catholicsaints

*** *** *** As a Roman soldier under Diocletian, St. George (d. 303) refused to follow the Emperor’s edict against Christians, nor would he renounce his own faith.

~ The story of St. George is quite similar to that of his fellow Christians martyred under Diocletian’s notorious rule, but for one famous tale… that of St. George courageously slaying a dragon to protect the village people and a princess from being sacrificed. ‘The dragon’ would not appear though until many centuries after his […]

*** *** *** We honor Saint Anselm (1033-1109) as one of the Church’s greatest theologians. Born in Aosta, he would spend about 30 years of his life in the Benedictine monastery of Le Bec in Normandy. In 1093, he was consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury and named Primate of England, yet, in his defense of the Church, St. Anselm would suffer persecution and exile.

~ Known as the Father of Scholastic Theology, St. Anselm’s doctrinal works are among the most noteworthy examples of theology. His popular writings include “Cur Deus Homo” (Why God Became Man) and “De Veritate” (On Truth).

– Born near Todi, Umbria, and elected Pope in 649, Saint Martin I suffered persecution for his condemnation of “Monothelitism,” a heresy promoted during the seventh century by authorities within the Byzantine Church and empire. This teaching, strongly supported in the East, acknowledged that Christ had two natures – human and divine – but only one will: the divine. Pope Martin disputed this belief, insisting that to refuse to acknowledge that Christ had both a divine and human will, was to deny biblical teaching that Christ was like humanity in everything other than sin.

~ “Grant, almighty God, that we may withstand the trials of this world with invincible firmness of purpose, just as you did not allow your Martyr Pope Saint Martin the First to be daunted by threats or broken by suffering. Through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ~ from the Proper of Saints, Daily Roman Missal

*** *** *** “And he came to her and said, ‘Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!… He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end.'” (Lk 1:28,32-33)

— The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord is celebrated as one of the highest ranking liturgical feasts. Mary’s consent to God’s Word — that she would be Mother of the incarnate Son of God — played a crucial role in the redemptive work of her Son, Jesus Christ, for all of humanity.

Although exact dates of the events in St. Patrick’s life are uncertain, early tradition credits the popular saint with converting a largely pagan society in Ireland to Christianity during the fifth century. Born in Roman Britain, when he was about 16, St. Patrick was captured by pirates and brought to Ireland. He would spend six years in captivity as a slave before escaping and returning to his homeland. When back home he studied for the priesthood and would later be ordained a bishop before heading back to Ireland. His mission was to convert the land to Christianity and build churches across the country. St. Patrick wrote in his surviving work “Confession” that his time spent in captivity greatly influenced his spiritual growth and strengthened his prayer life.

~ “O God, who chose the Bishop Saint Patrick to preach your glory to the peoples of Ireland, grant, through his merits and intercession, that those who glory in the name of Christian may never cease to proclaim your wondrous deeds to all. Through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ~ from the Proper of Saints, Daily […]

St. John of God (1495– 1550) was a farmer and soldier, before having a profound conversion experience at the age of forty. Reflecting on his life he vowed to follow the word of God and from then on lived at the service of the sick in Granada, Spain. Behind John’s outward acts of concern and love for the sick and the poor was a deep interior prayer life and spirit of humility. He founded what would become known as the Order of Brothers Hospitallers of St. John of God, a congregation devoted to the infirm.

~ “O God, who filled Saint John of God with a spirit of compassion, grant, we pray, that, giving ourselves to works of charity, we may merit to be found among the elect in your Kingdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ~ from the Proper of Saints, Daily Roman Missal

Perpetua, a young mother of Carthaginian nobility, and Felicity, a slave woman imprisoned with her and pregnant at the time, were martyred during the persecution of Emperor Severus in 203. Along with their Christian companions, they were sent to the public games in the Carthage arena. Although details of early martyrs are often unclear, a true record exists attesting to the courage of these two saints, known as “The Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity.”

~ A passage from St. Perpetua’s account in captivity, while separated from her baby: “… I was very much afraid, because I had never felt such darkness. O terrible day! O the fierce heat of the shock of the soldiery, because of the crowds! I was very distressed by my anxiety for my infant… ” […]