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Saint John of Avila had some pretty impressive friends—Francis Borgia, Ignatius of Loyola, John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila—to name just a few. These saints, along with John, were all part of a reform of the Church in Spain. Little did they know at the time the holiness of their group.
Have you ever felt like running away from your job? Saint Peter of Tarentaise “disappeared” from his diocese to an abbey where he quietly prayed for about a year. Called back to ministry, Peter performed his duties to his diocese well, focusing his energies on the poor.
Saint Paul counsels against taking advantage of the youth of a person in authority. That advice applies well for Saint Hilary of Arles who was ordained a bishop at age 29. He suffered because of his young age, but managed to be an effective prelate before his death at age 49.
Little biographical data is available for Blessed Michael Giedroyc, but we do know that he was physically handicapped and that this caused him great suffering during his lifetime. But, despite his difficulties, Blessed Michael coped well, due in part to his rich spiritual life.
We all want to see the Father. We know that our worth and our happiness consist in living in the love of the Father in the kingdom of heaven. We also know that our path to heaven lies in and through our sharing the life of Jesus.
Pope Saint Pius V, a Dominican, was the one responsible for the implementation of the results of the Council of Trent—no easy task. Refusing to remove his Dominican habit, he is also responsible for the tradition that popes wear white. His Dominican training and spirituality were great helps in his efforts to reform the Church.
Catherine of Siena preached a message of peace and forgiveness. Her message is one of hope, especially for our Church.
There is a danger in limiting the pilgrim mindset to grand moments of international travel. In reality, driving to Mass on Sunday, a trip to a local shrine, or visiting a monastery can all have great spiritual value if we remain aware of God’s presence.
Saint Catherine of Siena was a Third Order Dominican known for her contemplation and prayer—as well as her involvement in Church and civil affairs. During the time when there were two and three popes each claiming the papacy, Saint Catherine sided with Pope Urban VI. She was named a Doctor of the Church in 1970.
St. Gianna Beretta Molla refused to sacrifice the life of her unborn child to save her own. After the birth of a healthy baby, Gianna developed an infection and died at age 40. She exhibited a kind of selfless love that all mothers innately understand.
