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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230613T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230613T100000
DTSTAMP:20260403T134635
CREATED:20230427T193018Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230427T194850Z
UID:47804-1686650400-1686650400@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Feast of St. Anthony-Day of Celebration
DESCRIPTION:June 13th – 10:00 AM \nSt. Bernardine Monastery Front Lawn \n\nOutdoor Mass\nBlessing of St. Anthony’s Bread\nBlessing with First Class Relic of St. Anthony\nOutdoor BBQ Lunch (Pre-purchase meal ticket)
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/feast-of-st-anthony-day-of-celebration/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230816T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230816T130000
DTSTAMP:20260403T134635
CREATED:20230803T141242Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230803T141242Z
UID:48043-1692180000-1692190800@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Adult Enrichment: "The Catholic Church and the LGBTQ Community"
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/adult-enrichment-the-catholic-church-and-the-lgbtq-community/
LOCATION:St. Bernardine Monastery\, 768 Monastery Road\, Hollidaysburg\, 16648
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230913T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230913T130000
DTSTAMP:20260403T134635
CREATED:20230803T141310Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230803T141310Z
UID:48044-1694599200-1694610000@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Adult Enrichment: "The Mass"
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/adult-enrichment-the-mass/
LOCATION:St. Bernardine Monastery\, 768 Monastery Road\, Hollidaysburg\, 16648
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231007T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231007T160000
DTSTAMP:20260403T134635
CREATED:20230803T141347Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230804T182323Z
UID:48045-1696672800-1696694400@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Franciscan Creation Festival
DESCRIPTION:Craft Vendors\, Food Trucks\, Petting Zoo\, Kids Activities\, Garage Sale\, Friar’s Nook Gift Shop Fall Fling Sale\nRosary at 3:00 PM\nPet Blessing at 3:30 PM\nMass at 4:00 PM \nFor more info\, please go to:\nhttps://fb.me/e/2JjIcQP2y?mibextid=Gg3lNB
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/franciscan-creation-festival/
LOCATION:St. Bernardine Monastery\, 768 Monastery Road\, Hollidaysburg\, 16648
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231007T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231007T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T134635
CREATED:20230427T193020Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230427T195023Z
UID:47805-1696672800-1696698000@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Feast of St. Francis-Franciscan Creation Festival
DESCRIPTION:October 7th -10:00 AM-5:00 PM \n\nCraft vendors\nFood trucks\nRummage Sale\nGift Shop Fall Fling Sale\nRosary at 2:00 PM\nPet Blessing at 3:00 PM\nMass at 4:00 PM\nBring a lawn chair or blanket for Mass!
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/feast-of-st-francis-franciscan-creation-festival/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20231129
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20231130
DTSTAMP:20260403T134635
CREATED:20231030T160133Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231030T160350Z
UID:49115-1701216000-1701302399@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:ADVENT - THE TWO COMINGS OF CHRIST
DESCRIPTION:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Advent-Series-2023.mp4\n\nWednesdays Nov. 29th\, Dec. 6th\, 13th\, and 20th \nEach Advent\, we celebrate a new beginning. Although we enter into these four weeks as a time of preparation for Christmas and recalling the birth of the Lord\, the Scriptures of the season begin by calling to mind the end time and the return of Christ. This is also part of Advent-to help us prepare for the return of Christ in glory. It’s not a matter of either/or but both/and. \nJoin us for our Advent Reflections as we explore the Sunday Scriptures. Beginning on Wednesday\, November 29 and on each of the Wednesdays of Advent we will reflect on the Scriptures for the coming weekend. By anticipating the Scriptures and themes for each\, you will have a greater appreciation for them and\, hopefully\, have a more fruitful and spiritual Advent. \nThe first 30 registrants will be assigned to the Daytime Advent Reflections which will begin at 10:00 AM and include a reflection on the Scriptures\, the celebration of Holy Mass\, and lunch with the friars. This workshop will be $20 per class or $60 for the four-week series. If there is enough demand\, we will host an Evening Advent Reflections which will begin at 6:30 PM and include a reflection on the Scriptures and a prayer service. The evening class will be $10 per class or $30 for the four-week series. \nAll classes will be held at St. Bernardine Monastery\, 768 Monastery Road\, Hollidaysburg. To register for the workshop\, please send your payment to: \nFranciscan Friars\, TOR\nPO Box 139\nHollidaysburg\, PA 16648 \nFor questions\, please call 814-695-3802. We look forward to seeing you!
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/advent-the-two-comings-of-christ/2023-11-29/
CATEGORIES:Advent
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240213T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240213T133000
DTSTAMP:20260403T134635
CREATED:20240125T165850Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240125T171504Z
UID:49324-1707822000-1707831000@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Lenten Soup Sale
DESCRIPTION:Prepare for Ash Wednesday the right way by picking up your Monastery-Made Meatless soup on Tuesday\, February 13th! You don’t even have to get out of your car! \nLocation: The Friar’s Nook Gift Shop\nTime: 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM\nCost: $7.00 per quart and includes a small loaf of bread
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/lenten-soup-sale/
LOCATION:Friar’s Nook Gift Shop\, 793 Monastery Road\, Hollidaysburg\, 16648
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240216T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240216T133000
DTSTAMP:20260403T134635
CREATED:20240125T172414Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240125T211058Z
UID:49325-1708081200-1708090200@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Lenten Lunch Fish Fry Fridays
DESCRIPTION:Always looking for that Friday lunch fix? Look no further than “Lent Lunch Fish Fry Fridays” at The Friar’s Nook Gift Shop! Bites Food Truck will be serving up delicious food Fridays during Lent except Good Friday! \nLunch includes fish sandwich\, mac and cheese\, and stewed tomatoes\nLocation: The Friar’s Nook Gift Shop\nTime: 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM\nCost: $10.00
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/lenten-lunch-fish-fry-fridays/2024-02-16/
LOCATION:Friar’s Nook Gift Shop\, 793 Monastery Road\, Hollidaysburg\, 16648
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240221
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240222
DTSTAMP:20260403T134635
CREATED:20240118T152643Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240118T152643Z
UID:49303-1708473600-1708559999@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Lenten Reflections
DESCRIPTION:Although we may still be recovering from the celebration of Christmas\, Lent is quickly approaching. During these weeks\, the Church and the Scriptures for the season invite us back into the desert–a place of quiet–to simplify our lives so we can deepen our relationship with God and one another and grow in the awareness that only God can satisfy our deepest hungers.\nJoin the Franciscan Friars for four weeks of Lenten Reflections\, beginning on Wednesday\, February 21st . Through reflection\, prayer\, and fellowship we will journey together towards the abundant life of Easter! \nThe first 30 registrants will be assigned to the Daytime Lenten Reflections which will begin at 10:00 AM and include a Lenten reflection\, the celebration of Holy Mass\, and lunch with the friars. This workshop will be $20 per class or $60 for the four-week series. If there is enough demand\, we will host Evening Lenten Reflections which will begin at 6:30 PM and include a Lenten reflection and a prayer service. The evening class will be $10 per class or $30 for the four-week series. \nAll classes will be held at St. Bernardine Monastery\, 768 Monastery Road\, Hollidaysburg. To register for the workshop\, please send your payment to: Franciscan Friars\, TOR\, PO Box 139\, Hollidaysburg\, PA 16648. For questions\, please call 814-695-3802. We look forward to seeing you!
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/lenten-reflections/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240518T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240518T160000
DTSTAMP:20260403T134635
CREATED:20240125T172535Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240125T172535Z
UID:49326-1716026400-1716048000@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Spring Fling at St. Bernardine Monastery
DESCRIPTION:Join us for the Spring Fling at St. Bernardine Monastery! \nParking and entry are free for the festival! The event will have craft vendors\, food trucks\, community yard sale tables\, and children’s activities. The Friar’s Nook Gift Shop will be having a Spring Fling Sale! \nThere will be a blessing of the St. Vincent de Paul Monastery Community Gardens in the morning\, the Rosary will take place at 3:45\, and Catholic Mass at 4:00. Please bring a lawn chair or blanket if you are staying for Mass. \nThis event is for all ages\, and pets too! (Please ensure your pets do well in crowds and with other animals). \nLocation: St\, Bernardine Monastery\nTime: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/spring-fling-at-st-bernardine-monastery/
LOCATION:St. Bernardine Monastery\, 768 Monastery Road\, Hollidaysburg\, 16648
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250910
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250911
DTSTAMP:20260403T134635
CREATED:20250820T130825Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250820T130825Z
UID:50458-1757462400-1757548799@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Enrichment Day - The Mass and Church Symbols
DESCRIPTION:Register by Sept. 5th \nThe workshop includes a class on The Mass and Church Symbols\, Mass\, and lunch with Friars
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/enrichment-day-the-mass-and-church-symbols/
LOCATION:St. Bernardine Monastery\, 768 Monastery Road\, Hollidaysburg\, 16648
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251004
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251005
DTSTAMP:20260403T134635
CREATED:20250820T130927Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250820T130927Z
UID:50456-1759536000-1759622399@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Feast of St. Francis - Day of Celebration
DESCRIPTION:Pet Blessing 9:00 AM \nRummage/Garage Sale and Friar’s Nook Gift Shop Fall Fling Sale following Pet Blessing \nRain or Shine!
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/feast-of-st-francis-day-of-celebration-2/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251008
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251009
DTSTAMP:20260403T134635
CREATED:20250820T130859Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250820T130859Z
UID:50455-1759881600-1759967999@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Enrichment Day - History of the Immaculate Conception Province
DESCRIPTION:Register by Oct. 3rd \nThe workshop includes a class on the History of the Immaculate Conception Province\, Mass\, and lunch with Friars
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/enrichment-day-history-of-the-immaculate-conception-province/
LOCATION:St. Bernardine Monastery\, 768 Monastery Road\, Hollidaysburg\, 16648
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251206
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251207
DTSTAMP:20260403T134635
CREATED:20250820T131009Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251023T171735Z
UID:50457-1764979200-1765065599@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Franciscan Friars\, TOR - Province of the Immaculate Conception 100th Jubilee
DESCRIPTION:This year the Immaculate Conception Province of the Third Order Franciscans are celebrating their 100th anniversary and would love for you to join in the jubilee celebration! \nWhat: Celebration of the Eucharist at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel at 4:00 PM\nDinner and Dance at Altoona Grand Hotel at 6:00 PM \nCost: $40 per person (include a buffet dinner\, drink ticket\, dance\, silent auction\, and door price entry) \nRSVP: Please reserve your spot no later than Monday\, Nov. 24th at 814-695-3802. \nPlease note: Your spot will NOT be reserved without payment.
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/100th-anniversary-jubilee/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260803
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260804
DTSTAMP:20260403T134635
CREATED:20170727T180822Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170727T180822Z
UID:50822-1785715200-1785801599@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Saint Peter Julian Eymard
DESCRIPTION:Image: Stained glass window of Saint Peter Julian Eymard | Santa Clara de Montefalco Parish Church\, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila | photo by Judgefloroo\nSaint Peter Julian Eymard\nSaint of the Day for August 3\n(February 4\, 1811 – August 1\, 1868)\n\n\n\nSaint Peter Julian Eymard’s Story                                Click to hear audio clip ►\n\n\n\nBorn in La Mure d’Isère in southeastern France\, Peter Julian’s faith journey drew him from being a priest in the Diocese of Grenoble in 1834\, to joining the Marists in 1839\, to founding the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament in 1856. \nIn addition to those changes\, Peter Julian coped with poverty\, his father’s initial opposition to Peter’s vocation\, serious illness\, a Jansenistic overemphasis on sin\, and the difficulties of getting diocesan and later papal approval for his new religious community. \nHis years as a Marist\, including service as a provincial leader\, saw the deepening of his Eucharistic devotion\, especially through his preaching of Forty Hours in many parishes. Inspired at first by the idea of reparation for indifference to the Eucharist\, Peter Julian was eventually attracted to a more positive spirituality of Christ-centered love. Members of the men’s community which Peter founded alternated between an active apostolic life and contemplating Jesus in the Eucharist. He and Marguerite Guillot founded the women’s Congregation of the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament. \nPeter Julian Eymard was beatified in 1925\, and canonized in 1962\, one day after Vatican II’s first session ended. \n\nReflection\nIn every century\, sin has been painfully real in the life of the Church. It is easy to give in to despair\, to speak so strongly of human failings that people may forget the immense and self-sacrificing love of Jesus\, as his death on the cross and his gift of the Eucharist make evident. Peter Julian knew that the Eucharist was key to helping Catholics live out their baptism and preach by word and example the Good News of Jesus Christ.
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/saint-peter-julian-eymard/2026-08-03/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260804
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260805
DTSTAMP:20260403T134635
CREATED:20170727T180825Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170727T180825Z
UID:50825-1785801600-1785887999@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Saint John Vianney
DESCRIPTION:Image: Stained glass window of Curé d’Ars | Luant\, France | photo by François Goglins\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSaint John Vianney\nSaint of the Day for August 4\n(May 8\, 1786 – August 4\, 1859)\nSaint John Vianney’s Story                Click to hear audio clip ►\nA man with vision overcomes obstacles and performs deeds that seem impossible. John Vianney was a man with vision: He wanted to become a priest. But he had to overcome his meager formal schooling\, which inadequately prepared him for seminary studies. \nHis failure to comprehend Latin lectures forced him to discontinue. But his vision of being a priest urged him to seek private tutoring. After a lengthy battle with the books\, John was ordained. \nSituations calling for “impossible” deeds followed him everywhere. As pastor of the parish at Ars\, John encountered people who were indifferent and quite comfortable with their style of living. His vision led him through severe fasts and short nights of sleep. \nWith Catherine Lassagne and Benedicta Lardet\, he established La Providence\, a home for girls. Only a man of vision could have such trust that God would provide for the spiritual and material needs of all those who came to make La Providence their home. \nHis work as a confessor is John Vianney’s most remarkable accomplishment. In the winter months he was to spend 11 to 12 hours daily reconciling people with God. In the summer months this time was increased to 16 hours. Unless a man was dedicated to his vision of a priestly vocation\, he could not have endured this giving of self day after day. \nMany people look forward to retirement and taking it easy\, doing the things they always wanted to do but never had the time. But John Vianney had no thoughts of retirement. As his fame spread\, more hours were consumed in serving God’s people. Even the few hours he would allow himself for sleep were disturbed frequently by the devil. \nWho\, but a man with vision\, could keep going with ever-increasing strength? In 1929\, Pope Pius XI named him the patron of parish priests worldwide. \n\nReflection\nIndifference toward religion\, coupled with a love for material comfort\, seem to be common signs of our times. A person from another planet observing us would not likely judge us to be pilgrim people\, on our way to somewhere else. John Vianney on the other hand\, was a man on a journey\, with his goal before him at all times. \n\nSaint John Vianney is the Patron Saint of:\nParish Priests\nAll Priests
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/saint-john-vianney/2026-08-04/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260805
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260806
DTSTAMP:20260403T134635
CREATED:20170727T180828Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170727T180828Z
UID:50828-1785888000-1785974399@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Dedication of Saint Mary Major Basilica
DESCRIPTION:Image: Santa Maria Maggiore\, Rome | photo by Gary Ullah from UK\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDedication of Saint Mary Major Basilica\nSaint of the Day for August 5\nThe Story of the Dedication of Saint Mary Major Basilica\nClick to hear audio clip ►\nFirst raised at the order of Pope Liberius in the mid-fourth century\, the Liberian basilica was rebuilt by Pope Sixtus III shortly after the Council of Ephesus affirmed Mary’s title as Mother of God in 431. Rededicated at that time to the Mother of God\, St. Mary Major is the largest church in the world honoring God through Mary. Standing atop one of Rome’s seven hills\, the Esquiline\, it has survived many restorations without losing its character as an early Roman basilica. Its interior retains three naves divided by colonnades in the style of Constantine’s era. Fifth-century mosaics on its walls testify to its antiquity. \nSt. Mary Major is one of the four Roman basilicas known as patriarchal cathedrals in memory of the first centers of the Church. St. John Lateran represents Rome\, the See of Peter; St. Paul Outside the Walls\, the See of Alexandria\, allegedly the see presided over by Mark; St. Peter’s\, the See of Constantinople; and St. Mary’s\, the See of Antioch\, where Mary is supposed to have spent most of her later life. \nOne legend\, unreported before the year 1000\, gives another name to this feast: Our Lady of the Snows. According to that story\, a wealthy Roman couple pledged their fortune to the Mother of God. In affirmation\, she produced a miraculous summer snowfall and told them to build a church on the site. The legend was long celebrated by releasing a shower of white rose petals from the basilica’s dome every August 5. \n\nReflection\nTheological debate over Christ’s nature as God and man reached fever pitch in Constantinople in the early fifth century. The chaplain of Bishop Nestorius began preaching against the title Theotokos\, “Mother of God\,” insisting that the Virgin was mother only of the human Jesus. Nestorius agreed\, decreeing that Mary would henceforth be named “Mother of Christ” in his see. The people of Constantinople virtually revolted against their bishop’s refutation of a cherished belief. When the Council of Ephesus refuted Nestorius\, believers took to the streets\, enthusiastically chanting\, “Theotokos! Theotokos!”
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/dedication-of-saint-mary-major-basilica/2026-08-05/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260806
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260807
DTSTAMP:20260403T134635
CREATED:20170727T180831Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170727T180831Z
UID:50829-1785974400-1786060799@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Transfiguration of the Lord
DESCRIPTION:Image: Stained glass window\, Mielno\, Poland | photo by Tineau\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTransfiguration of the Lord\nSaint of the Day for August 6\nThe Story of the Transfiguration of the Lord\nClick to hear audio clip ►\nAll three Synoptic Gospels tell the story of the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-9; Luke9:28-36). With remarkable agreement\, all three place the event shortly after Peter’s confession of faith that Jesus is the Messiah and Jesus’ first prediction of his passion and death. Peter’s eagerness to erect tents or booths on the spot suggests it occurred during the week-long Jewish Feast of Booths in the fall. \nAccording to Scripture scholars\, in spite of the texts’ agreement it is difficult to reconstruct the disciples’ experience\, because the Gospels draw heavily on Old Testament descriptions of the Sinai encounter with God\, and prophetic visions of the Son of Man. Certainly Peter\, James\, and John had a glimpse of Jesus’ divinity strong enough to strike fear into their hearts. Such an experience defies description\, so they drew on familiar religious language to describe it. And certainly Jesus warned them that his glory and his suffering were to be inextricably connected—a theme John highlights throughout his Gospel. \nTradition names Mount Tabor as the site of the revelation. A church first raised there in the fourth century was dedicated on August 6. A feast in honor of the Transfiguration was celebrated in the Eastern Church from about that time. Western observance began in some localities about the eighth century. \nOn July 22\, 1456\, Crusaders defeated the Turks at Belgrade. News of the victory reached Rome on August 6\, and Pope Callistus III placed the feast on the Roman calendar the following year. \n\nReflection\nOne of the Transfiguration accounts is read on the second Sunday of Lent each year\, proclaiming Christ’s divinity to the Elect and baptized alike. The Gospel for the first Sunday of Lent\, by contrast\, is the story of the temptation in the desert—affirmation of Jesus’ humanity. The two distinct but inseparable natures of the Lord were a subject of much theological argument at the beginning of the Church’s history; it remains hard for believers to grasp. \n\nAnother Saint of the Day for August 6 is Venerable Anthony Margil.
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/transfiguration-of-the-lord/2026-08-06/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260807
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260808
DTSTAMP:20260403T134635
CREATED:20170727T180834Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170727T180834Z
UID:50830-1786060800-1786147199@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Saint Cajetan
DESCRIPTION:Image: Kardinal Cajetan und Luther| photo by Francesco de’ Rossi\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSaint Cajetan\nSaint of the Day for August 7\n(October 1\, 1480 – August 7\, 1547)\nClick to hear audio clip ►\n\n\n\nSaint Cajetan’s Story\n\n\nLike most of us\, Cajetan seemed headed for an “ordinary” life—first as a lawyer\, then as a priest engaged in the work of the Roman Curia. \nHis life took a characteristic turn when he joined the Oratory of Divine Love in Rome\, a group devoted to piety and charity\, shortly after his ordination at 36. When he was 42 he founded a hospital for incurables at Venice. At Vicenza\, he joined a “disreputable” religious community that consisted only of men of the lowest stations of life—and was roundly censured by his friends\, who thought his action was a reflection on his family. He sought out the sick and poor of the town and served them. \nThe greatest need of the time was the reformation of a Church that was “sick in head and members.” Cajetan and three friends decided that the best road to reformation lay in reviving the spirit and zeal of the clergy. Together they founded a congregation known as the Theatines–from Teate [Chieti] where their first superior-bishop had his see. One of the friends later became Pope Paul IV. \nThey managed to escape to Venice after their house in Rome was wrecked when Emperor Charles V’s troops sacked Rome in 1527. The Theatines were outstanding among the Catholic reform movements that took shape before the Protestant Reformation. Cajetan founded a monte de pieta–“mountain or fund of piety”–in Naples\, one of many charitable\, nonprofit credit organizations that lent money on the security of pawned objects. The purpose was to help the poor and protect them against usurers. Cajetan’s little organization ultimately became the Bank of Naples\, with great changes in policy. \n\nReflection\nIf Vatican II had been summarily stopped after its first session in 1962\, many Catholics would have felt that a great blow had been dealt to the growth of the Church. Cajetan had the same feeling about the Council of Trent\, held from 1545 to 1563. But as he said\, God is the same in Naples as in Venice\, with or without Trent or Vatican II. We open ourselves to God’s power in whatever circumstances we find ourselves\, and God’s will is done. God’s standards of success differ from ours. \n\nAnother Saint of the Day for August 7 is Saint Sixtus II and Companions.
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/saint-cajetan/2026-08-07/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
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CREATED:20170727T180836Z
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UID:50834-1786147200-1786233599@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Saint Dominic
DESCRIPTION:Image: Stained glass | St. Dominic sends out the Friars | photo by Lawrence\, OP | flickr\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSaint Dominic\nSaint of the Day for August 8\n( August 8\, 1170 – August 6\, 1221)\n Saint Dominic’s Story  \nClick to hear audio clip ►\nIf he hadn’t taken a trip with his bishop\, Dominic would probably have remained within the structure of contemplative life; after the trip\, he spent the rest of his life being a contemplative in active apostolic work. \nBorn in old Castile\, Spain\, Dominic was trained for the priesthood by a priest-uncle\, studied the arts and theology\, and became a canon of the cathedral at Osma\, where there was an attempt to revive the apostolic common life described in Acts of the Apostles. \nOn a journey through France with his bishop\, Dominic came face to face with the then virulent Albigensian heresy at Languedoc. The Albigensians–or Cathari\, “the pure ones”–held to two principles—one good\, one evil—in the world. All matter is evil—hence they denied the Incarnation and the sacraments. On the same principle\, they abstained from procreation and took a minimum of food and drink. The inner circle led what some people regarded as a heroic life of purity and asceticism not shared by ordinary followers. \nDominic sensed the need for the Church to combat this heresy\, and was commissioned to be part of the preaching crusade against it. He saw immediately why the preaching crusade was not succeeding: the ordinary people admired and followed the ascetical heroes of the Albigenses. Understandably\, they were not impressed by the Catholic preachers who traveled with horse and retinues\, stayed at the best inns and had servants. Dominic therefore\, with three Cistercians\, began itinerant preaching according to the gospel ideal. He continued this work for 10 years\, being successful with the ordinary people but not with the leaders. \nHis fellow preachers gradually became a community\, and in 1215 Dominic founded a religious house at Toulouse\, the beginning of the Order of Preachers or Dominicans. \nDominic’s ideal\, and that of his Order\, was to organically link a life with God\, study\, and prayer in all forms\, with a ministry of salvation to people by the word of God. His ideal: contemplata tradere: “to pass on the fruits of contemplation” or “to speak only of God or with God.” \n\nReflection\nThe Dominican ideal\, like that of all religious communities\, is for the imitation\, not merely the admiration\, of the rest of the Church. The effective combining of contemplation and activity is the vocation of truck driver Smith as well as theologian Aquinas. Acquired contemplation is the tranquil abiding in the presence of God\, and is an integral part of any full human life. It must be the wellspring of all Christian activity. \n\nSaint Dominic is the Patron Saint of:\nAstronomers\nDominican Republic
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/saint-dominic/2026-08-08/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
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CREATED:20170727T180839Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170727T180839Z
UID:50838-1786233600-1786319999@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
DESCRIPTION:Image: Portrait of Edith Stein in the student chapel of the Hochschulgemeinde Wien im Edith-Stein-Haus | photo by Braveheart\nSaint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross\nSaint of the Day for August 9\n(October 12\, 1891 – August 9\, 1942)\n\n\n\nSaint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross’ Story  \nClick to hear audio clip ►\n\n\n\n\nA brilliant philosopher who stopped believing in God when she was 14\, Edith Stein was so captivated by reading the autobiography of Teresa of Avila that she began a spiritual journey that led to her baptism in 1922. Twelve years later she imitated St. Teresa by becoming a Carmelite\, taking the name Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. \nBorn into a prominent Jewish family in Breslau\, Germany–now Wroclaw\, Poland–Edith abandoned Judaism in her teens. As a student at the University of Göttingen\, she became fascinated by phenomenology\, an approach to philosophy. Excelling as a protégé of Edmund Husserl\, one of the leading phenomenologists\, Edith earned a doctorate in philosophy in 1916. She continued as a university teacher until 1922 when she moved to a Dominican school in Speyer; her appointment as lecturer at the Educational Institute of Munich ended under pressure from the Nazis. \nAfter living for four years in the Cologne Carmel\, Sr. Teresa Benedicta moved to the Carmelite monastery in Echt\, Netherlands\, in 1938. The Nazis occupied that country in 1940. In retaliation for being denounced by the Dutch bishops\, the Nazis arrested all Dutch Jews who had become Christians. Teresa Benedicta and her sister Rosa\, also a Catholic\, died in a gas chamber in Auschwitz on August 9\, 1942. \nPope John Paul II beatified Teresa Benedicta of the Cross in 1987\, and canonized her 12 years later. \n\nReflection\nThe writings of Edith Stein fill 17 volumes\, many of which have been translated into English. A woman of integrity\, she followed the truth wherever it led her. After becoming a Catholic\, Edith continued to honor her mother’s Jewish faith. Sister Josephine Koeppel\, O.C.D. \, translator of several of Edith’s books\, sums up this saint with the phrase\, “Learn to live at God’s hands.”
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/saint-teresa-benedicta-of-the-cross/2026-08-09/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
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DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260811
DTSTAMP:20260403T134635
CREATED:20170727T180841Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170727T180841Z
UID:50842-1786320000-1786406399@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Saint Lawrence
DESCRIPTION:Image: Saint Lawrence | Bernardo Cavallino\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSaint Lawrence\nSaint of the Day for August 10\n(c. 225 – August 10\, 258)\nSaint Lawrence’s Story  \nClick to hear audio clip ►\nThe esteem in which the Church holds Lawrence is seen in the fact that today’s celebration ranks as a feast. We know very little about his life. He is one of those whose martyrdom made a deep and lasting impression on the early Church. Celebration of his feast day spread rapidly. \nHe was a Roman deacon under Pope Saint Sixtus II. Four days after this pope was put to death\, Lawrence and four clerics suffered martyrdom\, probably during the persecution of the Emperor Valerian. \nLegendary details of Lawrence’s death were known to Damasus\, Prudentius\, Ambrose\, and Augustine. The church built over his tomb became one of the seven principal churches in Rome and a favorite place for Roman pilgrimages. \nA well-known legend has persisted from earliest times. As deacon in Rome\, Lawrence was charged with the responsibility for the material goods of the Church\, and the distribution of alms to the poor. When Lawrence knew he would be arrested like the pope\, he sought out the poor\, widows\, and orphans of Rome and gave them all the money he had on hand\, selling even the sacred vessels of the altar to increase the sum. When the prefect of Rome heard of this\, he imagined that the Christians must have considerable treasure. He sent for Lawrence and said\, “You Christians say we are cruel to you\, but that is not what I have in mind. I am told that your priests offer in gold\, that the sacred blood is received in silver cups\, that you have golden candlesticks at your evening services. Now\, your doctrine says you must render to Caesar what is his. Bring these treasures—the emperor needs them to maintain his forces. God does not cause money to be counted: He brought none of it into the world with him—only words. Give me the money\, therefore\, and be rich in words.” \nLawrence replied that the Church was indeed rich. “I will show you a valuable part. But give me time to set everything in order and make an inventory.” After three days he gathered a great number of blind\, lame\, maimed\, leprous\, orphaned\, and widowed persons and put them in rows. When the prefect arrived\, Lawrence simply said\, “These are the treasure of the Church.” \nThe prefect was so angry he told Lawrence that he would indeed have his wish to die—but it would be by inches. He had a great gridiron prepared with coals beneath it\, and had Lawrence’s body placed on it. After the martyr had suffered the pain for a long time\, the legend concludes\, he made his famous cheerful remark\, “It is well done. Turn me over!” \n\nReflection\nOnce again we have a saint about whom almost nothing is known\, yet one who has received extraordinary honor in the Church since the fourth century. Almost nothing—yet the greatest fact of his life is certain: He died for Christ. We who are hungry for details about the lives of the saints are again reminded that their holiness was after all\, a total response to Christ\, expressed perfectly by a death like this. \n\nSaint Lawrence is the Patron Saint of:\nCooks\nPoor
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/saint-lawrence/2026-08-10/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
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DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260812
DTSTAMP:20260403T134635
CREATED:20170727T180844Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170727T180844Z
UID:50844-1786406400-1786492799@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Saint Clare of Assisi
DESCRIPTION:Image: Saint Clare | original painting for the Poor Clares in Cincinnati\, OH\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSaint Clare of Assisi\nSaint of the Day for August 11\n(July 16\, 1194 – August 11\, 1253)\nSaint Clare of Assisi’s Story\nClick to hear audio clip ►\nOne of the more sugary movies made about Francis of Assisi pictures Clare as a golden-haired beauty floating through sun-drenched fields\, a sort of one-woman counterpart to the new Franciscan Order. \nThe beginning of her religious life was indeed movie material. Having refused to marry at 15\, Clare was moved by the dynamic preaching of Francis. He became her lifelong friend and spiritual guide. \nAt 18\, Clare escaped from her father’s home one night\, was met on the road by friars carrying torches\, and in the poor little chapel called the Portiuncula received a rough woolen habit\, exchanged her jeweled belt for a common rope with knots in it\, and sacrificed her long tresses to Francis’ scissors. He placed her in a Benedictine convent\, which her father and uncles immediately stormed in rage. Clare clung to the altar of the church\, threw aside her veil to show her cropped hair\, and remained adamant. \nSixteen days later her sister Agnes joined her. Others came. They lived a simple life of great poverty\, austerity\, and complete seclusion from the world\, according to a Rule which Francis gave them as a Second Order. At age 21\, Francis obliged Clare under obedience to accept the office of abbess\, one she exercised until her death. \nThe Poor Ladies went barefoot\, slept on the ground\, ate no meat\, and observed almost complete silence. Later Clare\, like Francis\, persuaded her sisters to moderate this rigor: “Our bodies are not made of brass.” The greatest emphasis\, of course\, was on gospel poverty. They possessed no property\, even in common\, subsisting on daily contributions. When even the pope tried to persuade Clare to mitigate this practice\, she showed her characteristic firmness: “I need to be absolved from my sins\, but I do not wish to be absolved from the obligation of following Jesus Christ.” \nContemporary accounts glow with admiration of Clare’s life in the convent of San Damiano in Assisi. She served the sick and washed the feet of the begging nuns. She came from prayer\, it was said\, with her face so shining it dazzled those about her. She suffered serious illness for the last 27 years of her life. Her influence was such that popes\, cardinals\, and bishops often came to consult her—Clare herself never left the walls of San Damiano. \nFrancis always remained her great friend and inspiration. Clare was always obedient to his will and to the great ideal of gospel life which he was making real. \nA well-known story concerns her prayer and trust. Clare had the Blessed Sacrament placed on the walls of the convent when it faced attack by invading Saracens. “Does it please you\, O God\, to deliver into the hands of these beasts the defenseless children I have nourished with your love? I beseech you\, dear Lord\, protect these whom I am now unable to protect.” To her sisters she said\, “Don’t be afraid. Trust in Jesus.” The Saracens fled. \n\nReflection\nThe 41 years of Clare’s religious life are scenarios of sanctity: an indomitable resolve to lead the simple\, literal gospel life as Francis taught her; courageous resistance to the ever-present pressure to dilute the ideal; a passion for poverty and humility; an ardent life of prayer; and a generous concern for her sisters. \n\nSaint Clare is the Patron Saint of:\nEye disorders\nTelevision
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/saint-clare-of-assisi/2026-08-11/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
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DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260813
DTSTAMP:20260403T134635
CREATED:20170727T180846Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170727T180846Z
UID:50846-1786492800-1786579199@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Saint Jane Frances de Chantal
DESCRIPTION:Image: Stained glass window in Église Saint-Honoré-d’Eylau\, Paris | photo by Mbzt’s\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSaint Jane Frances de Chantal\nSaint of the Day for August 12\n(January 28\, 1572 – December 13\, 1641)\nSaint Jane Frances de Chantal’s Story\nClick to hear audio clip ►\nJane Frances was wife\, mother\, nun\, and founder of a religious community. Her mother died when she was 18 months old\, and her father\, head of parliament at Dijon\, France\, became the main influence on her education. Jane developed into a woman of beauty and refinement\, lively and cheerful in temperament. At 21\, she married Baron de Chantal\, by whom she had six children\, three of whom died in infancy. At her castle\, she restored the custom of daily Mass\, and was seriously engaged in various charitable works. \nJane’s husband was killed after seven years of marriage\, and she sank into deep dejection for four months at her family home. Her father-in-law threatened to disinherit her children if she did not return to his home. He was then 75\, vain\, fierce\, and extravagant. Jane Frances managed to remain cheerful in spite of him and his insolent housekeeper. \nWhen she was 32\, Jane met Saint Francis de Sales who became her spiritual director\, softening some of the severities imposed by her former director. She wanted to become a nun but he persuaded her to defer this decision. She took a vow to remain unmarried and to obey her director. \nAfter three years\, Francis told Jane of his plan to found an institute of women that would be a haven for those whose health\, age\, or other considerations barred them from entering the already established communities. There would be no cloister\, and they would be free to undertake spiritual and corporal works of mercy. They were primarily intended to exemplify the virtues of Mary at the Visitation–hence their name the Visitation nuns–humility and meekness. \nThe usual opposition to women in active ministry arose and Francis de Sales was obliged to make it a cloistered community following the Rule of Saint Augustine. Francis wrote his famous Treatise on the Love of God for them. The congregation consisting of three women began when Jane Frances was 45. She underwent great sufferings: Francis de Sales died; her son was killed; a plague ravaged France; her daughter-in-law and son-in-law died. She encouraged the local authorities to make great efforts for the victims of the plague\, and she put all her convent’s resources at the disposal of the sick. \nDuring a part of her religious life\, Jane Frances had to undergo great trials of the spirit—interior anguish\, darkness\, and spiritual dryness. She died while on a visitation of convents of the community. \n\nReflection\nIt may strike some as unusual that a saint should be subject to spiritual dryness\, darkness\, interior anguish. We tend to think that such things are the usual condition of “ordinary” sinful people. Some of our lack of spiritual liveliness may indeed be our fault. But the life of faith is still one that is lived in trust\, and sometimes the darkness is so great that trust is pressed to its limit.
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/aint-jane-frances-de-chantal/2026-08-12/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
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CREATED:20170727T180849Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170727T180849Z
UID:50847-1786579200-1786665599@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Saints Pontian and Hippolytus
DESCRIPTION:Image: Diptych of Saints Pontian and Hippolytus | liturgies.net\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSaints Pontian and Hippolytus\nSaint of the Day for August 13\n(d. 235)\nSaints Pontian and Hippolytus’ Story\nClick to hear audio clip ►\nTwo men died for the faith after harsh treatment and exhaustion in the mines of Sardinia. One had been pope for five years\, the other an antipope for 18. They died reconciled. \nPontian. Pontian was a Roman who served as pope from 230 to 235. During his reign he held a synod in Alexandria which confirmed the excommunication of the great theologian Origen. Pontian was banished to exile by the Roman emperor in 235\, and resigned so that a successor could be elected in Rome. He was sent to the “unhealthy” island of Sardinia\, where he died that same year of harsh treatment. With him was Hippolytus with whom he was reconciled. The bodies of both were brought back to Rome and buried as martyrs with solemn rites. \nHippolytus. As a priest in Rome\, Hippolytus–the name means “a horse turned loose”–was at first “holier than the Church.” He censured the pope for not coming down hard enough on a certain heresy—calling him a tool in the hands of one Callistus\, a deacon—and coming close to advocating the opposite heresy himself. When Callistus was elected pope\, Hippolytus accused him of being too lenient with penitents\, and had himself elected antipope by a group of followers. He felt that the Church must be composed of pure souls uncompromisingly separated from the world: Hippolytus evidently thought that his group fitted the description. He remained in schism through the reigns of three popes. In 235\, he also was banished to the island of Sardinia. Shortly before or after this event\, he was reconciled to the Church\, and died in exile with Pope Pontian. \nHippolytus was a rigorist\, a vehement and intransigent man for whom even orthodox doctrine and practice were not purified enough. He is\, nevertheless\, the most important theologian and prolific religious writer before the age of Constantine. His writings are the fullest source of our knowledge of the Roman liturgy and the structure of the Church in the second and third centuries. His works include many Scripture commentaries\, polemics against heresies\, and a history of the world. A marble statue dating from the third century\, representing the saint sitting in a chair\, was found in 1551. On one side is inscribed his table for computing the date of Easter; on the other\, a list of how the system works out until the year 224. Pope John XXIII installed the statue in the Vatican library. \n\nReflection\nHippolytus was a strong defender of orthodoxy\, and admitted his excesses by his humble reconciliation. He was not a formal heretic\, but an overzealous disciplinarian. What he could not learn in his prime as a reformer and purist\, he learned in the pain and desolation of imprisonment. It was a fitting symbolic event that Pope Pontian shared his martyrdom.
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/saints-pontian-and-hippolytus/2026-08-13/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
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DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260815
DTSTAMP:20260403T134635
CREATED:20170727T180851Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170727T180851Z
UID:50848-1786665600-1786751999@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe
DESCRIPTION:Image: Stained glass in Our Lady of Czestochowa Grotto (Sorrowful Mother Shrine) | photo by Nheyob\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSaint Maximilian Mary Kolbe\nSaint of the Day for August 14\n(January 8\, 1894 – August 14\, 1941)\nSaint Maximilian Mary Kolbe’s Story\nClick to hear audio clip ►\n“I don’t know what’s going to become of you!” How many parents have said that? Maximilian Mary Kolbe’s reaction was\, “I prayed very hard to Our Lady to tell me what would happen to me. She appeared\, holding in her hands two crowns\, one white\, one red. She asked if I would like to have them—one was for purity\, the other for martyrdom. I said\, ‘I choose both.’ She smiled and disappeared.” After that he was not the same. \nHe entered the minor seminary of the Conventual Franciscans in Lvív–then Poland\, now Ukraine– near his birthplace\, and at 16 became a novice. Though Maximilian later achieved doctorates in philosophy and theology\, he was deeply interested in science\, even drawing plans for rocket ships. \nOrdained at 24\, Maximilian saw religious indifference as the deadliest poison of the day. His mission was to combat it. He had already founded the Militia of the Immaculata\, whose aim was to fight evil with the witness of the good life\, prayer\, work\, and suffering. He dreamed of and then founded Knight of the Immaculata\, a religious magazine under Mary’s protection to preach the Good News to all nations. For the work of publication he established a “City of the Immaculata”—Niepokalanow—which housed 700 of his Franciscan brothers. He later founded another one in Nagasaki\, Japan. Both the Militia and the magazine ultimately reached the one-million mark in members and subscribers. His love of God was daily filtered through devotion to Mary. \nIn 1939\, the Nazi panzers overran Poland with deadly speed. Niepokalanow was severely bombed. Kolbe and his friars were arrested\, then released in less than three months\, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception. \nIn 1941\, Fr. Kolbe was arrested again. The Nazis’ purpose was to liquidate the select ones\, the leaders. The end came quickly\, three months later in Auschwitz\, after terrible beatings and humiliations. \nA prisoner had escaped. The commandant announced that 10 men would die. He relished walking along the ranks. “This one. That one.” \nAs they were being marched away to the starvation bunkers\, Number 16670 dared to step from the line. \n“I would like to take that man’s place. He has a wife and children.”\n“Who are you?”\n“A priest.” \nNo name\, no mention of fame. Silence. The commandant\, dumbfounded\, perhaps with a fleeting thought of history\, kicked Sergeant Francis Gajowniczek out of line and ordered Fr. Kolbe to go with the nine. In the “block of death” they were ordered to strip naked\, and their slow starvation began in darkness. But there was no screaming—the prisoners sang. By the eve of the Assumption\, four were left alive. The jailer came to finish Kolbe off as he sat in a corner praying. He lifted his fleshless arm to receive the bite of the hypodermic needle. It was filled with carbolic acid. They burned his body with all the others. Fr. Kolbe was beatified in 1971 and canonized in 1982. \n\nReflection\nFather Kolbe’s death was not a sudden\, last-minute act of heroism. His whole life had been a preparation. His holiness was a limitless\, passionate desire to convert the whole world to God. And his beloved Immaculata was his inspiration. \n\nSaint Maximilian Mary Kolbe is the Patron Saint of:\nAddicts\nDrug addiction
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/saint-maximilian-mary-kolbe/2026-08-14/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260815
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260816
DTSTAMP:20260403T134635
CREATED:20170727T180854Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170727T180854Z
UID:50851-1786752000-1786838399@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary
DESCRIPTION:Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary\nSaint of the Day for August 15\nThe Story of the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary\nClick to hear audio clip ►\nOn November 1\, 1950\, Pope Pius XII defined the Assumption of Mary to be a dogma of faith: “We pronounce\, declare and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma that the immaculate Mother of God\, the ever Virgin Mary\, having completed the course of her earthly life\, was assumed body and soul to heavenly glory.” The pope proclaimed this dogma only after a broad consultation of bishops\, theologians and laity. There were few dissenting voices. What the pope solemnly declared was already a common belief in the Catholic Church. \nWe find homilies on the Assumption going back to the sixth century. In following centuries\, the Eastern Churches held steadily to the doctrine\, but some authors in the West were hesitant. However by the 13th century there was universal agreement. The feast was celebrated under various names–Commemoration\, Dormition\, Passing\, Assumption–from at least the fifth or sixth century. Today it is celebrated as a solemnity. \nScripture does not give an account of Mary’s Assumption into heaven. Nevertheless\, Revelation 12 speaks of a woman who is caught up in the battle between good and evil. Many see this woman as God’s people. Since Mary best embodies the people of both Old and New Testaments\, her Assumption can be seen as an exemplification of the woman’s victory. \nFurthermore\, in 1 Corinthians 15:20\, Paul speaks of Christ’s resurrection as the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. \nSince Mary is closely associated with all the mysteries of Jesus’ life\, it is not surprising that the Holy Spirit has led the Church to believe in Mary’s share in his glorification. So close was she to Jesus on earth\, she must be with him body and soul in heaven. \n\nReflection\nIn the light of the Assumption of Mary\, it is easy to pray her Magnificat (Luke 1:46–55) with new meaning. In her glory she proclaims the greatness of the Lord and finds joy in God her savior. God has done marvels to her and she leads others to recognize God’s holiness. She is the lowly handmaid who deeply reverenced her God and has been raised to the heights. From her position of strength she will help the lowly and the poor find justice on earth\, and she will challenge the rich and powerful to distrust wealth and power as a source of happiness.
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/solemnity-of-the-assumption-of-mary/2026-08-15/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
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DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260817
DTSTAMP:20260403T134635
CREATED:20170727T180856Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170727T180856Z
UID:50854-1786838400-1786924799@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Saint Stephen of Hungary
DESCRIPTION:  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \nSaint Stephen of Hungary\nSaint of the Day for August 16\n(975 – August 15\, 1038)\nSaint Stephen of Hungary’s Story\nClick to hear audio clip ►\nThe Church is universal\, but its expression is always affected—for good or ill—by local culture. There are no “generic” Christians; there are Mexican Christians\, Polish Christians\, Filipino Christians. This fact is evident in the life of Stephen\, national hero and spiritual patron of Hungary. \nBorn a pagan\, he was baptized around the age of 10\, together with his father\, chief of the Magyars\, a group who migrated to the Danube area in the ninth century. At 20\, he married Gisela\, sister to the future emperor\, Saint Henry. When he succeeded his father\, Stephen adopted a policy of Christianization of the country for both political and religious reasons. He suppressed a series of revolts by pagan nobles and welded the Magyars into a strong national group. He asked the pope to provide for the Church’s organization in Hungary—and also requested that the pope confer the title of king upon him. He was crowned on Christmas day in 1001. \nStephen established a system of tithes to support churches and pastors and to relieve the poor. Out of every 10 towns one had to build a church and support a priest. He abolished pagan customs with a certain amount of violence\, and commanded all to marry\, except clergy and religious. He was easily accessible to all\, especially the poor. \nIn 1031\, his son Emeric died\, and the rest of Stephen’s days were embittered by controversy over his successor. His nephews attempted to kill him. He died in 1038 and was canonized\, along with his son\, in 1083. \n\nReflection\nGod’s gift of holiness is a Christlike love of God and humanity. Love must sometimes bear a stern countenance for the sake of ultimate good. Christ attacked hypocrites among the Pharisees\, but died forgiving them. Paul excommunicated the incestuous man at Corinth “that his spirit may be saved.” Some Christians fought the Crusades with noble zeal\, in spite of the unworthy motives of others. \nToday\, after senseless wars\, and with a deeper understanding of the complex nature of human motives\, we shrink from any use of violence—physical or “silent.” This wholesome development continues as people debate whether it is possible for a Christian to be an absolute pacifist or whether evil must sometimes be repelled by force. \n\nSaint Stephen of Hungary is the Patron Saint of:\nBricklayers\nHungary \n\nAnother Saint of the Day for August 16 is Saint Roch.
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/saint-stephen-of-hungary/2026-08-16/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
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DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260818
DTSTAMP:20260403T134635
CREATED:20170727T180902Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170727T180902Z
UID:50860-1786924800-1787011199@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Saint Joan of the Cross
DESCRIPTION:Image: Wooden statue of Saint Joan of the Cross | A l’école des soeurs de Jeanne Delanoue | unknown\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSaint Joan of the Cross\nSaint of the Day for August 17\n(June 18\, 1666 – August 17\, 1736)\nSaint Joan of the Cross’ Story\nClick to hear audio clip ►\nAn encounter with a shabby old woman many dismissed as insane prompted Saint Joan to dedicate her life to the poor. For Joan\, who had a reputation as a businesswoman intent on monetary success\, this was a significant conversion. \nBorn in 1666 in Anjou\, France\, Joan worked in the family business—a small shop near a religious shrine—from an early age. After her parents’ death she took over the shop. She quickly became known for her greediness and insensitivity to the beggars who often came seeking help. \nThat was until she was touched by the strange woman who claimed she was on intimate terms with the deity. Joan\, who had always been devout\, even scrupulous\, became a new person. She began caring for needy children. Then the poor\, elderly\, and sick came to her. Over time\, she closed the family business so she could devote herself fully to good works and penance. \nShe went on to found what came to be known as the Congregation of Saint Anne of Providence. It was then she took the religious name of Joan of the Cross. By the time of her death in 1736 she had founded 12 religious houses\, hospices\, and schools. Pope John Paul II canonized her in 1982. \n\nReflection\nThe downtown areas of most major cities hold a population of “street people.” Well-dressed folks usually avoid making eye contact\, probably for fear of being asked for a handout. That was Joan’s attitude until the day one of them touched her heart. Most people thought the old woman was crazy\, but she put Joan on the road to sainthood. Who knows what the next beggar we meet might do for us?
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/saint-joan-of-the-cross/2026-08-17/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260818
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260819
DTSTAMP:20260403T134635
CREATED:20170727T180904Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170727T180904Z
UID:50863-1787011200-1787097599@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Saint Louis of Toulouse
DESCRIPTION:Image: Saint Louis of Toulouse | unknown\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSaint Louis of Toulouse\nSaint of the Day for August 18\n(February 9\, 1274 – August 19\, 1297)\nSaint Louis of Toulouse’s Story\nClick to hear audio clip ►\nWhen he died at the age of 23\, Louis was already a Franciscan\, a bishop and a saint! \nLouis’s parents were Charles II of Naples and Sicily\, and Mary\, daughter of the King of Hungary. Louis was related to Saint Louis IX on his father’s side and to Elizabeth of Hungary on his mother’s side. \nLouis showed early signs of attachment to prayer and to the corporal works of mercy. As a child he used to take food from the castle to feed the poor. When he was 14\, Louis and two of his brothers were taken as hostages to the king of Aragon’s court as part of a political deal involving Louis’s father. At the court\, Louis was tutored by Franciscan friars under whom he made great progress both in his studies and in the spiritual life. Like Saint Francis he developed a special love for those afflicted with leprosy. \nWhile he was still a hostage\, Louis decided to renounce his royal title and become a priest. When he was 20\, he was allowed to leave the king of Aragon’s court. He renounced his title in favor of his brother Robert and was ordained the next year. Very shortly after\, he was appointed bishop of Toulouse\, but the pope agreed to Louis’s request to become a Franciscan first. \nThe Franciscan spirit pervaded Louis. “Jesus Christ is all my riches; he alone is sufficient for me\,” Louis kept repeating. Even as a bishop he wore the Franciscan habit and sometimes begged. He assigned a friar to offer him correction—in public if necessary—and the friar did his job. \nLouis’s service to the Diocese of Toulouse was richly blessed. In no time he was considered a saint. Louis set aside 75 percent of his income as bishop to feed the poor and maintain churches. Each day he fed 25 poor people at his table. \nLouis was canonized in 1317 by Pope John XXII\, one of his former teachers. \n\nReflection\nWhen Cardinal Hugolino\, the future Pope Gregory IX\, suggested to Francis that some of the friars would make fine bishops\, Francis protested that they might lose some of their humility and simplicity if appointed to those positions. Those two virtues are needed everywhere in the Church\, and Louis shows us how they can be lived out by bishops. \n\nThe Liturgical Feast of Saint Louis of Toulouse is August 19.
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/saint-louis-of-toulouse/2026-08-18/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
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