* * *** “Among us on the earth there is His memory; but in the Kingdom of heaven His very Presence. That Presence is the joy of those who have already attained to beatitude; the memory is the comfort of us who are still wayfarers, journeying towards the Fatherland.” (St. Bernard of Clairvaux)

— Born of French nobility, St. Bernard (1090–1153) was a theologian, orator, writer, and defender of the faith. He founded and led the Abbey of Clairvaux and composed a number of treatises, including the celebrated “On Loving God.”

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— “Mary taken up to Heaven, ‘By her maternal charity, she cares for the brethren of her Son, who still journey on earth surrounded by dangers and difficulties, until they are led into the happiness of their blessed home’ (Lumen Gentium, n. 62). Let us invoke the Holy Virgin, that she may be the star […]

* * *** “They say that we are too poor, but can a heart which possesses the infinite God be truly called poor?” (St. Clare of Assisi)

— St. Clare (1194-1253) was 18 when she first heard St. Francis preach during a service; he would become her close friend and spiritual guide. Under his direction, Clare founded the Order of Poor Ladies and in 1216, became the abbess. Clare continued to promote their simple and austere way of life, refusing to allow […]

* * *** “they saw His glory… and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!'” (Lk 9:32,35)

— “The Transfiguration invites us to open the eyes of our hearts to the mystery of God’s light, present throughout salvation history… it is Christ who constitutes the full manifestation of God’s light. His Resurrection defeated the power of the darkness of evil forever.” (Pope Benedict XVI, Castel Gandolfo – Sunday, 6 August 2006)

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— A prolific spiritual writer, philosopher, and moral theologian, St. Alphonsus (1696 – 1787) was an accomplished lawyer before he was called to the priesthood. He founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists), and is one of the most widely read Catholic authors. Some of his best known works are The Glories of […]

* * *** “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” (Jn 11:5)

— Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus are mentioned in Scripture as being close friends of Jesus. After the death of Lazarus, Martha would profess: “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world.” (Jn 11:27)

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— Today we honor the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Devotion to Sts. Joachim and Anne is an extension of the veneration due Mary, Mother of God.

* * *** “Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?'” (Jn 20:15)

— St. Thomas Aquinas named her ‘apostle to the apostles’… all four gospels identify Mary as a prime witness to the Resurrection and she was asked by Jesus himself to announce the news to the Apostles.

* * *** “The best perfection of a religious man is to do common things in a perfect manner. A constant fidelity in small things is a great and heroic virtue.” (St. Bonaventure)

— Known as the Seraphic Doctor, St. Bonaventure (1221–1274) is considered one of the most influential theologians of the Middle Ages. He was elected Minister General of the Friars Minor and composed a number of important works, including his mystical treatise “The Journey of the Mind to God.” Through generations, St. Bonaventure continues to inspire […]

* * *** the young and steadfast “Lily of the Mohawks”…

— Born in the Mohawk village of Ossernenon, St. Kateri (1656–1680) was the daughter of a Mohawk chief and an Algonquin woman who had been assimilated into the tribe after she was taken captive. When a smallpox epidemic hit her village, Kateri was orphaned and left with impaired eyesight and facial scars. She was often […]

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