St. Junipero Serra, Spanish priest and Missionary
by VP
Posted on Tuesday July 01, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"Twenty-five leagues from Monterey he (Junipero) came upon a little stream which watered a lovely oak-studded valley inclosed by rugged mountains. The beauty of this wild and lonely place charmed him. He decided to found the mission here. The bells were accordingly unpacked and suspended from the branch of a great oak. Junipero seized the ropes and shouted with a kind of delirious rapture, "Hear, Gentiles, come, come, to the Holy Church, come, come, to receive the faith of Jesus Christ."
One of the friars, Fray Miguel Pieras, remonstrated
with him. "Why do you tire yourself in this way?" he demanded. "There
are no Indians in sight; it is a waste of time to ring the bells.""I would like these bells
to be heard by all the world," exclaimed Junípero, " or at least by all
the Gentiles who live in the mountains." Junípero Serra; the Man and His Work By Abigail Hetzel Fitch
"With no less carefulness did this servant of God try to draw his children toward the worship of the most Holy Sacrament. He instructed them to prepare and decorate arches in the road where the procession of Corpus Christi would pass. Four chapels were placed along the way with their respective altars where our Crucified Lord might rest, and after the singing in each one of them of the corresponding anthem, verse and prayer, an Indian stood up (generally a little boy) and recited a praise to the Divine Sacrament, of which two were in Spanish and two in the Pame dialect, which were very touching and increased the devotion of all. When they had returned to the church a Mass was sung and a sermon preached on this most Holy Mystery. With the same carefulness he consecrated himself to encourage in all devotion to our Lady Mary, and especially to her Most Immaculate Conception, preparing for this celebration with a Novena at which all the people were present. On the great day of the feast Mass was sung, a sermon was preached, and afterwards they chanted The Joys of the Most Immaculate Conception. Every Sunday afternoon they recited the Crown of Our Mother of Mercy, finishing it with a Hymn of Praise and the Hymn of Joy, which were sung. In order to make this the more attractive the Venerable Father had had sent out from Mexico a sculptured image of our most Sweet Lady which was put upon a platform and taken out in procession through the town every Saturday night, the illumination being made with lanterns, and with the accompaniment of the singing of the Rosary. After coming back again into the church they sang the hymn, “Tota pulchra es Maria," which our beloved servant translated into Spanish and which the Indians learned by heart and chanted with great solemnity, producing in all who heard it the greatest tenderness, especially that verse which says: "Thou art the honor of our people" and by means of which a most ardent devotion was kindled toward our Most Merciful Mother.
In the same way he tried
to impress upon their plastic hearts devotion to Saint Michael,
Archangel, to the Most Holy Patriarch, Saint Joseph; to our Holy Father,
Saint Francis, and to the other Saints in such a fashion that the whole
people were as well instructed as if they were Spaniards and had been
brought up Catholics, all this being due to the very fervent zeal of our
Venerable Fr. Junípero. In view of the most laborious service of this
model Prelate his subordinates were set to imitate him, as well as were
also the friars of the other four Missions, and through these means the
whole of the five towns became as thoroughly Christian as if they had
always been such." Francisco Palou's Life and Apostolic Labors of the Venerable Father Junípero By Francisco Palóu 1913
St. Theobald of Provins, 1066
by VP
Posted on Monday June 30, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
THE FORCE OF EXAMPLE.-Thibault, son of Count Arnold of Champagne, was taken with a love for the cœnobitic life through reading the lives of the hermits of the Thebaid, and began to initiate himself therein from early childhood. While still a youth he secretly left the paternal roof, accompanied by a friend, named Walter, with whom he proceeded to Suabia, exchanging on the road their rich garments for humble attire. They took up their abode in a forest, and, subsequently, in a wild solitude near Vicenza. They gained their livelihood by the labour of their hands, returning to their quiet cell to support themselves on the proceeds, amid the most rigorous austerities. Walter dying while in this retirement, Thibault, now left alone, forthwith redoubled his fervour of life. His virtue having attracted the attention of the public, the Count and Countess de Champagne succeeded at length in finding their son. They came to seek him, and, overcome with admiration at the angelic life he was leading, prostrated themselves at his feet. The count would have remained with him had not urgent affairs precluded him from so doing. The countess, however, stayed with her son, who built a cell for her, and soon after died at the age of thirty-three. Alexander III. inscribed his name among the saints.
MORAL REFLECTION.-Thus may the example of the saints influence people living in the world, and even thus may youth "be formed from the pattern shown."-(Exod. xxv. 40.)
Commemoration of Saint Paul
by VP
Posted on Monday June 30, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
Saint Paul, Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Raleigh NC.
Prayer to Saint Paul: O Glorious Saint Paul, after persecuting
the Church you became by God's grace its most zealous Apostle. To carry
the knowledge of Jesus, our divine Savior, to the uttermost parts of
the earth you joyfully endured prison, scourgings, stonings, and
shipwreck, as well as all manner of persecutions culminating in the
shedding of the last drop of your blood for our Lord Jesus Christ.
May your example inspire our parish priests today to be zealous in
their service to God's people. Obtain for our priests the grace to labor
strenuously to bring the faith to others and to accept any trials and
tribulations that may come their way. Help them to be inspired by your
Epistles and to partake of your indomitable love for Jesus, so that
after they have finished their course they may join you in praising him
in heaven for all eternity. Amen.
Saint Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons, Doctor of the Church
by VP
Posted on Saturday June 28, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
Saint Irénée ; Vitraux de Lucien Bégule (1901), Église Saint-Irénée.
"This Saint was born about
the year 120. He was a Grecian, probably a native of Lesser
Asia. • His parents, who were Christians, placed him under
the care of the great St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna. It was
in so holy a school that he learned that sacred science
which rendered him afterward a great ornament of the Church
and the terror of her enemies. St. Polycarp cultivated his
rising genius, and formed his mind to piety by precepts and
example; and the zealous scholar was careful to reap all
the advantages which were offered him by the happiness of such
a master. Such was his veneration for his tutor's sanctity that
he observed every action and whatever he saw in that holy
man, the better to copy his example and learn his spirit. He
listened to his instructions with an insatiable ardor, and
so deeply did he engrave them on his heart that the
impressions remained most lively even to his old age. In
order to confute the heresies of his age, this father made
himself acquainted with the most absurd conceits of their
philosophers, by which means he was qualified to trace up
every error to its sources and set it in its full light.
St.
Polycarp sent St. Irenaeus into Gaul, in company with some
priest ; he was himself ordained priest of the Church of
Lyons by St. Pothinus. St. Pothinus having glorified God by
his happy death, in the year 177, our Saint was chosen the
second Bishop of Lyons. By his preaching, he in a short
time converted almost that whole country to the faith. He
wrote several works against heresy, and at last, with many
others, suffered martyrdom about the year 202, under the
Emperor Severus, at Lyons. (Pictorial lives of the saints : with reflections for every day of the year, by Shea, John Gilmary, 1824-1892)
"For where is the Church is, there likewise is the Spirit of God. And where the Spirit of God is, there likewise is the Church, there all grace." Against Heresies 3:24:1 St. Irenaeus
"Woe to them who alienate themselves from her! They suck not in life from the nourishing breasts to which their Mother invites them, they slake not their thirst at the limpid Fount of the Lord's Body: but, afar from the rock of unity, they drink the muddy waters of cisterns dug in fetid slime where there is not a drop of water of truth." The Liturgical Year: Time after Pentecost (v. 11, 3rd ed.) By Prosper Gueranger
"O God, who didst vouchsafe unto blessed Irenaeus, Thy martyr and bishop, by his strenuous teaching of the truth, utterly to confute heresies, and happily to establish peace in Thy Church: grant unto us Thy people, we beseech Thee, to be steadfast in the practice of our holy religion, and in all our days to enjoy that peace which is from Thee."
God, the author and lover of peace, to know Whom is to live, and to serve Whom is to reign, protect us Thy suppliants from all assaults, that we, who trust in Thy defense, by the intercession of blessed Irenaeus, Thy martyr and bishop, may not fear the arms of any of our foes. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever."
Ladislaus I of Hungary
by VP
Posted on Friday June 27, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
Saint Ladislaus Hungarian King 1077-1095
THE CROWN OF THE CHRISTIAN. -Whatever rank or station you hold, ever bear in mind that you are a Christian. Christianity is above all greatness, and baptism is more holy than the unction of kings. Far from being an obstacle to the accomplishment of duty, Christianity is the hallowing thereof. Thus it was that Ladislaus, elected king of Hungary in 1080, understood and knew how to fulfil the high charge confided to him, The most humble of Christ's followers never showed greater zeal in the accomplishment of Christian works or more simple and modest virtues than he. Never did sovereign exhibit more ardour for the reign of justice, or more courage in defending his country. He annexed to his dominions Cracovia and Dalmatia, expelled the Huns, and conquered the Poles, Russians, and Tartars. He was preparing for a great crusade against the infidels, in order to wrest from them possession of the Holy Land, when he died in 1095. His tomb has been illustrated by numerous miracles.
MORAL REFLECTION.-There is no true greatness apart
from religion. "The great man, and the judge, and the mighty is in
honour; but there is none greater than he that feareth God."-(Eccles. x.
27.)" Pictorial Half Hours with the Saints by Abbe Auguste Lecanu
SS. John and Paul, Martyrs, A.D. 362.
by VP
Posted on Thursday June 26, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"Two brothers, bred up in the court of Constantine the Great, and by him appointed to serve his daughter Constantia. They were afterwards invited by Julian the Apostate to accept of places under him: but refusing to serve a prince, who had renounced his faith, they were apprehended. Detesting the idols, which they were commanded to worship, their constancy was rewarded with the crown of martyrdom, they being both beheaded in their own house. These saints glorified God by a double victory: they despised the honours of the world,
and triumphed over its threats and torments. They saw many wicked men
prosper; but they were not dazzled by their example. Pray for those,
whose hearts are opened to all the dangers of the court; that amidst the powerful delusions of that state, they may continue faithful to their God. As strict a guard is necessary for keeping a good conscience there, as for the safety of the sovereign. Learn from these saints, not to hazard your soul for interest, or preferment. A private life, with peace of mind, is much more comfortable and Christian, than exposing conscience for the purchase of honour and revenues. It is better to hazard starving than burning. All the evils of this life are much more tolerable than an eternal separation from God. Therefore, in placing out children, or seeking employment or service for yourself or others, consider not only the temporal advantage, but the eternal also; and refuse all offers where there is not as fair a prospect of gaining the next world, as of succeeding in this. How many are eternally lost by tempting God in this way, in putting themselves in circumstances, where having no convenience of performing the duties of their religion, they come by insensible degrees, into a total forgetfulness of God, and thus live on,
till death carries them away? It is a misery to be lamented, and one
that requires your charity. Pray for remedy, and be watchful that it
never comes to be your case." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
St. William of Montevergine, Abbot and Confessor, A.D. 1142.
by VP
Posted on Wednesday June 25, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"HAVING lost his father and mother in his infancy, he was brought up by his friends in great sentiments of piety. At fifteen years of age, out of an earnest desire of leading a penitential life, he left Piedmont, his native country, and made an austere pilgrimage to Compostella in Spain, to the famous church of St. James the Apostle. He performed this pilgrimage, clothed with only one garment, wearing a double iron girdle, and walking barefoot; and suffered severe cold and heat, hunger and thirst, with great danger of his life. Returning into Italy, he proposed to make another pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem; but was hindered by various impediments permitted to fall in his way by divine Providence, who called him to higher and more holy exercises of piety. He spent two years in a desert mountain, and lived in perpetual contemplation, and rigorous austerities Having here restored sight to a blind man, the fame of this miracle rendered it impossible for him to remain in obscurity; and accordingly he changed his habitation, and built a monastery on the summit of a mountain, called Monte Vergine. Here he collected some religious men to live with him, and instructed them in the gospel rules and counsels, and also in ascetic practices. Thus was laid the foundation of the religious congregation of Monte Vergine. Other monasteries of the same religious institute were afterwards erected. The sanc tity of the holy man became every day more brilliant, and attracted more and more persons to him. He foretold the day of his death to the king of Naples and others, and slept in the Lord on the 25th of June, 1142.
Order and good discipline
are necessary, not only for religious houses, but likewise for all other
families. Where these are neglected, there unavoidably follows a
proportioned decay of Christianity. So that, without rash judgment, it may be concluded that those families which are not orderly, are not virtuous, or at least will not long be so. If you have the care of a family, consider your charge, and forget not that the eternal welfare of those under your care much depends on your example and management." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
The Nativity of St. John the Baptist.
by VP
Posted on Tuesday June 24, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
Daily Missal with Vespers for Sunday
"He was sanctified in his mother's womb. A good instruction for mothers, to pray for their children before they are born. Very much depends on their natural constitution and temper; the difference of inclinations is very observable. Why then should not they pray for such as may lead to virtue and happiness?
St. John was the forerunner of Christ, and proclaimed Him to the world, preparing His way before Him, by preaching penance and conversion from sin. Pray that you may hear his voice, and enter into those holy dispositions which he requires. Prepare your soul, as he directs, that Christ may follow, and take up his abode in your heart.
We have it from the mouth of Christ himself, that amongst all born of women there is none greater than St. John Baptist. And yet we find nothing in him which the world esteems great; his whole life being a contempt of the world, and an entire renunciation of all that which is reputed valuable in it. For, his habitation being a desert, his clothing being of camel's hair, and his food locusts and wild honey, it is evident that neither riches, nor honour, nor pleasures, nor the satisfaction of any sense, nor any sort of vanity, had place in him. Making no further use of the world than necessity required, he renounced all that which could contribute to these common objects of human greatness. His greatness therefore, was in the contempt of all these things; and this was necessary in him, who was to be the precursor of the Messias; that so not only in words, but by example too, he might teach the world to prepare the ways of the Lord, and make good what he said of himself: I am a voice. For thus was he a voice, whilst all that he did carried with it the same instruction with what he said.
This instruction we are to receive this day, by learning from St. John the only methods of preparing the ways of Christ, and obtain some degrees of that greatness, which rendered him the just subject of our Redeemer's love and praise. This instruction has but one point, and that is, forsaking or contemning the world and ourselves. This is the lesson which he teaches: and the case is plain. For as to prepare for the world, and seek its greatness, there is a necessity of pursuing all those ways which the world
values, and are calculated to raise its admiration and esteem; and
since to be great in our own eyes, there is a necessity of observing the dictates of self-love; -so, to prepare the ways of Christ, and obtain some part of that greatness which he commends, there is a like necessity of contemning
what he disesteems, and walking in all those ways which he approves and
teaches, as ways that lead to Him. And since he has declared the world to be his enemy; since the great things of the world are the very things which he has rejected; since we are taught that all its ways are vanity, and that self-love is the root of all evil; it is no less than demonstration, that the only means of preparing the ways of our Lord, and being great with him, is to forsake or despise the world and ourselves. Not that all are bound to retire into a desert with St. John, or confine themselves to the rigours of his eating or clothing; but that in all these particulars, whilst great allowances are granted, in consideration of health and education, degrees and custom, great care likewise ought to be had by Christians, not to seek themselves or the world, any more than the Baptist did, who renounced them all. Because, whatever we do, pushed on by the love of the world or ourselves, we do not in this prepare the ways of Christ; nor can we by such ways become great with him. By frequent selfdenial, a Christian comes near to the spirit of St. John. And is not this the only means for preparing the ways of our Lord, and arriving at that greatness, which he commends? This indeed is contrary to what the world expects; but since the world is opposite to Christ, the ways of Christ must necessarily be opposite to those of the world; and there can be no engaging in the one, but by forsaking the other.
Teach us therefore, O Jesus thy ways: and may thy holy Baptist obtain
for us that spirit, without which we can have no hopes of coming to thee." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Prayers in Honor of St. John the Baptist
O Glorious St. John the Baptist, of those born of women the greatest of prophets (Luke vii. 28); thou, though sanctified from thy mother's womb and most innocent, didst nevertheless will to retire into the desert, there to practice austerities and penance; obtain for us from Our Lord the grace to be detached, at least in the affections of our hearts, from all earthly treasure, and to practice Christian mortification with interior recollection and a spirit of holy prayer,
Pater, Ave, and Gloria.
Most zealous apostle, who, without working any miracle on others, but solely by the example of thy life of penance and the power of thy words, didst draw after thee crowds, in order to prepare them to worthily receive the Messiah, and listen to His heavenly teaching; grant that it may be given to us also, by the example of a holy life and the practice of good works, to lead many souls to God and, above all, those who have been enveloped in the darkness of error and ignorance, and led astray by vice.
Pater, Ave, Gloria.
O unconquered martyr, who for the honor of God and the salvation of souls, didst, with heroic constancy, and at the cost of life itself, withstand the impious Herod reproving him openly for his bad and dissolute life; obtain for us a brave and generous heart, so that, overcoming all human respect, we may boldly profess our faith, and follow the teaching of our divine master, Jesus Christ.
Pater, Ave, Gloria.
V. Pray for us, St. John the Baptist.
R.That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray:
O God, Who hast made this day worthy of honor in the nativity (commemoration) of St. John, grant to thy people the grace of spiritual joys, and direct the minds of all the faithful into the way of eternal salvation through Christ our Lord. Amen. (Pius X, Jan 11, 1904 (Indulgences.) Blessed Sacrament Book by Father Francis Lasance p1131)
"A Prophet of the Most High" (Alleluia), St. John is pre-figured by Isaias and Jeremias (Introit, Epistle, Gradual); still more, he was consecrated before birth to announce Jesus (Secret) and to prepare souls for His coming.
The Gospel narrates the prodigies which accompanied his birth. Zachary gives his child the name which St. Gabriel has brought him from heaven, which signifies: The Lord has pardoned. He immediately recovers his speech and, filled with the Holy Ghost, he foretells the greatness of his son: "He shall walk before the face of the Lord to give unto the people the knowledge of salvation." The angel Gabriel had announced to Zachary that "many would rejoice in the birth of St. John the Baptist". Indeed, not only “the neighbors and relations of Elizabeth" solemnized the event, but every year, on its anniversary, the whole Church invites her children to share in this holy joy. She knows that the nativity "of this Prophet of the Most High " at this summer Christmas is intimately connected with the Advent of the Messiah.
After the feast of the Nativity of St. John, the days become shorter, while, on the contrary, after the Nativity of the Savior, of which this feast is the prelude, the days become longer. The Precursor must efface himself before Jesus Who is the true light of souls. "He must increase," says St. John," and I must decrease."
The solstices were the occasion of pagan feasts when fires were lighted to honor the orb which gives us light. The Church Christianized these rites seeing in them a symbol of St. John who was a burning and brilliant lamp." Indeed "she encouraged this kind of manifestation which corresponded so well with the character of the feast. The St. John bonfires happily completed the liturgical solemnity; they showed the Church and the earthly city united in one thought." The name of the Precursor is inscribed in the Canon of the Mass at the head of the Second List.
Formerly, on his feast day three masses were celebrated in his honor, and numerous churches were dedicated to him. Parents loved to give his name to their children.
Paul the Deacon, a monk of Monte Cassino and a friend of Charlemagne, had composed, in honor of St. John the Baptist, the hymn: “Ut queant laxis." In the thirteenth century the Benedictine monk Guy of Arezzo noticed that the notes sung on the first syllables formed the sequence of the first six degrees of the scale. He named each degree by the corresponding syllable: (Ut, re, mi, fa, sol, la, si) and thereby greatly facilitated the study of musical intervals.
"That Thy servants may sing with full voice the marvels of Thy works, purify their sullied lips, O St. John."Immediately Zachary made signs that he wished to call his son John,. he recovered his speech; and lo! a hymn composed in honor of the Prophet, whose voice resounds in the desert, becomes the occasion of a new progress in music. Every Parish Priest celebrates Mass for the welfare spiritual and temporal of his Parishioners." Daily Missal with Vespers page 1436 1925
St. Ethelreda, Abbess
by VP
Posted on Monday June 23, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"ANOTHER FAMILY OF SAINTS.-The pious Anna, king of the East Angles, was the father of St. Ethelreda, and her mother was St. Heruwyda; her sisters were St. Sexburga, St. Withburga, and St. Ethelburga, who died as a nun in France. Ethelreda was born at Ermyng, in the county of Suffolk, and was brought up in the fear of God. After having passed three years in married life, though in a state of continence, she retired to the island of Ely, in order to devote herself to practices of piety. Afterwards yielding to the entreaties of Egfrid, king of the Northumbrians, she consented to assume the dignity of queen, but only on condition of still keeping holy continence.
Notwithstanding all the good she effected by the influence of her example in the world, she preferred seeking anew the calm of retirement, and withdrew to the nunnery of Coldingham, and subsequently to the isle of Ely, where she founded a nunnery herself, and there died in 679. Her body having been exhumed eleven years after, was found exempt from corruption, and many miracles were wrought by mere contact therewith.
MORAL REFLECTION. -Happy
those families where "the children's children are the crown of the old,
and the glory of children are their fathers!"-(Prov. xvii. 6.)" The Pictorial Half Hours with the Saints by Fr. Lecanu
St. Alban, First Martyr of England, a.d. 303. and St. Paulinus, Bishop and Confessor
by VP
Posted on Sunday June 22, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"So great was the glory of this first martyr of our country, that his name was famous over the whole Church. He was as yet a pagan, when the edicts of the Roman emperors against the Christians began to be put into execution in Britain. A certain priest sought by flight to escape the persecutors, and Alban afforded him a shelter in his house. He was much edified by the holy deportment of the stranger, and admired his faith and piety, and in particular his assiduity in prayer. Alban listened to his instructions, and in a short time became a Christian. Information was soon given to the Roman governor that the priest lay hid at the house of St. Alban. Soldiers were sent to search for him; but St. Alban changed clothes with his guest, that he might more easily escape, and he himself put on the garment worn by the priest. In this dress he presented himself boldly to the soldiers, and was by them led to the judge. He was highly provoked to find the cheat which the saint had put upon him, and ordered him to sacrifice to the pagan gods. Upon his heroic refusal, the judge commanded him to be scourged; and seeing him bear with unshaken constancy, and even with joy, the most cruel torments, he at last condemned him to be beheaded.
The saint, impatient to obtain the crown of martyrdom, by his prayers dried up the river, so as to afford a passage for himself and a great multitude who went out to witness his execution. At this miracle, the executioner was converted, and throwing away his sword, fell at the saint's feet, begging to die with him, or rather in his place. Another executioner was called in, who struck off the head of the martyr; but his own eyes fell to the ground at the same time. The first executioner who had declared himself a Christian was also beheaded. They suffered on the 22nd of June, according to most authors in the year 303, and at the place where the town of St. Albans now stands.
Pray for your country, that God may bless it with the love of justice and truth. Pray for all who suffer for the faith, and beseech God to give you the courage and constancy of his primitive servants.
"ADVANTAGES DERIVABLE FROM ADVERSITY. - Paulinus was born at Bordeaux in 353. He reckoned among his ancestors a long line of senators, and his father was prefect of Gaul. He had as preceptor the celebrated Ausonius, and at the age of twenty-five became prefect of the town of Rome. Theresa, belonging to one of the most noble families in Spain, brought him a large accession of wealth in marriage. He was at the height of worldly dignities when sudden changes happening in the empire snatched from him all his honours and a goodly portion of his wealth. Paulinus and Theresa thereupon, apprehending the nothingness of the things of the world, sold the remainder of their possessions in favour of the poor; Theresa dedicated her life to their service, and Paulinus embraced the religious state. His great virtue soon rendered his name famous, and caused him to be raised to the bishopric of Nola. This town, which was devastated by the Goths a year afterwards, stood in need of such a bishop, to prevent its entire destruction. He became the providence of the poor and the unfortunate. Although poor himself, he always found means to give in abundance. St. Paulinus died in 431.
MORAL REFLECTION.-We read in the book of Proverbs:
"Whom the Lord loveth He chastiseth, even as a father the son in whom he
delighteth."-(Prov. iii. 12.)" Pictorial Half Hour with the Saints by Fr. Lecanu
