Author Archives: catholiconline

St. Alice

Feast day	December 15
Death6	1855

St. Alice of Schaerbeek, also known as Aleydis or Alice the Leper, is a revered figure in Christian history. Here’s a brief overview of her life:

1. Early Life and Entry into Religious Life:

Born around 1220 near Brussels, Belgium, Alice entered the Cistercian convent of Camera Sanctae Mariae at the age of seven ¹.
She dedicated her life to God, embracing a life of prayer and service.

2. Suffering and Sanctity:

Alice contracted leprosy, which led to her isolation from the community. Despite her physical suffering, she remained steadfast in her faith.
Her illness eventually caused blindness and paralysis, yet she continued to inspire those around her with her humility and courage ¹ ².

3. Legacy and Canonization:

St. Alice’s story is a powerful reminder of how faith can transform suffering into a source of inspiration and strength. 😇

Would you like to know more about another saint or perhaps something else? 🌟

¹: Catholic Saint Medals ²: Wikipedia

St. Alice of Schaerbeek, also known as Aleydis or Alice the Leper, is a revered figure in Christian history. Here’s a brief overview of her life:

1. Early Life and Entry into Religious Life:

Born around 1220 near Brussels, Belgium, Alice entered the Cistercian convent of Camera Sanctae Mariae at the age of seven ¹.
She dedicated her life to God, embracing a life of prayer and service.

2. Suffering and Sanctity:

Alice contracted leprosy, which led to her isolation from the community. Despite her physical suffering, she remained steadfast in her faith.
Her illness eventually caused blindness and paralysis, yet she continued to inspire those around her with her humility and courage ¹ ².

3. Legacy and Canonization:

St. Alice’s story is a powerful reminder of how faith can transform suffering into a source of inspiration and strength. 😇

Would you like to know more about another saint or perhaps something else? 🌟

¹: Catholic Saint Medals ²: Wikipedia

Daily mass readings for Aug 4, 2024

Daily mass readings :Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 : Ex 16:2-4, 12-15

The whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.
The Israelites said to them,
“Would that we had died at the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt,
as we sat by our fleshpots and ate our fill of bread!
But you had to lead us into this desert
to make the whole community die of famine!”

Then the LORD said to Moses,
“I will now rain down bread from heaven for you.
Each day the people are to go out and gather their daily portion;
thus will I test them,
to see whether they follow my instructions or not.

“I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites.
Tell them: In the evening twilight you shall eat flesh,
and in the morning you shall hav e your fill of bread,
so that you may know that I, the LORD, am your God.”

In the evening quail came up and covered the camp.
In the morning a dew lay all about the camp,
and when the dew evaporated, there on the surface of the desert
were fine flakes like hoarfrost on the ground.
On seeing it, the Israelites asked one another, “What is this?”
for they did not know what it was.
But Moses told them,
“This is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat.”

Responsorial Psalm : Ps 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54

R. (24b) The Lord gave them bread from heaven.
What we have heard and know,
and what our fathers have declared to us,
We will declare to the generation to come
the glorious deeds of the LORD and his strength
and the wonders that he wrought.
R. The Lord gave them bread from heaven.
He commanded the skies above
and opened the doors of heaven;
he rained manna upon them for food
and gave them heavenly bread.
R. The Lord gave them bread from heaven.
Man ate the bread of angels,
food he sent them in abundance.
And he brought them to his holy land,
to the mountains his right hand had won.
R. The Lord gave them bread from heaven.

Reading 2 : Eph 4:17, 20-24

Brothers and sisters:
I declare and testify in the Lord
that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do,
in the futility of their minds;
that is not how you learned Christ,
assuming that you have heard of him and were taught in him,
as truth is in Jesus,
that you should put away the old self of your former way of life,
corrupted through deceitful desires,
and be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
and put on the new self,
created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth.

Alleluia : Mt 4:4b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
One does not live on bread alone,
but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : Jn 6:24-35

When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there,
they themselves got into boats
and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus.
And when they found him across the sea they said to him,
“Rabbi, when did you get here?”
Jesus answered them and said,
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
you are looking for me not because you saw signs
but because you ate the loaves and were filled.
Do not work for food that perishes
but for the food that endures for eternal life,
which the Son of Man will give you.
For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.”
So they said to him,
“What can we do to accomplish the works of God?”
Jesus answered and said to them,
“This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”
So they said to him,
“What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you?
What can you do?
Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written:
He gave them bread from heaven to eat.“
So Jesus said to them,
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven;
my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven
and gives life to the world.”

So they said to him,
“Sir, give us this bread always.”
Jesus said to them,
“I am the bread of life;
whoever comes to me will never hunger,
and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”

St. Hedwig

Feast day	December 15
Death6	1855

St. Hedwig—a luminous figure in Christian history! Let’s explore her inspiring life.

1. Early Life and Noble Heritage:

Born in 1174 at Andechs Castle in Bavaria (part of the Holy Roman Empire), Hedwig belonged to the prestigious House of Andechs.
Her family tree was quite remarkable: Her elder sister Agnes married King Philip II of France, while another sister, Gertrude, became the queen consort of King Andrew II of Hungary. Hedwig’s youngest sister, Matilda, even became an abbess at a Benedictine Abbey.

2. Marriage and Duchess Consort:

At the tender age of twelve, Hedwig married Henry I the Bearded, who was the son and heir of the Piast duke Boleslaus the Tall of Silesia.
As Duchess of Silesia from 1201 and later of Greater Poland, Hedwig navigated the complexities of medieval politics and family rivalries.
Her husband, Henry, faced challenges from his Piast relatives, including disputes over land and power. Yet, Hedwig stood by his side with unwavering support.

3. Virtues and Canonization:

Hedwig’s life exemplified Christian virtues: extreme austerity, humility, and charity. She practiced what she believed, living a life of simplicity and devotion.
She founded the Cistercian monastery of Trebnitz (Trzebnica) in Silesia, where she fostered spiritual growth and cared for the community.
Patronage: St. Hedwig is invoked as the patron saint of brides, widows, duchesses, those who have lost children, and those facing difficult marriages. She is also sought for protection against jealousy.
Canonization: In 1267, Pope Clement IV officially recognized her sanctity, and she was canonized as a saint.

4. Feast Day and Legacy:

St. Hedwig’s feast day is celebrated on October 16 (though it was moved to October 20 in Canada).
Her legacy endures as a model of Christian perfection—a woman who combined nobility with deep faith, compassion, and service.

So, when you think of St. Hedwig, envision a duchess who wore her faith as gracefully as her crown. Her story reminds us that holiness transcends titles and worldly power. 😇¹²³

Is there anything else you’d like to explore? Perhaps another saint or a different topic? 🌟

Source: Conversation with Copilot, 26/07/2024
(1) Hedwig of Silesia – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedwig_of_Silesia.
(2) St. Hedwig | EWTN. https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/saints/hedwig-598.
(3) Saint Hedwig, Religious – My Catholic Life!. https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/october-17-st-hedwige/.

Daily mass readings for Aug 3, 2024

Daily mass readings: Saturday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 : Jer 26:11-16, 24

The priests and prophets said to the princes and to all the people,
“This man deserves death;
he has prophesied against this city,
as you have heard with your own ears.”
Jeremiah gave this answer to the princes and all the people:
“It was the LORD who sent me to prophesy against this house and city
all that you have heard.
Now, therefore, reform your ways and your deeds;
listen to the voice of the LORD your God,
so that the LORD will repent of the evil with which he threatens you.
As for me, I am in your hands;
do with me what you think good and right.
But mark well: if you put me to death,
it is innocent blood you bring on yourselves,
on this city and its citizens.
For in truth it was the LORD who sent me to you,
to speak all these things for you to hear.”

Thereupon the princes and all the people
said to the priests and the prophets,
“This man does not deserve death;
it is in the name of the LORD, our God, that he speaks to us.”

So Ahikam, son of Shaphan, protected Jeremiah,
so that he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.

Responsorial Psalm : PS 69:15-16, 30-31, 33-34

R.(14c) Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Rescue me out of the mire; may I not sink!
may I be rescued from my foes,
and from the watery depths.
Let not the flood-waters overwhelm me,
nor the abyss swallow me up,
nor the pit close its mouth over me.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
But I am afflicted and in pain;
let your saving help, O God, protect me.
I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
“See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.”
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.

Alleluia : Mt 5:10

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : Mt 14:1-12

Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus
and said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist.
He has been raised from the dead;
that is why mighty powers are at work in him.”

Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison
on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip,
for John had said to him,
“It is not lawful for you to have her.”
Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people,
for they regarded him as a prophet.
But at a birthday celebration for Herod,
the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests
and delighted Herod so much
that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for.
Prompted by her mother, she said,
“Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”
The king was distressed,
but because of his oaths and the guests who were present,
he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison.
His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl,
who took it to her mother.
His disciples came and took away the corpse
and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.

St. Lea

Feast day	December 15
Death6	1855

St. Lea—a remarkable figure from the early Christian era! Let’s delve into her story.

St. Lea of Rome lived during the fourth century and is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church. Her life is known primarily through the writings of her close friend, the learned Saint Jerome. Here’s what we know:

Background and Transformation:

Lea was born into wealth and privilege in Rome. She enjoyed a life of comfort and social standing.
Tragically, she became a widow soon after her marriage. Rather than retiring as a wealthy widow, Lea made a radical choice: She joined a convent of consecrated virgins in the city, shedding all her material possessions and status.
Lea’s transformation exemplifies the power of faith and self-sacrifice. She chose a life of austerity and devotion to God.

Life in the Convent:

Lea supported a house run by another saint, Marcella. She worked as a menial servant and later became the prioress of the convent.
Her nights were spent in prayer, and she led by example rather than through speeches.
St. Jerome described her as “blessed,” emphasizing her virtues as worthy of heaven.

Jerome’s Tribute:

In a letter to Marcella upon Lea’s death, Jerome drew a parallel with the parable of Lazarus and Dives. He urged Marcella to prioritize eternal things over worldly possessions.
Lea’s feast day in the Roman Catholic Church is March 22¹.

So, when you think of St. Lea, remember her as a woman who chose spiritual riches over material wealth—a lesson that still resonates today. If you’re seeking solace or guidance, perhaps St. Lea’s example can inspire you. 😊²³⁴

Is there anything else you’d like to explore or discuss? Perhaps another saint or a different topic?

Source: Conversation with Copilot, 25/07/2024
(1) Saint Lea – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Lea.
(2) Saint Lea of Rome – Catholic Saint | Saint for a Minute: Blesseds & Saints. https://www.saintforaminute.com/saints/saint_lea_of_rome.
(3) Saint of the day: St. Lea – Catholic Trends. https://catholic-trends.com/2024/03/22/saint-of-the-day-st-lea/.
(4) St. Lea – Catholic News Agency. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-lea-185.

Daily mass readings for August 2, 2024

Daily mass readings : Friday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 : Jer 26:1-9

In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim,
son of Josiah, king of Judah,
this message came from the LORD:
Thus says the LORD:
Stand in the court of the house of the LORD
and speak to the people of all the cities of Judah
who come to worship in the house of the LORD;
whatever I command you, tell them, and omit nothing.
Perhaps they will listen and turn back,
each from his evil way,
so that I may repent of the evil I have planned to inflict upon them
for their evil deeds.
Say to them: Thus says the LORD:
If you disobey me,
not living according to the law I placed before you
and not listening to the words of my servants the prophets,
whom I send you constantly though you do not obey them,
I will treat this house like Shiloh,
and make this the city to which all the nations of the earth
shall refer when cursing another.

Now the priests, the prophets, and all the people
heard Jeremiah speak these words in the house of the LORD.
When Jeremiah finished speaking
all that the LORD bade him speak to all the people,
the priests and prophets laid hold of him, crying,
“You must be put to death!
Why do you prophesy in the name of the LORD:
‘This house shall be like Shiloh,’ and
‘This city shall be desolate and deserted’?”
And all the people gathered about Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.

Responsorial Psalm : PS 69:5, 8-10, 14

R. (14c) Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Those outnumber the hairs of my head
who hate me without cause.
Too many for my strength
are they who wrongfully are my enemies.
Must I restore what I did not steal?
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Since for your sake I bear insult,
and shame covers my face.
I have become an outcast to my brothers,
a stranger to my mother’s sons,
Because zeal for your house consumes me,
and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
But I pray to you, O LORD,
for the time of your favor, O God!
In your great kindness answer me
with your constant help.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.

Alleluia : 1 Pt 1:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The word of the Lord remains forever;
this is the word that has been proclaimed to you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : Mt 13:54-58

Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue.
They were astonished and said,
“Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds?
Is he not the carpenter’s son?
Is not his mother named Mary
and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?
Are not his sisters all with us?
Where did this man get all this?”
And they took offense at him.
But Jesus said to them,
“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
and in his own house.”
And he did not work many mighty deeds there
because of their lack of faith.

St. Faith

Feast day	December 15
Death6	1855

St. Faith, also known as Saint Faith of Conques (Latin: Sancta Fides; French: Sainte Foy; Spanish: Santa Fe), was a young Christian martyr from Agen in Aquitaine. Here are some key points about her life and legacy:

Early Life and Martyrdom:
- St. Faith lived during the 3rd century and was known for her unwavering faith in Christ.
- She was arrested during the persecution of Christians by the Roman Empire and refused to make pagan sacrifices.
- St. Faith was tortured to death with a red-hot brazier, a testament to her steadfast faith¹².
Veneration and Relics:
- Her relics were transferred to the Abbey of Sainte-Foy in Conques, France, in the 9th century, where they became a major pilgrimage site.
- She is venerated in the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Anglican Communion¹.
Feast Day and Patronage:
- St. Faith’s feast day is celebrated on October 6.
- She is considered the patron saint of pilgrims, prisoners, and soldiers¹².
Legends and Miracles:
- Numerous legends surround St. Faith, including stories of miracles attributed to her intercession.
- One popular legend involves her causing a ring to fly off a woman’s swollen finger, demonstrating her miraculous powers¹.

St. Faith’s story continues to inspire many with her example of courage and devotion. 🌹🙏✨

¹: Wikipedia
²: Saint for a Minute

Source: Conversation with Copilot, 24/07/2024
(1) Saint Faith – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Faith.
(2) Saint Faith – Catholic Saint | Saint for a Minute: Blesseds & Saints. https://www.saintforaminute.com/saints/saint_faith.
(3) Saint Faith Biography | Pantheon. https://pantheon.world/profile/person/Saint_Faith.

Daily mass readings for Aug 1,2024

Daily mass readings: Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Reading 1 : Jer 18:1-6

This word came to Jeremiah from the LORD:
Rise up, be off to the potter’s house;
there I will give you my message.
I went down to the potter’s house and there he was,
working at the wheel.
Whenever the object of clay which he was making
turned out badly in his hand,
he tried again,
making of the clay another object of whatever sort he pleased.
Then the word of the LORD came to me:
Can I not do to you, house of Israel,
as this potter has done? says the LORD.
Indeed, like clay in the hand of the potter,
so are you in my hand, house of Israel.

Responsorial Psalm : Ps 146:1B-2, 3-4, 5-6AB

R. (5a) Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Praise the LORD, O my soul;
I will praise the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God while I live.
R. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Put not your trust in princes,
in the sons of men, in whom there is no salvation.
When his spirit departs he returns to his earth;
on that day his plans perish.
R. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Blessed he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD, his God.
Who made heaven and earth,
the sea and all that is in them.
R. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia : Acts 16:14

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Open our heart, O Lord,
to listen to the words of your Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : Mt13:47-53

Jesus said to the disciples:
“The Kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea,
which collects fish of every kind.
When it is full they haul it ashore
and sit down to put what is good into buckets.
What is bad they throw away.
Thus it will be at the end of the age.
The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous
and throw them into the fiery furnace,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.”

“Do you understand all these things?”
They answered, “Yes.”
And he replied,
“Then every scribe who has been instructed in the Kingdom of heaven
is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom
both the new and the old.”
When Jesus finished these parables, he went away from there.

St. David

Feast day	December 15
Death6	1855

St. David, also known as Dewi Sant in Welsh, is the patron saint of Wales. He was a 6th-century bishop who played a significant role in spreading Christianity throughout Wales. Here are some key points about his life:

Early Life:
- St. David was born around 520 AD near St. Bride’s Bay, Pembrokeshire, Wales.
- According to tradition, he was the son of Sant, a chieftain, and Non, who later became a saint herself¹.
Monastic Life and Teachings:
- David was educated at Henfynyw and became renowned as a teacher and preacher.
- He founded several monastic settlements and churches in Wales, Dumnonia (modern-day Devon and Cornwall), and Brittany.
- His most famous monastery was at Glyn Rhosyn (now St. David’s), in Pembrokeshire¹².
Miracles and Legends:
- St. David is associated with several miracles. One of the most famous is when the ground beneath him rose up to form a hill while he was preaching, allowing the crowd to see and hear him better. A white dove is said to have landed on his shoulder during this event².
- He is also credited with restoring sight to a blind man and resurrecting a child².
Death and Legacy:
- St. David died around 589 AD and was buried at his monastery in St. David’s.
- His shrine at St. David’s Cathedral became a significant pilgrimage site during the Middle Ages.
- He was canonized by Pope Callixtus II in 1120¹².
Feast Day and Celebrations:
- St. David’s feast day is celebrated on March 1. It is a national day of celebration in Wales, marked by parades, traditional Welsh costumes, and the wearing of daffodils or leeks².

St. David’s life and teachings continue to inspire many, emphasizing the importance of faith, humility, and service. 🌼🙏✨

¹: Wikipedia
²: Britannica

Source: Conversation with Copilot, 23/07/2024
(1) Saint David – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_David.
(2) Saint David | Biography, Patron Saint, Wales, & Facts. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-David.
(3) Saint David – Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_David.
(4) Saint David – Kids | Britannica Kids | Homework Help. https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Saint-David/601892.

Daily mass readings for July 31, 2024

Daily mass readings : Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest

Reading 1 : Jer 15:10, 16-21

Woe to me, mother, that you gave me birth!
a man of strife and contention to all the land!
I neither borrow nor lend,
yet all curse me.
When I found your words, I devoured them;
they became my joy and the happiness of my heart,
Because I bore your name,
O LORD, God of hosts.
I did not sit celebrating
in the circle of merrymakers;
Under the weight of your hand I sat alone
because you filled me with indignation.
Why is my pain continuous,
my wound incurable, refusing to be healed?
You have indeed become for me a treacherous brook,
whose waters do not abide!
Thus the LORD answered me:
If you repent, so that I restore you,
in my presence you shall stand;
If you bring forth the precious without the vile,
you shall be my mouthpiece.
Then it shall be they who turn to you,
and you shall not turn to them;
And I will make you toward this people
a solid wall of brass.
Though they fight against you,
they shall not prevail,
For I am with you,
to deliver and rescue you, says the LORD.
I will free you from the hand of the wicked,
and rescue you from the grasp of the violent.

Responsorial Psalm : Ps 59:2-3, 4, 10-11, 17, 18

R. (17d) God is my refuge on the day of distress.
Rescue me from my enemies, O my God;
from my adversaries defend me.
Rescue me from evildoers;
from bloodthirsty men save me.
R. God is my refuge on the day of distress.
For behold, they lie in wait for my life;
mighty men come together against me,
Not for any offense or sin of mine, O LORD.
R. God is my refuge on the day of distress.
O my strength! for you I watch;
for you, O God, are my stronghold,
As for my God, may his mercy go before me;
may he show me the fall of my foes.
R. God is my refuge on the day of distress.
But I will sing of your strength
and revel at dawn in your mercy;
You have been my stronghold,
my refuge in the day of distress.
R. God is my refuge on the day of distress.
O my strength! your praise will I sing;
for you, O God, are my stronghold,
my merciful God!
R. God is my refuge on the day of distress.

Alleluia : Jn 15:15b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I call you my friends, says the Lord,
for I have made known to you all that the Father has told me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : Mt 13:44-46

Jesus said to his disciples:
“The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field,
which a person finds and hides again,
and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant
searching for fine pearls.
When he finds a pearl of great price,
he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”