Belated Saint of the day- Bd Leopold of Gaiche- Apr 2

Blessed Leopold of Gaiche, Priest and Monk        (AD 1815)
         


He was born at Gaiche, in the diocese of Perugia. He was born to humble parents, and baptized John. He was educated by a priest from a nearby town. At age 18 he became a Franciscan friar at the friary of Citabola. He took the name Leopold. He was ordained a priest in 1757. Afterwards he was sent to preach courses of Lenten sermons, which he became famous for. Because of the eloquence and fervor with which he gave his sermons, many were converted, enemies were reconciled to each other, and people clamored to make their confessions to him. He was made
Papal missioner to the states of the church in 1768, and for 10 years he preached missions in several dioceses. Even after he was made minister provincial, he continued to preach his missions. Inspired by the examples of Bd Thomas of Cori and St Leonard of Port Maurice, he wanted to found a house where missioners and preachers could come for their yearly retreat and where other brothers and friends of the order could come for retreat. He met with many obstacles to this dream, until he was finally able to open a house on a lonely hill, called Monte Luco., which is near Spoleto. In 1808, Napoleon invaded Rome and imprisoned Pope Pius VII. The dictator suppressed religious houses, and forced the religious who occupied them to leave. At this time, Bd Leopold was 77. Because of Napoleon's invasion of Rome, He was forced to abandon the house he had founded, and had to live, with 3 of his fellow brothers, in a small, very poor hut in Spoleto. While in this town, he helped a local parish priest. Soon afterward, he had to take charge of a whole parish because its pastor had been driven into exile by Napoleon's army. Leopold was imprisoned for a while because he refused to take an oath which he believed to be unlawful. His imprisonment was short, and he was soon back to preaching missions again. His fame became even greater because of his powers of prophesy and strange things that began to happen in his presence, For example, during his sermons he often seemed to bear the marks of a crown of thorns. When Napoleon was finally overthrown, Leopold quickly made his way back to Monte Luco. There, he began the task of getting things back to the way they were before the French invasion of Rome. However, he only lived a few months after the dictators overthrow. He died on April 15, 1815, at age 83. Soon after his death, miracles were reported at his tomb, and his cause for beatification began quickly as a result. He was declared Blessed in 1893.

Belated Saint of the day- St Catherine of Palma- April 1

St Catherine of Palma, Virgin                (AD 1574)

St Catherine of Palma, also known as St Catherine Tomas, spent her whole life on the Island of  Majorca. She was born at Valdemuzza , and died in Palma. Catherine was the youngest of 7 children. Her parents died when she was 7, leaving her without an inheritance or a dowry. She spent her remaining formative years in the home of her paternal uncle. Even though she was very young, she was made to do the worst tasks. The servants were even encouraged to overwork and ignore her. Even so, she remained ever sweet and patient. At age 15, she began having visions of St Anthony and St Catherine; her patroness. It was then that she began to feel a calling to the Religious life. She confided these desires to a holy hermit priest, Father Antony Castagneda. Believing that Catherine needed time to discern if this was really her vocation, he told her that she would receive a reply in time, if she continued to pray about it, as he would also do. She agreed without question or argument. She had to wait a long time. The wait was made even more frustrating by the treatment she endured at the hands of her relations, who increased their mistreatment of her, because they feared losing her services. Father Antony hadn't forgotten her though. He was finding it very hard to find a convent that could afford to take a girl with no dowry. As a preliminary step to entering a convent, he sent Catherine to serve a family in Palma, where nothing could stand in the way of her spiritual life. one of the daughters in the household taught her reading and writing. This girl soon became Catherine's disciple in religious matters, since Catherine had already come very far on the road to holiness. Soon, several convents offered to take her. She decided to enter the Canonesses of St Augustine, at their convent of St Mary Magdalen in Palma. She was 20 years old at that time. From the moment she was admitted, she was admired by the other sisters, because of her sanctity, and loved because of her humility, and her willingness to serve others. The life of Catherine Tomas, in the convent, was ordinary at first, and there was nothing to distinguish her. Then, strange things began to happen to her. Every year, between 13 and 15 days before the feast of St Catherine of Alexandria, she would lay in a profound trance. Also, after communion, she would always remain in ecstasy, which would last most of the day, or sometimes a whole week. There were times when she appeared to be in a coma, with no signs of life, for days, but at other times, she would move around the convent with her feet together and her eyes closed, sometimes conversing with Angels and other heavenly beings and oblivious to everything and everyone around her. At other times she would intelligently answer questions, while in one of these "Comas". She also had the gift of prophesy. In between these events, she would be severely attacked and tempted by demons. she not only suffered evil suggestions and hallucinations, and physical manifestations of demons, but she also suffered physical assaults at their hands. When this happened, frightening screams and sounds could be heard coming from Catherine's cell. The other nuns could never see what was attacking her, but they could see what the attacks left in their wake, and they would try to relieve her suffering. She tried very hard not to let these experiences get in the way of the timely discharge of her work. She foretold her own death, and died at age 41. Catherine was beatified in 1792, and canonized in 1930. Her feast is April 1.

Belated Saint of the day -Blessed Bonaventure of Forli - March 31

Blessed Bonaventure of Forli, Monk           (AD 1491)


Blessed Bonaventure Tornielli Was born in Forli, Italy. He was the son of a good family. He entered the Order of Servites in 1448 at age 37. However, his austerity and fervor allowed him to make up for lost time quickly. After he was ordained Priest, he made preparation for a life of apostolic work by a year in solitude. After this period of retirement, he began to preach eloquently and successfully. He was specially commissioned by Pope Sixtus IV to undertake an apostolic mission. He traveled throughout the Papal states, Tuscany, and the Venetian Province. Everywhere he preached, his sermons produced a great reformation of life in many who heard him. Toward the end of 1488, Bonaventure was elected Vicar General of the Servites. In this office, he gave proof of wonderful administrative ability and charity. He continued his Missionary work until his death. He had just finished preaching for Lent in Udine when God called him to his Heavenly reward on Maundy Thursday 1491. He was worn out by age and his austerities. His relics were ultimately taken to Venice, where a cultus grew up around him, it was marked by many miraculous cures. This cultus was confirmed in 1911. His Feast is March 31.

Belated Saint of the day- Bl Dodo- Mar 30

Blessed Dodo, monk and hermit        (AD 1231)

Despite his obvious vocation to the religious life, Dodo's parents made him marry. When his father died, he was able to follow his vocation and enter the Premonsratensian Order. Meanwhile, his wife and  his mother entered a convent. With permission from the Abbot, he withdrew to a secluded place, where he lived a solitary life for 4 years.  his only visitors were the evil spirits, who tried to tempt him. He moved to another place in Friesland, called Asch or Hasch, where he increased his austerities. As he prostrated himself before a crucifix one day, the figure on it spoke. The figure told him that he would suffer a long time on the cross. Dodo had the gift of healing, and many people were cured at his hands. When he became a very old man, he was killed when a collapsing wall fell on him. After he died, The marks of Our Lord's Holy Wounds were said to have been found on his body. This may be the earliest known case of the Stigmata, however it may be possible that these wounds were caused by the wall falling on him. his feast is March 30.

Belated Saint of the Day- SS Jonas and Barachisius- Mar 29.

Saints Jonas and Barachisius (or Barachismus), Martyrs       (AD 327)

In the 18th year of the Reign of King Sapor II of Persia began a severe persecution of Christians.
Two monks from Beth-Iasa, named Jonas and Barachisias, heard that several Christians were being held prisoner, and had been sentenced to death at Hubaham. These 2 saints went to encourage these people to be strong in their faith, no matter what tortures or Martyrdom they faced, and to serve them. Of that group, 9 were crowned with Martyrdom. After these Christians had been executed, Jonas and Barachisias were arrested for going to the aid of the prisoners. The president of that area urged them to obey the King of Kings (King Sapor II), and to worship the sun. They answered that it was better to obey the immortal King of Heaven, than to obey an earthly prince. Barachisius was thrown into a narrow cell. Meanwhile, Jonas was kept at the court and commanded to sacrifice to the sun. The guards made him lay face down, flat on the ground, with a metal stake under the middle of his body. The guards then beat him with rods. The whole time Jonas continued to pray. The Judge ordered that he be put into a frozen pond. This also did nothing to dampen his faith in Christ. Later on, that day, Barachisius was brought back. The Judge told him that Jonas had given in and sacrificed.  Barachisius knew better, he replied that Jonas couldn't have given in, as he would never Worship fire, a created thing, and spoke zealously of God in his power  and infinite majesty. Therefore, the Judge decided that later hearings would be conducted under the cover of darkness. Meanwhile, they tortured Barachisius as well, in hopes of breaking his will. In the morning, Jonas was brought from the frozen pond. When asked if he had had an uncomfortable night, he replied that the cold was nothing, he had been comforted by thoughts of the sufferings of Christ. The Magians taunted him, saying that Barachisias had apostatized and sacrificed. Jonas interrupted their taunts, saying "I know that he long ago renounced the Devil and his angels!" The judges warned him to be careful or he might die, abandoned by both God and man. Jonas replied "If you possess your vaunted wisdom judge weather it is not wiser to sow corn rather than to hoard it. Our life is seed, sown to rise again in the world to come, where it will be renewed by Christ in immortal life." He continually defied his torturers until , after still more abuse, he was crushed to death in a wooden press. His body was then dismembered and thrown into a well. Guards were posted there afterwards, to make sure that the other Christians could not come and collect the Martyr's relics. After the Martyrdom of Jonas, Barachisius was then advised to give in and save his own body. The Martyr's reply was "This body I did not frame, neither will I destroy it. God who made it will restore it, and will judge you and your king." He was tortured once more, and was finally martyred by having hot pitch and brimstone poured into his throat. As soon as on old friend heard of their martyrdom, he bought their bodies for 500 drachmas and 3 silk robes, and a promise that he would take the secret of the sale to his grave. Their feast is March 29.
 

Belated Saint of the day- Saint Tutilo- Mar 28

St Tutilo, Religious               ( c. AD 915)

 

                                                                                                      Tutilo was educated at the celebrated Benedictine Monastery of Saint-Gall, by Iso and Marcellus. Two of his classmates were Bd Notker Balbulus and Ratpert. All 3 later became monks in that same Abbey. Tutilo was appointed head of the cloister school, and Notker became the librarian. Tutilo was handsome, eloquent and had a quick wit.  He was a universal genius and jack of all trades. He is said to have been a poet, a gifted speaker, an architect, a painter, a sculptor, a metal worker, a mechanic and a musician, able to play every instrument which were taught to the monastery scholars. He is said to have written many hymns and sequences, and to have written words for the last Alleluia in the Gradual. He was admired by King Charles the Fat, who said that it was a shame that such a genius was closed up in a monastery. St Tutilo did his best to stay out of the spotlight, and avoid compliments. When he had to go into cities, because his talents were in such high demand, he did everything he could to avoid being noticed. So much so, in fact, that he didn't even sign his many works of art. There are still a number of artworks attributed to him all over France. Of his musical works, only 3 eligies and 1 hymn have been published. He died in about 915. He was buried in the Chapel of St Catherine, which was renamed St Tutilo's after him. His feast is March 28.

Belated Saint of the day- Bd William Tempier- Mar 27

Blessed William Tempier, Bishop of Poitiers              (AD 1197)

           He was the 46th Bishop of Poitiers, he was also the third Bishop to be named William.  He was born in Poitiers. He entered the Monastery of St Hilare-de-la-Celle in his home city, at a very early age, and became a canon regular. He became well known for his piety and austerity, and he soon rose to the rank of Superior. In 1184, he was chosen as Bishop, to succeed John in the Episcopal see of Poitiers.  He greatly opposed Simony, and of any secular control ecclesiastical affairs. He endured calumny and persecution while defending the churches rights. He died in 1197 and was buried behind the High altar in the church of St Cyprian in Poitiers. His tomb became a pilgrimage site because of the miracles of healing which had been reported there.  His feast is March 27.                                            

Belated Saint of the day- St Castulus- March 26

St Castulus, Martyr        (AD 286)

            During the reign of Emperor Diocletian, Pope St Caius became very worried about the safety of the Christians in Rome. Legend tells of St Castulus, a zealous Christian who was chamberlain to the Emperor himself, had offered to arrange to arrange for religious services to be held at the palace itself, Since no one was likely to search for Christians hiding there. Still further, he supposedly sheltered Christians in his own home, which was next to the palace, and showed them a safe place to meet. Yet, he did not settle for serving the church in this way. He and his friend, Tiburtius, went throughout Rome, evangelizing and converting many, and subsequently bringing them to the Pope to be baptized. Eventually, an apostate Christian named Torquatus turned St Castulus in and brought him to the Prefect of Rome, Fabian. Castulus was viciously  tortured. He was then thrown into a pit and asphyxiated with sand. A cemetery and a church on the Via Labicana were named for him. His feast is March 26.

Belated Saint of the Day- St Dismas- Mar 25

 

St Dismas, The Good Theif           (AD 29)



Not much is known of this saint, other than that he was crucified at the right hand of Our Lord Jesus Christ on Calvary. It was he who rebuked the thief on the left of Christ, who is traditionally called Gestas.  St. Dismas is most often called the Good Thief. It was Dismas who said "Jesus, Remember me when you come into your kingdom", to which Our Lord replied "Amen I say to you, this day you shall be with me in paradise." His feast is March 25.

Belated Saint of the day- St Irenaeus of Sirmium- Mar 24

St Irenaeus of Sirmium, Bishop and Martyr           (AD 304)

        Sirmium was the Capital of Pannonia, Pannonia is now modern day Serbia, Sirmium was on the site of what is now Mitrovica, which is 40 or so miles to the West of present day Belgrade, Serbia.
St Irenaeus, apart from his role as leader of the Christians in that area, was also a man of influence in the city itself. During the persecution of Diocletian, Irenaeus was arrested as a Christian, and brought before Probus, the governor of Pannonia. He commanded Irenaeus to sacrifice to the gods. Irenaeus refused saying "He that sacrifices to the gods will be cast into hell-fire!" Probus said "The edicts of the most clement emperors require that all should sacrifice to the gods or suffer under the law."  Irenaeus is said to have replied "The law of my God bids me rather to suffer all torments than to sacrifice to the gods." He was strung on the rack and tortured. The guards told him to relent and sacrifice, but his resolve was unshakeable. His relatives gathered around him, and begged him to relent. his wife put her arms around him and pleaded with him to give in, for his children's sake.  His children begged him to change his mind, as well. Irenaeus steeled himself  against their cries, ou of fear that he would be offering a divided allegiance to God. He repeated the words of Our Lord Jesus, "If anyone  renounces me before men, him will I renounce before my Father who is in Heaven." He avoided making a direct answer to those who pleaded with him.  He was thrown into prison once more. He was kept there for a long time . He suffered more hardships and tortures. but he unflinchingly remained faithful to his Lord and Master. A second trial was as ineffective as  the first had been. A sentence of death was passed down from the emperor, for Irenaeus' disobedience to imperial edicts. He was sentenced to be drowned in the river. Irenaeus argued that such a death was no worthy of the cause he was suffering for. He asked to be given the chance to prove that a faithful Christian could endure whatever tortures were done to him. The Judge conceded that this brave martyr should be beheaded and his body thrown from the bridge into the river. His feast is March 24.

Belated Saint of the Day- Bl Sibyllina of Pavia- Mar 23

 
                  
Blessed Sibyllina of Pavia, Virgin                  (AD 1367)


         Sibyllina Biscossi was orphaned as a small child, in the town of Pavia, Italy. She was made to earn her keep as a maid-servant by the age of 10.  She could not read or write and at age 12, she became totally blind. When her blindness made it so that she couldn't do any meaningful work, some lay religious took her in, to live with them. Sibyllina was a devout child. She had a great deal of faith. She was convinced, for some time, that if she prayed hard enough to St Dominic, she would obtain the cure of her blindness. The days went by, and still no cure. When all hope of a miracle had practically left her, she had a dream or vision. In it, she felt she was being led by the hand through a long dark tunnel, by St Dominic. All around her she could feel the presence of evil spirits. This might have caused her to faint, from fear, had it not been for the comforting presence of her guide. At the very end of the tunnel, she saw a faint glimmer of light. It became brighter as they came nearer to it. In the end , the arrived in a place of profound peace and light. When she woke up, she had no doubt that God meant for her to remain blind. So, she decided to embrace her blindness, and to second God's Divine purpose for her. Since she was already an exile from the world, she decided to become a recluse, and had herself shut up in a cell, beside the Dominican Church in Pavia. At first, she had a roommate, but she died after 3 years, and no one came to take her place. She lived an austere life as a solitary. She lived to be 80 years old. people from all over, and from all walks of life came to seek her advice, and to talk with her, through the window of her cell. Many miracles were attributed to her intercession. It is said that she was especially devoted to the Holy Spirit, and that she believed Whitsunday to be the most important feast of the year. When she died, she had been a recluse for 65 years. Her body was still incorrupt in 1853. Her feast is Mar 23.

Belated Saint of the day- St Basil of Ancyra- March 22

St Basil of Ancyra, Priest and Martyr            (AD 362)

Basil was a priest in Ancyra, in the middle of the 4th century, a time when Arians and semi-Arians were spreading their doctrines in the area. He had been trained by the saintly Bishop Marcellus, in the full doctrine of the Catholic faith, and was known for his holiness.
After Marcellus was banished by the Arian Emperor Constantius, and a Semi-Arian, also called Basil, had invaded his see, St Basil never stopped encouraging people to stay strong in the Orthodox faith. In 360, the extreme Arians gained the upper hand in the see of Ancyra. They not only un seated the Semi-Arian Bishop, Basil, but also ordered the degradation of St Basil. They forbade him to  hold any kind of religious gathering. Basil disregarded the orders, continued to support and encourage his own flock, persuaded many Arians to return to the church, and boldly defended the Catholic Faith, even before the Emperor Constantius himself.  When Julian the Apostate took the throne, persecution stopped for a while, since the Emperor used more subtle means to Undermine the faith. There were cases where he became impatient with well known Christian leaders and permitted -if he didn't actually urge- their punishment, for having continued to teach the faith.  Basil, who continued to do everything in his power to undermine Imperial policy in Ancyra, was arrested and accused of sedition, of overturning pagan altars, of turning people against the gods, and of speaking irreverently against the Emperor and his religion. He boldly confessed his faith, and was subsequently hung by his wrists and his ankles, and having his flesh torn with rakes, his persecutors threw him in prison, and eventually put him to death.  He is not to be confused with his better known  opponent, Bishop Basil of Ancyra.  His feast is Mar 22.

Belated saint of the Day- St Serapion of Thumis- Mar 21

St Serapion, Bishop of Thumis       (Died  c. AD 370)

Often called "The Scholastic", because of his knowledge of both Sacred and secular subjects. He was the headmaster of the catechetical school in Alexandria. After this, he retired to the desert, where he became a monk, and became friends with St Antony, who left one of his tunics to St Serapion when he died. St Serapion felt himself drawn from his retreat to rule the see of Thumis, a city in Lower Egypt, which was near Diospolis. He was part of the Council of Sardica in 347. He was close to St Athanasius in defending the Catholic faith. St Jerome states that he was banished by Emperor Constantius. It was this Saint who informed St Athanasius of the new Macedonian Heresy, which was being spread at that time. The 4 letters  written by St Athanasius, from his hideaway in the desert, to St Serapion, were the first refutation of this heresy that was published. St Serapion was very successful in preaching against the Arian and Macedonian heresys. He also wrote a wonderful book which refuted the Manichean Heresy. He wrote several letters, and a treatise on the titles of the Psalms, which have been lost. His most important work is the "Euchologion", which was discovered and published at the end of the 17th Century.  Socrates said that St Serapion summarized Christian perfection in this way "The mind is purified by spiritual knowledge (holy meditation and prayer), the spiritual passions of the soul by charity, and the irregular appetites by abstinence and penance." He is thought to have died in exile. however, the exact date of his death isn't known.

Belated St of the Day- St Martin of Braga- Mar 20

St Martin, Archbishop of Braga, Portugal.    (Died AD 579)


An intelligent young man, he was said, by St Gregory of Tours, to have surpassed many of the scholars of his time.  It was also said of him, by the Christian poet Fortunatus, to have been very holy and to have "earned the name of St. Martin of Tours". The two are not to be confused. St Martin of Tours was a Roman Soldier, this St Martin was an Archbishop. Legend says he made a pilgrimage to Palestine. He later made his way to Galicia in Spain, probably with some returning Pilgrims.  Here, a group called the Suevi  ruled the area, and had been spreading the Arian Heresy. St Martin, by  his sincere preaching, soon brought Galicia back to the Catholic Church. He began by converting King Theodomir, and subsequently converted other other Arians and Catholics who had lapsed. He built many monasteries, the most important of which was Dumium, which served as the home base for his missionary efforts. The Suevian Monarchs, out of their great respect for this Saint, made Dumium the Seat of a bishopric. St Martin became its first bishop. He was so closely tied to the royals that he became known as "the Bishop of the Royal Family". However, he never became lax in governing his monks.  He was soon promoted to the See of Braga, thus becoming the Metropolitan of all of Galicia, a dignity that he held until his death. Besides his missionary work, he also did a great service to the church, by his writings. the most important of these are a collection of 84 canons, a "Formula vitae honestae"; a guide to the good life written at the request of King Miro, "De correctionae rusticorum" which was a description of  the superstitious customs of the local peasants, a symposium of moral rules, and a selection of the sayings of  the Egyptian hermits. St Martin died at his monastery in Dumium. His body was translated to Braga in 1606.

Tomahawk Associates News

The Associates of the Tomahawk Cluster are going to be studying the book "The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic" by Matthew Kelly, as our project for the next few months. The 4 signs are Prayer, Study, Generosity, and Evangelization. It was very insightful to see how each of us practiced each of the 4 signs, and where we are on the "scale". We discussed the first 2 chapters in last month's meetings, and will continue to study 2 (or more) chapters at each meeting, if time allows. We strongly recommend this book to everyone, no matter where you are on your spiritual journey as a Dynamic Catholic.  Peace and God Bless.