Saint Andrew Dung-Lac was one of the 117 people martyred in Vietnam between 1820 and 1862. While members of this group were beatified on four different occasions between 1900 and 1951, all were canonized by Pope John Paul II.
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Jesus my Lord,
let me strengthen my courage
by taking on the courage
of all those people who have been “centurions” for me.
Many have faced disasters
and hard times with great constancy.
The upper hand of evil never turned them against you.
They kept going.
Let me be like them, Lord.
No matter what the cross,
let me never stop declaring you
to be “truly the Son of God,
the source of my hope,
the reason why I will never quit on life.
Saint Paul of the Cross dedicated his life to the memory of Christ’s passion and death. Known as the Passionists, the Congregation of the Passion that he founded is committed to preaching the good news of Christ crucified, and to caring for the poor. The Passionists take a fourth vow to promote the Passion of Jesus.
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Isaac Jogues and his companions are popularly known as the North American martyrs. Over a period of years, these eight Jesuits worked among the Hurons, bringing many into the Catholic faith. They labored in what would become the northeastern United States and eastern Canada.
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The priest delegated by the Ordinary to perform this office should first go to confession or at least elicit an act of contrition, and, if convenient, offer the holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and implore God’s help in other fervent prayers. He vests in surplice and purple stole. Having before him the person possessed (who should be bound if there is any danger), he traces the sign of the cross over him, over himself, and the bystanders, and then sprinkles all of them with holy water. After this he …
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The principal biblical references to Mary’s sorrows are Simeon’s prediction about a sword piercing Mary’s soul, and Jesus’ words from the cross to Mary and to the beloved disciple. The two passages are brought together as prediction and fulfillment.
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First reading from the Book of Numbers NM 21:4B-9
With their patience worn out by the journey, the people complained against God and Moses, “Why have you…
Canonized in 2009, Saint Jeanne Jugan had a history of helping the elderly and the poor. She founded the Little Sisters of the Poor to help her with her work, and by the time of her death the community numbered 2400 women.
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Transformation from greedy and surly businesswoman to saint is the story of Saint Joan of the Cross. Her conversion is credited to an elderly woman who most people thought was crazy, but who reached Saint Joan’s heart. Joan of the Cross went on to found a religious congregation and several charitable institutions.
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The story of Teresa Benedicta of the Cross begins with her life as Edith Stein, a noted philosopher raised in the Jewish faith. Her studies led Edith to the Catholic Church and to becoming a Carmelite nun. She died in the gas chambers of Auschwitz in 1942.
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Peter Julian Eymard began his priestly life in the Diocese of Grenoble. His faith journey led him to the Marists, and finally to founding the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament.
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Saint Bridget of Sweden was married, a mother of eight, and the foundress of a monastery for men and women. She spent her final days in Rome seeking to correct Church abuses for which she received much opposition.
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Whether or not Saint Mary Magdalene was a notorious sinner—and she most likely was not—she was one of the women who traveled with Jesus and the Apostles, and was present at the cross. She also was the one chosen to bring the good news of the resurrection to the Apostles.
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A Capuchin Poor Clare nun, Saint Veronica Giuliani received the unique gift of the stigmata of Christ. Few people have been blessed with these marks; Saint Francis of Assisi was probably the most notable among them.
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We celebrate two great saints today, Saints Peter and Paul. Saint Peter is often considered the Apostle to the Jews and Saint Paul to the Gentiles (based, most probably, on his extensive travels among the Gentiles). Together they witnessed to the budding of Christianity, and both laid down their lives for the faith.
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First reading from the book of the Prophet Hosea Hos 11:1, 3-4, 8c-9
Thus says the LORD: When Israel was a child I loved him, out of…
Saint Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi is known as the “ecstatic saint” because of her unusual gifts from God. To safeguard the authenticity of her visions, her confessor had her dictate them to fellow sisters. The result was five volumes encompassing ecstasies, letters, and inspirational sayings. But her life was not all sweetness; she also battled with temptations.
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The Cross: The most ubiquitous symbol of the Crusades is undoubtedly the Christian cross. Specifically, the Latin cross, with its distinct vertical and horizontal arms, symbolized the Christian faith and the Crusaders’ mission to reclaim the Holy Land. It adorned banners, shields, and clothing of Crusader knights – In the Style of Neo-Impressionism using Bold Color
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A reading from the Book of Genesis Gn 3:9-15, 20
After Adam had eaten of the tree, the LORD God called to him and asked him, “Where…
Saint Paschal Baylon was born into the Golden Age of the Church in Spain: the 16th century. He worked as a shepherd where he had ample time for prayer and mortification.
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