Catholic Exchange » Today’s Saint

Pope Saint Zachary

Saints Editor — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0000

Zachary was born in Calabria to a Greek family in the eighth century. It is thought that he was a deacon in the Roman Church during the council of 732 because his signature is said to be on the decrees of that council. When Pope Gregory III died on November 29, 741, Zachary was unanimously elected to replace him. Zachary was the last pope to announce his election to the patriarch of Constantinople.

Zachary was a warm, loving and gentle man, according to his biographer. He loved the clergy, the people, and he loved serving God. He was very zealously opposed to slavery and the iconoclasm (the destruction of religious objects) of Emperor Constantine Copronymous. Some highlights in his life include negotiating peace in Italy and his support of the establishing the Carolingian line in France. He also supported Boniface’s mission in Germany and is said to have had maps of the Christian world painted on the walls of the Lateran. He translated the dialogues of Gregory the Great from Latin into Greek.

Zachary died on the Ides of March in the year 752.

Lessons

Zachary restored many Roman churches and the Lateran palace. During some restorations, the head of the martyr, St. George, was found and Pope Zachary had it taken to the Church of St. George in Velabro. He was very troubled by slavery. When the merchants from Venice bought slaves at Rome in order to resell them, he would buy them himself so that Christians would not become the slaves of heathens.

Prayer

Dear Saint Zachary, we pray that you will intercede for our dear Pope, Benedict XVI. Like you, he is a gentle and wise soul and we are so thankful for this holy Vicar of Christ. Please pray for him, Saint Zachary, that the Lord will protect him and that he will have a long and healthy life. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

Other Saints We Remember Today

St. Louise de Marillac (1660), Widow, Foundress of the Daughters of Charity

St. Longinus (1st Century), Centurion who pierced the side of Our Lord

St. Matilda

Saints Editor — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0000

Matilda, also sometimes known as Maude, was born around 895. Her father was Count Dietrich of Westphalia and her mother’s name was Reinhild. Her grandmother, who was the Abbess of the Eufurt convent, raised Matilda.

In 909, Matilda married Henry (The Fowler) after his first marriage to a woman named Hathburg had been declared invalid. Matilda and Henry had several children: Otto I, who became Emperor of Germany, and Henry, who later became the Duke of Bavaria; St. Bruno, Archbishop of Cologne; Gerberga, who married Louis IV of France; and Hedwig, the mother of Hugh Capet. After Henry succeeded his father as Duke of Saxony, he was chosen to succeed King Conrad of Germany and became King Henry. Matilda was a very devout Christian and her royal status did not change that. She was humble, pious, and very devoted to the poor and afflicted.

In 936, King Henry died. He left everything to Matilda, but his wish was for his eldest son, Otto, to succeed him as King. Matilda, however, preferred their son Henry take the throne. Nonetheless, Otto was elected King. However, three years later, his brother Henry revolted against him to try to win the crown but lost. His mother, Matilda, through her intercession, finally secured the title of Duke of Bavaria for Henry. It wasn’t long after this appointment though, that both boys turned on their mother because they felt that she was squandering their father’s wealth on the poor. Matilda, in humility, relinquished all their father’s inheritance to her two sons and retired to her villa in Westphalia. Later, though, when her sons found themselves in the midst of misfortune they called her back and begged for her forgiveness.

Matilda went on to build many churches, and also founded many monasteries. The most well-known monasteries are at Quedlinburg, Nordhausen, Engern, and Poehiden.

Matilda died at the convent of Sts. Servatius and Dionysius at Quedlinburg on March 14, 968. She is buried there beside her husband, Henry. Matilda is the patron saint of parents of large families.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Matilda was a good and devout queen mother on earth. We thank you for her example to her children and others but we also thank you for our Queen Mother in heaven, Blessed Virgin Mary. We pray for their intercession that all mothers may seek their example. Amen.

St. Roderick

Saints Editor — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0000

Roderick (sometimes known as Ruderic or Rodriguez) lived in Spain during the ninth century. During this time Christians were under great persecution by the Moors. Roderick had two brothers, one a fallen-away Catholic and the other who had become a Moslem.

One day his two brothers got into a heated argument and started to fight. When Roderick tried to intervene, they both turned on him and beat him unconscious. When he awoke, still weak from the battering, his Moslem brother paraded him through the streets, pulling him along as he staggered, announcing that Roderick had converted to Islam. When the authorities stopped them and questioned Roderick, he denied his brother’s claim and instead proclaimed his allegiance to Christ. The Moslem authorities took this as apostasy from Mohammedanism and arrested him. He was imprisoned and thrown into a cell with another man named Solomon who was also charged with apostasy. On March 13, 857, Solomon and Roderick were both beheaded.

Lessons

Moors were members of any of the groups of North African Arabs and Berbers who ruled parts of the Iberian Peninsula from the eighth century until 1492. Southern Spain, where Roderick lived, was under the rule of the Moors during his lifetime.

Prayer

We thank you, Father, for our freedom in America to practice our faith. Although we are often misunderstood and still persecuted in word, we are grateful that we have the opportunity to receive Christ in the Eucharist and live our faith without fear of death. We pray for those in the world who still suffer the kind of persecution that St. Roderick endured. In the Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Other Saints We Remember Today

St. Euphrasia (410), Virgin

St. Theophanes

Saints Editor — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0000

Theophanes was born in Constantinople around the year 758. When he was only three, his father, who was the governor of the isles of the Archipelago, died. His mother died soon after and Theophanes came under the guardianship of Emperor Constantine Copronimus. At the tender age of twelve he married; however, by mutual consent they never consummated their marriage. In 799, the couple decided to separate to pursue the religious life. His wife went to a convent on an island near Constantinople and Theophanes entered a monastery called Polychronius near Cyzicus. Six years later he founded an abbey that came to be known as the “great acre” and Theophanes served as abbot.

In 787, Theophanes was present at the second general Council of Nicaea and signed the decrees defending sacred images. Later when Leo the Armenian resurrected his campaign against sacred icons and images, he tried to convince Theophanes to go against the Council decrees. When Theophanes declined he was imprisoned and subjected to cruel treatment. After two years he was released but banished to Samothracia where, after only seventeen days, he died on March 12, 817.

Lessons

In answer to the emperor Leo’s threats, Theophanes replied, “If you think to frighten me into compliance by your threats, as a child is awed by the rod, you only lose your labor. For though unable to walk, and subject to many other corporeal infirmities, I trust in Christ that He will enable me to undergo, in defense of His cause, the sharpest of tortures you can inflict on my weak body.” His great courage and devotion are truly the markings of a saint.

Prayer

Father, in every age there are those who have suffered great persecution for their faith. Our Lord and Redeemer Jesus was the greatest example to us of endurance in the face of great persecution, torture, and death. Give us the grace, as you have given Saint Theophanes and others, to follow in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus. Amen.

Other Saints We Remember Today

St. Gregory the Great (604), Pope, Doctor, Patron of Church Music

St. Eulogius of Cordova

Saints Editor — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0000

Eulogius was born sometime during the ninth century. There are records showing that he was a priest during the year 848. He was highly respected among the Christian communities of Catalonia and Navarre, Spain. Eulogius had five brothers, and all received an excellent education, thanks to their noble birth. His youngest brother, Joseph, had a position in the high court of Abd-er-Rahman II. Two other brothers, Isidore and Alvarus, were merchants who had large-scale operations that reached as far as central Europe. He had two sisters, Niola and Anulona. Anulona was educated in a monastery and later became a nun.

Eulogius studied in the monastery of St. Zoilus, while living at home where he could care for his mother. One master under whom Eulogius studied was Abbot Speraindeo, a famous writer of the time. One of his fellow students was Alvarus Paulus. Alvarus married, and Eulogius went on to become a priest, ordained by Bishop Recared of Cordova. Alvarus later wrote about his friend, Eulogius, stating that he was: “from his infancy devoted to the Scriptures, and growing daily in the practice of virtue, he quickly reached perfection, surpassed in knowledge all his contemporaries, and became the teacher even of his masters. Mature in intelligence, though in body a child, he excelled them all in science even more than they surpassed him in years. Fair in feature, honest and honorable, he shone by his eloquence, and yet more by his works. What books escaped his avidity for reading? What works of Catholic writers, of heretics and gentiles, chiefly philosophers? Poets, historians, rare writings, all kinds of books, especially sacred hymns, in the composition of which he was a master, were read and digested by him; his humility was none the less remarkable and he readily yielded to the judgment of others less learned than himself.”

Eulogius gave us a clear picture of Spanish Christianity in his day. From his writings between 848 and 859, we have important details about the faith and the martyrs during the Saracenic persecution.

Eulogius was elected Archbishop of Toledo and shortly thereafter was martyred for his faith by being beheaded.

Lessons

As his friend Alvarus stated, Eulogius was indeed a great intellect and devoted Christian. Even with his noble background and education, his devotion to Christ kept him humble and he served his Lord in the most mighty way, not only by living the life of a Christian but by laying down his life for his faith.

Prayer

Saint Eulogius, pray for us, that we may be ever mindful that all our gifts come from God, that we not be prideful, but willing always to follow His lead. Amen.

Other Saints We Remember Today

St. Sophronius (639)

St. Macarius

Saints Editor — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0000

Macarius lived in the fourth century and, as with many saints from that early period, there is very little information available about him. What we do know is that Macarius was named bishop of Jerusalem in the year 314. He was noted for his defense against the heresy of Arianism (denial of the divinity of Christ). Macarius was evidently present at the Council of Nicaea, since he was one of those who signed the documents from that Council.

Legend has it that Macarius was with Saint Helena when she discovered three crosses in Jerusalem. Legend further maintains that it was Macarius who suggested that a dying woman be touched with each of the crosses. When one of them instantly cured her, they determined that it was the true cross – the one on which our Lord was crucified. Macarius was then commissioned to erect a church over Christ’s sepulchre. Macarius died around the year 335, soon after the consecration of the basilica.

Lessons

Macarius’ name appears first among those of the bishops of Palestine who subscribed to the Council of Nicaea. St. Athanasius, in his encyclical letter to the bishops of Egypt and Libya, places the name of Macarius among those of bishops renowned for their orthodoxy.

Prayer

Father, we thank You for the early fathers in the Church who defended the faith and kept the flame of truth burning. Now, two thousand years later, we see how important it is for us to continue to defend the faith and not waiver in the winds of modernity. Help us, Father, to know, love and spread the gospel of Jesus. In His Name we pray. Amen.

Other Saints We Remember Today

Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste, Aremenia (320)

St. Frances of Rome

Saints Editor — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0000

St. Frances of Rome (1384-1440) was a member of the Roman aristocracy; she wished to enter a convent, but in obedience to her parents was instead married at age thirteen to a young nobleman named Lorenzo de’ Ponziani. Frances was a good wife and household manager and the mother of two sons and a daughter. She and her sister-in-law both desired to spend time in prayer and service to the poor; with their husbands’ blessings, the two women performed various acts of faith and charity.

In addition to her family responsibilities, Frances cared for victims of epidemics and wars (both of which were frequent events in fifteenth-century Italy). In 1409 Lorenzo was forced into exile because of a civil war; he returned five years later as a broken man, and Frances also cared for him, in addition to her other activities. A severe plague struck Rome, claiming two of the couple’s three children; Frances sold all her possessions to raise funds so as to care for the sick, and then she and her sister-in-law went door to door begging for additional money.

Frances organized a society of Roman women who shared her desire for self-denial and charitable works. When her husband Lorenzo died in 1436, following forty years of married life (during which the two of them reportedly never had a quarrel), Frances spent the remainder of her life with her community.

Lessons

1. One of the reasons obedience is valuable is that our noble aspirations aren’t necessarily God’s will for us. By agreeing to marriage, young St. Frances gained a husband who supported her ministry, and also received more opportunities to be of service to others than she would ever have expected.

2. Most people are called to experience holiness not in a monastery or convent, but in the responsibilities and activities of daily life. St. Frances once said, “It is most laudable in a married woman to be devout, but she must never forget that she is a housewife. And sometimes she must leave God at the altar to find Him in her housekeeping.”

Other Saints We Remember Today

St. Dominic Savio (1857), Patron of choirboys and the falsely accused

St. John of God

Saints Editor — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0000

A contemporary of St. Ignatius of Loyola [July 31], the Portuguese St. John of God (1495-1550) was another soldier who underwent a profound conversion and later established a religious order. At the age of forty John wanted to give his life to God, perhaps by dying as a martyr; he was advised to seek God instead by the manner in which he lived his daily life.

While in Spain, John was profoundly moved by the preaching of Blessed John of Avila and in response spent a day publicly beating himself in repentance for his sins. John was thereupon committed to a lunatic asylum, where Blessed John visited him and advised him to be more active in caring for the needs of others, instead of enduring personal hardships. This advice had a calming effect, and John went on to establish a house where he cared for the poor and the sick. His love and devotion touched many people, and benefactors aided his efforts with money and provisions.

On one occasion the Archbishop of Granada summoned John because of a complaint that his hospital was open to prostitutes and tramps. John fell on his knees and said, “The Son of Man came for sinners, and we are bound to seek their conversion. I am unfaithful to my vocation because I neglect this, but I confess that I know of no bad person in my hospital except myself alone, who am indeed unworthy to eat the bread of the poor.” Profoundly moved by this, the Archbishop became one of John’s strongest supporters.

The saint continued his efforts for another ten years, and organized the Brothers Hospitallers when his health failed. St. John died on his knees before the altar on March 8, 1550, and is considered the patron of nurses and of the sick.

Lessons

1. Dramatic acts of penance may have their place, but as St. John was taught by Blessed John of Avila, actively caring for the poor is more practical and often more valuable in the eyes of God.

2. Holiness and humility go hand-in-hand; St. John sincerely believed that the poor, the lowly, and even the outcasts whom he served in his hospital were worthier and more important than himself.

Sts. Perpetua and Felicity

Saints Editor — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0000

Saints Perpetua and Felicity, along with several Christian companions, were put to death for their faith at the beginning of the third century. Many legends about the early martyrs are dubious, but an authentic account of the imprisonment and death of Perpetua and Felicity was preserved, written in part by Perpetua herself (from her diary) and by another martyr, and completed after their executions by an unknown Christian.

Perpetua was a young noblewoman of Carthage (a city in North Africa), the daughter of a Christian mother and a pagan father. It is believed that she was a widow, for she also had an infant son. Felicity was a married slave girl, far advanced in pregnancy. The two women and three fellow catechumens — Saturninus, Secundulus, and Revocatus — had been converted to Christianity by a layman named Saturus; they were baptized while under house arrest for refusing to worship the pagan gods, and when they were transferred to the common jail, Saturus voluntarily joined them.

Felicity gave birth to a girl while enduring the taunting of an unfriendly jailer; this child was adopted and raised by a fellow Christian. Perpetua was worried about her own son, who for a time she kept with her in jail, until her parents took the child home. Perpetua wrote a description of her father’s visit: “When my father in his affection for me was trying to turn me from my purpose by arguments and thus weaken my faith, I said to him, ‘Do you see this vessel — waterpot or whatever it may be? Can it be called by any other name than what it is?’ ‘No,’ he replied. ‘So also I cannot call myself by any other name than what I am — a Christian,’” Perpetua explained.

The six Christians refused to renounce their faith, and all were sentenced to death during public games in the amphitheater in 203. Saints Perpetua, Felicity, and their companions were first mauled by wild animals and then put to death by the sword; reportedly the executioner was so shaken by Perpetua’s brave and noble demeanor that she herself had to guide his blade to her neck.

Lessons

1. Christians may be called upon to endure great sufferings – but if so, God will sustain them. In her diary Perpetua wrote, “What a day of horror! Terrible heat, owing to the crowds! Rough treatment by the soldiers! To crown all, I was tormented with anxiety for my baby…. Such anxieties I suffered for many days, but I obtained leave for my baby to remain in the prison with me, and being relieved of my trouble and anxiety for him, I at once recovered my health, and my prison became a palace to me, and I would rather have been there than anywhere else.”

2. Jesus said, “Whoever loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:37).

St. Perpetua showed love and respect to her father, but she did not forget her primary identity: a Christian called to follow in the footsteps of her Master.

Other Saints We Remember Today

St. Thomas Aquinas (1274), Priest, Religious, Doctor, The Angelic Doctor, Patron of Catholic Schools, Scholars, Theologians, and Booksellers

St. Colette

Saints Editor — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0000

She was born Nicolette DeBoilet at Corby Abbey in Picardy, France, on January 13, 1381, but was called Colette. Her mother’s name was Marguerite and her father, Robert, was the carpenter at the famous Benedictine Abbey of Corby.

At the age of seventeen Colette was orphaned. After distributing her inheritance among the poor, Colette became a Franciscan tertiary (a member of a secular third order). For a while she lived as a recluse. She became known for her holiness and spiritual wisdom. In 1406 she ended her seclusion after having a dream that she felt was directing her to reform the Poor Clares. Benedict XIII (Pedro de Luna), who at that time was recognized as the Pope in France, allowed Colette to enter the order of the Poor Clares. He also gave her permission to found new convents and complete the reform of the order. By the end of her life, Colette had founded seventeen convents with the reform rule and had reformed many other older convents. One branch of the Poor Clares is still known as the Colettines.

Colette was well-known not only for her sanctity, but also for her great intellect. She had much influence over others, who respected her for her great austerity. She was blessed with many gifts, including visions, ecstasies, and prophesy. She even prophesied her own death, which took place in her convent in Ghent, Belgium, on March 6, 1447. She was canonized in 1807.

Lessons

Colette prescribed for her convents extreme poverty, including going without shoes, and regular observances of fasting and abstinence. Colettine Sisters are found today in Belgium, Germany, France, Spain, and the United States.

Prayer

Pray for us, dear Saint Colette, that we may learn the great benefits of sacrifice, especially through fasting, abstinence, and acts of penitence during this holy season of Lent. In Christ’s Name we pray. Amen.

Other Saints We Remember Today

Sts. Filicitas and Perpetua (203), Martyrs, Partonesses of Widows, Death of Children

St. Fridolin (650), Priest, Founder