Thursday, June 21, 2012

St. Aloysius Gonzaga (Young Students)

Also Known as: Luigi Gonzaga and Luis De Gonzaga

Patron Saint: Roselli Del Turco family

Additional Patronages: Plague Victims and Catholic Youth

Memorial: June 21st

Born: March 9th 1568

Died: June 21st 1591

Beautified: 1605

Canonized: 1726

Order: Jesuits

Other Patron Saints associated with Saint Aloysius:

St. Charles Borromeo

Cardinal Robert Bellarmine

St. Maria Magdalena de Pazzi

Meaning of his Patron Image:
 
Skull meaning associated with his early passing
 
Rosary in devotion to the Blessed Mother Mary

Why she is venerated by the Holy Roman Catholic Church:

Visionary
Miraculously survived the black plague after becoming infected.

Spent the remaining part of his life caring for those infected with the plague

Led an exceptionally pious and prayerful life, even though he was part of a very wealthy family.

Gave up his rights of inheritance, and instead vowed to Chastity, Poverty and Obedience

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Blessed Saint Lidwina (Patron of Ethiopia)


The message that the Blessed Liduina Meneguzzi nowadays brings to the Church and to the world is that of hope and love. A kind of hope which redeems men both from their selfishness and from aberrant forms of violence. A kind of love which is an urge to solidarity, to sharing out and to service, following the example of Christ who came not to be served, but to serve and to give his life to save all of us.
- from the Decree on the Heroicness of the Virtues of Blessed Liduina by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints

Also Known as: Blessed Liduina Meneguzzi

Patron Saint: Ethiopia

Memorial: December 2nd

Born: September 12th 1901, Italy

Died: December, 1941 in Ethiopia

Venerated: June 25, 1996

Beautified: October 20th 2002 by Pope John Paul II

Canonized: Pending

Why she is venerated by the Holy Roman Catholic Church:
Exceptional piousness and dedication to prayer even as a young child
Became a Sister of the Congregation of St. Francis De Sales, where after several years of working as a nurse, she was allowed the oppurtunity for work as a missionary. She was sent to Ethiopia and worked as a Nurse. During World War II, the country was ravaged by bombings and soldiers. During this time there were many wounded and she carried countless men, women and children of all faiths through the streets to safety.
Largely responsible for Introducing Catholicism to Ethiopia.
Today, Much of her work and what she was able to accomplish is used as an educational model for missions given from the Vatican


Saint Lidwina Charm Medal

Patrick

www.apostle.com