St. Paschal Baylon, CONFESSOR, A.D. 1592.
by VP
Posted on Saturday May 17, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
LienzoS Pascual
"THIS saint was born of poor but pious parents, in a small town in the kingdom of Arragon. From his tender years he gave many indications of future sanctity. His parents were too poor to afford to send him to school; but he carried a book with him into the fields, where he kept sheep, and begged those whom he met to teach him the letters. Thus in a short time he learned to read. He would never look into books of mere amusement; but the lives of the saints, and above all, meditations on the life of Christ, were his chief delight. Some of his companions were addicted to swearing, quarrelling, and fighting; nor were they to be reclaimed by his gentle rebukes. He therefore determined to leave them; and after some time spent in prayer and austerities to learn the will of God, he resolved to enter a religious order. He was admitted as a lay brother into an austere convent of bare-foot reformed Franciscans. Though his rule was severe, he added to its rigour, but always with simplicity of heart, without the least attachment to his own will. He had never more than one habit, and that always threadbare. He walked without sandals in the snows, and in the roughest roads. He accommodated himself to all places and seasons; and was always content, cheerful, mild, affable, and full of respect for all. He thought himself honoured, if employed in any painful and low office to serve any one. He had a great devotion to the Mother of God, whose intercession he never ceased to implore, that he might be preserved from sin. The Blessed Sacrament was the object of his tender devotion; as also the passion of our Saviour. He died near Valentia on the 17th of May, in 1592, being fifty-two years old.
Practise the humility of this
saint. For though you are not obliged to follow him in habit, yet,
unless, like him, you are truly humble and poor in spirit, you cannot be
a true disciple. Pride has many subtle ways, and requires your best
observation to discover it, and yet greater care to overcome it. Study
all its ways, and by prayers call in heaven to your assistance." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
St. Ubaldus, BISHOP AND CONFESSOR, A.D. 1160.
by VP
Posted on Friday May 16, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"AFTER a pious education in a seminary at Gubio, a city in the ecclesiastical states, he was made by the bishop prior of his cathedral. After some time he was consecrated bishop of Gubio, by the pope himself. He made it his whole business to adorn his high station with all the virtues of a true successor of the apostles. But the mildness and patience, by which he appeared insensible to injuries and affronts, was one of the brightest parts of his character. The two last years of his life, he laboured under a complication of painful distempers, which he bore with the patience of a saint. On Easter day, his devotion to the glorious mystery of that festival, made him forget his infirm condition, so that he got up, said Mass, and gave the people a discourse on eternal life. He continued till the feast of the Ascension to prepare himself for death, and having received the rites of the Church, expired on the 16th of May, 1160.
Pray for all the pastors of the Church;
that they may carefully watch over their flock, and be examples to them
in all holiness and virtue. Pray that you may be faithful in your
charge, whatever it be. There is no state without many obligations
attached to it; and to be careless in them, is to be wanting to justice.
This is a point, on which all Christians ought to examine themselves, as often as they think of making their peace with God. Otherwise they may unthinkingly live on under the guilt of great sins, go with these to the sacraments, and have nothing in the end to trust to, but the unsafe plea of ignorance or inadvertence, which will not be allowed in those cases which by the obligation of their
state they were bound to know. St Ubaldus having been eminent for
relieving such as were possessed with unclean spirits, pray for all who
are thus possessed: their misery demands your charity. And if you are
molested with this troublesome enemy, pray for help, and be watchful
against his snares. Beseech God to strengthen you. Infirmity amidst
continual dangers can be no other way secure." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
St. John Nepomucen, MARTYR, A.D. 1383.
by VP
Posted on Friday May 16, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"His parents neglected nothing to give him a good education; nor could a child give more promising hopes of future greatness by his mildness, gentleness, docility, devotion, and application to his studies. He had from his tender years regarded the priesthood as the great object of his pious ambition, that he might devote himself in the most perfect manner to promote the divine honour. Having produced great fruit after his ordination in extirpating vice, and recalling many who had strayed from the paths of virtue, he was chosen a canon of Prague, and afterwards called to preach at court before the Emperor Wenceslaus. He was much applauded by the court and by the emperor himself, whose wicked passions the saint was for some time enabled to check. The emperor offered him great dignities, but he constantly refused them all. He would only accept the office of almoner, which enabled him to assist the poor, and gain souls to God.
The empress chose him for her director, and under his guidance, made great progress in virtue and piety. But Wenceslaus, the emperor, was a man of savage and vicious inclinations, and only grew more impatient and extravagant by the piety of the empress, and by the tenderness and condescension with which she behaved towards him. In a fit of mad jealousy, he made her virtuous conduct an argument for suspicion; and made an impious attempt to extort from St. John what she had disclosed to him in the secret of confession. The saint was struck with horror at such a question; and could never be brought, either by promises or threats, or torments, to betray the confidence reposed in him. By the wicked emperor's command he was thrown into a dungeon, and afterwards released and tempted again by the same impious proposal. The saint firmly refused, and was again put into prison and inhumanly tortured. He was stretched on a sort of rack;
burning torches were applied to his body; he was burnt at a slow fire,
and tormented in other ways. Under his tortures, he pronounced no other
words but the sacred names of Jesus and Mary, and when loosened from the rack, was left half dead. But our Lord visited his servant with the sweetest consolations. Soon after the barbarous emperor ordered the holy man to be thrown off a bridge into the river with his hands tied, which was executed on the 16th of May, 1383. A heavenly light appeared over his body in the waters. It was taken out of the river with great honour, and every one flocked to kiss the hands and feet of the glorious
martyr, and recommend themselves to his prayers.
Implore his
intercession this day; and pray that you may ever, like him, be firm and
faithful to your duty to God, unmoved by any fear of men." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Saint Dymphna, Virgin and Martyr, patron saint of nervous and mental patients
by VP
Posted on Thursday May 15, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
Lord Jesus Christ, You have willed that Saint Dymphna should be invoked by thousands of clients as the patroness of nervous and mental disease and have brought about that her interest in these patients should be an inspiration to and an ideal for charity at her great shrine and throughout the world. Grant that, through the prayers of this youthful martyr of purity, those who suffer of nervous and mental illness everywhere on earth may be helped and consoled. I recommend to you in particular ... (Here mention those you wish to pray for).
Be pleased to hear the prayers of Saint Dumphna and of Your Blessed Mother, health of the sick and Comforter of the Afflicted, in behalf of those whom I recommend to the love and compassion of Your Sacred Heart. Give them patience to bear with their affliction and resignation to do Your Divine Will. Give them the consolation they need and especially the cure they so much desire, if it be Your will. May we all serve Your suffering members with a charity which may merit for us the reward of being united forever in Heaven with You, our Divine Head, Who live and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit forever, Amen.
O God, we beg You through Your Servant, Saint Dymphna, who sealed with her blood the love she had for you, her Eternal Spouse, to grant relief to those in our midst who suffer from mental afflictions and nervous disorders. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Virgin and Martyr
Catholics for the most part are entirely unfamiliar with many
of the glorious saints of Ireland. One such forgotten or
unknown saint, who, on account of her spotless virtue and
glorious martyrdom, is sometimes referred to as the "Lily of
Eire,” is St. Dymphna.
Many details of the life of St. Dymphna are lacking, but the
outstanding facts of her short life, as well as the many
miracles worked through her intercession after her death, are
well known. Her life was written by a certain Peter, a Canon
Regular of St. Autbert’s Church in Cambray, France, in 1680.
Other writers before him have written about her and entertained
almost tender devotion toward her.
Dymphna was born in the seventh century, when Ireland was
almost universally Catholic. Yet, strange to say, her father,
Damon, a petty king or chieftain of Oriel, was a pagan. He was a
man of great wealth and power, acquired by his success in
many wars. Her mother was also of noble descent, exceptionally
beautiful, and a devout Christian. Dymphna herself is said to
have borne a striking resemblance to her mother and to have
inherited both her beauty and charm of disposition. She was a
most sweet and winsome child. Every affection and attention was
lavished on her from birth. Heaven, too, favored her with
special graces.
Dymphna was fourteen when tragedy struck the household. Her
mother died and her father is said to have been afflicted with
a mental illness, brought on by his grief.The girl was
entrusted to the care of a devout Christian woman, who prepared
her for Baptism. Father Gerebran, an old and venerable priest,
baptized her. He was evidently a member of the household and
later taught Dymphna her letters along with the truths of
religion. A bright and eager pupil, she advanced rapidly in
wisdom and grace. When still very young, Dymphna, like so many
other noble Irish maidens before and after her, being filled
with a deep love for Jesus Christ, chose Him for her Divine
Spouse and consecrated her virginity to Him and to His Blessed
Mother by a vow of chastity.
In a frantic effort to fill the void in his life caused by
the death of his wife, Dymphna's father sent messengers
throughout his own and other lands to find some woman of noble
birth, resembling his beloved wife, who would be willing to
marry him. Their search was fruitless. Very likely filled with
fear of punishments, they proposed another plan. They directed
the king’s attention to the remarkable resemblance between
Dymphna and her mother, both in physical beauty and charm of
disposition, and suggested that he propose marriage to her.
Under the stress of mental illness and passion, the king was
willing to follow this scandalous proposal. He tried to persuade
Dymphna by promises of riches and flattering words. But she
was filled with disgust by the persistent advances of her
father, not only because she saw the evil of such a marriage,
but also because she had already dedicated herself to a life
of virginity and would have rejected marriage under any
circumstances.
Dymphna laid the matter before Father Gerebran and upon his
advice decided to flee from her homeland. He himself agreed to
accompany her, together with two other friends, the court
jester and his wife. The little group hurried to the coast.
Faithful vassals rowed them across the mist-laden North Sea.
They landed upon the Belgian coast near Antwerp. Fleeing
inland, the fugitives made their way to Gelium — now Gheel —
where hospitable villagers received the Celtic strangers into
their homes. They found here a chapel dedicated to St. Martin
of Tours, and decided to make their home near it. Dymphna
soon made herself beloved by her tender care of the sick and
poor.
Damon, very angry at the disappearance of his daughter,
immediately set out in search of the fugitives. They were
eventually traced to Belgium. When Dymphna’s father tried to
persuade her to return with him, Father Gerebran rebuked him
for his wicked proposal. In order to break down her resistance,
the king gave orders that Father Gerebran should be put to
death. Without delay, his wicked retainers laid violent hands
upon the priest. With one blow of a sword his head was severed
from his shoulders.
The death of her beloved spiritual guide only confirmed
Dymphna’s resolution to resist unto blood, if needs be, herself.
Her father again tried to persuade her to return to Ireland
with him. This time she not only refused but even scorned his
cruel threats. Infuriated by her resistance, he drew his sword
and struck off the head of his daughter. She was then only
fifteen years of age. Dymphna received the crown of martyrdom
between the years 620 and 640.
The records of Dymphna’s life and death say that the bodies
of the two martyrs lay on the ground for quite some time
before the inhabitants of Gheel removed them to a cave. Some
years later a more suitable place was sought. When the working
men, assigned to the task, entered the cave and cleared away
the rubble, they discovered two beautifully sculptured tombs of
pure white stone. They opened Dymphna’s coffin and found lying
over her breast a red tile bearing the inscription: ‘'Here lies
the body of the holy virgin and martyr, Dymphna.” Her remains
were placed in a small church of the town and kept there for
many years. Source: Saint Dymphna : patron of the nervous and emotionally disturbed. Father Lawrence Lovasik 1953
Saint Peter Lampsacus
by VP
Posted on Thursday May 15, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
HORROR OF UNCHASTITY. It was at Lampsacus, a town of the Hellespont, during the persecution of the emperor Decius, that a youth, named Peter, was denounced to the proconsul as a Christian. He was ordered to burn incense in honour of the goddess Venus. "Would you have me," replied the generous confessor of the faith, "honour her whom you yourselves acknowledge to be dishonoured by her vices? The actions you impute to her strike me with disgust, and are punishable even by your own laws. No! I despise a woman of bad life, and I honour only the One God, my Lord Jesus Christ, the God made man for the expiation of the sins of the world." The proconsul caused torture to be applied, which racked, his limbs while wrenching them with most cruel grasp; but, at length, seeing his perseverance and the joy he manifested to suffer for the name of Jesus Christ, he shortened his torments by causing his head to be struck off.
MORAL REFLECTION. -How is it that, while despising
vice, the worldly-minded hold in respect the persons of the vicious;
and, while condemning vice, pardon it in their own case? "Know you not,"
says the Apostle, "that the unchaste shall not enter the kingdom of
Heaven?"-(1 Cor. vi. 9.) The Pictorial Half Hours with the Saints by Abbe Lecanu
St. Boniface, MARTYR, A.D. about 307.
by VP
Posted on Wednesday May 14, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"He was a Roman citizen, and had lived wickedly for some time with a rich lady whom he served as her chief steward But at length being sensibly touched with the horror of his crimes, he not only quitted the occasion of his sin, but left the city too, and endeavoured to make the best satisfaction he could, by visiting those who were imprisoned for their faith. He encouraged them in their sufferings, and buried the bodies of such as were put to death. For which, being apprehended at Tarsus, he was put to most cruel torments; in all which, no other voice of his was heard than this: "I give thee thanks, O Jesus, Son of the living God." Being afterwards beheaded, he thus finished a happy penance and martyrdom.
Pray for all those, who live engaged in a sinful state; that being truly sensible of their wickedness, they may sincerely repent, and forsake both it, and the occasions of it, and do penance for their sins. All these are linked to the devil with the strongest chains; and stand in need of a very powerful grace to disengage themselves. Have compassion on them, and shew your charity, not only in a short petition this day, but by daily importuning heaven for their deliverance. Why should so many perish, so many members of the same
body with yourself, without your endeavours for their relief? Beg
therefore for a sincere repentance for them. Their grief is not sincere,
unless they fly from the occasion of their sin, and bring forth worthy fruits of penance. Without this, repeated absolutions are fruitless, and only add the guilt of sacrilege to their repeated crimes. The same applies to all other sins, as of unjust gains, bad company, gaming, and the like: in all which, if the occasions
be not forsaken, it is in vain to confess, and make offers to amend.
Consider if you are any way concerned. Take good advice, and heartily
pray for grace, that you may separate from all that, which otherwise
will separate you eternally from God." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Saint John the Silent, Hermit 532
by VP
Posted on Tuesday May 13, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
DISCRETION. St. John, surnamed "the Silent," was born of one of the richest families at Nicopolis, in Armenia. He employed his wealth in constructing a church, dedicated to the Mother of God, and a monastery, into which he retired. His eminent virtues caused him to be elected bishop of Colonia at the age of 28. His piety, humility, and zeal for the salvation of the flock confided to his care, were producing the happiest results when serious differences, which arose between him and his brother-in-law, the governor of Armenia, against whom he found himself forced to complain to the emperor Zeno, caused him greatly to regret his previous manner of life. He resigned his charge at the expiration of nine years, and withdrew to a solitude, there to give himself to a mortified life and the fervent exercise of prayer. He subsequently retired to the monastery of St. Sabas, where he obtained the favour of still remaining alone, in order to apply himself more intimately to a contemplative life. He had adopted as a rule never to speak, save in case of necessity, and to speak with such discretion as that no word of his might be either wrong in itself or useless. He died about the year 560.
MORAL REFLECTION.-The Holy Spirit has said, by the
mouth of the Wise Man: "In the multitude of words there shall not want
sin, but he that refraineth his lips is most wise."-(Prov. x. 19.). The Pictuorial Half Hours with the Saints by Abbe Lecanu
SS. Nereus, Achilleus, Domitilla, and Pancratius
by VP
Posted on Monday May 12, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
" SS. Nerues and Achilleus held distinguished places in the service of St. Flavia Domitilla; and were baptized with her, and with her banished by the Emperor Domitian into a small island. Having, under many torments, with great constancy, protested that they would never sacrifice to idols, they were afterwards beheaded. St. Domitilla having suffered great extremities in a long confinement under Trajan, was burnt with two other companions in her chamber, which the judge commanded to be set on fire. St. Pancratius or Pancras, at the age of fourteen, having been baptized by the bishop of Rome, and accused for his faith in Christ, with a manly courage refusing to sacrifice to idols, was put to death under Dioclesian.
See how persons of both sexes, of all ages and conditions, teach you to suffer, and shew you the way to a crown. If in patience they possess their souls and God, is not impatience the way
to lose both? While then you honour these martyrs, renounce not their
example. Pray for constancy and patience under all trials. There is no
need of the hand of the executioner: for in every trouble which befals you, you are called to the exercise of these virtues. Take care then not to be provoked and moved to passion: let not ordinary accidents put you into disorder. The steadiness of a Christian spirit demands this of you.
And under greater troubles, use all endeavours to keep up your spirits.
Pray, read, advise, and see that you lay not your heart open to your
enemy, by indulging in melancholy. Resolve rather to struggle with all
difficulties. Remember that you are in the field of battle;
a place not to sit down in and mourn, but to fight. Fight then with
courage; arm yourself with faith and hope in God. God is looking on, heaven is waiting to crown the conquerors with bliss; and everlasting rest is to be the recompense of those, who with patience go through these temporal evils." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Ss. Philip and James, apostles
by VP
Posted on Sunday May 11, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
Paolo Veronese: Saints Philip and James the Less
"They were apostles of our Lord: pray for all who succeed in that function, that by their zealous labours, the whole world may be enlightened, and brought to the knowledge and love of God.
They both laid down their lives for Christ, confirming their doctrine with their blood. St. Philip was crucified; St. James suffered a manifold martyrdom, in being first stoned, then thrown down from a pinnacle of the temple, and lastly, being yet alive, and praying for his persecutors, had his brains dashed out with a club. Pray for all those who are under any kind of persecution for truth or justice, that they may persevere to the end with the patience, constancy, and charity of these apostles.
On this (...) day of the month, while you profess to honour these apostles, resolve to live in the practice of the doctrine which they preached, by renouncing the corrupt customs of the world, and taking the Gospel for your rule. Examine the method of your life, and compare it with this rule; beg grace to reform whatever you find amiss, and let the blood of these martyrs inform you, how much you ought to suffer in this cause. He that has not patience under the unavoidable mortifications of a virtuous life, is not yet disposed to give his life for Christ. Learn to put yourself in this disposition from these holy apostles, in the lessons which they give you.
In these holy men, leaving all to follow Christ, and thus becoming His apostles, we have a lesson, that we cannot be followers of Christ,
but by leaving something for Him. They left all; and we are to be in a
preparation for leaving all, whenever He pleases to call us to it. But
can this be reasonably expected, unless by proportionate steps we
endeavour to bring our souls to this holy disposition? We are therefore,
first, to leave all that is sinful: because a state of sin is a rebellion against God, and an aversion of the heart wholly from Him; and it is therefore inconsistent with the very lowest degree of a follower of Christ. They must be blind and mad, who in this state flatter themselves with the thoughts of being
prepared to leave all for Him. Secondly, we are to leave all that is
evidently dangerous: because living in voluntary dangers, is a state
either of presumption or neglect, in rashly expecting God's grace, or being too little concerned for that divine assistance; both which are great dispositions for leaving God, but not of leaving all for Him. Thirdly, we are to leave whatever draws our hearts away from God, and fixes them with immoderate affection on creatures; because all such affections diminish the love of God,
by which alone we are prevailed upon to forsake all for Him. Therefore
such as desire in good earnest to put their souls in the true disposition of Christ's disciples, are very jealous of everything
that is prejudicial to that love which they ought to have for Him. So
that in whatever degree their state obliges them to make use of creatures, in the same
proportion is their care to preserve their hearts from excessive
affection for what they use. They avoid all attachment to grandeur and
state, while their circumstances oblige them to it; they love not riches
while they possess them. And so of all other things, which please the appetite, court the fancy, and are too apt insensibly to engage the heart,
and draw it from its more substantial good. So that, however they are
circumstanced, as to outward possessions, they are ever solicitous to
preserve interior poverty, which is the poverty of spirit, one of the best titles to eternal riches, and the best character of a true disciple. This is the only expedient, by which those who live in plenty and honour, can pretend to the spirit of the Gospel. For if amidst all their greatness, there be not poverty of spirit, it is plain that as they possess and use the world, so they enjoy and love the world: and this is not the spirit of Christ, but contrary to all that he has taught. Leaving therefore all, either in reality or in spirit, is indispensably necessary for all those, who undertake in earnest to follow Christ." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Saint Mamertus
by VP
Posted on Sunday May 11, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
An engraving of Saint Mamertus from an 1878 book, Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints
PUBLIC PRAYER. Public prayer is the remedy for public calamities, even as private prayer is for individual evils. Towards the middle of the fifth century, Gaul was the victim of multiplied woes, civil wars, epidemics, inundations, earthquakes and conflagrations. All nature was in throes, and seemed awaiting still greater disasters; wild beasts, quitting their forest haunts, roamed at large in the midst of the thronging cities; every event was converted into dread forebodings, and the inhabitants generally were out of heart and sunk in discouragement. The church of Vienne then possessed a holy bishop who was the model, the hope, and object of love to all his flock. He directed that solemn supplications, not then usually resorted to, should be instituted in order to revive the courage of the faithful and turn aside the wrath of Heaven; he further ordered fasting and prayer to be combined. God, who had already favoured him with miracles, gave heed to these supplications, and the calamities ceased. Hence originated the "Rogation days, which were afterwards adopted by the Church at large. St. Mamertus, their founder, died in 477.
MORAL REFLECTION.-There is no instance of public
prayer having remained without result. "All that you ask in my name
shall be given unto you," has Jesus Christ promised.—(John xvi. 23.) Pictorial Half Hours with the Saints, Abbe Lecanu
