Cristy Li

St. Wolfgang (924-994)
Image Courtesy: St. Paul Street Evangelization

(Franciscan Media) Born in Swabia what is now SW Germany and receiving an ecclesiastic by a tutor at home according to EWTN by a Tutor, later Wolfgang attended the celebrated monastic school on the Reichenau, here he would form a strong friendship with Henry, a young noble and brother of Bishop of Poppo of Wurzburg, who would later go onto be Archbishop of Trier.

Meanwhile Wolfgang, remained in close contact with the Archbishop, teaching in his Cathedral school and supporting his efforts to reform the Clerical discipline and spirituality according to SQPN in his diocese.

Upon the death of the Archbishop Henry of Trier, Wolfgang entered the Order of St. Benedict in the Abbey of Maria Einsiedeln in Switzerland  and was Ordained a Priest according to EWTN in 968 — Subsequently appointed director at the Monastery school there. Later Fr. Wolfgang was sent to Hungary as a missionary, though his zeal of good will yielded limited results.

Following the death of Bishop Michael of Ratisbon (23 September, 972) Bishop Piligrim obtained from the Emperor Otto II, the appointment of Fr. Wolfgang as Bishop of Ratisbon (modern day Germany Regensberg) Christmas Day 972 — Bishop Wolfgang’s services in this new position were of the highest importance not only for the diocese but also for the cause of civilization.

As Bishop of Ratisbon, Fr. Wolfgang would become the Tutor of Emperor Saint Henry II who learned from him the principles which would govern his Saintly and energetic life.

Bishop Wolfgang, initiated reforms of the Clergy and of religious life. Preaching with vigor, effectiveness and always demonstrating a special concern for the poor, he wore the habit of a Monk and lived an austere life.

The draw to a monastic life of prayer and solitude never left Wolfgang, at one point he would leave the diocese so that he could better devote himself to prayer but his responsibilities as Bishop of Ratisbon, called him back.

In 994 Bishop Wolfgang became ill while journeying, he died on this date at Pupping Linz (modern day Austria) — In 1052 Bishop Wolfgang was Canonized by Pope Leo IX

St. Alphonsus Rodriguez (1533-1617)
Image Courtesy: St. Paul Street Evangelization

(America Magazine) Alphonsus had come to the ‘Society of Jesus’ by a circuitous route. Born in Spain Segovia, Alphonsus was the second son of a prosperous cloth merchant. When St. Peter Faber (Favre) one of the original Jesuits visited the city to preach, the ‘Rodriguez Family’ provided hospitality to the Jesuit Priest Fr. Faber, who would help prepare the young Alphonsus for his First Communion.

At the age of 12 Alphonsus was sent to the Jesuit College at Alcala but his father’s death, put an early end to his studies and he was sent back home to take over the family business. — At the age of 27, Alphonsus would get married, he and his wife Maria would have three children (two died during infancy) one child survived according to SQPN but would later die, together with his wife Maria. Heavy taxes and expenses led Alphonsus to the brink of financial ruin. Many biographers depict him as feeling like a failure in life.

In his desperation Alphonsus called on the Jesuits for help and guidance–the lonely Widower prayed for many years to understand God’s desire for him.

Gradually Alphonsus found within himself the desire to become a Jesuit. At the age of 35 he was deemed to old to begin the long training for the Priesthood and besides lacked the education required according to SQPN and was rejected for entrance but Alphonsus’ holiness was evident to the local Provincial who accepted him into the Novitate as a Brother two years later–he stayed there for only 6 months before being sent to the Jesuit school in Spain Majorca in 1571 where he assumed the duties of porter/doorkeeper.

Each time Brother Alphonsus would open the door he said to himself, “I’m coming Lord.” — This practice reminded him to treat each person with as much respect as if it were Jesus Himself.

In 1605 Peter Claver then a 25 yr old Jesuit Seminarian (he would later be Canonized, St. Peter Claver Feast Day: 09 September) met the humble 72 yr old Brother Alphonsus at the college. The two would meet almost daily for spiritual conversations and in time, Alphonsus would encourage the young Peter Claver, to consider working overseas as a Missionary to the Spanish colonies.

This prospect thrilled Peter, who wrote to his Provincial for permission and in 1610 now a Priest, was sent to Cartagena (a port city) present day Colombia, to work with the West African Slaves (slavery was repeatedly condemned by Pope Paul III during the previous century) which had been captured and imprisoned by Slave Traders and shipped to South America.

Brother Alphonsus humbleness and holy life he led, attracted many to him. While his life as a doorkeeper may have been humdrum, he caught the attention of Poet and fellow Jesuit Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889) who made St. Alphonsus Rodriguez the subject of one of his poems.

St. Alphonsus Rodriguez died on this date in 1617 he was Beatified in 1825 by Pope Leo XII and Canonized in 1887 by Pope Leo XIII

More here from Franciscan Media and here from EWTN

St. Frumentius –Image: St. Paul Street Evangelization

(CNA) St. Frumentius helped in a great capacity to bring Christianity to Ethiopia — Born in Lebanon, he was shipwrecked in East Africa while voyaging on the Red Sea, only he and his brother Saint Aedeius survived.

They were subsequently taken to the King at Ethiopia and became members of the Court, when the King passed away, the two brothers stayed on as part of the Queen’s Royal Court — She permitted the two brothers to introduce Christianity to the country, as well as opening up trade between Ethiopia and the West.

Frumentius convinced St. Athanasius (Feast Day: 02 May) to send Missionaries from Alexandria — Frumentius was later consecrated as the Bishop of Ethiopia. During his lifetime, he helped to convert many people to Christianity before his death in 380

Blessed Bartholomew of Vicenza

(Franciscan Media) Dominicans honor one of their own today. — Blessed Bartholomew of Vicenza was born in 1200 in Italy, at the age of 20 he entered the Dominicans, following his Ordination into the Priesthood, he would go on to serve in several leadership positions. — As a young Priest, he founded a military Order whose purpose was to keep civil peace in towns throughout Italy.

In 1248 Fr. Bartholomew was appointed a Bishop, for most men, this appointment would be an honor, a tribute to their holiness and their demonstrated leadership skills but for the new Bishop Bartholomew, it was a form of exile that had been urged by an anti-papal group that was only too happy to see him leave Cyprus. — Not many years later however, Bishop Bartholomew was transferred back to Vicenza. Despite the anti-papal feelings that were still evident, Bishop Bartholomew worked diligently, especially through his preaching, to rebuild his Diocese and strengthen the people’s loyalty to Rome.

During his years in Cyprus, Bishop Bartholomew befriended King Louis IX of France, it is said he gave the Holy Bishop Bartholomew a relic of Christ’s Crown of Thorns.

Bishop Bartholomew passed away in 1270 he was Beatified in 1793 by Pope Pius VI

St Peter of Alcantara (1499-1562) Image Courtesy: Pinterest

(EWTN) Born in Spain Alcantara, Peter’s father was born in a noble family with his father Governor and his mother was of the noble family of Sanbia.

Following a course of Grammar and Philosophy in his native community, Peter was sent at the age of 14 to the University of Salamanca — Returning home two years later, Peter would become a Franciscan in the Convent of the ‘Stricter Observance of Manxaretes’ at the age of 22 he was sent to found a new community of the ‘Stricter Observance’ at Badjoz — In 1524 Peter was Ordained a Priest and the following year, made Guardian of the Convent of ‘St Mary of the Angels’ at Robredillo.

Fr. Peter within a few years began preaching with much success, he preferred ministering to the poor; Fr, Peter’s sermons taken largely from the Prophets and Sapiential Books/Writings (Wisdom) breathe the tenderest human sympathy.

Despite Fr. Peter’s success as a minister, still he was not above washing dishes and chopping firewood according to Franciscan Media he did not seek attention, indeed he preferred solitude and prayer — It is said, that he only 90 minutes each night. Fr. Peter’s penitential side was also evident when it came to food and clothing, while others spoke of Church reform, Fr. Peter’s ‘reform’ began with himself, his patience was so great that a Proverb arose regarding Fr. Peter:

“To bear such an insult one must have the patience of Peter of Alcantara.”

In 1544, Fr. Peter received permission to form a group of Franciscans that followed the Rule of St. Francis with even greater rigor. These Friars became known as the ‘Alcantarines’ — Some of the Spanish Friars who went to North & South American during the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries were members of this order. By the end of the 19th century the ‘Alcantarines’ were joined by other observant Friars to form the Order of the Friars Minor.

Fr. Peter passed away at the age of 63 in Spain and was Beatified in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV and Canonized in 1669 by Pope Clement IX

St. Anthony Mary Claret (1807-1870)
Image Courtesy: Catholic Online

(CNA) Born in Spain Catalonia at Salent in the Diocese of Vich, Anthony was trained for manual labor since his father was a weaver according to EWTN but in 1829 Anthony entered the Seminary at Vich and Ordained into the Priesthood in 1835 and was subsequently assigned as a pastor in his home parish and for 10 yrs worked there.

In 1849 Fr. Anthony gathered together 5 other Priests and formed the basis of the ‘Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary’ –popularly known as ‘The Claretians’ subsequently at the suggestion of the Queen of Spain Isabella II, Fr. Anthony was named Archbishop of Cuba Santiago in 1850 successfully reforming the Clergy and Laity, preaching against Slavery and regularized numerous marriages.

As a result of Archbishop Claret’s activities, he would often receive death threats and on one occasion, an attempt was actually made on his life.

In 1857 Archbishop Claret was recalled back to Spain as Confessor to the Queen00in this position, he was able to exert some influence in the naming of Bishop’s together with establishing a ‘Center for Ecclesiastical Studies’ at the Escorial (Monastery in Central Spain) and worked towards the recognition of religious orders in Spain.

In 1869 while in Rome preparing for the ‘First Vatican Council’ Archbishop Claret followed Queen Isabella II into exile and at the insistence of the Spanish Ambassador, Archbishop Claret was placed under house-arrest in the Cistercian Monastery in France, where he would subsequently breathe his last on this date in 1870

Archbishop Claret was Beatified in 1934 by Pope Pius XI and Canonized in 1950 by Pope Pius XII

More here from Franciscan Media

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

Saint Mary Salome, Zebedee with their sons Saint James the Greater and Saint John the Apostle Image/Artwork:–Mutual Art.com

(EWTN) One of the Holy Women present at the Crucifixion of Christ and who visited His tomb on the morning of the Resurrection.

See: Mark 15:40 and Mark 16:1

In Mark 15:40 we read: “There were also Women looking on from a distance, among them were Mary Magdalene and Mary the Mother of James the Younger (also referred as James the Less) and of Joses (also referred to as Joseph) and Salome.”

The parallel passage of Matthew 27:56 reads: “Among them were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.”

Comparison of the two gives a well grounded probability that the Salome of the former is identical with the mother of the sons of Zebedee, in the latter, who is mentioned also in Matthew 20:20 in connection with the petition (favor) of her sons.

Beyond these references in the Gospel narrative and what may be inferred from them nothing is known of Salome, though some scholars conjecture more or less plausibly that she is the sister of the Blessed Virgin Mary mentioned in John 19:25

Related: Feast of St. Mary Salome –Catholic News Agency

Alternative Feast Day: Pope Saint John Paul II –Franciscan Media