St. Dominic of Silos

St. Dominic of Silos – December 20th

Dominic was a Spanish shepherd boy. In the many hours he spent alone with his sheep at the bottom of the Pyrenees Mountains, he learned to love prayer. Soon he became a monk and a very good one. Dominic was elected prior of his monastery and brought about many changes for the better. One day, however, King Garcia III of Navarre claimed that some of the monastery’s possessions were his. St. Dominic refused to give them to the King, for he did not think it was right to give the King what belonged to the Church.

This decision greatly angered the King and he ordered the Saint to leave his kingdom. Dominic and his monks were given a friendly welcome by another King, Ferdinand I of Castile. Ferdinand told them they could have an old monastery called St. Sebastian at Silos. This monastery was located in a lonely spot and was very run-down. But with Dominic as the abbot, it soon began to take on a new look. In fact, he made it one of the best known monasteries in all Spain.

St. Dominic worked many miracles to cure all kinds of sicknesses.

Many years after his death, Dominic appeared to a wife and mother, Blessed Joan of Aza. He told her that God would send her another son. When that son was born, Joan gratefully named him Dominic. And this son became the great St. Dominic, founder of the Dominican Order.

What can I do to help the Church? Even small offerings and service are of great help in the divine work of saving souls.

St. Flannan

St. Flannan – December 18th

Flannan was the son of an Irish chieftain named Turlough. He was educated by the monks and also learned from them all manner of farming chores. When he was a grown man, Flannan decided to make a pilgrimage to Rome.

In Rome, Pope John IV made him a bishop, for he recognized the wisdom and holiness of this man. When St. Flannan returned to Ireland, all the people of his region, Killaloe, came to meet him. They were eager to learn the instructions the Saint had brought back from the Holy Roman See.

St. Flannan taught his people so well that even his father, the chieftain Turlough, decided to become a monk. The old man went to St. Colman to be instructed in the life of a monk. At the same time, he asked for a blessing for his family, since three of his sons had been killed. The Saint predicted: “From you shall seven kings spring.” And so it happened.

St. Flannan was afraid that since he was one of the family, he, too, might be made king. So he prayed to become ugly, and his face was soon covered with big scars and rashes. Thus he could be sure that he could devote himself entirely to the service of God and his people.

The honors, riches and pleasures of this world last only a short time. The happiness and glory of Heaven, instead, lasts forever. Let us often think of this, as the Saints did, and we too, shall become saints.

St. Finnian

St. Finnian – December 12th

Finnian is one of the famous Irish saints who lived in the period after St. Patrick. He visited Wales and from St. Cadoc, he learned to have great respect for the life of monks. When he got back to Ireland, Finnian established monasteries, schools and churches. His greatest monastery was at Clonard, and that is why he is called St. Finnian of Clonard.

To this monastery came many disciples to learn from the Saint. About three thousand were instructed by him in religion and in other subjects. St. Finnian came to be called “Teacher of the Saints of Ireland.” He was especially famous for his knowledge of the Holy Bible. In fact, the monastery of Clonard was known for its studies of Sacred Scripture.

St. Finnian was not satisfied with teaching those who came to him at Clonard. He also went out on preaching missions. He had a surprising gift for softening the hearts of opposing tribal chiefs. At times God worked miracles through him, too.

This Saint had a good Irish sense of humor. Once, he met an old pagan who prided himself on being a magician. “Where did you get your magic art?” asked Finnian. “Find out for yourself,” answered the proud pagan. “All right,” said the Saint. “Tell me where the place of my resurrection is.” “In Heaven,” said the pagan. “Try again,” answered Finnian. “Tell where I will rise from.” The magician answered again, “Heaven.” “Try once more,” said St. Finnian as he rose from his chair. Then the pagan realized he was being teased. “It is from where you are sitting!” he cried out, and St. Finnian went away laughing.

The Saint died from yellow fever, at a time when this disease was killing many. He offered his life for the Irish, his countrymen, and they have always been very devoted to him.

All Saints worked hard, prayed much, and loved everybody. Many even had a good sense of humor. However, they never hurt anyone. Neither will I make remarks or tell jokes which might hurt somebody.

Blessed Franco Grotti

Blessed Franco Grotti – December 11th

Franco was born in the town of Grotti near Siena, Italy. He grew to be a lazy, nasty-tempered teenager who would not obey anyone. When his father died, Franco became worse than ever. He spent all his time and all his money in sinful acts and in gambling. Then he got into serious trouble, and to avoid being brought to trial on a murder charge, he joined up with a band of raiders.

In the company of these outlaws, Franco became a first-class criminal. He lived so wickedly that by the time half his life was over, he had ruined his health.

Franco Grotti was fifty years old when he suddenly became blind, and this event made him start examining himself. He began to think about what life is, and he took a good look at the kind of man he had become. Sorrow filled his heart. He made a good confession of his whole life and then set out on a long, hard trip to the Shrine of St. James in Spain. There his blindness was cured, but Franco by now was a completely different man who never again would go back to his evil ways.

One day, while he was praying in a Carmelite church, our Blessed Mother came to tell him that he must do penance and make up for the terrible scandal he had given to the people of Siena by his great sins. At once, Franco began going through the streets dressed like a penitent and whipping himself. By now he was sixty-five, but he still humbly begged the Carmelite monks to accept him into their order. They told him to try again in five years, because they were afraid to accept him. Who could forget what a terrible man he had been! But Franco did not give up, and at last they let him enter as a lay-brother.

Blessed Franco lived ten more years. That was time enough for him to give such wonderful examples of fervent penance that all the monks and people were amazed. He even received the grace of heavenly visions and of working miracles. Devotion to him began right after he died.

So how good God is! He is so patient and so merciful that as soon as a sinner turns to Him and sincerely asks for pardon, God fills that soul with blessings and graces.

St. John Roberts

St. John Roberts – December 10th

John was born in Wales, and although he was not a Catholic, he was taught by an elderly priest. So, as he said later, at heart he was always a Catholic. John went to Oxford University in England for a while, but then he took a trip to France to have a good time. As it turned out, this trip brought him more than just fun, for in Paris he found great happiness in joining the Catholic Church.

John lost no time after this in taking steps to become a priest. . He went to an English college in Spain and then became a Benedictine monk. His great dream of going back to England came true three years later when he and another monk were given permission to set out for that land. Although they entered England wearing plumed hats and swords at their sides, they were soon arrested for being priests and sent out of the country.

St. John Roberts went back to England again and worked day and night to keep the Faith alive under Queen Elizabeth’s terrible persecution of Catholics. Over and over again he was captured, put in prison, exiles, and always he came back. The last time Father John was arrested was as he was finishing Mass, and this time there was no escape.

When asked, he declared he was a priest and a monk and that he had come to England to work for the salvation of souls. “Were I to live longer,” he added, “I would continue to do what I have been doing.” St. John was given a fake trial and condemned to death.

The night before he and another Catholic were to be hanged, a good Spanish lady arranged for them to be brought into the company of eighteen other prisoners who were also suffering for Christ’s sake. During their supper together, St. John was full of joy. Then he thought perhaps he should not show so much happiness. “Do you think I may be giving bad example by my joy?” he asked his hostess. “No, certainly not,” she replied. “You could not do anything better than to let everyone see the cheerful courage you have as you are about to die for Christ.” Then she insisted on washing the feet of the martyrs, to show her respect for them.

The next day, St. John was hanged, and the crowds were so attracted by the personality of this young priest that they did not let the executioners make him suffer.

Today I will say an “Our Father” for Missionaries, pausing especially on the words: “Thy Kingdom come.”

St. Sabas

St. Sabas – December 5th


Sabas is one of the most famous monks of Palestine. His father was an officer in the army and when he had to go to Alexandria, Egypt, he left his young son with his brother-in-law. Since his aunt treated him badly, young Sabas ran away to another uncle. When an argument arose between the two uncles, Sabas felt very bad because he liked to see people at peace. So he ran away to live in a monastery.


His two uncles felt ashamed of themselves and they told Sabas to come out and they would give him all his property. But by this time Sabas was too happy in the monastery to think of going back to a worldly life. Even though he was the youngest person in the monastery, he was the most fervent.


When he was eighteen, St. Sabas went to Jerusalem to learn to live as a hermit, because he felt inclined to live alone with God. For a while, however, he was advised to live in another monastery there, for he was still young. He obeyed and joyfully did all the heavy work, chopping wood for the fires and carrying the heavy jugs of water.


One day, St. Sabas was sent to Alexandria, Egypt, as a companion to another monk. There he ran into his father and mother! They tried their best to make him come with them and enjoy the same honors his father had won. Not Sabas! He would not even take the money they tried to give him. Finally he accepted three gold pieces, but when he got back to the monastery, he gave them to the Abbot.


At last, he was able to spend four years completely alone, as he desired. But after that, he had to found a monastery for all the disciples who came to him. And before long, he was put in charge of all the monks in Palestine who lived the life he lived.


Even when sent to the Emperor on important affairs for the Church, St. Sabas wore his poor rags, and kept to his hours of prayer. When a disciple claimed that the Emperor might be offended, the Saint answered: “My son, the Emperor does his duty and we must do ours.”


Let us pray to know the Will of God for us, and then let us follow it with generosity.

St. John of the Cross

St. John of the Cross – November 24th

John was born in Spain and was the son of a poor weaver. He went to school for poor children and became a servant to the director of a hospital. For seven years, John worked as a servant while also studying at a Jesuit college. Even as a youth, he liked to do penance, and when he was twenty-one, his love of God prompted him to enter the Carmelite Order.

With St. Teresa of Avila, St. John was chosen by God to bring a new spirit of fervor among religious. But his life was full of trials. Although he succeeded in opening new monasteries where his holy way of life was practiced, he himself was criticized and even thrown into prison. He was beaten and made to suffer terribly by his enemies. At one time, too, he had fierce temptations. God seemed to have left him alone, and he suffered greatly.

Yet when these storms of trouble passed, the Lord rewarded his faithful servant by giving him deep peace and joy of heart. John was very close to his God. In fact, the Blessed Mother herself showed John how to escape from his prison cell!

St. John had a marvellous way with sinners. Once when a beautiful but sinful woman tried to make him do wrong, he talked to her so well that she was led to change her life. Another lady, instead, had such a sharp temper that she was nicknamed “the terrible.” Yet St. John knew how to calm her down by his kind manners.

Every time he could, this Saint chose what would bring him the most suffering. He prayed God to let him suffer every day for love of Jesus, and in reward, Our Lord revealed Himself to St. John in a special way.

St. John is famous for his spiritual books which show us how to grow close to God.

Today, if I have something to suffer, I will be patient.

St. Columban

St. Columban – November 23rd

Columban, the greatest of Irish missionary-monks, had a good education as a boy. But when he was a teenager, he was strongly tempted to sins of impurity by certain immodest girls. Columban felt a great inclination to give in, and in this terrible situation, he turned to a holy nun for advice.

“You must run away from this temptation,” she told him. “Turn from the river of impurity into which many fall!”

Columban decided not only to avoid those young women but to go off into the wilderness to become a monk. His mother could not bear the thought of him leaving her, but Columban felt he must serve God in solitude.

After many years as a monk in Ireland, Columban and twelve other monks set sail for France where good priests were badly needed. People saw their penance, devotion and charity, and many young men came to join them. Soon they had to build other monasteries to house all the disciples of St. Columban.

There were some people, however, who gave trouble because they thought the rules of these monks were too strict, and St. Columban also faced danger when he scolded the king for his sins. As a result, he and his Irish monks had to leave France. St. Columban, though fairly old, still tried to preach to unbelievers in Switzerland. When he was seventy, he went into Italy and defended the Faith against the Arian heretics.

In his letter to the Pope, St. Columban proclaims his great devotion to the Holy Father. “All we Irish, living in the furthest parts of the earth,” he says, “are bound to the Chair of St. Peter.” He calls the Pope the “leader of leaders,” and “the only hope, mighty through the honor of Peter the Apostle.”

In his last years, St. Columban built the great monastery of Bobbio in Italy, and after his death, both the Irish and the Italians were very devoted to this wonderful missionary.

If I find someone to be an occasion of sin, I will make sure to avoid that person.

St. Odo of Cluny

St. Odo of Cluny – November 18th

This French saint was not a very holy young man when he first began his service to the Church. He was more interested in music than in divine things. But one day, this young student realized how different his life was from the perfect life taught by the Rule of St. Benedict. So Odo entered a monastery, and tried to please God in every way. Sometimes, however, his kind heart caused him to do unwise things, but as he grew older, he learned to be more prudent.

St. Odo was forty-eight when he became Abbot of Cluny, which was to be the most famous monastery in Europe. Many other monasteries copied Odo’s way of keeping all the monks fervent and close to God. He was called to Rome by the Holy Father to try to keep peace between two angry kings. He was invited to many monasteries by Abbots who wanted his advice. Yet he still found time to write several books, hymns and holy poems.

All through his life, St. Odo showed charity to those who were opposed to him. Once a peasant tried to kill him with a rock, shouting that Odo’s monks owed his money. Odo escaped, and then went to pay the man the money he had demanded. He thought no more about the matter until he heard that he king had ruled the peasant’s right arm should be cut off in punishment. At once the Saint went to court and persuaded the ruler to set the man free.

Just before he died, St. Odo wrote a hymn in honor of St. Martin of Tours, whose great charity he had always imitated.

Today I will try hard to imitate the charity of this saint in words and deeds.

St. Albert the Great

St. Albert the Great - Patron of Scientists - November 15th

This Saint was born in a castle on the Danube River in Swabia. He went to the University of Padua and there he decided to become a Dominican. His uncle tried to persuade him not to enter, but Albert entered anyway, as God wanted. His father, the Count of Bollstadt, was very angry, and it was thought that might make Albert come out. The young monk was moved to another monastery, however, and his father did not pursue him.

St. Albert loved to study. He especially was interested in natural sciences-physics, geography, biology, and so forth-and of course in the study of religion and the Holy Bible. He used to go out to watch the ways of animals and write down what he saw, just as scientists do today. He wrote a great number of books on these subjects, as also on philosophy, and was a very popular teacher in different schools.

One of St. Albert’s pupils was the great St. Thomas Aquinas, and when Thomas died, St. Albert learned of it directly from God. He had guided St. Thomas in beginning his great works in Philosophy and Theology and he defended his teachings after Thomas died.

As he grew older, St. Albert grew more holy. Before, he had expressed his deep thoughts in his writings. Now he expressed them in tears, in his whole way of living for God.

Two years before his death, St. Albert’s memory failed him and his end came very peacefully while he was sitting in his chair with his fellow Dominicans. St. Albert is the Patron Saint of students and natural sciences.

I will try to force myself to study well, especially my religious subjects.

St. Lawrence O’Toole

St. Lawrence O’Toole – November 14th

Lawrence was an Irishman and the son of a chief of the Murrays. When he was only ten years old, a neighboring king made a raid on his father’s territory and carried the lad away. The boy had a lot to suffer for two years, until his father forced the king to give him up to the care of a bishop. When he did, the Murray chief hurried to see his son, and great was their happiness at being together again.

The chief wanted one of his sons to enter the service of the Church, and while he was wondering which one it might be, Lawrence told him with a laugh that he need not wonder any more. “It is my desire,” said Lawrence, “to have for my inheritance the service of God in the Church.” So his father took him by the hand and gave him into the care of the bishop.

Lawrence O’Toole became a priest and the Abbot of a great monastery. When food became very scarce in the whole neighborhood of the monastery the good abbot gave great quantities away to keep the people from starving. He had many problems to handle as head of the monastery because there were those who criticized him for being too strict. But he kept right on guiding his monks in the way of mortification and perfection, despite the criticism. Then, there was the problem of the robbers and outlaws who lived in the nearby hills. Yet nothing discouraged the fearless Lawrence O’Toole.

He became so famous that before long he was chosen to be Archbishop of Dublin. In this new position, he lived as holy a life as ever. Every day, he invited many poor people to be his guests at table, and he helped many others besides. Lawrence dearly loved his people and Ireland, his country, and he did all he could to keep it at peace.

Once a madman attacked him as he was going up to the altar to say Mass, and he was knocked unconscious to the floor. Yet he came to his senses right away, had the wound washed at once, and then went right ahead with the High Mass. God had preserved him from harm!

After years of labor for the Church, St. Lawrence O’Toole became very ill. When they asked him if he wanted to make a will, the holy Archbishop smiled and answered, “God knows that I don’t have a penny in the world.” He had long ago given everything he had to others, just as he had given himself completely to God.

We should do our duty to please God alone and to gain Heaven. Criticism should never stop us.

St. Martin de Porres

St. Martin de Porres – November 5th

Martin was the son of a Spanish knight and a Negro woman who had been freed from slavery. He himself looked like his mother. His father at first left Martin and his mother and sister alone in Peru. They were very poor and people looked down on them, but Martin grew up good and devout anyway. He was sent to learn the trade of a barber, and he also learned how to cure many diseases according to the practices of those days. Martin’s father finally decided to take care of his son’s education, but Martin had now decided he wanted to give himself to God as a Dominican brother.

Brother Martin soon proved to be a wonderful religious. No one was kinder or more obedient or holy. Before long, he began to work miracles, too. He cured so many sick people that everyone in the city of Lima would send for Brother Martin when there was sickness. He would go to them all, Negroes and whites alike, for he loved all men as his brothers in Christ. Great sums of money were given to this good, lovable Brother for his charities, because people saw how well he could organize works of charity.

Not even animals were forgotten by this kindhearted Saint. He excused the comings and goings of rats and mice by saying, “The poor little things don’t have enough to eat.” In his sister’s house, moreover, he kept a “home for wandering cats and dogs”!

Despite his fame in Lima, St. Martin always had a very low opinion of himself. His name for himself was, in fact, “Brother Broom.” And once, when his community owed a lot of money and could not pay it, Brother Martin said, “I’m the property of the Order-sell me!” When he died, this beloved Saint was carried to his tomb by bishops and noblemen, who wanted to honor the humble and holy Brother.

We are all children of God. God has no regard for the color of a man’s skin, but looks instead into his heart. He rewards everyone who is good and punishes everyone who is bad.

St. Foillan

St. Foillan - October 31st

Foillan was an Irish monk whose two brothers were also Saints. They were some of the many zealous Irish apostles who left their homeland to help other countries with fewer priests than Ireland had.

Saints Foillan, Fursey, and Ultan went to England first of all and establish a monastery in Burgh Castle. From this spot they did missionary work among the people called the East Angles. When invaders of the land robbed the monastery of everything it had, Saints Foillan and Ultan decided to preach the Gospel in France. Their other brother, St. Fursey, had already worked as a missionary and died there.

King Clovis II welcomed the two holy Irishmen as he had welcomed their brother before them. Foillan was given land by Blessed Itta and her daughter. St. Gertrude asked him to preach to the nuns of the convent over which she was abbess. He did so, and had great influence on them. He also did missionary work among the Brabanters. In fact, St. Foillan is a well-remembered Irish Saint in Europe.

One day, after singing Mass for St. Gertrude and her nuns, the Saint set out with three companions to see his brother Ultan, who was preaching in another area. While passing through a forest, they were attacked by a band of robbers and killed. Their bodies were not found for about two and a half months, and then St. Gertrude had St. Foillan buried with honor in the abbey he had founded.

Let us say a prayer to Our Lord from our heart, that He may help us in the hour of our death. And let us offer Him all the sufferings which will come with death.

St. Alphonsus Rodriguez

St. Alphonsus Rodriguez – October 30th

This Spanish Saint took over the family business of buying and selling wool when he was twenty-three. Three years later, he got married and God sent him and his wife Mary two children. But many sufferings now came to Alphonsus. Business began to be bad, his little daughter died and then his wife. Now this business man began to think of what God might have in mind for him. He had always been a devout Christian, but from then on, he prayed, did penance, and went to the Sacraments more than he had ever done.

When he was nearly forty, Alphonsus’ son died, too, and despite his great sorrow, he thanked God for having taken the boy out of the danger of sinning. Alphonsus soon asked to be admitted into the Society of Jesus, but he was told he must study first. So he went back to school, this man of forty, with little boys who made fun of him. He had to beg for his food, for he had given his money to the poor. At last, he was accepted as a lay-brother and was made door-keeper at a Jesuit college.

“That brother is not a man-he is an angel!” his Superior said of him years later. Priests who knew him for forty years never heard him say or do anything which could be criticized. His kindness and obedience were known to all. Once, all the chairs in the house, even the ones from the bedrooms, had been used for a forty hours devotion. By mistake, his was not returned until the following year. Yet, because of his humility, Alphonsus had never mentioned the fact to anyone. When he was over seventy and sick, the Superior tested his obedience by saying: “You are to go to the missions of the Indies.” St. Alphonsus went straight out to the college gate to go find out when the next ship was sailing-only to be told to go back to his Superior!

During his long life, the Saint had to conquer very strong temptations, besides physical pains. Even as he lay dying, he spent a half hour in terrible agony. Then, just before he died, he was filled with peace and joy. He kissed his crucifix, looked lovingly at his brothers, and died with the name of Jesus on his lips.

Saints became saints because they were humble. Jesus said that to enter Heaven we must become humble. Today I will imitate this saint by taking the last place and doing humble work cheerfully.

St. Gerard Majella

St. Gerard Majella - Patron of Mothers - October 16th

Gerard was born in a little Italian town. Even as a boy, he loved to visit Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. “He would stop in church,” said his mother, “and then forget to come home for dinner.” When Gerard’s father died, the boy was taken out of school and sent to learn to be a tailor. His master was good to him, but the helper in the shop treated him roughly. Later Gerard started out in business for himself. One third of the money he earned he gave to his mother. Another third he gave away to poor people, and the rest he gave as offerings to have Masses said for the poor souls in Purgatory.

St. Gerard had once tried to enter the Capuchin Order, but they thought he looked too weak. Now he asked the Redemptorists to accept him as a brother. They did, but not too eagerly at all. At first they thought he would be useless, but soon they found him to be very humble and eager to do what he was told. While he was a novice, one priest heard him say, as he knelt in front of the altar: “Lord, let me go, I beg You. I have work that I must do!”

God gave St. Gerard marvelous and extraordinary gifts. He could read minds, appear to be in two places at once, cure people, tell what was going on someplace far away, and make animals and nature obey him. Yet Gerard had his sufferings, too. Once, a wicked woman accused the holy brother of committing a mortal sin, and since he did not excuse himself, he was punished by his Superior. He was sent away from everyone else and forbidden to receive Holy Communion. But all the Saint said was: “There is God in Heaven and He will provide.” Later, the evil woman repented and freely confessed that she had lied. Then everyone knew that Gerard was innocent and had said nothing because of his deep humility.

God alone sees my thoughts, word and deeds. I will never worry about what the others say about me. I will remember instead that God will be my Judge one day, and He will reward me if I was good, or punish me if I was bad.

Link to an audio story of St. Gerard Majella by Regina Martyrum Productions:

http://www.angeluspress.org/oscatalog/item/8201/to-heaven-through-the-window

St. Louis Bertrand

St. Louis Bertrand – October 9th

Louis was born in Valencia, Spain, in a family of nine children. His good parents brought him up well, and he became a Dominican priest. He was very severe as the Master of the Novices, but even though he did not have a good sense of humor, he taught the novices to give themselves completely to God. When first he began to preach, it did not seem as though he would be very successful, but his deep love for souls brought great results.

At the age of thirty-six, St. Louis left for South America. He stayed in the New World only about six years, but in that short time, this great apostle baptized thousands of persons. Although he knew only Spanish, God gave him the gift of tongues, so that when he spoke, all the different tribes of Indians understood him. Yet his apostolate was not without dangers. A tribe called the Caribs of the Leeward Islands even tried to poison the Saint when he visited them to preach the Gospel of Our Lord.

Once he was called back to Spain, St. Louis trained other preachers, teaching them to prepare themselves by fervent prayer, first of all. The last two years of his life were full of painful suffering, but still he kept preaching. Finally he was carried from the pulpit to his bed, and he never left it again, for he died eighteen months later.

Success in life lies in generosity and prayer. Today I will try to overcome my selfishness and say my prayers well.

St. Bruno

St. Bruno - Patron of those Expelling Demons - October 6th

The founder of the Carthusian Order of monks was at first not a hermit at all, but rather a famous priest-teacher in his own country of France. For eighteen years he taught very learned men and tried his best to lead them closer to God. Then he was made chancellor of the diocese of Rheims.

But Bruno did not take delight in the honors that had come to him. His heart began to long to be alone with Jesus, and soon he gave up his position right when he was about to be chosen Archbishop of the great city of Rheims. St. Hugh of Grenoble gave Bruno and his friends a hidden desert land called Chartreuse, and there they built a church and little huts to live in. This was the beginning of the Carthusian Order. They were very happy there, working their fields, fasting and praying, hidden in God.

After six years, however, the Pope required a great sacrifice of Bruno. He asked him to go to Rome to be his adviser. It broke the Saint’s heart, but he obeyed, and left one of the monks in charge at Chartreuse. He served Pope Urban II well, until finally the Holy Father allowed him to be a monk again, but nearer Rome. So with new disciples, he began all over again in Italy.

As we know by his letters, St. Bruno was always a cheerful, active man, who did not want to see any of his monks sad. He describes their hard life in delightful expressions and urged a close friend to come see for himself.

Just before he died, the holy founder confessed himself out loud in front of his monks, and then professed his Faith for the last time.

God loves those who serve Him with joy. St. Bruno used to say, “Try, and you will see how sweet and rewarding it is to serve God with all the love of your heart.”

St. Francis of Assisi

St. Francis of Assisi - Patron of Italy, of Catholic Action, and of Merchants - October 4th

As a young man in his Italian hometown of Assisi, Francis loved parties and good times. He was handsome and rich, so he bought himself the finest clothes and spent money right and left. Francis had no desire to study or to learn his father’s business-he just wanted to have fun. Yet he was never impure or selfish.

After two illnesses and other adventures, Francis realized that he must serve Christ, and so he began by praying much more and making sacrifices to grow strong in spirit. Once he kissed a horrible-looking leper, while giving him money. Often he gave his clothes and money to the poor and served the sick in hospitals. Still he felt he must do more. He fasted and prayed and began to go around in rags, in order to humble himself. It is not hard to imagine how his former rich friends must have looked at him now! His father was so angry that he beat him and locked him up at home. Francis bore all this suffering for love of Christ, and when his father took everything from him in disgust, Francis put all his trust in his Father in Heaven. He said that he was married to “Lady Poverty” and he began to live as a beggar, with no shelter or food but what kind people gave him. Everywhere he went, he urged people to stop sinning and to go back to God. Soon many men began to realize how close to God this poor man was, and they became his disciples. That is how the great Franciscan Order of priests and brothers began.

Even after the Order had been spread all over Italy, Francis insisted that they should not own anything and should all love poverty as he did. The brothers helped the poor and sick and preached everywhere. St. Francis had the power of working miracles and even of making birds and animals obey him! As a reward for his great love, Christ gave him His own wounds in his hands and feet, but the humble Francis tried to hide them.

When he had been sick for a long time and was told he could only live a few more weeks, he exclaimed, “Welcome, Sister Death!” He asked to be laid on the ground and covered with an old habit. Then he urged his Brothers to love God, to love poverty, and to obey the Holy Gospel. “I have done my part,” he said. “May Christ teach you to do yours.”

For love of God, today I will help someone, without asking or accepting a reward of any kind.

St. Sergius of Radonezh

St. Sergius of Radonezh – September 25th

This famous Russian saint was given the name of Bartholomew when he was baptized. He was not as bright as his two brothers, but with God’s help, he learned to read and write, which made him very happy, because he greatly desired to be able to read the Holy Bible. Bartholomew’s parents were nobles, but while he was still a boy, the family had to flee from enemies and go to work as peasants. After his parents died, he and his brother Stephen went off to live as hermits. They built a little church of trees they had cut down, and had it dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity.

When his brother went to Moscow to enter a monastery, Bartholomew lived alone, but he received the habit of a monk and took the name, Sergius. He was a big, husky young man strong enough to stand the biting cold and fierce winds of his forest home. He was happy praying to God and loving Him with all his heart. He called fire and light his companions, and even made friends with bears!

Before too long, other young men came to share St. Sergius’ holy life. They asked him to be their abbot and he did. He was ordained a priest and ruled his monastery very wisely. Once when some of the monks together with his own brother Stephen-who had come back-disagreed with Sergius, he went away in order to keep peace. Four years later, when he was asked to return, the monks were so happy to see him that they kissed his hands, his feet and even his robe. Powerful rulers often went to ask St. Sergius’ advice, and he became so famous that he was asked to become bishop of the greatest Russian diocese, but he was too humble to accept. When the Prince of Moscow was not sure whether he should try to fight the terrible pagan Tartars, the Saint said, “Do not fear, sir. Go forward with faith against the foe. God will be with you.” And the Russians were victorious!

It was not great learning that made people trust St. Sergius and love him. It was his confidence in God and his desire to help everybody.

I will follow the example of this Saint. When someone disagrees with me and starts an argument, I will keep still. In this way both of us will be at peace.

St. Joseph of Cupertino

St. Joseph of Cupertino – Patron of Aviators – September 18th

Joseph was born in a small village in Italy of poor parents. He was very unhappy as a boy and a teenager. His mother considered him a nuisance and treated him harshly. Joseph soon became very slow and absent-minded. He would wander around, going nowhere, his mouth gaping open. But he had a bad temper, too, and so, he was not at all popular. He tried to learn a trade of shoe-making, but failed. He asked to become a Franciscan, but they would not accept him. Next, he joined the Capuchins, but eight months later, they sent him away because he could not seem to do anything right. He dropped piles of dishes and kept forgetting to do what he was told. His mother was not at all pleased to have the eighteen-year-old Joseph back home again, so she finally got him accepted as a servant at the Franciscan monastery. He was given a monk’s habit and put to work taking care of the horses.

About this time, Joseph began to change. He grew more humble and gentle, more careful and successful at his work. He also began to do more penance. Now, it was decided that he could become a real member of the Order and start studying for the priesthood. Although he was very good, he still had a very hard time with studies. But the examiner happened to ask him to explain the only thing he knew well, and so he was made a deacon, and later a priest. After this, God began to work many amazing miracles through St. Joseph. Over seventy times people saw him rise from the ground wile saying Mass or praying. Often he went into ecstasy and would be completely wrapped up in talking with God. He became so holy that everything he saw made him think of God, and he said that all the troubles of this world were nothing but the “play” battles children have with popguns!

St. Joseph became so famous for the miracles that he was kept hidden, but he was happy for the chance to be alone with his beloved Lord. On His part, Jesus never left him alone and one day came to bring him to heaven.

Maybe our parents, our teachers and even we ourselves may feel that we are hopeless…because we make mistakes and get into much trouble! But it is never too late! With a strong will let us keep on trying…We, too, are called to become saints.

This is a link to an excellent movie on St. Joseph's story which is sadly being taken out of movie shelves:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqT4cXOKlW4

(please note that after St. Joseph and his monks leave out of the catacombs the part where they process back to their monastery is not in the VHS movie. That part may have just been a deleted scene.)