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April 1 |
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St. Hugh of Grenoble
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St. Hugh was born in 1052 in France. He grew up
to be tall and handsome, gentle and courteous.
Although he always wanted to live for God as a
monk, he was given important positions instead. He
was ordained a priest and then a bishop.
As bishop, Hugh began at once to correct unjust
customs of some people in his diocese. He made
wise plans, but that was not all he did. To draw
God’s mercy upon his people, Bishop Hugh prayed
with his whole heart and offered sacrifices. In a
short time, many of the people became virtuous and
prayerful. Only some of the nobility continued to
oppose him.
Bishop Hugh still thought about the life of a
monk. It was what he truly wanted. He resigned as
bishop of Grenoble and entered a monastery. At last,
he was at peace. Yet it was not God’s will for Hugh
to be a monk. After a year, the pope sent him back to
Grenoble again. Hugh obeyed. He knew it was more
important to please God than to please himself.
For forty years, Bishop Hugh was sick nearly all
the time. He had severe headaches and stomach problems.
But he kept on working. He loved his people
and there was so much to do for them.
Bishop Hugh died on April 1, 1132, two months
before his eightieth birthday. He had been a generous
and holy bishop for fifty-two years. In 1134, just two
years after his death, Hugh was proclaimed a saint by
Pope Innocent II.
Sometimes we think we know what’s best for us,
as St. Hugh thought it was best for him to be a
monk. We may feel more comfortable doing one
thing rather than another. But God may want us to
do something completely different. We should pray
to know God’s will and then follow it. Doing the will
of God is what makes us really happy.
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April 2 |
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St. Francis of Paola
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Francis was born in the tiny village of Paola, Italy,
around 1416. His parents were poor but humble and
holy. They had prayed to St. Francis of Assisi for a
son. When their baby was born, they named him
after the saint.
When Francis was old enough, he went to a
school taught by the Franciscan priests. When he
was fifteen, he asked for and received his parents’
permission to become a hermit and spend his life for
God alone. After this, Francis went to live in a cave.
In 1436, two of his friends joined him. They
built a monastery, and Francis wrote a rule of life
stressing charity, humility and penance. He added a
vow of fasting and abstinence from meat. In this
way Francis and his community hoped to set an
example for so many Christians who at that time
did not take their Lenten obligations of fasting and
avoiding meals of meat on certain days seriously.
Francis’s Order was approved by Pope Sixtus IV in
1474. They were called the Minim Friars, meaning
“the littlest ones.” This name was chosen because of
the importance of the virtue of humility for Francis
and his friars.
Everyone loved Francis. He prayed for them and
worked many miracles. He told his followers that
they must be kind and humble. He himself was the
best example of the virtues he preached.
When King Louis XI of France was on his
deathbed, he asked the pope to send Francis to him.
Francis was such a source of hope and comfort for the
dying king, that the king’s son, Charles VIII, became
Francis’s lifelong friend and benefactor. Charles built a
monastery in Plessis, France, for the Minims, and this
is where Francis spent the rest of his life.
Francis of Paola died on Good Friday, April 2,
1507 at the age of ninety-one. He was canonized a
saint in 1519.
St. Francis knew that it’s very important while
we’re living on this earth to get ready for the life we
want to spend with God forever in heaven.
Sometimes we can get so wrapped up in music, television
shows, videos and computer games that we
forget all about God. Saying our prayers every morning
when we get up and every night when we go to
bed are two important ways to keep close to God.
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April 3 |
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St. Richard de Wyche
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St. Richard was born in England in 1197. He and his
brother became orphans when Richard was very young.
His brother owned some farms. Richard gave up his studies
to help him save the farms from going to ruin. He
worked so hard that his grateful brother wanted to give
the farms to him, but Richard would not accept them. He
wanted to go away to college to get a good education. He
knew that because he had very little money, he would
have to work hard to pay his tuition.
Richard went to Oxford University. He was eventually
given an important position at the university.
Later, St. Edmund, who was archbishop of Canterbury,
gave him responsible assignments in his diocese.
When St. Edmund died, Richard attended the
Dominican House of Studies in France. There he was
ordained a priest. Then he was made the bishop of
Chichester, England, and that is why he is also known
as Richard of Chichester.
King Henry III wanted someone else to be bishop.
He had a friend in mind, but this person did not have
the qualifications. The matter was brought to the
pope in Rome and in 1245, Pope Innocent IV ruled
that Richard was the valid bishop of Chichester. King
Henry III was angry and refused to let Richard into his
own cathedral. The king also threatened the people
of Chichester with punishment if they offered
Richard hospitality. But some brave people, like Father
Simon, a priest from Chichester, helped Bishop
Richard anyway. The two men became great friends.
King Henry only gave in when the pope threatened to
excommunicate him if he continued to interfere.
As bishop, Richard did his duties well. He was always
gentle and kind with the people. Once in a while, he
had to be stern. He was courageous and confronted people
when they were doing wrong and were not sorry.
It is said that when Bishop Richard became ill, he
foretold his death, because God had let him know the
exact place and time when he would die. His friends,
including Father Simon, were at his bedside. He died
at the age of fifty-five in 1253. He was proclaimed a
saint by Pope Urban IV in 1262.
As a farmer, a student, a priest and a bishop, St.
Richard did his duties as well as he could. Let’s ask
him to help us always try our very best at home
and at school.
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April 4 |
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St. Isidore of Seville
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Isidore was born around the year 560 in
Cartagena, Spain. His two brothers, Leander and
Fulgentius, were bishops who became saints. His sister
Florentina, a nun, also became a saint.
Isidore was taught by his older brother Leander.
Little Isidore thought Leander was just about the
meanest person in the whole world because Leander
always made him study and do his homework. But
the day came when Isidore realized that Leander had
really been a wonderful friend. He taught Isidore that
we can do so much good for Jesus’ Church when we
take our education seriously.
Leander became bishop of Seville, and when he
died around the year 600, Isidore took his place.
Isidore was bishop of Seville for thirty-seven years.
He continued Leander’s work of bringing the Gospel
of Jesus to the Visigoths.
Isidore was an organizer, too. He was asked to direct
two important Church meetings called Councils. The
first was held in Seville, Spain, in 619. The second
Council took place in Toledo, Spain, in 633. These
Councils helped the Church become more united.
Isidore is considered one of the most learned
men of his times. He understood the importance of a
good education. He founded schools to train priests.
These were similar to the seminaries we have today.
Isidore also wrote many works on theology, astronomy,
geography, and history, as well as some biographies.
Besides Spanish, he could speak and write in
Latin, Greek, and Hebrew.
Isidore led a strict life and shared what he had with
the poor. There was a constant stream of people at his
door from morning till night. They came from all over
the country because they knew he would help them.
Isidore died on April 4, 636. He was canonized in
1598. In 1722, Pope Innocent XIII declared him a
Doctor of the Church.
The story of St. Isidore reminds us that our
minds are a special gift from God. And it’s a gift
that we don’t want to waste. We can ask St. Isidore
to help us apply our minds to things that are really
worthwhile.
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April 5 |
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St. Vincent Ferrer
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Vincent Ferrer was a wonderful Christian hero.
He was born in Valencia, Spain, in 1350. He had a special
devotion to the Blessed Mother and was happy
whenever anyone spoke of her. When he was seventeen,
Vincent entered the Dominican Order, also
called the Order of Preachers. He was very intelligent
and did well in his studies. He was handsome too, but
he wasn’t proud or boastful.
From the age of twenty-one, Father Vincent taught
at different colleges. Then in 1398, while he was
recovering from a serious illness, Jesus appeared to
him in a vision with St. Dominic and St. Francis and
told Vincent to preach. For twenty years, Father
Vincent preached all over Spain and France. Although
there were no microphones in those days, his voice
could be heard from a great distance.
Many people were touched by his words. They
were so impressed by Vincent’s sermons and example
of holiness that they became more fervent.
Catholics who were not practicing their faith often
changed and began to live lives of fervor.
Vincent counted on God. He also asked people to
pray and offer God sacrifices for the success of his sermons.
Vincent knew that it was not his words or his talents
that won people over. That is why he prayed before
every sermon. But it is said that one time, when he knew
that a very important person was going to listen to him,
he worked harder than usual on his sermon. He ran out
of time to pray. This sermon, which he had prepared so
carefully, did not affect the nobleman much at all. God let
that happen to teach Vincent not to count on himself.
Another time, the same important person came to listen
to Father Vincent preach. But this time the priest did not
know it. He prayed and counted on God as usual. The
nobleman listened to the sermon and was greatly
touched by what he heard. When Vincent was told
about it, he said, ”In the first sermon it was Vincent who
preached. In the second sermon, it was Jesus Christ.”
Vincent died in 1419. He was proclaimed a saint
by Pope Nicholas V in 1455.
Let’s never brag about ourselves, or act as
though we can do things on our own, without
God’s help. God will continue to help us all our lives
if we recognize our need for him. We can ask St.
Vincent to help us understand this.
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April 6 |
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Blessed Notker
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This Benedictine monk had once been a sickly
child. He had a very noticeable speech impediment
all his life. But Notker was determined not to let it get
in his way. This made him even more likable than he
already was.
He and two other friends, Tutilo and Radpert,
were very happy monks. They encouraged each
other in their vocations at the monastery of St. Gall in
Switzerland. Their common love for God and for
music made them lifelong friends. (You can read
about St. Tutilo on March 28.)
Emperor Charles visited the great monastery from
time to time. He highly respected Notker and asked
him for advice. Unfortunately, he didn’t usually follow
the advice. One time Emperor Charles sent his messenger
to ask to see Notker. Notker was taking care of
his garden. He sent the emperor this message: ”Take
care of your garden as I am taking care of mine.”
Emperor Charles understood that he should be taking
better care of his own soul and of his kingdom.
The priest who served as the emperor’s personal
chaplain was very educated but very conceited. He
was upset because the emperor valued Notker’s opinion
so much. In front of everybody at court one day, he
asked Notker, ”Since you are so intelligent, tell me what
God is doing right now.” The priest smiled at the
monk, thinking that he would never have an answer.
Instead Notker responded quickly, ”God is doing now
what he has always done. He is pushing down those
who are proud and is raising up the lowly.” The people
started laughing as the chaplain quickly left the room.
Blessed Notker spent the rest of his life in his chosen
vocation. He did many little extra things to make
monastery life pleasant for the monks. With his
friends, Tutilo and Radpert, he created beautiful
music for the worship of God. When Blessed Notker
died in 912, the entire community of monks wept.
Each of us has gifts and talents. Each of us also
has weak points. It doesn’t make sense to just focus
on those things that we can’t do well and ignore the
things we’re good at. Let’s ask Blessed Notker to help
us be grateful for our talents and use them to
honor God and to help our neighbor.
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April 7 |
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St. John Baptist de la Salle
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John Baptist de la Salle was born in Rheims,
France, on April 30, 1651. His parents were from the
nobility. John was used to elegant living. But he was a
prayerful boy, too. He loved Jesus and his Church. In
fact, he was studying to become a priest when both
his parents died.
John had to leave the seminary and go home to
take care of his brothers. But while he was teaching
and training them, John kept on studying too. His
brothers turned out to be fine young men. When
their studies were completed, John Baptist was
ordained a priest.
At that time, the nobles, like Father John Baptist’s
family, had the chance to be well educated. But the
common people remained poor and ignorant. They
had no opportunity to go to school. Father John
Baptist felt very sorry for the children of the poor. He
decided to do something about their situation. He
began to open schools for them. To provide teachers,
he started a new order, the Brothers of the Christian
Schools. Although Father John Baptist also taught the
children himself, he spent most of his time training
the teaching brothers. For them he wrote a rule of life
and a book explaining the best way to teach. Father
John Baptist was one of the best educators of all
time. He believed in teaching in the language of the
people, not in Latin, as others did. He grouped the students
into classes. He stressed the importance of
silence while the lesson was being taught.
After a while, the brothers opened more schools.
They taught the sons of the working people and
nobles, too. Many difficulties faced the new order.
But Father John Baptist’s constant prayer and sacrifices
blessed the work. It continued to grow and
spread. Father John Baptist’s health was never good.
His asthma and arthritis caused him constant pain. In
spite of this, he would never allow himself to take on
an easier lifestyle. He died on Good Friday, April 7,
1719, at the age of sixty-eight. He was proclaimed a
saint by Pope Leo XIII in 1900. Pope Pius XII
declared him the patron of teachers in 1950.
St. John Baptist de la Salle and his religious
congregation teach us how important our education
is. Do we really try to learn from all the wonderful
things we’re taught in school? Do we pay
attention in class and do our homework? When
we begin studying, we can pray to St. John Baptist
to help us.
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April 8 |
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St. Julie Billiart
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Marie Rose Julie Billiart was born in France in
1751. Her uncle, the village school teacher, taught her
to read and write. She especially loved to study about
God. In fact, when she was just seven, Julie would
explain the Catholic faith to other little children.
When her parents became poor, she worked hard to
help support the family. She even went to harvest the
crops. Yet she always found time to pray, to visit the
sick, and to teach catechism.
While she was still a young woman, Julie became
very ill and completely paralyzed. Although helpless,
Julie offered her prayers so that many people would
find eternal happiness with God. She was more united
to God than ever and kept on teaching catechism
from her bed. She was a very spiritual person. People
came to her for advice because she helped them
grow closer to Jesus and practice their faith with
more love. She encouraged everyone to receive Holy
Communion often. Many young women were
inspired by Julie’s love for God. They were willing to
spend their time and money for good works. With
Mother Julie as their leader, they started the Sisters of
Notre Dame de Namur.
Once a priest came to preach in the town where
Julie lived. He asked her to make a novena (nine days
of prayer) with him for a special intention, which he
would not tell her. After five days, on the feast of the
Sacred Heart, he said: ”Mother, if you have faith, take
one step in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.”
Mother Julie, who had been paralyzed for twenty-two
years, stood up and was cured!
Julie spent the rest of her life training young
women to become sisters. She watched over her congregation.
She had to suffer much from those who did
not understand her mission, but she always trusted
God. Her favorite words were: ”How good is the good
God.” The Lord promised her that someday her religious
congregation would be very large. And that is
just what happened. Julie died on April 8, 1816. Today
there are many of her sisters all over the world. Mother
Julie was proclaimed a saint by Pope Paul VI in 1969.
Whenever we’re worried about something, let’s
pray, “Jesus, I trust in you.” This will help us remember
the goodness of God, as St. Julie always did. God
never stops loving us and watching over us.
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April 9 |
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St. Madeleine Sophie Barat
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Madeleine Sophie Barat was born in Burgundy,
France, on December 12, 1779. Her father was a barrel
maker, and she received her education from her
older brother Louis. Louis was very strict, and taught
Sophie to live a disciplined life. When Louis entered
the seminary, he made sure that his sister had a share
in what he himself was studying. Afterwards, Louis
took her to Paris to continue her studies. She stayed
with a good Catholic woman, and with a group of
other girls she studied, prayed, worked, and even
taught classes for poor girls.
Sophie wanted to become a nun, but because of
the French Revolution, all the convents had been
closed. As years passed, the little group of young
women who prayed, worked and taught together
seemed more and more like a religious community. A
priest named Father Varin wanted to begin a new religious
order for women who would dedicate themselves
to educating girls. Louis heard about this and
recommended his sister. Sophie and three of her
friends joyfully agreed and in 1800 they became the
first sisters of the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The following year they opened their first convent
and school, with Sophie, although the youngest at
twenty-three, as the superior of the little community.
Mother Barat, as Sophie was now called, encouraged
her sisters and students to love the Sacred Heart
of Jesus. She rejoiced when there were twenty-four
sisters in the community. Now they could take turns,
hour by hour, to adore Jesus in the Eucharist day and
night. The Society of the Sacred Heart grew, and convents
and schools opened all over France. One of the
sisters, Mother Rose Philippine Duchesne, who
became a missionary to the United States, is also a
canonized saint.
Mother Barat lovingly guided her sisters for sixty-three
years. She experienced many difficulties in traveling
to open new schools, establish new convents,
and visit her sisters. By the time she died in 1865, her
order had over a hundred houses and schools in
twelve different countries.
God gave St. Madeleine Sophie the gift of being
very good at teaching. God has given each of us special
gifts and talents too. By developing our natural
abilities, we can better serve God and our neighbor.
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April 10 |
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Blessed Antoine Frédéric Ozanam
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Frédéric Ozanam was born on April 23, 1813, in
Milan, Italy. He was raised and educated in Lyons,
France. As a teenager, he experienced a period of
time when he struggled with the truths about God
that he had been taught. But his teacher patiently
explained these things in a way that helped young
Frédéric overcome his doubts. Frédéric was always
grateful to this teacher who helped him to form clear
ideas about the truths he believed. All through his
life, remembering this experience helped him to
explain the Catholic faith to others in a spirit of
understanding and kindness.
When he grew up, Frédéric went to Paris to
study law. While he was there, he met many important
Catholic thinkers of his time. Following their
example, he dedicated himself to explaining the
Catholic Church’s teachings, which were under
attack by some people at that time. In May of 1833,
Frédéric formed a group that would later be known
as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. This society
would put the teachings of Jesus into practice by
helping the poor.
After practicing law in Lyons, Frédéric returned to
Paris to study literature and history. He continued his
activities in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. He also
wrote articles for the Catholic newspapers. Frédéric
always stood up for the rights of the poor and
encouraged other Catholics to do the same.
In June 1841, Frédéric married Amelie Soulacroix.
They had a daughter named Marie. Frédéric was a
wonderful husband and father. At the same time he
continued his visits to the poor and his work for
social justice. He died on September 8, 1853, in
Marseilles, France. Pope John Paul II declared him
blessed in 1997.
Blessed Frédéric teaches us that as true followers
of Jesus we have the duty to do what we can to
bring justice and charity to all members of society.
Today, if we see someone being treated unfairly,
let’s ask Blessed Frédéric to help us be courageous
in standing up for that person.
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April 11 |
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St. Stanislaus
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St. Stanislaus was born near Kracow, Poland, in
1030. His parents had prayed for thirty years for a
child. When Stanislaus was born, they offered him to
God because they were so grateful to have him.
When he grew up, Stanislaus went to study in Paris,
France. After his parents died, he gave all the money
and property they had left him to the poor. Then he
became a priest.
In 1072, Stanislaus was made the bishop of
Kracow. Bishop Stanislaus won the love of all the people.
He was an excellent preacher, and many people
turned to him for spiritual advice. They especially
appreciated the way he took care of the poor, the widows
and the orphans. Often he served them himself.
Poland’s king at that time was Boleslaus II. He was
cruel and was living in a sinful way. The people were
disgusted with his lifestyle and were afraid of him.
Bishop Stanislaus first corrected him privately. The
bishop was kind and respectful. But he was honest,
too, and told the king that what he was doing was
wrong. The king seemed sorry, but soon fell back
into his old ways. He committed even more shameful
sins. The bishop then had to put him out of the
Church. King Boleslaus flew into a rage at that. To get
revenge, he ordered two of his guards to kill
Stanislaus. Three times they tried, and three times
they failed. When the king heard this, he was angrier
than ever. He himself rushed into the bishop’s chapel
and murdered Bishop Stanislaus as he was celebrating
Mass. It was April 11, 1079.
God worked many miracles after Stanislaus’s
death. All the people called him a martyr. He was proclaimed
a saint by Pope Innocent IV in 1253. St.
Stanislaus is the patron saint of Poland.
It takes courage to correct people who are hurting
others and giving bad example. Sometimes we
might have to be corrected for our own mistakes.
Let’s ask St. Stanislaus to help us correct our faults
and bad habits. Let’s also ask him to help us to be
grateful to those who challenge us to become better.
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April 12 |
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St. Joseph Moscati
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Joseph Moscati was born on July 25, 1880, in
Benevento, Italy. He was the seventh of nine children.
His father became a judge in Naples, so the
entire family moved there. There was a hospital
near the Moscati home. Each day, as Joseph saw the
sick and suffering patients of the hospital, he
thought more and more of how he could help
them. He decided to become a doctor, and enrolled
in Naples University.
When he was twenty-two, Dr. Moscati began his
service at the Hospital of the Incurables. Later he
opened his own office. All patients were welcome
whether they could pay or not. Dr. Moscati would
write prescriptions for poor patients, then pay for the
medicine out of his own pocket. Every day was long
and hard, but Dr. Moscati remained gentle and kind.
He made the effort to listen carefully to each of his
patients. He encouraged them and prayed for them.
In 1906, when Mt. Vesuvius became active, Dr.
Moscati risked his life to go to a hospital in the area
of the volcano and evacuate the patients. The roof of
the hospital fell in soon after the last patient was
moved out.
Besides being an excellent doctor, Joseph Moscati
was holy too. How did he do it? Each morning he
went to Mass and spent time in prayer. Then the doctor
would visit the sick poor in the slums of Naples.
From there he would go to the hospital and begin his
rounds. For twenty-five years, Joseph worked and
prayed for his patients. He knew that the well-being
of the soul often affected the health of the body.
Along with prescriptions for medication, Dr. Moscati
would prescribe prayer and a return to the sacraments,
often with dramatic results! He poured all his
strength into his life’s calling.
On the afternoon of April 12, 1927, Dr. Moscati did
not feel well, so he went to his office and relaxed in
an armchair. There he had a stroke and died. He was
forty-seven years old.
We can ask St. Joseph to help us be as honest,
kind and sympathetic as he was. We can also ask
him to teach us how to appreciate the Mass and to
love Mary as he did.
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April 13 |
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St. Martin I
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Martin was a priest of Rome who had a reputation
for being wise and holy. He became pope in July, 649.
When people were arguing over the truths about
Jesus, Pope Martin held a special meeting of bishops.
This meeting was called the Council of the Lateran. It
explained clearly what we believe about certain
truths of our faith. Some Christians were not pleased
with the results of the meeting. But Pope Martin
knew that the Council’s explanations were true, and
it was his duty as pope to teach people the truth.
Some powerful men did not appreciate Pope
Martin’s activities. One such person was Emperor
Constans II of Constantinople. The emperor sent his
soldiers to Rome to capture Martin and bring him to
Constantinople. The soldiers kidnapped the pope.
They took him right out of the Lateran Cathedral and
brought him onto a ship. Pope Martin got sick, but
they continued their journey. In October, 653, the
pope was put in jail in Constantinople for three
months. He was given only a little food and water
each day. He wasn’t even allowed to wash himself.
Pope Martin was convicted of treason without a hearing.
He was publicly humiliated and condemned
to death. But then he was sent back to the same
prison for three more months. Patriarch Paul of
Constantinople pleaded for the pope’s life. So instead
of death, the pope was sentenced to be exiled. Pope
Martin was put on a ship that took him across the
Black Sea. In April, 654, it landed on the Russian
peninsula called the Crimea.
Pope Martin suffered very much while he was in
prison. He wrote his own account of those sad days.
The pope said that he felt very bad to be forgotten by
his relatives and members of the Church in Rome. He
knew that they were afraid of the emperor. But at
least they could have sent him food and clothing. But
they did not. They abandoned the pope out of fear.
Pope Martin’s exile lasted two years. He died of
neglect and ill-treatment around 656. Because of his
terrible sufferings, he was proclaimed a martyr. He is
the last of the popes so far to be considered a martyr.
When the Church teaches us something, we
can be sure that it is true and good, even if some
people disagree with it. The Church cannot teach us
anything that is false because it is guided by the
Holy Spirit. We want to be like St. Martin and
always follow the truth.
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April 14 |
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Blessed James Duckett
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James Duckett was an Englishman who lived
during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. As a young
man he became an apprentice printer in London.
This is how he came across a book called The Firm
Foundation of the Catholic Religion. He studied it
carefully and believed that the Catholic Church was
the true Church. In those days, Catholics were persecuted
in England. James decided that he wanted
to be a Catholic, even if he had to face the serious
consequences.
The clergyman at his former church came to look
for him because James had been a steady churchgoer.
But James would not go back. Twice he served short
prison terms for his refusal to attend Protestant services.
Both times his employer interceded and got him
freed. But then the employer asked James to find a
job somewhere else.
James knew there was no turning back. He sought
out a disguised Catholic priest in the Gatehouse
prison. The old priest, who went by the name of “Mr.
Weekes,” instructed him. James was received into the
Catholic Church. He married a Catholic widow and
their son became a Carthusian monk. The monk is
the one who wrote down much of what we know
about his father.
James Duckett never forgot that it was a book
that had started him on the road to the Church. He
considered it his responsibility to provide his
neighbors with Catholic books. He knew these
books encouraged and instructed them. So dangerous
was this “occupation” that he was in prison for
nine out of twelve years of his married life. James
was finally brought to trial and condemned to
death on the testimony of one man, Peter Bullock,
a bookbinder. Mr. Bullock testified that he had
bound Catholic books for James Duckett, and this
was a “grave offense.” Mr. Bullock turned traitor
because he was in prison for unrelated matters and
he hoped to be freed.
Both men were condemned to die on the same
day. On the scaffold at Tyburn, James Duckett assured
Peter Bullock of his forgiveness. He kept encouraging
the man as they were dying to accept the Catholic
faith. Blessed Duckett was martyred in 1602.
The story of Blessed James shows us how powerful
the media—books, television shows, movies and
music—are. Reading just one good book changed
his whole life. Let’s ask Blessed James to help us to
watch, listen to and read only what is good.
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April 15 |
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Blessed Anna Schäffer
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This saint was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1882.
When she was old enough to help support her large
family, Anna started working. She hoped that one day
she would be able to enter the convent and become
a missionary sister. In order to prepare herself, Anna
offered her life to God and did all she could to help
others in need.
When she was nineteen, Anna had a terrible accident
in the laundry where she worked. She fell into a
tub of boiling bleach. She spent a year in the hospital,
and was treated by specialists. The doctors tried
their best, but they were unable to heal her wounds.
Anna was confined to her bed for the rest of her life.
Because she was unable to work, she was forced to
live in poverty.
At first, Anna felt angry about the way things
had turned out for her. But little by little, she began
to understand the value of suffering, especially
when it was united to Jesus’ sufferings on the cross.
She realized that she could still help others, but in
a different way than she had originally hoped. She
could offer her sufferings to Jesus for the salvation
of souls. The priest who brought Anna Holy
Communion every morning noticed the change in
her. At the end of her life, he could say that he
never heard her complain in the twenty-five years
that he knew her.
Besides offering her sufferings to God, Anna was
able to use her sewing needle to embroider beautiful
linens for churches. She especially liked to embroider
images of Jesus’ Sacred Heart. Anna also wrote letters
to people in Austria, Switzerland, and America. These
people wrote to her and asked for prayers and
advice, and she wrote back to them with words of
faith and hope and love of God. By writing these letters,
Anna had become a missionary after all.
Anna Schäffer died in 1925. Pope John Paul II
declared her blessed in 1999.
We are all called to do what we can to help other
people grow closer to God. Is there anyone you
know who is sad or suffering? Why not do what
Blessed Anna did and send a little note or card to
cheer that person up and promise him or her your
prayers.
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April 16 |
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St. Benedict Joseph Labre
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This French saint, born in 1748, led a most unusual
life. He was the son of a storeowner and was taught
by his uncle, a priest. When the good priest died,
Benedict tried to enter a monastery. But he was told
that he was too young. Next Benedict contacted
another order of monks. He loved their life of prayer
and penance. But after he joined them, Benedict
became thin and weak. The monks suggested that he
return home to lead a good Christian life. Benedict
went home and slowly gained back his health. He
prayed for God’s help. Then he felt he was given an
answer. He would become a pilgrim, a person on a
holy journey of prayer and penance. As a pilgrim, he
would travel to the famous shrines of Europe.
Benedict began his journey on foot. He visited
one church after another. He wore a plain cloth robe,
a crucifix over his heart and a rosary around his neck.
He slept on the bare ground. The only food he had
was what kind people gave him. If they gave him
money, he passed it on to the poor. His “suitcase” was
a sack. In it he carried his own Gospel, as well as
medals and holy books to give to others.
Benedict paid no attention to the beautiful sights
in the cities he visited. His only interest was in the
churches where Jesus dwelt in the Blessed
Sacrament.
In 1774, Benedict stayed in Rome. People began
calling him “the beggar of Rome.” He never asked for
anything that would make his life more comfortable.
Sometimes children threw stones at him and called
him names. People who didn’t know him tended to
avoid him. But when Benedict knelt in front of the
tabernacle, he became as still as a statue. His pale,
tired face glowed. He would talk to Jesus and to the
Blessed Mother. He would whisper, “Mary, O my
Mother!” He was really the happiest when he was
keeping Jesus and the Blessed Mother company.
Benedict died in Rome in 1783 at the age of thirty-
five. The fame of this poor holy man spread far and
wide. His journey had ended. His pilgrimage was over.
Now he would be with Jesus and Mary forever. One
hundred years after his death, Benedict Joseph Labre
was proclaimed a saint by Pope Leo XIII in 1883.
Even if we can’t imitate the poverty of Jesus in
the way St. Benedict Joseph did, we can imitate his
love for Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Let’s go to
church as often as we can to visit Jesus in the Holy
Eucharist and talk to him about all that is in our
hearts. Jesus is the best friend we have!
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April 17 |
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St. Stephen Harding
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Stephen was a young Englishman who lived in the
twelfth century. He was a good student who liked to
learn. Stephen was especially interested in literature.
He was serious about life and prayed daily. Once
Stephen and his friend set out on foot as pilgrims
for Rome. When they returned, Stephen joined a
very poor and holy group of monks. These men
prayed, fasted and worked hard. That was their way of
showing their love for God. Stephen noticed how
happy they were. Their abbot was another saint,
St. Robert.
For a while, Stephen served God joyfully with
them. After a while, St. Robert, Stephen and twenty
other monks received permission to start a new
monastery. They built it themselves in a wilderness
in France called Citeaux. There they lived a life of
work and great poverty because they wanted to imitate
the poverty of Jesus. They also kept strict
silence. The monks of this new monastery were
called Cistercians.
When Stephen became the abbot of the
monastery, he had many troubles. His monks had only
a little food. Then over half of them became sick and
died. It looked as though the community would
come to an end. The monks needed new, young
members to continue their life. Stephen prayed with
faith. And his prayer was rewarded. God sent thirty
young men who wanted to join the monks. They
arrived at the monastery gate all together. Their
leader, Bernard, was to become a great saint, too.(We
celebrate St. Bernard’s feast day on August 20.) It was
a wonderful day for Abbot Stephen and his monks!
Stephen spent the last few years of his life writing
a book of rules for the monks. He also trained Bernard
to take his place. St. Stephen Harding died in 1134.
We might not think about it much, but it’s
important to spend some quiet time each day lis-
tening to God who speaks in our hearts. St. Stephen
knew that this is why some silence in our lives is
important. We can ask him to remind us to sometimes
turn off our TVs, CD players, and computers
to spend time listening to and talking to God!
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April 18 |
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Blessed Marie of the Incarnation
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Barbara was born in France in 1566. She was married
to Peter Acarie, an aristocrat, when she was seventeen.
She and her husband loved their Catholic
faith and practiced it. The couple had six children,
and their family life was happy. Barbara tried to be a
good wife and mother. Her family learned from her a
great love for prayer and works of charity.
Once, when her husband was unjustly accused of
a crime, Barbara herself saved him. She went to court,
and, all alone, proved that he was not guilty.
Although she was busy with her own family,
Barbara always found time to feed those who were
hungry. She instructed people in the faith. She helped
the sick and dying. She gently encouraged people
who were living sinfully to change their ways. The
good deeds she performed were works of mercy.
When her husband died, Barbara entered the
Carmelite Order. She spent the last four years of her
life as a nun. Her three daughters had become
Carmelites, too. Barbara’s new name as a nun was
Sister Marie of the Incarnation. She joyfully worked in
the kitchen among the pots and pans. When her own
daughter became the superior of the monastery,
Sister Marie willingly obeyed her. She wanted to be
humble, as Jesus was.
Blessed Marie died in 1618. She was fifty-two
years old.
Blessed Marie became close to God even though
her life was always very busy. She had many
responsibilities. She took care of her family. She also
was thoughtful about helping others. Let’s ask her
to help us to be responsible and generous with our
lives, too.
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April 19 |
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Blessed Marcel Callo
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Marcel was born in France on December 6, 1921.
He was one of nine children, and his parents
belonged to the working class. Marcel went to school
until he was twelve. Then he went to work with a
printer as an apprentice (someone who is being
trained). He also joined a group called the Young
Christian Workers, which gave him an opportunity to
reach out and help those in need.
In 1942 Marcel was just beginning to make plans
to get married when the Nazis moved into France
and took over. Marcel, the leader of the Young
Christian Workers, organized his friends and together
they helped many people escape. The Nazis then
forced him to go to Germany to work in a weapons
factory. Full of faith and hope, Marcel saw this as a
chance to help others who were having doubts
about God and their faith. He started a Young
Christian Workers group in the labor camp. He was
arrested in 1944 for practicing his Catholic faith and
for making arrangements to have a Mass celebrated.
Marcel was sent from one concentration camp to
another. He and his fellow prisoners were put to
work building airplanes. They worked underground
in terrible living conditions and they were not given
enough to eat. But Marcel’s faith did not weaken. He
tirelessly reached out to the other prisoners with
encouragement and hope.
In January of 1945, Marcel was hospitalized. Two
months later he died of malnutrition and exhaustion
at Mauthhausen Concentration Camp in Austria.
Pope John Paul II declared him “Blessed” on October
4, 1987.
How strong is our faith and hope? When things
go wrong, do we get easily discouraged? We can
pray to Blessed Marcel to help us be persons of faith
and hope even in difficult situations.
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April 20 |
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St. Agnes of Montepulciano
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This saint was born near the city of
Montepulciano, Italy, in 1268. When she was just nine
years old, she begged her mother and father to let her
live at the nearby Dominican convent. Agnes was very
happy with the sisters. They led a quiet, prayerful life.
They worked hard, too. Even though she was young,
Agnes understood why the sisters lived and prayed so
well. They wanted to be very close to Jesus.
When she was old enough, Agnes received her
training as a novice. She was such a good nun that
the other sisters were pleased to have her. Because
of Agnes’ example of prayer and holiness, many
young women came to join the community of
Dominican nuns.
When she was only fifteen years old, Agnes was
chosen superior or “prioress” of the convent. She
tried to be fair and honest with each sister. She kept
reminding herself that everything she did was for
Jesus. She believed that Jesus was really in charge of
the convent. He was taking care of them.
Mother Agnes lived a life of penance. She was
kind and gentle even when she didn’t feel like it. God
filled Agnes with joy and sometimes gave her spiritual
favors. One time he even let her hold Baby Jesus in
her arms.
Agnes did not have good health. But she was
patient even when she was very ill. She never complained
or felt sorry for herself. Instead, she offered
everything to God. Toward the end of her life, the sisters
realized she was not going to get better. They
were very sad. ”If you loved me, you would be glad,”
Agnes said. ”I am going to enter the glory of Jesus.”
Agnes died in 1317 at the age of forty-nine. She
was proclaimed a saint in 1726. Her tomb became a
place of pilgrimage. Many people came to pray to
this holy woman and to ask her to pray to God for
them. Among the pilgrims was the famous St.
Catherine of Siena. (We celebrate St. Catherine’s feast
day on April 29.)
The story of St. Agnes teaches us that we are
never too young to begin serving God. When we
love the Lord and spend each day for him, our lives
become beautiful gifts that we give back to God.
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April 21 |
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St. Anselm
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Anselm was born in northern Italy in 1033. From
his home he could see the Alps mountains. When he
was fifteen, Anselm tried to join a monastery in Italy.
But his father was against it. Then Anselm became
sick. Not long after he got better, his mother died. He
was still young and rich and clever. Soon he forgot
about wanting to serve God. He began to think only
of having good times.
After a while though, Anselm became bored with
this way of life. He wanted something better, something
more important. He went to France to visit the
holy Abbot Lanfranc of the famous monastery of Bec.
Anselm became Lanfranc’s very close friend and the
abbot brought him closer to God. He also helped
Anselm decide to become a Benedictine monk.
Anselm was then twenty-seven.
Anselm was a warm-hearted man who loved his
brother monks very much. He became the abbot in
1078. When he had to leave Bec to become archbishop
of Canterbury in England, he told the monks
that they would always live in his heart.
The people of England loved and respected
Anselm. However, King William II persecuted him.
Anselm had to flee into exile in 1097 and in 1103.
King William even forbade Anselm to go to Rome to
ask the pope’s advice. But Anselm went anyway. He
stayed with the pope until the king died. Then he
went back to his diocese in England.
Even in the midst of his many duties, Anselm
always found time to write important books of philosophy
and theology. He also wrote down the many
wonderful instructions he had given the monks
about God. They were very happy about that. He
used to say: ”Would you like to know the secret of
being happy in the monastery? Forget the world and
be happy to forget it. The monastery is a real heaven
on earth for those who live only for Jesus.”
St. Anselm died on April 21, 1109. He was declared
a great teacher or Doctor of the Church by Pope
Clement XI in 1720.
There’s nothing wrong with having good, clean
fun. But what we need to remember, as St. Anselm
found out, is that fun is not the same as true happiness.
We will only be really happy when we are
spending our time doing worthwhile things for God
and our neighbor.
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April 22 |
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Blessed Lidwina
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The name Lidwina means “suffering.” Lidwina was
from Holland. She was born in 1380 and died in 1433.
When she was fifteen, Lidwina dedicated herself completely
to God. She might have become a nun some day.
But in a single afternoon, her entire life was changed.
When she was sixteen, Lidwina went skating with
her friends. One of them accidentally bumped into
her. Lidwina fell down hard on the ice and broke a
rib. This was very painful. But the fall triggered other
problems, too. In the days ahead, she began to have
severe headaches, and experience nausea, fever,
thirst, and pain throughout her whole body.
Crying, Lidwina told her father she could not stand
the pain anymore. But the pain increased. She developed
sores on her face and body. She became blind in
one eye. Finally, she could no longer get out of bed.
Lidwina became frustrated and bitter. Why had
God let this happen to her? What did he want from
her? And what could she still give to him anyway? Her
parish priest, Father John, came to visit and pray with
her. He helped her think of what Jesus had suffered.
Ludwina began to realize the special gift that she
could give to Jesus: she would suffer for him. She
would offer her sufferings to console Jesus, who had
suffered so much for all of us on the cross. Little by
little, Ludwina’s suffering became a beautiful prayer
that she offered to God.
Lidwina was very sick for thirty-eight years. It
seemed impossible that she could remain alive in
such a serious condition. But she did. And God comforted
her in many ways. Lidwina was good and kind
to everyone who came to visit her poor little room.
She helped her visitors by praying for them and their
special intentions.
Lidwina’s special love was for Jesus in the Holy
Eucharist. For the last nineteen years of her life, she
needed no other food except Holy Communion. This
was a special gift God gave her.
Blessed Lidwina shows us that we can offer any
physical pain to Jesus as an act of love. Her story
also reminds us that we should always thank God
for our health.
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April 23 |
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St. Adalbert
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This saint was born in Bohemia in 956. He went
to school in Magdeburg. After his teacher died,
Adalbert returned to Bohemia. He was named bishop
of Prague in 982. After a while, it seemed to Adalbert
that his preaching and work as a bishop were not
having any effect on the people of Prague, and he
became discouraged. He went to Rome in 990 and
became a Benedictine monk. But the Duke of Poland
asked the pope to send Adalbert back to Prague, and
he returned.
One day, a woman of Prague was accused of a sin
whose punishment was death. Bishop Adalbert let
her stay in the church for protection, but a furious
crowd stormed the church, dragged her out and
killed her. Bishop Adalbert excommunicated (someone
who is excommunicated is separated from the
Church and can no longer receive the sacraments)
everyone involved with the woman’s murder.
Because of this incident, he was forced to leave
Prague once again, and went back to the Benedictine
monastery in Rome.
Pope Gregory V ordered Adalbert to go back
to Prague, but his enemies were ready to use violence
if he returned. So Adalbert was sent instead to
Pomerania, Hungary and Russia to preach the
Gospel. People who mistook them for Polish spies
murdered Bishop Adalbert, together with his two
missionary companions, Benedict and Gaudentius,
in 997.
What matters to God is that we try our best to
do our duty, whatever it might be. We shouldn’t get
discouraged if we’re not successful, or if others are
against us. When we love God and make an honest
effort to do what is right, as St. Adalbert did, we’re
always a success in God’s eyes.
We also celebrate the feast of St. George on this date.
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April 24 |
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St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen
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This saint’s name was Mark Rey. He was born in
Germany in 1578. Mark went to the famous
University of Freiburg to become a lawyer. Even as a
student, he liked to visit the sick and the poor. He
spent time praying daily. His brother chose to
become a Capuchin Franciscan priest. Mark, instead,
finished his studies and became a very good lawyer.
Mark often took on the cases of poor people
who had no money to pay. This won him the nickname,
“The Poor Man’s Lawyer.” Because he was very
honest, Mark soon became disgusted with the dishonesty
of the law courts. He decided to follow his
brother and become a priest. He received his religious
habit and took the new name Fidelis, which
means “faithful.”
Father Fidelis was filled with joy when he was
assigned to Switzerland to preach the Good News. At
that time in Switzerland there were many people
who had left the Catholic faith. Father Fidelis wanted
to win these people back to the Church. His preaching
brought wonderful results. Many people were
converted. But enemies of the Church grew angry at
his success.
Fidelis knew that his life was in danger, yet he
went right on preaching. In the middle of a sermon
one day, someone fired a shot at him, but the bullet
missed. Father Fidelis knew he had to leave the town
at once. As he was walking down the road to the next
town, a mob of angry men stopped him. They
ordered him to give up the Catholic religion. “I will
not give up the Catholic faith,” Father Fidelis
answered firmly. Then the men pounced on him and
beat him with their clubs and tools.
The wounded priest pulled himself up to a kneeling
position. He prayed: “Lord, forgive my enemies.
They do not know what they are doing. Lord Jesus,
have mercy on me! Holy Mary, my Mother, help me!”
The men attacked him again until they were certain
he was dead.
Fidelis died a martyr in 1622 at the age of forty-four.
He was proclaimed a saint by Pope Benedict XIV
in 1746.
It’s a great honor to be able to help others come
to know Jesus and his Church. Let’s try by prayer,
good example and kind words, to be real apostles
in imitation of St. Fidelis.
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April 25 |
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St. Mark the Evangelist
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Mark lived at the time of Jesus. Although he was
not among the original twelve apostles, he was a relative
of St. Barnabas the apostle. Mark is well known
because he wrote one of the four Gospels. That is
why he is called an “evangelist,” which means “Gospel
writer.” Mark’s Gospel is short, but it gives many little
details that are not in the other Gospels.
While he was still young, Mark went with the two
great saints, Paul and Barnabas, on a missionary journey
to bring the teachings of Jesus to new lands.
Before the journey was over, though, Mark seems to
have had a disagreement with St. Paul. Mark suddenly
returned to Jerusalem. Paul and Mark later worked
out their differences. In fact, Paul wrote from prison
in Rome that Mark came to console and help him.
Mark also became a beloved disciple of St.
Peter, the first pope. St. Peter called St. Mark “my
son.” Some think that Peter meant to say that he
had baptized Mark. Mark was consecrated a bishop
and sent to Alexandria, Egypt. There he converted
many people. He worked hard to spread love for
Jesus and his Church. It is believed that he went
through long and painful sufferings before he died
around the year 74.
St. Mark’s relics were brought to Venice, Italy. He
is the patron saint of that famous city. People go to
the beautiful basilica of St. Mark to honor him and to
pray to him. In art, St. Mark’s symbol is the lion.
We can remember St. Mark when we have a disagreement
with someone, or when we find it hard
to get along with someone. At those times, we can
ask St. Mark to help us work out our disagreements
in kindness and respect.
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April 26 |
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St. Zita
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Zita is known as the patron saint of housekeepers.
She was born in the village of Monte Sagrati, Italy,
in 1218. Her parents were deeply religious and raised
Zita in a loving, Christian way. In those days it was the
custom of poor couples to send their teenage daughters
to trustworthy families who could afford servants.
The young women would live with the families
for a time and were employed to do the household
tasks. Zita was sent to the Fatinelli family in
Lucca when she was twelve years old.
Mr. and Mrs. Fatinelli were good people who had
several other employees. Zita was happy to be able
to work and send money home to her parents. She
formed habits of praying that fit in with her new
schedule. She even got up early to go to daily Mass.
Zita was very conscientious and always did her
best. To her, work was an expression of her love for
God. But the other workers were annoyed. They
tried to do as little as they could get away with. They
began to pick on Zita and oppose her without their
employers noticing. Zita was hurt, but she prayed for
patience. She never told on the workers. She insisted
on doing her work as well as possible no matter what
the others thought of her.
After some time, Zita was made the head housekeeper.
The Fatinelli children were placed under her
care. Then the other workers stopped bothering her.
Some of them even began to imitate her.
Zita spent her whole life with the Fatinelli family.
While other workers came and went, she stayed. She
loved the Fantinellis like she loved her own family
and she served them well. By her example, she
helped people see that work is beautiful when it is
done with Christian love. Zita died peacefully on
April 27, 1278. She was sixty years old.
St. Zita has a wonderful lesson for us all. She
reminds us that what we do reflects the kind of person
we are. Our work and our study take effort. But
they’re worth the trouble because God will reward
us in heaven.
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April 27 |
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St. Gianna Beretta Molla
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Gianna Beretta was born on October 4, 1922, near
Milan, Italy. She grew up in a Christian home, and her
parents carefully passed on to her their Catholic
faith. As a teenager, she was active as a member of
Catholic Action groups. When she was sixteen, she
made up her mind that she would rather die than
commit a mortal (very serious) sin, and that she wanted
to do everything for Jesus.
Her parents’ deaths, four months apart in 1942,
were a heavy blow to Gianna, who was just beginning
medical school at the University of Milan at that
time. After six semesters, she continued her preparation
at the University of Pavia, where she earned a
doctorate in medicine on November 30, 1949.
Gianna opened a clinic in 1950. She soon had
many patients. In addition to her work as a physician,
Gianna also devoted her time to community projects.
She continued to be an active member of Catholic
Action groups too. She organized talks and retreats,
hikes and social events, and was very successful
in reaching out to young people. Pietro Molla, a
prosperous engineer, who belonged to one of the
Catholic Action groups, was impressed with this
dynamic young doctor who cared so much about
others. Gianna had been planning to become a
medical missionary sister in Brazil. Her brother was a
priest there, and she knew he would be happy to
have her help him. But once she got to know Pietro,
Gianna wondered if it was God’s will for her to marry
him and start a family. After much prayer, she asked
the advice of her confessor. The priest answered her,
“If every good Catholic girl became a nun, there
would be no Christian mothers!”
Pietro and Gianna were married on September 24,
1955. Gianna was thirty-three. In 1956, their first child,
Pierluigi was born. Mariolina was born in 1957, and
Laura came along in 1959.After that, Gianna lost two
more babies before they were born. But she became
pregnant again in 1961. After two months, she started
to experience pain, and her doctor found a tumor in
her uterus. Before undergoing the necessary surgery,
Gianna gave her surgeons strict orders to keep her
unborn child safe. The following April, just before the
baby was to be born, Gianna told her doctor, ”If you
have to choose between my life and the life of the
baby, I demand that you save the baby’s life.” As a doctor
herself, Gianna was well aware of the risks she was
facing, and she wanted her wishes known.
On April 21, Gianna had a healthy baby girl, who
was baptized Gianna Emanuela. But Gianna was dying
from complications in the delivery. She asked Pietro
to take her home so she could die in her own room.
There, on April 28, 1962, Doctor Gianna Beretta Molla
died. Her daughter, Gianna Emanuela, who has been
called the “living relic of her mother,” followed in her
mother’s footsteps and became a doctor. On April 24,
1994, with understandable joy and pride, she was
present at the beatification ceremony for her mother,
who selflessly gave her own life so that she could
live. Gianna was named a saint ten years later in 2004.
Jesus said, “There is no greater love than to lay
down one’s life for a loved one” (John 15:13). That’s
exactly what St. Gianna Beretta Molla did. Let’s ask
this brave and unselfish saint to help everyone
understand the sacredness of human life.
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April 28 |
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St. Peter Chanel
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Peter Chanel was born near Belley, France, in
1803. From the time he was seven, he took care of
his father’s sheep. Though poor, he was intelligent
and loved his faith, too. One day, a good parish
priest met him. He thought so much of Peter that
he asked his parents if he could educate the boy. In
this priest’s little school, and later in the seminary,
Peter studied hard. When he became a priest in
1827, he was sent to a parish where just a few
Catholics still practiced their faith. Father Peter was
prayerful. He was kind and patient with everyone.
In just three years there was a big improvement in
his parish. Many people became full of love for
Jesus and his Church again because of Father
Peter’s help and example.
Father Peter had a great desire to become a missionary.
He joined a religious order called the Marists.
He hoped he would be sent to bring the Gospel to
people who did not yet know about Jesus. After a few
years, his wish came true. He and a group of Marist
missionaries were sent to the islands of the South
Pacific. Father Peter and one brother were assigned
to the island of Futuna. There the people willingly listened
to Father Peter preach about Jesus. ”This man
loves us,” one of the people said. ”And he himself practices
what he teaches us to do.” Unfortunately, the
chief of this tribe was not happy with Father Peter’s
preaching. When the chief found out that his own
son wanted to be baptized, he was furious. He sent a
band of his warriors to kill the missionary. All the
priest said as he lay dying was, “It is well with me.”
Father Peter Chanel was killed on April 28, 1841.
Within a short time after his martyrdom, the whole
island became Christian. Peter was declared a saint by
Pope Pius XII in 1954.
We are all called to spread the Gospel of Jesus,
each in our own way. The example of St. Peter
shows us that practicing kindness and patience is
the best way to bring the love of Jesus to others.
We also celebrate the feast of St. Louis Mary de
Montfort on this day.
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April 29 |
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St. Catherine of Siena
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Born in 1347, this well-known saint is the
patroness of Italy, her country. Catherine was the
youngest in a family of twenty-five children. Her
mother and father wanted her to be happily married.
But Catherine wanted very much to become a nun.
To prove her point, she cut off her long, beautiful
hair. She wanted to make herself unattractive. Her
parents were very upset about this and scolded her
frequently. They also gave her the heaviest housework
to do. But Catherine did not back down. Finally,
her parents stopped opposing her.
Catherine became closer and closer to Jesus. One
night, when many people of Siena were out in the
streets celebrating, Jesus appeared to Catherine who
was praying alone in her room. With Jesus was his
Blessed Mother. She took Catherine’s hand and lifted
it up to her Son. Jesus put a ring on Catherine’s finger
and she became his bride.
In Catherine’s time, the Church had many problems.
There were fights going on all over Italy.
Catherine wrote letters to kings and queens. She
even went to beg rulers to make peace with the pope
and to avoid wars. Catherine asked the pope to leave
Avignon, France, and return to Rome to guide the
Church. She told him it was God’s will. He listened to
Catherine and did what she said.
Catherine never forgot that Jesus was in her
heart. Through her, Jesus helped the sick people she
nursed. Through her Jesus comforted the prisoners
she visited in jail.
This great saint died in Rome in 1380. She was
just thirty-three years old. She was proclaimed a saint
by Pope Pius II in 1461. In 1970, Pope Paul VI
declared St. Catherine a Doctor of the Church. She
received this great honor because she served Jesus’
Church heroically during her brief lifetime.
Let’s offer our whole hearts to God. Then, like St.
Catherine, we’ll discover how wonderful it is to love
him! This love of God will also show in the way we
treat other people.
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April 30 |
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St. Pius V
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This holy pope was born in Italy in 1504. He
was baptized Anthony Ghislieri. Anthony wanted to
become a priest, but it seemed as though his dream
would never come true. His parents were poor and
didn’t have enough money to send him to school.
One day, two Dominicans came to his home and
met Anthony. They were so impressed with him that
they offered to educate him. And so at the age of
fourteen, Anthony joined the Dominican Order.
That is when he took the new name “Michael.”
Eventually, Michael became a priest. Then he
became a bishop and cardinal.
Cardinal Michael courageously defended the teachings
of the Church against those who opposed them. He
continued to live a life of penance. When he was sixty-one,
he was chosen pope. Again he took a new name—
Pius V. He had once been a poor shepherd boy. Now he
was the head of the whole Catholic Church. But he
remained as humble as ever. He still wore his white
Dominican habit, the same old one he had always worn.
And no one could persuade him to change it.
Pope Pius V simplified the way things were done
at the Vatican. He finished the new catechism of the
Council of Trent and revised the prayer book used by
priests and nuns every day and the missal used at
Mass. He gave large sums of money to the poor, and
personally visited hospitals and consoled the sick.
Pope Pius V drew strength from the crucifix. He meditated
every day on the sufferings and death of Jesus.
He encouraged people to pray the rosary and established
the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. We celebrate
it each year on October 7.
Pope Pius V died in Rome on May 1, 1572. Pius V
was proclaimed a saint by Pope Clement XI in 1712.
The story of St. Pius V reminds us that the Lord
chooses the people he wants for the jobs that he
wants done. We are all very important to him
because he is our Father. Let’s keep in contact with
God through our daily prayers and by receiving the
sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation
often.
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