Bl Junipero Serra

Blessed Junipero Serra Feast Day: July 01 Born: 1713 :: Died: 1784 Miguel Jose Serra was born in Petra, Spain. When he was fifteen, he became a student at the Franciscan school in Palma, twenty-five miles away. He then joined the Franciscan order a few months before his seventeenth birthday taking the name Junipero after the friend of St. Francis. During his training to become a priest, Junipero read the life stories of Franciscan saints. The saint whose life fascinated him most was St. Francis Solano, a missionary priest to South America who had been declared a saint just a few years earlier. Young Junipero decided that, if it was God's will, he too would be a missionary. Junipero was ordained a priest in 1736 and became a professor of philosophy. Twenty years, later, he was given the wonderful opportunity to go as a missionary to a place called "New Spain" in Mexico and California. Junipero and his close friend, Friar Francisco Palou, joined the group of missionaries at a seaport city in Spain called Cadiz. From there they sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to Vera Cruz, Mexico and arrived there on December 6, 1749. Soon after they landed, Junipero got bitten by a mosquito that left one leg swollen. He also suffered from asthma (making it difficult to breathe at times). This made walking a painful process for the rest of his life. But he and another friar walked the next part of the journey from Vera Cruz to Mexico City, a distance of 240 miles which took them more than fifteen days. From Mexico City, Junipero and Friar Francisco Palou were sent to work among the Pame Indians (a tribe of Red Indians) at the Franciscan Mission of the Sierra Gorda. Several of the friars then traveled to missions in Lower California. Junipero, Francisco and a handful of other Franciscans were asked to bring the Gospel to the native peoples in Upper California. Junipero started Mission San Diego on July 16, 1769, when he was fifty-six years old. The mission was an open invitation to his beloved people to come and meet Jesus who slowly began to trust the friars. Some people were baptized and began to live the Christian faith. Father Serra and the friars loved and protected their people. They trained many of them in European methods of agriculture, cattle husbandry, and othe crafts. Then the golden chain of new missions grew: Mission San Carlos in Monterey; Mission San Antonio de Padua; Mission San Gabriel Archangel; Mission San Luis Obispo; Mission San Francisco de Asis; Mission San Juan Capistrano; Mission Santa Clara de Asis; Mission San Buenaventura. He founded twenty-one missions and finally, six thousand native peoples were baptized and became followers of Jesus. Junipero helped the Church to grow on the west coast of the United States. Blessed Junipero made his final tour of the missions in Upper California which lasted about six months. He died peacefully at Mission San Carlos on August 28, 1784, and is buried there. In 1988, Pope John Paul II declared Father Junipero Serra "blessed." Reflection: "All my life I have wanted to be a missionary. I have wanted to carry the gospel message to those who have never heard of God and the kingdom he has prepared for them."- Bl. Junipero

First Martyrs

First Martyrs of the Church of Rome Feast Day: June 30 The people we honor today had one thing in common: they gave up their lives for Christ. They were martyred because they were followers of the Lord Jesus. By the year 64, Emperor Nero's cruelty and abuse of people was too much. When a fire broke out in Rome on July 16, the emperor who was at his seaside villa in Anzio was informed that the blaze was out of control. Instead of returning to Rome immediately, he began composing a song that compared Rome to the burning city of Troy. The people then realized that the emperor himself was responsible for the fire as he had plans to rebuild the city. The fire raged on for nine days and as two-thirds of Rome lay in ruin, and more than a million people lost their lives, the anger and hatred of the people began to grow. Nero feared that his people would turn against him and decided to blame the fire on the Christians. By that time, the Jews who were followers of Jesus had begun to separate themselves from the main Jewish community. Tacitus, a well-known historian, wrote that the Christians suffered cruel deaths. Some were fed to wild beasts while the Romans eagerly watched the sport. Others were tied to posts and burnt alive, becoming human torches at evening banquets while some were used to light the dark Roman streets. Many others were crucified in public places like gardens and the circus. The exact number of heroes is not known, but their gift of witness as they gladly gave up their lives for Jesus made a lasting impact on the hearts of people. Nero's was the first Roman emperor to torture Christians, but he was not the last. And the more the Church suffered, the bigger it grew because their faith in Jesus was so strong that they were happy to lose their lives for Him. The martyrs paid this high price so that all who would come after them could also be lead to become Christians and experience the richness of living in the grace and love of God. Reflection: In our prayer today, we offer thanks to the Father for the martyrs of Rome and ask God to help us live lives that are holy and pleasing to Him.

St Irenaeus

St. Irenaeus Feast Day: June 28 Born: (around) 130 :: Died: 202 Irenaeus was a Greek who was born in Asia Minor. He was blessed to be taught by St. Polycarp of Smyrna, who had been a disciple of St. John the Apostle. Irenaeus once told a friend: "I listened to St. Polycarp's instructions very carefully. I wrote down his actions and his words, not on paper, but on my heart." After he became a priest, Irenaeus was sent to the French city of Lyons. Irenaeus was asked to go on a mission by his brother priests to take an important message from them to the pope in Rome. In that letter they spoke of Irenaeus as a man full of zeal for the faith. While Irenaeus was away, the harassment of Christians began in the city of Lyons. The bishop, St. Pothinius, was killed along with a great many other saints who died as martyrs for their faith in Jesus. When Irenaeus returned the persecution was over and he was made bishop of Lyons. But now there was another danger: false teachings about the Catholic faith called Gnosticism. This false religion attracted some people by its promise to teach them secret mysteries. Irenaeus studied all its teachings and then wrote five books showing how wrong they were. He wrote with politeness, because he wanted to win people to Jesus. However, sometimes his words were strong, like: "As soon as a man has been won over to the Gnostics, he becomes puffed up with conceit and self-importance. He has the majestic air of a rooster who goes strutting about." St. Irenaeus' books were read by many people and soon people began to ignore the Gnostics teachings. St. Irenaeus was killed around the year 202 dying a martyr for Jesus. Reflection: "It is better and more profitable to be simple and less well educated but close to God through charity than to appear wise and gifted but to blaspheme the Master." - St. Irenaeus

St Cyril of Alexandria

Holy Spirit Interactive Kids: A Saint a Day: St. Cyril of Alexandria St. Cyril of Alexandria Feast Day: June 27 Born: 370 :: Died: 444 Cyril was born at Alexandria in Egypt. His uncle, Theophilus, was the patriarch or archbishop of Alexandria. Although his uncle meant no harm, he had a bad temper and could be very stubborn at times. Archbishop Theophilus sent the Bishop of Constantinople, St. John Chrysostom into exile in 403. Cyril who was influenced by his uncle's dislike of John, agreed when John was sent into exile. But the emperor brought the famous bishop back to his archdiocese of Constantinople. When his uncle died in 412, Cyril became the archbishop of Alexandria. His love for the Church and for Jesus was very strong. He was a brave man in times when the Church was confused and clearly preached the teachings of the Church. He was honest and straightforward and was not interested in praise or high positions. However, Cyril like his uncle Theophilus, could be impulsive and stubborn at times. He explained the truths of the Church with his preaching and writing. But when he got upset, what he said was sometimes difficult to understand. He did not always bother saying things in a gentle manner and blurted out angrily at times. His lack of self-control made him sad. Yet Christians were grateful for his many wonderful qualities. For example, he was not afraid to defend the Church and what we believe. He also had a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and lovingly defended her from evil people who tried to harm her holy name. St. Cyril was the representative of Pope St. Celestine I at the Council of Ephesus in 431. This was an official Church meeting of over two hundred bishops. They had to study the teachings of a priest named Nestorius who preached that there were two persons in Christ. The Council explained clearly that Nestorius was wrong. The pope gave him ten days to say he would stop preaching what was wrong. But Nestorius would not agree. The bishops at the Council clearly explained to the people of God that these were false teachings and the people were convinced. This would never again be a major threat to the Church. The people were very grateful to St. Cyril of Alexandria who led the Council meetings. Nestorius went quietly back to his monastery and stopped confusing people. Cyril went back to his archdiocese and worked hard for the Church until he died in 444. Pope Leo XIII proclaimed St. Cyril a Doctor of the Church in 1883. Reflection: "Surely she must be the Mother of God if our Lord Jesus Christ is God, and she gave birth to him." - St. Cyril

St Pelagius

St. Pelagius Feast Day: June 26 Born: (around) 912 :: Died: 925 This boy martyr of Spain lived in the days when the Moors who were Muslims ruled part of his homeland. The Moors were fighting the Spanish Christians. Pelagius was only ten when his uncle had to leave him as a hostage with the Moors in the city of Cordova. They would not set him free until his uncle sent what the Moors demanded. Three years later the young Christian Pelagius still remained a prisoner. By this time, he was a handsome, lively boy of thirteen. Although many of his fellow prisoners were men who had formed evil habits, Pelagius would not follow their example. He had a strong will and knew how to keep himself good. The ruler of the Moors heard good reports about Pelagius and sent for the boy. Pelagius was handsome and well-behaved. The ruler felt generous and wanted to get him out of prison. After all, he was only a boy. He offered Pelagius his freedom, plus fine clothes to wear, beautiful horses and money. All this, only if he would give up his faith and become a Muslim like them. "All those things you named mean nothing to me," answered the boy firmly. "I have been a Christian. I am a Christian now. I shall continue to be a Christian." The ruler was surprised. Now instead of promises he threatened Pelagius, but this had no effect. Thirteen-year-old Pelagius was killed for his faith in Jesus and died a martyr in the year 925.

St William of Monte Virgine

Holy Spirit Interactive Kids: A Saint a Day: St. William of Monte Vergine St. William of Monte Vergine Feast Day: June 25 Born: 1085 :: Died: 1142 William was born into a wealthy family at Vercelli in Italy. His parents died when he was a baby and he was raised by relatives. When William was fourteen, he went on a pilgrimage to Saintiago de Compostela in Spain. There he decided that he wanted to live only for God and became a hermit. One day he worked a miracle where he healed a blind man, and suddenly found himself famous. William was too humble to be happy with the people's admiration. He really wanted to remain a hermit so that he could give all his attention to God. He went away to live alone on a high, wild mountain. No one would bother him now. But even there he was not left alone. Men gathered around the saint and they built a monastery dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. His followers became monks at the monastery. Because of William's monastery, people named the mountain, the Mountain of the Virgin. After a while, some of the monks began to complain that life at the monastery was too hard. They wanted better food and easier work. William would not relax the rule for himself. Instead, he chose a new head for the monks. Then he and five faithful followers set out to start another monastery, as strict as they were used to. One of his companions was St. John of Mantua. Both William and John of Mantua were leaders and great friends, but they saw things differently. They soon realized that they would do better if they split up, each to start a monastery. John went east and William went west. They both did very well. In fact, both became saints. Later, William became the advisor of King Roger I of Naples and the king helped St. William in return. William's good influence on the king made some evil men of the court very jealous. They tried to prove to the king that William was evil, that he was hiding behind a holy habit. They sent a bad woman to tempt William to sin, but she failed. Instead she was sorry for what she had done. She repented and gave up her life of sin. St. William died on June 25, 1142 at Guglietto in Italy. E-mail this page to a friend

The Birth of John the Baptist

Holy Spirit Interactive Kids: A Saint a Day: The Birth of John the Baptist The Birth of John the Baptist Feast Day: June 24 Born: (a few months before Jesus) :: Died: (around) 30 John's parents were Elizabeth the cousin of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Zachary a temple priest whose job was to burn incense. Zachary and Elizabeth were quite old when one day an angel of God appeared to Zachary in the temple. The angel told him that his wife would bear a son who would be filled with the Holy Spirit at his birth. The child should be named John. Zachary found this difficult to believe and God punished him by taking away his voice. He remained dumb until after John’s birth. Eight days after John was born his parents took him to the temple where he would be named Zachary, after his father. But both Elizabeth and Zachary asked for the child to be named John. Immediately, Zachary’s tongue was loosened and got back his voice. John had a special job to do for God. He was going to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus. So when he was still young, about twenty-seven, he went into the desert to prepare himself with silence, prayer and penance. He wore a tunic of camel hair with a leather belt and lived on wild honey and locusts (the locust tree is an evergreen that has edible bean like pods). Soon crowds started to come to him. They realized he was a holy man. He warned them to be sorry for their sins and asked them to change their lives. He baptized them with water and gave them the baptism of repentance. One day, Jesus himself came to John. He wanted to be baptized with John's baptism to begin making up for our sins. On that day, John told the crowds that Jesus was the Messiah, the one they had been waiting for. He told them and everyone else to follow him. Later on, St. John learned that King Herod had married Herodias a woman who already had a husband and a daughter. This king was the son of the King Herod who had murdered all those little boys in Bethlehem. St. John told him that it was wrong for him to live with that woman. King Herod was angry and humiliated. He locked John up in prison and John remained in a dark, damp dungeon for a long time. Then on Herod’s birthday Herodias’s daughter danced beautifully at his banquet. The delighted Herod said he would grant her any she wished. At her mother’s request, she asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. The shocked Herod had not choice and sent his executioner to kill John and bring back his head. When his disciples heard about it, they immediately came and took his body and laid it in a tomb. Jesus said, “I am the Truth” and John died for the truth. St. John's motto was, "Jesus must become more and more. I must become less and less." He said that he was not even worthy to loosen the strap of Jesus' sandal. E-mail this page to a friend

St Aloysius Gonzaga

St. Aloysius Gonzaga Feast Day: June 21 Born: 1568 :: Died: 1591 St. Aloysius, the patron of Catholic youth, was born in a castle at Montau, Lombardy in Italy. Since he was so full of life, his father who was a big gambler decided to make a great soldier out of him. When Aloysius was just five, his father took him to the army camp. There little Aloysius marched in parade and even managed to load and fire a gun one day while the army was at rest. He learned rough language from the soldiers, too. When he found out what the words meant, he felt very bad that he used them. As he grew up, Aloysius was sent to the courts of dukes and princes. Telling lies, fighting and living a bad life of sin were common in the court. But all this only made St. Aloysius more careful to live his life as a good Christian. He became sick with a kidney disease. Aloysius felt this was a blessing from God as it gave him an excuse to spend time praying and reading good books. When Aloysius was sixteen, he decided to become a Jesuit priest. At first, his father refused to give him permission but after three years when he found he could not change his son’s mind, he finally agreed. He taught catechism to poor street boys and signed all his wealth over to his brother. Once Aloysius joined the order, he asked to do hard and humble tasks. He served in the kitchen and washed the dishes. He wanted to make his life pure by doing penance. When the plague broke out in Rome, Aloysius asked if he could care for the sick. He was used to his servants doing everything for him but he gladly washed the sick and made their beds. He served them until finally he caught the sickness himself. Before he died, he said simply, "I am going to heaven." St. Aloysius was only twenty-three when he died on the night of June 20, 1591. The body of St. Aloysius Gonzaga is buried in the Church of St. Ignatius in Rome. Reflection: What do I do when I am being forced to say and do things I shouldn't? I must pray for courage to do what is right. E-mail this page to a friend

St Joseph Cafasso

St. Joseph Cafasso Feast Day: June 23 Joseph Cafasso was born into a wealthy family at Castelnuovo d’Asti in northern Italy, near the city of Turin. Four years later, one of his most famous students St. John Bosco (feast day - March 31) was born in the same town. Joseph was born with a deformed spine which crippled him for life. But he had loving parents who were willing to make big sacrifices so Joseph could study in Turin to become a priest. Joseph met John Bosco and talked to him at the church in 1827 when John was twelve. At that time Joseph was studying at the seminary to become a priest. After they talked, the excited John ran all the way home. "Mom, Mom," John called, "I met him, I met him!" "Who?" his mother asked. "Joseph Cafasso, mother. He's a saint, I tell you." Mrs. Bosco smiled and nodded gently. In 1833, Joseph was ordained a priest. He began his priestly work and went to an excellent school of theology (religious studies) for priests. When Father Cafasso graduated, he became a theology professor at the college in Turin. He taught many young priests over the years. They could tell that he really loved them. Father Cafasso was known as the priest who believed in the gentle and loving mercy of God. His kindness gave people courage and hope. He guided many priests, religious and lay people. He helped John Bosco begin his great priestly work with boys and guided him in starting his religious order known as the Salesians. Father Cafasso directed other founders, too. There were many social needs in Father Cafasso's time. One of the most urgent was the prison system. Prison conditions were disgusting and he worked hard to improve them. But what most moved Father Cafasso was the custom of hanging in public, prisoners sentenced to death. Father Cafasso went to them and heard their confessions. He stayed with them, telling them of God's love and mercy until they died. He helped over sixty prisoners who repented and died in the peace of Jesus. Father Cafasso called them his "hanged saints." Father Cafasso also became the pastor of St. Francis Church in 1848. He was a wonderful example for people to follow promoting devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. He also did some great works in the Church. Father Cafasso died on June 23, 1860. His faithful friend, St. John Bosco, preached the homily at his funeral. Reflection: The life of this saint was marked by kindness and understanding of the people of his time. How do I treat my brothers and sisters? E-mail this page to a friend

St Paulinus of Nola

St. Paulinus of Nola Feast Day: June 22 St. Paulinus was born in Bordeaux, France. His father was a governor and a wealthy landowner. Paulinus received a good education and became a famous lawyer and poet. He traveled in France, Spain and Italy, wherever work or pleasure took him. In 381, at the age of twenty-eight, he became the governor of Campania, Italy. When he was thirty-six, Paulinus and his Spanish wife, Theresia were baptized and became Catholics. They had one child, a son who died when he was just a few weeks old. The couple then decided to devote their lives to God and gave away their wealth and property to the poor. They kept only what they needed to live on. Paulinus and Theresia agreed that they wanted to live simply and decided not to live as a married couple any more. They prayed, made sacrifices and lived holy lives to show their love for Jesus. Paulinus and his wife were greatly admired by the Christian community. They were very pleased when Paulinus became a priest in 394. Then he and Theresia started a small community of monks in Nola, Italy. They decided to remain in Nola near the shire of one of his favorite saints, St. Felix of Nola. There they opened a hospital for poor people and travelers, too. St. Felix a priest and bishop who had died in 260 had been a great defender of his people during the cruel torture of Christians by Emperor Decius. Bishop Felix had been known for his prayerfulness, his love for the people, and his poor lifestyle. Almost hundred years later, Paulinus prayed to him and wrote about him. Then in 409, Paulinus was chosen to be bishop of Nola. The people were so happy. He was a wise, gentle bishop, just as St. Felix had been. He was praised by many great saints who lived at that time, St. Ambrose, St. Augustine, St. Jerome, St. Martin of Tours and others. Although some of his wonderful writings have been lost, thirty-two poems and fifty-one letters remain. St. Paulinus was bishop of Nola, living in his own home until his death in 431.

Blessed Michelina

Blessed Michelina Feast Day: June 20 Born: 1300 :: Died: 1356 Michelina was born at Pesaro, Urbino in Italy. Her family was very rich and she married Duke Malatesta when she was twelve years old. Michelina was a happy person by nature and did not seem to have a problem in the world. But when she was just twenty, her husband died. All of a sudden, Michelina found herself alone with a little son to raise. The young mother anxiously tried to find happiness in the things around her. She attended one party after another and was always on the look out for fun and fancy meals. She couldn't seem to have enough of the good things that life offered. After a while though, she realized that her son needed her more and that she was also responsible for how she used her money and time. Michelina felt as though her life was empty and decided to settle down and became a responsible adult. A holy Franciscan lay woman named Syriaca lived in Pesaro. Syriaca realized that Michelina was really a wonderful person who needed guidance. Syriaca and Michelina became good friends and soon Michelina became prayerful too. She took good care of her child and home. She spent her free time helping the poor and needy. She visited the lonely and took care of those too sick or too old to look after themselves. Then her son died and she became a lay Franciscan. At first, her relatives were concerned and were not happy when she gave away her fancy clothes and started to eat plain food. They thought she was mad and decided to lock her up. But after a while, they realized that Michelina was truly a holy woman. Michelina lived her whole life in the same house in Pesaro. She died in 1356 at the age of fifty-six. In her memory, the people of her town kept a lamp always lit in her home. In 1590, Blessed Michelina's house was made into a church. Reflection: Do I know someone who needs guidance and help to be more spiritual?

St Romuald

St. Romuald Feast Day: June 19 Born: (around) 951 :: Died: 1027 Romuald, an Italian nobleman, was born at Ravenna in Italy. He spent a wild youth in luxury and laziness. Then, when he was twenty, he was shocked to see his father kill a man in a duel. Romuald went to a Benedictine monastery with a stong wish to set his own life straight. He also wanted to do penance for his father's crime. The lifestyle at the monastery was completely new to Romuald and he was impressed by the good example of many of the monks. He soon decided to become a monk and asked a good hermit named Marinus to teach him how to become holy. Both Marinus and Romuald tried to spend each day praising and loving God. Romuald's father Sergius came to visit and experience his son's new way of life. Sergius was immediately struck by the simplicity and spirit of self-sacrifice. He realized that there had to be great happiness in the monastery because his son freely chose to stay there. That was all Sergius needed. He gave up his wealth and followed his son to spend the rest of his life as a monk, doing penance for his sins and living a life pleasing to God. Romuald then began the Camaldolese Benedictine order. He traveled around Italy starting hermitages and monasteries. Wherever he went, he gave his monks a wonderful example of penance. For a whole year, all he ate each day was a bit of boiled beans. Then for three years, he ate only the little food he grew himself. Through these sacrifices Romuald grew closer to God. Romuald died on June 19, 1027, at the monastery of Valdi-Castro. He was alone in his cell and passed away quietly, no doubt whispering his favorite prayer: "Oh, my sweet Jesus! God of my heart! Delight of pure souls! The object of all my desires!"

Blessed Gregory Barbarigo

Holy Spirit Interactive Kids: A Saint a Day: Blessed Gregory Barbarigo Blessed Gregory Barbarigo Feast Day: June 18 Born: 1625 :: Died: 1697 Gregorio Giovanni Gasparo Barbarigo was born at Venice in Italy. His father was a Venetian Senator (a politician). Gregory received a good education, studied at the University of Padua, in Italy and became a Civil and canon lawyer. While still in his twenties, he was chosen by the officials of Venice to represent them in Munster, Germany, at an important event. Leaders were meeting to sign the Treaty of Westphalia on October 24, 1648. This treaty (peace agreement) would bring to an end the Thirty Year War being fought in Germany. It involved local, Swedish and French troops and was caused by a Catholic-Protestant misunderstanding. At Munster, Blessed Gregory met the pope's representative archbishop Fabio Chigi. This man later became Pope Alexander VII. Archbishop Fabio realized how good and holy Father Gregory was. He made him the bishop of Bergamo, Italy. In 1660, Pope Alexander VII called Bishop Gregory to Rome again and this time he made appointed him as cardinal of Padua. Blessed Gregory spent the rest of his life in Padua, a city already made famous by St. Anthony. Cardinal Barbarigo lived a plain, self-sacrificing life. He gave large sums of money for charitable needs. He kept his door open and was always available when people were in trouble. He started an excellent college and seminary for the training of men to be priests. He gave the seminary a first-class library with many books by the early Church fathers and books about Sacred Scripture. He even set up a printing press in the seminary. As Cardinal, Gregory had the unusual task of attending four conclaves. He helped to elect Pope Clement IX in 1667, Pope Innocent XI in 1676, Pope Alexander VIII in 1689 and Pope Innocent XII in 1691. Blessed Gregory Barbarigo died on June 15, 1697, at the age of seventy-two and is buried in the cathedral of Padua.

St John Francis Regis

St. John Francis Regis Feast Day: June 16 Born: 1597 :: Died: 1640 Jean-Francois Regie was born at Font-Couverte, Languedoc in France and was the son of a wealthy merchant. He was educated at the Jesuit College and when he was eighteen, he joined the Jesuit order. In the seminary (where men are trained to become priests), John's love for God and his vocation showed in the way he prayed. He was also eager to teach catechism in the parishes when he could. He was so good as a Catechist that children he taught helped bring their parents back to the Church. After he was ordained a priest, St. John Francis began his work as a missionary preacher. He gave very simple talks that came right from his heart. He willingly spoke to the poor, ordinary folks and they came in great crowds to hear him. Many farmers, workers and country folk were converted. He spent his mornings praying, performing the sacrament of Reconciliation and preaching. In the afternoon, he would visit prisons and hospitals. He lived on apples, black bread and whatever came his way not bothering with proper meals because he preferred to spend his time preaching, teaching and hearing confessions. St. John Francis journeyed to wild mountain parishes even on the coldest days of winter to preach his missions. "I have seen him stand all day on a heap of snow at the top of a mountain preaching," one priest said, "and then spend the whole night hearing confessions." Sometimes he would start off for a far-away town at three o'clock in the morning with a few apples in his pocket for his day's food. Once, on his way to a village, St. John Francis fell and broke his leg. But he kept on going, leaning on a stick and on his companion's shoulder. When he reached the village, he went at once to hear confessions. He did not have his leg taken care of. At the end of the day, when the doctor looked at it, his leg was already completely healed. He started hostels for women who had fallen into sin but wanted to change and called them the “Daughters of Refuge”. Because of this, he was often attacked by bad men for saving them. He also helped many country girls stay away from the big, bad cities by setting up a center for lacemaking and embroidery where they could work to earn a living. He sarted a granary (a barn or shed to store grains) for the poor which sometimes refilled by a miracle before it got empty. St. John Francis died on one of his preaching missions. He became very ill while lost at night in the woods. Just before he died, he exclaimed: "I see Our Lord and his mother opening heaven for me." He died on December 31, 1640. In 1806, St. John Vianney, the Cure of Ars joined the crowds as a pilgrim going to pray at the shrine of St. John Francis Regis. And he believed that his pilgrimage and the payers of this saint helped make him a priest too.

St. Methodius I

Feast Day: June 14
Died: 847

St. Methodius was born and raised at Syracuse in Sicily. He received an excellent education and when he finished studying, he decided to sail to Constantinople to seek an important job at the emperor's court. During his travels, he met a holy monk who had long and deep chats with him. All his doubts about God and eternity came to Methodius' mind. The monk helped him see that to find real joy in life he should give himself to God in religious life.
Methodius was convinced. So when he arrived in Constantinople, he avoided the palace and went to a monastery instead. He later built a monastery on the island of Chinos. Soon after finishing construction, Methodius was called by the Patriarch of Constantinople to help govern the diocese.
In those days, the Christians were having serious difficulties in Constantinople. Some felt that it was wrong to have religious pictures and icons. There were bitter fights between those who thought that people were praying to the picture or statue and those who venerated the saints as models that inspired them and helped draw them closer to God.
The emperor agreed with the people who thought that pictures and statues were evil. St. Methodius, on the other hand, did not agree with the emperor. He understood why Christians needed pictures and statues and tried to make peace between the two sides. He was chosen to go to Rome and ask the pope to straighten out the situation.
When he returned, the angry emperor had him put in prison for seven years. Methodius suffered in a dark, damp prison but he would not let his spirit be crushed. He knew that Jesus would use his sufferings to help the Church.
Finally, in 842 the emperor died leaving behind a baby son. His wife, Theodora was made ruler until her son was old enough to rule. Theodora thought very differently from her husband. She felt that people should be free to have statues, icons and sacred pictures if they wanted them.
Methodius and those who had suffered for a long time were joyfully set free. One of the people who had made St. Methodius suffer the most was sent into exile by the empress. Then Methodius became the patriarch of Constantinople. The people loved him very much.
St. Methodius worked to maintain peace and unity between the people. He wrote beautiful essays about theology and the spiritual life. He also wrote lives of saints and poetry. Methodius finally died, four years after becoming patriarch, on June 14, 847.

St. Anthony of Padua

Feast Day: June 13
Born: 1195 :: Died: 1231

This very popular saint was born at Lisbon in Portugal in a wealthy family. He was baptized and named "Ferdinand." His parents wanted him to be a great nobleman but when Anthony grew up he wanted to become a priest.He received an excellent education from the Augustinian friars and joined the order. When he was twenty-five, his life took an exciting turn. He heard about how some Franciscans - St. Berard and his companions had been martyred by the Moors in Morocco for their faith in Jesus.
From then on, Ferdinand felt a strong desire to die for Christ and he joined the Franciscans. This order was very new. St. Francis himself was still alive. Ferdinand took the name "Anthony." He went off to Africa to preach to the Moors but he soon became so sick that he had to return to Italy.
The other Franciscan friars had no idea how brilliant and talented Anthony was or of how much education he had received. He never spoke about himself. So the Franciscan superiors assigned him to a quiet friary in Italy. There he washed pots and pans without complaint.
One day, at a large gathering of priests, when the speaker failed to arrive, Anthony was forced to preach. He preached such a marvelous sermon that everyone who heard him was most impressed. From then on, until he died nine years later, St. Anthony preached all over Italy and France. He was so popular that people even closed their stores to go to hear him.
St. Anthony died at Arcella, near Padua, Italy, on June 13, 1231 when he was just thirty-six. After he died, people often prayed to St. Anthony in times of physical as well as spiritual needs and many miracles have taken place through the intercession of St. Anthony. That is why he is called the "wonder-worker."
The statue of St. Anthony shows him with Baby Jesus because Baby Jesus appeared to him. Other pictures show St. Anthony holding a bible. This is because he knew, loved and preached the Word of God so well. In fact, St. Anthony was so well educated especially in Sacred Scripture that Pope Pius XII proclaimed him the "Evangelical Doctor," or Doctor of Sacred Scripture.
Reflection: "Actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak." - sermon by St. Anthony

St John de Sahagun

St. John of Sahagun

Feast Day: June 12
Born: 1419 :: Died: 1479

John Gonzales de Castrillo was born at Sahagun, Léon in Spain. He was the first of seven children born to wealthy parents who did not have any children for the first sixteen years of their marriage. His parents John and Sancia brought their children up well and taught them how to love God.He studied at the Fagondez abbey run by Benedictine monks of his town Sahagun. When he grew up John became a priest. He could have lived a very comfortable life in the cathedral parish or in other wealthy parishes. But John preferred the poverty and simple lifestyle that Jesus had lived. Father John chose to keep charge only of a small chapel. There he celebrated Mass, preached and taught catechism.
Father John realized that he needed to know theology (religious studies) better. He started attending classes at the great Catholic University of Salamanca. After four years of hard study, he became a famous preacher.
Nine years later after he got seriously ill, John joined a community of Augustinian friars. They were very impressed by the way he practiced the Christian virtues. He was obedient to his superiors and humble, too. He also continued his preaching.
His beautiful homilies or sermons changed the hearts of the people of Salamanca who had been quarreling violently among themselves. Often young noblemen fought each other in revenge. St. John was able to end many of these bitter fights and convinced people to forgive one another.
He was not afraid to correct evils, even when the evildoers were powerful people who could take revenge. Once he corrected a duke at Alba de Tormes for the way he was making the poor people suffer. In anger, the duke sent two of his men to kill St. John. The two men approached Father John and found him so calm and kind. Both men were sorry they had come to harm this holy priest and asked him to forgive them.
Then the duke became sick and was healed through the prayers of St. John. He repented of his sins and recovered fully. St. John could read hearts of people at confession. People traveled great distances to seek his advice and ask for spiritual guidance.
It was the graces he received from prayer and from the Mass that gave St. John his special power as a preacher. He celebrated the Mass with great devotion and often saw the Host surrounded by light. He sometimes saw Jesus in body at the moment of consecration.
St. John was known to work many miracles. Once in Salamanca a small child fell into a well. The people did all they could but could not save the child and they quickly sent for Father John. When he got to the well, he laid his waistband on the stone wall of the well, and prayed that the waters return the child. The well water rose to ground level, floating the child to safety.
St. John of Sahagun died on June 11, 1479
Reflection: Let us ask the Holy Spirit to help us become more like Jesus. May everything we say and do bring others to Christ.

St. Barnabas

Feast Day: June 11
Born: (around the time of Jesus) :: Died: (around) 61

Joseph was a Levite Jew born on the island of Cyprus and a cousin of St. Mark. Soon after Pentecost, Joseph became a Christian and the apostles changed his name to Barnabas, which means "son of consolation." Although he was not one of the original twelve apostles, Barnabas is called an apostle by St. Luke in his Acts of the Apostles. This is because, like Paul the apostle, Barnabas received a special mission from God. As soon as he became a Christian, St. Barnabas sold all he owned and gave the money to the apostles. He was a good, kind-hearted man who was full of enthusiasm to share his belief in and love for Jesus. The Apostles found that Barnabas was a very good preacher.
He was sent to the city of Antioch to preach the Gospel. Antioch was the third largest city in the Roman Empire and it was here that the followers of Jesus were first called Christians. Barnabas soon realized that he needed help to reach all the people.
He thought of St. Paul of Tarsus who was earlier called Saul. He believed that Paul's conversion had been real and Barnabas helped convince St. Peter and the Christian community that Paul was now true to God and a follower of Jesus.
Barnabas who was a humble person, asked St. Paul to come and work with him. He was not afraid of sharing the responsibility and the power. He knew that Paul, too, had a great gift to give and he wanted him to have the chance to share it.
Then the Holy Spirit chose Paul and Barnabas for a special mission, that of preaching the gospel in far off lands. The two apostles set off on their daring and dangerous missionary journey. They had many sufferings to bear and often risked their lives but their hardships did not stop them from preaching. They won many people to Jesus and his Church.
Later St. Barnabas went on another missionary journey with St. Mark. They went to Barnabas' own country of Cyprus and so many people became believers through his preaching that Barnabas is called the apostle of Cyprus.
St. Barnabas died a martyr when he was stoned to death in the year 61.

Blessed Henry of Treviso

Feast Day: June 10
Died: 1315

Henry was born at Bolzano, in the Tyrol region of Italy. Henry's family was very poor, and they could not send him to school, so he did not learn how to read and write. But he studied earnestly the ways of God. When he was a teenager, he went to Treviso looking for work and became a day laborer. Not many people knew that he kept only what money he absolutely needed for the day and gave the rest away to the poor. He never saved any money for the next day.
He went to Mass daily, confessed his sins and received communion. Henry loved the sacrament of Reconciliation and found this sacrament of a forgiving God very encouraging.
People began to notice what a good Christian Henry was. As penance he worked very hard, however difficult the job he was given and he did it cheerfully. He put aside enough time every day for private prayer, usually at church, trying hard not to draw attention to himself.
Henry was known for his calm and gentle ways. People teased him because he was so simple. And as he got older, children made fun of him because he looked so shabby and stooped. But Henry didn't mind. He realized that they did not know they were hurting him and answered them with kind words and a prayer.
When Henry was too old and frail to work, a friend James Castagnolis, brought him into his own home. Mr. Castagnolis gave Henry a room, and food whenever he would accept it. Blessed Henry insisted that he live on the alms of the people of Treviso.
They were generous in their donations of food because they knew he shared their gifts with many people who were poor and homeless. Henry as always, only kept what he needed and gave the rest away to those more needy than himself.
By the end of his life, Henry could barely walk. People watched with awe as the old man dragged himself to morning Mass. Often he would visit other local churches as well, painfully moving toward each destination. What a mystery this good man was.
When he died on June 10, 1315, people crowded into his little room. They wanted a relic, a keepsake. They found his treasures: a prickly hair-shirt, a log of wood that was his pillow, some straw that was the mattress for his bed.
His body was moved to the cathedral so that all the people could pay their tribute. Two hundred and seventy six miracles were reported within a few days after his death.

St William of York

William grew up close to royal people.  His mother was King William’s sister and his father worked for King Henry I.  William grew up with a deep faith in God and when he was older he worked for the Church in York, not for the royal people like his Father did.  He became a priest and the Pope made him the Archbishop of York.  Even though he was a good man and a good Archbishop, some people said that he was doing bad things and they wanted the Pope to make William stop being the Archbishop of York.  The Pope said no, but when this Pope died the new Pope, Eugene III, believed what people were saying and William was no longer allowed to be the Archbishop.  He went to a quiet place and lived the life of a monk, praying and doing penance (doing hard things because you are sorry for your sins and for the sins of others).  After Pope Eugene III died, William was again made the Archbishop of York, because the new Pope, Anastastius IV, realized that what had been said about William was all lies.  He was only Archbishop for a short time though, because he died soon after returning to York.  Some people think that his enemies poisoned him, but no one knows for sure.  There were many miracles that happened when people came to see his tomb and ask for his prayers, so the Church knows that he was a holy man.

Blessed Anne of St Bartholomeo

Blessed Anne of St. Bartholomew

Feast Day: June 07
Born: 1549 :: Died: 1626

Anne Garcia was born at Almeneral, in Spain and was the daughter of peasants. She was a little shepherdess who took care of sheep until she was twenty. Four miles from her hometown was Avila, the city where St. Teresa and her Carmelite nuns lived. Anne asked and was accepted into the order as a lay sister rather than a cloistered nun. The cloistered nuns were not allowed to leave the convent but Sister Anne could go out on errands and take care of the needs of the community.
For the last seven years of her life, St. Teresa chose this sister, Blessed Anne, to be her traveling companion. St. Teresa went around to visit the communities of nuns. Sometimes she started a new convent. Sometimes she helped the nuns become more enthusiastic about the wonderful life they had chosen.
St. Teresa loved Blessed Anne and praised her to the other nuns. Although Blessed Anne did not have the opportunity to go to school, she knew how to read and write. She wrote about her adventures with the wonderful St. Teresa. Blessed Anne was with her when she was dying and St. Teresa died in her arms.
Blessed Anne's life continued quite normally for six years after St. Teresa's death. Then the superiors decided to open a new convent in Paris, France. Five nuns were selected to go and Blessed Anne was one of them.
While the people of Paris were warmly greeting the nuns, Blessed Anne slipped into the kitchen and prepared a meal for the hungry community. In the end, four of the five nuns moved to the Netherlands. Anne remained behind because she had been appointed the Prioress or Sister Superior of the convent at Tours.
Anne reminded the Lord that most of the young French women joining the convent and their community were from rich, noble families. She explained to him that she was only a shepherdess and did not think she was worthy of being their superior. Within her heart, Blessed Anne heard the Lord's answer: "With straws I light my fire."
Anne was later sent to the Netherlands to start more new convents. She went first to Mons and then to Antwerp in Belgium. The young women who came to join the Carmelites thought of Anne as a saint. Anne finally died in Antwerp in 1626.

St. Norbert

Feast Day: June 06
Born: (around) 1080 :: Died: 1134

Norbert was born in Germany. He was a good child and teenager. Then at the court of Emperor Henry V, Norbert spent all his time making merry and having fun. He only wanted high positions in the court. He was always the first to arrive at parties and celebrations. He was very happy with "the good life." One day, however, his horse was frightened by a flash of lightning and bolted. Norbert was thrown to the ground and knocked unconscious. When he woke, he began to think seriously about the way he was wasting his life.
Suddenly, God felt very near. Norbert realized that the Lord was offering him the grace to change for the better. He then decided to take life more seriously and went back to the idea he had once had many years before. He had wanted to become a priest. So he studied to become a priest and was ordained to the priesthood in 1115.
Father Norbert worked hard to make others turn from their worldly ways. He gave a good example by selling all that he had and gave the money to the poor. St. Norbert started a congregation to teach people about the faith.
They began their religious life with thirteen brothers and lived in the valley of Premontre. That is why they are called Premonstratensians. They are also called Norbertines, after their founder and they started a movement of change that spread all over Europe.
St. Norbert was made bishop of the city of Magdeburg. He entered the city wearing very poor clothes and no shoes. The porter at the door of the bishop's house did not know him and refused to let him in. He told him to go join the other beggars.
"But he is our new bishop!" shouted those who knew the saint. The porter was shocked and very sorry. "Never mind, dear brother," St. Norbert said kindly. "You judge me more correctly than those who brought me here."
St. Norbert had to defend the truth that Jesus is really present in the Holy Eucharist. His beautiful words about Our Lord's presence in the Blessed Sacrament brought the people back to their holy faith. He was charming and loved all men both great and small alike.
In March, 1133, he and his great friend, St. Bernard (whose feast is celebrated on August 20) walked in an unusual procession. They joined the emperor and his army to accompany the true pope, Innocent II, safely to the Vatican. St. Norbert died at Magdeburg in Germany in 1134.

St. Boniface

Feast Day: June 05 
Born: (around) 675 :: Died: 754

This great apostle of Germany was born in Wessex in England. When he was small, some missionaries stayed a while at his home. They told the boy all about their work. They were so happy and excited about bringing the Good News to people. Boniface decided in his heart that he would be just like them when he grew up. While still young, he went to study at a monastery school in Exeter. When he grew up, he became a popular teacher. Then after he was ordained a priest, he was a powerful preacher because he was so full of enthusiasm.
Boniface wanted everyone to know about and love Jesus and his Church. With the blessings of Pope St. Gregory II, he went as a missionary to the western part of Germany. St. Albinus, St. Abel and St. Agatha also helped him. Boniface preached with great success. He was gentle and kind. He was also a man of great courage.
Once, to prove that the pagan gods were false, he boldly went to a huge oak tree called the "oak of Thor." The pagans believed it was sacred to their gods. In front of a large crowd, Boniface took of his shirt and hacked the huge tree a few times with an axe bringing it down with a crash. Boniface stood on the trunk, and asked, "How stands your mighty god? My God is stronger than he." The pagans who expected their gods to punish Boniface for this act, realized that their gods were false when nothing happened to Boniface.
Everywhere he preached, people accepted Jesus, were baptized and joined the Church. In his lifetime, Boniface converted many people. He destroyed statues and temples of the pagan gods, and built churches and monasteries in those places.
In 732, the new pope, St. Gregory III made Boniface an archbishop and gave him another mission territory. It was Bavaria, which is part of Germany today. He and some companions went there to teach the people about the true faith. Here, too, the holy bishop was very successful.
Then, one day, he was at Freisland in Holland, preparing to confirm some converts. A group of fierce warriors swooped down on the camp. Boniface would not let his companions defend him. "Our Lord tells us to repay evil with good," he said. "The day has come for which I have waited so long. Trust in God and he will save us."
The Barbarians attacked, and Boniface was the first one killed and fifty-two newly converted Christians were also killed. He died a martyr on June 5, 754. As he wished, he was buried at the famous monastery he had started at Fulda, Germany.

St. Francis Caracciolo

Feast Day: June 04
Born: 1563 :: Died: 1608

Ascanio Pisquizio was born at his family's castle at Villa Santa Maria in the Abruzzi region of Italy. His father was a Neapolitan prince and his mother was from the family of St. Thomas Aquinas. Francis had a good upbringing and he was active in sports. When he grew up, he enjoyed going hunting with his friends.Then, when he was twenty-two, a disease, something like leprosy, brought him close to death. While he was sick, he thought about how empty his life was and all the pleasures of this world only for a short while.
Francis promised that if he got better, he would dedicate his life to God. The disease left him so fast that it seemed like a miracle. Francis kept his promise. He sold all he had, gave the money to the poor and began his studies to become a priest in Naples.
Later, as a new priest, Father Francis joined a group called the White Robes of Justice who cared for the prisoners and prepared condemned men to die a good death. Then with the approval of the Pope, he and another priest, John Augustine Adorno, started a religious congregation that cared for the sick and prisoners.
When Father Adorno died, Francis was chosen superior. He was not comfortable at all with this position. So humble was he that he actually signed his letters, "Francis the sinner." He also took his turn, along with the other priests, sweeping the floors, making beds and washing dishes.
Father Francis often spent almost the whole night praying in church. He wanted all the priests to spend at least one hour a day in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. St. Francis spoke so often and so well about God's love for us that he became known as "the preacher of the love of God."
He opened new congregation houses in Rome, Madrid, Valladolid and Alcala. He worked with the poor, performed many miracles and healed this sick with the sign of the cross. Pope Paul V wanted to make him a bishop, but Francis gently but firmly refused.
St. Francis did not live a long life. He was at Agnone in Italy when he died in 1607 at the age of forty-four of a fever. Just before he died, he suddenly cried, "Let's go!" "Where do you want to go?" asked the priest by his bed. "To heaven! To heaven!" came the answer in a clear, happy voice. Soon after, he died.

St. Charles Lwanga and Companions

Feast Day: June 03
Born: 1865 :: Died: 1886

Christianity was still quite new to Uganda, Africa, when a Catholic mission was started in 1879. The priests were members of the Missionaries of Africa. Because of their white religious habit, they became popularly known as the "White Fathers." King Mwanga did not know what Christianity was all about. But he became angry when a Catholic, Joseph Mkasa, corrected him for the way he was living. The king had murdered a group of Christians and their Anglican bishop.
The king was also involved in homosexual activity. He was especially interested in his court pages. King Mwanga's anger turned into resentment and hatred for Joseph Mkasa and his religion. A few of the king's ambitious officers fueled his fears with lies.
Joseph Mkasa was beheaded on November 18, 1885. The persecution had begun. Before it was over, a hundred people died. Twenty-two of them would be declared saints. With the death of Joseph Mkasa, Charles Lwanga became the chief religion teacher of the king's Catholic pages.
King Mwanga's face twisted in rage "It can't be true." He yelled at his adviser. "It is true, Charles Lwanga, your steward, has baptized four more catechumens, all men under the age of twenty-five." "Don't they fear to die like their friend Joseph Mkasa, who was killed for his disobedience?" "That's the strange thing," answered the adviser, "they've held even more strongly to their faith after his death. More houng men are attracted to Christianity than ever."
The king called in Denis Sebuggwawo. He asked Denis if he had been teaching religion to another page. Denis said yes. The king grabbed his spear and flung it violently through the young man's throat. Then the king shouted that no one was permitted to leave his headquarters.
War drums beat throughout the night calling the executioners. In a hidden room, Charles Lwanga secretly baptized four pages. One was St. Kizito, a cheerful, generous thirteen-year-old. He was the youngest of the group. St. Charles Lwanga had often protected Kizito from the king's lust.
Most of the twenty-two Uganda martyrs who have been proclaimed saints were killed on June 3, 1886. They were forced to walk thirty-seven miles to the execution site. After a few days in prison, they were thrown into a huge fire and burned alive. What the king did not realize was that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.
Seventeen of the martyrs were royal pages. One of the martyred boys was St. Mbaga. His own father was the executioner that day. Another of the martyrs, St. Andrew Kagwa, died on January 27, 1887. He was among the twenty-two proclaimed saints in 1964 by Pope Paul VI.

St Justin

http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/kids/saints/0601.asp