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Saint Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi is known as the “ecstatic saint” because of her unusual gifts from God. To safeguard the authenticity of her visions, her confessor had her dictate them to fellow sisters. The result was five volumes encompassing ecstasies, letters, and inspirational sayings. But her life was not all sweetness; she also battled with temptations.
Jesus has told the apostles that he is going away and that the spokesman–the advocate–is coming who will set things right. The Holy Spirit–our defender and our advocate–is still at work today bringing the life and death of Jesus into full effectiveness for the salvation of the world.
“Whatever struggles you may face with the rosary, never walk away feeling discouraged.”
Just like our clothes, our spiritual lives need to be laundered too.
Saint Gregory VII, originally known as Hildebrand, was a reformer before and during his papacy. He struggled to gain the Church’s freedom from undue civil influence and paid a price for his efforts. Gregory VII died in exile in 1085. Thirty years after his death, the Church won its struggle.
It’s hard for us to grasp the relationships between the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit. They’re all God, all involved in our salvation, all protecting us. God’s generosity knows no bounds.
Saint Rita of Cascia was a wife, widow, and mother before becoming an Augustinian nun. She seems to have done most of her ministry within the convent, yet counseled many lay people who came to the monastery. Rita was known for her austerity and charity, along with prayerfulness.
The topic of global warming is a reminder that we have not always taken good care of the creation God has given us. Perhaps we need to pause and reflect on our attitudes toward creation.
Saint Cristóbal Magallanes and Companions, 21 diocesan priests and three laymen, belonged to the Cristero movement during the 20th-century persecution of the Church in Mexico. Martyred over a number of years in eight Mexican states, they were beatified and canonized together.
Because we are Jesus’ disciples, we too face rejection and persecution. Not everybody likes what we stand for. But if we suffer for proclaiming what Jesus taught we won’t be alone.
