Cristy Li

Pope Saint Pontian & Saint Hippolytus
Image Courtesy: Fr. Brad Sweet@Twitter

Two men were martyred for their faith after exhaustion and brutal treatment…

Pope Saint Pontian: Born in Italy Rome, was chosen as the 18th Pope (230-235) During his reign he held a synod which confirmed the excommunication of the great theologian Origen in Alexandria.

In 235 Pope Pontian was banished to exile to work in the mines on the unhealthy island of Sardinia by the Roman Emperor, he subsequently abdicated the Papacy so that a successor could be elected in Rome–Pontian would subsequently die of harsh treatment.

Saint Hippolytus: Third century imperial Roman soldier according to SQPN assigned to guard Christian prisoners, he was subsequently converted by them and became a Priest — Censured in later years by the Pope for not coming down hard enough on certain heresy, was labeled a tool in the hands of one Callistus coming close to advocating the opposite heresy himself.

When Callistus I was elected Pope, Hippolytus accused him of being too lenient on Penitents and had himself elected as Antipope by a group of followers–he felt the Church must be composed of pure souls uncompromisingly separated from the world. Hippolytus remained in schism through the reigns of three Pope’s.

In 235 he would also be banished to the unhealthy island of Sardinia — Shortly before or after his banishment he was reconciled to the Church. Hippolytus died according to SQPN by being dragged or torn apart by horses while in exile.

Related: For Today’s Holy Scripture Readings for the Memorial of Pope St. Pontian and St. Hippolytus -USCCB

St. Jane Frances de Chantal  (1562-1641) –
Image Courtesy: Fr. Robert Barron

(Franciscan Media) Born in France Dijon, Jane Frances was a wife, mother, Nun and co-founder of The Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary (now Sisters of the Visitation of Holy Mary) in 1610 in France (Savoy) Annecy,  “To give to God daughters of prayer and souls so interior that they may be found worthy to serve His infinite Majesty and to adore Him in spirit and in truth.” –St. Francis de Sales

Jane Frances’ mother passed away when Jane was just 18 mo old, her father head of the French Parliament became the main influence on her education. — Over the years, Jane developed into a beautiful young Woman of refinement, lively and cheerful in temperament that by the age of 21 she married Baron de Chantel, with who she had six children (three of which died in infancy) at the castle at Bourbilly where they lived, Jane restored order to the household according to EWTN which was on the brink of ruin, bringing back prosperity.

During Baron de Chantel’s absence at the Court or with the Army, when reproached for her extremely sober manner of dress, Jane replied: “The eyes  which I must please are a hundred miles from here.” Jane found more than once that God blessed with miracles the care that she gave the suffering member of Christ.

Baron de Chantel was accidentally killed by an arquebus (an early type portable gun supported on a tripod) in 1601 — Left widowed at just 28 with 4 children, the broken-hearted baroness took a vow of chastity. In all of her prayers, she sought God to send her a guide. Subsequently God in a vision showed her the spiritual director He held in reserve for her. In order to safe guard her children’s property, she was obliged to go live at Monthelon, in the home of her father-in-law who was ruled over by an arrogant and wicked servant. This was real servitude which she bore patiently and gently for 7 years when at last, her virtue triumphed over the ill will of the old man and house keeper.

During Lent 1604 Jane visited her father at Dijon, where Francis de Sales (Feast Day: 24 January) was preaching at the Sainte Chappelle, she immediately recognized him as the mysterious director which had been shown to her in a vision–then began an admirable correspondence between the two future Saints.

Jane told Franci’s of her desire to become a Nun but he however persuaded her to defer her decision–Subsequently after three years, he told Jane of his plan to found an institute of Women, which would be a haven for those whose health, age or other considerations barred them from entering the already established communities. There would be no cloister (seclusion from the world) and they would be free to undertake spiritual and corporal works of mercy. They were primarily intended to exemplify the ‘Virtues of Mary at the Visitation’ (hence the name Visitation of Holy Mary) humility and meekness.

The usual opposition of Women in active ministry arose and Frances de Sales was obliged to make it a cloistered community following the Rule of St. Augustine — Francis wrote his famous Treatise on the Love of God for them.

The congregation (three Women) began when Jane Frances was now age 45 she underwent great sufferings: Francis de Sales died in 1622; her son was killed; a plague ravaged France; her daughter-in-law and a son-in-law died; Jane encouraged the local authorities to make great efforts for the victims of the plague and she would put all of her Convent’s resources at the disposal for the sick.

During a part of Jane Frances’ religious life, she underwent great trial of the spirit–interior anguish, darkness and spiritual dryness. Jane passed away while on a visitation of Convents of the community in France Moulins.

Jane Frances was Beatified in 1751 by Pope Benedict XIV and Canonized in 1767 by Pope Clement XIII

Related: For Today’s Most Holy Scripture for the Memorial of St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Visit: -USCCB

St. Clare of Assisi (1194-1253)
Image Courtesy: Archbishop Jose Gomez

(CNA) Born in Italy Assisi into a noble family, Clare’s mother received a sign before her birth that Clare would be a bright light of God in the world. As a child, Clare was already very strongly drawn to the things of God, praying fervently, devoutly visiting the Blessed Sacrament and manifesting a tender love towards the poor.

When Clare was 18 yrs of age she heard St. Francis (Feast Day: 04 October) preaching in the town square during Lent and she knew at once that God wanted her to consecrate herself to Him. The next evening Clare left her house at night and ran to meet St. Francis and his Companions at the Church they were staying in and shared her desire to follow him in his way of life.

St. Francis received her, gave her his tunic, cut off her golden locks and sent her to a Benedictine Convent because she could not stay with the Brothers. Clare’s younger sister St. Agnes soon joined her and the two young Women had to resist much pressure from their family to return home.

When Clare was 22 yrs old , St. Francis placed her in a small house beside the Convent and made her Superior, a post she would serve for the rest of her life.

The Poor Clare Sisters as they would became known, lived an unusually austere life for Women of their time, walking barefoot around town, wearing sackcloth, seeking alms (donations/charity) and living without any possessions, completely dependent on others for food of what was given to them but the emphasis of their lives was and still is–contemplation.

Many young noble Women left all they had to take on the Poor Habit of Clare and the Order grew rapidly with houses being founded all over Italy, all of them took Clare as their model and inspiration.

Clare’s reputation for holiness was such that the Pope came to her deathbed in 1253 to give her absolution and wanted to Canonize her immediately upon her death but was advised by the Cardinal’s to wait.

In absolute tranquility Clare would draw her last breathe on this date in 1253 saying to one of her bothers just before she passed: “Dear brother, ever since through His servant Francis, I have known the Grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ, I have never in my whole life found any pain or sickness that could trouble me.”

Clare was Canonized just two years subsequent to her death by Pope Alexander IV

More here from Franciscan Media

Saint Lawrence Distributing Alms –Image: Pinterest

(Vatican) Lawrence is believed to have been born in Spain at Osca, a town near Aragon near the foot of the Pyrenees. As a youth, he was sent to Saragonza to complete his secular and theological studies, it was here that Lawrence first encountered the future Pope Sixtus II a teacher in what was then one of the most renowned centers of academic learning–the future Pope was one of the most famous and esteemed teachers.

Lawrence who would become the head of the Deacons of the Roman Church was remarkable for his human qualities, his subtlety of the mind and for his intelligence. Between Master and Disciple a communion of life and friendship grew. With the passage of time, love for Rome, the center of Christianity and seat of the Vicar of Christ, was consolidated and grew stronger in both.

Eventually following a migratory wave which was then very pronounced, both left Spain for the city where the Apostle Peter had established his See and given supreme witness. Thus Master and Disciple were able to realize their ideal of evangelism  and missionary activity to the point of shedding their blood in Rome, the heart of Christianity.

Sixtus was raised to the Chair of St. Peter and began a Pontificate which would last for less than a year. — Without hesitation, he desired to have Lawrence his friend and Disciple at his side so as to entrust to him the important Office of Proto-Deacon. Both sealed their life of communion and friendship by dying at the hands of the same persecutor a few days apart from each other.

St. Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage preserves an account of the death of Pope Saint Sixtus  in one of his letters. Commenting on the situation of great uncertainty and unease in which the Church found herself because of increasing hostility towards Christians he notes:

“The Emperor Valerian has consigned to the Senate a decree by which he has determined that all Bishops, Priests and Deacons will be immediately be put to death.” Saint Cyprian then continued, “I communicate to you that Sixtus suffered martyrdom on the 6th August together with four Deacons while they were in a cemetery. The Roman authorities have established a norm according to which all Christians who have been denounced must be executed and their goods confiscated by the Imperial treasury.” (CSEL 3, 839-840)

Following Pope Sixtus martyrdom, Lawrence became the principal authority of the Roman Church having been the Church’s treasurer. When he was summoned before the executioners he was Ordered to bring all of the wealth of the Church with him. Lawrence showed up with a handful of crippled, poor and sick men and when questioned replied that, “These are the treasure of the Church.”

Lawrence was immediately then martyred for Jesus Christ by being burned to death this date in 258 on a gridiron.

More here from Franciscan Media and here from EWTN

Saint Cajetan (1480-1557)
Image Courtesy: Catholic Online

(EWTN) Born in Italy Vicenza, Cajetan family were of Venetian nobility and under the care of his deeply religious mother he was a studious and exemplary youth. As a young man, he studied law in Padua according to SQPN earning his law degree by the age of 24 becoming a Prothonotary Apostolic in the Court of Julius II, taking an important share in reconciling the Republic of Venice with the Pope.

Upon the death of Julius II in 1513, Cajetan withdrew from the Court and is credited with the founding shortly thereafter the Theatine Order to foster the Church mission, together with reviving the spirit and zeal of the Clergy in Rome, which spread to other communities. Though remarkable because of Cajetan love of God, he didn’t enter the Priesthood himself  until 1516

Recalled to Vicenza in the following year due to the death of his beloved mother, he subsequently founded there a hospital for the terminally ill, thus giving proof of the active charity that filled his life. — Fr. Cajetan passion was however more moved by spiritual diseases that plagued mankind and infected the Clergy of all ranks and like Saint Augustine (Feast Day: 27 May) in earlier times, he was diligent to help reform them by instituting a body of regular Clergy who should combine the spirit of monasticism with the exercises of the active ministry.

Returning to Rome in 1523 Fr. Cajetan laid the foundations of his new congregation which was Canonically erected by Pope Clement VII in 1524 — One of Fr. Cajetan four companions was Giovanni Pietro Caraffa, Bishop of Chieti — later Pope Paul VI — They managed to escape to Venice after their house in Rome was wrecked when Emperor Charles V’s troops sacked Rome in 1527 The Theatines were outstanding among the Catholic reform movements that took shape before the Protestant Reformation.

Fr. Cajetan likewise founded a ‘Monte de Pieta’ (a bank to help the poor and offer an alternative to Loan Sharks) in Naples, one of the many charitable, non-profit credit organizations that loaned money on the security of pawned objects, which later became the Bank of Naples.

In 1547 Fr. Cajetan passed away in Naples — In 1629 he was Beatified by Pope Urban VIII and Canonized in 1671 by Pope Clement X

More here from Franciscan Media

Related: For Today’s Bible Readings for the Memorial of St. Cajetan, Visit: -USCCB

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
Image: Archbishop Jose Gomez

(Franciscan Media) All the Synoptic Gospels tell the story of the Transfiguration: Matthew 17:1-8  Mark 9:2-9  Luke 9:28-36 with remarkable agreement. All three place the event shortly after Peter’s confession of faith, that Jesus is the Messiah and Jesus’ first prediction of His passion and death. Peter’s eagerness to erect tents or booths on the spot suggests it occurred  during the Jewish week long Fall celebration of Sukkot, celebrated the 15th day of Tishrei (varies in either September or October) just before the arrival of Diaspora.

In spite of the texts agreement, its difficult to reconstruct the Disciples’ experience, according to Scriptural Scholars because the Gospels drew heavily on Old Testament descriptions of the Sinai encounter with God and prophetic visions of the Son of Man. — Certainly Peter, James and John had a glimpse of Jesus’  divinity strong enough to strike fear into their hearts. Such an experience defies description, so they drew on familiar religious language to describe it and certainly Jesus warned them that His glory and His suffering were to be inextricably connected–a theme John highlights throughout his Gospel.

Tradition names Mt. Tabor as the site of the revelation. A Church first raised there in the 4th century was dedicated on the 06 August — A Feast in honor of the Transfiguration was celebrated in the Eastern Church from about that time–Western observances began in some localities about the 8th century.

On 22 July, 1456 Crusaders defeated the Turks at Belgrade, news of this victory reached Rome on the 06 August and Pope Callistus III placed the Feast on the Roman calendar the following year.

More here from EWTN

Related: For Today’s Bible Readings and More Visit: -USCCB: