Catholic Exchange » Today’s Saint

St. Scholastica

Saints Editor — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

St. Scholastica (480-543) was the twin sister of St. Benedict, the founder of the Benedictine Order. Benedict and Scholastica were born of wealthy parents in fifth-century Italy. They were raised together until Benedict left for Rome to continue his studies.

Scholastica was dedicated to God at an early age, though for a time she probably continued to stay with her parents. Some years later she left home and founded a religious order for women near Monte Cassino in central Italy, where Benedict had established his famous monastery. The twins used to visit each other once a year. Since Scholastica, as a woman, was not allowed inside the monastery, their meetings occurred in a nearby farmhouse. During these occasions Benedict and his sister spent hours discussing spiritual matters. In the last of these meetings, Scholastica implored her brother to stay the entire night with her, so that they could continue talking until morning about the joys of heaven. Benedict refused, since that would mean he and the monks accompanying him would have to break his rule about not spending a night outside the monastery. Scholastica thereupon prayed, asking God that her brother might remain. In response to her prayer, a severe thunderstorm suddenly broke out, preventing the monks from leaving. Benedict cried out, “God forgive you, sister! What have you done?” Scholastica answered, “I asked a favor of you and you refused. I asked it of God and He granted it.” Benedict and Scholastica thus spent the night discussing the nature of Heaven — a fitting subject, for Scholastica was soon to experience its joys. Three days after this conversation Benedict was at prayer in his monastery when he saw the soul of his sister ascending to Heaven in the form of a dove. Benedict then announced her death to his monks, and later buried her in the tomb he had prepared for himself.

Lessons

1. Sibling rivalry — while a very common condition in many families — is not supposed to prevent spiritual growth. Just as parents are supposed to help their children grow in holiness, so brothers and sisters are meant to be a good influence upon one another.

2. When her brother denied her request, St. Scholastica was confident enough to turn to God in prayer. She recalled Jesus’ words, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Mt 7:7).

St. Caedmon

Saints Editor — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Caedmon lived in the seventh century and was a herdsman by trade. According to St. Bede, who wrote about him, Caedmon was an unlettered cow herdsman who had no training or gifts for poetry. During local feasts at which singers and musicians would demonstrate their talents, Caedmon would feel embarrassed, believing he had no talents to share. Legend has it that Caedmon left one such feast to be with his cows in the pasture, feeling he could contribute nothing to the merriment. He fell asleep and dreamed that a man appeared to him and told him to sing him a song. Caedmon at first rejected his request, but the man persisted until Caedmon finally asked what he should sing. He was told that he should sing about the Creation of all things. Immediately, Caedmon began to sing verses in praise of God. When he awoke he was amazed that he not only remembered the verses he had just sung but was able to continue the poem. When his friends heard this new talent, they immediately suspected divine intervention and took Caedmon to see the abbess of Whitby, a holy woman named Hilda. She gave him several scripture verses, telling him to render them in prose. When he completed the task, she was thoroughly convinced that God had bestowed a great talent upon him. She advised him to leave his life as a herdsman and enter religious life. Caedmon did so, becoming a monk of Whitby. He was soon singing not only about the creation of the world but the origin of the human race, the whole story of Genesis, the Lord’s Incarnation, Passion, Crucifixion and Resurrection, and much more. He also composed poems on the terrors of hell and the joys of heaven. St. Bede wrote of him, “Caedmon was a deeply religious man who firmly resisted all who tried to do evil, thus winning a happy death.”

Lessons

Saint Caedmon died in the monastery surrounded by his Christian brothers. He made the sign of the cross, commended his soul into the hands of his Creator, and passed peacefully into eternity.

Prayer

Saint Caedmon, we pray for your intercession on behalf of all who feel unworthy. Satan tries to steal so many souls by making them feel they have nothing to offer, or convincing them that God could never really love them. Please help these souls to realize that God loves us all and that He has given each of us gifts that can only be discovered by turning to Him. We pray that all His children may turn to Him today and receive the gifts He longs to give. Amen.

Other Saints We Remember Today

St. Cyril of Alexandria (444), Bishop, Doctor

St. Apollonia (249), Virgin, Martyr, Patron of Dentists

St. Nicephorus (260), Martyr

St. Jerome Emiliani

Saints Editor — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Jerome Emiliani was born in Venice, Italy, in 1481. He became a soldier and eventually was made a commander of a fortress in Treviso. When this fortress fell to the Venetians, he was captured and imprisoned. It was during this time spent in a dark, damp cell that Jerome had time to reflect upon his life. He had never given much thought to God and had always felt very much in charge of his own life. He realized, however, that stripped of his army and weapons he was helpless. He called out to God in his weakness and God responded. Suddenly Jerome’s mind and heart were freed. His life had changed. Jerome was able to escape the dungeon in which he was being held captive and returned to Venice where he was ordained a priest in 1518. He began caring for and ministering to many famine and plague victims, and soon came to focus his attention on the many children who had been orphaned by these epidemics. Using his own money to rent a house for the orphans, he began feeding, clothing and educating them. He helped them learn their faith through the method of question and answer. He later founded orphanages at Brescia, Bergamo, and Como, as well as a hospital at Verona and a home for repentant prostitutes. In the year 1532, Jerome, along with two other priests, founded a congregation known as the Clerks Regular of Somascha. Jerome’s constant devotion to the poor and sick took its toil on his health, and in 1537, while helping others, he fell ill and died at the age of 56.

Lessons

Jerome devoted his life to helping others, especially children, and therefore is known as the patron saint of abandoned children and orphans.

Prayer

Saint Jerome Emiliani, please pray that we are good guardians of our children who are gifts from God. Help us to love them and protect them from the evils of this present age and to nourish them in their faith as you did. Amen.

Other Saints We Remember Today

St. Josephine Bakhita (1947), Virgin, Religious

St. John of Matha (1213), Priest, Founder of the Trinitarians

St. Egidio Maria (St. Giles Mary)

Saints Editor — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:31:06 +0000

The simple humility and obedience of St. Egidio Maria, born Francis Pontillo in 1729, are virtues sorely needed in today’s world. At age 25 he responded to God’s call to be a discalced friar in Naples. He hoped to become a priest, but he did not have the necessary education and instead consented to enter the order as a lay brother.

As gatekeeper to his monastery, he began vigorously attending to the needs of all those who came to the monastery seeking help. In his own time he became famous for helping the diseased and poverty-stricken folk of the region, and when he died massive throngs of people attended his funeral.

He was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1996.

St. Paul Miki and Companions (Martyrs)

Saints Editor — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

St. Paul Miki (1565?-1597) and his companions were martyred in Japan at the end of the sixteenth century. A native Japanese, Paul entered the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) as a young man. He worked as a missionary brother, along with St. Leo Karasuma (a Korean layman), and six Franciscan missionaries from Europe, led by St. Peter Baptist of Spain.

Building on the earlier work of St. Francis Xavier (December 3), the missionaries preached the Gospel around the city of Nagasaki, and were initially very successful. However, the captain of a visiting Spanish ship foolishly (and falsely) boasted that the missionaries’ efforts were paving the way for a Spanish and Portuguese invasion of Japan.

The Japanese shogun (warlord) Hideyoshi, already envious of the missionaries’ success, used this as an excuse to begin a severe attack on all foreign influences, including Christianity. Many Christians were martyred, including Paul Miki, John Goto, and James Kisai of Japan; Peter Baptist, Martin de Aguirre, Francis Blanco, and Francis-of-St. Michael of Spain; Philip de las Casas of Mexico; Gonsola Garcia of India, and seventeen Japanese lay people. These were all crucified and pierced with a lance. While hanging on the cross, Paul Miki spoke to the Japanese gathered below: “As I come to this supreme moment of my life, I am sure none of you would suppose I want to deceive you. And so I tell you plainly: There is no way to be saved except the Christian way. My religion teaches me to pardon my enemies and all who have offended me. I do gladly pardon the Emperor and all who have sought my death. I beg them to seek baptism and be Christians themselves.”

Lessons

1. Human boasting and political maneuvering can seem to complicate the Church’s mission, as happened with the Spanish captain and the Japanese warlord; however, the example of the Christian martyrs inspired and sustained the Japanese Catholics (and when Christian missionaries returned to Japan in the nineteenth century, they found a secret community of several thousand Christians still in existence).

2. As St. Paul Miki stated while on his cross, we are called to forgive our enemies; our willingness to do this is a powerful testimony to the truth of our faith.

Other Saints We Remember Today

St. Dorothy (303) Virgin, Martyr, Patroness of Florists

St. Titus (96), Bishop

St. Agatha

Saints Editor — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Agatha was born in Sicily, although the date her of birth is unknown. However, there are records of her veneration that go back as far as the sixth century. Apparently, Agatha was a member of a wealthy and noble family, and she decided at an early age to dedicate her life to God. Because of her deep love and devotion, she also consecrated her virginity to the Lord, deciding to remain unmarried and chaste for life.

Agatha lived during a time of great persecution of Christians. Unfortunately, she caught the attention of a man by the name of Quintan, who was a pagan. When advances by Quintan were thwarted by Agatha, he was so enraged that he sent her to a house of prostitution. When this failed to change her mind, it is said that he went about torturing her by racking, mutilating and rolling her over hot coals. When Quintan denied her any medical assistance, God is said to have sent her a vision of St. Peter to console her. She then offered up her soul to God and died.

Saint Agatha is often depicted in art as holding a pair of pincers or holding her severed breasts on a platter. Later, some mistakenly thought these were loaves of bread, which led to the practice of blessing bread on her feast day. Saint Agatha is the patron saint of nurses.

Prayer

Dear Father, what a brave and wonderful martyr Saint Agatha was! It is easy to say we would give our lives for You, but no one actually desires such suffering. But just as our Lord Jesus suffered for us, we, like Saint Agatha, offer our suffering to You, confident that You will send us consolation as You did for Agatha. Amen.

St. John de Britto

Saints Editor — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

John Britto was born in 1647 to a noble family in Lisbon. As a child, he loved hearing stories about Francis Xavier and the Jesuit missionaries. When he was only fifteen years old he fulfilled his childhood desire of becoming a Jesuit by gaining admission to the Society of Jesus. Ordained in 1673, John was sent to a Portuguese colony in southern India. He decided the best way to minister to the Indian people was to adapt his style as much as possible to the traditions of the Indians. He dressed as an Indian holy man would dress, abstained from meat, and translated the Gospel into terminology that would be understood within the context of the Indians’ Hindu culture. John was not accepted by all, however, and encountered violent persecutions. In 1686, he and some fellow Indian evangelists were arrested and tortured over a period of several days. When his tormentors finally released him, he was recalled to Lisbon. Although his superiors wanted him to stay in Europe, John insisted on returning to India, which he did. Three years later, while in India, John was again arrested by orders of a local prince and sentenced to death.

Lessons

St. John de Britto wrote a letter to his superior while awaiting execution. In the letter he stated:

The only true crime with which I am charged is that I teach the religion of the true God and do not worship idols. It is indeed glorious to suffer death for such a crime! That is what fills me with happiness and joy in our Lord. My guards are keeping a sharp eye on me and I can write no more. Farewell, Fathers! I ask your blessing and commend myself to your holy sacrifices. Your Reverences’ very humble servant in Jesus Christ, John de Britto.

Prayer

Dear Father, may each of us be given the grace to persevere in our faith and to face obstacles and tribulations with the joy that St. John de Britto had unto death. Thank You, Father, for the faith that St. John de Britto taught and lived throughout his life and ministry. Amen.

Other Saints We Remember Today

St. Roumald (1027), Abbot, Founder of the Camaldolese Order

St. Richard of Lucca (722), King, Father of Sts. Walburga, Willibald and Winnebald

St. Blaise

Fr. William Saunders — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

As a child, I remember having my throat blessed on the feast of St. Blaise. I was never too sure who he was or why we did this. Also, it seems like the practice has been forgotten. Would you please help me?

Unfortunately, what is known about the life of St. Blaise derives from various traditions. His feast day is celebrated in the East on February 11 and in the West on February 3 (although it was observed on February 15 until the 11th century). All sources agree that St. Blaise was the Bishop of Sebaste in Armenia who suffered martyrdom under Licinius about AD 316. (Remember that Emperor Constantine had legalized the practice of Christianity in 313, but Licinius, his ally and co-emperor who had concurred in legalizing Christianity, betrayed him and began persecuting the Church. Constantine defeated Licinius in 324.) From here, we rely on the tradition which has been associated with our liturgical celebrations over the centuries, which does not necessarily demean their veracity or accuracy.

In accord with various traditions, St. Blaise was born to rich and noble parents and received a Christian education. He was a physician before being consecrated a bishop at a young age. Although such a statement seems terse, keep in mind that at that time the local community usually nominated a man to be a bishop based on his outstanding holiness and leadership qualities; he in turn was then examined and consecrated by other bishops with the approval of the Holy Father. Therefore, St. Blaise must have been a great witness of our faith to say the least.

During the persecution of Licinius, St. Blaise, receiving a divine command, moved from the town and lived as a hermit in a cave. Wild animals visited him and he healed any that were sick and wounded. One day, a group of hunters gathering wild beasts for the games in the amphitheater discovered St. Blaise and seized him. As he was being taken to the governor Agricolaus, the governor of Cappadocia and Lesser Armenia, St. Blaise encountered a woman whose pig was being seized by a wolf; St. Blaise commanded the wolf to release the pig and it was freed unhurt.

While in prison, he miraculously cured a small boy who was choking to death on a fishbone lodged in his throat. Also, the woman whose pig had been saved brought St. Blaise candles so that his cell would have light and he could read the sacred Scriptures.

Eventually, Agricolaus condemned St. Blaise for upholding his Christian faith rather than apostatizing. He was tortured with an iron comb (an instrument designed for combing wool but was used here for shredding the skin) and finally beheaded.

By the sixth century, St. Blaise’s intercession was invoked in the East for diseases of the throat. As early as the eighth century, records attest to the veneration of St. Blaise in Europe, and he became one of the most popular saints in the spiritual life of the Middle Ages. Many altars were dedicated to his honor. The Abbey of St. Blaise in southern Germany even claimed to have some of his relics.

St. Blaise is also venerated as one of the “Fourteen Holy Helpers,” a group of saints invoked as early as the 12th century in Germany and who are honored on August 8: St. Denis of Paris (headache and rabies); St. Erasmus or Elmo (colic and cramp); St. Blaise (throat ailments); St. Barbara (lightning, fire, explosion, and sudden and unprepared death); St. Margaret (possession and pregnancy); St. Catherine of Alexandria (philosophers and students, and wheelwrights); St. George (protector of soldiers); Sts. Achatius and Eustace (hunters); St. Pantaleon (tuberculosis); St. Giles (epilepsy, insanity and sterility); St. Cyriac (demonic possession); St. Vitus (epilepsy); and St. Christopher (travelers). The German Dominicans promoted this veneration, particularly at the Church of St. Blaise in Regensburg (c. 1320).

One reason for St. Blaise’s popularity arose from the fact he was a physician who cured, even performing miraculous cures. Thereby, those who were sick, especially with throat ailments, invoked his intercession. Eventually the custom of the blessing of throats arose, whereby the priest held two crossed candles over the heads of the faithful or touched their throats with them while he invoked the prayer of the saint and imparted God’s blessing. In our present Roman Ritual, the priest prays, “Through the intercession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” This practice continues in many parishes on St. Blaise’s feast day.

While we invoke St. Blaise for his protection against any physical ailment of the throat, we should also ask his protection against any spiritual ailment — profanity, cursing, unkind remarks, detraction or gossip. St. James reminds us, “If a man who does not control his tongue imagines that he is devout, he is self-deceived; his worship is pointless” (1:26); and later, “We use [the tongue] to say, ‘Praised be the Lord and Father’; then we use it to curse men, though they are made in the likeness of God. Blessing and curse come out of the same mouth. This ought not to be, my brothers!” (3:9-10). Therefore, may St. Blaise protect us from all evil, physical and spiritual, which may attack the throat.

Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple

Saints Editor — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

“And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb” (Lk 2:21).

During His ministry, our Lord stated that He came not to destroy the Law, but to fulfill it (Mt 5:17). In order to fulfill that law, the Lord was circumcised when He was eight days old. As God, He was not bound by any law, but as St. Paul said, was born under the law in order to redeem those who were under the law. In other words, the Lord of the Universe humbly submitted Himself to the Mosaic Law. Scripture tells us that after the days of her purification were complete, according to the laws of Moses, our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint Joseph took the Child Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem to present Him to God. As it was written in the law, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord” (Ex 13:2).

The Feast of the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple is the celebration of this time when our Lord Jesus Christ humbled Himself to come and dwell among us, not only fulfilling the Law and Prophets, but also submitting Himself to persecution, torture and death in order to redeem each of us.

Lessons

The Lord of the universe Who created us all submitted Himself to suffering even unto death for us, yet so many times we are unwilling to go out of our way to help one another. It is good for us, when faced with trials and tribulations or even inconveniences in our daily lives, to reflect on the humility of our God.

Prayer

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory! We love and adore You and give you all thanks for Your mercy, kindness and love. Help us dear Lord, to remember Your commandment, “Love one another as I have loved you.” Give us the grace to fulfill Your words, Lord. In Your holy name we pray. Amen.

St. Brigid of Ireland

Saints Editor — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:19:00 +0000

Born in Ireland in the year 450 to parents who had been baptized by Saint Patrick, Brigid even as a child showed interest in the religious life. Sometimes referred to incorrectly as Bridget, Brigid was the daughter of an Irish chieftan; her mother, Brocca, had been a slave at his court.

There were many good influences in Brigid’s life, one being Saint Patrick, who had a close friendship with her family. She took the veil in her youth from St. Mel of Armagh and he also apparently later conferred abbatial authority on her. In her adulthood, Brigid, along with seven other virgins, settled in an area at the foot of Croghan Hill near an old oak tree. This small oratory was called Cill-Dara (later to be called Kildare) of which Brigid was the abbess of the convent. It was the first oratory in Ireland, and would later become a well-known center of learning and spirituality.

Brigid also founded a school of art in this region. Renowned for her spirituality, Brigid was a devout and pious woman of great intellect who did much to help others in their spiritual growth. There have been many stories and legends attributed to Brigid that are certainly exaggerated, given her popularity. But there is no doubt that she was a person of great charity and compassion. Brigid died at Kildare on February 1, 525.

Lessons

Saint Brigid is buried at Downpatrick with St. Columba and St. Patrick, and she shares with these great saints the title of patron of Ireland. Another name by which Brigid is sometimes known is Bride.

Prayer

Dear Father in heaven, we thank you for St. Brigid and all that she brought about in her homeland for our Irish brothers and sisters. The whole world can now enjoy the fruit of the labors of St. Brigid, and we are thankful for the great heritage and example she left us. Amen.

Other Saints We Remember Today

St. Ignatius of Antioch (107), Bishop, Martyr