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?

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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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St. Kateri was born in 1556.  Her mother, an Algonquin Indian, was captured by the Mohawk Indians and the chief married her.  Her mother, father, and little  brother all died of smallpox.  Kateri survived  but was scarred and frail.  Her uncle took her to live with his family and she endured much suffering after she refused to marry.  She escaped from the tribe with a group of missionaries. She went to Mass and received the Eucharist frequently.  She died at the age of 24.  After her death, her face became smooth and beautiful.  She was known as the “Lily of the Mohawks”.

FEAST DAY:  July 14

PATRON OF:  Environment

SAINT MEDALS

Responsorial Psalm

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

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

(a)  Circumcision

Today’s Question-

How did the virginal conception of Jesus take place?

(a) by Mary’s betrothal to Joseph    (b) by the power of the Holy Spirit    (c) by Mary’s faith in God’s grace

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St. Henry was born in 972 to the Duke of Bavaria and his wife Gisella.  St. Wolfgang, Bishop of Ratisbon, guided his education.  In 995, he succeeded his father as Duke of Bavaria, and in 1002 he was elected Emperor upon the death of his cousin, Otho III.  His zeal was for all things for the greater glory of God.  He and his wife, St. Cunegundes, lived in perpetual chastity to which they had vowed.  He kept a watchful eye over the welfare of the Church and the maintenance of ecclesiastical discipline of the clergy.  He was victorious over his enemies both at home and abroad but showed great moderation and clemency.  Pope Benedict VIII crowned him with the imperial crown in Rome in 2014.   Henry confirmed the donation made by his predecessors to the Pope of the sovereignty of Rome and the exarchate of Ravenna.  Several times circumstances forced him into war but he always returned victorious.  His humility and spirit of justice were equal to his zeal for religion.   He desired to abdicate and retire to a monastery but on the advice of the Abbot of Verdun remained Emperor.  He was liberal to the numerous pious foundations and and built the cathedral of  Bamberg.  He died at the castle of Grone in1024.

FEAST DAY: July 13

PATRON OF: The handicapped, the childless

HISTORY BOOKS

Responsorial Psalm

 The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

(b)  the tree of the knowledge of good and evil

Today’s Question-

What happened on the eighth day after Jesus’ birth?

(a) circumcision   (b) baptism    (c) visit of the magi

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Legend has it that she wiped the face of Jesus when He was carrying the cross on the way to His crucifixion.  When He returned it to her it had the imprint of His face on it.  She became known as Veronica in time (Vera-true; icon-image).  Several different legends surround her life.  There is none confirmed.  One is that she is the woman who was cured of a hemorrhage (Matt. 9:20-22) by touching the hem of his cloak.  She died July 12.

FEAST DAY:  July 12

PATRON OF:  Photographers

ROSARIES

Responsorial Psalm

 The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

False

Today’s Question-

According to Genesis, from what tree did Adam and Eve partake against God’s will?

(a) the tree of life    (b) the tree of the knowledge of good and evil     (c) a fruit tree

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Born at Nursia about 480, he was educated at Rome.  After seeing the corruption of the world, he left home to live the life of penance and prayer as a hermit in a cave in Subiaco.  He was instructed in Christian asceticism by St. Romanus.  There he gathered disciples, and then departed for Monte Cassino where he established the famous monastery.  He composed the Benedictine Rule which was adopted throughout Europe.  Because of this, he received the title of patriarch of Western maonasticism.   He died March 21, 543 as he stood  before the altar of Monte Cassino immediately after receiving Holy Communion.

FEAST DAY:  July 11

PATRON OF:  Against witchcraft, temptations, civil engineers

$5.00 ITEMS

Responsorial Psalm

My mouth will declare your praise.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

Lucifer or Satan

Today’s Quiz-

There is a limit to God’s mercy when dealing with the sin of our parents.

True or false?

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Born in 1629 in County Meath, Ireland.  After his studies for the priesthood in Rome, he was ordained in 1654.  He was appointed Archbishop of Armagh in Ireland after some years of teaching and giving service to the poor of Rome.  A new wave of anti-Catholic persecution began in Ireland in 1654, and he was forced to do his pastoral work in secrecy and disguise and to live in hiding.  Schools were closed, and many of his priests were sent into exile.  Secret Church services were held.  Convents and seminaries were suppressed.  The Archbishop was held responsible for any rebellion or political activity of his parishioners.  He was arrested and imprisoned in Dublin Castle in 1679.  His trial was moved to London.  A jury found him guilty of fomenting revolt after deliberating for 15 minutes.  He was hanged, drawn and quartered in July 1681.  Pope Paul VI canonized Oliver Plunkett in 1975.

FEAST DAY:  July 10

GIFTS

Responsorial Psalm

Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

(a)  The Council of Nicea

Today’s Question-

Who is the fallen angel who is also called the “father of lies”?

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