May 22: Saint Rita of Cascia—Optional Memorial 1386–1457 Patron Saint of abuse victims, impossible causes, sickness, wounds, parenthood, and widows Invoked against marital problems, fighting and discord, and infertility Canonized by Pope Leo XIII on May 24, 1900 Liturgical Color: White Quote:Dear brothers and sisters, the worldwide devotion to Saint Rita is symbolized by the rose. It is to be hoped that the life of everyone devoted to her will be like the rose picked in the g

April 23: Saint Adalbert, Bishop and Marty c. 956–997 Patron Saint of Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic Canonized by Pope Sylvester II in 999 Liturgical Color: Red Adalbert is that evangelical seed which fell to the earth and died, and has brought forth a manifold harvest in all the nations associated with his mission. This was the case of Bohemia, Hungary, the Poland of the Piast, and also of Pomerania, Gdansk, and the people living in this region. After the thousand y

February 6: Saints Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs—Memorial (Optional Memorial if Lenten weekday) Martyred February 5, 1597 Patron Saints of Japan Canonized by Pope Pius IX on June 8, 1862 Liturgical Color: Red Quote: Our brother, Paul Miki, saw himself standing now in the noblest pulpit he had ever filled. To his “congregation” he began by proclaiming himself a Japanese and a Jesuit. He was dying for the Gospel he preached. He gave thanks to God for this wonderful blessing

December 26: Saint Stephen, the First Martyr

The Season of Advent Beloved, now is the acceptable time spoken of by the Spirit, the day of salvation, peace and reconciliation: the great season of Advent. This is the time eagerly awaited by the patriarchs and prophets, the time that holy Simeon rejoiced at last to see. This is the season that the Church has always celebrated with special solemnity. We too should always observe it with faith and love, offering praise and thanksgiving to the Father for the mercy and love he

Saint Andrew Dũng-Lac and Companions Seventeenth–Nineteenth Centuries Patron Saints of Vietnam Canonized by Pope John Paul II June 19, 1988 Liturgical Color: Red Quote: I, Paul, in chains for the name of Christ, wish to relate to you the trials besetting me daily, in order that you may be inflamed with love for God and join with me in his praises, for his mercy is forever. The prison here is a true image of everlasting hell: to cruel tortures of every kind—shackles, iron chai

From the autobiography of Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus, virgin In the heart of the Church I will be love Since my longing for...

August 21: Saint Pius X, Pope—Memorial 1835–1914 Patron Saint of First Communicants and pilgrims Canonized by Pope Pius XII Liturgical...