St. John Capistrano

St. John Capistrano - March 28th


St. John Capistrano was born in Italy. He was a lawyer and Governor of Perugia. When enemies of the city threw John into prison, he started to think about what he was doing with his life. In the meantime, his wife died. John began to realize that the only thing that really mattered was to save his soul. So when he was set free by a miracle, he entered the Franciscan monastery. He was thirty years old at the time. He did much penance. For many years he ate not meat at all, except when he was sick. He slept only three or four hours at night and his bed was a hard board.


After he was made a priest, John was sent out to preach. He and St. Bernardine of Siena spread devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus everywhere. John preached all over Europe for forty years, and all who heard his sermons were moved to love and serve Our Lord better.


The greatest moment in the life of this Saint came at the tremendous battle of Belgrade. The Turks had made up their minds to conquer all Europe and wipe out the Church of Jesus. The Pope sent St. John to all the Christian Kings of Europe to beg them to unite to fight the mighty Turkish army. The Kings obeyed this poor, barefoot monk who stirred up their love of God and their courage with his fiery words. But even though a big army of Christians came to fight Mohammed II and hit Turks, it looked as though they would lose, for the enemy army was much bigger. Then it was that the Saint himself, though he was seventy years old, ran to the front lines and encouraged the men to keep fighting. Holding his crucifix up high, this thin, small old man kept crying, “Victory, Jesus, victory!” And the Christian soldiers felt full of more courage than ever. They fought until the enemy ran away in great fear!


Just one person can do great things, if he is on God’s side. Let us make up our mind always to be on Our Lord’s side and stand up for what is right.

St. John Damascene

St. John Damascene – March 27th


St. John was born in the city of Damascus of a good Christian family. When his father died, he became the Governor of Damascus. At this time, the Emperor Leo made the law forbidding Christians to have statues or pictures of Our Lord and the Saints. St. John Damascene knew the Emperor was wrong and he joined with many others to defend this practice of the Christians. The Pope himself asked John to keep telling people that it is a good thing to have statues and holy pictures. They make us thing of Our Lord, our Blessed Mother and the Saints. But the Emperor would not give in to the Holy Father, and he again forbade statues to be put in public places. St. John bravely wrote three letters, telling the Emperor to give up his wrong ideas.


The Emperor became so furious that he wanted revenge. The Saint was condemned to have his right hand cut off, but the Blessed Mother attached it to his arm again in answer to his prayer.


This miracle made John decide to resign as Governor, give away all his money to the poor and become a monk. He kept on writing marvellous books to defend the Catholic religion, and at the monastery. One day he even went to sell baskets in the streets of Damascus. Many of those who had known him before were mean enough to laugh at him. Here was the man who had once been the great Governor of the city now selling baskets that nobody wanted to buy! Imagine how St. John must have suffered! Yet he thought of Jesus, the Son of God, Who wanted to be born in a stable, and then he felt happy to imitate Our Lord’s humility.


At the end of a long life full of merits, St. John died a peaceful, happy death.


Do we have nice pictures or statues of Our Lord, the Blessed Mother, and the Saints? Let us look at them often. They will remind us to pray to them an ask their help.

St. Ludger

St. Ludger - March 26th

St. Ludger was born in Northern Europe. Since his parents were nobles, he was given a very good education. When he was just fourteen, he asked his parents to send him to the great monastery school of Utrecht. There he saw St. Boniface and always treasured the memory of the great Saint. Another Saint named Gregory was his teacher and he found Ludger a very attentive and eager pupil.

After he had studied hard many years, he was made a priest. Now Ludger began to travel far and wide preaching to the people. He was very happy to share all that he had learned about God with everyone who listened to him. Many pagans were converted. Many Christians began to live much better lives. And St. Ludger built churches and monasteries everywhere.

Ludger worked very hard and made much progress. Then, suddenly the Saxons, a group of barbarians, attacked his land and drove all the priest out! It seemed as though all the Saint’s work would be lost. But Ludger did not give up. He first found a safe place for his disciples and then went to Rome to ask the Holy Father what he what he should do.

For over three years, Ludger lived in the Benedictine monastery as a good, holy monk. But he did not forget his poor people at home. As soon as he could get back into his country, Ludger returned and continued his work. He labored very hard and converted many of the pagan Saxons.

When he was made a bishop, Ludger gave even more good example by his great kindness and piety. Once, jealous men spoke against him to King Charlemagne, and the King ordered him to come to court to defend himself. Ludger went obediently. The next day when the King sent for him, Ludger said he would come as soon as he had finished his prayers. King Charlemagne was very angry at first. But St. Ludger explained that although he had great respect for the King, he knew God came first. “Your Majesty will not be angry with me,” he said, “for you yourself have told me always to put God first.” At such a wise answer, the King realized that Ludger was very holy and from then on, he admired and loved him very much.

St. Ludger died on Passion Sunday. He performed his duties in the service of God even on the day he died.

Let us appreciate the good education our parents are giving us. Some day we will be happy to be able to use all that we have learned.

Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary - March 25th

When the time came for Our Savior to come down from Heaven, God sent St. Gabriel to the little town of Nazareth, where the Blessed Virgin Mary lived. The glorious Archangel entered Mary’s little house and found her praying.
“Hail Mary, full of graces!” said the Angel. “The Lord is with you, and you are blessed among women.” Mary was surprised to hear the angel’s words of praise.

“Do not be afraid, Mary,” said St. Gabriel. Then he told her that she was to be the Mother of Jesus our Savior. Mary understood what great honor God was giving her. Yet she said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord!” At that very moment, she became the Mother of God. And still she called herself His handmaid-His servant!

Mary knew, too, that as the Mother of Jesus, she would have many sorrows. She knew she would have to suffer when her Son suffered. Yet, with all her heart, she said, “Be it done to me according to your word.”

On this occasion, our Blessed Mother gave us a wonderful example of humility and obedience. Let us, too, show God our love by obeying those who represent Him-our parents and teachers.

St. Gabriel, Archangel

St. Gabriel, Archangel - Patron of Radio, Television, Telephone, and Mail Workers - March 24th


Gabriel is one of the three glorious Archangels, whom we honor and to whom we pray.


It was St. Gabriel who appeared to the Blessed Mother and told her she was to be the mother of God. God chose him for this very special mission.


In the Holy Bible we read of his appearances on the earth. In each of his visits to men, St. Gabriel gives us wonderful examples of charity and humility. He came to tell the Prophet Daniel when Jesus would be born, and he spoke to him with great courtesy and kindness. When he appeared to Zachary to tell him he was to be the father of St. John the Baptist, he showed his humility. He did not even say who he was until just before he disappeared.


And when Gabriel announced to the Blessed Virgin Mary that she was to be the Mother of God, he was very respectful and reverent. With loving devotion, he greeted her and have her God’s message. What great joy it was for him to announce to the Queen of Heaven and earth the coming of Jesus!


Devoutly and respectfully we will say three Hail Mary’s to the Blessed Mother every morning and night.

St. Toribio

St. Toribio - March 23rd

This Spanish saint was a famous judge, wise and just. Although he was not a priest at that time, he was asked to become Archbishop of Lima in Peru, South America. That was because everyone knew what a fine Christian he was. Toribio did not think he was worthy. He begged to be excused from the honor. But when he learned about the miserable condition of the Indians in Peru, he could not refuse to help them and to bring them to the Faith. He was ordained a priest and set out for Peru.

As Archbishop, St. Toribio traveled all over the land, over the snowy mountains on foot, over the hot sands of the seashore. He built churches and hospitals. He built schools to train priests. He learned the different languages of the Indians so that he could preach to them in their troubles and protected them from being treated cruelly by those who had conquered them.

After a life of charity to his beloved Indians, St. Toribio was called to heaven.

Let us treat everyone in the same kind manner, and be especially good to those who are not as fortunate as we.

St. Catherine of Sweden

St. Catherine of Sweden - March 22nd


St. Catherine was born in Sweden of holy parents. Her mother was St. Bridget and her father, the good Prince Ulfo. When she was seven, Catherine was placed in a convent to be educated.


At the age of fourteen, she was given marriage to a good young nobleman. So well did Catherine speak of the happiness of belonging to God alone that her husband agreed to live with her as her brother. These two holy servants of God spent most of their time in prayer, mortification and works of charity.


St. Catherine had to suffer insults and unkind treatment, even from her own relatives. Yet, she did not become upset. She offered it all to God.


When St. Catherine accompanied her mother to Rome, she received news of her husband’s death in Sweden. Many people wanted her to marry again, because she was still young and pretty. But Catherine firmly refused. With the help of God, she remained a virgin all her life.


Four hours a day Catherine prayed. She spent the rest of her time serving God and doing good to many people. After her mother died, she entered a convent. St. Catherine had the great joy of seeing her own mother canonized as a saint.


Let us learn from this pure virgin never to look at anything impure or displeasing to God.

St. Benedict

St. Benedict - Patron Against Poisoning and of Speleologists - March 21st


St. Benedict was the son of a rich Italian family. His life was full of adventure and wonderful deeds. As a young boy, he was sent to Rome to study in the public schools. When he was a young man, because he was disgusted with the vices of the world, he left the city and went looking for a place where he could devote all his time to praying and loving God. In a cave in the mountain of Subiaco, he spent three years alone. The devil often tempted him to go back to his rich home, but Benedict overcame these temptations by prayer and penance. One day, the devil kept making him think of a beautiful lady he had once seen in Rome. He tried to make him go back to look for that lady. Benedict almost gave in to the temptation, but then he felt so sorry that he threw himself into a bush of long, sharp thorns. He rolled around in these terrible thorns until he was covered with blood. From then on, he had no more temptations to impurity.


After three years, God let a priest know where Benedict was living, and soon many people came to him to learn how to become holy. He became the leader of some men who had asked his help. But when he tried to make them do penance, they grew angry. They were so wicked that they even tried to poison Benedict. He made the Sign of the Cross over the poisoned wine and by a miracle, the glass shattered to pieces! God had saved him!


Later, Benedict became the leader of many good monks.


He founded twelve monasteries in Subiaco, and then went to Cassino, where he built a famous monastery. It was here that St. Benedict wrote the wonderful rules for the Benedictine order. He taught his monks to pray and work hard, and, especially, to be humble always. Both Benedict and his monks greatly helped the people of their times by teaching them how to read and write, how to farm, and how to work at different trades.


St. Benedict was able to do so much good, because he prayed very much.


Whenever we are tempted, especially to impurity, let us say a prayer at once. And let us make whatever sacrifice must be made to avoid sinning.

St. Cuthbert

St. Cuthbert - Patron of Sailors - March 20th


St. Cuthbert lived in England. He was a poor shepherd boy who loved to play games with his friends. He was very good at them, too. One of his friends scolded him for loving to play so much. Cuthbert never forgot this wise correction. Our Lord granted him a vision when he was fifteen; and after that he strongly desired to become a saint. He entered a monastery and later became a missionary.


From one village to another, from house to house, St. Cuthbert went, on horse or on foot. He did good everywhere, and brought many souls to God. So cheerful and kind was he that everyone felt attracted to him. Yet he himself was more contented to be alone with God.


When Cuthbert was made Bishop, he worked just as hard as ever to help souls. As he lay dying, he urged his monks to live in peace and charity with everyone.


Let us be so kind and good that no one will find it hard to get along with us.

St. Joseph

St. Joseph - Patron of Universal Church and of Working Men - March 19th

St. Joseph is a great saint, the foster-father of Jesus Christ, and the husband of the Blessed Mother. He was given the great privilege of taking care of God’s Son, Jesus, and His Mother, Mary. Joseph was poor all his life, even though he came from a family of kings. He has to work very hard in his carpenter shop, but he did not mind. He was happy to work for his little family, the holiest family there ever was.

Whatever the Lord wanted him to do, St. Joseph did at once, no matter how hard it was. He was humble and pure; he was gentle and wise. Jesus and Mary obeyed his perfectly. What an honor for St. Joseph to see the Son of God Himself obeying him and helping him, as a good son!

St. Teresa chose St. Joseph as the protector of her Order of Sisters. She had great trust in his prayers. "Every time I ask St. Joseph for something," she said, "he always obtains it for me."

As Jesus obeyed and helped St. Joseph in his hard and humble work, let us, too, willingly help our parents with the work to be done at home.