DVRodriguez

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary originated in the East, where extant written documents mention it being celebrated very early in the history of the Church. We also have historical proof that Pope Sergius I (+ 701 AD) observed this feast in Rome. "Hail, holy mother! who in thy child-bearing didst bring forth the King Who ruleth heaven and earth, world without end (Ps 44,2). My heart hath uttered a good word: I speak my works to the king. Glory be to the Father... "(From the Introit) As Eve, our first [...]

St. Rose of Viterbo was a most courageous young girl, even challenging Emperor Frederick II. St. Rose of Viterbo was born in the spring of 1234, at a time when Emperor Frederick II was oppressing the Church and many were faithless to the Holy See. [Frederick II had many delusions of grandeur and was perhaps the first of the truly great and evil tyrants of Christendom. He greatly desired to be an absolute monarch. On several occasions, he attempted to destroy the Pope by military force, yet fortunately sufficient lords came to the aid of the pope that he was unsuccessful [...]

Pope St. Pius X, Greatest Pontiff of the Modern Era (1835-1914) On 2 June 1835, Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto saw the light of earth at Riesi, Province of Treviso, in Northeastern Italy. He was ordained a priest on 18 Sept 1858 during the reign of Bl. Pius IX, was consecrated Bishop of Mantua on 16 Nov 1884 at the behest of Pope Leo XII, elevated to Cardinal and Patriarch of Venice on 12 June 1893. He was elected Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church on 4 Aug 1903. On August 20, 1914, he saw the light of heaven; and on May 29, [...]

St. Joseph Matre Dei, or St. Joseph of the Mother of God, suffered great injustices from envious Church hierarchs. St. Joseph Calasanz (or Calasanctius) was born into nobility in 1557 at a castle in Aragon (Spain).  His parents had one other boy and three girls. When he was only five years old he "led" a "brigade" of children through the streets in search of the devil so they could kill him! HIS YOUTH He received a good education and with the support of his parents became a doctor of law. His mother and brother passed away, and his father, Don Pedro, [...]

King St. Louis IX of France (1214-1270) St. Louis IX is one of the glorious jewels in the crown of Christ the King. We can learn a great deal from him, especially how much good a truly saintly ruler can accomplish; as well as how a nation truly ought to be governed when Christ is enthroned as its King and He rules through His saints. In particular, I believe we should implore his intercession as we consider the election of our political officials. EARLY LIFE Louis IX was born and baptized on April 25, 1215 near Chartres, France - and because [...]

St. Agapitus of Palesitrina, Youthful Martyr. Today, in the year 274 AD, St. Agapitus merited the glory of martyrdom. He was just fifteen years old, but refused to reject his faith. As a member of the nobility from the Anicia family of Palestrina (just outside Rome), his "defiance" of the edict to worship pagan gods was seen as too great a public challenge to ignore. The emperor Aurelian (270-275) ordered the prefect Antiochus to force him to submit or suffer the death penalty. Young Agapitus was chained in a dungeon and suffered cruel torments, including being burned with live coals. Despite [...]

St. Tarcisius, Acolyte and Martyr (3rd Century) St. Tarcisius gave his life in defense of our Lord in the Blessed Eucharist. He and Blessed Imelda Lambertini are two of the great patron saints for First Communicants. CATACOMBS AND PERSECUTIONS In the middle of the third century, a fierce persecution broke out against the Christians of Rome. These Christians had long lived under the imminent threat of death for their belief, and their faith had been tested and purified like gold in fire. Yet the persecution of Emperor Valerian (253-259) was perhaps the most intense since the days of the maniacal Nero. [...]

St. Lawrence (+258), deacon and martyr, is one of the greatest martyrs in the history of the Church. After Sts. Peter and Paul, St. Lawrence is the third great patron saint of the city of Rome. He was Archdeacon of Rome under Pope St. Sixtus II and was martyred three days after the pope. St. Sixtus and St. Lawrence are both among the privileged saints who are honored every single day at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in the Roman Canon; their names coming soon after those of the Apostles themselves. [column size="2-3" last="0"]A YOUNG ARCHDEACON St Lawrence was born [...]

St. Jean-Marie Vianney (1786 - 1859) is the patron saint of parish priests and one of the world's greatest confessors. [Note: Prior to the changes brought about in the 1962 Roman Missal, St. Jean-Marie Vianney's feast day was August 9th. August 8th was dedicated to the Fourteen Holy Helpers. Sadly, they and many other wondrous saints were taken out of the 1962 calendar, such as St. Philomena, St. Margaret of Antioch, the Apparition of St. Michael and Mount Gragano, and St. Christopher.] A CHALLENGING YOUTH Jean-Marie was born in Dardilly (near Lyons) France on 8 May 1786 during difficult times. The [...]

Our Lady of Snows and the dedication of the Basilica Mary Major in Rome (358 AD) THE MIRACLE AND BUILDING OF THE BASILICA Under the Pontificate of Liberius (352-366), there lived in Rome a wealthy nobleman named John. He and his wife, who was of an equally noble family, prayed at length for a son and heir to whom they could leave their fortune. But this never came to pass. God in His Providence had another plan. John accepted his disappointment with Christian resignation, and begged the Blessed Virgin Mary to at least designate an heir of her own choice, to [...]