Posted in MARIAN TITLES, MARTYRS, SAINT of the DAY

Nostra Signora degli Angeli / Our Lady of the Angels, Arcola, Italy (1556) and Memorials of the Saints – 21 May

Nostra Signora degli Angeli / Our Lady of the Angels, Arcola, Italy (1556) – 21 May:

Going up the streets of the Village of Arcola, in the direction of Baccano, you reach the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Angels, built in the place where the miraculous apparition of the Virgin took place, on 21 May 1556, in that year, it was the second day of Pentecost.

After Mass, whilst praying the Rosary on their farm, in Carbonara, the five Fiamberti sisters – Barbara, Camilla, Elisabetta, Catarinetta and Angela, in the company of their parents and brothers – saw a majestic Lady appear above a rosemary bush, shining brighter than the sun, dressed in white and flanked by two Angels.

The celestial image, raising her hand and with a sweet voice told them “go, beloved ones, tell the people to pray and do penance and tell the good villagers to build a temple in this place in my honour.”
In the year 1558, the now underground Chapel was built in the sacred place; a large Church was completed above it at the end of the century, while the current Church is the work of the second half of the eighteenth century.

The Sanctuary immediately became a pilgrimage destination and the subject of bequests and donations. On the walls at the sides of the main altar there are two large frescoes by the Arculian painter Luigi Agretti, representing the Apparition of the Madonna degli Angeli and the Solemn Coronation which took place on 16 May 1910.

Under the altar floor there is the Chapel, a place of the Apparition of the Virgin of the Angels. The interior is somewhat rich in polychrome marbles that decorate the floor and walls, while stuccos and paintings adorn the ceiling. Above the Altar of precious marble, in a niche, there is the simulacrum of the Virgin of the Angels, work created in 1624 by the sculptor Battista Orsolini of Carrara. The minor aisles have two chapels dedicated one to the Madonna del Rosario, the other to the Sacred Heart of Jesus or of the Holy Cross. In the Chapel of the Rosary, there is a painting by the La Spezia painter Andrea Podenzana, year 1688.

Chapel of the apparition under the main altar of the sanctuary

St Eugene de Mazenod OMI (1782-1861) Bishop, Founder of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Evangeliser, Missionary Preacher
Biography:

https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/05/21/saint-of-the-day-21-may-st-eugene-de-mazenod-o-m-i-1782-1861/

Martyrs of the Mexican Revolution (Optional Memorial): The 1917 Mexican constitution was pointedly anti-clerical and anti-Church, and its adoption instituted years of violent religious persecution including expulsion of foreign priests, closing of parochial schools and the murders of several priests and lay leaders who work to minister to the faithful and support religious freedom. 25 of them who died at different times and places but all as a result of this persecution were celebrated together. They each have separate memorials but are also remembered as a group.

• Saint Agustin Caloca Cortes
• Saint Atilano Cruz Alvarado
• Saint Cristobal Magallanes Jara
• Saint David Galván-Bermúdez
• Saint David Roldán-Lara
• Saint David Uribe-Velasco
• Saint Jenaro Sánchez DelGadillo
• Saint Jesús Méndez-Montoya
• Saint Jose Isabel Flores Varela

• Saint “Joselito” José Luis Sánchez del Río (1913-1928) Aged 14 known as “Joselito,” Boy Martyr was a Mexican Cristero War Martyr.
Memorial 10 February
Dear Joselito!

https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/02/10/saint-of-the-day-10-february-st-jose-sanchez-del-rio-joselito-1913-1928-boy-martyr/comment-page-1/

• Saint José María Robles Hurtado
• Saint Julio álvarez Mendoza
• Saint Justino Orona Madrigal
• Saint Luis Batiz Sainz
• Saint Manuel Moralez
• Saint Margarito Flores-García
• Saint Mateo Correa-Magallanes
• Saint Miguel de la Mora
• Saint Pedro de Jesús Maldonado-Lucero

• Saint Pedro Esqueda Ramírez (1887-1927) Priest, Martyr of the Cristero War, Apostle of Eucharistic Adoration, of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of Charity, devoted to the youth and especially their Catechesis.
About St Pedro:

https://anastpaul.com/2019/11/22/saint-of-the-day-22-november-saint-pedro-esqueda-ramirez-1887-1927-priest-and-martyr-of-the-cristero-war/

• Saint Rodrigo Aguilar Alemán

• Saint Roman Adame Rosales (1859-1927) Priest and Martyr of the Cristero War, St Roman had a great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Virgin, Founder of the association of the “Daughters of Mary and Nocturnal Adoration,”
Biography:

https://anastpaul.com/2020/04/21/saint-of-the-day-21-april-saint-roman-adame-rosales-1859-1927-priest-and-martyr

• Saint Sabas Reyes Salazar (1883-1927) Priest and Martyr of the Cristero War, Teacher, Catechist, Protector of children and the youth of Mexico, he had a special devotion to the Holy Trinity and the Souls in Purgatory.
His Life and Martyrdom:

https://anastpaul.com/2020/04/13/saint-of-the-day-13-april-st-jose-sabas-reyes-salazar-1883-1927-priest-and-martyr/

• Saint Salvador Lara Puente
• Saint Toribio Romo González
• Saint Tranquilino Ubiarco Robles

Canonised: 21 May 2000 by Pope John Paul II

St Adalric of Bèze
Bl Adilio Daronch
St Ageranus of Bèze
St Ansuinus of Bèze
St Antiochus of Caesarea Philippi

St Arcangelo Tadini (1846–1912) Priest, Founder of the Worker Sisters of the Holy House of Nazareth, of which Order, he is the Patron, Social Reformer, Apostle of the Holy Eucharist
Biography:

https://anastpaul.com/2019/05/21/saint-of-the-day-21-may-saint-arcangelo-tadini-1846-1912/

St Bairfhion of Killbarron
St Berard of Bèze
St Collen of Denbighshire

St Constantine the Great
St Donatus of Caesarea
St Eutychius of Mauretania

Blessed Franz Jägerstätter OFS (1907-1943) Married Layman Martyr, Father of 3 daughters, Conscientious Objector, Farmer, Third Order Franciscan
His Life and Death:

https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/21/saint-of-the-day-21-may-blessed-franz-jagerstatter-ofs-1907-1943-layman-martyr-franz-jagerstatter-who-would-not-bow-his-head-to-hitler/

The first video is from the author of a Biography of Blessed Franz. His life of “Conscientious Objection” is very appropriate for the times we find ourselves in right now!
The second video contains an interview and details of the Film made about Blessed Franz “A Hidden Life.”

St Genesius of Bèze
St Godric of Finchale
Bl Hemming of Åbo
St Hospitius of Cap-Saint-Hospice
Bl Hyacinth-Marie Cormier
St Isberga of Aire
Bl Jean Mopinot
Bl Lucio del Rio
St Mancio of Évora
Bl Manuel Gómez González
St Nicostratus of Caesarea Philippi
Blessed Pietro Parenzo (Died 1199) Layman Martyr
St Polieuctus of Caesarea
St Polius of Mauretania
St Restituta of Corsica
St Rodron of Bèze
St Secundinus of Cordova
St Secundus of Alexandria
St Serapion the Sindonite
St Sifrard of Bèze
Bl Silao
St Synesius
St Theobald of Vienne
St Theopompus
St Timothy of Mauretania
St Valens of Auxerre
St Vales
St Victorius of Caesarea

Martyrs of Egypt: Large number of bishops, priests, deacons and lay people banished when the Arian heretics seized the diocese of Alexandria, Egypt in 357 and drove out Saint Athanasius and other orthodox Christians. Many were old, many infirm and many, many died of abuse and privations while on the road and in the wilderness. Very few survived to return to their homes in 361 when Julian the Apostate recalled all Christians and then many of those later died in the persecutions of Julian.

Martyrs of Pentecost in Alexandria: An unspecified number of Christian clerics and lay people who, on Pentecost in 338, were rounded up by order of the Arian bishop and emperor Constantius and were either killed, or exiled, for refusing to accept Arian teachings. 339 in Alexandria, Egypt.

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Posted in MARIAN TITLES, MARTYRS, SAINT of the DAY

Nostra Signora delle Colombe / Our Lady of the Doves (Bologna, Italy) and Memorials of the Saints – 10 February

Nostra Signora delle Colombe / Our Lady of the Doves (Bologna, Italy) – 10 February:

While the Pilgrim Virgin Statue was touring Europe, three snow-white doves came unexpectedly as the procession passed through a tiny village. No-one could be identified as their owner and they did not seem to be lost. They settled at the feet of the Madonna – soft, white doves, at home with Mary.
Day by day, as the pilgrimage drew near its destination of Bologna, Italy, the doves stayed on. They left the Statue only for short flights and never all at once. No minute passed that at least one of them was not at Our Lady’s feet.
When the procession neared the Cathedral where the Statue was to be enthroned, conjecture was made about the possible action of the doves. Eager eyes watched them as strong arms carried the Madonna to her pedestal in the Sanctuary. Softly, the doves hovered over, undisturbed by the noisy devotion of the crowd of Latin enthusiasts for Our Lady.
When the Statue was finally set firmly and left free to them once more, the doves returned to their resting place, as before, at the feet of Mary.
High Mass began at once. Through all the singing and incensing and preaching, the birds remained, watchful but not alarmed. Only as the Mass reached its climax at the Consecration did they stir. Then, as if by instinct, they left the Statue and flew to the Altar. Upon the high Crucifix they perched for the rest of the Mass.
Then, at the “Ite Missa est,” with one accord they flew from the Church and vanished. The doves of Mary had escorted her, Our Lady of the Doves, to the palace of the King.
Earthly royalty selects eagles for insignia. Mary, Queen of Peace and Mother of the Prince of Peace, selects doves. This type of incident has occurred several times, at a variety of different locations, in recent history.

St Scholastica (c482-547) (Memorial)
About this twin of St Benedict:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/02/10/saint-of-the-day-10-february-st-scholastica/

Bl Alexander of Lugo
Blessed Alojzije/Aloysius Cardinal Stepinac (1898–1960) Martyr
About: https://anastpaul.com/2019/02/10/saint-of-the-day-10-february-blessed-aloysius-stepinac-1898-1960/

St Andrew of Bethlehem
St Aponius of Bethlehem
St Austrebertha of Pavilly OSB (630–704) Abbess
St St Baldegundis
St Baptus of Magnesia
Bl Catherine du Verdier de la Sorinière
St Charalampias
Bl Clare Agolanti of Rimini
St Desideratus of Clermont
St Erluph of Werden
Bl Eusebia Palomino Yenes
Bl Hugh of Fosse
St José Sánchez del Río “Joselito” (1913-1928) Martyr
Biography:

https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/02/10/saint-of-the-day-10-february-st-jose-sanchez-del-rio-joselito-1913-1928-boy-martyr/

Bl Louise Bessay de la Voûte
Bl Louise Poirier épouse Barré
Bl Marie-Anne Hacher du Bois
Bl Marie-Louise du Verdier de la Sorinière
Bl Mikel Beltoja
Bl Paganus
Bl Paul of Wallachia
Bl Pierre Frémond
St Porfirio
St Prothadius of Besançon
St Salvius of Albelda
St Silvanus of Terracina
St Soteris the Martyr
St Troiano of Saintes
St Trumwin of Whitby
St William the Hermit (Died 1157)
About St William:

https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/10/saint-of-the-day-10-february-saint-william-the-hermit-died-1157/

Martyred Soldiers in Rome: A group of ten Christian soldiers who were martyred together for their faith. We know little more about them but four of their names – Amantius, Hyacinth, Irenaeus and Zoticus. • 120 at Rome, Italy. They were buried on the Via Lavicana outside RomeAmantius, Hyacinth, Irenaeus, Zoticus.

Posted in MARTYRS, SAINT of the DAY

Memorials of the Saints – 21 May

St Eugene de Mazenod OMI (1782-1861)
Biography:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/05/21/saint-of-the-day-21-may-st-eugene-de-mazenod-o-m-i-1782-1861/

Martyrs of the Mexican Revolution (Optional Memorial):   The 1917 Mexican constitution was pointedly anti-clerical and anti-Church, and its adoption instituted years of violent religious persecution including expulsion of foreign priests, closing of parochial schools and the murders of several priests and lay leaders who work to minister to the faithful and support religious freedom.   25 of them who died at different times and places but all as a result of this persecution were celebrated together.   They each have separate memorials but are also remembered as a group.

• Saint Agustin Caloca Cortes
• Saint Atilano Cruz Alvarado
• Saint Cristobal Magallanes Jara
• Saint David Galván-Bermúdez
• Saint David Roldán-Lara
• Saint David Uribe-Velasco
• Saint Jenaro Sánchez DelGadillo
• Saint Jesús Méndez-Montoya
• Saint Jose Isabel Flores Varela

• Saint “Joselito” José Luis Sánchez del Río (1913-1928) Aged 14
Memorial 10 February
Dear Joselito!
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/02/10/saint-of-the-day-10-february-st-jose-sanchez-del-rio-joselito-1913-1928-boy-martyr/comment-page-1/

• Saint José María Robles Hurtado
• Saint Julio álvarez Mendoza
• Saint Justino Orona Madrigal
• Saint Luis Batiz Sainz
• Saint Manuel Moralez
• Saint Margarito Flores-García
• Saint Mateo Correa-Magallanes
• Saint Miguel de la Mora
• Saint Pedro de Jesús Maldonado-Lucero

• Saint Pedro Esqueda Ramírez
About St Pedro:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/11/22/saint-of-the-day-22-november-saint-pedro-esqueda-ramirez-1887-1927-priest-and-martyr-of-the-cristero-war/

• Saint Rodrigo Aguilar Alemán

• Saint Roman Adame Rosales
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/04/21/saint-of-the-day-21-april-saint-roman-adame-rosales-1859-1927-priest-and-martyr

• Saint Sabas Reyes Salazar
His Life and Martyrdom:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/04/13/saint-of-the-day-13-april-st-jose-sabas-reyes-salazar-1883-1927-priest-and-martyr/

• Saint Salvador Lara Puente
• Saint Toribio Romo González
• Saint Tranquilino Ubiarco Robles

Canonised:  21 May 2000 by Pope John Paul II

St Adalric of Bèze
Bl Adilio Daronch
St Ageranus of Bèze
St Ansuinus of Bèze
St Antiochus of Caesarea Philippi
St Arcangelo Tadini (1846–1912)
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/05/21/saint-of-the-day-21-may-saint-arcangelo-tadini-1846-1912/

St Bairfhion of Killbarron
St Berard of Bèze
St Collen of Denbighshire

St Constantine the Great
St Donatus of Caesarea
St Eutychius of Mauretania

Blessed Franz Jägerstätter OFS (1907-1943) Layman Martyr

The first video is from the author of a biography of Blessed Franz.   His life of “Conscientious Objection” is very appropriate for the times we find ourselves in right now!
The second video contains an interview and details of the Film made about Blessed Franz “A Hidden Life.”

St Genesius of Bèze
St Godric of Finchale
Bl Hemming of Åbo
St Hospitius of Cap-Saint-Hospice
Bl Hyacinth-Marie Cormier
St Isberga of Aire
Bl Jean Mopinot
Bl Lucio del Rio
St Mancio of Évora
Bl Manuel Gómez González
St Nicostratus of Caesarea Philippi
Bl Pietro Parenzo
St Polieuctus of Caesarea
St Polius of Mauretania
St Restituta of Corsica
St Rodron of Bèze
St Secundinus of Cordova
St Secundus of Alexandria
St Serapion the Sindonite
St Sifrard of Bèze
Bl Silao
St Synesius
St Theobald of Vienne
St Theopompus
St Timothy of Mauretania
St Valens of Auxerre
St Vales
St Victorius of Caesarea

Martyrs of Egypt:  Large number of bishops, priests, deacons and lay people banished when the Arian heretics seized the diocese of Alexandria, Egypt in 357 and drove out Saint Athanasius and other orthodox Christians.   Many were old, many infirm and many, many died of abuse and privations while on the road and in the wilderness.   Very few survived to return to their homes in 361 when Julian the Apostate recalled all Christians and then many of those later died in the persecutions of Julian.

Martyrs of Pentecost in Alexandria:  An unspecified number of Christian clerics and lay people who, on Pentecost in 338, were rounded up by order of the Arian bishop and emperor Constantius and were either killed, or exiled, for refusing to accept Arian teachings. 339 in Alexandria, Egypt.

Posted in QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on FREEDOM, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on HUMAN DIGNITY, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 10 February – St “Joselito”(1913-1928) and Blessed Aloysius Stepinac (1898–1960) Martyrs

Quote/s of the Day – 10 February – the Memorial of St José Sánchez del Río “Joselito”(1913-1928) and Blessed Aloysius Stepinac (1898–1960) Martyrs

“My faith is not for sale.”

St José Sánchez del Río “Joselito”(1913-1928)my-faith-is-not-for-sale-joselito-10-feb-2018

“Blessed be Your name, Lord!
May Your will be done!”

Blessed Alojzije Stepinac’s last wordsblessed be your name lord - bl aloysius stepinac 10 feb 2019

“We affirm then that all peoples and races descend from God.
In fact, there exists but one race. The members can be white or black.
They can be separated by oceans or live on the opposing poles
but they remain first and foremost, the race created by God,
according to the precepts of natural law
and positive Divine law as it is written,
in the hearts and minds of human, or revealed by Jesus Christ,
the son of God, the sovereign of all peoples.”

25 October 1942we affirm that all peopls and races - bl aloysius stepinac 10 feb 2019.jpg

“We always stressed in public life,
the principles of God’s eternal law,
regardless of whether we spoke
about Croats, Serbs, Jews, Gypsies,
Catholics, Muslims, Orthodox or whoever else….
The Catholic Church
does not recognise,
races that rule
and races
that are enslaved.”

Blessed Alojzije Stepinac, 1943the catholic church does not recognise - bl aloysius stepinac 10 feb 2019.jpg

“I know what my duty is.
With the grace of God,
I will carry it out to the end,
without hatred towards anyone
and without fear from anyone.”

Blessed Aloysius Stepinac (1898–1960) Martyri know what my duty is - bl aloysius stepinac - 10 feb 2019.jpg

Posted in MARTYRS, SAINT of the DAY

Memorials of the Saints – 10 February

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C *2019

St Scholastica (c482-547) (Memorial)
About this twin of St Benedict: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/02/10/saint-of-the-day-10-february-st-scholastica/

Bl Alexander of Lugo
Bl Alojzije/Aloysius Cardinal Stepinac (1898–1960) Martyr

St Andrew of Bethlehem
St Aponius of Bethlehem
St Austrebertha of Pavilly
St St Baldegundis
St Baptus of Magnesia
Bl Catherine du Verdier de la Sorinière
St Charalampias
Bl Clare Agolanti of Rimini
St Desideratus of Clermont
St Erluph of Werden
Bl Eusebia Palomino Yenes
Bl Hugh of Fosse
Bl José Sánchez del Río “Joselito” (1913-1928) Martyr
Biography: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/02/10/saint-of-the-day-10-february-st-jose-sanchez-del-rio-joselito-1913-1928-boy-martyr/

Bl Louise Bessay de la Voûte
Bl Louise Poirier épouse Barré
Bl Marie-Anne Hacher du Bois
Bl Marie-Louise du Verdier de la Sorinière
Bl Mikel Beltoja
Bl Paganus
Bl Paul of Wallachia
Bl Pierre Frémond
St Porfirio
St Prothadius of Besançon
St Salvius of Albelda
St Silvanus of Terracina
St Soteris the Martyr
St Troiano of Saintes
St Trumwin of Whitby
Bl William of Maleval

Martyred Soldiers in Rome: A group of ten Christian soldiers who were martyred together for their faith. We know little more about them but four of their names – Amantius, Hyacinth, Irenaeus and Zoticus. • 120 at Rome, Italy. They were buried on the Via Lavicana outside RomeAmantius, Hyacinth, Irenaeus, Zoticus.

Posted in MARTYRS, MORNING Prayers, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 10 February – The Memorial of St José Sánchez del Río “Joselito”(1913-1928)

Thought for the Day – 10 February – The Memorial of St José Sánchez del Río “Joselito”(1913-1928)

Mexican child-saint José Sánchez del Río (Joselito) “is not only a martyr of the Christian faith, but is a martyr of the fundamental rights of the person.”

In an interview with the Register at the Vatican on Saturday, the newly proclaimed saint’s postulator, Father Fidel Gonzáles, stressed this as he spoke about St José Sánchez del Río.   Father Gonzalez stressed how young José’s faith was not for sale and no one, no “offer” — not even his parents’ intervention — would convince him to negate his faith, even if it cost him his life.

The Vatican official also addressed how there are many Christian martyr saints that exist, even if they have not been formally recognised by the Church and reflected on how important it is, in the midst of today’s world, full of ambiguities, relativism and religious persecution, to not abandon our faith, as St Josélito teaches us.

“It’s always a little surprising to hear about saints as young as only 14 years old.  But can a child, someone so young, really be a saint as much as an adult or an elderly person? Of course.   There is a theological sanctity that belongs to every baptised person, even if baptised even a few hours after birth, because it is a grace of the Holy Spirit.   Instead, the moral holiness grows like a tree, which comes and develops from a small seed and then spreads throughout the course of a lifetime.   In the specific case of St José Sánchez del Río, we are facing a martyr of nearly age 15 but he had a clear awareness of the ideas that led him to proclaim his faith with martyrdom.   I can say that he really is an exceptional figure.

Why?

…because he showed a psychological maturity much higher than that of his own age.   We could say that, psychologically, he had the maturity of someone at least 18 or 20 years old, especially as he demonstrated his firm decision to reject the many proposals that they made to free him from prison in exchange for the apostasy of his faith in Christ. But he replied with a phrase, instead, of accepting, one that the witnesses then reported, a phrase that he used speaking to his parents when they tried to free him from captivity: “My faith is not for sale,” which means: “My faith in Christ cannot be sold, even though I know that this involves torture and death.”
“Long live Christ the King” was the cry with which the Mexican Cristeros went down in history.   What did those words mean to them?   It’s a theological expression;  maybe neither St Josélito nor the others, fully realised its meaning, its significance.   For them, it was a way of proclaiming the centrality of Christ in history.   We must point out that St José did not ever stop proclaiming Christ.   They said, “If you shout, ‘Death to Christ the King,’ we will spare your life.”   But instead he continued: “Long live Christ the King. … Long live the Lady of Guadalupe.”   This invocation of Our Lady of Guadalupe was significant, too, as it was the first concrete manifestation of God in the history of Mexico and Latin America.   José stayed faithful to the very, very end, even as they continued stabbing him and eventually shot him with the pistol.”

As a specialist on the concept of sanctity, are you familiar with other martyrs like St. José?
“I have been a consultant for 31 years of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and I have seen hundreds of cases of martyrdom but never of a martyr so young.   It’s a unique case, where you really see the power of divine grace.   But José Sánchez del Río — this is my thesis — is not only a martyr of the Christian faith but is a martyr of the fundamental rights of the person: the right to freedom of opinion, freedom of religion, the right to practice their religion. … In short, he is a martyr of all the rights that were denied the totalitarian era.   The 20th century is the century of totalitarian regimes, each very different from the others but yet they all agree on setting aside God, getting rid of the foundation of human rights.
St Josélito simply teaches us that the Catholic faith is not for sale, as he said himself [while] dying.   This is especially true in a world like today, full of ambiguities, of relativism, of dominant cultural nihilism.   The Christian faith, instead, has a solid foundation, i.e., the principle that God is the creator of all reality and if we put it aside, then all the rights of the person lose consistency and end up at the mercy of a political power.   

It’s interesting, I repeat, that all ideological totalitarianisms of the 20th century have desecrated the human person, profaning God.”

Correspondent Deborah Castellano Lubov writes from Rome.

St Joselito, Pray for us!st joselito pray for us no 2- 10 feb 2018

Posted in MARTYRS, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 10 February – The Memorial of St José Sánchez del Río “Joselito”(1913-1928)

Quote/s of the Day – 10 February – The Memorial of St José Sánchez del Río “Joselito”(1913-1928)

“Mama, do not let me lose the
opportunity to gain Heaven
so easily and so soon”.mama, do not let - st joselito - 10 feb 2018

“You will be in Heaven before me.
Prepare a place for me.
Tell Christ the King I shall be with Him soon”.you will be - st joselito - 10 feb 2018

“Long live Christ the King!
Long live Our Lady of Guadalupe!”.

Saint “Joselito”(1913-1928)long live christ the king long live our lady of guadalupe - st joselito - 10 feb 2018

Posted in MARTYRS, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, SAINT of the DAY

One Minute Reflection – 10 February – The Memorial of St José Sánchez del Río “Joselito”(1913-1928)

One Minute Reflection – 10 February – The Memorial of St José Sánchez del Río “Joselito”(1913-1928)

What will separate us from the love of Christ?   Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword?   As it is written:  “For your sake we are being slain all the day;  we are looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered.”   No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us ...Romans 8:35-37

REFLECTION – “My faith is not for sale.” … St José Sánchez del Río “Joselito”(1913-1928)my faith is not for sale - joselito - 10 feb 2018

PRAYER – Lord, my God, You chose us from the foundations of the world to be Your children.   We pray that our courage may not fail us as we are attacked from all sides, as we struggle home to You.  Grant that through the prayers of young Joselito, we too may fight unto death for Your love and the glory of Your Kingdom.   Through our Lord, Jesus, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever, amen.st joselito pray for us - 10 feb 2018

Posted in MARTYRS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 10 February – St José Sánchez del Río “Joselito” (1913-1928) Boy Martyr

Saint of the Day – 10 February – St José Sánchez del Río “Joselito” (1913-1928) known as “Joselito” – (28 March 1913 – 10 February 1928) Boy Martyr was a Mexican Cristero who was put to death by government officials because he refused to renounce his Catholic faith. His death was seen as a largely political venture on the part of government officials in their attempt to stamp out dissent and crush religious freedom in the area.   Patronages – Persecuted Christians, Catholic Children and Adolescents, Sahuayo, Mexico, his birthplace.   He was declared to be venerated on 22 June 2004 by St Pope John Paul II and was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI – through the Cardinal-Prefect of the Congregation of the Causes of Saints – on 20 November 2005 in Mexico. Pope Francis approved a miracle attributed to him on 21 January 2016, allowing for his canonisation to take place and he was proclaimed to be a saint on 16 October 2016.header - bl joseHeader - The first class relic from Blessed Jose

José Sánchez del Río was born on 28 March 1913 in Sahuayo, Michoacán, Mexico. Wanting to defend the faith and rights of Catholics, he followed in the footsteps of his two older brothers and asked his mother for permission to join the Cristeros. She objected, telling him that he was too young.  “Mama”, he replied, “do not let me lose the opportunity to gain Heaven so easily and so soon”.

At that time, the laws banned religious orders, deprived the Church of property rights and denied priests civil liberties, including the right to trial by jury and the right to vote. As the restrictions on religious liberty increased, Catholics could be fined or imprisoned for teaching Church doctrine, wearing clerical attire, meeting together after their convents were disbanded, promoting religious life or holding religious services in non-church locations.

On 5 February 1928 the young boy was captured during a battle and imprisoned in the church sacristy.   In order to terrorise him, soldiers made him watch the hanging of one of the other captured Cristeros.   But José encouraged the man, saying, “You will be in Heaven before me.   Prepare a place for me.  Tell Christ the King I shall be with Him soon”.

In prison, he prayed the Rosary and sang songs of faith.   He wrote a beautiful letter to his mother telling her that he was resigned to do God’s will.   José’s father attempted to ransom his son but was unable to raise the money in time.Jose-Sanchez-del-Rio

On 10 February 1928 the teenager was brutally tortured and the skin of the soles of his feet was sheered off;   he was then forced to walk on salt, followed by walking through the town to the cemetery.   The young boy screamed with pain but would not give in.tortured feet of bl jose

At times the soldiers stopped him and said, “If you shout, “Death to Christ the King’, we will spare your life”.   But he answered: “Long live Christ the King!   Long live Our Lady of Guadalupe!”.

Once he arrived at the cemetery, José was asked once more if he would deny his faith. The 14 year old shouted out: “Long live Christ the King!”, and was summarily shot. (vatican.va)

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