St. Isabel of France, also known as Elizabeth of France, was born in 1225 as the daughter of King Louis VIII of France and Blanche of Castile. She was the sister of King Louis IX of France (Saint Louis). Isabel was known for her piety, charity, and dedication to serving others.
From a young age, Isabel demonstrated a strong desire to live a life of religious devotion. Despite her royal status, she chose a life of simplicity and humility. She devoted herself to prayer, fasting, and caring for the poor and sick.
Isabel founded the Abbey of Longchamp in 1255, where she established a community of nuns following the Rule of Saint Clare. The nuns of Longchamp were dedicated to a life of poverty, prayer, and service to the poor. Isabel herself took the veil as a nun in the Order of Poor Ladies, also known as the Poor Clares.
As abbess of Longchamp, Isabel lived a life of austerity and service. She cared for the sick and needy, and she used her resources to provide for the poor. She was known for her compassion and generosity, and she inspired others with her devotion to God and her commitment to serving those in need.
Isabel died on February 23, 1270, and she was canonized as a saint by Pope Leo X in 1670. She is honored as the patron saint of the Franciscan Third Order, the Order of Saint Elizabeth, and charitable societies. Her feast day is celebrated on February 26th. Saint Isabel of France is remembered for her selflessness, piety, and dedication to serving others, particularly the poor and marginalized.
St. Edward the Confessor was one of the last Anglo-Saxon kings of England before the Norman Conquest. He ruled from 1042 until his death in 1066. Edward was known for his piety and his reputation for being just and peaceful, earning him the epithet “the Confessor.”
He was born around 1003 to King Æthelred the Unready and his second wife, Emma of Normandy. Edward spent much of his early life in exile in Normandy due to political turmoil in England. He returned to England in 1041, and upon the death of his half-brother, Harthacnut, he became king.
Edward was deeply religious and devoted much of his reign to the Church. He commissioned the building of Westminster Abbey, which was consecrated shortly before his death. Edward was known for his personal piety, his acts of charity, and his dedication to prayer.
Despite his piety, Edward was not a particularly strong ruler. His reign was marked by conflict with powerful noble families, and he struggled to maintain control over his kingdom. He also faced challenges from rival claimants to the throne, including the powerful Earl Godwin and his sons.
Edward died on January 5, 1066, without leaving an heir. His death led to a succession crisis that ultimately resulted in the Norman Conquest of England later that year, when William the Conqueror defeated Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings. Edward was canonized as a saint in 1161 by Pope Alexander III, and his feast day is celebrated on October 13th.
St. Adrian of Nicomedia, also known as Hadrian, was a remarkable figure in early Christian history. Here are some details about him:
Background and Conversion: Adrian served as a pagan officer at the imperial court of Nicomedia during the reign of the Roman Emperor Galerius Maximian. Impressed by the courage of a group of Christians who were being tortured, Adrian declared himself a Christian and converted to the faith. His wife, Natalia (Ναταλία), also embraced Christianity alongside him. Martyrdom: After his proclamation of faith in Jesus Christ, St. Adrian was immediately brought before the imperial court. He endured severe torture and was ultimately beheaded on March 4, 306. Adrian was only 28 years old at the time of his martyrdom. Patronage: St. Adrian is honored as the patron saint of several groups: Illness: He is invoked for protection against illnesses. Prison Guards: His intercession is sought by prison guards. Other Professions: Adrian is also associated with arms dealers, butchers, and soldiers. Iconography: Images of St. Adrian often feature weapons and anvils, symbolizing his martyrdom and profession as a soldier. His feast day is celebrated on September 8. May the memory of St. Adrian inspire us to stand firm in our faith, even in the face of adversity! 🙏✨
Aaron was a native of Britain. He went to Brittany, where he became a hermit on Cesabre (St. Malo) island. He attracted numerous disciples, among them St. Malo of Wales, and became their Abbot.
In the realm of saints, there are those whose stories resonate deeply with humanity, transcending time and inspiring generations. Among these luminaries stands St. Aaron, a figure whose life embodies the virtues of compassion, courage, and unwavering faith. His journey, marked by selflessness and devotion, serves as a guiding light for those navigating the complexities of the human experience.
The Life of St. Aaron
St. Aaron’s story unfolds in the annals of history, tracing back to a time when the world was fraught with turmoil and uncertainty. Born into humble circumstances, he grew up amidst the challenges of poverty and adversity. Yet, from an early age, Aaron’s heart brimmed with empathy, and his spirit burned with a fervent desire to alleviate the suffering of others.
Driven by a profound sense of duty, Aaron dedicated his life to serving the marginalized and downtrodden. Whether through acts of charity or words of solace, he extended a hand of compassion to all who crossed his path. His simple yet profound message of love and forgiveness resonated deeply with those in need, offering hope in the darkest of times.
The Compassionate Crusader
As Aaron’s renown spread far and wide, he became known as a compassionate crusader, tirelessly advocating for the oppressed and disenfranchised. He fearlessly confronted injustice, challenging societal norms and standing up for the rights of the marginalized. In the face of adversity, his unwavering resolve served as a beacon of hope, inspiring others to join him in his quest for a more just and equitable world.
One of the defining moments of Aaron’s life came when he risked his own safety to protect a group of refugees fleeing persecution. Despite facing threats and intimidation, he refused to turn a blind eye to their suffering, offering them sanctuary and support. His courageous act of defiance sent ripples across the land, sparking a movement of solidarity and compassion that transcended borders and boundaries.
The Legacy of St. Aaron
Today, the legacy of St. Aaron lives on, a testament to the enduring power of love and compassion in a world often fraught with division and strife. His teachings continue to inspire countless individuals to reach out to those in need, to stand up for justice, and to embrace the inherent dignity of every human being.
In an age marked by uncertainty and turmoil, the example of St. Aaron serves as a guiding light, reminding us of the transformative power of empathy and kindness. His life stands as a testament to the profound impact that one individual can have on the world, and his legacy continues to inspire hope and healing in the hearts of all who encounter it.
As we reflect on the life of St. Aaron, let us be reminded of our own capacity to make a difference, to sow seeds of love and compassion wherever we go. In honoring his memory, may we strive to emulate his example, becoming beacons of hope and agents of positive change in a world in desperate need of healing and renewal.
St. Benjamin, Martyr (Feast Day – March 31) The Christians in Persia had enjoyed twelve years of peace during the reign of Isdegerd, son of Sapor III, when in 420 it was disturbed by the indiscreet zeal of Abdas, a Christian Bishop who burned the Temple of Fire, the great sanctuary of the Persians. King Isdegerd threatened to destroy all the churches of the Christians unless the Bishop would rebuild it.
As Abdas refused to comply, the threat was executed; the churches were demolished, Abdas himself was put to death, and a general persecution began which lasted forty years. Isdegerd died in 421, but his son and successor, Varanes, carried on the persecution with great fury. The Christians were submitted to the most cruel tortures.
Among those who suffered was St. Benjamin, a Deacon, who had been imprisoned a year for his Faith. At the end of this period, an ambassador of the Emperor of Constantinople obtained his release on condition that he would never speak to any of the courtiers about religion.
St. Benjamin, however, declared it was his duty to preach Christ and that he could not be silent. Although he had been liberated on the agreement made with the ambassador and the Persian authorities, he would not acquiesce in it, and neglected no opportunity of preaching. He was again apprehended and brought before the king. The tyrant ordered that reeds should be thrust in between his nails and his flesh and into all the tenderest parts of his body and then withdrawn. After this torture had been repeated several times, a knotted stake was inserted into his bowels to rend and tear him. The martyr expired in the most terrible agony about the year 424.
St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, Virgin (Feast day – November 18) Born in Grenoble, France, in 1769, Rose joined the Society of the Sacred Heart. In 1818, when she was forty-nine years old, Rose was sent to the United States. She founded a boarding school for daughters of pioneers near St. Louis and opened the first free school west of the Missouri. At the age of seventy-one, she began a school for Indians, who soon came to call her “the woman who is always praying”. Her biographers have also stressed her courage in frontier conditions, her singlemindedness in pursuing her dream of serving Native Americans, and her self-acceptance. This holy servant of God was beatified by Pope Pius XII in 1940 and canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1988.
What a way to start a marriage! Jane no sooner arrived at her new home then she discovered she might lose it. Her husband, Christophe, had not only inherited the title of baron but enormous debts as well.
But Jane had not come to the marriage empty-handed. She brought with her a deep faith instilled by her father who made daily religious discussion fun, allowing the children to talk about anything — even controversial topics. She also brought a good-hearted way that made a friend comment, “Even stupid jokes were funny when she told them.”
These qualities helped the twenty-year-old French woman take charge by personally organizing and supervising every detail of the estate, a method which not only brought the finances under control but won her employees’ hearts as well.
Despite the early financial worries, she and her husband shared “one heart and one soul.” They were devoted to each other and to their four children.
One way Jane shared her blessings was by giving bread and soup personally to the poor who came to her door. Often people who had just received food from her would pretend to leave, go around the house and get back in line for more. When asked why she let these people get away with this, Jane said, “What if God turned me away when I came back to him again and again with the same request?”
Her happiness was shattered when Christophe was killed in a hunting accident. Before he died, her husband forgave the man who shot him, saying to the man, “Don’t commit the sin of hating yourself when you have done nothing wrong.” The heartbroken Jane, however, had to struggle with forgiveness for a long time. At first she tried just greeting him on the street. When she was able to do that, she invited him to her house. Finally she was able to forgive the man so completely that she even became godmother to his child.
These troubles opened her heart to her longing for God and she sought God in prayer and a deepening spiritual life. Her commitment to God impressed Saint Francis de Sales, the bishop who became her director and best friend. Their friendship started before they even met, for them saw each other in dreams, and continued in letters throughout their lives.
With Francis’ support, Jane founded the Visitation order for women who were rejected by other orders because of poor health or age. She even accepted a woman who was 83 years old. When people criticized her, she said, “What do you want me to do? I like sick people myself; I’m on their side.” She believed that people should have a chance to live their calling regardless of their health.
Still a devoted mother, she was constantly concerned about the materialistic ways of one of her daughters. Her daughter finally asked her for spiritual direction as did may others, including an ambassador and her brother, an archbishop. Her advice always reflected her very gentle and loving approach to spirituality:
“Should you fall even fifty times a day, never on any account should that surprise or worry you. Instead, ever so gently set your heart back in the right direction and practice the opposite virtue, all the time speaking words of love and trust to our Lord after you have committed a thousand faults, as much as if you had committed only one. Once we have humbled ourselves for the faults God allows us to become aware of in ourselves, we must forget them and go forward.”
She died in 1641, at sixty-nine years of age.
In Her Footsteps We have been told the secret of happiness is finding: finding yourself, finding love, finding the right job. Jane believed the secret of happiness was in “losing,” that we should “throw ourselves into God as a little drop of water into the sea, and lose ourselves indeed in the Ocean of the divine goodness.” She advised a man who wrote to her about all the afflictions he suffered “to lose all these things in God. These words produced such an effect in the soul, that he wrote me that he was wholly astonished, and ravished with joy.”
Today, when any thoughts or worries come to mind, send them out into the ocean of God’s love that surrounds you and lose them there. If any feelings come into your heart — grief, fear, even joy or longing, send those out into the ocean of God’s love. Finally, send your whole self, like a drop, into God. There is no past no future, here or there. There is only the infinite ocean of God.
Prayer: Saint Jane, you forgave the man who killed your husband. Help me learn to forgive a particular person in my life who has caused me harm. You know how difficult it is to forgive. Help me to take the steps you took to welcome this person back into my life. Amen
*In the USA, Jane Frances de Chantal’s feast day was moved to August 12 in order to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12.
For those of us who think that the faith and zeal of the early Christians died out as the Church grew more safe and powerful through the centuries, the martyrs of Uganda are a reminder that persecution of Christians continues in modern times, even to the present day.
The Society of Missionaries of Africa (known as the White Fathers) had only been in Uganda for 6 years and yet they had built up a community of converts whose faith would outshine their own. The earliest converts were soon instructing and leading new converts that the White Fathers couldn’t reach. Many of these converts lived and taught at King Mwanga’s court.
King Mwanga was a violent ruler and pedophile who forced himself on the young boys and men who served him as pages and attendants. The Christians at Mwanga’s court who tried to protect the pages from King Mwanga.
The leader of the small community of 200 Christians, was the chief steward of Mwanga’s court, a twenty-five-year-old Catholic named Joseph Mkasa (or Mukasa).
When Mwanga killed a Protestant missionary and his companions, Joseph Mkasa confronted Mwanga and condemned his action. Mwanga had always liked Joseph but when Joseph dared to demand that Mwanga change his lifestyle, Mwanga forgot their long friendship. After striking Joseph with a spear, Mwanga ordered him killed. When the executioners tried to tie Joseph’s hands, he told them, “A Christian who gives his life for God is not afraid to die.” He forgave Mwanga with all his heart but made one final plea for his repentance before he was beheaded and then burned on November 15, 1885.
Charles Lwanga took over the instruction and leadership of the Christian community at court — and the charge of keeping the young boys and men out of Mwanga’s hands. Perhaps Joseph’s plea for repentance had had some affect on Mwanga because the persecution died down for six months.
Anger and suspicion must have been simmering in Mwanga, however. In May 1886 he called one of his pages named Mwafu and asked what the page had been doing that kept him away from Mwanga. When the page replied that he had been receiving religious instruction from Denis Sebuggwawo, Mwanga’s temper boiled over. He had Denis brought to him and killed him himself by thrusting a spear through his throat.
He then ordered that the royal compound be sealed and guarded so that no one could escape and summoned the country’s executioners. Knowing what was coming, Charles Lwanga baptized four catechumens that night, including a thirteen-year-old named Kizito. The next morning Mwanga brought his whole court before him and separated the Christians from the rest by saying, “Those who do not pray stand by me, those who do pray stand over there.” He demanded of the fifteen boys and young men (all under 25) if they were Christians and intended to remain Christians. When they answered “Yes” with strength and courage Mwanga condemned them to death.
He commanded that the group be taken on a 37 mile trek to the place of execution at Namugongo. The chief executioner begged one of the boys, his own son, Mabaga, to escape and hide but Mbaga refused. The cruelly-bound prisoners passed the home of the White Fathers on their way to execution. Father Lourdel remembered thirteen-year-old Kizito laughing and chattering. Lourdel almost fainted at the courage and joy these condemned converts, his friends, showed on their way to martyrdom. Three of these faithful were killed on road.
A Christian soldier named James Buzabaliawo was brought before the king. When Mwanga ordered him to be killed with the rest, James said, “Goodbye, then. I am going to Heaven, and I will pray to God for you.” When a griefstricken Father Lourdel raised his hand in absolution as James passed, James lifted his own tied hands and pointed up to show that he knew he was going to heaven and would meet Father Lourdel there. With a smile he said to Lourdel, “Why are you so sad? This nothing to the joys you have taught us to look forward to.”
St. Emily de Vialar, Virgin, Foundress of the Sisters of St. Joseph “of the Apparition”
Anne Marguerite Adelaide Emily de Vialar was the eldest child and only daughter of Baron James Augustine de Vialar and his wife Antoinette, daughter of that Baron de Portal who was physician-in-ordinary to Louis XVIII and Charles X of France. She was born at Gaillac in Languedoc in 1797. At the age of fifteen she was removed from school in Paris to be companion to her father, now a widower, at Gaillac; but unhappily, differences arose between them because of Emily’s refusal to consider a suitable marriage.
For fifteen years, Emily was the good angel of Gaillac, devoting herself to the care of children neglected by their parents and to the help of the poor generally. In 1832, her maternal grandfather died, leaving her a share of his estate which was a quite considerable fortune. She bought a large house at Gaillac and took possession of it with three companions. Others joined them and three months later, the archbishop authorized the Abbe to clothe twelve postulants with the religious habit. They called themselves the Congregation of Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition. Their work was to be the care of the needy, especially the sick, and the education of children. In 1835, she made her profession with seventeen other sisters, and received formal approval for the rule of the Congregation.
The foundress, in the course of twenty-two years, saw her Congregation grow from one to some forty houses, many of which she had founded in person. The physical energy and achievements of St. Emily de Vialar are the more remarkable in that from her youth she was troubled by hernia, contracted characteristically in doing a deed of charity. From 1850 this became more and more serious, and it hastened her end, which came on August 24, 1856. The burden of her last testament to her daughters was “Love one another”. Her canonization took place in 1951; her feast is June 17th.
St. Aloysius Gonzaga was born in Castiglione, Italy. The first words St. Aloysius spoke were the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. He was destined for the military by his father (who was in service to Philip II), but by the age of 9 Aloysius had decided on a religious life, and made a vow of perpetual virginity. To safeguard himself from possible temptation, he would keep his eyes persistently downcast in the presence of women. St. Charles Borromeo gave him his first Holy Communion. A kidney disease prevented St. Aloysius from a full social life for a while, so he spent his time in prayer and reading the lives of the saints. Although he was appointed a page in Spain, St. Aloysius kept up his many devotions and austerities, and was quite resolved to become a Jesuit. His family eventually moved back to Italy, where he taught catechism to the poor. When he was 18, he joined the Jesuits, after finally breaking down his father, who had refused his entrance into the order. He served in a hospital during the plague of 1587 in Milan, and died from it at the age of 23, after receiving the last rites from St. Robert Bellarmine. The last word he spoke was the Holy Name of Jesus. St. Robert wrote the Life of St. Aloysius.
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