Category Archives: The Saints

Friends in Christ, today is the Feast of St. John Paul II. Here is a new saint with whom we can all identify, because so much of our own faith life has been influenced by this giant of a saint.

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When Pope John Paul II was elected in 1978, the first thing he said to the world was: ‘Be not afraid,’ quoting Jesus. John Paul was the first Pope to really travel to so many countries, to visit the world-wide Church.

He reached out to the youth; when World Youth Day was proposed for Denver, most “experts” said that it would be a flop – ‘What young person cares about the Pope?’ ‘Hardly any one will come,’ they said. But come they did. It was a marvelous, smashing success, and World Youth days continue.

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But John Paul was known for something else as well: his beautiful and wonderful teachings on Christian sexuality, on the family, and his Theology of the Body, which is helping many young couples to better appreciate the complimentarity of the sexes and the beauty of marital love.

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On May 13, 1981, an assassination attempt was made on his life; Ali Agca was a professional assassin, he had aimed at close range, and he had aimed well. But somehow, the bullets missed lethal targets; he fired four shots with a 9mm Hi-Power semi-automatic, critically wounding the Pope. Four bullets hit John Paul, two of them lodging in his intestine.

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A bullet missed his central aorta by a few millimetres — had it not missed this, he would have been killed instantly. The Pope, who lost nearly three-quarters of his blood had five hours of emergency surgery at the hospital.

This all happened on the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, and so he would always say that Mary saved him.

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He visited Ali Agca, his would-be killer in jail, and there he heard from this half-shaven prisoner a surprising question: ‘Why aren’t you dead?’ ‘I know that my aim was true.” The Pope responded: “One hand fired the shot, but another guided it,’ he was speaking of the Blessed Virgin, Our Lady of Fatima.

Ali Agca expressed some fears that this Lady might come after him next, but the pope told him ‘no,’ she is not like that, and in fact he himself had come to forgive. Ali Agca did not ask for forgiveness, but the Pope showed us that we must forgive enemies even when they do not ask for it.

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St. John Paul II who is in heaven with God, pray for us who are here below on earth.

Friends in Christ, among the saints on the calendar today, is St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. Margaret Mary was born in 1647 in France. She had a difficult childhood in her family, and also poor health, yet from the age of 7 she felt an intense love for Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. The Lord appeared to her often, usually as the Crucified Christ; not knowing any better, she thought that Jesus appeared to many people.

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Once, as she was returning from a dance, Jesus appeared and asked her why she had not taken Him as her Spouse. At age 23 she entered the Visitation Order of Sisters, and so she DID take Jesus as her Spouse.

She was sickly, and also rather clumsy, but she had a heart of gold. Sister Margaret Mary often chose the most menial tasks by which to offer her humility to God. Gifted with intelligence and common sense, she made great progress in holiness. Jesus appeared to her more, and he also asked her to spread devotion to his Sacred Heart; this is how the 1st Friday Devotion began.

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Today we had our monthly time of adoration with the students. The whole school is here, before the Eucharistic Lord. Even the little children like it very much: to honor Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. But it is because they know His Heart.

Among the prayers we say, are excerpts from the Litany of the Sacred Heart:

‘Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love, have mercy on us.

‘Heart of Jesus, worthy of all praise, have mercy on us.

‘Heart of Jesus, patient and most merciful, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who trust in you. Have mercy on us.

The children perhaps more easily than us, see the love of the Heart of Christ. The Heart of Jesus, is the source of all happiness.

Friends in Christ, today is the Feast of St. Teresa of Avila.

It was just 3 weeks ago, when I was in Spain for the beatification of Blessed Alvaro Portillo, we went to visit Avila. It was a joy to stand in the Convent where Teresa had begun, and it made me think of so many of her beautiful writings.

At least once in everyone’s life the writings of St. Teresa should be read. She is full of a lot of very practical wisdom. Let us today, read a bit from her writings on the interior life. (p. 222 V2)

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She says, there are ways that people in the world can have a false peace inside of themselves. They seem to be tranquil, as they go through their life even in serious sin and caught up in vices. This is because their conscience feels no remorse about anything. This inner peace, is a sign that they are friends with the devil.

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While they live, the devil does not wage war against them, because he has already caught them. but I hope that such evil will not be found among you, she says. When a person begins to grow lazy and lax in the small things, in the little things of God, without any remorse of conscience, this is very bad. If we are lazy about our prayers, or cut corners in helping others, or stop being concerned about minor sins, then the devil can draw us into a thousand other evils. There must be war in this life; it is not possible for us to be lax, we must ever be attentive to our interior life.

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There is always the temptation to avoid God’s will in the little details of life, yet it is these temptations, it is in this war, by which we can please God. I don’t say that this war must be going on always, but know that this war is a wonderful favor from the Lord, for it is by means of these struggles in daily life that we are able to advance in holiness. If we love God and fear ever displeasing him, we will gain very much. But if I see a person who is always quiet, without any war – I always worry for them.

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While it is true that those who have fought the war a long time, and are quite advanced, often experience a great peace – we are not there yet. So let us always fear, if when we commit some fault, it does not bother us.

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So says St. Teresa, about the inner struggle for holiness. It is by the struggle itself, the ‘war’ as she calls it, by which we really grow and become closer to God.

Friends in Christ, today there are a number of great saints on the calendar, but let us here speak about St. Denis.

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He was born in Italy, and in his youth he was known for his virtuous life and knowledge of sacred things. He studied to become a priest, and later became a bishop; in 250AD, Pope Fabian sent him and others to France on a dangerous mission of evangelization.

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At that time a horrendous persecution had been raging in France by the Emperor Decius, and the Christians there had all but been exterminated. Denis, with his companions, the priest Rusticus and the deacon Eleutherius, arrived at present day Paris and settled on the island in the middle of the Seine river.

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There, they built a church and began offering Holy Mass daily. The remarkable witness and preaching of St. Denis led to countless conversions to the Catholic Faith. This however, aroused the envy and hatred of the Druid priests in that place. They incited the people against them, which led the local governor to seize Denis and his companions. They were mercilessly beaten, racked, and thrown into prison.

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In the prison Denis celebrated Mass for the prisoners and was about to give out Holy Communion when a bright light appeared in the place; it was the Lord Jesus who appeared there to strengthen and encourage them. The next day they were taken to the highest hill in Paris where the Druid priests conducted their rituals – there they were beheaded: Denis, Rusticus, and Eleutherius.

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In perhaps the most remarkable miracle ever, after his head was chopped off, Denis stood up, took his head in his arms, and marched 6 miles from Montmartre, preaching the entire way to the place where he finally died. There was built the great Basilica of St. Denis.

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St. Denis is honored as one of the 14 Holy Helpers; he is often pictured as a bishop carrying his head. He is the patron saint of France, of possessed people, and of headaches.

Friends in Christ, today is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. And of the many things written about St. Francis, let us today hear of one incident in his life. It is from the book: ‘The Little Flowers of St. Francis.'[1]

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In the early days of the Franciscans, it was known by some, that Francis would often rise in the middle of the night to pray. And his reputation for holiness was great.

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Well a certain innocent child was visiting the brothers; he had heard of St. Francis, and wanted to learn from him, and especially to find out what he did in the night.

In order that he would not be overcome by sleep and miss out, he tied a cord from his waist to the rope on Francis’ tunic. This way he thought, he would be awakened at night if Francis got up. He tied it very gently, so that Francis was not aware of it.

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Now when all the brothers were fast asleep, Francis rose up, and finding the child’s cord tied to his tunic, he carefully untied it, so as not to awaken the child; then he went alone into the nearby woods to a chapel where he could pray in the quiet of the night.

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Shortly after, the child awoke, and finding Francis gone and the cord untied, he rose up quickly and went to seek him. Perceiving that the door was open, he thought Francis had gone that way; and entering into the woods, and on to the chapel, he came to hear the sound of many voices.

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As he approached, he saw a great and wonderful light all round the saint, and in the light, Francis was speaking with Jesus, and Mary. Also present was St. John with many angels. On seeing this the child fainted and fell to the ground.

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When the vision ended, Francis went to return home, but stumbled over this child, who appeared to be dead. With great compassion he took him up in his arms and carried him in his bosom, as the good shepherd carries his lambs.

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Later, when the boy had revived, Francis forbade him to tell anyone of the vision until after his death; the child grew up to become a distinguished man of the Franciscans, who later related the whole incident to the brothers.

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Perhaps not in visions or miracles, yet we are called, like Francis to enter into conversation with the Lord and the saints. This is what it really means to pray.

On this Feast of St. Francis, the Blessing of pets will be at noon today, outside.

[1] Little Flowers of St. Francis.

Friends in Christ, today is the Feast of the Guardian Angels. This week, the kids in school will be asked 34 questions on angels. Here are a few of the questions:

1. To be a Catholic, is it required to believe in angels? Yes, it is a De Fide teaching.

2. Do angels have bodies? No, they are spirits.

3. Do angels have a great intellect and intelligence? yes

4. What is the name given to bad angels? devils or demons

5. When we die, do we become angels? no, they are a different species! When we die we will be resurrected in our bodies, angels don’t have bodies, it’s not their nature.

6. Does each person have a Guardian Angel? How do we know? ⇒

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Well, in the gospel today, Jesus assures us that we have a guardian angel. Referring to children, Our Lord says, ‘I tell you, their angels in heaven always behold the face of my Heavenly Father.”

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Also from scripture, remember when St. Peter had escaped from prison, and was standing at the house knocking? They said, ‘it can’t be Peter, it must be – ‘his angel.’ So we know of our Guardian Angel from scripture, and also the tradition we inherited from the Jewish people.

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Padre Pio saw his guardian angel often. A man had met Padre Pio and was complaining about his troubles. He says: Padre Pio was looking at something, right next to me; he had a wonderful look on his face, and he asked me: ‘Do you believe in your guardian angel?’ I said, ‘I – I’m not sure. It was then that Padre Pio shook me and said ‘Look! He’s close to you, he’s beautiful!!!’ He could see angels. So could other saints like St. Gemma.

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Padre Pio’s Guardian Angel once said to him: ‘I am always close to you. I watch over you always; my affection for you will not end even when you die.’

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St. Josemaria had a practice, of when he met a person, to first greet that person’s guardian angel. One day in 1972, the retired archbishop of Valencia, along with his secretary, went to visit St. Josemaria. They were good friends, so that when they met, St. Josemaria, to have some fun with him, asked him:   “Marcelino, let’s see if you can guess – whom did I greet first?” The archbishop replied, “You greeted me first.” “No,” said the saint, “I greeted the VIP first.” The Archbishop was perplexed; he said, “But of the two of us, my secretary and me, I am the ‘VIP’.” St. Josemaria replied: “No, the VIP is your Guardian Angel.”

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Every single person is important to God; so important, that God gave each of us an Angel; a powerful and lovely angel whom we should greet often, during our day.

Friends in Christ, today is the Feast of St. Padre Pio.

Many pilgrims go to San Giovanni Rotondo in Italy to venerate the tomb of Padre Pio. But there is another place to visit, it is his tiny hometown, Pietrelcina. Some years back I went there, and as we walked through that village in the winter air, I began to feel a sort of wistful longing in my heart, a longing and memory of childhood. Pietrelcina was small, like the town I was born in, but – that did to explain the feelings I felt. As I inhaled the crisp air, I suddenly identified the cause: Coal! The air had a strong smell of burning coal. The homes were heated by coal furnaces; growing up I had smelled the same in our neighborhood, and that smell brought flooding back happy memories of childhood.

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My own feelings aside, I pondered the spirit of Padre Pio that was certainly there. One got a living sense of the enormity of God’s plan for each person. As a child, what could little Francesco have known of God’s plans for him. Plans of great graces, and sufferings.

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As a little child the future Padre Pio enjoyed playing and joking, but he had a reserved character, and a studious spirit. His friends would watch in amazement through the window to see him doing his homework, nobody did it! He was a sensitive child, always wanting God’s will to be done.

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At age 15 he entered the novitiate of the Capuchins, taking the name Pio. He was ordained a priest in 1910. Eight years later, while praying, he received the stigmata, the wounds of Christ on his hands, feet. He is the first priest to receive them. The doctor who examined Padre Pio could not find any natural cause for the wounds. The blood had an odor described by many as similar to that of flowers.

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He had the gift of bilocation, and the ability to read the hearts of the penitents who came to confession. In 1956 he founded the House for the Relief of Suffering, a hospital that serves 60,000 a year. Though he went through many trials of accusations and skeptics at high levels of the Church – though he was restricted from public view for some ten years, he was obedient to his superiors. Vindicated, the miracles and cures continued, and he has become loved by millions.

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A blind man was taken to Padre Pio once. His eyes were like shriveled peas in his head. On his knees, he begged that he would heal at least one of his eyes. ‘Only one eye’ said the Padre. I’ll pray for you, take courage. The grateful man returned later, and with tears of happiness – for he had been cured in his eye. ‘Only one eye cured? Said the Padre. Let that be a lesson to you, never put limitations on God, and he was suddenly healed in both eyes. He said: Always ask for the big grace.

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We always underestimate the plans God has for us, the gifts he wants to give us. Let us follow the advice of Padre Pio, and often ask God for the big grace.

Beloved in Christ, today is the Feast of St. Januarius. Januarius was the bishop of Benevento, Italy in 305AD. During the persecution of Diocletian he went in disguise to visit some Catholics imprisoned for their faith, but he was found out, and brought before the governor.

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Loaded down with heavy chains, they made him walk humiliated, in front of the chariot into town. At the amphitheater, he and three others were thrown to the wild beasts, but not one of the savage animals would touch them. The people were astounded at this, so the authorities beheaded these courageous martyrs.

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Some time later the relics of Januarius were brought to Naples. Many miracles occurred by prayers to this great martyr. Today, in the Cathedral at Naples, is preserved some of his blood, in a small glass vial.

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Also there, is the preserved head of Januarius. The blood in the vial, is dried, and of a solid, dark color. Every year, on this Feast day, the vial is brought out by a priest and placed on an altar near to the saint’s head. Prayers are offered, and during this time, the priest begins to turn the vial. If the miracle occurs, the dark mass of dried blood liquefies and turns red. Songs are sung, processions commence, and the priest announces, ‘ il miracolo è avvenuto.’   ‘The miracle has happened.’

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This event has been studied by countless experts probably more than any other miracle, yet it cannot be explained.

The facts are these: The blood has been sealed in this (60ml) vial for hundreds of years. The solid, coagulated blood does liquefy. This is certain. A change in weight is also said to occur, (of some 27 grams.)

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The speed of liquification of the blood does not correlate with temperature, sometimes liquefying quickly, even at low temperatures. This event has occurred every year, with rare exceptions. Popular tradition holds, that the liquefaction is a sign that the year will be preserved from disasters. In fact, amazingly, in 1939, the blood did not liquefy – and then we had World War II.

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Early this morning I checked the news, and I am happy to report, that the blood did liquefy today.

Regarding this, Cardinal Sepe, the bishop of Naples said, “It is a remarkable sign which shows the Lord’s closeness and fondness for his people.”

So.  — Many different miracles in the Church of God, reminding us that he has never left us, but walks with us each and every day.

Friends in the Lord, today we celebrate the Memorial of St. Cornelius and St. Cyprian. St. Cornelius was one of the many early Popes, martyred for the Faith. St. Cyprian, of Carthage, was also martyred. We possess still today, many of the writings of St. Cyprian, and these writings along with others, serve as clear proof that the early Christians most certainly were living none other than the Catholic Faith.

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St. Cyprian wrote a great deal, and so his work is very important for those who study the history of Christianity. Here are a few examples of what he taught.

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Writing in the year 251 AD he says that those who confess their sins to a priest in a straightforward manner and in sorrow, making an open declaration of their conscience, remove the weight from their souls and obtain a saving remedy for their wounds, no matter how small or slight they may be.’

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‘I beseech you brethren, he says, let everyone who has sinned confess his sin while he is still in this world, while his confession is admissible, for satisfaction made through the priests is pleasing before the Lord.[i] Clearly, the early Christians believed in confession of sins to the priests.

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Also, writing in the year 256 Cyprian explains the teaching authority of the Pope: He says, ‘Christ gives the command to feed the sheep; Primacy is given to Peter, whereby it is made clear that there is but one Church and one chair of Peter. If someone does not hold fast to this unity of Peter, can he imagine that he still holds the faith? If he deserts the chair of Peter upon whom the Church was built, can he still be confident that he is in the Church?

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The writings of the early Christians prove that they were, just as we are: Catholic. This is why it is said, ‘to be an honest student of history, is to become a Catholic.

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St. Cyprian was a courageous witness to the True Faith. Ultimately, he was brought before the governor. ‘You are against the gods of the Empire,’ said the governor; ‘you are now commanded to honor the Roman gods. Cyprian: ‘I will not do so.’ The Governor read the sentence: It is decided that Thascius Cyprian should die by the sword. Cyprian said: ‘Thanks be to God.’ Seeing his courage, many other Christians said they would also join him.

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When the executioner arrived, Cyprian told his friends, ‘Give the man 25 pieces of gold.

[i] The Faith of the Early Fathers, Jurgens, p. 219.

Friends in Christ, today is the Feast of St. John Chrysostom. St. John was born in Antioch in 347 A.D, and really, he was a genius. His father died when he was an infant, leaving his mother to raise him. She gave all of her attention to her son, and gave him the best classical education of the day.

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When he was quite young, he decided to live as a hermit in a cave, studying the Sacred scriptures; but his health failed, and he returned to Antioch. There he prepared for Sacred Orders, and was ordained a priest.

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During the next twelve years, he electrified Antioch with his fiery sermons filled with a knowledge and an eloquence that were astonishing. It was during this period that he received the nickname Chrysostom, meaning, ‘golden mouth,’ because his words seemed to be pure gold.

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He later would become Bishop of Constantinople, the most influential city of that time; seeing all the corruption there, he fasted extensively, never attended lavish dinners or banquets, and prayed for the conversion of the city. John spoke out boldly against the evils of the day and had no patience for immorality and sin.

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His determination to reform the clergy, made many hate him, and he spoke bluntly against the vices of the wealthy. They called him a madman and spread rumors about him, but the ordinary people and citizens there, loved John.

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Now those in power, ultimately sent him into exile, along with the Pope. He was sent 600 miles from Constantinople, across the Black Sea. Worn out and sick, he died at Comana in Pontus. His last words were, “Glory to God in all things.”

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Along with St. Athanasius, Gregory Nazianzen, and St. Basil, John Chrysostom forms the group of the four great doctors of the Eastern Church, and they are honored greatly by the Orthodox as well.

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In 1204 his body was brought to St. Peter’s in Rome where it has been highly venerated; but in a gesture of goodwill, it was eventually returned to the Orthodox by Pope John Paul II. His skull, covered in jewels, is kept in Greece, atop the great Mount Athos at the monastery.

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St. John Chrysostom often said: ‘Lord, Thy will be done; not what this fellow or that fellow would have me do, but what you want me to do. ‘If God wants something, he said, then let it be done!