Louis was born in 1214. He was only 12 years old when he became king. So he took his mother’s advice until he was old enough to rule wisely and well.

During that time, many Christian knights went on Crusades to the Holy Land to win it back from Muslim rule. Twice Louis led a Crusade. But both times, he suffered defeat. Clearly, his work was back in France, helping his people.

Louis built orphanages, libraries, and hospitals for the people of France.  He built Sainte-Chapelle in Paris as a home for Jesus’ crown of thorns. He supported the building of the Sorbonne–a college in Paris.

But more important than any building was the work Louis did for the poor. He brought peace to his people. How did he do this? By seeking justice for all.

Louis simplified court bureaucracy; established fair laws and courtrooms; changed the tax system. He kept a list of the needy throughout his realm and used his own money and tax money to feed them.  Because justice reigned in France, peace followed.

Louis died in 1270, when he was 56. Throughout his kingdom, people mourned his death. His holiness had been a blessing to them.

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1. Saint Jeanne Jugan Feast Day — August 30
2. Bernard of Clairvaux – August 20
3. Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin Feast Day — July 12

Bernard had a great childhood, living with wealthy parents who loved him and provided a good home for him. The family lived in France and Bernard was born in 1090, just before the first Crusades.

When Bernard grew older, he trained to be a soldier but felt he could serve God better without killing people. He had some friends and family members who agreed with him. Bernard did an experiment with these family and friends. He had them all live, work, and pray together in his parents’ home for about a year.

He became a monk and wrote instructions for all monks called “The Rule of Benedict.” One important thing Bernard told monks in this document was not to have too much pride. Only by being humble could we be led to God. Eventually, Bernard became an Abbot at the Cistercian monastery of Clairvaux.

Even though Bernard seemed bossy to some people, he understood a lot about love. He believed that people could reach perfect love, which is a love of one’s self only for the sake of God.  According to Bernard, there are four steps toward perfect love. Before arriving at that final stage, however, we might experience first a love for our own self for the sake of ourselves. The next stage involves a love of God because that love can bring rewards to us. In the third stage of love, we can love God for God’s sake. Bernard knew that we are a work in progress as we journey toward God.

Saint Bernard had a reputation for being very intelligent and very holy. He even was consulted by popes and monarchs. At the time of his death there were some 400 Cistercian monasteries in Europe. He was canonized in 1174 and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1830. Without doubt, Bernard’s true calling in life was to invite others to love God more deeply and more fully. It is unclear why Saint Bernard is the patron saint of candle makers, perhaps because candles reflect Christ as the Light of the World. His feast is celebrated on August 20.

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1. Saint Jeanne Jugan Feast Day — August 30
2. St. Rose of Lima Feast Day — August 23
3. Blessed Bernard Lichtenberg Feast Day — November 5

Mary lived in the town of Magdala. This small town on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee was a place where Jesus spent much of his time preaching. This is probably where Mary first came to know Jesus. Some people think that she might be the woman who entered Simon, the Pharisee’s house. That woman wept and washed Jesus’ feet with her tears. She wiped his feet with her hair and then poured perfume on his feet. The Gospels tell us that Jesus released seven demons from Mary. We are not sure what the evils were but over the centuries people have guessed that she was an immoral woman. Today we are more careful about reading things into these stories. There are other confusing thoughts about Mary. Some scholars say that she was Martha and Lazarus’ sister, Mary, of Bethany. It is thought that she was one of the women who stood at the base of the cross.

The one thing we can know for sure about Mary is that she was the first person to see the Resurrected Christ. Mary Magdalene brought hope to the disciples as she raced to tell them that Jesus was risen. She is a symbol of hope for us as well today. When Mary first went to the tomb at daybreak after the Sabbath, she discovered that the stone had been moved away and that the tomb was empty. She was heartbroken and began to cry. A man in the garden asked her why she was crying. Mary thought the man was a gardener and told him that her Lord had been taken away. She didn’t know where they had put him. The “gardener” called her by name and she immediately recognized him as Jesus. She ran to the disciples and told them that she had seen the Risen Lord.

We do not know where Mary went after Jesus ascended into heaven. Some say that she went with John to Ephesus. Others say she went to southern France where she lived alone in a cave and prayed. No matter where she ended up, Mary is still a model for us today. Like Mary we can be a friend of Jesus and tell others the Good News.

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1. Mary, Mother of God Feast Day: January 1
2. St. James the Greater, Apostle Feast Day: July 25
3. St. Pauline of the Agonizing Heart of Jesus Feast Day — July 9

He worked as a farmer until he had saved enough to buy a pair of oxen. They were the first things he had ever owned. In time, Benedict joined a group of hermits, prayerful men who lived quiet lives devoted to God. They followed the teachings of St. Francis and were called friars. Benedict worked in the friary kitchen.

Benedict was chosen to train the young men who joined the order. Then he was chosen to be the guardian, or superior, of the friars. He had never wanted to be a leader, but he responded to his new role by being a cheerful and humble leader who inspired others to grow in their love for Jesus and service to others. When his term ended, Benedict happily returned to his work in the kitchen.

People in Sicily came to the friary to seek Benedict’s advice and to ask for his prayers. He became so beloved that when he died in 1589, the King of Spain paid for a special tomb to be built for him.

Benedict truly imitated Jesus who “did not come to be served but to serve” (Matthew 20:28). Like St. Benedict the Black, we can find ways to serve others.

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1. St. Bridget of Sweden Feast Day — July 23
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3. Venerable Solanus Casey Feast Day — November 3

Peter was the first Apostle to recognize that Jesus was the Messiah, the one promised by God to save his people. He gave up his life as a fisherman to lead others to Jesus, by being a fisher of men (Matthew 4:19) for Christ. He was a witness to the Transfiguration, when Jesus was revealed to be God’s Son. He saw Jesus bring a dead child to life (Luke 8: 40-56) and he was an eyewitness to Jesus’ agony in the garden of Gethsemane.

After he rose from the dead, Jesus appeared to his disciples and asked Peter, “Do you love me?” When Peter said that he did love Jesus, the Lord commanded him, “Feed my lambs…Tend my sheep” (John 21: 16). Jesus was giving Peter the responsibility for caring for the Church and all its members.

Not a Perfect Man
Although he had many strengths, Peter had weaknesses, too. He complained that he and the other Apostles had given up everything to follow Jesus and wanted to know what he would get for this sacrifice (Matthew 16:27). At the Lord’s command, he walked on water, but then lost his faith in Jesus’ power and sank in the sea (Matthew 14:31).

At the Last Supper, Jesus told Peter that the time would come when Peter would deny knowing him. Peter angrily said it would never happen. Later that evening, Peter did deny three times that he knew the Lord or that he was one of his followers. When Peter recognized that the Lord’s prediction had come true, he was overcome with sadness and tears.

Continuing Christ’s Mission
After the coming of the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost, Peter was filled with all the gifts he needed to lead the young Church. That Pentecost morning, he gave such a powerful speech about Jesus to the crowd in Jerusalem that three thousand people asked to be baptized immediately. Peter was the first Apostle to perform a miracle in Christ’s name. Working with St. Paul, he recognized that the Church needed to be open to all people. Peter was also the first bishop of Rome, a title that has been given to every pope. Peter also made Rome the home of the world-wide Church.

Two Great Leaders
Together, St. Peter and St. Paul, our greatest missionary, were so important to the growth of our Church that we honor them with a joint feast day on June 29th. They both died as martyrs for their belief in Christ. To learn more about St. Paul, click on this link .

The Church has another celebration each year to honor these spiritual brothers. It is called the Dedication of the Basilicas of the Apostles Peter and Paul in Rome. A basilica is a great church dedicated to the memory of an important person or event. Tradition tells us that the basilicas honoring St. Peter and St. Paul were originally built over the places where they were martyred. This double feast is celebrated on November 18.

In St. Peter’s Basilica there is an ancient chair that has been carefully protected for over 2000 years. People believe that it belonged to St. Peter. It is a tradition for every pope and bishop since Peter to have a special chair in their cathedral church. From this chair, the bishop preaches and leads his people in celebrations. Each year, the Church honors this tradition by celebrating the feast of the Chair of St. Peter on February 22. It is a sign of our unity as Catholics. Together, we gather around our pope as pastor of the entire Church.

Following the Example of St. Peter
St. Peter’s great love for Jesus made it possible for him to do everything that Jesus asked. The Lord asks the same of each of us. Like Peter, we can use our strengths to continue his work of bringing love and peace to others. We can pray that Jesus will help us to overcome our weaknesses so that we can serve him every day. Jesus can and will work through us, as he did with Simon Peter, the Rock of the Church.

Related posts:

1. St. Peter, Apostle Feast Day: Dedication of the Churches of Sts. Peter and Paul — November 18
2. St. Peter, Apostle Feast Day: Chair of St. Peter — February 22
3. St. Paul Feast Days: Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul — June 29

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. Saul’s family were faithful Jews. They prayed that God would soon keep his promise to send the Messiah. When Saul was a young man, he was sent to Jerusalem to study Jewish law.

When he returned home, Saul began to hear about a prophet named Jesus who claimed to be the Messiah. People said this man had risen from the dead and that he had worked miracles as a sign that he had been sent by God.

Saul began to persecute Jesus’ followers. He demanded that they give up their new faith.  But no matter what he did, more and more people became followers of Christ. They even began to call themselves Christians!

Saul’s Conversion
Saul was traveling to Damascus where belief in Jesus had begun to grow. As he neared the city with his companions, he was struck by a light so bright that it blinded him. He heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

Saul asked, “Who are you, sir?”

The voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. Go into the city and you will be told what to do.”

Saul’s friends took him to a house in the city. After three days, one of Jesus’ disciples came to visit him. The man said that Jesus wanted Saul to believe in him and to be baptized. He laid his hands on Saul and baptized him. Saul was filled with the Holy Spirit and regained his sight. He began to teach about Jesus, telling everyone that Jesus was the Son of God and that they, too, should believe in him. People began to call him “Paul” as a sign of the new life he had received from Christ.

St. Paul’s change of heart is called his conversion. We celebrate this great event each year on January 25.

Paul the Missionary
Paul traveled to many different countries to teach others about Jesus. He shared the Good News about Jesus with Jews and Gentiles, people who were not Jewish. He became known as the Apostle to the Gentiles. He never forgot about the Church communities he founded all over the world. He prayed for them constantly and wrote them letters. He even wrote letters from jail after he was arrested for preaching about Jesus In his letters he urged the new Christians to stay strong in their faith and reminded them how Jesus wanted them to live.

We still read Paul’s letters, which we call Epistles, today. They are found in the New Testament. They are often read at Mass. They continue to guide us in living as followers of Jesus.

Two Great Leaders
Together, St. Paul and St. Peter, the Apostle Jesus chose to lead his Church after he returned to his Father in heaven, were so important to the growth of our Church that we honor them with a joint feast day on June 29th. They both died as martyrs for their belief in Christ. To learn more about St. Peter, click on this link.

The Church has one more celebration each year to honor these spiritual brothers. It is called the Dedication of the Basilicas of the Apostles Peter and Paul in Rome. A basilica is a great church dedicated to the memory of an important person or event. Tradition tells us that the basilicas honoring St. Peter and St. Paul were originally built over the places where they were martyred. This double feast is celebrated on November 18.

Remembering St. Paul
In one of the last letters, St. Paul compared his ministry to the sacrifices a successful athlete makes. He wrote: “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).

St. Paul was an ambassador for Christ, the Lord’s representative for people who had not yet heard the Good News of Jesus’ life, death, and Resurrection and God’s loving plan to save all people. You, too, are called to carry on Christ’s work in the world today as St. Paul did. You can best share your faith with others by living as a follower of Jesus. Your example can lead others to Christ.

Related posts:

1. St. Paul Feast Days: Dedication of the Churches of Sts. Peter and Paul — November 18
2. St. Paul Feast Day: Conversion of St. Paul — January 25
3. St. Peter, Apostle Feast Day: Sts. Peter and Paul — June 29

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 appeared to Zechariah in the Temple and told him that Elizabeth would give birth to a son. Gabriel said they should name the child John. Read about the birth of John in Luke 1:57-80.

The Gospel of Luke also tells us about the mission God gave to John. He was called to tell people to repent, or to be sorry for, their sins and to be baptized. He told the people to “Prepare the way of the Lord” (Luke 3: 4). He said, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs on his sandals. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire” (Luke 3:16).

John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. Luke tells us that the heavens opened at that moment and the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus. Then the voice of God spoke, saying, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Luke 3: 21-22).

John preached against King Herod who was married to his brother’s wife. This was a great sin because the brother was still living. The wife’s name was Herodias. She demanded that Herod arrest John.

Herodias plotted with her daughter, Salome, for revenge against John. At a party, Salome danced for Herod. Her dancing tempted Herod and he promised Salome that that he would give her anything she wanted. She asked for John the Baptist’s head on a platter. John was martyred that night.

Just as John prepared people for the coming of Jesus, his brutal death prepared Jesus’ followers for Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. We thank God for St. John the Baptist. We can honor him by preparing the way for Jesus by being sorry for our sins and trying to live as loving children of God.

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1. St. John the Baptist Feast Days — August 29 The Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist
2. Birth of John the Baptist Year C
3. Birth of John the Baptist Year B

Thomas was born in London in 1478. He became a lawyer and a member of the English parliament. Because he was so well educated, he was a tutor for King Henry VIII when he was young. Later, Henry appointed Thomas Chancellor of England.

King Henry wanted to divorce his wife and marry another woman. The pope would not give his approval. Henry expected Thomas to take his side, but Thomas also refused.

King Henry decided to separate the Church of England from the Catholic Church in Rome. He ordered parliament to write a document naming him the head of the Church of England. This document was called the Oath of Supremacy. Henry demanded that all the bishops in England and his entire government sign the oath. Thomas refused. He knew that the pope was the successor of St. Peter and that there could be only one pope.

King Henry was furious. Thomas was arrested and imprisoned in the Tower of London. He was found guilty of treason against the king. He was sentenced to death. Before he was executed, Thomas wrote a note to one of his daughters. It said, “Pray for me, as I shall for you, that we may merrily meet in heaven.”

We honor St. Thomas More as a person of courage. He lived the moral virtue of fortitude. He courageously defended his faith. We can follow St. Thomas More’s example. We can be witnesses for our faith in Jesus and his Church through our daily words and actions.

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1. St. Thomas Becket Feast Day — December 29
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Once he began drinking, Matt could not stop. Alcohol became the most important thing in his life. He spent all his wages on liquor and when he did not have money from his regular job, he often stood outside a pub waiting for a friend to invite him in and buy him a drink. Soon he had no friends left. He once stole a fiddle from a blind man. Matt pawned the fiddle and used the money to buy alcohol.

When he almost thirty years old, Matt decided to stop drinking. He went to a priest and “took the pledge,” a common custom in Matt’s time. Alcoholics often made a promise to God in the presence of a priest as a sign that they were going to give up drinking. Matt’s first pledge was for three months.

Matt turned to God for help. He began to go to daily Mass. He often spent his free time—the time he used to spend in the pub—praying. He became especially close to Mary. He knew that our Blessed Mother wanted to help him live a happy life.

Matt stopped carrying the money he earned from his job in a lumberyard. He wanted to avoid the temptation to spend it on liquor. Instead, he gave his wages away to friends who needed money for rent or to buy food or shoes for their children. He was also generous in donating money to his church.

Matt stayed sober for the rest of his life—almost forty years. He was on his way to Mass when he died on a neighborhood street of a heart attack.

Matt Talbot has been declared “Venerable” by the Catholic Church. This is the first step on the journey to sainthood. Matt was healed from his addiction by God’s love and his faith. Like Matt, we can bring our troubles to God and Mary in prayer. We can remember that God hears and answers all of our prayers.

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1. Venerable Catherine McAuley Feast Day — November 1
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Barnabas was also a peacemaker. The Apostles were suspicious of Paul, who had begun to teach others about Christ after his conversion on the road to Damascus. The Apostles remembered that Paul had persecuted Christians and they worried that his faith in Jesus was not genuine. But Barnabas recognized that Paul’s faith was sincere. Barnabas introduced Paul to the Peter and the other Apostles so they could see for themselves that his faith was real.

Barnabas and Paul were sent as missionaries to Antioch, the third largest city in the Roman Empire. They established strong Christian communities there. During this time, they heard that the Jerusalem Christians were suffering because of the cruel persecution by the Romans. Many could not support their families and lost their homes. They were greatly in need. Barnabas and Paul told the Antioch Christians what was happening in Jerusalem. The people responded generously. Soon Barnabas and Paul returned to Jerusalem to help the Apostles distribute the money, food, and clothing donated in love by the Antioch Christians.

We celebrate St. Barnabas’ feast day on June 11. Like Barnabas, we can be peacemakers. We can help friends make up after a disagreement. We can say we are sorry when we hurt others. We can forgive others who have hurt us.

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1. St. Justin Feast Day – June 1
2. St. Irenaeus Feast Day – June 28
3. St. Peter, Apostle Feast Day: Sts. Peter and Paul — June 29