St. Germanus of Auxerre

St. Germanus of Auxerre - August 3rd

This Saint was born in Gaul, which is now France. He studied in Rome and became such a good lawyer that he was made a governor back in his own country.

Germanus had a great love for hunting. He was a Christian, but he used to become so excited on the hunt that he would use the same superstitious practices the pagans did. Yet when the Bishop of Auxerre, St. Amator, died, it was none other than Germanus who was chosen to take his place after he had become a priest and a bishop. Germanus seemed an entirely different person. He gave away everything he owned and lived in humble poverty. One of his favorite good deeds was to serve poor people, while he himself did much penance.

St. Germanus can be called an apostle of Britain, too, because the Pope sent him to save the Christians there from a heresy. By his teaching and miracles, he won the people back o the true Faith and then he started schools of religion so that they would not be fooled again by false teachings.

A famous event in the life of St. Germanus was what is called the “Alleluia battle.” When enemies of the people of Britain were attacking, the leaders of the small British army asked the Saint to come to their camp to protect them by his prayers. Germanus came and spent his time winning converts and persuading the Christian soldiers to do penance. All the men celebrated Easter very fervently and the new converts received baptism in a little church made of green branches twisted together. After Easter came the amazing battle without bloodshed! St. Germanus led his men into a valley between two high mountains, and told them to shout whatever he shouted at his signal. Then as soon as the enemy drew near, he shouted “Alleluia” three times, and all the men repeated it. The echo from the mountains made such a mighty roar that the enemy thought the British army must be huge, and in great fear, they threw down their weapons and ran away!

To keep our faith free from false teaching, we must study our religion with all our heart and pray for a strong faith. We must live good lives, read only good books and magazines, and go around only with good companions.

St. Alphonsus de Liguori

St. Alphonsus de Liguori - August 2nd

Alphonsus was born in Italy and did so well in his studies that when he was still a teen-ager, he was given his degree in law and became a famous lawyer. He enjoyed going to stage shows for a while, but only for the music. To make sure he would not sin, he used to take off his glasses as soon as the show began. Since he was near-sighted, he could see nothing of the bad shows and just enjoyed the music!

A mistake he made in court convinced Alphonsus of what he had already thought-he should give up his law practice and become a priest. His father tried to persuade him not to do it, but Alphonsus laid his sword on our Lady’s alter to show that he was giving up the world for God. His life as a priest was full of activity. He preached, he wrote many books, he started his congregation of priests called Redemptorists, he guided souls, he wrote hymns and even found time to paint pictures.

St. Alphonsus took a vow never to waste time and he kept it until he died, at the age of ninety-one. That is how he was able to write about sixty books, although he was always busy and often very sick. Sometimes his head ached so badly that he would hold a piece of cold marble against it and keep on writing.

Although he was naturally inclined to act quickly from anger to pride, St. Alphonsus kept strict control over himself and acted only and always for God. He had become so humble that when the Pope made him bishop, he handed the announcement back to the messengers who had brought it, saying, “Please do not come back again to call me ‘Most Illustrious Lord.’ That would kill me!” But the Pope would not take “no” for an answer and made him a bishop. St. Alphonsus sent many preachers all over his diocese, which was in a bad condition, and he told them to give simple sermons. “I never preached a sermon that the simplest old women in the church could not understand,” he said.

When he was very old, crippled, deaf, and almost blind, the Saint had to suffer terrible disappointments and temptations. But he had great devotion to the Blessed Mother, as we know from his famous book called the Glories of Mary, and the trial were followed by great peace, joy and a holy death.

Let us increase our devotion to the Blessed Mother. St. Alphonsus write, “Whoever has devotion to Mary will save his soul; whoever has a great devotion to Mary will become a saint.”

Some good books of and by St. Alphonsus de Liguori:

St. Alphonsus Liguori

By: Rev. D. F.Miller & Rev. L. X. Aubin - https://www.tanbooks.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage_gr/product_id/275/

Uniformity with God's Will

By: St. Alphonsus Liguori

https://www.tanbooks.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage_gr/product_id/113/

The Way of the Cross - Liguori

By: St. Alphonsus Liguori

https://www.tanbooks.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage_gr/product_id/267/

St. Peter in Chains

St. Peter in Chains - August 1st

To please the enemies of the Christians, King Herod Agrippa had put St. James to death, and now he planned to do the same to St. Peter, the Head of the Church. Once he had him in prison, he set a heavy guard about him to make sure he would not escape. But all the Christians of Jerusalem were begging the Lord to save St. Peter, and their prayers were answered.

The night before he was to be condemned, St. Peter was peacefully sleeping in his prison cell between his two guards bound tightly by two chains. He was unafraid of death and ready to do God’s will. Suddenly an angel appeared and tapped him on the side to awaken him. He told him to get up at once, put on his cloak and his sandals and follow him. At the same moment, both the chains fell from his hands! Out the two went, past two sets of guards, and the angel led St. Peter out to the street. Then he disappeared. Up to then, Peter had thought he might be dreaming, but now he knew that God had really sent an angel to free him! What joy and gratitude filled his heart!

At once, the Apostle went to the home of Mary, St. Mark’s mother, where many Christians were praying for his safety. He knocked at the door and a young women named Rhoda came to ask who it was, without opening the door. When she heard St. Peter’s voice, she ran joyfully to tell the others. They, however, could not believe the news. “It must be his angel,” they said, when she kept insisting. Meanwhile St. Peter knocked again. At last they let him in, and their happiness was immense when they saw it was truly St. Peter himself! He told them how the angel had freed him, and all together they blessed and thanked the Lord.

Our Lord never abandons those who serve Him, even though sometimes He permits them to be persecuted. God also listens to the prayers that good people offer for those who are suffering.

Photos courtesy of Anthony De Piante http://depianteinrome.blogspot.com/

St. Ignatius of Loyola

St. Ignatius of Loyola - Patron of Retreats and of Soldiers - July 31st

This famous founder of the Jesuits was a son of one of the most noble families of Spain. As a boy he was sent to be a page at the royal court, and there he lived on the desire to become a great soldier and win a fair lady. Later, he did, indeed, win honor for his courage in the battle of Pamplona. However, a wound from a cannon ball forced him to spend months in bed back at Loyola Castle.

Ignatius asked for some stories of knights to pass the time, but the only books on hand were stories of Our Lord and the Saints. Having nothing else to do, he read them, and his life changed from that time on. He said to himself: “These were men like me, so why can’t I do what they have done?” All the glory he had wanted before seemed worthless now, and he began to imitate the Saints in their prayers and penances and good works.

St. Ignatius had to suffer terrible temptations and humiliations before he began his great work of founding the Society of Jesus. Imagine going back to school to study Latin grammar with little boys when you are a man of thirty-three! Yet Ignatius did it because he knew he would need knowledge to help him save souls. With patience and even a laugh now and then, he took the boys’ jeers and taunts. For teaching and encouraging people to pray, he was even suspected of heresy and put in jail for a while! But that did not bother the Saint. “The whole city does not contain as many chains as I desire to wear for love of Jesus,” he said.

Ignatius was forty-three when he graduated from the University of Paris. With six other students, he made the vows of obedience, poverty, and chastity. They also promised to work for God in whatever way the Holy Father thought best. Later they became priests and formed the religious order of the Jesuits. Before Ignatius died, there were one thousand Jesuits and they were doing much good teaching youth and preaching.

It was the Saint’s tremendous love of Jesus which made him want to keep working for the greater glory of God. He often prayed: “Give me only Your love and Your grace. With this I am rich enough, and I have no more to ask.”

The reading of the lives of Jesus and His Saints changed Ignatius’ whole life. Let us, too, read these inspiring books, so that we will find it easier to be virtuous and to put our lives to good use, as the Saints did.

Blessed Everard Hanse

Blessed Everard Hanse - July 30th

Everard was born in England of a non-Catholic family. He went to the University of Cambridge, and became a minister. As a preacher he was very popular, and he was quite proud of his success. Everard’s brother William, who had become a Catholic, tried to bring him into the Church, but Everard did not seem to want to listen. However, a serious sickness made him look deep into his own heart, and his brother’s words began to take effect. He sent for William and was received into the Church.

Everard became a priest after studying in France. Then, although he knew he was risking his life, he went back to England, where the Catholics were being persecuted. Just three months later, he was arrested. When he declared that he believed the Pope was the Head of the Church and that he wished all men could believe the Catholic Faith, as he did, he was condemned to death.

From prison, Blessed Everard wrote to his brother: “I cannot tell you how contented I am. This dignity (of being a martyr) is too high for a sinner, but God is merciful. The day and hour of my birth to eternal life are near.” At the place of execution he begged all Catholics to pray for him and with him! Even as he was suffering, he murmured, “O happy day!”

Let us learn from this glorious Martyr how to take little pains for the love of God, without complaining.

St. Martha

St. Martha - Patroness of Cooks and Domestic Servants - July 29th

Martha was the sister of Mary Magdalen and Lazarus, and she lived with them in the little town of Bethany near Jerusalem. They were dear friends of Jesus, and He often came to visit them. In fact, the Holy Gospel tells us: “Jesus loved Martha, and her sister Mary, and Lazarus.” It was St. Martha who lovingly served Our Lord when He visited them.

One day as she was going about the house preparing everything for Jesus, she asked Him to tell her sister Mary to help her. For Mary was sitting quietly at Jesus’ feet, listening to Him. Our Lord was very pleased with Martha’s loving service, but He wanted her to know that listening to God’s word and praying is even more important. So He said gently: “Martha, Martha, you are anxious about many things, but only one thing is necessary, Mary has chosen the better part.”

St. Martha’s great faith in Jesus was seen when her brother Lazarus died. As soon as she heard that Jesus was coming to Bethany, Martha went to meet Him and said: “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would have not died.” Then Jesus told her that Lazarus would rise. He said: “He who believes in Me, even if he die, shall live. Do you believe this?” And Martha answered, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are Christ, the Son of God, Who has come into the world.” Afterwards, Our Lord worked a great miracle and raised Lazarus from the dead!

Later, Jesus came again to have supper with Lazarus, and St. Martha served them at table as always, but this time with much greater love and joy.

Jesus said to Martha that to take care of our soul is more important than to take care of our body. Our body will die one day, but our soul will live forever. Therefore we have to give more importance to our soul, to be sure to save it.

St. Botvid

St. Botvid - July 28th

This Saint was born in Sweden and brought up a pagan. But when he went to England, he became a Christian. Although he was not a priest, he felt a great desire to preach the Gospel. He wanted to share his new Faith with his own countrymen.

For this reason, St. Botvid returned to Sweden to work for Our Lord there. But he was not even satisfied then. He wanted the Gospel to be preached in Finland, too. So he bought a Finnish slave, taught him the Faith, and then set him free to go back to his own country and make converts there.

That man repaid the Saint for his goodness by a terrible act of ingratitude. St. Botvid set out in a boat to take him across the sea to Finland. When they went ashore for the night and the Saint was asleep, the wicked slave killed Botvid and sailed away with the boat. Friends of the Saint came looking for him when he did not return, and a little bird led them to his body.

St. Botvid is honored as a martyr of charity and as one of the apostles of Sweden.

Today I will show appreciation and gratitude to my parents and teachers, who care so much for me.

St. Pantaleon

St. Pantaleon - Patron of Doctors - July 27th

Pantaleon came from Nicomedia, near the Black sea, in Asia. He was such a famous doctor that the Emperor himself chose him for his own doctor. There, at the wicked, pagan court, Pantaleon got into trouble. He was a Christian, but little by little he let the bad example all around him ruin him. He began to agree with the false wisdom praised by the pagans, until at last he committed the great sin of giving up his Christian Faith entirely.

A holy priest named Hermolaos was deeply saddened to see the famous doctor desert Our Lord. He went to him and, with his wise, kind words, made him realize what a sin he had committed. Pantaleon listened to him and admitted that he had done very wrong. He detested his sin and joined the Church once more. To make up for what he had done, he greatly desired to suffer and die for charity by taking care of poor sick people without any charge.

When the Emperor Diocletian began his persecution, Pantaleon at once gave away everything he owned to the poor. Not long afterwards, some jealous doctors accused him of being a Christian, and he was given the choice of denying his Faith or being put to death. Pantaleon absolutely refused to say he was not a Christian and no torture could make him do it.

There has been strong devotion in past ages to this Saint. In the East he is called the “Great Martyr and Wonder-worker.”

Let us avoid all companions, TV and radio programs, or books and magazines which could be a danger to our Faith.

St. Anne

St. Anne - Patroness of Canada, of Cabinet-Makers and of Housewives - July 26th

St. Anne is the grandmother of Our Lord and the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She and her husband, St. Joachim, had spent their lives in worshipping God and doing good, but they had one great sorrow: God had not sent them any children. For years and years, Anne begged the Lord to give her a child, and she promised to consecrate it to Him if He would. When she was already old, God answered her prayer in a far better way than she could ever have dreamed.

For the child born to St. Anne was the Immaculate Virgin Mary, the holiest of all women, the one who was to become the Mother of God. Anne took tender care of little Mary for a few years and then gave her to the service of God, as she had promised she would.

After Mary had gone to live in the holy Temple at Jerusalem, St. Anne continued her life of prayer until God called her to Heaven. Knowing what a great Saint she is, Christians have always been devoted to St. Anne, and have built beautiful churches in her honor. Perhaps one of the most famous is the shrine of St. Anne de Beaupre in Canada, where great crowds go to ask her help in their sufferings.

St. Anne is a great saint because even though it cost her great pain, she gave Mary to God. If you feel the divine call, pray to St. Anne. She will help you to follow it, despite many difficulties.

St. James the Greater

St. James the Greater - Patron of Spain, of Chile, of Pilgrims and of Manual Laborers - July 25th

James was a fisherman like his father Zebedee and his brother John. He was on his father’s boat mending his nets when Our Lord passed by and called him and John to become fishers of men. At once they left their father and their boats to follow Jesus.

James, with St. Peter and St. John, was a special companion of Our Lord. With them, he was permitted to see what the other Apostles did not see. He was there when Our Lord raised the daughter of Jarius to life. He was taken up the mountain to see Jesus shining like the sun with His robes white as snow. He was allowed to stay with Our Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Holy Thursday night when He sweat blood.

St. James was an impulsive, outspoken man, who wanted Jesus to send fire down on the villages which did not receive Our Lord. But he had great faith in Jesus, and he learned to become humble and meek. To him was given the honor of being the first Apostle to die for Our Lord. The Holy Bible tell us that King Herod Agrippa had St. James put to death by the sword.

The judge who was suppose to condemn the Apostle was so moved by St. James’ faith in Jesus that right than and there he declared himself to be a Christian. For that, he, too, was condemned to death to be beheaded. As he walked beside St. James to his execution, he begged the Apostle to forgive him for arresting him. St. James turned and embraced him. “Peace be to you!” he said, and kissed him. And they died for Jesus together.

Jesus loves and chooses who are generous and ready to say “yes”.