St. Melania

St. Melania – December 31st

This Saint was the daughter of one of the richest men of Rome. She and her family were Christians, but her father was not willing to let Melania follow her vocation to become a religious. He engaged her to Pinian, the son of the ruler of Rome, and when she was only fourteen, they were married. Melania told her young husband that she would be happy if they could give themselves completely to Jesus. Pinian, however, was like Melania’s father-a good man but very much concerned about pleasing important people and being admired.

After a couple of years, Melania became gravely ill, and her husband promised God that if He would spare her life, he would let her live in the holy way she desired. She got better, but her father made her keep on dressing and behaving like the other great ladies of Rome. Then, he too, fell ill, and as he lay dying, he asked her forgiveness. “Fearing the ridicule of evil tongues,” he said, “I have made you sad by opposing your heavenly vocation.”

Melania’s mother and husband joined her in giving up worldly pleasures. They moved to a country village and made it a center of charity to travelers, poor people, slaves, and even whole families. St. Melania had huge estates all over the empire, left her by her father. Now she sold them and gave the money to churches, monasteries, captives, sick people, pilgrims and everyone who needed help. In two years, she set eight thousand slaves free.

Melania’s husband, too, became so holy and good that wherever they visited people recognized the virtues of this blessed couple. After living in Africa and practicing great mortifications, St. Melania went with her dear ones to the Holy Land. There her beloved husband and mother died. The Saint built a cell for herself near their graves and many disciples came to share her holy life. It was there, in the land of Jesus, that she died peacefully, surrounded by her religious, and saying over and over: “As the Lord willed, so it is done.”

We should obey our parents in all things. But should God call us to be His, and should our parents oppose it, first we must obey God.

St. Martin of Tours

St. Martin of Tours – November 11th

This soldier saint entered the Roman army in Italy when he was only fifteen. Although his parents were pagans, he began to study the Christian religion. Those who study the Christian religion are called catechumens until they are baptized.

One very cold winter day, Martin and his comrades came upon a poor beggar at the gate of the city of Amiens. The man’s only clothes were nothing but rags and he was shaking with cold. The other soldiers passed him by, but Martin felt that it was up to him to help the beggar. Having nothing with him, he drew his sword and cut his long cloak in half. Some laughed at his funny appearance as he gave one half to the beggar, but other felt ashamed of their own selfishness. That night, Our Lord Jesus Christ, wearing the half of the cloak that Martin had given away, appeared to him!

“Martin, still a catechumen, has covered me with this garment,” Jesus said. Right after this wonderful event, St. Martin went to be baptized.

A few years later, the Saint left the army and became a disciple of St. Hilary, the Bishop of Poitiers, France. Because of his strong opposition to the Arian heretics in various cities, Martin had to go into exile. But he was happy to live in the wilderness with other monks, and when the people of Tours asked for him as their bishop, he refused. The people would not give up, however. They got him to come to the city to visit a sick person, and once he was there, they took him to the Church!

As Bishop of Tours, St. Martin did all he could to rid France of paganism. He prayed, he worked, he preached everywhere.

Our Lord let Martin know when his death was near. As soon as his followers heard of it, they began to weep and to beg him not to leave them. So the Saint prayed: “Lord, if Your people need me yet, I will not refuse the work. Your will be done.” He was still laboring for the Divine Master in a far-off part of his diocese when death finally came.

St. Martin’s tomb became one of the most famous shrines in a Europe.

I will try to imitate the charity of St. Martin.

Blessed Madeline of Canossa

Blessed Madeline of Canossa – November 8th

Madeline was one of those very lovable children, full of life, and pretty as a picture. She was the daughter of an Italian nobleman, and her rich parents showered her with love. But when she was only five, her dear father died. Two years later, her mother married again and Madeline was entrusted to a governess, who was supposed to be like a good mother to her. Instead, this mean woman treated the beautiful and intelligent child in the worst way possible. Madeline’s brother and sisters tried to tell on the governess, but that clever woman always made it look as though she were right and the child was guilty.

How did Madeline take all this? The great sorrow she felt and the humiliations she suffered only served to strengthen her character. A serious illness attacked her next, and when it was over, her worried relatives were happy to see that she was the same lovely, cheerful young lady as before. But there was one difference. Madeline had resolved to turn down all chances to marry, because she had decided to become a nun.

At first, she thought God wanted her to serve Him as a Carmelite. Later, she realized that she was to be Foundress of a Congregation of nuns who would take care of children. God blessed the new Institute in every way. Schools, homes for orphans, raining centers for the blind and for the deaf and dumb were opened in many cities. Madeline’s tender heart was full of love for little ones in difficulty, because she remembered how much she herself had suffered as a child.

This Saint had a great devotion to our Heavenly Mother and when she was dying she said three Hail Marys with touching love. At the third, she stretched out her arms, and her eyes shone as though she could see the Blessed Virgin coming for her. Then she bowed her head and left this earth forever.

I will remember in my prayers all the little children without a mother. I will pray to our Blessed Lady to be their Mother.

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. Malachy O'More

St. Malachy O'More - November 3rd

At the time this Irish Saint was born in St. Patrick's city of Armogh, Ireland was suffering greatly from the effects of many attacks by the Danes. As a boy, Malachy went to the school in which his father taught. When his parents died, he asked a good hermit to bring him up. At the age of twenty-five, he was ordained by St. Celsus and sent to preach all over the neighborhood of Armogh. The people had fallen into many superstitions brought to Ireland by the pagan conquerors, so Malachy had to burn branches, thorns, and trees which were supposed to be magic! Feeling the need for more instruction, the zealous priest went to St. Malchus to learn as much as he could of Church law.

Next St. Malachy was made Bishop of Connor. Here he changed many wolves into lambs, that is, he converted hardened sinners into good Christians again. As Archbishop of the great diocese of Armogh, Malachy brought about a change in evil customs and established peace between enemies through his calm dignity and courage. Many other works the Saint performed for the good of the Church. Then, in spirit of obedience, he went to see the Pope to make sure he had made no mistakes.

It was a long journey from Ireland to Rome in those days, but one good part of it was that he met the great St. Bernard. The two became very close friends. On another trip to see the Pope, Malachy called on St. Bernard and his monks again. This time he fell very ill, and the monks took loving care of him. "All your efforts are useless," he assured them, "for I will not get better." Sick as he was, he insisted on going to the chapel to receive the Sacraments for the last time. He promised to remember all the monks when he was in heaven, and then died peacefully in the arms of St. Bernard.

When we ask advice from our parents and all those who are in charge of us, we are sure of not making mistakes.

St. Marcian

St. Marcian – November 2nd

This Syrian Saint came from a noble family, but he wanted to give up everything for Christ’s sake. He might have just given away his possessions, or left his home for a monastery. Marcian, however, left everything-family, money, and even country. He went to a far-away desert and into the most distant spot in the desert. There he built a low, narrow hut, in which he could not even stand up straight.

Marcian considered this lonely spot a heaven on earth. He spent his time praying, working and singing psalms. God gave him a wonderful knowledge of the great truths of our holy Faith, too. But despite his desire to remain hidden from the world, people began to learn of his holiness. In time, Marcian had a great number of followers, and he made his first disciple the abbot of the others.

Once St. Flarian and other bishops called on St. Marcian and asked him to speak to them of the things of God. The humble hermit was upset by the high position of his visitors and he was quiet for a while. Finally, when they urged him to speak, he said: “God speaks to us every day by His creatures and by this whole world we see. He speaks to us in His Gospel. In it He teaches us what we ought to do both for ourselves and for others. What more can Marcian say that can be of use?”

Because he worked several miracles, he was called a wonder-worker. This he did not like at all. One day a hermit came to ask him to bless some oil to cure a friend’s sick daughter. St. Marcian refused rather abruptly, because he did not want to be considered able to work miracles. Yet at that very hour, the girl was cured!

Because many people were arguing over who should have his body when he died, Marcian told his first disciple to bury it in a secret place.

I will make sure I have a copy of the Gospel for himself and I will read a page of it every day The Holy Gospel is the best book, for it tells me all about God.

St. Mary the Martyr

St. Mary the Martyr – November 1st

Mary was a Christian slave in the home of a Roman official named Tertullus. She was the only one in that household who was Christian. It was her delight to pray every chance she had, and she often fasted, too. Yet St. Mary knew that God is pleased only when we do our duty, so she never neglected her chores around the house. Moreover, she was very loyal to her mistress. Although this lady did not approve of so much prayer, she could not help but be grateful for the girl’s faithful service.

When persecution of Christians began, Tertullus did his best to make his slave give up her Faith, but she would not. He realized that if someone told the governor about her, he would he would lose her. Therefore, he whipped her without mercy and hid her in a closet. But somehow word of what had happened got around, and Tertullus was commanded to turn her in or pay the penalty of hiding a Christian.

A mob at the court was furious when Mary bravely said, “I am a Christian!” “Burn her alive!” they shouted. But Mary just kept praying to Jesus to give her courage so that she would not surrender when tortured. “The God whom I serve is with me,” she said. “I am not afraid of your tortures. They can only take away my life, and I myself am willing to lay it down for Jesus.” But when she was tortured, the sight was so terrible that the crowds cried, “Let her go! Stop this! Set her free!”

The judge gave St. Mary over to a soldier. Seeing how meek and good she was, he let her escape. St. Mary died a peaceful death later, but she is honored as a martyr because of all her sufferings.
I will think of what the martyrs went through and will not cry or complain any more over my small sufferings.

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque – October 17th

Margaret Mary is the famous French nun to whom Our Lord showed His Sacred Heart. As a child, she had a horror of being naughty and she was a healthy, happy little girl who loved the nuns at school. But when she was eleven, she became very sick and it was four years before she was well again. Her father had died, and an aunt had moved into their home. This aunt and her husband made Margaret Mary and her beloved mother suffer very much. Day after day, the young teenager would hide herself in the garden to cry and pray. What hurt her most was to see her mother being hurt.

Yet Margaret Mary grew to love good times and a few years later, she was considering marriage. Her mother wanted her to marry and so did her relatives, especially when she brought beggar children into the garden to try to teach them!

But Christ wanted her for His own. Margaret Mary hesitated a while, neither marrying nor entering the Convent, but at last she generously gave herself to Jesus as His bride.

In the Visitation Convent she entered, she was of good example to everyone because of her charity and humility. Often she made others impatient since she was rather slow and clumsy, but she was dear to Jesus, and He began to appear to Sister Margaret Mary to show her how much He loves us all. Jesus wanted her to spread devotion to His Sacred Heart. It was a very hard thing to do, because many people thought the good Sister really had not seen Our Lord at all. Some were very angry with her for trying to spread the new devotion, and all this brought great suffering to the Saint. Yet she still did her best to carry out Our Lord’s wish, and today, this wonderful devotion to the Sacred Heart is practiced all over the world.

Our Lord made great promises to St. Margaret Mary for those who are devoted to His Most Sacred Heart. Some of these promises are: “I will comfort them in all their afflictions. I will establish peace in their homes. I will bestow abundant blessings on all their undertakings. I will bless every place where a picture of My Heart shall be exposed and honored.” The greatest promise Our Lord made is this: “My Divine Heart shall be the safe refuge in the last moment to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Friday for nine months in a row.” I want to make sure of making the Nine First Fridays.

Dedication of St. Michael

Dedication of St. Michael – September 29th

There are more than ten Roman churches dedicated to St. Michael. To-day’s feast celebrates the consecration in 530 by Boniface II of the venerable sanctuary seven miles from the city on the Salarian way. The Mass now used for the 18th Sunday after Pentecost was composed for the occasion, which accounts for its many references to the consecration of a church. To-day’s Mass has much in common with that of the Guardian Angels, the two feasts having long been celebrated together.

The Name Michael means, in Hebrew, “who is like to God?” and recalls the battle in heaven between “the prince of the heavenly host”* and the devil, a battle which began with Lucifer’s rebellion and continues down the ages. In this tremendous struggle Michael and his angels together with the Church and her saints are Christ’s allies against Satan and his devils with all their henchmen. We are all involved in this fight, and St. Michael and the angels help us so that we may not perish in the day of God’s judgment (All.). When a Christian dies, the Church prays that God’s standard-bearer may lead him into heaven**, and so he is often represented bearing the scales of divine justice in which souls are weighed. St. Michael also presides over our worship of God, for he is the angel whom St. John saw in heaven near God’s altar, a golden censer in his hand, offering the fragrant incense of the prayers of the saints. (1st Ant. At Vespers; Off.; cf. the blessing of incense at the Offertory in the ordinary of the Mass). St. Michael’s name is mentioned in the Confiteor after that of Mary, the Queen of the angels. He is the angel protector of the Church as he formerly was of the Jewish people. The liturgy identifies him with the angel who gave God’s revelation to St. John in the Apocalypse (Ep.).

* Prayers for the agonizing and prayers after low Mass.

** Offertory of the Requiem Mass.

St. Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist

St. Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist - Patron of Bankers and Tax Collectors – September 21st

Matthew was a tax-collector in the city of Capharnaum, where Jesus was living. He was a Jew but he was working for the Romans, who had conquered the Jews. For this reason, his countrymen disliked him. They would not have anything to do with these “publicans”, as tax collectors like Matthew were called.

But Jesus did not feel that way about Matthew. One day, He saw him sitting in his office and He said, “Follow Me.” At once, Matthew got up and left his money and his position to follow Our Lord, Who seemed so holy and king-like. He gave a big supper for Jesus and invited other publicans like himself to meet Jesus and listen to Him teach. When some people criticized Our Lord for eating with sinners, Jesus answered, “They who are well do not need the doctor; the sick do. I have not come to call the just, but sinners to repentance.”

When Jesus went back to Heaven, St. Matthew stayed in Palestine for some time to preach about Our Lord. He also wrote his Gospel, which is the story of Jesus and what He taught. In his Gospel, St. Matthew showed his countrymen that Jesus is the Messias whom the Prophets had said would come to save us.

After preaching the Gospel to many people, Matthew ended his life as a glorious martyr for the Faith.

If my parents ask me to do something, I will obey promptly, without asking them any questions or giving any excuses.

Blessed Maria Assunta Pallotta

Blessed Maria Assunta Pallotta – September 7th

Maria Assunta was a young Italian country girl who spent her days as a teen doing farm chores and helping in the fields. Every one of the young men and women around the countryside knew that they could not use any rough or immodest words when she was around-there was something so pure about her that no one would have dared.

Maria entered the Congregation of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary. In her humility she felt so much less worthy than her Sisters that she always chose the less pleasing chores for herself. Joyfully and with a smile ever on her lips, she would “work for Jesus,” as she said. “I want to take advantage of every chance I get to work for sanctity.”

Sister Mary Assunta was sent as a missionary to China. A fierce storm arose on this trip, and the ship seemed about to sink. “Aren’t you afraid, too?” one of the passengers asked the calm-looking Sister. “No,” answered Blessed Maria Assunta. “There’s no reason why I should be. It’s all the same to me whether I reach my mission or go to the bottom of the ocean, if that’s what Jesus wants.”

Blessed Maria was stationed at the same spot where seven Sisters of her Congregation had been killed four years before. So she hoped to be able to give her life for Our Lord, too, but in the meantime, she worked hard, cooking for the Sisters and the orphans they cared for. When typhoid fever struck that region, she lovingly nursed her Sisters, without a thought of the danger to herself. One year after she had come to China, Blessed Maria Assunta caught typhoid, too, and died of it. At her death, a mysterious, sweet perfume filled her room and followed her body as it was carried to the cemetery. Even the pagans came to her grave to pray to her and ask her protection.

Let us pray to receive the strength we need to overcame ourselves and give our best to duties we do not like.

St. Martha

St. Martha - Patroness of Cooks and Domestic Servants - July 29th

Martha was the sister of Mary Magdalen and Lazarus, and she lived with them in the little town of Bethany near Jerusalem. They were dear friends of Jesus, and He often came to visit them. In fact, the Holy Gospel tells us: “Jesus loved Martha, and her sister Mary, and Lazarus.” It was St. Martha who lovingly served Our Lord when He visited them.

One day as she was going about the house preparing everything for Jesus, she asked Him to tell her sister Mary to help her. For Mary was sitting quietly at Jesus’ feet, listening to Him. Our Lord was very pleased with Martha’s loving service, but He wanted her to know that listening to God’s word and praying is even more important. So He said gently: “Martha, Martha, you are anxious about many things, but only one thing is necessary, Mary has chosen the better part.”

St. Martha’s great faith in Jesus was seen when her brother Lazarus died. As soon as she heard that Jesus was coming to Bethany, Martha went to meet Him and said: “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would have not died.” Then Jesus told her that Lazarus would rise. He said: “He who believes in Me, even if he die, shall live. Do you believe this?” And Martha answered, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are Christ, the Son of God, Who has come into the world.” Afterwards, Our Lord worked a great miracle and raised Lazarus from the dead!

Later, Jesus came again to have supper with Lazarus, and St. Martha served them at table as always, but this time with much greater love and joy.

Jesus said to Martha that to take care of our soul is more important than to take care of our body. Our body will die one day, but our soul will live forever. Therefore we have to give more importance to our soul, to be sure to save it.

St. Mary Magdalen

St. Mary Magdalen - Patroness of Penitent Sinners - July 22nd

Mary Magdalen was well known as a sinner when she first saw Our Lord. She was very beautiful and very proud, but after she met Jesus, she felt great sorrow for her evil life. When Jesus went to supper at the home of a rich man named Simon, Mary came to weep at His feet. Then with her long beautiful hair, she wiped His feet dry and anointed them with expensive perfume. Some people were surprised that Jesus let such a sinner touch Him, but Our Lord could see into Mary’s heart, and he said: “Many sins are forgiven her, because she has loved much.” Then to Mary He said kindly, “Your faith has made you safe. Go in peace.”

From then on, with the other holy women, Mary humbly served Jesus and His Apostles. And when Our Lord was crucified, she was there at the foot of His cross, unafraid for herself, and thinking only of His sufferings. No wonder Jesus said of her: “She has loved much.”

After Jesus’ body had been placed in the tomb, Mary went to anoint it with spices early Easter Sunday morning. Not finding the sacred body, she began to weep, and seeing someone whom she thought was the gardener, she asked him if he knew where the Body of her beloved Master had been taken. But then the Person spoke in a voice she knew so well: “Mary!” It was Jesus, risen from the dead! And He had chosen to show Himself first to Mary Magdalen, the repentant sinner.

Today I will often say the invocation, “Jesus, make me love You more and more.” When the love of God fills our hearts, it purifies them from every stain of sin.

Sts. Cyril and Methodius

Sts. Cyril and Methodius - July 7th

These two brothers were born in Macedonia. Methodius was much older than Cyril, but they both became priests and shared the same holy desires to spread the faith. Cyril was the first to lead a group of missionaries to central Europe to convert a people called Khazars. He learned their language in a short time and succeeded in converting both ruler and his people.

The mission of Methodius, who had become a monk, had a very unusual beginning. He was an excellent artist and was sent to the King Bulgaria to paint a picture for his palace. The king, a pagan, asked the saint to paint a terrifying scene, and St. Methodius painted a tremendous picture of the Last Judgement. When he explained it, it made a great impression on the King. In this wise way, Methodius had a chance to preach the Faith, and the King was converted. At first the people were angry, but before too long, they followed their King’s example.

Saints Cyril and Methodius are called the Apostles of the Southern Slavs, because they brought the Faith to so many of the Slavic people. They also are remembered for having invented an alphabet in which the Slavic language might be written.

After St. Cyril died, his holy brother continued his work for another fifteen years.

Let us always remember that after death, Jesus will judge us for every thought, word and action.

St. Maria Goretti

St. Maria Goretti - Patroness of Children, Children of Mary, Girls, Rape Victims, Young - July 6th

Mary was the young daughter of a poor Italian widow. She was nicknamed Marietta, and at the age of twelve was already a very pretty young lady. She helped her mother on the farm, in the house and with the care of the other children. Never did she complain because they were so poor. In fact, she cheered up her poor mother and was a great comfort to her. She went to Mass regularly even though it meant a two-hour walk, and she went as often as she could to confession and Holy Communion.

Marietta was also very modest and careful to guard her purity. When a young man named Alexander tried a few times to make her sin, she absolutely refused and she did her best to avoid him from that time on. Then one summer day, she was alone in the cottage mending clothes, and Alexander came again to try to make her sin. This time, he dragged the poor girl into a room and when she tried to scream, he stuffed a handkerchief into her mouth. Yet she managed to keep saying, ‘No, no! It is a mortal sin. God doesn’t want it. If you commit you will go to hell!” And she struggled as much as she could. Furiously Alexander began to strike her with a knife. Again and again he struck, and then he ran away.

Marietta was taken to a hospital, where she died about twenty-four hours later. During her last hours, she forgave her murderer. Her only worry was for her mother. With great joy, she received Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and then went to Heaven.

Alexander was sent to prison where, for a long time, he did not repent of his horrible crime. Then one night he had a dream or vision of Mary Goretti offering him flowers. From that moment on he was a changed man. When he was freed from prison after many years, the first thing he did was to beg Mary’s mother for forgiveness.

On the day Mary Goretti was declared “Blessed,” her own mother was there in Rome for the great celebration. And when the Pope declared Mary as saint, more people gathered to honor her than had ever come for such a ceremony before. St. Mary Goretti is called a “martyr of holy purity.”

Alexander had become so impure because he used to read bad magazines. Mary Goretti was so pure, instead, because she went to the Sacraments as often as possible. Let us imitate this heroic young girl. Jesus will give us the strength we need to keep pure.

Blessed Madeleine Fontaine and Her Three Companions

Blessed Madeleine Fontaine and Her Three Companions - June 27th

These four French martyrs were Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. Besides Blessed Madeleine, there were Blessed Frances Lanel, Blessed Teresa Fantou, and Blessed Joan Gerard. They were put to death for their Faith in the bloodiest days of the French Revolution.

First, the four Sisters were arrested because they refused to take an oath that could not be taken without committing a sin. The enemies of the church said that they had found certain papers in the convent which showed that the Sisters had been working against the Revolution. None of this was true, but a wicked judge in the city of Cambrai had Blessed Madeleine, the Superior, condemned to death, together with her three Sisters.

The sisters walked to their execution calmly singing a hymn to the Blessed Mother, “Hail, Star of the Sea.” Sister Madeleine was the last to die. As she came near the guillotine, she cried to the watching crowd: “Listen, Christians! We are the last victims. The persecution is going to stop. The altars of Jesus will rise again in glory!”

Her prophecy came true. The evil man who had judged the martyrs had to stop the executions because people were so angry with him. Six weeks later, he himself was beheaded.

No matter what happens, we should never promise to do something which is forbidden by God’s law.

St. Margaret of Scotland

St. Margaret of Scotland - June 10th

Margaret was an English princess. She and her mother sailed to Scotland to escape from the king who had conquered their land. King Malcolm of Scotland welcomed them and fell in love with the beautiful princess. Margaret and Melcolm were married before too long.

As Queen, Margaret changed her husband and the country for the better. Melcolm was good, but he and his court were very rough. When he saw how wise his beloved wife was, he listened to her good advice. She softened his temper and led him to practice greater virtue. She made the court beautiful and civilized. Soon all the princes had better manners, and the ladies copied her purity and devotion. The King and Queen gave wonderful example to everyone by the way they prayed together and fed crowds of poor people with their own hands. They seemed to have only one desire: to make everyone happy and good.

Margaret was a blessing for all the people of Scotland. Before she came, there was great ignorance and many bad habits among them. Margaret worked hard to obtain good teachers, to correct the evil practices, and to have new churches beautiful for God’s glory, and she embroidered the priest’s vestments herself.

God sent this holy Queen six sons and two daughters. She loved them dearly and raised them well. The youngest boy became St. David. But Margaret had sorrows, too. In her last illness, she learned that both husband and son, Edward, had been killed in battle. Yet she prayed: “I thank You, Almighty God, for sending me so great a sorrow to purify me from my sins.”

Let us take this saintly queen for our example. While we do our duties, let us keep in mind the joys that God will give us in Heaven.

St. Mary Magdalen dei Pazzi

St. Mary Magdalen dei Pazzi - May 29th

This Italian Saint was the only daughter of very rich parents. When she was fourteen, she became a boarder at a convent school, and there she grew to love life in a religious house. But about a year later, her father took her home and began to think of choosing a rich husband for her. Her heart, however, was set on becoming a nun, and she told her parents that three years before she had already made a vow of chastity. They could not believe it, but finally they let her enter the Carmelite convent. Only fifteen days later, however, they came and took her home, hoping to make her change her mind. After three months of trying, they gave up and let her go back for good, with their blessings.

As a novice, St. Mary Magdalen fell very sick and was permitted to make her profession ahead of time. Since she was suffering greatly, one of the sisters asked her how could she stand the pain without a word. The Saint pointed to the crucifix and said: “See what the great love of God has suffered for my salvation. This same love sees my weakness and gives me strength.”

St. Mary Magdalen had great sufferings her whole life, and she also had very strong temptations to impurity and to greed for food. She overcame everything by her great love of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist and for Mary. Often she ate only bread and water, and practiced other mortifications. Moreover, her love for Jesus became so great that she would say, “Lord, let me suffer or let me die.” With tears she would pray and offer her pains for sinners and pagans, right up until she died. She once said: “O my Jesus, if I had a voice loud and strong enough to be heard in every part of the world, I would cry out to make you known and loved by everyone!”

Our love for God and for souls will grow, too, if we look at the crucifix from time and think of how Jesus loved us.

St. Monica

St. Monica - Patroness of Mothers - May 4th

It was in North Africa that this famous mother of St. Augustine was born. She was brought up as a good Christian. Her strong training was a great help to her when she was married to the pagan Patricius. Patricius admired his wife, but he had a terrible temper and made her suffer much. Still Monica never answered back and never complained about him. Instead she prayed for him fervently. At last, before he died, her prayers and her good example converted Patricius and her mother-in-law, also.

St. Monica’s joy over the holy way in which her husband had died soon changed to great sorrow when she found out that her son Augustine was living a wicked life. This brilliant young man of nineteen had turned to a false religion and to evil habits. Monica prayed and cried and did much penance for her son. She begged priests to talk to him. Augustine was brilliant, yet very stubborn, and he did not want to give up his sinful life.

But Monica would not give him up, either. When he went to Rome without her, she followed him. At Rome, she found he had become a teacher in Milan. So Monica went to Milan. And all those years, she never stopped praying for him. What love and faith! After thirty years of prayers and tears, her reward came when Augustine was converted. Not only did he become a good Christian, as she had prayed, but also a priest, a bishop, a great writer, and a very famous saint.

We should not become discouraged if our prayers are not answered right away. Like St. Monica, we must keep praying, because Our Lord promised, “Ask and you shall receive.”

St. Mark the Evangelist

St. Mark the Evangelist - Patron of Notaries - April 25th

Mark lived in Palestine at the time of Our Lord. He was a relative of St. Barnabas. While still a young man, he went with the great Apostles Paul and Barnabas on a missionary journey to bring the teachings of Christ to new lands. Before it was over, though, he grew discouraged and went back home to Jerusalem. Later, he was much braver, and he became a beloved disciple of St. Peter, the first Pope. With St. Peter, he went to Rome. Here St. Peter preached about Jesus to the Romans. The people asked St. Mark to write down everything St. Peter said, and he did. This book is called the Gospel of St. Mark.

It is a life of Christ told by St. Peter himself and it gives us many little details that are not in the other Gospels.

Mark was consecrated a bishop and sent to Egypt. There he converted many people. After a life of sufferings serenely endured for the glory of God, he went through a long and very painful martyrdom.

His wicked enemies tied his feet with rope and dragged him through the streets for a whole day. The ground was stained with St. Mark’s blood, but he was happy for the chance to suffer for Jesus. That night in prison, Jesus Himself came to comfort and strengthen St. Mark. The next day his enemies dragged him on the ground again until he died of his many wounds.

St. Mark’s relics were later brought to Venice and today they are venerated in the beautiful Basilica of St. Mark.

There is no book in the world more important than the Holy Gospels. The wisest and holiest of men have always loved to read them over and over again. Let us, too, make sure we have a copy of the Holy Gospels and that we read them.