Probably born in North Africa of Christian parents.  Married to Patricius, a pagan.  Patricius was known for his dissolute lifestyle and his temper.  They had three children:  Augustine, Navigius, and Perpetua.  She was able to convert her husband and his mother through her prayers.  She was widowed in 371.  She prayed for years for the conversion of Augustine.   She followed him to Rome and then to Milan where he embraced Christianity in 386, and he was baptized on Easter in 387.  She lived with Augustine, his son, and associates while he was preparing for baptism.  She died at Ostia, Italy, while they were awaiting the arrival of the ship which would take them back to Africa.

 FEAST DAY:  May 4

PATRON OF:  Married women, abuse victims, difficult marriages

CHILDREN’S BOOKS               

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

 Lord, you will show us the path of life.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer

(a) Priest

Today’s Question

The sacrament of anointing is associated with ________________________.

(a) healing and the relief of suffering     (b) marriage     (c) hunger

St. Philip was a native of Bethsaida in Galileee.  Our Lord called him the day after St. Peter and St. Andrew.  He was a married man with three daughters.  He left all to follow Christ.  After Jesus’ Ascension, he preached the Gospel in Phrygia, a part of Asia Minor, then a province of the Roman Empire.   He was buried at Hierapolis in Phrygia.

 FEAST DAY:  May 3

PATRON OF:   History, pastry chefs

 St. James the Less, was the son of Alphaeus of Clophas.  His mother, Mary, was a close relative of the Blessed Virgin.  That is why he sometimes is called “brother” of the Lord, according to Jewish custom.  He says he was a witness of the Resurrection of Christ.  St. Paul consulted St. James the Less about the Gospel.  James is also called a “pillar” of the church.  Tradition says he was the first Bishop of Jerusalem.  Historians Eusebius and Hegesippus say St. James was martyred for the Faith in the Spring of the year 62.  They gave him the surname of “James the Just”.   He authored an epistle and the Councils of the Church confirm its authenticity and canonicity.   He preached to those Christians outside Palestine, the “twelve tribes that are in the Dispersion.”  He endeavored to guide and direct them in the faith.  

 FEAST DAY:  May 3

PATRON OF:  Pharmacists

DVD

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Their message goes out through all the earth.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer

(b) The sacrifice of his death

Today’s Question

To whom does one pray during confession in order to express true sorrow for sin and a desire for God’s forgiveness?

(a) priest     (b) baptized Christian     (c) deacon     (d) sister

St. Athanasius was born at Alexandria around the year 296 of Christian parents.  He made great progress in his education under Alexander, later the Bishop of his native city.  He succeeded Achillas in the Patriarichal See in 313 and two years later he went to the desert to spend some time with St. Anthony in retreat.  He became a deacon in 319 and had to take an active part against rising heresy of Arius.  Arius was an ambitious priest of the Alexandrian Church who denied the Divinity of Christ.  This was the life struggle of St. Athanasius.  His influence began to be felt when he assisted his Bishop at the Council of Nicaea in 325.  Alexander died five months later and on his deathbed he recommended St. Athanasius as his successor.  He was unanimously elected Patriarch in 326.  By refusing to tolerate the Arian heresy, he suffered many persecutions and trials.  He spent 46 years of his episcopate in exile.  This intrepid champion of the Catholic Faith, the greatest man of his time, who lead a life of virtue and suffering, died in peace on May 2, 373.

FEAST DAY:  May 2

BIBLES

Responsorial Psalm

One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer

(a) The collection

Today’s Question

What event in Christ’s life is re-presented in the eucharist?

(a) the birth     (b) the sacrifice     (c) the multiplication of the loaves and fishes

On May 1, 1955, Pope Pius XII proclaimed May 1, (May Day) the feast day of St. Joseph the Worker.  This had previously been a secular observance of workers throughout the world and had been used by the enemies of the Church to further their evil designs.  Now, it was to be  “a day of rejoicing for the concrete and progressive triumph of the Christian ideals of the great family of labor…”  Now, instead of being a stimulus for discord, hate and violence, it will be a recurring invitation to  modern society to accomplish that which is still lacking for social peace.”  St. Joseph, the humble carpenter of Nazareth, who was the support and guardian of the Divine Child and his Virgin Mother on earth, is honored above all other men as the personification of the dignity of the manual laborer and the provident guardian worker’s family. 

 FEAST DAY:  May 1

PATRON OF:  Workers

4-WAY MEDALS                   GARDEN STATUES

Responsorial Psalm

The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer

Sunday, the day of Jesus’ resurrection.

Today’s Question

What is it called during the Mass when people share their plenty with those in need?

(a) the collection     (b) the greeting of peace     (c) communion

St. Pius V was born Michael Ghislieri in 1504 in Italy.  His whole life was a model of Christianity.  He received his Dominican habit at age 15.  He was ordained a priest in 1528,and he taught philosophy and theology for sixteen years.  He held other important positions.  Pope Paul IV promoted him to the united Bishoprics of Nepi and Sutri in the Papal States in 1556, and a year later he was made a Cardinal.  In 1559, Pope Pius IV moved him to the diocese of Mondori in Piedmont.  On the death of Pius IV, during the conclave, St. Charles Borromeo united the suffrages in favor of Cardinal Alexandrinus, (as Ghislieri was known), and he became Pope Pius V in 1566.  His life as Sovereign Pontiff was as exemplary as was his life as a Dominican Friar.  The celebrated victory of Lepanto was gained against the Turks under Don John of Austria during his Pontificate.  Because of this victory, he ordered the feast of the Holy Rosary be observed on the first Sunday of October.  He died a year later on May 1,1572, and he was canonized by Clement XI in 1712.

 FEAST DAY:  April 30

POPE BOOKS

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer

(d) Apostolic

Today’s Question

What day of the week did Christians meet to “break bread” and commemorate the death and resurrection of their Lord?

Was born in 1347 and consecrated her virginity to God in early childhood.  Her parents tried to thwart her pious inclinations, and she became an object of persecution in her own home.  She persevered in her resolution and her parents finally relented.  In 1365, she entered the Third Order of St. Dominic at age 18 devoting her life to the care of the sick during the great pestilence.  She established peace between cities, fought for the rights and freedom of the Roman Pontiff, and promoted the renewal of religious life.  She was glorified by God with wondrous gifts and miracles.  She has long been regarded as one of the finest theological minds in the Church.  Her outstanding work “Dialogue” is proof of her theological mind.  In 1970 Pope Paul VI declared her a Doctor of the Church.  She died April 29, 1380, at the age of 33.

 FEAST DAY:  April 29

PATRON OF:  Fire prevention, nurses

E-BOOKS

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer

(a) The good shepherd

Today’s Question

Because the Church is founded on the faithful witness of the apostles, it is called ________________________.

(a) one     (b) holy     (c) catholic     (d) apostolic

Born in 1803 at Clet Belley, France.  Fr. Trompier, the local priest was aware of his intelligence and piety and saw to his elementary education.  He entered the diocesan seminary where both professors and students held him in affection and esteem.  He was pastor to a rundown parish which, in three years, he completely revitalized.  He wanted to be a missionary, so he joined the Society of Mary (Marists) which were newly-formed and concentrated on missionary work at home and abroad.  He was appointed to teach at the Seminary, to his dismay.  He was there for the next 5 years.  In 1836 the Society went to the New Hebrides in the Pacific to evangelize it, and St. Peter was appointed superior.  After a ten-month journey, the little band of missionaries arrived and split up.  Peter, a lay brother, and an English layman went to the island of Futuna.  The pagans and their king welcomed them.  The king had only recently forbidden cannabalism.  But soon the King became jealous when the missionaries learned the language, and they were instructing them about Christianity.  He feared some of his prerogatives would be abolished.  When his own son asked to be baptized, the king sent his warriors to kill St. Peter.  On April 28, 1841 he was clubbed to death.  But, within 10 months the entire island was converted to Christianity, which brought his work to completion.     

 FEAST DAY:  April 28

MEDALS

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

 Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer

(a) The empty tomb

Today’s Question

What images in John’s Gospel shows Christ as the one who gathers, watches over and protects his people?

(a) the good shepherd    (b) the vine and the branches    (c) the bread of life

St. Zita was born in Monte Sagrati, Italy to a poor but devout family.  Whenever God’s will was pointed out to her she did it.  She went into domestic service at age 12 for a well-to-do weaver in Lucca, 8 miles from her village.  She went to Mass every day and carried out her household duties as she recited her prayers.  The other servants resented her industriousness, but she said that her work was part of her religion.  Her employers were upset by her gifts of food to the poor, but they were completely won over by her patience and goodness.  St. Zita became a confidential family friend.  She was permitted to carry out her visits to the sick, etc. by working it out with her schedule of duties.  She was visited with supernatural manifestations.  She remained at Lucca for 48 years.  She died in 1278.  The people declared her a saint.

FEAST DAY:  April 27

PATRON OF:  Domestic Workers

SAINT BOOKS

RESPONSORIAL PSALM 

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.

QUIZ

YESTERDAY’S ANSWER

The third day or Sunday, the first day of the week.

TODAY’S QUESTION

What evidence, besides Jesus’ appearances to his disciples, supported the belief in Jesus’ resurrection from the dead?

(a) the empty tomb     (b) the earthquake     (c) the bewildered guards     

Little is known of Cletus.  He was elected Pope in 76 as the second successor  of St. Peter.   He suffered martyrdom probably in Rome during the persecution of Christians by Emperor Diocletian.  The Greek version of his name is Anacletus by which he is also known.  He died April 26.

St. Marcellinus was a priest in Rome.  He and Peter, an exorcist, were arrested and put in prison during the persecution of Christians by order of Emperor Diocletian.  They made many converts while imprisoned, even the jailer, Arthemius, his wife, and daughter.  The magistrate, Serenus,  sentenced them to death and they were beheaded.  Pope Damasus wrote an epitaph for their tomb, and Constantine built a church in their honor.

FEAST DAY:  April 26

MIRACULOUS MEDALS

Responsorial Psalm

I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

(c) Gabriel

Today’s Question-

On what day did Jesus rise from the dead?

St. Mark was associated with St. Paul and St. Barnabas (who was his cousin).  He accompanied St. Paul on his first missionary journey and later went to Rome with him.  He also was in Rome with St. Peter as a disciple of his.  It is said that St. Peter’s teaching was the basis for St. Mark’s gospel.  Mark is said to be the founder of the Church of Alexandria.

FEAST DAY:  April 25

PATRON OF:  Notaries, repentance

STATUES

Responsorial Psalm

The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

(c) Herod the Great

Today’s Question-

Which angel announced the birth of Jesus?

(a) Raphael (b) Michael (c) Gabriel