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14th August Memorial of St. Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr. Maximilian was born in 1894 in Zdumska Wola near Łódż in Russian occupied Poland. In 1910 he entered the Franciscan Order and after studying in Rome was ordained in 1919. Following the German invasion of Poland in 1939 and his release from internment he turned his monastery at Niepokalanów into a refugee camp for Poles and Jews. Arrested again in May 1941 he and four companions were taken to Auschwitz. It was there that, following an escape from the camp, the he volunteered to take the place of a man, Franciszek Gajowinczek, in the death cell saying, “I am a Catholic priest. I wish to die for that man. I am old; he has a wife and children.” Two weeks later only four of those condemned were still live and only Maximilian was fully conscious. He was killed with a phenol injection. He was beatified by Pope Paul VI in 1971 and canonized by Saint Pope John Paul II in 1982. Franciszek Gajowinczek, the man whose life he had saved, attended the canonization. |
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15th August Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary was proclaimed by Pope Pius XII on the 1st of November 1950. "Finally the Immaculate virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son’s Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians." Catechism of the Catholic Church 966. Almighty, ever-living God, you have taken the mother of your Son, the immaculate Virgin Mary, body and soul to the glory where you dwell. Keep our hearts set on heaven so that, with her, we may share in your glory. |
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16th August Memorial at choice of St. Stephen of Hungary. Born: c. 975. Died: 1038. Stephen was born c. 975 and succeeded his father in 997. After successfully quelling rebellions of rival leaders, he began a policy of both strengthening his own authority and of establishing Christianity as the religion of his country. From Pope Sylvester II he obtained the title of king and a crown, part of which is claimed to survive in Budapest. His coronation took place in 1001 by which time he had established a number of sees and monasteries including Esztergom (the primatial see) and Pannonhalma (the principal monastery) both of which claim him as their founder. He was known for his accessibility and just treatment for the poor and oppressed – he would often personally distribute alms – sometimes in disguise and at personal risk. He died in 1038 at Buda. Miracles were claimed at his tomb and his relics were enshrined there in 1083. Grant your Church, we pray, almighty God, that she may have Saint Stephen of Hungary, whofostered her growth while a king on earth, as her glorious defender in heaven. |
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19th August Memorial at choice of St. John Eudes, Priest. Born: 1601. Died: 1680. Canonised: 1925 The founder of the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (Eudists), he was born in 1601 to a faming family in Ri in Normandy and was educated by the Jesuits at Caen. In 1623 he joined the French Oratorians and was inspired by Philip Neri. He remained with the order for twenty years being zealous in preaching, especially in the missions, and in the care of the sick during epidemics. In 1643 he founded his new congregation for the education of priests in seminaries – foundations were made at Coutances, Lisieux and Rouen. After his death in 1680 his work prospered and the houses became more numerous. He was canonized in 1925. O God, who wonderfully chose the Priest Saint John Eudes, to proclaim the unfathomable riches of Christ, Grant us, by the example of his teachings, that, growing in knowledge of you, we may live faithfully by the light of the Gospel. |