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?

Born in 1197 near Worcester, England, St. Richard showed great inclination to virtue early in life and spent his time in pious deeds or in study.  He showed no interest in the amusements of his day.  He enjoyed helping others.  He continued his studies in Paris, and he and two friends lived an austere life.  He received the Master of Arts at Oxford.  Then he went to Bologna, Italy to study canon law. When St. Edmund, Archbishop of Canterbury, went into exile in France he had Richard accompany him. There, Richard was ordained to the priesthood.  He was elevated to the Episcopal  See of Chichester where he overcame many obstacles.  He applied all possible zeal to the government of the church.  He maintained ecclesiastical discipline and was greatly admired for his charity to the poor.  Because of King Henry III, he suffered much for two years.  He was commissioned by the Pope to preach a crusade against the Saracens.  While on this duty, he became ill with fever and died in 1253.  

FEAST DAY:  April 3

PATRON OF:  Large families

CONFIRMATION

Responsorial Psalm

Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

True

Today’s Question-

True happiness consists in ___ (a) feeling good  (b) being prosperous  (c) God, the source of all good?

St. Francis of Paola was born in Paola about the year 1416 of very poor but virtuous parents.  He learned to read at the Franciscan convent.  A year later he made his residence in solitude about a half mile from Paola in 1432.  Two others joined him to share in his devout exercises.  Neighbors built them three cells and a chapel and Mass was said for them by a priest from the parish church.  This is accepted as the beginning of the Order of Minims in 1436. In 1474 a bull of Sixtus IV confirmed the Order.  The Superior General of the Order was St. Francis.  He had several other monasteries built.  By command of Sixtus IV he was sent to France at the request of Louis XI.  Francis converted Louis XI before his death in 1483.  His Order was now established in France.  Francis spent the last three months in his cell to prepare for his death and eternity.  He died in 1508 at 91 years of age.

FEAST DAY- April 2

DIVINE MERCY

Responsorial Psalm

The Lord is gracious and merciful.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

True

Today’s Question-

We are not responsible unless we are free.  True or False?

Born in 1052 at Chateauneuf, France.  Though a layman, he became a canon of the cathedral in nearby Valence.  Bishop Hugh of Die recruited him as an aide.  He was so pleased with him that he took him into his own household.  He was employed in various affairs of importance and was later elected to the See of Grenoble.  He was ordained by the papal legate and the Pope in Rome consecrated him.  He cleaned up the various problems in the See.  He became a Benedictine but was ordered back to his See by Pope Gregory VII.  Because of his outstanding ability, he was refused his request to resign his See.  St. Bruno and his six companions went to St. Hugh telling him of their desire to found an order.  Hugh gave them the land on which the Grande Chartreuse was built and they founded the Carthusian Order.  After a lingering illness, St. Hugh died April 1, 1132.

FEAST DAY- April 1

FIRST COMMUNION                 ROSARIES

Responsorial Psalm

The Lord of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer

True

Today’s Question

Freedom is not fulfilled unless directed toward what God intends.  True or False?