Belated Saints of the day- Apr 5th- April 8th

 Apr 5- Bd Cresentia Hoss , Virgin    (A.D. 1744)

Born in 1682 to poor parents. She entered the convent of the 3rd Order Regular of St. Francis, at age 21. She was treated poorly, in the convent, at first, but eventually was recognized as a living saint. She later became the prioress of the convent in which she lived. Later on in her life, people would seek her out, at the convent, for advice and prayers. she died in 1744. even today, pilgrims still visit her tomb. She was beatified in 1900, by Pope Leo XIII.



 Apr 6- Bd Catherine of Pallanza, Virgin    (A.D. 1478)

Born in 1437 in Pallanza, Italy. Her entire family died of the plague when she was very young. She was rescued by a local lord and was placed in the care of and later adopted and educated by a noble woman in Milan. After the death of the woman who raised her, she became a hermitess in the mountains above Varese. She lived this austere life for 15 years. She was joined by other women who wished to imitate her, and she later started a community which followed the Augustinian rule. She founded a convent called Santa Maria di Monti. She died after 4 years of being prioress of the community, she died at age 40. She had the gift of prophesy. Her cultus was approved in 1769.



Apr 7- Bd Alexander Rawlins, Priest and Martyr  (A.D. 1595)

Born on the border between Worcestershire and Gloucestershire. He was educated at the English College at Rheims, in preparation for receiving Holy Orders. He and Bd Henry Walpole were executed together. Alexander had been working for the English mission ever since his ordination in March 1590. He had been arrested at about the time of Henry's return from the Tower to York castle. They were taken to the place of execution on the same hurdle. In order to keep them from talking to each other, they were laid with one's head at the feet of the other. Alexander was tortured and executed first, followed by Henry.


Apr 8- St Julia Billiart, Virgin      (A.D. 1816)

Blessed Mary Rose Julia Billiart was the child of fairly well to do peasant farmers. She was born in 1751 in Cuvilly, in Picardi, France. She was an intelligent girl who had a habit of teaching the catechism to other children. Her parish priest encouraged her to continue this practice and she was allowed to receive First Communion at age 9, which was rare in those days. She took a vow of chastity at age 14. Although she had to work very hard, when her family fell on hard times, she still took time to visit the sick, teach the ignorant and pray. Quite suddenly, after a gun was fired through a window at her father, whom she was sitting next to at the time, she became completely paralyzed, unable to use her arms or legs. She had become an invalid because of the shock of this event. She remained that way for 22 years. Throughout that time she continued to instruct children in catechism. During this time, she was also the co-foundress of an order called The Institute of Notre Dame de Namur. In 1804, during a mission held by the Fathers of Faith, in Amiens, which they entrusted to the sisters of the order, of which Mother Julia was the prioress, a novena was held for an unknown intention. On the 5th day, which was the Feast of the Sacred Heart, Father Enfantin asked Julia "Mother, if you have any faith, take one step in honor of the Sacred Heart". At this, Mother Julia stood for the first time in years, she was completely cured. During the years that followed, she continued to further the order which she had co-founded and at one point she suffered persecution and calumny from a young priest who turned many of her friends against her. She ended up relocating, with some of her sisters, to Namur, which later became the permanent location of the Mother House. Mother Julia spent the last 7 years of her  life founding more houses and training her spiritual daughters. She became sick in 1816 and was failing fast. She died on April 8, while reciting the Magnificat. She was beatified in 1906. She was canonized Jun 22, 1969, by Pope Paul XI.















                           

Belated Saints of the day - April 3rd and 4th

April 3- SS Agape, Chionia and Irene, Virgins and Martyrs (A.D. 304)
        
          In 303 Emperor Diocletian issued a decree making it illegal to have any portion of the Sacred Scriptures in a person's possession. At that time,  there were 3 Christian sisters living in Thessalonica in Macedonia named Agape, Chionia and Irene. Their parents were pagan, but they had become Christians and the owned several volumes of Sacred Scripture. They kept them so well hidden that they were not found until the following year, in 304. At that time, their home was searched after the sisters had been arrested on another charge.  They had been arrested, along with 3 others, for refusing to eat meat that had been sacrificed to the gods. Agape and Chionia  were later burned at the stake, for refusing to renounce their faith in Christ and for refusing to eat the sacrificial  meat.  Irene was imprisoned for a while and later brought again before the governor. No matter how much he tried to convince her to renounce her faith, she still refused to the very end, even after she realized that the Sacred Scriptures had been discovered in the home where she and her sisters had lived.  She was more cruelly treated. She was stripped and exposed in a brothel, which was being watched closely by guards. legend tells that she was miraculously concealed from view and protected from the advances of the men who came to the house. She also was martyred, legends say, either by being burned alive, after
being forced to herself into the flames, or, as some legends say, by being shot in the throat with an Arrow.

April 4- St Benedict the Black or Benedict the Moor,  Monk       (A.D. 1589)

            

      He was born in a village near Messina, Sicily, to poor Christian parents, who were African slaves,  and who were owned by a rich landowner. His father's name was Christopher. Christopher had been made foreman over the landowner's other slaves, and had been promised that his oldest son, Benedict, would be free. As a child, Benedict was sweet natured and religious. At the age of 10, he was nicknamed "the Holy Black", a moniker which stuck with him for life. One day, at the age of 21, while he was being ridiculed by a neighbor, and gently replying to the man's insults, because of his skin color and parentage, a young man named Lanzi, who was very impressed by Benedict's demeanor during these attacks, passed by and rebuked the man and prophesied that Benedict would soon be known for great things. Soon after this, Benedict sold his few worldly posessions and became a hermit. He, Lanzi, and their companions settled on Montepellegrino, near Palermo. soon after this, Lanzi, who had invited Benedict to join the hermits, died. Benedict was chosen superior in his place, even though he tried to refuse the position. At about the age of 38, Pope Pius IV decreed  that the hermits had to either disband or join an order. Benedict joined the Friars Minor of the Observance, and became a Lay-brother. At first, he worked as a cook. From this post, he became known for his little acts of kindness and his extraordinary goodness. When in the chapel, his face would often shine with an unearthly light, and food seemed to multiply miraculously in his hands. The order held a chapter in Palermo, where it was decided that the house of St Mary should become a convent of the reform. Therefore, Benedict was chosen as Guardian by the chapter. He couldn't read or write and this appointment bothered him. Still he obeyed and soon proved himself worthy of the assignment. Rumors of his sanctity and miracles soon spread all over Sicily. When he went to the chapter of his order, at Girgenti. Here, the clergy and people from all over came to meet him and to try to kiss his hand or obtain a piece of his habit as a relic.  Here, he was relived of the office of guardian and made vicar of the convent and novice-master. He also proved himself in this post. He was infused with an incomparable sacred knowledge of the Scriptures and sacred truths. he is known to have been endowed with the ability to read people's thoughts, and with great sympathy. He was happy when he was finally released from this post and could return to being a cook. However, he was no longer as obscure as he once was and he was continually visited by the poor and dignitaries alike, all seeking his help in some form. Although he never refused visitors, he shrank from praise and honors. Whenever he travelled, he covered his face in order to avoid recognition. He lived an austere life and ate only enough to sustain life. Benedict died in 1589, at age 63, after suffering a short illness.

    

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.