January 30--St. Balthild, Holy Woman

St. Balthild in Chronicle of St. Denis, British Library public domain

Two grave sins that have plagued America are slavery/racism and abortion/infanticide.  But these sins are not unique to America or to our time.  Nonetheless, Christianity has sought to eliminate both these plagues on humanity.  Today's saint is one who dedicated her power to do so!

St. Balthild (or Bathildis) was a slave herself, an Anglo-Saxon from Britain sold to a court official of the the Frankish king, Clovis II, in the seventh century.  Clovis was impressed by her intelligence and skills and married her.  She beame famous for her service to others and her donations.  Two abbeys were founded due to her gifts.  She bore Clovis three sons, all of whom succeeded him as kings.  When Clovis died, she became queen regent and guided the affairs of state.  Here is where her faith became critical in helping her people come closer to God.

According to her biography:  "She ... ordained that yet another evil custom should cease, namely, that many people determined to kill their children rather than nurture them, for they feared to incur the public [taxes] that were heaped upon them by custom...."  Furthermore, "she prohibited the sale of captive Christian folk to outsiders and gave orders through all the lands that no one was to sell captive Christians within the borders of the Frankish realm.  What is more, she ordered that many captives should be ransomed, paying the price herself."

Some might say, "Not enough!"  But the point is she did what she could do!  Do we?  Do we continue to promote life for the unborn?  Do we work to eliminate racism in our society?  These are NOT contradictory efforts!  God has given us dignity by virtue of creating us in his image and likeness.  That dignity belongs to all of us, no matter what our status, location, abilities, or development!  St. Balthild, pray for us!

January 27--St. Angela Merici, Religious

St. Angela Merici by GFreihalter licensed under CC by-3.0.

For those who grew up in the second half of the 20th century, women religious in the Catholic schools were a common sight.  They seemed to be everywhere!  They were dedicated to their faith and to sharing and living their faith in the Catholic schools as teachers and administrators, as well as sponsors of extra-curricular activities.  The first woman to begin this kind of vocation was today's saint, St. Angela Merici.  Born in 1474 in northern Italy, she was a third-order lay Franciscan and devoted herself to good works throughout her life, organizing unmarried women in various cities to live at home, but serve their neighbors.  In 1535 she organized these groups into the Company of St. Ursula, a popular medieval saint.  She structured the society in a military manner by dividing the towns they served into separate areas run by more mature members.  The Ursulines served in prisons, hospitals, and the poorest neighborhoods.  Eventually, they became the first female teaching order and the first Catholic sisters in the United States.  There are 15 Ursuline schools in the U.S. today.

St. Angela wrote the rule for the community, which included this advice:  "'Do not lose heart, . . . even if you should discover that you lack qualities necessary for the work to which you are called.  He who called you will not desert you, but the moment you are in need he will stretch out his saving hand.'"  This is truly wise for we are beset by our own sins and failings, as well as adversities God allows to challenge us.  We are called to persevere despite our weaknesses.  She also wrote:  "I ask you, Lord, to receive all my self-will that by the infection of sin is unable to distinguish good from evil.  St. Angela, pray for us!

January 18--St. Charles of Sezze, Religious

St. Charles of Sezze by Antonio Sicurezza in the public domain.

Humility is a watchword for holiness.  In the case of today's saint, it is absolutely true!  St. Charles of Sezze lived in Italy in the 17th century.  He devoted himself as a Franciscan friar to doing mundane tasks, such as being porter (person who allowed people to enter the monastery), sacristan (person in charge of setting up and caring for the altar), and gardener of his community.  He also went out into the streets as a beggar.  Remember, the Franciscans were a mendicant, or beggar, order.  He never wanted to become a priest, valuing the humility of being a lay brother.

His life was filled with such holiness that his confessor asked him to write his autobiography, which became popular.  Though he was not a priest, others came to him for spiritual advice.  Even popes requested his spiritual aid.  When Pope Clement IX was dying he requested that St. Charles come to him and bless him, which he did.  He was canonized on April 12, 1959 by Pope St. John XXIII.

Humility is a worthy virtue for us to develop.  Humility puts us at the service of others and does not ask for recognition or awards, only the honor of love in serving others as Jesus did.  In the Last Supper account in John's Gospel  Jesus washes his disciples feet, the job of a servant.  He said:  

"'I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.  Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him.  If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it." (Jn 13:15-17)  St. Charles truly understood this.  We are called to serve in humility as well!