Monthly Archives: July 2020

St. Lawrence was born at Brindisi, Italy.  He entered the Capuchin Franciscan community at Verona at the age of 16.  He made rapid progress in his studies at the University of Padua, particularly in philosophy and theology and mastered Greek, Latin, Hebrew, French, Spanish, German and Bohemian languages.  He also acquired a wide knowledge of the Scriptures.  He worked as a domestic missionary after his ordination and then was called to Rome by Pope Clement VIII to work for the conversion of Jews.  He was sent with 11 other Capuchins to establish Capuchin communities in 1598.  These communities were threatened By Lutheranism at that time.  His holiness, wisdom, and administrative ability were factors in his appointment by Emperor Rudolph III to organize the Catholic princes against the invading Turks.  When the Christians were outnumbered four to one at the Battle of Stuhl-weissenburg, Lawrence mounted a horse and rode before the army holding a crucifix high and making a rousing speech.  The Turks were turned away and Europe was saved.  He finally returned to Italy where he sought seclusion but was elected Minister General of the Order.  While on a mission to Portugal he died in 1619.  He was a man of prayer as well as deep learning and was made a Doctor of the Church in 1960.

FEAST DAY:  July 21

PATRON OF:  Chefs, comedians

CHILDREN’S BOOKS

Responsorial Psalm

To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

Finding of Jesus in the Temple

Today’s Question-

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, what words did the people proclaim?

(a)  “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us.”   (b) “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”     (c) “Crucify him.”

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St. Ansegisus was born in Lyonnais. France around 770.  At age 18 he entered the Abbey of Fontanelle.  St. Gerwold, abbot of Fontanelle, was a relative of Ansegisus.  He was appointed to reform the Abbeys of St. Sixtus at Rheims and St. Menge near Chalens because of his holiness and outstanding knowledge.  Later he was appointed Abbot of St. Germer in Flay which was in such disrepair.  As advisor to the Emperor, he carried out several political missions.  He labored for five years to restore the damage of the  on the orders of Emperor Louis the Debonair. He also restored discipline and prosperity.  After succeeding in another difficult task,  he was sent back to the Abbey of Fontanelle in 823.  There he became recognized for his work of putting together a collection of capitularies (laws or ordinances promulgated by the Frankish kings) which remained an official law book in the Empire.  Despite being recognized for all his work, he remained humble.  He died on July 20, 833, to his everlasting home in heaven.

FEAST DAY:  July 20

MEDIA

Responsorial Psalm

Lord, you are good and forgiving.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

True

Today’s Question-

What was the only event recorded in the Gospels about the hidden years of Jesus’ childhood life?

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Born around 354 in Rome.  Became a deacon and lived a lavish life as tutor to the children of Emperor Theodosius the Great, in Constantinople.  He left there about 395 to live with the monks at Alexandria.  He then went to Skete and lived a life as lowly as he had lived lavishly, practicing the severest penances and devoting himself to unceasing prayer.  He felt compassion for his fellow men but shunned their company.  He refused the legacy left him by a relative who was a senator.  Because of barbarian raids, he was forced to leave Skete, and  he spent the next ten years on the rock of Troe in Memphis and the island of Canopus but returned to Troe, where he died at the age of 95 in 449.  He left many maxims and anecdotes demonstrating his shrewdness about human nature.  The following is one example: “I have often been sorry for having spoken, but never for having held my tongue”.  He is often named “the Great”.

FEAST DAY:  July 19

FAITH BOOKS

Responsorial Psalm

Do not forget the poor, O Lord!

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

The Word became flesh

Today’s Question-

Jesus as a boy was aware of his special mission from his Father? 

True or False?

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Born in 1550 in Bocchianico, Italy.  He entered the military and fought for the Venetians.  He was addicted to gambling and was penniless by 1574.  He was injured while fighting and had a diseased leg.  He became a Capuchin novice but because of his injured leg wasn’t permitted to become a priest.  He became director of St. Giacomo Hospital in Rome and devoted himself to caring for the sick.  St. Philip Neri, his confessor, gave him permission to be ordained.  He and two of his companions founded their own congregation, The Carmellians, (the Ministers of the Sick).  Holy Ghost Hospital in Rome was another of their ministries, which had to be enlarged to care for all the sick.  In 1591 Pope Gregory XIV made the congregation into an Order.  They sent members to minister to the wounded troops fighting in Hungary and Croatia, the first “field medical unit”.  He was gravely ill for many years and resigned as superior of the Order in 1607.  He died in Rome on July 14.  He was canonized in 1746 by Pope Leo XIII and was declared patron of the sick by Pope Pius XI, July 14. 

FEAST DAY:  July 18

PATRON OF:  Nurses, nursing groups

CROSSES & CRUCIFIXES

Responsorial Psalm

You saved my life, O Lord; I shall not die.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

(a) Incarnation

Today’s Question-

According to the Prologue of the Gospel of John, how is it expressed that the eternal Son of God became man?

#SaintoftheDay #StRaphaelCenter #IncredibleCatholic #StCamillus

During the French Revolution in 1789, all monastic vows were suspended, and in 1790 it was decreed that these vows were not recognized by the law.  All monastic goods were inventoried at Compiegne by a former monk.  The nuns of the Carmel of Compiegne consisted of 15 choir members, 3 lay sisters.  Two nuns were golden jubilations and one was ready to be professed.  They rejected the opportunity to go out into the new world of enlightenment.   They received state pensions at first based on their monastic property.  In September 1792, they were obliged to live as private citizens and put out of their convent.  They continued to follow their Rule in groups of four.  They were arrested and imprisoned because of renouncing the oath of allegiance to the new constitution and continuance of their monastic life.  They suffered indignities and brutalities on their transfer to Paris and were led before the revolutionary tribunal.  They went to the place of execution singing “Salve Regina” and “Veni Creator” which astonished the crowd to silence.  They renewed their baptismal vows  and religious profession as they individually went forth to give their life for their Divine Bridegroom. They kept singing “Praise the Lord” all you natons” until all were beheaded.

FEAST DAY:  July 17

SAINT BOOKS

Responsorial Psalm

From heaven the Lord looks down on the earth.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

(c) assumed

Today’s Question-

What mystery is about God’s Son assuming a human nature?

(a) Assumption     (b) Incarnation    (c) Immaculate Conception

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Mt. Carmel was the first place dedicated to the Blessed Virgin.  Before her Assumption into heaven, a chapel was erected in her honor.  The Order of the Carmelites takes its name from there.  The feast of the “Scapular” is also July 16.  Pious tradition says that on July 16, 1251, our Lady appeared to St. Simon Stock, General of the Carmelites at Cambridge, England.  She showed him the scapular and promised supernatural favors and her special protection to his Order and to all the people who would wear her scapular.  A person must be invested by a priest who has the faculties and lead a consistent Christian life to obtain the indulgencies and other benefits which she promised to those who wear the Carmelite scapular.

FEAST DAY:  July 16

STATUES

Responsorial Psalm

The Lord will not abandon his people.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

True

Today’s Question-

At the conception of Jesus, the humanity of Jesus was _____________ by divine Word.

(a) absorbed     (b) adopted     (c) assumed

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St. Bonaventure was born in Bagnorea in Tuscany in 1221.  He was named John.  His mother pleaded with St. Francis of Assisi for his recovery from a dangerous illness. Foreseeing the greatness of the child, Francis cried “O buona ventura”–O good fortune–and his name was changed to Bonaventure.  He entered the Franciscan Order at age 22.  After making his vows, he was sent to Paris to complete his studies.  In Paris he and the great St. Thomas Aquinas became great friends.  Both received their Doctorate.  King St. Louis was also a great friend of his.  He was chosen General of his Order at age 35.  Much internal dissension affected the Order and Bonaventure restored perfect calm.  He did much for his Order by composing the life of  St. Francis, helping at the translation of the relics of St. Anthony of Padua.  Pope Clement IV nominated him Archbishop of York, but he begged not to be forced to accept this honor.  Gregory X made him Cardinal and Bishop Albano, a greater dignity.  He abdicated the office of General of the Franciscan Order before his death on July 15, 1274 while at the Second Council of Lyons.  He was known as “The Seraphic Doctor”.

FEAST DAY:  July 15

PATRON OF:  Bowel disorders

POPE FRANCIS

Responsorial Psalm

God upholds his city for ever.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

(b) by the power of the Holy Spirit

Today’s Question-

Christ’s earthly body was subject to limitations of space and time.  True or false?

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