PRAYER OF THE DAY

SUNDAY JULY 31

God, You raised up St. Igatius in Your church

to inspire men to work for Yoour greater glory.

Grant that we may labbor on earth with his

help and fafter his example and merit to be cro-

wned with him in heaven. Amen.

TODAY'S SAINT

IGNNATIUS OF LOYOLA

(Ignacio de Loyola)

(1491-1556)

Founder of the Society of Jesus

Also known as: Ignatius Loyola, Ignatius de Loyola

Ignatius was born in Loyola Castle near Azpeitia, in the Basque province of Guipuzcoa, Spain, on Christmas Eve, 1491. The youngest child of Beltran Yanez de Onez y Loyola and Marina Saenz de Lieona y Balda, he was baptized Inigo, after St. Enecus (Innicus), Abbot of Ona. He assumed the name Ignacio (Ignatius) in middle life, when he was living in Rome.

At the age of 16, Ignatius was sent by his father to live and work with Juan Velasquez de Cuuellar, treasurer to the king of Castile, in Arevalo. As a member of the Velasquez household, he had easy access to the court, and developed a taste for the decadent life. He dressed in a coat of mail with a breastplate and carried a sword and other arms. He was inamored of the ladies, was much addicted to gambling, and on occasion engaged in sword-play. However, he was also learned to be an accomplished horseman and courtier and practiced the soldierly virues of discipline, obedience and prudence.

When Velasquez died in 1517, Ignatius joined the army under the duke of Najera, a kinsman. Four years later (on May 20, 1521), he was leading the defense of the fortress of Pamplona, the capital of Navare, under bombardment by the French. A cannon ball passed between his legs, tearing open his left calf and breaking his right shin. With his wounding, the Spanish troops surrin-dered. Out of resppect for his courage, the French set the bones and sent him in a litter to his father's castle, 50 miles away. The leg did not heal, so it was neccessary to break it again and to reset it. This second operation involved sawing off part of a bone, leaving one of his legs shorter than the other. In perpetual fever, Ignatius was told tto prepare for death, but on the feast day of SS. Peter and Paul (June 29), he took an unexpected turn for the better; he eventually recovered fully, although he walked with a pronounced limp.

His recuperation at Loyola was a turning point for Ignatius. The only books at hand were a life of Jesus and a biography of St. George. He began reading these with little interest but gradually became so immersed in them that he spent entire days reading and rereading. This was the beginning of his cover-sion and also of his discernment of disemboodied spirts and of the practies and insightss he later described in his classic work, Spirtual Exercises. By the time he left the castle in Mach 1522, he had decided to devote himself to the religious life.

His first action was a pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Montserrat, in the mountains above Barcelona. After three days of self-examination, he con-fessed, gave his rich man's clothes to the poor, and donned a sackcloth that reached to his feet. He hung his sword and dagger by Our Lady's altar, then spent the night watching over them. The next morning, after Communion, he left the shrine.

Continuing toward Barcelona he stopped along the River Cardonere at a town called Manresa, where a woman named Ines Pascual showed him a cave where he could retire for prayer and penitence. Ignatius intended to stay in the cave only a short while, but ended up living there for 10 months. During this time he begn making notes on what would become his Spirtual Exercises. He also experienced several visions, including one he regarded as the most sign-ificant of his life. He never described this vision, but it appears to have been more of an enlightenment, in which God was revealed to be inherent in all things-a grace that was to become one of the central characteistics of Jesuit spiri-uality.

Ignatius left the cave in February 1523 and journeyed to the Holy Land, where he planned to labor and preach. He visited the scenes of Jesus' life with such obvious zeal that the Franciscan Guardian of the Holy Places orded him to leave, lest he antagonize the fanatical Muslim Turks then in control of the area and be kidnaped and held for ransom. Raising ransoms for Christian priso-neres has become such a problem that the pope had granted the Franciscans oversight in the region. Reluctantly, Ignatius returned to Europe, arriving back in Barcelona about March 1524.

Now determined to prepare for the priesthood, he began studying Latin in a boys' school. After two years he was proficient enough to enroll in the Univer-sity of Alcala, near Madrid, newly founded by Grand Inquisitor Jimenes (Ximenes) de Cisnereos. There his evangelizing zeal again got him into trouble. Living at a hospice for poor students, he wore a coarse gray habit and begged his food. He also taught children the catechism and led adults through his spiritrual exercises. Since he had no training or authority for these things, the vicar-general, Figueroa, acused him of presumption and had him imprisoned for six weeks. When he was released, Ignatius was forbidden to give religious instruction for three years or to wear any distinguishing dress.

Leaving Barcelona at the end of 1527, Ignatius entered the University of Salamanca. Within two weeks, he was back in prison. Although tthe Dominican inquisitors could find no heresy in what he taught, they told him that he could teach only children and then only simple religious truths.

Once more he took to the road, this time heading for Paris. He arived there in February 1528 and entered the Sorbonne, attending lectures in Latin grammar and lierature, philosophy and philolgy. He continued promoting his spiritual exercises, gathering the group-including St. Francis Xavier-who were to join with him in foundinng the Jesuit order. The six of them took vows of chastity and poverty in a chapel on 1534. They agreed to travel together to the Holy Land, or if that proved impossible, to go to Rome and place themselves at the dispoal of the pope.

Ignatius was ordained a priest in 1534, and received his M.A. degree in March 1535. Ill health then forced him to leave Paris rather than staying to complete his doctorate. He returned to his native Guipuzcoa, but instead of staying in his family's castle, he took up teaching his special brand of Chris-tianity. He remained there until the winter of 1537, when he and two of his Paris companions decided it was time to go to Rome.

At a chapel in La Storta, a few miles ouutside the city, Ignatius had the second most significant of his mystical experiences. He seemed to see Father and Son together, the latter speaking the words: Ego vobis Romae propitius ero, "I will be favorable to you in Rome." Ignatius was unsure what this meant, since Jesus had experienced perienced persecution as well as success. However, in Rome, Pope Paul III received the men graciously and put them to work teaching Scripture and theology and preaching. Also in Rome, on Christmas morning of 1538, Ignatius celebrated his first Mass, in the Chapel of the Manger in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore (St. Mary Major). It was believed that this chapel had the actual manger of Bethlehem, so since Ignatius was not able to say his first Mass in Jerusalem as he had hoped, this was thought to be the best substitute.

The group disbanded again, but during Lent in 1539, Ignatius asked all to join him in Rome to discuss their future. Going to the Holy Land was still out of the question. They had not previously thought of founding a religious order, though they had for some time been calling themselves the "Company of Jesus"- company to be understood in its military sense. Now they agreed to take the next step, and found a new religious community. Following the military model, they would vow obedience to a superior general who would hold office for life. They wouuld place themselves at the disposal of the pope to travel wherever he should wish to send them for whatever duties. A vow to this effect was added to the orddinary vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Pope Paul III issued a bull approving of the new order-which came to be known in English as the Society of Jesus-on September 27, 1540.

On April 7, 1541, Ignatius was unanimously elected superior general, and on April 22, at the church of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls, the friends pronounced their vows in the new order. Some headed overseas immediately, in time to become superiors of provincial branches. Meanwhile, Ignatius remained in Rome, where he directed all the overseas missioins, and worked on the rules of the order. In 1547, he was joined by a secretary, Father Palaneo, who helped him with his correspondence and in drafting the constitution, which was completed, approved and published in 1252. Spirtual Exercises was published in 1548, with papal approval.

Besides the Society of Jesus, Ignatius established several foundations, including one for Jewish converts to Catholicism and another for loose women who were anxious to reform but felt no call to the religious life. However, it is with the Jesuits that he will forever be associated.

Ever since his student days in Paris, Ignatius had suffered from gallstones, and must often have been in considerable pain. His condition became increasingly troublesome in Rome. Then, in the summer of 156, he contracted Roman fever. On July 30 he asked for the last sacraments and the papal blessing, but because his doctors believed him to be in no imminent dager, his staf did nothing. The next morning he was found near death. The last blessing was given but he died without the pope's blessing and before the holy oils could be brought. His relics lie beneath an altar designed by Pozzi in the Gesu.

Miraculous phenomena were recorded about Ignatius. Once after severe illness he was witnessed in a rapture, levitating in a kneeling position while he prayed aloud. On other occasions in prayer, he was seen surounded by a brill-iant supernatural light. During an ecstasy, a flame of fire was seen hovering over his head.

His emblems are a book, a chasuble, the Holy Communion, and the appar-ition of the Lord. In art, Ignatius is a bearded Jesuit, often with a book of the Jesuit Rule, kneeling before Christ. He may also be shown: with Christ bringing him a cross; with Christ as the Good Shepherd; with Christ and Saint Peter before him; holding the Rule, with Saint Fracis Xavier or other Jesuit saints (IHS on his breast); in Mass vestments, his hand resting upon his Rule, light in the heavens; with a dragon under his feet; holding the Rule, IHS, and Heart pierced by three nails.

Beatified: July 27, 1609, by Pope Paul V

Canonized: March 12, 1622, by Pope Gregory XV

Feast: July 31

Patronage: Jesuit Order; soldiers; spiriual retreats and exercises

FURTHER READING

Ignattius of Loyola: The Spiritual Exercises and Selected Works.

George E. Gauss, Paramanda Divalcar and Edward J. Malatesta,

eds. Mahhwah, N. J.: Paulist Press, 1991.

Meissner, William W. Ignatiuss of Loyola: The Psychoollogy of a

Saintt. New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1994.

O'Neal, Norman. "The Life of St. Ignatius of Loyola." Le Moyne

University website. www.maple.lemoyne.edu/~buckoe/v_ignat.html

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www.catholic.org/saints

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TODAY'S SAINT

PETER CHYSOLOGUS

(ca. 400-ca. 450)

Bishop of Ravena, Doctor of the Church, Father of the Church

Name meaning: Golden-tongued

Peter was born at Imola, Emmilia, in what is now Italy, around the year 400, and converted to Christianity as an adult. He was baptized, instructed and ordained deacon by Bishop Cornelius of Imola. According to legend, he was made bishhop of Ravenna in 433 to replace John of Ravenna by Pope St. Sixtus III (r. 432-440) in consequence of a vision.

As bishop, John immediately set about eradicating paganism and making needed reforms to his see. He was an especially eloquent preacher, for which he was surnamed Chrysologus ("golden tongued"). It is said that at times he would get so caught up in the excitement of his own preaching that he would become momentarily speechless. Empress Galla Placida was so impressed by his first sermon that she gave generous support to his several building projects, including a baptistry and church dedicated to St. Andrew in Classis, the port of Ravenna. Imperial support continued under her son, Valentinian III.

Peter was among those who received a letter from Eutyches, leader of the Monophysite heresy, protesting his comdemnation by St. Flavian of constan-tinople and the Synod of Constantinople in 448. Peter referred him to the authority of the bishop of Rome and advised him to stop attempting to justify himself and dividing the Church.

In 448, Peter received St. Germanus of Auxerre in Ravenna. When Germanus died there on July 31, Peter officiated at his funeral, keeping his hood and sackcloth as relics. Soon thereafter, he had a premonition of his own death and returned to Imola for his last days. He died on July 31, 449 or 450.

In art, Peter is shown being presented to Pope Sixtus III by SS. Perter and Apollinaris of Ravenna. He is also depicted with a dish in his band.

Declared Dooctor of the Church: 1729 by Pope Benedict XIII

Feast: July 30 (formely December 4)

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TODAY'S SAINT (Lazarus)

JULY 29

(d. first century)

Brother of Martha and Mary of Bethany, friend of Jesus

who was raised from the dead

The story of the resurrection of Lazarus is given in John 11:1-44. Lazarus fell ill and Jesus was notified. He said the illness was not unto death, and stayed two days longer in the place where he was at. He told his disciples, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him out of sleep." Then he expli-aned more clearly, "Lazarus is dead; and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."

By the time Jesus arrived in Bethany, about two miles from Jerusalem, Laza-rus had been dead four days and entombed. Jesus was met by Martha, who told him Lazarus would not have died had he come earlier, but she acknowledged that God would grant whatever Jesus asked. Jesus promised that Lazarus would rise again, and Martha thought he meant in the resurrection at the last day. Mary, weeping, also told Jesus that Lazarus would not have died had he come earlier.

Jesus went to the tomb and ordered the stone rolled away. Martha protested that there would be an odor, but the stone was taken away. Jesus called out, "Father, I thank the and thou hast heard me. I knew that thou hearest me always, but I have said this on account of the people standing by, that they may believe that thou didst send me." Then he cried out in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out." Lazarus, his hands and feet bound in bandages, came out of the tomb. Jesus commanded, "Unbind him and let him go."

Word of this feat reached the Pharisees, who began plotting how to put Jesus to death. After this, Jesus no longer went openly among the Jews. Soon there-after, he was betrayed, arrested and crucified.

The Gospels do not relate what happened to Lazarus after his resurrection. Tradition holds that after the Crucifixion, Lazarus and his sisters went to the south of France, where Lazarus became the first bishop of Marseilles and then was martyred. Other legends purport that they went to Cyprus, where he became the bishop of Kition, or they went to Syria. Tradition also holds that the relics of Lazarus were translated to Constantinople. His cultus was popular in the early Church.

Feast: July 29

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TODAY'S SAINT (Innocent I)

JULY 28

(D. 417)

Pope

Innocent, son of Innocentius, was born in Albano, a town near Rome. He grew up among Roman clergy and in the service of the Roman Church, succeeding Pope St. Anastasius I as bishop on Decembe 22, 401.

In 410, the Goths began a siege of Rome. Their leader, Alaric, declared that he would withdraw if a peace favorable to him could be negotiated, and Innocent was one of the delegation that went to meet with him. The negotiations failed, however, and the Goths resumed their siege. They had entered and sacked the city before Innocent and the rest of the Roman party were able to return to it.

Innocent was zealous about the purity of Church doctrine and discipline, took actions against heretical sects, and was a strong proponent of clerical celibacy. Moreover, he believed strongly in Rome as the leader of the universal Church. He intervened in the affairs of churches outside Rome and advised all to send decissions to him for confirmation. When the Church of Constantinople removed St. John Chysostom, Innocent stepped in and reinstateed him. He commended the bishops of Carthage and Mileve for sending their condem- nations Pelagianism to him in a letter that caused St. Augustine to remmark: "Roma locuta, causa finita est" ("Romme has spoken, the matter is closed").

Innocent died in Rome on March 12, 417, and was buried in the basilica above the Catacomb of Pontianus. Afterward he was venerated as a saint.

Feast: July 28

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PRAYER OF THE DAY

ANGEL'S PRAYERS OF FATIMA

My God, I believe, I adore, I trust and I love

Thee! I beg pardon for those who do not believe,

do not adore, do not trust and do not love thee

O Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

I adore Thee profoundly. I offer thee the most

precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus

Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world,

in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and

indifference by which He is offended. By the

infinite merits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and

the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg the conversion

of poor sinners.

Most Holy Trinity, I adore Thee! My God, my God,

I love Thee in the Most Blessed Sacrament!

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires

of hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in

most need of Thy merecy.

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TODAY'S SAINT (Irenaeus of Lyons)

June 28

(ca. 1225-12776)

Bishop of Lyons, Father of the Church

The writings of Irenaeus rank him among the Greatest of the fathers of the church; he is considered the first great Christian theologian. His work-much of it still extant-helped to lay the Gnostic heresy to rest and laid the foundations of Christian theology. Although he wrote in Greek, he was quickly translated into Latin and was highly influential in his day.

Irenaeus was born in Asia Minnor, probably around the year 130 (between 125 and 142), although some scholars believe earlier, between 115 and 125. This area had been heavily worked by the Apostles, and their memory would have been strong. While still very young, he heard St. Polycarp preach at Smyrna.

Irenaeus joined the Christian priesthood and was sent as a missionary to the Church of Lyons in Gaul during the time of Emperor Marcus Aurelius's bloody persecution of Christians. In 177 or 178 he was sent to Rome to deliver a letter asking for mercy on Montanism, a heretical sect, to Pope St. Eleutherius (r. 175-189), and thus escaped the peresecutions in Lyons that ressulted in the martyrdom of Bishop St. Pothinus. When he returned to Lyons, he was elected to the vacant bishopric, and remained in that capacity for the rest of his life. He spent his time preaching and traveling in missionary work, especially pockets of Gnosticism in Gaul.

The persecutions having subsided, Irenaeus found the greatest challenge to the Christian Church in Gnosticism, and set about clarifying the errors of the various sects in relation to the true teachings of the Apostles. He also took a stand on the Quartodeciman controversy concerning the celebration of Easter, interceding with Pope St. Victor (r. 189-199) in 190 or 191 to lift the sentennce of excommunication upon the Christian communities of Asia Minor.

Irenaeus is believed to have died in 202, although this is not certain. Probably he died a natuural death. His remains were interred in a crypt under the altar of what was then known as the Church of St. John, but later called after him. The tomb became a shrine and was destroyed by Calvinists in 1562; all trace of his relics has been lost.

Irenaeus wrote numerous treatises and letters and has been quoted by numerous church theologians since. He was vigorous in his defense of orthodoxy and in his oposition to heresy. Composed in Greek, none have survived in their original editions, but are extant in Latin or Armenian translations. His best known work is Adversus haereses, considered an excellent exposition of the Gnostic heresy as well as other heretical philosophies. A second treatise, Proof of the Apostolic Preaching, expounds on the Gospels as interpreted through Old Testament prophecies. Only fragments exist of Irenaeus's other works.

Feast: June 28 (West); August 23 (East)

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TODAY'S SAINT ( Seven Sleepers of Ephesus)

JULY 27

(third century)

Martyrs

This curious medival legened exists in different versions in several languages. Probably it was first recorded in Greek, by Symeon Metaphrastes, and later trranslated into Latin (by St. Gregory of Tours) and Syriac and other Middle Eastern languages. It is also told in an Anglo-Norman poem and in Old Norse. An Arabic version appears in the Koran.

The story is simple, though powerful. When Emperor Deciuss (r. 249-251) came to Ephesus to enforce his persecutory decrees against Christians, he found there seven young men-their names vary in different versions-who were believers. He had them put on trial and gave them a short time to decide whether they would abrogate their faith and live or persist in it and die. Deciding on the latter course, the seven gave their property to the poor and, keeping only a few coins, went into a cave on Mt. Anchilos to pray and prepare for death. They were warned of Decius's return, said a final payer, then fell asleep. Meanwhile, Decius had ordered his soldiers to find them, and when they were discovered sleeping in the cave, had it walled up.

A Christian came along and on the outer wall wrote the story and the names of the martyrs. Years passed and times Chhanged. The Roman Empire became Christian. Then sometime during the reign of either Theodosius the Great (r. 379-395) or Theodosius the Younger (r. 408-450), at a time when the doctrine of bodily resurrection was much debated, a rich landowner decided to have the cave opened in order to use it as a cattle stall. The seven young men then awoke, and, thinking they had slept only one night, sent one of their number, Siomedes, into town to buy food, so that they might have one last meal together. Diomedes found Ephesus much altered, and the people could not understand where he got the coins minted under Decius. At legth the truth came out, and Diomedes lead the bishop and the prefect to the cave, where his companions were found. Theodosius was sent for, and this proof of resurrection was much celebrated.

At this point, the seven died for good. Theodosius wished to build golden tombs for them, but they appeared to him in a dream and asked to be buried in the earth in their cave. Their bodies were duly returned to the cave and intered there, and a great church was built over it. Every year, the feast of the Seven Sleepers is kept.

In the Roman Martyrology, the Seven Sleepers are commemorated individually under the names Dionysius, Maximianus, Malllchus, Martinianus, Joannes,Serapion and Comstantinus.

Feast: July 27 (in the West); August 4 and October 22 (in East)

Further Reading

"Seven Sleepers." Encyclopedia Mythica website.

wwwntheon.org/mythia/articles/s/seven_sleepers.html

Downloaded: September 10, 2000.

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TODAY'S SAINT (Sts. Joachim and Ann)

JULY 26

Parents of Mary

Sts. Joachim and Ann, both of the tribe of Judah of the royal house of David, are venerated by the Church as the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary who was probably their only child. The other Mary mentioned in the Gospels and the Sister of the Mother of God was, it is believed, her cousin; for this was a customary way of designating relatives in the East.

St. Ann has been honored from early Christian times. Churches were dedicated to her honor, and the Fathers, especially of the Easteren Churches, loved to speak of her sanctity and privileges. She is often represented as teaching her little daughter to read the Scriptures.

St. Joachim has been honored from time immemorial in the Churches of the East, and since the 6th century public devotion to him has been observed in all countries. However, as in the case of St. Ann, the Gospel tells us nothing about his life.

Tradition, grounded on very old testimonies, informs us that Sts. Joachim and Ann in their old age came from Galilee to settle in Jerusalem, and there the Blessed Mother of God was born and reared; there also they died and were buried. A church was built during the 4th century, possibly by St. Helena, on the site of the home of Sts. Joachim andd Ann in Jerusalem.

Feast: July 26

(St. Ann) Patroness of Christian Mothers

PRAYER

Lord, Good of our Father, throuugh Sts. Joachim

and Ann You gave us the Mother of Your Incar-

nate Son. May their prayers help us a attain the

salvation You promised to Your people. Amen.

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TODAY'S SAINT (St. James the Greater, Apostle)

JULY 25

(d. 44)

One of Jesus' Twelvve Disciples; martyr

Also known as: Giacomo; Iago; Jacobo; Jacques;

Jacobus Major; James Boanerges; Santiago; Yakkob

James was the son of Zebedee and Salomone and the elder brother of St. John the Divine. Zebedee and his family were prosperous fishermen, and James and John were followers of St. John the Baptist before they met Jesus. When Jesus called them to become "fishers of men," they left their occupation to become his fulltime disciples. James is referred to as James the Greater because he was taller than another of the apostles, St. James the Lesser. Jame and his brother were given the surname "Boanereges," meaning "Sons of Thunder," by Jesus, in recognition of their fiery personalities and evangelizing zeal.

Little is known for certain about James's apostolate. There is a tradition that he preached the Gospel in Spain, but this is suspect both because St. Paul, who definitely did evangelize Spain, wrote in his Epistle to the Romans that he was not building "upon another man's foundation," and because contemporary Spanish writers do not mention him. According to this tradition, which was current by the year 700, James returned to Jerusalem, where he was killed by King Herod Agrippa I (r. 42-44), grandson of Herod the Great. Of greater credence is another tradition, which holds that Jmes had not left Jerusalem by the time of his martyrdom.

Herod Agrippa, a great defender of the Jewish faith, was concerned with the rapid spread of Christianity. He chose Passover of the year 44 to launch a persecution against the Christian community in Jerusalem, and James became his first victim. Agrippa is said to have beheaded James together with his acuser, who had been so moved by James's confeession that he had converted to Christianity. James martydom fulfilled a prophecy of Jesus that those who shared his chalice would share in his sufferings.

The tradition that has James evangelizing Spain holds also that his relics were miaculously translated to Iria Flavia in the northwest of that country, whence they were transported to Compostela. During the Middle Ages, the latter town was one of the most famous pilgimage places in the world, inspiring the creation of the Order of Knights of St. James of Compostela in the 12th century. The authenticity of the sacred relics of Compostela is vouched for in a Bull of Pope Leo XIII (r. 1878-1903). However, they are also claimed by the Church of St-Saturnin at Toulouse, France, so may have been divided.

In art, James is represented by a cockleshell; a key; a pilgrim's staff; and a sword. He is depicted as an elderely, bearded man wearing a hat with a scallop shell; as a man with shells around him; and as a pilgrim with wallet and staff.

Feast: July25

Patronage: apothecaries; arthritis; blacksmiths; druggists; funeral directors; knights; laborers; phaaarmacists; pilgrims; rheumatismm; rheumatoid sufereeres; Chile; Guatemala; Nicaragua; Spain; Spanish conquistadores

PRAYER

Almighty, ever-living God, through the blood

Of St.James You consecrated the first fruits of

the ministry of Your Aposties. Grant that Your

Church may be strengthened by his confession

and alway enjoy his patronage. Amen.

TODAY'S SAINT (Bridget of Sweden)

JULY 23

(1303-1373)

Wife, mystic and founder of the Brigittines order; patron of Sweden

Also known as: Brigid, birgitta, brigitta

Bridget of Sweden was born in 1303, the daughter of birger, the governor of Upland, Sweden, and his second wife, Ingeborg, daughter of the governor of East Gothland. Her parents were pious and instilled in her a sense of religious devotion at an early age. Her father consecrated all Fridays to special acts of penance.

Bridget's mother died when she was 12, and she was raised by an aunt in Aspenas on Lake Sommen. Before she was 14, her father married her to Ulf Gudmarsson, the 18-year-old prince of Nericia in Swedenn. The marriage was happy, and Bridget bore eight children. The last was a daughter, Catherine, who became St. Catherine of Sweden.

In 1335, Bridget was summoned to be the principal lady-in-waiting to the queen of Sweden, Blancche of Namur. She did not like the loose lifestyle in court and tried to influence the royals, to no avail. She became known for her prophetic dreams and visions, many of them concerning politics and affairs of state. At the time, the church was in upheaval; the pope resided in Avignon, not Rome, and many people felt there was a need for reform. From her visions, Bridget believed herself charged with a mission to work for reform.

Sometime after 1340, she obtained a leave of absence, and she and Ulf made a pilgrimage to Compostela in Galicia, Spain. Ulf became ill and nearly died. The couple vowed to commit themselves to God in separate religious houses. Ulf died in 1344 at the Cistercian monastery of alvastra. Bridget remained there for four years as a penitent.

Meanwhile, her visions began troubling her and she feared she was being plagued by the Devil, or deluded by her own imagination. At the direction of a vision, she confied in Master Matthias, canon of Linkoping, who pronounced the visions ass from God. Thereafter, who recorded them in Latin. One vision instructed Bridget to warn the king about his sinful ways. Thisshe did, and for a time he complied.

Another vision instructed to found a monastery at Vadstena on Lake Vattern. The monastery house 60 nuns and in a separate house for men, 13 priests, four deacons and eight choir boys. The monastery was run according to instructions given in Bridget's, visions. The order, which became known as the Brigittines, was for women; the men were admitted to provide them spiritual instruction.

In 1349 Bridget made a pilgrimage to Rome; she never returned to the monastery. Guided by her visions, she stayed to campaign for the return of the papacy to that city. Many of her revelations were uncomplimentary toward the Church and the pope. At St. Paul's-out-side-the Walls, the crucifix spoke to her while she prayed. At the Church of San Francesco a Ripa, a vision of St, Francis of Assisi invited her to eat and drink with him in his cell. She went to Assisi, and then spent two years touring shrines in Italy. She made herself unpopular with her predictions that the Romans would be punished for their sins.

In 1371, a vision directed her to make what would be her last pilgrimage, to the Holy Land with Catherine, became involved with Queen Joanna I, despite the fact that they were both married. Bridget prayed for a resolution. Charles soon became ill and died in her arms, sending her into deep mourning.

Bridget's last pilgrimage was marked by many visions, including one from Christ that predicted her death and gave instructions for her burial and for the evelations. She returned to Rome in March 1373 in poor health. Her condition deteriorated, and she died on July 23 at age 71. Peter of Alvastra administered last rites. Catherine had her body transfered to Vadstena.

Canonized: 1391 by Pope Bonniface IX

Feast: July 23

Patronage: against miscarriage; Sweden

FURTHER READING

St. Bridget's Revelations to the Pope. ULR: http://www/fordham.edu/halsall/bridget-tractatus.html Downloaded: February 10, 2000.

http://www.americancatholic.org

TODAY'S SAINT (Mary Magdalen)

JULY 22

(first century)

Also known as: Mary Magdalene, the Penitent, Apostle to the Apostlees

Litttle is known of the life of Mary Magdalen beyond the brief mention in the Gospels of her role in the Crucifixion and its aftermath. "Magdalen" refers to the city of Magdala near Tiberius on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, presumably Mary's home. Latin Church tradition merged the stories of Mary Magdalen with those of the woman sinner who bathed Jesus' feet with her tears and the accounts of Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and Lazarus, turning "Mary Magdalen" into the epitome of the penitent sinner who renounced sin for a life in Christ, thereby becoming the symbol of hope for all sinners. Eastern tradition-and St. Ambrose of Milan-taught that these three women were not the same person at all, and there is no Gospel evidence that they were. Although the depictions of Mary Magdalen as a saint encompass these three personalities in one, the Church officially adopted the Eastern position in 1969.

All four Gospels mention Mary Magdalen. The first three-Matthew, Mark and Luke-tell nearly the same story. In fact, the accounts in these three Gospels (called the Synoptics after the Greek synopikos, meaning "from the samepoint of view") are so similar that scholars believe the oldest of them, Mark, tells the story of Mary Magdalen as it was passed down orally to the earliest Christians and then repeated in Matthew and Luke. Mary Magdalen is one of Jesus' women followers who obsereves the Crucifixion from afar and who watches Joseph of Arimathea place the body in the tomb. On sunday morning, Mary Magdalen and one or more of the other women come to the sepulchre to anoint the body, but instead are met by an angel (two in Luke) who reveals that Christ has risen and that they must run and tell the disciples the good news. In both Mark and Luke the disciples do not believe Mary Magdalen (Mark 15:40-41, 16:1-11; Matthew 27:55-56, 28:1-8; Luke 23:49, 24:1-12). Both Mark and Luke identify Mary Magdalen as one from whom Jesus had cast out seven demons (Mark 16:9; Luke 8:1-3). Luke also describes Mary Magdalen as one of the women who supported Jesus.

The Accout in John differs in several respects. Instead of placing the women away from the Crucifixion, John states that Jesus' mother Mary, her sister Mary and Mary Magdalen stood by the cross (19:25). On Sunday, Mary Magdalen went alone to the tomb and, finding the stone rolled away and the body gone, ran for Peter and another disciple (probably John) to report this distressing news. The men returned with her and saw the burial linen left inside, but then returnned home (20:1-10). Mary Magdalen, however, remained behind, weeping, eventually seeing two angels in white sitting in the tomb. When they asked why she wept, she replied that someone had taken here Lord's body, and she did not know where. Turning around, she saw another man who asked her why she wept. Thinking he might be a gardener, Mary Magdalen asked if he knew where the body had been laid so she could take it. The man said only one word, Mary, then she knew she was in her Lord's presencce and replied, Rabboni (Which means "teacher" in Hebrew). Jesus asked her not to embrace him, for he had not yet ascended to the Father, but to tell the disciples what she had seen. She told them she had seen the Lord, and no mention is made of any disbelief on their part (20:1-18).

So although the three earlier Gospels report that Mary Magdalen learned of the Resurrection along with other women, John is the only one to assert that Mary Magdalen was the first to see the risen Christ and tell of the miracle-the great gift that distinguished her as the "apostles to the apostles" (apostola apostolorum). It is in this that Mary Magdalen is portrayed in the Gnostic manuscript The Gospel of Mary, discovered in an Egyptian archaeological dig and published at the end of the 19th century. Mary Magdalen also appears in another Gnostic text, Pistis Sophia, owned by the British Museum and published about the same time. Her position as the imparter of gnosis-the secret knowledge of redemption to those capable of salvation-also appears in the Gospel of Philip and the Gospel of Thomas. She was called "Mariam, the woman who knew the All," the "inheritor of the Light," the bringer of Sophia or the Wisdom of God, the chief disciple, witness and herald of the New Life.

In the Gospel of Mary, the risen Christ appears to his disciples and exhorts them to evangelize throughout the world. But the disciples fear for their lives and do not see how they can follow the Lord's command. Mary Magdalen then becomes the leader, consoling the disciples and assuring them that the Lord is with them, making them "men." Peter acknowledges that Jesus loved Mary magdalen more than the other women and begs to hear whatever wisdom he imparted to her alone. She tells of a vision in which Christ deems her blessed because she did not waver at the sight of him at the tomb. By stressing perception by the mind, Mary Magdalen represented the Gnostic ideal of individual experience-inner vision-which the established Church considered threatening and heretical Peter, who had asked for her wisdom, refuses to believe her and cannot accept that Jesus would have given his knowledge to a woman rather than to the male disciples. Matthew reproves him, noting that the Savior found her worthy and loved her more than the others-man or woman.

In the Gospel of Philip Mary Magdalen is described as one of the "three who always walked with the Lord: Mary his mother, her sister and Magdalen... his companion." The Greek word for "companion," koinonos, translates more accurately as "partner" or "consort," a woman with whom a man has had sexual intercourse. In the same text the disciples complain jealously because Christ often kisses Mary Magdalen or whether the text's author relied on erotic imagery to vividly explain the love of Christ and the Church. There is no supporting evidence for Mary's favored position in the New Testament.

By the time Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthians, Mary Magdalen's role as the "apostle to the apostles" had changed into her more popular persona as the penitent whore. Although no Gospel identifies the sinner who washed Jesus' feet with her tears (Luke 7:37-39), dried them with her long hair and then anoined them with nard (a very expensive ointment from the Himalayas as Mary magdallen, the faithful associated the two. According to some Church authorities she might be the adulterous woman about to be stoned (John 8:3-11) or the Samaritan woman at the well who was living with a man not her husband (John 4:7-26). If Jesus had cast out seven demons from her she could certainly be a sinner-although demonically inspired sin in the New Testament was not necessarily equated with carnality. Mary Magdalen might also be Mary of Bethany, another Mary who annointed Jesus' feet.

Pope St. Gregory the Great (r. 590-604) officially declared Mary Magdalen, Mary of Bethany and the unnamed sinner one and the same in the sixth century. From the "herald of the New Life" Mary had become the redeemed prostitute, a model of repentance, the embodiment of Eve and the evils of female, predatory celibacy and abstention were celebrated, her rejection of fornication served as encouragement for all sinners to return to God.

According to St. Gregory of tours, after Christ's death and Ascension Mary Magdalen accompanied Mary, the mother of Jesus, and John to Ephesus. Christ had reportedly commended Mary Magdalen to John's keeping; some accounts even say that Mary and John were affianced before John answered Jesus' call. she allegedly died a martyr there, and St. Willibald was her tomb in the eighth century. Her relics were transferred to Constantinople in 896.

Aanother tradition says that the Jews put Mary Magdalen, her sister St. Martha and brother St. Lazarus, her maid SS. Maximin and Sidonius, and the body of St. Anne into a boat without sails or oars and set it adrift. After many days the ship landed at Marseiles, where longer able to cope with life, Mary Magdalen retired to the desert and lived in a cave known as Sainte-baumefor 30 years. Eschewing clothing and food, she covered herself with only her long hair and subsisted on the Eucharist, administered by angels. When she was near death, at age 72, the angels transported her to the Church of St. Maximinus at aix, thereafter known as St. Maximin, where she received the last rites. Herescape the Saracens, then moved back to La Saintegrotto of the restored church.

England converted to Christianity under the pontificate of Pope St. Gregory the Great, and there were many churches and convents dedicated to Mary "Mawdleyn" in that country. Mary's common depiction in art as weeping or red-eyed from crying-along with the Old English spelling and pronunciation-led to the word "maudlin," meaning "effusively or tearfully sentimental. "Both Magdalen College at Oxford and Magdalene College at Cambridge are pronounced "maudlin."

Feast: July 22

Patronage: contemplatives life; contfemplatives; glove makers; hairdresseres; penitent women; people ridiculed for their piety; perfuners; reformed prostitutes; against

sexual temptation; sinner; tanners

FURTHER READING

Haskins, Susan. Mary Magdalen: Myth and Metaphor. New York: Harcourt Brace,

1993.

Prayer

God, it was to St. Mary Magdalene before

all others that Your Son comitted the mess-

age of Easter joy. Through her intercession

may we one day contemplate Him reigning

in glory. Amen.

DAILY READINGS (New American Bible)

JULLY 21, 2005

Thurday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading I

Ex 19:1-2, 9-11, 16-20

In the third month afer thheir departure from the land of Egypt, on firstday, the Israelites came to the desert of sinai.

After the jouney from Rephidim to the desert of Sinai, they pitched camp. While Israel was encamped here in front of the mouintain.

The Lord also told him, "I am coming to you in a dese cloud, so that when the people hear me speaking with you, they may always have faith in you also." When Moses, then, had reported to the Lord the response of the people,

the Lord added, "Go to the people and have them sanctify themselves today and tomorrow. Make theem wash their garments

and be ready for the third day; for on the rhird day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai Before the eyees of all the people.

On the morning of the third day there were peals of thender and lightning, and a heavy cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled.

But Moses let the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stationed themselves at the foot of the mountain.

Mount Sinai was all wrapped in smoke, for the Lord came down upon it in fire. The smoke rose from it as though from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently.

The trrumpet blast grew louder and louder, while Moses was speaking and God answering him with thunder.

When the Lord came down to the top of Mount Sinai, he summoned Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up to him.

Gospel

Mt 13:10-17

The disciples approached him and said, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" He said to them in reply, "Because knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdomm of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. to anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because 'they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand,' Isaiah's prophecy is fulfillied in them, which says: 'You shall indeed look but not understand, you shall indeed look but never see. Gross is the heart of this people, they will hardly hear with their ears, they have close eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and be converted, and I heal them.' But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and rightous people longed to see what you see but did not see it,and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

TODY'S SAINT (Lawrence of Brindisi)

JULY 21

(1559-1619)

Capuchin Friar, Doctor of the Church

Lawrence of Brindisi was born Julius Caesar de Rossi in Brindisi, Italy, in 1559. From an early age he was precocious in his studies, and exhibited a natural gift for oratory. His Father died when he was 12, and he went to Venice to study with the clerics of St. Mark's. In 1575 he joined the Capuchin Friars Minor, a strict offshoot of the Franciscans, and took the name of Brotherr Lawrence. He studied at the University of Padua. He was reputed to know the entire original text of the Bible.

Lawrence preached and evangelized throughout Europe. His skill and gifts enabled him to hold all the offices of his order. From 1596 to 1602 he lived in Rome and evagelized the Jews at the behest of Pope Clement VIII (r. 1592-1605). He traveled about evangelizing Jews, and estabishing houses of his order. He was popular beccause of his speaking ability and his miracles.

In 1601, while eastablishing a house in Prague, Lawrence was made chaplainn of Emperor Rudolf II's army, which was fighting the Turks. Lawrence galvanized the troops with inspiring speeches and even led the army in spite of his feeblences, mounted on horseback and crucifix in hand. Miraculously he was never wounded.

In 1605 Lawrence was sent to evangelize Germany, where he served as papal nuncio to the court of Bavaria and became involved in the politics that preeded the Thirty Years' War.

In 1618 he retired to a monastery in Casereta, Italy, but was recalled and sent on a mission to Spain to advise King Philip III. The journey exhausted him, and he never returned home. He died in Lisbon on July 22, 1619.

Lawrence's writings include hundreds of sermons, commentaries on books of the Bible (he is especially noted for his commentary on Genesis). various treatises and religious polemics.

Beatifieed: 1783 by Pope Pius VI

Canonized: 1881 by Pope Leo XIII

Declared Doctor of the Church: 1959 by Pope John XXIII

Feast: July 21

Prayer

God, for the glory of Your name and the

salvation of souls, You favored St,. Law-

rence, Your Priest with the spirit of wisdom

and fortitude. Grant that in the same spirit

we may recognize our obligations and with

his help carry them out. Amen.

TODAY''S SAINT (Margret of Antioch)

JULY 20

(d. ca. 304)
One of the Fourteen Holy Helpers

Also known as: Margaritha, Margaretha, Marina, Marine

Margaret of Antioch was one of the most popular virgin martyrs in the canon of the Church during the Middle Ages, but later scholars believe that while she may have been martyred, anything else attributed to her was purely legend and attributable to a forgery written in the 10th century, allegedly by Theotimus, Margaret's servant. She is no longer a part of the Catholic calendar.

Her story is as follows: Margaret was the daughter of a pagan priest in Anitoch, Pisidia, and was nursed by a Christiann woman who became her guardian after Margaret's own conversion. One day, while tending her guardian's flocks, Margaret came to the unfortunate notice of the prefect Olybrius, who lusted for her. Margaret spurned his advances, and Olybrius vindictively turned her in to the tribunal as a Christian. She was imprisoned, where the devil appeared to her as a dragon and swallowed her. But brave Margaret holding a cross, so irritated the devil-dragon that he either disgorged her or exploded. The next day the authorities trried to torture Margaret, first by fire then by immesion in a cauldron of boiling water. Neithe worked, and the thousands who witnessed her ordeal were so moved that they converted to Christianity en masse, then were promptly executed. Finally, the executioner fell dead at her feet so he could join the virgin in heaven, and a noble widow buried ber body in Antioch.

Martaret was one of the voices herad by St. Joan of Arc, along with SS. Catherine of Alexandia and Michael the Archangel. Pregnant womenn of ten pray for Margaret's intecesson, believing that her disagorgement from the dragon is a sign of safe deliverey during chilbirth . Her supposed relics were stolen from Antioch in 980 and brought to San Pietro della Valle, then translated to Montefiascone in 1145. Some relics were moved to Venice in 1213, and others are claimed in churches throughout Europe.

Feast: July 20 in the West; July 13 in the Eastern Church

Patronage: against death; aginst sterility; childbirth; escappe from devils; exiles; kidney diseace; loss of milk by nursing mothers; martys ; nurses; peasants; people falsely acused; prregant women; women; women in labor; Queen's College, Cambridge

TODAY''S SAINT (Leo IV)

JULY 17

(d. 855)

Pope

Leo was born into a Lombard family in Rome. He studied at Saint Martin's monastery in that city and become a Bennedictine monk. He was made subdeacon of the Lateran Basilica by Pope Gregory IV (r. 827-844) and soon thereafter was named cardinal-priest of the church of the Quatuor Coronati by Pope Sergius II (r. 844-847). He was unanimously elected to the Chair of St. Peter to succeed Sergius and was consecrated on April 10, 847

One of Leo's first official actions was to repair the walls of Rome, which had been destroyed in the Saracen attack of the previous year. He also solicted the help of the Holy Roman Emperor, and of all the cities and agricultural colonies of the duchy of Rome, to build a wall around the Vatican, a project that required four years to complete. The newly forifed area became known as the Leonine City in his honor.

In addition to these forifications, Leo also restored many Roman churches, including parts of St. Peter's Vasilica, which had suffered especially heavy damage. The list of his benefactions to churches takes up 28 pages in the Liber pontificalis.

In 849, Leo entered into an alliance with several Greek cities. Thanks to his prayers and exhortations to the soldiers and sailors, and to a fierce storm at sea, the Roman port of Ostia.

The latter part of Leo's reign was largely conncerned with enforcing Church discipline. He died in the midst of these endeavors and was buried in St. Peter's on July 17, 855. He is credited with miracles and his name appears in the Roman Martyrology.

TODAY'S SAINT (Arnulf of Metz)

JULY 18

(ca. 580-ca. 640)

Bishop and member of the Frankish court

Also known as: Arnold, Arnulph

Arnulf was born to a distinguished Frankish family in Austrasia, the eastern section of the original kingdom established by the Merovingian king Clovis I. He studied under Gundulf, mayor of the palace under austrasian king Theodebert II, and was so skilled that he became a trusted minister of the king and eventual head of six provinces. These palace mayors (major domus) acually ran the civil and military affairs of the kingdom; later Mereovingian kings were mere figureheads. Arnulf married Lady Doda, and they had two sons: Anseghisel and Clodulf.

In 610, Arnulf planned to join the abbey of Lerins as a monk along with his friend Romaricus; Doda had already become a nun at Treves. But the episcopal see of Metz was vacant, and Arnulf was consecrated bishop in 611. He remained an officer and advisere at court, following the death of Theodebert II, he and other nobles-principally Blessed Pepin of Landen-negotiateed the installation of clothaire II, king of Neustria, as king of Aaustrasia. Upon Clothaire II's death in 623, Arnulf served as the new king Dagobet I's tutor as well as chief minister. Arnulf wielded so much power that succeeding ministers were known as "Arnulfings."

By 626, Anulf yearned for the monastic life and resigned his see. His son Clodulf eventually became the third bishop of Metz. Arnulf and his friend Romaricus, later St. Romaric, withdrew to a herermitage in the mountains at vosges, where he lived until his death in 640. The hermitage later became the Remiremont monastery.

Arnulf's other son, Anseghisel, married St. Begga, daughter of the nobleman Pepin of Landen. Their son Pepin II of Heristal was the father of Charles Martel-Pippinid mayor of the palace under kings Chilperic II and Theudeic IV, sole ruler but not king of Austrasia from 737 to 741, grandfather of Charlemagne and founder of the Carolingian dynasty.

Feast: July 18

Patronage: brewers; millers; music; finding lost objects

www.americancatholic.org

TODAY'S SAINT (Ennodius of Pavia)

JULY 17

(474-521)

Bishop of Pavia, Father of the Church

Magnus Felix Ennodius is believed to have been born at Arles, in southern Gaul, in 474. As a youth he went to Pavia, Italy, where he was trained in rhetoric and became engaged. Later he decided to join the priesthood, his fiancee at the same time becoming a nun; it does not appear that they were ever married.

In 496, his uncle Laurentius, Bishop of Milan, had him trransferred to that city. Ennodius was ordained a deacon and began teaching in the schools. He also became embroiled in ecclesiastical controversies when he served as secretary to his uncle, who weighed in on the side of Pope St. Symmachus (r. 4899--514) in 498.

About 514, Ennodius was made bishhop of Pavia. In 515 and 517 he was sent by Pope St. Hormisdas (r. 514-523) to Constantinople as part of his ultimately successful campaign to long-standing schism between the Eastern and western church.

Nothing further is known about Ennodius's episcopate, though the texts of several hymns he composed have come down to us. He died at Pavia on July 17, 521.

Feast: July 17

www.americancatholic.org (Saint of Day)

TODAY'S SAINT (St. Eustathius)

JULY 16

(ca. 270-ca. 360, or 336-337)

Bishop of Antioch and Father of the Church

Also known as: Eustathius of Antioch

Eustathius was born in Side, Pamphylia. He was the first bishop of Beroea in Syria and was transferred to Antioch in 323. There he became embroiled in the Arian heresy controversy and was a fierce opponent of the sect. He incurred many powerful enemies, including Eusebius of Caesarea, who succeeded in calling a synod in Antioch in 331 and having him deposed. Emperor Constantine exiled him to Trajanopolis. Eusathiuus's followers were enraged and ready to defend him by force, but he calmed them down and went into exile. Many of his clergy went with him. His followers formed their own community in Antioch, calling themselves the Eustathians. They reffused to recognize any of the Arian bishops.

Eustathius died probably in 306, though some sources give 336 or 337 as the date, St. Meletius became bishop of Antioch, but the Eustathians refused to recognize him. This created the "Meletian Schism," which lasted into the second decade of the fifth century.

Most of Eusstathius's wrritings have been lost. He was a harsh critic of Origen.

Feast: July 16

www.americancatholic.org

TODAY'S SAINT (Our Lady of Mount Carmel)

JULY 16

This is the patronal feast of the Carmelites. The Order of Carmelites takes its mame from Mount Carmel, which was the first place dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and where a chapel was erected in her honor before her Assumpion into heaven.

July 16 is also the feast of the "Scapular of Mount Carmel." On that day in 1251, pious tradition says, the Blessed Virgin appeared to St. Simon Stock, General of the Carmelites at Cambridge, England, showed him the scapular and promised supernatural favors and her special protection to his Order and to all persons who would wear her scapular.

To ovtain the indulgences and other bvenefits promised to those who wear the Carmelite scapular, a perrson must be invested by a priest who has the requisite faculties aand must lead a consistent Christian life.

PRAY

Lord, let the motherly prayer of the glorious

Virgin Mary come to our help. Through her

support help us to reach the true mount which

is Christ. Amen.

TODAY'S SAINT (Francis Solanus)

JULY 14

(Franccisco Solano)

(1549-1610)

Franciscan missionary in Peru

Also known as: the Miracle-Worker of the New World

Francis Solanus was born in Montilla in the Andalusia region of Spain on March 10, 1549. From anearly age he demonstrated spirual inclinations and talents, such as his ability to make peace between those who were fighting. It was enough for Francis merely to run to the combatants and ask them to desist in order to get them to stop.

After studying with the Jesuits, in 1569, at the age of 20, Francis entered a Franciscan monastery, drawn to the poverety and the life of sanctity of St Francis of Assisi. He was ordained a priest in 1576, and a few years later, when an epidemic of black typhus arrived in Andalusia, dedicated himself to attending the sickest. He himself contracted the disease and believed himself about to die, but then, unexpectedly, recovered. From this he understood that God was saving him for still greater challenges. He asked his superiors to send him as a missionary to Africa, but they denied his request. However, in 1589 King Philip II asked the Franciscans to send missionaries to South America, and they assigned him there.

Francis arrived in Lima, Peru, in May 1589, having survived a shipwreck off Panama. From Lima he was sent to Argentina, where the Franciscans had several missions. He had a great facility in learning the native languages, considered by his peers to be a divine gift. Even the most warlike tribes attended his sermons. One Good Thursday while Francis was preaching in

La Rioja, the sound of thousands of Indians attacking the village was heard. Francis went out to meet them with crucifix in hand and placed himself in front of the attackers, who not only desisted, but soon thereafter also allowed themselves to be evangelized and baptized in the Catholic religion.

Like his namesake and patron, St. Francis of Assisi, Francis felt great compassion for animals. Birds frequently surrrounded him and then rose in the air, singing happily. One day during a bullfight in the town of San Miguel a bull eescaped the corral and took to the streets. Francis was called and he calmly approached the animal. People watched in admiration as the bull allowed Francis to take hold of him back to the corral.

In 1601, Francis was ordered back to Lima, where he spent his last years preaching to gambling houses and to theaters, where he interrupied plays he deemed immoral, delivering spirited sermons from the stage. In the town square he preached that God would bring terible punishments if people did not desist from their sinful ways. Inevitably, these acts brought in many converts.

In May 1610, the Mircle-worker of the New World (as he had come to be called) vegan to feel very weak. On July 14 a flock of birds flew into his room in the San Francisco Monastery, singing; Francis exclaimed, "Glory be to God," and died. His room was lit all that night by an unsual illumination visable from far away.

Beatified: 1675 by Pope Clement X

Canonized: 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII

Feast: July 14

FURTHER READING

"San Francisco Solano, Misionero." Church Forum Santoral

website: http://www.churchforum.org.mx/santoral

"San Francisco Solano" Santos Perruanos

website: http://ekeko.rcp.net.pe/ial/cep/santpapa/santosllos.htm

"San Francisco Solano." Santos y Beatos de America Latina: Peru

website: http://www/aciprensa.com/santperu.htm

TODAY'S SAINT (Terese of the Andes)

JULY 13

(1900 - 1920)

Also known as:

Juanita Fernannndez Solar, Teresa de Los Andes,

Teresa of the Andes, Teresa of Jesus of the Andes,

Teresa of Jesus "de Los Andes." Teresita de Los Andes

The saint who has come to be known as Teresa of the Andes was born to Miguel Fernandez Jara and Lucia Solar Armstrong in Santiago, Chile, on July 13, 1900. Two days later, on the eve of the feast day of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, she was baptized Juana Enriqueta Josefina de los Sagrados Corazones. Her parents were well-to-do and very religious, and she grew up in a Christian home, reciving a good education in one of the finest schools in Santiago. From a very young age she developed a profound faith in the Eucharist. She received her First communion in October 1909, when she was only nine, and her Confirmation in September (or perhaaps november) 1910.

During her adolescence she suffered from mumerous illnesses that weakened her health but helped her to discover her religious vocation. On April 3, 1919, she wrote a letter to her parents asking permission to join the Carmelites, and on May 7 entered the converet of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Los Andes for a trial period. She donned the habit on October 14, taking the name Teresa de Jesus (Teresa of Jesus), and form that moment on submerged herself in the religious life. According to her sisters, she always wanted to be the last in everything.

Terese's health gradually deteriorated, and at the beginning of the following March she wrote that she would soon die, but would go without fear. On Good Friday, April 2, she contracted typhus. She received the last sacrament on April 5 and afte making her religious profession in articulo mortis on April 6, she died on April 12, 1920, at the age of 19. She had been with the Carmelites only about 11 months, as a postulant and as a novice.

Terese of the Andes is the first Chilean saint and is considered a role model for youth in the Catholic Church.

Beatified: April 3, 1987, by Pope John Paul II

Canonized: March 21, 1993, by Pope John Paul II in Santiago, Chile

Feast: July 13

Patronage: boodily ills; illness; sick people; sickness; young people

FURTHER READING:

"Beata Teresa de Los Andes." Los Santos Carmelitas. Available

online. URL: http://www.carmel.net.org

TODAY'S SAINT (St. Meronica Giuliaani)

JULY 9

ST. VERONICA GIULIANI

Virgin

St. Veronica was born at Mercatello in Urbino, Italy, in 1660, of a well-to-do family. Though she was a very religious person by nature, her father insisted that she marry when she came of age and paraded suitors before her. This so worried the girl that she became ill; only then did her father realize the genuine character of her vocation and allow her to enter the Capuchin convent of Poor Clares at Citta di Castello in Umbria, at the age of seventeen. She was to remain there for the rest of her life.

After her profession, she had a vision of Jesus bearing His Cross, and she began to feel acute pain over her heart. In 1693, she had another vision, in which she was offered the chalice of Christ's sufferings; when she acepted it, after a fierce struggle, her body and soul ever afterward carried the marks of our Lord's sufferings. The next year, the imprint of the crown of thorns appered on her head, and on Good Friday, 1697, the impress of the five sacred wounds.

As a result of these mystical experiences, she became the object of close vigilance on the part of her superiors and the competent religious authorities. Thus, though this caused her much distress and suffeing, it also ensured that her mystical experiences were well attested, making her an outstanding case in the history of mystical phenomena. Her huumble obedience convinced all of the truth of these mystical experiences.

St. Veronica also possessed a large dosage of common sense and an admirable degree of efficiency. She was novice-mistress of here convent for thirty-four years and diligently laid the foundation for the Sisters under her charge to progress in humility, obedience, and charity. She became Abbess eleven years before her death and labored for the improvement of the convent even in its physical entity. She died on July 9, 1727, leaving behind a catalogue of her religious experiences enntitled Diay of the Passion, written at the request of her confessor.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, You wondrously impressed the

marks of Your Passion upon St. Veronica the

Virgin. May we crucify our flesh and thus come

to the eternal joys of heaven. Amen.

TODAY'S SAINT (St. Grimbald)

JULY 8

ST. GRIMBALD

Abbot of Newminster

St. Grimbald was born in Flanders in the 9th century and became a monk of St. Bertin. King Alfred became acquainted with him when passing through the neighborhood on his way to Rome while still a youth. Once established on his throne, the King called the saint, as well as other learned foreigners, to England to pomote learning among his people.

Grimbald was especially noted for his knowledge of the Scriptures and his skill in music, and on his arrival in 885 was sent to Oxford to direct the school recently set up there. However, he was soon obliged to leave Oxford because of the jealousy and opposition of the masters who were already there. He retired to Winchester, where he continued to enjoy the esteem and reverence of the King.

On the advice of Grimbald, King Alfred planned the foundation of the New Minster in that city, a project which was completed by his son Edward. St. Grimbald was placed at the head of the new religious establishment, with the title of Abbot, though by his own request the church was served by secular canons.

When he has spent eighteen years in England and was well advanced in years, the holy Abbot fell seriously ill. After devoutly receiving Viaticum, he spent three days in close communion with his Lord. On the fourth day, July 8, 903, the community gathered around him in prayer and St. Grimbald breathed forth his last.

PRAYER

Lord, amid the things of this world, let us

be wholeheartedly committed to heavenly

things in immitation of thhe example of

evangelical perfection perfection. You have

given us in Stt. Grimbald the Abbot. Amen.

TODAY'S SAINT (Adrian III)

JULY 8

ADRIAN III (d. 885) Pope

also known as: Hadrian III

Little is known of the life or papacy of Adrian III, or why he is venerated as a saint. He was born in Rome and was elected to the Chair of St. Peter on May 17, 884.

During his reign, there was great famine in Rome, which he mitigated as he could. He opposed an aristocratic faction led by Formosus, Bishop of Porto; had George of the Aventine, a member of the Formosan group and a notorious murderer, tried, condemed and blinded; and had a widow of another of the group whipped naked through the streets of the city.

Adrian died either in early September or on July 8, 885, near Modena, while on his way to a diet in Worms, Germany, at the invitation of Emperor Charles the Fat, probably to settle the question of Charles's succession and to seek help in defense aginst the Muslim Saracens. He was buried in the monastery of Nonantula, where his memory has ever since been held in veneration.

Cultus confirmed: 1892 by Pope Leo XIII

Feast: July 8 (formerly September 7)

TODAY'S SAINT (St. Maria Goretti)

JULY 6

ST. MARIA GORETTI

Virgin and Martyr (Patroness of Youth)

St. Maria Goretti, called by Pope Pius XII "the St. Agnes of the 20th century," was born on a small farm near Ancona, Italy, in 1890. The third of seven children, she was, in the words of whim, but with a sense and seriousness beyond her years, and never disobedient." Her father died when she was nine, and Maria helped out with the younger children and the housework while her mother ran the farm. She received First Communion at eleven and strove with all her strength to do better each day.

Six months later, this heroic maiden was severely tried for her Faith. The Goretti family shared a home with the partner of their father and his son, Alexander, a wicked-minded youth who began making sinful advances toward Maria. She repelled them immediately but said nothing about hem for he threatened to kill her and her mother if she did. Finally, lust drove the tragic Alexander to attack outright, but again the saint resisted him with all her strength, crying out repeatedly: "No, it's a sin! God does not want it!" Whereupon, the attacker, overwhelmed by fear and anger, began to strike at her blindy with a long dagger, and several blows passed clear through her body.

St. Maria was rushed to the hospital at Nettuno and surgeons worked feverishly to save her life, but it soon became evident that nothing could be done. The next morning she was given Communion, but first queried about her attitude toward Alexander. She replied clearly that she forgave him, that she would pray for his repentance, and that she wished to see him in heaven.

On July 6, 1902, this saintly maiden died and went to meet her heavenly Spouse for Whose love she had been willing to give her life.

On July 25, 1950, she was raised to sainthood, with her mother, brothers, and sisters present, a unique event in the history of the Church. By that time her prayers for her murderer had long since been heard and answered. After serving eight years of unrepentant imprisoment, Allexander had a complete change of heart; released for good behavior after twenty-seven years, he hastened to beg forgiveness of the saint's mother and then became a Capuchin laybrother, who gave evidence at the canonical enquiry about Blessed Maria and lived to see here canonized.

PRAY

God, Author of innocence and Lover of

chastity, You conferred on St. Maria Your

handmaid the grace of martydom at a yo-

uthful age. through her intercession grant

us constancy in Your commandments, You

Who gave the crown to a virginn who fou-

ght for You. Amen.