ST. FRANCIS DE SALES, BISHOP, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH, 1567-1622

God gave Francis to His Church at the very time that heresy was presenting her to the world as a worn-out system, that had no influence over men’s minds. God raised up this true minister of the Gospel in the very country where the harsh doctrines of Calvin were most in vogue, that the ardent charity of Francis might counteract the sad influence of that heresy. If you want heretics to be convinced of their errors, said the learned Cardinal Du Perron, you may send them to me; but if you want them to be converted, send them to the Bishop of Geneva.

Francis was born in France in 1567; at his baptism he was named Francis Bonaventura, after two great Franciscan saints. His father was the Seigneur de Nouvelles, an aristocrat, and his mother was the only child of a noble family who brought as her dowry the Signory of Boisy.

Francis went to the University of Padua and earned doctorates in law and in theology, earning the title “Doctor” at age 24. His father had great plans for his son and objected to his desire to be a priest. However, at the intervention of Claude de Garnier, then Bishop of Geneva, he finally gave his consent and allowed Francis to seek ordination. Francis was appointed provost of the cathedral chapter of Geneva in 1593 and was ordained a priest at 26.

Francis engaged in enthusiastic campaigns of evangelism among the Protestants of Savoy. He was rejected, stoned, and chased by wolves. So the ever-patient Francis wrote his sermons, copied them by hand, and slipped them under the doors. This is the first we hear of religious tracts being used to reach people.
When Bishop Granier died in 1602, Francis was consecrated Bishop of Geneva. Francis, the living image of Jesus, opened his arms and called sinners to repentance, the victims of heresy to truth, the just to perfection, and all men to confidence and love. He is distinguished by the sweetness of his virtues, the childlike simplicity of his heart, the humility and tenderness of his love, and his spellbinding preaching. The glorious luster of his conquests are upon him – seventy two thousand heretics converted to the Church by the ardor of his charity; an order of holy servants of God, which he founded; and countless thousands of souls trained to piety by his prudent and persuasive words and writings.

He wrote Introduction to the Devote Life to instruct lay people on Catholic spirituality. On the Holy Souls he presents that they are in a continual union with God. They wish to be in the state wherein God pleases, and as long as it shall please Him. Purgatory, he says, is a species of Hell as regards the suffering; it is Paradise as regards the delight infused into their hearts by Charity – Charity, stronger than death and more powerful than Hell; Charity whose lamps are all fire and flame (Canticle). “Happy state!” continues the Bishop, “more desirable than appalling, since its flames are flames of love and charity.” (Esprit de St. Francis de Sales, ch. 9, p. 16)

He strongly encourages Christian almsgiving, that mercy which Jesus recommends so much in the Gospel: all the good we do for our neighbor by working for his salvation, supporting his defects, and pardoning his offences. All these works of charity may be offered to God for the dead, and contain great satisfactory virtue.

St. Francis says: “To assist the souls in Purgatory is to perform the most excellent of the works of Mercy, or to practice in a most sublime manner all the works of Mercy together: it is to visit the sick, it is to give drink to those who thirst for the vision of God: it is to feed the hungry, to ransom prisoners, to clothe the naked, to procure for poor exiles the hospitality of the Heavenly Jerusalem; it is to comfort the afflicted, to instruct the ignorant – in fine, to practice all works of Mercy in one. Our LORD considers every work of Mercy exercised towards our neighbor as done to Himself. “It is to Me that you have done it.” – Mihi fecistis. This is especially true of Mercy practiced towards the poor souls.

St. Francis died on December 12, 1622 in Lyons and was buried on 24 January 1623 in the church of the Monastery of the Visitation in Annecy, which he had founded with St. Jane Frances de Chantal, who is also buried there.

PRAYER TO CHRIST IN HIS PASSION AND DEATH

Hail, most sweet Jesus! Praise, honor, and glory be to You, O Christ, who of Your own accord embraced death, and, recommending Yourself to Your heavenly Father, bowing down Your venerable head, yielded up Your Spirit, truly thus giving up Your life for Your sheep, You have shown Yourself to be a good shepherd.
You died, O only-begotten Son of God. You died, O my beloved Savior, that I might live forever. O how great hope,
how great confidence have I reposed in Your death and Your Blood! I glorify and praise Your Holy Name. Acknowledging my infinite obligations to You. O good Jesus, by Your bitter death and Passion, give me grace and pardon, give unto the faithful departed rest and life everlasting. Amen.

Source: Prayer Warriors of the Holy Souls

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES, BISHOP, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH, 1567-1622

FEAST OF THE ARCHANGELS - September 29

Angels were created as messengers of God. The Scriptures reveal that God created nine orders of angels: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominations, Principalities, Powers, Virtues, Archangels, and Angels. The Archangels are the leaders, highest in rank. Today, September 29th, is the Feast day of the Archangels and the most popular of them are Michael, Raphael, Gabriel and Uriel. 

FEAST OF THE ARCHANGELS - September 29

OUR LADY OF GOOD SUCCESS

One day in the year 1582, a young nun prayed before the Blessed Sacrament in the choir of her convent in Quito. Suddenly, she heard a terrifying rumble and saw the church enveloped in a thick, smoke-filled darkness. The main altar alone remain illuminated, as if in broad daylight. There, the tabernacle door swung open and our crucified Lord came forth, nailed to a life-size cross. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint John the Evangelist, and Saint Mary Magdalen stood by, as on Calvary. Our Lord was agonizing.


The young nun heard a voice: “This punishment is for the twentieth century.” Then she saw three swords hanging over Our Lord’s head, each with an inscription. On the first was written, “I shall punish heresy”; on the second, “I shall punish blasphemy”; and on the third, “I shall punish impurity.”

OUR LADY OF GOOD SUCCESS

ST. AUGUSTINE Patron of Saint of Brewers, Printers and Theologians

St. Augustine of Hippo is the Patron of brewers because of his conversion from a former life of loose living, which included parties, entertainment, and worldly ambitions. His complete turnaround and conversion has been an inspiration to many who struggle with a particular vice or habit they long to break. 

ST. AUGUSTINE Patron of Saint of Brewers, Printers and Theologians

ST. AGATHA Patron Saint of Sicily, bellfounders, breast cancer, bakers, jewelers, natural disasters, nurses, rape victims, single laywomen, sterility, torture victims and volcanic eruptions

Although we have evidence that Agatha was venerated at least as far back as the sixth century, the only facts we have about her are that she was born in Sicily and died there a martyr.


In the legend of her life, we are told that she belonged to a rich, important family. When she was young, she dedicated her life to God and resisted any men who wanted to marry her or have sex with her. One of these men, Quintian, was of a high enough rank that he felt he could force her to acquiesce. Knowing she was a Christian in a time of persecution, he had her arrested and brought before the judge - - himself. He expected her to give in to when faced with torture and possible death, but she simply affirmed her belief in God by praying: "Jesus Christ, Lord of all, you see my heart, you know my desires. Possess all that I am. I am your sheep: make me worthy to overcome the devil."

ST. AGATHA Patron Saint of Sicily, bellfounders, breast cancer, bakers, jewelers, natural disasters, nurses, rape victims, single laywomen, sterility, torture victims and volcanic eruptions

ST. BASIL THE GREAT Bishop and Doctor of the Church

St. Basil is the Patron of Russia, Cappadocia, Hospital administrators, Reformers,Monks, Education, Exorcism and Liturgists.


St Basil was one of the group of great oriental theologians to whom, under God, we owe our right belief in the Trinity and the Incarnation, and also the chief organizer of ascetic community life in the East. He was born in 329 at Caesarea, the capital of Cappadocia, far up in the interior of Asia Minor. A surprising number of his family are honored as saints: his grandmother St Macrina the Elder, his father and mother, St Basil the Elder and St Emmelia, his brothers St Gregory of Nyssa and St Peter of Sebaste, and his sister St Macrina the Younger. He studied at Constantinople and went on from there to Athens, which was still the great university city of the Greek-speaking world. Here his fellow student and close friend was another young Cappadocian, St Gregory Nazianzen, who with the two brothers Basil and Gregory of Nyssa makes up the trio of Cappadocian doctors of the church.

ST. BASIL THE GREAT Bishop and Doctor of the Church

ST. FAUSTINA KOWALSKA Apostle of Divine Mercy

Saint Faustina Kowalska was a Polish nun who received a series of astounding revelations from Jesus! These messages are among the most important revelations ever given to the world! Jesus told Saint Faustina that the final age of the world was approaching. The message he was now giving to the world through her was specifically intended to prepare mankind for the end of the world. "Before I come as a just judge, I am coming FIRST as "King of Mercy"! Let all men now approach the throne of my mercy with absolute confidence! Some time before the the last days of final justice arrive, there will be given to mankind a great sign in the heavens of this sort: all the light of the heavens will be totally extinguished. There will be a great darkness over the whole earth. Then a great sign of the cross will appear in the sky. From the openings from where the hands and feet of the savior were nailed will come forth great lights - which will light up the earth for a period of time. This will happen before the very final days. It is the sign for the end of the world. After it will come the days of justice! Let souls have recourse to the fount of my mercy while there is still time! Woe to him who does not recognize the time of my visitation."

ST. FAUSTINA KOWALSKA Apostle of Divine Mercy

ST. DOMINIC Patron of Astronomers, the Dominican Republic and falsely accused people

St. Dominic was born in 1170 in Calaruega, Spain, to Felix Guzman and BI, Joan of Aza who were related to the royal family. He was named after Saint Dominic of Silos. He studied at the University of Palencia and took up arts and theology. While pursuing his studies, he felt that God was calling him to serve His people need and became a priest.


After his ordination into the priesthood, he was assigned as canon to the Cathedral of Osma, where he followed the Rule of St. Augustine. In 1203, he accompanied the Bishop of Osma, Diego de Avezedo, on a diplomatic mission for the King of Castile to secure a bride in Denmark for Crown Prince Ferdinand. On his way to Denmark, St. Dominic was able to convert the owner of a hotel in Toulouse.

ST. DOMINIC Patron of Astronomers, the Dominican Republic and falsely accused people

ST. ANDREW Patron Saint of Fishermen

Andrew, like his brother Simon Peter, was a fisherman. He became a disciple of the great St. John the Baptist, but when John pointed to Jesus and said, "Behold the Lamb of God!" Andrew understood that Jesus was greater. At once he left John to follow the Divine Master. Jesus knew that Andrew was walking behind him, and turning back, he asked, "what do you seek?" When Andrew answered that he would like to know where Jesus lived, Our Lord replied, "Come and see." Andrew had been only a little time with Jesus when he realized that this was truly the Messiah.

ST. ANDREW Patron Saint of Fishermen

ST. CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA Patroness of young women, philosophers, preachers, theologians, wheelwrights, millers, and other workingmen

From the tenth century onwards veneration for St. Catherine of Alexandria[1] has been widespread in the Church of the East, and from the time of the Crusades this saint has been popular in the West, where many churches have been dedicated to her and her feast day kept with great solemnity, sometimes as a holy-day of obligation. She is listed as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers of mankind among the saints in Heaven; she is the patroness of young women, philosophers, preachers, theologians, wheelwrights, millers, and other workingmen. She was said to have appeared with Our Lady to St. Dominic and to Blessed Reginald of Orleans; the Dominicans adopted her as their special protectress. Hers was one of the heavenly voices heard by St. Joan of Arc.

ST. CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA Patroness of young women, philosophers, preachers, theologians, wheelwrights, millers, and other workingmen

ST. JOSEMARIA ESCRIVA DE BALAGUER Patron Saint of The Ordinary

Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer was born in Barbastro, Spain, on January 9, 1902, the second of six children of Jose and Dolores Escriva. He grew up in a devout family and attended Catholic schools. He had his share of trials with the death of his three younger sisters and the family also suffered financial ruin. In 1915 the Escrivás moved to Logroño, a nearby town, where their father found a job with which to keep his family.

ST. JOSEMARIA ESCRIVA DE BALAGUER Patron Saint of The Ordinary

ST. ANNE Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary

St. Anne is the mother of the Virgin Mary and hence the maternal grandmother of Jesus. She is the patroness of women seeking a good, loving, and faithful husband, as well as of many other spiritual and temporal requests. She is the patron saint of Grandmothers and Housewives. She is also invoked for safe childbirth. Say this Novena once a day for nine days, especially beginning on July 17 and ending on July 25, the eve of the Feast of St. Anne.

PRAYER

O glorious St. Anne, filled with compassion for those who invoke thee and with love for those who suffer, heavily laden with the weight of my troubles, I cast myself at thy feet and humbly beg of thee to take under thy special protection the present affair which I commend to thee: (Mention your personal request here.)

ST. ANNE Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary

ST. PAUL OF THE CROSS and the Holy Souls in Purgatory

Paul had often visions of the suffering souls in Purgatory; they were allowed by God to come to his cell and relate what they had to endure, and to beg him for his prayers. He would then arise at once, go to some chapel, and immediately took to prayer and disciplines to relieve his suffering friends in Christ. He would then be troubled at having gone beyond the bounds which his director set to his austerities; but one day his guardian angel consoled him by taking him in spirit to Purgatory for a few minutes, and let him experience what the holy souls there had to suffer. After this extraordinary grace he offered all the satisfactory acts he could for these poor souls, and tried to get others to do the same.

ST. PAUL OF THE CROSS and the Holy Souls in Purgatory

ST. JOHN EUDES Patron Saint of Fallen Women and Prostitutes

St. John Eudes (1601-1680) was born the town of Ri, on a farm in Northern France. He was a parish missionary, who founded two religious communities; he also was a great promoter of the devotion to the Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. At the age of 24, he was ordained a priest.

Between 1627 and 1631 he offered to take care of those sickened by the several plagues of that time. At the age of 32, he became a parish missionary and was known for his gifts as a preacher and a confessor. St. John Eudes preached over 100 parish missions, some lasting several months at a time.

ST. JOHN EUDES Patron Saint of Fallen Women and Prostitutes

ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM Patron Saint of Education, Epilepsy, Lecturers, Orators and Preachers

"Weep for those who die in their wealth and who with all their wealth prepared no consolation for their own souls, who had the power to wash away their sins and did not will to do it. Let us weep for them, let us assist them to the extent of our ability, let us think of some assistance for them, small as it may be, yet let us somehow assist them. But how, and in what way? By praying for them and by entreating others to pray for them, by constantly giving alms to the poor on their behalf. Not in vain was it decreed by the apostles that in the awesome mysteries remembrance should be made of the departed. They knew that here there was much gain for them, much benefit. When the entire people stands with hands uplifted, a priestly assembly, and that awesome sacrificial Victim is laid out, how, when we are calling upon God, should we not succeed in their defense? But this is done for those who have departed in the faith, while even the catechumens are not reckoned as worthy of this consolation, but are deprived of every means of assistance except one. And what is that? We may give alms to the poor on their behalf". - St. John Chrysostom, (Homilies on Philippians 3:9–10 [A.D. 402]).

ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM Patron Saint of Education, Epilepsy, Lecturers, Orators and Preachers

ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA Patron Saint of Europe, Italy, firefighters, illness, miscarriages

St. Catherine was born on March 25, 1347, at Siena, Italy, of a large family. She was the youngest among the 25 children of Giacomo di Benincasa, a dyer, and Lapa, the daughter of a local poet. She was called Euphrosyne by her family because of her happy disposition. The name means joy in Greek.

At the early age of six, St. Catherine had a vision of Christ seated in glory with the Apostles Peter, Paul, and John. At the age of seven, she consecrated her life to Christ. When she was 12, her mother, with marriage in mind, urged her to pay more attention to her appearance. She dressed in fashionable clothes and wore jewelry but soon repented her vanity and declared that she would never marry.

ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA Patron Saint of Europe, Italy, firefighters, illness, miscarriages

ST. DAMIEN the Leper

Fr. Damien was born and raised in Belgium. As a young seminarian, he was refused permission to go as a missionary to Hawaii, until his brother fell ill and he was then chosen to go in his place. When he arrived on the islands he was given a large parish which he was very successful at converting.

ST. DAMIEN the Leper

ST. CHRISTOPHER Patron Saint of Travelers

The one-time Catholic patron saint of travelers, Saint Christopher -- whose name means "Christ carrier" -- is not mentioned in the Bible. While there may have been a 3rd century Greek martyr named Christopher, the story told of him is now generally acknowledged to be a 12th century addendum to the Christian canon. 
Christopher is typically depicted as a tall, middle-aged, bearded man with a staff who wades across a river carrying the Christ child on his shoulders. As the story goes, the extremely robust Christopher devoted his life to carrying people across an otherwise unfordable stream.

ST. CHRISTOPHER Patron Saint of Travelers

ST. JULIA URSULA LEDOCHOWSKA Patron Saint of Young Girls

Julia Ursula Ledóchowska was born in 1865. In 1886 she became an Ursuline nun and took the name of ‘Maria Ursula of Jesus’. Her love for the Lord, educational talent and sensibility towards the needs of youngsters in the changing social, political and moral conditions of those times put her at the centre of attention. When women earned the right to study in universities, she succeeded in organising the first boarding-house in Poland for female students, where they not only found a safe place to live and study, but also received a solid religious preparation. In 1904 she became the Mother Superior of the convent in Cracow. The blessing of Pope Pio X gave her the strength to move into the heart of Russia, which was hostile towards the Catholic Church. She lived secretly in Petersburg, and even though under constant surveillance by the secret police, she brought forward an intense educational and religious project, which was also directed towards the encouragement of relationships between Polish and Russians.

ST. JULIA URSULA LEDOCHOWSKA Patron Saint of Young Girls

ST. DANIEL COMBONI Missionary and Saint

St. Daniel Comboni, born in Italy in 1831, perceived that the time had come for Africa to take its place in the world and reclaim its right to freedom and development in the light of the Gospel. His plan for the regeneration of Africa called for the involvement of the whole Church and the collaboration of all the Missionary Institutes, to bring Africa into the Christian world and the global community of peoples. The target was the empowerment of the Africans to become they themselves the evangelizers and the agents of development of their own continent: save Africa with Africa. Priority had to be given to the establishment of the local Church with the formation and training of the Africans as leaders, bishops and priests, technicians, engineers, teachers, medical doctors, scientists and university professors. He was nominated Pro-Vicar Apostolic of Central Africa in 1872 and Bishop in 1877. He died in Khartoum on 10th of October, 1881. Pope John Paul II proclaimed him a saint on 5th October 2003. 

ST. DANIEL COMBONI Missionary and Saint