Check them out! Some heroes to imitate and intercessors to call on during August. Chock full of links (all the underlined words) to learn more if you care to. Add your favorites to your calendar and do something special to remember them and pray with them on their feast days.
This month I’ve decided to split the post into two, so there can be a second reminder about these friends and allies in the middle of the month.
- 8/1 St. Alphonsus Liguori – (1696-1787) spiritual writer, philosopher, theologian, Bishop, Doctor of the Church, founder of the Redemptorists. Patron of the scrupulous, vocations, and against arthritis. Read some of his works here (especially the Glories of Mary)
- 8/2 St. Peter Julian Eymard – (1811-1868) French priest, “Apostle of the Eucharist”, member of the Marist Fathers, founder of The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, devoted to Mary and the Eucharist. Contemporary and friend of St. John Vianney (see below), St. Marcellin Champagnat (founder of the Marist Brothers), and St. Peter Chanel (first martyr of Oceania).
- 8/4 St. John Vianney – (1786-1859) Priest, confessor, wonderworker. Patron of priests. Scroll down on this link to read some of his writings.
- 8/6 The Transfiguration of Our Lord – Mt 17:1-9, Mk 9:2-8, Lk 9:28-36. Peter & John (two of the eyewitnesses) even mention it in their writing, 2 Peter 1:16-18, Jn 1:14.
- 8/7 St. Cajetan – (1480-1547) Founder of the Theatines. Patron of the unemployed.
- 8/8 St. Dominic – (1170-1221) Founder of the Order of Preachers (Domincans). Patron of astronomy, scientists, and the falsely accused. “A man who governs his passions is master of his world. We must either command them or be enslaved by them. It is better to be a hammer than an anvil.”
- 8/9 St. Edith Stein (Teresa Benedicta of the Cross) – (1891-1942) Jewish convert, nun, Discalced Carmelite, philosopher, martyr. Died in the gas chambers at Auschwitz. Read more at the Vatican website.
- 8/10 St. Lawrence – (d.258) Deacon, martyr. When ordered by the Prefect of Rome to bring him the Church’s treasure, he gathered the poor of the city and showed them to him. While roasted slowly over a fire, he joked with his executioners, saying, “Turn me over. I’m done on this side.” Patron of comedians, against fire, & tons of other stuff (see the list here).
- 8/11 St. Clare – (1194-1253) Beautiful Italian noblewoman who ran away from home and gave herself to God. Close friend of St. Francis of Assisi, foundress of the Poor Clares, Patron of television, telephones, and eyes.
- 8/13 St. Hippolytus – (d. circa 236) First antipope (schismatic Bishop of Rome), later reconciled to the Church and revered for his theology and martyrdom. Student of St. Irenaeus. Dragged to death by wild horses. Patron of horses and prison guards.
- 8/14 St. Maximilian Kolbe – (1894-1941) Polish Franciscan priest, martyr. Patron of drug addicts, families, prisoners, journalists, and the pro-life movement. Traded places with a father of a family chosen to die for Nazi retribution for escaped prisoners. Died by lethal injection in Auschwitz.
- 8/15 The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Holy Day of Obligation… but… this year it falls on a Monday, so “the precept to attend Mass is abrogated”… don’t let that stop you if you want to go anyway) – The Assumption of Mary: A Belief Since Apostolic Times. And, here, another excellent article at Catholic Answers to understand the dogma of the Assumption.
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