Organizer of the Church

Imagine a young man destined to reform the Church and you would have today's saint.

Feast Day:  November 4
Born:  1538
Death: 1584
Patron of learning and the arts
Italy

Some would say Charles was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.  He has wealthy parents who could give him all that he desired as well as a good education.  He was even born in a castle!  Furthermore, his (maternal) uncle was a well known religious man who would one day be the pope.  No one could deny that Charles has all the needed.  He could have also been quite conceited about his circumstances.  

Charles took a different approach to his station in life.  At the age of 12 years old, he would receive his first tonsure (rite of inducting someone into the clergy, including shearing of his hair and the investment with the surplice).  It was soon after this choice that his (paternal) uncle turned over the wealth obtained by his family in relation to an abbey.  One must wonder if this was a test to young Charles desire to enter the priesthood.  Charles was quick to explain that any profit from the abbey would be returned to the use of the Church.  Charles then spent the remainder of his youth at university studying civil and canon law.  I found it interesting that he was considered a slow learned because a speech impediment; however, he was always very successful in his studies.  He even had to take a break from his coursework when his father died and he was asked to manage the family affairs.  He was still able to complete his doctorate in law by the time he was 21 years old.

When his uncle became Pope Pius IV, Charles was immediately called to Rome to assist as an adviser.  He would soon be named a cardinal and entrusted with both the public and the privy seal of the ecclesiastical state.  He was also entrusted in the government of the Papal States and appointed supervisor of the Franciscans, Carmelites and Knights of Malta.  During this time, he brought order to all that areas of the establishment, including the renewal of the Council of Trent (1562-1563).  This role led to his efforts to create the Church's first official catechism.  

Although asked to leave the priesthood to take over the family affairs when his older brother died, Charles as determined to remain true to his calling and took on the position of bishop of Milan.  He devoted himself wholly to the reformation of his diocese, especially since it had lacked a bishop for almost 80 years.  He was determined to put into practice the many aspects of the Council of Trent, and his diocese would soon become a model for all other dioceses.  Not everyone approved of all the improvements and attempt on his life was miraculously thwarted.

After the plague broke out in Milan, Charles quickly took action and began to take care of the sick.  Supposedly, the leaders of the town fled and Charles took over the every day workings of the town as well as the needs of the sick and dying.  There are accounts of him feeding 50,000-70,000 daily during this time.  

Charles took to wearing a noose around his neck as a symbol of his desire to die in the place of the villagers.  In 1584, during his annual retreat at Monte Varallo, he was stricken with an intermittent fever and ague, and on returning to Milan grew rapidly worse. After receiving the Last Sacraments, the beloved bishop died quietly at the age of 46 years old.  Following his death, popular devotion to Charles arose quickly and continued to grow.

"Be sure that you first preach by the way you live. If you do not, people will notice that you say one thing, but live otherwise, and your words will bring only cynical laughter and a derisive shake of the head."  - St. Charles Borromeo

St. Charles Borromeo, pray for us!

Saintly Healers

Today we have two saints who are known for miraculous healings.

St Winfred

Feast Day:  November 3
Born: ??
Death: 660
Patron of virgins
Wales

Our first saint is a legendary saint.  Winifred was born to a wealthy family and sister to another saint (Beuno).  Supposedly, she was beheaded by a suitor whom she rebuffed.  However, Beuno took up her head from the ground and set it back in its rightful place. From where it had fallen, there instantly sprang up a well of pure clear water. At the same time, he commanded the congregation to pray that Winifred might be restored to life and fulfill her vow of chastity; and, when they arose from praying, she arose with them. For the rest of her life she had a red mark round her throat where it had been sliced through.

Winifred became a nun in the nearby village of Denbigshire.  She succeeded the abbess and remained there until her death 15 years later.

The spring where Winifred's head fell, is called Holy Well or St. Winifred's Well and became a great pilgrimage center where many cures have been reported over the centuries.

St. Winifred, pray for us!

Love this little peg painted by another mom
Aren't the animals so cute?

St. Martin de Porres

Feast Day: November 3
Born:  1579
Death: 1639
Patron of Mixed Race, Barbers, Public Health Workers, Innkeepers
Lima, Peru

There could not be two different saints yet they both are known for their healing abilities.

Martin was born to a freed slave who had not married.  His father (a Spanish gentleman) abandoned the mother and son (as well as a sister) when he was very young.  Their financial situation became so extreme that he was placed as an apprentice in a barber shop at a very young age.  He had little education but learned quickly and was able to learn the barber's skill as a physician as well as other duties.

In Peru, by law, all descendants of African or Indians were not allowed to become full members of religious orders.  At the age of 15 years old, Martin, who spent long hours in prayer, longed to join the Dominicans.  He found his only way into the community would be to volunteer to perform the most menial tasks in the monastery. In return, he would be allowed to wear the habit and live within the religious community.

Martin was eventually given the task of distributing money to deserving poor.  During this time, Martin took on his old trades of barbering and healing. He also worked in the kitchen, did laundry and cleaned.

After eight years, Martin was granted the privilege to take his vows as a member of the Third Order of Saint Dominic against the laws of the day.  Even though he also completed all his tasks, Martin was called horrible names and mocked for being illegitimate and descending from slaves.

At the age of 24, Martin was allowed to be ordained a lay brother.  He would later be placed in charge of the infirmary.  His ability to heal could not be surpassed.  Martin was praised for his unconditional care of all people, regardless of race or wealth. He took care of everyone from the Spanish nobles to the African slaves. Martin didn't care if the person was diseased or dirty, he would welcome them.

It is said Martin had many extraordinary abilities, including aerial flights, bilocation, instant cures, miraculous knowledge, spiritual knowledge and an excellent relationship with animals. Martin also founded an orphanage for abandoned children and slaves and is known for raising dowry for young girls in short amounts of time.

In 1639, Martin became very ill with chills, fevers and tremors causing him agonizing pain. He would experience almost a year full of illness until he passed away.   After his death, the miracles received when he was invoked in such greatness that when he was exhumed 25 years later, his body exhaled a splendid fragrance and he was still intact.

At Martin's canonization in 1962, Saint John XXIII remarked: "He excused the faults of others. He forgave the bitterest injuries, convinced that he deserved much severer punishments on account of his own sins. He tried with all his might to redeem the guilty; lovingly he comforted the sick; he provided food, clothing and medicine for the poor; he helped, as best he could, farm laborers and Negroes, as well as mulattoes, who were looked upon at that time as akin to slaves: thus he deserved to be called by the name the people gave him: 'Martin of Charity.'"

St. Martin de Porres, pray for us!

Reluctant Prayer Warrior

What a wonderful gift we have to be a friend of Jesus!  We all have this opportunity, but how many of us actually take the time to grow that relationship?  Well, today's saint, St. Theresa of Avila, truly felt Jesus in her life daily....but it took her well into her adulthood to see how wonderful this relationship could be.  I guess there is still help for all of us to find a better connection with God!

Created by another mother spring 2015

Feast day: October 15
Birth: March 28, 1515
Death: October 4, 1582
Ávila, Spain
Patron of Headache sufferers, Spanish Catholic Writers
Given name:  Teresa Ali Fatim Corella Sanchez de Capeda y Ahumada

From a very young age, Theresa had a desire to bring peace near upheaval.  When she was seven years old, she convinced her brother that they needed to go to the "land of the Moors and beg them, out of love of God, to cut off our heads there."  Her thought was that she would sacrifice herself to avoid others being hurt.

However, even with this sense of piety in her early childhood, Theresa became a rebellious youth.  Her father was so concerned that he sent her to a convent for discipline.  After a time of adjustment, she found that she liked the way she was able to grow closer to God.

But...STILL...she did not form the relationship she needed.  She gave into a worldly lifestyle within the walls of the convent as it was a place to send girls when they had no where else to go.  This did not provide the prayerful life that was needed to develop a religious.  She found excuses to prevent her from finding her way to God.

Teresa sympathizes with those who have a difficult time in prayer: "All the trials we endure cannot be compared to these interior battles."

"For mental prayer in my opinion is nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with him who we know loves us. The important thing is not to think much but to love much and so do that which best stirs you to love. Love is not great delight but desire to please God in everything."

She did find that union with God in her prayer life.  Once she had given herself fully to His will, she began a profound experience that would continue the rest of her life.  She was then asked to write a book about prayer.  Not sure what she should write...considering herself uneducated and unworthy...she did what she knew best...she prayed for help.  Out of this intercession, Theresa was given her most profound mystical experience which allowed her to write The Interior Castle.  She analyzed and dissected mystical experiences the way a scientist would in a lab.

Her journey was still not an easy one.  The closer she grew to God, the more other ridiculed her.  She was often left to dwell on her experiences alone because she was told that her experiences were not from God.  She realized that the environment of the convent needed to change.  At the age of 43, she became determined to found a new convent that went back to the basics of a contemplative order: a simple life of poverty devoted to prayer.  This should have been an easy task but the times were difficult and no one seemed to want Theresa in their town.

She would continue her effort for the next twenty years.  When dying she often repeated the words: "Lord, I am a daughter of the Church!"

She is the founder of the Discalced Carmelites. In 1970 she was declared a Doctor of the Church for her writing and teaching on prayer, one of two women to be honored in this way.

St. Theresa of Avila, pray for us!

Our Lady in the Soup Kitchen

Yesterday (sorry for the delayed post) we celebrated two feasts days...Our Lady Star of the Sea and St. Vincent de Paul.  My guess is these two work well together in love of the community is the main theme of the day.  Even the Mass readings (not connected as it was a Sunday liturgy) seemed to bring about the message of giving to neighbor (James 5:1-6).

I had the joy of painting these two pegs for the occasion.  I also made an extra Lady for the priest at our monthly pilgrimage into San Francisco.

So...some may ask...Why another feast day for Mary?  Here is the scoop...

Mary’s title “Star of the Sea” is thought to derive from the prophet Elijah's account in 1 Kings 18:41-45 which refers to a little cloud appearing above the sea as a sign of hope that rain would soon come to water the parched earth. The idea of Mary our Mother being a guiding star for People of the Sea has led to special devotion to Our Lady, Star of the Sea in many coastal and fishing communities.  Just as seafarers have traditionally depended on the stars for navigation, so they trust in the protection and guidance of Our Lady Star of the Sea.  I think we should be able to do the same in our own journey to Christ as it can be just as tumultuous as the sea.

Along with this feast, is the recognition of St. Vincent de Paul.  When our little guy was born, we named him after this saint as we thought it was his fest day.  It turned out to be another saintly Vincent who we have come to love but it is still nice to recognize Vincent de Paul as one of his patrons.


Feast day: September 27
Birth: 1580
Death: 1660
Patron saint of charitable societies
French
Born of poor parents in a village of France
Priest of the Capuchin Order in 1910

To assist in the cost of schooling and not be a burden to his parents, he tutored other students.  In 1596, he went to the University of Toulouse for theological studies, and there he was ordained priest in 1600.

In 1605, on a voyage by sea, he fell into the hands of African pirates and was carried as a slave to Tunis. His captivity lasted about two years, until he was able to escape. After a brief visit to Rome he returned to France, where he became a chaplain for a noble family.

He then began preaching in missionary style throughout the area, specifically in poverty-stricken regions.  He helped all in spite of age, race, or creed.  His only desire was to help the poor with their basic needs.  He formed an order for men (Congregation of the Mission, or the "Vincentians") and later for women (Daughters of Charity) to assist in this mission.

He died at the age of 80 in 1660.  He was canonized in 1737.  He was renowned for his compassion, humility, and generosity and is known as the "Great Apostle of Charity".  His mission continues today in most Catholic parishes under a group given his name...the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Defender of the Faith

Today's saint is considered a defender of the faith as he spent much of his ministry writing documents to refute the Protestant Reformation.

Today is the feast day of St. Robert Bellarmine.

Feast Day:  September 17
Patron against epilepsy
Birth: 1542
Death: 1621
Italian
Noble parents (however little money) were highly religious and dedicated to a faithful life
Priest of the Jesuit Order in 1560

Bellarmine was appointed to the chair of controversial theology at the Roman College and a Cardinal in 1598.  He was the spiritual father of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, helped St. Francis de Sales obtain formal approval of the Visitation Order, and opposed severe action in the case of Galileo (which was unfortunately delayed due to Galileo.)  He was a prolific writer and many of his writing are still reviewed today.  He is especially known for his ability to systematically review controversial teachings and find ways to refute the errors.

Bellarmine retired after a short time as bishop to a Jesuit college in Rome.  This is where he died in 1621.

Bellarmine was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1930; the following year he was declared a Doctor of the Church. His remains, in a cardinal's red robes, are displayed behind glass under a side altar in the Church of Saint Ignatius, the chapel of the Roman College, next to the body of his student, St. Aloysius Gonzaga, as he himself had wished.

"When we appeal to the throne of grace we do so through Mary, honoring God by honoring His Mother, imitating Him by exalting her, touching the most responsive chord in the sacred heart of Christ with the sweet name of Mary."

Slave to the Slaves

I began my peg doll journey back in March of this year.  I did not know how much I was going to enjoy this project until the details of my canvas came to life before me and now I cannot get enough of these meaningful little dolls.

I was asked recently if I had a blog for my creations.  The thought never crossed my mind but since it has become such an important part of our family journey to grow closer to the saints, I decided I would try to at least recognize the saints on their feast days...at least the little saints I have created.

Today is the first of these tributes....a saint I have enjoyed learning about through stories my children learn in their schooling.

Peter Claver
Feast Day:  September 9th
Patron of negro missions
Birth: 1580
Death: 1654
Originally from Verdu, Catalonia, Spain
Peasant upbringing
Jesuit priest and missionary

Peter would arrive in the islands of Cartagena (modern Colombia) and was disgusted by what he saw.  Thousands of slaves came into the country daily and their well being was sorely overlooked as they were considered sub-human.

Eventually, he began renouncing the slave trade all together and ministered to their basic needs.  He would be known for taking care of their physical and spiritual needs...baptizing as many as possible and teaching them about the hope that could be found in Jesus Christ.  He would actually enter the slave ships upon their arrival in the harbor and give them whatever he was able as they were usually starving and quite ill.  Many of their companions would not even make it so far on the journey dying at sea and being thrown overboard with little recognition.

Peter fought for better conditions for these slaves until his death on the island where he served.  After working through multiple plagues, actively administering to the needs of the sick, he succumbed to the sickness.

Claver was beatified by Pope Pius IX on September 21, 1851. Along with his friend and spiritual mentor, Alphonsus Rodríguez, he was canonized by Leo XIII on January 15, 1888.

"We must speak to them with our hands by giving, before we try to speak to them with our lips."

Our little peg doll was humbly made the day before his feast day.  We were able to attend Mass on his feast day and the children showed it to Father on his way to the altar.  He immediately snatched the doll from their hands and placed him on the altar.  What a especially blessed 'saint' we have to enjoy.