Story of Saint Clare of Assisi & more | One hour+ Compilation Video #storiesofsaints

[Music] foreign [Music] Claire is believed to have been born on July 16 1194 in Assisi while there is uncertainty to the exact date of her birth there is no question to the fact that she was the oldest of three girls of the wealthy of reduccio family there was nothing extraordinary of her early years Claire along with her sisters enjoyed the life of a rich family of the tides Claire spent her youthful days learning music fine embroidery and how to entertain guests at Social gatherings a woman of Claire's status had no need of cooking skills since she would always have servants in the kitchen Claire's mother ortolana was very religious and taught all her children about Jesus and the importance of Sunday mass and prayer Claire's father fafarone was happy about the beautiful and gentle woman she was becoming by her 17th year he had found her a wealthy man to be her husband Claire seemed to be the luckiest girl in the world she had it all but she did not feel as happy and peaceful as she thought she should there were many poor people in Assisi and the surrounding towns and this at times Disturbed her while growing up Claire was very popular at the parties held for the wealthy young people of Assisi no doubt she first met Saint Francis at such an event before he left all worldly Goods behind she looked happy and outgoing on the outside to everyone she was deeply religious inside as a young girl Claire dedicated herself to prayer even as a child Claire had a special friendship with Jesus she loved to pray and to do holy things for him but it was the preaching and example of a young Francis during the lent of 1212 that gave the 18 year old Claire a path for her life Francis who was several years older than Claire had also grown up in a wealthy important family in Assisi he had given all of that up following the instruction of Jesus to the rich young man in the gospel if you wish to be perfect go sell your possessions and give the money to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven then come follow me at first the people of Assisi thought he was crazy but over time as they saw his joy and happiness and his kindness to the poor and to All Creatures they began to admire him calling him Poverello the poor little one [Music] many of the young people of the area were attracted to his way of life and before long a little band of young men had gathered around him this message and the tremendous joy that Francis and his followers demonstrated challenged Claire to think about her own life she found Francis and his brothers to be filled with more peace than her father and uncles who were some of the most successful men in Assisi but they were always worried about someone or something Claire's father had made plans for his beautiful daughter to marry a rich young nobleman but Claire who had given her heart completely to Jesus as a young teenager was determined not to marry Claire knew her father who had a stubborn streak and a hot temper would not Grant her wish easily I I am confused I do not want to marry anyone I belong to Jesus and Jesus alone one day Claire met Francis and they started chatting Claire and Francis spoke about a lot of things that night they spoke of the beauty of poverty caring for the poor and sick and living like Jesus she then knew what she wanted to do with her life on Palm Sunday of 1212 Claire decided to elope not with the man to whom her family promised her but to Jesus wearing her best dress and jewelry she went to the portion Kula where Francis and his followers held lighted candles and sang the songs there Claire offereduccio promised her life to Jesus she removed her wealthy clothes and jewels and embracing poverty put on a rough gray robe and wooden sandals then Saint Francis himself cut off Claire's long and beautiful hair as she renounced the world because she was the first woman to follow Francis and there was no place for her to stay Francis directed her to live with a group of Benedictine sisters where she would learn about Convent life and living in community her father was so enraged when he discovered that Claire had become a nun he rounded up his best Knights and rode straight away to the Benedictine Monastery where Claire and Pacifica were staying shouting and cursing he stormed into the chapel where Claire was praying you have given your allegiance to that young Troublemaker Francis rather than obeying me your father no father I have given my allegiance to Christ Francis only showed me the way that the exasperated count grabbed Claire to drag her home but Claire grabbed hold of the Altar and would not let go it was then that the veil dropped and everyone saw Claire's cropped hair they just stood there stunned trying to grasp the gravity of the situation after several attempts her father decided to leave her and went back Claire's sister Katarina who took the name Agnes joined her at this monastery the two remained there until a separate dwelling was built for them next to the Church of San Damiano over time other women joined them wanting to also be Brides of Jesus and live with no money they became known as the poor ladies of San Damiano foreign Claire as the women Superior in 1215. all lived a simple life of austerity seclusion from the world and poverty according to a rule which Francis gave them as a second order Saint Claire and her sisters wore no shoes ate no meat lived in a poor house and kept silent most of the time their lives consisted of manual labor and prayer yet they were very happy because our Lord was close to them all the time [Music] as tough and Extreme as their lives were it did not stop the community from growing in numbers many from all over Europe came to Assisi and were moved by the prayer and joyful Spirit of Claire and her sisters some in turn returned home and founded convents of poor Claires in their own towns and cities one story of the power of Saint Claire's prayer regards The Invasion by an army of rough soldiers one night a group of soldiers surrounded Assisi they made their way to the city they first encountered San Damiano the convent where Claire and her sisters lived because it was outside the city walls as the Warriors approached Claire's sisters panicked and roused Claire from her sick bed [Music] she took the monstrance from the chapel with the consecrated host and showed it to the attackers oh Lord protect these sisters whom I cannot protect now upon seeing Claire holding the Blessed Sacrament the enemy first froze in their tracks [Music] at that moment a sudden fright struck the attackers [Music] and then gripped with a feeling of Terror they began to retreat foreign again while serving as the leader of her order Claire defended them from the attempts of prelates to impose a rule on them that more closely followed the rule of Saint Benedict than Francis Claire was so devoted and dedicated to Francis that she was often referred to as altar Franciscus or another Francis [Music] she encouraged and aided a man she saw as a spiritual Father Figure and took care of him as he grew old following francis's death Claire continued to promote her order fighting off every attempt from each Pope trying to impose a rule on her order that would water down their radical commitment to corporate poverty during Christmas in 1252 her last on Earth Claire was not well enough to go to midnight mass at the church of Saint Francis with her sisters and the Friars she became very lonely and began to cry then realizing that her lonely cell was better lodging than what Mary and Joseph had she began to meditate on the Christmas mystery suddenly her cell burst into light her cell walls were shaken by the sound of a great organ and she was able to see the church of Saint Francis of Blaze with candles she watched the celebrant ascent The Altar and participated at Mass listening to the beautiful chance it was like God in his loving tenderness had brought Church to her on August 9 1253 Pope Innocent IV declared Claire's rule would serve as the governing rule for Claire's order of poor ladies word of their radical life spread through the land Claire was so renowned for her Holiness that the pope and countless others came to her deathbed in the midst of her sisters and three Friars she died on August 11 12 53. Claire is often pictured carrying a monstrance or picks to commemorate the time she warded off the soldiers at the gates of her Convent with the Blessed Sacrament Saint Claire's feast day is celebrated on August 11th [Music] Saint Martin de Porres was born in Lima Peru on December 9th 1519 to Don Juan de pores a Spanish nobleman and adventurer and Anna Velasquez a freed daughter of slaves from Panama Anna was probably black but it is also possible that she belonged to the indigenous people Lima Martin had a younger sister named wanna as well Martin inherited the features and dark complexion of his mother that irked his father and he abandoned the family when Martin was very young he was raised by his mother in extreme poverty as she worked in a laundry stories of Martin's remarkable generosity apparently began to surround him even in childhood even as a child Martin would give the family's scarce resources to the Beggars whom he saw as less fortunate than himself by the time he was 10 he was spending several hours each day in prayer a practice he maintained for the rest of his life he once asked his landlady for the stumps of some candles she had discarded she later saw him using their meager light to Behold a crucifix before which he knelt weeping perhaps as a result of the boy's spiritual character Don Juan de pores acknowledged that he was Martin's father a remarkable admission at the time at the age of 12 Martin began an apprenticeship with a barber named Marcel de Rivero of Barber's work during the 16th century involved more than just cutting hair it involved administering medicines dressing wounds and drawing blood he proved extremely skillful at this trade and soon customers who at first were skeptical of the young colored boy came to prefer and ask for him as Martin Grew Older he experienced a great deal of ridicule for being a mixed race 15. Martin decided to devote himself to the religious life he applied to join the Covenant of the Rosary in Lima a Dominican Ministry racial restrictions during the time did not allow colored people to become members of religious order instead he was offered the position of lay helper which he happily accepted Martin was allowed to wear the habit and live within the religious community his medical skills proved useful and he was put in charge of the monastery Infirmary he was also given the monasteries basic chores such as cleaning cooking and doing the laundry his relationship with his brothers was tinged by their curiosity and occasional pranks sometimes just before the meal was to be served the brothers would hide the pot holders Martin would search for it everywhere and since it was meal time he would have to lift the scalding pots with his bare hands yet never once did his fingers get burned there are numerous incidents that portrayed his self-denial a monk approached him and asked whether he might not prefer the life at the splendid offices of church elsewhere Martin responded quoting Psalm 83 I have chosen to be an abject in the house of my God rather than to dwell in the Tabernacle of sinners he remarked that he was not referring to the people in high offices as Sinners but rather simply that he himself preferred menial tasks Martin often challenged his brothers on their racial attitudes in one story Martin saw an Indian sweeping the floor under the watchful eye of one of the Dominican Brothers when told that they were cleaning to repay a meal they had received Martin pointed out that the brother had fed some white people the previous day without forcing them to clean after Martin's firm but gentle challenge the brother took up the broom himself [Music] always wore robes until they fell apart refusing the luxury of new ones Port of Martin's skill as a surgeon and healer soon spread abroad as much by his prayers as through medical knowledge he cured the most frightening diseases bringing from Near Death a priest who had a badly infected leg and healing the fingers of a young student great as his healing faculty was Martin is probably best remembered for the legend of the rats it is told that the prior who objected to rats ordered Martin to set out poison for them Martin did as he was told but he was very sorry for the rats he went out into the garden and called softly and out came the rats he reprimanded them for their bad habits telling them about the poison he further assured them that he would feed them every day in the garden if they would refrain from Annoying the prior this agreed upon he dismissed the rats and forever after so the stories go there was no more trouble with rats in addition to the gift of healing he was in doubt with that of by location he was seen in Mexico and Japan by people who knew him well whereas he had never been out of Lima since entering the order he passed through locked doors by some meat that was known only to himself and God he appeared at the bedside of sufferers without being asked and always soothed the sick even when he did not completely cure them even sick animals came to him for healing he would apply his medical skills to the treatment of a wounded dog found wandering the streets with the same energy he would devote to a sick human ten years later after he had been presented with the religious habit of a lay Brother Martin was assigned to the infirmary where he would remain in charge until his death Martin's spiritual practices were legendary he would often fast for extensive periods of time on bread and water he loved all night vigils frequently praying by laying down as if crucified sometimes kneeling but miraculously a foot or more off the floor however it is Saint Martin's charity that made him the patron saint of social justice Martin fed sheltered and doctored hundreds of families he also provided the requisite Dowry to enable a poor young woman to marry last but not least he established the orphanage and school of the Holy Cross which took in boys and girls of all classes and taught them trades or homemaking skills he died surrounded by his brothers and reciting The Credo his life ending with the words at homo factus asked [Music] Saint Martin died on November 3rd 1639 by the time he died he was widely known and accepted talks of his miracles and medicine and caring for the sick were everywhere after his death the Miracles received when he was invoked in such greatness that when he was exhumed 25 years later his body exhaled a splendid fragrance and he was still intact in our own day the Miracles continue he lived a life of almost constant prayer and he practiced unbelievable austerities he worked at hard and menial tasks without ever losing a moment of Union with God his charity humility and obedience were extraordinary Pope John the 13th raised Martin de Porres to the altar of the church on May 5th 1962. thank you foreign is the feast day of Saint dymphna a young woman of great courage she is the patroness of the mentally and emotionally ill and other nervous disorders how did this come to pass let us learn the incredible and heart-wrenching story of Saint dymphna today first thing to say is that the story of Saint dymphna also spelled dimpna with a Y and dimpna with an i is shrouded in mystery and uncertainty but there is no question of a tradition of invoking her for the mentally ill the earliest historical account of veneration of the saint dates from the middle of the 13th century in Belgium where the Irish saint-dymna died and was buried in the 7th Century the author of the account a Canon of the church of Saint Auber at cambre wrote a life of the saint commissioned by the bishop of Cambray guy the first he States expressly that the basis for his biography was oral tradition Saint dymphna was born in 7th Century Ireland to an Irish king or warlord named Damon who was a pagan her mother was very beautiful and a Christian dymphna's mother imparted the Christian faith to her daughter and had her secretly baptized against her father's wishes when dimphna was 14 she consecrated herself to Christ and took a vow of Chastity her mother tragically died while Saint dymphna was only a teenager Damon loved his wife dearly and after her death his mental health declined greatly his Moody silences pushed him on the verge of mental collapse his courtiers suggested he consider a second marriage the king agreed on condition that his new bride should look exactly like his former one his envoys went far afield in search of the woman he desired they searched for a queen in distant lands for many months but their Quest proved fruitless [Music] then one of them had a brilliant idea why shouldn't the king marry his daughter the living likeness of her mother King was appalled at first then when the courtiers Pressed him again he too thought this was a good idea he then began to desire his daughter Who Bore a strong resemblance to her mother dymphna who had made a vow of virginity before God was horrified by her father's proposal and adamantly refused the King was very angry at her to escape the king's inevitable outrage over her rejection dymphna fled the kingdom she was accompanied by her Confessor father Gera burnis as well as Faithful Servants from her father's Court on Landing in Antwerp on the coast of Belgium they looked around for a place to stay in the little village of guil they settled near a shrine dedicated to Saint Martin of tour according to one tradition dymphna built a hospital using the money she brought from her Palace dymphna dedicated herself to the care of the impoverished and sick the mentally ill in particular found refuge in her kindness and it wasn't long before dymphna developed a reputation for her charity unfortunately her good deeds were not to go unpunished her father's men were searching throughout the land for her after a few months the spies tracked her down as she used the coins she got from Ireland they reported this to Damon who then went to Belgium to try to take dimna back to Ireland he had Shara burnis decapitated on site a martyrdom for which the old priest would later be canonized he once again proclaimed his romantic love for his daughter and begged her to return to Ireland as his wife this approach failed he tried threats and insults but these two left dimphna unmoved she would not change her mind staying true to her vow of virginity and refusal to enter an incestuous relationship in a fit of rage he beheaded her his own daughter according to tradition she was only 15 years old when she died the people of the Town buried the two bodies in a cave near Gale word of her sacrifice spread quickly and it wasn't long before people began making pilgrimages to Gill to visit the place where the Christian girl laid down her life she was declared patronous of those with mental problems because of the great anguish her father's mental Affliction caused Saints story should give all of us courage and strength especially that through her God has provided a powerful patroness for those suffering from mental and emotional disorders [Music] on April 27th the Catholic church honors Saint Zita a 13th century Italian woman whose humble and patient service to God has made her a patron saint of maids and other domestic workers let us learn her amazing story today Zeta was born at montsagrati a village near Lucha Italy at the beginning of the 13th century her parents were poor devout Christians her mother raised her in the love and fear of the Lord her uncle Graziano was a Hermit whom the local people regarded as a saint her older sister soon left home and became a cistercian nun by the time she turned 12 Zeta had already developed a strong prayer life The Peasant girl had to soon find a job as a means to support her family soon she started working as a servant in the house of the wealthy fatinelli family in Lucha zeta's employers lived near a church where she managed each morning she would wake up early and pray before attending Mass she became quite popular for her Sunny demeanor and hard work she carried out her household duties so perfectly that the other servants thought she was trying to shame them they became very jealous of her and were mean to her at every opportunity her presence in the fatinelli household however was inexplicably unwelcome and met with harsh treatment for a number of years Zeta suffered hostility and abuse from her employers including fits of rage and sometimes they beat her too she faced this abuse with patience and inner strength from prayer she gave away the good food she received for herself and gave it to the many hungry Beggars who came looking for help she mostly ate leftovers or fasted when her employers came to know about this they were upset one day as she was carrying the bread to the gates folded in her apron Senor fatinelli arrived when he pulled open her apron instead of bread only flowers fell to the ground this was a miracle one day when he found that Zeta had given away the entire store of tried beans from the pantry he dragged her into the pantry to show her what she had done when they got to The Pantry the master was shocked the full store of the dried beans was replenished [Music] in another instance Zeta left her chore of baking bread to tent to someone in need servants made sure the fatinelli family was aware of what happened they went to investigate immediately when they arrived they found angels in the kitchen baking the bread for her [Music] in time the fatinelli family were completely won over by the patience and goodness of Zita they came to Value her service and appreciate the virtues she had acquired through God's grace Zeta was soon promoted to the Head housekeeper and was given a free reign over her working schedule in her new household role Zeta was faithful to Christ's admonition that superiors should conduct themselves as the Servants of all she treated her co-workers as her equal with respect she looked upon her work primarily as a means of serving God and kept herself mindful of his presence during long hours of exhausting tasks she also continued with her visits to the sick and those in prison [Music] in her Charity she was also known to exercise Prudence giving Aid to only those who truly needed it word spread rapidly in Lucha of her good deeds and the Heavenly visions that appeared to her throughout her life Zeta found a source of strength in the mass and communion which frequently moved her to tears her advice was often sought by the officials in Lucha and she was always happy to help them as things turned out she stayed with the fatinelli family for 48 years of her life after foretelling her own death and preparing spiritually Zeta died in Lucha on April 27 1271. after her death numerous Miracles were wrought at her intercession so that she came to be venerated as a saint in the neighborhood of Lucha the fatinelli family which had once caused Saint Zeta such extreme suffering eventually contributed to the cause of her canonization the earliest account of her life was found in a manuscript belonging to the family and published in 1688 hope innocent the twelfth canonized Zeta in 1696. Saint Zeta Inspire us to take pride in our daily work and do it to the best of our abilities out of love for God may we find Jesus in the most menial of tasks may we always Embrace a spirit of obedience and charity as you did pray for us Saint Zeta that we may have a generous heart that gives even when we have little place a trust in Jesus deep in our heart that we may never experience despair or loss of Hope please carry the petitions we hold in our heart to Jesus on our behalf amen Saint Margaret of Scotland who lived from 1045 to 1093 wife of the Scottish King Malcolm III introduced important religious reforms into Scotland and was a civilizing agent in the social life of that country information about the early life of Saint Margaret is based on tradition for her later years there is a Dependable life of Saint Margaret written by her Confessor turgot Saint Margaret of Scotland was a truly liberated woman in the sense that she was free to be herself for her that meant freedom to love God and serve others not Scottish by birth Margaret was the daughter of Princess Agatha of Hungary and the Anglo-Saxon Prince Edward athling when she was 12 she was sent to the English Court of Edward the Confessor and further educated Margaret's father returned to England at the request of the king and he brought his family with him he was to become the successor to the throne however Edward died immediately after the family arrived leaving Margaret fatherless soon war broke out in 1066 at the Battle of Hastings the Anglo-Saxon English lost to the Norman French Margaret's family fled from William the Conqueror after his victory her widowed mother set out to take her children North to northumbria tradition says Agatha decided to leave northumbria and return to the continent but her family's ship got caught in a storm the storm drove their ship even more North to Scotland where they were Shipwrecked in 1068. the spot they landed on is now known as Saint Margaret's hope [Music] the Scottish King Malcolm III invited the family to stay at his castle until their boat could be repaired [Music] during their visit Malcolm fell in love with Margaret he asked her to marry him Margaret asked Malcolm for time to think about this decision although she too was falling in love she always believed that God was calling her to be a nun Margaret asked her mother for advice she talked to a priest about how she could know what God wanted her to do the priest told her to pray and that God would guide her to make the right decision after spending time alone in prayer Margaret knew that God was calling her to a life of service as a wife and mother Malcolm and Margaret were soon married in his castle during their marriage Margaret and Malcolm grew more deeply in love Malcolm was good-hearted but rough and uncultured as was his country because of Malcolm's love for Margaret she was able to soften his temper and polish his manners he left all domestic affairs to her and often consulted her in state matters together they prayed fed the hungry and offered a powerful example of living faith in action Malcolm saw that Christ truly dwelt in her heart Margaret helped him become a virtuous gracious leader as the Queen of Scotland she encouraged Malcolm to educate the Scottish children together they worked to establish schools in the country she read to him from the Bible and encouraged monasteries to open in Scotland Margaret was not only a queen but a mother she and Malcolm had six Sons and two daughters Margaret tried to improve her adopted country by promoting the Arts and education her impact in Scotland led her to being referred to as the pearl of Scotland she constantly worked to Aid the poor in Scotland she nursed the sick she even brought homeless people into the castle she encouraged people to live a devout life grow in prayer and grow in holiness Malcolm helped her to build churches including the Abbey of dunfermline where a relic of the True Cross is kept although she was very much caught up in the Affairs of the household and Country she remained detached from the world she was well known for her deep life of prayer and piety she set aside specific times for prayer and to read scripture she didn't eat often and slept very little so she would have more time for her devotions she gathered women together to pray and to study the scriptures she and her husband would go to church during Lent and Advent on the way home they would wash the feet of poor people in need and help them at home Margaret Fett nine orphans who were brought to her daily she was then said to sit them upon her knee and feed them war broke out and Malcolm engaged the English near Alnwick he was killed in battle along with Edward his son and heir Margaret already weakened due to illness was not told of her husbands and her son's death for fear of worsening her condition upon her deathbed Margaret clasped her hands around a black cross which she held in deep veneration this was thought to be part of the True Cross [Music] eventually Margaret learned of the death of her husband and son whether due to illness or the news of her loss she died four days after Malcolm Margaret and Malcolm were buried together under the high altar of a monastery Devotion to the Holy Queen began soon after her death as she was canonized in 1250. her children are believed to be primarily responsible for two centuries of progress and peace in Scotland merciful god you gave the Holy Queen Margaret of Scotland great love for the poor lend your ear to the intercessions of this holy woman and help us to live after her example so that your goodness and mercy becomes visible in today's world through our Lord Jesus Christ your son who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit one God forever and ever amen [Music] thank you today we will tell you the story of a saint who is known for her fine work as an illustrator and painter it's none other than Saint Catherine of Bologna Saint Catherine had incredible artistic talents she used these talents to further her understanding of God and to spread the news of his Truth and Love For All Saint Catherine of Bologna was an Italian nun and artist born as Catherine de vegre on September 8 1413 in Bologna Italy her father was an important government official who worked for the Marquis of Ferreira a member of the Royal Family Catherine Charmed everyone with her beauty and Purity and she was soon noticed by the Marquee himself [Music] age of 11 she was appointed maid of honor to the daughter of the Marquee princess margarita Catherine and the princess took classes together [Music] at the time the city of Ferreira was becoming a cultural center providing the young girls with an excellent education in music literature painting and dancing Catherine particularly excelled at miniature painting Latin and playing the viola she discovered that God had blessed her with a talent for drawing people admired her wisdom and insight with which she read works of the fathers of the church during her years in the palace Catherine also discovered that God was calling her to a more simple and prayerful life when Margarita became engaged she invited Catherine to stay with her but Catherine felt called to the religious life and at the age of 14 she joined a Franciscan community Catherine wanted to live a life of perfection and her companions admired her for her holiness soon the women decided to join an order of nuns called the poor Claires these nuns turned away from anything that kept them from focusing on God they had no personal possessions and shared everything the poor Claires lived in silence much of the time so that they could listen and talk to God in the quiet of their hearts without distractions The Sisters of the convent had an excellent reputation for Holiness and austerity as a sister Catherine did her part for the community by performing more mundane tasks laundry baking and other housework one day just as she had placed the loaves in the oven the Bell called her to the choir for religious service she made the sign of the cross over the Loaves and said I commend you to our Lord she was not in a position to return to the bakery until five hours later and certainly believed that everything had been burnt by that time however when she removed the loaves from the oven they were nicer than ever [Music] she also served as a caretaker for the animals but her humility did not stop her spiritual and creative genius eventually Catherine was named Superior of the convent a went on to found a second community of poor Claires her reputation for Holiness Drew many young women to the poor clear life Catherine began to have visions of Christ and Satan and wrote her experiences down her most remarkable Vision was on Christmas Eve when she claimed that Mary appeared to her with baby Jesus and that Mary even let Catherine hold him she was a gifted spiritual writer authoring many treaties lauds and sermons she even copied her own Breville with her artistic heart she also Drew religious imagery in her writings her best known work is seven spiritual weapons necessary for spiritual warfare for a long time she found herself troubled with the temptation to sleep during the spiritual exercises once when she was again heroically struggling against it during the Holy Mass God Almighty permitted her to hear the Angelic choir singing after the elevation from then on the Temptation was overcome and she was even able to devote ours to prayer during the night although she was sickly from the time that she was 22 she never complained Saint Catherine was particularly tactful in preserving peace within herself and peace among the members of her community hence she was also loved by all of them in 1463 at age 49 she became Gravely ill and died within a few months her body which had been the Temple of so chaste and immaculately pure a soul diffused a sweet odor that could be noticed throughout the region [Music] miraculous cures began to occur at Saint Catherine's grave site as even the incurable were instantly healed she had been buried without a coffin as were all those who died in her order but her body was exhumed 18 days later when a Heavenly perfume was noticed to come from the area the body of Saint Catherine which remains incorrupt is preserved in the chapel of the poor Claires at bologna Saint Catherine was canonized by Pope Benedict XIII her Feast is kept on the 9th of March despite the opportunity to live a noble life at court Saint Catherine eagerly responded to her call to lead the religious life her piety charity and kindness attracted many to follow her along the road to Perfection the beauty of her life and death encourages us to resolve to live in perfect charity as a Lenten goal dear saintly poor Claire Saint Catherine of Bologna so rich in love for Jesus and Mary you were endowed with great talents by God and you left us most inspiring writings and paintings for wondrous Beauty you did all for God's greater glory and in this you are a model for all make artists learn lessons from you and use their talents to the full Saint Catherine pray for us and all who invoke thy Aid amen [Music] have you ever been asked to do something you weren't sure you could do this happened to Saint Ambrose in the year 374 a meeting was called by the people to elect the new bishop of Milan Ambrose who was the governor attended the election for two reasons he knew there might be disagreements and felt responsible for keeping the peace since Ambrose Was preparing for baptism he was also interested in who would beat Bishop during the election fighting broke out no one could agree on who the bishop should be Ambrose stood and pleaded for peace in the assembly during his speech a voice Cried Out Ambrose for Bishop Ambrose was shocked the crowd took up the cry shouting Ambrose for Bishop Ambrose begged them not to elect him but he could not silence them over the next several months Ambrose was baptized ordained and consecrated Bishop Saint Ambrose Bishop of Milan was born in the year 340 into the family of the Roman prefect of Gaul Now France he was the third child in the family a sister Marcelina and a brother satiris having been born before him there was a story when he was a child he was being taken care of by a nurse at the time one day when the nurse arrived she was surprised to see a swarm of bees swoop down and rest upon his eyes and lips of the sleeping child frightened she called to some of the members of the household they came and Ambrose's father and mother saw the bees enter and leave the mouth of the child without disturbing him the bees then flew off and were lost in the blazing sun Ambrose's father exclaimed this child is destined for great things the story of Ambrose symbolizes the future eloquence as the bishop of Milan and his deeds in the leading of the Sheepfold of the church his father wanted Ambrose to have an administrative career he was sent to the best school in Rome to study philosophy Theology and literature foreign about the year 370 upon completion of its course of study Ambrose was appointed to the position of governor of the districts of liguria and Amelia he continued in this position for three years and he was soon well respected in the community in the year 374 oxentius the Aryan Bishop of medeolanum died this led to complications between the Orthodox and the Aryans since each side wanted to have its own Bishop Ambrose as the chief City official went to the church to resolve the dispute while he was speaking to the crowd suddenly someone Cried Out Ambrose for Bishop [Applause] took up this chant who at this time was still a catachuman considered himself unworthy and tried to refuse he disparaged himself and even tried to flee from the Gathering the matter went ultimately before the emperor valentinian the Elder whose orders Ambrose dared not disobey he gave up all of his worldly belongings agreed to be baptized and ordained and devoted his talents to the service of the church ceticism and generosity increased his popularity during his time as Bishop he experienced many fears bitter struggles in his efforts to eradicate the heresy of arianism which denied the Divinity of Christ Saint Ambrose came late to the study of theology but his scholarly training enabled him to master it quickly he used all of this while preaching his abilities impressed Augustine of Hippo who previously thought poorly of Christian preachers after meeting Ambrose Augustine re-evaluated himself and was forever changed in 387 Ambrose baptized Augustine who he had a great influence on Saint Monica Augustine's mother loved Ambrose as an angel of God who uprooted her son from his former ways and led him to his convictions of Christ Ambrose had many churches built and enriched them with relics he preached and instructed with wonderful eloquence the poor the imprisoned widows orphans and the unfortunate won his time and attention the pen of Ambrose was as eloquent as his tongue his writings are voluminous and those regarding religious Doctrine are still constantly quoted and appealed to as proof of Christian teaching Ambrose's career as Bishop had three important aspects the quality of his thoughts as a Christian intellectual his role in the Final Phase of the Aryan controversy and his impact on the relations between church and Empire [Music] Ambrose was an advocate of simplicity he gave a share of his family's money to the poor and encouraged others to do so he took a Firm Stance in controversial matters of church and state when conflicts arose with the ruling family Ambrose told the people the emperor is in the church not above it on more than one occasion Empress Justina sent soldiers to force Ambrose to go along with her wishes a Ambrose had to defend his Cathedral against attack but the people stood by their bishop and the Army had to back down later Emperor theodosius to get revenge for the murder of several officers had a town of seven thousand people destroyed Ambrose warned theodosius that he would be excommunicated if he did not do public Penance people were astounded that Ambrose would do this later they were speechless when theodosius knelt at Ambrose's feet humbly accepting forgiveness theodosius reconciled himself with the church and the bishop who attended to the emperor on his deathbed the fame of Bishop Ambrose and his actions attracted to him many followers from other lands from far away Persia learned men came to him to ask him questions and absorb his wisdom the saint combined strictness with an uncommon kindliness granted a gift of wonderworking he healed many from sickness one time at Florence while staying at the house of dissentis he resurrected a dead boy Ambrose was generous to the poor he considered them not a group of Outsiders but rather those of the United people to him giving to the poor was just a repayment of God's resources which were intended for everyone equally Ambrose is credited with advising Augustine of Hippo to follow local liturgical Customs when I am at Rome I fast on a Saturday when I am at Milan I do not follow the custom of the church where you are he stated this advice remains today and is translated in English as the saying when in Rome do as the Romans do Ambrose LED an active life and died at age 57 in 397. Saint Ambrose of Milan was known for being a doctor of the church Ambrose was the first to formulate ideas about church State relations which would become the prevalent medieval Christian viewpoint on the matter his writings remained an important point of reference for the church well into the Medieval Era and Beyond Saint Ambrose has been named one of the Holy fathers of the church whose teaching all Bishops should in every way follow oh God you give blessed Ambrose to your people as a minister of Eternal salvation Grant we pray you that as on Earth he was a teacher of Supernatural life so we may deserve to have him as our intercessor in heaven amen thank you foreign most of the Saints are remembered for some outstanding virtue or devotion which they practiced but Saint Jerome is frequently remembered for his bad temper it is true that he had a very bad temper but his love for God and his son Jesus Christ was extraordinarily intense too Jerome was one of the most important Scholars of the early Christian Church his translation of the Bible into Latin would become the standard edition throughout the Middle Ages and his viewpoints on monasticism would be influential over the centuries the man who came to be known as Saint Jerome was born as eusebius sophronius hieronymusin around the year 345 in strident Dalmatia possibly in modern day Bosnia and Herzegovina the son of a well-off Christian couple he began his education at home tutored by his father little else is known of his childhood other than his parents were probably well to do and Christian despite their efforts to raise Jerome properly the young man behaved as he chose [Music] around the age of 12 or so Jerome traveled to Rome to study grammar philosophy and rhetoric he built his own Library diligently copying most of the works he read they were composed primarily of the Pagan classics [Music] toward the end of his schooling he was formally baptized it is assumed by the pope himself now interested in theological matters Jerome set aside time to pursue matters of the faith he went to aqualia and joined a group of fervent Christians that had formed around Bishop valerian he described them as a choir of blessed he then left for the East and lived as a Hermit in the desert of caucus focusing entirely on studying the scriptures he also began to translate books for his own use his goal was to build a personal Library meditation Solitude and contact with the word of God helped Jerome's Christian sensibility to mature [Music] although he lived in a rock cave he had retained his expanding Library adding The Works of Christian authors after he emerged from his Hermitage Jerome was quickly embroiled in conflicts within the church at Antioch Jerome made clear that he did not want to become a priest preferring instead to be a monk or a hermit but Church officials and Antioch as well as Pope damasus wanted him to be ordained Jerome relented on the condition he would not be expected to serve in any Ministry and would still be allowed to pursue his monastic life in 397 Saint Jerome was ordained a priest and began his life as a Biblical scholar making the most of his freedom as a priest Jerome traveled to Constantinople where he studied under Saint Gregory of nazianzus who was famous as a great Theologian he translated scripture directly from Hebrew and organized a workshop dedicating himself to the Bible and theology [Music] by 382 he returned to Rome and Pope damasus appointed him as secretary and librarian he was also commissioned to render the Bible into Latin this elegant writing and asceticism together with friends promised great things in Rome Jerome LED classes for Noble Roman women widows and virgins who were interested in the monastic life he also wrote tracks defending the idea of Mary as a Perpetual virgin and opposing the idea that marriage was just as virtuous as virginity Jerome found much of the Roman clergy to be lacks or corrupt and did not hesitate to say so this made him very unpopular and made a number of enemies while Pope damasus was alive he could Shield Jerome from criticism but in 384 Pope damasus died this exposed Jerome to criticism and controversy both prominent pagans who resented his promotion of the faith and fellow Christians who lacked his wit attacked him with vicious rumors then in 385 he left osta for Antioch later a number of virgins and widows traveled to Antioch where they met Jerome the party settled in Bethlehem where a monastery and convent were established this was the beginning of his literary period and where he remained until his death it was in Bethlehem that he began his productive literary period both his biblical commentaries and his work on the Latin Bible Jerome translated most of the Old Testament from Hebrew and some from Greek also he wrote scriptural commentaries biographies a history of writers and corresponded greatly he also preached held conferences and taught the Young his greatest achievement was of course the translation of the Bible still used by the Catholic church and setting the standard for the King James version 1200 years later with the influx of barbarism his world became dangerous Rome was sacked Huns and pagans invaded and destroyed houses of learning Jerome was a hard worker and he wrote extensively defending the virginity of Mary which some clerics dared to question Jerome was easily upset and even the venerable Saint Augustine exchanged words with him eventually Jerome and Augustine repaired their relationship and were able to correspond as friends and colleagues once when he was asked if Catholics worship Saints or their relics he said we do not worship the relics of the Saints but honor them in our worship of him whose Saints they are we honor the servants in order that the respect paid to them may be reflected back to the Lord honoring them he said was not idolatry because no Christian had ever adored the Saints as Gods on the other hand they pray for us if the apostles Saints and martyrs while still living on Earth could pray for other men how much more may they do it after their victories have they less power now that they are with Jesus Christ in the year 410 Rome was sacked by arlak the Barbarian one of Jerome's greatest friends Paula died very soon as well these events distressed Jerome greatly violence eventually found its way to Bethlehem disrupting Jerome's work in his final years Jerome died in 419 and was buried under the Church of the Nativity close to the site of the birth of Jesus now his relics rest in the Basilica of Santa Maria maggior in Rome unlike his contemporaries the Bishops Ambrose and Augustine Jerome was not widely recognized as a saint in his own age or for a long time afterwards [Music] his followers grew in the 14th century as the saint was adopted across Europe by remarkable varied groups and clerics we can learn from the life of Saint Jerome's life to love the word of God in sacred scripture the Saints said ignorance of the scriptures is ignorance of Christ it is therefore important that every Christian live in contact and in personal dialogue with the word of God given to us in sacred scripture Saint Jerome is the patron saint of librarians and translators [Music] Saint Ignatius of laconi was illiterate his grammar poor and his dialect rough yet everyone welcomed and respected him because they recognized his holiness he always set out on his quest with Rosary in hand and eyes cast down poverty was all he knew from early childhood and a Beggar's way of life was his lifelong career choice despite their own need even the poor would offer some gift which Ignatius tactfully refused let us learn the story of this amazing Saint today Ignatius was born on the 18th of December 1701 as a second son to a poor Italian farming family he received the name Francis Ignatius Vincent after Saint Francis of Assisi who had interceded for his safe delivery at Birth turn his mother promised the saint that she would name her unborn baby Francis and that he would join the capuchins as an adult [Music] Vincent was a Pious child and loved going to church which he called my home noticing the little boy's prayerful attitude people called him the little saint he was also a hard worker at the farm he often helped his parents at work he desired to join the capuchins as a teenager his father however would not give him permission to leave home and become a religious since he needed Vincent's help to earn the family's living foreign he never went to school and never learned to write every day however he attended Mass celebrated Before Dawn in those days he was an altar boy during adolescence Vincent fell seriously ill a number of times he promised that if he recovered he would become a Capuchin but he always forgot all about the promise once he had recovered in 1721 his life was again threatened when a horse which he was riding panicked he was almost thrown off the horse that's when he called upon the assistance of Saint Francis of Assisi and renewed his vow that he had made during the initial illness by some miracle the horse calmed down and Vincent was saved this time his parents gave him the blessing and he left home to join the order he asked for admission at the Capuchin friary at cagliari but the superiors there hesitated because of his delicate health [Music] with continued persistence he was finally received into the novitiate [Music] he took his vows a year later Francis took his second name Ignatius as his religious name from 1722 up until 1737. Ignatius worked at The house's weaving shed and his duties involved manual work then he worked for two years as a cook brother Ignatius never held any important position in The Franciscan order for the next 40 years he was part of the team who went out from house to house seeking alts his work consisted mainly of daily walking the streets of caglieri and begging food for the Friars people soon realized that they received a gift in return brother Ignatius consoled the sick and cheered up the lonely very soon he became a familiar figure to the people and came known as Padre Santo he won the love and confidence of the old and he captured the hearts of the young they began to wait for his visits he made peace between enemies converted people hardened by sin and advised those in trouble there were some difficult days too once in a while a door was slapped in his face and sometimes the weather was quite bad despite the circumstances he always used to walk for miles and miles around this time people began to recognize brother ignatius's sanctity [Music] people would give him alms more out of personal Devotion to him rather than out of charity despite their own need even the poor would offer some gift which Ignatius tactfully refused there was a loan shark in that region an evil money lender who charged exorbitant rates of Interest and brother Ignatius used to go right past his house the money lender felt slighted by this and and he complained to brother ignatius's Minister who was clueless about the money lending business so the minister commanded brother Ignatius to beg from that house too brother Ignatius went to the money lender's house and he received a sack of grain but when brother Ignatius returned home to empty out his questor's sack there was blood dripping from it seeing this Ignatius gingerly explained this is the blood of the poor and that is why I never quested anything from that house when the money lender heard this story he repented and compensated the victims he had defrauded another time he asked for alms from an olive oil Merchant but the merchant said ingest that he had no bottle to put the oil in so he would fill the begging sack with oil now such a sack would leak any oil that was poured into it [Music] brother Ignatius carried the sack back to the friary without losing even one drop of oil the merchant was stunned on seeing this and donated the whole sack of oil to the brothers despite his infirmity Ignatius persevered in his work until he was 80 years old even after he became blind he continued to make his daily rounds for two years the veneration of the people increased and many sick persons accounted miraculous healings that were aided by him brother ignatius's Miracles were the result of his life of faith and his life of Faith was the result of his fervent prayer life to those who came to him for Comfort he advised have faith in God he United with Jesus in Saint Anthony's friary infirmary at Buon Camino cagliari on the 11th of May 1781. Lord God you let Saint Ignatius along the way of humility innocence and fraternal charity to the heights of sanctity help us to imitate his virtues and to practice charity on Earth with word and deed we ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit one God forever and ever amen thank you [Music] Saint Colette or Nicolette as she was sometimes known was a religious reformer who founded 17 Franciscan convents and and brought many others back to their original rule despite much opposition and abuse she traveled throughout France Savoy burgundy Flanders and Spain spreading her message one branch of the poor Claires is known as the collaternes in her honor Colette's parents were nearly 60 years old when she was born in 1381 in picardi France she was named Nicolette in honor of Saint Nicholas of Mira her family and friends called Nicole collect a derivative of Saint Nicholas Colette received a primary education and then lived at home almost as a solitary praying and doing manual work she was known as a sweet hard-working quiet child Colette was attracted to religious life from the time she was a child and she let nothing stand in her way by the time she was 17 both her parents had died leaving her in the care of the Abbot of Corby she remained a Hermit for four years as she embraced the third Order of Saint Francis of Assisi [Music] she received many consolations from heaven but on the other hand she also experienced severe Temptations God had destined Saint Colette for something extraordinary she desired to reintroduce the strict observance of the rule of Saint Claire which many convents of poor Claires then observed in a modified form while Colette was an ancaris a kind of hermit who was walled into a cell which had as its only opening a grilled window into a church one day she had a vision of Saint Francis begging Colette be given for the reform of the nuns and Friars of his order when she was unsure about following the vision she was struck blind for three days and mute for another three days she took these trials as a sign that she needed to follow Saint francis's bidding and agreed to set up the order when the friar came to her room the next day Colette had the door of her room torn down a sign that her Solitude was over and her work begun Colette's first reports to reform convents met vigorous opposition then she sought the approval of the Avignon Pope Benedict the 13th who professed her as a poor Claire and put her in charge of all convents she would reform [Music] he also appointed Henry deba to assist her thus equipped she launched her reform in 1410 with the poor Claires at the sunken she opened her first Monastery at basonkin in an almost abandoned house of urbanist poor Claire's from there her reform spread to auson pollini Heidelberg [Music] Paul namusan Lorraine and other communities of the poor Claires she founded 18 monasteries of her reform during her lifetime her reform prescribed extreme poverty going Barefoot and the observance of Perpetual fasting and abstinence [Music] like Francis and Claire Colette devoted herself to Christ crucified spending every Friday meditating on the passion she is said to have miraculously received a piece of the Cross which she gave to Saint Vincent Pharaoh when he came to visit her Colette also developed a reform Among The Franciscan friars known as the colitans Friars formed a unique branch of the order of the Friars minor Colette as a follower of Saint Francis of Assisi had a great love of animals Saint Colette was known for her miracles a local man's wife had just given birth to a stillborn baby and grieving he wrapped the baby and took it to the priest for baptism the priest refused to baptize a dead baby and sent him to the nuns he arrived at Saint Colette's house Saint Colette took off her veil and wrapped it around the baby and told him to take the baby back to the priest when he got the baby to the priest the baby was crying and alive the priest baptized the baby this is the reason she is the patron saint of those who want to conceive a baby and why she is a patron saint of expectant mothers on another occasion Colette was on her way to see the pope when she arrived at the home of a friend his wife was in labor and she was in grave Danger [Music] Colette immediately went to a nearby Chapel and started praying for her the mother successfully delivered and the family felt the life was owed to Colette's prayers later on that baby joined as a sister in Colette's Convent and became her biographer one day while in a state of ecstasy after receiving Holy Communion Saint Colette foretold the date of her own death she died of natural causes on March 6 1447 in Belgium she was 66 years old a branch of the poor Claire's is still known today as the Kola teen sisters she was canonized in 1807 and her feast day is March 6th Saint Colette you followed your heart and worked to make your vision a reality even though many others opposed your work help us to persevere in the face of challenges and to always follow God's will for us even when it seems impossible to do we ask this through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen [Music] Saint Peter of Verona also known as Saint Peter Martyr was a 13th century Italian Catholic priest he was a Dominican Friar and a celebrated preacher he became famous for moving people to conversion through his preaching and miracles he served as an Inquisitor In Lombardi was killed by an assassin and was canonized as a Catholic saint 11 months after his death making this the fastest canonization in history Thomas agne of leontino Dominican Archbishop of Cosenza and later patriarch of Jerusalem was the first to write a life of the Blessed martyr he lived for many years with Peter of Verona and had been his Superior Peter was born at Verona Italy in 1205. both of his parents were catherists a heresy that denied God created the material world even so Peter was educated at a Catholic School a and later at the University of Bologna 16. Saint Peter became a Dominican upon hearing the teaching of Saint Dominic while in Bologna Peter was accepted to the Dominican order by Saint Dominic Peter joined the order of the Friars preachers also known as the Dominicans he dedicated himself wholeheartedly to religious life he spent his days in study or prayer or serving the sick he grew into a successful preacher and was well known for his inspiring sermons in the Lombardi region Peter often began his sermons with these famous words 40 days are granted to Nineveh to convert or it will be destroyed he would start preaching and say oh city of Milan o Parma you are another Nineveh convert to God do Penance for your sins be because if you do not do it you will soon be ruined and the scourge of God will come upon you with this Zeal he moved the people to penance Peter preached on Church stairs and public places and people loved and honored him so many people were eager to hear him and be near him that he was often merely crushed by the crowds that rushed together when he appeared in his sermons he denounced heresy and also those Christians who professed the Faith by words but acted contrary to it indeed crowds came to meet him and followed him conversions were numerous in 1234 Peter was appointed a Judicial officer of the Milan area and in 1251 Peter made the head of the judicial in most of Northern Italy including Venice Genoa bologna and the province of Marche diancona this appointment gave Peter an even wider context in which to defend and promote the faith he was also a strong and discreet guide for nuns and worked to get more women to become Dominican nuns his efforts created a number of enemies as Can Be Imagined and they soon began to threaten his life a group of Milanese carthers conspired to kill him they hired an assassin Juan Carino of Balsam Peter realized that he had been made the Target by his enemies when he preached on Palm Sunday in 1252 he announced that a price had been placed on his head let them do their worst he said I shall be more powerful dead than alive Peter was traveling with another Dominican brother through the woods between towns when they were followed by assassins the two assassins followed Peter to a lonely spot near barlacina one of the killers a man named Carino struck Peter on the head with an ax Peter fell to the ground wounded terribly but still conscious Carino then attacked Peter's companion Peter Rose to his knees and recited the first article of the symbol of the Apostles offering his blood as a sacrifice to God according to Legend he dipped his fingers in it and wrote on the ground Credo indeon I believe in God the first words of the Apostles Creed Carino struck him again and killed him the other Dominican brother died five days later Carino the Assassin fled to a distant town but was overwhelmed with shame at his actions he repented of his crime and turned from the heresy that had inspired his opposition to Peter he even later joined the Dominicans himself Saint Peter was martyred at the age of 47. his character was rounded out by an admirable strength of Will and a mind so judiciously balanced that he neither shrank from Duty whatever the sacrifice or even danger it involved nor allowed his heart to control his judgment Saint Peter was canonized less than a year after his death the fastest canonization ever Saint Peter of Verona you were the Wonder working preacher who was assassinated for opposing heresy pray for us [Music] Saint werberg was a Benedictine and Patronus of Chester abbess of Whedon Trent them Hanbury minister in shepi and Eli she was born in Staffordshire early in the 7th century and died at trentham on the 3rd of February in 699 or 700. Saint werberg was the King's Daughter a real princess and very beautiful but unlike most princesses of the fairy tales she cared nothing at all about princes or pretty clothes or Jewels or about having a good time her only longing was to do good and to make other people happy and to grow good and wise herself so that she could do this all the better so she studied and studied worked and worked and she became a holy woman an apis and while she was still very young and beautiful she was given charge of a whole Convent of nuns and school girls not much younger than herself because she was so much wiser and better than anyone else in all the countryside but though werberg had grown so famous and so powerful she still remained a simple sweet girl all for country people loved her for she was always eager to help them to cure the little sick children and to advise their fathers and mothers she never failed to answer the questions which puzzled them and so she set their poor troubled Minds at ease she was so wise that she knew how to make people do what she knew to be right even when they wanted to do wrong and not only human folk but animals felt the power of this young saint for she loved and was kind to them also she studied about them and grew to know their queer habits and their animal way of thinking and she learned their language too now when one loves a little creature very much and understands it well one can almost always make it do what one wishes that is if one wishes right werberg attended church services every day read the psalter while kneeling for hours and shedding tears she often stayed in the church long after matins he until the afternoon preying on her knees stories of the life of werberg in that period abound with examples of her close communication with nature her most famous Miracle took place when she was at weedenbeck on one of the Abbey's Farms one day she was helping sow seeds for crops along with the farmers in an attempt to avert the famine which was ravaging the land suddenly a great flock of wild geese descended and flew down [Music] they started eating the seeds [Music] werberg was angered as the food was intended for the poor She chased the geek y although the geese had wings they did not fly out of the pen and you might consider that a small miracle in itself werberg told the geese that they should be kept there for one night as punishment but they were God's creatures and wouldn't be harmed and would be released the next day that evening one of werberg's servants walking past the path decided he would like some Goose stew he took one of the Geeks killed it and ate it [Music] when werberg found out she gathered what was left of the stew the bones and the skin and feathers and began to pray the goose was soon restored to life [Music] It joined its fellows and when they were released from the pen they never came back to trouble the fields again and that is the story of werberg and the goose to this day some local people say that geese do not damage corn in the fields near weedenbeck shortly before her Repose she visited all her convicts and gave respective instructions Saint werber died in the Lord in three King house after many years of tireless and energetic labors for the glory of the Lord as abbess in Mercia we celebrate her feast day on the 3rd of February every year [Music] Lord your servant werberg turned her back on wealth privilege and power and entered into a closer Union with you help me to reject all the false gods of self-interest affluence and personal power to serve you and my fellow human beings Lord werberg grew in holiness became a shining light for your presence and Grace help me through prayer to grow in your knowledge and love that I too May shine in the world to your glory Lord werberg was close to you in your creation help me to respect and reverence all that you have made and to work in harmony with your creative will Lord werberg became a Beacon of Hope of healing and of renewal to your people who still come to honor her example at her shrine may I find this day wholeness of mind body and spirit and a new resolution to serve you by bringing your love to others this I ask in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ amen [Music] Saint longinus is the Centurion who pierced the side of Our Lord while he was hanging on the cross Saint longinus who was nearly blind was healed when some of the blood and water from Jesus fell into his eyes it was then he exclaimed indeed this was the son of God once upon a time in a small Village near the city of Jerusalem there lived a Roman soldier named longinus he had a minor eye Affliction but this didn't stop him from doing anything in his life longinus the Centurion a Roman soldier served in Judea under the command of the governor Pontius Pilate was known for his bravery and strict adherence to the laws of the Roman Empire [Music] ever one day he found himself assigned to a task that would change his life forever he was to be a part of a group of soldiers tasked with the responsibility of crucifying a man named Jesus of Nazareth [Music] longinus approached the task with his usual discipline and determination but as he watched Jesus being crucified he was struck by the man's calm demeanor and the love he showed even in his final moments something within longinus stirred and he began to question the purpose of his mission as the hours passed longinus found himself drawn to the man on the cross unable to look away from the sight of him he couldn't understand why this man's death seemed to hold such significance it was then that something miraculous happened as Jesus breathed His Last longinus Watched as the sky darkened and an earthquake shook the land in that homogeneous knew that he had witnessed something truly special and he was filled with a sense of awe and wonder overcome with emotion he approached the cross and using a spear to keep pierced the side of Jesus as he was instructed this was to make sure the prisoner was dead blood and water flowed out and longinus was immediately overcome with a sense of guilt and remorse longinus who was nearly blind was healed when some of the blood and water from Jesus fell into his eyes it was then he exclaimed indeed this was the son of God as he stood there lost in thought a voice spoke to him telling him that he was now a part of something greater than himself after the crucifixion and burial of the Savior longinus Stood watch with his company at the Sepulcher of the Lord these soldiers were present at the all radiant resurrection of Christ [Music] the Jews bribed them to lie and say that his disciples had stolen away the body of Christ but longinus and two of his comrades refused to be seduced by the Jewish gold they also refused to remain silent about the miracle of the Resurrection longinus was overcome with emotion and unable to resist the call of the voice he left his life as a Roman having come to believe in the Savior the soldiers received baptism from the apostles and decided to leave military service Saint longinus left Judea to preach about Jesus Christ the son of God in his native land Cappadocia and his two comrades followed him he encountered many challenges and obstacles along the way but he remained steadfast in his mission always sharing the message of love and hope that he had come to believe in so strongly years past and longinus became known as a revered figure in the Christian faith his story inspired countless others to follow in his footsteps spreading the word of love and compassion to all who would listen hearing that longinus was in Cappadocia pilate dispatched a company of soldiers to Cappadocia to kill longinus and his comrades [Music] thank you the fiery words of longinus and his disciples who had actually witnessed the great events in Judea swayed the hearts and minds of the cappadocians Christianity began to spread throughout the city and the surrounding villages when the Jewish Elders learned of this they persuaded pilate to send a company of soldiers to Cappadocia to kill longinus and his comrades [Music] thank you when the soldiers arrived at longinus's Village the former Centurion himself came out to meet the soldiers and took them to his home after a meal the soldiers revealed the purpose of their visit not knowing that the Master of the House was the very man whom they were seeking then longinus and his friends identified themselves he told the startled soldiers to carry out their Duty the soldiers wanted to let the Saints Go and advised them to flee but they refused to do this showing their firm intention to suffer for Christ [Music] they were taken back to the Palace where they were sentenced to be beheaded for treason [Music] the Holy Martyrs were beheaded bodies were buried at the place where the saints were martyred the head of Saint longinus however was sent to Pilate pilate gave orders to throw the martyr's head in a trash the soldiers obeyed and the head was thrown into a trash Heap outside the city walls after a while a certain blind Widow from Cappadocia arrived in Jerusalem with her son to pray at the holy places and to ask that her sight be restored after becoming blind she had sought the help of Physicians to cure her but all their efforts were in vain the woman's son became ill shortly after reaching Jerusalem and he died a few days later the Widow grieved for the loss of her son who had served as her guide one night Saint longinus appeared to her he comforted her and told her that she would see her son in Heavenly Glory he also told her that she would receive her sight back he told her to go outside the city walls and there she would find his head in a great pile of refuse the woman sought the help of a guide to reach the location she immediately started digging through the rubbish Heap as soon as she touched the martyr's head the woman received her sight she glorified God at Saint longinus taking up the head she brought it to the place she was staying and washed it the next night Saint longinus appeared to her again this time with her son they were surrounded by a bright light Saint longinus said woman behold the son for whom you grieve see what Glory and Honor are his now be consoled God has numbered him with those in his Heavenly Kingdom now take my head and your son's body and bury them in the same casket do not weep for your son for he will rejoice forever in great glory and Heaven the woman carried out the Saints instructions and returned to her home in Cappadocia once she had been overcome by grief for her son but now her sorrow was transformed into Joy she had sought healing for her eyes and also received healing of her soul although many curious legends about longinus make it difficult to verify actual truths we can be sure of one important fact we can celebrate with certainty that the heart of one particular Soldier was transformed Saint longinus openly glorified God before his demeaning comrades with a profound declaration

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Keywords: st faustina, stories of saints, christian Family tv, christian kids, catholic movies, catholic, bible animated, saints stories, life of saints, christian saints, 2 hour saints video, Saints stories, Women saints, Stories of men Saints, Men's Saints story, compilations, Saint stories compilations, Saints long Videos, Long Videos, Saint stories in English, Saint stories, men Saint, Saint day, Saints of, men saints around world, saint john, saint paul, saint louis, saint

Id: UAVzKBFUk1s

Length: 118min 10sec (7090 seconds)

Published: Tue Jun 06 2023