St. Wolfgang

"Our Lord needs from us neither great deeds nor profound thoughts. Neither intelligence nor talents. He cherishes simplicity."
- St. Therese of Lisieux (1873 - 1897)

Happy All Hallows Eve! Today is the feast day of St. Wolfgang. Wolgang was born in Swabia, Germany, during the tenth century. He received his schooling from the Benedictines in Reichenau and also in Wurzburg. Wolfgang then went on to teach in the cathedral school at Trier, and entered the Benedictines in 964. As a Benedictine, he was appointed head of the monastery school and was ordained a priest in 971. In 972, he became the bishop of Regensburg. While he was bishop, he helped reform the clergy, restored monasteries, encouraged education, and tutored Emperor Henry II. Wolfgang was also known for his great charity towards the poor, his zeal to preach the word of God, and also for his austere lifestyle. Wolgang died in Puppingen, Austria, in 994. He was canonized by Pope Leo IX in 1052. 

St. Wolgang, pray for us!

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Picture Of And Information About St. Wolfgang Is Taken From:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=2049

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saintofday/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfgang_of_Regensburg

St. Alphonsus Rodriguez

"All the saints began their conversion by prayer, and through prayer they persevered. All the damned were lost because they neglected prayer."
- St. John Vianney (1786 - 1859)

Today is the feast day of St. Alphonsus Rodriguez. Alphonsus was born in 1533, and at the age of 23 inherited his family's textile business. However, sorrow followed with his wife, daughter, and mother dying within a three year span. The textile business was not going well either. After a while, he sold the textile business and he and his son moved in with his sister. It is here where Alphonsus learned the power and beauty of prayer and meditation. After his son's death (when Alphonsus was nearly forty), he decided to join the Jesuits, and, despite difficulties, was finally able to be admitted to the Jesuits. Alphonsus served as the porter for the Jesuit college in Majorca for forty-five years. Alphonsus loved to pray when he was not at his post, despite his temptations and spiritual dryness at times. He was very holy and attracted many holy people to him such as St. Peter Claver. Alphonsus died in 1617, and is the patron saint of Majorca. 

St. Alphonsus Rodriguez, pray for us!

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Picture Of And Information About St. Alphonsus Taken From:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1285

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/saint.aspx?id=1184

http://thefierymind.wordpress.com/2011/10/30/following-your-bliss/

St. Narcissus

"Sanctify yourself and you will sanctify society."
- St. Francis of Assisi (1181 - 1226)

Today is the feast day of St. Narcissus, the bishop of Jerusalem during the second century. Narcissus was born in the last part of the first century. Not much is known about Narcissus besides the fact that he was the bishop of Jerusalem and led a very holy life. His holiness inspired those under him to be holy as well. He is said to of performed many miracles including turning water into oil for Holy Saturday when the deacons forgot to buy some for the church lamps. Despite his holiness, many people did not like Narcissus because they thought he was too harsh in trying to keep Church discipline. At one time, Narcissus was accused of a serious crime by those who did not like him, which he was totally innocent of. He was eventually cleared as innocent, but he took the opportunity to retire. In time, Narcissus came back later to be bishop of Jerusalem once more. However, because of Narcissus' old age, a younger bishop was there to help Narcissus if needed. It is said that Narcissus lived to be nearly one-hundred-and-sixteen years old (if not more). 

St. Narcissus, pray for us!

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Picture of And Information About St. Narcissus Taken From:

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/saint.aspx?id=1878

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=791

http://ourcatholiclifeofgrace.blogspot.com/2010_10_01_archive.html

St. Alfred the Great

"I desire to leave to the men that shall come after me a remembrance of me in good works."
- St. Alfred the Great (849 - 899)

Today is the feast day of St. Alfred the Great. Alfred was born in 849 to the fifth son of the king of Wessex, England. In 853, on a trip to Rome, Pope Leo IV accepted Alfred as his godson. Alfred was pious and a great scholar, and seemed to of been made for the religious life. However, Alfred became the king of Wessex, and was forced to fight the Danes, who were trying to invade England, during most of his reign. He was a patron of the arts, literature, and the Church. 

St. Alfred the Great, pray for us!

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Picture of And Information About St. Alfred Taken From:

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/16545/16545-h/16545-h.htm

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1262

Sts. Chrysanthus and Daria

"If God gives you an abundant harvest of trials, it is a sign of great holiness which he desires you to attain. Do you want to become a great saint? Ask God to send you many sufferings."
- St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491 - 1556)

Today is the feast day of St. Chrysanthus and Daria. Chrysanthus was the son of an Egyptian patrician. His father brought him to Rome, where he was baptized a Christian. Having refused to be married many times, Chrysanthus finally married Daria, a Greek priestess of Minerva. Chrysanthus converted Daria, and they both lived a life of chastity. Both Daria and Chrysanthus converted many people to Christianity, and after a while Chrysanthus (because of his being a Christian) was brought before the tribune Claudius. Claudius was so impressed by Chrysanthus' bravery when being tortured, that he, his wife, sons, and seventy of his soldiers were baptized. The Emperor was furious and ordered that all of them - Chrysanthus, Claudius and his family, and the seventy soldiers - be killed. Daria was also killed not long after Chrysanthus. 

Sts. Chrysanthus and Daria, pray for us!

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Picture of And Information About Sts. Chrysanthus and Daria Taken From:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=541

http://www.stjosephmelkitecatholicchurch.org/menaion_for_march/index.album/p-alignleft-bimar-19-commemoration-of-the-holy-martyrs-chrysanthus-and-daria-transfer-into-heaven-of-joseph-spouse-of-the-virgin-mary?i=19

St. Anthony Mary Claret

"Humility, obedience, meekness, and love are the virtues that shine through the Cross and the Blessed Sacrament of the altar. O my Jesus help me to imitate you!

The Blessed Sacrament should be honored by hearing Mass, receiving Communion frequently, visiting the Blessed Sacrament, and making spiritual communions. The rosary should be said daily...We should meditate on the mysteries, applying them to the circumstances of our own lives."
- St. Anthony Mary Claret (1807 - 1870)

Today is the feast day of St. Anthony Mary Claret, the founder of the Claretians. Anthony was born in Catalonia, Spain, in 1807. His father was a weaver, and Anthony also took up the trade for a while until he decided to become a Jesuit priest. However, because of his sicknesses, which prevented him from entering the Jesuits, he became a secular priest. In 1849, he founded the Claretians (also known as the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary). He served as the archbishop of Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, from 1850 to 1857. He came back to Spain to visit Queen Isabella II because he was her chaplain, and went into exile with her and her party in 1868. Anthony contributed to the First Vatican Council from 1869 till 1870 when he died in Fontfroide, France. Anthony was bestowed with many spiritual gifts including the gift of prophecy and that of performing miracles, and he also wrote many books and pamphlets. 

St. Anthony Mary Claret, pray for us!

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Picture of And Information About St. Anthony Taken From:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1452

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/saint.aspx?id=1178

http://arsorandi.blogspot.com/2012/10/collect-of-day-st-anthony-mary-claret.html

St. John of Capistrano

"Whoever wishes to hold the fortress of contemplation must first of all train in the camp of action."
- St. Gregory the Great (540 - 604)

Today is the feast day of St. John of Capistrano. John was born in 1385 in Capistrano, Italy. He studied law in Perugia, and practiced law in Naples. John was appointed governor of Naples at the age of twenty-six. After being captured and imprisoned during a war with another Italian town, John decided to join the Franciscans (in 1416) and was ordained a priest four years later (1420). He was a great preacher, and preached throughout Europe. At seventy-years-old, John helped prevent Rome and Vienna from being invaded by the Turks by leading an army against the Turks at Belgrade. He and the army of seventy thousand Christians won against the Turks and saved Rome and Vienna from being attacked. John died three months later in Illok, Hungary, in the year of 1456. 

St. John of Capistrano, pray for us!

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Picture of And Information About St. John Is Taken From:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=692

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/Saint.aspx?id=1177

Blessed Pope John Paul II

"True holiness does not mean flight from the world; rather, it lies in the effort to incarnate the Gospel in everyday life, in the family, at school and at work, and in social and political involvement."
- Blessed Pope John Paul II (1920 - 2005)

Today is the feast day of Blessed Pope John Paul II. Pope John Paul II was born Karol J. Wojtyla on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, Poland. Karol had an unfortunate childhood with both his mother and his father dying when he was very young as well as his brother Edmund. After high school, Karol enrolled  in Jagiellonian University in Cracow and also in a school for drama. In 1939, the university was closed by the Nazis and Karol went to work in a quarry and chemical factory as a way to earn a living. In 1942, he started taking courses in the clandestine seminary of Cracow (because of his calling to be a priest), and was ordained a priest in 1946. In 1964, he became archbishop of Cracow, and became a cardinal three years later. In 1978, he was elected pope, and contributed greatly to the Church. In his time as pope, he visited 124 countries, canonized 482 saints, beatified 1,338 people, and helped bring peace to the world. He died in 2005, and was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI on May 1(Divine Mercy Sunday), 2011.

Blessed Pope John Paul II, pray for us!

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Picture of And Information About Bl. Pope John Paul II Taken From:

http://christtotheworld.blogspot.com/2011/05/pope-john-paul-ii-man-of-prayer.html

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=6996

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/saint.aspx?id=1949

St. Ursula

"The proof of love is in the works. Where love exists, it works great things. But when it ceases to act, it ceases to exist."
- St. Gregory the Great (540 - 604)

Today is the feast day of St. Ursula. All that is known about Ursula is a legend that surfaced in the tenth century about a Christian princess of England who was allowed to postpone her wedding to a pagan prince for three years. During the postponement, Ursula and ten other ladies in waiting (with each being attended by a thousand ladies) went on a voyage with their final destination being Rome. On the way back, all the ladies were massacred by the Huns at Cologne in 451 because Ursula refused to marry their chief. 

St. Ursula, pray for us!

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Picture of and Information About St. Ursula Taken From:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=325

http://carlosechevarria.blogspot.com/2011/10/saint-ursula.html

St. Paul of the Cross

"The Mass is the most favorable occasion to speak with the Eternal Father, because then we offer Him His only Son as a victim for our salvation. Before celebrating, reflect on the sufferings of your Redeemer, commune peaceably with Him, even in the midst of (spiritual) dryness; carry to the altar the needs of the entire world."
- St. Paul of the Cross (1694 - 1775)

Today is the feast day of St. Paul of the Cross, the founder of the Passionists. Paul was born in Ovada, Italy, in 1694. He was said to of been very pious and innocent in his youth, and was inspired to found a religious congregation by God that was devoted to the Passion of Jesus Christ. Paul received an ecstasy from God in which he saw the habit he and his companions were to wear. God continued to bestow supernatural gifts upon Paul throughout his life, but he humbly treated himself as a fruitless servant. Paul died in Rome in 1775, and was canonized by Pope Pius IX in 1867. 

St. Paul of the Cross, pray for us!

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Picture of and Information About St. Paul Taken From:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=810

http://www.saintpaulofthecross.com/2009/09/st-paul-of-cross-pictures.html

The North American Martyrs

"My confidence is placed in God who does not need our help to accomplish His designs. Our single endeavor should be to give ourselves to the work and be faithful to Him (God), and not to spoil His work by our shortcomings."
- St. Isaac Jogues (1607 - 1646)

Today is the feast day of the North American martyrs (in Canada, their feast day is celebrated on September 26). The martyrs consist of eight Jesuit missionaries: St. Jean de Brébeuf, St. Isaac Jogues, St. Noel Chabanel, St. Antoine Daniel, St. Charles Garnier, St. René Goupil, St. Jean Lalande, and St. Gabriel Lallemant. These men all lived during the 17th century, and worked to convert the Native Americans. Nearly all of these men were killed by the Iroquois who were enemies of the Huron Indians, the Native Americans these men were trying to convert. These men were all canonized in 1930 by Pope Pius XI.

North American Martyrs, pray for us! 

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Picture of and Information About the North American Martyrs Taken From:

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/saint.aspx?id=1173

http://www.stacm.ca/locations/patrons/cm/

St. Luke

"One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it. But to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying."
- St. Joan of Arc (1412 - 1431)

Today is the feast of St. Luke the Evangelist. Luke is said to of been born in Antioch, Syria, and to of been a Gentile before he converted to Christianity. Luke wrote both the third Gospel as well as the Acts of the Apostles. His Gospel is said to of been written sometime between 70 A.D. to 85 A.D. Luke is identified clearly in St. Paul's writings, where St. Paul calls Luke "the beloved physician" (NAB Colossians 4:14). Luke also proves to be a very loyal friend of St. Paul's because he accompanied Paul to Jerusalem, stayed at Caesarea with him (where he was imprisoned) until he was taken to Rome, and then accompanied Paul on the journey to Rome. Little is known about what happened to St. Luke after this. 

St. Luke, pray for us! 

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Picture of and Information About St. Luke Taken From:

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/saint.aspx?id=1172

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=76

http://ecatechist.typepad.com/ecatechist/2010/02/keeping-lent-with-st-luke.html

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

"Unite yourself with Him (Jesus)... in all that you do. Refer everything to His glory. Set up your abode in this loving Heart of Jesus and you will there find lasting peace and strength both to bring to fruition all the good desires He inspires in you, and to avoid every deliberate fault."
- St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647 - 1690)

St. Margaret Mary's Incorrupt Body

Today is the feast day of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. Margaret was born on July 22, 1647, in Burgundy, France. She was a very pious child, and made a vow of virginity when she was very young  (The Autobiography of Saint Margaret Mary, page 20). She was taught by the Poor Clares at Charolles from the time she was eight until she came down with rheumatic fever which left her bedridden. At the age of fifteen, she was cured from her rheumatic fever. In 1671, she refused marriage and entered the Visitation convent at Paray-le-Monial. From the time she was twenty she had been favored with visions of Jesus, and after she entered the convent Jesus revealed to her that he wished for her to spread devotion to His Sacred Heart. Though there was opposition and hesitation, the devotion was celebrated privately within St. Margaret's convent in 1686 and over time the devotion spread to other Visitation convents. St. Margaret Mary died in 1690, and was canonized in 1920. Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was officially recognized by Pope Clement XIII in 1765. 

St. Margaret Mary, pray for us! 

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Pictures of and Information About St. Margaret Mary Taken From:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=443

http://www.todayscatholicworld.com/sept07tcw.htm

http://fatheranthonyho.blogspot.com/2008/10/st-margaret-mary-alacoque.html

The Autobiography of Saint Margaret Mary 

St. Gerard Majella

"Consider the shortness of time, the length of eternity and reflect how everything here below comes to an end and passes by. Of what use is it to lean on that which cannot give support?"
- St. Gerard Majella (1726 - 1755)

Today is the feast day of St. Gerard Majella. Gerard was born in Muro, Italy, in 1726. He joined the Redemptorists (Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer) in 1749, and became a professed lay brother in 1752. He was very pious, loving, humble, wise, obedient, and pure. St. Alphonsus Ligouri even remarked that "Brother Gerard is a saint". He had many great gifts bestowed on him by the Lord such as bilocation, prophecy, reading people's hearts, levitation, ecstasies, etc. He even predicted the date and time of his death. In 1755, Gerard died from tuberculosis at the age of twenty-nine. He is the patron saint of expectant mothers, and is known under this title because of a miracle worked by his prayers for a woman in labor. 

St. Gerard Majella, pray for us!

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Picture of and Information About St. Gerard Taken From:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=150

http://www.communityofhopeinc.org/Prayer%20Pages/Saints/gerard.html

http://www.stgerardla.com/old/en/shrine.html

St. Teresa of Avila

"Much more is accomplished by a single word of the Our Father said, now and then, from our heart, than by the whole prayer repeated many times in haste and without attention."

"To have courage for whatever comes in life -- everything lies in that."

- St. Teresa of Avila (1515 - 1582)

Today is the feast day of St. Teresa of Avila (also known as St. Teresa of Jesus), the famous founder of the Discalced Carmelites. Teresa was born in 1515 in Spain. At the tender age of five, Teresa convinced her brother that she and he should go and be martyred by the Moors. They got as far as the road from the city where their uncle saw them and brought them back home. Besides this incident, the rest of Teresa's childhood and youth were very ordinary. At the age of 16, her father put her in a Carmelite convent because of her rebellious behavior, and she later became a nun at that same convent. Unfortunately, the convent was very undisciplined (ex. the nuns were able to have parties with male persons invited, etc.) and this did not help Teresa. In her forties, Teresa became very close to God and even had visions of Jesus.  At the age of 43, she felt called by God to open a convent of contemplative Carmelites that went back to the simple life of poverty and prayer. There was much opposition to this, but in time everything worked out and her convents spread throughout Spain (and today they are throughout the world). She died on October 4, 1582, at the age of 67. She was canonized in 1622, and was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1970. She is the patron saint of those who suffer from headaches and also of Spanish Catholic writers. 

St. Teresa of Avila, pray for us!

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Picture of and Information About St. Teresa Taken From:

http://cantuar.blogspot.com/2010/10/top-10-quotes-from-saint-teresa-of.html

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=208

St. Callistus

"Let our judgement of souls cease, for God's mercy upon them is extraordinary."
- St. Faustina (1905 - 1938)

Today is the feast day of St. Callistus. St. Callistus was pope back in the 3rd century, and was martyred in Rome around 223 during the rule of Emperor Severus. The only account written of him is by St. Hippolytus (first anti-pope; Hippolytus is honored as a saint because he repented and died as a martyr in the mines of Sardinia). Callistus is the patron saint of cemetery workers.

St. Callistus, pray for us!

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Picture of and Information About St. Callistus Taken From:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=31

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saintofday/

http://www.catholic-saints.info/roman-catholic-saints-a-g/saint-callistus.htm

St. Edward the Confessor

"When you decide firmly to live a clean life, chastity will not be a burden on you: it will be a crown of triumph."
- St. Josemaria Escriva (1902 - 1975)

Today is the feast day of St. Edward the Confessor. Edward was born in 1003 in England. He was the son of King Ethelred II and the daughter of Duke Richard of Normandy. He spent his earliest years in the court of his uncle in Normandy, and it is said that his greatest joys were when he assisted at Mass and the church offices. He became the king of England when he was about forty-years-old, and governed well. He gave alms to the poor, cared greatly for his people, and did not even impose taxes on them. He married the daughter of Earl Godwin (at the urging of the nobles of his court), Edith, but because of his vow of chastity he and she lived as brother and sister rather than husband and wife. Edward also rebuilt, with the permission of the pope, St. Peter's Abbey at Westminster (now known commonly as Westminster Abbey) because he could not make a pilgrimage to St. Peter's tomb in Rome. The abbey was dedicated a week before his death, and he was buried at the abbey after his death. He died in 1066, and was canonized by Pope Alexander III in 1161. 

St. Edward, pray for us!

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Picture of and Information About St. Edward Taken From:

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05322a.htm

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=223

St. Seraphin of Montegranaro

"The most powerful weapon to conquer the devil is humility. For, as he does not at all know how to employ it, neither does he know how to defend himself from it."

- St. Vincent de Paul (1581 - 1660)

Today is the feast day of St. Seraphin of Montegranaro. Seraphin was born in 1540 to a poor Italian family, and tended the family's sheep when he got older. He was an orphan and lived with his older brother, and his older brother abused and bullied him. However, Seraphin grew in holiness. He spent much time in prayer, and became a Capuchin lay brother at the age of 16. He had a great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady. He was also blessed with the gifts of reading hearts, of prophecy, and of being able to perform miracles. He was very humble and generous, and gave advice to ecclesiastical and secular authorities. He died on October 12, 1604, in Ascoli Piceno, Italy.  He was canonized in 1767. 

St. Seraphin of Montegranaro, pray for us!

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Picture of and Information About St. Seraphin Taken From:

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/saint.aspx?id=1166

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=2496

http://saints.sqpn.com/saintmbz.htm

http://sdritchie71-asongtosing.blogspot.com/2009/10/st-seraphin-of-montegranaro.html

St. Damien of Molokai

"I find consolation in the one and only friend who will never leave me, that is, our Divine Saviour in the Holy Eucharist... Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the most tender of friends with souls who seek to please Him. His goodness knows how to proportion itself to the smallest of His creatures as to the greatest of them. Be not afraid then in your solitary conversations, to tell Him of your miseries, your fears, your worries, of those who are dear to you, of your projects, and of your hopes. Do so with confidence and with an open heart."
- St. Damien of Molokai (1840 - 1889)

An Older St. Damien

Young St. Damien

Today is the feast day of St. Damien of Molokai. Damien was born Joseph de Veuster in Tremelo, Belgium, on January 3, 1840. In 1860, he joined the Sacred Heart Fathers, and was ordained a priest in 1864 on the island of Honolulu, Hawaii. He received the name of Damien once he entered the priesthood. He worked in the missions that were on the island of Honolulu for nine years, and in 1873 he volunteered to go and care for the lepers in the leper colony on Molokai. He helped build hospitals, clinics, churches, etc. throughout the island and helped better the lives of the lepers. He announced that he had caught leprosy in 1885, and died four years later on April 15, 1889. In 2009, Damien was canonized. He is the patron saint of those with leprosy.

St. Damien of Molokai, pray for us!

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Images of and Information About St. Damien Is Taken From:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=2817

http://www.ssmo.org/news/?p=1546 

http://www.stdamienofmolokai.org/sunday-may-16-2012-st-damien-of-molokai-feast-day-celebration-at-900-am-mass/ 

St. Francis Borgia

"Everyone--whether kings, nobles, tradesmen, or peasants--must do all things for the glory of God and under the inspiration of Christ's example..."
- St. Francis Borgia (1510 - 1572)

Today is the feast day of St. Francis Borgia. St. Francis was born in Spain in 1510, and grew up to be a young nobleman and served in the King of Spain's royal court. Throughout his life, he was a Christian gentleman and it is said that his greatest joy was to receive Holy Communion. After his wife Eleanor passed away, Francis decided to became a Jesuit priest. He gave up his title as Duke and gave it to his son Charles. After a time, he became the superior general of the Jesuits and helped the Jesuit order to grow and spread throughout Europe and the New World (Americas). He helped found missions in what is now Florida, Mexico, and Peru. He died in 1572, and is honored with the title of being the second founder of the Jesuits. He was canonized in 1672, and is the patron saint against earthquakes, of Portugal, and of Rota, Marianas. 

St. Francis Borgia, pray for us!

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Picture of and Information About St. Francis Borgia Taken From:

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/saint.aspx?id=1530

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=643

http://www.sarapoole.com/blog1/?tag=saint-francis-borgia

St. John Leonardi

"Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in Heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy."
- St. John Leonardi (1541 - 1609)

Today is the feast day of St. John Leonardi. He was born in Diecimo, Italy in 1541. At Lucca, he became a pharmacist's assistant, studied to be a priest, and was ordained in 1572. He created an association of secular priests, which was approved by the Bishop of Lucca and Pope Gregory XIII in 1583 despite opposition, along with the help of St. Philip Neri and St. Joseph Calasanctius. The congregation was approved officially in 1595 by Pope Clement VIII, who further asked St. John to reform the monks at Vallombrosa and Monte Vergine. He died from the plague in Rome while treating the sick on October 9 in 1609, and was canonized in 1938 by Pope Pius XI and is the patron saint of pharmacists. 

St. John Leonardi, pray for us!

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Picture of and Information About St. John Leonardi Taken From:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=359

St. Pelagia of Antioch

"It is here, my daughters, where love is to be found -- not hidden away in corners but in the midst of occasions of sin. And believe me, although we may more often fail and commit small lapses, our gain will be incomparably the greater."
- St. Teresa of Avila (1515 - 1582)

Today is the feast day of St. Pelagia of Antioch. Originally a pagan, she was converted by Bishop St. Nonnus of Edessa after hearing a sermon of his. After she was baptized, she gave all she had to St. Nonnus so that he could aid the poor with it. She then went to live as a hermitess on Mount of Olivette in Jerusalem.

St. Pelagia, pray for us!

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Picture of and Information About St. Pelagia Taken From:
http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=811

http://media.photobucket.com/image/St.%20Pelagia%20of%20Antioch/jakyl32/365%2520Rosaries-%2520OCTOBER/108pelagia4.jpg

Our Lady of the Rosary

"If you say the Holy Rosary every day, with a spirit of faith and love, our Lady will make sure she leads you very far along her Son's path."
- St. Josemaria Escriva (1902 - 1975)

Today is the feast day of Our Lady of the Rosary. This feast was established by Pope St. Pius V in 1573 as a way of thanking God for victory over the Turks at Lepanto, and the feast was extended to the universal Church by Pope Clement XI in 1716. The rosary is said to of been given to St. Dominic by the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the rosary was developed to its present form in the 16th century with the Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries. In 2002, Pope John Paul II added the Luminous Mysteries.

Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!

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Picture of Our Lady of the Rosary and Information About the Feast Day Is Taken From:

 http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1161

http://rosaryparish.org/holyrosary.html

St. Faith

"It is not the actual physical exertion that counts towards one's progress, nor the nature of the task, but by the spirit of faith with which it is undertaken."
- St. Francis Xavier (1506 - 1552)

Today is the feast day of St. Faith. She is believed to of died around the third century in Agen, Gaul (now France) during the persecution of Christians under the Roman emperor Diocletian. She was a virgin, and one of the many martyrs who would not sacrifice to the pagan gods of the Romans. She was a very popular saint during the Middle Ages, and there is said to of been many miracles that were worked at her shrine in Conques, France. She is the patron saint of pilgrims, prisoners, and soldiers. 

Saint Faith, pray for us!

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Picture of and Information about About St. Faith Taken From: 
http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=118

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=5902

St. Maria Faustina Kowalska of the Blessed Sacrament

"Suffering is a great grace; through suffering the soul becomes like the Savior; in suffering love becomes crystallized; the greater the suffering, the purer the love."

- St. Maria Faustina Kowalska of the Blessed Sacrament (1905 - 1938)

Today is the feast day of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska of the Blessed Sacrament (also known just as St. Faustina). She was born in Lodz, Poland in 1905. She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in 1925, where she served as a cook, porter, and gardener (not all at the same time though). She was very pious and received messages, which are recorded in her diary Divine Mercy in My Soul, from Jesus Christ throughout her life in the convent, including the messages about Divine Mercy. She was called to be the apostle and secretary of Divine Mercy for the Lord, and carried out as best she could the requests of Our Lord for the institution of Divine Mercy Sunday (the Sunday after Easter Sunday) and that of the painting of the Divine Mercy Image. She died on October 5, 1938, when she was 33, in Krakow, Poland and was canonized in 2000. 

St. Faustina, pray for us! 

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Picture of and Information about St. Faustina Taken From:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=510

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/Saint.aspx?id=1931

http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/st.-faustina?before=1334823431

St. Francis of Assisi

"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible."

"I have been all things unholy. If God can work through me, he can work through anyone."
- St. Francis of Assisi (1181 - 1226)

Today is the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Franciscan Order. He is best known for his love of animals and the poor, and is the patron saint of Italy and of animals. 

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us! 

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Pictures of St. Francis Taken From:

http://media.photobucket.com/image/painting%20of%20St.%20Francis/pja64x/PJA64XCOM/st-francis-of-assisi-praying.jpg

St. Theodora Guérin

"Let us never forget that if we wish to die like Saint we must live like them. Let us force ourselves to imitate their virtues, in particular humility and charity."

"You may have to wait longer than you would like, you may have to bear privations; but, bear and forebear. Have confidence in the Providence that so far has never failed us. The way is not yet clear. Grope along slowly. Do not press matters; be patient, be trustful."

- St. Theodora Guérin (1798 - 1856)

Today is the feast day of St. Theodora Guérin. She was born in Brittany, France, in 1798 and entered the order of the Sisters of Providence in 1823 when she was 25. She was an excellent teacher and ministered the sick in France. In 1840, she and some other sisters came to establish a religious community in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods near Terre Haute, Indiana, USA. Her community opened schools in the area. She died in 1856, and was canonized in 2006. 

St. Theodora Guérin, pray for us!

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Information about St. Theodora and Picture of St. Theodora Guérin Taken From:

http://www.in.gov/gov/2569.htm

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=6984

St. Leger

"What hast Thou taught me, O Love Uncreated? Thou hast taught me that I should bear patiently like a lamb, not only harsh words, but even blows harsh and hard, and injury and loss."
- St. Catherine of Siena (1347 - 1380)
Tertiary of St. Dominic, Virgin, Doctor of the Church, Patron Saint of Italy

Today is the feast day of St. Leger. He was the Bishop of Autun in France, and was killed and tortured for a crime he didn't commit. Because of this, he is considered a martyr and a saint.

St. Leger, pray for us!

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Information about St. Leger and Picture of St. Leger Taken From:
http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=823

St. Therese of Lisieux

"Be not afraid to tell Jesus that you love him; even though it be without feeling, this is the way to oblige Him to help you, and carry you like a little child too feeble to walk."
- St. Therese of Lisieux of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face  (1873 - 1897)

Today is the feast day of St. Therese of Lisieux, the Carmelite nun who showed others the "Little Way" to heaven. She was born in France in 1873 and died in 1879. 

St. Therese of Lisieux, pray for us! 

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Picture of St. Therese Taken From:

http://conservation.catholic.org/st__therese.htm

The Wisdom of the Saints Sent To You Daily

Welcome to the new Saint Quote of the Day blog! The purpose of this blog is to send the wisdom of the Saints to your inbox each and every day of the year.

The quotes that you will receive each day will be in accordance with the Saint of the day. For example, if the feast day of St. Rose of Lima is on August 23rd, then the Saint Quote of the day will be from St. Rose of Lima (unless we are unable to find a quote from the said Saint).

All you need to do is type your email into the subscription sign up box on the right hand side of the page, and the Saints' wisdom will be sent to you daily!

Have a Blessed Day!