Saint Anysia of Salonika

Saint Anysia of Salonika was born in Salonika, Byzantine Greece, in the late 3rd century. She was raised in a Christian family. Her strong spiritual upbringing laid the foundation for her profound commitment to her faith, especially during a time when Christians faced severe persecution under the Roman Empire.

As a young woman, Anysia's beauty and devotion drew attention, but it was her inner strength and conviction that distinguished her. When the Roman authorities intensified their crackdown on Christians, Anysia remained steadfast in her beliefs. She devoted herself to God and secretly aided fellow Christians, offering them shelter and support. Her actions resonated with those around her, earning her a reputation as a compassionate and brave lady.

One day as Anysia left home for Church, a Roman soldier blocked her path, demanding to know where she was going. Frightened, she made the sign of the cross and stayed silent, which angered him. When he questioned her again, she said, "I am a servant of Jesus Christ, going to the Lord's assembly." He replied, "I will prevent that and will bring you to sacrifice to the gods," before tearing off her veil.

When she lifted her arm to keep him from removing her veil, he became even more enraged, drew his sword, and ran it through her body so that it came out the other side. Anysia immediately fell to the ground, bathed in her blood, and died. St. Anysia's martyrdom is said to have occurred around 304 AD, during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. She endured immense suffering but stood firm, an embodiment of resilience and conviction. Her legacy serves as an inspiration to many, symbolizing the courage required to uphold one's beliefs amidst persecution. 

Saint Anysia, pray for us, that we may remain steadfast in our commitment to uphold Jesus' teachings and spread Gospel, even when faced with obstacles along the way.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Saint Sylvester

Saint Sylvester served as Pope from 314 to 335 AD, and his papacy coincided with a transformative period for the Christian Church, particularly during Emperor Constantine's reign. Sylvester is often credited with overseeing the development of the early Church and its integration into the Roman Empire, particularly after the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, which granted religious tolerance and allowed Christianity to flourish openly.

One of the most notable accomplishments attributed to Pope Sylvester is his association with the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. This ecumenical council aimed to address the Arian controversy regarding the nature of Jesus Christ and his relationship with God the Father. Sylvester, although he did not attend the council in person, is said to have sent representatives. The council led to the formulation of the Nicene Creed, a foundational statement of Christian faith still recited today.

St. Sylvester is said to have  to have performed miracles such as healing the sick and exorcising demons. Moreover, his connection with Constantine has led to numerous artistic depictions, portraying him as a key figure in the establishment of Christianity as a dominant religion in the Roman Empire. Pope Sylvester died in 335. In 762 his remains were transferred by Pope Paul I to the Church of St. Sulvester, where they repose to this day.

St. Sylvester's feast day is celebrated on December 31st, which aligns with New Year's Eve celebrations in many cultures. This timing symbolizes the transition from paganism to Christianity, ushering in a new era of faith.  Overall, St. Sylvester's life and papacy profoundly shaped the path of Christianity during a crucial juncture in its development.

St. Sylvester, intercede for us that we may have the strength and courage to lead lives worthy of the Gospel

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Here are some of the many ways one can obtain indulgences during the 2025 Jubilee Year

Here are some of the many ways one can obtain indulgences during the 2025 Jubilee Year:

Make a pilgrimage to Rome

Catholics who make a pilgrimage to Rome during the 2025 Jubilee Year can obtain a plenary indulgence by visiting at least one of the four major papal basilicas: St. Peter’s Basilica, the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, or St. Paul Outside the Walls.

Perform works of mercy

The jubilee year is a time when Catholics are especially encouraged to practice the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. The Apostolic Penitentiary lists visiting prisoners, spending time with lonely elderly people, aiding the sick or disabled, and helping those who are in need as instances to obtain an indulgence. Practicing the works of mercy, it says, is “in a sense making a pilgrimage to Christ present in them.”

Fast from social media, defend life, volunteer

Acts of penance can also obtain a plenary indulgence. The Vatican lists several options, including: Abstaining for at least one day a week from “futile distractions,” such as social media or television, fasting, donating “a proportionate sum of money to the poor," supporting religious or social works, especially in the defense of life in all phases, offering support to migrants, the elderly, the poor, young people in difficulty, and abandoned children, and volunteering in service to your community.

Visit your local cathedral

Catholics can also gain a plenary indulgence by making a pious pilgrimage to their cathedral or to another church or shrine selected by the local bishop.

Pray in these basilicas

In addition to the churches already listed, other sacred places around the world have also been designated as places of pilgrimage where one can obtain a plenary indulgence:

In Italy:

Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels in Assisim Basilica of Our Lady of Loretom Basilica of Our Lady of Pompeii, and Basilica in St. Anthony in Padua.

In the Holy Land:

Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem, and Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth.

Find the full list of ways here: https://bit.ly/3BQTVlC

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph is normally celebrated on the Sunday after Christmas. This feast developed at the beginning of the 19th century in Canada and then spread to the entire Church in 1920. At first, it was celebrated on the Sunday after Epiphany. It is a Feast that seeks to portray the Holy Family of Nazareth as the “true model of life” (cf. Opening Prayer) from which our families can draw inspiration and know where to find help and comfort.

The Sunday after Christmas is the Feast of the Holy Family. Today, we pray that our families may obtain the grace to pursue holiness. May the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and St. Joseph be our guides!

https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/seasons-and-feast-days/holy-family-20564

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Holy Innocents

Today, the Church honors the memory of the little children who were massacred by the order of King Herod. These Holy Innocents are venerated as the patron saints of babies. If it was out of envy and hatred that Herod killed these countless innocent children, God glorified them in Heaven by granting them the martyr’s crown. They are honored by the angels and saints because they died not only for Christ but instead of Christ. Their martyrdom became a baptism that earned them divine life. 

In the present world, Herod’s dreadful act draws attention to an even more heinous crime of abortion being committed worldwide today. The Holy Innocents are few in comparison to the genocide and abortion of our day. The Holy Catholic Church, highlighting this issue, teaches us that from the moment of conception, life must be guarded with the greatest care. The commemoration of the martyrdom of these innocent children challenges us to protect and defend the sacredness of life. 

The Catholic Church venerates these children as martyrs (flores martyrum); they are the first buds of the Church killed by the frost of persecution; they died not only for Christ, but in his stead.

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/holy-innocents-667

Prayer

O God, whom the Holy Innocents confessed and proclaimed on this day, not by speaking but by dying, grant, we pray, that the faith in your which we confess with our lips may also speak through our manner of life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Saint John, The Evangelist

Saint John, The Evangelist, mentioned in the gospel as "the beloved disciple of Christ," was the younger brother of St. James the Greater and, like him, a fisherman. They were the disciples of John the Baptist and followed Jesus from the shores of Galilee. On the solemn occasion of the Last Supper, John, probably the youngest among the apostles, was permitted to recline his head on the Master's breast. 

He was the only one of the 12 disciples to remain at the foot of the Cross throughout Christ's agony, and it was to his loving care that the dying savior entrusted his Immaculate Mother. On the first Easter morning, John was again the first disciple to arrive at the empty tomb of Jesus. Post-resurrection, John spent his life heroically bearing witness to Jesus. He went to Asia Minor and, from Ephesus as a center, founded and governed "the Seven Churches." At Ephesus, John wrote what has been rightly termed the "Spiritual Gospel." Not long after, he was banished to Patmos by Emperor Domitian; this was where the Book of Revelations was written.

 

St. John's zeal and tender solicitude for his flock are beautifully expressed in his frequent admonitions like "Children, let us not love merely with words but in deed and in truth!" and "He who has love, has the life of God in him. God is love!". He was the last Apostle to die, living a long life in Ephesus.

"St. John, the apostle, understood what love is, experienced it, and as he entered into the heart of Jesus, he understood how it manifested itself" - Pope Francis

Prayer 

Merciful Father, we beseech Thee to cast Thy bright beams of light upon Thy Church, that it being enlightened by the doctrine of Thy blessed Apostle and Evangelist Saint John may so walk in the light of Thy truth, that it may at length attain to the light of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Saint Stephen

Today, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Stephen, who was one of the first seven deacons and became the first Christian martyr. Led by the Holy Spirit, he became a zealous missionary. Stephen's mission was to oversee the distribution of the alms to the poor while preaching. A group of Jewish Hellenists resented Stephen's preaching of salvation through Jesus. They found witnesses to testify falsely that Stephen had committed blasphemy.     

Stephen was arrested and brought before the court. Although the odds were against him, he knew that the Holy Spirit would help him, and he wasn't afraid. When Stephen testified, he stated that the Lord came to save all, not merely the "Chosen People", and that the Church was separate and distinct from the synagogue. He reproved the Pharisees for their stubbornness and hardness of heart that prevented them from recognizing the long-awaited Messiah and instead crucified him. And finally, his declaration that he saw "the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God" made the listeners furious. They rushed and dragged him out of town and stoned him. Stephen was the first person to be Martyred for Christ. His last words were, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" (Acts 7:60). Stephen is the patron saint of deacons, bricklayers, and stonemasons and is also invoked against headaches. 

Prayer

We give You thanks, O Lord of Glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to Your Son Jesus Christ, who stands at Your right hand; where He lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Saint Tarsilla

Saint Tarsilla lived during the sixth century in Rome and is remembered for her extraordinary life of simplicity and virtue. She is most often remembered with her sister, St. Emiliana. Nieces of Pope St. Felix III, these young women dedicated their lives to God and led a life of virginity. Praying and fasting in their home, they encouraged each another in faith, drawing deep into the spiritual life. They had another sister, Gordiana, who had taken similar vows, but to the great sorrow of these holy sisters, she returned to the ways of the world. Their nephew, Pope St. Gregory, was greatly inspired by their pious lives and frequently spoke of the model of Christian virtues they upheld all through their lives. It is believed that their uncle, St. Felix III, appeared to Tarsilla and invited her to the heavenly abode. She died exclaiming: “Make way! Jesus is coming!”

St. Tarsilla, pray for us to welcome Jesus into our lives with great joy and remain sincere to our faith.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Saint John of Kanty

Saint John of Kanty is the patron saint of Poland and Lithuania. He was born in 1390 AD in Poland. He received his education at the Krakov Academy. Fr. John was known for his brilliance, and he secured a lectureship at the University. But he was even more famous for his modesty, charity, and compassion towards the poor; he slept on the floor, rested little, and abstained from eating meat. He gave away his wealth to the needy and kept only what was absolutely necessary. He was a humble scholar who sought no legacy through wealth, fame, or property. Still, he was ousted from the University upon false accusations and transferred as a parish priest at Olkusz. The parishioners there were hostile towards this 'disgraced' priest.

Despite years of efforts, no miracles happened, but the saint patiently persevered, letting his love for God and his people rule all his actions. Unselfish love, though, never goes unrewarded; when he was transferred back to the university years later, these same parishioners accompanied him a long way, begging him to stay. Back at the University, this holy man taught the Sacred Scriptures and continued his works of charity.

He desired to be martyred for His faith and made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem with this hope. He also made four pilgrimages to Rome and penitentially carried his luggage on his back. Ardently following the lessons of the desert fathers, he harbored a spirit of austerity till the very end. St. John died on Christmas Eve at age 83 and was canonized on 16 July 1767 by Pope Clement XIII. St John Paul II greatly appreciated this fellow saint and countryman, describing the life of St. John Kanty as "knowledge and wisdom seeking a covenant with holiness."

Prayer

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that by the example of the Priest Saint John of Kanty, we may advance in the knowledge of holy things and, by showing compassion to all, may gain forgiveness in Your sight.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini

Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini is the patron saint of immigrants and hospital administrators. She was born as the 13th child of wealthy peasants Augustine and Stella Cabrini on 15 July 1850. She received a convent education at the Daughters of the Sacred Heart and graduated with high honors at 18. She was denied entry into the order she grew up with, but instead of being disheartened, took up teaching at the House of Providence Orphanage in Cadagono, Italy, run by the Sisters of Providence. When the orphanage was dissolved in 1880, the then Bishop asked her to form a congregation; the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was thus born.

Continuing her mission of working for the needy, Sr. Frances desired to serve in the Chinese missions, but Pope Leo XIII advised her to go to the United States. Mother Cabrini and her Sisters provided support for Italian immigrants in the USA, who were exploited by deceitful agents and were losing their faith due to Protestant influences. She traveled across Europe, Central and South America, and throughout the United States, establishing institutions and serving the poor. She was driven by an intense desire to serve Jesus in all ways. In 35 years, she founded 67 institutions dedicated to caring for the sick, the abandoned, and the uneducated. 

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini passed away on 22 December 1917, in her own hospital in Chicago. In light of her exemplary holiness and charitable service to mankind, she was canonized by Pope Pius XII on 7 July 1946, becoming the first American citizen to be raised to sainthood. In 1950, she was given the title of "Patroness of Immigrants."

Prayer

God our Father, who called Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini from Italy to serve the immigrants of America, by her example, teach us to have concern for the stranger, the sick, and all those in need, and by her prayers help us to see Christ in all the men and women we meet.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Saint Peter Canisius

"Saint Peter Canisius was born in 1521 AD as the son of the wealthy mayor of the Dutch city of Nijmegen. He studied at the University of Cologne and entered the Society of Jesus. He was ordained priest at the age of 25. Shortly after, he was appointed as a theologian at the Council of Trent. After his final profession, he was sent to Vienna, where he taught theology at the University, preached in the cathedral and at the court of Ferdinand I. The Church in Vienna was in ruins, with no priests having been ordained there for nearly 20 years, and Fr. Peter made all possible efforts toward spiritual renewal. Protestant views were prevalent in those days, and he became the most influential leader of the Counter-Reformation in those lands. His humility, moderation, and tact earned him the title of the ""Second Apostle of Germany."" 

This holy man corresponded with his contemporaries, Sts. Charles Borromeo, Philip Neri, and Francis de Sales, and was an advisor to the clergy, monarchy, and commoner alike. He worked towards forming a devout clergy and a learned laity, founding around 30 schools and seminaries and actively promoting Rosary Sodalities. Thousands came back to the faith, the confessional, and the Masses again gathering a crowd. He also encouraged the publication of good books. His Triple Catechism-for children, young people, and adults contains a sound treatise on Roman Catholic dogma, and his ascetic and homiletic writings were also widely read. St Peter spent the last 17 years of his life in Fribourg, Switzerland, where he died on 21 December 1597. Beatified in 1864, he was canonized and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1925. 

Prayer 

O God, who for the defense of the Catholic faith made the Priest St. Peter Canisius strong in virtue and in learning, grant, through his intercession, that those who seek the truth may joyfully find You, their God, and that Your faithful people may persevere in confessing You."

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Saint Dominic of Silos

Saint Dominic of Silos is the patron saint of pregnant women, prisoners, and shepherds. He was born in Spain in the eleventh century and took to shepherding during his childhood. As he grew up, the silence and solitude that had slowly become a part of him attracted this saintly young man to monastic life. He entered the Benedictine monastery at San Millan de Ia Cogolla. Here, he grew in holiness and grace. He was eventually elected abbot, but this was challenged by King Garcia III of Navarre when Dominic refused to surrender the monastery's lands to the crown. He was exiled and sought the aid of King Ferdinand I of Castile and Leon, who made him abbot of St. Sebastian Abbey, which was then in great disrepair. With an inspiring trust in God that filled him with extraordinary grace, the saint restored the monastery in shape and spirit. Now known as St. Dominic's, this monastery is famous across Spain. And so is the saint, beloved to the people of Spain, especially because, centuries later, it was through the saint's intercession that St. Dominic Guzman, who founded the Dominican order, was born. 

St. Dominic of Silos, patron saint of shepherds, pray for all our priests to be faithful shepherds to their flock.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Saint Nicholas and his tomb

After years of excavation work, the leader of an archeological expedition at the Church of St. Nicholas in Demre, Turkey, announced this week that her team has found a sarcophagus that may contain the body of St. Nick — a discovery that could muddy the conventional wisdom about the true resting place of the saint’s relics, which is currently believed to be Italy.

In a recent interview, the leader of the expedition, Professor Ebru Fatma Fındık, said that sources point to Turkey’s southern Antalya Province as Nicholas’ resting place after his death, which took place in the 340s.

She said that after an earthquake in the region in 529, archeologists believe the Church of St. Nicholas, long a popular pilgrimage site, especially for Russian Orthodox Christians, “may have been built near the burial place of the saint.”

In another interview, Fındık speculated that the sarcophagus, “the first sarcophagus unearthed in the church” after drilling work began in 2022, could have been covered by gravel and sand from a flood or tsunami, which she says is why it is so well preserved.

Turkish claims to the resting place of St. Nicholas are not new — in fact, Turkish officials have admitted for years that if they can prove that St. Nicholas is buried there, “tourism will gain big momentum.” The present excavations at the church were initiated by Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

“We have been carrying out excavations in the church for months … During our drilling work in the two-story building that borders the courtyard of the church from the south, we came across a sarcophagus” that they believe belongs to St. Nicholas, Fındık said.

“Geologists related to this subject will come soon, and they will actually investigate and examine it,” she said.

Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/49TkZxa

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Saint Anastasius

Saint Anastasius I was the Supreme Pontiff, the head of the Catholic Church, for a very short period of 25 months, but these two years were a milestone in the history of the Church. He succeeded Pope Siricius on November 27, 399. In the company of great saints like Jerome, Augustine, and Paulinus, Anastasius is most remembered for his censure of the works of the Greek theologian Origen. He also initiated the practice of priests bowing their heads while reading the gospels and supported the resistance of persecuted Christians in North Africa against Donatism. St. Jerome records him as a man of holiness who was "rich in his poverty." Details of his birth are vague, though 330 AD is generally considered as his year of birth. Before he entered the clergy, he was married and had a son. He dedicated his life to the Catholic Church when his wife passed away.

Prayer

St. Anastasius, obtain for us the grace to be faithful to the teachings of the Holy Catholic Church.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Saint Gatianus

Saint Gatianus was among the seven Bishops sent from Rome to Gaul by Pope Fabian during the rule of Emperor Decius to preach the Gospel. He was assigned to Tours, which, at the time, was inhabited by a large number of pagans. There was widespread resistance, but the zealous Bishop was enthusiastic in his efforts to evangelize. He initially celebrated the Holy Mass in hiding places and crypts, converting many souls. St. Gregory of Tours writes: "He was a very pious and God-fearing man; had he not been so, he would never have abandoned his home, his relations, and his fatherland for the love of our Lord." Thanks to 50 years of valiant efforts, the Diocese of Tours was securely established by the time of his death. 

St. Gatianus, you preached the Gospel with courage and perseverance; obtain for us a fiery zeal for the Kingdom of God.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Saint John of Matha

Saint John of Matha was a 12th-century saint from France who devoted his life to freeing enslaved Christians during the Crusades. Born into a wealthy family and educated in Paris, he often helped the poor and tended to the sick. After becoming a priest, he felt divinely inspired during his first Holy Mass to help liberate Christians enslaved by the Moors. Together with Saint Felix of Valois, he approached Pope Innocent III, who encouraged them to dedicate their lives to this mission. They founded the Order of the Most Holy Trinity for the Ransom of Captives to carry out their work.

Members of the order raised money in Europe to ransom captives in North Africa. John of Matha dedicated the rest of his life to this cause; his charity and holiness led to many threats and even more miracles. The providence of God supported him and his ministry. Notable among these is the incident of the Moors attacking his ship once. They raided the ship and tore the sails so the freed Christians and their savior could not return to their destination. But the saint, confident in God's grace, knelt at the bow, praying psalms. Using the passengers' cloaks as sails, they arrived safely in Italy. After a life of heroic sacrifices and inspiring holiness, St. John left for his heavenly abode in 1213.

Prayer

St. John of Matha, you loved God deeply and cared for your neighbor. You were chosen to start the Order of the Holy Trinity and spent your life honoring this sacred mystery while helping to free Christians from slavery. Pray for us to pass our lives also in glorifying the most blessed Trinity, and in doing good to our neighbor through works of Christian charity.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Saint Valerian

Saint Valerian was born in 377 AD and served as the bishop of Abbenza in North Africa. During the vandal persecutions under King Genseric, bishops were asked to give up sacred books and vessels of the Church. When the vandals reached Abbenza, Valerian refused to comply with their demands, and they drove him out. No one in the city was allowed to welcome or aid him. He remained in the streets, neglected and alone. Valerian was already 80 years old and soon died of exposure and became a martyr. 

St. Valerian, faithful defender of the Church, help us to remain faithful to Christ, even unto death.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Saint Lucy

Saint Lucy was one of the earliest Christian martyrs. According to tradition, she was born to wealthy noble parents in Syracuse, Italy. Her father, of Roman origin, died young and left Lucy dependent upon her mother, Eutychia. Though Lucy had consecrated her virginity to God, Eutychia insisted upon her betrothal to a young noble pagan. Perhaps she hoped, like St. Cecilia, to be able to convert her husband and persuade him to respect her commitment. 

Eutychia was suffering from hemorrhages and, at her daughter's suggestion, journeyed with her to the miracle-working tomb of St. Agatha at Catania, some 50 miles away. There, she was instantly and completely cured. With a heart overflowing with gratitude, she now gave in to her daughter's repeated pleadings and permitted her to distribute a large part of her inheritance among the poor. This, however, aroused the covetousness of her worldly-minded fiancé to such a degree that he denounced her before the governor of Sicily as a Christian.

It was the time of the fierce Diocletian persecution. In the

In the emperor's mind, the worship of the Roman gods was inextricably

bound with unity and loyalty to the State. Therefore, in order to fortify the empire, Christians would need to adhere to the established norms or face elimination, even if they demonstrate unwavering patriotism in all other aspects. As a result of Lucy's resoluteness, she was subjected to horrible and shameful torture; she was ordered to be exposed to prostitution in a brothel, but this was thwarted by divine intervention; she was next ordered to be burnt to death but proved impervious to the flames. She finally died on December 13, 304 AD, with a sword thrust through her throat. She is the Patroness of Syracuse (Sicily), and, possibly because of her name, which is suggestive of light, she is invoked against eye trouble.

Prayer 

O God, our Creator and Redeemer, mercifully hear our prayers that as we venerate your servant, Saint Lucy, for the light of faith You bestowed upon her, You would increase and preserve this same light in our souls.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Martyrs of Vietnam (+1745-1862)

Martyrs of Vietnam (+1745-1862)

- Andrew Dung-Lac, priest 
- Thomas Thien and Emmanuel Phung, lay people 
- Jerome Hermosilla, Valentine Berrio Ochoa, OP and 6 other Bishops 
- Theophan Venard, priest MEP and 105 Companions, martyrs  

THE CHURCH IN VIETNAM FERTILISED BY THE BLOOD OF THE MARTYRS

The work of evangelization, undertaken at the beginning of the 16th century, then established in the first Apostolic Vicariates of the North (Dàng-Ngoài) and the South (Dàng-Trong) in 1659, has seen an admirable development over the centuries.

At present, there are 25 dioceses (10 in the North, 6 in the Center and 9 in the South) and the Catholics are approximately 6 million (almost 10% of the population); the Vietnamese Catholic Hierarchy was erected by Pope John XXIII on November 24, 1960.

This result is also due to the fact that, since the early years, the seed of Faith has mixed in the Vietnamese land with the abundant blood of the Martyrs, both of the missionary clergy and of the local clergy and of the Christian people of Vietnam. All together they have endured the hardships of apostolic work, as in common agreement they have also faced death to bear witness to the evangelical truth. The religious history of the Church of Vietnam records that there have been in total 53 Edicts, signed by the Lords TRINH and NGUYEN or by the Kings who, for almost three centuries, XVII, XVIII, XIX (exactly 261 years: 1625-1886), have decreed
persecutions against Christians, one more violent than the other. There are about 130,000 victims fallen a little everywhere in the national territory.

Over the centuries, these Martyrs of the Faith have been buried anonymously, but their memory has always remained alive in the spirit of the Catholic community.

Since the beginning of the 20th century, 117 of this great number of Heroes, whose sufferings appear to be the most cruel, have been chosen and raised to the honor of the altars by the Holy See on 4 occasions of Beatification:

in 1900, by Pope LEO XIII, 64 people
in 1906, by Pope St. Pius X, 8 people
in 1909, by Pope St. Pius X, 20 people
in 1951, by Pope Pius XII, 25 people

classified as follows:

Spaniards: 11, all of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans): 6 Bishops, 5 Priests.
 
French: 10, all of the Paris Foreign Missions Society: 2 Bishops, 8 Priests.

Vietnamese: 96, 37 Priests (including 11 Dominicans), 59 Christians (including 1 Seminarian, 16 Catechists, 10 Dominican Tertiaries and 1 woman).

They are "those who have come out of the great trial: they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Rev 7:13-14), - according to the following chronological order:

2 fallen under the reign of Mr. TRINH-DOANH (1740-1767)
2 fallen under the reign of Mr. TRINH-SAM (1767-1782)
2 fallen under the reign of Mr. CANH-THINH (1782-1802)
58 fallen under the reign of King MINH-MANG (1820-1840)
3 fallen under the reign of King THIEU-TRI (1840-1847)
50 fallen under the reign of King TU-DUC (1847-1883)

And at the place of execution the Royal Edict, placed next to each executed person, specifies the qualification of the sentence:

75 sentenced to beheading,
22 sentenced to strangulation,
6 sentenced to be burned alive,
5 sentenced to have their limbs torn apart,
9 died in prison due to torture.

LIST OF THE 117 MARTYRS OF VIET-NAM
(N., Name, Qualification, Martyrdom) according to the date of martyrdom

1 Andrew DUNG-LAC, Priest 21-12-1839
2 Domenico HENARES, Bishop OP 25-06-1838
3 Clemente Ignatius DELGADO CEBRIAN, Bishop OP 12-07-1838
4 Peter M-88 Bishop Ursula
5 Joseph Maria DIAZ SANJURJO, Bishop OP 20-07-1857
6 Melchior GARCIA SAMPEDRO SUAREZ,
Bishop
OP 01-11-1861
9 Stefano Teodoro CUENOT, Bishop MEP 14-11-1861
10 Francesco GIL DE FEDERICH, Priest OP 22-O1-1745
11 Matteo ALONSO LECINIANA, Priest
1 OPASTAN 224-5 Priest OP 07-11-1773
13 Vincenzo LE OUANG LIEM, Priest OP 07-11-1773
14 Emanuele NGUYEN VAN TRIEU, Priest 17-09-1798
15 Giovanni DAT,
Pietro Tu. Priest 11-10-1833
17 Francesco Isidoro GAGELIN, Priest MEP 17-10-1833
18 Joseph MARCHAND, Priest MEP 30-11-1835
19 Giovanni Carlo CORNAY, Priest MEP-
Vincen 20,79-0 OP 30-06-1838
21 Pietro NGUYEN BA TUAN, Priest 15-07-1838
22 Giuseppe FERNANDEZ, Priest OP 24-07-1838
23 Bernardo VU VAN DUE, Priest N28Y
Domeni- 01-01-0 HANH (DIEU), Priest OP 01-08-1838
25 James Do MAI NAM, Priest 12-08-1838
26 Joseph DANG DINH (NIEN) VIEN, Priest 21-08-18398-27
Peter Tu NGUYEN -1838
28 Francesco JACCARD, Priest MEP 21-09-1838
29 Vincenzo NGUYEN THE DIEM, Priest 24-11-1838
30 Pietro Vo BANG KHOA, Priest 24-11-1828
31 Domenico OP-4,
Priest Tommaso DINH VIET Du, Priest OP 26-11-1839
33 Domenico Nguyen VAN (DOAN) XUYEN, Priest OP 26-11-1839 34
Pietro PhAM VAN TIZI, Priest 21-12-KHAN Pacolo 3
28-04-1840
36 Giuseppe Do QUANG HIEN, Priest OP 09-05-1840
37 Luca Vu BA LOAN, Priest 05-06-1840
38 Domenico TRACH (DOAI), Priest OP 18-NGAN Priest
NGUY9-1 08-11-1840
40 Giuseppe NGUYEN DINH NGHI, Priest 08-11-1840
41 Martino TA Duc THINH, Priest 08-11-1840
42 Pietro KHANH, Priest 12-EP-o-Sacerdo-
1842 01-05-1851
44 Giovanni Luigi BONNARD, Priest MEP 01-05-1852
45 Filippo PHAN VAN MINH, Priest 03-07-1853
46 Lorenzo NGUYEN VAN HUONG, Priest LEBA- 7
TINH6-0 Priest 06-04-1857
48 Dominic MAU, Priest OP 05-11-1858
49 Paul LE VAN Loc, Priest 02-13-1859
50 Domenico CAM, Priest TOP 03-11-1859
51 Peter DOAN LONG QUY, Priest 07-31-1859
52 Peter Francis NERON, Priest MEP 11-03-1860
53 Thomas KHUONG, Priest TOP 01-30-1861
54 John Theophane VENARD, Priest MEP 02-02-1861
55 Peter NGUYEN VAN Luu, Priest 04-07-1861
56 Joseph TUAN, Priest OP 04-30-1861
57 John DOAN TRINH HOAN, Priest 05-26-1861
58 Peter ALMATO RIBERA, Priest OP 01-11-1861
59 Paul TONG VIET BUONG, Layman 23-10-1833
60 Andrew TRAN VAN THONG, Layman 28-11-1835
61 Francis Saverio CAN, Catechist 20-11-1837
62 Francis Do VAN (HIEN) CHIEU, Catechist 25-06-1838
63 Joseph NGUYEN DINH UPEN, Catechist TOP 03-07-1838
64 Peter NGUYEN DicH, Layman 12-08-1838
65 Michael NGUYEN HUY MY, Layman 12-08-1838
66 Joseph HOANG LUONG CANH, Layman TOP 05-09-1838
67 Thomas TRAN VAN THIEN, Seminarian 21-09-1838
68 Peter TRUONG VAN DUONG, Catechist 18-12-1838
69 Paul NGUYEN VAN MY, Catechist 18-12-1838
70 Peter VU VAN TRUAT, Catechist 18-12-1838
71 Augustine PHAN VIET Huy, Layman 13-06-1839
72 Nicholas Bui Duc THE, Layman 13-06-1839
73 Dominic (Nicholas) DINH DAT, Layman 18-07-1839
74 Thomas NGUYEN VAN DE, Layman TOP 19-12-1839
75 Francis Xavier HA THONG MAU, Catechist TOP 19-12-1839
76 Augustine NGUYEN VAN MOI, Layman TOP 12-19-1839
77 Domenico Bui VAN UY, Catechist TOP 12-19-1839
78 Stefano NGUYEN VAN VINTI, Layman TOP 12-19-1839
79 Pietro NGUYEN VAN HIEU, Catechist 04-28-1840
80 Giovanni Battista DINH VAN THANH, Catechist 04-28-1840
81 Antonio NGUYEN HUU (NAM) QUYNH, Layman 07-10-1840
82 Pietro NGUYEN KHAC Tu, Catechist 07-10-1840
83 Tommaso TOAN, Catechist TOP 07-21-1840
84 Giovanni Battista CON, Layman 11-08-1840
85 Martino THO, Layman 08-11-1840
86 Simone PHAN DAc HOA, Layman 12-12-1840
87 Agnese LE THi THANH (DE), Laywoman 12-07-1841
88 Matteo LE VAN GAM, Layman 11-05-1847
89 Giuseppe NGUYEN VAN Luu, Catechist 02-05-1854
90 Andrea NGUYEN Kim THONG (NAM THUONG), Catechist 15-07-1855
91 Michele Ho DINH HY, Layman 22-05-1857
92 Pietro DOAN VAN VAN, Catechist 25-05-1857
93 Francesco PHAN VAN TRUNG, Layman 06-10-1858
94 Domenico PHAM THONG (AN) KHAM, Layman TOP 13-01-1859
95 Luca PHAM THONG (CAI) THIN, Layman 13-01-1859
96 Giuseppe PHAM THONG (CAI) TA, Layman 13-01-1859
97 Paolo HANH, Layman 28-05-1859
98 Emanuele LE VAN PHUNG, Layman 07-31-1859
99 Giuseppe LE DANG THI, Layman 10-24-1860
100 Matteo NGUYEN VAN (NGUYEN) PHUONG, Layman 05-26-1861
101 Giuseppe NGUYEN DUY KHANG, Catechist TOP 11-06-1861
102 Giuseppe TUAN, Layman 01-07-1862
103 Giuseppe TUC, Layman 06-01-1862
104 Domenico NINH, Layman 06-02-1862
105 Domenico TORI, Layman 06-05-1862
106 Lorenzo NGON, Layman 05-22-1862
107 Paolo (DONG) DUONG, Layman 03-06-1862
108 Domenico HUYEN, Layman 05-06-1862
109 Pietro DUNG, Layman 06-06-1862
110 Vincenzo DUONG, Layman 06-06-1862
111 Pietro THUAN, Layman 06-06-1862
112 Domenico MAO, Layman 16-06-1862
113 Domenico NGUYEN, Layman 16-06-1862
114 Domenico NHI, Layman 16-06-1862
115 Andrea TUONG, Layman 16-06-1862
116 Vincenzo TUONG, Layman 16-06-1862
117 Pietro DA, Layman 17-06-1862
_______________________
OP: Order of Preachers (Dominicans)
TOP: Tertiary of the Order of Preachers
MEP: Society of Foreign Missions of Paris

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Blessed and Saints

"I am the most humble of all the Saints in Heaven" Mary, Mother of God.
"I am the handmaid of the Lord, said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me."
(Luke 1: 38).

Mother Mary is the most humble Saint in Heaven and she is also the Mother of God for us all (Luke 1:38).

Then Jesus lifted up his eyes and said: Father, I thank you for hearing my prayer. I myself knew that you hear me always, but I speak for the sake of all these who are standing around me, so that they may believe it was you who sent me.

(John 11: 41 - 42)

My Vocation is Blessed and Saints

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Most High Servant,
Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love
(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels).

Saint Damasus

Saint Damasus was born in Rome around 304 AD. He served as a deacon to Pope Liberius and was elected to succeed him as Pope in October 366 AD at the age of 60. As Pope, he was forthright in defending the faith and opposing heresy. In the synods of 368 and 369 AD, he valiantly defended the Catholic faith against Apollinarianism and Macedonianism. He is most remembered as the mentor of St. Jerome, who was his secretary; it was under the instructions of St. Damasus that St. Jerome revised the old Latin translations of the Bible and wrote the Vulgate translation.

The Saint revised and shortened the ancient liturgy and introduced the use of Latin. He also discovered the tombs of martyrs, wrote inscriptions, and restored Rome's catacombs. He was also an active builder and restorer of churches. The General Council of Chalcedon called St. Damasus the "honor and glory of Rome." Theodoret praised him as head of the famous doctors of divine grace of the Latin church. He died on December 11, 384 AD. 

St. Damasus, pray for us to receive the courage to defend our faith.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Saint Jeanne Delanoue

Saint Jeanne Delanoue (1666-1736) 

Foundress of the Congregation of St Anne de la Providence. 

Saint Jeanne Delanoue was born in Saumur, in the valley of the Loire River, on June 18, 1666. She was the youngest in a family of twelve. Her parents owned a business near the sanctuary of Notre-Dame-des-Ardilliers. Although but six years of age when her father died, she helped her mother run the store in order to maintain the family. Her qualities were remarkable: she was skillful, energetic, and indefatigable, even to the point of keeping the store open on Sundays and holy days.
The future was hers. Her "business" was growing and prospering. It was precisely within this context of success that, at the age of 27, shortly after the death of her mother, an elderly woman, a faithful pilgrim to the shrine of NotreDame-des-Ardilliers, invited Jeanne to consecrate herself to the many poor people of her neighbourhood.

Despite the responsibilities she had accrued, in response to this call which she believed to have come from God, Jeanne turned toward the poor. They assumed more of her time each day than did her clients until finally they became her full-time occupation. Within a short time no longer did the poor await her visits to them, but they came to her. In 1700, she warmly welcomed a child into her home, and soon after she took in the sick, the aged, and the destitute.

With so many needing lodging, the only place for the poor were the grottos hollowed out in the tuff. She made them as comfortable as she could, however it was necessary for her to seek help. Within four years, in 1704, some young girls were interested in helping Jeanne and were even willing to wear a religious habit if she wished them to do so. It was thus that the congregation of Sainte-Anne de la Providence was born. Under this name the constitutions were approved in 1709.

Jeanne Delanoue's tenacity, supported by the dedicated women who worked with her, brought about the foundation of Saumur's first home for the poor (in 1715) - a home which King Louis XIV called for in 1672!

Very quickly her charity spread beyond the limits of Saumur and of her diocese. More than that, already there were forty helpers who were under her direction and who had made the decision to follow her example of self-sacrifice, of prayer, and of mortification.

At her death, August 17, 1736, Jeanne Delanoue left a dozen communities, as well as homes for the poor and schools. "The saint is dead", they said in Saumur.

Everyone could admire her zeal and the work she accomplished in the numerous visits she received and made, but only her closest friends knew about her mortification, her life of prayer and of union with God. It is from this that her untiring charity proceeded. She was attracted toward all those who suffer, but especially those who are poor-and God knows they were many during those sad years of want, of cold, of famine and of war.

The Sisters of Jeanne Delanoue, as they simply call themselves today, number about 400 sisters in France, in Madagascar, and in Sumatra, where they began in 1979.

On November 5, 1947 Pope Pius XII beatified Jeanne Delanoue. This October 31, 1982 Pope John Paul 11 singles out for the people of God yet another saint, Saint Jeanne Delanoue.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Our Lady of Loreto

Our Lady of Loreto, referred to Mother Mary, leads to the house where she was born and raised and where the Annunciation occurred. Tradition holds that angels miraculously transported the home from Palestine to Loreto, Italy, in the 13th century. The legendary journey reveals why Our Lady of Loreto is the patroness of aviators. The story goes to a patron family who holds the name "Angelo," who had either moved house or had stones for a replica home imported from the Holy Land. The stones in the shrine in Italy match the stones of a structure that still stands in Nazareth that is believed to be another part of Mother Mary's home. The home's history states that after Jesus' ascension, the apostles converted the home to a church. During the pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 336 AD, Empress Helen had a large basilica built over it. At the close of the Crusades, European forces feared that the house would be destroyed, and it was moved. Miracles took place wherever it was, and the home finally rested in Italy. Before the Second Vatican Council in 1962, Pope John XXIII made a pilgrimage to Loreto. Fifty years later, in 2012, Pope Benedict XVI made a second pilgrimage to the site to mark the council's anniversary and dedicate the Year of Faith to Our Lady of Loreto. 

Prayer

O God, who at the announcement of your angel willed that your Word would take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant, we pray, to us who remember this great mystery in this holy place, the ability to celebrate both in faith and in holiness of life, the immensity of your mercy.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Saint Juan Diego

Saint Juan Diego was a native Mexican who converted to Catholicism and was the first native American saint in the Roman Catholic church. It was his encounter with the Virgin Mary that sparked the Church's veneration of Our Lady of Guadalupe. On the morning of December 9, 1531, as Juan journeyed to attend Mass, the Blessed Mother appeared to him on Tepeyac Hill, just beyond the outskirts of Mexico City. She entrusted him with a mission: to convey her message to the Bishop, urging the construction of a shrine at Tepeyac. She promised to bestow her grace upon all who sought her intercession. The Bishop, skeptical of Juan's account, demanded a sign to validate the apparition.

On December 12, as Juan returned to Tepeyac, the Blessed Mother directed him to climb the hill and gather any blossoming flowers he encountered. Complying with her instructions, Juan, despite the extreme winter, discovered roses in full bloom. He collected the flowers and presented them to Our Lady, who delicately arranged them on his mantle. She instructed him to offer these roses as "evidence" to the Bishop. Upon opening his mantle, the flowers cascaded to the ground, unveiling the image of the Blessed Mother miraculously imprinted on the fabric.

 

Remaining steadfast in his devotion to the Holy Eucharist, Juan Diego led a life characterized by simplicity and poverty. Over the following seventeen years, he dedicated himself to preaching the gospel and spreading the message of Guadalupe, emphasizing the Blessed Virgin's love for humanity and her desire to serve as our merciful Mother.

Prayer

O God, who by means of Saint Juan Diego showed the love of the most holy Virgin Mary for Your people, grant, through his intercession, that, by following the counsels our Mother gave at Guadalupe, we may be ever constant in fulfilling Your will.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Santa Maria dari Salib Jugan (1792-1879)

Santa Maria dari Salib Jugan (1792-1879)

Santa Maria dari Salib (di dunia: Jeanne Jugan) lahir di Cancale, di Brittany, Prancis, pada tanggal 25 Oktober 1792 di masa penuh gejolak Revolusi Prancis. Dia adalah anak keenam dari ke lapan bersaudara, empat di antaranya meninggal saat masih bayi. Ayah mereka yang seorang nelayan hilang di laut saat Jeanne baru berusia empat tahun. Dari ibunya dan tempat kelahirannya, Jeanne mewarisi iman yang kuat dan tekad yang kuat yang dapat mengatasi kesulitan apa pun. Keadaan politik dan kesulitan keuangan keluarganya menghalangi Jeanne untuk bersekolah. Dia belajar membaca dan menulis dari beberapa wanita dari Ordo Ketiga Santo Yohanes Eudes yang banyak jumlahnya di wilayah tersebut.

Di dunia Jeanne, anak-anak mulai bekerja sejak usia awal. Dia berdoa Rosari sambil menggembalakan ternak di tebing tinggi di atas Teluk Cancale. Pemandangan yang indah itu mengangkat jiwanya. Pada usia 15 tahun, dia meninggalkan rumah dan bekerja di sebuah keluarga kaya yang tidak jauh dari Cancale. Bersama majikan barunya, ia membantu orang-orang yang membutuhkan.

Pada tahun 1801 Napoleon Bonaparte memulihkan kebebasan beragama dan kebangkitan spiritual rohani sejati pun terjadi. Banyak misi dikhotbahkan dan dalam suasana yang penuh semangat inilah calon Little Sisters of the Poor yang mendengar panggilan Tuhan.

Ketika seorang pemuda melamarnya, dia mengatakan bahawa Tuhan menginginkannya untuk dirinya sendiri, dan akan menjaganya untuk suatu pekerjaan yang belum diketahui. Dan sebagai tanggapan langsung, dia membagi pakaiannya menjadi dua tumpukan, meninggalkan yang paling cantik untuk saudara perempuannya. Dia kemudian berangkat ke Saint-Servan di mana selama enam tahun dia bekerja sebagai pembantu perawat. Dia mendaftar di Ordo Ketiga Santo Yohanes dari Eudes. Sejak saat itu, satu-satunya keinginannya adalah "menjadi rendah hati seperti Yesus".

Masalah kesehatan memaksa Jeanne meninggalkan rumah sakit. Dia dirawat oleh seorang teman di Ordo Ketiga, Nona Lecoq, yang dia layani selama 12 tahun hingga kematiannya pada tahun 1835. Pada tahun 1839, Jeanne berusia 47 tahun dan tinggal serumah dengan dua orang teman: Fanchon, 71 tahun, dan Virginie Trédaniel, seorang yatim piatu berusia 17 tahun. Di Saint-Servan pada saat itu situasi ekonomi sedang buruk; 4.000 dari 10.000 penduduk terpaksa mengemis.

Pada suatu malam musim dingin tahun 1839, dia bertemu dengan seorang wanita tua yang miskin dan buta. Jeanne tidak ragu untuk memberikan tempat tidurnya sendiri kepada wanita itu. Inilah percikan awal yang menyalakan api cinta kasih yang besar. Sejak saat itu, Jeanne tidak pernah patah semangat. Pada tahun 1841, dia menyewa sebuah kamar besar tempat dia menampung 12 orang tua. Pada tahun 1842, tanpa uang, dia membeli sebuah biara yang sudah usang tempat dia segera menyediakan penginapan bagi 40 orang tua.

Didorong oleh seorang saudara St. John of God, dia mengemis untuk orang miskin di jalanan dan mendirikan lembaganya dengan menyerahkan diri kepada Tuhan. Pada tahun 1845, dia memenangkan Penghargaan Montyon, yang diberikan setiap tahun "kepada seorang lelaki atau wanita Prancis yang miskin kerana kegiatannya yang sangat berjasa". Dia kemudian mendirikan rumah-rumah pada tahun 1846 di Rennes dan Dinan, pada tahun 1847 di Tours, dan pada tahun 1850 di Angers. Kongregasi tersebut menyebar ke seluruh Eropa, Amerika, dan Afrika dan segera setelah kematiannya, ke Asia dan Oseania.

Nampaknya keberhasilan ini merupakan hasil dari perampasan yang total dan radikal. Pada tahun 1843, Jeanne terpilih kembali sebagai Superior. Bertentangan dengan semua harapan dan hanya atas kewibawaannya sendiri, Romo Le Pailleur, diangkat sebagai Superior menggantikan Marie Jamet, yang berusia 21 tahun. Dalam tindakannya, Jeanne memahami kehendak Tuhan dan mendukung pekerjaan tersebut, mendorong para sister yang lebih muda melalui teladannya.

Pada tahun 1852, Uskup Rennes secara resmi mengakui Kongregasi tersebut dan mengangkat Romo Le Pailleur sebagai Superior Jenderal. Tindakan pertamanya adalah memanggil Jeanne Jugan kembali secara definitif ke Rumah Induk untuk masa persaraan yang berlangsung selama 27 tahun.

Para suster muda, yang jumlahnya terus bertambah seiring dengan perluasan Kongregasi, bahkan tidak menyedari bahawa dia adalah Pendiri mereka. Jeanne, yang tinggal di tengah-tengah mereka, dengan ketenangan dan kebijaksanaannya, terus-menerus menyampaikan semangat pujian. "Kasihilah Tuhan dengan sepenuh hati; Ia begitu baik. Marilah kita mempercayakan diri kita kepada-Nya".

Ia meninggal dengan tenang pada tahun 29 Agustus 1879. Kongregasinya saat itu beranggotakan 2.400 Sister Kecil di 177 rumah di tiga benua. Paus Yohanes Paulus II membeatifikasinya pada tahun 3 Oktober 1982.

Disediakan dan dikemaskini oleh:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Saint Catherine

St. Catherine was born into a noble family in Alexandria and was a well-educated girl. She studied philosophy and became convinced of the truth of Christianity. A vision of Our Lady inspired her to embrace the Christian faith. St. Catherine bravely spoke out against the persecution of Christians during the reign of the Roman emperor Maxentius.

St. Catherine presented arguments that the emperor could not refute. As a result, he gathered a group of 50 well-known philosophers to refute her claims. However, their acknowledgment of defeat only served to prove her intellectual superiority, which ultimately resulted in their execution by burning. St. Catherine was imprisoned, but her persuasive skills were not diminished. She managed to convert the imperial guards, as well as the emperor's wife, Faustina, during her time in confinement. As a result, she was sentenced to death by means of being fastened to a spiked wheel. The wheel mysteriously broke apart, leaving Catherine miraculously unscathed-which is why she is also known as the patroness of wheelwrights. She was finally beheaded, and Angels are said to have taken her remains atop Mount Sinai, where they were discovered in the year 800.

In Church art, St. Catherine of Alexandria is often portrayed wearing a crown, which signifies her royal lineage. She is depicted holding a book to represent her vast knowledge, and guiding a spiked wheel, which was an instrument of her attempted execution. St. Catherine is a prophetic saint and holds a significant role in the Church as a philosophical defender of the faith. She is the patron saint of Christian philosophers.

Prayer

Almighty ever-living God, who gave Saint Catherine of Alexandria to your people as a Virgin and an invincible Martyr, grant that through her intercession, we may be strengthened in faith and constancy and spend ourselves without reserve for the unity of the Church.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Saint Leonard of Port Maurice

St. Leonard of Port Maurice was born on December 20, 1676, in Port Maurice, Italy. His parents took care to raise him in the fear of God. During his childhood, he never cultivated bad friendships that could divert him from the path of good, and his amusement, apart from common childhood games, often consisted of improvising an altar and pretending to celebrate Mass, complete with a sermon.

St. Leonard of Port Maurice discussed his desire to follow the religious life with his confessor, Fr. Grifonelli. The latter, however, out of prudence, had not yet confirmed his calling, as he was waiting for a clear sign. One day, while Paolo was walking through Piazza di Gesú, thinking about which religious order to join, he saw two men dressed in a simple dark habit. Intrigued to know where they were from, he followed them until they entered a church: they were Franciscans. At that moment, the friars began to chant the hymn Converte nos, Deus, salutaris noster. He immediately felt overwhelmed by a grace. He seemed to hear the Redeemer himself speaking to him, inviting him to this august vocation. He then went to tell his confessor what had happened. Fr. Grifonelli was finally convinced that the fervor radiating from the young man's soul could only come from God. Finally, at the age of 21, he entered the Order of Friars Minor at the convent of St.Mary in Porticelli. 

Friar Leonard showed himself to be an exemplary religious. The zeal with which he carried out his duties, his piety in the choir, and his perfect obedience impressed everyone and revealed great spiritual maturity. With regard to his brothers in the community, he endeavored to raise them to the highest level of spiritual life. His will to become a missionary in China was impeded first of all by his theological studies at St. Bonaventure University in Rome, the responsibility given to him of being a professor of philosophy and finally by his health. He had tuberculosis, which made him entrust himself to the intercessions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and he was restored to health. 

In 1708, the Bishop of Albenga authorized him to carry out missions in his diocese. He began his apostolate in the town of Artallo, just over three kilometers from Port Maurice. He traveled there every morning, returning at sunset. All on his own, he preached and heard Confessions. He organized processions and always instituted a Stations of the Cross. Little by little, his work was winning over greater numbers of the faithful. In 1709, he was sent to Florence. His impactful sermons, especially in Prato in 1713, moved many to repentance. Over his life, he preached 339 missions across Italy, driven by his desire to "die on mission." He passed away on November 26, 1751, and was canonized on June 29, 1867. Pope Pius XI named him the patron of priests on mission in 1923.

St. Leonard, obtain for us the grace to persevere in the face of adversity and dedicate ourselves to missionary work.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Saint Virgilius

St. Virgilius was born in Ireland in the year 700. He was an exceptional scientist who lived ahead of his time. He served as the abbot of Aghaboe, near Dublin, Ireland, and was famously known as "the Geometer" due to his extensive knowledge of geography. In 743, he embarked on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land but was unable to reach there. Instead, he ended up at the court of Pepin. In 745, when Pepin defeated Odilo, Duke of Bavaria, he appointed Virgilius as the abbot of the monastery of Sankt Peter and the Bishop of the diocese of Salzburg. Unlike the continental tradition, the Irish custom allowed the abbot to be the head of the diocese, and the bishop was supposed to be subject to the abbot. Therefore, Virgilius had himself consecrated as the bishop on June 15th, 767.

During their time in Salzburg, St. Virgilius and St. Boniface had a disagreement about the most appropriate method of baptism. Eventually, the Pope settled the dispute in Virgilius' favor. However, there were other controversial beliefs held by Virgilius relating to anthropology, geography, and astronomy that St. Boniface disagreed with. Consequently, Pope Zachary ordered an investigation into Virgilius' ideas. Nevertheless, there was no solid evidence found to support any claims of heresy, and Virgilius was able to successfully defend his beliefs.

St. Virgilius is remembered for his remarkable accomplishment in converting the Alpine Slavs to Christianity and for his missionary work in Hungary, where he made history by being the first missionary to visit the country. However, his dedicated service came to a sorrowful end when he fell ill and passed away on November 27th, 784, after returning from a preaching mission in a distant part of his diocese. His grave was discovered in 1181 after the grand cathedral he had built and dedicated to St. Rupert in Salzburg was destroyed. Later, in recognition of his remarkable life and contributions, he was canonized by Pope Gregory IX in 1233.

St. Virgilius, intercede for us that we may flourish in the divine wisdom of God.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Saint James of the Marches

St. James of the Marches was born to a humble family named Gangala in Monteprandone, March of Ancona, Italy, in 1391. He left an indelible mark on the Franciscan Order and the Christian world. He lived a life of poverty, humility, and unwavering dedication to God, committed to the principles of the Franciscan way.

Initiating his education at Offida under the guidance of his uncle, a priest, St. James continued his studies at Ascoli and later obtained a Doctorate in Civil Law from the University of Perugia. His path, however, took a spiritual turn when he became a member of the Friars Minor in the chapel of the Portiuncula, Assisi, on July 26, 1416.

Following his novitiate at the hermitage of the Carceri near Assisi, St. James pursued theological studies at Fiesole under the mentorship of St. Bernardine of Siena. Ordained a priest on June 13, 1420, he embarked on a mission of preaching, spanning Tuscany, the Marches, and Umbria. Over the next fifty years, St. James gained renown for the miracles he performed and the countless conversions he facilitated.

St. James's impact extended beyond the borders of Italy as he embarked on extensive journeys, preaching penance and combating heresy in various European countries, including Germany, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, Bohemia, Poland, Hungary, and Bosnia. He was pivotal in seeking unity during the Council of Basle and the Council of Ferrara-Florence, promoting reconciliation with moderate Hussites and Greeks.

Throughout his life, St. James demonstrated resilience in the face of internal challenges within the Franciscan Order. As a member of the Observant branch, he faced envy and opposition, as evidenced in a letter to St. John Capistran. His involvement in arbitrating disputes between Conventuals and Observants in 1455 reflected his commitment to maintaining unity within the Order.

In the later years of his life, St. James faced theological controversy when, in 1462, he expressed an opinion regarding the Precious Blood shed during the Passion. This led to his citation by the Dominican James of Brescia and subsequent appeals to the Holy See. The matter remained unresolved, emphasizing the theological intricacies surrounding the Precious Blood.

St. James spent the final three years of his life in Naples, where he was buried in the Franciscan church of S. Maria la Nuova. Following his beatification by Urban VIII in 1624 and his subsequent canonization by Benedict XIII in 1726, his life continues to impact, and his holiness serves as an enduring source of inspiration, guiding countless believers on their spiritual journeys. Today, Naples venerates St. James of the Marches as one of its patron saints, honoring him on his feast day, November 28.

Prayer

St. James, pray for us that, in moments of challenge and controversy, we may follow your example in serving God and spreading the Gospel with unwavering dedication and humility.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Saint Saturninus

St. Saturninus was the first bishop of Toulouse, one of the most illustrious martyrs France has given to the Church. Amid a turbulent era, St. Saturninus ascended as a notable figure, assuming the role of the inaugural bishop of Toulouse circa 250 during the consulship of Decius and Gratus.

Upon his arrival in Toulouse,  his preaching made numerous conversions. In no time, he established a small church. To access it, he had to walk past the capital, where a temple stood. According to the Acts, the pagan priests attributed the silence of their oracles to his frequent passages.

The turning point in St. Saturninus's life occurred when he was seized by these pagan priests. Despite relentless pressure, he steadfastly refused to sacrifice to the idols. In a cruel act of punishment, he was tied by the feet to a bull, which then dragged him through the town until the rope ultimately broke. The remains of the saint were tenderly collected by two Christian women, who, out of reverence, buried them in a deep ditch to prevent desecration by pagans.

Subsequent bishops, Sts. Hilary and Exuperius, recognized the sanctity of St. Saturninus and accorded him a more honorable burial. A church was constructed at the location where the bull ceased its brutal course, and it is known today as the Church of the Taur (the bull). This Church still stands, bearing witness to the enduring legacy of the saint.The body of St. Saturninus was moved to the Church of St. Sernin, renowned as one of the oldest and most exquisite in Southern France.  

St. Saturninus, illustrious martyr of Toulouse,  pray that your steadfast faith inspires us and that your courage in the face of adversity strengthens our resolve. 

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Saint Andrew

St. Andrew, son of Jonah, was the elder brother of St. Peter. Born in Bethsaida on the shores of the Galilee sea, Peter and Andrew were fishermen. He became a follower of St. John the Baptist until Jesus was introduced to him as the Messiah. St. Andrew was the first apostle called by our Lord. St Bede called St. Andrew the "Introducer to Christ" as he introduced not only Peter to our Lord but many others, including the boy with the loaves and the Greeks to Christ. 

After the  Ascension of our Lord, St. Andrew preached the faith of Christ in  Galatia, Cappadocia, Bithynia, and  Greece. He succumbed to martyrdom on November 30, 60 A.D., in Patras during the reign of Emperor Nero. Andrew desired to be killed on a "saltire" cross (a diagonal cross in the shape of an "X") because he did not consider himself worthy to die on a cross like Christ. He was also bound, not nailed, to prolong his suffering.

St. Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland, evidenced by the saltire St. Andrew's Cross on that nation's flag. Many other countries (such as Russia, Romania, and Ukraine) claim Andrew as their patron saint, too, and he is the patron saint of fishermen.

The Christmas Novena, better known as the St. Andrew Novena, begins on November 30. The Novena consists of saying this prayer 15 times daily until Christmas: 

"Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen."

St. Andrew, pray for us that we may long to introduce Christ to those who do not know Him and those seeking to know Him better. Amen.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang Sabah Malaysia.

Saint Eligius

St. Eligius, renowned for his exceptional skill as a metalsmith, held the esteemed position of master of the mint under King Clotaire II of Paris. His generosity towards the less fortunate and efforts to redeem enslaved individuals garnered widespread acclaim. Establishing a close friendship with King Clotaire II, St. Eligius utilized his talents to build churches, a monastery in Solignac, and a significant convent in Paris. 

He was granted property by King Dagobert I, which enabled him to further his charitable initiatives. In 629 AD, St. Eligius assumed the role of King Dagobert's first counselor, showcasing his influence in the royal court. However, driven by his deep desire to serve God, he embraced priesthood after being ordained in 640 AD. Subsequently, St. Eligius was appointed as the bishop of Noyon and Tournai. His apostolic fervor led him to preach, resulting in numerous conversions. He passed away on December 1, around 660 AD, in Noyon. 

St. Eligius, obtain for us the grace to use our talents and wealth for the well-being of humanity and thus lead multitudes to Jesus.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Saint Bibiana

Saint Bibiana was a native of Rome, born in the fourth century, as the daughter of Flavianus and Dafrosa. It is said that in 363 AD, Emperor Julian appointed  Apronianus as governor of Rome, who began persecuting Christians. Bibiana and her sister, Demetria, were deprived of material needs. Despite their hardships, the sisters remained steadfast, dedicating their time to prayer and fasting.

Governor Apronianus called the people together because he saw that hunger and suffering had not influenced them. After she confessed her faith, Demetria collapsed and died at the feet of the tyrant. St. Bibiana was reserved for greater suffering. She remained faithful even though she was handed over to a wicked woman called Rufina, who tried to defile her virginity in vain. Enraged at the zeal of St. Bibiana, Apronianus ordered her to be scourged and beaten to death. She endured the torments joyfully and died under the blows inflicted by the executioner. Her body was then put in the open air to be torn apart by wild animals, yet none would touch it. After two days, she was buried. According to legend, Pope Simplicius consecrated a "Basilica of the Holy martyr St. Bibiana", which contained her body, and this church in the city of Rome has existed since the fifth century.

Prayer

Saint Bibiana intercede for us, that we may be bestowed with steadfast faith firmly rooted in the Word of God. May our daily lives become a continual prayer to the Almighty God.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Saint Francis Xavier

St. Francis Xavier is recognized as the patron saint of foreign missions. He was born into a noble family, and they were the richest in the kingdom. During his higher education in Paris, he met two important people who greatly influenced his life, his roommates Pierre Fab and Ignatius. This relationship gradually revolutionized his life. In 1534, Francis knelt on the floor next to St. Ignatius Loyola and five others in a church on Montmartre and took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. They were the first Jesuits, and Francis was ordained a priest three years later.

In 1540, he sailed from Portugal to India, never to return. When Francis arrived in Goa, India, he found a Portuguese settlement about thirty years old. His primary aim was to evangelize the settlers. He encouraged the Portuguese to live their Christian faith if they had any hope of winning India for Jesus. After working on his own for some years establishing the basic structures of an organized church, including a seminary, Francis went on the first of his incessant voyages, the sub-missions inside of his greater mission to Asia.

He put the Our Father and Hail Mary to music and made these prayers easier to memorize. He became a father to poor people and baptized thousands that helpers had to hold up his arm to continue his sacramental work. Today, that arm is found in a reliquary in the Jesuit’s mother church in Rome, the Gesù, near the tomb of Saint Ignatius Loyola. On a journey, he heard of Japan, where no European had yet entered. Francis was the first missionary to step his foot into the Land of the Rising Sun in 1549. After little visible success in Japan, he embarked on a plan to enter the forbidden territory of China. But on December 2, 1552, Francis Xavier died of fever at the age of forty-six, on a small island a few miles away from the shores of mainland China.

This Apostle to the Indians and Japanese was canonized in 1622 and is considered the Church’s greatest missionary after Saint Paul. His body is largely incorrupt and rests in a glass coffin in a church in Goa, India.

Prayer

God of all nations, raise up in this and every land, evangelists, and heralds of Your kingdom, that like Your servant Francis Xavier, we may proclaim the unsearchable riches of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.