Monthly Archives: July 2020

Born in 1491 at Loyola, he spent his early years at court and as a soldier.  Later he converted to God and took theological studies at Paris.  There he attracted his first followers and afterward joined them together in Rome as first members of the Society of Jesus.   In 1540 Pope Paul III approved the Society and it rapidly progressed.  It spread to India and in the East and to Brazil.  By his written works and training of his disciples, they won great praise for their renewal of the Church.  He was General of the Society more than fifteen years.  He died peacefully on July 31, 1556.

FEAST DAY:  July 31

PATRON OF:  Spiritual exercises, soldiers

INSPIRATIONAL BOOKS

Responsorial Psalm

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

(b) Laying on of hands

Today’s Question-

What is the meaning of the words VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS?

#SaintoftheDay #StRaphaelCenter #IncredibleCatholic #StIgnatius

St. Peter Chrysologus was born at Imola, Italy, in 406.  Bishop Cornelius of Imola baptized, educated, and ordained him a deacon.  He was called “Chrysologus” (golden-worded) because of his exceptional oratorical eloquence.  He was consecrated Archbishop of Ravenna in 433 by Pope Sixtus III.  He ruled his flock with utmost diligence and care.  He removed the last vestiges of paganism and other abuses among his people.  He cautioned them against indecent dancing.  “Anyone who wishes to frolic with the devil cannot rejoice with Christ” he admonished.  He died in 450 at Imola, Italy.  As a result of his simple, practical and clear Sermons, nearly all dealing with Gospel subjects, he was made a Doctor of the Church in 1729. 

FEAST DAY:  July 30

WALL CROSSES & CRUCIFIXES

Responsorial Psalm

God is my refuge on the day of distress.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

(c) fire

Today’s Quiz-

What gesture is used in the Church to bless, to heal, and to impart the Holy Spirit?

(a) greeting of peace     (b) laying on of hands     (c) sign of the cross

#SaintoftheDay #StRaphaelCenter #IncredibleCatholic #StPeterChrysologus

St. Martha was a sister of Mary and Lazarus.  When she received the Lord as a guest at Bethany, she looked after him with devoted attention.  The family was of some importance in the country and devoted to the Lord.  When our Lord visited them, it is said that Martha spoke to our Lord about how she was busy cooking, etc. and Mary was not helping.  Our Lord rebuked her saying that “Mary has chosen the better part”.   When Lazarus died, it was Martha who begged our Lord to raise him from the dead.  He replied “I am the Resurrection and the Life.” to which she replied, “I believe You are the Messiah, the Son of God.”  It is said that relics of hers were found in Tarascon, France and placed in a magnificent crypt in the collegiate church there.

FEAST DAY:  July 29

PATRON OF:  Housewives, cooks, hosts

WOMEN’S BOOKS

Responsorial Psalm

For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

(a) Breath

Today’s Question-

What natural element symbolizes the transforming energy of the Holy Spirit?

(a) wind   (b) water   (c) fire

#SaintoftheDay #StRaphaelCenter #IncredibleCatholic #StMartha

Samson was born about 490 and was one of the greatest of the Welsh saints.  He was brought up in the Abbey of Llanwit where he excelled in piety, holy discipline and the study of letters.  After his ordination he retired to another community in the neighborhood and eventually became Abbot.  He accompanied some Irish monks who had visited him back to Ireland where he labored for the Faith.  He enjoyed the gift of miracles and his humility could not tolerate all the attention this brought him.  Going back to Wales, he became a hermit on the banks of the Severn.  St. Dubricius consecrated him a Bishop and he established a monastery at Dol, which became an important Episcopal See.  He interceded with King Childebert I on behalf of the dispossessed Breton ruler, Judual.  He was a dedicated pastor who zealously took care of his flock and traveled a great deal rendering many benefits to his adopted country.  He died in 565 and was immediately honored in England, Normandy and Brittany.  Later his cult spread to Italy.

FEAST DAY:  July 28

ST. MARTHA – VIRGIN

COMMUNION VESSELS

Responsorial Psalm

You have forgotten God who gave you birth.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

True

Today’s Question-

The word “Spirit” comes from the Hebrew word RUAH which can mean _______________.

(a) breath     (b) fire    (c) cloud

#SaintoftheDay #StRaphaelCenter #IncredibleCatholic #StSamson

During the 8^th century Moslems ruled in Cordova Spain.  For a while, Christians were permitted to practice their Faith.  But soon they began to be systematically persecuted.  Nathalia was a Moslem, and her husband Aurelius was the son of an Arab.  Outwardly, they conformed to Moslem customs but practiced their Christian Faith in secret.  When Aurelius saw a Christian enduring beatings for publicly confessing his Faith, he and his wife set aside money to take care of their daughter and the poor and practiced their Christianity publicly.  Felix, a cousin of Aurelius, joined them along with his wife Liliosa.  They ministered to the Christians who were in prison.  All four were arrested and imprisoned.  A beggar, named George, who was touring Egypt and Europe to get alms for his monastery in Jerusalem, could not be accused of apostasy so he insulted Mohammed to the Cadi’s face and he, too, was thrown into prison.  They were all killed on July 27, 852 achieving the martydom they sought.

FEAST DAY:  July 27

VESTMENTS

Responsorial Psalm

Lord, I love your commands.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

(b) Mary Magdalene

Today’s Question-

Christ’s resurrection was essentially different from a return to earthly life

True or False?

#SaintoftheDay #StRaphaelCenter #IncredibleCatholic #StNathalia #StAurelius #StLilosa #StFelix #StGeorge

From ancient tradition, the parents of the Virgin Mary are known by the names of Joachim and Ann.  Devotion to St. Ann is found in the sixth century in the East and by tenth century it was widespread in the West.  St. Joachim was likewise honored but at a more recent date.  Very old testimonies say that in their old age, Joachim and Ann moved from Galilee to Jerusalem and Mary was born there.  It is said that they died and were buried there.  It is also said that a church was built on the site of their home, possibly by St. Helena, during the 4^th century.

FEAST DAY:  July 26

PATRON OF:  Grandparents

MARIAN BOOKS

Responsorial Psalm

How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

True

Today’s Question-

Who was the first to encounter the risen Lord according to the Gospels?

(a) Peter    (b) Mary Magdalene    (c) John, the beloved disciple

#SaintoftheDay #StRaphaelCenter #IncredibleCatholic #StJoachim #StAnn

St. James was the son of Zebedee and the brother of St. John.  He and his brother were fishing when Jesus invited them to follow him.  Our Lord called them “sons of thunder”  because they were so zealous.  He was present at most of the miracles performed by Jesus.  He was also near Jesus at the Agony in the Garden.  He was put to death around the year 42.  He is especially honored at Compostella in Spain where a famous church is dedicated to his name.

FEAST DAY:  July 25

PATRON OF:  Arthritis, pharmacists, laborers

CHURCH GOODS

Responsorial Psalm

Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

True

Today’s Question-

Jesus’ body was preserved from corruption after his burial.

True or false?

#SaintoftheDay #StRaphaelCenter #IncredibleCatholic #StJames

Charbel Makhlouf was born in the mountains of Northern Lebanon May 8, 1828.  He was their fifth child and at an early age was attracted to prayer and solitude.  At the age of 23 he entered the Monastery of St. Maroun despite his family’s opposition.  He was ordained in 1859 and spent 16 years at Annaya before receiving permission to retire to the nearby hermitage of Sts. Peter and Paul.  Only exceptional monks were given permission and it took seven years for Sharbel to receive it.  He was given a request to prepare an urgent report and sat down at night to work on it.  His lamp had run out of oil.  One of the monastery’s lay servants was asked to fill it for him.  The servant filled it with water as a joke, but was amazed to see that the lamp lit up and continued to burn brightly.  Being advised of this, the Superior removed the lamp and checked it for himself.  He found that it was so.  He took this as a sign from above that Charbel was ready to live the life of a hermit.  It was an extremely hard life, one of severe mortification.  He had a remarkable devotion to the Eucharist, spent hours preparing to say Mass, and hours afterward in thanksgiving.  In 1898 Charbel suffered a massive stroke while saying Mass and died on Christmas Eve, eight days later.  He was 70 years old.  He was buried in the monastery cemetery without a coffin as was the custom.  Many mysterious things happened around the area where he was buried.  His body was exhumed several times and was found to be incorruptible.  Many miracles were accorded to Sharbel.  He was finally buried in a wooden coffin in the monastery chapel.  Years later he was transferred to a new tomb and again his body was still incorruptible.

FEAST DAY:  July 24

PATRON OF:  The Order of Sharbel

ART

Responsorial Psalm

With you is the fountain of life, O Lord.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

 Nicodemus

Today’s Question-

The Spirit is distinct in his person, but inseparable from the Father and he Son.

True or False

#SaintoftheDay #StRaphaelCenter #IncredibleCatholic #StSharbel

St. Bridget was the daughter of  a royal Prince of Sweden named Birger and Ingeburdis, a descendant of Gothic Kings.  She had a great love for the Passion of the Lord.  Her father had her marry Ulfo, Prince of Nerieia in Sweden.  They had 8 children.  Catherine, the last born is now honored among the saints.  The couple took a vow of chastity.  After a pilgrimage to Compostela in Galicia, Ulfo, with his wife’s consent, entered a Cistercian monastery and died soon after.  Bridget renounced her rank of princess and became a nun.  She established the monastery of Wastein, and it became the motherhouse of a new Order, the Brigittines.  After this she made a pilgrimage to Rome and Palestine.  On her return to Rome she lived a year longer.  During this time she endured a sickness but endured it with heroic patience and resignation.   She died in 1373 with her son, Birger, and her daughter, Catherine at her side.  

FEAST DAY:  July 23

PATRON OF:  Widows, Sweden

MEDALS

Responsorial Psalm

I will sing of your salvation.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

(a) Transfiguration

Today’s Question-

Who was a Pharisee and a secret follower of Jesus?

#SaintoftheDay #StRaphaelCenter #IncredibleCatholic #StBridget

St. Clement of Alexandria identifies her as the woman who washed the feet of Jesus with her tears and others think she was the sister of Martha and Lazarus.  According to St. Mark’s account (16-9) she was the first to see the risen Lord in the early morning of the Resurrection.  The Feast of St. Mary Magdalene is celebrated by the Greeks as well as the Latins on this date.

The latest edition of the Roman Calendar says that the Latin Church stipulates that the feast is solely that of the woman to whom Christ appeared and not that of the sister of Lazarus or the penitent woman.

FEAST DAY:  July 22

PATRON OF:  Penitents, converts, hairdressers, sinners

JEWELRY

Responsorial Psalm

Lord, show us your mercy and love.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

Today’s Question-

What event in Jesus’ life gave Peter, James, and John a foretaste of Jesus’ divine glory?

(a) Transfiguration    (b) Agony in the garden    (c) Entry into Jerusalem

#SaintoftheDay #StRaphaelCenter #IncredibleCatholic #MaryMagdalene