October 20: Saint Paul of the Cross, Priest—USA: Optional Memorial (October 19 outside of the USA) 1694–1775 Patron Saint of Hungary and Ovada, Italy Canonized by Pope Pius IX on June 29, 1867 Liturgical Color: White Quote:You must correspond faithfully to His merciful action by humbling yourself ever more in your nothingness before His Sovereign Majesty, renouncing all these gifts and remaining in utter nakedness and nothingness. At the same time offer a holocaustal sacrific

Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori August 1: Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church—Memorial 1696–1787 Patron Saint of confessors and moral theologians Invoked against scrupulosity, arthritis, and for final perseverance Canonized by Pope Gregory XVI in 1839 Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius IX in 1871 Liturgical Color: White Quote:In the beginning of the soul’s conversion, God often gives her a flood of consolations. In consequence of thi

July 15: Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor—Memorial c. 1217–1274 Invoked against intestinal problems Canonized by Pope Sixtus IV on April 14, 1482 Proclaimed the Seraphic Doctor of the Church by Pope Sixtus V in 1588 Liturgical Color: White Quote:Christ is both the way and the door. Christ is the staircase and the vehicle, like the “throne of mercy over the Ark of the Covenant,” and “the mystery hidden from the ages.” A man should turn his full attention to this throne of

June 19: Saint Romuald, Abbot—Optional Memorial c. 951–1027 Invoked for reformation of the Church and monastic life Canonized by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 Liturgical Color: White Quote: Sit in your cell as in paradise. Put the whole world behind you and forget it. Watch your thoughts like a good fisherman watching for fish. The path you must follow is in the Psalms—never leave it. If you have just come to the monastery, and in spite of your good will you cannot accomplish wha

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...