Emmanuel - God is with us

Today's Readings:
Jer 23:5-8
Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19
Mt 1:18-25

The name Emmanuel means "God is with us." But do we truly allow our God to be with us? When we are on our way to work and another driver cuts off, is God with us in our response? When we have to deal with that person who drives us crazy, is God with us in our interaction with them. When we are tired and feel we have given all we can, is God with us to keep us going? As we approach Christmas, let us reflect in the many ways in which our God truly is with us as well as those times we have failed to recognize his presence. Have a blessed Christmas and a safe New Year. God Bless.
Prayer: Lord you came into this world to be closer to your people and promised never to leave us; help us to walk with you this day. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. Flannan
Flannan lived around the seventh century. He was the son of an Irish chieftain named Turlough. Flannan was educated by the monks. He also learned farming from them. When he was a grown man, Flannan decided to make a pilgrimage to Rome. In Rome, Pope John IV made him a bishop. The pope did this because he recognized the wisdom and holiness of the man. When St. Flannan returned to Ireland, all the people of his region, Killaloe, came to meet him. They were eager to learn the instructions the saint had brought back from the pope of Rome. St. Flannan taught his people so well that even his father decided to become a monk. The old chieftain went to St. Colman to be instructed in the life of a monk. At the same time, he asked for a blessing for his family, since three of his sons had been killed. St. Colman predicted: "From you shall seven kings spring." And so it happened. St. Flannan was afraid that since he was one of the family, he, too, might be made king. So he prayed to become ugly, and his face was soon covered with big scars and rashes. He made this unusual request because he wanted to be free to follow his vocation. He wanted to devote himself entirely to the service of God and his people.
Reflection: Using his gifts and talents, Flannan was able to follow the will of God in his life. Is there a gift I can use today to serve God?

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/december/1218.asp

Proclaiming Christ

Today's Readings:
Is 45:6-8, 18, 21-25
Ps 85:9-14
Lk 7:18-23

In our world of political correctness, Jesus' comment that "blessed is the one who takes no offense at me," would probably be deemed as very politically incorrect. Christ came into our world to reveal the truth about God to us. He is the Son of God the first born of all creation who came to save us from our sins; the just dying for the unjust in order to make them just. Can we stand and proclaim our faith in this Jesus even when it is not the politically correct thing to do? As we approach Christmas, let allow our God to inflame our hearts for love of his Son, and allow that faith to be seen in all that we do. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord, inflame within me the fire of your love.

Saint of the Day - St. Adelaide
St. Adelaide was born in 931. At the age of sixteen, this Burgundian princess was married to King Lothair. Three years later, her husband died. The ruler who is believed to have poisoned him tried to get Adelaide to be his wife. She absolutely refused. In anger, he treated her with great cruelty. He even locked her up in a castle on a lake. Adelaide was saved when King Otto the Great of Germany conquered this ruler. Although she was twenty years younger than he, Otto married the lovely Adelaide on Christmas Day. When he took his new queen back home, the German people loved her at once. She was as gentle and gracious as she was pretty. God sent five children to the royal couple. They lived happily for twenty-two years. When Otto died, Adelaide's oldest son became the ruler. This son, Otto the Second, was good, but too quick to act without thinking. He turned against his own mother and she left the palace. In her great sorrow, she appealed to the abbot, St. Majolus. He made Otto feel sorry for what he had done. Adelaide met her son in Italy and the king begged her forgiveness. She in turn prayed for her son, sending offerings to the great shrine of St. Martin of Tours. In her old age, St. Adelaide was called on to rule the country while her grandson was still a child. She started many monasteries and convents and worked to convert the Slavic people. All her life, this saintly empress had obeyed the advice of holy people. She had always been willing to forgive those who had hurt her. St. Addle of Cluny called her a "marvel of beauty and grace." She died on December 16, 999.
Reflection: This holy woman was loved as a wise ruler. How is God's grace at work in my own responsibilities?

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/december/1216.asp

Gifts of Love and Forgiveness

Today's Readings:
Zep 3:1-2, 9-13
Ps 34
Mt 21:28-32

Jesus emphasizes the fact to the chief priest and elders that people make bad choices at times but that does not mean we give up on them. Who of us has not made a mistake? Yes we must face the consequences of our actions, yet we must also be open God's healing and forgiveness. As we continue our journey to Christmas, let us prepare our hearts by being open to that forgiveness and allow God's gift of love to fill our hearts this season. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive others Lord. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. Nino
Nino was a Christian girl who lived in the fourth century. She was captured and carried off to Iberia as a slave. In that pagan country, her goodness and purity made a great impression on the people. Noticing how much she prayed, they asked her about her religion. The simple answer she gave them was that she adored Jesus Christ as God. God chose this pure, devout slave-girl to bring Christianity to Iberia. One day, a mother brought her sick child to Nino, asking her to suggest a cure. The saint wrapped the baby in her cloak. Then she told the mother that Jesus Christ can cure the worst cases of sickness. She handed the child back and the mother saw that her child was completely cured. The queen of Iberia learned of this miracle. Since she herself was sick, she went to the saint. When she, too, was healed, she tried to thank the Christian girl. However, Nino said: "It is Christ's work, not mine. And he is the Son of God who made the world." The queen let the king know the whole story of her cure. She repeated to her husband what the slave-girl had said of Jesus Christ. Shortly after this, the king got lost in a fog while out hunting. Then he remembered what his wife had told him. He said that if Jesus Christ would lead him safely home, he would believe in him. At once, the fog lifted, and the king was true to his promise. St. Nino herself taught the king and queen the truths of Christianity. They gave her permission to teach the people. Meanwhile, the king began building a Christian church. Then he sent messengers to the Christian emperor, Constantine, to tell him of his conversion. He asked the emperor to send bishops and priests to Iberia. So it was that a poor slave brought a whole country into the Church.
Reflection: Through her life, Nino gives witness that God is able to draw good from even the most difficult circumstances.

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/december/1215.asp

Believe and have faith

Today's Readings:
Num 24:2-7, 15-17
Ps 25:4-9
Mt 21:23-27

What do we place our faith in? We believe in God, but do we have faith in him? Our Father in Heaven knows our strengths as well as our short comings and loves us anyways. He continues to give us chances to better ourselves and to grow in our faith. We do not have to be perfect, he just asks us to try to do the best we can and to place our faith in him. As we journey to the birthday of his Son, our Lord; let us do just that, place our faith in our God and not simply believe in him, but trust him as well. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord, help us to place our trust in you and to follow you in all that we do. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. John of the Cross
John was born in Spain in 1542. He was the son of a weaver. He went to a school for poor children and became a servant to the director of a hospital. For seven years, John worked as a servant while also studying at a Jesuit college. Even as a youth, he liked to do penance. He understood the value of offering up sufferings for the love of Jesus. When he was twenty-one, his love of God prompted him to enter the Carmelite order. With St. Teresa of Avila, St. John was chosen by God to bring a new spirit of fervor among religious. But his life was full of trials. Although he succeeded in opening new monasteries where his holy way of life was practiced, he himself was criticized. He was even thrown into prison and made to suffer terribly. At one time, too, he had fierce temptations. God seemed to have left him alone, and he suffered greatly. Yet when these storms of trouble passed, the Lord rewarded his faithful servant. He gave him deep peace and joy of heart. John was very close to his God. In fact, the Blessed Mother herself showed John how to escape from his prison cell. St. John had a marvelous way with sinners. Once a beautiful but sinful woman tried to make him do wrong. He talked to her so that she was led to change her life. Another lady, instead, had such a temper that she was nicknamed "the terrible." Yet St. John knew how to calm her down by his kind manners. St. John of the Cross asked God to let him suffer every day for love of Jesus. To reward him, Our Lord revealed himself to St. John in a special way. This saint is famous for his spiritual books which show us how to grow close to God. He died on December 14, 1591. John of the Cross was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XI in 1926.
Reflection: "The gate which gives entrance to these riches of his wisdom is the cross; because it is a narrow gate, while many seek the joys that can be gained through it, it is given to few to desire to pass through it."

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/december/1214.asp

Christ our Teacher

Today's Readings:
Is 48:17-19
Ps 1:1-4, 6
Mt 11:16-19

Our 1st reading reminds us that the Lord is our first and most important teacher. If we follow him, then everything else falls into place. Yet in order to listen and follow our God, we must first learn how to hear him. There is so much noise in our world today that it is hard to find a silent moment to simply just be with our God; still we have to find that time if we wish to grow in our relationship with Christ. As we continue our journey through Advent and await the coming of Jesus, let us find some time to be still before our God so we can hear what he wishes to teach us this day. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord, teach us to be still so that we may see you more clearly in our lives. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. Damasus 1
Damasus was born in Rome and lived in the fourth century-exciting times for the Church. He was a priest who was generous and self-sacrificing. When Pope Liberius died in 366, Damasus became the pope. He faced many grave difficulties. There was a false pope named Felix. He and his followers persecuted Damasus. They lied about him, especially about his personal moral life. The pope had to stand trial before the Roman authorities. He was proved innocent, but he suffered very much through it all. His great friend, St. Jerome, spoke emphatically for the virtue of this pope. And Jerome had high standards. Pope Damasus realized that the city clergy were living too wealthy a lifestyle. The country priests were much more austere. Damasus asked the priests to simplify their lifestyles and not to accumulate money and possessions. He set a wonderful example himself. There were also many false teachings during his time as pope. Damasus explained the true faith. He also called the Second Ecumenical Council which was held in Constantinople. Pope Damasus greatly encouraged love of the scriptures. He assigned St. Jerome to translate the Bible into Latin. He also changed the official language of the liturgy from Greek-except for the Kyrie-to Latin. Pope St. Damasus died at the age of about eighty on December 11, 384. He was buried with his mother and sister in a little chapel he had built.
Reflection: Pope Damasus suffered much from false accusations. How often do I give others the benefit of the doubt?

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/december/1211.asp

Walk with Christ

Today's Readings:
Is 40:25-321
Ps 103:1-4, 8, 10
Mt 11:28-30

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” Jesus does not say we will not have any troubles or that we will not have to work at our faith; he simply states that it is much easier with him rather than without him. With him we can do all things, without him we can do nothing. Today let us walk with our Lord and allow him to lead us, for truly the reward he promises is worth more than we could ever imagine. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord, as we journey through this day may we keep you close by our side so that all that we do may be for you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint of the Day - Blessed Juan Diego
Juan Diego is well-known because the Mother of God appeared to him. It was to Juan Diego that Mary first introduced herself to the world as Our Lady of Guadalupe. He lived in the sixteenth century when Mexico City was known as the Valley of Anahuac. Juan was a member of the Chichimeca people. They called him the talking eagle. His Christian name was Juan Diego. After Juan's particular mission was completed, it is said that he became a hermit. He spent the rest of his life in prayer and penance. His little hut was near the first chapel that was built on Tepeyac Hill. He was greatly esteemed. Parents considered it their fondest wish to have their children grow up to be like Juan Diego. Juan took care of the little church and met the pilgrims who began to come there to honor their Mother of Guadalupe. He would show them the miraculous tilma or cloak that preserves Mary's beautiful image. Pope John Paul II declared Juan Diego "blessed" on May 14, 1990. The pope personally visited the magnificent church of Our Lady of Guadalupe. He prayed there for all of the people of Mexico. He prayed especially for those who were killed during the terrible persecution of the Church in the early part of this century. He prayed for all the pilgrims who come to this beautiful church with such faith in the Mother of God.
Reflection: Juan's encounter with Mary changed his life in a profound way. How can I allow the example of the Blessed Mother to affect the way that I live?

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/december/1209.asp

The Immactulate Conception of Mary

Today's Readings:
Gn 3:9-15, 20
Ps 98:1-4
Eph 1:3-6, 11-12
Lk 1:26-38

I always think of our 1st reading as the first 'grounding' by a parent. Adam & Eve knew they were in trouble and God goes in search of them only to find out they did what he told them not to. Their first reaction is to start blaming each other and God must decided what to do with them. Yet we know how it ends; with Christ on the cross dying for us, saving us from our sins. Today we celebrate the Immaculate Conception where Mary is conceived without sin and the beginning of God's plan of salvation. Through her follow her God she undoes the disobedience of Adam & Eve. Today let us allow that salvation won for us help us to say yes to Christ in all that we do. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord, your mother was sinless and holy; help us, your brothers and sisters, to remain in you and to be holy as well. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint of the Day - The Immaculate Conception of Mary
Our first parents offended God by sinning seriously. Because of the fall of Adam and Eve, every baby is born into the world with original sin. We are all children of our first parents. Therefore, we all inherit their sin. This sin in us is called original sin. But the Blessed Virgin Mary was given a marvelous privilege. She was conceived in the womb of her mother, St. Anne, without this original sin. Our Lady was to be the mother of Jesus, God's only Son. The evil one, the devil, should have no power over Mary. There was never the slightest sin in our all-beautiful mother. That is why one of the Church's favorite hymns to Mary is: "You are all-beautiful, O Mary, and there is no sin in you." This great privilege of Our Lady is called her Immaculate Conception. In 1854, Pope Pius IX proclaimed to the whole world that there was no doubt at all that Mary was conceived without sin. Four years later, she appeared to Bernadette at Lourdes. When St. Bernadette asked the lovely lady who she was, Mary joined her hands and raised her eyes toward heaven. She said, "I am the Immaculate Conception."
Reflection: "You let her share beforehand in the salvation Christ would bring by his death, and kept her sinless from the first moment of her conception." -Pope Sixtus IV

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/december/1208.asp

Faith in Action

Today's Readings:
Is 35:1-10
Ps 85:9-14
Lk 5:17-26

In our Gospel we see some people trying to help their friend who was paralyzed get into the presence of Christ so that he could be healed. They went so far as to climb to the roof and remove some tiles so that they could lower their friend right in front of Jesus. Their faith told them that Jesus could and would help their friend. Does our faith help us to go outside the box at times to help others? Can we go out of our way to help another who is in need? Hopefully as we journey through Advent and await our Lord we can ask him to help us to continue to grow in our faith so that we may follow our God where ever he may call us. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord God, help our faith to grow so that we too may reach out to all those in need around us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. Ambrose
Ambrose was born around 340. He was the son of the Roman governor of Gaul. When his father died, his mother took her family back to Rome. She and her daughter, St. Marcellina, brought Ambrose up well. He became an outstanding lawyer. Then he was made governor of Milan and the territory around it. But by a strange event, Ambrose the governor became Ambrose the bishop. In those days the people used to suggest to the pope the name of the one they would like as bishop. To Ambrose's great surprise, the people of Milan chose him. He tried to escape, but it seemed to be God's will. Thus, Ambrose became a priest and then bishop of Milan. Ambrose became a great model and father to his people. He also resisted all evil with amazing courage. He faced an attacking army and convinced the leader to turn back. Another time, Emperor Theodosius came from the east. He wanted to save Italy from invaders. He urged all his officers to respect the bishop of Milan. Yet when this emperor committed a very serious sin, Ambrose did not hesitate to confront him. He also made Theodosius do public penance. The emperor did not become furious and take revenge. He realized that the saint was right. Very humbly he publicly made penance for his sin. Ambrose had shown the world that no human being, even if he or she is the ruler, is higher than the Church. People were afraid of what would happen to Italy when Ambrose died. When he became sick, they begged him to pray for a longer life. The saint replied, "I have not behaved myself among you in such a way that I should be ashamed to live longer; nor am I afraid to die, for we have a good Master." Bishop Ambrose died on Good Friday in the year 397.
Reflection: Perhaps today we could take time to meditate on the words of Ambrose: "Christ is everything for us."

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/december/1207.asp

Do you believe?

Today's Readings:
Is 29:17-24
Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14
Mt 9:27-31

Before curing 2 people who were blind, Jesus asks them if they believe that he could do for them what they wanted. In saying 'yes' they found not only their sight but a new faith as well. When we go to our Lord in prayer, do we truly believe that the Lord hears and will answer us? Do we honestly trust our God or are we simply going through the motions? Today let us ask Jesus to help us grow in our faith so that we to might be able to yes when he says "do you believe that I can do this?" Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord I do believe, help my unbelief. (Mk 9:24)

Saint of the Day - St. John Damascene
St. John lived in the eighth century. He was born in the city of Damascus of a good Christian family. When his father died, he became the governor of Damascus. At this time, the emperor made a law. It forbade Christians from having statues or pictures of Our Lord and the saints. St. John Damascene knew the emperor was wrong. He joined with many others to defend this practice of the Christians. The pope himself asked John to keep telling people that it is a good thing to have statues and holy pictures. They make us think of Our Lord, the Blessed Mother and the saints. But the emperor would not give in to the Holy Father. He continued to forbid statues to be put in public places. St. John bravely wrote three letters. He told the emperor to give up his wrong ideas. The emperor became so furious that he wanted revenge. John decided he should resign as governor. He gave away all his money to the poor and became a monk. He kept on writing marvelous books to defend the Catholic religion. At the same time he did all kinds of humble work in the monastery. One day he even went to sell baskets in the streets of Damascus. Many of those who had known him before were mean enough to laugh at him. Here was the man who had once been the great governor of the city now selling baskets. Imagine how St. John must have suffered. But he knew that the money received would be put to good use at the monastery. He thought of Jesus, the Son of God, who wanted to be born in a stable. Then he felt happy to imitate Our Lord's humility. St. John died a peaceful, happy death in the year 749.
Reflection: Although St. John was a very intelligent and educated person, he possessed a deep humility, shown in a line he once wrote, calling himself "a lowly and useless servant, who would do better to confess his sins to God than to become involved in theological and political matters."

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/december/1204.asp

Receive the gifts of God

Today's Readings:
Is 25:6-10
Ps 23:1-6
Mt 15:29-37

The generosity of our God is beyond imagining. He gave us his only Son when Jesus came among us as a man; and Jesus did not come to be served, rather to serve, which he shows in our Gospel today his eagerness to do just that. He cures the sick, the blind, and the lame; then seeing that the crowds are hungry he tells his disciples to feed them. With a few fish and a few loaves of bread, he fills the multitudes and has some left over. He wishes to do all of this for us this day. He desires to cure us of any sickness or blindness we suffer with, whether it is physical, emotional, or spiritual; and he desires to fill us with the best of food, his own body and blood. Let us receive the generosity of our God and thank him this day for all of his gifts to us. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord, cure us of our sinfulness so that we may receive more openly the gifts you wish to shower upon us this day. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. Bibiana
Bibiana's father Flavian had been prefect of the city of Rome in early Christian times. He and his wife were known as fervent Christians. In fact, when Emperor Julian left the Catholic faith, he began persecuting it. That is when Flavian was arrested. He was branded on the face with a hot iron and then exiled. After he died, his wife Dafrosa was also made a prisoner in her own house. This was only because of her good Christian life. Then she, too, was put to death. Left alone with her sister, Demetria, Bibiana tried with all her heart to trust in God and pray. Everything they had was being taken from them. Then the two young women were brought to court. Poor Demetria was so frightened that she dropped dead at the judge's feet. Bibiana was handed over to a sinful woman, who was supposed to make the girl as evil as she was. This woman tried by sweet words and many clever tricks to make Bibiana fall. However, the saint could not be moved. She was brought back to court and beaten. Yet she held to her faith and purity as strongly as ever. St. Bibiana was beaten to death with leaden scourges. A priest buried her at night beside her mother and sister.
Reflection: Sometimes we must suffer for doing what we know to be right. We can pray for the grace of perseverance in doing good in our lives.

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/december/1202.asp

God's Blessings

Today's Readings:
Is 11:1-10
Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17
Lk 10:21-24

We have been blessed in so many ways, though often we forget about all that we have and only see what we do not have. Christ tells his disciples and us that many prophets and kings desired to see what we have seen and hear what we have heard, yet did not. We have the Son of God who gives himself to us in his sacraments and through his grace each and every day. We have the promise of eternal life. We have a God who is actively involved in every moment of our life. We have Christ. Today let us thank our God for our countless blessings and give praise to him in all that we do. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Jesus, you pour out your blessings upon us and simply ask that we follow you; help us to live this day for you and for you alone. We ask this through your holy name. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. Edmund Campion
Edmund lived in the sixteenth century. He was a very popular young English student who was a great speaker. In fact, Edmund was chosen to deliver a welcoming speech to Queen Elizabeth when she visited his college. A group of his fellow students were attracted by his happy nature and his many talents. They made him their leader. Even the queen and her chief ministers were fond of this attractive young man. But Edmund was troubled about his religion. He kept thinking that the Catholic Church might be the only true Church. He did not hide his feelings. Therefore, the government, which was persecuting Catholics, became very suspicious of him. Edmund knew that he would lose the queen's favor and all his chances for a great career if he chose to become a Catholic. The young man prayed and reached his decision. He would become a Catholic anyway. After he had escaped from England, Edmund studied to become a priest. He entered the Society of Jesus. When the Holy Father decided to send some Jesuits to England, Father Campion was one of the first to go. The night before he left, one of his fellow priests felt urged to write over his doorway: "Father Edmund Campion, martyr." Although he knew what danger faced him, the holy priest set out cheerfully. In fact, he had many a laugh because of his disguise as a jewel merchant. In England he preached with great success to Catholics who had to meet with him in secret. Spies of the queen's men were everywhere trying to catch him. He wrote: "I won't escape their hands much longer. Sometimes I read letters that say 'Campion has been caught'!" It was a traitor who finally brought about the Jesuit's capture. Edmund was visited in jail by the government officials who had been so fond of him. It seems that even Queen Elizabeth came. But none of their threats or promises could make him give up the Catholic faith. Nor could tortures break him. In spite of all his sufferings, he still defended himself and his fellow priests in such a marvelous manner that no one could answer him. Yet the enemies of the Church condemned him anyway. Before he was put to death, St. Edmund forgave the man who had betrayed him. He even helped save the man's life. St. Edmund Campion died in 1581. He was about forty-one years old.
Reflection: Edmund was able to extend forgiveness even when it seemed impossible. Is there an area of my life that needs the healing grace of forgiveness?

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/december/1201.asp

Living Faith

Today's Readings:
Rom 10:9-18
Ps 19:8-11
Mt 4:18-22

Christ calls each of us by name to himself; as we enter into this Advent season, let us prepare our hearts for his coming. We await his coming at Christmas but we also await his coming again in glory. Let us hold fast to that call that we first received at Baptism and live out our duties as a people of faith so that we may also 'prepare the way for our Lord' in each of our hearts. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord, help us to live out the calling you have given us so that we may always be ready and watchful for your return in glory. We ask this through your holy name. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. Andrew the Apostle
Andrew, like his brother, Simon Peter, was a fisherman. He became a disciple of the great St. John the Baptist. However, when John pointed to Jesus and said, "Behold the Lamb of God," Andrew understood that Jesus was greater. At once he left John to follow the Divine Master. Jesus knew that Andrew was walking behind him. Turning back, he asked, "What do you seek?" Andrew answered that he would like to know where Jesus dwelt. Our Lord replied, "Come and see." Andrew had been with Jesus only a little while when he realized that this was truly the Messiah. From then on, he decided to follow Jesus. He became the first disciple of Christ. Next Andrew brought his brother Simon (St. Peter) to Jesus. The Lord received him, too, as his disciple. At first the two brothers continued to carry on their fishing trade and family affairs. Later, the Lord called them to stay with him all the time. He promised to make them fishers of men, and this time they left their nets for good. It is believed that after Our Lord ascended into heaven, St. Andrew preached the Gospel in Greece. He is said to have been put to death on a cross, to which he was tied, not nailed. He lived two days in that state of suffering. Andrew still found enough strength to preach to the people who gathered around their beloved apostle. Two countries have chosen St. Andrew as their patron-Russia and Scotland.
Reflection: "After Andrew had stayed with Jesus and had learned much from him, he did not keep this treasure to himself, but hastened to share it with his brother." --St. John Chrysostom

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/november/1130.asp

Thanksgiving

Today's Readings:
Dn 1:1-6, 8-20
Lk 21:1-4

In our lives we have been given so much and yet often we forget about all the gifts we have received. Jesus tells us that the widow who put in a few pennies into the temple collection put in more than all those who put in hundreds since she gave all she had while the others gave from surplus. We are indeed very blessed; we have food anytime we need it, we have clothes on our backs, shelter, and more freedoms that most people could even imagine. As we enter into this Thanksgiving week let truly be thankful, not just for our material possessions, but for all the things our God has blessed us with; our life our family, friends, and our faith. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord, you have given us so many good things, help us to be thankful for them and to use them in the service of you and our neighbor. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. Columban
Columban, the most famous of the Irish missionary-monks, lived in the seventh century. He had a good education as a boy. When he was a teenager, he decided to become a monk. His mother could not bear the thought of him leaving her. However, Columban felt the call to serve God in the quiet of a monastery. After many years as a monk in Ireland, Columban and twelve other monks set sail for France. There was a shortage of priests there at that time. The French people were inspired by the lives of the monks. These holy men performed penance, practiced devotion and lived in charity. Many young men were attracted to this holy way of life. They came and asked to join the monks. Soon the monks were building other monasteries to house all the disciples of St. Columban. There were some people, however, who thought the rules of these monks were too strict. St. Columban also faced danger when he confronted the king about his sins. As a result, he and his Irish monks had to leave France. St. Columban, though fairly old, still tried to preach to unbelievers in Switzerland. When he was seventy, he went into Italy and defended the faith against the Arian heretics. In his letters to Pope St. Boniface IV, St. Columban proclaims his great devotion to the Holy Father. "All we Irish, living in the most distant parts of the earth," he says, "are bound to the Chair of St. Peter." He calls the pope the "leader of leaders." In his last years, St. Columban built the great monastery of Bobbio in Italy. He died there on November 23, 615. After his death, both the Irish and the Italians were very devoted to this wonderful missionary.
Reflection: "It is a glorious privilege that God should grant man his eternal image…. We should turn back our image undefiled and holy to our God and Father, for he is holy…. We must restore his image with love, for he is love…. We must restore it with loyalty and truth, for he is loyal and truthful."

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/november/1123.asp

Gifts Received

Today's Readings:
2 Mc 7:1, 20-31
Ps 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15
Lk 19:11-28

Each of us have been given many gifts from our Lord, but do we recognize them and use them in his service? The Gospel reminds us today that we are called to use those talents and gifts rather than hiding them. We are called to glorify our God with those gifts since it was from him that we first received them. Today let us look at what we have been given in our lives and in thanksgiving offer them back to the Father by using them in his service. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord you are the giver of all good gifts, help us to use those gifts in service of you and our neighbor this day. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. Rose Philippine Duchesne
This saint labored for Jesus in the United States. She was born into a wealthy French family in 1769. As a youngster, there was nothing especially holy about Rose. In fact, she often did her best to get her own way. She ordered everyone else to do what she wanted. In school, her favorite subject was history. She later became very interested in stories about Native Americans. At the age of seventeen, Rose entered the convent. She was not allowed to take her vows when the time came, because of the French Revolution. All the professed sisters were forced by the revolutionaries to leave the country, and Rose had to return to her family. Still she did not give up her desire to belong to Jesus. Several years later she joined the newly formed Religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Mother Rose Philippine Duchesne's great desire was to be a missionary. However, she was fifty before she was sent to the United States. It was still a mission land at this time. In Mississippi, she and a small group of sisters started a free school for the children of poor families. The work was hard, because of the different languages and ways of the people. Despite the many difficulties, Mother Duchesne never lost her youthful enthusiasm. As she grew older, she became less commanding and more gentle. Mother Duchesne was a real heroine who went through terrible journeys. She nearly died from yellow fever. She overcame all kinds of obstacles to open convents in the New World. Then, when she was seventy-one, she resigned her position as superior. She went off to open a school among her beloved native people. She died in 1852 at the age of eighty-three and was proclaimed a saint by Pope John Paul II in 1988.
Reflection: Although St. Rose spent a very short time serving in the mission, she was able to help the people with her prayers. The Native Americans called her "the Woman Who Prays Always."

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/november/1118.asp

Stand Firm In Faith

Today's Readings:
2 Mc 6:18-31
Ps 3:2-7
Lk 19:1-10

In our 1st reading we see a man willing to die for his faith rather than betray it and sacrifice to idols. Do we have this same type of faith? There is a saying that 'if a person does not stand for something, they will fall for everything.' What does our faith stand for in our lives? Today let us ask the Lord to help us stand firm in our faith so that we may always be living witnesses of the Gospel. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord, fill us with your Holy Spirit that strengthened the martyrs and help us to live out or faith daily. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. Elizabeth of Hungry
This daughter of the king of Hungary was born in 1207. She married Louis, the ruler of Thuringia, while she was very young. (We celebrate the feast of Blessed Louis on September 11.) Elizabeth was a beautiful bride who dearly loved her handsome husband. Louis returned her affection with all his heart. God sent them three children and they were very happy for six years. Then St. Elizabeth's sorrows began. Louis died of the plague. She was so heart-broken that she cried: "The world is dead to me and all that is joyous in the world." Louis' relatives had never liked Elizabeth because she had given so much food to the poor. While Louis was alive, they had not been able to do anything. Now, however, they could and they did. Within a short time, this beautiful, gentle princess and her three children were sent away from the castle. They suffered hunger and cold. Yet Elizabeth did not complain about her terrible sufferings. Instead she blessed God and prayed with great fervor. She accepted the sorrows just as she had accepted the joys. Elizabeth's relatives came to her rescue. She and her children had a home once more. Her uncle wanted her to marry again, for she was still very young and attractive. But the saint had determined to give herself to God. She wanted to imitate the poverty of St. Francis. She went to live in a poor cottage and spent the last few years of her life serving the sick and the poor. She even went fishing to try to earn more money for her beloved poor. St. Elizabeth was only twenty-four when she died. On her death bed, she was heard to sing softly. She had great confidence that Jesus would take her to himself. Elizabeth passed away in 1231.
Reflection: St. Elizabeth had great compassion for the poor. As followers of Christ, we are all called to be moved at the sight of others' sufferings.

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/november/1117.asp

Faith and Prayer

Today's Readings:
1 Mc 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63
Ps 119
Lk 18:35-43

In our Gospel today, a blind man calls out to Jesus to heal him. This man had faith that Christ could and would help him if he asked. Do we have that same faith? When we go to our Lord in prayer, do we believe that he hears us and will answer our prayers? Like the man in our Gospel, let us call out to God with true faith; believing that the Father does hear us and will always answer us when we go to him. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord you hear and answer us each time we go to you in prayer, continue to help our faith and love for you grow. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. Margaret of Scotland
Margaret was an English princess born in 1046. She and her mother sailed to Scotland to escape from the king who had conquered their land. King Malcolm of Scotland welcomed them. He fell in love with the beautiful princess. Margaret and Malcolm were married before long. As queen, Margaret changed her husband and the country for the better. Malcolm was good, but he and his court were very rough. When he saw how wise his wife was, he willingly listened to her good advice. Margaret helped him control his temper and practice the Christian virtues. She made the court beautiful and civilized. The king and queen were wonderful examples because of the way they prayed together and treated each other. They fed crowds of poor people. They tried very hard to imitate Jesus in their own lives. Margaret was a blessing for all the people of Scotland. Before she came, there was great ignorance. Many people had bad habits that kept them from growing closer to God. Margaret worked hard to obtain good teachers to help the people correct evil practices. She and Malcolm had new churches built. She loved to make the churches beautiful to honor God. In fact, Queen Margaret embroidered some of the priests' vestments herself. Margaret and Malcolm had six sons and two daughters. They loved all their children very much. The youngest boy became St. David. But Margaret had sorrows, too. In her last illness, she learned that both her husband and her son, Edward, had been killed in battle. They died just four days before Margaret's death. She died on November 16, 1093. Margaret was proclaimed a saint by Pope Innocent IV in 1250.
Reflection: Margaret and Malcolm witnessed to the grace of the sacrament of matrimony by striving to grow in holiness together.

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/november/1116.asp

Beauty of the Creator

Today's Readings:
Wis 13:1-9
Ps 19:2-5
Lk 17:26-37

Our 1st reading today reminds us that though the universe is majestic and beautiful to behold, it is only reflecting a fraction of the beauty of its Creator. The same holds true with us, each of us reflects the image and likeness of God, but do we recognize Christ in others or do we just see another person. All of creation reflects its maker and often we can see God through his creation, but we who are in the image and likeness of God are called to reflect that all the more. Today let us seek out God in all those we encounter as well as letting him shine through us. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord, creation reflects your love; help us to allow that love to be seen in all we do this day. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. Frances Zavier Cabrini
Frances was born on July 15, 1850. As a child growing up in Italy, she dreamed about being a missionary to China. She sailed paper boats down a stream to play her "pretend game." The paper boats were ships taking missionaries to China. And she began giving up candy because in China, she probably wouldn't be able to have any. But when she grew up, Frances was not accepted into the two convents which she asked to join. Her health was not too good. She taught school for a while. Then a priest asked her to help out in a small home for orphans. Things were very hard for Frances because of the lady who ran the house. Yet Frances stuck to the work, and some other generous women joined her. Together they took vows. At last the bishop told Frances to begin her own congregation of missionary nuns. Without hesitating, Frances started at once. This congregation is called the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart. Before long, it began to grow, first in Italy and then in many other countries. Frances, whom everyone called Mother Cabrini, had always had her heart set on going to China. But it seemed that God wanted her to come to America. When Pope Leo XIII told her, "Go west, not east," the matter was settled. St. Frances Xavier Cabrini sailed for the United States and became an American citizen. She especially helped large numbers of Italian immigrants. She was their real mother and friend. Mother Cabrini and her sisters had a very hard time in the beginning. The archbishop of New York even suggested that they go back to Italy. But Mother Cabrini answered, "Your excellency, the pope sent me here and here I must stay." The archbishop admired her pioneer spirit, and so she and her sisters were permitted to begin their great work for God. Schools, hospitals, and homes for children were opened up in different states. As the years passed, Mother Cabrini made many trips to spread her congregation and its works. There were always difficulties, but she put all her trust in the Sacred Heart. "It is he who is doing everything, not us," she would say. Mother Cabrini died in Chicago on December 23, 1917. She was proclaimed a saint by Pope Pius XII in 1946.
Reflection: This holy woman was able to do a lot of good for others, by following her motto from the words of St. Paul: "I can do all things in him who strengthens me."

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/november/1113.asp

Thanking God

Today's Readings:
Wis 6:1-11
Ps 82:2-4, 6-7
Lk 17:11-19

In our Gospel today, Jesus cures 10 lepers but only 1 comes back to thank him. What many good things has our Lord done for us, and more importantly, have we recognized his help and thanked him for it? Often we pray in times of need, as we should; but we should also pray in times of rejoicing and thanksgiving. Today let us go to our God and not only ask for those things we need, but thank him for all of our answered prayers as well. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Thank you Lord for you abundant goodness in our lives, help us to always see you hand directing us in all that we do. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. Martin of Tours
This soldier saint lived in the fourth century. He joined the Roman army in Italy when he was only fifteen. Although his parents were pagans, he began to study the Christian religion. Those who study the Christian religion are called catechumens until they are baptized. One very cold winter day, Martin and his companions came upon a beggar at the gate of the city of Amiens. The man's only clothes were nothing but rags and he was shaking with cold. The other soldiers passed by him, but Martin felt that it was up to him to help the beggar. Having nothing with him, he drew his sword and cut his long cloak in half. Some laughed at his funny appearance as he gave one half to the beggar. Others felt ashamed of their own selfishness. That night, Jesus appeared to Martin. He was wearing the half of the cloak that Martin had given away. "Martin, still a catechumen, has covered me with this garment," Jesus said. Right after this wonderful event, St. Martin went to be baptized. A few years later, the saint left the army. He became a disciple of St. Hilary, the bishop of Poitiers, France. Because of his strong opposition to the Arian heretics in various cities, Martin had to go into exile. But he was happy to live in the wilderness with other monks. When the people of Tours asked for him as their bishop, he refused. The people would not give up, however. They got him to come to the city to visit a sick person. Once he was there, they took him to the church. As bishop of Tours, St. Martin did all he could to rid France of paganism. He prayed, he worked, he preached everywhere. Our Lord let Martin know when his death was near. As soon as his followers heard of it, they began to weep. They begged him not to leave them. So the saint prayed: "Lord, if your people need me yet, I will not refuse the work. Your will be done." He was still laboring for the Divine Master in a far-off part of his diocese when death finally came in 397. St. Martin's tomb became one of the most famous shrines in all of Europe.
Reflection: As he lay dying, Martin expressed his lasting desire to serve others: "Lord, if your people still need me, I am ready for the task; your will be done."

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/november/1111.asp

Image of God

Today's Readings:
Wis 2:23-3:9
Ps 34:2-3, 16-19
Lk 17:7-10

In our 1st reading we are reminded that we are made in the image of God and that our life does not end here, but continues into eternal life with God. This is why we were created, to love and serve our Lord and to live with him forever. What a great calling we have received...Today let us focus on that call realizing that we are pilgrims journeying through this life to our eternal life with Christ. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord, you have created each of us in your image and likeness; help us to allow you to be seen in all that we do so that we may one day see you face to face. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. Leo the Great
St. Leo, a Roman, lived in the fifth century. At the death of Pope Sixtus, he became pope. Those were hard times for the Church. Barbarian armies were attacking Christians in many places. Within the Church, some people were spreading errors about the faith, too. But St. Leo was one of the greatest popes there ever was. He was absolutely unafraid of anything or anyone. He had great trust in the help of the first pope, St. Peter the apostle. He prayed to St. Peter often. To stop the spread of false teachings, St. Leo explained the true faith with his famous writings. He called a Council to condemn the wrong doctrines. Those who would not give up their mistaken beliefs were put out of the Church. And Pope Leo received back into the Church those who were sorry. He asked people to pray for them. When a large army of barbarians called Huns came to attack Rome, all the people were filled with fear. They knew that the Huns had already burned many cities. To save Rome, St. Leo rode out to meet the fierce leader, Attila. The only weapon he had was his great trust in God. When they met, something wonderful happened. Attila, the cruel pagan leader, showed the pope great honor. He made a treaty of peace with him. Attila said afterward that he had seen two mighty figures standing by the pope while he spoke. It is believed that they were the great apostles, Peter and Paul. They had been sent by God to protect Pope Leo and the Christians. Because of his humility and charity, Pope Leo was loved by all. He was pope for twenty-one years. He died on November 10, 461.
Reflection: What would happen if I lived each day in total commitment to Jesus, as Theodore did?

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/november/1110.asp

Source of Love

Today's Readings:
Rom 13:8-10
Ps 112:1-2, 4-5, 9
Lk 14:25-33

St. Paul tells us that love fulfills all the commandments, yet in our world today the idea of 'love' has been distorted. What then is love? As St. John tells us, God is love and the source of all love. We can not know love unless we know God; therefore we must first love God, which is the point of our Gospel today. Our love for family, friends, or anything else must find its source in our love for Christ. Today let us allow that love we have for our God to guide us in all that we do. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord of all goodness and mercy, fill us with your love and allow our love for you to direct the work of our hands this day. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint of the Day- St. Charles Borromeo
Charles lived in the sixteenth century. He was the son of a rich Italian count. Like other wealthy young men, he went to the University of Pavia. Unlike many of them, however, he would have nothing to do with sinful activities. He seemed to be a slow student because he was not a good speaker, but he really made good progress. He was only twenty-three when his uncle, Pope Pius IV, gave him many important duties. Charles managed to handle all his affairs well. He was always afraid that he might stray from God because of the many temptations around him. For this reason, he was careful to deny himself many pleasures and to make the effort to be humble and patient. As a priest and later the cardinal archbishop of Milan, St. Charles was a model for his people. He gave away great amounts of money to the poor. He had only one shabby cassock (long black habit) to his name. In public, though, he dressed as a cardinal should. He attended with great care to the dignity and respect owed to Church ceremonies. In Milan the people had many bad practices and much superstition. By wise laws, by gentle kindness and by his own marvelous example, St. Charles made his diocese a model for the whole Church. He was never a good speaker-people could barely hear him-yet his words took effect. When a terrible disease caused many deaths in Milan, Cardinal Borromeo thought of nothing else but caring for his people. He prayed and did penance. He organized crews of attendants and went into debt to feed the hungry. He even had altars set up in the streets. This was for the benefit of the sick who could assist at Mass from their windows. This great man was never too busy to help simple people. He once stayed with a little shepherd boy until he had taught him the Our Father and the Hail Mary. As he lay dying at the age of forty-six, St. Charles said peacefully, "Behold, I come!" He died on November 3, 1584, and was proclaimed a saint by Pope Paul V in 1610.
Reflection: "This is the way we can easily overcome the countless difficulties we have to face day after day, which, after all, are part of our work. In meditation we find the strength to bring Christ to birth in ourselves and in others."

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/november/1104.asp

Call to Holiness

Today's Readings:
Rom 12:5-16
Ps 131:1-3
Lk 14:15-24

St. Paul emphasizes the point that no matter what a person does in life, we are all called to holiness. Whether a person is in ministry, a teacher, a student, or anything else; we are all called to live out these vocations in and for Christ. It is his Spirit that enables us to anything, so it should be for him that we do everything. Today let us offer all we do and have to the Lord and ask that he makes us holy through it. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Without you Lord, nothing is holy; keep us close to you so we may be holy as you are holy. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. Martin De Porres
Martin was born in Lima, Peru, in 1579. His father was a knight from Spain. His mother was a freed slave from Panama. His father at first left Martin and his mother and sister alone in Peru. They were very, very poor. Martin grew up good and devout. He was sent to learn the trade of a barber. He also learned how to cure many diseases according to the practices of those days. Martin's father finally decided to take care of his son's education. However, Martin wanted to give himself to God as a Dominican brother. Brother Martin soon proved to be a wonderful religious. No one was kinder or more obedient or holy. Before long, he began to work miracles, too. He cured so many sick people that everyone in the city of Lima would send for Brother Martin when there was sickness. He would go to them all, blacks and whites alike. He loved all people as his brothers and sisters in Christ. Great sums of money were given to this good, lovable Brother for his charities. People recognized how well he could organize works of charity. Not even animals were forgotten by this kind-hearted saint. He excused the comings and goings of rats and mice by saying, "The poor little things don't have enough to eat." In his sister's house, he kept a "home for wandering cats and dogs." Despite his fame in Lima, St. Martin always had a very humble opinion of himself. His name for himself was, in fact, "Brother Broom." Martin died on November 3, 1639. When he died, this beloved saint was carried to his tomb by bishops and noblemen. They wanted to honor the humble and holy brother. He was proclaimed a saint by Pope John XXIII in 1962.
Reflection: The love of Martin extended to everyone around him, without exception, and embraced all of creation. How would my life be changed if I were to see the face of Jesus in my brothers and sisters?

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/november/1103.asp

All Souls Day

Today's Readings:
Wisdom 3:1-9
Ps 23:1-6
Rom 5:5-11
Jn 6:37-40

Today as we commemorate All Souls Day, let us remember all those who gone before us in faith and now are in the presence of God. Let us ask there prayers and rejoice with them since they now see God face to face. Most of all let us take their good examples of faith and live that faith out in our own lives. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord, all things come from you and go back to you; help us to live a life of faith so that along with all those who have already gone before us, we too may see you face to face. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.


All Souls Day Celebration
This feast day is one of the most loving celebrations in all the Church's liturgy. It is the day that we especially remember all the faithful departed-those who have passed from this life into the next. We don't know how long a particular individual who dies spends in purgatory. However, we do know that purgatory is real. Today we stop to remember all who have died. We especially pray for those who were related to us. We pray for those who taught us good things. We pray for those who made sacrifices for us. We pray for those who prayed for us while they were on this earth. We pray for the most forgotten souls. We pray for those who had great responsibilities while they were on earth. We think of those holy souls in purgatory and we realize that they are saved. Now they wait, being purified, until the moment when they can be with God, face to face. We can pray for the souls in purgatory and hasten their journey to God. Eternal rest, grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
Reflection: We can express our love for those who have died by remembering them today, praying for them with faith and trust in the power of Jesus' resurrection, our source of hope.

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/november/1102.asp

Christ's Call

Today's Readings:
Eph 2:19-22
Ps 19:2-5
Lk 6:12-16

While each of us has our own vocation in life and our own specific job, we all still work together as the one body of Christ. Each of us adds our own gifts to the community and without those gifts, our community would not be the same. St. Paul in our first readings emphasizes this and in our Gospel we hear Jesus calling out his apostles to himself. We too have been called out from our world and into service of our God; today let us give thanks to Christ for his call in our lives and ask that he help us to serve him worthily. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord, through you we have been called into service of our God; help us to serve you this day by serving one another. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. Simon & Jude
These two apostles of Jesus are honored on the same day. St. Simon was called "the zealous one" because he had so much devotion to the Jewish law. Once he had been called by the Lord to be an apostle, he gave his heart and his energy to preaching the Gospel. With the other apostles, he received the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost. Then it is believed that he went to Egypt to preach the faith. Afterward he went to Persia with the apostle St. Jude, and the two of them were martyred there. St. Jude is sometimes called Thaddeus, which means "the brave one." It was he who asked the Lord a famous question at the Last Supper. Jesus had said: "He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him." And St. Jude wanted to know: "Lord, how is it that you are about to manifest yourself to us and not to the world?" Jesus gave him the answer: "If anyone love me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our abode with him." St. Jude is sometimes called the saint of "desperate or impossible cases." People pray to him when things seem hopeless. Often God answers their prayers through the intercession of this beloved apostle.
Reflection: Simon was known as the "Zealous," and Jude was called the "Brave." Let us pray for their missionary courage and love in our own lives.

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/october/1028.asp

Faith

Today's Readings:
Rom 8:18-25
Ps 126:1-6
Lk 13:18-21

What is faith? This question has been debated for centuries and most likely will continue to be a topic of discussion for the future; but to us we know that it is a gift from God that hopefully continues to grow within our hearts each day. We had faith last night that we would rise this morning, we had faith that when we got in the car it would start; we use faith daily, but most importantly we have faith in God who will never let us done, even in those times when the car doesn't start. Truly 'the Lord has done marvels for us' let us give thanks to our God and allow ourselves to grow in our faith and love for him. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord you have done so much for us and continue to give us gifts each day, help us to open our eyes to you this day so that we may continue to live out our faith in you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint of the Day - Blessed Contardo Ferrini
Contardo was born in 1859. His father was a teacher of mathematics and physics. Mr. Ferrini began very early to teach his little son his own love for study. As a young man, Contardo could speak many languages besides Italian. He did very well in every school and college he went to. His great love for study and for his Catholic faith made his friends nickname him their own "St. Aloysius." (St. Aloysius Gonzaga was a young Jesuit saint known for the goodness and generosity of his life.) It was Contardo who first started clubs for college students to help them become good Christians. When he was twenty-one, he was offered a chance to study at the University of Berlin in Germany. It was hard for him to leave his home in Italy, but he was happy to meet devout Catholics at the university. He wrote down in a little book what he felt the first time he received the sacrament of Reconciliation in a foreign land. It thrilled him to realize that the Catholic Church is really the same everywhere a person goes. By the next year, Contardo was trying to decide whether he should become a priest or a monk, or whether he should marry. He kept asking himself just what he should do. As it turned out, he took a vow to give himself only to God. He lived that vow as a lay person; he never became a priest or brother. He went on teaching and writing. He tried always to become a more perfect Christian. While enjoying his favorite sport of mountain-climbing, he would think of God, the Creator of all the beauty he saw. People noticed that there was something different about Professor Ferrini. Once when he had passed by with his usual warm smile, someone exclaimed, "That man is a saint!" Contardo Ferrini died of typhoid fever on October 17, 1902. He was only forty-three years old. He was declared "blessed" by Pope Pius XII in 1947.
Reflection: Gifted with great intelligence, Bl. Contardo put his learning at the service of others.

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/october/1027.asp

Heirs with Christ

Today's Readings:
Rom 8:12-17
Ps 68
Lk 13:10-17

St. Paul reminds us that through our Baptism we have been given the spirit of adoption, the spirit that allows us to call out to God our Father who has made us his sons and daughters. St. Paul also tells us that just as Christ suffered, we may also have to suffer; but through that suffering we will also be glorified with Christ. Today let us remember our adoption into the family of God and allow his Spirit to fill our hearts so that as we go about our work, we may do everything for him who gave himself up for us on the cross. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord Jesus through your victory of the cross we have become heirs along side you, sons and daughters of the Father, and sharers of the Holy Spirit; make us worthy of such a high calling. We ask this through your holy name. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. Evaristus
St. Evaristus lived in the second century. He was from a Jewish family in Bethlehem. They were living in Greece at the time of their son's birth. Evaristus was brought up in the Jewish religion. His father was so pleased with the boy's virtue and knowledge that he sent him to the best teachers. Evaristus became a Christian when he grew older. So great was his love for his new faith that he decided to become a priest. At Rome, where he performed his ministry, everyone grew to admire and love him. So it was that when the pope was martyred, Evaristus was chosen to take his place. He felt he was completely unworthy of being pope, but God knew better. These were times of persecution for the Church. Such bad lies were spread about the Catholic faith that the Romans thought nothing of putting Christians to death. Every man who became pope was almost certain of being arrested. For about eight years, Pope St. Evaristus ruled the Church. His zeal was so great that the number of believers grew larger every day. At last, however, he was captured. The jailers were amazed to see the joy on the holy old man's face as he was led to prison. St. Evaristus thought himself very privileged to have been found worthy to suffer and die for Jesus. No better gift could have been given him than his martyrdom. Pope St. Evaristus died in 107.
Reflection: Often our lives take unexpected turns, but if we find our strength in God, he will give us his peace.

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/october/1026.asp

Victory over sin

Today's Readings:
Rom 7:18-25
Ps 119
Lk 12:54-59

St. Paul speaks to us today about the struggle with sin. We wish to do what is right, though at times we find ourselves doing things that we know we should not; it is something we all have to deal with. Alone this fight would be impossible, but we are not alone, we have Christ who we know has already defeated sin and death. Today let us rejoice in that victory and ask our Lord to help us to continue our daily struggle against sin so that we may always walk in his light with the help of his grace. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Through the victory of your cross Lord Jesus, we have been set free from sin and death; help us to live out the new life you have won for us. We ask this in your holy name. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. John Capistrano
St. John Capistrano was born in Italy in 1386. He was a lawyer and governor of the city of Perugia. When enemies of the city threw John into prison, he started to think about the real meaning of life. John's political enemies were not in a hurry to release him. He had plenty of time to realize that what mattered most was the salvation of his soul. So when he was miraculously set free, John entered a Franciscan monastery. He was thirty at the time. For John, life as a poor friar was a big change. He had to sacrifice his independence for the love of Jesus. And he tried with all his heart to do this. After he became a priest, John was sent out to preach. He and his former novice master, St. Bernardine of Siena, spread devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus everywhere. John preached throughout Europe for forty years. All who heard him were moved to love and serve the Lord better. An outstanding moment in the life of this saint came at the battle of Belgrade. The Turks had made up their minds to conquer Europe and to wipe out the Church of Jesus. The pope sent St. John Capistrano to all the Christian kings of Europe to beg them to unite to fight the mighty Turkish army. The kings obeyed this poor, barefoot friar. He stirred up their love of God and their courage with his fiery words. But even though a big army of Christians came to fight Mohammed II and his Turks, it looked as though they would lose. The enemy army was much bigger. Then it was that the saint himself, though he was seventy years old, ran to the front lines and encouraged the men to keep fighting. Holding his crucifix up high, this thin, small old man kept crying, "Victory, Jesus, victory!" And the Christian soldiers felt full of more courage than ever. They fought until the enemy ran away in fear. St. John Capistrano died a short time later, on October 23, 1456. He was proclaimed a saint in 1724.
Reflection: "[Priests] have been placed here to care for others. Their own lives should be an example to others, showing how they must live in the house of the Lord."

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/october/1023.asp

Gift of Faith

Today's Readings:
Rom 6:12-18
Ps 124:1-8
Lk 12:39-48

Jesus states that "much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.” Through the Sacrament of Baptism we have been given the grace of new life in Christ, truly we have been entrusted with much. The question is what have we done with this gift? The gift of faith has to be nurtured by prayer and shared with all those we meet. Today let us make it our goal to allow the great things that have been given to us by our God to bear fruit in our lives and the lives of those around us. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Help us to nurture the gift of faith you have give us Lord so that it may continue to grow and lead us to our everlasting home with you in Heaven. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. Hilarion
Hilarion lived in the fourth century. He was an unbelieving teenager when he left his home in Palestine. He was on his way to Egypt to go to school. There he learned about the Christian faith, and soon he was baptized. Hilarion was only about fifteen at the time. His conversion started him out on a glorious journey leading him closer to God. Before long, he was off to visit the famous St. Anthony in the desert. (We celebrate his feast on January 17.) Hilarion wanted to be alone to serve Jesus, whom he had just come to love. Hilarion stayed two months with St. Anthony, but it was not quiet enough there for him. Many people came to St. Anthony for help. Hilarion could not find the peace he was looking for, so he left. After giving everything he had to the poor, he went into the wilderness to live as a hermit. Hilarion had to battle many temptations. At times it seemed to him as if none of his prayers were heard at all. Yet he did not let these temptations stop him from praying even harder. After twenty years in the desert, the holy man worked his first miracle. Soon many people began coming to his hut to beg his help. Several men asked him to let them stay with him to learn from him how to pray and do penance. In his great love for God and people, the saint invited them to stay. But finally, when he was sixty-five, he began to travel. He went from one country to another in search of peace and quiet. However, the fame of his miracles of mercy always brought crowds of visitors. A few years before his death in 371, Hilarian at last felt that he was truly alone with God. He was eighty years old when he died.
Reflection: The value of solitude was well known to this saint. Is there a time in my day when I can be alone with God?

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/october/1021.asp

Christ will come again

Today's Readings:
Rom 5:12, 15, 17-21
Ps 40:7-10, 17
Lk 12:35-38

'Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again'; this is our faith and our hope. Christ died for our sins, he rose so that we might have new life, and he will come again so that we may share in the fullness of that divine life. Let us live in this hope allowing the victory Christ won for us fill us with the divine life the Lord has promised us, allowing our faith to lead us to our true home in heaven. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord, you died and rose for us, and we believe that you will come again in glory. Come Lord Jesus, and fill us with your blessings. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. Paul of the Cross
Paul Danei of Ovada, Italy, was born into a family of merchants in 1694. He was a good Christian and practiced his faith. When he was nineteen, Paul decided to become a soldier. After a year he left the army. During the summer of 1720 Paul had some kind of a spiritual experience. He had three visions of starting a new religious order. He couldn't imagine what was happening, so he went to his bishop for guidance. The bishop investigated and believed that the visions were real. He told Paul to go ahead with his special call. He should do what he was being told in the visions to do. Paul spent forty days in prayer and penance. During that time he wrote a rule that he and the followers of his new congregation could base their style of life on. Paul was joined by his brother John and two other young men. Paul and John were ordained priests by Pope Benedict XIII in 1727. Ten years later, the first Passionist monastery was started. Pope Clement XIV approved the new order. He also approved the rule a short time later. Besides the three vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, Paul of the Cross added a fourth vow: devotion to the passion of Christ. By 1747, the Passionists had three monasteries. They were preaching parish retreats throughout Italy. When he died in 1775, Paul of the Cross was starting a congregation of Passionist nuns. He was proclaimed a saint by Pope Pius IX in 1867.
Reflection: St. Paul taught that in the Cross of Jesus we find real wisdom. When we find ourselves in difficulty or suffering, let us pray for this wisdom.

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/october/1020.asp

Material Possessions

Today's Readings:
Rom 4:20-25
Lk 12:13-21

Today our Lord reminds us to beware of material possessions. It is not that these things are bad, in fact they can not be since they were created by God; it is how we use them that determines the morality of them. When we place them as idols before God or hoard them rather than sharing with those in need, then we fall into what Christ is warning us against in the Gospel. Possessions and wealth are fine in that we recognize its source, God; and that we use them in his service. Today let us thank Christ for all of our gifts and place them in loving service of one another and of our God. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord all good gifts come from you, help us to use them in service of you by serving our neighbor. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. Isaac Jogues, St. John De Bredeuf, & Companions
Over three hundred years ago, six Jesuit priests and two holy laymen, all from France, died as martyrs here in North America. These eight men were martyred between 1642 and 1649. They were a group of the bravest and most daring missionaries in the New World. They risked everything they had to bring Christ to the native people. After much hard work, they converted many of the Huron tribe. But the Iroquois, bitter enemies of the Hurons, put them all to death. St. John de Brebeuf had tuberculosis. He was so sick in France that he could not even teach many classes. Yet he became a marvelous, valiant apostle. His courage amazed the fierce Iroquois as they tortured him to death. St. Isaac Jogues was tortured by the Mohawks, but was freed by the Dutch. He went back to France, but as soon as he could, he returned to North America. Father Jogues was killed with a tomahawk by the Bear Clan of the Mohawks. St. Anthony Daniel had just finished celebrating Mass for his Huron converts when the Iroquois attacked the village. The Christian Indians begged him to try to escape. But Father Daniel stayed. He wanted to baptize all those who were crying to him for Baptism before they would be killed. The Iroquois burned him to death in his little chapel. St. Gabriel Lallemont was tortured to death with St. John de Brebeuf. St. Charles Garnier and St. Noel Chabenel were both killed with tomahawks. St. Charles was first shot by an Iroquois musket during a surprise attack, but he still tried to crawl to help a dying man. He was killed by a hatchet blow. Father Chabenel had found life very hard, but had made a vow to stay in North America. He was killed by a Huron traitor. The two lay helpers, Rene Goupil and John Lalande, were both killed with tomahawks. So it was that these heroes of Christ gave their lives for the native people of North America. After their death, new missionaries were able to convert almost every tribe that the martyrs had known. These brave men, often called the North American martyrs, were proclaimed saints in 1931 by Pope Pius XI.
Reflection: The greatest desire of these saints was for others to know the love and friendship of Jesus. Isaac Jogues once spoke his willingness to teach the Gospel, saying, "I want whatever our Lord wants, even if it costs a thousand lives."

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/october/1019.asp

Love of God

Today's Readings:
Rom 4:1-8
Ps 32:1-2, 5, 11
Lk 12:1-7

Jesus reminds us that God is active in creation and knows us better than we know ourselves. The Lord sees our very soul and regardless of who we are or what we have done, we are loved by him. What a wonderful God we have...A God who is not only the source of love but is love as St. John tells us in his letters. Let us find some time today to take a few moments and thank the Lord for all he has done in our lives, and in doing so allow him to continue to purify our heart and soul. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord, let your purifying love fill our lives so that we may be filled with your Spirit and anything that is not of you is removed from our life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

Saint of the Day - St. Margaret Mary
Margaret Mary lived in the seventeenth century. She is the famous French nun to whom Jesus showed his Sacred Heart. As a child, she was a happy little girl who loved the nuns at school. But when she was eleven, she became very sick. It was four years before she was well again. Her father had died, and an aunt had moved into their home. This aunt and her husband made Margaret Mary and her mother suffer very much. Almost every day, the teenager would hide in the garden to cry and pray. What hurt her most was seeing her mother get hurt. Yet Margaret Mary grew to love good times. A few years later, she was considering marriage. Her mother wanted her to marry and so did her relatives. They were worried about her, especially when she brought beggar children into the garden to try to teach them. Margaret Mary hesitated a while, neither marrying nor entering the convent. At last she decided on the convent. She joined the Visitation sisters and was a kind, humble sister. Often she made others impatient since she was slow and clumsy. But she was dear to Jesus. He began to appear to St. Margaret Mary to show her how much he loves us all. Jesus wanted her to spread devotion to his Sacred Heart. It was a very hard thing to do. Many people thought Margaret Mary had not really seen Jesus at all. Some were angry with her for trying to spread the new devotion. This brought her great suffering. Yet she did her best to carry out the Lord's wish. Jesus blessed her hard work and pain. Today, this wonderful devotion to the Sacred Heart is practiced all over the world. Our Lord made great promises to St. Margaret Mary for those who are devoted to his most Sacred Heart. Some of these promises are: "I will comfort them in all their afflictions. I will establish peace in their homes. I will bestow abundant blessings on all their undertakings. I will bless every place where a picture of my Heart shall be displayed and honored." The greatest promise Jesus made is this: "My divine Heart shall be the safe refuge in the last moment to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Friday for nine months in a row."
Reflection: St. Margaret Mary understood in a special way how deeply Jesus loves each of us. We can learn from her to trust in the Heart of Jesus, which-as she wrote-is filled with "love to meet our every need."

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/october/1016.asp

The Standard of Forgiveness

Today's Readings:
Rom 2:1-11
Ps 62:2-3. 6-7, 9
Lk 11:42-46

St. Paul in our 1st reading reminds us that the standard we use to judge others, is the same standard with which we will be judged. When we pray the Our Father we say "forgive us as we forgive others..." God is just yet also merciful; we are called to show that same mercy that we were first shown, to those whom we come into contact with. We do not overlook wrong-doing but at the same time, we look to God so that we may not judge to harshly as well. Today let us as our Father in Heaven who has been very merciful with us, to teach us to practice that same mercy in our lives with others. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord, just as you forgive us, help us to learn to forgive others so that your mercy and love may shine through all that we do. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. Callistus I
This great pope and martyr lived in the first part of the third century. He was once a young slave in Rome, who got into serious trouble. His master, a Christian, had put him in charge of a bank. Somehow, Callistus lost the money deposited with him by other Christians. In fear, he ran away from Rome. He was caught, after jumping into the sea to try to get away. His sentence was a terrible one: he was chained and put to hard labor in a mill. From this punishment Callistus was released, only because his creditors hoped he could get some of their money back. But once again he was arrested, this time for having gotten into a fight. He was sent to the mines of Sardinia. When the emperor freed all the Christians who had been condemned to those mines, Callistus was freed, too. From that time on, things began to go better for him. Pope St. Zephrinus came to know and trust the freed slave. He placed him in charge of the public Christian cemetery in Rome. This cemetery is now named after St. Callistus himself. Many popes were buried in it. Callistus proved himself worthy of the pope's confidence in him. St. Zephrinus not only ordained him a priest, but also made him his friend and advisor. Later on, St. Callistus himself became pope. Some people complained because he showed too much mercy to sinners. However, the holy pope ruled that even murderers could be admitted to communion after they had done penance for their sin. This great pope always defended the true doctrine of Jesus. He ended his life in 222 with a glorious martyrdom.
Reflection: The life of St. Callistus can remind us that God can choose anyone to do his work-we only need to have faith in his power.

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/october/1014.asp

Spiritual Exercise

Today's Readings:
Rom 1:16-25
Ps 19:2-5
Lk 11:37-41

We work so hard to make sure we look presentable and professional. Diets, exercise, physical training, nice clothes, all these things are great; the question is do we work as hard to keep the inside as fit as the outside? Jesus stresses this point to the Pharisee in our Gospel this morning. The body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and should be taken care of, but our soul also needs us to be cared for. We do this through prayer and exercising virtue. Today let us not only have a fitness plan for our bodies, but one for our soul as well. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord, you created us body and soul, help us to care for both so that we may always be pleasing in your sight. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. Edward
King St. Edward was one of the best loved of all the English kings. He lived in the eleventh century. Because of enemies in his own country, he had to live in Normandy, France, from the time he was ten until he was forty. However, when he came back to rule, all the people welcomed him with great joy. St. Edward was a tall, well-built man, but he was never healthy. Still he was able to rule his country well and keep peace most of the time. This was because he trusted in God and held firm when necessary. King Edward went to daily Mass. He was a gentle, kind man who never spoke sternly. To poor people and foreigners, he showed special charity. He also helped monks in every way he could. It was his justice to everyone and his love for God's Church that made St. Edward so popular with the English people. They would cheer him as he rode out of the castle. Although he was a king with great power, St. Edward showed his honesty by the way he kept his word-to God and to people. While he was still living in Normandy, he had made a promise to God. He said that if his family would see better times, he would go on a pilgrimage to St. Peter's tomb in Rome. After he was made king, he wanted to keep his vow. But the nobles knew that there would be no one to keep the peace among the warlike people in the land. So, although they admired his devotion, they did not want him to go. The whole matter was brought to the pope, St. Leo IX. He decided that the king could stay home. He said that King Edward was to give to the poor the money he would have spent on the trip. He also was to build or repair a monastery in honor of St. Peter. Obediently, the king carried out the pope's decision. He died in 1066 and was buried in the marvelous monastery he had rebuilt. He was proclaimed a saint by Pope Alexander III in 1161.
Reflection: This holy king tried throughout his life to use the gifts he had been given in order to help others. How do I use the gifts I have to do good?

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/october/1013.asp

Signs

Today's Readings:
Rom 1:1-7
Ps 98:1-4
Lk 11:29-32

Jesus speaks out against those in his day asking to see a sign that he from God and tells them the Lord has already sent them plenty of signs for them to believe. We too have been given many signs of God's love for us, the question is have we opened our eyes to see them? We ourselves are called to be sings as well; signs of God's presence and goodness in the world. This day let us allow Christ to work through us so that we may not only see the signs God gives us, but allow our very lives to become signs of Christ in the world. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Good and gracious God, you have filled creation with signs of your presence, help us to be a sign of the victory Christ won for us through his holy cross. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. Felix & St. Cyprian
Felix and Cyprian were African bishops who lived in the fifth century. They suffered with over 4,900 martyrs in the terrible persecution by the Vandals. Huneric, the Vandal king, drove these Christians into exile in the Libyan desert. They were treated with great cruelty by the Moors. A holy bishop named Victor used to try to help the poor Christians who had been shut up in a horrible prison. They were packed in without sufficient air or light. He wrote the story of their courage and their sufferings. Bishop Victor says that when they were ordered into exile in the terrible desert, they came out of that prison singing hymns. Other Christians burst into tears at the sight of their great courage. Even women and children went with them to exile and death. The story is told of Bishop St. Felix. He was so old and so crippled that someone said to the Vandal king: "You might just as well leave him here to die." But King Huneric cruelly answered, "If he cannot ride a horse, he can be dragged by oxen." In the end, they decided to tie the brave old bishop to a donkey and he was carried off to die in the desert. We also celebrate St. Cyprian. This bishop lived two centuries after St. Cyprian of Carthage who is honored on September 16. Today's Cyprian risked his own life to take care of as many prisoners as he could. He spent all his time and strength, plus everything he owned, to assist them. At last, he, too, was arrested and sent into exile. There he also died a martyr from the cruel treatment reserved for Christians.
Reflection: These two men followed the example of Jesus as leaders in the Church. They sought to serve those whom they guided with great generosity.

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/october/1012.asp

Glory in Christ

Today's Readings:
Zec 8:1-8
Ps 102
Lk 9:46-50

In a society as competitive as ours, it is hard sometimes to remember Christ's words that "the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest." The world says try to get ahead any way you can, while our faith states that we are to humble ourselves in order to be exalted. True honor, true accomplishment is in knowing that our God has a plan for us and then following God's will rather than our own. As St. Paul states, our glory is in Christ Jesus. Today let us rejoice in the name of Christ knowing that only through him and with him can we truly find our joy and our salvation. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Father, help us to humble ourselves like little children so that through and with your Son, we may be brought to the glory of Heaven. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. Lawrence Ruiz & Companions
Today's celebration honors a lay person from the Philippines, St. Lawrence Ruiz, and his fifteen companions. These sixteen martyrs were killed for their faith in 1637, in Nagasaki, Japan. Born in Manila, St. Lorenzo was the father of a family. He joined the Dominican priests, brothers and lay volunteers who were going to Japan to preach the Gospel. The group was made up of nine Dominican priests, two brothers, two single lay women, and three other lay persons. All were associated with the Dominican order and all died rather than give up their faith in Jesus. They were missionaries who had originally come from five nations-France, Italy, Japan, the Philippines and Spain. What a wonderful reminder they are that the Church reaches out to the whole world. These martyrs suffered greatly before they died, but they would not give up their Catholic religion. It is recorded that St. Lawrence Ruiz told his judges that if he had a thousand lives to give for Christ, he would. This group of heroes was proclaimed saints by Pope John Paul II on October 18, 1987.
Reflection: Let us give thanks today for God's providential care for the Church, which continues in faithfulness to him, despite trials and persecutions.

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/september/0928.asp

Living the Faith

Today's Readings:
Hg 2:1-9
Ps 43:1-4
Lk 9:18-22

Today Christ asks the question "who do you say I am?" We hear this and often answer along with Peter "the Christ." But does our life reflect our proclamation of faith? Do we live out our belief that Jesus is truly the Christ, the Son of God come to save us from our sins? All of our actions should be guided by our belief in Jesus; if we say he is God, then our day to day decisions should reflect that in our life. We should live out the commandment of love and allow our God to shine forth from our hearts so that all we meet may know we are followers of Christ, not by us saying it, but by our living it out this day. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Jesus, help me to live out my faith in you so that I may continue to grow in your love and grace. We ask this through your holy name this day. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. Sergius
This famous Russian saint lived in the fourteenth century. He was given the name of Bartholomew when he was baptized. He was not as bright as his two brothers, but he did learn to read and write. This made him very happy because he greatly desired to read the Bible. Bartholomew's parents were nobles. While he was still a boy, the family had to flee from enemies. They had to go to work as peasants. After his parents died, Sergius and his brother Stephen went off to live as hermits. They built a little church from trees they had cut down. The church was dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity. When his brother went to Moscow to enter a monastery, Bartholomew lived alone. He wore the habit of a monk and took the name Sergius. He was a tall, husky young man. He was strong enough to stand the biting cold and fierce winds of his forest home. He was happy praying to God and loving him with all his heart. He called fire and light his companions, and even made friends with bears. Before too long, other young men came to share St. Sergius's holy life. They asked him to be their abbot and he did. He was ordained a priest and ruled his monastery very wisely. Once when some of the monks together with his own brother Stephen-who had come back-disagreed with Sergius, he went away so as to keep peace. Four years later, he was asked to return. The monks were so happy to see him that they kissed his hands, his feet and even his robe. Powerful rulers often went to ask St. Sergius for advice. He became so famous that he was asked to become bishop of the greatest Russian diocese. But he was too humble to accept. The prince of Moscow was not sure if he should try to fight the terrible pagan Tartars. St. Sergius said, "Do not fear, sir. Go forward with faith against the foe. God will be with you." And the Russians were victorious. It was not great learning that made people trust and love St. Sergius. It was his confidence in God and his desire to help everybody. St. Sergius died in 1392.
Reflection: Let us pray today for the Eastern Churches.

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/september/0925.asp