He was born at Massa in the territory of the Republic of Siena in 1380.  He was orphaned at an early age.  A pious aunt educated him as if he were her own.  He became a member of the Confraternity of Our Lady.  He served the sick in hospital, and when the great pestilence broke out in 1400, he served them and persuaded other young men to help.  He joined the Fathers of the Strict Observance of the Order of St. Francis.  After becoming a priest, he devoted himself to preaching.  He labored for 14 years in his own country extolling devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus.  He became the apostle of Italy in the 15^th century.  Three times he refused Bishoprics.  His sermons brought about wondrous results.  Ever humble, he sought to conceal the talents given to him by God.  After 5 years of being Vicar- General of the Strict Observance, he obtained his release and went on to the work of preaching.  He died in 1444.

FEAST DAY:  May 20

PATRON OF:  Advertising, lung problems, public relations

VESTMENTS

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

Charity or law of love

Today’s Question-

The common good cannot be achieved without peace.  True or False?

He was born around 1253 at Kermartin in Brittany.  His father, a landowning farmer, sent him to Paris to receive a higher education.  He gained distinction in philosophy, theology, and canon and civil law.  He was appointed a diocesan judge on his return to Brittany, first to  the Bishop of Rennes and later to the Bishop of Treguier.  He carried out his duties in a propitious manner with special concern for the poor and lowly.  He became known as the “poor man’s advocate”.  He tried to avoid conflicts without having to go to court.  When he became a priest in 1284, he devoted himself to parish work, but he continued to use his legal knowledge for his parishioners.  He lived frugally and preached the Word of God to his people.  He died May 19 after spending his life instructing his people in spiritual and temporal things.

FEAST DAY:  May 19

PATRON OF:  Lawyers

BIBLES

RESPONSORIAL  PSALM

Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

False

Today’s Answer-

What is the greatest commandment which helps us to respect others and act justly?

St. John was elected Pope upon the death of Pope Hormisdas in 523 even though he was only an archdeacon.  Theodoric, the Goth, was the ruler of Italy at that time.  He favored the Arian brand of Christianity.  Theodoric tolerated and favored his Catholic subjects.  When John’s accession to the Papacy occurred, Theodoric’s policy under went a change.  He thought that the members of the Roman Senate, Constantinople, and the Emperor Justin I were plotting against his views.  Theodoric was convinced to negotiate with a delegation, headed by Pope John, to settle matters.  It was successful and also brought about the reconciliation of the Western and Eastern Churches which were plagued by a schism since 482.   Theodoric again thought they were plotting against him and ordered that when they returned to Ravenna they were to be imprisoned.  Pope John died a short time later as a result of his treatment.

FEAST DAY:  May 18

E-BOOKS

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

(b) Hope

Today’s Question-

To be happy is a personal quest and doesn’t concern what happens to others.  True or false?

He was born in the Kingdom of Aragon in 1540 where he spent his early childhood as a shepherd.  While tending his sheep, he carried a book with him and begged those who he met to teach him the alphabet.  In a short time he learned to read.  Leading a solitary life as a shepherd, he read many pious books and meditated and advanced rapidly in perfection.  At about the age of 24, he petitioned the Franciscans to admit him into their Order.  He  resolved to avoid rich monasteries because he said he was born poor and resolved to die in poverty and penance.  He became a lay brother in the Reformed Franciscans, and he led a perfect life in this austere Order.  He had a special devotion to our Lord in the Holy Eucharist.  God often favored him with ecstasies and raptures.  St. Paschal also had a singular devotion to the Blessed Virgin.  He died May 17, 1592.

 FEAST DAY:  May 17

PATRON OF:  Eucharistic Congresses

CHALICES

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

Love

Today’s Question-

What virtue protects us from discouragement and directs our expectations toward eternal happiness?

(a) faith     (b) hope     (c) love

He was consecrated to God after he was cured of a disease through the prayers of his parents.  After his ordination, he went to a parish in the city of Prague.  He was a great preacher and those who heard him changed their way of life.  He did many kind deeds for the needy people of the city after being invited to the court of Wenceslaus IV.  The Queen chose him as her confessor.  Fr. John taught the queen to patiently bear her cross of cruelty from the king.  The king tried to get Fr. John to tell him what she confessed.  When he refused, he was thrown into prison.  Again he was asked to reveal her confession which he again refused to do.  The king promised him riches and honors if he did so.  Again he refused.  The king ordered him tortured and to be thrown into the river.  A strange brightness appeared upon the water where he drowned.  He is known as the Martyr of the Confessional.

 FEAST DAY:  May 16

PATRON OF:  Confessors

BOOK

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

True

Today’s Question-

The greatest of all virtues and without which “I am nothing” according to St. Paul is _________________.

St. Isadore was born in Madrid, Spain, in the latter half of the twelfth century.  For most of his life, he labored at a farm outside the city.  During his lifelong work in the fields, many marvelous happenings occurred and continued long after his death.  It is said that he was favored with celestial visions and that sometimes angels helped him in his work in the fields.  He was canonized in 1622.  He was proclaimed the patron of the National Rural Life Conference in the United States.

 FEAST DAY:  May 15

PATRON OF:  Agriculture workers

MASS KITS

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer

Jesus Christ

Today’s Question

Virtues influence daily thoughts and actions.  True or False?

St. Matthias was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot.  He had been companion of Jesus ever since his baptism from St. John.  It is said that after Matthias was chosen the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples.  St. Matthias taught that mortifying the flesh with its irregular passions and desires was a necessity.  St. Matthias was martyred in Colchis (Ethiopia) a district of Asia Minor.

FEAST DAY:  May 14

PATRON OF:  Alcoholism, carpenters

SPANISH/ESPANOL BOOKS

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer

(c)  The existence of snakes

Today’s Question

From whom do we learn what it means to be fully human and truly happy?

 

 FEAST DAY:  May 13

STATUE           DVD

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

All you nations, praise the Lord.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer

(a)  To be stewards of creation

Today’s Question

What is not a consequence of the sin of Adam and Eve?

(a)  labor of childbirth     (b) toil by the sweat of one’s brow     (c) the existence of snakes

According to Pope St. Damasus, the three were Roman soldiers who became Christians.  They laid down their arms and refused to remain in the service.  They were martyred and buried in the cemetery of Domitilla on the Via Ardeatina.  On the other hand, legend has it that they were servants of Flavia Domitilla, a niece of the Emperoir Titus and Doimitian, who became a Christian.  She was banished to the island Pontia and was martyred at Terracina together with Nereus and Achilleus.  St. Pancras was a Phrygian of noble birth and was baptized at age 14.  He gave all his possessions to the poor which drew attention from the authorities.  When he refused to renounce his Christianity, he too, was martyred.

 FEAST DAY:  May 12

BOOK

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Athirst is my soul for the living God.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer

False

Today’s Question

When God said, “Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it,” God intended for humanity ____________

(a) to be stewards of creation      (b) to plant fruit trees      (c) to war against the animals

In 1642 at the age of 16, Francis entered the clerical state in his home town of Taranto, Italy.  He completed his education for the priesthood in Naples.  Francis taught in the Jesuit College of Nobles in Naples and was highly regarded by the students.  After four years he joined the Society of Jesus and led the life of a rural missionary working on the outskirts of Naples for the last forty years of his life.  He was a powerful and spell-binding preacher.  He was surrounded by people wherever he went.  They streamed to his confessional.  He converted countless sinners.  It is said that he brought back to God at least 400 hardened sinners every year.  He sought people everywhere, along back streets, country roads, brothels, and prisons.  He had the reputation as a wonderworker.  Throngs of people gathered round his coffin at his death in 1716.

FEAST DAY:  May 11

MEDALS

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer

Preside at the Eucharist or celebrate the Mass.

Today’s Question

Men and women can be ordained deacons in the Roman Catholic Church.