St. Andrew

"We have found the Messiah."
- St. Andrew to St. Peter, John 1:41

Today is the feast day of St. Andrew. Andrew was one of the twelve apostles and was the brother of St. Peter. Andrew was a fisherman and a disciple of St. John the Baptist before he was a disciple of Jesus. After he heard St. John the Baptist say (when pointing to Jesus), "Behold the Lamb of God!" he decided to follow Jesus. Andrew was one of the first disciples of Jesus, and was the one who mentioned the barley loaves and fishes in John 6:8-9. After Jesus' Ascension, it is said that Andrew was sent out to preach in what is now Greece and Turkey. He was crucified in Patras, Greece, but not in the same way Jesus was; he was tied to the cross and not nailed to it. He lived for two days on the cross and preached to the people who gathered around him. He is the patron saint of fishermen, Russia, and Scotland. 

St. Andrew, pray for us!

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Picture Of And Information About St. Andrew Taken From:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=109

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

http://www.standrewsumner.org/

St. Brendan of Birr

"If you become Christ's you will stumble upon wonder upon wonder and every one of them true."
- St. Brendan of Birr (d. 573)

Today is the feast day of St. Brendan of Birr. Brendan was born in Ireland in the late 5th century or early 6th century. He became a monk in Clonard, Ireland, and also became the abbot of Birr, Ireland, later on. He advised St. Columba and was friends with St. Brendan the Voyager. After Brendan's death in 573, St. Columba had a vision in which she saw angels carrying Brendan's soul to Heaven. 

St. Brendan of Birr, pray for us!

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Picture Of And Information About St. Brendan Taken From:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1831

http://www.aoh61.com/history/brendan.htm

St. Catherine Laboure

"Whenever I go to the chapel, I put myself in the presence of our good Lord, and I say to Him, 'Lord, here I am. Tell me what You would have me do.' If He gives me some task, I am content and I thank Him. If He gives me nothing, I still thank Him since I do not deserve to receive anything more than that. And then, I tell God everything that is in my heart. I tell Him about my pains and my joys, and then I listen. If you listen, God will also speak to you, for with the good Lord, you have to both speak and listen. God always speaks to you when you approach Him plainly and simply."
- St. Catherine Laboure (1806 - 1876)

Today is the feast day of St. Catherine Laboure. Catherine was born in 1806 in Fain-les-Moutiers, Burgundy, France. Catherine was the eighth child in her family and grew up on a farm. She entered the Daughters of Charity in 1830 in Paris, France. The Virgin Mary appeared to Catherine three times during this same year. In one of these apparitions, Mary showed Catherine the medal of the Immaculate Conception (also known as the Miraculous Medal). Mary asked Catherine to have the medal made and also that she spread devotion to it. During this time, only her spiritual director knew of the apparitions. She told her superior everything about the apparitions in 1875. Catherine died in 1876, and was canonized in 1947. 

St. Catherine Laboure, pray for us!

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Picture Of And Information About St. Catherine Taken From:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=266

 http://www.miraculousmedalchurch.org/CatherineLaboure.htm

http://deaconjohnspace.wordpress.com/2010/11/26/maryvitamin-st-catherine-laboure/

St. Francesco Antonio Fasani

"We always find that those who walked closest to Christ were those who had to bear the greatest trials."
- St. Teresa of Avila (1515 - 1582)

Today is the feast day of St. Francesco Antonio Fasani. Francesco was born in 1681 in Lucera, Italy. Francesco joined the Conventual Franciscans in 1695 when he was only 14 or 15 years old. After he was ordained a priest, he taught philosophy to the younger friars and also served as guardian of the friary. Later on, he became provincial of the friary. After his term as provincial, he became the master of novices and pastor of his hometown. He was loving, pious, penitential, and always ready to help the poor. He died in 1742, and was canonized in 1986 by Pope John Paul II. 

St. Francesco Antonio Fasani, pray for us!

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Picture Of And Information About St. Francesco Taken From:

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

http://tinhthan.tripod.com/hanhthanh/saints2/francesco_fasani29-11.html

St. John Berchmans

"Our true worth does not consist in what human beings think of us. What we really are consists in what God knows us to be."
- St. John Berchmans (1599 - 1621)

Today is the feast day of St. John Berchmans. John was born in 1599 in Diest, Brabant, Belgium. When he was young he loved being an altar server and was very devout. He decided at the age of 13 that he wanted to become a priest. After his mother passed away, his father and 2 brothers entered religious life; his father later became a priest. John entered the Jesuits when he was 16. He studied at the Jesuit College in Malines, and after that went to Rome to study philosophy in 1618. He died in Rome, Italy, in 1621 before he was ordained a priest. He was canonized in 1888. He was known for his piety, perseverance, and perfection in little things. He is the patron saint of altar servers and youth. 

St. John Berchmans, pray for us!

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Picture Of And Information About St. John Taken From:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=454

http://www.torchhomeschooling.org/print.php?article=501

http://catholicmemories.blogspot.com/2012/08/to-altar-boy.html

St. Cecilia

"God bestows more consideration on the purity of the intention with which our actions are performed than on the actions themselves."
- St. Augustine (354 - 430)

Today is the feast day of St. Cecilia. Cecilia lived in the 3rd century in Rome, Italy. She was married to a man named Valerian, and converted him to Christianity. He also converted his brother. It is said that Cecilia converted approximately 400 people to Christianity. She then was arrested and condemned to a horrible death by suffocation and decapitation. She was named the patroness of music because it is said that she heard heavenly music when she was married. 

St. Cecilia, pray for us!

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Picture Of And Information About St. Cecilia Taken From:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=34

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/saint.aspx?id=1207

http://www.wf-f.org/StCecilia.html

The Presentation Of Mary

"Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did."
- St. Maximilian Kolbe (1894 - 1941)

Today is the feast day of the Presentation of Mary in the Temple. It is said that St. Anne made a promise to God while she was still barren that if she could have a child she would dedicate her son/daughter to Him. So it is said that when Mary was 3 years old her parents took her to the Temple and offered her to God. This feast day was first celebrated in Jerusalem in the 6th century, and began to be celebrated in the western churches in the 11th century. It became a feast day in the Church universally in the 16th century. 

Blessed Virgin Mary, pray for us!

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Picture Of And Information About The Presentation Of Mary In The Temple:

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/saint.aspx?id=1206

http://campus.udayton.edu/mary/meditations/Nov21.html

St. Edmund Rich

"Therefore learn as if to live forever; live as if to die tomorrow."
- St. Edmund Rich (1175 - 1240)

Today is the feast day of St. Edmund Rich. Edmund was born in 1175 in Abingdon, England. He studied in Oxford, England, and Paris, France. He taught art, mathematics, and theology at Oxford, where he was ordained a priest. For a time, he was treasurer and Canon of Salisbury Cathedral. During this time, he also preached a crusade for Pope Gregory IX and became the archbishop of Canterbury. He advised King Henry III for a while, but resigned in 1240 due to a dispute between Edmund, Henry, and a papal legate. He then became a Cistercian in Pontigny, France, and died in Soissons, France, that same year. He was canonized in either 1246 or 1247. 

St. Edmund Rich, pray for us!

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Picture Of And Information About St. Edmund Taken From:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3048

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sic_itur_ad_astra/6009262611/

St. Nerses the Great

"When you see the cross, know and believe that you are seeing Christ enthroned on it; when you pray before the cross, believe that you are doing so concerning Christ our God and not with inanimate matter. For it is Christ Who receives the veneration you offer before the cross; and it is He Who hears the supplications of your mouth and fulfills the desires of your heart, which you ask with faith. Whoever does not honor the cross, or insults it, insults Christ Himself."
- St. Nerses the Gracious (1100 - 1173)

Today is the feast day of St. Nerses the Great. St. Nerses was born in the 4th century in Armenia. In his youth, he studied in Cappadocia and married a princess. The princess gave birth to a son named Isaac who was later to become St. Isaac the Great. After the princess passed away, Nerses served in the court of King Arshak of Armenia as chamberlain. In 353, he was made patriarch (also called a Catholicos) of the Armenians and started reform work almost immediately. Throughout his time as patriarch, he established monasteries and hospitals. He called for a synod in 365, which was based on the principles he had learned under St. Basil. He was exiled after a while, however, because of his denunciations of King Arshak for killing his wife and because of his reforms. He came back after he heard of King Arshak's death in battle, but did not have much better relationships with the new king, Pap. In 373, he was poisoned while at a royal banquet that he was invited to at Khankh. 

St. Nerses the Great, pray for us!

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Picture Of And Information About St. Nerses Taken From:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4824

http://www.menqhayenq.ru/en/candidates/24/index.html

St. Elizabeth of Hungary

"I want to adorn myself, not out of worldly pride, but for love of God alone - in a fitting manner, however, so as to give my husband no cause to sin, if something about me were to displease him. Only let him love me in the Lord, with a chaste, marital affection, so that we, in the same way, might hope for the reward of eternal life from him who has sanctified the law of marriage."
- St. Elizabeth of Hungary (1207 - 1231)

Today is the feast day of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. Elizabeth was born in 1207 to the King of Hungary. At the age of 14, Elizabeth was married to the German principality Louis of Thuringia. They loved each other very much and had 3 children together. Throughout her life she was very prayerful, and served the poor and the sick. She also wore simple clothing. Every day, Elizabeth would take bread to the poor people who came to the palace gates. At the age of 20, Elizabeth's husband was killed in the Crusades. Then, her husband's family threw her out of the royal palace because they thought she was squandering all the royal money by feeding beggars. Once her son and the rest of her husband's allies returned, she was allowed to come back in the royal palace. In 1228, she joined the Third Order of St. Francis and worked in a hospital that she had founded in memory of St. Francis. She died in 1231, and was canonized 4 years later. 

St. Elizabeth of Hungary, pray for us!

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

http://www.itmonline.org/bodytheology/stelizabeth.htm

St. Margaret of Scotland & St. Agnes of Assisi

"I come, O Lord, unto Thy sanctuary to see the life and food of my soul. As I hope in Thee, O Lord, inspire me with that confidence which brings me to Thy holy mountain. Permit me, Divine Jesus, to come closer to Thee, that my whole soul may do homage to the greatness of Thy majesty; that my heart, with its tenderest affections, may acknowledge Thine infinite love; that my memory may dwell on the admirable mysteries here renewed everyday, and that the sacrifice of my whole being may accompany Thine." 

- St. Agnes of Assisi (1198 - 1253) 

Today is the feast day of St. Margaret of Scotland (top) and St. Agnes of Assisi (bottom). 

St. Margaret of Scotland was born in the 11th century to Princess Agatha and to the English Prince Edward Atheling. She spent much time in her great uncle's (St. Edward the Confessor, see October 13th post) court. However, when King William the Conqueror came to the English throne she and her family were forced to flee the country and their ship wrecked off the coast of Scotland. King Malcolm of Scotland welcomed the exiles and fell in love with Margaret. Malcolm and Margaret were married in 1070. Though Malcolm was a good man, he was rough and uncultured like his country. Margaret helped Malcolm and his court to develop better manners and to become more virtuous. Margaret helped her husband, lived an austere life, encouraged the arts and education in her country, took care of all the domestic affairs in her household, and much more. She lived a very virtuous life. She and her husband had 6 sons and 2 daughters together. The youngest boy even became a saint (St. David). She died in 1093, only four days after the death of her husband.

St. Agnes of Assisi was born in 1198 in Assisi, Italy, to a wealthy family. She was St. Clare's younger sister, and joined Clare in the convent when she was 15 years old despite her family's fierce opposition. When her family tried to take her away forcibly from the convent, she became so heavy that they could not budge her; her uncle's arm was also paralyzed when he tried to strike her. She stayed with her sister St. Clare in San Damiano until 1219 when St. Francis appointed her to be abbess of the Poor Ladies (now known as the Poor Clares) at Monticelli. She helped establish many different convents throughout Italy, and came back to San Damiano when St. Clare was dying. Agnes passed away three months after St. Clare in 1253, and was canonized in 1753. 

St. Margaret and St. Agnes, pray for us!

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http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1204

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=528

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/saint.aspx?id=1201

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=304

http://www.stmargaretofscotland.com/biography.htm

St. Albert the Great

"It is by the path of love, which is charity, that God draws near to man, and man to God. But where charity is not found, God cannot dwell. If, then, we possess charity, we posses God, for 'God is Charity' (1 John 4:8)."
- St. Albert the Great (d. 1280)

Today is the feast day of St. Albert the Great. St. Albert was born in either the late 12th century or early 13th century in Germany to wealthy and influential parents. Despite his family's opposition, Albert joined the Dominicans. He gained his knowledge at the University of Padua, and went on to teach at many places including the University of Paris. He was knowledgeable in numerous subjects including biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, geography, metaphysics, mathematics, biblical studies, theology, etc. He taught and influenced St. Thomas Aquinas. He also defended the Dominicans, preached a crusade, strongly influenced the Church's stance on Aristotelian philosophy, and much more. He died in 1280, and is the patron saint of scientists and philosophers. He is also a Doctor of the Church. 

St. Albert the Great, pray for us!

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Picture Of And Information About St. Albert Taken From:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=144

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/saint.aspx?id=1200

http://youthcatechism.tumblr.com/

St. Joseph Pignatelli

"My God, I do not know what must come to me today. But I am certain that nothing can happen to me that you have not foreseen, decreed, and ordained from all eternity. That is sufficient for me."
- St. Joseph Pignatelli (1737 - 1811)

Today is the feast day of St. Joseph Pignatelli. Joseph was born in Saragossa, Spain, in 1737. At the age of fifteen, he entered the Society of Jesus. After the Order's suppression by the pope and other European monarchs, Joseph was moved to Bologna, Italy. He opened a new novitiate for the Jesuits there in 1799, which helped lay the foundation for the restoration of the Jesuits by Pope Pius VII in 1814. Joseph died in 1811, and was canonized in 1954 by Pope Pius XII. 

St. Joseph Pignatelli, pray for us!

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Picture Of And Information About St. Joseph Taken From:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4091

http://www.attadale.org/about/pignatelli.html

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini

"We must pray without tiring, for the salvation of mankind does not depend on material success; nor on the sciences that cloud the intellect. Neither does it depend on arms and human industries, but on Jesus alone."
- St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850 - 1917)

Today is the feast day of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. Frances was born in 1850 in Lombardi, Italy. When she was 18 she wanted to become a nun, but because of her poor health she was not able to. So she continued to help her parents, and, after they passed away, she helped her brothers and sisters maintain the family farm. After a while, she was asked by a priest to come and teach at a girls' school where she stayed for 6 years. Then, the bishop asked Frances to found the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to take care of poor children in schools and hospitals. In 1889, due to the urging of Pope Leo XIII, she came to America with 6 other nuns to care for and help the Italian immigrants. She founded numerous schools, hospitals, and orphanages throughout the United States. In 1917, she died of malaria in Chicago, Illinois. Pope Pius XII canonized Frances in 1946. She is the first American citizen to be canonized (she became a citizen in 1909), and is the patroness of immigrants. 

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, pray for us!

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Picture Of And Information About St. Frances Taken From:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=278

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/saint.aspx?id=1198

http://kids.britannica.com/comptons/art-138356/Mother-Frances-Xavier-Cabrini

St. Josaphat

"I am here among you as a shepherd and you ought to know that I should be happy to give my life for you. I am ready to die for the holy union, for the supremacy of St. Peter and his successor the Supreme Pontiff."
- St. Josaphat (1580 - 1623)

Today is the feast day of St. Josaphat. Josaphat was born John Kunsevich in 1580 in what is now Poland. In 1045, there was a schism between Rome and Constantinople. In 1595, some of the bishops from the East met in Belarus in order to seek reunion with Rome. John would also encourage reunion with Rome. When John became a Basilian monk and priest he was given the name of Josaphat. At a young age, Josaphat became the bishop of Vitebsk (now part of Russia), and began to have trouble with the clergy there. Many of the clergy did not want to have union with Rome because they did not want to have anyone change their liturgy and customs. However, through Josaphat's example, synods, instruction, etc. he helped bring at least part of the clergy and laity into favoring union with Rome. After a while, however, a new hierarchy was set up that told lies about Josaphat and brought trouble for him. Josaphat came back to Vitebsk, despite warnings not to. After Josaphat came back, people planned to drive him from his parish or to create trouble for him. A priest was actually sent out to shout insults at Josaphat, but Josaphat ordered the priest taken back to his house. After this, a mob formed outside of Josaphat's house, and some people forced their way into his house. These people struck him with a halberd (combined spear and battle-ax) and shot him before his body was thrown into a river. Josaphat died in 1623, and was canonized in 1867. 

St. Josaphat, pray for us!

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Picture Of And Information About St. Josaphat Taken From:

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

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=71

http://www.stjudemonastery.org/2011/st-josaphat-martyr/

Dedication of St. John Lateran

"We must pray without ceasing, in every occurrence and employment of our lives - that prayer which is rather a habit of lifting up the heart to God as in constant communication with Him."
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774 - 1821)

Today is the feast day of the Dedication of St. John Lateran.  St. John Lateran is the cathedral of the diocese of Rome, and the pope's main church. St. John Lateran was originally built in the 4th century, but by the 14th century, when the pope came back from Avignon, France, the palace (which adjoins the church) and St. John Lateran were in ruins. The St. John Lateran standing today was commissioned to be built in 1646 by Pope Innocent X. Beneath the church's altar rests what is left of a small wooden table, which is said to of been used by St. Peter when he celebrated Mass. 

St. John, pray for us!

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Picture Of And Information About St. John Lateran Taken From:

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

http://spenceralley.blogspot.com/2010/12/st-john-lateran.html

Bl. Elizabeth of the Trinity

"Believe that He loves you. He wants to help you Himself in the struggles which you must undergo. Believe in His Love, His exceeding Love."
- Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity (1880 - 1906)

Today is the feast day of Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity. Elizabeth was born on July 18, 1880, at Avor (a military camp near Bourges), France. She was spirited, strong, and sometimes violent. After her First Communion, her violent outbursts were less frequent because of her great love for Christ and the Eucharist's transforming effects. She spent her youth like most young girls her age: dancing, traveling, playing tennis and the piano, etc. However, she was also involved heavily in her parish. She taught children the catechism, helped the sick, and prayed very much. At the age of 21, she entered the Carmel at Dijon despite her mother's opposition. In 1906, Elizabeth was plagued with Addison's disease (then incurable) and passed away that year when she was 26. She was beatified in 1984 by Bl. Pope John Paul II. 

Bl. Elizabeth of the Trinity, pray for us!

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Picture Of And Information About Bl. Elizabeth Taken From:

http://www.kilmacudcarmel.ie/elizabeth.html#quotes

http://www.elisabeth-dijon.org/v_en/Life.html

http://ascenttomtcarmel.blogspot.com/2011/08/bl-elizabeth-of-trinity.html

St. Achillas

"To love God is something greater than to know Him."
- St. Thomas Aquinas (1225 - 1274)

Today is the feast day of St. Achillas. Achillas was the bishop of Alexandria, Egypt, during part of the 4th century. During his time as bishop, Achillas ordained Arius, who started the Arian heresy. Arius preached that Christ was not really God, that he was only man and not divine. Thankfully, after realizing the untruths in Arius's teaching, Achillas tried to defend the faith but was in turn attacked by Arius and another heretical group called the Meletians. Arius was later condemned for his heretical teaching and forced to flee to Palestine, but Achillas died before this happened. 

St. Achillas, pray for us!

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Picture Of And Information About St. Achillas Taken From:

http://acatholicview.blogspot.com/2009/11/st-achillas.html

http://molonlabe70.blogspot.com/2010/05/st-achilles-bishop-of-larissa.html

St. Leonard

"I understood that to become a saint one had to suffer much, seek out always the most perfect thing to do, and forget self."
- St. Therese of Lisieux (1873 - 1897)

Today is the feast day of St. Leonard. Leonard lived during the 6th century in France, and is said to of been converted to Christianity by St. Remigius. He became a monk at Micy and later a hermit at Limoges. His godfather, King Clovis I, is said to of given him some land as a reward, which Leonard used to open up a Noblac monastery on; it later grew into the town of Saint-Leonard. He continued to live in this area and to evangelize the surrounding areas until his death in 559. 

St. Leonard, pray for us!

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Picture of And Information About St. Leonard Taken From:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=300

St. Elizabeth

"Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."
- St. Elizabeth to Mary, Luke 1:45

Today is the feast day of St. Elizabeth, the cousin of Mary. Little is known about St. Elizabeth besides what is mentioned in the Gospel of Luke. She was the mother of John the Baptist, and the wife of Zechariah (who is also known as Zachary). 

St. Elizabeth, pray for us!

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Picture of and Information About St. Elizabeth Taken From:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=344

St. Charles Borromeo

"Be sure that you first preach by the way you live. If you do not, people will notice that you say one thing, but live otherwise, and your words will bring only cynical laughter and a derisive shake of the head."
- St. Charles Borromeo (1538 - 1584)

Today is the feast day of St. Charles Borromeo. Charles was born in Arona, Italy, on October 2, 1538. He was born into a noble family with his parents being Count Gilbert Borromeo and Margaret Medici, the sister of Pope Pius IV. At the age of twelve, Borromeo was given the clerical tonsure and was sent to the Benedictine abbey of Sts. Gratian and Felinus for an education. In 1559, when his uncle was elected pope, Charles was appointed Secretary of State, made a cardinal, and was also made the administrator of the see of Milan. The Council of Trent was also reconvened thanks in part to Charles, and he also contributed very much to the Council. He created a society of secular priests, a Confraternity for Christian Doctrine, increased systems to the poor and needy, helped improve the model and manners of the clergy and laity, and much more. He was also very humble, gave much of what he had to the poor, and imposed severe penances on himself. Charles died in Milan in 1584, and was canonized in 1610. 

St. Charles Borromeo, pray for us!

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Picture Of and Information About St. Charles Taken From:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=212

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/saint.aspx?id=1189

http://www.scborromeo.org/saints/borromeo.htm

St. Martin de Porres

"Compassion is preferable to cleanliness. Reflect that with a little soap I can easily clean my bed covers, but even with a torrent of tears I would never wash from my soul the stain that my harshness toward the unfortunate would create."
- St. Martin de Porres (1579 - 1639)

Today is the feast day of St. Martin de Porres. Martin was born in Lima, Peru, in 1579. His father was a Spanish nobleman and his mother was a free black woman born in Panama. Martin grew up in poverty after his father abandoned his family, but years later his father came back and had him apprenticed to a barber-surgeon. At fifteen, Martin joined the Dominicans as a lay brother. He spent the rest of his life in Lima at the Dominican friary, and was endowed with many spiritual gifts (ex. bilocation and aerial flights). He was known especially for his great charity towards all creatures. He died in 1639, and was canonized in 1962 by John XXIII. 

St. Martin de Porres, pray for us!

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http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=306

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/saint.aspx?id=1188

http://www.turnbacktogod.com/st-martin-de-porres/

All Souls Day

"Virtue is nothing without the trial of temptation, for there is no conflict without an enemy, no victory without strife."
- St. Leo the Great (d. 461)

Today is the feast of All Souls. This feast came about in the 11th century when St. Odilo, the abbot of Cluny, France, ordered that all Clunaic monasteries say special prayers for the dead and sing the Office of the Dead on November 2, the day after All Saints Day. Eventually, the whole Church adopted this observance. 

All You Holy Souls, pray for us!

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Picture of and Information About All Souls Day Taken From:

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/saint.aspx?id=1187

http://www.wf-f.org/AllSouls.html

All Saints Day

"Actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak."
- St. Anthony of Padua (1195 - 1231)

Today is the Solemnity of All Saints. The feast day came about in the fourth century when there was a celebration to honor all the martyrs. This occasion occurred in May, and it is not certain how the date of November 1 was chosen for the Solemnity of All Saints. All that is known is that the theologian Alcuin and his friend Arno, the bishop of Salzburg, adopted the date of November 1 in commemoration of the saints in 800. The Church adopted the same date in the ninth century. 

All You Holy Men and Women of God, pray for us!

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Picture of and Information About All Saints Day Taken From:

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/saint.aspx?id=1186

http://www.turnbacktogod.com/november-01-all-saints-day/