— “The Blessed Virgin Mary should be called Queen, not only because of her Divine Motherhood, but also because God has willed her to have an exceptional role in the work of our eternal salvation… with complete justice St. John Damascene could write: ‘When she became Mother of the Creator, she truly became Queen of […]
— St. Pius X (1835-1914) defended traditional Catholic doctrine against modernist interpretations and was deeply devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He encouraged frequent reception of the Holy Eucharist, lowered the age for First Holy Communion, and initiated the codification of the Code of Canon Law.
— Born of French nobility, St. Bernard (1090–1153) was a theologian, orator, defender of the faith, master conciliator, and writer. He founded and led the Abbey of Clairvaux and composed a number of treatises, including the celebrated “On Loving God.”
— “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 […]
— Known as the Apostle of Consecration to Mary, St. Maximilian Kolbe (1894-1941) saved the life of fellow prisoner Sgt. Gajowniczek, by offering to take his place in a starvation bunker at Auschwitz. A witness noted, “Despite the inhumane and savage atrocities, Fr. Kolbe maintained deep faith and dignity… he prayed and tried to encourage […]
— Franciszek Gajowniczek was prisoner no. 5659 at Auschwitz… he would never forget the extraordinary act of Christian charity afforded to him by the selfless and courageous Maximilian Kolbe.
— 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 […]
— Born into an observant Jewish family, Edith Stein (1891–1942) was a philosopher, brilliant writer, and nurse. She was drawn to the Catholic faith after reading the writings of St. Teresa of Avila, eventually joining the Carmelites and taking the name “Teresa Benedicta of the Cross.” In 1942, St. Teresa was arrested by the Gestapo […]
“A man who governs his passions is master of the world. We must either command them or be enslaved to them. It is better to be the hammer than the anvil.” – St. Dominic — Born of wealthy Spanish nobility, St. Dominic (1170-1221) founded the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) and worked to eradicate the Albigensian […]
— “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)