Saints of the Month: October

Saints of the Month: October

Saints of the Month: October Go to Mary

Saints of the Month: October Copyright © by E. Phang. All Rights Reserved.

Contents Introduction ................................................................................. x October the Month of the Holy Rosary ....................................... xi Saints of the Month ................................................................... 13 Saint Therese of Liseux ...................................................... 14 Holy Guardian Angels ......................................................... 16 Saint Théodore Guérin ....................................................... 18 Saint Francis of Assisi ........................................................ 20 Saint Faustina Kowalska .................................................... 22 Saint Bruno of Cologne ....................................................... 24 Saint Justina of Padua ........................................................ 26 Our Lady of the Rosary ....................................................... 28 Blessed Ambrose of Sienna ................................................ 30 Blessed John Henry Newman ............................................. 33 Saint Francis Borgia ........................................................... 35 Pope Saint John XXIII ......................................................... 37 Saint Edwin of Northumbria ............................................... 39 Saint Edward the Confessor ............................................... 42 Pope Saint Callixtus I ......................................................... 44 Saint Teresa of Ávila ........................................................... 46 Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque .......................................... 48 Saint Ignatius of Antioch .................................................... 52 Saint Luke the Evangelist ................................................... 54 Saint Isaac Jogues .............................................................. 56 Saint Paul of the Cross ....................................................... 61 Saint Ursula and 11, 000 Companions ............................... 63 Pope Saint John Paul II ....................................................... 65 Saint John of Capistrano ..................................................... 67 Saint Anthony Mary Claret ................................................. 72 Saints Crispin and Crispinian ............................................. 74 Saint Alfred the Great ......................................................... 76 Blessed Bartholomew of Braganca ..................................... 81

Saints Simon and Jude ........................................................

Saint Narcissus of Jerusalem ..............................................

Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez .................................................

Saint Wolfgang of Regensburg ...........................................

All Hallow's Eve ..................................................................

Appendix ....................................................................................

83 85 87 91 93 94

1

Introduction

This book is dedicated to Our Lady and Our Saviour.

For more information please see Go to Mary

Image: Go to Mary

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October the Month of the Holy Rosary

Our Lady of Victory, Lady of the Rosary, Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary October is the month of the Holy Rosary. The founder of the Order of Preachers, Saint Dominic de Guzman, is said to have an apparition of Our Lady, who gave him the Holy Rosary to help him battle heresy and lead souls back to the Catholic faith.

The feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is on the 7th of October. It xi

was instituted after the Christians were victorious over the Turks in the Battle of Lepanto, October 7th, 1571, though the Catholic forces were greatly outnumbered. Pope Saint Pius V, who was also known as the “Pope of the Rosary” attributed their victory to the intercession of Our Lady due to the Papal campaign across Europe, for the faithful to pray the rosary on the day of the battle, asking Our Lady for the triumph of the church. In thanksgiving of this miracle, the feast was instituted. It was originally known as “Our Lady of Victory” but the feast was changed to Our Lady of the Rosary in honour of the spiritual weapon used to help win the battle against the Muslim invasion.

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Saints of the Month

Saints of the day for the month of October 2017

1

Saint Therese of Liseux

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, O.C.D. The 1st of October is the feast day of Saint Therese of Lisieux (2 January 1873 – 30 September 1897). She was born born Marie Françoise-Thérèse Martin and also known as Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, O.C.D., “The Little Flower of Jesus” or “The Little Flower”. She is the patron saint of Gardens of Vatican City; Missionaries; France; Russia; HIV/AIDS sufferers; radio care-a-thons; florists and gardeners; loss of parents; tuberculosis; the Russicum; and Alaska.

She was the youngest of nine children, her parents were Saints Louis and Zelie Martin, and she was born in Alencon, France. All 14

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of her five surviving siblings entered the convent. When she was four years old, her mother died and she became withdrawn and sensitive, a change from her merry and bright former self. She also suffered from an illness that she nearly died from. However, after her sisters prayed for her health, she saw the Virgin Mary statue in her room smile and she made a full recovery. Her sensitiveness disappeared and her faith fortified after she had a vision of the Child Jesus just before she turned 14 on Christmas Eve. She gained a strong thirst for the salvation of souls, and she attended mass daily. She gained special permission to enter the Carmelites at the age of 15 where her two sisters were also professed. She practised a spiritually called the “Little Way” where she did small acts of kindness for the love of Jesus and interior acts of self-denial. At the age of 24, she died of Tuberculosis. Her autobiography, “Story of a Soul” and her “Little Way” became influential around the world and Pope Saint John Paul II declared her a Doctor of the Church.

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2

Holy Guardian Angels

Guardian Angel by Pietro da Cortona, 1656 The 2nd of October is the feast day of the Holy Guardian Angels.

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The following is from Butler’s Lives of the Saints: GOD does not abandon to mere chance any of His handiworks; by His providence He is everywhere present; not a hair falls from the head or a sparrow to the ground without His knowledge. Not content, however, with yielding such familiar help in all things, not content with affording that existence which He communicates and perpetuates through every living being, He has charged His angels with the ministry of watching and safeguarding every one of His creatures that behold not His face. Kingdoms have their angels assigned to them, and men have their angels; these latter it is whom religion designates as the Holy Guardian Angels. Our Lord says in the Gospel, “Beware lest ye scandalize any of these little ones, for their angels in heaven see the face of My Father.” The existence of Guardian Angels is, hence, a. dogma of the Christian faith: this being so, what ought not our respect be for that sure and holy intelligence that is ever present at our side; and how great should our solicitude be, lest, by any act of ours, we offend those eyes which are ever bent upon us in all our ways!

Reflection.—Ah! let us not give occasion, in the language of Holy Scripture, to the angels of peace to weep bitterly.

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3

Saint Théodore Guérin

Saint Théodore Guérin The 3rd of October is the feast day of Saint Théodore Guérin (October 2, 1798 – May 14, 1856). She was born as Anne-Thérèse Guérin.

Saint Théodore Guérin lived between 1798 till 1856 and is also known as Saint Theodora. She was born in Etables, France near the end of the French revolution. From her youth, she knew she wanted to be a nun, but delayed her entry into the vocation due to the depression her mother suffered after the murder of her father when she was 15 and the death of her two siblings. Saint Theodore took over the household tasks and also cared for her 18

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mother and her remaining sister. At the age of 25, she gained her mother’s consent to enter the religious life and she joined the Sisters of Providence. The Sisters of Providence took care of the poor, sick, the dying and educated children. She was asked to head a group of missionary sisters to establish her order in the United States of America in 1840. This was to serve the pioneers in Indiana. She reached the Saint Mary of the Woods and stayed in a tiny log chapel with five other sisters. Less than a year after, she started Saint Mary of the Woods College, the first women’s Liberal Arts college in the United States which is still active today. She founded many other schools, pharmacies, and orphanages in Indiana. In 1998 she was beatified by Pope John Paul II and in 2006 canonised by Pope Benedict XVI.

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4

Saint Francis of Assisi

Francis considered his stigmata part of the Imitation of Christ.

Cigoli, 1699 The 4th of October is the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi (Italian: San Francesco d’Assisi, 1181/1182 – 3 October 1226). He was born as Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, and informally known as Francesco. He is the patron saint of animals; the environment; Italy; merchants; stowaways; Cub Scouts; San Francisco, California; Naga City, Cebu; and tapestry workers.

The following is from Butler’s Lives of the Saints:

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ST. FRANCIS, the son of a merchant of Assisi, was born in that city in 1182. Chosen by God to be a living manifestation to the world of Christ’s poor and suffering life on earth, he was early inspired with a high esteem and burning love of poverty and humiliation. The thought of the Man of Sorrows, Who had not where to lay His head, filled him with holy envy of the poor, and constrained him to renounce the wealth and worldly station which he abhorred. The scorn and hard usage which he met with from his father and townsmen when he appeared among them in the garb of poverty were delightful to him. “Now,” he exclaimed, “I can say truly, ‘Our Father Who art in heaven.'” But divine love burned in him too mightily not to kindle like desires in other hearts. Many joined themselves to him, and were constituted by Pope Innocent III. into a religious Order, which spread rapidly throughout Christendom. St. Francis, after visiting the East in the vain quest of martyrdom, spent his life like his Divine Master—now in preaching to the multitudes, now amid desert solitudes in fasting and contemplation. During one of these retreats he received on his hands, feet, and side the print of the five bleeding wounds of Jesus. With the cry, “Welcome, sister Death,” he passed to the glory of his God October 4, 1226.

Reflection.—”My God and my all,” St. Francis’ constant prayer, explains both his poverty and his wealth.

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5

Saint Faustina Kowalska

Virgin, Religious, Christian Mystic, “Apostle of Divine Mercy” The 5th of October is the feast day of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska (1905–1938). She is also known as Maria Faustyna Kowalska of the Blessed Sacrament OLM and was born as Helena Kowalska.

Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska lived between 1905 till 1938. She was baptised Helena, the third of 10 children. Her father was a carpenter and her family was poor but religious and lived in Poland. She lived during the years leading up to and after World War I and received little formal education. She entered the 22

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Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Krakow at 20 years old, working as a handmaid prior to the entrance to save money and pay for her religious habit. She had mystical visions and revelations from Jesus, her Guardian Angel and certain saints. Jesus gave her the task to spread devotion to His divine mercy, especially to those at the hour of their death and hardened sinners. She wrote a 700 page diary of the visions and messages she received. She died of tuberculosis at the age of 33.

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6

Saint Bruno of Cologne

6thSaint Bruno of Cologne, by José de Ribera The 6th of October is the feast day of Saint Bruno of Cologne (c.

1030 – 6 October 1101). He is the patron saint of Germany, Calabria, monastic fraternities, Carthusians, trade marks, Ruthenia, and possessed people.

The following is from Butler’s Lives of the Saints: BRUNO was born at Cologne, about 1030, of an illustrious family. He was endowed with rare natural 24

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gifts, which he cultivated with care at Paris. He became canon of Cologne, and then of Rheims, where he had the direction of theological studies. On the death of the bishop the see fell for a time into evil hands, and Bruno retired with a few friends into the country. There he resolved to forsake the world, and to live a life of retirement and penance. With six companions he applied to Hugh, Bishop of Grenoble, who led them into a wild solitude called the Chartreuse. There they lived in poverty, self-denial, and silence, each apart in his own cell, meeting only for the worship of God, and employing themselves in copying books. From the name of the spot the Order of St. Bruno was called the Carthusian. Six years later, Urban II. called Bruno to Rome, that he might avail himself of his guidance. Bruno tried to live there as he had lived in the desert; but the echoes of the great city disturbed his solitude, and, after refusing high dignities, he wrung from the Pope permission to resume his monastic life in Calabria. There he lived, in humility and mortification and great peace, till his blessed death in 1101.

Reflection.—”O everlasting kingdom,” said St. Augustine; “kingdom of endless ages, whereon rests the untroubled light and the peace of God which passeth all understanding, where the souls of the Saints are in rest, and everlasting joy is on their heads, and sorrow and sighing have fled away! When shall I come and appear before God?”

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7

Saint Justina of Padua

Saint Justina by Bartolomeo Montagna The 7th of October is the feast day of Saint Justina of Padua (Italian: Santa Giustina di Padova). She is the patron saint of Padua; and Palmanova.

Saint Justina of Padua died in 304 A.D. She dedicated her virginity to Christ and was baptised by Saint Prosdocimus, the first Bishop of Padua, Italy. The Roman Emperor Maximinian persecuted Christians during that time and she was arrested when she was 16 years old. She refused to offer sacrifices to the pagan gods, and was stabbed with a sword and left to die. A 26

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basilica was built overlooking where she was martyred which holds her relics as well as Saints Luke the Evangelist, Matthias the Apostle, Saint Prosdocimus and other patron saints of Padua.

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8

Our Lady of the Rosary

Image: The Vision of St. Dominic by Bernardo Cavallino (circa 1640-1645) The 7th of October is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. It was formerly known as the Feast of Our Lady of Victory and Feast of the Holy Rosary.

The feast was started by Pope St Pius V, who attributed the Christian victory over the Turks at the Battle of Lepanto on the 7th of October 1571 to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Pope had led a campaign asking the faithful in Europe to pray the rosary for the triumph of the Church. The victory was 28

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seen as a miracle as the Catholic forces were greatly outnumbered in the battle. The feast name was changed from Our Lady of Victory to Our Lady of the Rosary to recognise the Rosary as a spiritual weapon which the Virgin Mary used to save Catholic Europe from invasion.

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9

Blessed Ambrose of Sienna

Blessed Ambrogio Sansedoni The 8th of October is the feast day of Blessed Ambrose of Sienna (16 April 1220 – 1286).

The following is from Catholic Encyclopedia: Born at Sienna, 16 April, 1220, of the noble family of Sansedoni; d. at Sienna, in 1286. When about one year old, Ambrose was cured of a congenital 30

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deformity, in the Dominican church of St. Mary Magdalene. As a child and youth he was noted for his love of charity, exercised especially towards pilgrims, the sick in hospitals, and prisoners. He entered the novitiate of the Dominican convent in his native city at the age of seventeen, was sent to Paris to continue his philosophical and theological studies under Albert the Great, and had for a fellow-student there St. Thomas Aquinas. In 1248 he was sent with St. Thomas to Cologne where he taught in the Dominican schools. In 1260 he was one of the band of missionaries who evangelized Hungary. In 1266 Sienna was put under an interdict for having espoused the cause of the Emperor Frederick II, then at enmity with the Holy See. The Siennese petitioned Ambrose to plead their cause before the Sovereign Pontiff, and so successfully did he do this that he obtained for his native city full pardon and a renewal of all her privileges. The Siennese soon cast off their allegiance; a second time Ambrose obtained pardon for them. He brought about a reconciliation between Emperor Conrad of Germany and Pope Clement IV. About his time he was chosen bishop of his native city, but he declined the office. For a time, he devoted himself to preaching the Crusade; and later, at the request of Pope Gregory X, caused the studies which the late wars had practically suspended to be resumed in the Dominican convent at Rome. After the death of Pope Gregory X he retired to one of the convents of his order, whence he was summoned by Innocent V and sent as papal legate to Tuscany. He restored peace between Venice and Genoa and also between Florence and Pisa. His name was inserted in the Roman Martyrology in 1577. His biographers 31

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exhibit his life as one of perfect humility. He loved poetry, and many legends are told of victories over carnal temptations. He was renowned as an apostolic preacher. His oratory, simple rather than elegant, was most convincing and effective. His sermons, although once collected, are not now extant.

Acta SS., March, III, 180-251; CROISSANT, Synopsis vit et miraculorum B. Ambrosii Senensis (Brussels, 1623); QUÉTIF ET ECHARD, SS. Ord. Proed. (Paris, 1719); RAYNALDUS, Annales (1648),ad ann. 1286; TOURON, Histoire des hommes illustres de l’ordre de S. Dominique (Paris, 1743).

E.G. FITZGERALD

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10

Blessed John Henry Newman

Portrait of Newman by John Everett Millais, 1881 The 9th of October is the feast day of Blessed John Henry Newman (21 February 1801 – 11 August 1890). He is the patron saint of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham.

Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman lived between 1801 till 1890. He was the first of six children of Protestant parents in London, England. He loved to read the scriptures as a child, and had a conversion to Christianity when he was 15. He became an Anglican priest and was a very influential Oxford scholar. He led the Oxford movement which argued for the revival of traditional 33

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religious practice in the Church of England. As he became more influenced by the Church Fathers and other Catholic writers, he became also more aligned with the Catholic Church and opposed the Anglican doctrine. He then became unable to stay within the Protestant denomination when he studied Church history. In 1845 he converted to Catholicism and experienced much ridicule in the academic and religious fields. He became a Catholic priest 2 years later and was made a Cardinal in 1879. He wrote 40 books and 21000 letters which influenced the Second Vatican Council.

He also founded the London Oratory. Apologia is his most famous work where he defends his conversion to the Catholic Church.

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11

Saint Francis Borgia

Saint Francis Borgia, S.J., 4th Duke of Gandía The 10th of October is the feast day of Saint Francis Borgia (28 October 1510 – 30 September 1572). He is invoked against earthquakes; and the patron saint of Portugal; Gandía; and Rota, Marianas.

The following is from Butler’s Lives of the Saints: FRANCIS BORGIA, Duke of Gandia and CaptainGeneral of Catalonia, was one of the handsomest, 35

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richest, and most honored nobles in Spain, when, in 1539, there was laid upon him the sad duty of escorting the remains of his sovereign, Queen Isabella, to the royal burying-place at Granada. The coffin had to be opened for him that he might verify the body before it was placed in the tomb, and so foul a sight met his eyes that he vowed never again to serve a sovereign who could suffer so base a change.

It was some years before he could follow the call of his Lord; at length he entered the Society of Jesus to cut himself off from any chance of dignity or preferment. But his Order chose him to be its head.

The Turks were threatening Christendom, and St. Pius V. sent his nephew to gather Christian princes into a league for its defence. The holy Pope chose Francis to accompany him, and, worn out though he was, the Saint obeyed at once. The fatigues of the embassy exhausted what little life was left. St. Francis died on his return to Rome, October 10, 1572.

Reflection.—St. Francis Borgia learnt the worthlessness of earthly greatness at the funeral of Queen Isabella. Do the deaths of friends teach us aught about ourselves?

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12

Pope Saint John XXIII

Portrait of Pope Saint John XXIII The 11th of October is the feast day of Pope Saint John XXIII (25 November 1881 – 3 June 1963). He was born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli. He is the patron saint of Papal delegates, Patriarchy of Venice, the Second Vatican Council, Christian unity, the Diocese of Bergamo, Sotto il Monte, Valsamoggia, and the Italian Army.

Pope Saint John XIII lived between 1881 till 1963. He was the third of thirteen children born to a poor sharecropping family who lived in Lombardy, Italy. At the age of 12, he entered the seminary, served a short stint in the Italian Army, and in 1904 was ordained a priest. He later became a military chaplain during 37

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World War I. Later he served in Rome and rose in ecclesiastical rank, becoming bishop and later cardinal-patriarch of Venice. He was unexpectedly elected as the 261st Pope when he was 76 years old and took the name of John, which had not been used for over 500 years. To the surprise of all, he called the Second Vatican Council and precided over its first session. However, he died of stomach cancer, reigning as Pope for less than 5 years. He had a special concern for the equal dignity of humanity, Christian unity and world peace. He was called the “Good Pope” or “il Papa buono” in Italian. He was canonised by Pope Francis who also canonised Pope John Paul II in 2014.

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13

Saint Edwin of Northumbria

St. Edwin of Northumbria depiction at St Mary, Sledmere, Yorkshire.

The 12th of October is the feast day of Saint Edwin of Northumbria (Old English: Ēadwine, c. 586 – 12 October 632/633). He is also known as Eadwine or Æduinus.

The following is from Catholic Encyclopedia: EDWIN, Aeduini or Edwine (585–633), king of Northumbria, was the son of Ella of Deira. On the seizure of Deira by Æthelfrith of Bernicia (probably 39

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605), Edwin was expelled and is said to have taken refuge with Cadfan, king of Gwynedd. After the battle of Chester, in which Æthelfrith defeated the Welsh, Edwin fled to Roedwald, the powerful king of East Anglia, who after some wavering espoused his cause and defeated and slew Æthelfrith at the river Idle in 617. Edwin thereupon succeeded to the Northumbrian throne, driving out the sons of Æthelfrith. There is little evidence of external activity on the part of Edwin before 625. It is probable that the conquest of the Celtic kingdom of Elmet, a district in the neighbourhood of the modern Leeds, ruled over by a king named Cerdic (Ceredig) is to be referred to this period, and this may have led to the later quarrel with Cadwallon, king of Gwynedd. Edwin seems also to have annexed Lindsey to his kingdom by 625. In this year he entered upon negotiations with Eadbald of Kent for a marriage with his sister Æthelberg. It was made a condition that Christianity should be tolerated in Northumbria, and accordingly Paulinus was consecrated bishop by Iustus in 625, and was sent to Northumbria with Æthelberg; According to Bede, Edwin was favourably disposed towards Christianity owing to a vision he had seen at the court of Rœdwald, and in 626 he allowed Eanfled, his daughter by Æthelberg, to be baptized. On the day of the birth of his daughter, the king’s life had been attempted by Eomer, an emissary of Cwichelm, king of Wessex. Preserved by the devotion of his thegn Lilla, Edwin vowed to become a Christian if victorious over his treacherous enemy. He was successful in the ensuing campaign, and abstained from the worship of the gods of his race. A letter of Pope Boniface helped to decide him, and after consulting his friends and 40

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counsellors, of whom the priest Coifi afterwards took a prominent part in destroying the temple at Goodmanham, he was baptized with his people and nobles at York, at Easter 627. In this town he granted Paulinus a see, built a wooden church and began one of stone. Besides York, Yeavering and Maelmin in Bernicia, and Catterick in Deira, were the chief scenes of the work of Paulinus. It was the influence of Edwin which led to the conversion of Eorpwald of East Anglia. Bede notices the peaceful state of Britain at this time, and relates that Edwin was preceded on his progresses by a kind of standard like that borne before the Roman emperors. In 633 Cadwallon of North Wales and Penda of Mercia rose against Edwin and slew him at Hatfield near Doncaster. His kinsman Osric succeeded in Deira, and Eanfrith the son of /Ethelfrith in Bernicia. Bede tells us that Edwin had subdued the islands of Anglesey and Man, and the Annales Cambriae record that he besieged Cadwallon (perhaps in 632) in the island of Glannauc (Pufiin Island). He was definitely recognized as overlord by all the other Anglo-Saxon kings of his clay except Eadbald of Kent.

See Bede, Hist. Eccl. (ed. Plummer, Oxford, 1896), ii.

5, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20; Nennius (ed. San Marte, 1844), § 63; Vita S. Oswaldi, ix. Simeon of Durham (ed. Arnold, London, 1882–1885, vol. i. R.S.).

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14

Saint Edward the Confessor

Saint Edward the Confessor The 13th of October is the feast day of Saint Edward the Confessor (c. 1003 – 5 January 1066). He is the patron saint of difficult marriages; England (before 1347); English Royal Family; and Kings.

The following is from Butler’s Lives of the Saints: EDWARD was unexpectedly raised to the throne of England at the age of forty years, twenty-seven of which he had passed in exile. On the throne, the 42

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virtues of his earlier years, simplicity, gentleness, lowliness, but above all his angelic purity, shone with new brightness. By a rare inspiration of God, though he married to content his nobles and people, he preserved perfect chastity in the wedded state. So little did he set his heart on riches, that thrice when he saw a servant robbing his treasury he let him escape, saying the poor fellow needed the gold more than he. He loved to stand at his palace-gate, speaking kindly to the poor beggars and lepers who crowded about him, and many of whom he healed of their diseases. The long wars had brought the kingdom to a sad state, but Edward’s zeal and sanctity soon wrought a great change. His reign of twenty-four years was one of almost unbroken peace, the country grew prosperous, the ruined churches rose under his hand, the weak lived secure, and for ages afterwards men spoke with affection of the “laws of good St. Edward.” The holy king had a great devotion to building and enriching churches.

Westminster Abbey was his latest and noblest work.

He died January 5, 1066.

Reflection.—David longed to build a temple for God’s service. Solomon reckoned it his glory to accomplish the work. But we, who have God made flesh dwelling in our tabernacles, ought to think no time, no zeal, no treasures too much to devote to the splendor and beauty of a Christian church.

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15

Pope Saint Callixtus I

Pope Callixtus institutes the fasts The 14th of October is the feast day of Pope Saint Callixtus I also known as Callistus (died 222). He is the patron saint of cemetery workers.

The following is from Butler’s Lives of the Saints: EARLY in the third century, Callistus, then a deacon, was intrusted by Pope St. Zephyrinus with the rule of the clergy, and set by him over the cemeteries of the Christians at Rome; and, at the death of Zephyrinus, 44

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Callistus, according to the Roman usage, succeeded to the Apostolic See. A decree is ascribed to him appointing the four fasts of the Ember seasons, but his name is best known in connection with the old cemetery on the Appian Way, which was enlarged and adorned by him, and is called to this day the Catacomb of St. Callistus. During the persecution under the Emperor Severus, St. Callistus was driven to take shelter in the poor and populous quarters of the city; yet, in spite of these troubles, and of the care of the Church, he made diligent search for the body of Calipodius, one of his clergy who had suffered martyrdom shortly before, by being cast into the Tiber. When he found it he was full of joy, and buried it, with hymns of praise. Callistus was martyred October 14, 223.

Reflection.—In the body of a Christian we see that which has been the temple of the Holy Ghost, which even now is precious in the eyes of God, Who will watch over it, and one day raise it up in glory to shine forever in His kingdom. Let our actions bear witness to our belief in these truths.

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16

Saint Teresa of Ávila

Saint Teresa of Ávila by Peter Paul Rubens The 15th of October is the feast day of Saint Teresa of Ávila (28 March 1515 – 4 October 1582). She is also known as Saint Teresa of Jesus, and was baptised as Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y Ahumada. She is the patron saint against bodily illnesses; headaches; chess; lacemakers; of laceworkers; loss of parents; people in need of grace; people in religious orders; people ridiculed for their piety; Požega, Croatia; sick people; sickness; Spain; and Talisay City, Cebu.

The following is from Butler’s Lives of the Saints:

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WHEN a child of seven years, Teresa ran away from her home at Avila in Spain, in the hope of being martyred by the Moors. Being brought back and asked the reason of her flight, she replied, “I want to see God, and I must die before I can see Him.” She then began with her brother to build a hermitage in the garden, and was often heard repeating “Forever, forever” Some years later she became a Carmelite nun. Frivolous conversations checked her progress towards perfection, but at last, in her thirty-first year, she gave herself wholly to God. A vision showed her the very place in hell to which her own light faults would have led her, and she lived ever after in the deepest distrust of self. She was called to reform her Order, favored with distinct commands from Our Lord, and her heart was pierced with divine love; but she dreaded nothing so much as delusion, and to the last acted only under obedience to her confessors, which both made her strong and kept her safe. She died on October 4, 1582.

Reflection.—”After all I die a child of the Church.”

These were the Saint’s last words. They teach us the lesson of her life—to trust in humble, childlike obedience to our spiritual guides as the surest means of salvation.

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17

Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque

Margaretha Maria Alacoque, Montauban Cathedral The 16th of October is the feast day of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque (French: Marguerite-Marie Alacoque, 1647–1690). She is the patron saint of those suffering with polio, devotees of the Sacred Heart, and loss of parents.

The following is from Catholic Encyclopedia: Religious of the Visitation Order. Apostle of the Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, born at 48

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Lhautecour, France, 22 July, 1647; died at Paray-leMonial, 17 October, 1690.

Her parents, Claude Alacoque and Philiberte Lamyn, were distinguished less for temporal possessions than for their virtue, which gave them an honourable position. From early childhood Margaret showed intense love for the Blessed Sacrament, and preferred silence and prayer to childish amusements. After her first communion at the age of nine, she practised in secret severe corporal mortifications, until paralysis confined her to bed for four years. At the end of this period, having made a vow to the Blessed Virgin to consecrate herself to religious life, she was instantly restored to perfect health. The death of her father and the injustice of a relative plunged the family in poverty and humiliation, after which more than ever Margaret found consolation in the Blessed Sacrament, and Christ made her sensible of His presence and protection. He usually appeared to her as the Crucified or the Ecce Homo, and this did not surprise her, as she thought others had the same Divine assistance. When Margaret was seventeen, the family property was recovered, and her mother besought her to establish herself in the world. Her filial tenderness made her believe that the vow of childhood was not binding, and that she could serve God at home by penance and charity to the poor.

Then, still bleeding from her self-imposed austerities, she began to take part in the pleasures of the world.

One night upon her return from a ball, she had a vision of Christ as He was during the scourging, reproaching her for infidelity after He had given her so many proofs of His love. During her entire life 49

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Margaret mourned over two faults committed at this time—the wearing of some superfluous ornaments and a mask at the carnival to please her brothers.

On 25 May, 1671, she entered the Visitation Convent at Paray, where she was subjected to many trials to prove her vocation, and in November, 1672, pronounced her final vows. She had a delicate constitution, but was gifted with intelligence and good judgement, and in the cloister she chose for herself what was most repugnant to her nature, making her life one of inconceivable sufferings, which were often relieved or instantly cured by our Lord, Who acted as her Director, appeared to her frequently and conversed with her, confiding to her the mission to establish the devotion to His Sacred Heart. These extraordinary occurrences drew upon her the adverse criticism of the community, who treated her as a visionary, and her superior commanded her to live the common life. But her obedience, her humility, and invariable charity towards those who persecuted her, finally prevailed, and her mission, accomplished in the crucible of suffering, was recognized even by those who had shown her the most bitter opposition.

Margaret Mary was inspired by Christ to establish the Holy Hour and to pray lying prostrate with her face to the ground from eleven till midnight on the eve of the first Friday of each month, to share in the mortal sadness He endured when abandoned by His Apostles in His Agony, and to receive holy Communion on the first Friday of every month. In the first great revelation, He made known to her His ardent desire to be loved by men and His design of manifesting His 50

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Heart with all Its treasures of love and mercy, of sanctification and salvation. He appointed the Friday after the octave of the feast of Corpus Christi as the feast of the Sacred Heart; He called her “the Beloved Disciple of the Sacred Heart”, and the heiress of all Its treasures. The love of the Sacred Heart was the fire which consumed her, and devotion to the Sacred Heart is the refrain of all her writings. In her last illness she refused all alleviation, repeating frequently: “What have I in heaven and what do I desire on earth, but Thee alone, O my God”, and died pronouncing the Holy Name of Jesus.

The discussion of the mission and virtues of Margaret Mary continued for years. All her actions, her revelations, her spiritual maxims, her teachings regarding the devotion to the Sacred Heart, of which she was the chief exponent as well as the apostle, were subjected to the most severe and minute examination, and finally the Sacred Congregation of rites passed a favourable vote on the heroic virtues of this servant of God. In March, 1824, Leo XII pronounced her Venerable, and on 18 September, 1864, Pius IX declared her Blessed. When her tomb was canonically opened in July, 1830, two instantaneous cures took place. Her body rests under the altar in the chapel at Paray, and many striking favours have been obtained by pilgrims attracted thither from all parts of the world. Her feast is celebrated on 17 October. [Editor’s Note: St. Margaret Mary was canonized by Benedict XV in 1920.]

SISTER MARY BERNARD DOLL 51

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18

Saint Ignatius of Antioch

Fresco of St. Ignatius from Hosios Loukas Monastery, Boeotia, Greece The 17th of October is the feast day of Saint Ignatius of Antioch (Greek: Ἰγνάτιος Ἀντιοχείας, Ignátios Antiokheías; c. 35 – c. 107).

He is also known as Ignatius Theophorus (Ιγνάτιος ὁ Θεοφόρος, Ignátios ho Theophóros, lit. “the God-bearing”) or Ignatius Nurono (lit. “The fire-bearer”). He is the patron saint of the Church in eastern Mediterranean; and the Church in North Africa.

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The following is from Butler’s Lives of the Saints: ST. IGNATIUS, Bishop of Antioch, was the disciple of St. John. When Domitian persecuted the Church, St. Ignatius obtained peace for his own flock by fasting and prayer. But for his part he desired to suffer with Christ, and to prove himself a perfect disciple. In the year 107, Trajan came to Antioch, and forced the Christians to choose between apostasy and death.

“Who art thou, poor devil,” the emperor said when Ignatius was brought before him, “who settest our commands at naught?” “Call not him ‘poor devil,'” Ignatius answered, “who bears God within him.” And when the emperor questioned him about his meaning, Ignatius explained that he bore in his heart Christ crucified for his sake. Thereupon the emperor condemned him to be torn to pieces by wild beasts at Rome. St. Ignatius thanked God, Who had so honored him, “binding him in the chains of Paul, His apostle.”

He journeyed to Rome, guarded by soldiers, and with no fear except of losing the martyr’s crown. He was devoured by lions in the Roman amphitheatre. The wild beasts left nothing of his body, except a few bones, which were reverently treasured at Antioch, until their removal to the Church of St. Clement at Rome, in 637. After the martyr’s death, several Christians saw him in vision standing before Christ, and interceding for them.

Reflection.—Ask St. Ignatius to obtain for you the grace of profiting by all you have to suffer, and rejoicing in it as a means of likeness to your crucified Redeemer.

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19

Saint Luke the Evangelist

Miniature of Saint Luke from the Grandes Heures of Anne of Brittany (1503–1508) by Jean Bourdichon.

The 18th of October is the feast day of Saint Luke the Evangelist ((Latin: Lūcās, Ancient Greek: Λουκᾶς, Loukãs, Hebrew: ‫לוקאס‬, Lūqās, Aramaic: ‫לוקא‬, Lūqā’, died March 84 AD). He is the patron saint of artists, bachelors, bookbinders, brewers, butchers, doctors, glass makers, glassworkers, glaziers, gold workers, goldsmiths, lacemakers, lace workers, notaries, painters, physicians, sculptors, stained glass workers, surgeons and unmarried men.

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The following is from Butler’s Lives of the Saints: ST. LUKE, a physician at Antioch, and a painter, became a convert of St. Paul, and afterwards his fellow-laborer. He is best known to us as the historian of the New Testament. Though not an eye-witness of Our Lord’s life, the Evangelist diligently gathered information from the lips of the apostles, and wrote, as he tells us, all things in order. The acts of the Apostles were written by this Evangelist as a sequel to his Gospel, bringing the history .of the Church down to the first imprisonment of St. Paul at Rome.

The humble historian never names himself, but by his occasional use of “we” for “they” we are able to detect his presence in the scenes which he describes.

We thus find that he sailed with St. Paul and Silas from Troas to Macedonia; stayed behind apparently for seven years at Philippi, and, lastly, shared the shipwreck and perils of the memorable voyage to Rome. Here his own narrative ends, but from St. Paul’s Epistles we learn that St. Luke was his faithful companion to the end. He died a martyr’s death some time afterwards in Achaia.

Reflection.—Christ has given all He had for thee; do thou give all thou hast for Him.

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20

Saint Isaac Jogues

Image: Portrait of Isaac Jogues The 19th of October is the feast day of Saint Isaac Jaques S.J. (10 January 1607 – 18 October 1646).

The following is from Catholic Encyclopedia: French missionary, born at OrlĂŠans, France, 10 January, 1607; martyred at Ossernenon, in the present State of New York, 18 October, 1646. He was the first Catholic priest who ever came to Manhattan 56

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Island (New York). He entered the Society of Jesus in 1624 and, after having been professor of literature at Rouen, was sent as a missionary to Canada in 1636.

He came out with Montmagny, the immediate successor of Champlain. From Quebec he went to the regions around the great lakes where the illustrious Father de Brébeuf and others were labouring. There he spent six years in constant danger. Though a daring missionary, his character was of the most practical nature, his purpose always being to fix his people in permanent habitations. He was with Garnier among the Petuns, and he and Raymbault penetrated as far as Sault Ste Marie, and “were the first missionaries”, says Bancroft (VII, 790, London, 1853), “to preach the gospel a thousand miles in the interior, five years before John Eliot addressed the Indians six miles from Boston Harbour”. There is little doubt that they were not only the first apostles but also the first white men to reach this outlet of Lake Superior. No documentary proof is adduced by the best-known historians that Nicholet, the discoverer of Lake Michigan, ever visited the Sault. Jogues proposed not only to convert the Indians of Lake Superior, but the Sioux who lived at the head waters of the Mississippi.

His plan was thwarted by his capture near Three Rivers returning from Quebec. He was taken prisoner on 3 August, 1642, and after being cruelly tortured was carried to the Indian village of Ossernenon, now Auriesville, on the Mohawk, about forty miles above the present city of Albany. There he remained for thirteen months in slavery, suffering apparently beyond the power of natural endurance. The Dutch Calvinists at Fort Orange (Albany) made constant 57

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efforts to free him, and at last, when he was about to be burnt to death, induced him to take refuge in a sailing vessel which carried him to New Amsterdam (New York). His description of the colony as it was at that time has since been incorporated in the Documentary History of the State. From New York he was sent; in mid-winter, across the ocean on a lugger of only fifty tons burden and after a voyage of two months, landed Christmas morning, 1643, on the coast of Brittany, in a state of absolute destitution.

Thence he found his way to the nearest college of the Society. He was received with great honour at the court of the Queen Regent, the mother of Louis XIV, and was allowed by Pope Urban VII the very exceptional privilege of celebrating Mass, which the mutilated condition of his hands had made canonically impossible; several of his fingers having been eaten or burned off. He was called a martyr of Christ by the pontiff. No similar concession, up to that, is known to have been granted.

In early spring of 1644 he returned to Canada, and in 1646 was sent to negotiate peace with the Iroquois.

He followed the same route over which he had been carried as a captive. It was on this occasion that he gave the name of Lake of the Blessed Sacrament to the body of water called by the Indians Horicon, now known as Lake George. He reached Ossernenon on 5 June, after a three weeks’ journey from the St. Lawrence. He was well received by his former captors and the treaty of peace was made. He started for Quebec on 16 June and arrived there 3 July. He immediately asked to be sent back to the Iroquois as a missionary, but only after much hessitation his 58

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superiors acceded to his request. On 27 September he began his third and last journey to the Mohawk. In the interim sickness had broken out in the tribe and a blight had fallen on the crops. This double calamity was ascribed to Jogues whom the Indians always regarded as a sorcerer. They were determined to wreak vengence on him for the spell he had cast on the place, and warriors were sent out to capture him.

The news of this change of sentiment spread rapidly, and though fully aware of the danger Jogues continued on his way to Ossernenon, though all the Hurons and others who were with him fled except Lalande. The Iroquois met him near Lake George, stripped him naked, slashed him with their knives, beat him and then led him to the village. On 18 October, 1646, when entering a cabin he was struck with a tomahawk and afterwards decapitated. The head was fixed on the Palisades and the body thrown into the Mohawk.

In view of his possible canonization a preliminary court was established in Quebec by the ecclesiastical authorities to receive testimony as to his sanctity and the cause of his death.

[Note: Isaac Jogues was canonized by Pope Pius XI on June 29, 1930, with seven other North American martyrs. Their collective feast day is October 19.]

Parkman, The Jesuits in North America (1867); Bancroft, History of the United States,III; J.G. Shea, Life of Father Jogues (New York, 1885); Jesuit Relations, 1640-1647; Abbe Forest, Life of Isaac Jogues, MSS. (St, Mary’s College, Montreal); Memorial of the death of Isaac Jogues and others, MSS. (University of Laval, Quebec); Dean Harris, History of the Early Missions in Western Canada(Toronto, 1893); Ecclesiastical Records of the State of 59

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New York, I (published by the State, 1891); Charlevoix, History of New France, II; Richemonteix, The Jesuits and New France, I, II.

T.J. CAMPBELL

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21

Saint Paul of the Cross

Image: Painting of Saint Paul of the Cross The 20th of October is the feast day of Saint Paul of the Cross (3 January 1694 – 18 October 1775).

The following is from Butler’s Lives of the Saints: THE eighty-one years of this Saint’s life were modelled on the Passion of Jesus Christ. In his childhood, when praying in church, a heavy bench fell on his foot, but the boy took no notice of the bleeding 61

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wound, and spoke of it as “a rose sent from God.” A few years later, the vision of a scourge with “love” written on its lashes assured him that his thirst for penance would be satisfied. In the hope of dying for the faith, he enlisted in a crusade against the Turks; but a voice from the Tabernacle warned him that he was to serve Christ alone, and that he should found a congregation in His honor. At the command of his bishop he began while a layman to preach the Passion, and a series of crosses tried the reality of his vocation. All his first companions, save his brother, deserted him; the Sovereign Pontiff refused him an audience; and it was only after a delay of seventeen years that the Papal approbation was obtained, and the first house of the Passionists was opened on Monte Argentario, the spot which Our Lady had pointed out. St. Paul chose as the badge of his Order a heart with three nails, in memory of the sufferings of Jesus, but for himself he invented a more secret and durable sign. Moved by the same holy impulse as Blessed Henry Suso, St. Jane Frances, and other Saints, he branded on his side the Holy Name, and its characters were found there after death. His heart beat with a supernatural palpitation, which was especially vehement on Fridays, and the heat at times was so intense as to scorch his shirt in the region of his heart. Through fifty years of incessant bodily pain, and amidst all his trials, Paul read the love of Jesus everywhere, and would cry out to the flowers and grass, “Oh! be quiet, be quiet,” as if they were reproaching him with ingratitude. He died whilst the Passion was being read to him, and so passed with Jesus from the cross to glory.

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22

Saint Ursula and 11, 000 Companions

Main altar of the Ascoli Cathedral, polyptych, outer right panel: St. Ursula by Carlo Crivelli 1473 The 21st of October is the feast day of Saint Ursula and companions. She is the patron saint of Cologne, England, archers, orphans, female students, Binangonan, and Rizal.

The following is from Butler’s Lives of the Saints: A NUMBER of Christian families had intrusted the 63

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education of their children to the care of the pious Ursula, and some persons of the world had in like manner placed themselves under her direction.

England being then harassed by the Saxons, Ursula deemed that she ought, after the example of many of her compatriots, to seek an asylum in Gaul. She met with an abiding-place on the borders of the Rhine, not far from Cologne, where she hoped to find undisturbed repose; but a horde of Huns having invaded the country, she was exposed, together with all those who were under her guardianship, to the most shameful outrages. Without wavering, they preferred one and all to meet death rather than incur shame. Ursula herself gave the example, and was, together with her companions, cruelly massacred in the year 453. The name of St. Ursula has from remote ages been held in great honor throughout the Church; she has always been regarded as the patroness of young persons and the model of teachers.

Reflection.—In the estimation of the wise man, “the guarding of virtue” is the most important part of the education of youth.

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23

Pope Saint John Paul II

John Paul II in 1993 The 22nd of October is the feast day of Pope Saint John Paul II (18 May 1920 – 2 April 2005). He was born Karol Józef Wojtyła.

He is the patron saint of Archdiocese of Kraków, World Youth Day (Co-Patron), World Meeting of Families 2015 (Co-Patron), young Catholics, Families, and Świdnica.

Pope Saint John Paul II lived between 1920 till 2005 and was born in Poland. His mother died when he was 8 years old and his deeply religious father influenced him spiritually. Before the invasion of Poland in 1939 by the Nazis, he studied literature, poetry, and theatre. He entered the priesthood and was ordained in 1946. After completing his doctoral studies in Rome, he returned to Poland and ministered to the young people. In 1958 65

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he was ordained a bishop and in 1962 he attended the Second Vatican Council. His leadership in encouraging spiritual and cultural resistance to the Communist occupation of Poland is well known. In 1978, he was elected Supreme Pontiff, the first nonItalian Pope in 450 plus years. His teachings on the Theology of the Body, the Universal Call to Holiness and his devotion to the Virgin Mary during his pontificate were important contributions to the Church. He beatified 1338 people and canonised 482 saints. His visits to 129 countries make him one of the most welltraveled leaders in history. In 2014 he was canonised by Pope Francis.

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24

Saint John of Capistrano

Illumination depicting St. John of Capistrano (ca. 1470) The 23rd of October is the feast day of Saint John of Capistrano (24 June 1386 – 23 October 1456). He is the patron saint of Jurists, Belgrade and Hungary.

The following is from Catholic Encyclopedia: Born at Capistrano, in the Diocese of Sulmona, Italy, 1385; died 23 October, 1456. His father had come to 67

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Naples in the train of Louis of Anjou, hence is supposed to have been of French blood, though some say he was of German origin. His father dying early, John owed his education to his mother. She had him at first instructed at home and then sent him to study law at Perugia, where he achieved great success under the eminent legist, Pietro de Ubaldis. In 1412 he was appointed governor of Perugia by Ladislaus, King of Naples, who then held that city of the Holy See. As governor he set himself against civic corruption and bribery. War broke out in 1416 between Perugia and the Malatesta. John was sent as ambassador to propose peace to the Malatesta, who however cast him into prison. It was during this imprisonment that he began to think more seriously about his soul. He decided eventually to give up the world and become a Franciscan Friar, owing to a dream he had in which he saw St. Francis and was warned by the saint to enter the Franciscan Order.

John had married a wealthy lady of Perugia immediately before the war broke out, but as the marriage was not consummated he obtained a dispensation to enter religion, which he did 4 October, 1416.

After he had taken his vows he came under the influence of St. Bernardine of Siena, who taught him theology: he had as his fellow-student St. James of the Marches. He accompanied St. Bernardine on his preaching tours in order to study his methods, and in 1420, whilst still in deacon’s orders, was himself permitted to preach. But his apostolic life began in 1425, after he had received the priesthood. From this time until his death he laboured ceaselessly for the 68

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salvation of souls. He traversed the whole of Italy; and so great were the crowds who came to listen to him that he often had to preach in the public squares. At the time of his preaching all business stopped. At Brescia on one occasion he preached to a crowd of one hundred and twenty-six thousand people, who had come from all the neighbouring provinces. On another occasion during a mission, over two thousand sick people were brought to him that he might sign them with the sign of the Cross, so great was his fame as a healer of the sick. Like St. Bernardine of Siena he greatly propagated devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus, and, together with that saint, was accused of heresy because of this devotion. While he was thus carrying on his apostolic work, he was actively engaged in assisting St. Bernardine in the reform of the Franciscan Order. In 1429 John, together with other Observant friars, was cited to Rome on the charge of heresy, and he was chosen by his companions to defend their cause; the friars were acquitted by the commission of cardinals.

After this, Pope Martin V conceived the idea of uniting the Conventual Friars Minor and the Observants, and a general chapter of both bodies of Franciscans was convoked at Assisi in 1430. A union was effected, but it did not last long. The following year the Observants held a chapter at Bologna, at which John was the moving spirit. According to Gonzaga, John was about this time appointed commissary general of the Observants, but his name does not appear among the commissaries and vicars in Holzapfel’s list (Manuale Hist. Ord. FF. Min., 624-5) before 1443. But it was owing to him that St. 69

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Bernardine was appointed vicar-general in 1438.

Shortly after this, whilst visiting France he met St. Colette, the reformer of the Second Franciscan Order or Poor Clares, with whose efforts he entirely sympathized. He was frequently employed on embassies by the Holy See. In 1439 he was sent as legate to Milan and Burgundy, to oppose the claims of the antipope Felix V; in 1446 he was on a mission to the King of France; in 1451 he went at the request of the emperor as Apostolic nuncio to Austria. During the period of his nunciature John visited all parts of the empire, preaching and combatting the heresy of the Hussites; he also visited Poland at the request of Casimir IV. In 1454 he was summoned to the Diet at Frankfort, to assist that assembly in its deliberation concerning a crusade against the Turks for the relief of Hungary: and here, too, he was the leading spirit.

When the crusade was actually in operation John accompanied the famous Hunyady throughout the campaign: he was present at the battle of Belgrade, and led the left wing of the Christian army against the Turks. He was beatified in 1694, and canonized in 1724. He wrote many books, chiefly against the heresies of his day.

Three lives written by the saint’s companions, NICHOLAS OF FARA, CHRISTOPHER OF VARESE, and JEROME OF UNDINE, are given by the Bollandists, Acta SS. X, October; WADDING, Annales, IX-XIII; GUIRARD, St. Jean de Capistran et son temps (Bourges, 1865); JACOB, Johannes von Capistrano (Doagh, 1903); ALLIES, Three Catholic Reformers (London, 1872); PASTOR, History of the Popes, II (London, 1891); LEO, Lives of the Saints and Blessed 70

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of the three Orders of St. Francis, III (Taunton, 1886).

Father Cuthbert.

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25

Saint Anthony Mary Claret

Bishop and founder of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary The 24th of October is the feast day of Saint Anthony Mary Claret (December 23, 1807 – October 24, 1870). He is the patron saint of textile merchants, weavers, savings (taught the poor the importance of savings), Catholic press, Claretians, Dioceses of the Canary Islands, Claretian students, Claretian educators and Claretian educational institutions, and Foundations.

Saint Anthony Mary Claret lived between 1807 and 1870 and was the fifth of eleven children, born in Spain. His father was a 72

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weaver and he took up the trade before entering the priesthood, serving as a parish priest. He preached multiple sermons throughout the day, and preached in missions and retreats for the clergy, hearing confessions for many hours. Many returned to the Catholic faith because of him, as he was also meek and gentle of manner. He became Archbishop of Santiago and went to Cuba from 1849-1857. His life was threatened due to his reforms and he was called back to Spain becoming confessor to the queen. He founded the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, also known as the Claretians. He founded a major Catholic publisher in Spain, publishing and writing many hundreds of books. He was persecuted due to his efforts and was exiled to Paris with the Spanish queen by the revolutionary enemies of religion. He took part in the First Vatican Council and then suffered a stroke. He had the gift of prophecy and reading of consciences and performed many miracles. A light shining from his face was observed as he offered Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

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26

Saints Crispin and Crispinian

Image: SS. Crispin and Crispinian The 25th of October is the feast day of Saints Crispin and Crispinian (d. 286). They are the patron saints of cobblers; curriers; glove makers; lace makers; lace workers; leather workers; saddle makers; saddlers; shoemakers; tanners; weavers, and San Crispin, San Pablo City, Philippines.

The following is from Butler’s Lives of the Saints: THESE two glorious martyrs came from Rome to preach the Faith in Gaul toward the middle of the 74

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third century. Fixing their residence at Soissons, they instructed many in the Faith of Christ, which they preached publicly in the day, and at night they worked at making shoes, though they are said to have been nobly born, and brothers. The infidels listened to their instructions, and were astonished at the example of their lives, especially of their charity, disinterestedness, heavenly piety, and contempt of glory and all earthly things; and the effect was the conversion of many to the Christian faith. The brothers had continued their employment several years when a complaint was lodged against them. The emperor, to gratify their accusers and give way to his savage cruel, gave orders that they should be convened before Biotin’s Varus, the most implacable enemy of the Christians. The martyrs were patient and constant under the most cruel torments, and finished their course by the sword about the year 287.

Reflection.—Of how many may it be said that “they labor in vain,” since God is not the end and purpose that inspires the labor?

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27

Saint Alfred the Great

Image: Portrait of Alfred the Great.

The 26th of October is the feast day of Saint Alfred the Great (849 – 26 October 899).

The following is from Catholic Encyclopedia: (Also Ælfred).

King of the West-Saxons, born Wantage, Berkshire, England 849; died 899.

Alfred was the fifth son of Ethelwulf, or Æthelwulf, King of Wessex, and Osburh, his queen, of the royal 76

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house of the Jutes of Wight. When he was four years old, according to a story which has been repeated so frequently that it is generally accepted as true, he was sent by his father to Rome, where he was anointed king by Pope Leo IV. This, however like many other legends which have crystallized about the name of Alfred, is without foundation. Two years later, in 855, Ethelwulf went on a pilgrimage to Rome, taking Alfred with him. This visit, recorded by Asser, is accepted as authentic by modern historians.

In 858 Ethelwulf died and Wessex was governed by his sons, Ethelbald, Ethelbert, and Ethelred, successively, until 871, when Alfred came to the throne. Nothing is known of his movements during the reigns of Ethelbald and Ethelbert, but Asser, speaking of him during the reign of Ethelred, gives him the title of Secundarius. In 868 he married Ealhswith, daughter of Ethelred, surnamed the Mickle, Ealdorman of the Gainas. The West-Saxons and the Mercians were then engaged in a war against the invading Danes and Alfred took an active part in the struggle. He ascended the throne during the thickest of this conflict, but before the end of the year he succeeded in effecting a peace, probably by paying a sum of money to the invaders.

Wessex enjoyed a measure of peace for a few years, but about 875 the Danes renewed their attacks. They were repulsed then, and again in 876 and 877, on each occasion making solemn pledges of peace. In 878 came the great invasion under Guthrum. For a few months the Danes met with success, but about Easter Alfred established himself at Athelney and 77

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later marched to Brixton, gathering new forces on the way. In the battle of Ethandún (probably the present Edington, in Wiltshire) he defeated the Danes.

Guthrum agreed to a peace and consented to be baptized. It is in connection with this struggle that many of the legends of Alfred have sprung up and been perpetuated – the story of the burnt cakes, the account of his visit to the Danish camp in the guise of a harper, and many others.

For fifteen years Alfred’s kingdom was at peace, but in 903 the Danes who had been driven out made another onslaught. This war lasted for four years and resulted in the final establishment of Saxon supremacy. These struggles had another result, hardly less important than the freedom from Danish oppression. The successive invasions had crushed out of existence most of the individual kingdoms. Alfred made Wessex a rallying point for all the Saxons and by freeing the country of the invaders unwittingly unified England and prepared the way for the eventual supremacy of his successors.

Popular fancy has been busy with other phases of Alfred’s career than that which is concerned with his military achievements. He is generally credited with establishing trial by jury, the law of “frank-pledge”, and many other institutions which were rather the development of national customs of long standing. He is represented as the founder of Oxford, a claim which recent research has disproved. But even the elimination of the legendary from Alfred’s history does not in any way diminish his greatness, so much is there of actual, recorded achievement to his credit.

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His own estimate of what he did for the regeneration of England is modest beside the authentic history of his deeds.

He endeavoured, he tells us, to gather all that seemed good in the old English laws, and adds: “I durst not venture much of mine own to set down, for I knew not what should be approved by those who came after us.” Not only did he codify and promulgate laws, but he looked, too, to their enforcement, and insisted that justice should be dispensed without fear or favour. He devoted his energies to restoring what had been destroyed by the long wars with the invaders.

Monasteries were rebuilt and founded, and learned men brought from other lands. He brought Archbishop Plegmund and Bishop Wetfrith from Mercia; Grimbold and John the Old-Saxon from other Teutonic lands; Asser, John Scotus Erigena and many others.

He not only encouraged men of learning, but he laboured himself and gave proof of his own learning.

He translated into Anglo-Saxon: “The Consolation of Philosophy” of Boëthius; “The History of the World” of Orosius; the “Ecclesiastical History” of Bede, and the “Pastoral Rule” and the “Dialogues” of St. Gregory the Great. The “Consolation of Philosophy” he not only translated but adapted, adding much of his own.

The “Anglo-Saxon Chronicle”, the record of the English race from the earliest time, was inspired by him.

BOWKER, Editor, Alfred the Great (London, 1899); PLUMMER, Life of Alfred the Great (London, 1902); SCHMID, Die Gesetze der Angelsachsen, 2d ed.

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(1858). Contemporary authorities are the Life of Alfred by ASSER and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.

These and the later accounts by ETHELWERD, SIMEON OF DURHAM, etc. can be conveniently studied in CONYBEARE, Alfred in the Chroniclers (1900). For Alfred’s writings see BOSWORTH, The Works of Alfred the Great (Jubilee edition, 1858, 2 vols.). Alfred’s laws are printed in LIEBERMANN’S Laws of the Anglo-Saxons (1903). Among modern accounts see PAULI, Life of Alfred the Great. tr.

WRIGHT (1852); LAPPENBERG, England under the Anglo-Saxon Kings, tr. from the German by THORPE (1881), II; LINGARD, History of England, I; KNIGHT, Life of King Alfred (1880). For a literary appreciation, see BROOKE, History of English Literature to the Norman Conquest (London and New York, 1878).

THOMAS GAFFNEY TAAFFE

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Blessed Bartholomew of Braganca The 27th of October is the feast day of Blessed Bartholomew of Braganca (c. 1200 – 1 July 1271), he is also known as Bartholomew di Braganca (or Bartholomew of Vicenza).

The following is from Catholic Encyclopedia: Born about 1200; died 1 July, 1271. He made his studies at Padua, receiving there the habit of the Dominican Order from the hands of St. Dominic.

According to Leander, author of the oldest life of Bartholomew, he was made master of the sacred palace in 1235, during the pontificate of Gregory IX; but there is no mention of this event in his last testament, where he expressly states the important positions held by him. He was appointed to the See of Nemonicum, in Cyprus, 1248; what city this was is not now known. While King Louis of France was engaged upon his expedition against the Infidel, Bartholomew joined the king and queen at Joppa, Sidon, and Acre, in the character of Apostolic legate, according to some writers, his own account merely stating that he visited the king and queen at these places. King Louis desired him to make a visit to France, promising rich relics for his church, should he comply with the request. To ensure the presence of so distinguished a prelate at his own court, Alexander IV made him Bishop of Vicenza, in 1256, and during his tenure of that see he was subject to the tyranny of 81

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Ezzelino, a notorious enemy of religion. This persecution, however, served to bring out the true qualities of pastor which Bartholomew possessed in a high degree. It has been said that he was named Patriarch of Jerusalem, but this is doubtful, his testament being silent on this point also. In 1254, he was sent as legate to the courts of England and France and as Henry III was, at this time, in Aquitaine, thither Bartholomew betook himself, towards the close of that year, accompanying the English king and queen to Paris. He was, on this occasion, presented by the King of France with a relic of the true Cross and a thorn from Our Saviour’s Crown. These he afterwards placed in the beautiful Dominican Church, built by him, at Vicenza and known as the Church of the Crown. He was venerated by the people and, according to the Bollandists, has always been honoured with the title of Blessed. He wrote commentaries on Scripture, was the reputed author of a commentary on the “Hierarchy” of St. Dionysius the Areopagite, of two volumes of sermons, and some smaller works.

Acta SS., July, I, 246 sqq.; also May, VII, 692.

William Devlin.

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Saints Simon and Jude

St. Simon and St. Thaddeus by Ugolino di Nerio (between 1324 and 1325) The 28th of October is the feast day of Saints Simon and Jude (d.

1st century AD). Saint Simon is the patron saint of curriers, sawyers, and tanners. Saint Jude is the patron saint of Armenia; lost causes; desperate situations; hospitals; St. Petersburg, Florida; Cotta; the Chicago Police Department; Clube de Regatas do Flamengo from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Lucena, Quezon, Sibalom, Antique, and Trece MĂĄrtires, Cavite, the Philippines; and Sinajana in Guam.

The following is from Butler’s Lives of the Saints: 83

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SIMON was a simple Galilean, called by Our Lord to be one of the pillars of His Church. Zelotes, “the zealot,” was the surname which he bore among the disciples. Armed with this zeal he went forth to the combat against unbelief and sin, and made conquest of many souls for His divine Lord.

The apostle Jude, whom the Church commemorates on the same day, was a brother of St. James the Less.

They were called “brethren of the Lord,” on account of their relationship to His Blessed Mother. St. Jude preached first in Mesopotamia, as St. Simon did in Egypt; and finally they both met in Persia, where they won their crown together.

Reflection.—Zeal is an ardent love which makes a man fearless in defence of God’s honor, and earnest at all costs to make known the truth. If we would be children of the Saints, we must be zealous for the Faith.

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Saint Narcissus of Jerusalem The 29th of October is the feast day of Saint Narcissus of Jerusalem (c. 99 – c. 216).

The following is from Butler’s Lives of the Saints: ST. NARCISSUS was consecrated Bishop of Jerusalem about the year 180. He was already an old man, and God attested his merits by many miracles, which were long held in memory by the Christians of Jerusalem. One Holy Saturday in the church the faithful were in great trouble, because no oil could be found for the lamps which were used in the Paschal feast. St. Narcissus bade them draw water from a neighboring well, and, praying over it, told them to put it in the lamps. It was changed into oil, and long after some of this oil was preserved at Jerusalem in memory of the miracle. But the very virtue of the Saint made him enemies, and three wretched men charged him with an atrocious crime. They confirmed their testimony by horrible imprecations: the first prayed that he might perish by fire, the second that he might be wasted by leprosy, the third that he might be struck blind, if they charged their bishop falsely. The holy bishop had long desired a life of solitude, and he withdrew secretly into the desert, leaving the Church in peace. But God spoke for His servant, and the bishop’s accusers suffered the penalties they had invoked. Then Narcissus returned 85

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to Jerusalem and resumed his office. He died in extreme old age, bishop to the last.

Reflection.—God never fails those who trust in Him; He guides them through darkness and through trials secretly and surely to their end, and in the evening time there is light.

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Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez

Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez The 30th of October is the feast day of Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez (July 25, 1532 – October 31, 1617).

The following is from Catholic Encyclopedia: (Also Alonso).

Born at Segovia in Spain, 25 July, 1532; died at Majorca, 31 October, 1617. On account of the similarity of names he is often confounded with Father Rodriguez the author of “Christian 87

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Perfection”, who though eminent in his holiness was never canonized. The Saint was a Jesuit lay-brother who entered the Society at the age of forty. He was the son of a wool merchant who had been reduced to poverty when Alfonso was still young. At the age of twenty-six he married Mary Suarez, a woman of his own station, and at thirty-one found himself a widower with one surviving child, the other two having died previously. From that time he began a life of prayer and mortification, although separated from the world around him. On the death of his third child his thoughts turned to a life in some religious order.

Previous associations had brought him into contact with the first Jesuits who had come to Spain, Bl. Peter Faber among others, but it was apparently impossible to carry out his purpose of entering the Society, as he was without education, having only had an incomplete year at a new college begun at Alcala by Francis Villanueva. At the age of thirty-nine he attempted to make up this deficiency by following the course at the College of Barcelona, but without success. His austerities had also undermined his health. After considerable delay he was finally admitted into the Society of Jesus as a lay-brother, 31 January, 1571.

Distinct novitiates had not as yet been established in Spain, and Alfonso began his term of probation at Valencia or Gandia — this point is a subject of dispute — and after six months was sent to the recentlyfounded college at Majorca, where he remained in the humble position of porter for forty-six years, exercising a marvelous influence on the sanctification not only of the members of the household, but upon a great number of people who came to the porter’s lodge for advice and direction. Among the 88

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distinguished Jesuits who came under his influence was St. Peter Clavier, who lived with him for some time at Majorca, and who followed his advice in asking for the missions of South America. The bodily mortifications which he imposed on himself were extreme, the scruples and mental agitation to which he was subject were of frequent occurrence, his obedience absolute, and his absorption in spiritual things even when engaged on most distracting employments, continual. It has often been said that he was the author of the well known “Little Office of the Immaculate Conception”, and the claim is made by Alegambe, Southwell, and even by the Fathers de Backer in their Bibliothèque de la Compagnie de Jésus. Apart from the fact that the brother did not have the requisite education for such a task, Father Costurer says positively that the office he used was taken from an old copy printed out of Spain, and Father Colin asserts that it existed before the Saint’s time. It may be admitted, however, that through him it was popularized. He left a considerable number of manuscripts after him, some of which have been published as “Obras Espirituales del B. Alonso Rodriguez” (Barcelona, 1885, 3 vols., octavo, complete edition, 8 vols. in quarto). They have no pretense to style; they are sometimes only reminiscences of domestic exhortations; the texts are often repeated; the illustrations are from every-day life; the treatment of one virtue occasionally trenches on another; but they are remarkable for the correctness and soundness of their doctrine and the profound spiritual knowledge which they reveal. They were not written with a view to publication, but put down by the Saint himself, or dictated to others, in 89

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obedience to a positive command of his superiors. He was declared Venerable in 1626. In 1633 he was chosen by the Council General of Majorca as one of the special patrons of the city and island. In 1760 Clement XIII decreed that “the virtues of the Venerable Alonso were proved to be of a heroic degree”; but the expulsion of the Society from Spain in 1773, and its suppression, delayed his beatification until 1825. His canonization took place 6 September, 1887. His remains are enshrined at Majorca.

Goldie, Life of St. Alfonso Rodriguez in Quarterly Series (London, 1889); Vie admirable de Alfonse d’après les Mémoires (Paris, 1890); Sommervogel, Bibliothèque de la C. de J., VI. T.J. CAMPBELL

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Saint Wolfgang of Regensburg

Saint Wolfgang, stained glass, Parish Church in Leising The 31st of October is the feast day of Saint Wolfgang of Regensburg. He is the patron saint of apoplexy; carpenters and wood carvers; paralysis; Regensburg, Germany; stomach diseases; and strokes.

Saint Wolfgang lived between 934 till 994 A.D. He is also known as the Great Almoner and was the Bishop of Regensburg, Bavaria.

He reformed the monasteries and convents in his diocese and was known for his teaching abilities, oratory skill and charity towards 91

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the poor. He also helped evangelise the Magyars in today’s Hungary. Near the end of his life, he retreated to what is now called Saint Wolfgang’s Lake in Austria and built a church and hermitage there. He chose the spot to build his cell by praying and throwing his axe into the wilderness and building it where it landed. A town gradually grew around the saint’s hermitage.

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33

All Hallow's Eve

Image: Lighting candles in church.

All Hallow’s Eve is also known as Halloween, and is the vigil of All Saints Day (All Hallows Day). All Hallows Day, along with All Saints Day on November 1st, and All Souls Day on November 2nd is known as the “Days of the Dead,” Allhallowtide or Hallowmas.

It is a triduum that reminds the faithful of heaven and hell, the communion of saints and the need to pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.

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1

Appendix

For more Saint of the Day and other Catholic information see Go to Mary

To Jesus Through Mary

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