Saint of the day and Feast days-Part 2

  • Thread starter Thread starter odhiambo
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
Today’s also the celebration of the finding of the Holy Body of Saint Philomena.

O Saint Philomena, virgin and martyr, pray for us, that through thy powerful intercession we may obtain that purity of mind and heart which leads to the perfect love of God. Amen.
 
Kelvin 👍
Shin 👍
Thanks.
We have managed to cover a number of them today. Did you know that the Church has canonized some 3,000 people but the exact number of saints is not known because not all saints were officially canonized. awesome huh:)
Shall we ever finish the list, I wonder.
 
May 26

Today is the Feast day of
Saint Philip Neri
Among many other saints.
 
Saint Philip Neri
Missionary and Founder of the Congregation of the Oratory.


Philip was born in Florence, Italy in 1515 to Francesco Neri and his wife. He was one of four children . His mother died when he was still very young and was brought up by a step-mother.
As a young boy, he was so good natured that he was called “Pippo buono,” which means "good little Philip”.
He studied under the Dominicans at San Marco.
At the age of 18, Philip was apprenticed to his uncle’s business with the expectation that he would become his heir since his uncle had no child of his own. This , however, was not to be.
Philip left the business in 1533 and traveled to Rome with no money, no definite plan but trusting entirely in the guidance of Divine Providence. All he wanted was to devote himself to God’s service.
He worked as a tutor, practicing stern austerities. In the same year, he embarked on the study of philosophy and theology. After three years of study, he gave it up. He wanted to organize a lay brotherhood to gather together in prayer and also to care for the sick as well as the many pilgrims who came to the city.
Philip used to spend many nights in prayers in the catacomb of San Sebastiano on the Appian Way. While in the catacomb one night, on the eve of Pentecost, 1544, he experienced an ecstasy that, as was proven after his death, enlarged his heart.
Here is an excerpt from Eternal Word Television Network.The link is given.

“ He was praying on the eve of Pentecost, 1544, when there appeared to him what seemed to be a globe of fire; it entered his mouth and afterwords he felt a dilation of the heart. Immediately he was filled with such paroxysms of divine love that he fell to the ground exclaiming, "Enough, enough, Lord, I can bear no more " When he had come to himself and risen up, he discovered a swelling over his heart, though neither then nor later did it give him pain. From that day on, under stress of spiritual emotion, he was apt to be seized with palpitations; at such times he would ask God to mitigate His visitations lest he should die of love”

Philip devoted himself to his apostolate and soon made his community the Confraternity of the Most Holy Trinity. It was well known throughout the city.

In 1551, Philip was ordained a priest and joined a community at San Girolamo. Here, he became a renowned confessor, said to be capable of reading the hearts of those who visited him. He conducted religious discussions for young men, and he was supported by priests and others who made it possible for him to lay the ground-work for what became the Congregation of the Oratory. It is thought that the name was derived from the oratory room at San Girolamo where the religious meetings were conducted. The congregation was approved by Pope Gregory XIII in 1575.

Philip was a trusted adviser to popes, cardinals, kings as well as peasants and the simple people of the city. For his efforts to reach out to lay people in an attempt to “re-evangelize Rome, he was honored with the title of “ Second Apostle of Rome”.

Towards the end of his life, Philip was seriously ill on several occasions but rallied after being anointed.
He died on May 26, 1595 at the ripe old age of 80 and was canonized in 1622.

Saint Philip Neri

Saint Philip Neri,
Pray for us!

Ref: . Our Sunday Visitor Encyclopedia Of Saints.
By Matthew Bunson, Stephen Bunson, Margaret Bunson:
 
Prayer…

Father, kindle in us the fire of the Holy Spirit which so filled the heart of Saint Philip Neri so that , like him, we too may be faithful in serving You, with joy.

Amen!

Taken from:
Saints For All.
Lives of Saints For Every Week.
A Paulines Publication Africa.
 
I am familiar to and like this quote:
Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and devotion to the Blessed Virgin are not simply the best way, but in fact the only way to keep purity. At the age of twenty nothing but Communion can keep one’s heart pure . . . Chastity is not possible without the Eucharist.
Saint Philip Neri
But I have a problem with the word “only” in the quote. So purity can only come about as a result of devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and BVM? 🤷 Whatever the case, that is a big challenge for me. 🙂

There is this other one:
Humility is the safeguard of chastity. In the matter of purity, there is no greater danger than not fearing danger. When a person puts himself in an occasion of sin, saying, “I shall not fall,” it is almost an infallible sign that he will fall, and with great injury to his soul. We must specifically and regularly pray for God’s assistance and not rely on our own strength.
St. Phillip Neri
Very true. I just have to try to put them into practice.
 
I am familiar to and like this quote:

But I have a problem with the word “only” in the quote. So purity can only come about as a result of devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and BVM? 🤷 Whatever the case, that is a big challenge for me. 🙂

.
Where there is a will there is a way Kelvin.
The quotes are great 👍
 
There is this other one:
Quote:
Humility is the safeguard of chastity. In the matter of purity, there is no greater danger than not fearing danger. When a person puts himself in an occasion of sin, saying, “I shall not fall,” it is almost an infallible sign that he will fall, and with great injury to his soul. We must specifically and regularly pray for God’s assistance and not rely on our own strength.
St. Phillip Neri
I also agree completely with this quote. Avoiding the occasion of sin is far, far better than trying to resist sin once you are staring at it in the face, so to speak:D
Remember Joseph ran away from Potiphar’s wife? That is always the best thing to do. Run away from anything or anyone that would cause you to sin.
 
May 27

Today is the Feast day of
Saint Augustine of Canterbury
Among many other saints.
 
**Saint Augustine of Canterbury
**
He is also known as
Apostle to the Anglo-Saxons
Apostle of England.
Austin of Canterbury

Augustine was the first archbishop of Canterbury. He was a Roman, born in Rome, Italy. He was serving in the Church at Rome as a prior in the monastery of Saint Andrew. In 596, Pope Saint Gregory the Great selected him to lead 40 companions to evangelize England. Missionaries had gone to Britain years before but the Saxon conquest of England had seriously undermined the faith. Many in the group, after hearing terrifying stories of the cruelty and barbarity of those they hoped to evangelize, wanted to return to Rome, but Saint Augustine would not allow it. ( I have read another account in which the monks were so frighteded by the tales that they actually did turn back to Rome. The Pope however gave them no choice in the matter; they had to go to England).
They landed at Ebbsfleet on Thames in 597. King Saint Ethelbert of Kent welcomed them and was baptized within a short time.
Many in the kingdom, besides the king, were converted. Augustine then went to Arles , France where Saint Virgilius, archbishop of Arles, consecrated him bishop of the English with his see at Canterbury. More missionaries arrived from Rome to help with the new task.
By the time of his death, Augustine had established and spread the faith throughout England.
He died of natural causes on 26 May 605 in Canterbury, England .
His remains were enshrined in his cathedral.
His canonization was Pre-Congregation .
He is the patron saint of England. In liturgical art, Saint Augustine is represented by a bishop baptizing a king.

Saint Augustine of Canterbury,
Pray for us!
 
While reading the biography of Saint Augustine, I learnt that he had to be very careful because, although the English had embraced the new religion they still respected the old. Under the wise orders of Gregory the Great, Augustine aided the growth from the ancient traditions to the new life by consecrating pagan temples for Christian worship and turning pagan festivals into feast days of martyrs. Canterbury was built on the site of an ancient church.
 
I also agree completely with this quote. Avoiding the occasion of sin is far, far better than trying to resist sin once you are staring at it in the face, so to speak:D
Remember Joseph ran away from Potiphar’s wife? That is always the best thing to do. Run away from anything or anyone that would cause you to sin.
Actually I couldn’t remember this part of the story of Joseph. It’s been a while now since I read it. But wow, it’s a fascinating example. I’ll keep it in mind.
 
May 28

Today is the Feast day of
**Saint Germanus **
Among many other saints.
 
Saint Germanus
Bishop of Paris.
Also known as
Father of the Poor


Germanus was born in 496 in Autun ( Augustodonum), France. He was ordained a priest, by Saint Agrippinus of Autun. Later he was made abbot of Saint Symphorian’s monastery. He was especially known for his charity to the poor. In 555, Germanus was appointed bishop of Paris by King Childebert I. He wielded a lot of influence at the royal court.
When Childebert died, Germanus worked to prevent the bloody power struggle that soon followed. He excommunicated Charibert I for his brutal behavior.
Germanus also predicted that Sigebert I , King of what was then Austrasia, would die if he continued to use German troops against his own brother Chilperic.
It appears that the King did not heed the Saints’ words because he was murdered in 575.

Germanus died of natural causes on 28th of May, 576. He was eighty years old.
He was buried in the church of Saint Germain des Pres, named in his honor and built for him by King Childebert I, whom he had converted and cured from an unnamed illness.
His canonization was Pre-Congregation

Saint Germanus,
Pray for us!
 
Saint Cyril
Child Martyr


Cyril lived during the time of the persecutions of Christians that occurred during the third century. He was a young lad in Caesarea, Cappadocia (Now Turkey).
Cyril had converted to Christianity secretly. He used to proclaim the name of Jesus constantly, confessing that the mere utterance of this Name was beneficial. His pagan father used to beat him for his faith and for refusing to adore his idols. Cyril accepted the beatings and other harsh treatment with joy. In fury, his father turned him out of the house. The boy regretted nothing, saying instead that he had lost little, and would receive a great recompense instead.
When the governor of the city learned of this occurrence, he asked for Cyril to be brought to him. When he heard Cyril confess the Name of Jesus, he was filled with wrath but manage to control it as he wanted to convince Cyril against his Christian Faith.
He promised him the pardon of his faults, a reconciliation with his father, and the inheritance of his estate, if he obeyed. Cyril answered, “I rejoice in suffering reproaches for what I have done. God will receive me, with whom I shall be better than with my father. I cheerfully renounce earthly estates and house, that I may be made rich in heaven. I am not afraid of death, because it will procure me a better life.” He said this courageously without a shadow of fear.
The judge commanded him to be publicly bound, and to be led as if it had been to execution, but he gave orders in private that they should only frighten him.

He was taken to a blazing fire as if for execution, and threatened to be thrown into it, still, he was not daunted. He was then carried back to the judge, who said to him, “My child, you have seen both the fire and the sword. Be wise, and return to your house and fortune.” Cyril answered, “You have done me a real prejudice in calling me back. I neither fear the fire nor the sword; God will receive me. Put me to death without delay, that I may the sooner go to him.”

All those who were there wept to hear him speak thus. He said to them, “You ought rather to rejoice; you know not what is my hope, nor what kind of kingdom I am going to possess.” With that , he went joyfully to his death. He was beheaded as a result of his constancy in the Faith.( Other accounts mention death by fire).

Saint Cyril

Saint cyril,
Pray for us!
 
A reminder.

Rogation Days

… are held on the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday immediately before Ascension Thursday.

See For an Abundant Harvest:
As the Catholic Encyclopedia notes, Rogation Days are “Days of prayer, and formerly also of fasting, instituted by the Church to appease God’s anger at man’s transgressions, to ask protection in calamities, and to obtain a good and bountiful harvest.”
 
May 30

Today is the Feast day of
Saint Joan of Arc
Among many other saints
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top