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— 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 […]

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— 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.

* * *** “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 […]

* * *** “When you seek truth, you seek God whether you know it or not.” – Edith Stein

— 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 […]

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“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 […]

* * *** Ad maiorem Dei gloriam (“for the greater glory of God”)

— Born into a family of nobility, St. Ignatius (1491-1556) was a soldier whose physical prowess led him through many battles. His life took a turn when his leg was shattered at the Battle of Pamplona. During recovery he read about the life of Christ and lives of the saints, which prompted his conversion and […]

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“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 […]

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— Born in a Lebanese mountain village, St. Sharbel (1828-1898) was a Maronite priest and hermit-monk. Originally revered among Lebanese Christians, his reputation for holiness (and many miracles) has spread throughout the world, leading countless pilgrims to his tomb. — While only some are called to the hermit life, that which St. Sharbel practiced -contemplative […]

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

— St. Thomas 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.

* * *** For centuries the Carmelites, their saints and theologians, have promoted this special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

— The tradition of the Scapular is a Marian devotional practice which has spread to Catholics around the world. Pope Paul VI said: “Let the faithful hold in high esteem the practices and devotions to the Blessed Virgin… the Rosary and the Scapular of Carmel.” — The Scapular symbolizes Our Lady’s special protection and calls […]

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