Blessed Ladislaus Findysz

Apr 222010
 

[Blessed Ladislaus Findysz]
Also known as

  • Wladyslaw Findysz

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Born to pious peasants, the son of Stanislaus Findysz and Apollonia Rachwal. Received his early education from the Felician Sisters. Joined the Marian Solidality as a young student. Entered the major seminary in Przemysl in the autumn of 1927. Spiritual student of Blessed John Balicki. Ordained on 19 June 1932.

Assistant parish priest at Boryslaw, Poland (in modern Ukraine) on 1 August 1932. Assistant parish priest at Drohobycz, Poland (in modern Ukraine) on 17 September 1935. Assistant parish priest at Strzyzów, Poland on 1 August 1937. Assistant parish priest at Jaslo, Poland on 10 October 1940. Parish administrator and then parish priest in Nowy Zmigród beginning on 8 July 1941.

On 3 October 1944 Ladislaus and the rest of the town were expelled by the retreating German army. Having survived the oppression of the Nazis, he returned on 23 January 1945 to rebuild the parish, and to care for war refugees under the oppression of the Communists. He saved several Greek Catholic families who were being persecuted and exiled by the Communists. From 1946 until his death he was under surveillance of the secret police; that same year he was recognized for his good work by being declared an honorary canon. Ordered to stop teaching the catechism in 1952. In order to hinder his work, in 1952 and 1954 he was ordered to live outside the area of his parish. Vice-dean of the Nowy Zmigród deanery in 1957; dean in 1962.

In 1963 he started the Conciliar Works of Charity, a letter writing campaign to parishioners to exhort them to return to the Church, and to spread the word of the reforms of Vatican II. The Communists took a very dim view of this work, and on 25 November 1963 Father Ladislaus was arrested and imprisoned in the Rzeszów Castle, two months after major surgery to remove Ladislaus’ thyroid gland. A standard show trial was conducted on 16 and 17 December 1963, and Ladislaus was given a 30 month sentence for the crime of “forcing” religion on his parishioners. This was followed by (also standard) series of published slanders and lies to discredit Ladislaus while he was being abused and starved in prison. Transferred to the central prison hospital on 25 January 1964, his health broken, and suffering from cancer of the esophagus. Surgery was postponed, and Ladislaus was permitted to suffer and deteriorate. Released from prison to his parish, Nowy Zmigród, on February 1964 due to his health, but civilian doctors proclaimed his tumors inoperable. Martyr.

Born

Died

Venerated

Beatified

Canonized

  • if you have information relevant to the canonization of Blessed Ladislaus, contact
       Rev. Piotr Tarnawski
       Kuria Diecezjalna
       ul. Zamkowa, 4
       35-023 Rzeszów, POLAND

Additional Information

MLA Citation

  • “Blessed Ladislaus Findysz”. Saints.SQPN.com. 22 April 2010. Web. {today’s date}. <http://saints.sqpn.com/blessed-ladislaus-findysz/>

Blessed Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena

Apr 222010
 

[Blessed Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena]
Also known as

  • Laura Montoya y Upegui
  • María Laura de Jesus Montoya Upegui

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Educated at the Holy Spirit School in Amalfi, Colombia, and in Medellín, Colombia. Teacher. Beginning in 1908, she worked as missionary to the natives in the Uraba and Sarare regions. Founded the Works of the Indians and the Congregation of Missionary Sisters of Immaculate Mary and of Saint Catherine of Siena who minister to the poor throughout South America. Known for her defense of Indian rights, and as a strong role model for South American girls.

Born

Died

Venerated

Beatified

Canonized

  • if you have information relevant to the canonization of Blessed Laura, contact
       Centro Madre Laura
       Carr. 92 Nº 34D-21
       Belencito, Apdo. Aereo
       57975, Medellín, COLOMBIA

Additional Information

MLA Citation

  • “Blessed Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena”. Saints.SQPN.com. 22 April 2010. Web. {today’s date}. <http://saints.sqpn.com/blessed-laura-of-saint-catherine-of-siena/>

Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos

Apr 222010
 

[Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos]
Also known as

  • Father Seelos
  • Francesco Saverio Seelos
  • Franz Xaver Seelos

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One of twelve children born to Mang and Frances Schwarzenbach Seelos; he was named for Saint Francis Xavier. His father was a textile merchant who became parish sacristan. Francis was Confirmed on 3 September 1828, and made his first Communion on 2 April 1830. The boy wanted to be a priest from an early age, and often claimed he would be another Francis Xavier.

He completed his basic studies,/a> in Füssen, Germany, and graduated from the Institute of Saint Stephen in Augsburg, Germany in 1839. Received a degree in philosophy and theology from the University of Munich, and entered the Saint Jerome seminary in Dillingen an der Donau, Germany on 19 September 1842.

Francis became familiar with the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, and their mission to work with the poorest, the abandoned, and immigrants. He joined on 22 November 1842. Feeling a call to minister to German immigrants to America, he left the seminary on 9 December 1842, sailed for the America on 17 March 1843, and arrived in New York on 20 April. Ordained in the Redemptorist Church of Saint James in Baltimore, Maryland on 22 December 1844.

Worked nine years at Saint Philomena parish in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, six of those years as assistant pastor to, and spiritual student of Saint John Neumann, and the other three as superior and novice master of his Redemptorist community. Faithful to the Redemptorist teachings, he led a simple life, preached a simple message, and was always available to those in need. His sermons drew crowds from neighboring towns, there were lines outside his confessional, and he never tired of working with children. He heard Confessions in English, German, and French, from black and whites and anyone else with a burden.

Transferred to parish ministries in Baltimore in 1854, Cumberland, Maryland in 1857, and Annapolis, Maryland in 1862. Proposed as bishop of Pittsburgh in 1860, but he begged to be excused “from this act of God“, and his desire was granted by Pope Pius IX.

In 1863, during the American Civil War, all men were obliged to be available for active military duty. Seelos, as Superior of the Redemptorist Seminary, met with President Abraham Lincoln, and obtained an agreement not to send seminarians to the front. Seelos soon after lost his position as Prefect of Students for being “too lenient”.

From 1863 to 1866 he lived as an itinerant mission preacher in both English and German in Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin. Hearing of an influx of German immigrants to New Orleans, Louisiana, he pastored a Redemptorist church there beginning in 1866. He worked with yellow fever victims until he was taken by the illness the next year.

Born

Died

Venerated

Beatified

Canonized

  • if you have information relevant to the canonization of Blessed Francis, contact
       Rev. Antonio Marrazzo, CSSR
       Father Francis Seelos Center
       2030 Constance Street
       New Orleans, LA 70130, USA

Additional Information

Readings

O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight. I offer praise to You for the grace You have bestowed on Your humble missionary, Father Francis Xavier Seelos. May I have the same joyful vigor that Father Seelos possessed during his earthly life to love You deeply and live faithfully Your gospel. Amen. - Byron Miller, C.Ss.R.

Faithful to the spirit and charism of the Redemptorist Congregation to which he belonged, Father Francis Xavier Seelos often meditated upon these words of the Psalmist. Sustained by God’s grace and an intense life of , Father Seelos left his native Bavaria and committed himself generously and joyfully to the missionary apostolate among immigrant communities in the United States.

In the various places where he worked, Father Francis Xavier brought his enthusiasm, spirit of sacrifice and apostolic zeal. To the abandoned and the lost he preached the message of Jesus Christ, “the source of eternal salvation” (Heb 5: 9), and in the hours spent in the confessional he convinced many to return to God. Today, Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos invites the members of the Church to deepen their union with Christ in the sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist. Through his intercession, may all who work in the vineyard for the salvation of God‘s people be encouraged and strengthened in their task. - Pope John Paul II at the beatification recognition for Blessed Francis

MLA Citation

  • “Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos”. Saints.SQPN.com. 12 August 2010. Web. {today’s date}. <http://saints.sqpn.com/blessed-francis-xavier-seelos/>

Blessed Mariano de Jesus Eues Hoyos

Apr 212010
 

[Blessed Mariano de Jesus Eues Hoyos]
Also known as

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Eldest son of a religious rural Colombian family in a time when the state was hostile to the Church. From age 16 he wanted to become a priest; he entered the new Medellin Seminary at age 24, and was ordained in 1872. Worked in the parishes of San Pedro and Yarumel, and in 1878 he was assigned as priest to Angostura, Colombia where he spent the rest of his life.

Mariano had a great love for the poor, especially rural labourers. His preaching was simple and effective, his time spent ministering to the spiritual and social needs of his flock, and the people who knew him considered him a saint in life. However, his parish was in an area beset by civil war, and neither side seemed sympathetic to the Church; several times Mariano had to hide in nearby caves to escape the fighting.

Padre Marianito was beatified after confirmation of a miracle in the life of Father Rafael Gildardo Velez Saldarriaga of Medellin. Velez underwent prostate surgery in 1970; in 1982 he developed cancer on the scar. He had surgery, cobalt and estrogen therapies, and seemed to have recovered. In March 1987 he developed an oedema of the legs that turned into elephantiasis followed by metastasis of the spinal column, and the 75 year old priest was pronounced terminal. But in September 1987 he began to improve. In two months the oedema was reduced, the cellulitis and bone metastasis had disappeared. Doctors and scientists examined Father Velez in June 1991, and declared his cure had no scientific explanation. Additional analyses carried out in 1997 showed complete recovery, and on 4 April 1998, the Medical Commission of the Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints acknowledged unanimously that the priest‘s cure could not be scientifically explained, and was attributed to Padre Marianito’s intercession.

Born

Died

Venerated

Beatified

Canonized

  • if you have information relevant to the canonization of Blessed Mariano, contact
       Obispado
       Calle Real 28-44
       Sta. Rosa de Osos (Antioquia), COLOMBIA

Additional Information

Readings

I have already lived long enough. Now my greatest desire is to be united to my Jesus. - Blessed Mariano on his death bed

[Father Mariano] knew how to integrate himself totally in the life of the people, sharing in the sorrows and joys of all. For all of them he was a diligent Father, teacher and trustworthy counselor, and a faithful witness of Christ’s love among them. The poor, whom he called ‘Christ’s nobles,’ were his favorites. He never hesitated to use his own goods to alleviate the penury and indigence of the weakest. He frequently visited the sick, and was available at all times of the day and night to help them. He took care of children and youth with infinite gentleness and simplicity to lead them on the road of good habits and prudence. - Vatican Information Office

MLA Citation

  • “Blessed Mariano de Jesus Eues Hoyos”. Saints.SQPN.com. 21 April 2010. Web. {today’s date}. <http://saints.sqpn.com/blessed-mariano-de-jesus-eues-hoyos/>

Blessed Maria Anna Sala

Apr 212010
 

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Daughter of Giovanni and Giovannina Sala; fifth of eight children in a pious family. Educated in the convent school by the Sisters of Saint Marcellina in Vimercate, Italy. She wanted to join the Sisters, but her family needed her help, and Maria returned home. In 1848, her family obligations fulfilled, she returned to the Sisters, and made her profession on 13 September 1852. Over the next four decades she taught at the Marcellina schools in Cernusco, Chambery, Genoa, and Milan. Diagnosed with throat cancer in 1883, she kept the matter to herself and continued to work for another eight years. Throughout the beatification investigation and recognition everyone involved stressed Maria’s quiet dignity and her unwavering devotion to Christ no matter how severe her pain or trying her circumstances.

Born

Died

Venerated

Beatified

Canonized

  • if you have information relevant to the canonization of Blessed Maria, contact
       Dr. Andrea Ambrosi
       Suore Marcelline
       P.za Cardinal Ferrari, 5
       20122 Milano, ITALY

Additional Information

MLA Citation

  • “Blessed Maria Anna Sala”. Saints.SQPN.com. 21 April 2010. Web. {today’s date}. <http://saints.sqpn.com/blessed-maria-anna-sala/>

Blessed Claudio Granzotto

Apr 202010
 

[Blessed Claudio Granzotto]
Also known as

  • Claudius Granzotto
  • Riccardo Granzotto

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Youngest of nine children in a peasant farming family. His father died when Claudio was nine years old. Drafted into the Italian army at age 15, he served three years. Sculptor, studying and graduating with honours from the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice, Italy in 1929. Professed brother of the Order of Friars Minor in 1933. Known for his life of prayer, his work with the poor, and his unquestioned artistic skill.

Born

Died

Venerated

Beatified

Canonized

  • if you have information relevant to the canonization of Blessed Claudio, contact
       Convento S. Maria della Pieve
       Via Pieve 98
       C.P. 57
       36072 Chiampo (VI), ITALY

Additional Information

MLA Citation

  • “Blessed Claudio Granzotto”. Saints.SQPN.com. 12 August 2010. Web. {today’s date}. <http://saints.sqpn.com/blessed-claudio-granzotto/>

Saint Alberto Hurtado Cruchaga

Apr 202010
 

[Saint Alberto Hurtado Cruchaga]
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Alberto’s father died when the boy was four years old, and he grew up in poverty. Educated at the Jesuit College in Santiago, Chile. He early felt a call to religion, and to work with those as poor as himself. He entered the Jesuit novitiate in 1923, and was ordained in 1933. He taught religion at Colegion San Ignacio, trained teachers at Catholic University in Santiago, led retreats for young men, and worked in the poor areas of the city whenever he could. In 1941 he wrote Is Chile a Catholic Country?, and became national chaplain to the youth movement Catholic Action. During a retreat in 1944, Father Alberto started the work that would lead to El Hagar de Cristo which shelters the homeless and tries to rescue abandoned children, and was later modelled somewhat on the American Boys Town movement. In 1947, Hurtado founded the Chilean Trade Union Association (ASICH) to promote a Christian labour-union movement. He founded the journal Mensaje, dedicated to explaining the Church‘s teaching, in 1951. He wrote several works in his later years on trade unions, social humanism and the Christian social order.

Born

Died

Venerated

Beatified

Canonized

Additional Information

Readings

I am happy, Lord. - Saint Alberto’s frequent prayer during his fight with cancer

MLA Citation

  • “Saint Alberto Hurtado Cruchaga”. Saints.SQPN.com. 20 April 2010. Web. {today’s date}. <http://saints.sqpn.com/saint-alberto-hurtado-cruchaga/>

Saint Miguel González de Aozaraza de Leibar

Apr 182010
 

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Dominican priest. Missionary to Japan. Arrested for his faith in Okinawa. Martyr.

Born

Died

Venerated

Beatified

Canonized

Additional Information

MLA Citation

  • “Saint Miguel González de Aozaraza de Leibar”. Saints.SQPN.com. 18 April 2010. Web. {today’s date}. <http://saints.sqpn.com/saint-miguel-gonzalez-de-aozaraza-de-leibar/>

Saint Michaël Kurobyoie

Apr 172010
 

Also known as

  • Miguel Kurobyoie
  • Mikael Kurobyoie

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Dominican lay catechist. Martyr.

Born

Died

Venerated

Beatified

Canonized

Additional Information

MLA Citation

  • “Saint Michaël Kurobyoie”. Saints.SQPN.com. 17 April 2010. Web. {today’s date}. <http://saints.sqpn.com/saint-michael-kurobyoie/>

Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro

Apr 172010
 

[Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro]
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Son of a mining engineer. From childhood he was known for high spirits and cheerfulness, and he grew up in a pious home. Born to privilege, he had great affinity for the poor and working classes. Victim of recurring stomach disorder. Jesuit novice at 20. Exiled during the Mexican Revolution, he continued his studies abroad.

Ordained in Belgium in 1925 at age 36, he returned to Mexico in 1926, a time when churches were closed, priests were in hiding, and persecution of the Church was governement policy. Father Miguel used disguises to conduct an underground ministry, bringing the comfort of charity and the sacraments to the covert faithful.

Falsely accused in 1927 of a bombing attempt, Pro became a wanted man, was betrayed to the police, and without trial, he was sentenced to death. The photograph on this page was taken the day of his martyrdom. As he was about to be shot, he forgave his executioners, refused a blindfold, and died shouting “Long live Christ the King!” The government prohibited a public funeral, but the faithful lined the streets when his body passed.

Born

Died

Venerated

Beatified

Canonized

  • if you have information relevant to the canonization of Blessed Miguel, contact
       Rev. Anton Witwer, SJ
       Compañía de Jesús
       Calle Puebla 144
       Col. Roma
       06700 Cuauhtémoc, Mexico D.F., MEXICO

Prayers

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Readings

We ought to speak, shout out against injustices, with confidence and without fear. We proclaim the principles of the Church, the reigh of love, without forgetting that it is also a reign of justice. - Miguel Agustin Pro

Does our life become from day to day more painful, more oppressive, more replete with sufferings? Blessed be He a thousand times who desires it so. If life be harder, love makes it also stronger, and only this love, grounded on suffering, can carry the Cross of my Lord, Jesus Christ. - Miguel Agustin Pro

I believe, O Lord, but strengthen my faith…
Heart of Jesus, I love Thee; but increase my love.
Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee; but give greater vigor to my confidence.
Heart of Jesus, I give my heart to Thee; but so enclose it in Thee that it may never be separated from Thee.
Heart of Jesus, I am all Thine; but take care of my promise so that I may be able to put it in practice even unto the complete sacrifice of my life.
- Miguel Agustin Pro

MLA Citation

  • “Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro”. Saints.SQPN.com. 12 August 2010. Web. {today’s date}. <http://saints.sqpn.com/blessed-miguel-agustin-pro/>
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