St. Sabas the Goth

St. Sabas the Goth - April 12th

A tribe of barbarians called Goths had come down into Europe and conquered many lands. Some of the Goths became Christians, and one of these was St. Sabas.

From the time he joined the Church as a young boy, he grew in goodness and humility.

The King of the Goths began a terrible persecution of all the Christians among his subjects. Although Sabas made no secret of his Christian faith, he was not taken prisoner during the first year of the persecution. The next year, the King’s men came to St. Sabas’ town looking for Christians. Some of the people of the town decided to swear that there were no Christians there. But St. Sabas would not stand for that. Without fear he stepped up to the officers and said, “Let no man swear for me. I am a Christian.”

The persecutors asked the people how rich St. Sabas was. When they found out that he was just a poor, simple fellow, they did not think it worthwhile to bother with him, so they let him go.

The third year, the persecution of the Christians was worse than ever. This time St. Sabas was thrown into a river and held down with a pole until he died.

Just before he was put to death, St. Sabas joyfully said to the soldiers, “I see what you cannot see. There are people on the other side of the river ready to receive me into the glory of Heaven.”

When we find it hard to do our duty, let us think of the reward God will give us.

St. Leo the Great

St. Leo the Great - April 11th

St. Leo was Roman, At the death of Pope Sixtus, he became Pope.

Those were hard times for the Church because there were barbarian armies attacking Christians in many places and there were many people spreading errors about the Faith. But St. Leo was one of the greatest Popes there ever was. He was absolutely unafraid of anything of anyone. He had great trust in the help of the first Pope, St. Peter the Apostle.

To stop the spread of the false teachings, St. Leo explained the true Faith with his famous writings. He called a council to condemn the wrong doctrines. Those who would not give up their heresy were put out of the Church. Those who were sorry, the Saint received back into the Church and asked people to pray with him for them.

When a great army of barbarians called Huns came to attack the city of Rome, all the people were filled with fear. They knew that the Huns had already burned many cities. To save Rome, St. Leo rode out to meet the terrible enemy leader, Attila. The only weapon he had was his great trust in God! When they met, something wonderful happened. Attila, the cruel pagan leader, showed the Pope great honor, and made a treaty of peace with him. Attila said afterwards that he had seen two mighty figures standing by the Pope while he spoke! These were the great Apostles Peter and Paul, sent by God to protect Pope Leo and the Christians.

Because of his humility and charity, Pope Leo was loved by all. He was Pope for twenty-one years.

We will pray more often for our Holy Father and the Church all over the world.

St. Bademus

St. Bademus - April 10th

Bademus was very wealthy man of Persia who felt the desire to give himself to God. He found a monastery near his own city and ruled it with great holiness. He spent while nights in prayer and sometimes, for several days, the only thing he ate was bread and water. He showed his followers how to become saints by being kind, understanding, and loving. In doing these things, Bademus found true happiness.

For thirty-six years, the King had been persecuting the Christians. Now, some of his men arrested the Abbot Bademus and seven of his followers. They were locked up in chains and put in prison for four months. Every day they were taken out and were beaten with ropes and whip-like sticks. With patience and joy they suffered it all for Jesus.

At the same time, a Christian prince named Nersan was also put in prison for the Faith. At first he refused to adore the sun, but then he lost courage and gave up the Faith. The cruel king told Nersan that if he would kill St. Bademus, he would be set free and given back all his property. Narsan picked up the sword to murder Bademus who stood there unafraid to die for Christ. Suddenly Nersan stopped, frightened at the terrible at the terrible sin he was about to commit. ‘Unhappy Nersan,” said St. Bademus. “I am ready to die, but I wish you were not the one to put me to death!”

Yet Nersan was too much of a coward to stand up and die for his faith. At last he began to strike the Abbot. His hand shook so much that he kept wounding the Saint without killing him. St. Bademus took the terrible pain patiently. At last Nersan killed him. For his crime, he himself was tortured and killed by the sword.

Let us resolve never to be cowards who sin out of fear.

St. Waldetrudis

St. Waldetrudis - April 9th

Waldetrudis was born in Belgium. Her mother, her father and sister are all saint. She grew up to be a beautiful girl whose sweet ways, even when she was enjoying herself, filled everyone with good thoughts. Many great noblemen wanted to marry Waldetrudis. The one her holy parents chose for her was the Count Meldegario. They could not have picked a better man, because he, too, became a saint!

The holy couple had four boys. And all four of them also became saints. That makes nine saints in one family. Of course, Waldetrudis was very happy that God had given her such a good family. yet she had to suffer very much in her lifetime.

Jealous ladies spread terrible stories about her. They were not pure and kind as she was, and they did not want people to think she was better than they. So they said she only prayed and did good deeds to hide her secret sins. Of course it was all a lie, but the Saint did not defend herself. She thought of how Jesus suffered on the Cross and like Him, she forgave her enemies. This suffering made her realize how much better it would be to give herself entirely to God as a nun. her good husband had already gone to be a monk.

Waldetrudis became a holy, pious nun who did much penance and works of charity. For a while she had a great temptation to go back to her home in the world. She felt lonely and sad. But she kept praying and she refused to let the devil's temptation scare her. At last, the temptation left her, and her heart was full of joy again.

Only those who fight hard battles will succeed. If we want to be saints, we must pray and bravely battle against all temptation and difficulties.

St. Julie Billiart

St. Julie Billiart - April 8th

Mary Rose Julie Billiart was a strong, young girl of Belgium. In fact, when she was just seven, she used to explain it to other children less intelligent than she. When her parents became poor, she worked very hard to help support the family. She even went to help support the family. She even went to help with the harvesting in the fields. Yet she always found time to visit the sick, to pray, and to teach the catechism.

However, while she was still a young women, she became very ill and completely paralyzed. Although helpless, St. Julie offered her prayers for the saving of many souls. She was more united to God than ever and she kept on teaching catechism from her sickbed. She gave spiritual advice to everyone who visited her and encouraged all to receive Holy Communion often. Many young girls were inspired by her love for God. So they spent their time and money for good works. With Julie as their leader, they founded the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.

Once when a priest gave a mission in the town where Julie was, he asked her to make a novena with him for an intention which he would not tell her. After five days, on the feast of the Sacred Heart, the priest said to her: “Mother, if you have faith, take one step in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.” Mother Billiart, who had been paralyzed for twenty-two years, stood up and was cured!

St. Julie spent the rest of her life training young girls to become sisters and watching over her Congregation. She had to suffer much from those who did not understand her mission, but she always trusted in God. Her favorite words were: “How good is the good God!” He assured her that someday her Congregation of Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur would be very large. And that this is just what happened. Today there are a great many of St. Julie’s Sisters teaching young girls all over the world.

When something is worrying us, such as a test in school or troubles at home, let us often say: “Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee!”

Blessed Herman Joseph

Blessed Herman Joseph - April 7th

Herman’s parents were very poor people who lived in Germany. Because he was so poor, little Herman did not receive much of an education. Yet his great love for our Blessed Mother kept him out of trouble. He grew up under Our Lady’s loving care and he went to her every time he needed something. He liked nothing better than to spend time praying to Mary.

When he entered a monastery, Herman was not too happy at first. This was because he had to work in the kitchen and serve his brothers at table. So much of his time was spent with the pots and pans that poor Herman could not pray to his Blessed Mother for hours any more. One day he complained about it to her and Our Lady came to tell him not to worry. “For every day work,” she said, “you earn a greater reward in Heaven than if you had prayed all day long!” Then Herman was happy. He knew that we please Our Lord and His Mother most when we do our duty in obedience.

Herman received his other name of Joseph in an unusual way. It was given him by the other monks when they saw how much he was like the great St. Joseph, Our Lady’s Spouse. Herman was so humble that he did not think he deserved that name. So our Blessed Mother herself came to tell him to keep this name-Herman Joseph.

After he became a priest, the holy monk celebrated Mass with such love of God that people cried to see him. Even though he was so spiritual, Herman worked, too. In fact, he was a good Mechanic, and went to on monastery of his Order after another to repair clocks. Herman suffered much from sickness and temptations, but he offered it all to Our Lord and never lost his courage.

Our good actions are like letters that need the right address. This means that they will reach God and bring us a reward only if we do them for Him.

St. William the Abbot

St. William the Abbot - April 6th

William was a young boy of Paris who was taught by his good uncle, the Abbot Hugo. When it was time for him to decide what he should become, William prayed to God to help him make the right choice. Then, on his uncle’s advice, he made up his mind to become a priest.

Although William wanted only to do good to everyone, there were some who became his enemies. They were living bad lives, and every time they saw how kind and pure and devout William was, it made them realize how sinful they were. Instead of changing and copying his good example, they tried to get rid of him. They even told the bishop lies so that he would not make William a priest. But the bishop knew what a holy man William really was and he paid no attention to the false accusations. Next his enemies tried to have the Saint sent away, but again God did not let their plan work out. In the end, it was these evil men who were sent away-and by the Pope himself!

St. William and three companions were asked to go to Denmark to convert sinners and pagans and make the Religious there more fervent. The Saint and his companions got a good start, but then everything began to go wrong. They could hardly stand the bitter cold weather and they were very, very poor. Besides that, they did not understand the language, and they had many enemies. Frightened, St. William’s three friends gave up and went home to France. But the Saint remained. To show how pleased He was with St. William’s trust in Him, Our Lord rewarded him with the conversion of all he had come to help. Then for thirty years the holy Abbot lived in peace and fervor with a great many good monks who imitated his virtues and love of god.

When things get hard, let us not be quitters. God always helps those who turn to Him for help.

St. Vincent Ferrer

St. Vincent Ferrer - Patron of Builders - April 5th

A most wonderful Christian hero of Spain was St. Vincent Ferrer. He had a special devotion to the Blessed Mother. Whenever anyone spoke of her, it made him very happy.

When he was eighteen, Vincent entered the Order of St. Dominic. He was a very intelligent man, but because he was also very humble, he never boasted about his intelligence. He was not interested in learning a lot of useless things. After he finished his studies, he read nothing for three years but the Holy Bible, and he knew it by heart.

First Vincent taught at different colleges. Then he became a great preacher. For twenty years he preached all through Spain and France. Many people were converted by listening to him. Among them were Moslems, pagans and heretics. Although there were no microphones in those days, his voice could be heard from great distance. Everywhere he went, orphanages and hospitals were established, but Vincent remained as humble as ever.

St. Vincent counted on God to make his preaching successful. That is why he prayed before every sermon. But one time, when he knew that a very important person was going to listen to him, he worked harder than usual on his sermon and did not pray. This sermon which he had prepared so carefully did not affect the nobleman much at all. God let that happen to teach Vincent not to count on himself. Another time, this same important person came to listen to the Saint preach, but the Saint did not know it. He prayed and counted on God, as usual. This time the nobleman was greatly impressed by what he heard. When Vincent was told, he said: “In the first sermon it was Vincent who preached. In the second sermon, it was Jesus Christ.”

Let us never brag about our good marks or any other success that comes our way. God will keep helping us all our lives if we pray to Him and not count only on ourselves.

St. Benedict the Moor

St. Benedict the Moor - Patron of Missions - April 4th

St. Benedict’s forefathers were brought in chains from Africa to Sicily. His parents were Negro slaves on a farm. Benedict spent his youth working on this farm.

When he was eighteen, Benedict was given his freedom. He always helped the poor with whatever money he had. This led the people to call him “il Santo Moro”-the Holy Negro.

But there were also jealous people who made fun of Benedict. They insulted him because his parents had been slaves. One day, a holy man was passing by and heard these men insulting Benedict. Turning to them, he said: “You make fun of this poor black man, but before long he will be famous.”

Soon Benedict joined a group of hermits and was so virtuous that they chose him as their leader. When the Pope advised all hermits to join monasteries, Benedict became a Franciscan brother. He was made the cook in his monastery, but he also went out to visit the sick people and prisoners. He comforted everyone in trouble and worked many miracles for the people of the surrounding villages.

When he was elected Superior, he guided the Community for three years with great wisdom, even though he could not read or write. They wanted to reelect him, but Benedict was so humble that he said he was not fir to remain in such a high office.

His brothers had to give in to his humble request, so they made him Assistant Superior. He was asked to teach all the young men who joined the community how to become good Franciscans. Even though he could not read, Benedict could explain the Bible and the catechism in a wonderful way, because of his great love for God.

After several years, Benedict asked if he might become cook again. When he was given permission, he went peacefully and happily back to his kitchen. There he spent the rest of his life, serving others with works of charity and prayer.

Let us remind ourselves that if so many become saints, we can become saints, too. It is up to us! To become saints, we do not need to have special qualities. So let us start now.

St. Richard of Chichester

St. Richard of Chichester - April 3rd

St. Richard was born in England. He and his brother were left orphans when Richard was very young. His brother owned some farms and Richard gave up his studies to help him save them from going to ruin. He did so well that his grateful brother wanted to give the farms to him, but Richard did not accept them. He also refused to marry, because he wanted to study. He went to Oxford University, and when he was thirty-eight, he was appointed chancellor of that University. Later, St. Edmund, who was Archbishop of Canterbury, made him Chancellor of his diocese. When St. Edmund died, St. Richard went to the monastery of the Dominican Friars in France and was ordained a priest.

He was consecrated Bishop of Chichester, England, and that is why he is called Richard of Chichester. The King at this time was not very good. Because he wanted someone else to be bishop of Chichester, he made St. Richard suffer much. Yet the good Saint always helped those who offended him. He must have often remembered the words of Jesus: “Love your enemy.”

As bishop, St. Richard did his duties well. He was always charitable and kind to sinners who were sorry. However, when he had to be stern, he was. He was not afraid of what might happen to him.

When St. Richard became ill, he foretold his death, because God had let him know the exact place and time when he would die. Many miracles took place at the Saint’s grave.

As a farmer, as a chancellor, as a priest and bishop, St. Richard did everything well. We shall try our very best to do our work at home and at school as well as we can, for the love of Jesus.