Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Sunday within the Octave of the Ascension, Apparition of Our Lady to Saint Catherine of Alexandria (4th Century) and Memorials of the Saints – 16 May

Sunday within the Octave of the Ascension+2021

Apparition of Our Lady to Saint Catherine of Alexandria (4th Century) – 16 May:

The Abbot Orsini wrote: “Apparition of Our Lady to Saint Catherine of Alexandria, whose body was discovered on the 13th of this month, on Mount Sinai, in consequence of a revelation which the Queen of heaven gave of it.”

Saint Catherine of Alexandria, also known as Saint Catherine of the Wheel, is a Saint, Virgin, and Martyr. She was the beautiful daughter of King Costus and Queen Sabinella of Alexandria, who at a young age decided to remain a virgin until and unless, she should meet someone who exceeded her in status and political position, as well as beauty, intelligence and wealth. She decided upon Christ, who reigns over us all, for “His beauty is more radiant than the shining of the sun, His wisdom governs all creation and His riches are spread throughout all the world.”
While yet a teenager, Saint Catherine received a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Her Divine Son Jesus Christ. In this vision, the Mother of God gave Catherine to her Son in a mystical marriage. Mystical marriage is in some senses, very similar to a marriage ceremony, as Christ presents the chosen soul with a ring that is often invisible to others and often there are Saints and Angels present. There have been well over 70 documented mystical marriages of Saints and ,although the action is mysterious and not well understood, it appears, that Christ gives special attention to these Saints. Saint Teresa explained, that it was the highest state a soul could achieve in this life, and represents a transforming and constant union with the Blessed Trinity.

Saint Catherine was Martyred by the Roman Emperor Maxentius when she refused his proposal of marriage. Again, according to tradition, her body was taken by Angels to Mount Sinai where a Church and Monastery were built in her honour. Saint Catherine’s relics were rediscovered about the year 800. Her hair was still growing and there was a continuous stream of oil coming from her body that was found to have miraculous properties. King Saint Edward was said to have collected some of that oil and taken it back to his kingdom.

Saint Catherine, along with Saint Margaret, were the two Saints who spoke to encourage Saint Joan of Arc in her mission.

St Abdas of Cascar
Bl Adam of Adami
Bl Adam of San Sabine

St Andrew Bobola SJ (1591-1657) Priest of the Order of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), Missionary, known as the Apostle of Lithuania and the “Hunter of Souls.”
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) 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.
His wonderful life:

https://anastpaul.com/2019/05/16/saint-of-the-day-16-may-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 (Died 653) Bishop
Bl Louis of Mercy

St Margaret of Cortona TOSF (1247-1297) “The Mary Magdalene of the Franciscan Order,” Third Order Franciscan, Penitent, Mystic, Founder of a Third Order Francisca Apostalate the “Le Poverelle” (Italian for “The Little Poor Ones”).
Her Life:

https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/16/saint-of-the-day-16-may-saint-margaret-of-cortona-tosf-1247-1297/

(This is a very good homily – listen if you can).

St Maxima of Fréjus
Bl Michal Wozniak
St Peregrinus of Auxerre
St Peregrinus of Terni
St Possidius (c 370-c 440)
St Primael of Quimper

St Simon Stock OCD (1165-1265) Religious Monk, Visionary, Mystic, Marian devotee, early Prior General of the Carmelite religious order.
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.

Posted in JESUIT SJ, MORNING Prayers, PAPAL ENCYLICALS, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 16 May

Thought for the Day – 16 May

“What seems to shine forth especially in the life of Andrew Bobola is his Catholic faith, whose vigour, nourished by divine grace, grew so much stronger with the passing of the years that it conferred on him a special mark of distinction, and spurred him on to undergo his martyrdom with courage.
But the Catholic Church, particularly in the countries to the East, was facing an extremely grave crisis owing to the efforts of the schismatics, who were striving by every device to draw the faithful away from the unity of the Church into their own errors. Andrew went, therefore, into those regions on the instruction and command of his Superiors and by public sermons and private instruction through their cities, towns and villages and most of all by the fervour of his exceptional holiness and the burning zeal of his apostolate, he freed the wavering faith of a multitude of Christians from beguiling falsehood, brought them back to sound principles, and joyfully invited all he could to return to the one fold of Jesus Christ.
He did not merely restore and strengthen the faith of the Christians, languishing and on the verge of collapse but roused them also to weep for their own sins, to settle their disputes, to heal their divisions, to restore true morality. It seemed that, like his Divine Master, wherever he passed by doing good, a new spring blossomed forth, bright with heavenly flowers and fruits of salvation.    Consequently, as tradition has it, he received from all, even from the schismatics, the significant title of “Hunter of Souls.”
This tireless apostle of Jesus Christ had lived by faith, had spread the faith and had defended the faith; so too, he did not hesitate to die for the faith of his fathers.”
INVICTI ATHLETAE (On St. Andrew Bobola)
(Venerable) Pope Pius XII
Encyclical Promulgated on 16 May 1957

Do you find yourself persecuted, in trouble, disliked and maligned because you live by and defend the Faith?    But this is our mission – we do not live according to the instructions of our Divine Master, unless we ‘go forth and spread the good news’.   If we miss a single opportunity to live and speak the truth, we may well be responsible for the eternal damnation of a soul – what a frightening thought!

St Andrew Bobola, inspire us with your zeal for souls and please Pray for us!

st andrew bobola pray for us.jpg 2