St. Martin was a native of Tuscany and a member of the Roman clergy.  He was elected to succeed Pope Theodore in 649.  In a Council which he convened, he condemned the leaders of heresy, the Monothelites, and a document from Emperor Constans was censured.  The Emperor had him sentenced to death or sent East as a prisoner.   He was miraculously saved from the attempt to kill him.  The emperor sent others to seize him while he lay sick and was taken to Constantinople.  After three months he arrived on the island of Naxos.  There he was kept for a year and was subjected to many indignities.  He was put in a dungeon in Constantinople and was persecuted.  He was abandoned by all as they feared being seized.  He died in 655 after a prolonged martyrdom.

FEAST DAY:  April 13

POPE JOHN PAUL II             POPE JOHN XXIII

Responsorial Psalm

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

Following the Eucharistic prayer and before communion.

Today’s Question-

Which comes first in the Lord’s Prayer?  Blessing God or petitioning God?

Julius was elected pope on February 6, 337 during a time of turmoil which involved the Arian controversy.  When Athanasius was returned to the see of Alexandria, Eusebius opposed  it and he and his followers elected George.  The Arians elected Pistus.  Julius convened a synod in Rome and neither group attended.  Julius declared that Athanasius was the rightful bishop and reinstated him.  Emperors Constans and Constantius declared that Julius’ actions were correct.  Julius built several basilicas and churches in Rome.  He was pope for a little over fifteen years.  He died in Rome on April 12.  He was famed  for his sanctity.

FEAST DAY:  April 12

POPES

Responsorial Psalm

The Lord will guard us, as a shepherd guards his flock.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

True

Today’s Question-

When is the Lord’s Prayer said during the Mass?

Born July 26, 1030 at Sezepanow in Cracow, Poland.  He was educated in the schools of his native country.  He attended the university of Gnesna.  For seven years he studied canon law and theology in Paris.  He refused the degree of doctor because of his humility and returned home. He was ordained and was given a canonry by the Bishop of Cracow.  He was known for his preaching and was sought after as a spiritual advisor.  He denounced the King’s cruelties and injustices.  Among other things, the King kidnaped the wife of a nobleman.  Stanislaus excommunicated King Boleslaaus and stopped services at the cathedral.  King Boleslaus killed Stanislaus while he was saying Mass in a chapel on April 11.  He was canonized by Pope Innocent IV in 1253.

 FEAST DAY:  April 11

PATRON OF:  Cracow

FIRST COMMUNION

Responsorial Psalm

 In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

False

Today’s Question-

Our life in Christ depends on our “hallowing” God’s name.  True or False?

Born to humble parents in Italy.  He was educated in Rheims and was brilliant in mathematics and philosophy. When his teacher, Gerbert, was elected Pope Sylvester II, he received a position at Rome.  He returned to France when Sylvester died in 1033.  He was chancellor of Chartres, overseeing the cathedral schools of the diocese in thie position.. Under his direction his school became one of the most famous educational centers in Europe.  He was later elected Bishop of Chartres.  He had great influence among secular leaders.  He preached regularly at the cathedral and strove to spread instructions throughout the diocese.  He died on April 10,  1029 after nearly 22 years as the episcopate,

 FEAST DAY:  April 10

CONFIRMATION

Responsorial Psalm

The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

True

Today’s Question-

Being active in the world prevents one from being a prayerful person.  True or false? 

Born at Meulan-sur-Seine, France, St. Gaucherius received a good Christian education.  He gave up the world at the age of eighteen.  He became a solitary in the forests of Limoges with his friend, Germond.  He attracted many disciples.  Gradually a community grew and he organized them into St. John’s Monastery.  St. Lambert, Faucherius and St. Stephen of Gramont were trained in this community along with many other holy men.  He was the abbot.  He also founded a convent for women.  He died from a fall from a horse while returning to Aureil from Limoges.  He was canonized April 9, 1194.

 FEAST DAY:  April 9

BOOKS ABOUT MARY

Responsorial Psalm

Glory and praise for ever!

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

False

Today’s Question-

We can always enter into contemplative prayer wherever we are.  True or False?

Born in 1751 in France, she exuded exceptional traits of intelligence and devotion early in her life.  She took a vow of chastity at the age of 14.  She worked to support her family who had lost everything.  When she witnessed the attempted assassination of her father in 1773, the shock left her partially paralyzed.  She fought strenuously against the Reign of Terror from the Jacobins during the French Revolution.  She founded the Institute of the Sisters of Notre Dame when calm was restored.  Frances Blin, Vicountess of Gezaincourt and Fr. Joseph Varin of the “Fathers of the Faith” assisted her in this quest.  At the end of 22  years, at the end of a mission given by Father Enfantin of the Fathers of Faith, she was suddenly cured of paralysis. The purpose was to teach the children of the poor and their salvation.  She had to struggle to preserve the distinctively modern character of her Institute.  The Institute has spread throughout the world.  She died April 8, 1816.

 FEAST DAY:  April 8

PATRON OF:  Against poverty

JEWELRY

Responsorial Psalm

O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

(a) at home

Today’s Question-

Memorized prayers are less effective than spontaneous prayers.  True or False?

Born at Rheims, France in 1651.  After ordination to the priesthood, he devoted himself to the education of boys and founding schools for the poor.  He and his companions formed a religious congregation and suffered much because of it. He died at Rouen in 1719.

FEAST DAY: April 7

PATRON OF: Educators, teachers, school principals.

POPE FRANCIS

Responsorial Psalm

Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

False

Today’s Question-

Where is the primary place of Christian education in prayer?  

(a) at home  (b) at church  (c) at school

St. Marcellinus was the friend of  St. Augustine (who dedicated his great work “The City of God” to him) and Secretary of State of the Roman Emperor Honorius.  When Honorius granted freedom of public worship to the Donatists, a rigid heretical group, they began oppressing the Catholics who appealed to the Emperor.   Marcellinus was commissioned to act as judge and bring about peace between the two groups.  He ruled that the Donatists relinquish their churches and return to their Catholic brothers.  The Donatists accused Marcellinus and his brother of involvement in the rebellion of Heraclion.  General Maricus, who was sympathetic to the Donatists, was delegated to crush the rebellion.  He arrested the brothers  and put them into prison.  St. Augustine intervened on their behalf but they were executed in 413.

FEAST DAY- April 6

BIBLES

Responsorial Psalm

With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

False

Today’s Question-

One can love God and still hate one’s neighbor.  True or False?

Born on January 23, 1374 at Valencia, Spain.  He entered the Order of St. Dominic in 1374.  He was commissioned to deliver lectures in philosophy.  He continued his scholastic duties after being sent to Barcelona and devoted himself to preaching.  After he received his doctorate at Lerida, he spent six years in Valencia perfecting himself in Christian life.  In 1390 he accompanied Cardinal Pedro de Luna to France.  In 1394 de Luna became Pope, he made St. Vincent master of the sacred palace.  There he was unsuccessful to put an end to the great schism.  The only position he wanted was apostolical missionary, having refused several other positions.  He evangelized all over Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Flanders, England, Scotland and Ireland. By the gift of miracles, God, Himself, aided in his making  countless conversions.  He also preached the Gospel with much success to Mohammedan Granada when invited.  He died April 5, 1419.

FEAST DAY- April 5

PATRON OF- Construction workers

OUR LADY OF GRACE OUTDOOR STATUE

Responsorial Psalm

O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

True

Today’s Question-

Authentic freedom means being able to say or do anything one wants.  True or False?

Born in Cartagena, Spain.  His parents, Severinus and Theodora, were known for their virtue.  Sts. Leander and Fulgentius were his brothers and they were Bishops.  His sister, Florentina is also numbered among the saints.  As a youth, he consecrated himself to the service of the Church.  By his virtue and learning he prepared himself for his sacred ministry.  When his brother St. Lwander died he succeeded him to the See of Seville.  There, he assisted in the conversion of the Visigoths.  He served on several Councils where he assisted in disciplining the Spanish church and the church of Seville.  He was highly esteemed for his merits and held many high positions.  He wrote many works and the earliest encyclopedias on record.  He governed his church for about 37 years.  When he perceived his death fast approaching, he made proper preparation and went home and died in 636.

FEAST DAY- April 4

PATRON OF-  Computer and the internet

BISHOP ROBERT BARRON

Responsorial Psalm

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

(c) God, the source of all good

Today’s Question-

Human beings have the power to act upon their own free choice.  True or False?