ST CHARLES BORROMEO, PATRON SAINT OF SEMINARIANS AND CATECHISTS ; ARCHBISHOP OF MILAN AND CARDINAL (AD 1538-1584) St. Charles Borromeo was born into a noble family near Lake Maggiore, Italy. He studied at a Benedictine abbey and later continued his education in Milan and Pavia, earning a doctorate in canon law in 1552. His uncle, Pope Pius IV, appointed him Secretary of State and made him Cardinal of Milan. St. Charles played an important role in persuading the Pope to reconv

ST ANTHONY MARY CLARET (1807-1870) BISHOP, MISSIONARY, FOUNDER, AND CONFESSOR TO A QUEEN EARLY LIFE AND PRIESTHOOD Born on December 23, 1807, in Sallent, Spain, the fifth of eleven children. Worked in famiy business; textile manufacturer. Ordained a priest on June 13, 1835 Became a traveling missionary, preaching throughout Sapin and the Canary Islands. Concerned about sinners and encouraged frequent confession, devotion to the Eucharist, and love for the Blessed Mother. In

LAWYER, GOVERNOR, FRANCISCAN PRIEST AND PREACHER. EARLY YEARS Born June 24, 1386 in Capistrano, Italy. Highly educated. Studied Law at the University of Perugia. At the age of 26 became governor of Perugia. Was on path for a distinguished political career. IMPRISONMENT During a political conflict was imprisoned. No more authority over others but powerless behind prison walls. Had vision of St Francis of Assisi, calling him to abandon worldly ambitions and follow Christ. PO

POPE ST JOHN PAUL II ( 5/18/1920-4/2/2005) "Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ!" (JP II) EARLY YEARS: Karol Jozef Wojtyta was born in Wadowice, Poland, on May 18, 1920. His mother died when he was 8, his brother died after contracting scarlet fever and his father died in 1941 leaving Karol without immediate family by the age of 20. These experiences of suffering helped him turn to and grow closer to God. HIS YOUTH DURING WORLD WAR II When Nazi Germany invaded P

“It is true that sometimes we find ourselves confused and weak. But there is no confusion with God, there is no weakness with God’s power, because it is certain that in our battles the divine majesty helps us with a powerful arm. And so we can be joyful and grow in strength, by accepting God’s will. And so live in most holy works for all eternity.” From a letter of Saint Gerard, January 22, 1752 Gerard Majella was born in Muro Lucano, Italy on April 6, 1726, into a family of

“While he was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” (Luke 11: 27-28) At a purely natural level, the conception of, God made Man, in the womb of one of his creatures, speaks not only of an incomprehensible level of humility on His part, but at the same time an incomprehensible singular privilege give

15 "While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him." (Lk 24:15) REFLECTION Life is so full of unexpected events that rock our faith or even cause us to become disillusioned, as was the case with these two disciples on their way from Jerusalem to Emmaus, after the crucifixion and death of our Lord. They had even heard that our Jesus had resurrected but apparently not convinced, in t

"But speak thou the things that become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, chaste, prudent, sound in faith, in love, in patience. The aged women, in like manner, in holy attire, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teaching well. That they may teach the young women to be wise, to love their husbands, to love their children. To be discreet, chaste, sober, having a care of the house, gentle, obedient to their husbands: that the word of God be not blasphemed. Youn

"If God causes you to suffer much, it is a sign that He has great designs for you, and that He certainly intends to make you a saint. And if you wish to become a great saint, entreat Him yourself to give you much opportunity for suffering; for there is no wood better to kindle the fire of holy love than the wood of the cross, which Christ used for His own great sacrifice of boundless charity." - Saint Ignatius Loyola Our Lord Jesus himself, all the great Saints, and the whol

"Seventy is the sum of our years, or eighty, if we are strong; Most of them are toil and sorrow; they pass quickly, and we are gone." (Psalm 90: 10) This past 79th birthday was not like any previous birthday that comes and goes like almost any other day. This one made me contemplate many things: - First, how fast the years have past. Serious health events can manifest themselves suddenly, although maybe developed quietly over years ; three months ago I had two strokes back t

Meek "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves." (Matt.11:29) Jesus invites us to trade our yoke for His; wait, a 'yoke', like a beast of burden - yes, like it or not we all have one; our human existence in this life demands it, we labor each day to pull our load in one form or another. And by interacting with one another we are bound to get hurt, or hurt someone else with our words or deeds - we'll even

ST ISIDORE THE FARMER Welcome, today we study St Isidore, AD 1130. Feast Day May 15. Born in Madrid and named after the archbishop of Seville. Worked in the service of a wealthy farmer in Madrid as a farm laborer. Married and had one child who died young. Both he and his wife served God. St Isidore would go to daily Mass, and all day while ploughing he would commune with God or his guardian angel, or with the holy saints. St Isidore was very generous in feeding the poor his

Today is the solemnity of Saint Joseph; the only man and Saint who was privileged to be called "father" by Our Lord Jesus; the only man whom Jesus promptly obeyed his every command; the only man whom he looked upon with deepest admiration, respect, and love; the man who personified the inevitable influence a father has on his son (or daughter) by his example. Jesus would later stress the importance of it. “Amen, amen, I say to you, a son cannot do anything on his own, but onl

"If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together." (1 Corinthians 12: 26) How true it is, when one member of the mystical body suffers, we all suffer. If one member is honored, all rejoice. Like Job, we don't understand suffering other than we know it either sanctifies us, or embitters us - it’s about trusting our Heavenly Father! Jesus, to give us example, endured great suffering, His mother, Our Lady of Sorrows, endured great suf

"Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return " or "Repent, and believe in the Gospel" Today is Ash Wednesday . Lent begins. The three traditional Lenten practices are fasting, almsgiving (acts of charity) and praying. We are called to follow Jesus into the desert. Fasting is a discipline of the Catholic Church. Fasting is a powerful form of prayer, helps us discern God’s will, express sorrow for sins, work on humility and helps us detach from worldly thing

We frequently repeat, "God is good, and all the time God is good!" And it's forever true!!! Throughout the night, this scripture went through my mind; it's for me and for each of you. Cling to it! "Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asks for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him." (Mt. 7: 9 - 1

St. Thomas Aquinas (born in Italy in 1225) was a very important teacher in the Catholic Church. His family was rich and wanted him to have a powerful job in the Church, but Thomas wanted to serve God in a simple way. He joined the Dominican Order, a group of priests and brothers who preached and taught about God. Thomas was quiet and loved to study and pray. His teacher, St. Albert the Great, saw how smart he was and said Thomas would become famous one day. Thomas became a pr

""Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and get gain"; whereas you do not know about tomorrow. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and we shall do this or that."" (James 4: 13-14) REFLECTION Saint James enjoyed considerable authority in Jerusalem and outside of Palestine. Here he gives us gol

Reading 1 Isaiah 7:10-14 The LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying: Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God; let it be deep as the netherworld, or high as the sky! But Ahaz answered, "I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!" Then Isaiah said: Listen, O house of David! Is it not enough for you to weary people, must you also weary my God? Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel. REFLECTION “…let it be d

“”Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”” (Lk 23: 42-43) We are familiar with this scene of the crucifixion: Jesus the image of the invisible God, the innocent Lamb of God, hanging on the cross between two criminals: one, in his anger, reviled him in his last moment of life; the other, believed and asked, Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus, mercy