Blessed John Dominic

Jan 182010
 

Also known as

  • John Dominici
  • John Dominici de Banchini

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Profile

He had a humble background, little education, and a tendency to stammer and stutter, but John had a great memory, great drive to improve, and became a great theologian and preacher. He spent much of his youth in or around the nearby Dominican church of Santa Maria Novella. Though he lacked education and the Dominicans were scholars, and though he had trouble speaking and the Dominicans were preachers, he joined the Order at age 17.

He studied in Pisa and Florence in Italy, and received his degree in theology from the University of Paris. Priest. In one letters, he said that his speech impediment threatened to limit his vocation; it was cured through the intervention of Saint Catherine of Siena, and he spent 12 years as a preacher in Venice, Italy.

Prior of the Dominican house at Santa Maria Novella. Vicar-provincial in Rome, Italy in 1392. With Blessed Raymund of Capua, master general of the Order, he helped lead the rebuilding of the Order after the plague, and restoration of discipline to the members. Founded Dominican houses and convents in the Italian cities of Venice (1388 and 1394), Fiesole (1406), Chioggia, Citta di Castello, Cortona, Lucca, and Fabriano. Correspondent with Blessed Clara Gambacorta, giving her advice on her work to restore discipline to Dominican nuns. Because of his support of the Dominican White Penitents in Venice, he briefly lost papal support, but was later welcomed back, and resumed the work.

Worked to support Christian education of the young. Opposed pagan ideas that were creeping into the humanist thought of the day. Confessor and advisor to Pope Gregory XII. Cardinal of San Sisto in 1407. Archbishop of Ragusa, Italy in 1408. Helped heal the Western Schism. Convinced Pope Gregory XII to call the Council of Constance, and to abdicate in order to force the hands of the anti-popes, causing them to drop their claims to the crown.

Papal legate to Hungary and Bohemia for Pope Martin V. Worked to settle the disruptions caused by the death of John Hus, and to heal the Hussite Schism; converted some, but was unable to affect the larger problem.

Wrote Scripture commentaries and hymns in Italian. His portrait was painted by Fra Angelico, who had joined the order under him, and a memoir of him was written by Saint Antoninus of Florence who had joined the Order after hearing John preach, and had worked with him in Fiesole.

Born

Died

Beatified

Additional Information

MLA Citation

  • “Blessed John Dominic”. Saints.SQPN.com. 18 January 2010. Web. {today’s date}. <http://saints.sqpn.com/blessed-john-dominic/>

Saint Antonius of Florence

Jan 182010
 

[Saint Antonius of Florence]
Also known as

  • People’s Prelate
  • Protector of the Poor

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When he first tried to join the Dominicans he was refused due to his poor health. When he persisted, the prior told him he could only enter if he could recite the whole of canon law from memory; a year later, in 1405, after spending his time in study, he recited it and was admitted. Priest. Worked for the reforms of Blessed John Dominic. Vicar of the convent of Foligno, Italy in 1414. Prior. Member of the Council of Florence which sought to end the schism between the churches of the east and west. Vicar-General of the Dominicans. Archbishop of Florence, Italy in 1446. Diplomat. Theologian. Healer. Wrote a biography of Blessed John Dominic, a history of the world, and a reference work on moral theology.

Born

Died

Canonized

Patronage

Representation

Additional Information

MLA Citation

  • “Saint Antonius of Florence”. Saints.SQPN.com. 11 May 2010. Web. {today’s date}. <http://saints.sqpn.com/saint-antonius-of-florence/>

Saint Eugyppius

Jan 172010
 

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Profile

Ordained in Rome, Italy. Worked with Saint Severinus in Noricum (part of modern Austria), and wrote a biography of him.

Born

Died

Canonized

Additional Information

MLA Citation

  • “Saint Eugyppius”. Saints.SQPN.com. 17 January 2010. Web. {today’s date}. <http://saints.sqpn.com/saint-eugyppius/>

Saint Martin of Leon

Jan 112010
 

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Educated in the monastery of Saint Marcellus at Leon, Spain. Pilgrim to Rome, Italy, and to Constantinople. Augustinian canon regular at Saint Marcellus abbey. Priest. When his monastery was secularized, he entered the collegiate church of Saint Isidore at Leon. Wrote commentaries on the Epistles and Revelations, and discourses on varied subjects. Known during his lifetime for his holiness and ascetical writings. The religious of Saint Isidore’s dedicated a chapel to Martin very early, and celebrated his feast each year, but the Church has not officially included him in the list of Saints.

Born

Died

Canonized

Additional Information

MLA Citation

  • “Saint Martin of Leon”. Saints.SQPN.com. 11 January 2010. Web. {today’s date}. <http://saints.sqpn.com/saint-martin-of-leon/>

Saint Apollinaris the Apologist

Jan 072010
 

[Saint Apollinaris]
Also known as

  • Apollinaris Claudius
  • Apollinaris of Hierapolis
  • Claudius Apollinaris

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Second century bishop of Heirapolis, Phrygia. Held in high regard by other early saints including Saint Jerome and the historian Theodoret. Noted for writing a defense of the faith to Emperor Marcus Aurelius that reminded the Emperor of a miraculous victory that resulted from the prayers of Christian soldiers, and of his promise of protection for Christians. Worked and wrote against all the major heresies of his time, refuting them by logically destroying the heresy‘s philosophical roots. A prolific writer, most of his work has been lost over the centuries.

Died

Canonized

Additional Information

Readings

We therefore grossly deceive ourselves in not allotting more time to the study of divine truths. It is not enough barely to believe them, and let our thoughts now and then glance upon them: that knowledge which shows us heaven, will not bring us to the possession of it, and will deserve punishments, not rewards, if it remain slight, weak, and superficial. By serious and frequent meditation it must be concocted, digested, and turned into the nourishment of our affections, before it can be powerful and operative enough to change them, and produce the necessary fruit in our lives. For this all the saints affected solitude and retreats from the noise and hurry of the world, as much as their circumstances allowed them. - Saint Apollinaris

MLA Citation

  • “Saint Apollinaris the Apologist”. Saints.SQPN.com. 16 October 2010. Web. {today’s date}. <http://saints.sqpn.com/saint-apollinaris-the-apologist/>

Saint Venantius Fortunatus

Dec 252009
 

Also known as

  • Venantius Honorius Clementianus Fortunatus

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Born to a pagan family, Venantius converted to Christianity when still quite young. He grew up in Aquileia, Italy, and studied grammar, rhetoric, and law at Ravenna, Italy. While a student he became nearly blind, but recovered his sight by anointing his eyes with oil from a lamp that burned before the altar of Saint Martin of Tours. In gratitude to Saint Martin, he made a pilgrimage to Tours via the area of modern Germany, making the journey from about 565 to 567. In Tours he became a close friend of the bishop. Lived in the Loire Valley for while, then settled near Poitiers, France. During his travels he often paid for his supper by reciting poetry, singing, or making up rhymes on the spot. From 567 to 587 he counseled a local community of nuns on matters spiritual and financial. Priest. Advisor and secretary of Queen Saint Radegunde, wife of King Clotaire I. Bishop of Poitiers c.600.

A wanderer up to then, when Venantius became a bishop he became a model of temperance and stability, and was known for his love of food and friends and joy. He wrote hymns, essays, funeral elegies, homilies, and metrical lives of the saints including Saint Martin of Tours (which runs to 2,243 hexameter lines), Saint Hilary of Poitiers, Saint Germanus of Paris, Saint Albinus of Angers, Saint Paternus of Avranches, Saint Marcellus of Paris, and Saint Radegunde. His poetry and songs often concerned daily life and work and people and politics, and have become a valuable resource for historians of the era. He is considered the last of the Gallic Latin poets, and one of the first Christian poets to write works devoted to Mary.

Born

Died

Canonized

Additional Information

Works

MLA Citation

  • “Saint Venantius Fortunatus”. Saints.SQPN.com. 11 August 2010. Web. {today’s date}. <http://saints.sqpn.com/saint-venantius-fortunatus/>

Blessed Alfredo Ildefonso Schuster

Dec 242009
 

[Blessed Alfredo Ildefonso Schuster]
Also known as

  • Alfredo Ludovico Luigi Schuster

Memorial

Profile

Educated at Saint-Paul-Outside-the-Walls abbey, Rome, Italy from age 11. Entered the Cassinese Benedictine monastic noviate in 1896, taking the name Ildefonso. Made his formal monastic confession on 13 November 1900. Ordained on 19 March 1904 in Rome.

Novice master of his house from 1908 to 1916. Prior of the abbey from 1916 to 1918. Procurator general of the Congregation of Monte Cassino from 1914 to 1929. Abbot-ordinary of abbey nullius of Saint-Paul-Outside-the-Walls on 6 April 1918. President of the Pontifical Oriental Institute from 7 October 1919 to 4 July 1922, and teacher at several colleges and institutes. Consultor to the Sacred Congregation of Rites in the sections for the Liturgy and for the Causes of Saints. Censor of the Academy of Sacred Liturgy. President of the Commission for Sacred Art Apostolic Visitor to seminaries of Lombardy and Calabria. Appointed Archbishop of Milan on 26 June 1929 by Pope Pius XI. Created cardinal on 15 July 1929. Papal legate to several events and congresses in Europe. Participated in the conclave of 1939. Founded the Institute of Amrosian Chant and Sacred Music and the Ambrosianeum and Didascaleion cultural centres, and wrote for the daily publication L’Italia.

There was some controversy during the investigation of his Cause as some claimed he was sympathetic to Fascism. Evidence, however, shows that he denounced Fascism’s meddling with the youth organization Catholic Action, refused to participate in ceremonies involving Mussolini, and condemned racist legislation. The cardinal was primarily concerned with the spiritual well-being of his flock, the physical needs of the poor, assistance to newly married couples in order to create strong marriages, and with the administration of the Archdiocese.

Born

Died

Venerated

Beatified

Canonized

  • if you have information relevant to the canonization of Blessed Alfredo, contact
       Casa Ildefonso Schuster
       via S. Antonio, 5
       20122 Milano, ITALY

Additional Information

Readings

You want something to remember me by. All I can leave you is an invitation to holiness. - Blessed Alfredo’s parting words to the seminarians at Venegono a few days before his death

MLA Citation

  • “Blessed Alfredo Ildefonso Schuster”. Saints.SQPN.com. 11 August 2010. Web. {today’s date}. <http://saints.sqpn.com/blessed-alfredo-ildefonso-schuster/>

Pope Venerable Pius XII

Dec 202009
 

[Pope Pius XII]
Also known as

  • Eugenio Pacelli

Profile

Studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. Ordained on 2 April 1899. Staff member of the Sacred Congregation of Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs from 1901 to 1911. From 1904 to 1916 he assisted Cardinal Gasparri in his work to codify canon law. Undersecretary of the Congregation of Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs on 7 March 1911; secretary on 1 February 1914. Appointed Apostolic Nuncio in Bavaria and titular archbishop of Sardes by Pope Benedict XV on 20 April 1917 Apostolic Nuncio in Germany on 22 June 1920. Created cardinal-priest on 16 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI. Appointed Secretary of State for Vatican City on 9 February 1930. Archpriest of Saint Peter’s basilica on 25 March 1930. Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Institute of Christian Archeology on 10 March 1932. Papal legate to the 32nd International Eucharistic Congress in Buenos Aires, Argentina on 16 September 1934. Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church on 1 April 1935. Papal legate to the 34th International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest, Hungary on 12 May 1938. During the years that preceeded the Second World War, he arranged concordants with Bavaria, Prussia, Austria and Germany, and made diplomatic visits throughout Europe and the Americas, including an extensive visit to the United States in 1936. On 2 March 1939, Eugenio Pacelli was chosen the 260th pope, the first Secretary of State to be elected since Clement IX in 1667.

Worked for peace both before and throughout World War II. On 24 December 1942 and 2 June 1943, he forcefully denounced the extermination of peoples on account of race. Through the Pontifical Aid Commission, Pius XII operated a vast program of relief to the victims of the war on both sides, but especially to the Jewish people. When Hitler occupied Rome on 10 September 1943, after the fall of the Italian government, the Pope opened Vatican City to Jewish refugees. It is estimated that Pius XII aided more than 1,500,000 refugees, including Jews, throughout the war, especially by granting them Vatican citizenship. Under his encouragement, a vast underground of priests, religious, and laity throughout Italy, served as a pipeline to save Jews and non-Jews alike from the Nazi government. His efforts were so sucessful that the leader of the Jewish community in Rome praised him, and after the war himself converted to Roman Catholicism.

Well-known for his writings, and for beginning the theological preparations for Vatican II almost a decade before it was convened under his sucessor, Blessed Pope John XXIII. An ardent devotee of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, he consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart in 1942, at the request of Our Lady of Fatima. Established the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1945. Promoted the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Apostleship of Prayer.

Born

Papal Ascension

Died

Venerated

Beatified

  • if you have information relevant to the beatification of Venerable Pius XII, contact
       Rev. Paolo Molinari, SJ
       Sodalitium Internationale Pastor Angelicus
       Trafalgar, 10, 2°-1a
       08010 Barcelona, SPAIN

Prayers

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Readings

Inspired by the grace of God, we join the saints in honouring the holy virgin Frances Xavier Cabrini. She was a humble woman who became outstanding not because she was famous or rich or powerful, but because she lived a virtuous life. From the tender years of her youth, she kept her innocence as white as a lily and preserved it carefully with the thorns of penitence; as the years progressed, she was moved by a certain instinct and supernatural zeal to dedicate her whole life to the service and greater glory of God. She welcomed delinquent youths into safe homes, and taught them to live upright and holy lives. She consoled those who were in prison, and recalled to them the hope of eternal life. She encouraged prisoners to reform themselves, and to live honest lives. She comforted the sick and the infirm in the hospitals, and diligently cared for them. She extended a friendly and helping hand especially to immigrants, and offered them necessary shelter and relief, for having left their homeland behind, they were wandering about in a foreign land with no place to turn for help. Because of their condition, she saw that they were in danger of deserting the practice of Christian virtues and their Catholic faith. Undoubtedly she accomplished all this through the faith which was always so vibrant and alive in her heart; through the divine love which burned within her; and finally, through constant prayer by which she was so closely united with God from whom she humbly asked and obtained whatever her human weakness could not obtain. - from a homily at the Canonization of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini by Pope Pius XII

It is well known how this young girl had to face a bitter struggle with no way to defend herself. Without warning a vicious stranger burst upon her, bent on raping her and destrying her childlike purity. In that moment of crisis she could have spoken to her Redeemer in the words of that classic, The Imitation of Christ: “Though tested and plagued by a host of misfortunes, I have no fear so long as your grace is with me. It is my strength, stronger than any adversary; it helps me and give me guidance.” With splendid courage she surrendered herself to God and his grace and so gave her life to protect her virginity. The life of a simple girl – I shall concern myself only with highlights – we can see as worthy of heaven. Even today people can look upon it with admiration and respect. Parents can learn from her story how to raise their God-given children in virtue, courage, and holiness; they can learn to train them in the Catholic faith so that, when put to the test, God’s grace will support them and they will come through undefeated, unscathed, and untarnished. From Maria’s story carefree children and young people with their zest for life can learn not to be led astray by attractive pleasures which are not only ephemeral and empty but also sinful. Instead they can fix their sights on achieving Christian moral perfection, however difficult that course may prove. With determination and god’s help all of us can attain that goal by persistent effort and prayer. Not all of us are expected to die a martyr’s death, but we are all called to the pursuit of Christian virtue. So let us all, with God’s grace, strive to reach the goal that the example of the virgin martyr, Saint Maria Goretti, sets before us. Through her prayers to the Redeemer may all of us, each in his own way, joyfully try to follow the inspiring example of Maria Goretti who now enjoys eternal happiness in heaven. - from a homily by Pope Pius XII at the canonization of Saint Maria Goretti

Beatifications

    Canonizations

    Founded

      Elevated

      Writings

      MLA Citation

      • “Pope Venerable Pius XII”. Saints.SQPN.com. 13 August 2010. Web. {today’s date}. <http://saints.sqpn.com/pope-venerable-pius-xii/>

      Blessed Louis Alexander Alphonse Brisson

      Dec 202009
       

      [Blessed Louis Alexander Alphonse Brisson]
      Also known as

      • Alois Brisson

      Memorial

      Profile

      The only child of Toussaint and Savine Brisson. Educated by a local priest who had a large library; Louis read everything, but was especially interested in science. Seminarian in Troyes, France. Ordained on 19 December 1840. Teacher at the Visitation school in Troyes. Chaplain to the Visitation Sisters in Troyes. Confessor, spiritual director and eventual biographer of Mother Marie Therese de Sales Chappuis, superior of the Visitation house. With her help, and that of Saint Francisca Salesia, he founded the Oblate Sisters of Saint Francis de Sales in 1859 to minister to girls working in textile factories. Established Saint Bernard’s College in Troyes in 1869. On 27 August 1876, Louis and five other priests formed the Oblates of Saint Francis de Sales. Late in his life, the French government closed all religious houses, and the Oblates transferred their General House to Rome, Italy; being too elderly and frail to travel so far, Father Louis saw them off and then retired to spend his remaining days at his family home in Plancy, France.

      Born

      Died

      Venerated

      Beatified

      Canonized

      • if you have information relevant to the canonization of Blessed Louis, contact
           Sr. Madeleine-Thérèse Dechambre, OSFS
           Oblati di San Francesco di Sales
           Via Dandolo, 49
           00153 Roma, ITALY

      Additional Information

      Readings

      Lord, please visit and protect the family of the Oblate Sisters and of the Oblates of Saint Francis de Sales, which is the vine your powerful hand has planted through the work of your servant, Louis Brisson, OSFS. For the glory of your Name, make this family grow in your love, and grant to it, for the joy of the whole Church, the recognition of the untiring zeal of its Founder for the Gospel and of his heroic courage in the midst of trials. We ask through through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen. - Prayer for the Beatification of Father Louis Brisson, OSFS

      Hold the child in high esteem and instead of frustrating, lend a hand to the work grace accomplishes in these young souls. - Venerable Louis to the members of the Oblates of Saint Francis

      MLA Citation

      • “Blessed Louis Alexander Alphonse Brisson”. Saints.SQPN.com. 3 March 2012. Web. {today’s date}. <http://saints.sqpn.com/blessed-louis-alexander-alphonse-brisson/>

      Venerable Maria Angela Alfieri

      Dec 202009
       

      [Venerable Maria Angela Alfieri]
      Also known as

      • Angel of San Vittore
      • Mother of San Vittore
      • Sister Enrichetta
      • Sister Henrietta

      Profile

      Nun, entering the Sisters of Charity of Saint Joan Antida Thouret on 20 December 1911, taking the name Enrichetta. She taught kindergarten in Vercelli, Italy for several years, but in 1917 she contracted Pott’s disease, a form of tuberculosis of the spine, and she was forced to stop working. A pilgrimage to Lourdes, France did nothing for her, but she was healed on 25 February 1923 through the intercession of Mary Immaculate. She recovered so completely that on 24 May 1923 she began prison ministry at San Vittore Prison in Milan, Italy. Her work with the prisoners was a great success, and she became known as the Mother and Angel of San Vittore.

      When World War II broke out, San Vittore prison became an SS headquarters and holding area for Jews being sent to the concentration camps. Sister Enrichetta did what she could to help those prisoners, as well. When she tried to send messages between prisoners planning an escape, she was caught, imprisoned for several weeks, and sentenced to death. She was released through the intervention of Blessed Alfredo Ildefonso Schuster, Archbishop of Milan. Sister Enrichetta was transferred to the provincial house in Brescia, Italy, where she wrote an account of her imprisonment.

      Born

      Died

      Venerated

      Beatified

      • if you have information relevant to the beatification of Venerable Maria, contact
           Sr. Anna Antida Casolino, SdC
           Suore della Carità di S. Giovanna Antida
           Via Torricella di Sopra 174
           25127 Brescia, ITALY

      Additional Information

      MLA Citation

      • “Venerable Maria Angela Alfieri”. Saints.SQPN.com. 20 December 2009. Web. {today’s date}. <http://saints.sqpn.com/venerable-maria-angela-alfieri/>
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