* * *** courageous young men gave witness to Christ…

— As master page in the royal court of King Mwanga, St. Charles (d. 1886) led a group of young men to uphold their Christian faith in opposition to King Mwanga’s immoral actions. St. Charles was martyred along with many of his fellow pages, including St. Kizito, who was only fourteen. Some of the men […]

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— The month of June is devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus; the Heart of divine and perfect love… the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart is celebrated on June 11 (Friday after Corpus Christi).

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~ A Christian convert, St. Justin (d. 165) was a philosopher in the Greek tradition and one of the earliest Christian apologists. He passionately sought after the truth, which he found in Christ, and his defense of the faith is evidenced in his “Apologies” and “Dialogue with Trypho,” the only of his writings to have […]

* * *** Today we commemorate the Blessed Virgin Mary’s joyful visit to her cousin Elizabeth. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth speaks the prophetic words…

— “And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord […]

* * *** “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” (Mt 28:19-20)

~ The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity is celebrated today, the Sunday following Pentecost… “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you!” (Jn 14:18)

* * *** More than 50 years ago, Saint Paul VI observed the rise of secularism, and predicted the effects it would have on family and the human soul. He wrote seven encyclicals, including Mysterium Fidei (on the Holy Eucharist), and Humanae Vitae (on the value of human life).

— “For you deal here above all with human life, and human life is sacred; no one may dare make an attempt upon it. Respect for life… must find here in your Assembly its highest affirmation and its most rational defense.” — “Physics does not change the nature of the world it studies, and no […]

* * *** St. Augustine of Canterbury (d. 604/605) was the respected prior of the monastery of St. Andrew in Rome when he was sent by St. Gregory the Great to lead a group of missionary monks to Anglo-Saxon England. Although Christian missionaries had preached there years before, the invading tribes forced a number of Christians west and into hiding. In time, Augustine’s mission would be prosperous. King Aethelbert of Kent allowed the group to preach, and eventually, the King and many of his people converted, to set the future course of Christianity in Britain.

— Known as “Apostle to the English,” St. Augustine became the first Archbishop of Canterbury in 597. (not to be confused with St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430), author of “Confessions” and “City of God”)

* * *** “Cheerfulness strengthens the heart and helps us to persevere. A servant of God ought always to be in good spirits. Charity and cheerfulness, or charity and humility, should be our motto.” ~ St. Philip Neri

— So much to say about this influential saint: *Founder of the ‘Congregation of the Oratory’ and ‘Confraternity of the Most Holy Trinity’ *Pursued philosophical and theological studies with the Augustinians *Mission work in Rome for nearly 17 years, before being ordained *Engaging and cheerful nature; conversed with people of all ages/societal levels *Brought people […]

* * *** Born in England, St. Bede (d. 735) was a priest, monk, theologian, and historian. At the Benedictine Monastery, Bede was “the most observant and happiest of all monks.” He had a passion for learning, writing, and teaching and composed many works of his own, including commentaries on Scripture. His classic title, “Ecclesiastical History of the English People,” is considered one of the best sources for early English history. Because of Bede’s holiness and extraordinary intellect, soon after his death he became known as “Venerable Bede,” a title that would continue through centuries.

— Also on the calendar today as Optional Memorial: -Saint Gregory VII, Pope -Saint Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi, Virgin

* * *** Celebrated on the Monday following Pentecost, this Feast was established in 2018 by Pope Francis on the 160th anniversary of the Lourdes apparition.

~ Saint John Paul II: “Mary is present in the Church as the Mother of Christ… Thanks to this special bond linking the Mother of Christ with the Church, there is further clarified the mystery of that ‘woman’ who, from the first chapters of the Book of Genesis until the Book of Revelation, accompanies the […]

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