SAINT OF THE DAY MONDAY, 20 JULY, 2026 SAINT APOLLINARIS OF RAVENNA BISHOP AND MARTYR (d. c. 79) Apollinaris came to Rome from Antioch with the prince of the apostles, by whom he was consecrated bishop, and sent to Ravenna to preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. He converted many to the faith of Christ, for which reason he was seized by the priests of the idols and severely beaten. At his prayer, a nobleman named Boniface, who had long been dumb, recovered the power of speech, and his daughter was delivered from an unclean spirit; on this account a fresh sedition was raised against Apollinaris. He was beaten with rods, and made to walk barefoot over burning coals; but as the fire did him no injury, he was driven from the city. He lay hidden some time in the house of certain Christians, and then went to Aemilia. Here he raised from the dead the daughter of Rufinus, a patrician, whose whole family thereupon believed in Jesus Christ. The prefect was greatly angered by this conversion, and sending for Apollinaris he sternly commanded him to give over propagating the faith of Christ in the city. But as Apollinaris paid no attention to his commands, he was tortured on the rack, boiling water was poured upon his wounds, and his mouth was bruised and broken with a stone; finally he was loaded with irons, and shut up in prison. Four days afterwards he was put on board ship and sent into exile; but the boat was wrecked, and Apollinaris arrived in Mysia, whence he passed to the banks of the Danube and into Thrace. In the temple of Serapis the demon refused to utter his oracles so long as the disciple of the apostle Peter remained there. Search was made for some time, and then Apollinaris was discovered and commanded to depart by sea. Thus he returned to Ravenna; but on the accusation of the same priests of the idols, he was placed in the custody of a centurion. As this man, however, worshipped Christ in secret, Apollinaris was allowed to escape by night. When this became known, he was pursued and overtaken by the guards, who loaded him with blows and left him, as they thought, dead. He was carried away by the Christians, and seven days after, while exhorting them to constancy in the faith, he passed away from this life, to be crowned with the glory of martyrdom. His body was buried near the city walls. PATRON: Ravenna, Italy and invoked against gout and epilepsy. PRAYER: Direct your faithful, Lord, in the way of eternal salvation, which the Bishop Saint Apollinaris showed by his teaching and martyrdom, and grant, through, his intercession, that we may so persevere in keeping your commandments as to merit being crowned with him. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Wow! Consecrated a Bishop by St Peter himself! So many miracles, many of them huge. Some people would simply not believe in them. That they were just stories to make a point. That long ago people were inclined to exaggerate to make a point. But I have no difficulty believing. Take a modern Saint like Padre Pio for instance. He worked miracles pretty well as easily as he breathed. Not that miracles are the beginning and end of everything and not that all saints worked them, but, still, they are wonderful to see. I wonder what a Protestant would make of the life of a saint like this? So close to the Apostles and yet so very Catholic? One thing about St Apollinarius the times he lived were very different than ours. But his interior life, his transformation into the image of Christ is the same as our own. He was a Catholic. We are Catholics . You can't get closer than that.
SAINT OF THE DAY TUESDAY, 21 JULY, 2026 SAINT LAWRENCE OF BRINDISI CONFESSOR AND DOCTOR (22 July, 1559 - 22 July, 1619) St. Lawrence of Brindisi's earlier name was Julius Caesar, and he was born at Brindisi in the kingdom of Naples on 22nd July 1559. Educated in Venice at the College of St. Mark, he entered the Capuchins and was given the name Lawrence. Finishing his studies at the University of Padua, he showed a flair for languages, mastering Hebrew, Greek, German, Bohemian, Spanish, and French, and showed an extraordinary knowledge of the text of the Bible. While still a deacon, St. Lawrence of Brindisi became known as an excellent preacher and after his ordination startled the whole of northern Italy with his amazing sermons. Sent into Germany by the pope to establish Capuchin houses, he became chaplain to Emperor Rudolf II and had a remarkable influence on the Christian soldiers fighting the Muslims when they were threatening Hungary in 1601. Through his efforts, the Catholic League was formed to give solidarity to the Catholic cause in Europe. Sent by the emperor to persuade Philip III of Spain to join the League, he established a Capuchin friary in Madrid. He also brought peace between Spain and the kingdom of Savoy. His compassion for the poor, the needy, and the sick was legendary. Elected minister-general of his order in 1602, he made the Capuchins a major force in the Catholic Restoration, visiting every friary in the thirty-four provinces of the order and directing the work of nine thousand friars. He himself was a dominant figure in carrying out the work of the Council of Trent and was described by Pope Benedict XV as having earned "a truly distinguished place among the most outstanding men ever raised up by Divine Providence to assist the Church in time of distress." In 1619, he undertook a journey to see King Philip III of Spain on behalf of the oppressed people of Naples who were ruled by a tyrannical governor. Lawrence reached Lisbon where the king was residing, and it was there that his last illness overtook him. His body was carried back to Spain and buried in the church of the Poor Clares at Villafranca del Bierzo. Lawrence was canonized by Pope Leo XIII in 1881 and declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope John XXIII in 1959. PATRON: Brindisi. PRAYER: O God, who for the glory of your name and the salvation of souls bestowed on the Priest Saint Lawrence of Brindisi a spirit of counsel and fortitude, grant, we pray, that in the same spirit, we may know what must be done and, through his intercession, bring it to completion. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
So many Capuchin saints, it seems like there are hundreds of them. Recently I was listening to videos on the life of Blessed Solanus Casey the recent American saint . Listening to the Capuchin friars who knew him talk I was so struck by their great, great humbleness and simplicity. In a way it reminds me of listening to joyful children. It is the same when they show videos of the Friars who knew Padre Pio. Yet Friars can like St Lawrence can also be super smart and educated and yet still have great humility and child like simplicity. Quite a thing. The late Fr Benedict Groechel . It reminds me of the words of Jesus, that in my house there are many Mansions and that unless we become as little children we shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
SAINT OF THE DAY WEDNESDAY, 22 JULY, 2026 SAINT MARY MAGDALENE PENITENT The feast of St. Mary Magdalene is considered one of the most mystical of feasts, and it is said that of all the songs of the saints, that of Mary Magdalene is the sweetest and strongest because her love was so great. That love was praised by Jesus Himself who said that because much was forgiven her, she loved much. Where she is buried, no one knows. Legend has her dying in Provence, France, in a cavern where she spent her last days, and her body resting in the chapel of St. Maximin in the Maritime Alps. Another has her buried in Ephesus where she went with St. John after the Resurrection. This latter view is more likely, and St. Willibald, the English pilgrim to the Holy Land in the eighth century, was shown her tomb there. The true identification of St. Mary Magdalene is not quite clear. The Greek Fathers gave her a separate identity than Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and Lazarus, but most Latin Fathers say she is the same Mary. From Dictionary of the Bible by Scott Hahn (Doubleday, 2009): Tradition often identifies Mary Magdalene either with the sinful woman who anointed Christ's feet in Luke 7:36-50 or with Mary of Bethany, the sister of Lazarus and Martha mentioned in Luke 10:38-42 and John 11-12. By the sixth century A.D., figures such as Gregory the Great had begun to advance the notion that these two women mentioned in Scripture were one and the same person: Mary Magdalene, who hailed from Bethany and who had become a disciple of Jesus after leading a notoriously sinful life. This tradition explains why Mary Magdalene was revered for centuries as the "model penitent." From a biblical standpoint, it is not impossible that Mary Magdalene could be identified with either one or both of these two women, but decisive evidence is lacking and so it must remain uncertain. She was the first recorded witness to the resurrection of Jesus, His most ardent and loving follower. She had stood with Mary at the foot of the Cross on that brutal Good Friday afternoon and had been by the side of Mary during these difficult hours. On Easter morning, she went with the other women to the tomb and it was there, in the garden near the tomb, that Jesus appeared to her. It was she who brought the news of the Resurrection to the Apostles, and Peter and John raced to the tomb to see what had happened. She was from Magadala, a small fishing town on the Sea of Galilee, between Capernaum and Tiberias. She was known to be a "great sinner," a woman of the streets who heard Jesus speak of the mercy and forgiveness of God and changed her life completely. Her matter-of-fact witness to the Resurrection moved Peter and John to go and see for themselves: "I have seen the Lord and these things he said to me." Jesus had chosen her to bring the news to them and she simply told them what had happened. She has always been the example of great love and great forgiveness, one of those close to Jesus who grasped the truth of God's love for human beings and spent her life bearing witness to that love. PATRON: Apothecaries; Casamicciola, Italy; contemplative life; contemplatives; converts; druggists; glove makers; hairdressers; hairstylists; penitent sinners; penitent women; people ridiculed for their piety; perfumeries; perfumers; pharmacists; reformed prostitutes; sexual temptation; tanners; women. PRAYER: O God, whose Only Begotten Son entrusted Mary Magdalene before all others with announcing the great joy of the Resurrection, grant, we pray, that through her intercession and example we may proclaim the living Christ and come to see him reigning in your glory. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
In the Middle Ages Mary Magdalene was regarded as the greatest of all the saints because of the words of Jesus: Luke 7:47 Therefore I say unto thee, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.” I must admit I always have had a preference for the bad boy saints since I have been a very bad boy myself. I think with Mary too she showed great courage in sticking with Jesus up the Hill to Calvary. Not too many did that. Jesus when He rose from the dead appeared to Mary first. That was no accident. She stood with Our Blessed Mother and comforted her and legend has it she journeyed with her and St John to their new home in Ephesus where she eventually died. So she is a great example for Devotion to Our Lady.
Like so many others, I am drawn to St. Mary Magdalene. I think its because in many ways she is relatable. A great sinner but not defined by her past because Jesus loved her and gave her His Father's Mercy. She responded with her whole heart. I've only really begun to understand her response in a new way. The desert I've walked through has made me much more aware of my own sinfulness, pride, and how often I've tried to control my life instead of surrendering it to God. Yet that same desert has also become the place where I've experienced His love and mercy more profoundly than I ever thought possible. And it was Mary Magdalene along with Our Lady, the other Mary, and St John who remained at the foot of the Cross when everyone else walked away. And because of this act, she was gifted to be the first witness of the Resurrection. Ive come to believe that thoses who remain with Christ in suffering often come to know Him in a deeper way. My prayer is that through tge grace He gives me, that I continue to let Christ love and forgive me as He loved and forgave Mary Magdalene. I place my trust and hope to be a witness that no desert or suffering is beyond the promise of Christ's Resurrection
Just back from Mass... a powerful homily on this feast of Mary Magdalene. Fr said to note how Mary initially thought Jesus was the Gardener. He said we all have 3 Gardens in our lives. The Gardens of Eden, Gethsemane, and Restoration. In Eden, we are in that place where all is in order and things are perfect. Its a time where we can give thanks and praise to God. In Gethsemane we are in that place of disorder.. the place if suffering and agony. Its a time where we can unite ourselves in a very special way like Mary did when she stood under the Cross to Jesus who suffered for us. Its not the time to abandon Him and run like all the disciples but stay knowing it leads to Resurrection. And then we have Garden of Restoration. And in Gospel we hear Jesus say to Mary not to cling to me. Perhaps as Father explained, we too should not cling to our pasts. Do not cling to your past sins, hurts, sorrows, any of your crosses because indeed you have been restored to Eden. You are back in order and perfect (despite all our faults) in Christ. I feel energized by this Good News and just needed to share it. Peace
He is! He visits our parish each summer. He is from Ghana. He was a great consoler for Alyce and I last summer when she was sick and we couldn't travel to our daughters wedding
SAINT OF THE DAY THURSDAY, 23 JULY, 2026 SAINT BRIDGET OF SWEDEN MYSTIC AND FOUNDER (C. 1303 – 23 JULY 1373) Bridget was born in Sweden of noble and pious parents, and led a most holy life. While she was yet unborn, her mother was saved from shipwreck for her sake. At ten years of age, Bridget heard a sermon on the Passion of our Lord; and the next night she saw Jesus on the cross, covered with fresh blood, and speaking to her about his Passion. Thenceforward meditation on that subject affected her to such a degree, that she could never think of our Lord's sufferings without tears. She was given in marriage to Ulfo prince of Nericia; and won him, by example and persuasion, to a life of piety. She devoted herself with maternal love to the education of her children. She was most zealous in serving the poor, especially the sick; and set apart a house for their reception, where she would often wash and kiss their feet. Together with her husband, she went on pilgrimage to Compostella, to visit the tomb of the apostle St. James. On their return journey, Ulfo fell dangerously ill at Arras; but St. Dionysius, appearing to Bridget at night, foretold the restoration of her husband's health, and other future events. Ulfo became a Cistercian monk, but died soon afterwards. Whereupon Bridget, having heard the voice of Christ calling her in a dream, embraced a more austere manner of life. Many secrets were then revealed to her by God. She founded the monastery of Vadstena under the rule of our Savior, which was given her by our Lord himself. At his command, she went to Rome, where she kindled the love of God in very many hearts. She made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem; but on her return to Rome she was attacked by fever, and suffered severely from sickness during a whole year. On the day she had foretold, she passed to heaven, laden with merits. Her body was translated to her monastery of Vadstena; and becoming illustrious for miracles, she was enrolled among the saints by Boniface IX. St. Bridget founded the Order of the Most Holy Savior (Bridgettines) at Vadstena in 1346. It received confirmation by Pope Urban V in 1370, and survives today. The new branch of the order was refounded by Blessed Elisabeth Hesselblad and has grown substantially, around the world. PATRON: Europe; Sweden; widows. PRAYER: O God, who guided Saint Bridget of Sweden along different paths of life and wondrously taught her the wisdom of the Cross as she contemplated the Passion of your Son, grant us, we pray, that, walking worthily in our vocation, we may seek you in all things. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
I was so fond of St Bridget when I converted as I think many, many, many Catholics still are. First of all because of her visions which are so interesting. Secondly the prayers and devotions with the most wonderful promises attached. I must have spent hundreds of hours in Church with little prayer card and books of her prayers. One vision I remember is that one time the devil manifested towards her and she asked him who he was and he replied, 'I am darkness itself'. The perfect descriptive answer, for what else is the devil but darkness itself? https://ourladysorrows.com/revelations-of-saint-bridget/ Book 1 Chapter 27 The Blessed Virgin speaks: “At my Son’s death I was like a woman whose heart had been pierced by five spears. The first spear was his shameful and blameworthy nakedness, for I saw my most beloved and mighty Son stand naked at the pillar without any clothing to cover him at all. The second spear was the accusation against him, for they accused him of being a traitorous betrayer and liar, him, whom I knew to be righteous and true and never to have offended or wished to offend or injure anyone. The third spear was his crown of thorns that pierced his sacred head so violently that the blood flowed down into his mouth and his beard and ears. The fourth spear was his sorrowful voice on the cross with which he cried out to the Father, saying: ‘O Father, why have you abandoned me?’ It was as if He wanted to say: ‘O Father, there is no one who pities me but you.’ The fifth spear which pierced my heart, was his most bitter and cruel death. My heart was pierced with as many spears as the arteries from which his most precious blood flowed out of him. In truth, the pain in his pierced sinews, arteries, feet, hands and body went mercilessly to his heart and from the heart back to his sinews; for his heart was healthy and strong and of the finest nature, and life contended long with death; and thus his life was prolonged in the midst of the most bitter pain. But when his death drew near and his heart burst from the unendurable pain, then his whole body shook and his head, which was bent backwards, raised itself a little. His half-closed eyes opened, and likewise his mouth was opened so that his bloodied tongue was seen. His fingers and arms, which were as if paralyzed, stretched themselves out. But when he had given up his spirit, his head sank toward his chest, his hands lowered themselves a little from the place of the wounds and his feet had to bear most of the weight of the body. Then my hands became numb, my eyes were darkened, and my face became pale as a dead man. My ears could hear nothing, my mouth could not speak, my feet trembled, and my body fell to the ground. When I got up from the ground and saw my Son looking horribly disfigured and more miserable than a leper, I submitted my entire will to his knowing with certainty that everything had happened according to his will and could not have happened unless he had allowed it. I therefore thanked him for everything, and so there was always some joy mixed with my sadness, because I saw that he, who had never sinned, had, in his great love, wanted to suffer this much for the sins of mankind. Therefore, may all those who are in the world contemplate how I suffered when my Son died and always have it in front of their eyes and in their thoughts!”……..
The 15 prayers and the 20 promises are maybe what she is most famous for: https://www.theworkofgod.org/Devotns/bridget.htm Promises 1 I will deliver 15 souls of his lineage from Purgatory. 2 15 souls of his lineage will be confirmed and preserved in grace. 3 15 sinners of his lineage will be converted. 4 Whoever recites these Prayers will attain in the first degree of perfection. 5 15 days before his death I will give him My Precious Body in order that he may escape eternal starvation; I will give him My Precious Blood to drink lest he thirst eternally. 6 15 days before his death he will feel a deep contrition for all his sins and will have a perfect knowledge of them. 7 I will place before him the sign of My Victorious Cross for his help and defense against the attacks of his enemies. 8 Before his death I shall come with My Dearest Beloved Mother. 9 I shall graciously receive his soul, and will lead it into eternal joys. 10 And having led it there I shall give him a special draught from the fountain of My Deity, something I will not for those who have not recited My Prayers. 11 Let it be known that whoever may have been living in the state of mortal sin for 30 years, but who will recite devoutly, or have the intention to recite these Prayers, the Lord will forgive him all his sins. 12 I shall protect him from strong temptations. 13 I shall preserve and guard his 5 senses. 14 I shall preserve him from a sudden death. 15 His soul will be delivered from eternal death. 16 He will obtain all he asks for from God and the Blessed Virgin. 17 If he has lived all his life doing his own will and he is to die the next day, his life will be prolonged. 18 Every time one recites these Prayers he gains 100 days indulgence. 19 He is assured of being joined to the supreme Choir of Angels. 20 Whoever teaches these Prayers to another, will have continuous joy and merit which will endure eternally. 21 There where these prayer are being said or will be said in the future God is present with His grace.
My dear wife has faithfully prayed thede everyday with exception of when she was so ill after our accident. But i trust with all my heart that St Brigid said the prayers for her. I on other hand am too lazy to do them despite example of my wife. She asks me all the time to join her.... praying i can find will power to one day start.
There is a really lovely video on the St Bridget on EWTN, I must see if I can find it for you: I would guess the devotions of the saint would have been just the kind of thing Mother Angelica would have loved. No I don;t see it coming up on utube but it is on EWTN website
