* * *** “Let fire and the cross; let the crowds of wild beasts; let tearings, breakings, and dislocations of bones; let cutting off of members; let shatterings of the whole body; and let all the dreadful torments of the devil come upon me: only let me attain to Jesus Christ.” (St. Ignatius to the Romans, Ch. 5)

— St. Ignatius (d. 107) was consecrated Bishop of Antioch and later martyred in Rome under Trajan. Considered one of the great Apostolic Fathers, he wrote a series of letters pertaining to Christology, ecclesiology, and the Sacraments. His name is mentioned in the Roman Canon.

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— Born in Avila, St. Teresa (1515-1582) was one of the great Spanish mystics and a major figure in the Counter-Reformation. She reformed the Carmelite Order with the help of her friend, St. John of the Cross. Her popular works include The Interior Castle and The Way of Perfection.

* * *** “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Lk 1:42)

— “And indeed in the Rosary… the chief mysteries of our religion follow one another, as they are brought before our mind for contemplation: first of all the mysteries in which the Word was made flesh and Mary, the inviolate Virgin and Mother, performed her maternal duties for Him with a holy joy…” (Magnae Dei […]

* * *** St. Francis of Assisi (d. 1226), the mystic friar and stigmatist who founded the Franciscans, and along with his friend St. Clare, also founded the Order of Poor Clares.

— Part of Franciscan history involves the San Damiano Cross. According to tradition, it was while praying in the chapel of San Damiano that Francis received a message from Christ Crucified to rebuild the Church. This cross now hangs in the Basilica of Saint Clare and remains a popular site for pilgrims.

* * *** These messengers from God protect, guide, and do battle for us. Scripture has revealed accounts of angels and St. Thomas Aquinas wrote at length about angels in the Summa Theologica.

– “For he will give his angels charge of you, to guard you in all your ways.” (Ps 91:11) – “‘Father, if thou art willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.’ And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.” (Lk 22:42-43) – “For the Son […]

* * *** “A word or smile is often enough to put fresh life in a despondent soul.” (St. Therese)

— St. Therese (1873-1897) received permission to enter the Carmelite convent at only 15; her insight and deep spirituality were way beyond her years. She is remembered for her “little way” of seeking sanctity by doing daily chores with little acts of charity and making sacrifices. Her many inspirational writings include “Story of a Soul,” […]

* * *** “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” (St. Jerome)

— St. Jerome (c. 342) believed that all Christians should view Bible study as a necessity. He is best known for his translation of the Bible into Latin, the Vulgate, which was adopted by the Church as the official edition of Scripture. St. Jerome’s extensive writings include historical essays, commentaries on Scripture, and writings on […]

* * *** The Church celebrates the Feast of Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael… in Sacred Scripture, each of them with an important mission:

~ Michael is the great protector and defender of the Church. Pope Leo XIII instituted the Prayer to St. Michael, invoking his name for protection against Satan and all evil. ~ Gabriel is the messenger; he announced the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah and the joyful message of the Incarnation to the Blessed […]

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— St. Vincent de Paul (1581–1660) was a French priest who dedicated himself to ministering spiritually and materially to the poor and suffering. He founded the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians) and cofounded the Daughters of Charity with St. Louise de Marillac.

* * *** “Pray, hope, and don’t worry.”

Saint Pius of Pietrelcina (1887–1968), known as Padre Pio, was an Italian Franciscan Capuchin friar, priest, stigmatist, and mystic. His miraculous abilities as spiritual advisor, confessor, and intercessor attracted the attention of the world.

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