Bl EugeneIII

Blessed Eugene III Feast Day: July 08 Died: 1153 Peter dei Paganelli di Montemagno was born near Pisa in Italy. When Peter grew up, he became a priest and worked in Pisa for a few years. Later, he felt the need to get closer to God and joined the Cistercian monks in Clairvaux in France. St. Bernard was the superior at the monastery of Clairvaux. His feast day is August 20. Peter respected Bernard and the two soon became good friends. Peter too chose "Bernard" for his religious name and tried to live like the saint. St. Bernard sent his namesake, Bernard, to become the superior of a monastery in Rome called Tre Fontaine. Then in 1145, Pope Lucius II died and a most unusual thing happened. When the cardinals met at the funeral of the pope, they decided to elect the new pope as quickly as possible. And together they elected Abbot Bernard to be pope. The abbot, who was not a cardinal, did not attend the meeting. He was shocked when he was told. St. Bernard of Clairvaux was surprised too. He felt sorry for Bernard. He wrote an open letter to the cardinals: "May God forgive you for what you have done," he said. "You have involved in responsibilities and placed among many people a man who fled them both." Accepting God's will, Bernard chose to be called Pope Eugene III. His time as pope brought him many difficulties. The Roman senate threatened to oppose him if he did not let them keep stolen property. A man who was earlier sent away from the country went to Pope Eugene and asked forgiveness. But he soon fell back into his old ways. He even joined a group that was directly against the pope. Pope Eugene had to leave Rome a few times because of the dangers surrounding him. One of his fellow monks wrote to St. Bernard of Clairvaux about Pope Eugene: "There is no arrogance or domineering way in him." St. Antoninus, called Pope Eugene "a great pope with great sufferings." Pope Eugene died on July 8, 1153 at Tivoli in Italy.

Bls Roger, Ralph, Lawrence

Blessed Roger Dickenson, Blessed Ralph Milner and Blessed Lawrence Humphrey Feast Day: July 07 Born/Died: (sixteenth century) These three martyrs lived in England at a time when the Catholic Church was under terrible torture by Queen Elizabeth I. "Mr." Roger Dickenson was an Englishman from Lincoln who studied to become a priest in Rheims, France. Father Dickenson was then sent on a mission to England. There he worked as an undercover diocesan priest. He said Mass, helped Catholics receive the sacraments and strengthen their faith. He could not do it openly because he knew he would be arrested and put in prison or even killed. And although he was happy to die for Jesus, he was needed by the Catholic community, so they could practice their faith. Ralph Milner was an uneducated farmer from Flacstead in Hampshire, who had a wife and eight children. He was brought up as a Protestant but was so impressed by the good example of his Catholic neighbors, that he took instructions and was received into the Catholic Church. On the day he made his First Communion he was put into prison for being a Catholic. The prison guards respected and trusted Farmer Milner because of his good behavior. So for many years, he went on "parole" to find supplies of food and utilities. He also helped the prisoners with their spiritual needs by bringing them undercover priests. This is how he met Father Dickenson. While on parole, he was of great help to Father Dickenson and Father Stanney, a Jesuit priest. Finally, the day came when Father Dickenson and Farmer Milner were both arrested when they were going around the local villages meeting the needs of the Catholics there. They were taken to the Winchester jail and brought to trial together. Father Dickenson was charged for the crime of being a Catholic priest. Farmer Milner was charged with helping Father Dickenson perform his ministry. The judge looked at Mrs. Milner and the couple's eight children and took pity on them. He wanted to free Milner at all costs. "All you have to do," he said, "is visit a Protestant church, just for a few minutes, to say you have been there. I'll let you go free to be with your family." Mr. Milner quietly and firmly refused saying he would rather die for his faith. On July 7, 1591, he and Father Dickenson went bravely to their deaths where they were hung, drawn and quartered. The third martyr, Lawrence Humphrey was born at Hampshire in England. With the help of Father Stanney, S.J., he was converted and became a Catholic. Lawrence was just twenty-one years old when he was arrested but he would not give up the faith he had so recently found. He too was hanged, drawn and quartered at the Winchester prison. Reflection: How deep is my faith and relationship with God? Am I ready to give my life for Him?

St Maria Goretti

St. Maria Goretti Feast Day: July 06 Born: 1890 :: Died: 1902 Maria was born at Corinaldo, Ancona in Italy into a poor but loving home and was one of six children. She was baptized the day after she was born. Her father Luigi Goretti was a farmer. Her mother Assunta, was a poor orphan girl who did not know how to read or write. Luigi and Assunta loved God, Mother Mary and each other. Their oldest child, a boy died when he was just a baby. Although they were very poor, and life was difficult, Luigi and Assunta thanked God for His great gifts. Assunta lovingly taught her children about God’s great love, by her words and actions. The children had no toys, so a rock or an apple was used as a ball to play with. Maria never had a single doll and they could not afford to go to school, but they were a very happy family that lived in the light of God’s grace. When Maria was six, she played like other children, running through the grass, picking flowers, laughing and smiling. But instead of playing with her friends, Maria played more often with her younger brothers and sister, and kept them happy so they would not trouble their mother. Then the family moved to the Pontine Marshes where Luigi, along with his partner Mr. Serenelli and his sixteen year old son Allessandro (Alexander), lived together on Conte Mazzoleni’s farm as tenant farmers. By the time she was nine, Maria did the family marketing. She always did her errands quickly and returned home where she was needed. She was a friendly girl and everyone loved her. A cheerful grocer Giovanni, gave Maria an apple one day, after she had finished paying for her groceries. But Maria did not eat it. Instead, she thanked Giovanni and put it in her pocket saying that her brother Allesandrino loved apples. Then he gave her a cookie, which again she put in her pocket saying that she would give it to her little sister Ersilia. Giovanni finally gave her another cookie and said he would be very hurt if she didn’t eat it herself. So Maria not wanting to offend him, ate it. A short time later, Mr. Luigi fell very ill and died, leaving Assunta to bring up her five children alone. At twelve, Maria was already very pretty. She helped her mother on the farm, in the house and with the care of the other children. She never complained because they were so poor. In fact, she cheered up her poor mother and was a great comfort to her. She went to Mass every day even though it meant a two-hour walk. Maria received the sacrament of Reconciliation as often as she could. When she came home, she taught the children their prayers and told them Bible stories. Alexander who often joined the family for the rosary slowly began to notice how pretty Maria was. He tried a few times to touch her and make Maria sin. She absolutely refused and did her best to avoid him. July 5, 1902, was a hot summer day. Maria was alone in the cottage mending clothes while her mother worked on the farm and Mr. Serenelli slept under a tree. Alexander asked Maria to come to him, and when she refused, he dragged her into a room. Maria begged him not to touch her, repeating over and over that God did not want this, it was a sin and he would go to hell. When she struggled and tried to scream, he stuffed a handkerchief into her mouth and angrily stabbed her many times with a dagger and then ran away. When they found her, Maria was quickly taken to a hospital but she died about twenty-four hours later. During her last hours she received Jesus in Holy Communion with great joy. She then told the priest that she forgave Alexander with all her heart, for the love of Jesus and hoped God would forgive him too. Her only worry was for her mother. Alexander was sent to prison for thirty years. For a long time, he did not feel sorry for what he had done. Then one night Maria appeared to him in a dream, walking in a garden and offering him a bunch of Lilies. She said, she hoped he would come to heaven one day. From that moment on, he was a changed man. He wrote a letter to the bishop, begging God’s forgiveness for the great sin he had committed. When he was freed from prison after twenty-seven years, his first visit was to the Goretti home where he asked Maria's mother for forgiveness. Then Alexander spent the rest of his life as the gardener in a nearby monastery. On April 27, 1947, Pope Pius XII appeared on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica with Maria's eighty-two-year-old mother, Assunta and declared Maria “blessed”. Three years later, in a grand ceremony that had to be held outside the Basilica because the crowds were so huge, Maria was declared a saint. It was the only time that a parent was present to witness their child's cannonization. The pope called her "a martyr of holy purity." Reflection: We pray today for all children, that with courage they may stay away from sin and avoid hurting Jesus, who loves them so much. We ask St. Maria Goretti, to help them stay pure and holy.

St Anthony Mary Zaccaria

St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria Feast Day: July 05 Born: 1502 :: Died: 1539 Anthony was born at Cremona, Lombardy in Italy. When he was two years old, his father Lazzaro died. At that time his mother Antonia Pescorali was only eighteen. She encouraged the special love Anthony felt for the sufferings of poor people and sent her son to the University of Padua to study medicine so he could become a doctor. He was only twenty-two when he graduated. The young doctor was very successful and spent time working among the poor in Cremona. Yet he did not feel satisfied and felt a strong wish to join the religious life. He decided to become a priest and gave everything he owned to his mother. Anthony began his religious studies. He also continued to care for the sick, to comfort and inspire the dying. He started to use all his spare moments to read and think about the letters of St. Paul in the Bible. He had read the life of the great apostle Paul many times, and had given much thought to his virtues. Now Anthony was burning with a strong desire to become a saint and to bring everyone to Jesus so he taught Catechism explaining the mysteries of the Catholic faith. After he was ordained a priest, St. Anthony Mary moved to the big city of Milan as a great number of people could use his help there. He also started an order of priests, the Clerks Regular of St. Paul. People call them "Barnabites". He also started another order for women called the Angelics of Saint Paul. In imitation of the apostle Paul, St. Anthony and his orders preached everywhere and helped people to develop good values. They repeated the words and sentences of Paul. They explained Paul's message with words that were easy to understand. The people loved and were grateful for this. St. Anthony also had a great love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and encouraged people to receive Holy Communion often. In fact, he started the practice of the Forty Hours Devotion. While on a peace mission, Anthony fell ill. St. Anthony Mary was only thirty-seven when he died at his mother's house at Cremona on July 5, 1539. Reflection: "Since we have chosen such a great apostle Paul as our guide and father and claim to follow him, we should try to put his teaching and example into practice in our lives."- St. Anthony (to the Barnabites)

St Elizabeth of Portugal

St. Elizabeth of Portugal Feast Day: July 04 Born: 1271 :: Died: 1336 Elizabeth was a Spanish princess and the daughter of Constantia and King Pedro III of Aragon. She was named after her great-aunt St. Elizabeth of Hungary. Elizabeth was beautiful and very lovable. She was well brought up and went to Mass every day. When she was just twelve, she married King Denis of Portugal. So she became Queen Elizabeth of Portugal when she was not even a teenager. She was a charming wife and her husband was fond of her at first, but soon he began to cause her great suffering. Though a good ruler, he did not have his wife's love of prayer and virtue. In fact, his sins of impurity were a disgrace and well-known throughout his kingdom. St. Elizabeth tried to be a loving mother to her children, Prince Alphonso and Princess Constance. She was also generous and loving with the people of Portugal and spent time helping the sick and the poor. Even though her husband was unfaithful, she prayed that God would change his heart. Elizabeth trusted God and refused to become bitter and angry. She strengthened her own prayer life and followed the Franciscan spirituality. A little by little, the king was moved by her patience and good example. He began to live better. He apologized to his wife and showed her greater respect. In his last sickness the queen never left his side, except for Mass. King Denis died on January 6, 1325. He was very sorry for his sins and his death was peaceful. This gentle woman was also a peacemaker between members of her own family and between nations. She rode out into the battlefield and was able to prevent war on two occasions. After the king died Elizabeth gave her wealth to the poor and joined the lay Franciscan order. There she started the monastery of the Poor Clares, living a life of poverty, performing loving acts of charity and penance. She was a wonderful model of kindness toward the poor. St. Elizabeth of Portugal died on July 4, 1336 of a fever. After her death, many miracles took place at her tomb. Reflection: "If you love peace, all will be well."- St. Elizabeth

St Thomas

St. Thomas Feast Day: July 03 Born: (around the time of Jesus) :: Died: (around) 72 AD Thomas was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. Thomas in the Syriac language means "twin." St. Thomas loved Jesus very much. Once when Jesus was going to face the danger of being killed, the other apostles tried to hold Jesus back. But St. Thomas said to them, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." When Jesus was captured by his enemies, Thomas lost his courage and ran away with the other apostles. It broke his heart when Jesus died. Then on Easter Sunday, Jesus appeared to his apostles after he had risen from the dead but Thomas was not with them. As soon as he arrived, the other apostles told him joyfully, "We have seen the Lord." They thought Thomas would be happy. Instead, he did not believe them. "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails," he said, "and put my finger in the place of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." Eight days later when Jesus appeared to his apostles again, Thomas was there, too. Jesus called him and told him to touch his hands and the wound in his side. Poor St. Thomas! He fell down at Jesus' feet and cried out, "My Lord and my God!" Then Jesus said, "Because you have seen me, Thomas, you have believed. Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed." After Pentecost, Thomas was strong and firm in his belief and trust in Jesus. He took the mission he was given seriously and went to Parthia, Persia and India to preach the Gospel. He was killed by his enemies while kneeling in front of a cross and praying. He died a martyr there, after many people became followers of Jesus.

St Otto

St. Otto Feast Day: July 02 Born: 1060 :: Died: 1139 Otto was born in Swabia, present-day Bavaria which is in southern Germany and came from a rich family. He became a priest and entered the service of Emperor Henry IV. About then years later, Father Otto became Henry's chancellor. Otto tried to convince the emperor to act fairly and to be reasonable when faced with decisions. But Henry did many wrong things, causing trouble and tried to split the Church into two groups. He even appointed his own pope. Otto felt very bad and did his best to help Henry change. Henry IV then appointed Otto as bishop but Otto refused saying that only the true pope in Rome, Pope Paschal II had the power to do this. Henry was forced to agree and Otto traveled to Rome where he was consecrated a Bishop. Bishop Otto became a great help to the people of Swabia, especially under Emperor Henry V. This emperor followed his father, Henry IV's bad habits. But although he was unkind and very strict, he respected Otto and often listened to his advice. When King Boleslaus III of Poland conquered part of Pomerania in Prussia, he asked Otto to go there. The people there were pagans and believed in false gods. Bishop Otto welcomed the chance to tell them about Jesus and God's great love for people. A couple of years later, the bishop led a group of priests and catechists into Pomerania. More people were taught the faith and more than twenty thousand people were baptized. Bishop Otto appointed priests to minister to the new Christians. He returned to his own country and then a few years later the people of Pomerania began to return to their old pagan ways. When he heard this, Bishop Otto went back to Pomerania helping the people become fervent Christians again. He started more than twenty monastries, built churches and worked hard to heal the problems between the king and the pope. He died on June 30, 1139.