St. Peter of Tarentaise

St. Peter of Tarentaise - May 8th

The whole family of this young Frenchman followed him when he became Cistercian monks like him, and his mother and sister became Cistercian nuns. Peter was not quite thirty when he was made superior of a monastery, high up in the mountains. There he opened a shelter for sick people and for the many travelers crossing the mountains. His great joy was to wait on these guests himself.

Much against his desires, St. Peter was next made Archbishop of Tarentaise. He found his diocese in very bad condition, but he worked so hard for thirteen years that his people became fervent and good. Now, everyone loved and admired the Saint and called him a wonder-worker. Humble St. Peter decided he had better go back to being a monk and serve God hidden in a monastery. So one day, to their great sorrow, the people of Tarentaise learned that their beloved Archbishop had disappeared! It was a whole year before he was discovered in a monastery in Switzerland. There he was doing all the hard work as a poor brother. And no one in that monastery ever dreamed that the new brother was really the great Archbishop Peter!

Since it was God’s will, back went the Saint to his diocese, to the immense joy of his people. There he stayed the rest of his life, and spent himself for souls, especially for the poor. Twice in freezing weather, he took of his own habit and gave it to poor men, even though he could have frozen to death himself.

The Saints did their best to avoid being admired. Let us imitate by doing things only for God, not to win praise and admiration.

St. Stanislaus

St. Stanislaus - Patron of Poland - May 7th

St. Stanislaus was born in Poland. His parents had prayed for thirty years for a child, and at his birth, they offered him to God in gratitude. When he grew up, he studied in Paris. After his parents died, he gave all their wealth to the poor. Then he became a priest, and later on he was made a bishop.

As bishop, Stanislaus won the love of all, because of the way he took care of poor people, of widows and orphans. Often he served them himself.

The King of Poland at that time was Boleslaus II. He was so cruel and so impure that all the people were disgusted. Stanislaus first corrected him privately. The king seemed sorry, but soon started again and he committed more shameful sins. The Bishop then had to put him out of the Church. Boleslaus flew into a rage at that. To get revenge, he ordered two of his guards to kill St. Stanislaus. Three times they tired and failed. Then the king himself, in mad rage, rushed in and murdered St. Stanislaus right in the chapel, as he was saying Mass.

God worked many miracles after his death, and all the people called him a martyr.

When we are corrected for doing wrong, let us accept the correction humbly and let us put into practice the good advice we are given.

St. John Before the Latin Gate

St. John Before the Latin Gate - May 6th

St. John was the youngest of the Apostles. Jesus loved him with a special love because he was a virgin. He was the only Apostle who stood right near the cross when Our Lord was crucified.


By the year 95, St. John was the only Apostle still alive. All the others had been martyred. He was known and loved by all Christians for his great virtues.


At last, St. john, too, was arrested in the city of Ephesus during the terrible persecution of Christians ordered by the Emperor Domitian. He was taken to Rome and brought before the cruel Emperor. Even though the Saint was so old, the Emperor felt no pity for him. He commanded St. John to be whipped and then thrown into a pot of boiling oil. The Apostle’s face lit up with great joy when he heard the order. He wanted with all his heart to suffer for Jesus, Who died for us. And he was anxious to see his beloved Master again in Heaven.


But God worked a miracle to save St. John from the burning oil. It did not hurt him at all; in fact, when he was taken out, he looked better and stronger than when he was put in!


More furious than ever, the Emperor sent St. John into exile on the island of Patmos.


This St. John was the brother of the Apostle St. James. One day Our Lord had asked them if they could drink the same cup of sufferings he was going to drink. The two Apostles boldly declared they were ready to suffer anything for Him. Then Our Lord told them they would indeed suffer much for His sake. And so it came about, because both of them underwent martyrdom.


Those who keep themselves pure are especially loved and blessed by God.

St. Pius V

St. Pius V - May 5th

This holy Pope’s name was Michael Ghisleri. He was born in a little town of Italy of very poor parents. As a boy, he wanted to become a priest, but it seemed as though his great dream would never come true, because he had no money to go to school. One day, two Dominicans came to his home and when they met Michael, they liked him so much that they offered to educate him. And so at the age of fourteen, Michael joined the Dominican Order.


He became a holy priest, and a superior in different Dominican monasteries. Then he was made a bishop, and later a Cardinal. Courageously he defended the teachings of the Church against those who opposed them. And he always lived a holy life of penance, just as he had done in his monastery.


When he was sixty-one, he was chosen Pope and he took the name Pius V. He who had once been a poor shepherd boy was now the Head of the whole Church. Yet he remained as humble as ever. He still wore his white Dominican habit, the same old one he had had. And no one could persuade him to change it.


There were many problems for the Pope Pius V to face. He drew strength from the crucifix. Twice a day he meditated on the sufferings and death of Our Lord. Whenever he entered or left his room, he would kiss the feet of Christ on the cross.


At this time the Turks were trying to conquer the whole Christian world, and they had a great navy on the Mediterranean Sea. A Christian force went to battle them at a place called Lepanto, near Greece.


This was one of the greatest sea battles there ever was. From the moment the army set out, the Pope prayed the Rosary almost without stopping. And he had the people do the same.


Thanks to the help of the Blessed Mother, the Christians won a great victory. In gratitude to Our Lady, St. Pius V established the feast of the Holy Rosary.


If we make it a habit to say a Rosary every day, we will win our Heavenly Mother’s help and protection from evil.

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. Philip of Zell

St. Philip of Zell - May 3

Philip was an Englishman who made a pilgrimage to Rome and was there ordained a priest. Then he went to live in Germany. He made his home in a woods and lived alone, spending his time praying and growing his own food. The little creatures of the forest were very dear to Philip because they were all created by the good God Whom he loved and served. Birds used to perch on his shoulder and eat right out of his hand. Rabbit played about his feet.

People began to come to ask St. Philip’s advice. Even the King, the famous King Pepin of the Franks, used to love to talk with this holy priest. They became good friends, King Pepin learned from St. Philip to trust in God.

Another priest came to live with the Saint, to share his life of prayer and work. Once two thieves stole the oxen used by the Saint and his companion. But in trying to get out of the woods with the two animals, the robbers lost their way. After going around in circles all night, they found themselves in the morning right back in front of St. Philip’s hut! They had a change of heart and begged the good priest to forgive them. St. Philip treated them as special guests before sending them on their way. They were so moved by his goodness that from then on they were different men from what they had once been.

After St. Philip died, a monastery and then a church were built where his little hut had been.

Let us often say a special prayer for the conversion of sinners. These prayers are very pleasing to Jesus, Who wants sinners to return to Him and to be saved.

St. Athanasius

St. Athanasius - May 2nd


Athanasius was an Egyptian who devoted his life to proving that Jesus is truly God against the Arians who denied it. Even before he was ordained a priest, he had read so many books on the Faith that he easily could point out the mistakes in the false teachings of the Arians.


For forty-six years, he was Archbishop of the great city of Alexandria in Egypt. Four Roman emperors could not make him stop writing his clear and beautiful explanations of our holy Faith. His enemies persecuted him in every way and sent him into exile many times.


Once they were chasing him down the Nile River. “They are catching up to us!” cried the Saint’s friends. Athanasius was not worried. “Turn the boat around,” he said, “and row towards them.” The men from the other boat shouted, “Have you seen Athanasius?” Back came the answer: “You are not far from him!” The enemy boat sped on faster than ever, and the Saint was safe!


Because the people of Alexandria so loved their good Archbishop, who was a real father to them, they saw to it that he spent the last seven years of his life safe with them. The enemies of the true Faith could not harm him, and he died in peace.


Let us never let the teasing or laughter of our companions stop us from doing what is right. God sees us and He will reward us in Heaven for every good act.

Sts. Philip and James

Sts. Philip and James - May 1st

Philip was one of Jesus’ first Apostles. Our Lord found him and said, “Follow me.” Philip was so happy to be with Jesus that he wanted to share his happiness with his friend, Nathaniel. “We have found Him of whom Moses and the prophets wrote. He is Jesus of Nazareth,” he told Nathaniel.

Nathaniel was not at all excited. Nazareth was just a little village, not a big city like Jerusalem. So Nathaniel said, “Can any good come out of Nazareth?” But Philip did not become angry at his friend’s answer. He just said, “Come and see.” Nathaniel went to see Jesus, and after he had spoken with Him, he, too, became a zealous follower of the Lord.

St. James was also one of the twelve apostles. He was a cousin of Our Lord. After Jesus ascended into Heaven, James became Bishop of Jerusalem and the people thought so much of him that they called him, “James the Just,” which means “James the Holy One.” In all his prayers, he kept begging God to forgive the people. Even when the enemies of Jesus were putting him to death for preaching about Our Lord, St. James asked God to pardon them.

It does no good to become angry if others make fun of us. We will win them little by little if we are patient and keep praying.

Today is also the Feast of St. Joseph, Patron of Workmen

To read the short story about St. Joseph, look for him on March 19, or click, or copy and paste the following link into your web browser:

http://thesaintsstories.blogspot.com/2008/07/st-joseph-patron-of-universal-church.html

St. Catherine of Siena

St. Catherine of Siena - Patroness of Italy and of Nursing - April 30th

This glorious saint is the Patroness of Italy, her country. She was the youngest child in a family of twenty-five children. Her mother and father wanted her to wear pretty clothes and choose a husband, but Catherine wanted only to become a nun. When she cut off her long, beautiful hair, to make herself unattractive, her family was so angry that they scolded her all day long and made her work like a slave in her own home. At last, however, they let her become a sister.


St. Catherine suffered terrible temptations after, but she always fought the bravely. Once she said to Jesus, “Where were you, Lord, when I had such shameful temptations?” And Jesus answered, “Daughter, I was in your heart and I made you win with my grace.”


Jesus often appeared to St. Catherine and talked with her lovingly. One night, when all people were out on the streets celebrating, He appeared to her praying alone in her room. With Him was His Blessed Mother. She took Catherine’s hand and lifted it up to her Son. Jesus put a ring on the Saint’s finger and so she became His bride.


In St. Catherine’s time, the Church had many troubles, and there were fights going all over Italy. The Saint wrote letters to Kings and Queens and went herself to beg rulers to make their peace with the Pope and to avoid wars.


Catherine never forgot that Jesus was in her heart-no matter how busy she was. And through her, Jesus converted the sick people she lovingly nursed and the prisoners she visited in jail. The Pope himself accepted Catherine’s advice to go back to Rome from France because it was God’s will that he govern the Church from Rome. The Pope listened to St. Catherine and went back, because he knew how close she was to God.


Let us offer our whole heart to God so that like St. Catherine, we will discover how wonderful it is to love the Lord.

St. Catherine's head incorrupted

St. Peter of Verona

St. Peter of Verona - April 29th

As a young boy, this Italian Saint learned of the Catholic Faith, although his parents were not Catholic. So well did he know his religion that no argument could make him change his mind. And so good a Catholic was he that no bad example led him into sin. He was still young when he entered the Dominican Order. St. Dominic himself gave him the holy habit. Later, as a priest, Peter traveled up and down Italy preaching and converting many people. However, before God gave him the grace of martyrdom, He permitted him to suffer very much. In fact, he was falsely accused of having received women into his cell. His Superiors scolded him very strongly for this, but the humble Saint did not defend himself. He was forbidden to preach any more, and he accepted this penance without a word of complaint. Yet deep in his heart, he suffered greatly. One night when he could not sleep, he fell to his knees in front of the crucifix and sobbed, “Jesus, You know I am pure and innocent. Why do You let me suffer like this?” Back came this answer from the crucifix: “And I, Peter, what did I do to deserve My passion and death?” That gave the Saint courage, and soon afterwards, his innocence was proved.

The enemies of the true Faith, too, made St. Peter suffer. They did all they could to stop him from preaching. Yet he continued without fear. At last he was attacked and murdered. Just before he died, he dipped his finger in his own blood and wrote on the ground: “I believe in God.” His murderer, a man named Carino, soon repented of his crime. He became a Catholic, joined the Dominican Order, and died a holy death.

When we recite the Apostles’ Creed, let us say it with all our heart, and be grateful to God for giving us the same Faith as the Saints had.