St. Hugh of Grenoble

St. Hugh of Grenoble - April 1st

St. Hugh was born in France. He grew to be tall and handsome, gentle courteous, but very shy. Although he always wanted to go off to live alone God, he was so intelligent that he was given important positions. After he was ordained a priest, he was made a canon of the Cathedral of Valance, and next was chosen Bishop of Grenoble.

As Bishop, Hugh began at once to correct evil ways of living practiced by many people of his diocese. He made wise plans, but that was not all he did. To draw God’s mercy down upon his people, St. Hugh prayed with his whole heart and did hard penances. In a short time, his wicked people became very virtuous and pious.

But still Hugh wanted to be a monk. He resigned as bishop and entered a monastery. There he was so fervent in all that he did, and so humble, too, that he became a prefect model of every virtue. Yet it was not God’s will for Hugh to be a monk. After one year, the Pope commanded him to become the Bishop of Grenoble again. Right away, St. Hugh obeyed. He knew it was more important to please God than to please himself.

For forty years, the good Bishop was sick nearly all the time. Yet he forced himself to keep working, because he wanted to do his duty. He suffered from terrible temptations, too. But he fought them and prayed and never gave in to sin.

When the will of our parents and teachers is different from what we would like, we will drop our plans at once and obey.

Blessed Amadeus

Blessed Amadeus - March 31st

Amadeus was a Duke of the region called Savoy in Italy. He grew up in a palace where many people were leading worldly lives, but he kept himself good. His secret for avoiding sin was to receive the sacraments often, to pray and read good books, especially the Gospel. Even after Amadeus became the ruler himself, he always began his day by reading a holy book. He especially loved to think about the sufferings of Jesus. Then he would assist at Holy Mass so devoutly that everyone who saw him felt a desire to be close to God, too. Next he would take care of all the matters that a ruler has to decide upon. He was so just and fair and kind that no king anywhere was loved more then Amadeus.

The Saint and his holy wife, Yolanda, found great happiness in making others happy. Amadeus often went himself to serve the poor people with his own hands. He said that he enjoyed that more than anything else.

Once he was told that he should not give so much away to the poor. Instead he ought to use that money to build forts to protect his lands. Do you know what Duke Amadeus answered to that? He said: "The best forts are the loving hearts of my people."

Though kind and gentle, on the battlefield Amadeus showed himself a very brave soldier. And he was a good father, raising his children to love and obey God.

The best way to get our younger brothers and sisters to obey us is to win their love. And they will love us if we are always kind and fair with them.

St. John Climacus

St. John Climacus - March 30th

St. John was an intelligent teenager who did very well in school. He could have become a famous teacher, but he decided to serve God with his whole heart. He went to a monastery and tried very hard to get rid of his defects. Then he went to live for forty years by himself and spent all his time praying and reading the lives of the saints. At first, St. John was very badly tempted by the devil. The devil is always furious when people decide to give themselves completely to God. John felt all kinds of bad passions trying to make him give in and sin.. But he put all his trust in Jesus and prayed harder than ever. So the temptations never made him fall into sin. In fact, he only grew holier. he became so close to God that many heard of his holiness and went to ask him for advise.

God gave St. John a wonderful gift.This was the gift of bringing peace to people who were upset and tempted. Once there came to him a man who was having terrible temptations. He asked St. John to help him and told him how hard it was for him to fight these temptations. St. John invited him to pray with him to God. After they had prayed, peace filled the poor man's soul and he was never again troubled with those temptations.

When the Saint was seventy-four years old, he was chose Abbot of Mt. Sinai and Superior of all the monks and hermits in the country. Another abbot asked St. John, before his death, to write the rules which he had lived by all his life, so that others could follow his example. With great humility St. John wrote the book called The Climax of Perfection. And that is why he is called "Climacus".

It is very wise to keep a good book in our room and read it a little bit each day.

Sts. Jonas, Barachisius and their Companions

Sts. Jonas, Barachisius and their Companions - March 29th


King Sapor of Persia hated the Christians and he persecuted them cruelly. He destroyed their churches and monasteries. Two brothers named Jonas and Barachisius heard of the persecutions and of the many Christians who had been put to death.


They decided to go to help them and to encourage them to remain faithful to Christ. Jonas and Barachisius knew that they, too, might be captured. But that did not stop them . Their hearts were too full of love of others to have room for a thought of themselves.


When at last these holy brothers were taken prisoner, they were told that if they did not worship the sun, and the moon, and the fire and water, they would be tortured and put to death. Of course, they refused to worship anything or anyone except the one true God. They had to suffer greatly, but they prayed and kept thinking of how Our Lord suffered for love of them.


Jonas was placed in a frozen pond and left there a whole night. His wicked tormentors came next morning and asked him if he had had a miserable night. St. Jonas answered that it was the most pleasant night he had ever had because he was suffering for Christ! Many other tortures these saints had to endure, but they accepted all of them willingly and finally were put to death. They gladly gave up their lives for Jesus.


When we have some little pain, are we brave enough to offer it up to Jesus in secret? Or do we have to let everyone know how much it hurts us?

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.