Category: In Memoriam

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin August 4, 2024

by Terrie Evans

On this 18^th Sunday of Ordinary Time, we continue to pray for the Canonization of Sr. Blandina Segale, Servant of God and all the needs of the parishioners of San Antonio Church.   On Monday, August 5^th, the Catholic Church celebrates the Dedication of Saint Mary Major Basilica, rebuilt from the medieval fourth century Liberian Basilica by Pope Sixtus III.  In 431, it was rebuilt shortly after the Council of Ephesus to establish Mary’s title as the Mother of God becoming the largest church in the world honoring God through Mary.  It is one of the four Roman Basilicas known as Patriarchal Churches in memory of the first centers of the Church.  St. John Lateran represents Rome, and the See of St. Peter; St. Paul Outside the Walls, the See of Alexandria presided over by Mark; St. Peter is, the See of Constantinople; and St. Mary’s within the See of Antioch where Mary spent her later life.  Another name for this feast is Our Lady of the Snows from the legend of a wealthy Roman couple who pledged all of their fortune in honor of the Mother of God.   On August 5^th, during a hot Roman Summer, snow fell on the summit of Esquiline Hill, following a vision of the Virgin Mary the couple had the same night, they built a Basilica in honor of Mary on the exact site of the snowfall.  The 15^th Century legend is shown in the painting of the Miracle of the Snow by artist, Masolino da Panicale around 1423, now displayed in the Museum of Capodimonte in Naples.  The miracle of the snow is depicted with a crowd of men and women witnessing Jesus and Mary watching from Heaven.  In the following Centuries, many churches were dedicated to Our Lady of the Snows with 152 still in existence.  Every year on August 5^th during the Liturgical Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, a shower of white rose petals will be dropped from the ceiling at the conclusion of the Solemn Mass.   The United States has a National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Illinois along with parishes dedicated to Our Lady of the Snows located in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, Reno, Nevada, Floral Park, New York, Milford, Michigan and Woodstock, Vermont. 

On Tuesday, August 6^th, we honor the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord which became widespread in the West around the 11^th Century.  The feast was introduced into the Roman Calendar in 1457 and was celebrated earlier within the rites of the Syrian, Byzantine, and Coptic Churches.  It foretells the glory of the Lord as God and his Ascension into heaven when the divine glory of Christ was shown in a comprehensive way to the Apostles Peter, James, and John.  The Transfiguration takes place before three witnesses, Peter, James, John, chosen by Jesus as a change in His outward appearance takes place.  Jesus’ face and clothes became surrounded by light when Moses and Elijah appear who speak, “Of His departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem.”  A cloud floats over Him and a voice from heaven says, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him”!   This feast anticipates the glory of heaven, where we shall see God face to face.  Through grace, we already have shared in the divine promise of eternal life.  The Church of the Transfiguration is located on Mount Tabor in Israel and the Altar of Transfiguration can be seen in St. Peter’s Basilica.  In the Russian Orthodox Church, honey, pears, apples, plums, and other fruits are brought to the church for a blessing and in the Roman Ritual, the Transfiguration is considered a Harvest Feast with blessings said for the crops of wheat and grapes.  The Transfiguration is the Patron of Borgomasino, Italy and of pork butchers.  A Prayer on the Feast of the Transfiguration:  “O, God, who in the glorious Transfiguration of your Only Begotten Son confirmed the mysteries of faith by the witness of the Fathers and wonderfully prefigured our full adoption to sonship, grant, we pray, to your servants, that, listening to the voice of your beloved Son, we may merit to become co-heirs with him.  Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.  AMEN.”   

On Wednesday, August 7^th we honor the Feast of Pope Sixtus II, one of the most highly esteemed martyrs of the early Roman Church. He was the Bishop of Rome from 257-258 who was killed along with 7 Deacons during the persecutions of Christians by the Emperor Valerian.  He was a Greek Philosopher who embraced the Christian Faith when Emperor Valerian set the decree to condemn Christianity in 257.  He then ordered those farms, the estates, all the goods, all the freedoms and all the lives of those who refused to renounce their faith should then be sacrificed.  Pope Sixtus II hid out in the catacombs on the Appian Way, one of the most important Roman Roads of the ancient republic.  He was discovered preaching to his flock and while he was still seated, Pope Sixtus II was beheaded along with 7 other Deacons, also martyred.  Their bodies were carried across the Appian Way by their mourners with Pope Sixtus II remains transferred to the Papal Crypt in the Cemetery of St. Callistus.  The enshrined bloodstained chair on which Pope Sixtus II was beheaded now sits behind his tomb.  Pope Damasus I placed the following inscription on his tomb in the catacomb of Callixtus: “At the time when the sword pierced the bowels of the Mother, I buried here, taught as Pastor the word of God; when suddenly, the soldiers rushed in and dragged me from the chair.  The faithful offered their necks to the sword, but as soon as the Pastor saw the ones who wished to rob him of the palm (martyrdom) he was the first to offer himself and his own head, not tolerating that the (pagan) frenzy should harm the others.  Christ, who gives recompense, made manifest the Pastor’s merit, preserving unharmed the flock.”  

On Wednesday, August 7^th we also celebrate the feast of St. Cajetan born Gaetano dei Conti di Thiene (1480-1547), an Italian Catholic Priest, religious reformer, co-founder of the Theatines, the Congregation of Clerics Regular in the city of Abruzzo.  He studied law in Padua and received his Doctor Utriusque Juris in Civil and Canon Law at the age of 24 and in 1506, Cajetan began his work as a Diplomat for Pope Julius II, reconciling the Republic of Venice.  When the Pope died in 1513, he felt his work was completed leaving the papal court after the death of his mother.  He was ordained a priest in 1516 and with his interests changing, in 1522, he founded a hospital for incurables in Vicenza and in 1523 established a hospital in Venice.   He became more devoted to spiritual healing and joined an Association of the Faithful (Confraternity) in Rome, called the   Oratory of Divine Love.  By 1524, Cajetan wished to form a group that would combine the spirit of Monasticism, withdrawing from society in order to devote themselves totally to God through prayer, penance, and solitude while being in an active ministry.  The new order, Theatines, was founded by St. Cajetan (Gaetano dei Conti di Thiene) Paolo Consiglieri, Bonifacio da Colle, and Giovanni Pietro Carafa later, Pope Paul IV.  The founding of the Order took place on the feast of the Finding of the Holy Cross on May 3, 1524, which was adopted as its emblem.  Pope Clement VII approved the Order on June 4, 1524.  On September 14, 1524, on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Cajetan and his companions made their solemn profession before the Papal Altar of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.  They founded their oratories, religious communities devoting themselves to preaching the Gospel, reforming lax morals while establishing hospitals while donning the simple black cassock and maintaining a modest lifestyle.  The Theatines were the first order to found Papal Missions in India, Burma, Peru, the East Indies and in 1626, they were established in Persia.  The Order grew slowly and by 1700, the Theatines numbered 1400.  They founded the Sant’ Andrea della Valle in Rome, in France, they built the Church of St. Anne la Royale in 1644 located across from the Louvre.  And in Bavaria, the Theatine Church, St. Kajetan was built between 1663-1690. In 1691, Eusebio Kino, a Jesuit Missionary, established the Arizona Mission San Cayetano de Tumacacori in his honor, now the Tumacacori National Historical Park.  Cajetan died in Naples, Italy on August 7, 1547, with his remains placed in the Church of San Paolo Maggiore in Naples and was Beatified on October 8, 1629, by Pope Urban VIII at St. Peter’s Basilica.  On April 12, 1671, he was Canonized by Pope Clement X at St. Peter’s Basilica and is the Patron saint of Argentina, the unemployed and good fortune.  The Theatines are present in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Spain, and in the United States of America where a mission is located at Durango, Colorado.  The Theatine Order furnished one Pope, 250 Bishops, Archbishops, Papal Legates and several Cardinals and the Astronomer, Giuseppe Piazzi (1746-1826) became a Theatine at the age of 19.    He was a professor of mathematics and astronomy in Palmero, Sicily and discovered the first asteroid, Ceres in 1801.  As of 2020, the Theatine Order had 124 Priests out of their total of 161 members. 

On Thursday, August 8^th we honor St. Dominic, born in 1170 in Spain, and ordained at a time when people were leaving the church to follow false teachings.  He became a Cathedral Canon at the age of 26 was chosen by his Bishop to bring Christians back into the fold.  He witnessed those heretics living fine lives believing that whatever their bodies did had no relevance to the state of their souls.  Dominic was chosen by his Bishop to visit southern France to bring Christians back into the fold.   Dominic stayed in France to devote his life to preaching the word   before going to Rome with the goal of establishing a religious order that would preach, teach, and promote the truth calling it the Order of Preachers or the Dominicans.  When he became discouraged with his work, Our Lady appeared to him asking him to pray the Rosary daily   and teach the rosary to those heretics.  He also founded a convnet for nuns with the mission to care for young girls.  He died in 1221 and was Canonized in 1234 by Pope Gregory IX and is the Patron of Astronomers. A Prayer to St. Dominic: “O, God, let St. Dominic help Your Church by his merits and teaching.  May he who was an outstanding preacher of truth became a most generous intercessor for us. AMEN.”   

On Friday, August 9^th, we honor the feast of St. Teresa Benedicta, born Edith Stein on Yom Kippur in 1891, the youngest child of a large Jewish Family living in Poland.   She did not practice her religion during her teen years and when WWI broke out, she studied to become a Red Cross nurse working in an infectious disease hospital.  In 1916, Edith attended the University of Friedburg, obtaining an assistantship to Edmund Husserl after completing her Doctoral Thesis,” The Empathy Problem as it Developed Historically and Considered Phenomenologically”.  In her role as an assistant, she gave her opinion on important issues and made different independent contributions to phenomenology, the study of phenomenology (pertaining to life experiences).  Soon, she was drawn to the Christian Faith after reading the life of St. Teresa of Avila of the Carmelite Order and in 1922, Edith was Baptized into the Catholic Church hoping to become a Discalced Carmelite Nun.  She chose instead to teach at a Catholic School in Speyer, until the Nazi Government made her quit the job she loved in 1933, due to the Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service.  Edith was then admitted as a postulant in the Discalced Carmelite Monastery on the feast day of St. Teresa of Avila.  In 1934, she received the religious habit of a Novice while spurning shoes in place of sandals, a practice that is said to have started with St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare.  Edith took the name Teresa Benedicta of the Cross making her temporary vows on April 21,1935 and three years later, on April 21,1938, she took her perpetual vows with the promise, “Henceforth, my only vocation will be to love”.  After taking the name Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, she wrote in 1938: “Beneath the Cross, I understand the destiny of God’s people.  Indeed today, I know for better what it means to be the Lord’s bride under the sign of the Cross.”   With the growing Nazi threat, Teresa, along with her biological sister Rosa, also a nun, were sent to the Carmelite Monastery in Echt, Netherlands on New Years Eve, 1939 for their safety.  On June 9, 1939, she professed her spiritual statement: “Even now I accept the death that God has prepared for me in complete submission and with joy as being his most holy will for me.  I ask the Lord to accept my life and my death so that the Lord will be accepted by His people and that His Kingdom may come in glory, for the salvation of Germany and the peace of the world.”   Teresa and Rosa both worked to oversee all of the needs of the monastery and also the community’s needs as well.  While in the Netherlands she wrote Studie uber Joannes a Cruce: Kreuzeswissenschaft (Studies on John of the Cross).   After the Nazi’s occupied the Netherlands, all those Baptized Catholics of Jewish origin were arrested by the Gestapo on the flowing Sunday, August 2, 1942.  She was arrested along with her sister Rosa by the Gestapo while they were praying in the Chapel.   There were 244 people arrested and sent to Auschwitz concentration camp and on August 9, 1942, were murdered in the Birkenau gas chambers, Teresa Benedicta of the Cross was 50 years old.  She was Beatified on May 1, 1987, in Cologne Germany by Pope John Paul II and Canonized on October 11, 1998, in Vatican City by Pope John Paul II.  She is one of the six patron saints of Europe along with Benedict of Nursia, Cyril and Methodius, Bridget of Sweden, and Catherin of Siena.  In 1998, Edith Stein, was pictured on a German postage stamp along with Jesuit, Rupert Mayer in honor of their Beatification and in 2014, on the 70^th Anniversary of D Day, a Bell was dedicated to St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross at Bayeux Cathedral by Prince Charles.  In Breslau, Poland, a museum, the Edith Stein House is dedicated to the history of the Saint and the Stein Family.    

On Saturday, August 10^th we celebrate the life and works of St. Lawrence, Deacon, and Martyr (225-258) Lawrence was the first of seven deacons who served the Roman Church under Pope Saint Sixtus II.  As a deacon in Rome, Lawrence was in charge of all materials of the Church and with the distribution of alms for those in need.  When Pope Saint Sixtus II was put to death, Lawrence knew he would be arrested and suffer the same fate.  He sought out those widows, orphans, the elderly, and the poor in Rome, giving them any money he had, even selling the sacred vessels of the Church.  When the perfect of Rome heard of his plans, he assumed the Church had considerable treasures and summoned Lawrence saying: “You Christians say we are cruel to you, but that is not what I have in mind.  I am told that you priests offer in gold, that the sacred blood is received in silver cups, that you have golden candlesticks at your evening services. Now, your doctrine says you must render to Caesar what is his. Bring these gold and silver treasures-the emperor needs them to maintain his forces.  God does not cause money to be counted, He brought none of it into the world with him-only words. Give me the money, therefore, and be rich in words,” Lawrence replied that the Church was rich, “I will show you a valuable part.  But give me time to set everything in order and make an inventory.”  After three days he gathered a great number of lames, maimed, leprous, orphaned, and widowed persons and arranged them in rows.  When the prefect arrived for his bounty, Lawrence said, “These are the treasures of the Church.”  Lawrence was then arrested and put over a gridiron to suffer a slow painful death.  Before he died, Lawrence prayed for the conversion of Rome. He died in 258 with the church built over his tomb becoming one of the seven principal churches of Rome and a favorite for pilgrimages.   He was canonized pre congregation and is the patron saint of cooks, deacons, librarians, restauranteurs, seminarians, and wine makers.  A Prayer to St. Lawrence: “O God, by his ardent love for You St. Lawrence exhibited faithful service and attained a glorious martyrdom. Help us to love what he loved and to practice what he taught.  AMEN.”  

Our San Antonio Church Community sends condolences and prayers to the Siciliano Family on the passing of Dan Siciliano beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend.  His funeral Mass was held at St. Joseph Parish, North Bend Ohio on Friday, August 2, 2024.  He was from the Siciliano Family whose homestead was located on Queen City Avenue near the old Movie Theatre.  Dan attended school at St. Bonnie’s and even though their family moved to the Bridgetown area, the Siciliano Family always supported the fundraisers at San Antonio Church.  Dan also attended the yearly “Mussie Fest” held in our hall.  Please keep Dan’s extended family and friends in your prayers.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin July 28, 2024

by Terrie Evans

On this 17^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we send condolences and prayers to the Stanghetti, Florimonte, DiScenza, Aghajanian, Lattarulo, Johnson, and Flowers Families on the passing of our parishioner, James Raymond Stanghetti on July 11, 2024, at the age of 77.  Jim served as an EM2, Petty Officer Second Class, in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War (1966-1972).  After he returned from serving his country, Jim wed the late Patricia (Florimonte) Stanghetti and welcomed daughters Michelle (Stanghetti) DiScenza (Lars), Nikki Stanghetti, and Angie (Stanghetti) Aghajanian (Justin).  James “Jim” will forever be remembered as a caring devoted husband, great dad and much-loved grandpa to Lena, Ethan, Anastasia, and Pearl. Throughout his life Jim had a close bond with siblings, Carol (Stanghetti) Lattarulo and her spouse John, Rick Stanghetti and wife Kathie, and Delores (Stanghetti) Johnson and her spouse Patrick who will mourn their loss.  He also leaves his brother-in-law and work out buddy, Jim Flowers, who was married to Pat’s sister, the late Nancy (Florimonte) Flowers.  Everyone at the Mercy Health Plex has missed seeing Jim in the last few months, especially the morning coffee group who enjoyed his stories about GusGus, his canine companion and all the accomplishments of his daughters.  Jim also leaves cousins Earl and Rose Einhaus, Larry and Eileen Vickery, Vince and Jean Cerchio and his good friend Ken Wilzbach.   His funeral service with full military honors was held on Monday, July 22, 2024, at the Neidhard-Minges Funeral Home.      

On Monday, July 29^th we celebrate the feast day of Sts.  Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.  This feast day includes Martha, her sister Mary and Brother Lazarus who were added for the July 29^th feast day since 2021 on the General Roman Calendar in the Catholic Church.  This decree was approved by Pope Francis after “considering the important evangelical witness they offered in welcoming the Lord Jesus into their home, in listening to him attentively and in believing that he is the resurrection and the life.”  Martha, Mary, and Lazarus were close friends of Jesus, and they welcomed him many times as a guest.  After Lazarus’ death, the sisters called on Jesus to return to Judea with Martha knowing the faith she had in Jesus.  Jeus told her. “I am the Resurrection and the Life, whoever believes in me, even if he dies will live, and everyone who lives and believe in me will never die.” Jesus asked Marta, “Do you believe in me, she said yes, Lord I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”  Martha asked if her brother would again rise at the end of time, Jesus said that no one really dies if they believe in him.  Jesus told Martha, who worried about many things, to find a balance in her life-between her domestic and spiritual causes as she fluttered about cooking and cleaning.  Jesus did say to Martha, sometimes avoid cooking even though cooking a family meal is a gift of love and a great blessing for others.  Mary was seen as calm and focused when Jesus spoke to her.   Jesus said about Mary, “Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken from her;” as she listened to his teachings instead of helping with the meal.  According to John 12:1-8., Mary anointing Jesus’ feet at Bethany, an act that Jesus would offer much praise.  After the death of Jesus, Lazarus is supposed to have written what he saw in the next world before he was called back to life and later, he Martha and Mary arrived safely in Cyprus where he would serve as the Bishop for over 30 years. 

On Tuesday, July 30^th we honor St. Peter Chrysologus, a revered saint in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Church who was a Bishop of Ravenna from 433 until his death in 450.  Born in Imola, Aemilia in the Roman Empire in the year 380 where he was Baptized and educated by Cronelius, Bishop of Imola who later ordained him a deacon.   After being ordained a deacon, Peter was appointed an Archdeacon through the influence of Emperor Valentinian III and in 433, Pope Sixtus III appointed Peter, Bishop of Ravenna at the time Ravenna was the capital of the West.  He was called the Doctor of Homilies for his simple to the point inspired sermons so not to bore those in his presence.  Because of his oratory skills and the piety and zest of his sermons, Roman Empress Galla Placidia gave him the title Chrysologus meaning, “Golden Worded.”  His sermons are considered incredibly significant for that time during the history of the Church as they reveal many aspects of Christian life in Ravenna in the 5^th century.  Bishop Peter condemned Arianism while explaining the Apostles Creed, and Biblical texts in simple   concise wording everyone could understand.  He promoted all topics concerning the Catholic Church and dedicated homilies to John the Baptist and the Blessed Virgin Mary while promoting the daily reception of the Eucharist and forgiveness offered through Christ.  His surviving works detail the traditional beliefs about Mary’s perpetual virginity, obeying the penitential season of Lent, and the Eucharist presence in our lives.  After his death in 450, he became known for his short sermons that were full of moral applications and in the 8^th Century, Archbishop Felix of Ravenna collected and preserved 176 of his homilies.  They were later edited and translated by various authors into numerous languages.  In the13^th Century, he was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1729 by Pope Benedict XIII and is considered a teacher on the universal church.  There is the portrait of St.  Peter Chrysologus in the Church of San Giovanni Evangelista in Ravenna. 

On Wednesday, July 31^st we honor the feast day of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the son of a Nobleman who began his career as a soldier in the Army of the Duke of Niagara.  In 1521, he was seriously wounded in battle at Pamplona, and while convalescing, became interested in the Lives of Saints and the history of Jesus.    As he read and studied their achievements, he wondered if he could do what the saints had accompanied, “Since these men were as human as I,” he wondered if, “I could be as saintly as they were.”  Knowing he wanted to change his life, Ignatius turned in his military dress for the clothing of a beggar.  He went to confession and visited the famous portrait of the Virgin in the Benedictine Monastery where a gesture of starting a new life, placed his sword next to the portrait.  Ignatius retired to Mantesa Italy, fasting, praying, and writing his first draft of Spiritual Exercises, the manual for training one’s soul to grow nearer to God.  He then journeyed by donkey on a pilgrimage to Rome and Jerusalem finally returning to Europe and for the next 7 years, studied at Spanish Universities in Paris.  At 35 years old, while in Paris, he laid the foundation for the Society of Jesus and the beginning of the Jesuit Order.  Six students joined him vowing poverty, chastity, and obedience choosing a life preaching Christianity in Palestine.   Ignatius and his followers offered their service to Pope Paul III as many were falling away from the Church and in 1540, the Pope formally approved the Society of Jesus and for the next 16 years, Ignatius and his Order founded schools, retreats, all while preaching and doing missionary work.  Before his death, on July 31, 1556, Ignatius saw his Order grow rapidly throughout Europe and America with 39 Jesuit houses with missionaries on 3 continents.  In America, his men from the “Company of Jesus” began teaching the Faith to the Indian population and serving those in need.  St. Ignatius of Loyola, the patron of retreats, was canonized in 1662.  A Prayer to St. Ignatius of Loyola: “O God, You raised up St. Ignatius in Your Church to inspire men to work for Your greater glory.  Grant that we may labor on earth with his help and after his example and merit to be crowned with him in heaven.”   

On Thursday, August 1^st, we honor St. Alphonsus Liguori, 1696-1787.  Born near Naples on September 27, 1696, the eldest of 7 children to Giuseppe Liguori, a Naval Officer and Captain of the Galleys and Anna Maria Caterina Cavalieri.  The family had noble lineage and he was Baptized just two days after his birth with a succession of family names, Alphonso Mary Anthony John Cosmos Damian Michael Gaspard de Liguori   at Our Lady of the Virgin Church.  He was tutored at home until he entered the University of Naples where he graduated at the age of 16, earning his Doctorate Degree in Canon and Civil Law.  At the age of 18, Alphonsus joined the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mercy, a service organization in the care of the sick and incurable at a nearby hospital while becoming a successful lawyer.   He never went to court until he attended Mass and recited prayers for guidance before representing his clients.  When he lost an important case, he made the decision to leave the profession he had practiced for 8 years. He wrote to a lawyer friend, “My friend, our profession is too full of difficulties and dangers.  We lead an unhappy life and run the risk of dying an unhappy death.”    At the age of 27, he left the profession he once loved and made a vow to never waste another moment.  Alphonsus also declined an arranged marriage when his own interior voice told him: “Leave the world and give yourself to me.”  He then began his studies in theology and in 1723, Alphonsus became a Novice in the Oratory of Philip Neri in hopes of becoming a priest.  At the age of 30, he was ordained to the priesthood on December 21, 1726, spending his first years serving the homeless and marginalized youth in the seeder areas of Naples.  He became known for his oratory skills, preaching in a simple way for all to understand when he said: “I have never preached a sermon which the poorest old woman in the congregation could not understand.”  In Naples, he founded “Evening Chapels” run by those teens to give them hope and a future.  The Evening Chapels became centers as a place for prayer, piety, social activities, and education while steering those less fortunate young men toward a better life.  In 1731, he was in the town of Foggia ministering to the victims of the earthquake when he had a vision of the Virgin Mother as a young girl dressed in white appearing before him. His friend   Sr. Maria Celeste Crostarosa also had been told that he was the one chosen to find a new congregation, for his followers to continue his work.   In 1732, he started the Redemptorists, the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, to preach to the poor in the slums within the cities with Alphonsus saying: “The penitents should be treated as souls to be saved rather than as criminals to be punished.”  He wrote and preached beautifully while writing 111 books about moral theology explaining what was sinful in the actions of human beings and what is regarded by simple error.  Alphonso was also a gifted musician composing in 1732, the Italian Carol “Tuscendi dale stelle” (from Stary Skies Descending).  He was consecrated Bishop of Sant’ Agata dei Goti in 1762 and penning sermons, books, and articles encouraging devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Virgin Mary.  He died at the age of 90 on August 1, 1787, in Pagani, Italy in the Redemptorist Community after much suffering from his infirmities.    He was Beatified by Pope Pius VII on September 15, 1816, and Canonized by Pope Gregory XVI on May 26, 1839, with Shrines in Italy and the National Shrine of St. Alphonsus Liguori in Baltimore, Maryland.  St. Alphonsus Liguori once wrote: “He who trusts in himself is lost.  He who trusts in God can do all things.”  He is the patron saint of lawyers and vocations. 

On Friday, August 2^nd we celebrate the life of St. Eusebius of Vercelli (300-371) who was born on the Island of Sardina in the Province of the Roman Empire.  After the death of his father, he was taken to Rome by his mother where he was educated, became a lector proclaiming the word of God during liturgical celebrations.  He became recognized for his piety by local leaders and was elected as the Bishop of Vercelli, the 1^st recorded Bishop in the northern area of Piedmont, Italy.  He founded a monastic priestly community living within the clergy while serving the needs of the diocese.  He devoted much of his time forming them into the devout life of piety and zeal while ministering to his congregation and converting pagans. His approach led to a fraternity of spiritual growth, accountability, and positive outcomes for Bishop Eusebius’ common mission.   In 355, during the time of Arianism, Emperor Constantius II forced Bishop Eusebius along with other Bishops into exile.  Because of their opposition of the monk Arius who claimed that Jesus Christ was created and therefore not divine.    While sent away first in Turkey and finally in Egypt, Bishop Eusebius barely survived the harsh conditions while suffering   much abuse by his jailers.  During those years, he wrote letters, theological treatises, homilies and defended the Nicene Creed while in exile.   In 361, after the death of Emperor Constantius II, the new successor, Emperor Julian was now in charge, and all of the Bishops were then allowed to return and be in charge of their dioceses.  In 362, Bishop Eusebius participated in the Second Council of Alexandria, affirming the Council of Nicaea’s teachings and the theological concerns of Arianism.   He allowed the wayward faithful to be readmitted   into full communion with the Church if they were repentant and professed the Nicene Creed.  He would be remembered as a defender of Christ’s true nature as he offered himself up for his faith.    Many scholars believe Bishop Eusebius helped write the famous “Athanasian Creed” which has had an enormous influence in bringing both Catholics and Protestants to a proper understanding of their faith and Savior.  He died in 371, was Canonized Pre-Congregation, is Venerated in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches and is considered the Patron of Piedmont, Italy.  A Prayer to Saint Eusebius: “You were a faithful pastor who loved his flock, cared for the clergy, and defended Christ’s divinity while suffering greatly.  Pray that I will never allow suffering to deter me from my calling to share the love of Christ and to defend the truth for the good of others.  Saint Eusebius of Vercelli, pray for me.  Jesus, I trust in You.”   

On Saturday, August 2, we honor St. Peter Julian Eymard, a French Catholic Priest who founded the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament for men and the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament for women.  He was born in 1811 in the Frensch Alps and while young, developed an intense devotion to Mary as he visited various Marian Shrines throughout France.  On the death of his mother in 1828, Peter Julian entered the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in 1829 though not becoming a seminarian due to poor health.  Returning home, Peter Julian tried again after the death of his father in 1831 and with the help of his former Superior was admitted to the seminary within the Diocese of Grenoble.  Two years later, on Jule 20, 1834 Peter Julian Eymard was ordained a priest in the Diocese of Grenoble and assigned as an assistant pastor in the town of Chatte.  A few years later, he was appointed pastor of Mount-Saint-Eymard, a poor farming community with a run-down church, a poor rectory, few people practicing their faith, and no regular pastor.  The Bishop asked him to have his two sisters to accompany him and possibly furnish and live at the rectory.  He along with his sisters revitalized the rectory and the church building but Peter Julian was not satisfied with this type of work and in a small community and he soon decided to join the Marisits, the Society of Mary.  Even though his sisters were not pleased with his decision, he entered the seminary at Lyon, On August 20, 1837, making his profession in 1840.  Peter Julian-Eymard was now doing the work he had always wanted, working with lay organizations promoting devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary and promoting the 16^th Century Forty Hours adoration of the Eucharistic devotion.   In 1844, he became Provincial of the Society and was now in charge of the Third Order of Mary, the lay group dedicated to Marist spiritually.  In 1851, he tried to establish his own community dedicated to Eucharistic adoration, but his superiors did not approve and transferred him to the Marist College at La Syne-sur-Mer.  By 1856, the Bishops of Paris relented and gave him permission for his plans for a Society of the Blessed Sacrament. In 1857, the public exposition of the Blessed Sacrament took place in a rundown building in Paris at 114 Rue d’Enfer (street of hell) with the Congregation working with children in Paris to prepare them for their 1^st Communion.  They would reach out to nonpracticing Catholics and with their growing mission, a second community was established in Marseille in 1859, and a third in Angers in 1863.  In 1858, Peter Julian-Eymard along with Marguerite Guillot founded the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament for women, a contemplative life that seeks God by prayers and mortification, the practice of self-denial.   Peter Julian-Eymard had many contemporaries and friends throughout France including John Marie Vianney, Peter Chanel, Marcellin Champagnat, Basil Moreau, and Oauline-Marie Jaricot before his passing in 1868 at the age of 57 from a brain aneurysm.  His remains were buried in the cemetery at La Mure until 1877 when they were relocated to the Blessed Sacrament Congregation’s Corpus Christi Chapel in Paris.  He will forever be known as a speaker, organizer and educator who composed numerous sermons, and reflections on the Eucharist, the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph.    The 9 volumes he wrote are still considered spiritual treasures when he said: “How happy I will be if I keep my heart free from attachments to anyone, and, chained to Jesus my God alone”.  Peter Julian-Eymard was declared Venerable in 1908, Beatified by Pope Pius XI on July 12, 1926, with the cause for Canonization opened on July 28, 1926.   He was Canonized on December 9, 1962, by Pope John XXIII along with Servite Priest, Anthony Mary Pucci (1819-1892), and Capuchin Lay Brother Francis Mary of Camporosso (1814-1866).  Pope John Paul II named St. Peter Julian Eymard the “Apostle of the Eucharist” and is recognized as a major contributor to 19^th Century French Spirituality.  Ther are Catholic Churches in Australia, France, Senegal, New Orleans, Louisiana, and in Holiday, Florida named in his honor.  In New York City, there is a statue of St, Peter Julian-Eymard placed in the Saint Jean Baptiste Catholic Church where a reliquary (receptacle containing relics of a saint) displays his right humerus bone.  There are landmarks established in his honor in Quebec, Canada and in the Philippines.