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20th July - Memorial at choice of St. Apollinaris, Bishop and Martyr. Born - Antioch, Syria (now Antakya, modern-day Turkey) Died - Ravenna, Italy Attributes - Sword Patronage - epilepsy; gout; Emilia-Romagna region, Aachen, Burtscheid, Düsseldorf, Ravenna, Remagen Almost nothing is known of St Apollinaris’ life – not even when he was born or when he died. The best witness for his existence is Peter Chrysologus. He is thought to have been a native of Antioch and a disciple of St. Peter. He became the bishop of Ravenna, appointed by St Peter himself, and was on four occasions expelled from his see before being stoned by a mob. He is the patron of those suffering from epilepsy and gout. See also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollinaris_of_Ravenna https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01616a.htm https://catholicsaints.info/saint-apollinaris-of-ravenna/ https://www.christianiconography.info/goldenLegend/apollinaris.htm |
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21st July - Memorial at choice of St. Laurence of Brindisi, Priest, Doctor of the Church. Born - 22 July 1559, Brindisi, Kingdom of Naples Died - 22 July 1619 (aged 60), Lisbon, Portugal, buried in the cemetery of the Poor Clares on Villafranca, Spain Beatified - 1 June 1783, Saint Peter's Basilica, Papal States by Pope Pius VI Canonized - 8 December 1881, Saint Peter's Basilica, Kingdom of Italy by Pope Leo XIII Major shrine - Villafranca del Bierzo Attributes - Leading soldiers against the Turks, with the Infant Jesus Patronage - Brindisi A Capuchin Franciscan, Laurence was born in 1559 of a wealthy Venetian family and became a Franciscan at Verona aged sixteen. A gifted linguist he was deputed by Pope Clement VIII to work specifically for the conversion of the Jews. He was also responsible for reforming the Capuchins in Germany and for founding houses in Prague, Vienna and Gorizia becoming the master-general of the order in 1602. Refusing re-election in 1605 he was commissary-general (1606-1610) and definitor-general (1613, 1618). He was active in uniting the German princes against the Turks and is reported to have ridden in front of the troops before the battle of Szekes-Fehervar (1601) armed with only a crucifix – the battle was won. In 1618 re retired to Caserta for a life of contemplative devotion. He died in 1619, was canonized in 1881 and declared a Doctor of the Church by Saint Pope John XXIII in 1959. See aso: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_of_Brindisi https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09359a.htm https://catholicsaints.info/saint-lawrence-of-brindisi/ https://catholicsaints.info/saints-of-the-day-lawrence-of-brindisi-doctor/ https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/prayers/view.cfm?id=1155 |
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22nd July - Feast of St. Mary Magdalene. Canonized - Pre-Congregation Attributes Western: - alabaster box of ointment Eastern: - container of ointment (as a myrrh bearer), or holding a red egg (symbol of the resurrection); embracing the feet of Christ after the Resurrection Patronage - Apothecaries, Arahal, Spain, Atrani, Italy, Casamicciola Terme, Ischia, contemplative life, converts, glove makers, hairdressers. Kawit, Cavite, Amadeo, Cavite, Magdalena, Laguna, Order of Preachers, perfumeries, people ridiculed for their piety, pharmacists, Pililla, Rizal, Provence, penitent sinners, tanners, sexual temptation, women St. Mary Magdalene, also called Mary of Magdala, (flourished 1st century CE, Palestine; feast day July 22), one of Jesus’ most celebrated disciples, famous, according to Mark 16:9–10 and John 20:14–17, for being the first person to see the resurrected Christ. The unchallenged facts about her life establish that Jesus cleansed her of seven demons (Luke 8:2 and Mark 16:9), probably implying that he cured her of a physical disorder rather than the popular notion that he freed her of evil spirits. She was one of the women who accompanied and aided Jesus in Galilee (Luke 8:1–2), and all four canonical Gospels attest that she witnessed Jesus’ crucifixion and burial; John 19:25–26 further notes that she stood by the cross, near the Virgin Mary and the unidentified Apostle whom Jesus loved. Having seen where Jesus was buried (Mark 15:47), she went with two other women on Easter morning to the tomb to anoint the corpse. Finding the tomb empty, Mary ran to the disciples. She returned with St. Peter, who, astonished, left her. Christ then appeared to Mary and, according to John 20:17, instructed her to tell the Apostles that he was ascending to God. “It was very early on the first day of the week and still dark, when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away from the tomb ... Then, as she wept, she stooped to look inside, and saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been, one at his head, the other at the feet. They said, “Woman, why are you weeping?” “They have taken my Lord away, “she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” As she said this she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, though she did not realise that it was Jesus. ... Jesus said, “Mary!” She turned round and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbuni!” – which means Master.” Full account: John 20: 1-2, 11-18. See also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Magdalene https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09761a.htm https://catholicsaints.info/saint-mary-magdalen/ https://www.christianiconography.info/goldenLegend/magdalene.htm https://www.bartleby.com/210/7/221.html |
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23rd July - Feast of St. Bridget of Sweden, Patroness of Europe. Born - c. 1303 Uppland, Sweden Died - 23 July 1373 Rome, Papal States, buried in 1374 at the Vadstena, Sweden convent she had founded. Canonized - 7 October 1391 by Pope Boniface IX Major shrine - Vadstena Abbey Attributes - Pilgrim's hat, staff & bag; crown, writing-book. Patronage - Europe, Sweden, Widows Bridget was born in 1303, the daughter of the governor of Upland. Aged just fourteen she married Ulf Gudmarrson and bore him eight children, one of whom was St. Catherine of Sweden. In 1335 she was summoned to court as lady-in-waiting to Queen Blanche of Namurm, wife of King Magus II. She now began experiencing supernatural revelations and she is known to have gone with her husband on a pilgrimage to Compostela and to have lived as a penitent at the Cistercian monastery at Alvvastra between 1343 and 1346. Following the death of her husband, in 1346 she founded a monastery for sixty nuns and twenty-five monks at Vadstena – the birth of the Brigettine Order. All superfluous income was to be given to the poor, luxurious buildings were forbidden – but the inmates could have as many books as they wished. In 1349 she went to Rome to obtain approval for the Order but never returned to her native Sweden spending the rest of her life in Italy or on various pilgrimages. Her visions seem to have continued and following her death in 1373 her relics were returned to Vadstena. O Lord, make haste and illumine the night. Say to my soul that nothing happens without You permitting it, and that nothing of what You permit is without comfort. O Jesus, Son of God, You Who were silent in the presence of Your accusers, restrain my tongue until I find what should say and how to say it. Show me the way and make me ready to follow it. It is dangerous to delay, yet perilous to go forward. Answer my petition and show me the way. As the wounded go to the doctor in search of aid, so do I come to You. O Lord, give Your peace to my heart. Amen. "I received 5475 blows upon My Body. If you wish to honour them in some way, recite fifteen Our Fathers and fifteen Hail Marys with the following Prayers, which I Myself shall teach you, for an entire year. When the year is finished, you will have honoured each of My Wounds." See also: https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02782a.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridget_of_Sweden https://catholicsaints.info/saint-bridget-of-sweden/ https://www.christianiconography.info/bridgetSweden.html https://www.bartleby.com/210/10/081.html https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2021-07-23 https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/prayers/view.cfm?id=1097 |
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24th July - Memorial at choice of St. Charbel Makhluf, Priest Born May 8, 1828, Bekaa Kafra, North Governorate, Lebanon Died December 24, 1898 (aged 70), Monastery of Saint Maron, Annaya, Mount Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon Beatified 5 December 1965, Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City by Pope Paul VI Canonized 9 October 1977, Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City by Pope Paul VI Major shrine Monastery of Saint Maron, Annaya, Byblos District, Lebanon Attributes Religious habit, Prayer rope Patronage Lebanon Son of a mule driver. Raised by an uncle who opposed the boy’s youthful piety. The boy’s favourite book was Thomas a Kempis’s The Imitation of Christ. At age 23 he snuck away to join the Baladite monastery of Saint Maron at Annaya where he took the name Charbel in memory of a 2nd century martyr. Professed his solemn vows in 1853. Ordained in 1859, becoming a hieromonk. He lived as a model monk, but dreamed of living like the ancient desert fathers. Hermit from 1875 until his death 23 years later, living on the bare minimums of everything. Gained a reputation for holiness, and was much sought for counsel and blessing. He had a great personal devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, and was known to levitate during his prayers. Briefly paralyzed for unknown reasons just before his death. Several post-mortem miracles attributed him, including periods in 1927 and 1950 when a bloody “sweat” flowed from his corpse. His tomb has become a place of pilgrimage for Lebanese and non-Lebanese, Christian and non-Christian alike. See also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charbel_Makhlouf https://catholicsaints.info/saint-charbel-makhlouf/ https://saintscatholic.blogspot.com/2014/03/saint-charbel-makhluf.html https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-charbel-makhlouf-534 https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/july-24-saint-sharbel-makhluf-hermit/ |
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25th July - Feast of St. James, Apostle. Born - Bethsaida, Galilee, Roman Empire Died - AD 44, Jerusalem, Judea, Roman Empire Canonized - Pre-Congregation Feast - 25 July (Western Christianity), 30 April (Eastern Christianity), 30 December (Hispanic Church) Attributes - Red Martyr, Scallop, Pilgrim's hat Patronage – Places: Spain, Guatemala, Seattle, Nicaragua, Guayaquil, Betis Church, Guagua, Pampanga, Badian, Bolinao, Pangasinan, Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, Plaridel, Bulacan, Paete, Laguna, and some places of Mexico. Professions: Veterinarians, equestrians, furriers, tanners, pharmacists, oyster fishers, woodcarvers. He [Jesus] went on and saw two other brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in their boat with their father Zebedee, getting their nets ready. Jesus called them, and at once they left the boat and their father, and went with him. Matthew 4: 21-22 It was about this time that King Herod started persecuting certain members of the church. He had James the brother of John beheaded, and when he saw that this pleased the Jews he went on to arrest Peter as well. James, the son of Zebedee, was the first of the Apostles to die for the faith in 44 AD on the orders of King Herod Agrippa I. Although his memory is venerated at the shrine of Santiago de Compostela there is no early documentary evidence the James either preached the Gospel in Spain or that he is buried there. However, pilgrimage to Compostela was so popular and so important that it eventually transformed the iconography of St. James – his own emblems became the pilgrim’s hat and the scallop shell. See also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_the_Great https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08279b.htm https://catholicsaints.info/saint-james-the-greater/ https://www.christianiconography.info/goldenLegend/jamesGreater.htm https://www.bartleby.com/210/7/251.html https://saintscatholic.blogspot.com/2018/07/saint-james-greater.html |