Video: St. John Vianney, Patron of Parish Priests

Today is the memorial of St. John Mary Vianney, patron of parish priests. Here's a quick talk we gave on his life and lessons last year. At the bottom of the video, I have included links to longer reflections on the life of St. John Vianney.

Additional Resources:

• Saint Talk: St. John Vianney
• St. John Vianney, Patron of Priests

The Writings of St. Josemaría Escrivá

The Writings

True to his surname, which sounds like the Spanish word escribe that means to write, Josemaría was a prolific writer.  He published a number of books including the spiritual classic, The Way that has been translated into 43 different languages and has sold over 4.5 million copies.  In addition to El Camino, as it was called in Spanish, he wrote two other books of reflection: The Forge and Furrow. Like The Way, they too were organized into brief points of reflection.  Copies of some his select homilies have been published in three collections: Friends of God, Christ is Passing By and In Love with the Church.  Additionally, his reflections on The Rosary and The Way of the Cross have been published as books.   Finally, a collection of seven interviews conducted with the saint have been collected in a work entitled Conversations. 

Filial Love and Sanctity

Consistent throughout all of the works are two themes: we are all children of God and sanctity is achievable even in the ordinary circumstances of life. All of these are available for purchase at Scepter Publishers and can be read online at Escriva Works.

The Way

The Way was not intended to be a mystical or intellectual treatise on the interior life. Instead, it was meant to be practical guide to the interior life akin to taking a walk with a spiritual director. Escrivá illumines a path for the reader to climb the spiritual incline. He sets this tone as he explains in the preface:

Read these counsels slowly. Pause to meditate their meaning. They are things that I whisper in your ear — as a friend, as a brother, as a father. We shall speak intimately; and God will be listening to us. I am going to tell you nothing new. I shall only stir your memory so that some thought may arise and strike you: and so your life will improve and you will set out along the way of prayer and of Love. And in the end you will become a soul of worth. (The Way, Preface)

999 Points
The book is organized into topical chapters made up of 999 meditative points. These points are the catalyst for interior reflection. They read as if the saint is holding one’s hand in the dark and leading them up the path to our Lord. St. Josemaría demystifies the mystical life by demonstrating the interior life is accessible to everyone and therefore everyone, even the ordinary Joe Catholic is called to holiness. Tomorrow we will discuss The Way in greater detail.

Saint Talk: St. Josemaria Escriva

Taken February 10, 1975 (via flickr)

Patron of Diabetics

Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Josemaría Escrivá, founder of Opus Dei and patron of diabetics. Those of you who have followed Joe Catholic for a while know that I am a cooperator of Opus Dei. Last year, I shared the unique way in which the Lord introduced me to St. Josemaría and the Work. Today, I a begin a three part series on the saint, his writings and his contributions to Catholic spirituality.

Saint of the Ordinary

Saint Josemaría Escrivá, who Pope John Paul II called the saint of the ordinary, published his most noted book, The Way in 1939. Some have called it a modern spiritual classic, comparing it to Imitation of Christ. The Way is a small book, often published in pocket size, yet it delivers a significant message – holiness is meant for everyone. This message may seem mundane in a post-Vatican II world, but it was revolutionary when presented in the climate of the late 1930’s. His teachings were so innovative that Josemaria Escrivá was even accused of heresy. This was humorously portrayed in the movie There Be Dragons in a scene in which a local bishop says that what St. Josemaría is proposing “sounds Protestant.” Nevertheless, St. Josemaría’s major contribution to spiritual theology is this message that the interior life is accessible to the everyday layperson; that one need not be a cloistered monk or nun to ascend the spiritual plane. His teachings provide a practical guide for obtaining an authentic relationship with Christ through filial love and the sanctification of one’s state in life.

Family Life
Saint Josemaría Escrivá was born in Barbastro, Spain on January 9, 1902. He had five siblings: one older sister named Carmen, three younger sisters who all died very young and a younger brother, Santiago. His parents, Jose and Dolores Escrivá raised their family in devoutly Catholic faith and home.

Footprints in the Snow

In 1915, Jose Escrivá’s textile business failed and he relocated the family to the town of Longroño. Here, Josemaría had his first inkling that God was calling him to do something special with his life. One evening when he was sixteen, he was walking home, and he saw the footprints of a discalced Carmelite friar in the snow. This experience moved him to feel God’s call to serve Him. Though he was not yet completely certain of God’s will, Josemaría discerned that the message would be more clear if he joined the priesthood.

Ordination and Opus Dei

He was ordained in Zaragoza on March 28, 1925. He was first assigned to a rural parish and in 1927 moved to Madrid to study law. On October 2, 1928, God showed him what he wanted him to do – establish Opus Dei (the Work of God) and help ordinary Christians seek sanctity through and in their daily ordinary lives. God called him to be an “apostle of apostles,” to help lead the mission of the laity to pursue universal holiness (Christ is Passing By, 147). This was nearly forty years before Vatican II promulgated this message. From that point forward, Josemaría dedicated his entire life to the foundation of the Work.

Death and Canonization

Opus Dei received the recognition of the Holy See in 1950. Josemaría travelled throughout Europe and Latin America to nurture the growth of Opus Dei until his sudden death in Rome on June 26, 1975. His cause for canonization was opened in 1981 and Pope John Paul II beatified him in 1992. Ten years later he was canonized on October 6, 2002 by Pope John Paul II who said, “Following in his footsteps, spread in society the awareness that we are called to holiness, without distinction of race, class, culture or age.”

Saint Talk:St. Anthony and Patron Saint Days

Source: Catholic Tradition

Popular Saint
Today is the feast of St. Anthony of Padua, one of the most beloved and popular saints in Catholic history and my confirmation patron saint. Known as the "hammer of the heretics," St. Anthony is often portrayed holding the infant Jesus. This is attributed to a miracle in which baby Jesus appeared to St. Anthony who was praying before the Blessed Sacrament in a small chapel.

Hammer of Heretics
St. Anthony was a tremendous speaker and teacher of the faith. So much so, that in 1946 the Church declared him a Doctor of the Church because of his ability to simplify the teachings of faith for ordinary people. He earned the monicker of Hammer of Heretics by putting these talents to great use in refuting heresy. While he was in Rimini, Italy, Anthony found the hearts of its citizens hardened by heresy; they would not listen to his preaching. Instead, he chose to preach at the banks of the sea to the fish. Schools of fish rose to surface to hear his preaching. The people of Rimini were moved to conversion by this miracle.

By Jason Bach

Patron of Lost Things
Today, he is often invoked as the patron of lost items. This devotion most likely originated as a result of story that holds that when Anthony was a teacher, he had a book of psalms that contained many of his notes. A novice who had determined to leave the order, stole the book and left. St. Anthony prayed for its return. Later the novice returned the book and re-entered the religious community.  Anthony is also patron of a number of other causes, including faith in the Blessed Sacrament.

Confirmation Names
Back in the day, people preparing for confirmation were encouraged to take a saint name. That saint would become that person's patron saint. I wrote a post last year in which I make the case for each of us having three patron saints. From what I can tell from reading some of the Catholic forums not many parishes are encouraging this practice of taking on a saint's name for confirmation. I want to encourage you to consider joining me in revitalizing this pious practice. We can all use an additional saint praying for us.

Patron Days

Finally, I want to take this opportunity to share a family tradition with you. A few years back we began to celebrate Baptism Days as Re-Birthdays. Additionally, we now celebrate Patron Saint Days. We don't do anything too extravagant. Last night, Stacey and I went out to dinner to celebrate the occasion. If you have children, you can make a special dessert and share stories about the particular saint. You might even join together in reciting a prayer associated with that saint. It's a nice way to bring attention to the liturgy, nurture devotion to the saint and to just have an excuse to celebrate.

Saint Talk: St. Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church

Drawing by Jason Bach 

Doctor of the Church

St. Catherine of Siena is one of three women elevated to the title of Doctor of the Church. She was a 14th Century mystic who had visions of Christ and Mary beginning at an early age. Later in life, she joined the Dominicans as a tertiary or Third Order lay member.

The Dialogue and the Invisible Stigmata
She is best known for her work the Dialogue and for being instrumental in convincing the pope to return to Rome. She suffered from stigmata, although invisible to all, until her death when the wounds were revealed. She is also one of the incorruptibles. Today, we celebrate her feast day

"Do not be satisfied with little things, because God wants great things!"  Letter T127

Pope Gregory XI
St. Catherine of Siena is a  Doctor of the Church and patroness of Italy and also of my home parish in Carrollton, Texas. St. Catherine is one of only three women doctors of the Church, along with St. Teresa de Avila and St. Therese de Lisieux. St. Catherine is best known for convincing Pope Gregory XI to move back to Rome from Avignon where the papacy had been displaced because of wars between the Italian states.

Incorruptible
Though she never received a formal education, scholars contend that St. Catherine "was one of the most brilliant theological minds of her day." St. Catherine also suffered from an invisible stigmata and in 1430, her body was discovered incorrupt, fifty years after her death.

Video: Apostleship of Prayer

Saint Talk: St. Gregory of Nyssa

Icon in Instanbul (Source: Wikipedia)

Cappadocian Fathers
St. Gregory of Nyssa was bishop of Nyssa. His parents were both saints and so was his older brother, Basil the Great. You would be hard pressed to find a holier family. He died around the year 386. He is known as one of the "Cappadocian Fathers." According to SQPN, The council [Nicaea] called him, “Father of the Fathers” because he was widely venerated as the great pillar of orthodoxy and the great opponent ofArianism. Father of the Church.

His feast is celebrated today.

The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Principal Saints
St. Gregory of Nyssa, B. C.
He was younger brother to St. Basil the Great; was educated in polite and sacred studies, and married to a virtuous lady. He afterwards renounced the world, and was ordained lector; but was overcome by his violent passion for eloquence to teach rhetoric. St. Gregory Nazianzen wrote to him in the strongest terms, exhorting him to renounce that paltry or ignoble glory, at he elegantly calls it. This letter produced its desired effect. St. Gregory returned to the sacred ministry in the lower functions of the altar: after some time he was called by his brother Basil to assist him in his pastoral duties, and in 372 was chosen bishop of Nyssa, a city of Cappadocia, near the Lesser Armenia. The Arians, who trembled at his name, prevailed with Demosthenes, vicar or deputy-governor of the province, to banish him. Upon the death of the Arian emperor, Valens, in 378, St. Gregory was restored to his see by the emperor Gratian. Our holy prelate was chosen by his colleagues to redress the abuses and dissensions which heresy had introduced in Arabia and Palestine. He assisted at the council of Constantinople in 381, and was always regarded as the centre of the Catholic communion in the East. Those prelates only who joined themselves to him, were looked upon as orthodox. He died about the year 400, probably on the 10th of January, on which the Greeks have always kept his festival: the Latins honor his memory on the 9th of March. The high reputation of his learning and virtue procured him the title of Father of the Fathers, as the seventh general council testifies. His sermons are the monuments of his piety; but his great penetration and learning appear more in his polemic works, especially in his twelve books against Eunomius. See his life collected from his works, St. Greg. Nazianzen, Socrates, and Theodoret, by Hermant, Tillemont, t. 9, p. 561; Ceillier, t. 8, p. 200. Dr. Cave imagines, that St. Gregory continued to cohabit with his wife after he was bishop. But St. Jerom testifies that the custom of the eastern churches did not suffer such a thing. She seems to have lived to see him bishop, and to have died about the year 384; but she professed a state of contiuency: hence St. Gregory Nazianzen, in his short eulogium of her, says, she rivalled her brothers-in-law who were in the priesthood, and calls her sacred, or one consecrated to God; probably she was a deaconess.

Saint Talk:St. David, Bishop and Patron of Wales

Source: Saints.SQPN

Great Saints of 6th Century
Today the Church celebrates the Feast of St. David of Wales. St. David is one of the most famous of English saints and many churches in Wales bear his name. According to the Catholic News Agency, when Pope Benedict visited the UK in 2010, he did not make it to Wales, but did bless a mosaic image of St. David. Pope Benedict described "David as one of the great saints of the sixth century, that golden age of saints and missionaries in these isles, and...thus a founder of the Christian culture which lies at the root of modern Europe.”

The Dark Knight of the Soul
This is sure to be a feast day known by the likes of Christian Bale (The Dark Knight) and Catherine Zeta-Jones who are couple of the most famous Welsh people.

Patronage:
Patron saint of poets and Wales (Source: AmericanCatholic)

Lives of the Saints
ST. DAVID, son of Sant, prince of Cardigan and of Non, was born in that country in the fifth century, and from his earliest years gave himself wholly to the service of God. He began his religious life under St. Paulinus, a disciple of St. Germanus, Bishop of Auxerre, who had been sent to Britain by Pope St. Celestine to stop the ravages of the heresy of Pelagius, at that time abbot, as it is said, of Bangor. On the reappearance of that heresy, in the beginning of the sixth century, the bishops assembled at Brevi, and, unable to address the people that came to hear the word of truth, sent for St. David from his cell to preach to them. The Saint came, and it is related that, as he preached, the ground beneath his feet rose and became a hill, so that he was heard by an innumerable crowd. The heresy fell under the sword of the spirit, and the Saint was elected Bishop of Caerleon on the resignation of St. Dubricius; but he removed the see to Menevia, a lone and desert spot, where he might with his monks serve God away from the noise of the world. He founded twelve monasteries, and governed his Church according to the canons sanctioned in Rome. At last, when about eighty years of age, he laid himself down, knowing that his hour was come. As his agony closed, our Lord stood before him in a vision, and the Saint cried out, “Take me up with Thee,” and so gave up his soul on Tuesday, March 1st, 561
Video: Legends of Wales

Saint Talk:St. Alexander of Alexandria

Source: Adoremus Books

Confessor and Patriarch

St. Alexander of Alexandria died on April 17, 326. He is best known for fighting against the heresy of arianism and for excommunicating the Arius, who had been spreading the heresy. Alexander is credited with drawing of the acts for the First General Council of Nicaea. He was a pre-congregation saint and no information is available indicating a particular patronage.

The Lives of the Fathers
St. Alexander succeeded St. Achillas in the see of Alexandria, in 313. He was a man of apostolic doctrine and life, mild, affable, exceeding charitable to the poor, and full of faith, zeal, and fervor. He assumed to the sacred ministry chiefly those who had first sanctified themselves in holy solitude, and was happy in the choice of bishops throughout all Egypt. The devil, enraged to see the havoc made in his usurped empire over mankind, by the disrepute idolatry was generally fallen into, used his utmost endeavors to repair the loss to his infernal kingdom, by procuring the establishment of a most impious, heresy. Arius, a priest of Alexandria, was his principal instrument for that purpose. This heresiarch was well versed in profane literature, was a subtle dialectician, had an exterior show of virtue, and an insinuating behavior; but was a monster of pride, vain-glory, ambition, envy, and jealousy. Under an affected modesty he concealed a soul full of deceit, and capable of all crimes. He joined Meletius, the bishop of Lycopolis, in the beginning of his schism against St. Peter, our saint’s predecessor, in 300; but quitting that party after some time, St. Peter was so well satisfied of the sincerity of his repentance, that he ordained him deacon. Soon after Arius discovered his turbulent spirit, in accusing his archbishop, and raising disturbances in favor of the Meletians. This obliged St. Peter to excommunicate him, nor could he ever be induced to revoke that sentence. But his successor, St. Achillas, upon his repentance, admitted him to his communion, ordained him priest, and made him curate of the church of Baucales, one of the quarters of Alexandria. Giving way to spite and envy, on seeing St. Alexander preferred before him to the see of Alexandria, he became his mortal enemy: and as the saint’s life and conduct were irreproachable, all his endeavors to oppose him were levelled at his doctrine, in opposition to which the heresiarch denied the divinity of Christ. This error he at first taught only in private; but having, about the year 319 gained followers to support him, he boldly advanced his blasphemies in his sermons, affirming, with Ebion, Artemas, and Theodotus, that Christ was not truly God; adding, what no heretic had before asserted in such a manner, that the Son was a creature, and made out of nothing; that there was a time when he did not exist, and that he was capable of sinning, with other such impieties. St. Athanasius informs us,2 that he also held that Christ had no other soul than his created divinity, or spiritual substance, made before the world: consequently, that it truly suffered on the cross, descended into hell, and rose again from the dead. Arius engaged in his errors two other curates of the city, a great many virgins, twelve deacons, seven priests, and two bishops.

One Colluthus, another curate of Alexandria, and many others, declaimed loudly against these blasphemies. The heretics were called Arians, and these called the Catholics Colluthians. St. Alexander, who was one of the mildest of men, first made use of soft and gentle methods to recover Arius to the truth, and endeavored to gain him by sweetness and exhortations. Several were offended at his lenity, and Colluthus carried his resentment so far as to commence a schism; but this was soon at an end, and the author of it returned to the Catholic communion. But St. Alexander, finding Arius’s party increase, and all his endeavors to reclaim him ineffectual, he summoned him to appear in an assembly of his clergy, where, being found obstinate and incorrigible, he was excommunicated, together with his adherents. This sentence of excommunication the saint confirmed soon after, about the end of the year 320, in a council at Alexandria, at the head of near one hundred bishops, at which Arius was also present, who, repeating his former blasphemies, and adding still more horrible ones was unanimously condemned by the synod, which loaded him and all his followers with anathemas. Arius lay hid for some time after this in Alexandria, but being discovered, went into Palestine, and found means to gain over to his party Eusebius, bishop of Cæsarea, also Theognis of Nice, and Eusebius of Nicomedia, which last was, of all others, his most declared protector, and had great authority with the emperor Constantine, who resided even at Nicomedia, or rather with his sister Constantia. Yet it is clear, from Constantine himself, that he was a wicked, proud, ambitious, intriguing man. It is no wonder, after his other crimes, that he became an heresiarch, and that he should have an ascendant over many weak, but well-meaning men, on account of his high credit and reputation at court. After several letters that had passed between these two serpents, Arius retired to him at Nicomedia, and there composed his Thalia, a poem stuffed with his own praises, and his impious heresies.

Alexander wrote to the pope, St. Sylvester, and, in a circular letter, to the other bishops of the church, giving them an account of Arius’s heresy and condemnation. Arius, Eusebius, and many others, wrote to our saint, begging that he would take off his censures. The emperor Constantine also exhorted him by letter to a reconciliation with Arius, and sent it by the great Osius to Alexandria, with express orders to procure information of the state of the affair. The deputy returned to the emperor better informed of the heresiarch’s impiety and malice, and the zeal, virtue, and prudence of St. Alexander: and having given him a just and faithful account of the matter, convinced him of the necessity of a general council, as the only remedy adequate to the growing evil, and capable of restoring peace to the church. St. Alexander had already sent him the same advice in several letters.* That prince, accordingly, by letters of respect, invited the bishops to Nice, in Bithynia, and defrayed their expenses. They assembled in the imperial palace of Nice, on the 19th of June, in 325, being three hundred and eighteen in number, the most illustrious prelates of the church, among whom were many glorious confessors of the faith. The principal were our saint, St. Eustathius, patriarch of Antioch, St. Macarius of Jerusalem, Cecilian, archbishop of Carthage, St. Paphnutius, St. Potamon, St. Paul of Neocesarea, St. James of Nisibis, &c. St. Sylvester could not come in person, by reason of his great age; but he sent his legates, who presided in his name.† The emperor Constantine entered the council with out guards, nor would he sit till he was desired by the bishops, says Eusebius. Theodoret says,4 that he asked the bishops’ leave before he would enter.

The blasphemies of Arius, who was himself present, were canvassed for several days. Marcellus of Ancyra, and St. Athanasius, whom St. Alexander had brought with him, and whom he treated with the greatest esteem, discovered all the impiety they contained, and confuted the Arians with invincible strength. The heretics, fearing the indignation of the council, used a great deal of dissimulation in admitting the Catholic terms. The fathers, to exclude all their subtleties, declared the Son consubstantial to the Father, which they inserted in the profession of their faith, called the Nicene creed, which was drawn up by Osius, and to which all subscribed, except a small number of Arians. At first they were seventeen, but Eusebius of Cæsarea received the creed the day following, as did all the others except five, namely, Fusebius of Nicomedia, Theognis of Nice, Maris of Chalcedon, Theonas and Secundus of Lybia, the two bishops who had first joined Arius. Of these also Eusebius, Maris, and Theognis conformed through fear of banishment. The Arian historian Philostorgius pretends to excuse his heroes, Eusebius of Nicomedia and Theognis, by saying they inserted an iota, and signed6 like in substance, instead of of the same substance; a fraud in religion which would no way have excused their hypocrisy. Arius, Theonas, and Secundus, with some Egyptian priests, were banished by the order of Constantine, and lllyricum was the place of their exile. The council received Meletius and his sehismatical adherents upon their repentance; but they afterwards relapsed into their schism, and part of them joined the Arians. The council added twenty canons of discipline, and was closed about the 25th of August.* Constantine gave all the prelates a magnificent entertainment, and dismissed them with great presents to their respective sees. St. Alexander, after this triumph of the faith, returned to Alexandria; where, after having recommended St. Athanasius for his successor, he died in 326, on the 26th of February, on which day he is mentioned in the Roman Martyrology.

A true disciple of Christ, by a sincere spirit of humility and distrust in himself, is, as it were, naturally inclined to submission to all authority appointed by God, in which he finds his peace, security, and joy. This happy disposition of his soul is his secure fence against the illusions of self-sufficiency and blind pride, which easily betrays men into the most fatal errors. On the contrary, pride is a spirit of revolt and independence: he who is possessed with this devil is fond of his own conceits, self-confident, and obstinate. However strong the daylight of evidence may be in itself, such a one will endeavor to shut up all the avenues of light, though some beams force themselves into his soul to disturb his repose, and strike deep the sting of remorse: jealousy and a love of opposition foster the disorder, and render it incurable. This is the true portraiture of Arius, and other heresiarchs and firebrands of the universe. Can we sufficiently detest jealousy and pride, the fatal source of so great evils? Do we not discover, by fatal symptoms, that we ourselves harbor this monster in our breasts? Should the eve be jealous that the ear hears, and disturb the functions of this or the other senses, instead of regarding them as its own and enjoying their mutual advantage and comfort, what confusion would ensue! (Lives of the Fathers)

Saint Talk:St. Matthias, Apostle

From the Workshop of Simone Martini

Apostle

Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Matthias, the Apostle. Although Matthias was not one of the original twelve he is counted among the apostles because he was chosen to replace Judas. He was chosen by the drawing of lots from those men who had been part of the original followers who had been with Jesus since His baptism (Acts 1:21-26). 

Patronage

St. Matthias is the patron saint of carpenters and tailors

Pictorial Lives of the Saints
AFTER our Blessed Lord’s ascension His disciples met together, with Mary His mother, and the eleven apostles, in an upper room at Jerusalem. The little company numbered no more than one hundred and twenty souls. They were waiting for the promised coming of the Holy Ghost, and they persevered in prayer. Meanwhile there was a solemn act to be performed on the part of the Church, which could not be postponed. The place of the fallen Judas must be filled up, that the elect number of the apostles might be complete. St. Peter, therefore, as Vicar of Christ, arose to announce the divine decree. That which the Holy Ghost had spoken by the mouth of David concerning Judas, he said, must be fulfilled. Of him it had been written, “His bishopric let another take.” A choice, therefore, was to be made of one among those who had been their companions from the beginning, who could bear witness to the resurrection of Jesus. Two were named of equal merit, Joseph called Barsabas, and Matthias. Then, after praying to God, who knows the hearts of all men, to show which of these He had chosen, they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, who was forthwith numbered with the apostles. It is recorded of the Saint, thus wonderfully elected to so high a vocation, that he was above all remark able for his mortification of the flesh. It was thus he made his election sure.

Reflection.—Our ignorance of many points in St. Matthias’s life serves to fix the attention all the more firmly upon these two—the occasion of his call to the apostolate, and the fact of his perseverance. We then naturally turn in thought to our own vocation and our own end.

(Source: Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints, 133)

Video:

Saint Talk:St. Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr

Source: WikiCommons

Bishop and Martyr
Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Polycarp, Bishop and martyr. Polycarp was a 2nd century bishop of Smyrna and is recalled as one of the chief Apostolic Fathers.

Patronage:
St. Polycarp is the patron of earaches and dysentery.

From Pictorial Lives of the Saints
ST. POLYCARP, Bishop of Smyrna, was a disciple of St. John. He wrote to the Philippians, exhorting them to mutual love and to hatred of heresy. When the apostate Marcion met St. Polycarp at Rome, he asked the aged saint if he knew him. “Yes,” St. Polycarp answered, “I know you for the firstborn of Satan.” These were the words of a saint most loving and most charitable, and specially noted for his compassion to sinners. He hated heresy because he loved God and man so much. In 167, persecution broke out in Smyrna. When Polycarp heard that his pursuers were at the door, he said, “The will of God be done;” and meeting them, he begged to be left alone for a little time, which he spent in prayer for “the Catholic Church throughout the world.” He was brought to Smyrna early on Holy Saturday: and as he entered, a voice was heard from heaven, “Polycarp, be strong.” When the proconsul besought him to curse Christ and go free, Polycarp answered, “Eighty-six years I have served Him, and He never did me wrong; how can I blaspheme my King and Saviour?” When he threatened him with fire, Polycarp told him this fire of his lasted but a little, while the fire prepared for the wicked lasted forever. At the stake he thanked God aloud for letting him drink of Christ’s chalice. The fire was lighted, but it did him no hurt; so he was stabbed to the heart, and his dead body was burnt. “Then,” say the writers of the Acts, “we took up the bones, more precious than the richest jewels or gold, and deposited them in a fitting place, at which may God grant us to assemble with joy to celebrate the birthday of the martyr to his life in heaven!” (Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints, 79)

Video:
Here's a great video that gives a detailed account of Polycarp's unusual martyrdom. This is from St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology:

Saint Talk: Saint Blaise, Patron of Throat Ailments

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Blaise, the patron of throat ailments. When St. Blaise was Bishop of Sibastea, a woman brought her son to him. The boy had a fish bone lodged in his throat. St. Blaise laid hands on the boy and the bone was expelled. Now on the feast of St. Blaise we can go to Mass and have our throats blessed with candles. In the not so distant past this was done with the candles lit. So during this cold and flu season you can ask for St. Blaise's intercession.

St. Nicholas: Protector of the Faith

Patron of Children

St. Nicholas,whose feast we celebrate today, was the Bishop of Myra and is known as the patron of children. He was known for his special kindness toward the poor and needy. Learn the true story of the man who is known by many as Santa Claus by visiting EWTN's article on his life. I would like to devote the rest of this post to a story about St. Nicholas that is not widely known.

The Pugilist

When we think of St. Nicholas, we conjure up images of a kind old man dressed in red giving out gifts. While part of that story is true there is much more to St. Nicholas than that. As the painting above displays, St. Nicholas punched out the heretic Arius who had been teaching that Christ was not fully divine, but merely a creature created by God the Father. He was called upon to defend his position before the at the First Ecumenical Council of Nicea (AD 325). St. Nicholas was so outraged by what he was hearing, that he got up and punched Arius.

Stripped of His Office

Needless to say, the other bishops and Constantine were taken aback by this violent display and Nicholas was stripped of his office of the bishop and imprisoned. St. Nick might have faded away into obscurity had Mary and Jesus not appeared to him in his cell and returned to him his copy of the Gospels and his episcopal pallium, the symbols of his office of bishop. Constantine heard about the miracle and reinstated Nicholas.

Arianism Condemned

Eventually, the council would side with Nicolas and St. Athanasius and condemn the arianism heresy. To borrow a phrase from Paul Harvey, that's the rest of the story. To read more about this story, I recommend reading Dr. Taylor Marshall's post on the subject.

Here's a great modern presentation of the punch out from Catholic Memes:

St. Monica: Patron Saint of Mothers

Patron of Mothers

Today we celebrate the feast day of St. Monica the patron of mothers. St. Monica was married to a pagan and had a son whose lifestyle would have competed with Charlie Sheen's today. Nevertheless, St. Monica prayed daily for the conversion of her husband and son. Eventually both converted to Catholicism. Her son, St. Augustine just happened to turn out to be one of the great saints of the Church.

In Conversation with God
According to the Francis Fernandez (In Conversation with God, Vol. 7, 115-7), St. Monica "exerted a profound influence on all those who formed part of the family circle." Quoting from St Augustine, Fernandez writes that Augustine "summarizes the life of his mother in these words: She looks after everyone as if she truly were the mother of all She also serves everyone, as if she were the daughter of all." Here is a longer excerpt from Fernandez's commentary:

St. Monica constantly kept the conversion of her son in mind. She wept much, begged God insistently, and never stopped asking good and wise people to speak to her son and try to convince him to abandon his errors. One day St. Ambrose, the bishop of Milan, whom she had already visited several times, took his leave from her in words that have been the consolation of so many mothers and fathers throughout the centuries: Go away from me now. As you live, it is impossible that the son of such tears should perish. The example of St Monica remained engraved on the soul of St. Augustine so that years later, perhaps recalling his mother, he exhorted: Do everything in your power to obtain the salvation of those in your family.  The family is truly the appropriate place for children to receive, develop, and often recover the Faith. How pleasing to the Lord to see the Christian family as truly a "domestic church": a place of prayer and of the transmission of faith, of leaming through the example of the older ones and of solid Christian attitudes preserved throughout life as a most sacred legacy. People said of St Monica that she was 'twice mother of St Augustine; since she not only gave him birth, but also won for him the Catholic faith and a Christian life. Thus, all Christian parents are called to be procreators of their children twice over - as far as their natural life is concerned, and with respect to their spiritual vitality in Christ. They will receive a double reward from the Lord and twice the joy in heaven.

19.2 Transmitting the faith in the family. Family piety. Prayer for one's children should never slacken. It is always effective, even if at times, as in the case of St Augustine, the fruit of the prayer is slow in corning. All prayer for the family is very pleasing to the Lord, especially when accompanied by our diligent efforts to lead an exemplary life. St Augustine says of his mother: She strove to win him to you, speaking to him about you through her conduct, by which you made her beautiful, an object of reverent love, and a source of admiration to her husband. If we want to lead those around us to God, our example and joy need to come first. Complaints, bad moods and bitter zeal achieve little or nothing. Constancy, peace, cheerfulness and humble and persevering prayer to our Lord gain all things. The Lord makes use of the prayer, example and the words of parents to forge the souls of their children.

Intercedes for Lost Souls

For all those who suffer because a loved one has left the Church, ask St. Monica for her help and intercession. I know my mother invoked her intercession while I was lost in the desert of self absorption and sin. Like St. Monica, my mother prayed for nearly twenty years for my return to the Church. In that sense, Mom gave birth to my renewed life in Christ.

I am sure other mothers (and fathers) have similar stories to share.

Prayer
St. Monica pray for us and those we love, especially those searching for the truth. May they find the truth in He who is Truth. Amen.

Apostleship of Prayer

Back to School Prayers and Saints

Back to School
Today marks the beginning of school for many school districts and colleges across the United States. My students will report to class next week and teachers began in service training today. I continue my own graduate studies at the end of the week. For students the beginning of school means getting new class schedules, remembering new locker combinations and facing the anxiety of making new friends. For teachers it means sitting through hours of in service training, preparing new lesson plans and adjusting to a new sleep schedule.

Patron Saints for Students
While most students actually look forward to going to school, some may face it with anxiety or outright disdain. Either way students have a few allies in the communion of saints.  St. Thomas Aquinas is the patron of students. St. Joseph Cupertino is patron of test takers. St. John Bosco is also a patron of students and is a great intercessor for parents whose children are going off to school. St. Aloysius Gonzaga is also another patron of young people and students.

Patron Saints for Teachers
Teaching can be a very rewarding profession, but can also be filled with stress and frustration. Teachers also have a few patrons to lean on for intercessory prayer. St. Albert the Great, who was St. Thomas Aquinas's teacher, is the patron of teachers. Saint John Baptist de La Salle, who is known as the father of modern education, is another patron of teachers. St. Francis de Sales and St. Nicholas (yes old St. Nick) are also patron saints for teachers.

Prayer Before Study
Creator of all things, true source of light and wisdom, lofty origin of all being, graciously let a ray of your brilliance penetrate into the darkness of my understanding and take from me the double darkness in which I have been born, an obscurity of both sin and ignorance. Give me a sharp sense of understanding, a retentive memory, and the ability to grasp things correctly and fundamentally. Grant me the talent of being exact in my explanations, and the ability to express myself with thoroughness and charm. Point out the beginning, direct the progress, and help in completion; through Christ our Lord. Amen.  (Saint Thomas Aquinas)

Prayer for Students
O Eternal Father and Incarnate Word, through the Gifts and Fruits of your Holy Spirit, enlighten and perfect my intellect, will and affections that in all things I may be what your Divine Wisdom intended me to be, a Bearer of Christ to all. Illuminate, therefore, my intellect with supernatural faith; strengthen my will with supernatural hope; and inflame my heart with your Divine Love. Create in me Christ-like ideals, attitudes, appreciations and habits that will enable me to think, judge, and act so as to be like your Immaculate Mother, a Bearer of Christ to all. Give me the necessary skills and docility to earn an honest living; prudence to direct and guide my understanding; justice to regulate my will in respecting the rights of others; temperance to control my desires and appetites; and fortitude to defend and practice your Way, your Truth, and your Life, thus being like Saint Joseph, a Bearer of Christ to all. Teach me to be modest and chaste in regard to myself and others; to be joyfully respectful and obedient to my parents, teachers, ecclesiastical and civil superiors. Thus, by your grace will I grow in the Stature of Christ, in wisdom and age, and be a Bearer of Him to all. O most Holy Trinity, dwelling in my soul, make me realize that I cannot thus live without the supernatural life of grace that comes through frequent reception of the sacraments, through my offering with the Priest of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, through my daily prayers and through sacrifices and mortification on my part. Through your grace only will I, therefore, put on the image of Christ so that through Him, and with Him, and in Him, I shall advance the Peace of Christ in the Reign of Christ, and be an eternal Bearer of Him to all my brothers and sisters.
Prayer for Teachers
Heavenly Father, who promised that all those who instruct others in the ways of holiness will shine as stars for all eternity, fill our hearts and minds with true knowledge and the art of teaching. Give us patience and understanding, justice and prudence, humility and fear of the Lord. Grant us wisdom and charity so that with a pure and holy love of God we ourselves may enjoy all these gifts and impart them to our pupils. Teach our children to be obedient to your laws and docile to your inspirations. Let them be instruments of your peace in their homes, in our land, and in the family of nations as becomes children of the sons of God in the Mystical Body of Christ. May the blessings of your sevenfold Gifts be in all who teach and in all who learn through the Holy Spirit who is the Love of the Father and the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

St. Lawrence:Deacon, Martyr and Patron Saint of Comedians

Source: Catholic Memes

Martyr for the Faith

Little is known about St. Lawrence, but most accounts indicate he was martyred in 258AD and celebration of his feast day spread rapidly. St. Lawrence "has been one of the most honoured martyrs of the Roman Church" since the 4th Century (Catholic Encyclopedia).

Burned Alive on a Grill
Lawrence was a Roman deacon who served under Pope Sixtus II. According to New Advent's Catholic Encyclopedia, Sixtus and later Lawrence were victims of the persecution of Valerian. St. Ambrose of Milan wrote an account of St. Lawrence's martyrdom and described him being burned on a gridiron.

Patron of Comedians
St. Lawrence is that he is considered the patron of comedians. The reason is that according to St. Ambrose's account, Lawrence was executed by being placed on a gridiron over coals of fire. While he was literally being cooked alive, he called to his persecutors, "I'm done on that side. Flip me over." This account is confirmed in several early painting depicting his martyrdom. One other funny note - St. Lawrence is also the patron of grilling and Bar-B-Q'ing.

Proof of Love
St. Lawrence teaches us a valuable lesson that in times of adversity we too should trust so much in God's love for us that we can face anything with cheerfulness. Pope Gregory the Great wrote that fire that burned within Lawrence's heart was great than that from the outside burning his flesh. The Second Vatican Council in discussing the universal call to holiness, highlighted martyrdom as the "fullest proof of love." In Lumen Gentium the Council exhorted:

The Church, then, considers martyrdom as an exceptional gift and as the fullest proof of love. By martyrdom a disciple is transformed into an image of his Master by freely accepting death for the salvation of the world—as well as his conformity to Christ in the shedding of his blood. Though few are presented such an opportunity, nevertheless all must be prepared to confess Christ before men. They must be prepared to make this profession of faith even in the midst of persecutions, which will never be lacking to the Church, in following the way of the cross (LG, 42).

 Video - Apostleship of Prayer

St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross

Source: Ignatius Insight

Take Up the Cross
It is fitting that today the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross because in today's Gospel reading Jesus says, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." What better way to demonstrate this than to lay down your life as a martyr for the faith?

Jew, Atheist, Philosopher and Convert
St. Teresa Benedicta was born born on October 12, 1891 as Edith Stein. She grew up Jewish, but as she entered her teens, she stopped believing in God. Stein was extremely intelligent and studied philosophy, specifically phenomenology, at the University of Göttingen. During her studies she encountered some Catholic classmates and was moved by the "strength of their faith". These encounters sparked Stein's interest and she began to study a catechism on Catholicism. Stein went on to earn a doctorate in philosophy with highest honors from the University of Freiburg. Her study of philosophy – the study or search for truth – fueled her intellectual curiosity. Edith would read the autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila. Studying the life of this great Carmelite ignited a renewed awareness of God and Stein entered the Catholic Church in 1922. After her conversion, Stein spent her time as an academic - writing, researching and teaching. She became a Carmelite nun in 1934 and began teaching at the Educational Institute of Munich. She was forced to give this up during the reign of the Nazi's and moved to a Carmelite Monastery in the Netherlands. In 1940, along with other Dutch Jews, including her sister Rose, Stein was sent to Auschwitz where she would die in a gas chamber on August 9, 1942. 

Lessons:

1. Intelligent people can believe in God.

2. Faith and reason go hand in hand.

3. God often uses the lives of other Christians to reflect His own love for us.

4. Catechesis and study of the saints can lead to sanctity.

St. John Vianney, Patron of Priests

Source: Wikipedia

Cure de Ars
Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. John Vianney who was designated the patron of all priests in 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI. He was born in 1786 in a town near Lyons, France. When he grew older he helped his father raise sheep. When he turned eighteen he asked his father permission to pursue the priesthood. John Vianney was a pious young man who simply wanted to do God's will, but unfortunately, he was not very smart and struggled with his studies. He was in danger of being washing out of the seminary, but persevered in prayer, and with the help of a tutor, study. Eventually he passed the necessary classes and was ordained. He was assigned a parish in Ars whose members did not know, live or share their faith; they were a "stiff necked people." Eventually their hearts were softened by the witness of John's holy life and the parish flourished.

Supernatural Events
"[T]he centre of his entire life was the Eucharist, which he celebrated and adored with devotion and respect. Another fundamental characteristic of this extraordinary priestly figure was his diligent ministry of confession" (Pope Benedict XVI, 8/5/09). St. John Vianney was not simply great confessor for he heard confessions for upwards of sixteen hours a day.  He was graced with the gift of reading the hearts, souls and minds of his parishioners. If someone made an incomplete confession, he would supernaturally know. Additionally, he was able to sustain long extreme fasts for the benefit of his flock. St. John Vianney was tormented by the devil who would physically assault the saint, even setting his bed on fire. The saint did not let satan deter his priestly vocation. Finally, after his death, St. John Vianney's body remains a symbol of his holiness for it has not decayed; he is one of the incorruptible saints.

Lessons to Learn
We learn from St. John Vianney that we can persevere in the knowledge that all things are possible through God.
Apostleship of Prayer - Video
Arcadia Films - Saints Alive!