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

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.”

#SaintoftheDay #StRaphaelCenter #IncredibleCatholic #StLawrence

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?

#SaintoftheDay #StRaphaelCenter #IncredibleCatholic #StAnsegisus #AbbeyofLuxeuil

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?

#SaintoftheDay #StRaphaelCenter #IncredibleCatholic #StArsenius