Cristy Li

Blessed Virgin Mary
Image Courtesy: St. Paul Street Evangelization

(CNA) “Religious parents never fail by devout prayer to consecrate their children to the Divine service and love both before and after their birth,” writes EWTN and today’s Feast commemorates the presentation of the Blessed Virgin as a child in the temple. Tradition holds that all young Jewish girls were left in the care of the temple for a period of time, during which they were educated.

The Feast day originated in Asia, probably about the 7th century and is found in the constitution of ‘Manuel Comnenus’ (1166) as a recognized festival. — It was introduced in the Western Church in the 14th century. Pope Pius V, struck it from the calendar however Pope Sixtus V later reestablished the Feast in 1585

The Church Commemorates:

• Virgin Mary Mother of God (01 January)
• Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (31 May)
• Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (08 September)
• Feast of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (08 December) emphasizing the holiness conferred on Mary from the beginning of her life on earth, continued through her early childhood and beyond.
  

More here from Franciscan Media

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne –Image Courtesy: Catholic Online

(Franciscan Media) Born in France Grenoble to a family of wealth with political connections, Rose’s father Pierre Francois Duchesne was an Attorney, businessman and prominent civic leader, her mother Rose Perier according to SQPN was a member of a leading family.

From the age of 8 Rose had a desire to evangelize in the United States sparked by hearing a Jesuit Missionary speak of his work there.

Rose received a basic education at home from private tutors and religious instruction from her mother. At the age of 12, Rose was sent to be educated at the Convent of the ‘Visitations Nuns’ in Grenoble, she would join them at the age of 19 despite her parents opposition.

When the French Revolution broke out the Convent was closed and Rose began caring for the poor and sick, opening a school for homeless children and risking her life to help Priests in the underground.

When the political turmoil cooled, Rose rented her former Convent (now in shambles) and attempted to revive its religious life but the spirit was gone from it and there were only 4 Nuns left. Rose and her Sisters, joined the newly formed ‘Society of the Sacred Heart’ whose young Superior Saint Madeline Sophie Barat (Feast Day: 29 May) would be her lifelong friend.

In a short time Sister Rose ‘Philippine’ was a Superior and Supervisor of the Novitiate and school but her ambition from childhood, after hearing tales of Missionary work in Louisiana, was to go to the U.S. and work among the Indians there.

At the age of 49 Sister Rose Philippine believing this was her calling from God traveled together with four other Sisters, spending 11 months at sea enroute to New Orleans, then traveling 7 more weeks on the Mississippi River to St. Louis, which she then met one of the many disappointments in her life. — The Bishop had no place for the Nuns to live and work among the Indians but instead sent them to what she would call ‘the remotest village in the United States,’ St. Charles, Missouri but with characteristic, drive and courage, Sister Rose Philippine, founded the first ‘Free’ school for girls, West of the Mississippi.

Though Sister Rose Philippine was as hardy as any of the pioneer Women in the wagons rolling west to Florissant, MO, there she founded the first Catholic Indian school later adding others in the territory.

“In her first decade (in the U.S.) Mother Duchesne suffered practically every hardship the frontier had to offer, except the threat of Indian massacre–poor lodging, shortages of food, drinking water, fuel and money, forest fires and blazing chimneys, the vagaries of the Missouri climate, cramped living quarters and the privation of all privacy, the crude manners of children reared in rough surroundings and with only the slightest training in the country.” –Louise Callan, RSCJ, Philippine Duchsene

Finally at the age of 72 when unfortunately now in failing health and retired, Sister Rose Philippine got her lifelong wish, a new Mission was founded in Sugar Creek, KS among the Potawatomi Indians and she was taken along there. Though she was unable to learn the language of these Indians, they would soon name her as the “Woman-Who-Always-Prays.” — While others would teach, Sister Rose Philippine would be in prayer.

Legend has it that the Indian tribe’s children would sneak behind her as she knelt and would sprinkle bits of paper on her habit, coming back hours later and would find them undisturbed.

Sister Rose Philippine Duchesne passed away in St. Charles, MO at the age of 83 in 1940 she was Beatified by Pope Pius XII and Canonized in 1988 by Pope Saint John Paul II

More here from the Vatican

St. Agnes of Assisi Pray for Us That We May Also Have
The Gift of Great Faith —My Catholic Faith Ministries

(Franciscan Media) Born in Italy Assisi, Saint Agnes was the sister of Saint Clare of Assisi — Founder of Poor Clare Sisters (Feast Day: 11 August) and her first followers.

When Agnes left home two weeks after her sister Clare departed, her family attempted to bring Agnes back by force. — The attempted to drag her out of the Monastery but all of a sudden, her body became so heavy that several Knights could not budge it. Agnes’ uncle Monaldo attempted to strike/hit her but found himself temporarily paralyzed. The Knights subsequently left both Agnes and Clare in peace.

Agnes matched her sister Clare devotion to prayer and penance which characterized their lives at St. Damiano — In 1221 a group of Benedictine Nuns of Monticelli (near Florence) would ask to become Poor Clare Sisters  – Clare would send her her Sister Agnes to become Abbess of that Monastery, Agnes would subsequently write a rather sad letter, describing how much she missed her Sister Clare and the other Nuns at St. Damiano. After establishing other ‘Poor Clare Monasteries’ in Italy, Agnes was recalled to St. Damiano in 1253 when her Sister Clare was dying. — Agnes followed Clare in death just 3 months later and was Canonized in 1753 by Pope Benedict XIV

Dedication of the Basilicas of St. Peter & St. Paul
Image: St.Paul Street Evangelization

Today Christians celebrate the dedication of two of the 4 major Basilicas in Rome: St. Peter’s Basilica was originally built in 323 by the Emperor Constantine over the tomb of Saint Peter the Apostle (Feast Day: 29 June) the Church’s first Pope.

After standing for more than 1,000 years Pope Julius II ordered the building to be torn down due to structural concerns. The reconstruction of the new Church spanned over 200 years before its completion. It was dedicated on this date in 1626 and is considered  the most famous Church in Christendom.

St. Paul’s Basilica is located outside the original walls of Rome. Originally build by Emperor Constantine, it was destroyed by fire in 1823 however donations from around the world made the reconstruction possible.

Before the completion of St. Peter’s Basilica – St. Paul’s Basilica was the largest Church in Rome–This Basilica was built over the grave of St. Paul (Feast Day: 29 June) — Pope Pius IX consecrated the Basilica in 1854

• On the 09 November, I wrote here about the Feast of the Dedication of St. John Leteran Basilica in Rome and on the 05 August, I wrote here about the Feast of the Dedication of St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome.

St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Paul’s Basilica continue to draw millions of tourists each and every year.

More here from EWTN

Related: For Today’s Bible Readings for the Memorial of the Dedication of the Basilica of St’s Peter and Paul, -Visit: -USCCB

St. Elizabeth of Hungary (1207-1231)
Image: St. Paul Street Evangelization

(Franciscan Media) Born in Hungary Presburg, in her short life Elizabeth manifested such great love for the poor and suffering that she became the Patron Saint of: Charitable Societies, Charity Workers and the Secular Franciscan Order.

Elizabeth was a Princess, the daughter of King Andrew of Hungary and according to SQPN she was the Great-Aunt of St. Elizabeth of Portugal (Feast Day: 04 July) Elizabeth chose a life of penance and self-discipline when a life of leisure and luxury could easily have been hers–this choice endeared her in the hearts and minds of the people throughout Europe.

At the age of 14 Elizabeth wed Prince Louis of Thuringia (a German Prince) who she deeply loved, they had 3 children.

Under the spiritual direction of a Franciscan Friar, Princess Elizabeth led a life of prayer, sacrifice, together with service to the poor and sick. Seeking to become ‘One with the Poor’ Princess Elizabeth wore simple clothing–Daily she would take bread to hundreds of the poorest people who would come to her gate.

After just six years of marriage, Prince Louis died during the Crusades which left Elizabeth grief stricken. Princess Elizabeth’s in-laws would look upon her as squandering the royal purse and would mistreat her, finally evicting her out of the palace. — The return of her late husband’s allies from the Crusades would result in Princess Elizabeth’s reinstatement as her son was legal heir to the throne.

In 1228 Princess Elizabeth joined the Secular Franciscan Order spending the remaining few years of her life, caring for the poor in a hospital in which she founded in honor of St. Francis, near the mountain side from where her castle stood.

Princess Elizabeth’s health began to deteriorate while she was yet in her early 20s, she passed away just before her 24th birthday — As a result of her great popularity, Princess Elizabeth was Canonized just 4 years following her death in 1235 by Pope Gregory IX

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

Blessed Mary of the Passion (1839-1904)
Image: Franciscan Missionaries of Mary

Born in France Nantes into a noble Christian family according to the Vatican Helene Marie Philippine de Chappotin de Neuville, from childhood her deep faith and natural gifts attracted Helene to a religious life, first with the ‘Poor Clares’ and then with the ‘Society of Marie Repartrice’ where Helene received the name Mary of the Passion.

In March 1865 while still a Novice, Mary of the Passion was sent to India to the ‘Apostolic Vicariate of Madurai’ where she would take her vows and stay, ministering for the next 11 years.

In 1877 Mary of the Passion established the ‘Missionaries of Mary’ and in 1882 she was received into the Third Order of St. Francis for her congregation which became the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary.

Mary of the Passion zeal seemed to Know no bounds in responding to the calls of the poor and abandoned, she was particularly interested in the promotion of Women. With intelligence and discretion, she offered collaboration to others as she drew dynamism from contemplation of the great mysteries of the faith, in this way, she opened her institute to the horizons of universal mission, accomplished in St. Francis of Assisi’s evangelical spirit of simplicity, poverty and charity.

On this date in 1904 Mary of the Passion, passed away in Italy San Remo, leaving more than 2000 religious and 86 houses scattered abroad over 4 continents. – In 1999 Pope Saint John Paul II solemnly promulgated the Decree on the heroicity of the Virtues on Mary the Passions; She was Beatified in 2002

St. Gertrude the Great (1256-1302)
Image: St. Paul Street Evangelization

(Franciscan Media) Born at Thuringia Eisleben (today part of East Central Germany) we don’t know anything of her parents according to SQPN or what may have become of them — Gertrude may have been an orphan as she was raised at the Benedictine Abbey of ‘Saint Mary of Helfta’ from the age of five.

Gertrude is said to have been an extremely intelligent girl and dedicated student, excelling in her studies of Literature and Philosophy, when she became old enough, Gertrude took her vows and became a Benedictine Nun in Germany at Saxony Helfta, becoming one of the great Mystics of the 13th century.

Together with Sister Gertrude’s friend and teacher St. Mechtilde (Feast Day: 19 November) they practiced a spirituality called “Nuptial Mysticism’ that is, one comes to see themselves as the Bride of Christ. Gertrude’s spiritual life was a deeply personal union with Jesus and devotion to His Sacred Heart leading her into the very life of the Holy Trinity but this was no individualistic piety.

Sister Gertrude lived the rhythm of the Liturgy where she found Christ. In the Liturgy and the Holy Scripture, she found the themes and images to enrich and express her devotion–there was no clash between her personal prayer life and the Liturgy.

More here Monastery of St. Gertrude

St. Josaphat Kuncevyc (1580-1623)
Image: St. Paul Street Evangelization

(Franciscan Media) Born in Lithuania Volodymyr (modern day Ukraine) John Kuncevyc (taking the name ‘Josaphat’ in his religious life) was raised in a Catholic family according to EWTN and early in his life promoted Christian unity in the country divided between Orthodox and Catholicism.

In 1604 Josaphat would enter the Byzantine Monastery of Holy Trinity in Vilna and was elected as Archbishop of Polotsk 1o years later. While clinging firmly to unity with Rome, he firmly opposed the Latin’s who saw unity only in Latin terms and would rather suppress Byzantine traditions in the name of Catholic unity.

Archbishop Josaphat firmly opposed the Latinization of the people in his diocese, making enemies and severe critics among the Latin Clergy of Poland. — By Synod’s, Catechetical instruction, reform of the Clergy and personal example Archbishop Josaphat was successful in winning the greater part of the Orthodox in that area to the union.

The next year however a dissident hierarchy was established and a opposite number spread the allegations that Archbishop Josaphat had ‘gone Latin’ and that all of his people of his diocese would have to do the same.

Despite warning, Archbishop Josaphat went to Belarus Vitesbk, still a hotbed of trouble. Attempts were made to foment trouble for Archbishop Josaphat and drive him from his diocese. — A Priest was sent to shout insults at him from his own courtyard. When Archbishop Josaphat had the Priest removed and shut up in his house, the opposition rang the town bell and a mob assembled.

The vocal Priest was released but members of the riotous mob broke into Archbishop Josaphat’s home, he was hit with a ‘halberd’ (a two handed pole weapon commonly used in those days) then shot and his lifeless body thrown into the river on this date in 1623 — Later, Archbishop’s body was recovered and is now buried at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Archbishop Josaphat’s tragic death was a shock to both sides of the religious conflict according to SQPN and resulted in a ‘cooling off’ of the controversy.

Beatified in 1643 by Pope Urban VIII Archbishop Josaphat was Canonized in 1867 by Pope Blessed Pius IX

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