Saint of the day and Feast days-Part 2

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May 2

Today we remember.
Saint Athanasius
Among many other saints
in the Holy Catholic Church.

Today’s saint is reputed for being one of the most dedicated opponents of Arianism, the heresy which originated with Arius, a priest from Alexandria, and which denied the divinity of Christ.
 
**Saint Athanasius
**
Bishop of Alexandria ; Doctor of the Church.

Athanasius was born in Alexandria, Egypt most probably between 296 and 298. Not much is known about his family circumstances or his early education. It seems that while still a boy, he came within the influence of his predecessor Bishop Alexander of Alexandria. The Bishop , it appears, became his patron, and , in 313 or 318 ,employed him as his secretary after he was ordained as a deacon.
He accompanied Alexander to the Council of Nicaea in 325.
Of note is the fact that the Council condemned Arius as an heretic and reaffirmed Christ’s divinity.
On his return to Alexandria, and after the death of Alexander in 328, Athanasius was unanimously elected bishop of the see.
The Arian heresy was the chief crisis for Athanasius in the early years of his episcopacy.
In 330, Emperor Constantine I ( Constantine the Great) , commanded Athanasius to allow Arians to communion; Athanasius refused.
The heretics then falsely accused him. He was tried and found innocent but still, the heretics, who at the time had political influence, had him exiled.
The saint spent 17 years in banishment, being exiled from Alexandria on five different occasions.
Undaunted, he remained, through it all,the ardent and fearless “champion of Christ’s divinity”.
During one of the period of exiles, he spent 6 years in the Egyptian desert as a hermit , writing his Apology to Constantine, the Apology for His Flight, the Letter to the Monks and the History of the Arians.
Athanasius spent his last years consolidating the doctrine of the Council of Nicaea.
He died in Alexandria on May 2, 373

The following is an excerpt from Our Sunday Visitor Encyclopedia Of Saints.

‘‘Athanasius is called “the Father of Orthodoxy”

“the Pillar of the Church” and “ “Champion of Christ Divinity” His efforts in defeating Arianism helped lay the groundwork for the triumph of Orthodox Christianity at the Council of Constantinople in 381, years after Athanasius’ death. He did not compose the Athanasian Creed, but it was drawn from his writings. He is a Doctor of the Church, and his most important theological writings include: Contra Gentes and De IncarnationeVerbi Dei”

Saint Athanasius,
Pray for us!
 
June 3

Today is the Feast day of
Martyrs of Uganda
Among many other saints.

This feast day is also referred to as
Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions,
The Uganda Martyrs or the Holy Martyrs of Uganda.
 
The Holy Martyrs of Uganda.
We will begin the story of these martyrs from April 1875. This was the time when Henry Morton Stanley, a journalist and explorer, arrived at the court of Mutesa I, Kabaka (King) of Buganda, an area in the South-central region of Uganda. He went to pay his respects to the king.
The Kabaka was very interested and wanted to know more about the civilization of the white man and also about Christianity. He was a pagan. His interest was so great that he asked Stanley to arrange for Missionaries to come to Uganda.
And so it was that a party of Protestant missionaries arrived on June 30, 1877 and on
February17, 1879, the Catholics, represented by a group from the Society of Missionaries of Africa, founded by Charles Cardinal Lavigerie in 1868, (known as the White Fathers), arrived in Uganda. The Arabs too, from the East Africal island of Zanzibar, had found their way into Uganda and they too were busy spreading Islam. For a time, all lived peacefully together. Many Mohammedans abandoned Islam to embrace Christianity. That was when the peace was shattered. There was now hostilities from the Arabs who in September 1881, urged the king to declare Islam the religion of the state and everyone had to accept it. Father Lourdel, the leader of the Catholic missionaries, courageously and successfully pleaded with the king against such an edict.
The kabaka yielded and declared that everyone was free to pray as they chose. Many people from the court of the kabaka continued to flock to the missionaries.Young pages in their teens, soldiers, gate keepers, etc, all went to be baptized Christians, abandoning the pagan practices still followed by their king.
There was Charles Lwanga, a skilled wresler.
Jean Marie Mugei, a page.
Bruno Serunkuma, a soldier, and so on.

Then Mutesa I died and his eighteen year old son, Prince Mwanga, suceeded him. Although Mwanga had shown some love for the missionaries as a young prince, his attitude changed when he became king egged on by his chief adviser, the Katikiro, who slowly convinced him that Christians were a threat to his rule.
The king turned into an intolerant and vicious persecutor of Christians and all foreigners. He was convinced that the powers and authority which his predecessors had enjoyed were dwindling, and he blamed it all on the influence of the missionaries and their converts.
The ultimate humiliation for Mwanga was when he realised the pages were being protected from his immoral advances…
It continues with the next post
 
The Holy Martyrs of Uganda-Part 2

The king was the center of power and authority, and he could dispense with any life as he felt. Although "the unmentionable practices we read of in Sodom and Gomorrah is abhorred among the locals, it was unheard of for mere pages to reject the wishes of a king. (It is alleged that Mwanga learnt or acquired his “abomination.” behavior from other foreigners in Uganda at the time).
Mwanga became determined to rid his kingdom of the new teaching and its followers.
In October of 1885 the Anglican Bishop James Hannington recently dispatched to head the Eastern Equatorial Africa, headquartered in Buganda, was murdered on his way to Buganda. Mwanga had ordered his death.

Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe, a senior advisor to the king and a Catholic convert, condemned Mwanga for ordering Hannington’s death without giving the Bishop a chance to defend himself as was customary. Mwanga was annoyed that Mukasa would question his actions, and he had him arrested and on Nov. 15 1885; Mukasa became the first Catholic martyr, when he was first beheaded and then burnt at a place called Nakivubo.
Christians were not cowed by this violent death. Between December of 1885 and May of 1886 many more converts were wantonly murdered.
Then one day in May 1886, Mwanga precipitated a show down. He learnt from a young page that he had been receiving religious instructions from another page called Denis Sebuggwawo. **Denis was sent for and the king simply thrust a spear through his throat. **
Guards were then posted round the royal residence to prevent any Christians from escaping. Sorcerers were summoned and war drums beaten to assemble the professional excecutioners. The pages were all brought up before Mwanga and the Christians ordered to separate themselves from the rest. Led by Lwanga and Kizito, the oldest and the youngest, they did so.
There were 15 young men, all under 25 years old. They were joined by two soldiers and two others already under arrest. Mwanga ordered the converts to choose between their new faith, and complete obedience to his orders. They courageosly chose their faith. He asked them if they intended to remain Christians, “Till death” , came their prompt response. “Then put them to death” was the order.
The appointed place of execution, a place called Namugongo, was 37 miles away. The convoy set out at once. Three of the youths were killed on the way. The others were imprisoned for seven days at the site of execution while a huge pyre was built.
On Ascention Day, June 3, they were brought out, stripped of their clothing, bound and each wrapped in a mat of reed. They were then placed on the pyre and it was set alight.
Above the ritual chants of the executioners, their voices could be heard calling on God (Katonda!), the Kiganda word for “God!”
And so they died; a most cruel death.
The list of forty five known Catholic and Protestant martyrs includes only those who could be formally accounted for, many more murders went unreported. Of these 45 Christians, 22 were Catholics.
They were beatified in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV and canonized by Pope Paul VI on October 18, 1964; during Vatican II conference.

Thus these martyrs were now recognised by the universal church as being worthy of being honored as Saints. This was a first for modern Africa.

Rather than deter the growth of Christianity, the martyrdom of these early believers seems to have sparked its growth instead.
The blood of these martyrs proved to be the seed of faith. Christianity is now the dominant faith in Buganda and Uganda as a whole.
The Holy Martyrs of Uganda,
Pray for us!

From Saints for All
Lives of Saints for Every Week.
A Paulines Publications Africa.
 
Prayer…
Almighty Father,
in your love, grant that your Church,
the field that was fertilised by the blood of Saint Lwanga and his Companions,
may always yield a fertile harvest for You.
We ask You this through the Holy Name of Jesus Christ Your Son.
Amen!
 
odhiambo said:
June 3

Today is the Feast day of
Martyrs of Uganda
Among many other saints.

This feast day is also referred to as
Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions,
The Uganda Martyrs or the Holy Martyrs of Uganda.
Click to expand...
Apologies dear reader ! ;D
The Uganda Martyrs feast is on June 3, Seems I have jumped the gun!
What is done, however, is done! ;D
Will simply link you to it on the appropriate day.
Sorry again! :-
 
May 3

Today is the Feast day of
Saints Philip and James.
Among many other saints
 
Saints Philip and James.

"Today the Church celebrates the feast of two apostles.Philip and James.
Their relics are kept together in the Church of the twelve apostles in Rome and, from the day of its dedication, in 565, these two apostles have been celebrated together…”

**Saint Philip.
Apostle and Martyr.
**
Philip was born at Bethsaida in Galilee
He was initially a disciple of Saint John the Baptist but later, became an apostle of Jesus. Philip was also instrumental in the call of Nathaniel who was his friend. After his call, he went to Nathaniel and said: “We have found the one whom Moses wrote about in the book of the Law and whom the prophets also wrote about, He is Jesus, son of Joseph from of Nazareth.” Nathaniel then asked: “can anything good come from Nazareth?”, “come and see” Philip answered (Jn 1:45-46 Good News Bible)

After the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentesost Day, when the disciples dispersed to all parts of the world, Philip went to preach the Gospel in Phrygia in Asia Minor.
It is reported that Philip died a martyr during the reign of Domitian. It is widely accepted that he was crucified upside down at Hierapolis in Phrygia.

Saint James.
Also known as James the Just.

James , son of Alphaeus, was a brother of Saint Jude Thaddaeus and a cousin of the Lord. His mother, Mary of Cleopas was a sister of the Blessed Virgin.

Although no prominence is given to Saint James in the Gospel, we learn from Saint Paul that he was favoured with a special appearing of Our Lord, just before Ascension. He subsequently became a very prominebt leader among the Nazarenes in Jerusalem. When Saint Paul, three years after his conversion, went up to Jerusalem, and was still regarded with some suspicion by the apostles who were there, James and Saint Peter welcomed him. James, together with Saint Peter, presided over the Council of Jerusalem that decided to permit Paul’s mission among the Gentiles.( Acts 15). James weilded even greater influence after the departure of Peter from the city.

Saint James was the first Bishop of Jerusalem. He is also noted for the “Epistle” he wrote, possibly in 47 A.D.and thought to have been addressed to Churches in Syria, whose members were discriminated against and oppressed because of their new Faith.

James led such an upright and holy life that he was named “the Just”. Motivated by jealousy because of the great following he had, he was martyred by the Sanhedrin about the year 62. He was supposedly hurled from a pinnacle of the great temple. The headlong fall did not kill him, so his acusers stoned him to death. He was buried near the temple where he was martyred.

Saint Philip and Saint James,
Pray for us!
 
odhiambo said:
June 3

Today is the Feast day of
Martyrs of Uganda
Among many other saints.

This feast day is also referred to as
Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions,
The Uganda Martyrs or the Holy Martyrs of Uganda.
Click to expand...
:eek::eek:
*Slow down there!

Wait for North America to catch up!!!*😉
😃
(I saw your correction, but I couldn’t resist making a comment.)

P.S.
Happy Easter!!
 
The_Reginator said:
:eek::eek:
*Slow down there!

Wait for North America to catch up!!!*😉
😃
(I saw your correction, but I couldn’t resist making a comment.)

P.S.
Happy Easter!!
Click to expand...
I know Reginator.
By the time I realised, the deed was done! 😃
It seemed pointless to delete it.
Happy Easter!
Reminds me of “Easter Parade” where every one was cheerfully wishing every other person, " Happy Easter"!🙂
 
May 4

Today we remember
Saint Godehard of Hildesheim
One saint among many remembered on this day.
 
Saint Godehard of Hildesheim

Also known as Godard, Godehard or Gothard.
Our Saint today was born in Reichersdorf, in Bavaria, Germany. He grew up among priests as his father worked with the canons of Niederaltaich Abbey. It followed that he himself wanted to live the life he was accustomed to seeing. He was ordained a Benedictine priest in 990. He eventually became Abbot of Niederaltaich Abbey. As Abbot, he was instrumental in the reintroduction of the Benedictine Rule at Niederaltaich.
His success led to his appointments in other positions. Emperor Saint Henry II appointed him bishop of Hildesheim in 1022. He was also asked to reform monasteries.
The saint was renown for his charitable works.
Saint Godard died of natural causes in 1038. A chapel, Saint Gotthard, was constructed in his honor and in turn, Saint Gotthard Pass in Switzerland, was named after this chapel.
Saint Gotthard was canonized in 1131 by Pope Innocent II.

Saint Gotthard,
Pray for us
 
It’s also the traditional feast day of St. Monica.

And the feast of the Carthusian Martyrs. These all died under the infamous King Henry VIII, for refusing to acknowledge him as head of the Church.

‘Son, nothing in this world now affords me delight. I do not know what there is now for me to do or why I am still here, all my hopes in this world being now fulfilled.’

St. Monica, about the conversion of Augustine
 
Shin said:
It’s also the traditional feast day of St. Monica.

And the feast of the Carthusian Martyrs. These all died under the infamous King Henry VIII, for refusing to acknowledge him as head of the Church.

‘Son, nothing in this world now affords me delight. I do not know what there is now for me to do or why I am still here, all my hopes in this world being now fulfilled.’

St. Monica, about the conversion of Augustine
Click to expand...
Saint Monica.
Pray for us!
 
5 May
Today we remember
Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice
One Blessed among many other saints
and Blesseds we honor today.
 
Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice.
Founder of the Congregation of Christian Brothers.

Edmund was born on 1 June 1762 in Callan, Ireland. He was the 4 th of seven sons born to his parents.
At seventeen, Edmund moved to Waterford to work for his uncle , Michael, who was running a shipping business there. When his uncle died, Edmund inherited the business and became wealthy.
In 1785 or 1787, Edmund married a girl named Mary Elliott. He was about 25 years old. The couple was blessed with a baby girl.
Two years down the line, however, he lost his wife.
After this loss, Edmund, a devout man, at first wanted to enter the religious life. He was , however encouraged by the Bishop of Waterford, Bishop Hussey, to serve God in another way, another direction, by dedicated himself to charitable works. He began working with poor, uneducated boys. The Bishop drew Edmund’s attention to the gangs of ragged youth in the streets, asking him if he too, planned to abandon them. No, Edmund would not abandon these needy children. He saw the lack of Christian education among the boys of Waterford, and decided on the course he would take. Encouraged by Pope Pius VII and the Bishop he sold his business, arranged for his daughter’s care, and commenced his great work of Christian education by opening his first school in 1802. This was the founding of the Congregation of Christian Brothers, or just the Christian Brothers, or even, the Irish, Christian Brothers. It was a Catholic Model School. By 1806, he had three other schools in operation. He now took the religious name of Ignatius.

Edmund established eleven communities in Ireland, eleven in England, and one in Australia, with requests coming from the United States and Canada. He resigned as Superior General in 1838.

He died of natural causes on 29 August 1844 in Waterford, at Mount Sion, the site of his first school.
He was beatified him on October 6, 1996 by John Paul II.
Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice,
Pray for us!
 
I understand that Edmund was born at a time in history when the Irish Catholics were undergoing persecutions by the English. During that period, it was apparently illegal for a catholic to educate his children as Catholics or for any teacher to do the same. This state of affairs is what contributed to the sorry state of Catholic boys in Waterford, that so aroused Edmund’s pity and compassion.
That he was able to found the Catholic Model Schools must surely mean that the penal laws had been relaxed?
 
Today is also Pope St. Pius V’s day, on the traditional calendar. 😃

‘You are the salt of the earth! You are the light of the world! See to it that the people are edified by your example, by the purity of your lives, by the moderation of your conduct, and the brilliance of your holiness! God does not ask of you mere ordinary virtue. He demands downright perfection!’

Pope St. Pius V, to the cardinals

‘I know very well that I am dealing with men, not with angels.’

Pope St. Pius V

'The Roman Pontiffs, and the other Holy Fathers, our predecessors, when they were pressed in upon by temporal or spiritual wars, or troubled by other trials, in order that they might more easily escape from these, and having achieved tranquility, might quietly and fervently be free to devote themselves to God, were wont to implore the divine assistance, through supplications or Litanies to call forth the support of the saints, and with David to lift up their eyes unto the Mountains, trusting with firm hope that thence would they receive aid. . .

Dominic looked to that simple way of praying and beseeching God, accessible to all and wholly pious, which is called the Rosary, or Psalter of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in which the same most Blessed Virgin is venerated by the angelic greeting repeated one hundred and fifty times, that is, according to the number of the Davidic Psalter, and by the Lord’s Prayer with each decade. Interposed with these prayers are certain meditations showing forth the entire life of Our Lord Jesus Christ, thus completing the method of prayer devised by the by the Fathers of the Holy Roman Church. . .

Christ’s faithful, inflamed by these prayers, began immediately to be changed into new men. The darkness of heresy began to be dispelled, and the light of the Catholic Faith to be revealed. . .

Following the example of our predecessors, seeing that the Church militant, which God has placed in our hands, in these our times is tossed this way and that by so many heresies, and is grievously troubled troubled and afflicted by so many wars, and by the deprave morals of men, we also raise our eyes, weeping but full of hope, unto that same mountain, whence every aid comes forth, and we encourage and admonish each member of Christ’s faithful to do likewise in the Lord.’

Pope St. Pius V
 
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