St. Francis of Paola was born in Paola about the year 1416 of very poor but virtuous parents.  He learned to read at the Franciscan convent.  A year later he made his residence in solitude about a half mile from Paola in 1432.  Two others joined him to share in his devout exercises.  Neighbors built them three cells and a chapel and Mass was said for them by a priest from the parish church.  This is accepted as the beginning of the Order of Minims in 1436. In 1474 a bull of Sixtus IV confirmed the Order.  The Superior General of the Order was St. Francis.  He had several other monasteries built.  By command of Sixtus IV he was sent to France at the request of Louis XI.  Francis converted Louis XI before his death in 1483.  His Order was now established in France.  Francis spent the last three months in his cell to prepare for his death and eternity.  He died in 1508 at 91 years of age.

FEAST DAY- April 2

DIVINE MERCY

Responsorial Psalm

The Lord is gracious and merciful.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

True

Today’s Question-

We are not responsible unless we are free.  True or False?

Born in 1052 at Chateauneuf, France.  Though a layman, he became a canon of the cathedral in nearby Valence.  Bishop Hugh of Die recruited him as an aide.  He was so pleased with him that he took him into his own household.  He was employed in various affairs of importance and was later elected to the See of Grenoble.  He was ordained by the papal legate and the Pope in Rome consecrated him.  He cleaned up the various problems in the See.  He became a Benedictine but was ordered back to his See by Pope Gregory VII.  Because of his outstanding ability, he was refused his request to resign his See.  St. Bruno and his six companions went to St. Hugh telling him of their desire to found an order.  Hugh gave them the land on which the Grande Chartreuse was built and they founded the Carthusian Order.  After a lingering illness, St. Hugh died April 1, 1132.

FEAST DAY- April 1

FIRST COMMUNION                 ROSARIES

Responsorial Psalm

The Lord of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer

True

Today’s Question

Freedom is not fulfilled unless directed toward what God intends.  True or False?

During the reign of Isdegerd, the Christians in Persia had enjoyed 12 years of peace.  In 420 a Christian Bishop, Abdas, burned the Temple of Fire, the Sanctuary of the Persians.  King Isdegerd threatened to destroy all the churches of Christians unless the Bishop rebuilt it.  Because Abdas refused, all the churches were destroyed and Abdas was put to death.  A general persecution began and lasted 40 years.  Isdegerd’s son Varanes, his successor, continued the persecution with more fury.  St. Benjamin had been imprisoned for a year because of his Faith.  His release was granted on condition that he never speak of religion to the courtiers.  St. Benjamin felt it was his duty to continue preaching about Christ and neglected no opportunity to preach.  After untold suffering and tortures, St. Benjamin died a Martyr about the year 424.

FEAST DAY:  March 31

ART

Responsorial Psalm

I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

True

Today’s Question-

Some actions are always evil.  True or False?

At age 16 St. John Climacus dedicated his life to God and renounced all wordly goods.  He lived as a solitary hermit for 40 years in Mount Sinai.  He was chosen Abbot of Mount Sinai in 600 AD and superior-general of all the monks and hermits in that country.  Pope  St. Gregory the Great was so impressed with his holiness that he wrote him asking St. John to pray for him and sent him gifts for his hospital near Mt. Sinai.  He sought to hide his natural and supernatural gifts in order to practice humility.  He wrote the book The Ladder (Climax) of Paradise.  It is a spiritual treatise that illustrates the monastic life at that time period.  He fulfilled his duties but shortly before his death he resigned them.  He submitted to a simple life of prayer and spiritual exercises.  He died on March 30, 605 in the hermitage.

FEAST DAY:  March 30

PLAQUES

Responsorial Psalm

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

False

Today’s Question-

For a couple’s marriage to be a sacrament, it must be open to the procreation and education of children.

True or False?

St. Gundleus kidnapped Gwladys, daughter of Brychan of Brecknow, who refused to allow their marriage.  Together they led a riotous life of violence and banditry.  St. Cadoc, their first son, convinced them to follow a religious life together at Newport, Mommouthshire.  Later they lived as hermits, separately.  Woolo is the Anglicized version of Gundleus.

FEAST DAY:  March 29

CLERGY APPAREL

Responsorial Psalm

It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

(c) marriage

Today’s Question-

A man and woman can live happily as God intended if they rely exclusively on their own unselfish love.  True or False?

St. John of Capistrano was born in 1386 in Capistrano, Abruzzi, Italy.  He studied law and was appointed governor of Perugia in 1412 and was married there.  During imprisonment he changed his life.  Despite his marriage, he obtained a dispensation to enter a religious order and publicly repented of his sins.  He was ordained in 1420.  He was a great preacher and drew many thousands to his sermons and converted many to a more religious life.  He healed wounds among the Franciscans.  He was active in the Observant Chapter and was appointed commissary general.  He met St. Colette in France and helped her efforts to reform the Poor Clares.  He had many missions, papal and otherwise.  He preached throughout the land and brought many back to the faith.  He died on October 23 of the plague.  He was canonized in 1690.

FEAST DAY:  March 28

PATRON OF:  Judges, Military chaplains

DVDS

Responsorial Psalm

I am the Lord your God: hear my voice.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

(a) Marriage and family

Today’s Question-

What is a sign of God’s unconditional love for all humanity?

(a) celibacy  (b) the rainbow  (c) marriage

St. John was born around 675 to a wealthy Christian family in Damascus.  He spent all his life under Mohammedan rule.   A brilliant monk named Cosmas, provided his education.  Cosmas was captured in a Mohammedan raid on Sicily and John’s father, Mansur, purchased him.  John defended the practice of venerating images and soon became a leading champion of Catholic position.  This earned him the enmity of the Byzantine Emperors because they couldn’t molest him physically because he was under the caliph’s rule and protection.  He was ordained in Constantinople by Patriarch John V.  John spent his life defending the faith.  In his writings, he influenced theologians of both East and West.  He died at Sabas, probably on December 5 and was made a Doctor of the Church by Pope Leo XIII in 1890.

 FEAST DAY:  March 27

SPANISH BOOKS

Responsorial Psalm

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

Celibacy

Today’s Question-

The well-being of people is most influenced by ________
(a) marriage and family   (b) parish    (c) school

St. Ludger was born in the Netherlands and studied under St. Gregory.  He went to England to continue his studies for three and a half years.  He worked as a missionary on his return to Utrecht.  He was ordained in 777 at Cologne and was a missionary in Friesland for seven years.  The Saxons invaded and drove all the priests out.  He spent two years in Rome and two years at Monte Cassino .  He returned to Friesland to be spiritual director of 5 provinces by order of Charlemagne.  He was highly successful in his mission making converts and building monasteries.  He was consecrated first Bishop of Munster.  He died on March 26 after saying his last Mass at Billerbeck, Westphalia, West Germany.

FEAST DAY:  March 26

GIFTS

Responsorial Psalm

Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

False

Today’s Question-

What special charism enables ordained ministers to remain unmarried?

St. Luke’s Gospel tells us of the two thieves who were crucified with Christ.  The one thief asked “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingly power.”  Jesus replied “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise”. (Lk 23:39-43)  Christians gave the good thief the name, Dismas, about the year 600.  In recent times many prison ministries have adopted Dismas as their patron.

 FEAST DAY:  March 25

PATRON OF:  Criminals and convicts, especially thieves

CRUCIFIXES

Responsorial Psalm

Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

(c) healing of the sick

Today’s Question-

The sacrament of the sick cannot be repeated.  True or False?

St. Luke’s Gospel tells us that Gabriel told Zechariah, the priest, that his wife would have a son and he was to name him John.  He announced to the Blessed Virgin Mary that she was to bear the Christ Child, our Savior.  Gabriel appears to the prophet Daniel, according to the Old Testament Book of Daniel, to explain one of his visions.  It was Gabriel, according to tradition, who told St. Joseph that Mary was pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit.  It was he who gave the news to the shepherds of the birth of Christ and who warned Joseph about taking Mary and Jesus to Egypt for safety. 

 FEAST DAY:  March 24

PATRON OF:  Broadcasters, diplomats

JEWELRY

Responsorial Psalm

Athirst is my soul for the living God.
When shall I go and behold the face of God?

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

(c) mortal sins

Today’s Question-

During the time of Jesus, what was one of the signs that the kingdom of God was at hand?

(a) Earthquakes  (b) Defeat of Israel’s enemies  (c)  Healing of the sick