulated knowledge for the service of God’s glory.

Saint Benedict the African
Image: Fr. Michaelraj Selvam

(Franciscan Media) Benedict was born to parents that were slaves and were brought from African to Italy Messina and then freed.

At the age of eighteen, Benedict worked on a farm and soon saved enough money to purchase a pair of oxen and was very proud of those animals. Later, Benedict would sell what little he had and gave it to the poor and he would subsequently join a group of Hermits around Palermo, eventually he was recognized as their leader–because these Hermits followed the Rule of St. Francis Pope Pius IV Ordered them to join the First Order. Benedict held important posts in the Franciscan Order and gracefully adjusted to other work when his terms of office were up.

Benedict served as Novice Master and then Guardian of the Friars in Palermo, positions rarely held in those day by a Brother, in-fact, Benedict was forced to accept his election as Guardian, when he corrected the Friars, he did so with humility and charity–When his term ended, he happily returned to his duties in the Friary kitchen.

Once Benedict corrected a Novice and assigned him a penance, only later to learn the Novice was not guilty–Benedict immediately knelt down before the Novice and asked his pardon.

In his life, Benedict was never possessive of the few things he used, he never referred to them as ‘mine’ but always called them ‘ours’ — Benedict’s gifts of prayer and guidance, earned him throughout Sicily a reputation of holiness.

Following the example of St. Francis, Benedict kept seven 40 day fasts throughout the year, he also spent much time in prayer only sleeping a few hours each night.

After Benedict died in 1589 King Phillip III of Spain paid for a special tomb for this simple holy Friar, he was subsequently Beatified by Pope Benedict XIV in 1743 and Canonized by Pope Pius VIII in 1807 and is honored as the Patron Saint of African-Americans and African Missions.

More here from SQPN

St. Francis of Paola
Image: Holy Card Heaven

(CNA) Francis was born in the Southern Italian region of Calabria in 1416 his parents maintained a strong devotion to Saint Francis of Assisi naming their son after him. Francis’ parents had little in the way of wealth to pass onto their son except for a rich spiritual heritage with the hope that he may emulate his namesake.

Young Francis showed signs of a remarkable spiritual life following his parents lead in accepting poverty as a path to holiness. When his father placed him in the care of the Franciscans to be educated at the age of 13, Francis made a decision to live strictly according to the rules of the religious order.

After a year with the Franciscan Friars, Francis rejoined his parents as they made a pilgrimage to Rome Assisi and the historic Franciscan Church known as the Portiuncula–When Francis and his family returned home, he asked his parents their permission to live in religious seclusion and prayer, in the same manner as Saint Antony of Egypt (251-356) patriarch of Monks.

Francis’ pursuit of solitary communion with God attracted the attention of important figures, including several European Kings and other Nobility along with Pope’s and Bishops. Some of these men regarded Francis as a spiritual leader in a corrupt age, while others may have been more interested in his gifts of prophecy and miraculous healing. Francis subsequently traveled to France at the request of Pope Sixtus IV, taking along his nephew Nicholas. There the notoriously power-hungry King Louis XI was approaching the time of his death and hoped that Francis may perform a miracle and restore his good health.

When Francis met with King Louis XI he told him bluntly that he shouldn’t fear the end of his life but instead the loss of eternal life–From that time on, Francis became a close spiritual advisor to the King, discussing the reality of death and eternity with him, urging that he surrender his heart and soul to God before it was too late.

King Louis XI son and successor to the throne ‘Charles VIII’ maintained the Monk Francis as a close advisor in spiritual and even political affairs. Nonetheless, Francis persisted in following the Monastic Rule he had developed while living is seclusion and prayer outside of Paola, continuing as Superior General of the Minim Order, founding new monasteries in France.

Francis sensed his own death was approaching at the age of 91 and returned to living in complete seclusion and prayer for three months to prepare himself. When he finally emerged, Francis gathered a group of Minim Brothers and gave them final instructions for the Order–He received Holy Communion for the final time on this date (which was Good Friday) in the year of 1507

Pope Leo X, Canonized Francis just 12 years following his death. While the Minim Order lost many of its monasteries since the French Revolution, it continues to exist with 19 convents, mainly in Italy.

More here from Franciscan Media

(EWTN) Born in France Chateauneuf, Hugh from the cradle appeared to be a child of Benediction–Hugh went through his studies with great applause and his religious devotion, always kept pace with his advancement in education.

Having chosen to serve God in ecclesiastical state, he was ordained and became a Canon in the Cathedral of Valence. In this station, the sanctity of Hugh’s life and his extraordinary talents earned him praise of the Church, his gentleness and affability won him the affection of his colleagues.

Hugh then the Bishop of Die but soon thereafter became the Archbishop of France Lyons for 52 years according to Franciscan Media and Cardinal Legate of the Holy See, he was reasonably effective in his role of a reformer. Hugh  fearlessly supported the Papacy and was an eloquent minister.

At the age of 80 Hugh Became a Carthusian Monk and lived 18 yrs in great humility and authority under Saint Bruno and his successors in the Great Chartreuse where he passed away in the year 1132 at the age of 100 and was Canonized by Pope Innocent II just two years later.