Cristy Li

Blessed Jolenta of Poland (1235-1298) Image: Paxetbonum/Franciscan Saints

(Franciscan Media) Born a Princess in Hungary, Jolenta was the daughter of King Bela IV her mother was the daughter of the Greek Emperor of Constantinople; Jolenta’s eldest sister Saint Cunegunda (Feast Day: 24th July) was married to the Duke of Poland–Jolenta was sent to Poland, where her sister was to supervise her education.

Eventually, Jolenta married Duke Boleslas V (Prince of  Poland Kalisz) –Jolenta was able to use her material assets to assist the poor, sick, widows and orphans, Jolenta husband Boleslas V, joined her in constructing hospitals, a Poor Clare Convent and Monastery in Poland, Gnesen and Churches so that he received the surname, ‘The Pious’ Upon the death of Jolenta husband and the marriage of two of her daughters, Jolenta and her third daughter entered the Convent of the ‘Poor Clares at Sandec’ according to Paxetbonum where despite her reluctance, Jolenta was named the Abbess.

So well did Jolenta serve her Franciscan Sisters by word and example, that her fame and good works continued to spread beyond the walls of the Convent — Jolenta favorite devotion was the ‘Passion of Christ’ indeed Jesus appeared telling Jolenta of her coming death –many miracles, even to our own day are said to have occurred at Jolenta grave.

Jolenta passed away on the 11 June 1298 in Poland Gnesen and was Beatified in 1827 by Pope Leo XII in 1827

More here from SQPN

Saint Joachima (1783-1854)
Image: Padre Eduardo Sanz de Miguel

(Franciscan Media) Born in Spain Barcelona into an aristocratic family, Joachima was just 12 yrs old when she expressed a desire to become a Carmelite Nun but her life took an altogether different turn when she married at the age of 16 to a young lawyer Theodore de Mas, both deeply devout Christians, they became secular Franciscans and during their marriage, they brought up 9 children.

The normalcy of their family life abruptly changed when Napoleon invaded Spain, Joachina decided to flee with her children, her husband decided to stay behind and subsequently died.

Following Thedore de Mas death in 1816, Joachima reexperienced a desire to enter a religious community but she attended to her duties as a mother–while at the same time, Joachina now 33 years old, led a life of austerity and chose to wear the habit of the ‘Third Order of St. Francis’ as her ordinary dress–she likewise spent much time in prayer and visiting the sick.

Four years later with some of Joachima children now married and younger ones caring for themselves, Joachina confessed her desire to a Priest to join a religious order.

With the Priest’s encouragement, Joachima established the ‘Carmelite Sisters of Charity’ (which exists today as Order of Carmelites in Italy Rome) in the midst of the fratricidal wars occurring at the time.

Joachima opened numerous houses for the care of the sick, together with helping and looking out for those who were uneducated and impoverished. — Illness ultimately compelled Joachima to resign as Superior of the ‘Carmelite Sisters of Charity’ and over the next four years, she slowly succumbed to paralysis and passed away at the age of 71 in 1854

Beatified in 1940 by Pope Pius XII, Joachima was Canonized in 1959 by Pope Saint John XXIII

More here from Carmelnet.org

Saint Ephrem (306-373)

(Franciscan Media) Born in Syria Mesopotamia, Ephrem was a young man when he was baptized and became a famous Teacher, Poet, Orator and defender of Christianity–Ephrem is the only Syrian recognized as a Doctor of the Church.

Ephrem took it upon himself the special task of opposing the many false doctrines that were rampant in his time, always remaining a true and forceful defender of the Catholic Church.

One of Ephem’s biographers relates a story according to EWTN that on a certain occasion he cursed from the city walls the Persian hosts, whereupon a cloud of flies and mosquitoes settled on the Army of Sapor II King of Persia and compelled it to withdraw. The adventurous campaign of Julian the Apostate, which for a time menaced Persia ended, as is well known in disaster and his successor Jovianus, was only to happy to rescue from annihilation some remnant of the great army which his predecessor had led across the Euphrates.

Ephrem was Ordained as a Deacon (declining to become a Priest) in Edessa and also became quite well known for his sermons according to Catholic News Agency which combined articulate expressions of Catholic orthodoxy with urgent and fruitful calls for repentance.

A voluminous writer and author, Ephrem produced commentaries on the entire Bible as well as theological poetry for which he is best remembered. — Ephrem used the Syriac language verse as a means to explain and popularize theological truths, a technique that he appropriated from others who had used poetry to promote religious error.

Ephrem’s works reflected deep insight and knowledge of the scriptures. In writing about the mysteries of humanity’s redemption, Ephrem reveals a realistic and humanly sympathetic spirit, together with a great devotion to the divine nature of Jesus.

It is inspiring to read the hymns that Ephrem wrote against the heretics of his day, he would take the popular songs of the idolatrous and heretical groups and using their own melodies, composing beautiful hymns emboding orthodox doctrine.

Ephrem became one of the first to introduce music into the Church public worship as a means of instruction for the faithful. — His many hymns earned him the title: Harp of the Holy Spirit.

Near the end of his life according to Catholic News Agency Ephrem briefly served the poor and the sick during a famine which may have attributed to his own death. When Ephrem’s last day had come to his life, he told his friends:

“Sing no funeral hymns at Ephrem’s burial…Wrap not my carcass in any costly shroud. Erect no monument to my memory. Allow me only the portion and place of a Pilgrim, for I am a Pilgrim and a stranger as all my fathers were on earth.”

Ephrem passed away on this date in Edessa (modern day Iraq) — Soon after his death, Ephrem was remembered in a public address by his contemporary Saint Gregory of Nyssa (Feast Day: 10 January) who closed his remarks by asking Ephrem’s intercession:

“You are now assisting at the divine alter and before the Prince of Life with the Angels, praising the most Holy Trinity. Remember us all and obtain for us the pardon of our sins.” 

More here from Butler’s Live of the Saints

Saint William of York
Image: Catholic Online@Facebook

(Franciscan Media) William born in England, was the son of Count Herbert, Treasurer to King Henry I according to SQPN William seemed destined for great things, his Uncle was in line to the throne–though a nasty dynastic struggle complicated things and William faced an internal Church feud.

Despite these circumstances, William was selected as Archbishop of York in 1140 though his selection was challenged by a group of reformers especially the Cistercians after William was accused of simony, sexual misconduct and being unduly influenced by his families connections to the Royal Court–The Vatican investigated the allegations, subsequently clearing William and then confirmed him as Archbishop in 1143

A few years later the allegations again were made, Pope Eugene III a Cistercian suspended Archbishop William and replaced him with Henry Mudac a Cistercian and Abbot of Fountains — Subsequently, some of William’s supporters took to the streets, violently protesting his suspension and removal, burning down the Monastery of Fountains.

William in the meantime, retired to Winchester and became a Monk.

Pope Eugene III passed away in 1153 and was succeeded by Pope Anastasius IV, William was called from seclusion and once again Ordained as Archbishop of York, receiving an enthusiastic welcome. Within two months however he was dead.

Allegations of the poisoning of Archbishop William surfaced with his administrative assistant being the prime suspect but no charges were ever filed.

Despite all that happened to Archbishop William of York, he never showed resentment toward his accusers or opponents–Following his death, many miracles were attributed to him.

Archbishop William of York was Canonized in 1226 by Pope Honorius III

St. Anthony Mary Gianelli
Image: Aquinas and More

(CNA) Born 1789 in Italy Cerreto, Anthony grew up in a poor but devout Christian family in a small farming village in Italy Genoa, his mother taught him Catechism according to SQPN his father was known as a man of generosity and a peace maker in their community.

The owner of Anthony’s family farm paid for his Seminary education because he was such a promising student. Ordained a Priest in 1812 at the age of 23, he required special dispensation. Fr. Anthony Gianelli served as a Parish Priest and eventually founded several religious communities–some of them short lived:

• Missionaries of St. Alphonsus in 1827 (which existed until 1848)

• Oblates of St. Alphonsus in 1828 (which existed for 20 years)

• The Sisters of Our Lady of the Garden in 1829 which exists to this date, now called: ‘Daughters of Our Lady of the Garden‘ operating in the United States, Europe and Asia.

In 1837 Fr. Gianelli was named Bishop of Italy Bobbio, which he actively restored devotions and instructed the faithful, Bishop Gianelli became known as the ‘People’s Bishop’ visiting with his Parishes and organizing two Synods.

After serving as Bishop for just 9 years, Bishop Anthony Gianelli died on this date in 1846 at the age of just 57 as a result of a serious fever.

Bishop Gianelli was Beatified in 1925 by Pope Pius XI and Canonized in 1951 by Pope Pius XII

More here from Catholic Online

Saint Norbert (1080-1134)
Image: Catholic Culture

(Franciscan Media) Born into nobility in Germany Xanten, Norbert was raised around the Royal Court according to SQPN and served as Almoner (official distributor of Alms) for Emperor Henry V — While in the Court, he developed a very worldly view and joined the Benedictines at Siegburg.

During the 12th century in the French region of Premontre, Norbert founded a Religious Order known as the Premonstratensians (also known as the: Norbertines) the founding of the Order was a huge undertaking. They followed the Rule of Saint Augustine, with attention in five areas:

• Singing of the Divine Office
• Devotion to Saving of Souls for Christ
• Spirit of Habitual Penance
• Commitment to the Holy Eucharist
• Passion for the Immaculate Conception

Norbert entertained no pretensions about his own ability to accomplish the multiple tasks, even with the aid of Priests, Nuns and Clerics that joined the Order, he realized that nothing could be accomplished without God’s power and direction.

Finding this help especially in devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, the ‘Premonstratensians’ praised God in the successes they had in converting heretics, reconciling numerous people and others, together with rebuilding faith within dispassionate believers.

Norbert was later made Archbishop in Germany Magdeburg, in this position Bishop Norbert continued his work zealously and courageously for the Church until his death on this date in 1134 — Norbert was Canonized in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII

More here from EWTN

Saint Boniface (673-754)
Image: Catholic Online

(CNA) Born in England (between the year 673 to 680) Boniface was educated at a Benedictine Monastery, becoming a Monk and was sent as a missionary to Germany.

Boniface was very bold in his faith and was well known for being very good at using the local customs and culture in his ministry to convert souls to Christ. In Germany, Boniface destroyed pagan idols and temples, subsequently constructing Churches on the sites — Boniface later was made Archbishop of Germany Mainz.

One story about Archbishop Boniface tells us about when he met a tribe in Saxony worshiping a Norse deity in the form of a huge oak tree according to SQPN Boniface walked up to the tree, removed his shirt, took an ax and without uttering a word, hacked down the 6 foot wooden idol. Subsequently Bonface stood at the trunk and inquired: “How stands your mighty god? My God is stronger than he.” The crowds reactions were mixed but some conversion to Jesus Christ begun as a result thereof.

Archbishop Boniface was martyred for Jesus Christ on this date in 754 while on a mission trip to Holland, where a gang of Pagans attacked and killed him, together with 52 of his companions.

More here from EWTN

Related: For Today’s Holy Scripture Readings and More, Visit: -USCCB

Blessed Angeline of Marsciano (1374-1435)
Images Courtesy: Key to Umbria

Born in Italy near Orvieto, Angeline was 12 yrs old when her mother passed away–three years later, she made a vow of perpetual chastity. That same year however, she yielded to her father’s decision that she wed the ‘Duke of Civitella’ her new spouse agreed to respect her vows to God.

When Angeline’s spouse passed away two years later, she joined the ‘Secular Franciscans’ and with several other Women, dedicated herself to caring for widows, orphans the poor and the sick.

Many other Women were attracted to Angeline’s community, subsequently she and other Women went to Foligno where Angeline founded of the First Community of Franciscan Women (other than ‘Poor Clares’ to receive Papal approval) which received Papal approval in 1397

Angeline soon established 15 similar communities of Women in other Italian cities. — Angeline passed away on the 14 July, 1435 and was buried in the Franciscan Church in Foligno according to Butler Lives of the Saints/Wikipedia she was Beatified in 1825 by Pope Leo XII