Catholic Exchange » Today’s Saint

The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Saints Editor — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:00:05 +0000

In the Old Testament, we read how Samuel and others were dedicated to God at an early age by their parents. They were presented at the temple to live there with the priests and be educated and brought up consecrating their lives to God. According to tradition, there were lodgings in the temple where women, also, were housed while they devoted themselves to the divine service in the temple. It is our ancient Catholic tradition that our Blessed Mother, Mary, while still an infant, was also offered to God by her parents and presented at the temple. This is what we celebrate as “The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.” The Greeks refer to this festival as the entrance of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the temple.

Our Lady herself, in her first moment of reason, consecrated herself to God, as all Christians are called to do. Every baptized Christian is bound at their moment of reason to dedicate their lives to God, however, unfortunately, so few do. We live in an age of self-love instead of love of God and willingness to live for Him. We owe Him everything, yet many never think of Him, much less thank Him or give Him credit or glory for our works. However, of ourselves, we can do nothing and the good works that we do are His and not our own.

The Blessed Mother spent her youth avoiding occasions of sin, keeping herself pure and holy. She carefully watched over her soul, always in prayer to the Father to help her. By making a vow of virginity to God, she led the way for other women to follow her example of purity. She remained in the Temple and thus was separated from the world until her marriage to St. Joseph.

St. Bernward

Saints Editor — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Bernward was of a Saxon family and was raised by his uncle Bishop Volkmar of Utrecht when orphaned as a child. He studied at the cathedral school of Heidelburg and at Mainz, where he was ordained in 987. He became imperial chaplain and tutor to the child Emperor Otto III. He was elected bishop of Hildesheim in 993, built St. Michael’s Church and Monastery there, and administered his see capably. He was interested in architecture, art, and metal work and created several metalwork pieces. He was engaged in a dispute for years with Archbishop Willigis of Mainz over episcopal rights to the Gandersheim convent, and eventually Rome ruled in Bernward’s favor. He became a Benedictine in later life and died on November 20, 1021. He was canonized in 1193.

His long episcopate of nearly thirty years was prolific of great results for the Diocese of Hildesheim. Thangmar, his former tutor, who subsequently became his biographer, describes in eloquent terms how the saint, after performing his episcopal functions in the cathedral, would usually visit the various workshops connected with the cathedral school, and with his own hands manufactured gold and silver vessels for the enrichment of the altars. As evidence of his skill in the practice of the mechanical arts there are still preserved in Hildesheim a cross of rich and exquisite workmanship known as the “Bernward Cross,” the famous Bernward column, with winding reliefs representing scenes from the life of Christ, two bronze doors of the Cathedral of Hildesheim, showing scriptural scenes, and two candlesticks symbolic of Christ, the light of the world. A monument of his zeal and skill is St. Michael’s abbey church at Hildesheim — now Protestant — one of the most magnificent basilicas in Germany. His knowledge and practice of the arts were wholly employed in the service of the Church.

Prayer

Saint Bernward, you were a man of extraordinary piety, and were given to prayer and the practice of mortification while here on earth. You were gifted by God with many talents as well. Pray for us, dear saint, to use our talents to His Glory. Amen.

Other Saints We Remember Today

St. Felix of Valois (1212), Religious

St. Sylvester Gozzolini

Saints Editor — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:00:31 +0000

Sylvester was born of a noble family in Osimo, Italy, in the year 1177. He studied law at Bologna and Padua but then switched to the study of theology and Scripture. He was ordained and became a canon at Osimo until he berated his bishop for his neglect in certain discharges of his office. Sylvester resigned his canonry in 1227, when he was fifty, and became a hermit near Osimo and then at Grotta Fucile. Directed by a vision of St. Benedict, he organized the disciples he had attracted into a monastery at Monte Fano near Fabriano in 1231, and founded the Silvestrine Benedictines, know as the Blue Benedictines from the color of their habit. This congregation was approved by Pope Innocent IV in 1247, and Sylvester ruled it for thirty-six years until his death. By that time, there were eleven monasteries under his rule. He was canonized in 1598 by Pope Clement VIII.

Other Saints We Remember Today

St. Elizabeth of Hungary (1231), Widow

St. Pontian (236), Pope, Martyr

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne

Saints Editor — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:00:05 +0000

Rose was born on August 29, 1769, in Grenoble, France, the daughter of a wealthy merchant. She was educated by the Visitation nuns of Sainte Marie d’en Haut. When she was seventeen, despite the objections of her parents, who wanted her to marry, she left home and joined the Visitation nuns. When the nuns were expelled from France during the Reign of Terror in 1791, Rose returned home. There she took care of the sick, and visited priest-prisoners of the revolution.

After the concordat of 1801 between Pope Pius VII and Napoleon, Rose attempted to rebuild the convent where she had been educated, but was unsuccessful. In 1804, however, she succeeded in persuading Mother Madeleine Sophie Barat to accept it for her recently founded Society of the Sacred Heart. With four others, Rose became a postulant of the Society and was professed the following year.

In 1818, she was sent as superior with four nuns to the US and founded the first American Sacred Heart house — a log cabin in Missouri. These women started the first free school west of the Mississippi. Despite numerous difficulties, the community flourished, and by 1828, it had six houses along the Mississippi River. At the request of Jesuit Father De Smet, at the age of seventy-one, Rose began a school for Indians in Sugar Creek, Kansas. Among the Indians she came to be known as “the woman who is always praying.” A year after starting this school, her health began to fail and she returned to St. Charles where she died on October 18, 1852.

Other Saints We Remember Today

Dedication of the Bascilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Rome (1626, 1854)

St. Elizabeth of Hungary

Saints Editor — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

St. Elizabeth was born in 1207, the daughter of King Alexander II of Hungary. At the age of four she was sent for education to the court of the Landgrave of Thuringia, to whose infant son she was betrothed. As she grew in age, her piety also increased by leaps and bounds. In 1221, she married Louis of Thuringia, and in spite of her position at court began to lead an austerely simple life, practicing penance and devoting herself to works of charity.

Her husband — himself much inclined to religion — esteemed her virtue highly and encouraged her in her exemplary life. They had had three children together when tragedy struck: Louis was killed while fighting with the crusaders. After his death, Elizabeth left the court, made arrangements for the care of her children, and in 1228, renounced the world and became a tertiary of St. Francis. She built the Franciscan hospital at Marburg and devoted herself to the care of the sick until her death at the age of 24 in 1231.

St. Elizabeth is the patron saint of bakers, countesses, the death of children, the falsely accused, the homeless, nursing services, tertiaries, widows, and young brides. Her symbols are alms, flowers, bread, the poor, and a pitcher.

Lessons

After leaving court, Elizabeth lived in exceptional poverty and humility. Soon after her death, miracles were reported at her tomb. She was canonized by Pope Gregory IX in 1235.

Prayer

St. Elizabeth, you were able to give up a life of honor and wealth and live simply. Pray for us, that we will not be bound to the material things of this life, but always live our lives devoted to God. Amen.

Other Saints We Remember Today

St. Gregory Thaumaturgus (”The Wonder-Worker”) (270), Bishop

St. Margaret of Scotland

Saints Editor — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Margaret was probably born in Hungary and raised at Stephen’s Court, where her father, Prince Edward d’Outremer, was in exile. When she was 12 years old she was taken to the court of King Edward the Confessor in England, but was forced to flee England with her siblings and her mother, Agatha, after the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

The family was given refuge at the court of King Malcolm III of Scotland and soon Margaret and Malcolm fell in love. They were married in 1070 at Dunfermline Castle and subsequently had eight children.

Margaret was known for her great piety. She prayed and fasted constantly and showed much concern for the poor. She supported synods that reformed abuses that were so prevalent at the time, such as simony and usury. She also encouraged arts and education, acted as adviser in state matters, and with her husband, Malcolm, founded Holy Trinity Church at Dunfermline. Margaret died at Edinburgh Castle on November 15, soon after finding out that rebels attacking Alnwick Castle had killed her husband and one of her sons. She was canonized in 1250 and declared patroness of Scotland in 1673.

Lessons

Queen Margaret had a great influence on her husband and his court. With her refined ways and intellect, she was able to bring about many changes for the good. Malcolm, while a good man, tended to be quick-tempered and “rough around the edges.” Many of the people were ignorant and unrefined. Margaret was able to bring out the best in her husband and others, however. She obtained good teachers, took measures to rid the court of all evil practices, and had new churches built. Margaret herself embroidered the priest’s vestments.

Malcolm was very pleased with the changes that Margaret brought about in his court. Soon the men showed better manners and the ladies, following Margaret’s example, became gentler and more devout. Queen Margaret and King Malcolm also were a wonderful example to others in their piety. They prayed together and also personally took food to the crowds of needy people. God blessed this royal couple with eight children, two daughters and six sons. Margaret was a wonderful mother as well and her youngest son became St. David.

Prayer

Father, help us to learn from the pious example of this great queen. When Margaret learned of the death of her beloved husband and son, rather than despair, she prayed and thanked You for sending her such a great sorrow to purify her of her sins. Like St. Margaret, help us to be a good and pious influence on the people in our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Other Saints We Remember Today

St. Gertude the Great (1302), Virgin, Benedictine nun and mystic

St. Mechtilde of Helfta (1298), Virgin, friend/St. Gertrude the Great

Saint Albert the Great (Albert Magnus)

Saints Editor — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 05:00:49 +0000

Albert was born in Swabia, Germany in 1206. His father being the Count of Bollstadt, Albert was born in the family castle at Lauingen.

He studied at the University of Padua and in the year 1223 became a Dominican despite his family’s opposition. He taught at Cologne, Hildesheim, Freiburg-im-Breisgau, Regensburg, and Strasbourg. His reputation for his learning and intellect was widespread. He received a doctorate at the University of Paris in 1245 where he later taught. Among his students was Thomas Aquinas, who became a close friend.

In 1254, Albert was named provincial of his order and went to Rome to serve as personal theologian to the pope. Albert resigned his provincialate in 1257 to devote himself to study, and later, along with Peter of Tarentasia and Thomas Aquinas, drew up a new study curriculum for the Dominicans.

Against his wishes, he was appointed bishop of Regensburg in 1260, but resigned two years later to resume teaching at Cologne. He was active in the Council of Lyons in 1274, working for the reunion of the Greek Church with Rome. He brilliantly defended Aquinas and his position against Bishop Stephen Templer of Paris and a group of theologians at the university there in 1277. The following year, a memory lapse progressed into two years of poor mental and physical health, which led to his death in Cologne on November 15. He was canonized and declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XI in 1931.

Lessons

Albert was one of the great intellects of the medieval Church. He was among the first and greatest of natural scientists. His knowledge of biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, and geography (one of his treatises proved the earth to be round) was so amazing that he was often accused of using magic. He wrote profusely on logic, metaphysics, mathematics, the Bible, and theology. A keen student of Arabic learning and culture, his and Aquinas’s adaptation of Aristotelian principles to systematic theology and their attempts to reconcile Aristotelianism to Christianity caused bitter opposition among many of their fellow theologians. Because of his genius, he was known as “the Universal Doctor” among his contemporaries.

Prayer

Thank you, Father in heaven, for the gift of genius that you have given to many great saints and theologians such as St. Albert. Through their great works, the Church has gained much knowledge. We give thanks that these saints used their gifts of wisdom to enlighten the world — and not for their own selfish gratification or gain. To God goes the glory. Amen.

Other Saints We Remember Today

St. Leopold “The Good” (1136), father of 18 children, refused the imperial crown

Saint Sidonius

Saints Editor — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Caius Sollius Apollinaris Sidonius was born on November 5, 430, in Lyons, Gaul, to a noble family. He was educated at Ares and was a student of Claudianus Mamertus of Vienne. Later, he married a woman named Papianilla, a daughter of Avitus, who became emperor in the year 455. St. Sidonius lived at the imperial court at Rome, served under many emperors and later became prefect of Rome in 468. The following year, however, after retiring to the life of a country gentleman, he was named bishop of Avernum (Cleremont) against his will, because the people felt he was the only one able to defend the Roman prestige against the Goths. A prolific writer, he was quickly recognized as a leading ecclesiastical authority. He became a benefactor of monks, gave much of his wealth to charities, and provided food to thousands during a great famine. He led the populace against King Euric of the Goths, but was defeated. Cleremont was taken over and Sidonius exiled. He returned in 476 and spent the remainder of his days in Cleremont speaking and writing. Many of his masterful poems exist to this day.

Lessons

Although a well-educated, great nobleman of wealth and power, Sidonius remained humble and compassionate, always willing to give of his time and talent to others. Our Lord said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” This is because one who has great wealth is usually distracted by it and makes his riches his idol. The rich young lawyer in the Gospel wanted to follow Jesus, but was unwilling to give up his riches. Saint Sidonius, on the other hand, stayed close to Jesus and was a faithful servant of God, and thus did not fall victim to the ways of the world. We should follow his example by making a conscious commitment to always stay close to God and do His will, knowing that sacrifice will lead to holiness.

Prayer

St. Sidonius, you were a gentleman of great wealth and prestige who could easily have fallen prey to pride and selfishness as so many do. Instead, you remained compassionate and generous to those in need. We thank you, St. Sidonius, for your contribution to the world. We ask for your prayers that we may be ever mindful of others in need as well as careful not to fall victim to selfishness, greed, and power. Amen.

Other Saints We Remember Today

St. Laurence O’Toole (1180), Archbishop of Dublin

St. Josaphat (1623), Bishop, Martyr

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini

Saints Editor — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

St. Frances was born in Lombardi, Italy, on July 15, 1850, the youngest of thirteen children. At eighteen, she desired to become a nun, but poor health stood in her way. She helped her parents until their death, and then worked on a farm with her brothers and sisters. One day a priest asked her to teach in a girls’ school and she stayed for six years. At the request of her bishop, she founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart to care for poor children in schools and hospitals. Then, at the urging of Pope Leo XIII, she came to the United States with six nuns in 1889 to work among the Italian immigrants. During the next twenty-seven years, in the face of great obstacles, she traveled extensively and the congregation spread all over the United States. She became an American citizen in 1909. Frances died in Chicago, Illinois, on December 22, 1917. She was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1946 and became the first American citizen to be so honored. St. Frances was named patroness of immigrants by Pius in 1950.

Lessons

St. Frances serves as a great example of a woman who, through her humble service to God, was able to establish more than fifty hospitals, schools, orphanages, convents and other institutions. She did not look for fame and fortune, but only to serve God and mankind, and through her humility and love of God, she achieved greatness.

Prayer

St. Frances, through your humility and willingness to serve others, you accomplished so much for mankind. Dear St. Frances, please pray for us that we may live our lives in service to others. Ask the Lord to give us the grace daily to die to ourselves, that we may live for Him. Amen.

Other Saints We Remember Today

St. Didacus (15th Century), Bishop, Martyr

St. Stanislaus Kotska (1568) Jesuit novice, Patron of Poland, young students, and those with broken bones

St. Josaphat

Saints Editor — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Josaphat, an Eastern Rite bishop, is held up as a martyr to Church unity because he died trying to bring part of the Orthodox Church into union with Rome.

In 1054, a formal split called a schism took place between the Eastern Church centered in Constantinople and the Western Church centered in Rome. Trouble between the two had been brewing for centuries because of cultural, political, and theological differences. In 1054, Cardinal Humbert was sent to Constantinople to try to reconcile the latest flare-up and wound up excommunicating the patriarch. The immediate problems included an insistence on the Byzantine rite, married clergy, and the disagreement on whether the Holy Spirit proceeded from the Father and the Son. The split only grew worse from there, centering mostly on whether to accept the authority of the pope and Rome.

More than five centuries later, in what is now known as Belarus and the Ukraine, but what was then part of Poland-Lithuania, an Orthodox metropolitan of Kiev and five Orthodox bishops decided to commit the millions of Christians under their pastoral care to reunion with Rome. Josaphat Kunsevich, who was born in 1580 or 1584, was still a young boy when the Synod of Brest Litovsk took place in 1595-96, but he was witness to the results, both positive and negative.

Many of the millions of Christians did not agree with the bishops’ decision to return to communion with the Catholic Church and both sides tried to resolve this disagreement — unfortunately not only with words but with violence. Martyrs died on both sides. Josaphat was a voice of Christian peace in this dissent.

After an apprenticeship to a merchant, Josaphat turned down both a partnership in the business and a marriage to enter the monastery of the Holy Trinity at Vilna in 1604. As a teenager he had found encouragement in his vocation from two Jesuits and a rector who understood his heart. And in the monastery he found another soul mate in Joseph Benjamin Rutsky. Rutsky, who had joined the Byzantine Rite under orders of Pope Clement VIII after converting from Calvinism, shared the young Josaphat’s passion to work for reunion with Rome. The two friends spent long hours making plans on how they could bring about that communion and reform monastic life.

The careers of the two friends diverged when Josaphat was sent to found new houses in Rome and Rutsky was made abbot at Vilna. Josaphat replaced Rutsky as abbot when Rutsky became metropolitan of Kiev. Josaphat immediately put into practice his early plans of reform. Because his plans tended to reflect his own extremely austere ascetic tendencies, he was not always met with joy. One community threatened to throw him into the river until his general compassion and his convincing words won them over to a few changes.

Josaphat faced even more problems when he became first bishop of Vitebsk and then Polotsk in 1617. The Church there was literally and figuratively in ruins, with buildings falling apart, clergy marrying two or three times, and monks and clergy everywhere not really interested in pastoral care or model Christian living. Within three years, Josaphat had rebuilt the Church by holding synods, publishing a catechism to be used all over, and enforcing rules of conduct for clergy. But his most compelling argument was his own life which he spent preaching, instructing others in the faith, and visiting the needy of the towns. Josaphat became the first saint of the Eastern church to be formally canonized by Rome in 1867.

Other Saints We Remember Today

St. Martin I (654), Pope, Martyr