Tag Archives: Saints

St. Andre Bessette

St. Andre Bessette

St. Andre Bessette

Feast dayApril 21
Birth 1033
Death 1109

When Alfred Bessette came to the Holy Cross Brothers in 1870, he carried with him a note from his pastor saying, “I am sending you a saint.” The Brothers found that difficult to believe. Chronic stomach pains had made it impossible for Alfred to hold a job very long and since he was a boy he had wandered from shop to shop, farm to farm, in his native Canada and in the United States, staying only until his employers found out how little work he could do. The Holy Cross Brothers were teachers and, at 25, Alfred still did not know how to read and write. It seemed as if Alfred approached the religious order out of desperation, not vocation.

Alfred was desperate, but he was also prayerful and deeply devoted to God and Saint Joseph. He may have had no place left to go, but he believed that was because this was the place he felt he should have been all along.

The Holy Cross Brothers took him into the novitiate but soon found out what others had learned — as hard as Alfred, now Brother Andre, wanted to work, he simply wasn’t strong enough. They asked him to leave the order, but Andre, out of desperation again, appealed to a visiting bishop who promised him that Andre would stay and take his vows.

After his vows, Brother Andre was sent to Notre Dame College in Montreal (a school for boys age seven to twelve) as a porter. There his responsibilities were to answer the door, to welcome guests, find the people they were visiting, wake up those in the school, and deliver mail. Brother Andre joked later, “At the end of my novitiate, my superiors showed me the door, and I stayed there for forty years.”

In 1904, he surprised the Archbishop of Montreal if he could, by requesting permission to, build a chapel to Saint Joseph on the mountain near the college. The Archbishop refused to go into debt and would only give permission for Brother Andre to build what he had money for. What money did Brother Andre have? Nickels he had collected as donations for Saint Joseph from haircuts he gave the boys. Nickels and dimes from a small dish he had kept in a picnic shelter on top of the mountain near a statue of St. Joseph with a sign “Donations for St. Joseph.” He had collected this change for years but he still had only a few hundred dollars. Who would start a chapel now with so little funding?

Andre took his few hundred dollars and built what he could … a small wood shelter only fifteen feet by eighteen feet. He kept collecting money and went back three years later to request more building. The wary Archbishop asked him, “Are you having visions of Saint Joseph telling you to build a church for him?”

Brother Andre reassured him. “I have only my great devotion to St. Joseph to guide me.”

The Archbishop granted him permission to keep building as long as he didn’t go into debt. He started by adding a roof so that all the people who were coming to hear Mass at the shrine wouldn’t have to stand out in the rain and the wind. Then came walls, heating, a paved road up the mountain, a shelter for pilgrims, and finally a place where Brother Andre and others could live and take care of the shrine — and the pilgrims who came – full-time. Through kindness, caring, and devotion, Brother Andre helped many souls experience healing and renewal on the mountaintop. There were even cases of physical healing. But for everything, Brother Andre thanked St. Joseph.

Despite financial troubles, Brother Andre never lost faith or devotion. He had started to build a basilica on the mountain but the Depression had interfered. At ninety-years old he told his co-workers to place a statue of St. Joseph in the unfinished, unroofed basilica. He was so ill he had to be carried up the mountain to see the statue in its new home. Brother Andre died soon after on January 6, and didn’t live to see the work on the basilica completed. But in Brother Andre’s mind it never would be completed because he always saw more ways to express his devotion and to heal others. As long as he lived, the man who had trouble keeping work for himself, would never have stopped working for God.

On December 19, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI promulgated a decree recognizing a second miracle at Blessed André’s intercession and on October 17, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI formally declared sainthood for Blessed Andre.

In His Footsteps:
Brother Andre didn’t mind starting small.

Think of some service you have longed to perform for God and God’s people, but that you thought was too overwhelming for you. What small bit can you do in this service? If you can’t afford to give a lot of money to a cause, just give a little. If you can’t afford hours a week in volunteering, try an hour a month on a small task. It is amazing how those small steps can lead you up the mountain as they did for Brother Andre.

Prayer:
Blessed Brother Andre, your devotion to Saint Joseph is an inspiration to us. You gave your life selflessly to bring the message of his life to others. Pray that we may learn from Saint Joseph, and from you, what it is like to care for Jesus and do his work in the world. Amen

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St. Flora

St. Flora

Feast dayApril 21
Birth 1033
Death 1109

St. Flora, Virgin, Patron of the abandoned, of converts, single laywomen, and victims of betrayal – Feast day is October 5th. Flora was born in France about the year 1309. She was a devout child and later resisted all attempts on the part of her parents to find a husband for her. In 1324, she entered the Priory of Beaulieu of the Hospitaller nuns of St. John of Jerusalem. Here she was beset with many and diverse trials, fell into a depressed state, and was made sport of by some of her religious sisters. However, she never ceased to find favor with God and was granted many unusual and mystical favors. One year on the feast of All Saints, she fell into an ecstasy and took no nourishment until three weeks later on the feast of St. Cecelia. On another occasion, while meditating on the Holy Spirit, she was raised four feet from the ground and hung in the air in full view of many onlookers. She also seemed to be pierced with the arms of Our Lord’s cross, causing blood to flow freely at times from her side and at others, from her mouth. Other instances of God’s favoring of his servant were also reported, concerning prophetic knowledge of matters of which she could not naturally know. Through it all, St. Flora remained humble and in complete communion with her Divine Master, rendering wise counsel to all who flocked to her because of her holiness and spiritual discernment. In 1347, she was called to her eternal reward and many miracles were worked at her tomb.

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St. Matilda

St. Matilda

Feast dayApril 21
Birth 1033
Death 1109

St. Matilda, also known as Matilda of Ringelheim, was a notable figure in early medieval Europe, recognized for her piety, charitable works, and influence as a queen consort of East Francia. Here are key aspects of her life and legacy:

Early Life and Background

  • Birth and Family: St. Matilda was born around 895 in the Westphalian town of Enger, in what is now Germany. She was the daughter of Count Dietrich of Westphalia and Reinhild of Denmark.
  • Education and Piety: Raised in a noble family, she received a religious education at the convent of Herford, where her grandmother was an abbess. This early exposure to religious life greatly influenced her later charitable works and personal piety.

Marriage and Queenship

  • Marriage to Henry the Fowler: Matilda married Henry the Fowler, Duke of Saxony, in 909. In 919, Henry was elected King of East Francia (later known as Germany), making Matilda the queen consort.
  • Children: Matilda and Henry had several children, including Otto I, who would become the Holy Roman Emperor, and Henry I, Duke of Bavaria.

Influence and Legacy

  • Charitable Works: St. Matilda was known for her extensive charitable activities. She founded numerous churches, monasteries, and convents, including the convent at Quedlinburg, where she retired after her husband’s death.
  • Religious Devotion: Matilda’s deep faith and dedication to the church were evident in her support for religious institutions and her commitment to a life of prayer and service.

Later Life and Canonization

  • Widowhood: After Henry the Fowler’s death in 936, Matilda faced political challenges, particularly from her son Otto, who initially opposed her influence. Despite this, she continued her charitable work.
  • Death and Canonization: Matilda died on March 14, 968, and was buried at Quedlinburg Abbey. She was canonized as a saint for her devout life and contributions to the Christian community. Her feast day is celebrated on March 14.

Significance

St. Matilda’s life exemplifies the role of medieval queens in influencing both the political and spiritual realms. Her legacy is marked by her unwavering faith, dedication to charitable works, and her impact on the religious landscape of her time.

St. Matilda’s story continues to inspire many for her commitment to faith, her resilience in the face of personal and political challenges, and her enduring contributions to Christian charity and education.

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St. Adele

St. Adele

Feast dayApril 21
Birth 1033
Death 1109

St. Adele, also known as Adela or Adèle, was a notable figure in early medieval Christian history. She is remembered for her piety and dedication to the church. Here are some key points about her life and legacy:

Early Life and Background

  • Birth and Family: Saint Adele was born in the 7th century, possibly around the year 710. She was of noble birth, the daughter of King Dagobert II of the Franks and Queen Matilda.
  • Royal Lineage: Her lineage tied her to the Merovingian dynasty, which was a significant ruling family in early medieval Europe.

Religious Life

  • Widowhood and Vocation: After the death of her husband, Saint Adele chose to devote her life to religious service. She became a nun, renouncing her noble status to lead a life of poverty and devotion.
  • Abbess of Pfalzel: Adele founded the convent of Pfalzel near Trier, Germany. She served as the abbess of this convent, where she was known for her leadership and deep commitment to the spiritual and communal life of the nuns.

Death and Canonization

  • Death: Saint Adele died around the year 730. Her exact death date is uncertain, but she is commemorated on December 24th.
  • Legacy and Veneration: She was canonized as a saint, and her feast day is celebrated on December 24th. Saint Adele is venerated for her pious life and her role in the establishment and leadership of the Pfalzel convent.

Patronage

  • Patron Saint: Saint Adele is often invoked as a patron saint of widows and religious women.

Significance

  • Influence: Saint Adele’s life and work had a significant impact on the Christian communities in her region. Her dedication to the monastic life and the founding of the convent at Pfalzel contributed to the spread of Christian values and monastic practices in early medieval Europe.

Saint Adele’s story is one of noble sacrifice, religious dedication, and influential leadership within the early Christian church. Her legacy continues to inspire those who seek a life of spiritual commitment and community service.

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St. Louis IX

St. Louis IX

Feast dayApril 21
Birth 1033
Death 1109

St. Louis IX, also known as King Louis IX of France, was a notable monarch who ruled from 1226 until his death in 1270. He’s often remembered as a devoutly religious king and is the only French king to be canonized, recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church. Here are some key points about him:

  1. Early Life: Louis IX was born on April 25, 1214, in Poissy, France. He became king at the age of 12, upon the death of his father Louis VIII, but his mother Blanche of Castile served as regent until he reached maturity.
  2. Religious Devotion: Louis IX was deeply religious and led a pious life. He was known for his personal piety, his commitment to justice, and his care for the poor. He regularly attended mass, fasted, and prayed extensively.
  3. Crusades: One of the most significant aspects of Louis IX’s reign was his participation in the Crusades. He led two crusades to the Holy Land, in 1248-1254 and 1270. His first crusade ended in defeat and his capture by Egyptian forces in 1250. He was ransomed for a large sum of money and eventually returned to France.
  4. Domestic Policy: Louis IX was known for his efforts to reform French administration and law. He strengthened royal authority, expanded the bureaucracy, and promoted the use of royal justice over feudal or ecclesiastical courts.
  5. Justice and Fairness: He was renowned for his sense of justice and fairness. He established the “parlement,” a court of law that traveled around France dispensing justice. He also heard cases himself, often under an oak tree in the forest of Vincennes.
  6. Legacy: Louis IX’s reign is often remembered as a period of stability and relative prosperity in France. His canonization in 1297 by Pope Boniface VIII solidified his reputation as a saintly king.
  7. Patronage of Arts and Architecture: Louis IX was a patron of the arts and commissioned numerous works of art and architecture during his reign. The Sainte-Chapelle in Paris, known for its stunning stained glass windows, was built to house the relics he acquired during the Crusades.

Louis IX’s legacy has endured through the centuries, with his reputation as a model Christian ruler and his contributions to French law and administration still remembered today.

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St. Isabel of France

St. Isabel of France

Feast dayApril 21
Birth 1033
Death 1109

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.

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St. Edward the Confessor

St. Edward the Confessor

Feast dayApril 21
Birth 1033
Death 1109

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.

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St. Aaron

St. Aaron

Feast dayApril 21
Birth 1033
Death 1109

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.

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St. Rose Philippine Duchesne

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne

Feast dayApril 21
Birth 1033
Death 1109

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.

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St. Jane Frances de Chantal

St. Jane Frances de Chantal

Feast dayApril 21
Birth 1033
Death 1109

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.

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