Category Archives: Popular saints

St. Hilary of Poitiers

St. Hilary of Poitiers

Feast dayApril 21
Birth 1033
Death 1109

“They didn’t know who they were.” This is how Hilary summed up the problem with the Arian heretics of the fourth century.

St.Hilary, on the other hand, knew very well who he was — a child of a loving God who had inherited eternal life through belief in the Son of God. He hadn’t been raised as a Christian but he had felt a wonder at the gift of life and a desire to find out the meaning of that gift. He first discarded the approach of many people who around him, who believed the purpose of life was only to satisfy desires. He knew he wasn’t a beast grazing in a pasture. The philosophers agreed with him. Human beings should rise above desires and live a life of virtue, they said. But Hilary could see in his own heart that humans were meant for even more than living a good life.

If he didn’t lead a virtuous life, he would suffer from guilt and be unhappy. His soul seemed to cry out that wasn’t enough to justify the enormous gift of life. So Hilary went looking for the giftgiver. He was told many things about the divine — many that we still hear today: that there were many Gods, that God didn’t exist but all creation was the result of random acts of nature, that God existed but didn’t really care for his creation, that God was in creatures or images. One look in his own soul told him these images of the divine were wrong. God had to be one because no creation could be as great as God. God had to be concerned with God’s creation — otherwise why create it?

At that point, Hilary tells us, he “chanced upon” the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures. When he read the verse where God tells Moses “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14), Hilary said, “I was frankly amazed at such a clear definition of God, which expressed the incomprehensible knowledge of the divine nature in words most suited to human intelligence.” In the Psalms and the Prophets he found descriptions of God’s power, concern, and beauty. For example in Psalm 139, “Where shall I go from your spirit?”, he found confirmation that God was everywhere and omnipotent.

But still he was troubled. He knew the giftgiver now, but what was he, the recipient of the gift? Was he just created for the moment to disappear at death? It only made sense to him that God’s purpose in creation should be “that what did not exist began to exist, not that what had begun to exist would cease to exist.” Then he found the Gospels and read John’s words including “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God…” (John 1:1-2). From John he learned of the Son of God and how Jesus had been sent to bring eternal life to those who believed. Finally his soul was at rest. “No longer did it look upon the life of this body as troublesome or wearisome, but believed it to be what the alphabet is to children… namely, as the patient endurance of the present trials of life in order to gain a blissful eternity.” He had found who he was in discovering God and God’s Son Jesus Christ.

After becoming a Christian, he was elected bishop of Poitiers in what is now France by the laity and clergy. He was already married with one daughter named Apra.

Not everyone at that time had the same idea of who they were. The Arians did not believe in the divinity of Christ and the Arians had a lot of power including the support of the emperor Constantius. This resulted in many persecutions. When Hilary refused to support their condemnation of Saint Athanasius he was exiled from Poitiers to the East in 356. The Arians couldn’t have had a worse plan — for themselves.

Hilary really had known very little of the whole Arian controversy before he was banished. Perhaps he supported Athanasius simply because he didn’t like their methods. But being exiled from his home and his duties gave him plenty of time to study and write. He learned everything he could about what the Arians said and what the orthodox Christians answered and then he began to write. “Although in exile we shall speak through these books, and the word of God, which cannot be bound, shall move about in freedom.” The writings of his that still exist include On the Trinity, a commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, and a commentary on the Psalms. He tells us about the Trinity, “For one to attempt to speak of God in terms more precise than he himself has used: — to undertake such a thing is to embark upon the boundless, to dare the incomprehensible. He fixed the names of His nature: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Whatever is sought over and above this is beyond the meaning of words, beyond the limits of perception, beyond the embrace of understanding.”

After three years the emperor kicked him back to Poitiers, because, we are told by Sulpicius Severus, the emperor was tired of having to deal with the troublemaker, “a sower of discord an a disturber of the Orient.” But no one told Hilary he had to go straight back to his home and so he took a leisurely route through Greece and Italy, preaching against the Arians as he went.

In the East he had also heard the hymns used by Arians and orthodox Christians as propaganda. These hymns were not based on Scripture as Western hymns but full of beliefs about God. Back at home, Hilary started writing hymns of propaganda himself to spread the faith. His hymns are the first in the West with a known writer.

Some of use may wonder at all the trouble over what may seem only words to us now. But Hilary wasn’t not fighting a war of words, but a battle for the eternal life of the souls who might hear the Arians and stop believing in the Son of God, their hope of salvation.

The death of Constantius in 361 ended the persecution of the orthodox Christians. Hilary died in 367 or 368 and was proclaimed a doctor of the Church in 1851.

In His Footsteps:
In Exodus, the Prophets, and the Gospel of John, Hilary found his favorite descriptions of God and God’s relationship to us. What verses of Scripture describe God best for you? If you aren’t familiar with Scripture, look up the verses that Hilary found. What do they mean to you?

Prayer:
Saint Hilary of Poitiers, instead of being discouraged by your exile, you used your time to study and write. Help us to bring good out of suffering and isolation in our own lives and see adversity as an opportunity to learn about or share our faith.

Amen

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St. Julie Billiart

St. Julie Billiart

Feast dayApril 21
Birth 1033
Death 1109

St. Julie (Julia) Billiart was born in 1751 and died in 1816. As a child, playing “school” was Julie’s favorite game. When she was sixteen, to help support her family, she began to teach “for real”. She sat on a haystack during the noon recess and told the biblical parables to the workers. Julie carried on this mission of teaching throughout her life, and the Congregation she founded continues her work.

Julie was the fifth of seven children. She attended a little one room school in Cuvilly. She enjoyed all of her studies, but she was particularly attracted to the religion lessons taught by the parish priest. Recognizing something “special” in Julie, the priest secretly allowed her to make her First Communion at the age of nine, when the normal age at that time, was thirteen. She learned to make short mental prayers and to develop a great love for Jesus in the Eucharist.

A murder attempt on her father shocked her nervous system badly. A period of extremely poor heath for Julie began, and was to last for thirty years. For twenty-two of these years she was completely paralyzed. All of her sufferings and pain she offered up to God.

When the French Revolution broke out, Julie offered her home as a hiding place for loyal priests. Because of this, Julie became a hunted prey. Five times in three years she was forced to flee in secret to avoid compromising her friends who were hiding her.

At this time she was privileged to receive a vision. She saw her crucified Lord surrounded by a large group of religious women dressed in a habit she had never seen before. An inner voice told her that these would be her daughters and that she would begin an institute for the Christian education of young girls. She and a rich young woman founded the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.

At Amiens, the two women and a few companions began living a religious life in 1803. In 1804, Julie was miraculously cured of her illness and walked for the first time in twenty-two years. In 1805, Julie and three companions made their profession and took their final vows. She was elected as Mother General of the young Congregation.

In 1815, Mother taxed her ever poor health by nursing the wounded and feeding the starving left from the battle of Waterloo. For the last three months of her life, she again suffered much. She died peacefully on April 8, 1816 at 64 years of age. Julie was beatified on May 13, 1906, and was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1969. Her feast day is April 8th.

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St. Constantine the Great

St. Constantine the Great

Feast dayApril 21
Birth 1033
Death 1109

Junior Emperor and emperor called the “Thirteenth Apostle” in the East. The son of Constantius I Chlorus, junior emperor and St. Helena, Constantine was raised on the court of co-Emperor Diocletian. When his father died in 306, Constantine was declared junior emperor of York, England, by the local legions and earned a place as a ruler of the Empire by defeating of his main rivals at the battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312. According to legend, he adopted the insignia of Christ, the chi-rho, and placed it upon his labarum – the military standards that held the banners his armies carried into battle to vanquish their pagan enemies. His purple banners were inscribed with the Latin for “In this sign conquer.” Constantine then shared rule of the Empire with Licinius Licinianus, exerting his considerable influence upon his colleague to secure the declaration of Christianity to be a free religion. When, however, Licinius and Constantine launched a persecution of the Christians, Constantine marched to the East and routed his opponent at the battle of Adrianople. Constantine was the most dominating figure of his lifetime, towering over his contemporaries, including Pope Sylvester I. He presided over the Council of Nicaea, gave extensive grants of land and property to the Church, founded the Christian city of Constantinople to serve as his new capital, and undertook a long-sighted program of Christianization for the whole of the Roman Empire. While he was baptized a Christian only on his deathbed, Constantine nevertheless was a genuinely important figure in Christian history and was revered as a saint, especially in the Eastern Church.

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St. Marie Amandine

St. Marie Amandine

Feast dayApril 21
Birth 1033
Death 1109

Let’s delve into the inspiring life of St. Marie Amandine, a remarkable missionary who left a lasting legacy of compassion and service. 🌟

  • Birth and Early Life:
    • St. Marie Amandine, also known as Pauline Jeuris, was born on December 28, 1872, in Herk-la-Ville, Belgium.
    • Her upbringing was humble, and she came from a family of seven girls and one boy. Four of the children chose to serve the Lord in church ministries.
    • Tragically, when Pauline was just 7 years old, she and her siblings lost their parents. A neighbor woman took in the two youngest girls, including Pauline.
  • A Calling to Serve:
    • At the age of 15, Pauline became a member of the Secular Order of St. Francis of Assisi.
    • Her sister Rosalie entered the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM) in Antwerp and took the name Marie Honorine. Only after Marie Honorine left to serve as a missionary in Sri Lanka did Pauline decide to become a Franciscan Missionary of Mary herself (her sister Mathilde followed suit).
    • In religious life, Pauline became known as Sr. Marie Amandine.
  • Missionary Work in China:
    • Sr. Marie Amandine was sent to study nursing in Marseilles, France, before being assigned to China.
    • In the mission of Taiyuan-Fu, China, she cared for over 200 orphans, many of whom were sick. She also tended to patients from outside the orphanage.
    • Her nursing skills, learned in Marseille, allowed her to provide essential care despite challenging conditions.
  • A Joyful Disposition:
    • Sr. Marie Amandine was not only known for her excellent work ethic but also for her cheerful disposition.
    • She sang and laughed throughout the day, earning her the nickname “The European sister who is always singing” among the Chinese.
    • When one of her fellow Sisters fell ill, Sr. Amandine cared for her tirelessly, even while fulfilling her regular nursing duties.
  • Martyrdom and Canonization:
    • Tragically, Sr. Marie Amandine, along with six other Sisters, was imprisoned for her faith during the Boxer Rebellion.
    • On July 9, 1900, all seven of them were martyred in Taiyuan-Fu, China.
    • Pope St. John Paul II canonized Sr. Marie Amandine and the other martyrs on October 1, 2000.

St. Marie Amandine’s feast day is July 9. Her life reminds us that even in challenging circumstances, joy and compassion can shine brightly. 🙏🌟

!Statue of St. Marie Amandine in Bataan, Philippines

Learn more about St. Marie Amandine1234

1: Mission Priest 2: Santosepulcro.co.il 3: Wikipedia 4: Three St. John’s

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St. Junipero Serra

St. Junipero Serra

St. Junipero Serra

Feast dayApril 21
Birth 1033
Death 1109

St. Junípero Serra, originally named Miguel José, was born on November 24, 1713, in Petra, Majorca, Spain. His parents, Antonio Nadal Serra and Margarita Rosa Ferrer, were farmers. Baptized at St. Peter’s Church in Petra on the same day, Junípero would go on to become a renowned figure in the history of California.

In his early years, Serra attended the primary school run by the Franciscans in Petra. At the age of 15, his parents entrusted him to a cathedral canon in Palma, where he began attending philosophy classes at the Franciscan monastery of San Francisco.

Serra took his first step toward religious life when he became a novice at the Convento de Jesús near Palma on September 14, 1730. A year later, on September 15, he made his profession and chose the name Junípero in honor of St. Francis’ companion. Serra pursued his studies in philosophy and theology at the Convento de San Francisco. The exact date of his ordination to the priesthood remains unknown, but it is believed to have occurred in December 1738. In 1742, he earned his doctorate in theology from the Lullian University in Palma. Shortly after, in January 1749, he was appointed the primary professor of theology at the university and was called to serve as an Indian missionary in America.

Accompanied by Francisco Palóu, Serra set sail for America on April 13, 1749. They arrived in Vera Cruz, Mexico, on December 7, 1749. Instead of using the provided horses, Serra chose to walk the 250 miles from Vera Cruz to Mexico City. On January 1, 1750, they reached San Fernando College, having spent the previous night at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Within six months, Serra responded to an urgent call for volunteers for the Sierra Gorda missions. He joined the mission and spent his time between 1750 and 1758 overseeing the construction of a church, promoting religious and economic development, and learning the Otomí language to effectively teach the Pame Indians. Serra’s leadership led to the building of mission churches in the other four towns as well.

Afterward, Serra was assigned to the college of San Fernando, where he held various positions, including choir director, master of novices, college counselor, and confessor. He also preached missions as a home missionary in different cities in Mexico. In 1767, he was appointed the president of the ex-Jesuit missions of Baja California.

Serra’s enthusiasm and dedication to spreading the faith led him to volunteer for expeditions to Upper California in 1768. He embarked on the journey and reached Loreto on April 1, where he oversaw the establishment of 15 missions, from San José del Cabo to Santa María. Serra’s efforts continued as he founded nine missions in Upper California, including San Diego, San Carlos, San Antonio, San Gabriel, San Luis Obispo, San Francisco, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Clara, and San Buenaventura. He also participated in the founding of Presidio Santa Barbara.

Throughout his missionary work, Serra faced health challenges, including leg and foot issues, which required him to be carried on a stretcher during certain parts of his journey. Despite his physical afflictions, he dedicated the next 15 years of his life to evangelizing in Upper California.

Serra passed away on August 28, 1784, at Mission San Carlos, where he was buried in the church he had constructed. By the end of 1784, the number of baptized Indians at the first nine missions had reached 6,736, with 4,646 Christianized Indians residing in them.

Junípero Serra was known for his zeal, optimism, and devotion to his converts. He fought for the freedom of the Church against royal interference and played a significant role in the establishment and expansion of missions in California. His beatification process began in 1934 and concluded in 1949. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on September 25, 1988, and later canonized by Pope Francis on September 23, 2015. Junípero Serra is widely recognized as the Apostle of California, with numerous monuments and memorials commemorating his legacy along the Camino Real.

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St. Polycarp

St. Polycarp

Feast dayApril 21
Birth 1033
Death 1109

Imagine being able to sit at the feet of the apostles and hear their stories of life with Jesus from their own lips. Imagine walking with those who had walked with Jesus, seen him, and touched him. That was what Polycarp was able to do as a disciple of Saint John the Evangelist.

But being part of the second generation of Church leaders had challenges that the first generation could not teach about. What did you do when those eyewitnesses were gone? How do you carry on the correct teachings of Jesus? How do you answer new questions that never came up before?

With the apostles gone, heresies sprang up pretending to be true teaching, persecution was strong, and controversies arose over how to celebrate liturgy that Jesus never laid down rules for.

Polycarp, as a holy man and bishop of Smyrna, found there was only one answer — to be true to the life of Jesus and imitate that life. Saint Ignatius of Antioch told Polycarp “your mind is grounded in God as on an immovable rock.”

When faced with heresy, he showed the “candid face” that Ignatius admired and that imitated Jesus’ response to the Pharisees. Marcion, the leader of the Marcionites who followed a dualistic heresy, confronted Polycarp and demanded respect by saying, “Recognize us, Polycarp.” Polycarp responded, “I recognize you, yes, I recognize the son of Satan.”

On the other hand when faced with Christian disagreements he was all forgiveness and respect. One of the controversies of the time came over the celebration of Easter. The East, where Polycarp was from, celebrated the Passover as the Passion of Christ followed by a Eucharist on the following day. The West celebrated Easter on the Sunday of the week following Passover. When Polycarp went to Rome to discuss the difference with Pope Anicetus, they could not agree on this issue. But they found no difference in their Christian beliefs. And Anicetus asked Polycarp to celebrate the Eucharist in his own papal chapel.

Polycarp faced persecution the way Christ did. His own church admired him for following the “gospel model” — not chasing after martyrdom as some did, but avoiding it until it was God’s will as Jesus did. They considered it “a sign of love to desire not to save oneself alone, but to save also all the Christian brothers and sisters.”

One day, during a bloody martyrdom when Christians were attacked by wild animals in the arena, the crowd became so mad that they demanded more blood by crying, “Down with the atheists; let Polycarp be found.” (They considered Christians “atheists” because they didn’t believe in their pantheon of gods.) Since Polycarp was not only known as a leader but as someone holy “even before his grey hair appeared”, this was a horrible demand.

Polycarp was calm but others persuaded him to leave the city and hide at a nearby farm. He spent his time in prayer for people he knew and for the Church. During his prayer he saw a vision of his pillow turned to fire and announced to his friends that the dream meant he would be burned alive.

As the search closed in, he moved to another farm, but the police discovered he was there by torturing two boys. He had a little warning since he was upstairs in the house but he decided to stay, saying, “God’s will be done.”

Then he went downstairs, talked to his captors and fed them a meal. All he asked of them was that they give him an hour to pray. He spent two hours praying for everyone he had every known and for the Church, “remembering all who had at any time come his way — small folk and great folk, distinguished and undistinguished, and the whole Catholic Church throughout the world.” Many of his captors started to wonder why they were arresting this holy, eighty-six-year-old bishop.

But that didn’t stop them from taking him into the arena on the Sabbath. As he entered the arena, the crowd roared like the animals they cheered. Those around Polycarp heard a voice from heaven above the crowd, “Be brave, Polycarp, and act like a man.”

The proconsul begged the eighty-six-year-old bishop to give in because of his age. “Say ‘Away with the atheists'” the proconsul urged. Polycarp calmly turned to the face the crowd, looked straight at them, and said, “Away with the atheists.” The proconsul continued to plead with him. When he asked Polycarp to swear by Caesar to save himself, Polycarp answered, “If you imagine that I will swear by Caesar, you do not know who I am. Let me tell you plainly, I am a Christian.” Finally, when all else failed the proconsul reminded Polycarp that he would be thrown to the wild animals unless he changed his mind. Polycarp answered, “Change of mind from better to worse is not a change allowed to us.”

Because of Polycarp’s lack of fear, the proconsul told him he would be burned alive but Polycarp knew that the fire that burned for an hour was better than eternal fire.

When he was tied up to be burned, Polycarp prayed, “Lord God Almighty, Father of your beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, through whom we have received knowledge of you, God of angels and powers, of the whole creation and of the whole race of the righteous who live in your sight, I bless you, for having made me worthy of this day and hour, I bless you, because I may have a part, along with the martyrs, in the chalice of your Christ, to resurrection in eternal life, resurrection both of soul and body in the incorruptibility of the Holy Spirit. May I be received today, as a rich and acceptable sacrifice, among those who are in you presence, as you have prepared and foretold and fulfilled, God who is faithful and true. For this and for all benefits I praise you, I bless you, I glorify you, through the eternal and heavenly High Priest, Jesus Christ, your beloved Son, through whom be to you with him and the Holy Spirit glory, now and for all the ages to come. Amen.”

The fire was lit as Polycarp said Amen and then the eyewitnesses who reported said they saw a miracle. The fire burst up in an arch around Polycarp, the flames surrounding him like sails, and instead of being burned he seemed to glow like bread baking, or gold being melted in a furnace. When the captors saw he wasn’t being burned, they stabbed him. The blood that flowed put the fire out.

The proconsul wouldn’t let the Christians have the body because he was afraid they would worship Polycarp. The witnesses reported this with scorn for the lack of understanding of Christian faith: “They did not know that we can never abandon the innocent Christ who suffered on behalf of sinners for the salvation of those in this world.” After the body was burned, they stole the bones in order to celebrate the memory of his martyrdom and prepare others for persecution. The date was about February 23, 156.

In His Footsteps:
When faced with challenges to your Christian life, try a version of Polycarp’s prayer of martyrdom: “Lord God Almighty, Father of your beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, through whom we have received knowledge of you, God of angels and powers, of the whole creation and of the whole race of the righteous who live in your sight, I bless you, for having made me worthy of this day and hour, I bless you, because I may have a part, along with the martyrs, in the chalice of your Christ, to resurrection in eternal life, resurrection both of soul and body in the incorruptibility of the Holy Spirit. For this and for all benefits I praise you, I bless you, I glorify you, through the eternal and heavenly High Priest, Jesus Christ, your beloved Son, through whom be to you with him and the Holy Spirit glory, now and for all the ages to come. Amen.”

Prayer:
Saint Polycarp, sometimes Christ seems so far away from us. Centuries have passed since he and the apostles walk the earth. Help us to see that he is close to us always and that we can keep him near by imitating his life as you did. Amen

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St. Simon Stock

St. Simon Stock

Feast dayApril 21
Birth 1033
Death 1109

Although little is known about St. Simon Stock’s early life, legend has it that the name Stock, meaning “tree trunk,” derives from the fact that, beginning at age twelve, he lived as a hermit in a hollow tree trunk of an oak tree. It is also believed that, as a young man, he went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land where he joined a group of Carmelites with whom he later returned to Europe. Simon Stock founded many Carmelite Communities, especially in University towns such as Cambridge, Oxford, Paris, and Bologna, and he helped to change the Carmelites from a hermit Order to one of mendicant friars. In 1254 he was elected Superior-General of his Order at London. Simon Stock’s lasting fame came from an apparition he had in Cambridge, England, on July 16, 1251, at a time when the Carmelite Order was being oppressed. In it the Virgin Mary appeared to him holding the brown scapular in one hand. Her words were: “Receive, my beloved son, this scapular of thy Order; it is the special sign of my favor, which I have obtained for thee and for thy children of Mount Carmel. He who dies clothed with this habit shall be preserved from eternal fire.

It is the badge of salvation, a shield in time of danger, and a pledge of special peace and protection.” The scapular (from the Latin, scapula, meaning “shoulder blade”) consists of two pieces of cloth, one worn on the chest, and the other on the back, which were connected by straps or strings passing over the shoulders. In certain Orders, monks and nuns wear scapulars that reach from the shoulders almost to the ground as outer garments. Lay persons usually wear scapulars underneath their clothing; these consist of two pieces of material only a few inches square. There are elaborate rules governing the wearing of the scapular: although it may be worn by any Catholic, even an infant, the investiture must be done by a priest. And the scapular must be worn in the proper manner; if an individual neglects to wear it for a time, the benefits are forfeited. The Catholic Church has approved eighteen different kinds of scapulars of which the best known is the woolen brown scapular, or the Scapular of Mount Carmel, that the Virgin Mary bestowed on Simon Stock. His feast day is May 16th.

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St. Jerome Emiliani

St. Jerome Emiliani

Feast dayApril 21
Birth 1033
Death 1109

St. Jerome Emiliani, a remarkable saint who dedicated his life to caring for the vulnerable and abandoned. 🌟

  • Birth and Early Life:
  • St. Jerome Emiliani, also known as Gerolamo Emiliani, was born in Venice around 1486.
  • Initially, he led a careless and irreligious life as a soldier for the city-state of Venice. However, his path took an unexpected turn.
  • Conversion and New Calling:
  • Captured during a skirmish, Jerome was imprisoned and chained in a dungeon. In that dark place, he found solace in prayer and gradually learned to seek God.
  • Upon escaping, he returned to Venice, where he took charge of his nephews’ education and began his own studies for the priesthood.
  • Compassion in Action:
  • Plague and famine struck northern Italy, and Jerome responded by caring for the sick and feeding the hungry at his own expense.
  • His heart turned toward abandoned children, and he founded three orphanages, a shelter for penitent prostitutes, and a hospital.
  • Founding the Clerks Regular of Somasca:
  • Around 1532, Jerome, along with two other priests, established the Clerks Regular of Somasca. This congregation was dedicated to the care of orphans and the education of youth.
  • Their mission was to serve those in need, especially abandoned children.
  • Legacy and Canonization:
  • St. Jerome Emiliani died in 1537 from a disease he contracted while tending to the sick.
  • He was canonized in 1767.
  • In 1928, Pope Pius XI declared him the patron saint of orphans and abandoned children.
  • Reflection:
  • Jerome’s life teaches us that sometimes it takes a form of “imprisonment” to free us from self-centeredness. When we’re caught in challenging situations, we discover the liberating power of God.
  • Let us learn from St. Jerome Emiliani’s example—to become a source of compassion and care for those around us.

St. Jerome Emiliani, pray for us! 🙏🌟

¹: Franciscan Media
²: Saint for a Minute
³: Wikipedia
⁴: Catholicireland.net

Source: Conversation with Copilot, 03/09/2024
(1) Saint Jerome Emiliani | Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-jerome-emiliani/.
(2) Saint Jerome Emiliani – Catholic Saint | Saint for a Minute: Saints …. https://www.saintforaminute.com/saints/saint_jerome_emiliani.
(3) Gerolamo Emiliani – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerolamo_Emiliani.
(4) Feb 8 – St Jerome Emiliani (1481-1537) – Catholicireland.net. https://www.catholicireland.net/saintoftheday/st-jerome-emiliani/.

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St. Camillus de Lellis

St. Camillus de Lellis

Feast dayApril 21
Birth 1033
Death 1109

St. Camillus de Lellis—a remarkable soul whose life journey took unexpected turns, leading him from the battlefield to the bedside of the sick. Let’s delve into his inspiring story! 🌟🏥

  • Early Life and Unlikely Beginnings:
    • Born on May 25, 1550, in Bucchianico (which was part of the Kingdom of Naples, now in Italy), Camillus de Lellis entered this world with a twist of fate. His mother, Camilla Compelli de Laureto, was nearly fifty when she gave birth to him. His father, an officer in both the Neapolitan and French royal armies, was often away, leaving young Camillus to navigate life with a fiery temperament.
    • Imagine a spirited boy, tall for his age, accompanying his father from one military camp to another. At sixteen, he even fought in a war against the Turks. But life had more surprises in store for him.
  • From Soldier to Healer:
    • After years of military service, Camillus found himself wounded and in need of care. He sought refuge in Rome’s San Giacomo Hospital, but his quarrelsome attitude got him expelled. His leg wound, a stubborn companion, refused to heal.
    • Down on his luck and having gambled away all his possessions, Camillus took work as a laborer at a Capuchin friary. The guardian there saw beyond his rough exterior and tried to draw out the better side of his nature. 🌿
    • Eventually, Camillus had a religious conversion in 1575. His heart softened, and he entered the novitiate of the Capuchin friars. But alas, his leg wound persisted, and the physicians deemed it incurable. Denied admission to that Order, he moved to Rome.
  • Caregiver and Founder:
    • Back at San Giacomo degli Incurabili, Camillus became a caregiver, tending to the sick. His compassion and dedication shone through, and he eventually became the Superintendent of the hospital.
    • But Camillus dreamed of more—a mission beyond the walls of that hospital. In 1584, he founded the Camillians, a religious order dedicated to caring for the sick. These “Ministers of the Sick” would follow in his footsteps, bringing healing and hope to those in need.
  • Patronage and Canonization:
    • St. Camillus de Lellis became the patron saint of hospitals, nurses, and the sick. His legacy extended far beyond his own lifetime.
    • Beatified by Pope Benedict XIV in 1742 and canonized in 1746, Camillus left an enduring mark. His feast day is celebrated on July 14.
    • And here’s a little secret: His assistance is also invoked against gambling. Perhaps he watches over card games with a knowing smile! ♣️🙏

So, next time you step into a hospital or encounter a nurse’s caring touch, remember St. Camillus—the soldier turned healer, the quarrelsome heart transformed by compassion. 🌹✨

1: Wikipedia 2: Britannica 3: Catholic News Agency

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St. Alexander of Jerusalem

St. Alexander of Jerusalem

Feast dayApril 21
Birth 1033
Death 1109

St. Alexander of Jerusalem—a beacon of faith and courage in tumultuous times! Let’s explore the life of this remarkable bishop and martyr. 🕊️

St. Alexander of Jerusalem (died 251 AD) was a third-century bishop who left an indelible mark on the Christian tradition. Here’s his story:

  1. Origins and Early Life:
    • Alexander hailed from Cappadocia, a region known for its rich Christian heritage. His journey took him to Alexandria, Egypt, where he crossed paths with none other than the renowned theologian and scholar, Origen. Imagine those two engaged in deep theological discussions—like ancient Christian coffee chats! ☕
    • Fun fact: Alexander and Origen were fellow students in the great Christian school of Alexandria. They probably swapped scrolls and debated the finer points of doctrine. 📜🤓
  2. Bishop of Jerusalem:
    • After some theological adventures, Alexander became Cappadocia’s first bishop. But wait, there’s more! He was also associated with the aging Bishop Narcissus of Jerusalem. Picture these two—Narcissus, wise and weathered, and Alexander, full of zeal—working together to shepherd their flock.
    • It was during this time that Alexander made a bold move: He allowed Origen, despite being a layman, to preach in the churches. Scandalous, right? But he defended himself by pointing out other similar permissions granted to young Origen elsewhere. 🙌
  3. Library Builder Extraordinaire:
    • Alexander wasn’t just about episcopal duties; he had a passion for books. He built a library in Jerusalem—a spiritual haven where scrolls whispered ancient wisdom and ink-stained fingers turned pages. 📚
    • And yes, even though Jerusalem was officially called Aelia Capitolina (thanks, Emperor Hadrian), Christian tradition clung to the original name. Old habits die hard, especially when it comes to sacred geography.
  4. Persecution and Martyrdom:
    • Alas, the winds of persecution blew their icy breath. Alexander, along with other bishops, was captured and hauled off to Caesarea. Imagine the scene: white-haired and sanctified, he stood as a living testament to unwavering faith.
    • Tortures came knocking, but Alexander survived them all. When wild beasts were set loose, they didn’t devour him—they licked his feet or left their paw prints in the arena sand. Talk about divine favor! 🦁👣
  5. Feast Days:
    • The Roman Catholic Church honors St. Alexander on March 18. Meanwhile, the Eastern Orthodox Churches celebrate him twice: May 16/29 and December 12/25. It’s like having multiple birthday parties—spiritual style! 🎂🕯️
  6. Letters and Legacy:
    • Eusebius, the ancient historian, preserved fragments of Alexander’s letters. He penned missives to the Antinoïtes, the Antiochenes, and even to his buddy Origen. Epistolary adventures across the ancient world!
    • Oh, and he co-wrote a letter with Theoctistus of Caesarea to Demetrius of Alexandria. Imagine the parchment drafts flying back and forth. 📝✉️

So, next time you’re in Jerusalem (or just daydreaming about ancient libraries), raise a cup of metaphorical tea to St. Alexander—the bishop who knew how to blend faith, scholarship, and a dash of daring. Cheers! 🌟🍵

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