Favorite Saints
Pray in Honor of Your Favorite Saint s St. John Eudes (1601-1680) August 19th
St. John Eudes (1601-1680) was born of a farming family at Ri Orne, in Northwestern France. His brother would become a famous historian and he became a Saint. He spent his childhood in Normandy at Argentan, and was called to the religious life early when he took a vow of chastity in his mid teens. He began his religious studies with the Jesuits at Caen. He was 18 when he published his Voluntary Abnegation and was ordained in the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri at Paris. St. John decided to personally care for the sick when a plague broke out in Caen. He was thoughtful enough to protect his brethren in the order that he lived in a large barrel in a field.
St. Thomas Aquinas- January 28th
St. Thomas Aquinas was born in the castle of Roccasecca in the Kingdom of Sicily. His father was Count Landulf and his mother Countess of Theate. She was related to the Holy Roman Emperors. His education began at the Benedictine Monastery in Monte Cassino. He world move on to attend university in Naples. There he studied under the influence of John of St. Julian, a Dominican teacher and preacher. Innovation was important at this time and he was introduced to the study of Aristotle and other philosophers. He was inspired to join the Dominicans so he could commit his life to study and teaching. He studied in Paris and Cologne where he studied with St Albert the Great. Here he was prepared to teach scripture. He was licensed to teach in 1256 and was made Professor of Theology the next year. St Thomas wrote extensively on Christian Doctrine, Philosophy, The Bible and Aristotle. His most famous works are Summa Contra Gentiles and Summa Theologica. The Summa Theologica is noted for its systematic approach, clarity and intellectual depth. He also wrote about the importance of dreams and angels. He ordered the angels into a hierarchy and described them as incorporeal intellectual beings. St Thomas is a Doctor of the Church, the preeminent Catholic spokesman and also known as Doctor Angelicus.
This week pray a Rosary in his honor, his feast day is January 28th
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton-January 4
Favorite Saints
The history and background of some Saints are truly surprising. One such Saint is Elizabeth Ann Seton. Elizabeth Ann Bayley was born and raised a strict Episcopalian in New York City. She married William Seton, became a part of New York City's elite, and they had five children. Elizabeth, William Magee, and their oldest daughter Anna Maria made a sea voyage (1803) to the warm climate of Italy in a desperate effort to restore her husband's ailing health. At this time they had lost two daughters to tuberculosis. Italian authorities at the port of Livorno feared yellow fever then prevalent in New York. As a result, the officials quarantined the Setons in a cold, stone lazaretto. The Filicchi family did all they could to advocate for them and to provide some relief during their month of isolation. Sadly, two weeks after his discharge, William Magee died leaving Elizabeth a widow at age twenty-nine with five young children. The experiences in Italy of Elizabeth and her daughter transformed their lives forever. Antonio Filicchi (1764-1847) and his wife, Amabilia Baragazzi Filicchi (1773-1853) provided gracious hospitality to the widow and child and introduced Elizabeth to Roman Catholicism. The Setons returned to the United States the next spring. Elizabeth came upon the text of the Memorare, and began to inquire about Catholic practices, first from her lack of familiarity with the religion and sincere interest. The Italian Journal, her long memoir written for her sister-in-law Rebecca Seton, reveals the intimate details of Elizabeth's heart-rending personal journey of inner conflict and conversion (cf. Bechtle and Metz, p. 243). Although Elizabeth left the United States a firm Protestant, she returned to New York with the heart of a Roman Catholic in June 1804. Her life had been filled with tragedy which included the loss of her husband; the loss of their business and property, and also the loss of two of their children. She also suffered social and familial loss after her conversion to Catholicism. Although everything seemed to be going against her, her faith never wavered as she followed the path God set before her. She moved to Emmitsburg, Maryland where she established St Josephs Academy and Free School for Catholic girls. This charming and cultured lady devoted her life to helping the poor, educating needy children and living true Catholic values. Mother Seton formed the Sisters of Charity and is known as the Patron of Catholic Schools. She is the first native born United States citizen to be canonized by the Catholic Church and she is also venerated by the Episcopal Church in the United States. Her inspiring story can help each of us find the faith to face the challenges in our everyday lives. Pray the Rosary in her honor, as her feast day is January 4 th. Saint Cecilia-November 22Favorite Saints: Saint Cecilia - Third Century There are many different meanings to the name Cecilia. In The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer there are five given. Each recognizes a quality of Saint Cecilia. Perhaps the most noted are the way for the blind or the lily of heaven. The way for the blind represents her great wisdom and the lily of heaven refers to the purity of her life. Not much is known about the life of this early Saint and Martyr but it is said that she was of noble birth. Before she suffered Martyrdom, she made arrangements that her house would become a church. She was arrested under the persecution of the Emperor Alexander Severus. She was martyred with Valerian, her husband; his brother Tiburtius and Maximus a Roman soldier. The first attempt to kill her failed and she was then stabbed 3 times. She still survived this attack for another three days. During this time she praised God in song which led to her association with liturgical music. Her remains are kept in the Cathedral of Torcello. She is the patron saint of Musicians and Composers.
This week say a Rosary in her honor, her feast day is November 22 nd.
St Didacus
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