SAINT OF THE DAY SATURDAY, 28 MARCH, 2026 SAINT VENTURINO OF BERGAMO ITALIAN DOMINICAN PREACHER (9 April, 1304 – 28 March, 1346) He was born at Bergamo on 9 April, 1304, and received the habit of the Order of Friars Preachers at the convent of St. Stephen, Bergamo, 22 January 1319. From 1328 to 1335 he won fame preaching in all the cities of upper Italy. In February, 1335, he planned to make a penitential pilgrimage to Rome with about thirty thousand of his converts. His purpose was misunderstood, and Pope Benedict XII, then residing at Avignon, thought that Venturino wished to make himself pope. He wrote letters to Giovanni Pagnotti, Bishop of Anagni, his spiritual vicar, to the Canons of St. Peter's and St. John Lateran's, and to the Roman senators empowering them to stop the pilgrimage. This complaint to the Dominican Master General resulted in an ordinance of the Chapter of London (1335) condemning such pilgrimages. The pope's letters and commands, however, did not reach Venturino, and he arrived in Rome, 21 March 1335. He was well received, and preached in various churches. Twelve days later he left Rome, without explanation, and the pilgrimage ended in disorder. In June, he requested an audience with Benedict XII at Avignon; he was seized and cast into prison (1335–43). He was restored to favour by Pope Clement VI, who appointed him to preach a crusade against the Turks, 4 January 1344; his success was remarkable. He urged the pope to appoint Humbert II of Dauphiné, whose friend and spiritual adviser he had been, leader of the crusade, but Humbert proved incapable and the crusade came to nothing. Venturino's writings consist of sermons (now lost) and letters. He died at Smyrna on 28 March, 1346. PATRON: Bergamo. PRAYER: Dear saint venturino please help me to do the best I can and please watch over my family and friends. Help us all to stay strong during the hard times we go through in life. Amen.
A friend of mine lived in Bergamo for a few years and I visited him there several times. Another famous son of the area is Angelo Roncalli, Pope St. John XXIII, who was also from the province of Bergamo.
This saint reminds me of the tension that can exist between saints and the institutional Church. If can often scandalise us that the Worldly Church can often fall so far short of our expectations. For instance at one time in Rome it was said that the Madams of the cities brothels decided who the next Pope might be. But the saints always remained obedient to the Popes and Church authority, no matter how corrupt and evil they might be. In doing this they followed the lead of Jesus who insisted that we should do as those who sat in Chair of Moses said but not as they did. Matthew 23:2 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples: 2 “The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.… Christ before the High Priest Caiaphas, Painting by Gerard van Honthorst (1592–1656), Painted circa 1617, Oil on canvas © National Gallery, London
Saint of the Day — March 28 Today marks the death anniversary of Saint Józef Sebastian Pelczar (1842–1924), Bishop of Przemysl, Poland, who died on this date after shepherding his flock through the devastation of the First World War and the Bolshevik invasion. Born in a small Sub-Carpathian village, he rose to become rector of the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, a prolific theological writer, a tireless champion of the poor, and the co-founder of the Sister Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1894. He is patron of his diocese of Przemysl, of priests, and of those in social need. ◾The miracle that led to his beatification was the complete and medically inexplicable healing of a ten-year-old girl suffering from acute nephritis and heart disease. ◾The second miracle, required for his canonization, was the unexplained recovery of a nineteen-year-old woman from a grave form of sarcoma. The miracle for beatification was ratified on 23 June 1989 and approved by Pope John Paul II on 10 July 1990. John Paul II beatified him on his pastoral visit to Poland on 2 June 1991 and presided over his canonization at Saint Peter's Square on 18 May 2003. Saint Józef Sebastian Pelczar, pray for us.
SAINT OF THE DAY SUNDAY, 29 MARCH, 2026 SAINT BERTHOLD OF CALAMBRIA CARMELITE GENERAL (1155 - 1195) Berthold seems to have had a connection with the beginnings of the Carmelite Order. He was a relative of Aymeric, the Latin patriarch of Antioch who was installed in Antioch during the crusades. At the time, there were a number of hermits from the West scattered throughout Palestine, and Berthold gathered them together, founded a community of priests who settled on Mount Carmel, and became their first superior. Berthold was born on 1155 at Limoges in France, studied in Paris, and was ordained a priest there. He accompanied Aymeric on the crusades and found himself in Antioch when it was being besieged by the Saracens. Through his urgings, the Christians in Antioch turned to prayer and penance, and the city was delivered. What is known for certain is that St. Berthold directed the building of a monastery and church on Mount Carmel and dedicated the church in honor of the prophet Elias, who had defeated the priests of Baal there and seen the vision of the cloud out over the sea. This is confirmed in a letter of Peter Emilianus to King Edward I of England in 1282. Berthold lived out his days on Mount Carmel, ruling the community he had founded for forty-five years until his death about 1195. His example and way of life stamped the beginnings of the Carmelite Order, leading to the drawing up of the order's rule by St. Albert, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, about 1210. That rule was approved by Pope Honorius III in 1226 and it is this primitive rule that is considered the foundation of the Order of Mount Carmel. It is Berthold who first organized the monastic life of the hermits on Mount Carmel and governed them until his death. St. Brocard, who apparently was his successor, petitioned Albert to compose a rule for them, undoubtedly codifying and completing the work begun by Berthold. PATRON: of Carmelites. PRAYER: Eternal Father, we honor today your devoted son Berthold of Calambria, who through his zealous fervor brought about the conversion of many. His reforms and exemplary discipline brought transformation in the Order of the Carmelites, which is active to this day. May we, by his example, lead others to you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen. Saint Berthold of Mt. Carmel, pray for us.
Mount Carmel is such a mystical reality for the Church. It represents in so many ways our mystical heart that ties us into the Old testament and the Faithful Remnant.
SAINT OF THE DAY MONDAY, 30 MARCH, 2026 SAINT JOHN CLIMACUS ABBOT (525 - 605) Saint John, whose national origin remains unknown, was called Climacus because of a treatise he wrote called The Ladder (Climax) of Paradise. He made such progress in learning as a disciple of Saint Gregory Nazianzen that while still young, he was called the Scholastic. At the age of sixteen he turned from the brilliant future which lay before him, and retired to Mount Sinai, where he was placed under the direction of a holy monk named Martyrius. Once that religious journeyed to Antioch and took the young John with him; they visited Saint Anastasius, a future Patriarch of Antioch, and the Saint asked Martyrius who it was who had given the habit to this novice? Hearing that it was Martyrius himself, he replied, “And who would have said that you gave the habit to an Abbot of Mount Sinai?” Another religious, a solitary, made the same prediction on a similar visit, and washed the feet of the one who would some day be Abbot of Mount Sinai. Never was there a novice more fervent, more unrelenting in his efforts for self-mastery. On the death of his director, when John was about thirty-five years old, he withdrew into a deeper solitude, where he studied the lives and writings of the Saints and was raised to an unusual height of contemplation. There he remained for forty years, making, however, a visit to the solitaries of Egypt for his instruction and inspiration. The fame of his holiness and practical wisdom drew crowds around him for advice and consolation. In the year 600, when he had reached the age of seventy-five, he was chosen as Abbot of Mount Sinai by a unanimous vote of the Sinai religious, who said they had placed the light upon its lampstand. On the day of his installation, six hundred pilgrims came to Saint Catherine's Monastery, and he performed all the offices of an excellent hotel-master; but at the hour of dinner, he could not be found to share the meal with them. For four years, said his biographer, a monk of the monastery of Raithe, “he dwelt on the mountain of God, and drew from the splendid treasure of his heart priceless riches of doctrine which he poured forth with wondrous abundance and benediction.” He was induced by a brother abbot to write the rules by which he had guided his life; and the book which he had already begun, The Ladder, detailing thirty degrees of advancement in the pursuit of perfection, has been prized in all ages for its wisdom, clearness, and unction. At the end of that time, he retired again to his solitude, where he died the following year, as he had foretold. ATTRIBUTES: Clothed as a monk, sometimes with an Abbot's paterissa (crozier), sometimes holding a copy of his Ladder. PRAYER: Dear St. John, grant me the knowledge, contemplative spirit and fortitude to climb the ladder to God. Amen.
Years and years ago I was eager to read the Ladder of St John as I thought it might be like Western saints such as St Teresa of Avila which portray prayer growth in fixed stages. But like Catholic , Mystical writers of the pre renaisance St John does not nail down things that way. There is a wonderful collection of the writings of the Eastern Saints in the Philokalia. It is like a little library of books brought together into one place and is well worth reading if you have the time.
Thanks Padraig, will have a look. I'm not really familiar with the Eastern Saints writings. I have the time to do a bit more reading, now that I've retired.
I think I have a copy of the Way of a Pilgrim from many years ago. I must dig it out and read it again.
Saint of the Day — March 30 Today marks the death anniversary and feast day of Saint Ludovico of Casoria (1814–1885), an Italian Franciscan friar who died on this date in Naples after nine years of painful illness borne with complete serenity. Born Arcangelo Palmentieri, a cabinet-maker's apprentice, he entered the Friars Minor in 1832 and was ordained a priest, teaching mathematics and chemistry to his younger brothers. After a profound mystical experience in 1847 he dedicated himself entirely to the poor, founding dispensaries, orphanages, schools for African children redeemed from slavery, and institutions for the deaf, the mute, the blind, and the elderly. He also founded the Grey Friars of Charity and the Grey Sisters of Saint Elizabeth. He is patron of Casoria and of his religious orders. ◾His beatification miracle, confirmed unanimously by the Vatican's Consulta Medica as medically inexplicable, was the complete and lasting healing of a person suffering from a severe cerebral bleeding. Pope John Paul II beatified him on 18 April 1993. A second confirmed miracle opened the way for his canonization by Pope Francis on 23 November 2014 in Saint Peter's Square. Saint Ludovico of Casoria, pray for us.
Saints blow my mind. They come in all shapes and sizes from small to great. I only ask Jesus to make me the littleist of saints because when I see the big saints it takes my breath away; I do not have the temperament, personality, or character to be a big saint as I have made too many mistakes in this life, allowed the distractions of the world to take away my focus. I am now in my twilight years and have so many regrets, my most sincere regret is my sins that so displeased Him who only ever loved me. Fr Chad Ripperger is correct wheh he says God has sympathy for us because we are simply dumb creatures. I am now fully focused on the race but realise it is all in God's hands, we can never be saints by our own efforts, it is all his majestic work, and all praise and glory to God who loves us beyond all telling. In heaven we will meet all the different saints like flowers in the garden they come in all colours and sizes. It is a comfort to me to think that the gardener delights in all his flowers, even the smallest little flower pleases his eyes. Let us all on the forum ask for God's grace to become saints, little saints, the small flowers of heaven that God can take delight in.
Today would have been the 67th birthday of my sister in law. As I shared in past, she was killed in the crash a year and 1/2 ago. We were just leaving the Holy Mass where she received Holy Communion and stayed for some time in Adoration after Mass. Before her death she was anointed received the Apostolic Pardon. I believe she is now a saint in Heaven. She loved Jesus above all. She followed the Little Way... I miss her but I am happy she is in Heaven interceding for our needs.
SAINT OF THE DAY TUESDAY, 31 MARCH, 2026 SAINT BENJAMIN DEACON AND MARTYR (329 A.D - 424 A.D.) Benjamin was born in Persia, but the remainder of his early life is lost to history. He was appointed a deacon of the Church, and for some, enjoyed the years of peace that Christians were granted during the reign of Isdegerd, son of Sapor III. Prior to his twelve-year reign, Christians had been actively persecuted. Near the end of his reign, the ire of Isdegerd was raised by Abdas, a Christian bishop who burned the Temple of Fire—the great sanctuary of the Persian pagan gods—in his zeal for Christ. King Isdegerd threatened to destroy all Christian churches unless Abdas agreed to rebuild the Temple of Fire. Of course, he refused, and was summarily executed. For the next 40 years (first under Isdegerd, and then his son, Varanes), a general persecution was unleashed on Christians. Churches were destroyed, and Christians were tortured and imprisoned mercilessly. Among the faithful who suffered during this persecution was Saint Benjamin, a deacon. He was imprisoned for one year after a member of the royal court overheard him preaching . Saint Benjamin was renowned for his zealous preaching, bringing many Persians and Greeks to the faith. Following his imprisonment, an ambassador of the Emperor of Constantinople negotiated his conditional release: the condition, that he never preached within earshot of any member of the royal court again. Saint Benjamin, however, at great risk to his life, declared it his duty to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and could not remain silent. He resumed his preaching with great intensity, finding audiences wherever he could, including public places and street corners. Before long, he was re-arrested and brought before the king who again ordered him to stop preaching. Saint Benjamin replied, "I cannot possibly do that. Those who hide the talent they have received will be given over to greater suffering." King Varanes then ordered that he undergo extreme torture. Reeds and thorns were thrust beneath his finger and toe nails, and into the most tender parts of his body before being withdrawn. Following this, which he bore with smiles and joy, a knotted stake was thrust into his bowls to rend and tear them. In this most terrible agony, he died, earning the martyrs' golden crown. Saint Ephrem, considering the heroic constancy of the martyrs, wrote: "The wisdom of philosophers, and the eloquence of the greatest orators, are dumb through amazement, when they contemplate the wonderful spectacle and glorious actions of the martyrs: the tyrants and judges were not able to express their astonishment when they beheld the faith, the constancy, and the cheerfulness of these holy champions. What excuse shall we have in the dreadful day of judgment, if we, who have never been exposed to any cruel persecutions, or to the violence of such torments, shall have neglected the love of God and the care of a spiritual life? No temptations, no torments, were able to draw them from that love which they bore to God; but we, living in rest and delights, refuse to love our most merciful and gracious Lord. What shall we do in that day of terror, when the martyrs of Christ, standing with confidence near his throne, shall show the marks of their wounds? What shall we then show? Shall we present a lively faith? true charity towards God? a perfect disengagement of our affections from earthly things? souls freed from the tyranny of the passions? silence and recollection? meekness? almsdeeds? prayers poured forth with clean hearts? compunction, watchings, tears? Happy shall he be whom such good works shall attend. He will be the partner of the martyrs, and, supported by the treasure of these virtues, shall appear with equal confidence before Christ and his angels." Saint Benjamin is remembered by Christians today for his great courage and faith in Jesus Christ. Today, many continue to look to Saint Benjamin for courage and strength by wearing Saint Benjamin medals—a reminder of the importance of preaching, living courageously in the Lord, and the sacrifice that the brave martyrs of the faith made throughout Church history. PATRON: Preachers. PRAYER: Thy martyr, Benjamin, O Lord, by his struggle hath received from thee, our God, the imperishable crown; because, acquiring thy strength, he demolished usurpers and crushed the powerless might of Satan. Therefore, through his intercessions, O Christ God, save our souls. We entreat you, O most holy martyrs, who cheerfully suffered most cruel torments for God our Savior and his love, on which account you are now most intimately and familiarly united to him, that you pray to the Lord for us miserable sinners, covered with filth, that he infuse into us the grace of Christ that it may enlighten our souls that we may love him. Amen.
