St. Philomena’s was a young consecrated virgin whose story remained unknown until her remains were discovered in 1802 in the catacombs of St. Priscilla in Rome.  Three tiles enclosing her tomb bore an inscription, Pax Tecum Filumena (i.e. “Peace be unto you, Philomena”). Along with this inscription were the symbols of a lily, two anchors, and three arrows, indications of both virginity and martyrdom.

In 1805, her relics were transferred from Rome to a chapel in the village of Mugnano de Cardinale, Italy and soon after various “favors, graces and even miracles” started occurring, including “cures of cancer and healing of wounds”. Venerable Pauline-Marie Jaricot, foundress of the Association of the Living Rosary, was miraculously cured of a severe heart ailment in 1835 at St. Philomena’s shrine in Mungano. Soon afterwards, in 1837 Pope Gregory XVI, authorized public veneration of St. Philomena and canonized her. She became the only person the Church recognized as a saint solely on the basis of her intercessory miracles and she is often times called the Wonder Worker.

Pauline Jaricot was so impressed with her cure that she brought a relic of St. Philomena to her friend the famous Cure of Ars, St. John Vianney. He enshrined it in an altar in his church, which led to numerous miracles, conversions, and cures for those invoking St. Philomena’s assistance. He himself was blessed with mystical gifts, most famously, with the ability to read souls, much like another famous confessor, St. Padre Pio. Jean-Marie Vianney nonetheless gave the credit for many miracles attributed to him to St. Philomena and handed out many Cords of St Philomena to help others become devoted to her. Other Saints who were devoted to her included St. Peter Julian Eymard, St. Damien de Vesteur, St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, St. Francis Xavier Cabrini and St. John Nepomucene Neumann.

In 1833, a Neapolitan nun reported that Philomena had appeared in a vision to her, and the Saint had revealed that she was a Greek princess, martyred at 13 years of age by Diocletian, who was Roman Emperor from 284 to 305. According to Sister Maria Luisa di Gesù, Saint Philomena told her she was the daughter of a king in Greece who, with his wife, had converted to Christianity. At the age of about 13, she took a vow of consecrated virginity. When the Emperor Diocletian threatened to make war on her father, her father went with his family to Rome to ask for peace. The Emperor “fell in love” with the young St. Philomena and, when she refused to be his wife, subjected her to a series of torments: scourging, from whose effects two angels cured her; drowning with an anchor attached to her (two angels cut the rope and raised her to the river bank); being shot with arrows, (on the first occasion her wounds were healed; on the second, the arrows turned aside; and on the third, they returned and killed six of the archers, after which, several of the others became Christians). Finally the Emperor had her decapitated. The story goes that the decapitation occurred on a Friday at three in the afternoon, as with the death of Jesus. Two other people, unknown to each other and living far apart, had what was apparently the same revelation made to them about Philomena’s life.

In the Neapolitan nun’s account, Saint Philomena also revealed that her birthday was January 10, that her martyrdom occurred on August 10 (the date also of the arrival of her relics in Mugnano del Cardinale), but the church celebrates her feast on Aug 11. The name “Filumena” means “daughter of light” and it is usually taken to be derived from a Greek word meaning “beloved”.

Learn more about this young Saint by watching this short video

Mary lived in the town of Magdala. This small town on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee was a place where Jesus spent much of his time preaching. This is probably where Mary first came to know Jesus. Some people believe and St. Gregory the Great claimed, that she was the woman who entered Simon the Pharisee’s house. She’s the woman that wept and washed Jesus’ feet with her tears. She wiped His feet with her hair and then poured perfume on His feet. The Gospels tell us that Jesus released seven demons from Mary. We are not sure what the evils were, but over the centuries people have guessed that she was an immoral woman. The Vatican has said this is not so, and many scholars believe that the reference means she was cured of illness by Jesus. Some people were surprised that Jesus let such a sinner touch him. Our Lord who could see into Mary’s heart said, “Many sins are forgiven her, because she has loved much.” Then to Mary He said kindly, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” St. Mary Magdalene was a sinner, yet Jesus forgave her. He could see that she loved much. From then on, with the other holy women, Mary humbly served Jesus and His apostles.

Mary stayed with the Blessed Mother, some other women, and St. John at the foot of the Cross until Jesus died. She would not leave her Friend in the terrible last moments of His earthly life. After Jesus’ body had been placed in the tomb, Mary went to anoint it with spices early Easter Sunday morning, because there had been no time when He was buried. She was shocked when she saw that the tomb was empty. Not finding the Sacred Body, she stood outside the tomb and began to weep. Suddenly she saw someone she thought was the gardener. She asked him if he knew where the body of her beloved Master had been taken. Touched by her deep sorrow, the man spoke in a voice filled with love that she knew so well: “Mary!” It was Jesus, standing right there in front of her. He was risen from the dead. And He had chosen to  reveal himself first to her. The Gospels tell us that Mary was sent by Jesus himself to announce the Good News of the resurrection to Peter and the apostles.

We do not know where Mary went after Jesus ascended into heaven. Some say that she went with St. John to Ephesus. Others say she went to southern France where she lived alone in a cave and prayed. No matter where she ended up, Mary is still a model for us today as one of Jesus’ first and most loyal disciples. St Mary is called the “apostle to the  apostles”.

This is a great overview of Mary’s life and gives you more details about the end of her life.

Saint Florian!

St. Florian was born around 250 A.D. and was secretly a Christian in a time when the Roman emperors were   trying to eliminate Christianity throughout their realm. He was also a commander in the Roman army serving   under the Emperor Diocletian in present-day Austria. Among his duties was the organization of firefighting brigades. Saint Florian is once said to have saved a town from burning by saying a prayer and then throwing a single bucket or pitcher of water on the blaze. Despite being a firefighter, Florian and his guards were     ordered to burn Christian churches, books, and homes of Christians. Florian refused, and a high-ranking    official, Aquilius, was dispatched to investigate. When Aquilius investigated his refusal to execute Christians, Florian stated, “Tell the Emperor that I am a Christian and will suffer the same fate as the Christians.”    Aquilius then offered him a raise and promotion if he would change his mind, which Florian refused, outraging Aquilius. Florian was initially whipped, as pressure to renounce his faith and offer sacrifice to the Roman gods. He told Aquilius that he had “suffered many wounds for the Emperor” and therefore, why should he “fear a few scratches for his own beliefs?” His courage scared Aquilius, who feared that Florian would lead others to rebel and convert to Christianity.

Word reached the Emperor that he was not enforcing the ban against Christianity in his territory, and under  investigation he was found to be a Christian. The popular method of disposing of Christians in that day was to burn them to death, and it was suggested that Florian suffer the same fate. He, however, stated his intention to “climb to Heaven on the flames” of the funeral pyre being prepared for him. The soldiers decided at that point to dispose of him another way so he was tortured, then a large stone was tied around his neck and he was thrown into the Ennis River to drown. He was martyred around the year 304 A.D.

A faithful lady recovered and buried his body, which was later moved to the Augustinian Abbey of St. Florian, near current-day Linz, Austria. In 1138 some of St. Florian’s relics were given to King Casimir of Poland and the Bishop of Cracow. Since his relics arrived in Poland, he has been regarded as the patron saint of that country. Numerous miraculous occurrences have been reported both in the presence of his relics, and at the confluence of the Enns and Danube Rivers, where his martyrdom occurred.

Because of his association with fire, St. Florian is the patron saint of firefighters and chimney sweeps and has been invoked for protection from both fire and water. St. Florian…pray for us!

We celebrate Pentecost on May 20th. Here is a short little video about the sending of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. May we call on the Holy Spirit every day so that we have the courage and wisdom to say YES LORD!

Saint Thomas Aquinas!

Thomas was the son of the Count of Aquino and was born in the family castle in Lombardy near Naples, Italy.    Thomas was one of nine children and was very intelligent, but he never boasted about it. He knew that his mind was a gift from God. His parents hoped that he would become a Benedictine abbot some day. Thomas was sent to the abbey for schooling when he was five and he was educated by the Benedictine monks there. When he was eighteen, he went to the University of Naples to finish his studies. There he met a new group of religious men called the Order of Preachers. Their founder, St. Dominic, was still living. Thomas knew he wanted to become a priest and felt that he was called to join these men. So he secretly joined the Dominican order in 1244. His parents were angry with him. When he was on his way to Paris to study, his brothers kidnapped him and kept him a prisoner in one of their castles for over a year. During that time, they did all they could to make him change his mind.

One of his sisters, too, came to convince him to give up his vocation. But Thomas spoke so beautifully about the joy of serving God that she changed her mind. She decided to give her life to God as a nun. After fifteen months, when Thomas’ mother realized she could not sway her son, she tried to preserve the family name by arranging for his escape through a window. She believed a secret escape was better than appearing to accept his decision. Thomas was finally allowed to openly follow his call to the priesthood.

St. Thomas wrote so well about God that people all over the world have used his books for hundreds of years. His explanations about God and the faith came from Thomas’ great love for God. He writings touched the hearts of people because he was not trying to impress anyone. He just wanted with all his heart to offer the gift of his life to Jesus and the Church. One day, Thomas was praying before the Crucifix in the early morning in the chapel of St Nicholas in Naples, Domenico da Caserta, the church sacristan, overheard a conversation. Thomas was anxiously asking whether what he had written on the mysteries of the Christian faith was correct. And the Crucified One answered him: “You have spoken well of me, Thomas. What is your reward to be?”. And the answer Thomas gave him was what we too, friends and disciples of Jesus, always want to tell him: “Nothing but Yourself, Lord!”

St. Thomas is one of the greatest Doctors of the Church and is considered the universal patron of universities, colleges, and schools. Around the end of 1273, Pope Gregory X asked Thomas to be part of an important Church meeting called the Council of Lyons. While traveling to the meeting, Thomas became ill. He had to stop at a monastery at Fossanova, Italy, where he died after receiving Last Rites. It was March 7, 1274. He was only forty-nine. His original feast day was March 7, the day of his death, but because the date often falls within Lent, in 1969, a revision of the Roman Calendar changed his feast day to January 28, the date his relics were moved to Toulouse.  St Thomas…pray for us!

Learn more about this holy Saint by watching this short story…

Saint Agatha

Feast Day is February 5th

Virgin and Early Martyr of the Church

Patron Saint of Sicily, Bell Founders,  breast cancer, earthquakes, Nurses, and against fires.

Saint Story:

Agatha lived in Sicily and was a Christian born to a rich noble family around the year 231. From her very early years, the notably beautiful Agatha dedicated her life to God. The governor heard of Agatha’s beauty and brought her to his palace. He wanted to make her commit sins, but she was brave and would not give in. “My Lord Jesus Christ,” she prayed, “you see my heart and you know my desire. I am all yours. Save me from this evil man. Make me worthy of winning out over the devil.”

The governor, named Quintianus, sent Agatha to the house of a wicked woman and hoped she would become bad too. But Agatha had great trust in God and prayed all the time. She kept herself pure. She would not listen to the evil ideas of the woman and her daughters. Agatha never lost her confidence in God, even though she suffered a month of assaults and efforts to get her to abandon her vow to God and go against her virtue.

After a month, she was brought back to the governor and Quintianus tried again to win her. “You are a noblewoman,” he said kindly. “Why have you lowered yourself to be a humble Christian?” “Even though I am a noble,” answered Agatha, “I am a slave of Jesus Christ.” “Then what does it really mean to be noble?” the governor asked. Agatha answered, “It means to serve God.”

When Quintianus realized that Agatha would not sin, he sentenced her to be burnt at the stake, but an earthquake saved her from that fate; instead, she was sent to prison. In prison she was tortured, badly beaten, and given no food or medical care. But the Lord gave her all the care she needed. He was her Sacred Physician and protector.  Agatha had a vision of the apostle, St. Peter, who comforted her and healed her wounds through his prayers. After four days, Quintianus ignored the miraculous cure of her wounds and he had her tortured once again. When she was returned to prison, Agatha prayed, “Lord, my Creator, you have ever protected me from the cradle; you have taken me from the love of the world, and given me patience to suffer: receive now my soul.” Agatha soon died a martyr at Catania, Sicily, in the year 251.

St. Agatha, also known as Agatha of Sicily, is one of the most highly venerated virgin martyrs of the Catholic Church.

Another Saint who’s feast day we celebrate in February is St. Blaise! Maybe you received a blessing of your throat at mass last weekend? Learn more about Saint Blaise and watch this short video!

Saint Francis de Sales

Feast Day is January 24

Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Patron Saint of Journalist, writers, Catholic press, confessors and deafness.

Francis was born at the de Sales castle called Chateau of Thorens in Savoy, France. His wealthy family provided him with an excellent education. He studied at La Roche, Annecy, Clermont College in Paris, and did law at the University of Padua. By the age of twenty-four, Francis was a Doctor of Law. He returned home, and led a hard-working life as Senate advocate. He was not really interested in important positions or a social life.

In his heart, Francis was listening to a call that kept coming back like an echo. It seemed to be an invitation from the Lord telling him to “Leave all and follow Me.” Francis finally tried to explain his struggle to his family.

All the time, he never lost his passion for God. He studied theology and practiced mental prayers, but kept quiet about his devotion. To please his father, he also studied fencing and riding.

God made his will clear to Francis one day while he was riding. Francis fell from his horse three times that day. Every time he fell, the sword came out of the scabbard, and every time it came out, the sword and scabbard came to rest on the ground in the shape of the Christian cross.

His father was very disappointed. He wanted Francis to be a great man of the world. But Francis spent lots of time in prayer, finally his gentle ways won over the family and Francis became a priest on December 18, 1593.

In those times Christians were bitterly divided. Father Francis offered to go to a dangerous area of France to win back Catholics who had become Protestants. His father tried to stop him. He said it was bad enough that he had allowed Francis to become a priest; he was not going to let him die as a martyr as well.

But Francis knew that the Lord would protect him. He and his cousin, Father Louis de Sales, began their long walk to the Duchy of Chablais. The two priests soon learned how to live with insults and physical discomforts and their lives were often in danger.

Francis explained the teachings of the Catholic faith in very simple and clear language. And his gentle way with everyone, slowly brought many back to the Roman Catholic Church. He even made up a sign language so that he could explain catholic teaching to a deaf person.

When he was thirty-five years old, Francis became the bishop of Geneva, Switzerland. He travelled and preached throughout the Duchy of Savoy, working with children whenever he could.

He was a good friend of Saint Vincent de Paul. With the help of St. Jane de Chantal, he started a religious order of sisters in 1610. These women are called the Order of the Visitation.

Francis wrote wonderful books about the spiritual life and the way to become holy. The books, “Treatise on the Love of God” and “Introduction to the Devout Life”, are still available in book stores today. They are considered spiritual “classics.”

Saint Francis had a devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and wrote the following prayer…

May thy heart dwell always in our hearts!
May thy blood ever flow in the veins of our souls!
O sun of our hearts, thou givest life to all things by the rays of thy goodness!
I will not go until thy heart has strengthened me, O Lord Jesus!
May the heart of Jesus be the king of my heart!
Blessed be God.
Amen.

Bishop de Sales died at Lyons on December 28, 1622, at the age of fifty-six. Because of his good work that brought many people back to God and the Church, he was given the special title “Doctor of the Church.”

source sited: holyspiritinteractive.net/catholic.org

Check out this video about the life of St. Francis de Sales: