Cristy Li

Saint Peter Chrysologus
Image Courtesy: Archbishop Jose Gomez

(CNA) Born in Italy Imola in 406 Peter Chrysologus was an adult convert to Christianity — Following his study of Theology, Peter was Ordained a Deacon by Imola’s local Bishop Cornelius, whom he greatly admired and regarded as his spiritual father.

Bishop Cornelius, Peter’s mentor is credited with teaching Peter the values of humiliated and self-denial which benefited him as he lived as a Monk for many years, embracing a lifestyle of self-discipline, simplicity and prayer. Peter’s simple monastic lifestyle however would come to an end in 430 subsequent to the death of Archbishop John of Ravenna — Following this, the Clergy and the people of Ravenna chose a successor asking Cornelius (still the Bishop of Imola) to journey to Rome and obtain Papal approval of their candidate. Bishop Cornelius would take Peter with him, then still a Deacon to see Pope Sixtus III

Tradition relates that Pope Sixtus III had experienced a vision from God on the night before the meeting with Bishop Cornelius and Peter, commanding him to overrule Ravenna’s choice of a new Archbishop — Pope Sixtus  subsequently declared that Peter was to be Ordained as the new Archbishop to replace the late Archbishop John of Ravenna.

In Ravenna the new Archbishop Peter was received warmly by the Western Roman Emperor Valentinian III and his mother Galla Placidia, she is said to have given him the title ‘Chrysologus’ (signifying ‘Golden Speech’) because of his preaching skills.

Throughout the Archdiocese, Bishop Peter Chrysologus encountered the surviving remnants of paganism along with the various abuses and distortions of Catholicism — Bishop Peter Chrysologus would exercise zeal and pastoral care in curbing these abuses while evangelizing non-Christians during his leadership of the Church in Ravenna.

One of the major heresies of his day was ‘Monophysitism’ which held that Christ did not possess a distinct human nature in union with his eternal divine nature. Bishop Peter Chrysologus labored to prevent the westward spread of this error promoted from Constantinople by Eutyches.

Archbishop Peter Chrysologus also would make improvements to Ravenna’s Cathedral, together with overseeing the construction of several new Churches. Near the end of his life he addressed a significant letter to Eutyches in 448 stressing the Pope’s authority in the monophysite controversy.

Sometime before his death in 450 Bishop Peter Chrysologus returned to Imola his birthplace — In 451 the Church would officially condemn monophysitism.

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

Saint Martha — Image Courtesy: Archbishop Jose Gomez

(EWTN) Mary, Martha and Lazarus were close friends and are represented by St. John (Feast Day: 27 December) as living at Bethania but St. Luke (Feast Day: 18 October) would seem to imply that they were at least at one time, living in Galilee, without mentioning the town but it may have been Magdala and we should therefore suppose that ‘Mary of Bethania’ and St. Mary Magdalene (Feast Day: 22 July) are the same person.

There isn’t any doubt that Martha was an active sort of person– On one occasion Luke 10:38-42 Martha is seen preparing the meal for Jesus and served the dinner.

Yet as Biblical scholar Fr. John McKenzie (1910-1991) pointed out, Martha need not be rated as a “unrecollected activist.” The Evangelist is emphasizing what Our Lord said on several occasions about the primacy of the spiritual:

• “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on…seek first His kingdom and his righteousness…” Matthew 6: 25-33

• “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.” —Luke 4:4

• “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” —Matthew 5:6

St. Martha’s great glory is her simple and strong statement of faith in Jesus after her brother’s death: “Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live and whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to Him, “Yes Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world.” —John 11:25-27

Scripture commentators point out that in writing his account of the raising of Lazarus, St. John intends that we should see Martha’s words to Mary before Lazarus was raised as a summons that every Christian must obey. In Martha saying: “The Teacher is here and is calling for you,” John 11:28

Jesus is calling every one of us to resurrection–now in Baptismal faith, forever in sharing His victory over death and all of us, as well as these three friends, are in our own unique way, called to special friendship with Him.

Related: For Today’s Bible Readings on the ‘Memorial of St. Martha’ Visit: -USCCB

Saint Leopold Mandic (1887-1942)
Image: Pinterest

Born in Croatia, Leopold Mandic was the 11th of 12 children of a devout Christian and industrious family according to Catholic Heroes his parents Peter and Carlotta Mandic owned a fishing fleet.

Leopold joined the ‘Capuchin Franciscans’ and was Ordained several years later in spite of his health issues–Physically challenged, delicate and having a height of only 1.35 Meters (4.4 feet) with a clumsy walk, he could not speak loudly enough to preach publicly and for many years suffered from severe arthritis together with poor eyesight but despite his disabilities, Fr. Leopold Mandic developed tremendous spiritual strength and used to repeat to himself:

“Remember that you have been sent for the salvation of people, not because of your own merits, since it is the Lord Jesus and not you who died for the salvation of souls.”

A teacher of Patrology (the study of the Church Fathers) Fr. Leopold Mandic taught the Clerics of his province for several years but he is best remembered for his work in the Confessional where he sometimes spent 13 to 15 hours daily. — Several Bishops would seek him out for his spiritual advice.

Fr. Leopold Mandic’s dream was to go to the Orthodox Christians and work for the reunion of Roman Catholicism and Orthodoxy but unfortunately his health never permitted it — Often he would renew his vow to go to the Eastern Christians, this cause of unity was constantly in his prayers.

At a time when Pope Pius XII said that the greatest sin of our time is “to have lost all sense of sin,” (a plague that seems prevalent in our day too, I digress) — Fr. Leopold Mandic had a profound sense of sin and an even firmer sense of God’s grace awaiting human cooperation.

Suffering from esophagus cancer, in July 1942 while preparing for the liturgy Fr. Leopold Mandic collapsed, he would subsequently be given last rites — Franciscan Friars that had gathered at his bedside reportedly began singing the ‘Salve Regina’ and when they saw that Fr. Leopold Mandic had passed away they sang “O Clement, O Loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary.”

Fr. Leopold Mandic often had said, “A Priest must die from apostolic hard work, there is no other death worthy of a Priest.” — Fr. Leopold Mandic did what he said.

In 1976 Pope Paul VI Beatified Fr. Leopold Mandic — On the 16 October, 1983 he was Canonized at St. Peter’s Square by Pope Saint John Paul II

More here from Natl Catholic Register

Related: Alternative Feast Day of Blessed Stanley Rother, First American Martyr – Franciscan Media

St. Samson — EWTN

Pope St. Victor I — EWTN

Blessed Antonio Lucci (1682-1752)
Image: Tinh Tham

Born in Italy Agnone a city famous for manufacturing bells and copper crafts, he was given the name Angelo at Baptism.

Angelo attended the local school run by the ‘Conventual Franciscans’ and joined them at the age of 16, completing his studies for the Priesthood in Assisi where he was Ordained in 1705 — Further studies led to him receiving his Doctorate in Theology and appointments as Teacher in Agnone, Ravello and Naples.

Fr. Lucci was elected Minister Provincial in 1718 and the following year he was appointed Professor at ‘St. Bonaventure College’ in Rome, a position that he held until Pope Benedict XIII selected him as Bishop of Bovino in 1729

Pope Benedict XIII said of Fr. Lucci: “I have chosen as Bishop of Bovino and eminent theologian and a Great Saint.”

Bishop Lucci’s 23 years in his position were marked by visits to local Parishes and a renewal of Gospel Living among the people of his Diocese — Bishop Lucci dedicated his episcopal income to works of education and charity. At the urging of the ‘Conventual Minister General’  Bishop Lucci wrote a major book about the Saints and Blesseds in the first 200 years of the Conventual Franciscans.

In 1989 Pope Saint John Paul II Beatified Bishop Lucci, three years after his close friend St. Francis Fasani was Canonized.

Saint Joachim & Saint Anne –Image: uCatholic

(Franciscan Media) In the Scriptures, Matthew and Luke furnish a legal family history of Jesus, tracing ancestry to show that Jesus is the culmination of great promises, not only is his mother’s family neglected, we also know nothing factual about them except of their existence–Even the names: Joachim and Anne come from a legendary source written more than a century after Jesus’ crucifixion, death and resurrection.

The heroism and holiness of these individuals however is inferred from the whole family atmosphere around Mary in the Scriptures–Whether we rely on the legends about Mary’s childhood or make guesses from the information in the Bible, we see in her fulfillment of many generations of prayerful persons, herself steeped in the religious traditions of her ancestors.

The strong character of Mary making decisions, her continuous practice of prayer, her devotion to the Torah, her steadfastness in moments of crisis and her devotion to her family–all indicate, a close knit and loving family that looked forward to the next generation, even while retaining the best of the past.

Saint’s Joachim and Anne, whether these are their real names or not, represent that entire quiet series of generations, who faithfully performed their duties, practice their faith and establish an atmosphere for the Coming of the Messiah but remain obscure.

More here and here from EWTN

Related: For Today’s Most Holy Scripture Readings for the Memorial of St’s Joachim & Anne, Visit: -USCCB

Saint James the Greater
Image: Knights of Columbus

(CNA) James the son of Zebedee and Salome, the brother of St. John the Apostle (Feast Day: 27 December) and may have been Jesus’ cousin according to SQPN he is called ‘The Greater’ simply because he became an Apostle before St. James the Lesser (Feast Day: 03 May) was the first Apostle to be martyred with a sword by order of King Herod Agrippa in 44 at Jerusalem.

Saint James was one of three Apostles who were particularly close to Jesus, he was there with the Lord and his brother John and Peter at the Transfiguration, in the Garden of Gethsemane and most of the recorded miracles of Jesus Christ.

It is worthy of notice that James is never mentioned in the ‘Gospel of Saint John’ who observes a humble reserve not only with regard to himself but also about the members of his family.

Full biography here on St. James the Greater from EWTN

Saint Sharbel Makhluf (1828-1898)
Image: Archbishop Terry

Born in Lebanon and the son of a mule driver according to SQPN Joesph Zaroun Makhlouf, was raised by an uncle because his father passed away when he was but 3 yrs old –little more is known of his youthful days except that his favorite book was Thomas e Kempis’ The Imitation of Christ, a Christian devotional classic.

When Joseph was 23 he sneaked away to join the Baladite Monastery of Saint Maron at Annaya, where he took the name Sharbel (Charbel) in memory of the 2nd century martyr for Jesus Christ, in 1853 he professed his final vows and was Ordained six years later.

Following the example of Saint Maron (Died 410 AD) Sharbel lived as a Hermit from 1875 until his death, his reputation for holiness, prompted people to seek him to receive a blessing and to be remembered in his prayers. — Sharbel followed a strict fast and was very devoted to the Blessed Sacrament, when his Superiors asked him to administer the sacraments to a nearby village, Sharbel did so gladly.

Sharbel Makhluf passed away late in the afternoon of Christmas Eve 1898 in Lebanon Annaya — Christians and non-Christians alike, soon made his tomb a place of pilgrimage for prayers and healing. Sharbel was Beatified in 1965 and Canonized in 1977 by Pope Paul VI

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

Saint Bridget of Sweden
Image: Catholic Online

(Franciscan Media) Born at Finsta Castle in Sweden Uppsala, Bridget was the daughter of Birger Persson, Governor and Provincial Judge of Uppsala according to SQPN and was one of the greatest landowners in the country. — Bridget’s mother was known widely for her religious conviction and Christian devotion.

From the age of 7 on, Bridget began receiving visions of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion which formed the basis for her youthful activities–always with the emphasis on charity rather than spiritual favors.

In 1315 Bridget’s mother passed away, she was then raised and educated by her Aunt that held strong Christian convictions like her mother had. A year subsequently in 1316 Bridget married Prince Ulfo of Nercia (an arranged marriage) becoming the mother of eight children.

Bridget continually strove to exert good influence of Sweden’s King Magnus II (1316-1374) who gave her land and buildings to found a Monastery for Women & Men. Following Prince Ulfo’s death in 1344 Bridget pursued a religious life for which she was continually harassed by others in the Royal Court — Bridget would later renounce her title as Princess.

In 1346 Bridget founded the ‘Order of the Most Holy Savior’  Bridgettiness of Vadstena which received confirmation Pope Urban V in 1370 and remains in existence to this day in Sweden.

Bridget died on this date in 1373 in Italy Rome and was Canonized in 1391 by Pope Boniface IX

Saint Mary Magdalene –Image Courtesy: Archbishop Jose Gomez

(Franciscan Media) Except for the Holy Mother of Jesus, few Women are more honored in the Bible than Mary Magdalene–Yet she could well be the Patron Saint of the ‘Slandered’ since there has been a persistent legend in the Church, that she is the unnamed sinful Woman who anointed the feet of Jesus in Luke 7:36-50 and was forgiven.

Most scripture scholars today point out, there is no scriptural basis for confusing the two Women. Mary Magdalene that is, ‘of Magdala’ was the one from whom cast out seven demons —Luke 8:2 an indication–at the worst of extreme demonic possession or possibly serious illness.

• Fr. Wilfred J. Harrington O.P. writing in the ‘New Catholic Commentary’ says that the “seven demons — does not mean that Mary had lived an immoral life–a conclusion reached only by a means of mistaken identification with the anonymous woman of Luke 7:36-50.”
  

• Fr. Edward Mally, S.J. writing in the ‘Jerome Biblical Commentary’ agrees that she “is not…the same person as the sinner of Luke 7:36-50 despite the later Western romantic tradition about her.”

Mary Magdalene was one of the many “who were assisting them (Jesus and the Twelve) out of their means.” — Mary Magdalene was present at the Cross with His Mother and of all the ‘official’ witnesses that may have been chosen for the first awareness of the Resurrection–she was the one to whom that privilege was given. Mary Magdalene is known as the: Apostle to the Apostles.

More here from EWTN

Related: For Today’s Most Holy Scripture Readings on the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene, Visit: -USCCB