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!

December 23--St. John of Kanty, Priest

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It’s Christmas! Let’s celebrate! Wait, we have two days left and today’s a saint’s feast day! But why is there a feast day right before Christmas? Let’s look at the saint and find out. Our saint is St. John of Kanty, also known as St. John Cantius, a priest, philosopher, physicist, and theologian. He was born in 1390 in Kanty, Poland, became a priest and then a professor of theology at his alma mater at what would later be called the Jagiellonian University, where St. John Paul II graduated. As a physicist, he helped develop a theory of falling objects. He made pilgrimages to Jerusalem and Rome. He died on December 24, 1473 at the age of 83. This doesn’t speak a whole lot to sainthood! 

But wait, there’s more. Sainthood is based on holiness, not on achievement! St. John Cantius became “well known in the city for his generosity and compassion toward the poor, especially needy students at the university. He subsisted on what was strictly necessary to sustain his life, giving alms regularly to the poor.” His first biographer pointed out his extreme humility and charity by citing his motto: “Beware disturbing: it’s not sweetly pleasing,/Beware speaking ill: for taking back words is burdensome.” He became a popular saint in Poland, which was transferred to America by Polish immigrants. 

So, what we have here is a man who lived his life, did his work, ministered to others, and followed Jesus in the way Jesus called him. Thus, what we have here is a disciple of Christ, a saint! Humility and charity could be our watchwords to becoming “hidden” saints, those who are not necessarily famous, but are holy in all we think, say, and do. He’s a perfect saint for two days before Christmas! Have a blessed Christmas!

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November 3--St. Martin de Porres, Religious

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Humility is the hallmark of holiness. Such is true for today’s saint. St. Martin de Porres was born of a Spanish conquistador and a freed slave woman in 1579. He became a lay brother in Lima, Peru. He was trained as a physician, but he also had the gift of healing. His monastery became a place of healing for the poor of Peru.

But where does humility come in? St. Martin did not want anyone to know of his gift of healing, so he would use an herb or some other device to hide his gift. However, he was found out by the Archbishop of Mexico, who was passing through Lima. The archbishop was in great pain and suffering from a fever. He knew of St. Martin’s healing ability and sent for him. The Dominican superior sent him immediately to the archbishop before St. Martin could gather his healing materials. When he arrived at the archbishop’s residence, the archbishop ordered him to reach out his hand. St. Martin did not want to, but the archbishop required obedience of St. Martin. He stretched out his hand and put it on the archbishop’s chest, taking away his pain. The archbishop required him to leave his hand on his chest and his fever and illness disappeared. St. Martin was embarrassed at this and retreated to the monastery.

As Pope St. John XXIII remarked of him at his canonization in 1962: "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 labourers 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.'"

*https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjJ0NmAhr7lAhUTJjQIHVcRAhEQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fpaullew%2F7149072617&psig=AOvVaw3MKis4MmM1tshCNVM3t6ce&ust=1572320906588295

September 18--St. Joseph of Cupertino, Priest and Religious

                               

"If God wanted us to fly, He would have given us wings."  Actually, God allows some saints to levitate!  St. Joseph of Cupertino levitated, or rose up from the ground, 70 times according to the canonization investigation.  He would levitate in ecstasy when he prayed, sometimes to the top of the altar or over the dinner table or into a tree.  St. Joseph's levitations were a source of confusion and consternation for his Franciscan brothers.  He was even brought before the Inquisition.  He was then confined to different monasteries and away from the brothers for the rest of his life.

St. Joseph's holiness did not reside in his amazing ability to fly, but rather in his humility; to accept with love the trials he was subjected to by the Church he loved.  He could see the presence of God in everything.  He would laugh at his difficulties.  He remained in his cell as required and continued his prayers.

What is the key to holiness?  It certainly is not mystic ecstasy resulting in levitation.  That would mean only the few like St. Joseph of Cupertino are holy.  No, we are ALL called to holiness.  Lumen gentium, a document from Vatican II, states:  "Thus it is evident to everyone, that all the faithful of Christ of Christ of whatever rank or status, are called to the fullness of charity; by this holiness as such a more human manner of living is promoted in this earthly society.  In order that the faithful may reach this perfection, they must use their strength accordingly, as they have received it, as a gift from Christ."  St. Joseph used his gifts accordingly.  So must we.

August 21--St. Pius X, Pope

The first pope to be declared a saint in the 20th century was also the first pope elected in the 20th century, Pope St. Pius X.  He came from peasant stock, which was unusual among papal candidates.  He accomplished many things as pope:  he lowered the age for first reception of Communion and Penance to the age of reason; began Catholic Action, an organization for the laity to be involved in service to the community; condemned the heresy of Modernism, which asserted that dogma could evolve over time; codified canon (Church) law; encouraged frequent reception of the sacraments; and led a holy life worthy of example.

What can we hope to follow from such a saint?  Undoubtedly, his humility.  He knew who he was and was respectful of his origins from poor peasant parents.  That did not limit his abilities or his responsibilities to respond to the opportunities that God set before him.  He led the People of God to live lives of greater holiness by the frequent reception of the sacraments.  He changed the practice of receiving Communion from about the age of 13 or 14 to about seven so we could receive Jesus earlier and more often.  Attendance at daily Mass became more common.  

Humility is knowing who we are.  We are children of God and the way we grow in our identity as children of God is by coming closer to God, especially in the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion.  So let us humbly follow the example of Pope St. Pius X by frequently going to Confession and receiving the Eucharist.

October 28—Sts. Simon and Jude, Apostles

Of the twelve apostles, Simon, who was called a Zealot, and Jude Thaddeus, are two of the lesser known.  The Zealots were an organization in Palestine dedicated to getting rid of the Romans. However, it is unclear whether Simon was a part of the group.  He is mentioned in all lists of the apostles.  Jude is mentioned under two names, Judas and Thaddeus, with the listing of the apostles and once more in John’s Gospel at the Last Supper.  Otherwise, there is nothing known of these two men.

Some apostles are definitely more important than others.  Peter, James, and John get a lot of press in the gospels.  We also hear from Andrew, Matthew, and Thomas.  But the rest go about following Jesus in relative obscurity.  As apostles Simon and Jude were sent to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ and, according to tradition, they were martyred for their faith.  St. Jude comes down to us as the patron saint of impossible causes.

So what can we gain from knowing about them?  That even the apostles spread the word of God in humility.  They are the first ones sent, which is what the word apostle means.  But that they did not get a lot of recognition did not bother them.  They weren’t about bragging about their positions as apostles or attracting attention to themselves.  They did what God wanted them to do as servants, drawing attention to their Master, Jesus Christ.  Our challenge is to remember to spread the Good News without making it about us.  It is about Jesus.