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During the Middle Ages, many European kings believed that they had a divine right to rule. So many kings did whatever they wanted. They treated people unfairly. They taxed heavily. They did not worry about justice. Louis IX of France was not like that. He believed that good kings served others. Louis was born in 1214. [...] When there’s a job to get done, you don’t always win a popularity contest getting people to do their share. Especially if you think you’re right and everyone else (who doesn’t agree with you) is wrong. That pretty much describes Bernard of Clairvaux. He may not have had the most friends in the world, but [...] Mary was not a quitter. The other disciples ran away afraid, but Mary stayed with some other women at the foot of the cross until Jesus died. She would not leave her friend in the terrible last moments of his earthly life. Sunset was fast approaching which meant that the Sabbath was about to begin. [...] Benedict was a slave, but he always knew that his only true master was Jesus. Benedict’s parents were taken from their home in Africa and sold into slavery in Messina, Italy. Benedict was given his freedom when he was eighteen. He worked as a farmer until he had saved enough to buy a pair of oxen. [...] Are you a leader or a follower? When Jesus met Simon, he recognized his leadership qualities. But he knew that Simon would need help. Jesus began by giving Simon a new name. He called him Peter, which means “rock.” Later, Jesus told Peter that he was to be the rock on which Jesus would build [...] Does it surprise you that a man who once wanted to put Christians to death became one of the Church’s greatest saints? That man is St. Paul. Paul, who was named Saul, was born in Tarsus, in the country we now call Turkey. As a boy, he learned the family business—making and repairing tents—from his father. [...] John the Baptist was Jesus’ older cousin. He was a prophet sent by God to prepare people for the coming of Christ into the world. John’s parents were Sts. Elizabeth and Zechariah. They were an elderly couple who had nearly given up hope that their marriage would be blessed with a child. Then the angel Gabriel [...] In the Opening Prayer on June 22, we pray, “Give us the courage to proclaim our faith by the witness of our lives” (Sacramentary, page 649). Thomas More was a man of great faith and courage whose life shows us what it means to be a witness to our faith. Thomas was born in London in [...] Matt was born in 1856 and was raised in a poor family in Dublin, Ireland. He began working for a liquor company when he was twelve years old. He also began drinking alcohol around the same time. Once he began drinking, Matt could not stop. Alcohol became the most important thing in his life. He spent [...] The man we now call Barnabas was originally named Joseph but he was such a generous and faithful follower of Jesus that the Apostles gave him his new name, which means “son of encouragement.” Barnabas’ helpful and optimistic attitude was a source of encouragement to many new Christians. He was also a powerful example for [...] |
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