Monthly Archives: April 2020

St. Pius V was born Michael Ghislieri in 1504 in Italy.  His whole life was a model of Christianity.  He received his Dominican habit at age 15.  He was ordained a priest in 1528,and he taught philosophy and theology for sixteen years.  He held other important positions.  Pope Paul IV promoted him to the united Bishoprics of Nepi and Sutri in the Papal States in 1556, and a year later he was made a Cardinal.  In 1559, Pope Pius IV moved him to the diocese of Mondori in Piedmont.  On the death of Pius IV, during the conclave, St. Charles Borromeo united the suffrages in favor of Cardinal Alexandrinus, (as Ghislieri was known), and he became Pope Pius V in 1566.  His life as Sovereign Pontiff was as exemplary as was his life as a Dominican Friar.  The celebrated victory of Lepanto was gained against the Turks under Don John of Austria during his Pontificate.  Because of this victory, he ordered the feast of the Holy Rosary be observed on the first Sunday of October.  He died a year later on May 1,1572, and he was canonized by Clement XI in 1712.

 FEAST DAY:  April 30

POPE BOOKS

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer

(d) Apostolic

Today’s Question

What day of the week did Christians meet to “break bread” and commemorate the death and resurrection of their Lord?

Was born in 1347 and consecrated her virginity to God in early childhood.  Her parents tried to thwart her pious inclinations, and she became an object of persecution in her own home.  She persevered in her resolution and her parents finally relented.  In 1365, she entered the Third Order of St. Dominic at age 18 devoting her life to the care of the sick during the great pestilence.  She established peace between cities, fought for the rights and freedom of the Roman Pontiff, and promoted the renewal of religious life.  She was glorified by God with wondrous gifts and miracles.  She has long been regarded as one of the finest theological minds in the Church.  Her outstanding work “Dialogue” is proof of her theological mind.  In 1970 Pope Paul VI declared her a Doctor of the Church.  She died April 29, 1380, at the age of 33.

 FEAST DAY:  April 29

PATRON OF:  Fire prevention, nurses

E-BOOKS

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer

(a) The good shepherd

Today’s Question

Because the Church is founded on the faithful witness of the apostles, it is called ________________________.

(a) one     (b) holy     (c) catholic     (d) apostolic

Born in 1803 at Clet Belley, France.  Fr. Trompier, the local priest was aware of his intelligence and piety and saw to his elementary education.  He entered the diocesan seminary where both professors and students held him in affection and esteem.  He was pastor to a rundown parish which, in three years, he completely revitalized.  He wanted to be a missionary, so he joined the Society of Mary (Marists) which were newly-formed and concentrated on missionary work at home and abroad.  He was appointed to teach at the Seminary, to his dismay.  He was there for the next 5 years.  In 1836 the Society went to the New Hebrides in the Pacific to evangelize it, and St. Peter was appointed superior.  After a ten-month journey, the little band of missionaries arrived and split up.  Peter, a lay brother, and an English layman went to the island of Futuna.  The pagans and their king welcomed them.  The king had only recently forbidden cannabalism.  But soon the King became jealous when the missionaries learned the language, and they were instructing them about Christianity.  He feared some of his prerogatives would be abolished.  When his own son asked to be baptized, the king sent his warriors to kill St. Peter.  On April 28, 1841 he was clubbed to death.  But, within 10 months the entire island was converted to Christianity, which brought his work to completion.     

 FEAST DAY:  April 28

MEDALS

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

 Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer

(a) The empty tomb

Today’s Question

What images in John’s Gospel shows Christ as the one who gathers, watches over and protects his people?

(a) the good shepherd    (b) the vine and the branches    (c) the bread of life

St. Zita was born in Monte Sagrati, Italy to a poor but devout family.  Whenever God’s will was pointed out to her she did it.  She went into domestic service at age 12 for a well-to-do weaver in Lucca, 8 miles from her village.  She went to Mass every day and carried out her household duties as she recited her prayers.  The other servants resented her industriousness, but she said that her work was part of her religion.  Her employers were upset by her gifts of food to the poor, but they were completely won over by her patience and goodness.  St. Zita became a confidential family friend.  She was permitted to carry out her visits to the sick, etc. by working it out with her schedule of duties.  She was visited with supernatural manifestations.  She remained at Lucca for 48 years.  She died in 1278.  The people declared her a saint.

FEAST DAY:  April 27

PATRON OF:  Domestic Workers

SAINT BOOKS

RESPONSORIAL PSALM 

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.

QUIZ

YESTERDAY’S ANSWER

The third day or Sunday, the first day of the week.

TODAY’S QUESTION

What evidence, besides Jesus’ appearances to his disciples, supported the belief in Jesus’ resurrection from the dead?

(a) the empty tomb     (b) the earthquake     (c) the bewildered guards     

Little is known of Cletus.  He was elected Pope in 76 as the second successor  of St. Peter.   He suffered martyrdom probably in Rome during the persecution of Christians by Emperor Diocletian.  The Greek version of his name is Anacletus by which he is also known.  He died April 26.

St. Marcellinus was a priest in Rome.  He and Peter, an exorcist, were arrested and put in prison during the persecution of Christians by order of Emperor Diocletian.  They made many converts while imprisoned, even the jailer, Arthemius, his wife, and daughter.  The magistrate, Serenus,  sentenced them to death and they were beheaded.  Pope Damasus wrote an epitaph for their tomb, and Constantine built a church in their honor.

FEAST DAY:  April 26

MIRACULOUS MEDALS

Responsorial Psalm

I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

(c) Gabriel

Today’s Question-

On what day did Jesus rise from the dead?

St. Mark was associated with St. Paul and St. Barnabas (who was his cousin).  He accompanied St. Paul on his first missionary journey and later went to Rome with him.  He also was in Rome with St. Peter as a disciple of his.  It is said that St. Peter’s teaching was the basis for St. Mark’s gospel.  Mark is said to be the founder of the Church of Alexandria.

FEAST DAY:  April 25

PATRON OF:  Notaries, repentance

STATUES

Responsorial Psalm

The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

(c) Herod the Great

Today’s Question-

Which angel announced the birth of Jesus?

(a) Raphael (b) Michael (c) Gabriel

St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen was born in 1577 at Sigmaringen, Switzerland.  He received Holy Orders in 1612 and entered the Capuchin Order at Fribourg.  He changed his name, Mark, to Fedelis.  He, and eight of the Fathers, undertook the Mission among the Calvinists in the Canton of Grisons in Switzerland as requested by the Congregation of Propaganda.  In spite of the fact that his life was threatened, he preached and made many converts.  He had a premonition that he would be martyred and spent much time at the foot of the altar or before his crucifix praying.  He made his confession on April 24, 1622, said Mass and preached at Gruch.  He seemed in an ecstasy at the close of his sermon and foretold his death to several people.  A Calvinist in Sevis fired at him but without effect.  When faced with 20 Calvinist soldiers with a minister at their head he refused to embrace Calvinism.  He said, “The catholic Religion is the Faith of all ages; I fear not death.”   After a blow on his head which knocked him down, he rose to his knees and prayed for his persecutors and with the names of Jesus and Mary on his lips he received the death-stroke.

FEAST DAY:  April 24

BLESSED MOTHER MEDALS

Responsorial Psalm

O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer

David

Today’s Question

Who was the king of Judea at the time of the birth of Jesus?

(a) Joseph  (b) David  (c) Herod the Great

Among the Greeks, St. George is  called “the Great Martyr,” and his feast is kept as a holy day of obligation.  The devotion to him can be traced at least to the 5^th century.  But, one of the oldest churches in Constantinople is dedicated to his honor at an earlier date, which would be much earlier.  Ancient heretics have cast much obscurity over his life.  It is told that he suffered martyrdom during the persecution under Diocletian at Nicomedia in the 4^th century.  He was said to be a soldier so his intercession is asked especially in battles.  He was chosen as Patron Saint of England and Edward III instituted an order of knighthood in his honor.  He is usually represented as being in battle with a dragon.  He died about the year 303.

 FEAST DAY:  April 23

PATRON OF:  Soldiers, Boy Scouts

WOMEN

Responsorial Psalm

Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

(c) the parents

Today’s Question-

To what king in the Old Testament are many of the Psalms attributed?

Little is known of both these saints.  Soter was born at Fondi, Italy.  He was Pope around 167, succeeding Pope St. Anicetus.  He opposed the Montanist heresy.  He was known for his charity, according to a letter of Bishop St. Dionysius of Corinth.  Unreliable tradition claims St. Caius was a Dalmatian and related to Emperor Diocletian.  He became Pope in 283.  He decreed that bishops must be ordained priests before being consecrated Bishops.  He fled to a cave when Diocletian’s persecution of Christians began.  He lived there for eight years until his death.  All of this is unreliable since Diocletian’s persecution didn’t begin until six or seven years after Caius’ death on April 22.

FEAST DAY: April 22

HISTORICAL BOOKS

Responsorial Psalm

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer

(a) the family

Today’s Question

Who has the primary responsibility for the education of children? 

(a) the state (b) the school (c) the parents

Born in Piedmont of noble parentage about the year 1033, St. Anselm studied under Lanfranc at the monastery of Bec.  He was made Prior in 1063 and Abbot in 1078.  He was well known in England because of his various voyages there.  He became Archbishop of Canterberry.  He resisted the unjust measures of King William Rufus which caused the King’s anger.  He spent some time in Rome where he composed a work on the Incarnation.  He assisted at the Council of Bari.  His prayers prevented the Pope from excommunicating the King of England.  He did not return to his See until after the death of King William Rufus.  He took another trip to Rome due to differences with the new King.  He returned to England in 1106 and died in 1109.  He wrote works that deeply influenced Catholic philosophy and theology.  He is best known for his ontological argument for the existence of God.

 FEAST DAY:  April 21

E-BOOKS

Responsorial Psalm

Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

False

Today’s Question-

Where is the basic place for learning moral values? 

(a) the family (b) the school (c) the church