Born in Melbourne in 1842, to parents who had emigrated from Scotland, Mary grew up in a family that faced constant financial struggles. As a young woman she was drawn to religious life but could not find an existing order of Sisters that met her needs. In 1860, she met Father Julian Woods, who became her spiritual director. Together they founded a new community of women—the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart, also known as the Josephite Sisters. Its members were to staff schools especially for poor children, as well as orphanages, and do other works of charity. She simply wanted to serve the poor wherever she found them in her native Australia. For a short time, she and her sisters were excommunicated from the Church by the Bishop of South Australia due to “disobedience” but it was all fixed and back to normal. She and her sisters continued to work for God. They served Protestants and Catholics alike. They taught in schools and orphanages and served unmarried mothers. She died in 1909 at the age of 67. In 2010, when Pope Benedict XVI canonized her, she became Australia’s first saint.
INTERCESSORY PRAYER Ever generous God, You inspired Saint Mary MacKillop to live her life faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and constant in bringing hope and encouragement to those who were disheartened, lonely or needy. We ask that our faith and hope be fired afresh by the Holy Spirit so that we too, like Mary MacKillop, may live with courage, trust and openness. Ever generous God, hear our prayer. We ask this through Jesus Christ. Amen.
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Saint Camillus was born on May 25, 1550 in the Province of Chieti, Italy. The childhood of Saint Camillus wasn’t pleasant at all as his mother passed away when he was at a young age and his father neglected him as he gained an extreme love towards gambling. When Saint Camillus de Lellis was 17, he was afflicted with a disease that affected his leg and stayed with him for the rest of his life. In Rome, Camillus went to the San Giacomo Hospital where he served as a patient as well as a servant. After 9 months, he was dismissed for quarrelsomeness. After, he served in the Venetian army for 3 years. In the winter of 1574, Camillus de Lellis gambled away everything he had from his guns to all of his savings. After this, he started to work at the Capuchin friary at Manfredonia. During his time working here, he was so moved one day that he started a conversation that would change the direction of his life. Eventually, Camillus worked his way to become superintendent. The rest of his life was devoted to helping the sick. Saint Camillus de Lellis is known as the patron of hospitals, nurses, and the sick along with Saint John. Saint Camillus de Lellis passed away at the age of 64 on July 14, 1614 due to an illness and was still trying to help people in his final moments. The life of Saint Camillus de Lellis teaches us that no matter where you come from, no matter how terrible your life has been, God will always lead you towards the lights and from the darkness. You can always change your life, you just have to have faith in God.
INTERCESSORY PRAYER O glorious Saint Camillus, special patron of the sick poor, thou who for forty years, with truly heroic charity, didst devote thyself to the relief of their temporal and spiritual necessities, be pleased to assist them now even more generously, since thou art blessed in heaven and they have been committed by Holy Church to thy powerful protection. Obtain for them from Almighty God the healing of all their maladies, or, at least, the spirit of Christian patience and resignation that they may sanctify them and comfort them in the hour of their passing to eternity; at the same time obtain for us the precious grace of living and dying after thine example in the practice of divine love. Amen Today's saint of the day is Saint Francis Solano. Saint Francis Solano was ordained a Franciscan priest in 1576 and dedicated his life to helping others. During the epidemic of 1583 at Granada, he put everyone's safety above his own, and helped tend to the sick and dying. Even during the difficult time Saint Francis Solano kept his faith and continued to teach about the word of God. Saint Francis Solano was later chosen to go on a missionary trip to South America. During the trip, they encountered a bad storm, unlike the crew and passengers, Francis stayed with the slaves who were on board to teach them about the love and mercy of Jesus and later baptized them. After a week, they were rescued and brought to Lima, Peru. During his 20 years as a missionary, he learned many of the native languages, as said that he had the gifts of the tongues. Through his prayers, songs of worship and words of faith he converted many and became known throughout Peru. He was canonized in 1726 and is the patron saint of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, and Peru.
INTERCESSORY PRAYER O God, help us through the intercession of Saint Francis Solano to remain in faith and continue to spread the word of God even during the difficult times, especially during this pandemic. Amen. Our Lady of Mount Carmel is today's commemorated saint. Hermits lived on Mount Carmel near the Fountain of Elijah in northern Israel in the 12th century. They had a chapel dedicated to Our Lady. By the 13th century, they became known as “Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.” They soon celebrated a special Mass and Office in honor of Mary. In 1726, it became a celebration of the universal Church under the title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. For centuries the Carmelites have seen themselves as specially related to Mary. Saint Teresa of Avila called Carmel “the Order of the Virgin.” Saint John of the Cross credited Mary with saving him from drowning as a child, leading him to Carmel, and helping him escape from prison. Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus believed that Mary cured her of illness. On her First Communion day, Thérèse dedicated her life to Mary. During the last days of her life, she frequently spoke of Mary. There is a tradition that may not be historical that Mary appeared to Saint Simon Stock, a leader of the Carmelites, and gave him a scapular, telling him to promote devotion to it. The scapular is a modified version of Mary’s own garment. It symbolizes her special protection and calls the wearers to consecrate themselves to her in a special way. The scapular reminds us of the gospel call to prayer and penance a call that Mary models in a splendid way.
INTERCESSORY PRAYER O most beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, the splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein that you are my Mother. O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart, to succor me in this my necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. O show me herein that you are my Mother. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us that have recourse to thee. (3 times) Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands. (3 times) Amen. St. Bonaventure, known as "the seraphic doctor," was born at Bagnoregio, in the Lazio region of central Italy, in 1221. He received the name of Bonaventure in consequence of an exclamation of St. Francis of Assisi, when, in response to the pleading of the child's mother, the saint prayed for John's recovery from a dangerous illness, and, foreseeing the future greatness of the little John, cried out "O Buona ventura"-O good fortune! At the age of twenty-two St. Bonaventure entered the Franciscan Order. Having made his vows, he was sent to Paris to complete his studies under the celebrated doctor Alexander of Hales, an Englishman and a Franciscan. After the latter's death he continued his course under his successor, John of Rochelle. In Paris he became the intimate friend of the great St. Thomas Aquinas. He received the degree of Doctor, together with St. Thomas Aquinas, ceding to his friend against the latter's inclination, the honor of having it first conferred upon him. Like St. Thomas Aquinas, he enjoyed the friendship of the holy King, St. Louis. At the age of thirty-five he was chosen General of his Order and restored a perfect calm where peace had been disturbed by internal dissensions. He did much for his Order and composed The life of St. Francis. He also assisted in the translation of the relics of St. Anthony of Padua. He died while he was assisting at the Second Council of Lyons, on July 15, 1274.
INTERCESSORY PRAYER Dear St. Bonaventure Cardinal, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, you chose a life that embraced mortification and great humiliation. Choosing to serve those individuals who were rejected and sick you risked illness for yourself. You made your life a continuous prayer and spent hours meditating on the wounds of Christ. Please pray for us that we may have a sincere and humble heart. Pray that we may not lose sight of Jesus’ wounds and thus walk on the straight path to eternal salvation. May we take a great many souls with us to Our Heavenly Father. St. Bonaventure you were known to say “One should carefully beware of decreasing, even in the slightest, the honor that is due to Mary.” May we strive as you did to Love our Blessed Mother and be carriers of her peace in this world. Amen St Kateri is the first Native American recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church. She was born in 1656 in a Mohawk tribe in Canada. When she was just four years old, her tribe suffered a smallpox outbreak, in which all of Kateri’s family were killed. She was then raised by her uncle, the chief of their tribe.
Kateri was a very skilled and diligent worker, but she refused to marry. This earned her many punishments from her adoptive parents. When Kateri was 19, she converted to Christianity, taking the vow of chastity. As she was looked down upon in her community, she was forced to move to Montreal. Kateri practices many different forms of self mortification as a sacrifice to God, including sleeping in thorns and burning herself. She was very devout and prayed steadfastly for the conversion of the rest of her tribe. Unfortunately, probably due to her far from healthy practices in the name of Jesus, Kateri fell ill in just 5 years, and died at the age of 24. St Kateri Tekakwitha is the patron saint of the environment, as well as those in exile and Native Americans. INTERCESSORY PRAYER Lord God, You called the virgin Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, to shine among the American Indian people as an example of innocence of life. Through her intercession, may all peoples of every tribe, tongue and nation, having been gathered into Your Church, proclaim your greatness in one song of praise. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen Saint Henry was born in a royal family with a duke as a father and princess as a mother. During his youth, he received his education and spiritual guidance from Saint Wolfgang of Regensburg. His lessons from Saint Wolfgang left a mark on his soul for the rest of his life. Saint Henry eventually took on his father's position as Duke of Bavaria. During his rule, he encouraged German bishops to reform the practices of the church in accordance with canon law, he brought a peaceful end to a revolt in his territory, and acted decisively against an Italian nobleman who declared himself a rival to Duke Henry. Henry became a great patron of churches and monasteries, donating so much of his wealth to them that his relatives complained that he was behaving irresponsibly. But Henry was far from irresponsible, as his leadership of the Western Empire in both war and peace demonstrated. The emperor was also a great patron of the poor, making enormous contributions for their relief. He eventually got married to Saint Cunigunde of Luxembourg and didn’t have any children. Some accounts say that the couple took a vow of virginity. For the last several years of Saint Henry’s life, he had to deal with a serious illness and an additional ailment that crippled his left leg. He found support in prayer and eventually died in 1024, finally canonized 120 years later.
INTERCESSORY PRAYER Lord, you filled Saint Henry with your love and raised him from the cares of an earthly kingdom to eternal happiness in heaven. In the midst of the changes of this world, may his prayers keep us free from sin and help us on our way towards you. He suffered a great deal of pain during the last few years of his life, be with us when we are in those times of struggle as you were with him. Through Christ, our Lord, Amen. St. John Jones was from Wales in the UK. He was a priest and was sent to jail many times for his Catholic Faith. At age 60, he joined the Franciscans and three years later, he went back to England where Queen Elizabeth 1, who envied Catholics, was at full power during her reign. John aided Catholics along the English countryside until he was sent to prison in 1596. Soon, he was sentenced to death by hanging. St. John Jones died on July 12, 1598.
St. John Wall was born in England and educated in Douai, Belgium. He was ordained a priest in Rome in 1648 and entered the Franciscans of Douai a few years later. In 1656, John Wall returned to England to minister to other Catholic Priests in England. After many years of his work, he was arrested and blamed for plotting to kill the king and soon executed. INTERCESSORY PRAYER O Saints John Jones and John Wall, teach us to be strong in faith and ardent in love like you. Pray for all the people in the world who are being persecuted for their faith in God so that they can proclaim the good news of the Bible all over the world. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen. Saint Benedict was born in Norcia at around 480 CE. After attending primary schools in Norcia, Benedict went to Rome to gain more knowledge in literature and law. But, after being disgusted by the behaviors of his peers, he traveled to Affile with his old nurse. At Affile, he performed his first miracle, but soon went into isolation in a cave near the ruins of Nero’s village to avoid the fame he received from the miracle. He stayed in the cave for 3 years. Benedict, after resisting the temptation against chastity, founded 13 monasteries. Benedict’s fame spread so rapidly in Rome, that two men had offered their 2 sons, Maurus and Placidus to him. During his life, Saint Benedict performed many miracles. He found water on a desolate mountaintop to quench the thirst of his monks. In addition, he made Maurus walk on water to save Placidus from drowning. Shortly before he died, Saint Benedict saw the soul of his sister Saint Scholastica rising to heaven in the form of a dove. He foresaw his coming death and six days before dying, he had the grave of his sister opened so he could share the grave with her. Completely exhausted, after he received his last Holy Communion, died on March 21, 547 CE, whilst being supported by his monks. Saint Benedict is the patron against poison and witchcraft, and of Norcia, Europe, monks, fever, etc.
INTERCESSORY PRAYER God, through the intercession of Saint Benedict, please help us lead a life of chastity and penance. Amen Born in Santander, Spain, Emmanuel became a Franciscan priest and served as a missionary in Damascus. Not much is known about his early life but he is known for his heroic death in defense of his faith. This was at a time when anti-Christian riots shook Syria and many lost their lives. Among the lives lost were Emmanuel, superior of the Franciscan convent, seven other friars, and three laymen. When a crowd came looking for men, Emmanuel, and the others refused to become Muslims. Then they were exposed to horrible tortures before their martyrdom.
INTERCESSORY PRAYER I pray for anyone that withstands persecution for their beliefs and their faith. Blessed Emmanuel Ruiz and his Companions endured severe persecution and death, may their example and intercessions strengthen those going through their own trials. Amen. |