Saint Frances of Rome

Saint Paul Miki and his Companions, Martyrs

From The Liturgy of the Hours:


"Today is the memorial of St. Paul Miki and his Companions.

St. Paul Miki was born in 1580 in Japan.  He was a Jesuit brother known for his ability to inspire people to authentic conversion.  At the time, many disparate cultures were present in nearby Southeast Asia; vying for spices, resources, influence and territory.  Many of these cultures were traveling northwards into Japan.  In 1587, when approximately 200,000 Christians were identified, Japan issued an edict of persecution to all those faithful to the Bible.

St. Paul and his Companions were a group of Franciscans, Jesuits, and Japanese Christians identified through the edict.  The 26 individuals were arrested, mutilated, and martyred, in 1597, at the hill of Nagasaki.  They are remembered for their courage, dedication, and joy despite the religious persecution they endured."

PRAYER:  "O God, strength of all the Saints, who through the Cross were pleased to call the Martyrs Saint Paul Miki and companions to life, grant, we pray, that by their intercession we may hold with courage even until death to the faith that we profess.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."

The Angelic Doctor

Today, January 28th, the Church honors Saint Thomas Aquinas.  Thomas was born about the year 1225 into the family of the Count of Aquino.  He first studied at the monastery of Monte Cassino and later at the University of Naples.  Afterwards he joined the Friars Preachers and completed his studies at Paris and Cologne, his instructor being Saint Albert the Great.  Becoming himself a teacher, he wrote many learned volumes and was especially renowned for his philosophical and theological studies.  Saint Thomas died near Terracina on 7th March 1274, but his memory is honored on 28th January, the day his body was transferred to Toulouse in 1369.

God Our Father, You made Thomas Aquinas known for his holiness and learning.  Help us to grow in wisdom by his teaching, and in holiness by imitating his faith.  Grant this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Saint Francis of Assisi

Today, October 4th, the Church honors one of the most beloved saints of all time, Francis of Assisi.

From the Liturgy of the Hours:

Saint Francis was born at Assisi in 1182.  After a carefree youth, he renounced his paternal wealth and committed himself to God. He led a life of evangelical poverty and preached the love of God to all.  He established a rule which a number of his companions followed and which gained the approval of the Holy See.  Subsequently, he founded an order of nuns and a society of laypersons who practice penance while living in the world.  He died in 1226.

From a letter written by Saint Francis:

Furthermore, let us produce worthy fruits of penance.  Let us also love our neighbors as ourselves.  Let us have charity and humility.  Let us give alms because these cleanse our souls from the stains of sin.  Men lose all the material things they leave behind them in this world, but they carry with them the reward of their charity and the alms they give.  For these they will receive from the Lord the reward and recompense they deserve.  We must not be wise and prudent according to the flesh.  Rather we must be simple, humble and pure.  We should never desire to be over others.  Instead, we ought to be servants who are submissive to every human being for God's sake.  The Spirit of the Lord will rest on all who live in this way and persevere in it until the end.  He will permanently dwell in them.  They will be the Father's children who do his work.  They are the spouses, brothers and mothers of our Lord Jesus Christ.

PRAYER:  FATHER, YOU HELPED SAINT FRANCIS TO REFLECT THE IMAGE OF CHRIST THROUGH A LIFE OF POVERTY AND HUMILITY.  MAY WE FOLLOW YOUR SON BY WALKING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF FRANCIS OF ASSISI, AND BY IMITATING HIS JOYFUL LOVE.  GRANT THIS THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD, FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN.

Today, September 23rd, the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint Padre Pio

Saint Robert Bellarmine

Today, September 17th, the Church honors Saint Robert Bellarmine.



Read more about Saint Robert here.

Saint John Chrysostom

From The Liturgy of the Hours:


"Saint John Chrysostem was born at Antioch about the year 349.  After an extensive education he embraced a life of asceticism.  He was ordained a priest and distinguished himself by his preaching which achieved great spiritual results among his hearers.  He was elected bishop of Constantinople in 397 and proved himself a capable pastor, committed to reforming the life of the clergy and the faithful.  Twice he was forced into exile by the hatred of the imperial court and the envy of his enemies.  After he had completed his difficult labors, he died at Comana in Pontus on September 14, 407.  His preaching and writing explained Catholic doctrine and presented the ideal Christian life.  For this reason he is called Chrysostem, or Golden Mouth.


PRAYER:  FATHER, THE STRENGTH OF ALL WHO TRUST IN YOU, YOU MADE JOHN CHRYSOSTEM RENOWNED FOR HIS ELOQUENCE AND HEROIC IN HIS SUFFERINGS.  MAY WE LEARN FROM HIS TEACHING AND GAIN COURAGE FROM HIS PATIENT ENDURANCE.  WE ASK THIS THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD, FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN.

Pope Saint Gregory the Great

Today, September 3rd, the Church honors Pope Gregory the Great.

Saint Rose of Lima

Today, August 23rd, the Church honors Saint Rose of Lima. From The Liturgy of the Hours:

Saint Rose was born at Lima, Peru in 1586. She led a virtuous life at home and, after receiving the habit of the Third Order of Saint Dominic, she made great progress in a life of penance and contemplation. She died August 24, 1617.



PRAYER: GOD OUR FATHER, FOR LOVE OF YOU SAINT ROSE GAVE UP EVERYTHING TO DEVOTE HERSELF TO A LIFE OF PENANCE. BY THE HELP OF HER PRAYERS MAY WE IMITATE HER SELFLESS WAY OF LIFE ON EARTH AND ENJOY THE FULLNESS OF YOUR BLESSINGS IN HEAVEN. GRANT THIS THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD, FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN.

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot and Doctor of the Church

Saint Pontian and Saint Hippolytus

Martyrdom of Saint Hippolytus

Today, August 13th, the Church honors Saint Pontian, Pope and Martyr, and Saint Hipploytus, Martyr.



LORD, MAY THE LOYAL SUFFERING OF YOUR SAINTS, PONTIAN AND HIPPOLYTUS, FILL US WITH YOUR LOVE, AND MAKE OUR HEARTS STEADFAST IN FAITH. GRANT THIS THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD, FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN.

Saint Dominic

Saint Dominic by El Greco

Today, August 8th, the Church honors Saint Dominic. From The Liturgy of the Hours:

Saint Dominic was born in Calaruega in Spain around the year 1170. He studied theology at Palencia and was made canon of the church of Osma. He worked effectively against the Albigensian heresy through preaching and good example. To carry on this work he gathered together companions and founded the Order of Preachers. He died at Bologna on August 6, 1221.

PRAYER: LORD, LET THE HOLINESS AND TEACHING OF SAINT DOMINIC COME TO THE AID OF YOUR CHURCH. MAY HE HELP US NOW WITH HIS PRAYERS AS HE ONCE INSPIRED PEOPLE BY HIS PREACHING. WE ASK THIS THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD, FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN.

Saint Martha of Bethany

Today, July 29th, the Church honors Saint Martha of Bethany. From The Liturgy of the Hours:

Saint Martha was a sister of Mary and Lazarus. When she received the Lord as a guest at Bethany, she looked after Him with devoted attention. She begged the Lord to raise her brother, Lazarus, from the dead.

PRAYER: FATHER, YOUR SON HONORED SAINT MARTHA BY COMING TO HER HOME AS A GUEST. BY HER PRAYERS MAY WE SERVE CHRIST IN OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND BE WELCOMED BY YOU INTO HEAVEN, OUR TRUE HOME. WE ASK THIS THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD, FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN.

Saint Joachim and Saint Ann

Today, July 26th, the Church honors the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joachim and Saint Ann.

From The Liturgy of the Hours:

From an ancient tradition, going back even to the second century, the parents of the Virgin Mary are known by the names of Joachim and Ann. Devotion to Saint Ann is found in the sixth century in the East, and by the tenth century it was widespread in the West. Saint Joachim was likewise honored, but at a more recent date.

PRAYER: GOD OF OUR FATHERS, YOU GAVE SAINTS JOACHIM AND ANN THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING THE PARENTS OF MARY, THE MOTHER OF YOUR INCARNATE SON. MAY THEIR PRAYERS HELP US TO ATTAIN THE SALVATION YOU HAVE PROMISED TO YOUR PEOPLE. GRANT THIS THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD, FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN.

Saint James the Greater, Apostle

From The Liturgy of the Hours:

Saint James, son of Zebedee and brother of Saint John the apostle, was born at Bethsaida. He was present at most of the miracles performed by Christ and was put to death by Herod around the year 42. He is honored in Compostella in Spain where a famous church is dedicated in his honor.

PRAYER: ALMIGHTY FATHER, BY THE MARTYRDOM OF SAINT JAMES YOU BLESSED THE WORK OF THE EARLY CHURCH. MAY HIS PROFESSION OF FAITH GIVE US COURAGE AND HIS PRAYERS BRING US STRENGTH. WE ASK THIS THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD, FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN.

FROM THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER: GRANT, O MERCIFUL GOD, THAT, AS THINE HOLY APOSTLE SAINT JAMES, LEAVING HIS FATHER AND ALL THAT HE HAD, WITHOUT DELAY WAS OBEDIENT UNTO THE CALLING OF THY SON JESUS CHRIST, AND FOLLOWED HIM; SO WE, FORSAKING ALL WORDLY AND CARNAL AFFECTIONS, MAY BE EVERMORE READY TO FOLLOW THY HOLY COMMANDMENTS; THROUGH THE SAME JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN.

Saint Bridget of Sweden

Today, July 23, the Church honors Saint Bridget of Sweden.

From the Liturgy of the Hours: Saint Bridget was born in Sweden in 1303. She married and gave birth to eight children for whom she was a devoted mother. After her husband's death she continued to live in the world but devoted herself to the ascetic life as a member of the Third Order of Saint Francis. She then founded a religious order and, journeying to Rome for the sake of penance, became a model of great virtue for all. She also wrote many works in which she related her mystical experiences. Saint Bridget died at Rome in 1373.

PRAYER: LORD OUR GOD, YOU REVEALED THE SECRETS OF HEAVEN TO SAINT BRIDGET AS SHE MEDITATED ON THE SUFFERING AND DEATH OF YOUR SON. MAY YOUR PEOPLE REJOICE IN THE REVELATION OF YOUR GLORY. GRANT THIS THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD, FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN.

Saint Mary Magdalene

Today, July 22, the Church celebrates the memorial of Saint Mary Magdalene.

From The Liturgy of the Hours: Mary Magdalene was one of Christ's disciples and was present when He died. Early on the morning of the resurrection, she was, according to Saint Mark's account (16:9), the first to see the risen Lord. By the twelfth century, particularly, devotion to Saint Mary Magdalene was widespread in the Western Church.

PRAYER: FATHER, YOUR SON FIRST ENTRUSTED TO MARY MAGDALENE THE JOYFUL NEWS OF HIS RESURRECTION. BY HER PRAYERS AND EXAMPLE MAY WE PROCLAIM CHRIST AS OUR LIVING LORD AND ONE DAY SEE HIM IN GLORY, FOR HE LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD, FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN.

Actress Lynsey Baxter as Mary Magdalene in the movie The Gospel of John

Saint Lawrence of Brindisi

Today, July 21, the Church honors Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest and Doctor of the Church.

From The Liturgy of the Hours:

Saint Lawrence was born in 1559. He entered the Capuchin Friars, taught theology to his fellow religious, and was chosen to fill positions of leadership in his order. He became famous throughout Europe as an effective and forceful preacher. He wrote many works explaining the faith and died at Lisbon in 1619.

Saint Bonaventure

Today, July 15th, the Church honors Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.

From The Liturgy of the Hours:

Saint Bonaventure was born about the year 1218 at Banorea in Tuscany. He studied philosophy and theology at Paris and, having earned the title Master, he taught his fellow members of the Order of Friars Minor with great success. He was elected Minister General of the Order, a position he filled with prudence and wisdom. After being made Cardinal-Bishop of Albano, he died at the Council of Lyons in 1274. His writings did much to illuminate the study of both theology and philosophy.

Saint Scholastica

Today the Church honors Saint Scholastica, the sister of Saint Benedict. Saint Scholastica was born in Nursia in Italy about the year 480. She vowed herself to God and followed her brother to Monte Cassino. She died there around the year 547.

Most of what we know about Saint Scholastica comes from the writings of Pope Saint Gregory the Great. There is a famous story that 3 days before she died, Saint Benedict came to see his sister, when night fell, although his sister begged him to stay, Saint Benedict said that he must return to his monastery.

According to Gregory: "When she heard her brother refuse her request, the holy woman joined her hands on the table, laid her head on them and began to pray. As she raised her head from the table, there were such brilliant flashes of lightning, such great peals of thunder and such a heavy downpour of rain that neither Benedict nor his brethren could stir across the threshold of the place where they had been seated. Sadly he began to complain: "May God forgive you, sister. What have you done? "Well," she answered, "I asked you and you would not listen; so I asked my God and he did listen. So now go off, if you can, leave me and return to your monastery." Reluctant as he was to stay of his own will, he remained against his will. So it came about that they stayed awake the whole night, engrossed in their conversation about the spiritual life."

PRAYER: Lord, as we recall the memory of Saint Scholastica, we ask that by her example we may serve you with love and obtain pefect joy. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.