Today Christians Celebrate the Feast of St. John of God, Patron Saint of the Dying & Hospitals – Please Pray For Us!

March 8th, 2024

St John of God

Saint John of God (1495-1550)
Image Courtesy:
CNA

(EWTN) Few people in this world who have made any name for themselves in any sphere, began life under such adverse conditions.

John was born in Portugal Montemayor-el-Novo to middle class parents, tragically at the age of 8 he was abducted according to and later was abandoned to homelessness in a remote part of Spain Oropesa, there he had no one and had no place to live and subsequently worked as a shepherd boy on the neighboring countryside until the age of twenty two before he realized a change in circumstances.

It was during an age of wars and conquests and even the country villagers , when the day’s work was over, could talk of little else but the new countries being discovered, the great battles being fought and the wonderful deeds being done by the heroes of the day. 

For John, this was the life he wanted for himself and for the next 18 yrs, he lived and fought with the Emperor’s armyfirst against the French, then the Turks, according to Catholic News Agency all the while during this time, his morals began to decline for a greedy, brutal way of life.

John’s conscience was from time-to-time troubled, particularly by the memories of his early youth before he was taken away from his parents and despite falling into a lifestyle of violence and plundering, he had a certain weakness for those who were poor or in extreme distress and would give to them charity–it wasn’t until the age of 42 before John’s life and sinfulness began to take its toll.

Subsequently John returned to Spain and picked up nearly right where he had left off some 20 yrs earlier, working again as a Shepherd.

This time however John was committed to living out the faith in God that he regained from his youth. John traveled to North Africa seeking to help Christians  there who had been enslaved by Muslims.

Eventually however he returned to Spain and settled for a time selling Christian books and other things, always encouraging his customers to live their faith sincerely to God–Saint John of God reputation as the ‘Patron Saint of Booksellers’ derives from this period.

In time, John felt compelled to give himself entirely to the service of the poor, sick and vulnerable that he opened his home to them–allowing it to become a combined hospital, homeless-shelter and half-way house run entirely by John himself. When not bandaging up the wounded or breaking up fights, John would go out seeking charity.

The Bishop of Granada approved of John’s work and gave him the name, ‘John of God’ subsequently a group of volunteers came to accompany him in his work, many who had earlier come to him when they were in need themselves.

Others resented John’s work and assaulted his reputation by reminding others of his past sins but John, unfazed in his humility would acknowledge the truth in what was being said as a testament to God’s grace in his life.

John continued serving the poor and the sick for the next 15 years before meeting his death through an act of charity–he jumped into a freezing river to save a drowning man, he subsequently returned home shivering (likely suffering from hypothermia) and laid down in one of his hospital beds–John’s health steadily declined. The Bishop of Granada was called and he came to deliver last rites.

As the Bishop prepared him for death, ‘John of God’  expressed a number of anxieties:

  • “The first is that I have received so many graces from God and have not recognized them and have repaid them with so little of my own.”
  • “The second is, after I am dead, I fear lest the poor woman I have rescued and the poor sinners I have reclaimed, may be treated badly.”
  • “The third is those who have trusted me with money and who have not been fully repaid, nay suffer loss on my account.”

The Bishop however assured John that he had nothing to fear–John then asked to be alone and summoned his last strength to rise from his bed to knell before a crucifix. 

John of God, passed away while in prayer with his face pressed against the figure of Jesus Christ–John of God was Canonized on the 16 October 1690 in Rome by Pope Alexander VIII

More here from Franciscan Media

Related: For Today’s Most Holy Scripture Readings for the Memorial of St. John of God, Visit: -USCCB

Today Christians Commemorate Saints Perpetua & Felicity, Martyrs for Jesus Christ – Please Pray For Us!

March 7th, 2024

Saints Perpetua and FelictasMartyrdom of Saints Perpetua & Felicity
(Artwork: Felix Louis Leuiller)
Image Courtesy:
Meldelen@Flickr

(Franciscan Media) Perpetua on the eve of her martyrdom said:

“When my father in his affection for me was trying to turn me from my purpose by arguments and thus weaken my faith, I said to him: Do you see this vessel–waterpot or whatever it may be, can it be called by any other name than what it is? No he replied. So also I can not call myself by any other name than what I am–Christian.”

Perpetua was a young, beautiful and well educated noblewoman of Roman Province of Africa Carthage, mother of an infant son and chronicler of the the Christians by Roman Emperor Septimius Severus (145-211)

Despite threats of persecution and death Perpetua and Felicity (a slave and expectant mother) together with three companions–Revocatus, Secundulus and Saturninus, refused to renounce their Christian faith and were sent to the ‘public games’ in the amphitheater and killed.

Perpetua’s mother a Christian and her father a pagan, who had constantly pleaded with her to renounce her Christian faith, she was imprisoned at the age of twenty two.

In Perpetua diary, she described her period of captivity:

“What a day of horror, terrible heat, owing to the crowds –rough treatment by the soldiers. To crown all, I was tormented with anxiety for my baby…Such anxieties I suffer for many days but I obtained leave for my baby to remain in the prison with me and being relieved of my trouble and anxiety for him, I at once recovered my health and my prison became a palace to me and I would rather been there than anywhere else.”

Imprisoned Felicity gave birth to a baby girl just a few days before the so called ‘games’ in commenced.

Perpetua’s record of her trial and imprisonment ends the day before the games:

“Of what was done in the games themselves, let him write who will.”

The diary was finished by an eyewitness.

Related: Full Biographies here of Saints Perpetua and Felicity –EWTN

Today Christians Celebrate the Feast of St. Mariana de Paredes y Flores – Please Pray For Us!

March 6th, 2024

Saint Mary Ann of Jesus of Paredes

Mariana de Paredes y Flores
Image:
Brothers and Sisters of Penance of St. Francis

(Franciscan Media) Mariana (Mary Ann of Jesus of Paredes) born in Ecuador Quito, the daughter of Don Girolamo Flores Zenel de Paredes and Dona Mariana Cranobles de Xaramilo, was the youngest of 8 children–Orphaned very young according to SQPN.com she was raised by her older sister and her husband.

From her earliest of years in Ecuador, Mary Ann ‘had in her soul all of the sweetness of that climate, all the brightness of that sky, all the grace of its palm trees and its flowers,’ writes The Brothers and Sisters of Penance of St. Francis, her devotion was amazing, her soul precociously mature.

At the age of 10, Mary Ann took the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Initially wanting to be a Dominican Nun, she later joined the Secular Franciscans and at the age of 12 and received her habit of the ‘Third Order of the Franciscans’ and vowed herself to lead a life of prayer, devotion and penance at home, only leaving to go to Church and perform work of charity.

Despite Sister Mary Ann’s limited education, she managed to found the the first organized Catholic Action, the first free clinic in Quito, together with a Kindergarten for Indian Children–there she fed, clothed and bathed them, tending to them with medicines and while under her supervision, the children learned how to read, write, sing, play the flute and prayer.

Earthquakes, pestilence, a measles outbreak and diphtheria ravaged Quito in 1645, Sister Mary Ann cared for the ill and dying until she became sick and died at the age of 26–Following her death, a beautiful Lilly sprouted from her grave and she became known as the ‘Lily of Quito’ the Republic of Ecuador declared Sister Mary Ann a national heroine.

Sister Mary Ann of Jesus of Paredes was Beatified by Pope Pius IX in 1853 and Canonized in 1950 by Pope Pius XII

Today Christians Celebrate Feast of St. John Joseph of the Cross – Please Pray For Us!

March 5th, 2024

St. John Joseph of the Cross (1654-1734)
Image Courtesy: Catholic Online

(Franciscan Media) John Joseph born into a noble family in Southern Italy on the Island of Ischia and from his earliest of years according to EWTN he was given to prayer and virtue.

At the age of 16, John Joseph entered the Order of the Franciscans in Naples and was one of the first to follow the reform movement of St. Peter Alcantara which had been instituted in Spain–Throughout his life he was given to the greatest austerity, fasting frequently, never drinking wine and only sleeping 3 hours a night.

With a reputation of holiness, this prompted John Joseph’s Superiors before he was even Ordained to be in charge of establishing a new community of Friars in 1674 at in Afilia and assisting in the construction–much against his will, John Joseph was Ordained into the Priesthood.

Obedience moved Fr. John Joseph to accept appointments as Guardian and later Provincial, his years of self-denial and charity enabled him to offer these attributes to the Friars with great benevolence–As Guardian, Fr. John Joseph always insisted upon performing the lowliest duties and was not above working in the kitchen, carrying wood or water to the Friars.

Fr. John Joseph passed away on this date in 1734 at the age of 80 he was Beatified in 1789 by Pope Pius IV and Canonized in 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI

An Inspiration Of Time With God For Today

March 4th, 2024

Jesus ministered saying, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” –Matthew 4:17

The Two Ways

Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path that sinners tread or sit in the seat of scoffers but their delight is in the Law of the Lord and on His Law they mediate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield fruit in its season and their leaves do not wither. In all they do, they prosper.

The wicked are not so but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous but the way of the wicked will perish.
Psalm 1:1-6

  • You May Know the Joy of Salvation and Eternal Life
    Today Through The Good News of Christ Jesus!

Today Christians Celebrate Feast of Prince Saint Casimir of Poland – Please Pray For Us!

March 4th, 2024

Saint Casimir

Saint Casimir (1458-1484)
Image:  Catholic Online@Facebook

(Franciscan Media) Saint Casimir was the third among thirteen children of King Casimir IV of Poland and of Queen Elizabeth of Austria a most virtuous woman.

Casimir was filled with exceptional values  and learning from great teacher Fr. John (Jan) Dlugosz a man of extraordinary learning and devotion, who constantly refused all offers to become Bishop and other offices of the Church and state which were pressed upon him.

As a teenager Casimir lived a highly disciplined life according to Franciscan Media spending a great part of the night in prayer and meditation, chiefly on the passion of our Savior writes EWTN by living always under the sense of the divine presence, that he remained perpetually united to and absorbed in, Casimir maintained an uninterrupted cheerfulness of temper and was mild and affable to all, dedicating himself to lifelong chastity.

When nobles in Hungary became dissatisfied with their King, they prevailed on Casimir’s father King Casimir IV of Poland to send his young son to take over the country–Casimir obeyed his father, as many young men over the centuries obeyed their government. The army that Casimir was supposed to lead was clearly outnumbered by the enemy, with some of the troops deserting as they were not being paid, at the advice of Casimir’s officers, he decided to return home.

Casimir’s father was angered at the failure of his plans and confined his young son for 3 months according to Franciscan Media from that time on, Casimir decided never to again become involved in the wars of his day and no amount of persuasion could change his mind. Casimir returned to prayer and study, maintaining his decision to remain chastity, even under pressure to marry the Emperor’s daughter.

The twelve years he lived after this, Casimir spent sanctifying himself in the same manner as he had done before, he reigned briefly as King of Poland during his father’s absence.

Following years of lung disease and observing to his last his vow of chastity despite the advice of his physicians to marry, imagining upon some false principle this may be helpful to sustain his life, Casimir died at the age of 23 in Lithuania on this date in 1484 and was buried in the Church of St. Stanislas and subsequently Canonized in 1522 by Pope Adrian VI in Rome.

On the 500 Anniversary of the death of Casimir, Pope Saint John Paul II recalled how Saint Casimir embraced a ‘life of purity and  prayer…rejecting the deceptive attractions of modern permissive society,’ living with convictions of ‘fearless confidence and joy,’ while embracing a life of celibacy and submitting ‘himself humbly to God’s will in all things.’

Related: For Today’s Holy Scripture Readings for the Memorial of St. Casimir, Visit: -USCCB

An Inspiration Of Time With God For Today

March 3rd, 2024

Homelessness California — Image Courtesy: Reuters

Those who give to the poor will lack nothing but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses. –Proverbs 28:27

Faith Without Works Is Dead

What does it profit my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works is dead.

Someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is One God, you do well. Even the demons believe and tremble. Do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the alter? (Genesis 22:1-18) Do you see that faith was working together with his works and by works faith was made perfect and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness and he was called the friend of God. (2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8) You see then a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot (Joshua 2:1-24) also justified by works when she received the messengers (spies) and sent them out another way?

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. –James 2:14-26

  • You May Know the Joy of Salvation, Forgiveness of Sins
    and the Assurance of Eternal Life in Heaven Today,
    Through The Good News of Christ Jesus!

Today Christians Celebrate Feast of St. Katharine Drexel – Please Pray For Us!

March 3rd, 2024

Saint Katherine DrexelSaint Katharine Drexel (1858-1955)
Image: Franciscan Spiritual Center

(EWTN) Born in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, Katharine was the second daughter of Francis Anthony Drexel, a wealthy banker, philanthropist and devout Catholic.

Katharine’s biological mother passed away 1 mo after she was born–her father remarried, his second wife Emma Bouvier, was a devoted mother not only to her own daughter Louisa but also to Katharine and her sister–the Drexel family instilled in their children by word and example that their wealth was simply loaned to them by God and was to be shared with others.

During Katharine’s school age years, she and her sisters were educated at home, traveling widely throughout the United States and Europe. According to Saint Katharine Drexel Mission in Virginia, the children were encouraged to conduct Sunday School for the children of the families employees at their Summer homes.

Early in her life, Katharine became aware of the plight of the Native & African-Americans and resolved one day to help those less fortunate than her.

In 1885 after Katharine inherited $20 Million from her father and step mother, she and her sisters traveled to the Western U.S. visiting Indian reservations. Having seen first hand the poverty and suffering there, Katharine began to build schools, paid the teachers salaries, together with supplying food and clothing to those in need–later Katharine was able to find Priests to serve the spiritual needs of the people. In 1887, Katharine established her first boarding school, St. Catherine’s Indian School in Santa Fe, NM.

That same year, Katharine visited Rome to request Pope Leo XIII, provide missionaries to staff the schools she was funding. The Holy Father responded by suggesting that Katharine become a missionary herself and on the 12 November, 1891 in an arrangement with Bishop James O’Connor, Katharine became a Novitiate and the name Sister Mary Katharine with the Sisters of Mercy in Pittsburgh, with the understanding that in 2 years she would found her own Order–the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament she vowed that she would.

Thirteen companions joined Sister Mary Katharine as the first Sisters of the new Order–the Motherhouse of the new Order was established at St. Elizabeth’s Convent in Cornwells Height, PA

Mother Katharine as she was now called, founded and staffed schools throughout the country. In 1894 she purchased 1,600 acres in Rock Castle Virginia on which she constructed a boarding school for African-American girls, the school opened in 1899 as St. Francis de Sales School.

Nearby was St. Emma’s for African-American boys built in 1895 by her sister Louisa–Both schools concentrated on vocational arts in the belief that this was the best way at the time to provide training for young African-American children to become economically independent.

Soon thereafter a school for Pueblo children was established in New Mexico, Mother Katharine made it a priority to visit all the schools that she financially helped. During her lifetime, Mother Katharine established 40 mission centers and 23 rural schools in 13 states.

In 1935 Mother Katharine suffered a heart attack and subsequently was primarily confined to a wheelchair, for the next 20 yrs she lived her life in prayerful retirement at St. Elizabeth’s Convent where she died on this date in 1955 at the age of 96–At the time of her death, 501 members of her Order were teaching in 63 schools and missions in 21 states.

On the 20 November, 1988 she was Beatified and on the 01 October, 2000 was  Canonized by Pope Saint John Paul II

More here from Franciscan Media

Related: Katharine Drexel and Elizabeth Ann Seton, Sister Saint’s who Changed Education in the U.S. Forever

Today Christians Honor St. Agnes of Bohemia, The Saint That Helped Bring Down Communism – Please Pray For Us!

March 2nd, 2024

St.Agnes of Bohemia

Saint Agnes of Bohemia (1205-1282)
Image: Nguoi Lu Hanh Vong

(Franciscan Media) Agnes had no children of her own but was certainly life-giving to all those who knew her. The daughter of Czechoslovakia King Ottokar I and Queen Constance of Hungary, at the age of 3 she was betrothed to the Duke of Silesia (who died three years later) as she grew up, Agnes decided she wanted to enter a religious life.

After declining marriage proposals to King Henry VII of Germany and King Henry III of England and Lord of Ireland, Agnes was faced with a proposal from Frederick II the most Holy  Roman Emperor, Agnes appealed to Pope Gregory IX for help and the Pontiff was persuasive–Fredrick magnanimously said that he could not be offended, if Agnes preferred the King of Heaven to him.

Agnes subsequently built a hospital for the poor, a residence for the Friars and she financed the construction of a ‘Poor Clare Monastery’ in Prague. In 1236, Agnes and seven other Noblewomen entered this monastery. St Clare, sent five Sisters from San Damiano to join them, writing Agnes four letters, advising her on the beauty of her vocation and her duties as the head of the Abbey.

Agnes now the Abbess, preferred to be called ‘Senior Sister’ and became known for prayer, obedience and abstinence but despite her position, she enjoyed cooking for the other Sisters and mending the clothing of lepers–the Sisters found Agnes very kind but strict regarding the observance of poverty–Agnes declined her brother’s offer to establish an endowment for the monastery.

Devotion to Agnes grew following her death on the 06 March, 1282 she was Canonized by Pope Saint John Paul II on the 12 November, 1989 just five days before the start of the ‘Velvet Revolution’ according to Franciscan Tradition which brought down the fall of Communism in Czechoslovakia.

It was on the following Friday that riot police suppressed a student demonstration in Prague, which led to a series of more demonstrations–On the 28 November, less than 3 weeks after Agnes of Bohemia was Canonized, the Communist party announced that it was relinquishing power. Saint Agnes of Bohemia was heralded as the Saint that helped bring down the Communist regime.

Saint Agnes of Bohemia became known as the ‘Princes Nun’ and is revered in the Czech Republic not only for her historical importance but also as a model for behavior today.

Related: 5 Reasons the Church Condemns Communism as “Intrinsically Wrong” – ChurchPOP

Today Christians Celebrate Feast of St. David of Wales – Please Pray For Us!

March 1st, 2024

St David of Wales

St. David of Wales –Image: NNDB

(CNA) Saint David is remembered as a missionary Bishop and the founder of many Monasteries during the 6th century United Kingdom, Wales.

Saint David’s conception is believed to have occurred as a result of rape–a detail that seems unlikely to have been invented by later biographers, his mother, Saint Non (or Nonna) may have been the daughter of Lord Cynyr of Caer Goch, according to Fr. Harry Allagree Blogger of ‘The Good Heart’ who gave birth to him atop of a cliff during a storm.

Becoming a renowned teacher and Priest, David was elected Bishop of Menevia, an important port city, linking Wales and Ireland in his time.

Twelve monasteries have their founding by Bishop David, who developed a reputation of strict asceticism. St David’s Cathedrial stands on the site of a monastery that he founded in Wales, Pembrokeshire.

It is believed that Bishop David, lived to be very old and died somewhere around 589, other traditions place his death at 601, his last words to his followers were reportedly:

“Be joyful and keep your faith and your creed. Do little things that you have seen me do and heard about. I will walk the path our fathers have trod before us.”

Saint David of Wales, was Canonized by Pope Callistus II in 1120

In 2010 Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI during his visit to Wales, spoke of today’s Saint of the Day and said:

“Saint David was one of the great Saints of the sixth century, that golden age of Saints and missionaries in these isles and he was thus a founder of the Christian culture which lies at the root of modern Europe. David’s preaching was simple yet profound: his dying words to his Monks were, ‘Be joyful, keep the faith and do little things.” It is the little things that reveal our love for the one who loved us first (1st John 4:19) and that bind people into a community of faith, love and service. May Saint David’s message, in all its simplicity and richness, continue to resound in Wales, drawing the hearts of its people to renewed love for Christ and His Church.”

  • Full Salute here of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
    to Saint David of Wales