St Alcuin of York
Bl Augustine Novello
St Calocerus of Rome
St Pope Celestine V (1210-1296)
Biography: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/05/19/saint-of-the-day-19-may-st-pope-celestine-v/
St Crispin of Viterbo
St Cyriaca of Nicomedia and Companions
St Cyril of Trèves
St Dunstan of Canterbury
St Evonio of Auvergne
St Hadulph of Saint-Vaast
Bl Humiliana de’ Cerchi
St Ivo Hélory of Kermartin TOSF (1253-1303)
An interesting man and Saint: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/05/19/saint-of-the-day-19-may-st-ivo-of-kermartin-1253-1303-advocate-of-the-poor/
Bl Jean-Baptiste-Xavier Loir
Bl Józef Czempiel
Bl Juan of Cetina
Bl Louis Rafiringa
Bl Lucinio Fontanil Medina
St Parthenius of Rome
Bl Peter de Duenas
Bl Peter Wright
St Philoterus of Nicomedia
St Pudens of Rome
St Pudentiana of Rome
St Theophilus of Corte
St Maria Bernarda Bütler (1848-1924)
Category: SAINT of the DAY
Quote/s of the Day – 18 May – What is Faith?
Quote/s of the Day – 18 May – Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter, C, John 14:7–14 and the Memorial of St Felix of Cantalice O.F.M. Cap.(1515-1587) “Brother Deo Gratias”
What is Faith?
First, faith is simple.
We believe in God – in God,
who is the Beginning
and End of human life.
We believe in a God,
who enters into a relationship
with us human beings,
who is our origin and our future.
Consequently, faith is,
always and inseparably, hope –
the certainty that we have a future
and will not end up as nothing.
And faith is love,
since God’s love is “contagious”.
This is the first thing –
we simply believe in God
and this brings with it,
hope and love.
Pope Benedict XVI
Regensburg Homily Tuesday 12 September 2006
and we thank God for our faith with St Felix!
“Deo Gratias”
“Thank God”
St Felix of Cantalice (1515-1587)
“Brother Deo Gratias”
Saint of the Day – 18 May – Blessed William of Toulouse OSA (c 1297-1369)
Saint of the Day – 18 May – Blessed William of Toulouse OSA (c 1297-1369) Augustinian Priest, Preacher, apostle of prayer and charity, spiritual adviser – born in c 1297 in Toulouse, France and died on 18 May 1369 in Toulouse, France of natural causes.
Today we remember a French Augustinian who excelled in preaching the word of God. By means of his own deep interior life and attentiveness to Scripture, his influence on the people of his day through this preaching and pastoral work, as well as through the gift of spiritual direction, was significant and widespread. He was loved and admired by the people, who recognised his holiness and the power of his intercession.
William was born in Toulouse, France, around the year 1297. At the age of 19 he entered the Augustinian monastery in his native city and was sent to study in Paris where he received the title of lector in theology. 
Afterwards he devoted himself especially to the ministry of preaching, for which he became well known and respected, and through which he drew many others to embrace the religious life.
Except for a brief period when he was Prior in Pamiers, he seems to have spent his whole religious life in Toulouse, in the monastery of Saint’Etienne, where, in 1341, the Order’s General Chapter was held.
William died in Toulouse on 18 May 1369 and was buried in the cemetery of his monastery. Not long after, because of the veneration of the people who regarded him as a saint and wonder-worker, his remains were transferred to the chapel of Saint Mary Magdalene where he was accustomed to celebrate Mass. Pope Leo XIII confirmed his cult in 1893.
William’s methodology as a preacher was – pray, contemplate and only then speak of God, otherwise the preacher’s words will not touch the heart of his listeners but become lost in the rafters of the church. As a man of prayer and recollection, he was much sought after as a spiritual director and after his death, his people continued to revere and pray to him for his intercession.
Memorials of the Saints – 18 May
St Pope John I (c 470 – 526) – He was Pope from 13 August 523 to his death in 526. (Optional Memorial)
Biography: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/05/18/saint-of-the-day-18-may-st-pope-john-i/
—
Bl Burchard of Beinwil
St Dioscorus of Kynopolis
St Elgiva of Shaftesbury
St Eric of Sweden
St Felix of Cantalice OFM Cap.(1515-1587)
All about St Felix: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/05/18/saint-of-the-day-18-may-st-felix-of-cantalice-o-f-m-cap-1515-1587/
St Felix of Spoleto
St Feredarius of Iona
Bl Jan Oprzadek
St Merililaun
St Ortasio of Alexandria
St Potamon of Heraclea
St Serapione of Alexandria
Bl Stanislaw Kubski
St Venantius of Camerino
Bl William of Toulouse OSA (c 1297-1369)
—
Martyrs of Ancyra – 8 saints: Seven nuns martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian and the innkeeper who was executed for giving them a Christian burial: Alexandria, Claudia, Euphrasia, Julitta, Matrona, Phaina, Thecusa and Theodatus. c.304 in Ancyra, Galatia (in modern Turkey)
Quote/s of the Day – 17 May – from the “Seraph of the Eucharist”
Quote/s of the Day – 17 May – Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter, C and the Memorial of St Paschal Baylon OFM. (1540-1592) “Seraph of the Eucharist” – Patron of Eucharistic Congresses
“God is as really present
in the consecrated Host
as He is, in the glory of Heaven.”
“There is no more efficacious means than this
(Eucharistic Adoration)
for nourishing and increasing the piety of the people
toward this admirable pledge of love
which is a bond of peace and of unity.”
“O Father Eternal God,
Grant me faith and courage.
Son, wisdom of the Father,
grant me light and make me wise.
Holy Spirit, beloved of Father and Son,
inflame my heart and purify my soul,
that I may approach
this majestic Sacrament,
with faith and love.”
St Paschal Baylon (1540-1592)
“Seraph of the Eucharist”
One Minute Reflection – 27 April – “I will not mistrust Him…”
One Minute Reflection – 27 April – Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter C, – Gospel: John 14:1-6 and the Memorial of St Paschal Baylon and St Giulia Salzano
“Let not your hearts be troubled, believe in God, believe also in me.“…John 14:1
REFLECTION – “I will not mistrust Him, Meg, although I shall feel myself weakening and on the verge of being overcome with fear. I shall remember how St Peter at a blast of wind, began to sink, because of his lack of faith and I shall do as he did – call upon Christ and pray to Him for help. And then I trust, He shall place His holy hand on me and in the stormy seas, hold me up from drowning.”…St Thomas More (1478-1535)
PRAYER – “[Lord God] I believe in You, increase my faith. All my hopes are in You, secure my trust. I love You, teach me to love You more each day… I adore You as my first beginning, I long for You as my final end. I praise You as my constant helper and call on You as my loving protector. Guide me by Your Wisdom, correct me with Your Justice, comfort me with Your Mercy, protect me by Your Power… Lord, enlighten my understanding, enflame my will, purify my heart, sanctify my soul. Help me to repent of my past sins and to rise above my human weaknesses and to grow stronger as a Christian…”(from the Universal Prayer by Pope Clement XI (1649-1721)
Saint of the Day – 17 May – Saint Giulia Salzano (1846-1929)
Saint of the Day – 17 May – Saint Giulia Salzano (1846-1929) Professed Religious Sister, Founder of the Catechetical Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (1905), Teacher, Catechist. She is the Patron of the Order she founded.
Giulia Salzano was born in Santa Maria Capua Vetere in the province of Caserta on 13 October 1846, the daughter of Adelaide Valentino and Diego Salzano, a Captain in the Lancers of King Ferdinand II of Naples. Her father died when she was four and she was entrusted for her upbringing to the Sisters of Charity in the Royal Orphanage of Saint Nicola La Strada, where she remained until she was fifteen. She earned a teaching diploma and then taught in the local school at Casoria, in the Province of Naples, having moved there with her family in October 1865.
Alongside her teaching, she had a great interest in the catechism, imparting the faith to children, young people and adults She also encouraged devotion to the Virgin Mary.
Together with Blessed Caterina Volpicelli she promoted love of and devotion to the Sacred Heart, living the motto: “Ad maiorem Cordis Iesu gloriam” – “To the greater glory of the Sacred Heart.”
In her constant concern to make known the teachings and life of Jesus through education and witness, she founded the Congregation of the Catechetical Sisters of the Sacred Heart in 1905.
She devoted her life to the charism of catechesis, affirming: “While I have any life left in me, I will continue to teach the catechism. And then, I assure you, I would be very happy to die teaching the catechism”.
In the same way she exhorted her daughters: “The Sister catechist must be ready, at every moment, to instruct the little ones and the uneducated. She must not count the sacrifices such a ministry demands, indeed she should desire to die while doing it, if this be God’s will”.
Another Beatus, Ludovico da Casoria (1814–1885), in an almost prophetic style predicted: “Take care not to be tempted to abandon the children of our dear Casoria, because it is God’s will that you should live and die among them”. And so it was.
She died on 17 May 1929. The previous morning she had met with 100 children preparing for their First Communion. Her remains are housed in the motherhouse of the order in Casoria at Piazza Giovanni Pisa.
“Donna Giulietta”, as she was called by the people of Casoria, was so known for her holiness, that on 29 January 1937 the Cause for her Canonisation was introduced. On 25 January 1994 the Positio, a voluminous dossier on her life, virtues and reputation for sanctity, was consigned to the Congregation for the Causes for Saints. On 23 April 2002 Pope John Paul II ordered the publication of the Decree recognising the heroic nature of her virtues.
On 20 December of the same year Pope John Paul II signed the Decree recognising a miracle attributed to the intercession of Giulia Salzano, and declared her Blessed” …Vatican.va
She was Canonised by Pope Benedict XVI on 17 October 2010.
“In advance of her time, she was an apostle of the new evangelisation in which she combined apostolic activity with prayer, offered ceaselessly, especially for the conversion of the “indifferent”. This new Blessed, encourages us to persevere in faith and never to lose our confidence in God who does all things. Called to be the apostles of modern times, may believers also be inspired by Blessed Julia Salzano “to instil in many creatures the immense charity of Christ”. – St Pope John Paul II, from his homily during the beatification of Blessed Giulia
Memorials of the Saints – 17 May
St Adrione of Alexandria
Bl Antonia Messina
Bl Bernard of Verdun
St Cathan of Bute
St Fionnchan of Druim-Eanaigh
St Giulia Salzano (1846-1929)
St Heraclius of Noviodunum
Bl Ivan Ziatyk
St Madron of Cornwall
St Maildulf of Malmesbury
St Maw
St Paschal Baylon OFM (1540-1592) The Saint of the Blessed Sacrament
About this beautiful Saint: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/05/17/saint-of-the-day-17-may-st-paschal-baylon-o-f-m-1540-1592-the-seraph-of-the-eucharist/
St Paul of Noviodunum
St Peter Lieou
St Rasso of Grafrath
St Restituta of Carthage
St Silaus of Lucca
St Solochanus of Chalcedon
St Thethmar
St Victor Roma
—
Martyrs of Alexandria – 3 saints: Three Christians martyred together; no details about them have survived except their names: Adrio, Basilla and Victor. 4th century Alexandria, Egypt.
Martyrs of Nyon: A group of Christians martyred together in the persecutions of Diocletian. We know little more than three of their names: Aquilinus, Heradius and Paul. 303 at Noyon, Switzerland.
One Minute Reflection – 16 May – “Whoever receives the one I send, receives me..”
One Minute Reflection – 16 May – Thursday of the Fourth week of Easter, C, Gospel: John 13:16–20 and the Memorial of St Brandan the Navigator
“Whoever receives the one I send, receives me”...John 13:20
REFLECTION – “But, in order to keep the Gospel forever, whole and alive, within the Church, the Apostles left bishops as their successors, “handing over” to them “the authority, to teach in their own place.”(Saint Irenaeus) This sacred tradition, therefore and Sacred Scripture, of both the Old and New Testaments, are like a mirror in which the pilgrim Church on earth looks at God, from whom she has received everything, until she is brought finally, to see Him as He is, face to face (1 John 3:2)…”...Vatican II – Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation “ Dei Verbum ”, #7-8
PRAYER – Lord God, stand by us in Your saving work and stay with us in Your gifts of grace. You have rescued us from the darkness, keep us ever in Your light. We ask that You hear the intercession of Mary, the Blessed Virgin Mother and St Brendan, whom we beseech for help as we work to reach our heavenly home. Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen
Saint of the Day – 16 May – St Brendan the Navigator (c 484–c 577)
Saint of the Day – 16 May – St Brendan the Navigator (c 484–c 577) Priest, Abbot, founder of many Monasteries also known as “of Clonfert,” “the Voyager,” “the Anchorite” and “the Bold” is one of the early Irish Monastic Saints and one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. – born in c 484 at Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland and died in c 577 at Annaghdown (Enach Duin). Patronages – boatmen, divers, mariners, sailor, travellers, whales, portaging canoes, Diocese of Clonfer, Diocese of Kerry. He is primarily renowned for his legendary quest to the “Isle of the Blessed”, also called “Saint Brendan’s Island”.
Brendan was born in Tralee in what would one day be known as County Kerry, Ireland, about the year 484 (just 10 years after the death of St Patrick). He was baptised at Tubrid, near Ardfert, by Saint Erc. He spent his first year with his parents, then he went to the home of the local chieftain, three miles to the East. He returned to his family at the end of his fifth year and completed his studies under Saint Erc, who ordained him priest in 510.
Between the years 510 and 530 St Brendan built monastic cells at Ardfert and, at the foot of Mount Brandon, Shanakeel— Seana Cill, usually translated as “the old church”.
From here he is said to have set out on his famous seven year voyage for Paradise. The old Irish Calendars assigned a special feast and St Aengus the Culdee, in his Litany composed at the close of the eighth century, invokes “the sixty who accompanied St Brendan in his quest for the “Land of Promise”.
Many versions of the legendary journey to The Isle of the Blessed exist, that tell of how he set out onto the Atlantic Ocean with sixty pilgrims (other versions have fourteen, plus three unbelievers who join at the last minute) searching for the Garden of Eden and his entire journey is based around the Liturgical year, with his landings and discovery of land, coinciding with the seasons and feasts.
This would have occurred sometime between 512-530, before his travel to the island of Great Britain. On his trip, Brendan is supposed to have seen St Brendan’s Island, a blessed island covered with vegetation.
The most commonly illustrated adventure is his landing on an island which turns out to be a giant sea monster called Jasconius or Jascon. This has its parallels in other stories, not only in Irish mythology but in other traditions, from Sinbad the Sailor to Pinocchio.
As the legend of the seven years voyage spread, crowds of pilgrims and students flocked to Ardfert. Religious houses were formed at Gallarus, Kilmalchedor, Brandon Hill, and Inistooskert in the Blasket Islands, in order to meet the wants of those who came for spiritual guidance from Saint Brendan.
While the story of The Voyage of Brendan is filled with wonderful images, many modern scholars believe it has a historical foundation. Some claim that Brendan’s voyage brought him to the shores of North America, making him and his companions the first Europeans to reach the continent, nearly a thousand years before Columbus. 
In 1977, a modern aviator built a replica of Brendan’s boat and retraced his route across the Atlantic to Newfoundland, proving that such a journey was indeed possible.
Whether or not Brendan’s voyage is historically factual, the story speaks to us throughout the centuries. We, too, are on a journey. God has invited us to travel with our companions and to invite others to journey with us along the way. We are cared for by the Steward and often make the journey through the years from Epiphany to Holy Thursday to Easter. We encounter many strange and wonderful things along the way. And, in the end, we, too, are promised that we will be brought safely home.
Brendan travelled to Wales and the holy island of Iona, off the west coast of Scotland and finally on returning to Ireland, he founded a monastery in Annaghdown, where he spent the rest of his life. He also founded a convent at Annaghdown for his sister Briga. He died c 577 in Annaghdown, while visiting his sister Briga. Fearing that after his death his devotees might take his remains as relics, Brendan had previously arranged to have his body secretly returned to the monastery he founded in Clonfert, concealed in a luggage cart.
Saint Brendan’s most celebrated foundation was Clonfert Cathedral, in the year 563, over which he appointed St Moinenn as Prior and Head Master. St Brendan was interred in Clonfert. He was Canonised in 1284.
Let the brothers and sisters now sing
Of the holy life of Brendan,
In an old melody
Let it be kept in song.
Loving the jewel of chastity,
He was the father of monastics.
He shunned the choir of the world,
Now he sings among the angels.
Let him pray that we may be saved
As we sail upon this sea.
Let him quickly aid the fallen
Oppressed with burdensome sin.
God the Father; Most High King
Breast-fed by a virgin mother,
Holy Spirit, when They will it,
Let Them feed us divine honey.
Guido of Ivrea, 11th century
Memorials of the Saints -16 May
St Abdas of Cascar
Bl Adam of Adami
Bl Adam of San Sabine
St Andrew Bobola SJ (1591-1657) Martyr
Biography: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/05/16/saint-of-the-day-16-may-st-andrew-bobola-sj/
St Annobert of Séez
St Aquilinus of Isauria
St Brendan the Navigator (c 484–c 577)
St Carantac
St Carantoc
St Diocletian of Osimo
St Felix of Uzalis
St Fidolus of Aumont
St Fiorenzo of Osimo
St Fort of Bordeaux
St Francoveus
St Gennadius of Uzalis
St Germerius of Toulouse
St Hilary of Pavia
St Honorius of Amiens
Bl Louis of Mercy
St Margaret Of Cortona
St Maxima of Fréjus
Bl Michal Wozniak
St Peregrinus of Auxerre
St Peregrinus of Terni
St Possidius of Calama
St Primael of Quimper
St Simon Stock OCD (1165-1265)
About St Simon: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/05/16/saint-of-the-day-16-may-st-simon-stock-1165-1265/
St Ubaldus Baldassini
St Victorian of Isauria
Bl Valdimir Ghika
—
Martyrs of Saint Sabas: A group of monks, whose names have not come down to us, who were massacred by Moors at the monastery of Saint Sabas in Palestine.
Saint of the Day – 15 May – Saint Euphrasius of Andujar (1st Century)
Saint of the Day – 15 May – Saint Euphrasius of Andujar (1st Century) Martyr, Bishop, Missionary – according to tradition, he is one of the group of Seven Apostolic Men (siete varones apostólicos), seven Christian clerics ordained in Rome by Saints Peter and Paul and sent to evangelise Spain. Besides Euphrasius, this group includes Sts Hesychius, Ctesiphon, Torquatus, Indaletius and Secundius. Patronages – diocese of Jaénin Spain, Andújar, Spain, Ajaccio in France, Corsica.
In the 7th century, King Sisebut built a church over the saint’s sepulchre at Illiturgis but during the invasion of Spain by the Moors in the 8th century, his relics were translated to the Lugo Province. He is buried in the church of Santa María do Mao, near the monastery of San Xulián de Samos in Samos.
Euphrasius is also patron of Corsica and of Ajaccio – “this seems to have been due to a secondary translation of a portion of his relics.”
A relic of a kerchief found in a chapel behind the high altar of Jaén Cathedral is associated with a legend of St Euphrasius. When Euphrasius was sent to Rome to free the Pope from Satan’s temptations, it is said that he travelled to Rome in only half an hour due to the assistance of a captive goblin who helped the saint in return for some leftovers from the saint’s supper. Euphrasius vanquished Satan and was awarded with a kerchief.
Euphrasius is also associated with the cult of Our Lady of Cabeza (la Virgen de la Cabeza). According to one legend, when Saint Euphrasius came to Spain, he brought with him an image of the Virgin Mary to which he was devoted. According to the legend, this image was given to Euphrasius by Saint Peter and is said to have been the portrait that Saint Luke painted of the Virgin Mary.
Memorials of the Saints – 15 May
St Isidore the Farmer (c 1070-1619) (Optional Memorial)
About St Isidore: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/05/15/saint-of-the-day-15-may-isidore-the-farmer/
St Achilles of Larissa
St Adiutor of Campania
St Alvardo
Bl Andrew Abellon OP (1375-1450)
Biography: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/05/15/saint-of-the-day-15-may-blessed-andrew-abellon-o-p-1375-1450/
Bercthun of Beverley
Bertha of Bingen
St Caecilius of Granada
St Caesarea of Otranto
St Cassius of Clermont
Bl Clemente of Bressanone
St Colman Mc O’Laoighse
St Ctesiphon of Verga
Bl Diego of Valdieri
St Dymphna
St Euphrasius of Andujar (1st Century) Martyr
St Gerebernus
St Hallvard of Oslo
St Hesychius of Gibraltar
St Hilary of Galeata
St Indaletius of Urci
St Isaias
St Isidore of Chios
Bl Joan Montpeó Masip
St Maximus of Clermont
St Nicholas the Mystic
St Rupert of Bingen
St Secundus of Avila
St Simplicius of Sardinia
St Sophia of Rome
St Victorinus of Clermont
St Waldalenus of Beze
—
Martyrs of Maleville: 50 Mercedarian friars murdered for their faith by Huguenots. 1563 in the Mercedarian convent of Maleville in Rodez, France.
Martyrs of Persia: Three Christians who were tortured, mutilated, imprisoned, starved and finally executed together for refusing to worship the sun and fire during the persecutions of Shapur II. We know nothing else about them but their names: Bohtiso, Isaac and Simeon. They were beheaded or burned at the stake (records vary) in the late 3rd century somewhere in Persia
Martyrs of Lampsacus:
Andrew of Troas
Denysa of Troas
Paul of Troas
Peter of Lampsacus
Thought for the Day – 14 May
Thought for the Day – 14 May – Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter, C and the Feast of St Matthias, Apostle of Christ
The virtues, labour and sufferings of St Mathias have not been handed down to us, this explains the lack of proper lessons on his life, such as we have for the feasts of the rest of the apostles.
St Clement of Alexandria (150-215) records in his writings several sayings of our holy apostle. One of these is so very appropriate to the spirit of the present season, that we consider it a duty to quote it.
‘It behooves us to combat the flesh and make use of it, without pampering it by unlawful gratifications. As to the soul, we must develop her power by faith and knowledge.’
How profound is the teaching contained in these few words! Sin has deranged the order which the Creator had established. It gave the outward man such a tendency to grovel in things which degrade him, that the only means left us for the restoration of the image and likeness of God unto which we were created, is the forcible subjection of the body to the spirit. But the spirit itself, that is, the soul, was also impaired by original sin and her inclinations were made prone to evil, what is to be her protection? Faith and knowledge. Faith humbles her and then exalts and rewards her and the reward is knowledge.
— Excerpted from The Liturgical Year, Abbot Gueranger OSB
St Matthias, Apostle of Christ, Pray for Us!
Quote of the Day – 14 May – ‘Always be brave and trust’
Quote of the Day – 14 May – Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter, C and the Memorial of Saint Michel Garicoïts SCJ (1797-1863)
“…Therefore, never allow yourself to start brooding again
but always be brave and trust.
Serve your good Master with an open heart full of joy.
The right way is to see all events and all obstacles
in the spirit of faith as being in the hands of Our Lord
and to hear Him say to you, on every occasion,
as He did to the disciples
‘It is I. Do not fear. Have faith.'”
St Michael Garicoïts (1797-1863)
One Minute Reflection – 14 May – Saint Matthias, the witness to the resurrection chosen by God
One Minute Reflection – 14 May – Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter, C, First Reading: Acts of the Apostles 1:15-17.20-26. and the Feast of St Matthias, Apostle of Christ
“During those days Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers and spoke.”…Acts 1:15
REFLECTION – “Because he is fervent and is the senior member of the group, he is always the first to speak: “My brothers, it is necessary we choose one of the men who accompanied us.” Note how he wants these new apostles to be eyewitnesses. No doubt, the Holy Spirit would come and yet Peter placed a great deal of importance on this point – “One of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us” (v.21). He indicates that they must have lived with Him and not just been disciples. For in fact, in the beginning, many people followed Him… “Until the day when he was taken up from us. He must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” (v.22)
Peter did not say: “a witness to everything else” but only – “a witness to his resurrection.” For a disciple who could say, “Someone who ate and drank and was crucified was the same who was raised” would be more worthy of credence. Therefore,it was not necessary that he should be a witness to the times beforehand, nor to those that followed, nor to the miracles. What was required of him was that he should be a witness to the resurrection. Everything else had been manifest and proclaimed, whereas the resurrection took place in secret. It was manifested only to a few.”…St John Chrysostom (345-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Doctor of the Church – 3rd sermon on the Acts of the apostles ; PG 60, 33 (trans. breviary 14/05)
PRAYER – Lord God, You chose St Matthias to complete the number of the twelve. By his prayer, include us among Your chosen ones, since we rejoice to see that the lot marked out for us, is in Your Love. Through Jesus the Christ, our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God now and forever, amen.
Saint of the Day – 14 May – Saint Michel Garicoïts (1797-1863)
Saint of the Day – 14 May – Saint Michel Garicoïts (1797-1863) “An Apostle of the Love of God” Priest, Founder of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Bétharram, Defender of the Faith, Confessor, Teacher, Preacher, ardent devotee of the Holy Eucharist and the Sacred Heart. Patronages – the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Bétharram and Teachers.
Born on the 15th April 1797, Michel Garicoits was the eldest of six children. He spent his youth in an isolated house at the foot of the Pyrenees, not far from the Spanish frontier with France. He grew up in a Catholic family, remained faithful to the Church of Rome during the persecution of the Revolutionary period. His parents and grandparents made a deep impression on him by their piety and example. He received a very strict up- bringing from his mother principally and later, he would say that after God, he owed her everything.
The young lad knew his catechism by heart and would sing hymns and canticles while guarding the cattle. At the age of 13 he was sent as a servant to the farm belonging to the Anghelu family at Oneix. It is here that he made his First Communion on Sunday 9 June 1811, feast of the Holy Trinity. He was 14 years of age. This powerful experience of the Presence and Love of God was to accompany his whole life through.
His First Communion triggered his vocation. On returning to his native village he announced to his father “I want to be a priest.” It was an impossible dream for lack of money in the household. But his grandmother had no hesitation in doing the 25 kilometres on foot which separated them from Saint-Palais. She convinced the Parish Priest to enrol Michael at the school in exchange for a few services. A very hard worker by nature, our little Basque friend would study by candlelight late into the night and quickly became the best pupil in Latin and French.
A promising young cleric:
Both at the Junior Seminary in Aire-sur-Adour and the Major Seminary in Dax, Michel made a very good impression. By his success in his studies, together with personal piety, he came to be compared with St Aloysius Gonzagua. While still a student he was called by Father Claverie to help out in the Junior Seminary in Laressore. Thanks to his kindness and seriousness, our young cleric soon became the favourite teacher both in the classroom and during recreation. On 20 December 1823 he was Ordained a priest by Mgr d’Astros in Bayonne Cathedral.
He was appointed to Cambo where he quickly won the hearts of his parishioners while at the same time promoting devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Little by little, he placed the Heart of Christ at the centre of his life and spirituality.
After two years, Father Garicoits swapped his role of curate to become a teacher in Betharram. In 1825 the seminary was in a deplorable state. Mgr d’Astros, who had originally thought of founding a group of missionaries there, soon found in Michael Garicoits a visionary rather than a reformer.
Not far from there, he got to know Jeanne Elizabeth Bichier des Ages and the Daughters of the Cross which she had founded. The meeting was decisive. Thanks to their lack of the essential and the dedication of this new community, he discovered the Religious Life. At the same time, the Superior of the Seminary, was fully aware ,of the helplessness of the hierarchy, in the face of the carelessness and the lack of discipline of some of the clergy. His decision was made: “I shall train priests who, by their obedience, will be a consolation for their Bishops.”
The Priests of the Sacred Heart:
Right from the start, Michel Garicoits intended to found a real religious congregation (with vows and a superior who would be elected). His dream was a body of soldiers for Christ, ever ready to answer the Church’s call. In 1832, a thirty day retreat in a Jesuit centre, helped him to accept God’s will. His spiritual director, Father Le Blanc, explained it thus: “God wants you to be more than a Jesuit, follow your inspiration which is from Heaven and you will become the father of a family which will be our sister.”
As soon as he got back to Betharram, Michel threw himself down in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. From this experience, he was confirmed in a project which was to occupy the rest of his life. There would be no shortage of problems. – “How difficult it is to give birth to a Congregation!” he once exclaimed on his return from a visit to Bayonne. There was no shortage of graces either..
The Betharramites first assembled in 1835 and in 1841 took the name of Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Father Garicoits guided his little family by word and example. He suggested to his companions to live according to the rules of the Jesuits and in the spirit of St Ignatius. He threw his little society far and wide, sending the first Betharramites to the Argentine. He accompanied the religious of the diocese, beginning with the Daughters of the Cross in Igon. He gave weekly conferences and guided the retreats of his religious. His concern was that everyone – teacher, missionary, pastor, manual worker- should receive the right formation for his ministry. In community, he was close to his brethren, in society he was attentive to all human needs.
St Michel of Betharram and of the whole wide world:
In 1853 Father Garicoits was victim of severe illness. “Don’t be afraid” he said to those who were worried by his partial paralysis, “we shall carry on as long as God wants.” One Ascension Thursday Michel reached the heavens which as a child he vainly tried to touch as he skipped over the hills. On Thursday, 14 May 1863, at about 3:00 am, he died without having seen his work completed. His final words were: “Have pity on me, Lord, in Your great mercy”. It would take a further fourteen years for his dream to be realised. The Constitutions of the Congregation of Betharram were approved by Pope Leo XIII in 1877. 
Today the spirit of St Michel Garicoits is very much alive in different parts of the world. Although few in number, the Betharramites are imbued by his charism “Here I am to do your will”. It is this same energy which drives them to answer the Bishops’ call, especially for places, where no-one is able, or willing to go.
Following in the footsteps of their Father, St Michel, the Betharramites too try to share with others the happiness which is theirs. They entrust themselves to God and His Divine Providence, to continue the mission of the Sacred Heart and with the same conviction, as that of their Founder, they strive “to see that God as the author and guardian of our Society. He governs it and will protect it.” As Christians and members of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart, they answer God’s love in their different missions.
The sainthood cause commenced under Pope Leo XIII in mid-1899 while Pope Benedict XV later named Michel as Venerable on 10 December 1916 upon the confirmation of his heroic virtue. Pope Pius XI Beatified him in 1923 while Pope Pius XII Canonised him on 6 July 1947.
Feast of St Matthias, the Apostle and Memorials of the Saints – 14 May
St Matthias the Apostle (Feast)
St Matthias!
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/05/14/saint-of-the-day-feast-of-st-matthias-apostle/
St Ampelio
St Boniface of Ferentino
St Boniface of Tarsus
St Carthage the Younger
St Corona the Martyr
St Costanzo of Capri
St Costanzo of Vercelli
Bl Diego of Narbonne
St Dyfan
St Engelmer
St Erembert of Toulouse
St Felice of Aquileia
St Fortunatus of Aquileia
St Gal of Clermont-Ferrand
Bl Giles of Santarem
St Henedina of Sardinia
St Justa of Sardinia
St Justina of Sardinia
St Maria Domenica Mazzarello
St Maximus
St Michel Garicoïts (1797-1863)
St Pons of Pradleves
St Pontius of Cimiez
St Tuto of Regensburg
St Victor the Martyr
—
Martyrs of Seoul – 5 Beata: A group of lay people martyred together in the apostolic vicariate of Korea.
• Petrus Choe Pil-je
• Lucia Yun Un-hye
• Candida Jeong Bok-hye
• Thaddeus Jeong In-hyeok
• Carolus Jeong Cheol-sang
14 May 1801 at the Small West Gate, Seoul, South Korea – Beatified: 15 August 2014 by Pope Francis
Second Thoughts for the Day – 13 May – And all will be well, all manner of things shall be well!
Second Thoughts for the Day – 13 May – Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter, C and the Memorial of Blessed Julian of Norwich (c 1342-c 1430)
Excerpt from Pope Benedict’s Catechesis on Julian of Norwich
Wednesday, 1st December 2010
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I still remember with great joy the Apostolic Journey I made in the United Kingdom last September. England is a land that has given birth to a great many distinguished figures who enhanced Church history with their testimony and their teaching. One of them, venerated both in the Catholic Church and in the Anglican Communion, is the mystic Julian of Norwich, of whom I wish to speak this morning.
The — very scant — information on her life in our possession comes mainly from her Revelations of Divine Love in Sixteen Showings, the book in which this kindly and devout woman set down the content of her visions.
It is known that she lived from 1342 until about 1430, turbulent years both for the Church, torn by the schism that followed the Pope’s return to Rome from Avignon and for the life of the people who were suffering the consequences of a long drawn-out war between the Kingdoms of England and of France. God, however, even in periods of tribulation, does not cease to inspire figures such as Julian of Norwich, to recall people to peace, love and joy.
As Julian herself recounts, in May 1373, most likely on the 13th of that month, she was suddenly stricken with a very serious illness that in three days seemed to be carrying her to the grave. After the priest, who hastened to her bedside, had shown her the Crucified One not only did Julian rapidly recover her health but she received the 16 revelations that she subsequently wrote down and commented on in her book, Revelations of Divine Love.
And it was the Lord himself, 15 years after these extraordinary events, who revealed to her the meaning of those visions.
“‘Would you learn to see clearly your Lord’s meaning in this thing? Learn it well – Love was His meaning. Who showed it to you? Love…. Why did He show it to you? For Love’…. Thus I was taught that Love was our Lord’s meaning” (Julian of Norwich, Revelations of Divine Love, Chapter 86).
Inspired by divine love, Julian made a radical decision. Like an ancient anchoress, she decided to live in a cell located near the church called after St Julian, in the city of Norwich — in her time an important urban centre not far from London. She may have taken the name of Julian, precisely from that Saint, to whom was dedicated the church, in whose vicinity she lived for so many years, until her death.
This decision to live as a “recluse”, the term in her day, might surprise or even perplex us. But she was not the only one to make such a choice. In those centuries a considerable number of women opted for this form of life, adopting rules specially drawn up, for them, such as the rule compiled by St Aelred of Rievaulx (1110-1167).
The anchoresses or “recluses”, in their cells, devoted themselves to prayer, meditation and study. In this way they developed a highly refined human and religious sensitivity which earned them the veneration of the people. Men and women of every age and condition, in need of advice and comfort, would devoutly seek them. It was not, therefore, an individualistic choice, precisely with this closeness to the Lord, Julian developed the ability to be a counsellor to a great many people and to help those who were going through difficulties in this life.
We also know that Julian too received frequent visitors, as is attested by the autobiography of another fervent Christian of her time, Margery Kempe, who went to Norwich in 1413 to receive advice on her spiritual life. This is why, in her lifetime, Julian was called “Dame Julian”, as is engraved on the funeral monument that contains her remains. She had become a mother to many.
Men and women who withdraw to live in God’s company acquire by making this decision a great sense of compassion for the suffering and weakness of others. As friends of God, they have at their disposal a wisdom that the world — from which they have distanced themselves — does not possess and they amiably share it with those who knock at their door.
It was precisely in the solitude infused with God that Julian of Norwich wrote her Revelations of Divine Love. Two versions have come down to us, one that is shorter, probably the older and one that is longer. This book contains a message of optimism based on the certainty of being loved by God and of being protected by his Providence.
In this book we read the following wonderful words: “And I saw full surely that ere God made us He loved us, which love was never lacking nor ever shall be. And in this love He has made all His works and in this love He has made all things profitable to us and in this love our life is everlasting… in which love we have our beginning. And all this shall we see in God, without end” (Revelations of Divine Love, Chapter 86).
The theme of divine love recurs frequently in the visions of Julian of Norwich who, with a certain daring, did not hesitate to compare them also to motherly love. This is one of the most characteristic messages of her mystical theology. The tenderness, concern and gentleness of God’s kindness to us are so great that they remind us, pilgrims on earth, of a mother’s love for her children. In fact, the biblical prophets also sometimes used this language that calls to mind the tenderness, intensity and totality of God’s love, which is manifested in creation and in the whole history of salvation that is crowned by the Incarnation of the Son.
God, however, always excels all human love, as the Prophet Isaiah says: “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will never forget you” (Is 49:15).
Julian of Norwich understood the central message for spiritual life – God is love and it is only if one opens oneself to this love, totally and with total trust and lets it become one’s sole guide in life, that all things are transfigured, true peace and true joy found and one is able to radiate it.
I would like to emphasise another point. The Catechism of the Catholic Church cites the words of Julian of Norwich when it explains the viewpoint of the Catholic faith on an argument that never ceases to be a provocation to all believers (cf. nn. 304-313, 314).
If God is supremely good and wise, why do evil and the suffering of innocents exist? And the Saints themselves asked this very question. Illumined by faith, they give an answer that opens our hearts to trust and hope: in the mysterious designs of Providence, God can draw a greater good even from evil, as Julian of Norwich wrote: “Here I was taught by the grace of God that I should steadfastly hold me in the Faith … and that … I should take my stand on and earnestly believe in … that ‘all manner of thing shall be well”’ (The Revelations of Divine Love, Chapter 32).
Yes, dear brothers and sisters, God’s promises are ever greater than our expectations. If we are present to God, to His immense love, the purest and deepest desires of our heart, we shall never be disappointed. “And all will be well”, “all manner of things shall be well” – this is the final message that Julian of Norwich transmits to us and that I am also proposing to you today. Many thanks…Vatican.va
Blessed Julian, Pray for us!
Marian Thoughts for the Day – 13 May – The message of Fatima is simple
Marian Thoughts for the Day – 13 May -Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter, C and the 102nd Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima
The message of Fatima is simple – Pray!
Unfortunately, some people—not Sister Lucia—have distorted these revelations, making them into an apocalyptic event for which, they are now the only reliable interpreters. They have, for example, claimed that Mary’s request that the world be consecrated to her has been ignored. Sister Lucia agreed that Pope John Paul II’s public consecration in St Peter’s Square on 25 March 1984, fulfilled Mary’s request. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith prepared a June 26, 2000, document explaining the “third secret.”
Mary is perfectly honoured when people generously imitate her response “Let it be done to me as you say” (Luke 1:38). Mary can never be seen as a rival to Jesus or to the Church’s teaching authority, as exercised by the college of bishops united with the bishop of Rome, for she is the protector of and the perfect type of the Church. She and the Church are one!
Holy Mother, Our Lady of Fatima, please pray for us!
Quote/s of the Day – 13 May – Revelations of Divine Love
Quote/s of the Day – 13 May – Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter, C and the Memorial of Blessed Julian of Norwich (c 1342-c 1430) – “Revelations of Divine Love”
“He [ Jesus] is our clothing,
that for love wraps us and winds us,
embraces us and totally encloses us,
hanging about us in tender love.”
“Prayer is not
overcoming
God’s reluctance.
It is laying hold
of His willingness.”
“Despite all our feelings of woe or of well-being,
God wants us to understand and to believe,
that we are more truly in heaven than on earth.
…for God is never out of the soul,
in which He will dwell blessedly without end.”
“The fullness of Joy
is to behold God
in everything.”
“Truth sees God
and wisdom contemplates God
and from these two comes a third,
a holy and wonderful delight in God,
who is love.”
“In You, Father almighty, we have
our preservation and our bliss.
In You, Christ,
we have our restoring and our saving.
You are our mother, brother and Saviour.
In You, our Lord the Holy Spirit,
is marvelous and plenteous grace.
You are our clothing,
for love You wrap us and embrace us.
You are our maker, our lover, our keeper.
Teach us to believe,
that by Your grace
all shall be well,
and all shall be well,
and all manner of things
shall be well.
Amen”
Blessed Julian of Norwich (c 1342-c 1430)
One Minute Reflection – 13 May – “…The sheep hear his voice”
One Minute Reflection – 13 May – Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter, C – Gospel: John 10:1-10 and the 102nd Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima
“… the sheep hear his voice and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”…John 10:3
REFLECTION – “The mark of Christ’s sheep is their willingness to hear and obey, just as disobedience is the mark of those who are not His.
We take the word ‘hear’ to imply obedience to what has been said. People who hear God are known by Him. No-one is entirely unknown by God but to be known in this way, is to become part of His family.
Therefore, when Christ says, “I know mine,” He means I will receive them and give them a permanent mystical relationship with Myself.
It might be said that inasmuch as He has become man, He has made all human beings His relatives, since all are members of the same race. We are all united to Christ in a mystical relationship because of His incarnation. Yet those who do not preserve the likeness of His holiness are alienated from Him. “My sheep follow me,” says Christ. By a certain God-given grace, believers follow in the footsteps of Christ. No longer subject to the shadows of the law, they obey the commands of Christ and guided by His words, rise through grace, to His own dignity, for they are called “children of God.”
When Christ ascends into heaven, they also follow Him.”… St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Father & Doctor of the Church (Commentary on the Gospel of John)
PRAYER – Almighty God and Father, You have rescued Your faithful from enslavement to sin, by Your Son’s self-abasement. You have raised up the world through His suffering. Fill us now with holy joy at His rising and triumph. Let us hear His voice and follow Him to everlasting life. Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us! Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God now and forever, amen.
Our Morning Offering – 13 May – Act of Entrustment to Our Lady of Fatima
Our Morning Offering – 13 May – The 102nd Anniversary of the Apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima
Act of Entrustment to Our Lady of Fatima
By Pope Francis
Blessed Virgin Mary of Fatima,
with renewed gratitude for your motherly presence
we join in the voice of all generations that call you blessed.
We celebrate in you the great works of God,
who never tires of lowering Himself
in mercy over humanity,
afflicted by evil and wounded by sin,
to heal and to save it.
Accept with the benevolence of a Mother
this act of entrustment that we make in faith today,
before this your image, beloved to us.
We are certain that each one of us is precious in your eyes
and that nothing in our hearts has estranged you.
May that we allow your sweet gaze
to reach us and the perpetual warmth of your smile.
Guard our life with your embrace,
bless and strengthen every desire for good,
give new life and nourishment to faith,
sustain and enlighten hope,
awaken and animate charity,
guide us all on the path to holiness.
Teach us your own special love for the little and the poor,
for the excluded and the suffering,
for sinners and the wounded of heart,
gather all people under your protection
and give us all to your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus.
Amen.
*Act of entrustment to Mary, Virgin of Fátima, at the conclusion of Mass on the occasion of the Marian Day (Saint Peter’s Square, 13 October 2013)
Saint of the Day – 13 May – Blessed Julian of Norwich (c 1342-c 1416)
Saint of the Day – 13 May – Blessed Julian of Norwich (c 1342-c 1416) (aged 73–74) Anchorite, Mystic, Writer, Ascetic, Spiritual director – also known as Dame Julian or Mother Julian – born late 1342 and died after 1416) was the greatest of all the English anchorites of the Middle Ages. She wrote the earliest surviving book in the English language to be written by a woman, Revelations of Divine Love.
It was popular in the 14th century for a number of English men and women to withdraw from the world as hermits, they were known as anchorites. Their hermitage, was a small room attached to a local church. Each room had two windows. One through the church wall permitting the anchorite to receive communion. Through the second window, the anchorite received food brought to him or her by village people. Thus they at all times had the window of their heart open to Christ and open to the world.
As a young woman, Julian, who was born about 1342, became an anchorite at the Church of St Edmund and St Julian in Norwich. 
When she was 30 Julian suffered from a severe illness. Whilst apparently on her deathbed, Julian had a series of intense visions of Jesus Christ, which ended by the time she recovered from her illness on 13 May 1373. Julian wrote about her visions immediately after they had happened (although the text may not have been finished for some years), entitled Revelations of Divine Love. Twenty to thirty years later, perhaps in the early 1390s, Julian began to write a theological exploration of the meaning of the visions, known as The Long Text. This work seems to have gone through many revisions before it was finished, perhaps in the first or even second decade of the fifteenth century. Until her death in about 1416, Julian stayed in her simple room. Like most anchorites, she prayed, fasted, did penance, studied, sewed clothing for the poor and advised the village people.
In her book, she described her 16 visions of Jesus. As she wrote this book about God’s great compassion for us, Julian developed a special vocabulary. She called the Creator, our mother and our father. She called Jesus the Redeemer, our brother. 
Revelations is a celebrated work in Catholicism because of the clarity and depth of Julian’s visions of God. Julian of Norwich is now recognised as one of England’s most important mystics.
Julian of Norwich lived in a time of turmoil but her theology was optimistic and spoke of God’s love in terms of joy and compassion, as opposed to law and duty. For Julian, suffering was not a punishment that God inflicted, as was the common understanding. She believed that God loved everyone and wanted to save them all. Popular theology, magnified by catastrophic contemporary events such as the Black Death and a series of peasant revolts, asserted that God punished the wicked . Julian suggested a more merciful theology, she believed that behind the reality of hell is a greater mystery of God’s love. In modern times, she has been classified as a proto-universalist, although she did not claim more than hope, that all might be saved.
At the time of Julian’s death, people from all over Europe travelled to her room, or cell, to ask her advice. Everyone recognised that she was close to God. The Church never formally declared her a saint but through the ages, people have called her “Blessed.”
“If there is anywhere on earth a lover of God who is always kept safe, I know nothing of it, for it was not shown to me. But this was shown – that in falling and rising again we are always kept in that same precious love.”
Julian of Norwich
Our Lady of Fatima, 102nd Anniversary, Our Lady of Help and Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament – 13 May and Memorials of the Saints
Our Lady of Fatima 102nd Anniversary of the First Apparition (Optional Memorial)
All about Our Lady of Fatima: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/05/13/the-centenary-of-the-apparitions-of-our-lady-of-fatima-our-lady-of-the-holy-rosary-13-may-2017/
Our Lady of Help: Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary under this title began in Palermo, Sicily in the 14th century and has since spread throughout the Augustinians. It began when Father Nicola Bruno, who suffered from severe and long-term pains in his side, prayed to Our Lady for healing while meditating on a painting of Mary in which she used a stick or club to chase away the dragon and protect the infant Jesus, the artist was making reference to passages in Genesis and Revelations that referred to the eternal enmity between The Woman and the serpent. That night, Father Nicola received a vision of Mary and was healed. The painting received the title “Our Lady of Help” and the devotion began. Since 1804 the celebration has had its own liturgy.
Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament: 
The title of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament was first given to Mary by St Peter Julian Eymard in May 1868, while speaking to his novices. A few years later he described what her statue should look like: “The Blessed Virgin holds the Infant in her arms and He holds a chalice in one hand and a Host in the other.” He exhorted them to invoke Mary: “Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, pray for us who have recourse to thee!”
The Story: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/05/13/feast-of-our-lady-of-the-most-blessed-sacrament-13-may/
St Abban of Abingdon
St Agnes of Poitiers
St André-Hubert Fournet
St Anno of Verona
St Argentea of Cordoba
St Euthymius the Illuminator
Bl Fortis Gabrielli
Bl Gerard of Villamagna
Bl Gemma of Goriano
St Glyceria of Trajanopolis
St John the Silent
Bl Julian of Norwich (c 1342-c 1416)
St Lucius of Constantinople
St Mael of Bardsey
Bl Magdalen Albrizzi
St Merewenna of Rumsey
St Mucius of Byzantium
St Natalis of Milan
St Onesimus of Soissons
St Servatus of Tongres
St Valerian of Auxerre
—
Martyrs of Alexandria: A group of Catholic Christians martyred in the church of Theonas, Alexandria, Egypt by order of the Arian Emperor Valens. Their names have not come down to us. 372 in Alexandria, Egypt.
Saint of the Day – Saint Epiphanius (c 315 – 403) – “The Oracle of Palestine”
Saint of the Day – Saint Epiphanius (c 315 – 403) Bishop of Salamis (Cyprus) known as the Oracle of Palestine, Church Father, Theologian, Confessor, Writer, Defender of the Faith, Monk and Ascetic, Apostle of charity and poor, Spiritual adviser, founder of monasteries – he gained a reputation as a strong defender of orthodoxy.
St Epiphanius was born about the year 310, in Palestine. In his youth he began the study of the Holy Scriptures, embraced a monastic life and went into Egypt to perfect himself in the exercises of that state, in the deserts of that country. He returned to Palestine about the year 333 and built a monastery near the place of his birth.
He was ordained a priest and lived and studied as superior of the monastery in Ad that he founded for thirty years and gained much skill and knowledge in that position. There he gained the ability to speak in several tongues, including Hebrew, Syriac, Egyptian, Greek and Latin and was called by St Jerome on that account, Pentaglossis (“Five tongued”).
His labours in the exercise of virtue seemed, to some, to surpass his strength but his apology always was – “God gives not the kingdom of heaven but on condition that we labour and all we can do, bears no proportion, to such a crown.” To his corporal austerities he added an indefatigable application to prayer and study. Most books then in vogue passed through his hands and he improved himself very much in learning, by his travels into many parts.
Although the skilful director of many others, St Epiphanius took the great St Hilarion as his master in a spiritual life and enjoyed the happiness of his direction and intimate acquaintance from the year 333 to 356.
The reputation of his virtue made St Epiphanius known to distant countries and about the year 367 he was chosen Bishop of Salamis in Cyprus. But he still wore the monastic habit and continued to govern his monastery in Palestine, which he visited from time to time. He sometimes relaxed his austerities in favour of hospitality, preferring charity to abstinence. No one surpassed him in tenderness and charity to the poor. The veneration which all men had for his sanctity exempted him from the persecution of the Arian Emperor Valens.
In 376, he undertook a journey to Antioch, in the hope of converting Vitalis, the Apollinarist bishop and in 382 he accompanied St Paulinus from that city to Rome, where they lodged at the house of St Paula. Our Saint in return entertained her afterward ten days in Cyprus in 385. The very name of an error in faith, or the shadow of danger of evil, frightened him and the Saint fell into some mistakes on certain occasions, which proceeded from zeal and simplicity.
He was on his way back to Salamis, after a short absence, when he died in 403, having been bishop thirty-six years.
He is best known for composing the Panarion – which means “medicine-chest” (also known as Adversus Haereses, “Against Heresies”), presented as a book of antidotes for those bitten by the serpent of heresy. Written between 374 and 377, it forms a handbook for dealing with the arguments of heretics.
Memorials of the Saints – 12 May
St Achilleus of Terracina (Optional Memorial)
St Nereus of Terracina (Optional Memorial)
About: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/05/12/saints-of-the-day-12-may-sts-nereus-and-achilleus/
St Pancras of Rome (Optional Memorial)
—
St Crispoldus
St Cyril of Galatz
St Dedë Malaj
St Diomma of Kildimo
St Dionysius of Asia
St Dominic de la Calzada
St Ejëll Deda
St Ephrem of Jerusalem
St Epiphanius (c 315 – 403)
St Erc Nasca of Tullylish
St Ethelhard of Canterbury
St Euphrosyna of Terracina
Bl Francis Patrizzi of Siena
Bl Gemma of Goriano
St Germanus of Constantinople
Bl Jane of Portugal
Bl Juan de Segalars
St Lucien Galan
St Modoald of Trier
St Palladius of Rome
St Philip of Agira
St Richrudis of Marchiennes
St Theodora of Terracina
St Thomas Khampheuane Inthirath
Saint of the Day – 11 May – St Mamertus (Died c 475)
Saint of the Day – 11 May – St Mamertus (Died c 475) also known as Mamertius, Mammertus – Archbishop of Vienne in Gaul – present day France, Theologian, Writer, Founder of the introduction of the praying of Litanies prior to Ascension Day, called “Rogation Days.” Rogation days are days of prayer and fasting in the Church. They are observed with processions and the pra\ying of the Litany of the Saints. The major Rogation is held on 25 April, the minor Rogations are held on Monday to Wednesday, preceding Ascension Thursday. The word Rogation comes from the Latin verb rogare, meaning “to ask,” which reflects the beseeching of God, for the appeasement of His anger and for protection from calamities.
His feast day is the first of the Ice Saint, who are St Mamertus (or, in some countries, St Boniface of Tarsus), St Pancras and St Servatius. They are so named because their feast days fall on the days of 11 May, 12 May and 13 May respectively, known as “the black-thorn winter” in Austrian, Belgian, Croatian, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Hungarian, North-Italian, Polish, Slovene and Swiss folklore.
Prior to his elevation to the see of Vienne, little has been recorded about Mamertus’ life. The fact that his brother, Claudianus Mamertus, the theological writer, received in his youth a sound training in rhetoric and enjoyed the personal acquaintance of Bishop Eucherius of Lyons (434-50), suggests that the brothers belonged to a wealthy Gallic family from the neighbourhood of Lyons. Like his brother, St Mamertus was distinguished for his secular learning as well as theology and, before his elevation to the episcopate, appears to have been married.
His election and consecration took place shortly before 462. As bishop he enlisted the services of his brother, who had withdrawn to a cloister and ordained him priest of Vienne. The activity of the brothers is described in one letter of Sidonius Apollinaris, while another is addressed to Bishop Mamertus.
Saints Avitus and Apollinaris (details)
St Mamertus was the founder of the Rogation Processions, according to Sidonius Apollinaris and his second successor, Avitus. In connexion with these intercessory processions, Mamertus summoned a synod at Vienne between 471 and 475.
Amidst the scourges of the time, wars, famines and natural disasters, which were seen as divine anger against the sinful lives of the people, which threatened their entire destruction, St Mammertus received a token of the divine mercy. A terrible fire happened in the city of Vienne, which baffled the efforts of men but by the prayers of the good bishop the fire on a sudden went out. This miracle strongly affected the minds of the people. The holy prelate took this opportunity to make them sensible of the necessity and efficacy of devout prayer and formed a pious design of instituting an annual fast and supplication of three days, in which all the faithful should join, with sincere compunction of heart, to appease the divine indignation by fasting, prayer, tears and the confession of sins.
The Church of Auvergne, of which St Sidonius was bishop, adopted this pious institution before the year 475 and it became in a very short time a universal practice.
During his episcopate, the remains of St Ferreolus were discovered and were translated by Mamertus to a church in Vienne, he built in honour of that martyr.
About 475 he attended a synod at Arles, which dealt with the predestination teaching of Lucidus, a Gallic priest. As this is the latest information we possess concerning him, we may assume that he died shortly afterwards.
Memorials of the Saints – 11 May
St Anastasius of Lérida
St Anthimus of Rome
St Bassus of Sabina
St Bertilla
St Criotan of MacReddin
Bl Diego of Saldaña
St Evellius of Pisa
St Fabius of Sabina
St Fremund of Dunstable
St Gengulphus of Burgundy
St Gualberto
St Ignatius of Laconi OFM Cap. (1701-1781)
Biography: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/05/11/saint-of-the-day-11-may-st-ignatius-of-laconi-o-f-m-cap-1701-1781/
Bl Illuminatus
St Illuminatus of San Severino
Bl James Walworth
Bl John Rochester
St Maiulo of Hadrumetum
St Majolus of Cluny
St Mamertus (Died c 475)
St Maximus of Sabina
St Mayeul
St Mozio of Constantinople
St Possessor of Verdun
St Principia of Rome
St Tudy
St Vincent L’Hénoret
Bl Vivaldus
St Walbert of Hainault
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Martyrs of Camerino: An imperial Roman official, his wife, their children and servants, all of whom were converts and martyrs: Anastasius, Aradius, Callisto, Eufemia, Evodius, Felice, Primitiva, Theopista.
Thought for the Day – 10 May – “.. desire always to be one with Him”
Thought for the Day – 10 May – Friday of the Third Week of Easter, C and the Memorial of Blessed Ivan Merz (1896-1928)
Excerpt from the Beatification Homily
St John Paul II (1920-2005)
Sunday, 22 June 2003
Dear brothers and sisters, the just man, surrounded by divine light, becomes in turn a lamp which radiates light and gives warmth. This is what we learn today from the figure of Ivan Merz.
A gifted young man, he made a good return on his rich natural talents and obtained great human success – it can be said that he had a very successful life. But that is not the reason why he is today declared Blessed. What makes him one of the choir of the Beati is his success in God’s eyes. The great aspiration of his whole life was “never to forget God, to desire always to be one with Him”. In all his activities Ivan Merz sought “the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus” and he allowed Christ to make him his own (cf. Phil 3:8,12).
At the school of the liturgy, the source and summit of the Church’s life (cf. Sacrosanctum Concilium, 10), Ivan Merz grew to the fullness of Christian maturity and became one of the principal promoters of the liturgical renewal in his country.
Taking part in Mass and drawing nourishment from the Body of Christ and the Word of God, he drew the inspiration to become an apostle of young people. It was not by chance that he chose as his motto “Sacrifice – Eucharist – Apostolate”. Conscious of the vocation he had received in Baptism, he made his whole life a “race” towards holiness, the “high standard” of Christian life (cf. Novo Millennio Ineunte, 31). For this reason, as the First Reading says, “his memory will not disappear and his name will live through all generations” (Sir 39:9).
The name of Ivan Merz, has meant in the past, a programme of life and of activity, for an entire generation of young Catholics. Today too, it must do the same!
…Do not seek a more comfortable life elsewhere, do not flee from your responsibilities and expect others to resolve problems but resolutely counter evil with the power of good.
Like Blessed Ivan, strive for a personal encounter with Christ which sheds new light on life. May the Gospel be the great ideal guiding your approaches and your decisions! Thus you will become missionaries in word and deed, signs of God’s love and credible witnesses of the merciful presence of Christ. Never forget: “one does not light a lamp and put it under a bushel” (cf. Mt 5:15).
Dear brothers and sisters, who take part with such fervour in this celebration, may the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, keep your heart and your spirit in the knowledge and love of God and of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ!
AnaStpaul 
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