Oct 16 – Memorial for St. Hedwig, Religious; Memorial for St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Virgin St. Hedwig (1174–1243) was the daughter of the Duke of Croatia, and aunt of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. She married Prince Henry I of Silesia and Poland in 1186 at the age of 12, and became the mother of seven.... Continue Reading →
15 October, Tuesday — Appreciating the importance of unity
Oct 15 – Memorial for St. Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor Also known as Teresa of Avila, Teresa of Jesus (1515–1582) was born to the Spanish nobility, the daughter of Don Alonso Sanchez de Cepeda and Dona Beatriz. She grew up reading the lives of the saints, and playing at ‘hermit’ in the garden.... Continue Reading →
14 October, Monday — The sign of Jonah
Oct 14 – Memorial for St. Callistus I, Pope and Martyr St. Callistus (d. 223) was born a slave, owned by Carpophorus, a Christian in the household of Caesar. His master entrusted a large sum to Callistus to open a bank, which took in several deposits, made several loans to people who refused to pay... Continue Reading →
11 October, Friday — On Catholic traditions
Oct 11 – Memorial for St John XXIII, Pope Pope John XXIII born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 28 October 1958 until his death in 1963. Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli was one of thirteen children born to Marianna Mazzola and Giovanni Battista Roncalli in a family of sharecroppers who lived in Sotto il... Continue Reading →
9 October, Wednesday — A Simple Prayer
Oct 9 – Memorial for Sts. Denis, Bishop, and Companions, Martyrs; Memorial for St. John Leonardi, Priest St. Denis (d. 258) was a missionary to Paris, and its first bishop. His success roused the ire of local pagans, and he was imprisoned by the Roman governor. He was martyred in the persecutions of Valerius with... Continue Reading →
7 October, Monday — Praying unceasingly
Oct 7 – Memorial for Our Lady of the Rosary This day was originally observed as the Feast of Our Lady of Victory. Its date was chosen to commemorate the European victory at the third naval Battle of Lepanto in 1571. This battle marked the high point of Turkish (Muslim) advance on European soil with... Continue Reading →
5 October, Saturday — Trust in God’s plan.
Oct 5 – Memorial for St. Faustina Kowalska, Virgin, religious, Christian Mystic Maria Faustyna Kowalska (born Helena Kowalska; 25 August 1905 – 5 October 1938), also known as Saint Maria Faustyna Kowalska of the Blessed Sacrament and popularly spelled Faustina, was a Polish Roman Catholic nun and mystic. Her apparitions of Jesus Christ inspired the Roman Catholic devotion to the Divine Mercy and earned her the title of "Secretary of Divine Mercy". Throughout her... Continue Reading →
4 October, Friday — Job’s faith
Oct 4 – Memorial for St. Francis of Assisi Francis Bernardone (1181–1226) was the son of Pietro Bernadone, a rich cloth merchant. Though he had a good education and became part of his father’s business, he also had a somewhat misspent youth. He was a street brawler and some-time soldier. He was captured during a... Continue Reading →
2 October, Wednesday — Extra help is always at your side
Oct 2 – Memorial for The Holy Guardian Angels The term ‘guardian angels’ refers to the belief that each soul has an angel who is available to shepherd the soul through life, and help bring them to God. Belief in the reality of angels, their mission as messengers of God, and Man’s interaction with them, goes... Continue Reading →
30 September, Monday – Live abandoned to God
Sep 30 – Memorial for St. Jerome, Priest and Doctor St. Jerome (347-419) led a misspent youth. He later converted in theory, being baptised in 365, and then had a true conversion when he studied theology. He was a monk, and revised the Latin text of the Bible. The result of his 30 years of... Continue Reading →