• 12/2 St. Bibiana – (d.c.361) Her parents were martyred, Bibiana (aka Vivian) and her sister were given to a woman who tried to force them into prostitution.  When she refused, Bibiana was imprisoned in a mad house, and finally scourged to death.  Patron against insanity and epilepsy, against headaches and hangovers, and of the archdiocese of Los Angeles.
• 12/3 St. Francis Xavier – (1506-1552) Jesuit Priest, Missionary, “Apostle to the Far East”, Miracle Worker. Student of St. Ignatius of Loyola and one of the original seven members of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).  He converted thousands wherever he went, including India, Japan, and near the Phillipines.  He died within sight of China, where he was finally headed.
• 12/4 St. John of Damascus (John Damascene) – (676-749) Monk, theologian, writer, last of the Greek Fathers of the Church, Doctor of the Church. Defended the use of icons, wrote the first compendium of Christian theology.  Read some of his writings by clicking here.
• 12/6 St. Nicholas (aka Santa Claus) – (d.c.346) Priest, Abbot, Bishop. Attended the Council of Nicea in 325.  Most famously known for secretly providing a dowry for a poor widower’s daughters rather than seeing them forced into prostituion. He has a very long list of patronages including druggists, spinsters, sailors, and pilgrims (click here for more). So how did he become the Santa Claus we know today? Find out by clicking here.
• 12/7 St. Ambrose – (c.340-397) Bishop, Doctor of the Church (“The Honey Tongued Doctor” – hence the bee connection in iconography and patronage). A successful lawyer made bishop by popular acclaim (while still an unbaptized catechumen). Influential to St. Monica and St. Augustine, whom Ambrose himself baptized. Patron of students, learning, and bee-related stuff. You can find some of his writings by clicking here, then scrolling down.
• 12/8 Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Luke 1:28. Holy Day of Obligation. Clickhere for an excellent article at Catholic Answers to understand the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.
• 12/9 St. Juan Diego – (1474-1548) Married layman and field laborer, convert, widower. Met the apparition of a beautiful woman on a hill on December 9^th who asked Juan to tell the bishop to build a church there.  Three days later (12/12), she provided the miraculous sign for the bishop in the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
• 12/12 Our Lady of Guadalupe – (1531) A miraculous image conveyed by St. Juan Diego to Bishop Zumarraga at the request of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Patron of the Americas and the Unborn.  You really have to read the full story to appreciate the intense reality of what took place (click herefor a shorter version, or the link for St. Juan Diego above for a fuller one). I also HIGHLY recommend the fascinating book, “Maria of Guadalupe”, by Paul Badde (Ignatius Press). It’s easy to read and draws out so much of the miraculous of the image, some only recently being discovered (450 years later)!
• 12/13 St. Lucy – (c.283-c.304) Virgin, Martyr. Lucy’s rejected pagan bridegroom turned her in as a Christian and she was sentenced to forced prostitution. However, the men sent to bring her in mysteriously couldn’t move her.  She was tortured (they gouged her eyes out), tried to burn her alive (it went out), and finally stabbed her to death. Her name means “light”.  Patron against hemorrhages, of eye problems, the blind, and sore throats.
• 12/14 St. John of the Cross – (1542-1591) Carmelite Priest, Doctor of the Church (Doctor of Mystical Theology), Mystic. Friend and spiritual director to St. Theresa of Avila and, with her, founder of theOrder of Discalced (shoeless) Carmelites (O.C.D.). John was imprisoned by his own order for nine months (they didn’t like the reforms) before escaping.  Patron of contemplatives and mystics. You can find some of his classics, including Ascent of Mount Carmel and Dark Night of the Soul for free by clicking here.
• 12/16 Bl. Mary of the Angels – (1661-1717) Discalced Carmelite Nun, mystic. Victim of diabolical attacks.  Had a strong devotion to St. Joseph.
• 12/21 St. Peter Canisius – (1521-1597) Jesuit Priest, Doctor of the Church, “The Hammer of Protestantism”, “Second Apostle of Germany”. St. Ignatius of Loyola was his spiritual director.  Peter’s advice was sought by St. Francis de Sales and St. Charles Borromeo. Patron of Germany, the Catholic Press, and writers of catechisms.
• 12/25 Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ – Holy Day of Obligation. Click here for an article from theCatholic Encyclopedia about the origins of the date and early celebrations of this Feast.  Click herefor an interesting private revelation by Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerich on the Nativity.
• 12/26 St. Stephen – (d.c.33) First Martyr, Deacon. Acts of the Apostles 6:1-8:2. Name means “crown” as in “crown of martyrdom”. Stoned to death. Patron against headaches and of masons and deacons.
• 12/27 St. John the Apostle – (d.c.101) Apostle, Evangelist, Fisherman, “the beloved disciple”, the only Apostle at the foot of the Cross, and the last living Apostle. Son of Zebedee and Salome, brother ofSt. James the Greater (Jesus nicknamed the brothers “sons of thunder”! Mark 3:17). Patron of theologians, writers, and friendships, and against burns and poisoning.
• 12/28 The Holy Innocents – Martyrs.  Matthew 2:16-18. All the male children two years and younger in and around Bethlehem killed by Herod the Great in an attempt to kill the Christ.
• 12/28 St. Anthony the Hermit – (c.468-c.520) Monk, Hermit (surprise!). Tried to live a life of solitude, but was so sought out for his holiness and gained so many disciples, he had to move to a new hermitage. Known for miracles and holiness.
• 12/29 St. Thomas Becket – (1118-1170) Bishop, Martyr. Friend of King Henry II and Chancellor of England until made Archbishop of Canterbury, when he resigned as Chancellor. Refused to allow Henry II to interfere in Church business, was exiled several times, and finally slain by Henry’s knights.
• 12/30 The Holy Family – Jesus, Mary, & Joseph as family.  Celebrated the first Sunday after Christmas, unless that falls on January 1^st (like this year), in which case it is celebrated on December 30^th.
• 12/31 St. Sylvester – (d.335) Pope during the reign of Constantine. 33^rd Pope, held the office for 21 years. Built the Basilica of St. John Lateran.

Movable Feast:

• Christ the King – the last Sunday in the liturgical calendar (Advent is the liturgical “new year”).  We recognized Christ’s supremacy over everything as an antidote to secularism. Instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925 with the encyclical letter Quas Primas.

Saints Calendar:

• 11/1 All Saints – Holy Day of Obligation – “…to honor all the saints, known and unknown, and, according to Urban IV, to supply any deficiencies in the faithful’s celebration of saints’ feasts during the year.” (Catholic Encyclopedia)
• 11/2 All Souls – “If we had no care for the dead we would not be in the habit of praying for them.”  – St. Augustine. 2 Mac 12:44-45; Mt 12:31-32; 1 Cor 3:13-15; 2 Tim 1:16-18; 1 Pet 3:18-20.
• 11/3 St. Martin de Porres – (1579-1639) Dominican brother. First black saint from the Americas. Illegitimate son of a Spanish nobleman and a freed black slave in Lima, Peru.  Known for his care of the sick and the poor, and his miraculous cures.  Patron of hairdressers, black people, race relations, and social justice.  I’ve seen his 450 year old skull, and he still has a full beard!
• 11/4 St. Charles Borromeo – (1538-1584)  “Apostle to the Council of Trent”, “Father of the clergy”.  A powerhouse in the Catholic Reformation.  Confessor to St. Aloysius Gonzaga.  Patron of catechists, spiritual leaders, and against abdominal pain, intestinal disorders, and stomach diseases.
• 11/5 St. Elizabeth – Mother of St. John the Baptist.  Relative of Jesus.  Patron of expectant mothers.  See the Gospel of Luke Chapter 1 for more.
• 11/6 St. Severus of Barcelona – (d.633) Bishop, Martyr.  His last name was not Snape and he did not teach at Hogwarts.  Martyred by Arian Visigoths by having nails driven into his temple.
• 11/9 St. Benignus – (d.467) “Patrick’s psalm-singer”.  Disciple of St. Patrick and succeeded him as bishop of Ireland.  Noted singer and arranger of liturgical music.
• 11/10 St. Leo the Great – (c.400-440) Doctor of the Church, 45^th Pope.  Persuaded Attila the Hun to turn back at the gates of Rome. Called the Council of Chalcedon.
• 11/11 St. Martin of Tours – (c.316-397) Miracle-worker, Bishop. Spiritual student of St. Hilary. First non-martyr to be considered a Saint. Patron of beggars, horses, soldiers, vintners, and against alcoholism.
• 11/13 St. Frances Xavier Cabrini – (1850-1917) Nun, Missionary. Founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. First US citizen to be canonized. Patron of immigrants, hospital administrators and orphans.
• 11/14 St. Lawrence O’Toole – (c.1128-1180) Monk. First native Irish Archbishop of Dublin.
• 11/15 St. Albert the Great – (1206-1280) Dominican priest, scientist, philosopher, theologian,Doctor of the Church (the “Universal Doctor” and “Doctor of Science”).  Brilliant intellect with expertise in many of the natural sciences, metaphysics, mathematics, and even biblical studies.  Teacher to St. Thomas Aquinas.  Patron of students, philosophers, and the natural sciences.
• 11/16 St. Margaret of Scotland – (c.1045-1093) Queen of Scotland, mother of eight.  Founded abbeys and worked for justice and improved condition for the poor.  Patron for learning, of parents of large families, and widows.
• 11/17 St. Elizabeth of Hungary – (1207-1231) Princess, mother of 4.  Built a hospital, cared for the sick and poor.  Patron of beggars, bakers, widows, hoboes, charities, hospitals, against in-law problems, and much more.
• 11/18 St. Rose Philippine Duchesne – (1769-1852) Sacred Heart Nun, Missionary to Native Americans.  One of 10 American Saints highlighted by the US Bishops for the Year of Faith.  “I cannot put away the thought of the Indians and in my ambition I fly to the Rockies.”
• 11/22 St. Cecilia – (3^rd century?) Martyr.  Accompanied by an angel.  Converted her husband, who was martyred for their faith that gave rise to a ministry of burying the dead.  She was arrested for burying him, and martyred for refusing to sacrifice to false gods.  Patron of musicians.
• 11/23 Pope St. Clement I (d.c.101) Apostolic Father, 4^th Pope.  Martyr.  Consecrated a bishop by St. Peter the Apostle.  Likely worked with St. Paul the Apostle.
• 11/23 Bl. Miguel Pro – (1891-1927) Mexican priest, Martyr.  Celebrated the Eucharist “underground” during Catholic persecution.  Last words before a firing squad (after forgiving them): Viva Cristo Rey! (Long live Christ the King!)
• 11/25 St. Andrew Dung Lac – (1785-1839) Priest, Vietnamese Martyr.  Imprisoned and repeatedly tortured for his faith.  Died with St. Peter Thi.
• 11/28 St. Catherine Laboure – (1806-1876) Mystic, Daughters of Charity Nun.  Had visions of St. Vincent de Paul and the Blessed Virgin Mary, who gave her the vision of the Miraculous Medal. Her incorrupt body lies in Paris. “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”
• 11/29 St. Saturninus – (d.257)  Bishop, Martyr.  Once freed from imprisonment by an angel.  Performed miraculous healings.  When he began work in Toulouse France as bishop, the pagan priests stopped receiving oracles from their gods.  They tried to make him sacrifice to these gods, and the idols broke when St. Saturninus came in front of them.  He was dragged to death by a bull.
• 11/30 St. Andrew  the Apostle – First Apostle.  Follower of St. John the Baptist.  Crucified in Greece on an x-shaped cross (now known as the St. Andrew’s cross) during the reign of Nero.  Patron of fishermen, unmarried women, and Scotland.  Click on this link for some odd marriage-related traditions associated with his feast day.

• 10/1 St. Therese of Lisieux – (1873-1897) Carmelite nun, Doctor of the Church. Patron of missions and orphans.  “Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.”   “When I die, I will send down a shower of roses from the heavens,I will spend my heaven by doing good on earth.”   Click here for Bl. Pope John Paul II (see 10/22 below) on St. Therese.  Check out her autobiography, Story of a Soul online for free.
• 10/2 Guardian Angels – (before the material universe) “From its beginning until death human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession.  “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life” (St. Basil). Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 336)
• 10/4 St. Francis of Assisi – (1181-1226) Mystic, founder of the Franciscans, stigmatist.  Patron of animals and ecology. “Sanctify yourself and you will sanctify society.”
• 10/5 Bl. Francis Xavier Seelos – (1819-1867) Redemptorist priest, the “Cheerful Ascetic”.  Missionary in the US during the Civil War.  Died caring for victims of yellow fever in New Orleans.
• 10/5 St. Faustina Kowalska (Sister Maria Faustina of the Most Blessed Sacrament) – (1905-1938) Polish nun, mystic, “an apostle of Divine Mercy”.  Learn more about the Divine Mercy Devotion byclicking here.  “A soul arms itself by prayer for all kinds of combat.  I whatever state the soul may be, it ought to pray.” (Diary, 146)
• 10/7 Our Lady of the Rosary – (1571) On the anniversary of the historic battle of Lepanto in 1571.  A small Christian fleet defeated the Ottoman navy, crediting St. Mary and devotion to the Rosary.  Check out this interesting article on Our Lady and Islam.
• 10/10 St. Francis of Borgia – (1510-1572) Jesuit priest, friend and advisor to St. Ignatius of Loyola.  “Second founder of the Society of Jesus”.  Worked with Pope St. Pius V and St. Charles Borromeoin the Counter-Reformation.  Patron against earthquakes.
• 10/12 St. Wilfred – (634-709) Benedictine monk, Bishop, Missionary, defender of the Papacy in England.
• 10/13 St. Edward the Confessor – (1003-1066)  King of England.  “Reported to have the power to heal by touch.” (Saints.SQPN.com)  Patron of difficult marriages and separated spouses.
• 10/15 St. Teresa of Avila – (1515-1582)  Carmelite nun, mystic, Doctor of the Church.  HerAutobiography has long been one of my favorite spiritual books.  Patron of people in need of grace and against headaches.
• 10/16 St. Gerard Majella – (1725-1755) Redemptorist lay brother, miracle worker.  Had the gifts of reading consciences, levitation and bilocation.  Patron of expectant mothers.
• 10/16 St. Hedwig – (1174-1243)  Mother of 7 (married to Prince Henry I the Bearded), widow, cared for sick, founded hospitals.
• 10/16 St. Margaret Mary Alocoque – (1647-1690)  Order of the Visitation nun who received theSacred Heart Devotion from Christ in private revalations.
• 10/17 St. Ignatius of Antioch – (c.50-c.107)  Bishop, writer, Martyr, Apostolic Father of the Church.  Student of St. John the Apostle.  Possibly appointed to Antioch by St. Peter (first Pope).  One legend even places him as the infant Jesus held in Mark 9.  Scroll down on this link to read some of his writings.
• 10/18 St. Luke – (d.c.74) Apostle.  Author of the Gospel According to Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.  Companion of St. Paul.  Patron of doctors.
• 10/19 St. Paul of the Cross – (1694-1775)  Missionary, Founder of the Passionists. “Undoubtedly the two greatest characteristics of St Paul were his fervent devotion to the Passion of Jesus and also his extraordinary sacrifices and penances that he made for the conversion of sinners.”  (http://www.saintpaulofthecross.com/)
• 10/22 St. Pope John Paul II – (1920-2005)  The Great One.  Among his incredible accomplishments as priest, bishop, and Pope were 14 encyclicals, 15 apostolic exhortations, 11 apostolic constitutions, 45 apostolic letters and five books.
• 10/23 St. John of Capistrano – (1386-1456)  Franciscan priest.  Student under St. Bernardine of Sienna.  Led a Crusade at the age of 70.  Patron of jurists.
• 10/24 St. Anthony Mary Claret – (1807-1870)  Archbishop, Founder of the Claretians and Claretian nuns, miracle worker.  Had the gift of prophecy.  Participated the First Vatican Council.  Preached against slavery and spread devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
• 10/28 St. Jude Thaddaeus – (1^st century) Apostle.  Author of the Letter of Jude in the New Testament. Cousin of Jesus (reported look a lot like him), brother of St. James the Less and son of “the other Mary” who stood at the foot of the Cross.  Martyred with St. Simon the Zealot (another Apostle) in Beirut.  Healer and Exorcist.  Patron of Desperate Cases.
• 10/26 St. Bean (d.1012)  Scottish Bishop.  Not much else is known… but hey, cool name.
• 10/30 St. Alphonsus Rodriquez – (1532-1617)  Jesuit Missionary Priest, Mystic.  Friend of St. Peter Claver.  One of the first martyrs in the Americas to be beatified.  Hacked to death with a tomahawk in Brazil.  Patron of native traditions.
• 10/31 St. Wolfgang (All Hallows Eve) – (924-994)  Benedictine monk, Bishop.  Known for his preaching, teaching, and charity.  I just think its cool that “Halloween” is the feast of a “St. Wolfgang”.

• 9/1 St. Giles – (d. c.724) Abbot.  Patron of the physically disabled.  Born a wealthy noble and chose the life of a poor hermit.  He was crippled by a hunter’s arrow, an event that brought attention from the King of France.  He was later known as a wise man and miracle worker.
• 9/2 St. Agricola of Avignon – (c.625-c.700) Benedictine Monk, Bishop (actually co-bishop Avignon, France alongside his own dad, St. Magnus of Avignon).  His name means “farmer” in Latin. Agricola once banished an infestation if storks by his blessing
• 9/3 Pope St. Gregory the Great – (c. 540-604) Benedictine Monk, 64^th Pope, Doctor of the Church.  Sold his possessions and turned his own home into a monastery.  He used the money to build six more.  Liturgical reformer and prolific writer.  Gregorian Chant is named after him.
• 9/3 St. Phoebe – Assisted St. Paul and the early Church.  Romans 16:1-2.  Deaconess? Not in the sense of the Sacrament of Holy Orders (see link).
• 9/5 Bl. Teresa of Calcutta (aka Mother Teresa) – (1910-1997) Nun, Missionary.  Born in Albania as Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu.  She joined the Loreto Sisters (Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary) and moved to India.  She heard a “call within the call” and left the Loreto Sisters to found theCongregation of the Missionaries of Charity.  Bl. Teresa won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 (read her lecture here).  Read more on the Vatican Site by clicking here.  Soak in some of her quotes hereat EWTN.
• 9/6 St. Magnus of Fussen – (d.c.666) Benedictine Priest.  Student of St. Columban and St. Gall.  Said to have dispersed a plague of snakes and expelled a dragon from a monastery.  Patron against caterpillars, vermin, and lightning.
• 9/7 Start a Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows for Life today.  Ends on the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows (9/15 see below)
• 9/7 St. Cloud – (522-560) Son of a French King.  His Dad died in battle when he was young and an uncle seized power and killed his brothers.  Never claimed the throne but lived as a holy hermit.  Patron of nail makers and the Diocese of St. Cloud, MN.
• 9/8 Mary’s Birthday! – Nine months after the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
• 9/9 St. Peter Claver – (1580-1654) Spanish Jesuit missionary to present day Columbia.  Dedicated himself to the service of Negro slaves and worked to abolish the slave trade.  Patron of black people and inter-racial justice.
• 9/12 St. Ailbe – (d.c.541) Irish Bishop, disciple of St. Patrick, and very effective Evangelist. Legend has it that he was rejected by his father and left in the woods to die as an infant, but was suckled by a wolf.
• 9/13 St. John Chrysostom – (c.347-407) Bishop, Doctor of the Church, Greek Father of the Church.  Chrysostom means “golden-mouthed”. Known for his sermons.  Exiled twice from his own diocese for challenging people to live better.  Patron of preachers, speakers, and epileptics.  Scroll down at this link to read his sermons.
• 9/14 Exaltation of the Holy Cross – (aka Triumph of the Holy Cross) The date marks the miraculous discovery of the True Cross by St. Helena, and later the dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in 335, on the same location.
• 9/15 Our Lady of Sorrows – Luke 2:35; John 19:26-27 The Seven Sorrows Devotion was passed on by St. Bridget and approved by Pope Pius VII in 1815.  Get a beautiful pdf booklet explaining the devotion at this link.
• 9/15 St. Valerian – (d.178) Martyr.  Arrested for evangelizing, escaped, resumed preaching, arrested again and beheaded.
• 9/15 Catherine of Genoa – (1447-1510) “Apostle of Purgatory”. She was in a bad arranged marriage, indifferent to her faith and depressed when struck with an intense vision after going to confession.  She devoted her life to service, became a Franciscan tertiary, and had several more visions that resulted in her extraordinary writings.  Find links to her writings by scrolling down atthis link.  Patroness of difficult marriages and victims of unfaithfulness.
• 9/16 St. Cornelius – (d.253) 21^st Pope, Martyr.  Worked to maintain unity in the Church.  Patron against earache and against twitching.
• 9/16 St. Cyprian – (d.258) Pagan Convert, Bishop, Father of the Church, Martyr.  Supported Pope St. Cornelius (directly above).  Beheaded in the city of his birth, Carthage, North Africa.
• 9/17 St. Robert Bellarmine – (1542-1621) Jesuit priest, Cardinal, theologian, Doctor of the Church.  Spiritual father of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, helped St. Frances de Sales, and opposed severe action against Galileo.
• 9/18 St. Joseph of Cupertino (The “Flying Friar”) – (1603-1663) Franciscan priest, mystic.  Born to poverty and uneducated.  Often had visions and ecstasies, and regularly levitated.  Patron of air travelers and astronauts.
• 9/19 St. Januarius – (d. c.305) Bishop, Martyr.  Wild beasts wouldn’t attack him so he was beheaded.  A relic of his blood bubbles and liquefies – some accounts say whenever exposed in the cathedral in Naples, some say when in proximity to his head, some say on his feast day (see link for a discussion of this phenomenon).  Patron of blood banks and against volcanic eruptions.
• 9/20 St. Andrew Kim Taegon – (d.1846) First Korean priest, Martyr.  Korean Martyrs murdered in persecutions during the early days of the Church in Korea are all honored on this date.
• 9/20 St. Paul Chong Hasang – (1795-1839) Korean Martyr. One of the great founders of the Church in Korea.
• 9/21 St. Matthew – (aka Levi) Apostle, Evangelist, former tax collector, Martyr.  He wrote something famous.  Patron of bankers and accountants.
• 9/22 St. Phocas – (d.c.303)  Martyr.  Patron of gardeners.
• 9/23 St. Padre Pio – (1887-1968) Capuchin Franciscan priest, mystic, miracle worker, stigmatic (mysteriously bore the wounds of Christ’s Passion in his own flesh).  Founded the House for the Relief of Suffering hospital.  Read more at EWTN.  There’s a cool little Padre Pio Shrine right downtown NYC, next to Madison Square Gardens.  True, I’ve been there.
• 9/25 St. Cadoc – (d.c.580)  Monk, Martyr.  He was entrusted to a monk as a newborn by his father, a Welsh king and Cadoc eventually grew to be a monk himself.  Legends paint an interesting relationship with this saint and animals.  He also effected many miraculous cures through his prayers.  Patron of Glamorgan and Llancarfan (you know those places, right?), and against cramps, deafness, and glandular disorders.
• 9/26 Sts. Cosmas & Damian – (d. c.303) Twins, Physicians, Martyrs.  They accepted no payment for their services (unmercenaries).  One story tells of the brothers transplanting the leg of a black Ethiopian onto a white patient (click here for more).  Patrons of doctors.
• 9/27 St. Vincent DePaul – (1581-1660) French priest.  Captured by pirates and sold into slavery.  Freed when he converted his owner. Always worked for the poor, enslaved and abandoned.  Founder of the Congregation of the Daughters of Charity and the Congregation of the Mission(Lazarists).  Patron of charities, lepers, and spiritual help.  His body was found incorrupt in 1712.  His heart still is.
• 9/28 St. Wenceslaus – (907-929) Martyr. Raised and educated by his grandmother, St. Ludmilla, who was murdered by his mother.  Overthrew his mother and became a king.  Murdered by his brother at the instigation of his pagan mother. Best known from the Christmas carol, “Good King Wenceslaus”.  Patron of Bohemia and brewers.
• 9/29 Sts. Michael, Gabriel, & Raphael – the 3 angels named in the Bible.  Too much info to list here, see link.  One of my favorite resources on angels is Opus Angelorum, click for a wealth of insight.
• 9/30 St. Jerome – (347-419) Doctor of the Church, Father of the Church, Priest.  Student of St. Gregory of Nazianzen.  Translated the original Hebrew and Greek of the Bible to the common language (vulgate), Latin.  Patron of libraries, translators, and Bible scholars.
• 9/30 St. Gregory the Enlightener – (257-332)  The “Apostle to Armenia”, Miracle Worker.  Held prisoner and tortured for 13 years when his example finally converted his captor.  They worked together from then on to convert most of Armenia.

• 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 theMarist 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.
• 8/4 St. Sithney – (d.c.529) Monk.  According to legend, he was offered the post of patron of girls, but said they would never stop pestering him and he would rather be patron of mad dogs.  Patron of (you guessed it) mad dogs.
• 8/5 St. Afra – (d.c.304)  Prostitute, Convert, Martyr, daughter of St. Hilaria.  Her brothel hid their bishop during the Diocletian persecutions and he converted them.  Patroness of fallen women.
• 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 (Dominicans). 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.
• 8/12 St. Porcarius – (d.c.732) Benedictine Monk, Martyr.  He was warned in a vision of a coming pirate attack and sent most of his monastery away to safety by boat.  He and the few remaining monks were martyred.
• 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 – The Assumption of Mary: A Belief Since Apostolic Times.  And, here, another excellent article at Catholic Answers to understand the dogma of the Assumption.
• 8/17 St. Roch (aka Rocco) – (1295-1397) Pilgrim, Healer. French noble who cared for the poor and sick.  Contracted the plague himself and was kept alive by a dog.  Patron of cattle, dogs, surgeons, bachelors, and against epidemics and the plague.
• 8/18 St. Helena – (c.248-c.328) mother of the Emperor Constantine.  Led a group to the Holy Land & found the True Cross at age 80. Patron of archeologists, difficult marriages and divorcees… oh, and empresses.
• 8/18 St. Jane Frances de Chantel – (1572-1641) wife, mother, widow, nun. Founded the Order of the Visitation of Our Lady (Visitation nuns) with St. Frances de Sales.  Patron of parents separated from children, the forgotten, and against in-law problems. “Hold your eyes on God and leave the doing to him. That is all the doing you have to worry about.”
• 8/19 St. John Eudes – (1601-1680) priest. Founded the Congregation of Jesus & Mary (Eudists) and the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity. Promoted devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
• 8/20 St. Bernard of Clairvaux – (1090-1153) Cistercian Abbot, Doctor of the Church (the “Mellifluos” Doctor), Father of the Church, spiritual master, miracle worker. Read On Loving Godhere.
• 8/21 Pope St. Pius X – (1835-1914) 259^th Pope. advocated early and frequent Communion, reformed the liturgy, fought “Modernism”. “Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to Heaven.”
• 8/23 St. Rose of Lima – (1586-1617) Virgin, Third Order Dominican, Patron of Latin America and the Philippines.  Rubbed her face with pepper until it blistered so her beauty wouldn’t be a temptation to others.  Spent her life in penance and service to others. First canonized Saint born in the Americas.
• 8/24 St. Bartholomew – Apostle, Martyr. Mentioned sixth in the three Gospel lists (Mt 10:3; Mk 3:18; Lk 6:14), and seventh in the list of Acts (1:13).  May be the same as Nathaniel mentioned in Jn 1:45-51.
• 8/25 St. Louis IX – (1214-1270) King of France, vigorously promoted the faith, father of 11. Patron of construction workers, hair stylists, distillers, parents of large families and much more (see link above).
• 8/25 St Genesius – (d.c.303) Actor, Martyr.  Had a miraculaous conversion while performing a play mocking Christianity.  Refused to renounce his new-found faith, so Diocletian has him tortured and beheaded.  Patron of actors, comedians, torture victims, and against epilepsy.
• 8/27 St. Monica – (333-387) Mother of St. Augustine. “She prayed constantly for the conversion of her [bad-tempered, adulterous pagan] husband (who converted on his death bed), and of her son (who converted after a wild life). Spiritual student of Saint Ambrose of Milan. Reformed alcoholic.” (from Saints.SQPN.com website)
• 8/28 St. Augustine – (354-430) convert, monk, priest, bishop, Doctor of the Church (“Doctor of Grace”). “Our hearts were made for You, O Lord, and they are restless until they rest in you.”  His “Confessions” is a must read.  Free here or here.
• 8/29 St. Sabina – 2^nd century martyr
• 8/30 St. Jeanne Jugen (1792-1897) Foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor, who serve the elderly and beg for the aged poor.  Read Pope Benedict XVI’s Canonization Homily for her (October, 2009).

• 7/1 Bl. Junipero Serra – (1713-1784) Franciscan missionary to Mexico & CA. Founded at least 21 missions.  Junipero means “jester of God”.
• 7/3 St. Thomas – Apostle, Martyr (speared to death), patron of architects, the blind, and against doubt.  Missionary as far as India.  Called “Didymus”, the twin.  Besides lists of the Twelve in the Gospels, special mention of Thomas is in John 11:16; 14:5; 20:25; 20:29.
• 7/4 St. Elizabeth of Portugal – (1271-1336) Patron of the third order of St. Francis, charities, difficult marriages, and peace.  At least twice rode into the middle of a battlefield to wage peace.
• 7/4 St. Ulric – (890-973) Priest, Bishop.  First Saint canonized by a Pope, which led to today’s process.
• 7/6 St. Maria Goretti – (1890-1902, 11 years old) Patron of youth, young women, purity, and victims of rape.  She fought against her neighbor’s attempt at sexual assault and was mortally wounded.  She forgave him before she died.
• 7/9 St. Veronica Giuliani (Pope Benedict XVI spoke of her in 2010) – (1660-1727) Capuchin mystic and stigmatic.  “She impressed her fellow nuns by remaing remarkably practical despite her numerous ecstatic experiences.” (catholic.org)
• 7/11 St. Benedict of Nursia – (c480-543) Father of Western monasticism. Twin brother of St. Scholastica (she once prayed up a fierce thunderstorm to keep him around). Patron of Europe and speliologists (cave explorers).  I love the St. Benedict Medal, a powerful sacramental!
• 7/12 Bl. Louis & Zelie Martin – (1823-1894, 1831-1877) Parents of St. Therese of Lisieux.  They had nine children; four died in infancy, five consecrated their lives as religious.  July 12th is their wedding anniversary.
• 7/13 St. Henry – (972-1024) German King an Holy Roman Emperor.  Patron of the childless, the handicapped, and those rejected by a religious order. Married to St. Cunegundes.
• 7/14 St. Kateri Tekakwitha – (1656-1680) Virgin, “Lily of the Mohawks”.  Patron of nature, ecology, and the envoronment. First Native American to be declared a Blessed.  “Tekakwitha” means “she who bumps into things”.  Her motto: “Who can tell me what is most pleasing to God that I may do it?”
• 7/15 St. Bonaventure – (1221-1274) Theologian, Philosopher, Cardinal-Bishop, Doctor of the Church (“the Seraphic Doctor”). Minister General of the Franciscans.  Good friend of St. Thomas Aquinas (The “Angelic Doctor”).
• 7/16 Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Celebrates Our Lady giving the scapular to St. Simon Stock.  Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
• 7/16 St. Carmen – wrote the song “The Champion”… oh wait, wrong Carmen… actually just another name meaning Our Lady of Mount Carmel (see above)
• 7/22 St. Mary Magdelene – Friend & Disciple of Christ.  First recorded witness of the Resurrection. Patron of hairstylists, perfumers, and against sexual temptation.
• 7/23 St. Bridget of Sweden – (c1303-1373) Mother of 8 (including St. Catherine of Sweden). Founded the Order of the Most Holy Saviour (Bridgettines).  Bl. John Paul II homily on St. Bridgett of Sweden.
• 7/24 St. Christina the Astonishing – (1150-1224) At 21, she woke up during her own funeral Mass and levitated to the roof. She said she had been returned with a ministry to pray for souls in Purgatory.  She could smell people’s sin.  Patron of psychiatrists, therapists, and lunatics.
• 7/25 St. James the Greater – Apostle. Martyred by Herod Agrippa I in 44 AD.  Son of Zebedee & Salome, brother of John, possibly the nephew of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  James & John earned the nickname Boarneges, “sons of thunder” from Jesus (Maark 3:17).
• 7/26 Sts. Joachim & Anne – Parents of Mary, the Mother of God, grandparents of Jesus.   Patrons of parents and grandparents.
• 7/29 St. Martha – Friend and Disciple of Jesus, sister of Mary & Lazarus.  Mentioned in the Gospels at Luke 10:38-42 and John 11:25-27.  Patron of cooks and waiters/ waitresses.
• 7/30 St. Peter Chrysologus – (406-450) Bishop, Doctor of the Church.  Earned the name Chrysologous (golden-worded) by being an exceptional public speaker.  “Anyone who wishes to frolic with the devil cannot rejoice with Christ.”
• 7/31 St. Ignatius Loyola – (1491-1556) Mystic. Spanish founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).  Youngest of 12 kids.  While recovering from a cannon ball injury, read a life of Christ and various lives of the Saints and decided to be a soldier for Christ. Read his Spiritual Excercises here.

Movable Feasts:

• Father’s Day
• Feast of the Ascension – 40 days after Easter.  Holy Day of Obligation.  Mark 16:19, Luke 24:51, Acts 1:2.
• Pentecost – “The 50^th day”. Catechism of the Catholic Church 731-747.  Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles, fifty days after the Resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:1-31). 10 days after the Ascension (see above).  Same day as the ancient Jewish festival of the feast of weeks, or Pentecost (Ex 34:22, Deut 16:10). After the Ascension, the disciples prayed for 9 days, then the Holy Spirit descended on them.  That’s why a novena is 9 days.
• Corpus Christi – Thursday after Trinity Sunday (the one after Pentecost).  Celebrated in US on the following Sunday.
• Sacred Heart of Jesus – 19 days after Pentecost
• Immaculate Heart of Mary – 20 days after Pentecost

Saints Calendar:

• 6/1 St. Justin Martyr – (c.100-165) 2^nd century Philosopher, Martyr, Father of the Church.  First layman apologist.  Patron of apologists, lecturers, orators, philosophers and speakers.  Scroll down to his name on this list to read his writings.
• 6/1 St. Gwen (aka Whyte or Candida)
• 6/2 St. Blandina – (d.177) Slave, Martyr
• 6/2 St. Elmo (aka Erasmus) – (d.c.303) Bishop, Martyr, rolled in pitch and set on fire
• 6/3 St. Charles Lwanga & Companions – (d.1886) Martyrs of Uganda in 1886. “You can burn our bodies, but you cannot harm our souls.”
• 6/3 St. Morand – (d.c.1115) Monk, fasted on grapes one Lent
• 6/5 St. Boniface – (d.754) Originally named Wynfrith (almost as cool as St. Patrick’s [fellow Englishman] original name, Maewyn Succat).  English Benedictine monk known as the “Apostle of Germany”.
• 6/6 St. Philip the Deacon – (d.c.58) Mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, converted Simon Magus, the Ethiopian eunuch of Queen Candice, and many more.
• 6/9 St. Columba (aka Columbkille) – (521-597) Irish poet
• 6/11 St. Barnabas – (d.c.61) Apostle, Martyr.  Early missionary and leader of the Church.  Introduced Paul to Peter and the other Apostles (Acts 9:27).  Cousin to the Mark who wrote the Gospel.  He’s mentioned often in the book of the Acts of the Apostles, especially chapters 11-15.
• 6/12 St. Onophrius – (d.c.400) Hermit.  Naked for 60 years
• 6/13 St. Anthony of Paudua – (1195-1231) Doctor of the Church, Franciscan priest, gifted speaker, miracle worker.  St. Francis himself directed Anthony to teach theology because he was so good at it.  Known as patron for lost items, he has many other patronages including pregnant women, travelers, against starvation, against sterility…  and on and on… check the list here.
• 6/15 St. Alice – (d.1250) – Cistercian Nun, Leper, Visionary, Healer
• 6/15 St. Vitus – (d.c.303) Martyr. Boiled in oil.
• 6/16 St. John Francis Regis – (1597-1640) Confessor. Jesuit.  Missionary.  Popular catechist, gifted preacher.  Also helped prostitutes get out of the trade be establishing them in lacemaking and embroidery.
• 6/17 St. Harvey – (d.c.556-575) blind minstrel
• 6/19 Venerable Matt Talbot – (1856-1925) Patron of Alcoholics. Secular Franciscan. Alcoholic from Dublin for 15 years, then led a life of heroic penance and prayer.
• 6/20 St. Osana – (1449-1505) Dominican Stigmatist
• 6/21 St. Aloysius Ganzaga – (1568-1591) Patron of teenagers. Jesuit. Italian noble and son of a compulsive gambler, his dad wanted him to be a military hero.  Instead he gave his life to prayer and serving the poor.  Received first Communion from St. Charles Borromeo and last rites (Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick) from St. Robert Bellarmine.  Died from the plague caught while helping the sick at the age of 23.
• 6/21 St. Alban – (d.c303) Martyr
• 6/21 St. Leufredis
• 6/22 St. Thomas More – (1478-1535) Martyr, Husband, father, devoted family man, lawyer, Lord Chancellor of England (2^nd to the King).  Fought any form of heresy, which eventually got him beheaded by Henry VIII.  Patron of lawyers, civil servants, politicians, adopted children, widowers and more.
• 6/22 St. John Fisher – (1459-1535) Martyr, Priest, Bishop, Cardinal.  Tutor of young Henry VII, eventually beheaded for opposing Henry’s claim to be head of the Church of England.
• 6/23 St. Agrippina – (d.c.262) Martyr
• 6/23 St. Joseph Cafasso – (1811-1860) Priest, precursor to Bosco
• 6/24 St. John the Baptist – (d.c.30) His birth was announced by the angel Gabriel.  He prepared the way for the Messiah, and was eventually beheaded.  Read about him in Mt 3; Mk 1; Lk 1 & 3; Jn 1 & 3.
• 6/25 St. Molaug – (c.530-592) Irish noble and founder of monasteries
• 6/26 St. Josemaria Escriva – (1902-1975) Founder of Opus Dei, priest during religious persecution of the Spanish Civil War.  Check out his writings.
• 6/25 St. Pelayo (aka Pelagius) – (c.912-925) Martyr
• 6/27 Our Lady of Perpetual Help – You’ve probably seen this miraculous image, the devotion to which is now spread by the Redemptorists. Discover the story and the message.
• 6/27 St. Cyril of Alexandria – (376-444) Doctor of the Church, Father of the Church, monk, priest, bishop. Was the Pope’s representative at the Council of Ephesus, emphasizing that Mary was mother of the one Person who is both truly God and truly human.  Scroll down to his name on this list to read his writings.
• 6/27 St. Lazlo – (1040-1095) King of Hungary, not the guy in the closet in “Weird Science”
• 6/28 St. Irenaeus – (c.130-202) Bishop, Martyr, Father of the Church, disciple of St. Polycarp, writer, theologian. Scroll down to his name on this list to read his writings.
• 6/28 St. Basildes
• 6/29 Sts. Peter & Paul – (d.c.64, Peter; c.3-c.65, Paul) Apostles, Martyrs. First Pope & mega-missionary. Read the whole New Testament to learn more.  There’s some interesting at-a-glance info on the links listed above, or reflect on them together here.

Movable Feasts:

• Mothers’ Day – Don’t forget!  In the US it is always the second Sunday in May.  Check out some of the articles on this link.
• Feast of the Ascension – 40 days after Easter.  Holy Day of Obligation.  Mark 16:19, Luke 24:51, Acts 1:2.
• Pentecost – “The 50^th day”. Catechism of the Catholic Church 731-747.  Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles, fifty days after the Resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:1-31). 10 days after the Ascension.  Same day as the ancient Jewish festival of the feast of weeks, or Pentecost (Ex 34:22, Deut 16:10). After the Ascension, the disciples prayed for 9 days, then the Holy Spirit descended on them.  That’s why a novena is 9 days.
• Corpus Christi – Thursday after Trinity Sunday (the one after Pentecost).  Celebrated in US on the following Sunday.
•  Sacred Heart of Jesus – 19 days after Pentecost
• Immaculate Heart of Mary – 20 days after Pentecost

Saints Calendar:

• 5/1 St. Jospeh the Worker – (1^st century, before the Passion)  Carpenter, Foster father, Patron of the Universal Church.  St. Joseph got a feast day in March, but May 1^st is dedicated to his patronage of workers. His name means “whom the Lord adds”.
• 5/1 St. Marculf – (d.558)  Priest, Missionary, Hermit.  A successful missionary to the Gauls, then chose the life of a hermit.  His relics were apparently very effective in the cure of skin disease.  Patron against skin disease.
• 5/2 St. Athanasius – (c.295-373)  Early Church Father, Bishop of Alexandria, defender of Truth against Arianism, Doctor of the Church.
• 5/2 St. Zoe – (d.c.127)  Martyr.  Married to a saint, and mother of two saints, all martyrs.  They were a family of slaves to pagan masters.  St. Zoe’s job was to keep the house dogs from biting visitors.
• 5/3 Sts. Philip & James – (James d.c.62, Philip d.c.80)  Apostles, Martyrs – Philip gets more mention in the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles.  Can you find where (hint: multiplication of the loaves; another time in Acts 8)?  Why is this James  called “the Lesser”?
• 5/3 St. Philip of Zell – (d.c.770)  Benedictine hermit, Anglo-Saxon pilgrim, friend and advisor to King Pepin the Short.  Patron of babies.
• 5/4 St. Florian – (d.c.304)  Martyr, Roman army officer.  Patron of firefighters, brewers, and soap-boilers, and against drowning and floods.
• 5/5 Bl. Edmund Ignatius Rice – (1762-1844)  Founder of Christian Brothers and Presentation Brothers, married, widowed, and father of one daughter – Edmund left a wealthy business to dedicate his life to serving the poor and uneducated.
• 5/5 St. Hilary of Arles –(c.400-449)  Bishop, had a reputation for learning and eloquence
• 5/7 St. John of Beverley – (d.721)  Benedictine Monk, Bishop.  Ordained St. Bede (see below, 5/25).  Known for his miracles
• 5/7 St. Duje – (d.304)  Bishop, Martyr.  If you know anyone who has been looking for an excuse to name a child “Duje”, here it is.
• 5/10 St. John of Avila – (1499-1569) Priest, itinerant preacher, recently made Doctor of the Church, and model of the New Evangelization.  Wanted to be a missionary to the West Indies and Mexico, but instead became a traveling preacher in Andalusia (part of Spain previously ruled by the Moors).  Spiritual advisor to St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Francis Borgia, St. Peter of Alcanatara and St. John of God!! Click here to check one of the letters he wrote to St. Teresa.
• 5/10 St. Damien Joseph de Vesteur of Moloka’i – (1840-1889)  “The Leper Priest”, Cared for lepers in present day Hawaii – During the beatification homily, Pope John Paul II said: “Holiness is not perfection according to human criteria; it is not reserved for a small number of exceptional persons. It is for everyone; it is the Lord who brings us to holiness, when we are willing to collaborate in the salvation of the world for the glory of God, despite our sin and our sometimes rebellious temperament.”
• 5/11 St. Gengulphus – (d.760)  Knight.  Had an unfaithful wife whose lover murdered him in bed.  Patron of difficult marriages and victims of unfaithfulness.
• 5/12 Bl. Francis Patrizzi – (1266-1328)  Servite (Order of Friar Servants of Mary) Priest.  He was an extemely popular confessor, he had a special skill for mediation, and his sermons inspired even bitter enemies reconcile.  Patron of reconciliations.
• 5/13 Our Lady of Fatima – On May 13, 1917 Mary appeared for the first time to three shepherd children bringing a message of personal conversion, praying the Rosary, praying for the conversion of sinners, and praying for the conversion of Russia.  Two of the visionaries, Bl. Jacinta & Francisco Marto died young and have been beatified.  Sr. Lucia, the third visionary, died only a few years ago, in 2005, and is on the fast track to canonization.  Pope John Paul II attributed his surviving an assassination attempt on May 13 to the intercession of Our Lady.  Explore some of the “External links” at the bottom of the Wikipedia article linked above on Our Lady.  Also check out our SaintMakers link Fuel up on Fatima.
• 5/14 St. Matthias – (d.80)  Apostle, Martyr.  Replaced Judas Iscariot as one of the twelve Apostles.  Read about him in Acts 1:15-26.  Patron of carpenters and against alcoholism.
• 5/15 St. Dymphna – (7^th century)  Martyr, Patron of those suffering for nervous and mental afflictions
• 5/15 St. Isidore the Farmer – (c.1070-1130)  Patron of farmers, rural communities, and Madrid, Spain.  Hard worker who had an intense love for the poor and had an extremely devout prayer life.
• 5/16 St. Brendan the Navigator – (460-c.577)  Irish monk renown for his semi-legendary  quest to find the Isle of the Blessed.  He and 60 other Irishmen may have been the first Europeans to discover America (even before Leif Erickson, another Catholic who sailed to America around the turn of the last millennium).  Patron of sailors and travelers.
• 5/16 St. Simon Stock – (c.1165-1265)  Lived as a hermit on a hollow trunk of an oak tree and founded many Carmelite communities.  Mary appeared to him and gave us the tradition of the brown scapular.
• 5/17 St. Pascal Baylon – (1540-1592)  Spanish Franciscan known for his humility, generosity to the poor, and intense devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.  He is patron of Eucharistic congresses and societies.
• 5/18 St. Venantius – (d.c.250)  Teenage Martyr.  Refusing to deny his faith, he was scourged, burned, hung upside-down, teeth knocked out, thrown to lions, and thrown off a cliff.  All of this was unable to effect his death, so he was beheaded.  Patron of leaping and against danger of falling.
• 5/18 St. Pope John I – (d.526)  53^rd Pope, Martyr.
• 5/19 St. Pope Celestine V – (1210-1296)  One of twelve siblings, he became a hermit at 20 and spent his days praying and reading the Bible.  He was 84 when he was made the 192^nd Pope.  He was known for his humility and simplicity.
• 5/20 St. Bernardine of Sienna – (1380-1444)  Great Franciscan Preacher.  Pope Pius II called him a second Paul.  Also known for his devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus, he popularized a version of the “IHS” symbol we see often in churches.
• Jesus’ Monogram – Have you ever seen “IHS” on something in the church and wondered what it stood for?  It’s derived from the first three letters of the name of “Jesus” in Greek.  (His middle initial is not H.)  It was greatly popularized in the middle ages by St. Bernardine of Sienna.  St. Ignatius of Loyola later adopted it as part of the emblem for the Jesuits.
• 5/20 St. Ethelbert – (552-616)  King of Kent, England.  His example of conversion led to the baptism of 10,000 more.
• 5/21 St. Eugene de Mazenod – (1782-1861)  Patron of dysfunctional families and founder of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, an incredible missionary order.
• 5/22 St. Rita of Cascia – (1386-1457)  Patron of Impossible Causes.  Wanted to be a nun, but was forced to marry a harsh, cruel man.  She was a good wife and mother, and after her husband was killed in a brawl and her two boys died,  she became an Augustinan nun. Rita bore a deep wound on the forehead that many associated with the crown of thorns.
• 5/25 St. “Venerable” Bede – (672-735)  Bible scholar, theologian, scientist, and historian (“father” of English history).  The only English Doctor of the Church.  (I like to think of him as “the Catholic Dr. Who” – the English Doctor and master of history.)
• 5/26 St. Philip Neri – (1515-1595)  One of my personal favorites! At catholic.org, they start the biography saying “If one had to choose one saint who showed the humorous side of holiness that would be Philip Neri.”
• 5/28 St. Bernard of Montjoux – (c.923-1008)  French Priest.  Established hospices for travelers and pilgrims in the Alps.  The large dogs trained to find lost people in the mountains are named after this St. Bernard.  Patron of mountain climbers and skiers.
• 5/29 St. Bona – (c.1156-c.1207)  Mystic, Pilgrim.  Patron of pilgrims and flight attendants.
• 5/30 St. Joan of Arc – (1412-1431)  Patroness of soldiers and of France.  Burned at the stake at 19 years old on May 30, 1431.  You’ve heard of her… how much do you really know about her?

• Holy Thursday – Lent ends at the start of Mass tonight.  Stay awake and pray with Jesus one hour if you can.
• Good Friday – Start your Divine Mercy Novena today! (Click here for more on Divine Mercy.)
• EASTER!!! After fasting 40 days we are supposed to party for 50.
• Divine Mercy Sunday – The first Sunday after Easter is Divine Mercy Sunday. What is theDivine Mercy message and devotion?   Who was St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, the person Jesus revealed this devotion to?

Saints Calendar:

• 4/2 St. Francis of Paola, aka Francis the Firehandler –  (1416-1507) Hermit, Prophet, Miracle Worker, Mind Reader.  Founded the Hermits of St. Francis of Assisi, renamed the Franciscan Order of Minim Friars. Patron of sailors and travelers, patron against fire and sterility.
• 4/3 St. Irene of Thessalonica – (d.304) Martyr.  After her sisters were martyred and she refused to deny the faith, she was sent to a brothel, chained and naked.  When no one bothered her, her execution was ordered.  Patron of peace.
• 4/4 St. Isidore of Seville – (c.560-636) Archbishop, Doctor of the Church, “Schoolmaster of the Middle Ages”, wrote an encyclopedia, dictionary, history books, and much more.  Because of this incredible amount of writing and amazing knowledge, Isidore is proposed as the patron of the internet.
• 4/5 St. Vincent Ferrer – (1350-1419) Dominican priest, patron of builders, excellent preacher, famous missionary, miracle worker.
• 4/6 Bl. Notker Balbulus – (c.840-912)  Benedictine Monk, Priest, Teacher, Poet, & Author. Patron against stammering.
• 4/7 St. John Baptist de la Salle – (1651-1719) Priest, Patron of teachers, founder of the Christian Brothers.  Known for his work with the poor as well as in education. Patron of school principals and educators.
• 4/8 St. Walter of Pontnoise – (1030-1099)  Benedictine Abbot.  Kept trying to leave his position for a life of solitude, but was forced back each time, eventually by order of the pope.  Spoke out against simony and corruption of the clergy, resulting in his being beaten and imprisoned.  Patron of prisoners, vintners, and against job-related stress.
• 4/11 St. Gemma Galgani – (1878-1903) Experienced mystical phenomena and special graces throughout her life (including the stigmata – the wounds of the Crucifxion).  Died of tuberculosis at the age of 25. Patron of pharmacists, students, and against temptations.
• 4/11 St. Stanislaus – (1030-1079) Bishop, Very important figure in Polish nationhood, patron of Cracow, and very significant in the spiritual heritage of Pope John Paul II.
• 4/11 Pope St. Martin I – (d.655) He convened the Lateran Council to settle the theological debate that Jesus had both a human will and a divine will.  Jesus has two natures, He is fully human and fully God.
• 4/12 St. Zeno of Verona – (c.300-371)  Bishop, Confessor, possibly Martyr.   Theologian and opponent of Arianism.  The stories of his being stolen at birth and replaced with a demonic changeling are likely legend.  Patron of anglers, fishermen, and newborns.
• 4/14 St. Lydwina – (1380-1433)  An ice-skating accident at age 16 led to gangrene, paralysis, and decades of suffering.  Mystic, had the gift of inedia (lived for years with no food but the Eucharist).  Her biography was written by Thomas a Kempis (author of “The Imitation of Christ”).  Patron of skaters and prolonged suffering.
• 4/15 St. Hunna – (d.679) “The Holy Washerwoman”.  Noblewoman who donated he property to build monasteries and churches and devoted her life to assisting the poor.  Patron of laundry workers.
• 4/16 St. Bernadette – (1844-1879) Our Lady of Lourdes, the “Immaculate Conception” appeared to a French peasant girl, St. Bernadette, exactly 150 years ago on February 11^th.  She appeared a total of 18 times to Bernadette and a miraculous spring still flows at this place, one of the most famous of pilgrimage destinations today. Thousands of miracles are claimed, at least 67 are thoroughly documented!
• 4/16 St. Benedict Joseph Labre – (1748-1783) Tried to join several orders, but rejected by them all.  Lived his life in poverty and adoration.  Patron of hoboes, homeless, pilgrims, bachelors and the mentally ill.
• 4/16 St. Drogo – (1105-1186) Pilgrim, Hermit.  Became a penitential pilgrim when he learned his mother died during his birth.  Got a disfiguring affliction during a pilgrimage that made his appearance frightening to others, so he became a hermit.  Reported to bilocate.  Patron of unattractive people, coffee house keepers, and against insanity.
• 4/18 St. Apollonius the Apologist – (d.185) Second Century Martyr whose defense of Christianity is “one of the most priceless documents of the early Church.”
• 4/19 St. Expeditus – (d.303) Possibly only legendary patron of prompt solutions and against procrastination, of emergencies, programmers and hackers.
• 4/21 St. Anselm – (1033-1109) Benedictine monk, Philosopher, Theologian, Archbishop, Doctor of the Church.
• 4/22 St. Theodore of Sykeon – (d.c.613)  Bishop, Miracle-Worker.  Had the gift of healing.  His father abandoned him and his mother was likely a prostitute.  Patron of difficult marriages and for or against rain.
• 4/22 Earth Day.  It comes as no surprise to us that St. Francis of Assisi is the Patron Saint of Ecology.  Check out this page: Earth Day for Catholics
• 4/23 Bl. Giles of Assisi – (d.1262) Friend of St. Francis of Assisi (one of the very first Franciscansever!)
• 4/23 St. George – (d.c.304) Yep, the dragon-slayer, Patron of England, Martyr. Patron of soldiers, knights, horses, riders, and against herpes, leprosy and skin disease.
• 4/23 St. Adalbert – (939-997)  “Apostle of Prussia”, Benedictine Monk, Bishop, Missionary, Martyr.  Born as Wojtech, he took the name of St. Adalbert of Magdeburg (“Apostle of the Slavs”), since that was the man who converted, healed, and educated him.  Very successful evangelist.
• 4/24 St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen – (1577-1622)  Martyr.  Born as Mark Rey, this lawyer (known as “the poor man’s lawyer”) and philosophy teacher took the name Fidelis when he joined theCapuchin Franciscans with his brother.  Preached against Calvinists and Zwinglians in Switzerland where he was martyred.
• 4/25 St. Mark – (d.68) Evangelist, Missionary, Martyr. Missionary partner with St. Paul and friend of St. Peter, cousin of Barnabas the Apostle.  Author of one of the four Gospels, can you guess which one? (hint: the earliest one)  Patron of prisoners, lawyers, and notaries.
• 4/26 Our Lady of Good Counsel – title given to Our Lady from a miraculous painting in Italy.  “Although much of the church was destroyed during World War II, the image has remained intact — and continues to be suspended miraculously.”
• 4/27 St. Zita – (c.1212-1272) Dometsic servant to a wealthy family.  Often gave away her own food and that of her master.  Eventually placed in charge of the whole house and entrusted with its keys.  Her body was found to be incorrupt 300 years after her death.  Patron of lost keys, maids, and domestic workers.
• 4/28 St. Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort – (1673-1716) Only one of my absolute favorites.  A short biography never does this great Saint justice.  Go buy one of his books!  Ever wonder where the motto “Totus Tuus” came from?
• 4/28 St. Peter Mary Chanel  Marist priest. Patron of Oceania
• 4/29 St. Catherine of Sienna – (1347-1380) Doctor of the Church, Mystic, Third OrderDominican… Same as St. Louis, a short bio can’t give you the appreciation this spiritual giant deserves. Patron of nurses, firefighter the sick, and against sexual temptation, fire, illness and miscarriage.
• 4/29 St. Peter of Verona (aka St. Peter Martyr) – (1206-1252)  1^st generation Domincan priest, General Inquisitor, Miracle-Worker, Martyr.  Preached against Catharism, a form ofManichaeism.  Always attracted a crowd and effected many conversions.
• 4/29 St. Ava – (d.c.845)  Benedictine Nun, niece of King Pepin the Short.  Born blind and miraculously healed by St. Rainfredis
• 4/30 Pope St. Pius V – (1504-1572) Implement the Council of Trent, worked hard to reform the Church.  Check out what happened through his efforts and the Rosary at the Battle of Lepanto!  (in an interesting article about Our Lady, and in a poem by GK Chesterton, one of my favorite authors)
• 4/30 St. Adjutor – (d.1131)  Norman knight in the First Crusade, was captured by Muslims and apparently escaped by swimming back to France.  Patron of swimmers, sailors, and against drowning.

•  Ash Wednesday – Marks the beginning of Lent (40 days of penance and preparation for Easter, not counting Sundays).  Day of fasting and abstinence.  Check out these articles to prepare for Lent this year: Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy, Principles and Guidelines (Concerning Lent), Penitential Practices for Today’s Catholics (USCCB)
• Holy Thursday – Lent ends at the start of Mass tonight.  Stay awake and pray with Jesus one hour if you can.
• Good Friday – Start your Divine Mercy Novena today! (Click here for more on Divine Mercy.)
• EASTER!!! After fasting 40 days we are supposed to party for 50.

Saints Calendar:

• 3/3 St. Katherine Drexel – (1858-1955) Nun. A U.S. Saint whose relics you can visit — in Pennsylvania!   Born to a wealthy family, she devoted her life to the poor and gave away millions of dollars in the late 19^th and the early 20^th centuries.  She asked Pope Leo XIII to send more missionaries to WY, he replied, “Why don’t you become a missionary?”  Founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament.
• 3/6 St. Fridolin – (d.c.540) Irish Missionary, Benedictine Monk.  Discovered the relics of St. Hiary of Potiers in response to a vision.  Chased away as a missionary because people thought he was a cattle thief.  Sometimes represented in art as an abbot leading a skeleton.  Patron of good weather and optometrists.
• 3/7 Sts. Perpetua & Felicity – (d.203) Converts, Martyrs.  Perpertua was only 22 and still nursing a baby son, and Felicity, a young slave, was 8 months pregnant when arrested.  They were thrown into the arena to face wild beasts and still wouldn’t back down from their intense faith.
• 3/7 St. Drausinus – (d.c.674) Bishop.  Helped build the church.  “Medieval legend says that to spend the night at Drausinus’ tomb made one invincible”. (saints.sqpn.com)  Patron of invincible people and champions and against enemy plots.
• 3/8 St. John of God – (1495-1550) After a wild youth, he had a vision of the Infant Jesus while in his 40’s.  Spent the rest of his life caring for the sick, poor, homeless, and unwanted.  Founded the Order of Charity and the Order of Hospitallers of Saint John of God.  Friend of St. John of Avila, the newest Doctor of the Church.  Patron saint of booksellers, printers, heart patients, hospitals, nurses, the sick, firefighters, and against alcoholism.
• 3/9 St. Catherine of Bologna – (1413-1463)  Poor Clare nun, Virgin, Mystic, Miracle worker, Painter.  Patron of Artists.  Died in 1463, but her body is still incorrupt.  “The beauty of her life and death encourages us to resolve to live in perfect charity as a Lenten goal.” (catholic.org)
• 3/9 St. Frances of Rome – (1384-1440)  Wife, mother, noblewoman, widow, and servant of the poor, sick and orphaned. Guided by an angel only she could see.  She had several visions of the pains of hell.  Patron of motorists.  (Click here to find out why priests bless cars on her feast day.)
• 3/9 St. Gregory of Nyssa – (c.333-c.398)  Priest, Theologian, Early Church Father, brother of St. Basil the Great and St. Macrina.  Best known for his theology on the Trinity.  Called “Father of the Fathers” at the Council of Nicea for his orthodoxy and opposition to Arianism.  Click here and scroll down for some of his writings.
• 3/9 St. Dominic Savio – (1842-1857)  Fourteen year old Saint (the youngest non-martyr to be canonized) and friend of St. John Bosco (patron saint of youth… and a juggler!).  Patron of boys, the falsely accused, and juvenile delinquents.
• 3/12 St. Seraphina – (1238-1253)  Hermit, Orphan.  Born very beautiful, Seraphina suffered a mysterious illness that left her unattractive and eventually paralyzed.  Her parents both died when she was young.  Devoted to St. Gregory the Great, he appeared to her in a vision predicting the day of her death.  Patron of handicapped and physically challenged people.
• 3/13 St. Ansovinus – (d.840)  Preist, Hermit, Bishop, Miracle Worker.  His prayers once refilled an empty granary.  Patron of gardeners and protection of crops.
• 3/15 St Longinus – (1^st Century)  Soldier, Convert, Martyr.  The soldier that pierced Jesus’ side after he died at the crucifixion (Jn 19:34).  He converted and was martyred for being a follower of Christ.  “His Lance is contained in one of the four pillars over the altar in the Basilica of St. Peter’s in Rome.” (catholic.org)
• 3/15 St. Louise de Marillac – (1591-1660)  Widow, Foundress, Spiritual Director.  Spiritual student of St. Vincent de Paul, she helped him found the Daughters of Charity.  Later she founded the Sisters of Charity.  Patron of disappointing children, loss of parents, widows, and people rejected by religious orders.
• 3/17 St. Patrick – ( b.387-390, d.461-464)  Born as Maewyn Succat.  Patron of a particular country with a love of green, and invoked against snakes.  Want to go past legend and parades?  Read the Confession of St. Patrick that he wrote himself. And check out this prayer!  It’s a powerful prayer for spiritual battle.  And Patrick faced powerful druids and pagans, much as we are confronted with a new paganism and a modern love of nature religions.  Read the whole prayer out loud.  It’s not long and very powerful!  The Breastplate of St. Patrick (aka Cry of the Deer or Saint Patrick’s Lorica).
• 3/17 St. Joseph of Arimathea – (1^st century)  Disciple of Jesus that requested His Body from Pilate, and along with St. Nicodemus, wrapped Jesus and laid him in the tomb, which St. Joseph provided. (Mark 15:43-46)
• 3/18 St. Cyril of Jerusalem – (315-386)  Early Church Father, Doctor of the Church, Bishop of Jerusalem, fought the Arian heresy, attended the First Council of Constantinople, which formally approved the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed.  You can click here to read some of his writings.
• 3/19 St. Joseph – (1^st Century)  Foster father of Jesus, husband of Mary, and patron of the Universal Church, families, workers, carpenters, a happy death, and much more. Click here for a really cool novena to St. Joseph.  This day is a Solemnity, and a holy day of obligation for most of the universal Church (but not the U.S.)
• 3/20 St. Cuthbert – (634-687)  aka Thaumaturgus (or Wonder-Worker) of England.  Orphan, Shepherd, Benedictine Monk.  Had gifts of healing and prophecy.  Patron of England, shepherds, sailors, and against plague.  Care to read more, here is St. Bede’s Life of St. Cuthbert.
• 3/21 St. Nicholas von Flue – (1417-1487)  After being a successful soldier, husband and father of ten, with his family’s blessing, he became a hermit.  Reported to have the gift of prophecy and once survived 19 years on nothing but Holy Communion.  Mediated a potential civil war in Switzerland.  Patron of difficult marriages, large families, Switzerland and Pontifical Swiss Guards.
• 3/23 St. Toribio Alfonso Mongrovejo – (1538-1606)  Archbishop of Lima, Peru.  Founded the first seminary in the Western hemisphere, fought for the rights of natives against Spanish masters.  Baptized and confirmed hundreds of thousands, including St. Rose of Lima and St. Martin de Porres.  Patron of native rights and Latin American bishops.
• 3/24 St. Catherine of Sweden – (1331-1381)  Daughter of St. Bridget of Sweden.   Catherine and her mother spent their time in prayer, working with the poor, and instructing them in religion.  Patron against abortions and miscarriages.
• 3/25 Annunciation of the Lord – When the archangel Gabriel appeared to Mary (Luke 1:26-38).  Think about it.  Exactly nine months before December 25^th…
• 3/25 St. Dismas (aka The Good Thief) – (d.c.30)  One of the thieves crucified with Jesus.  He rebuked the other and asked for Christ’s blessing.  (Luke 23:32-43)
• 3/30 St. John Climacus – (d.c.605-649)  aka Scholasticus or Sinaita. Confessor, Hermit, Abbot.  Lived at the foot of Mount Sinai.  Most known for his spiritual classic, The Climax: The Ladder of Divine Ascent.