St. Theodosius - January 11th
St. Theodosius was born in Asia Minor. Greatly impressed by the examples of the Patriarch Abraham, of whom he read in the Bible, he decided to imitate him. So he left his family and friends and traveled to Jerusalem to visit all the holy places. While there, he decided to submit himself to a holy hermit named Longinus, so as to serve God by obeying him. Longinus was so pleased with Theodosius’ virtues that he entrusted him with the care of a church of Our Lady. Theodosius obeyed promptly, but he grew disturbed by the great admiration the people had for him. He then retired to a mountain and fasted and prayed for years.
Many men were attracted by his holiness and he eventually built a monastery near Bethlehem.
Seeing how good and devout he was, the Patriarch of Jerusalem made Theodosius Superior General of all the religious men living in Palestine. St. Theodosius delighted in helping the poor. He and his monks set more than a hundred tables some days to serve hungry beggars. Even when food was very scarce, and the monks themselves did not have enough, he would not turn the poor people away. Even though he was very active, the Saint kept himself close to God by reading spiritual books often. He lived to be a hundred and five years old.
Let us imitate St. Theodosius’ humility by never bragging about ourselves and what we have done.
1/11/08
1/10/08
St. William
St. William – January 10th
St. William came from a wealthy French family, but even as a young boy, he did not care to waste time fooling around or being idle. He spent much time praying. When he joined the Cistercian Order, he was such a good monk that the others were inspired just by looking at him. Yet he always considered himself the least among his brethren.
St. William had a great devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. He practiced penance, but he was always very happy. When he was made the Abbot of his community, he remained as humble as ever. At the death of the Archbishop of Bourges, William was chosen to take his place. But so humble was he that he cried on receiving this new honor. Yet he accepted it and did even more penance than before, to convert sinners. Although he loved to be alone with God, he traveled all over his diocese to preach, to visit the poor and the sick, to console them and bring them to Christ. When he died he was buried in ashes, as he had asked.
The more we read about the Saints, the more we find that they really became saints by praying, obeying and doing penance.
St. William came from a wealthy French family, but even as a young boy, he did not care to waste time fooling around or being idle. He spent much time praying. When he joined the Cistercian Order, he was such a good monk that the others were inspired just by looking at him. Yet he always considered himself the least among his brethren.
St. William had a great devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. He practiced penance, but he was always very happy. When he was made the Abbot of his community, he remained as humble as ever. At the death of the Archbishop of Bourges, William was chosen to take his place. But so humble was he that he cried on receiving this new honor. Yet he accepted it and did even more penance than before, to convert sinners. Although he loved to be alone with God, he traveled all over his diocese to preach, to visit the poor and the sick, to console them and bring them to Christ. When he died he was buried in ashes, as he had asked.
The more we read about the Saints, the more we find that they really became saints by praying, obeying and doing penance.
1/9/08
Sts. Julian and Basilissa
Sts. Julian and Basilissa – January 9th
Sts. Julian and Basilissa, though they were husband and wife, lived as brother and sister. They turned their home into a hospital in order to help the sick and the poor. St. Julian took care of the men, and St. Basilissa cared for the women. St. Basilissa died after suffering great persecutions for the Faith. Julian lived many years and also received the glorious crown of martyrdom.
Basilissa and Julian spent their whole lives helping others and serving God. They planted the seed of faith by living holy lives and watered it and made it grow with their blood shed for Jesus crucified.
We can imitate these Saints by visiting sick or lonely people to cheer them up and to bring them something good to read.
Sts. Julian and Basilissa, though they were husband and wife, lived as brother and sister. They turned their home into a hospital in order to help the sick and the poor. St. Julian took care of the men, and St. Basilissa cared for the women. St. Basilissa died after suffering great persecutions for the Faith. Julian lived many years and also received the glorious crown of martyrdom.
Basilissa and Julian spent their whole lives helping others and serving God. They planted the seed of faith by living holy lives and watered it and made it grow with their blood shed for Jesus crucified.
We can imitate these Saints by visiting sick or lonely people to cheer them up and to bring them something good to read.
1/8/08
St. Syncletica
St. Syncletica – January 8th
St. Syncletica was a rich young girl who lived in Alexandria, Egypt in the fourth century. When her parents died, they left her and her blind sister a great fortune. But Syncletica gave it to the poor. She kept just enough to live on, and she and her sister devoted themselves to prayer and penance. Hearing of St. Syncletica’s great holiness many women came to ask her to teach them how to please God. She was so humble that she felt she was too sinful to teach anyone. At last, however, she did not have the heart to refuse them any longer, and she gave them many wise lessons.
What most surprised everyone who visited the Saint was her great happiness. She who had once been so rich was living on bread and water and sleeping on the ground. Besides that, for three years before her death, she suffered from a very painful sickness. Yet, Syncletica was always joyful and grateful to God for letting her share in the sufferings of His Passion. To reward her, three days before her death, the Lord gave her a little idea of the great glory and happiness He had prepared for her in Heaven.
It is not true that to be good we have to be sad. The Saints were always happy. God loves those who serve Him cheerfully.
St. Syncletica was a rich young girl who lived in Alexandria, Egypt in the fourth century. When her parents died, they left her and her blind sister a great fortune. But Syncletica gave it to the poor. She kept just enough to live on, and she and her sister devoted themselves to prayer and penance. Hearing of St. Syncletica’s great holiness many women came to ask her to teach them how to please God. She was so humble that she felt she was too sinful to teach anyone. At last, however, she did not have the heart to refuse them any longer, and she gave them many wise lessons.
What most surprised everyone who visited the Saint was her great happiness. She who had once been so rich was living on bread and water and sleeping on the ground. Besides that, for three years before her death, she suffered from a very painful sickness. Yet, Syncletica was always joyful and grateful to God for letting her share in the sufferings of His Passion. To reward her, three days before her death, the Lord gave her a little idea of the great glory and happiness He had prepared for her in Heaven.
It is not true that to be good we have to be sad. The Saints were always happy. God loves those who serve Him cheerfully.
1/7/08
St. Lucian
St. Lucian – January 7th
St. Lucian was born in Syria. His rich pagan parents brought him up to worship their false gods. When he was twelve, however, he began to see that his religion was wrong, and after being instructed in the Christian faith, Lucian was baptized. He went away to a Christian school, even though he found it hard to leave home. There he studied Sacred Scripture and began to make mortifications, such as eating very little. Daily he grew closer to God. Lucian became a priest and a teacher of Sacred Scripture himself. When a persecution broke out, the Saint was captured and kept in prison for nine years. There he prepared himself to die for Jesus by reading the Holy Bible.
When brought before the emperor to be judged, Lucian took the opportunity to explain our holy religion to everyone. He suffered patiently, and when they asked him, “Where are you from? Who are your parents?” he only answered, “I am a Christian.” He was placed on the rack, and he still repeated these words. Then he was put to death and so he earned the martyr’s crown he had long desired.
Let us listen well to the sermons our pastor gives. Our faith will teach us what is right and give us the strength to do it-even when we find it hard.
St. Lucian was born in Syria. His rich pagan parents brought him up to worship their false gods. When he was twelve, however, he began to see that his religion was wrong, and after being instructed in the Christian faith, Lucian was baptized. He went away to a Christian school, even though he found it hard to leave home. There he studied Sacred Scripture and began to make mortifications, such as eating very little. Daily he grew closer to God. Lucian became a priest and a teacher of Sacred Scripture himself. When a persecution broke out, the Saint was captured and kept in prison for nine years. There he prepared himself to die for Jesus by reading the Holy Bible.
When brought before the emperor to be judged, Lucian took the opportunity to explain our holy religion to everyone. He suffered patiently, and when they asked him, “Where are you from? Who are your parents?” he only answered, “I am a Christian.” He was placed on the rack, and he still repeated these words. Then he was put to death and so he earned the martyr’s crown he had long desired.
Let us listen well to the sermons our pastor gives. Our faith will teach us what is right and give us the strength to do it-even when we find it hard.
1/6/08
The Epiphany of Our Lord
The Epiphany of Our Lord – January 6th
The Epiphany is the Feast of the visit of the Magi to the Infant Jesus. The Magi were three wise Kings from the East, who made a long trip to adore the King of Kings. When they saw a very unusual star in the sky, they knew that our Savior had been born in Palestine, and they set out to find Him. They did not listen to those who tried to discourage them, and they did not mind making the long, hard journey. The three Kings trusted God to lead them by His star.
When they found Jesus with His Mother, Mary, they knelt down and adored Him. Worshipping, they offered Him precious gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Afterwards, the Magi returned home with their hearts full of joy. They had seen and adored the Son of God.
Let us often visit Jesus in church and receive Him in Holy Communion, even if we have to get up early or walk a long way. In return, Jesus will fill our hearts with joy and give us many graces.
The Epiphany is the Feast of the visit of the Magi to the Infant Jesus. The Magi were three wise Kings from the East, who made a long trip to adore the King of Kings. When they saw a very unusual star in the sky, they knew that our Savior had been born in Palestine, and they set out to find Him. They did not listen to those who tried to discourage them, and they did not mind making the long, hard journey. The three Kings trusted God to lead them by His star.
When they found Jesus with His Mother, Mary, they knelt down and adored Him. Worshipping, they offered Him precious gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Afterwards, the Magi returned home with their hearts full of joy. They had seen and adored the Son of God.
Let us often visit Jesus in church and receive Him in Holy Communion, even if we have to get up early or walk a long way. In return, Jesus will fill our hearts with joy and give us many graces.
1/5/08
St. Simeon the Stylite
St. Simeon the Stylite – January 5th
St. Simeon was born in Asia Minor of a poor family of shepherds. He became a shepherd like his father. One day, when he was still a young boy, he could not take his sheep out because it was snowing. So he went to church and there heard a reading of the Beatitudes-“Blessed are the poor in spirit…; Blessed are they who mourn…; Blessed are the clean of heart….” Not understanding these words of Jesus, he asked a holy old man for an explanation and then begged the Lord Himself to teach him how to become perfect. God in His goodness taught Simeon that he must first become very humble and then acquire the other virtues. At once Simeon asked to join a monastery.
Later he went to serve God in a lonely mountain spot, but he was so holy that people kept coming way up there to find him.
At last he had a very tall column built, and on the top of that pillar, he lived for forty years. He is called St. Simeon Stylite, from the word “stylos,” which means pillar. There was so little space on that pillar that he could never lie down. What a penance that was!
St. Simeon grew very close to God. He prayed constantly and taught the people who gathered beneath his pillar. Yet, no matter how many special favors God gave him, he never grew proud. He always stayed humble and held a very poor opinion of himself. That is why he became such a great Saint.
Today let us deny ourselves something like to do very much, so that we, too, may offer some penance to Our Lord to make us for our sins.
St. Simeon was born in Asia Minor of a poor family of shepherds. He became a shepherd like his father. One day, when he was still a young boy, he could not take his sheep out because it was snowing. So he went to church and there heard a reading of the Beatitudes-“Blessed are the poor in spirit…; Blessed are they who mourn…; Blessed are the clean of heart….” Not understanding these words of Jesus, he asked a holy old man for an explanation and then begged the Lord Himself to teach him how to become perfect. God in His goodness taught Simeon that he must first become very humble and then acquire the other virtues. At once Simeon asked to join a monastery.
Later he went to serve God in a lonely mountain spot, but he was so holy that people kept coming way up there to find him.
At last he had a very tall column built, and on the top of that pillar, he lived for forty years. He is called St. Simeon Stylite, from the word “stylos,” which means pillar. There was so little space on that pillar that he could never lie down. What a penance that was!
St. Simeon grew very close to God. He prayed constantly and taught the people who gathered beneath his pillar. Yet, no matter how many special favors God gave him, he never grew proud. He always stayed humble and held a very poor opinion of himself. That is why he became such a great Saint.
Today let us deny ourselves something like to do very much, so that we, too, may offer some penance to Our Lord to make us for our sins.
1/4/08
St. Titus
St. Titus – Patron of Crete – January 4th
St. Titus, a pagan, became a disciple of St. Paul. Titus labored hard, preaching with St. Paul on his missionary travels. Because of his extraordinary virtue, he was very close to the great Apostle. Paul sent Titus on many missions to the churches, to strengthen the faith and to bring peace when there were arguments among the Christians. It seemed that St. Titus had a special gift for bringing peace to troubled hearts. And this was another reason why he was dear to St. Paul. When he arrived among a group of Christians, the guilty had done, and accepted the punishment they deserved. After he finished his success and so bring him great happiness.
St. Paul made Titus Bishop of Crete and wrote a letter to him there. In it, he called him, “my beloved son.” St. Titus died at Crete.
Let us try to imitate this great saint by never quarreling with anyone and by trying to be peacemakers.
St. Titus, a pagan, became a disciple of St. Paul. Titus labored hard, preaching with St. Paul on his missionary travels. Because of his extraordinary virtue, he was very close to the great Apostle. Paul sent Titus on many missions to the churches, to strengthen the faith and to bring peace when there were arguments among the Christians. It seemed that St. Titus had a special gift for bringing peace to troubled hearts. And this was another reason why he was dear to St. Paul. When he arrived among a group of Christians, the guilty had done, and accepted the punishment they deserved. After he finished his success and so bring him great happiness.
St. Paul made Titus Bishop of Crete and wrote a letter to him there. In it, he called him, “my beloved son.” St. Titus died at Crete.
Let us try to imitate this great saint by never quarreling with anyone and by trying to be peacemakers.
1/3/08
St. Genevieve
St. Genevieve - Patroness of Paris - January 3rd
St. Genevieve was born in Paris. While still very young, she desired to devote her life to Jesus. After her parents died, Genevieve went to live with her grandmother, where she led a life of prayer and performed works of charity. Genevieve was so pleasing to God that He gave her the power to know the future and to perform miracles.
When the people of Paris were going to run away from a terrible army coming to attack them, Genevieve encouraged them to trust in God. She said that if they did penance, they would be saved. The people did what she said, and the fierce army of Huns suddenly turned back. They did not attack the city at all.
St. Genevieve’s life was one of heroic charity and obedience to God’s holy will. At the age of eighty-nine, she died in an act of strong and pure love of God. Happily she went to meet Jesus, her Spouse, whom she had served faithfully in life.
One of the best ways for us to help our country is to pray for their leaders, that God may guide them for the good of us all.
1/2/08
St. Fulgentius
St. Fulgentius – January 2nd
St. Fulgentius was born of a noble family in Carthage. When he was very young, he was appointed an important officer of the Roman province of Carthage. Fulgentius was not satisfied, for his heart was full of spiritual desires. He decided to become a religious, and in the monastery he entered, he found great peace of mind and heart. Fulgentius was ordained a priest and later became a bishop.
He strongly corrected the heretics of his day with his books and letters. For this reason he was persecuted and exiled to distant lands.
After a life of loving service of God, Fulgentius fell very ill. He gave away all he had to the poor, forgave those who had persecuted him, and died a humble servant of Jesus.
Let us always study our lessons well so that we will know more about our faith, and be able to tell others about Jesus.
St. Fulgentius was born of a noble family in Carthage. When he was very young, he was appointed an important officer of the Roman province of Carthage. Fulgentius was not satisfied, for his heart was full of spiritual desires. He decided to become a religious, and in the monastery he entered, he found great peace of mind and heart. Fulgentius was ordained a priest and later became a bishop.
He strongly corrected the heretics of his day with his books and letters. For this reason he was persecuted and exiled to distant lands.
After a life of loving service of God, Fulgentius fell very ill. He gave away all he had to the poor, forgave those who had persecuted him, and died a humble servant of Jesus.
Let us always study our lessons well so that we will know more about our faith, and be able to tell others about Jesus.
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