The Scholarly Saint or the Dumb Ox?

painted by another mother last summer

Do you need a man of good faith and full of intelligence?  Today's saint is your guy!

St. Thomas Aquinas

Feast day: January 28
Birth: 1226
Death: 1274
Patron of students and all universities
Upper class family of Sicily

Thomas had the misfortune of being born the youngest son of a wealthy family.  With no real inheritance, his parents raised him to enter the monastery from the start.  So much for following your calling, but that was not necessarily the way during his life time.  He was sent away to school at the age of five years old.

He would study philosophy at university in Naples, and he was introduced to the recently founded Dominican order at this time.  Although his family had wanted him to follow this path a path to priesthood, they were not sure about this new order.  His mother arranged for him to be sent to Paris.  Thomas began a journey to Rome and his older brothers had him captured and returned home to set hims straight.

Thomas was held captive in the castle for one year as his family tried to keep him from joining the Dominican Order. In the year he was held, Thomas tutored his sisters and communicated with members of the Dominican Order.  His family was so determined to sway him from his decision that they even tried to have him commit immoral acts; however, angels would come to him at night and help him remain celibate.

In 1244, knowing that she could not change his mind, his mother tried to preserve the family name by arranging for his escape through a window. She believed a secret escape was better than appearing to accept his decision.  Thomas was able to return to Naples and sent to Paris but was eventually sent to a university in Cologne to complete his studies.

Thomas was quiet and seldom spoke at the university, leading other students to believe he was mentally delayed, but his mentor prophetically said, "You call him the dumb ox, but in his teaching he will one day produce such a bellowing that it will be heard throughout the world."

After completing his own studies, he was made an assistant professor of the Old Testament in Cologne.  It was at this time that he wrote his first paper as well.  He would then return to Paris to begin his Masters degree and assisted in teaching classes on the Bible.  He would also write several more papers analyzing others works and the Bible.  It would be during his continued stay in Paris as a student and a professor that he would write many of his famous works.

In 1265, Thomas was summoned to Rome to serve as the papal theologian and was later ordered by the Dominicans to teach at their university, which was the first school to teach the full range of philosophical subjects of both moral and natural natures.  While teaching, Thomas wrote his most famous work, Summa theologiae, which he believed was particularly useful to beginning students "because a doctor of Catholic truth ought not only to teach the progicient, but to him pertains also to instruct beginners."  It is an explanation and summary of the entire body of Catholic teaching, has been standard for centuries, even to our own day. At the Council of Trent it was consulted after the Bible.

After a brief return to Paris as regent of the university, Thomas was asked to establish a university wherever he wanted with a staff of whomever he wished. He established the university in Naples and took the regent master post.

In 1273 Thomas was seen crying and levitating in prayer before an icon of the crucified Christ at the Dominican convent of Naples, in the Chapel of Saint Nicholas.

During this prayer, Christ is said to have told him, "You have written well of me, Thomas. What reward would you have for your labor?"

Thomas replied, "Nothing but you, Lord."

Following this exchange, something happened but Thomas never wrote or spoke of it. He abandoned his routine and, when begged to return to work, replied, "I cannot, because all that I have written seems like straw to me."

In 1274, Thomas was called to the Second Council of Lyon, where his works for Pope Urban IV would be presented. While journeying to the meeting, Thomas hit his head on the branch of a fallen tree and fell ill. He was escorted to Monte Cassino to recover, then he set out again.  Unfortunately, he became ill once again and stopped at an abbey, where the monks cared for him for several days.  He received his last rites and prayed, "I receive Thee, ransom of my sou. For love of Thee have I studied and kept vigil, toiled, preached and taught..."

Thomas died on March 7, 1274, while giving commentary on the Song of Songs.  A philosopher until the end.  After he died his lifelong companion and confessor testified, "I have always known him to be as innocent as a five-year-old child. Never did a carnal temptation soil his soul, never did he consent to a mortal sin." He cherished a most tender devotion to St. Agnes, constantly carrying relics of this virgin martyr on his person.

"How can we live in harmony? First we need to know we are all madly in love with the same God."

The Nun Who Said No

Imagine standing before the pope and telling him you a better plan!  That is what today's saint did to Pope Clement VII in 1525.

Angela Merici

Feast day: January 27
Born: 1474
Death: 1540
Patron of disabled people; handicapped people; illness; loss of parents
Lombardy, Italy

Born into a loving family that included an older sister and brothers, Angela dedicated herself to Christ as His bride.  However, when she was 15 years old she and her siblings were orphaned.  She and her sister were sent to live with their uncle.  The following year, her sister also succumbed to an illness.  Angela was most distressed that her sister had not received the Last Rites.  It is said that in a vision she received a response that her sister was in heaven in the company of the saints.

A few years later, her uncle died and she returned to live on a small part of the the family property.  It was here that she had a vision of maidens ascending to heaven on a ladder of light.  Angela saw this as a calling to found an association of virgins who were to devote their lives to the religious training of young girls.  This group became very successful and she was asked to begin other schools in the area.

In 1524, she chose to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.  As she entered a church along the way, she knelt before a crucifix and she suddenly became blind.  Instead of returning, she chose to continue her journey as a fully spiritual experience beyond what sight could allow.  Upon her return journey, she again stopped at the same church and her sight was recovered.

In 1525 she journeyed to Rome in order to gain the indulgences of the Jubilee Year. Pope Clement VII, who had heard of her virtue and success with her schools, invited her to remain in Rome.  She refused his offer and returned home.

Then in 1535, Angela gathered a group of 12 other women together to officially begin a new order of nuns, the Company of St Ursula.  This was to be the first group of women religious to work outside the cloister and the first teaching order of women.  Her goal was to elevate family life through the Christian education of future wives and mothers. Four years later the group had grown to 28.

Angela taught her companions to be consecrated to God and dedicated to the service of their neighbor, but to remain in the world, teaching the girls of their own neighborhood, and to practice a religious form of life in their own homes.  The members wore no special habit and took no formal religious vows. she wrote a Rule of Life for the group, which specified the practice of celibacy, poverty and obedience in their own homes. The Ursulines opened orphanages and schools.  It would not be until after her death that the Rule she had written was approved in 1544 by Pope Paul III.

The Gentleman Saint

painted by another mother last Lenten season

Today's saint was always important to me growing up because he was the patron saint of the church where I was baptized.  It was interesting to learn more details of his life when writing this post.

St. Francis de Sales

Feast day: January 24
Birth: 1567
Death: 1622
Patron Saint of Journalists, Writers
France
Noble family

Francis was the first born son and much was expected of him.  His father expected him to do well and sent him to the finest schools.  He was expected to become a magistrate (lawyer).  In 1583, he was sent away to school in Paris, along with a personal servant and a priest tutor.  Along with his studies, he was expected to learn all the social skills associated with the finest gentlemen.  He was also expected to socialize with families of the upper class as arranged by his father.

Francis did all of these things to please his father; however, he had this growing desire to become a priest.  He fell into despair, which lasted 2 years and he became quite ill to the point of being bed-ridden.  In 1587, he stood before a statue of the Black Madonna and consecrated himself to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and decided to dedicate his life to God with a vow of chastity.

In 1588, he completed his studies at the university and then enrolled at University of Padua in Italy, where he studied both law and theology.  It was at this time that he decided to follow his desire to become a priest.  Meanwhile, his father began to secure high positions within the government, as well as make arrangements for a marriage to the daughter of a prominent family.  Francis refused to marry, preferring to stay focused on his chosen path. His father initially refused to accept that Francis had chosen the priesthood; however, the bishop stepped in to assist Francis.

After signing over all of his inheritance to his younger brother, Francis would be ordained in 1593.  He was then placed in a position of provost in the region of Geneva.  He began to evangelize to those influenced by Calvinism.  He spent much of this time under the protection of guards and his life was threatened many times.  He then traveled to Rome to form an alliance with Pope Clement VIII and then on to Henry IV of France.

He was asked to remain in Paris to bring order to the demoralized court.  The king grew fond of Francis saying, "A rare bird, this Monsieur de Geneve, he is devout and also learned; and not only devout and learned but at the same time a gentleman. A very rare combination."  I suppose all of the training his father insisted on his obtaining over the years was helpful in this situation.  Francis became an important adviser and confessor for many at court during this time.  He also assisted in bringing in religious organizations to Paris.

In 1602, he was consecrated as the bishop of Geneva, which was still under the influence of the Calvinists.  In spite of his inability to enter Geneva, his diocese became one of the most organized and had the most educated laity in the area.  His motto was, "He who preaches with love, preaches effectively."  Francis was known for his ability to preach and his patient kindness.  It was during this time, he wrote his book, Introduction to a Devout Life.  This book was one of the first specifically written for laity. (By the way, this is one of my favorite devotionals and I have read it many times over the years.)

Francis wrote other books as well.  He also sent letters of spiritual direction to several people through the years.  One set of letters written to Jane Frances de Chantal (a canonized saint as well) were compiled and made into a book, Letters of Spiritual Direction.  His writings on the perfections of the heart of Mary as the model of love for God influenced Jean Eudes to develop the devotion to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

In 1610, he assisted Jane de Chantel in founding the women's Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary.  Although the original intent was to have these women go out into the community, the archbishop chose to have the nuns cloistered.  Francis also began the efforts to begin an organization of men but he died before it was a distinguished group.

In 1622, he was asked to attend a Christmas entourage of the duke throughout his territory.  Upon arriving in Lyons, Francis experienced a stroke and died on December 28, 1622.

"Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset."

Hawaiian Nurse

We have always been fascinated by those who would give their lives for others.  Today's saint gave her life to nursing the sick on one the of Hawaiian island of Moloka'i. We grew especially interested in her story when we were on vacation in Hawaii.  It was at this time that her canonization was officially announced to take place the following year.

Marianne Cope

Feast day: January 23
Birth: January 23, 1838
Death: August 9, 1918
Patron of lepers, outcasts, those with HIV/AIDS, Hawaii
from Germany but immigrated to US as a baby

Marianne lived a simple life as an immigrant to the United States.  Her father worked in the factories of New York.  She attended the local Catholic school until her father became an invalid.  She left school to work in the factory to help support her family.

Marianne always had a desire to become a nun.  When her father died and her siblings were old enough to assist the family, she was finally able to pursue this vocation.  Because of her German background, she was quickly placed in a position to teach the new arrivals from Germany.

Cope also helped direct the opening of the first two Catholic hospitals in central New York. She arranged for students from the Geneva Medical College in New York to work at the hospital, but also stipulated that patients should be able to refuse treatment by them. It was one of the first times in history that the right of a patient to refuse treatment was recognized.

In 1883, the king of Hawaii (King Kalakaua) sent out a plea for assistance for leper patients on the island of Moloka'i.  By this time, Marianne was the superior for the convent and she took it upon herself to answer this call.  She and six other nuns left to to attend to the sick.  Marianne would not only assist those on this island but also create a network of hospitals on all of the Hawaiian islands.

She continued to work for better treatment for her patients, their families, and those who cared for them.  She was responsible for orphans of women who had contracted the disease as well as clergy who had contracted the disease while working with lepers.  Even when her body became weak and she was confined to a wheelchair, she continued her work with compassion.

In all of this, Marianne never contracted the disease herself (a miracle?).   Mother Marianne passed away from natural causes in 1918 and was buried at Bishop Home on the island.  In the years following her death, several miracles were reported in her name. In 1993, a woman was miraculously cured after multiple organ failure following prayers to Mother Marianne.  Similar cures led to her canonization in 2012.

“For us it is happiness to be able to comfort, in a measure, the poor exiles, and we rejoice that we are unworthy agents of our heavenly Father through whom He deigns to show His great love and mercy to the sufferers." (Marianne Cope, 1884)

Martyr of Abuse

A smaller peg to represent her youth

We might not even know today's saint if her family continued to live the noble life that they were accustomed to living.  However, life does not always go the way one hopes they will.  We can learn much from the way this young saint dealt with her tragic life made holy.

Laura Vicuna

Feast day: January 22
Birth: 1891
Death: 1904
Patron of abuse victims, Argentina, incest victims, loss of parents, martyrs

Shortly after Laura was born, her noble family (parents and a sister) had to flee from their country due to a civil war.  Her father used to a life of ease had to labor for their needs and soon died from an illness.  Her mother was determined that her daughters would be educated and moved to Argentina to work at a hostel.  The owner promised to have the girls educated if the mother would become his mistress.  This was a sad state for her mother but she felt like she had no choice.

Laura soon entered school under the protection of the nuns at Daughters of Mary Help of Christians School.  It was at this time that Laura fell in love with the faith and had a desire to please God.  It was at her First Communion in 1901 that she also professed her desire to become a nun.  She had a desire to serve the poor and needy, and also to die sinless.  She would spend many hours in prayer in the school's chapel.

Laura also prayed every day for her mother's salvation and for her to leave her position.  When she visited her mother during breaks the man would treat her badly.  He would often beat her and try to convince her to not become a nun.  He also refused to continue paying for her education but the nuns allowed her to remain with a scholarship.

As time passed she became seriously ill with pulmonary tuberculosis. Before she died, Laura told her mother: “Mama, I offer my life for you, I asked our Lord for this. Before I die, Mother, would I have the joy of seeing you repent?” Mercedes answered: “I swear, I will do whatever you ask me! God is the witness of my promise!" Laura smiled and said to: "Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, Mary! Goodbye, Mother! Now I die happy!" On January 22, 1904, Laura died of her disease, weakened by the physical abuse she previously received.

One of her famous sayings is "Suffer silently and smile always"

Filled with Arrows

painted by another mother last Lent

I had to take a short break from this blog as I was on an amazing trip through the California missions.  I also had the misfortune of running out of my wooden pegs.  On top of all that...I got very sick and still trying to recuperate.

Well, I am back on track with a saint that is important to our son...he just loves his story and feels close to him so asked to dedicate his life to God under the protection and patronage of this early martyr.





St. Sebastian

Born:  ??
Death: 286
Patron of soldiers, athletes, and those who desire a saintly death
possibly from France

Little is known about the youth of this saint.  However, in 283 he entered the Roman military service with the desire to help Christians.  He became so well trained that he was put in the guard to protect the emperor (Diocletian).  He was known to bring conversion to visitors even within the walls of the palace.  It would not be long before these actions were discovered and he was presented to the emperor.

Diocletian was known for his harsh treatment of the Christians.  He ordered Sebastian to be used as target practice for his guard.  After this torture, his body was described as "filled with arrows like an urchin."  Left for dead, a Christian woman (Irene of Rome) went to collect his body for burial and discovered that he was still alive.  She nursed him back to health in a hidden location.

Sebastian was determined to confront Diocletian for his treatment of the Christians.  He entered the palace and found the emperor alone.  He told him of all his wrongs and at first Diocletian was surprised to see this man he thought to be dead.  However, he quickly recovered and called for his guards to once again take Sebastian to be tortured.  This time Sebastian would be beaten to death with clubs, then thrown into the sewers.  He would be discovered by the Christian woman, Lucina, and then buried secretly in the catacombs beneath Rome.