St Alphonsus Liguori

St. Alphonsus Liguori was born near Naples in Italy. He was a hard working student who became a very famous lawyer. One day he made a big mistake in court and decided to give up his law practice to become a priest. His father tried very hard to stop him but Alphonsus had made up his mind. He became a priest and was extremely happy serving God. His life was filled with activity. He preached, wrote many hymns and about 60 books. He also played the organ and painted pictures. He had lots of followers who became priests and he started an order called “Redemptorists”. St. Alphonsus was wise and good and guided the people who came to him bringing them peace through the sacrament of Reconciliation. He reminded people about God’s love for them and the importance of their religion. His sermons were very simple so everyone including children could understand what he said. The Pope wanted to make him a bishop but he was so humble that he gently said “no”. Then the Pope helped Alphonsus understand that it was important for him to become a bishop, as people in the area where he lived needed a shepherd. After he became bishop, he sent many of his preachers to preach the word of God to the people. As he got older he became ill and suffered much. He became crippled, deaf and almost blind but he loved Mother Mary and prayed for her help. When he was 91 years old, he died a very peaceful and holy death. Years after he died the Pope announced that St. Alphonsus was made a Doctor of the Church.

St Peter Chrysologus

St. Peter Chrysologus Feast Day: July 30 Born: 406 :: Died: 450 Peter was born in the small town of Imola in Italy. He studied under the guidance of Bishop Cornelius of Imola and was converted to Christianity. When he was ready, he was ordained as a deacon. Even as a boy, Peter understood that a person is truly great only if he can control his passions and put on the spirit of Christ. In 433, when the archbishop of Ravenna, Italy, died, Pope St. Leo the Great appointed Peter to take his place. St. Peter did a very good job as a priest and bishop. He worked hard to get rid of the belief in false gods and false teachings that were still practiced by some pagans in his diocese. And he helped his people grow in faith. St. Peter soon became a very famous preacher and he was given the name "Chrysologus" which means "golden word." His sermons or homilies were all short. He was afraid his audience would get bored. These sermons were not especially unusual but his beautiful explanations of the Incarnation, the Creed, the place of Mary and John the Baptist in the great plan of salvation etc. led him to be named Doctor of the Church. His messages were more valuable than gold. He preached with such enthusiasm and fire that people listened to him breathlessly. In his sermons, St. Peter urged everyone to receive Jesus often in Holy Communion. He wanted people to understand that the Body of Christ should be the daily food for their souls. This good archbishop also worked for the unity of all the members of the Catholic Church. He kept the peace by helping people understand what Catholics believe. St. Peter Chrysologus died on December 2, 450, in his hometown of Imola, Italy. Reflection: We pray today that our hearts may always be open to listen to and understand the Word of God.

St Martha

St. Martha Feast Day: July 29 Died: (around 80 AD) Martha was the sister of Mary and Lazarus who lived in the little town of Bethany near Jerusalem. They were dear friends of Jesus, and he often came to visit them. In fact, the Gospel tells us: "Jesus loved Martha, and her sister Mary and Lazarus." It was St. Martha who lovingly served the Lord when he visited them. One day, she was preparing a meal for Jesus and his disciples. She realized that the task would be easier if her sister Mary would help instead of sitting quietly at Jesus' feet, listening to him. "Lord, tell my sister to help me," Martha suggested. Jesus 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. She trusted Jesus and said to him: "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have 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 the Christ, the Son of God, who has come into the world." Jesus worked a great miracle and raised Lazarus from the dead! Later, Jesus came again to have supper with Lazarus, Martha and Mary. St. Martha served them at table as always. This time, though, Martha did it lovingly and served them with a joyful heart.

St Botvid

St. Botvid Feast Day: July 28 Died: 1100 Botvid was born in the province of Sudermannland in Sweden and came from a pagan family. Pagans were people who believed in false gods and false teachings. When he went to England, he got converted and became a Christian. Although he was not a priest, he had a great wish to spread the good news of the gospel. He wanted to share the gospel message with his own countrymen and decided to be a lay missionary. St. Botvid returned to Sweden to work for the Lord there. After many years he decided it would be good to have the Gospel preached in Finland, too. So he bought a Finnish slave and taught him the Catholic religion. He then set the slave free to go back to Finland and take the good news of salvation to his people. 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 Baltic sea to Finland. When they went ashore and the saint was asleep, the wicked slave killed Botvid and sailed away with the boat. When the saint did not return, friends searched for him until they found his body. He died in 1100. St. Botvid is honored as a martyr of charity and as one of the apostles of Sweden. Reflection: Today we might consider showing our appreciation and gratitude to people who have helped us in so many ways, especially our parents and teachers.

St Pantaleon

Holy Spirit Interactive Kids: A Saint a Day: St. Pantaleon St. Pantaleon Feast Day: July 27 Died: (around) 305 Pantaleon came from Nicomedia, near the Black Sea, in Asia. He was such a famous doctor that Emperor Galerius Maximian asked him to be his own personal doctor. There, at the wicked, pagan court, he got into trouble. Pagans were people who believed in false gods and false teachings. Pantaleon was a Christian, but little by little, he began to follow the bad example of the people around him. He began to agree with the false wisdom praised by the pagans. At last, he committed the great sin of completely giving up his Christian faith. A holy priest named Hermolaos was very sad to see the famous doctor desert Jesus. He went to him and with his wise, kind words, he made Pantaleon realize what a big sin he had committed. Pantaleon realized he had made a horrible mistake. He hated his sin and joined the Church once more. To make up for what he had done, he wanted with all his heart to suffer and die for Jesus. He followed Jesus' example by doing works of charity and by taking care of poor sick people without any charge. He healed many sick people only by prayer. When Emperor Diocletian began torturing the Christians, Pantaleon at once gave away everything he owned to the poor. Soon afterward, some jealous doctors accused him of being a Christian. He had two choices. He could either give up his religion or he could tell the truth and be put to death. Pantaleon absolutely refused to hurt Jesus anymore. He bravely admitted he was a Christian and no amount of torture could make change his mind. At the trial he challenged the pagan priest to cure a man who was paralyzed. The called upon their false gods but nothing happened. Then Pantaleon in the name of Jesus cured the man. Many pagans who saw this miracle became Christians. After he was killed for his faith, people showed a strong devotion to this saint. In the East he is called the "great martyr and wonder-worker." Reflection: Do I listen to friends or do things that might weaken my faith in Jesus? We pray that the Holy Spirit may guide our hearts and minds.

St Joachim and St Anne

St. Joachim and St. Anne Feast Day: July 26 St. Anne and St. Joachim are the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the grandparents of Jesus. They spent their lives worshiping God and doing good. For many years after they were married, God did not bless them with children and this made them sad. For years and years, Anne had begged the Lord to give her a child and she promised to consecrate the baby to him. When she was already old, God answered her prayer in a far better way than she could ever have dreamed. The child born to St. Joachim and St. Anne was the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Mary, the holiest of all women was to become the Mother of God. Anne took tender care of little Mary for a few years. Then she gave her to the service of God, as she had promised she would. Mary went to live in the holy Temple of Jerusalem. St. Joachim and St. Anne continued their lives of prayer until they died and God called them home to heaven. Christians have always been especially devoted to St. Anne. Many beautiful churches have been built in her honor. Perhaps one of the most famous is the Shrine of St. Anne de Beaupre in Canada. Great crowds go there all year around to ask St. Anne's help in their sufferings. Reflection: Today, let us pray especially for the gift of our grandparents as we wish them a happy feast day.

St James The Greater

St. James the Greater Feast Day: July 25 Born: (around the time of Jesus) :: Died: (around 44 AD) James was the son of Zebedee and Salome and the brother of St. John the Apostle. Fishermen like their father, James and John were on their father's boat mending his nets when the Lord passed by. Jesus called James and John, and asked them to follow him. He told them, as his disciples they would become fishers of men. They would help him to spread the Good News about God’s kingdom. Zebedee watched as his two sons left the boat to follow Jesus. With St. Peter and St. John, James was a special companion of Jesus. Along with them James was allowed to see what the other apostles did not see. Together they watched as Jesus raised the daughter of Jairus to life. They went up the mountain with Jesus and saw him shining like the sun, with his robes white as snow. Then they heard God’s voice telling them this was his beloved son. This event is called Jesus' Transfiguration. On Holy Thursday, the night before he died, Jesus led the apostles into the garden of Gethsemane. Matthew's Gospel tells us he invited Peter, James and John to go with him to a quiet area to pray. They watched as the Jesus’ face became sad with grief. Then in his great sorrow, his brow began to sweat drops of blood. It was heartbreaking to watch. But the apostles were very tired and they fell asleep. When the enemies of Jesus finally came to take him away, St. James ran in fear. He was nowhere around when Jesus died on the cross on Good Friday. But on Easter Sunday evening in the upper room Jesus appeared to his apostles again. The resurrected Jesus came through the locked door and said, "Peace be to you." St. James and the other apostles found that deep peace after the Holy Spirit's came upon them on Pentecost. St. James began his ministry as an in a very strong way. He asked Jesus for a seat of honor in his kingdom. He demanded that Jesus send fire down on the villages that did not receive the Lord. But he also had great faith in Jesus. Eventually, James learned to become more humble and gentle. He traveled to Samaria, Judea and Spain preaching the Good News of salvation. He was given the honor of being the first apostle to die for Jesus. Chapter 12 of the Acts of the Apostles tells us that King Herod Agrippa had St. James put to death by the sword. As a martyr James gave the greatest witness of all. Reflection: Despite St. James' weaknesses, Jesus loved him. Today we can pray for the grace to deeply recognize the love of Jesus.