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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260808
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260809
DTSTAMP:20260403T134137
CREATED:20170727T180836Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170727T180836Z
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
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260809
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260810
DTSTAMP:20260403T134137
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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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260810
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260811
DTSTAMP:20260403T134137
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
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260811
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260812
DTSTAMP:20260403T134137
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
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260812
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260813
DTSTAMP:20260403T134137
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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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260813
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260814
DTSTAMP:20260403T134137
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
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260814
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260815
DTSTAMP:20260403T134137
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
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260815
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260816
DTSTAMP:20260403T134137
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
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260816
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260817
DTSTAMP:20260403T134137
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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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260817
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260818
DTSTAMP:20260403T134137
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:20260403T134137
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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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260819
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260820
DTSTAMP:20260403T134137
CREATED:20170727T180906Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170727T180906Z
UID:50865-1787097600-1787183999@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Saint John Eudes
DESCRIPTION:Image: Stained glass window in Saint-Pierre de Dourdain | photo by GO69\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSaint John Eudes\nSaint of the Day for August 19\n(November 14\, 1601 – August 19\, 1680)\nSaint John Eudes’ Story\nClick to hear audio clip ►\nHow little we know where God’s grace will lead. Born on a farm in northern France\, John died at 79 in the next “county” or department. In that time\, he was a religious\, a parish missionary\, founder of two religious communities\, and a great promoter of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. \nJohn joined the religious community of the Oratorians and was ordained a priest at 24. During severe plagues in 1627 and 1631\, he volunteered to care for the stricken in his own diocese. Lest he infect his fellow religious\, during the plague he lived in a huge cask in the middle of a field. \nAt age 32\, John became a parish missionary. His gifts as a preacher and confessor won him great popularity. He preached over 100 parish missions\, some lasting from several weeks to several months. \nIn his concern with the spiritual improvement of the clergy\, John realized that the greatest need was for seminaries. He had permission from his general superior\, the bishop\, and even Cardinal Richelieu to begin this work\, but the succeeding general superior disapproved. After prayer and counsel\, John decided it was best to leave the religious community. \nThat same year John founded a new community\, ultimately called the Eudists–the Congregation of Jesus and Mary–devoted to the formation of the clergy by conducting diocesan seminaries. The new venture\, while approved by individual bishops\, met with immediate opposition\, especially from Jansenists and some of his former associates. John founded several seminaries in Normandy\, but was unable to get approval from Rome–partly\, it was said\, because he did not use the most tactful approach. \nIn his parish mission work\, John was disturbed by the sad condition of prostitutes who sought to escape their miserable life. Temporary shelters were found\, but arrangements were not satisfactory. A certain Madeleine Lamy\, who had cared for several of the women\, one day said to him\, “Where are you off to now? To some church\, I suppose\, where you’ll gaze at the images and think yourself pious. And all the time what is really wanted of you is a decent house for these poor creatures.” The words\, and the laughter of those present\, struck deeply within him. The result was another new religious community\, called the Sisters of Charity of the Refuge. \nJohn Eudes is probably best known for the central theme of his writings: Jesus as the source of holiness; Mary as the model of the Christian life. His devotion to the Sacred Heart and to the Immaculate Heart led Pope Pius XI to declare him the father of the liturgical cult of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. \n\nReflection\nHoliness is the wholehearted openness to the love of God. It is visibly expressed in many ways\, but the variety of expression has one common quality: concern for the needs of others. In John’s case\, those who were in need were plague-stricken people\, ordinary parishioners\, those preparing for the priesthood\, prostitutes\, and all Christians called to imitate the love of Jesus and his mother.
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/saint-john-eudes/2026-08-19/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260820
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260821
DTSTAMP:20260403T134137
CREATED:20170727T180909Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170727T180909Z
UID:50866-1787184000-1787270399@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
DESCRIPTION:Image: Stained glass representing St. Bernard of Clairvaux | photo by Jastrow (2006)\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSaint Bernard of Clairvaux\nSaint of the Day for August 20\n(1090 – August 20\, 1153)\nSaint Bernard of Clairvaux’s Story\nClick to hear audio clip ►\nMan of the century! Woman of the century! You see such terms applied to so many today—“golfer of the century\,” “composer of the century\,” “right tackle of the century”—that the line no longer has any punch. But Western Europe’s “man of the twelfth century\,” without doubt or controversy\, had to be Bernard of Clairvaux. Adviser of popes\, preacher of the Second Crusade\, defender of the faith\, healer of a schism\, reformer of a monastic Order\, Scripture scholar\, theologian\, and eloquent preacher: any one of these titles would distinguish an ordinary man. Yet Bernard was all of these—and he still retained a burning desire to return to the hidden monastic life of his younger days. \nIn the year 1111\, at the age of 20\, Bernard left his home to join the monastic community of Citeaux. His five brothers\, two uncles\, and some 30 young friends followed him into the monastery. Within four years\, a dying community had recovered enough vitality to establish a new house in the nearby valley of Wormwoods\, with Bernard as abbot. The zealous young man was quite demanding\, though more on himself than others. A slight breakdown of health taught him to be more patient and understanding. The valley was soon renamed Clairvaux\, the valley of light. \nHis ability as arbitrator and counselor became widely known. More and more he was lured away from the monastery to settle long-standing disputes. On several of these occasions\, he apparently stepped on some sensitive toes in Rome. Bernard was completely dedicated to the primacy of the Roman See. But to a letter of warning from Rome\, he replied that the good fathers in Rome had enough to do to keep the Church in one piece. If any matters arose that warranted their interest\, he would be the first to let them know. \nShortly thereafter it was Bernard who intervened in a full-blown schism and settled it in favor of the Roman pontiff against the antipope. \nThe Holy See prevailed on Bernard to preach the Second Crusade throughout Europe. His eloquence was so overwhelming that a great army was assembled and the success of the crusade seemed assured. The ideals of the men and their leaders\, however\, were not those of Abbot Bernard\, and the project ended as a complete military and moral disaster. \nBernard felt responsible in some way for the degenerative effects of the crusade. This heavy burden possibly hastened his death\, which came August 20\, 1153. \n\nReflection\nBernard’s life in the Church was more active than we can imagine possible today. His efforts produced far-reaching results. But he knew that they would have availed little without the many hours of prayer and contemplation that brought him strength and heavenly direction. His life was characterized by a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother. His sermons and books about Mary are still the standard of Marian theology.
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/saint-bernard-of-clairvaux/2026-08-20/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260821
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260822
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CREATED:20170727T180911Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170727T180911Z
UID:50869-1787270400-1787356799@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Saint Pius X
DESCRIPTION:Image: Portrait of Pope Saint Pius X | Library of Congress | Tryphosa Bates-Batcheller\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSaint Pius X\nSaint of the Day for August 21\n(June 2\, 1835 – August 20\, 1914)\nSaint Pius X’s Story\nClick to hear audio clip ►\nPope Pius X is perhaps best remembered for his encouragement of the frequent reception of Holy Communion\, especially by children. \nThe second of 10 children in a poor Italian family\, Joseph Sarto became Pius X at age 68. He was one of the 20th century’s greatest popes. \nEver mindful of his humble origin\, Pope Pius stated\, “I was born poor\, I lived poor\, I will die poor.” He was embarrassed by some of the pomp of the papal court. “Look how they have dressed me up\,” he said in tears to an old friend. To another\, “It is a penance to be forced to accept all these practices. They lead me around surrounded by soldiers like Jesus when he was seized in Gethsemani.” \nInterested in politics\, Pope Pius encouraged Italian Catholics to become more politically involved. One of his first papal acts was to end the supposed right of governments to interfere by veto in papal elections—a practice that reduced the freedom of the 1903 conclave which had elected him. \nIn 1905\, when France renounced its agreement with the Holy See and threatened confiscation of Church property if governmental control of Church affairs were not granted\, Pius X courageously rejected the demand. \nWhile he did not author a famous social encyclical as his predecessor had done\, he denounced the ill treatment of indigenous peoples on the plantations of Peru\, sent a relief commission to Messina after an earthquake\, and sheltered refugees at his own expense. \nOn the 11th anniversary of his election as pope\, Europe was plunged into World War I. Pius had foreseen it\, but it killed him. “This is the last affliction the Lord will visit on me. I would gladly give my life to save my poor children from this ghastly scourge.” He died a few weeks after the war began\, and was canonized in 1954. \n\nReflection\nHis humble background was no obstacle in relating to a personal God and to people whom he loved genuinely. Pius X gained his strength\, his gentleness and warmth for people from the source of all gifts\, the Spirit of Jesus. In contrast\, we often feel embarrassed by our backgrounds. Shame makes us prefer to remain aloof from people whom we perceive as superior. If we are in a superior position\, on the other hand\, we often ignore simpler people. Yet we\, too\, have to help “restore all things in Christ\,” especially the wounded people of God.
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/saint-pius-x/2026-08-21/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260822
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260823
DTSTAMP:20260403T134137
CREATED:20170727T180914Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170727T180914Z
UID:50872-1787356800-1787443199@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Queenship of Mary
DESCRIPTION:Image: Virgin of the Deliverance | Ernest Hébert\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nQueenship of Mary\nSaint of the Day for August 22\nThe Story of the Queenship of Mary\nhttps://www.franciscanmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/SODAug22.mp3\nPope Pius XII established this feast in 1954. But Mary’s queenship has roots in Scripture. At the Annunciation\, Gabriel announced that Mary’s Son would receive the throne of David and rule forever. At the Visitation\, Elizabeth calls Mary “mother of my Lord.” As in all the mysteries of Mary’s life\, she is closely associated with Jesus: Her queenship is a share in Jesus’ kingship. We can also recall that in the Old Testament the mother of the king has great influence in court. \nIn the fourth century St. Ephrem called Mary “Lady” and “Queen.” Later Church fathers and doctors continued to use the title. Hymns of the 11th to 13th centuries address Mary as queen: “Hail\, Holy Queen\,” “Hail\, Queen of Heaven\,” “Queen of Heaven.” The Dominican rosary and the Franciscan crown as well as numerous invocations in Mary’s litany celebrate her queenship. \nThe feast is a logical follow-up to the Assumption\, and is now celebrated on the octave day of that feast. In his 1954 encyclical To the Queen of Heaven\, Pius XII points out that Mary deserves the title because she is Mother of God\, because she is closely associated as the New Eve with Jesus’ redemptive work\, because of her preeminent perfection\, and because of her intercessory power. \n\nReflection\nAs Saint Paul suggests in Romans 8:28–30\, God has predestined human beings from all eternity to share the image of his Son. All the more was Mary predestined to be the mother of Jesus. As Jesus was to be king of all creation\, Mary\, in dependence on Jesus\, was to be queen. All other titles to queenship derive from this eternal intention of God. As Jesus exercised his kingship on earth by serving his Father and his fellow human beings\, so did Mary exercise her queenship. As the glorified Jesus remains with us as our king till the end of time (Matthew 28:20)\, so does Mary\, who was assumed into heaven and crowned queen of heaven and earth.
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/queenship-of-mary/2026-08-22/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260823
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260824
DTSTAMP:20260403T134137
CREATED:20170727T180916Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170727T180916Z
UID:50874-1787443200-1787529599@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Saint Rose of Lima
DESCRIPTION:Image: Saint Rose of Lima with Child Jesus | anonymous\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSaint Rose of Lima\nSaint of the Day for August 23\n(April 20\, 1586 – August 24\, 1617)\n Saint Rose of Lima’s Story\nhttps://www.franciscanmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/SODAug23.mp3\nThe first canonized saint of the New World has one characteristic of all saints—the suffering of opposition—and another characteristic which is more for admiration than for imitation—excessive practice of mortification. \nShe was born to parents of Spanish descent in Lima\, Peru\, at a time when South America was in its first century of evangelization. She seems to have taken Catherine of Siena as a model\, in spite of the objections and ridicule of parents and friends. \nThe saints have so great a love of God that what seems bizarre to us\, and is indeed sometimes imprudent\, is simply a logical carrying out of a conviction that anything that might endanger a loving relationship with God must be rooted out. So\, because her beauty was so often admired\, Rose used to rub her face with pepper to produce disfiguring blotches. Later\, she wore a thick circlet of silver on her head\, studded on the inside\, like a crown of thorns. \nWhen her parents fell into financial trouble\, she worked in the garden all day and sewed at night. Ten years of struggle against her parents began when they tried to make Rose marry. They refused to let her enter a convent\, and out of obedience she continued her life of penance and solitude at home as a member of the Third Order of Saint Dominic. So deep was her desire to live the life of Christ that she spent most of her time at home in solitude. \nDuring the last few years of her life\, Rose set up a room in the house where she cared for homeless children\, the elderly\, and the sick. This was a beginning of social services in Peru. Though secluded in life and activity\, she was brought to the attention of Inquisition interrogators\, who could only say that she was influenced by grace. \nWhat might have been a merely eccentric life was transfigured from the inside. If we remember some unusual penances\, we should also remember the greatest thing about Rose: a love of God so ardent that it withstood ridicule from without\, violent temptation\, and lengthy periods of sickness. When she died at 31\, the city turned out for her funeral. Prominent men took turns carrying her coffin. \n\nReflection\nIt is easy to dismiss excessive penances of the saints as the expression of a certain culture or temperament. But a woman wearing a crown of thorns may at least prod our consciences. We enjoy the most comfort-oriented life in human history. We eat too much\, drink too much\, use a million gadgets\, fill our eyes and ears with everything imaginable. Commerce thrives on creating useless needs on which to spend our money. It seems that when we have become most like slaves\, there is the greatest talk of “freedom.” Are we willing to discipline ourselves in such an atmosphere? \n\nSaint Rose of Lima is the Patron Saint of:\nAmericas\nFlorists\nLatin America\nPeru\nPhilippines\nSouth America
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/saint-rose-of-lima/2026-08-23/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260824
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260825
DTSTAMP:20260403T134137
CREATED:20170727T180918Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170727T180918Z
UID:50880-1787529600-1787615999@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Saint Bartholomew
DESCRIPTION:Image: Sant Bertolomeu | Bernat Jiménez\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSaint Bartholomew\nSaint of the Day for August 24\n(b. 1st century)\nSaint Bartholomew’s Story\nhttps://www.franciscanmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/SODAug24.mp3\nIn the New Testament\, Bartholomew is mentioned only in the lists of the apostles. Some scholars identify him with Nathanael\, a man of Cana in Galilee who was summoned to Jesus by Philip. Jesus paid him a great compliment: “Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him” (John 1:47b). When Nathanael asked how Jesus knew him\, Jesus said\, “I saw you under the fig tree” (John 1:48b). Whatever amazing revelation this involved\, it brought Nathanael to exclaim\, “Rabbi\, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel” (John 1:49b). But Jesus countered with\, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this” (John 1:50b). \nNathanael did see greater things. He was one of those to whom Jesus appeared on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias after his resurrection (see John 21:1-14). They had been fishing all night without success. In the morning\, they saw someone standing on the shore though no one knew it was Jesus. He told them to cast their net again\, and they made so great a catch that they could not haul the net in. Then John cried out to Peter\, “It is the Lord.” \nWhen they brought the boat to shore\, they found a fire burning\, with some fish laid on it and some bread. Jesus asked them to bring some of the fish they had caught\, and invited them to come and eat their meal. John relates that although they knew it was Jesus\, none of the apostles presumed to inquire who he was. This\, John notes\, was the third time Jesus appeared to the apostles. \n\nReflection\nBartholomew or Nathanael? We are confronted again with the fact that we know almost nothing about most of the apostles. Yet the unknown ones were also foundation stones\, the 12 pillars of the new Israel whose 12 tribes now encompass the whole earth. Their personalities were secondary–without thereby being demeaned–to their great office of bearing tradition from their firsthand experience\, speaking in the name of Jesus\, putting the Word Made Flesh into human words for the enlightenment of the world. Their holiness was not an introverted contemplation of their status before God. It was a gift that they had to share with others. The Good News was that all are called to the holiness of being Christ’s members\, by the gracious gift of God. \nThe simple fact is that humanity is totally meaningless unless God is its total concern. Then humanity\, made holy with God’s own holiness\, becomes the most precious creation of God. \n\nSaint Bartholomew is the Patron Saint of:\nPlasterers
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/saint-bartholomew/2026-08-24/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260825
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260826
DTSTAMP:20260403T134137
CREATED:20170727T180921Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170727T180921Z
UID:50886-1787616000-1787702399@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Saint Louis of France
DESCRIPTION:Image: HDR photo of the Apotheosis of St. Louis | Sculpture by C.H. Niehaus\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSaint Louis IX of France\nSaint of the Day for August 25\n(April 25\, 1214 – August 25\, 1270)\nSaint Louis of France’s Story\nhttps://www.franciscanmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/SODAug25.mp3\nAt his coronation as king of France\, Louis IX bound himself by oath to behave as God’s anointed\, as the father of his people and feudal lord of the King of Peace. Other kings had done the same\, of course. Louis was different in that he actually interpreted his kingly duties in the light of faith. After the violence of two previous reigns\, he brought peace and justice. \nLouis “took the cross” for a Crusade when he was 30. His army seized Damietta in Egypt but not long after\, weakened by dysentery and without support\, they were surrounded and captured. Louis obtained the release of the army by giving up the city of Damietta in addition to paying a ransom. He stayed in Syria four years. \nLouis deserves credit for extending justice in civil administration. His regulations for royal officials became the first of a series of reform laws. He replaced trial by battle with a form of examination of witnesses and encouraged the use of written records in court. \nLouis was always respectful of the papacy\, but defended royal interests against the popes\, and refused to acknowledge Innocent IV’s sentence against Emperor Frederick II. \nLouis was devoted to his people\, founding hospitals\, visiting the sick\, and like his patron Saint Francis\, caring even for people with leprosy. He is one of the patrons of the Secular Franciscan Order. Louis united France—lords and townsfolk\, peasants and priests and knights—by the force of his personality and holiness. For many years the nation was at peace. \nEvery day\, Louis had 13 special guests from among the poor to eat with him\, and a large number of poor were served meals near his palace. During Advent and Lent\, all who presented themselves were given a meal\, and Louis often served them in person. He kept lists of needy people\, whom he regularly relieved\, in every province of his dominion. \nDisturbed by new Muslim advances in Syria\, he led another crusade in 1267\, at the age of 41. His crusade was diverted to Tunis for his brother’s sake. The army was decimated by disease within a month\, and Louis himself died on foreign soil at the age of 44. He was canonized 27 years later. \n\nReflection\nLouis was strong-willed\, strong-minded. His word was trusted utterly\, and his courage in action was remarkable. What is most remarkable was his sense of respect for anyone with whom he dealt\, especially the “humble folk of the Lord.” To care for his people he built cathedrals\, churches\, libraries\, hospitals and orphanages. He dealt with princes honestly and equitably. He hoped to be treated the same way by the King of Kings\, to whom he gave his life\, his family and his country. \n\nSaint Louis of France is the Patron Saint of:\nBarbers\nGrooms\nSecular Franciscan Order
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/saint-louis-of-france/2026-08-25/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260826
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260827
DTSTAMP:20260403T134137
CREATED:20170727T180923Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170727T180923Z
UID:50888-1787702400-1787788799@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Saint Joseph Calasanz
DESCRIPTION:Image: San José de Calasanz | Francisco Jover y Casanova\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSaint Joseph Calasanz\nSaint of the Day for August 26\n(September 11\, 1556 – August 25\, 1648)\nSaint Joseph Calasanz’ Story\nhttps://www.franciscanmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/SODAug26.mp3\nFrom Aragon\, where he was born in 1556\, to Rome\, where he died 92 years later\, fortune alternately smiled and frowned on the work of Joseph Calasanz. A priest with university training in canon law and theology\, respected for his wisdom and administrative expertise\, he put aside his career because he was deeply concerned with the need for education of poor children. \nWhen he was unable to get other institutes to undertake this apostolate at Rome\, Joseph and several companions personally provided a free school for deprived children. So overwhelming was the response that there was a constant need for larger facilities to house their effort. Soon\, Pope Clement VIII gave support to the school\, and this aid continued under Pope Paul V. Other schools were opened; other men were attracted to the work\, and in 1621 the community–for so the teachers lived–was recognized as a religious community\, the Clerks Regular of Religious Schools–Piarists or Scolopi. Not long after\, Joseph was appointed superior for life. \nA combination of various prejudices and political ambition and maneuvering caused the institute much turmoil. Some did not favor educating the poor\, for education would leave the poor dissatisfied with their lowly tasks for society! Others were shocked that some of the Piarists were sent for instruction to Galileo–a friend of Joseph–as superior\, thus dividing the members into opposite camps. Repeatedly investigated by papal commissions\, Joseph was demoted; when the struggle within the institute persisted\, the Piarists were suppressed. Only after Joseph’s death were they formally recognized as a religious community. \n\nReflection\nNo one knew better than Joseph the need for the work he was doing; no one knew better than he how baseless were the charges brought against him. Yet if he were to work within the Church\, he realized that he must submit to its authority\, that he must accept a setback if he was unable to convince authorized investigators. While the prejudice\, the scheming and the ignorance of men often keep the truth from emerging for a long period of time\, Joseph was convinced\, even under suppression\, that his institute would again be recognized and authorized. With this trust he joined exceptional patience and a genuine spirit of forgiveness. \n\nThe Liturgical Feast of Saint Joseph Calasanz is August 25.
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/saint-joseph-calasanz/2026-08-26/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260827
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260828
DTSTAMP:20260403T134137
CREATED:20170727T180926Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170727T180926Z
UID:50890-1787788800-1787875199@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Saint Monica
DESCRIPTION:Image: Detail | Stained glass window in the Church of Saint James the Greater in Bouxwiller | photo by GFreihalter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSaint Monica\nSaint of the Day for August 27\n(c. 330 – 387)\nSaint Monica’s Story\nClick to hear audio clip ►\nThe circumstances of Saint Monica’s life could have made her a nagging wife\, a bitter daughter-in-law\, and a despairing parent\, yet she did not give way to any of these temptations. Although she was a Christian\, her parents gave her in marriage to a pagan\, Patricius\, who lived in her hometown of Tagaste in North Africa. Patricius had some redeeming features\, but he had a violent temper and was licentious. Monica also had to bear with a cantankerous mother-in-law who lived in her home. Patricius criticized his wife because of her charity and piety\, but always respected her. Monica’s prayers and example finally won her husband and mother-in-law to Christianity. Her husband died in 371\, one year after his baptism. \nMonica had at least three children who survived infancy. The oldest\, Augustine\, is the most famous. At the time of his father’s death\, Augustine was 17 and a rhetoric student in Carthage. Monica was distressed to learn that her son had accepted the Manichean heresy–“all flesh is evil”–and was living an immoral life. For a while\, she refused to let him eat or sleep in her house. Then one night she had a vision that assured her Augustine would return to the faith. From that time on\, she stayed close to her son\, praying and fasting for him. In fact she often stayed much closer than Augustine wanted. \nWhen he was 29\, Augustine decided to go to Rome to teach rhetoric. Monica was determined to go along. One night he told his mother that he was going to the dock to say goodbye to a friend. Instead he set sail for Rome. Monica was heartbroken when she learned of Augustine’s trick\, but she still followed him. She arrived in Rome only to find that he had left for Milan. Although travel was difficult\, Monica pursued him to Milan. \nIn Milan\, Augustine came under the influence of the bishop\, Saint Ambrose\, who also became Monica’s spiritual director. She accepted his advice in everything and had the humility to give up some practices that had become second nature to her. Monica became a leader of the devout women in Milan as she had been in Tagaste. \nShe continued her prayers for Augustine during his years of instruction. At Easter 387\, Saint Ambrose baptized Augustine and several of his friends. Soon after\, his party left for Africa. Although no one else was aware of it\, Monica knew her life was near the end. She told Augustine\, “Son\, nothing in this world now affords me delight. I do not know what there is now left for me to do or why I am still here\, all my hopes in this world being now fulfilled.” She became ill shortly after and suffered severely for nine days before her death. \nAlmost all we know about St. Monica is in the writings of Saint Augustine\, especially his Confessions. \n\nReflection\nToday\, with Internet searches\, online shopping\, text messages\, tweets and instant credit\, we have little patience for things that take time. Likewise\, we want instant answers to our prayers. Monica is a model of patience. Her long years of prayer\, coupled with a strong\, well-disciplined character\, finally led to the conversion of her hot-tempered husband\, her cantankerous mother-in-law and her brilliant but wayward son\, Augustine. \n\nSaint Monica is the Patron Saint of:\nAlcoholics\nConversion\nMarried Women\nMothers
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/saint-monica/2026-08-27/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260828
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260829
DTSTAMP:20260403T134137
CREATED:20170727T180928Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170727T180928Z
UID:50891-1787875200-1787961599@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Saint Augustine of Hippo
DESCRIPTION:Image: Saint Augustine of Hippo | Line engraving by P. Cool after M. de Vos | Wellcome Images\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSaint Augustine of Hippo\nSaint of the Day for August 28\n(November 13\, 354 – August 28\, 430)\nSaint Augustine’s Story\nClick to hear audio clip ►\nA Christian at 33\, a priest at 36\, a bishop at 41: Many people are familiar with the biographical sketch of Augustine of Hippo\, sinner turned saint. But really to get to know the man is a rewarding experience. \nThere quickly surfaces the intensity with which he lived his life\, whether his path led away from or toward God. The tears of his mother\, the instructions of Ambrose and\, most of all\, God himself speaking to him in the Scriptures\, redirected Augustine’s love of life to a life of love. \nHaving been so deeply immersed in creature-pride of life in his early days and having drunk deeply of its bitter dregs\, it is not surprising that Augustine should have turned\, with a holy fierceness\, against the many demon-thrusts rampant in his day. His times were truly decadent: politically\, socially\, morally. He was both feared and loved\, like the Master. The perennial criticism leveled against him: a fundamental rigorism. \nIn his day\, Augustine providentially fulfilled the office of prophet. Like Jeremiah and other greats\, he was hard-pressed but could not keep quiet. “I say to myself\, I will not mention him\,/I will speak in his name no more./But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart\,/imprisoned in my bones;/I grow weary holding it in\,/I cannot endure it” (Jeremiah 20:9). \n\nReflection\nAugustine is still acclaimed and condemned in our day. He is a prophet for today\, trumpeting the need to scrap escapisms and stand face-to-face with personal responsibility and dignity. \n\nSaint Augustine is the Patron Saint of:\nPrinters\nTheologians
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/saint-augustine-of-hippo/2026-08-28/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260829
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260830
DTSTAMP:20260403T134137
CREATED:20170727T180930Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170727T180930Z
UID:50892-1787961600-1788047999@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Martyrdom of John the Baptist
DESCRIPTION:Image: Salome with the Head of John the baptist | Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMartyrdom of John the Baptist\nSaint of the Day for August 29\nThe Story of the Martyrdom of John the Baptist\nhttps://www.franciscanmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/SODAug29.mp3\n  \nThe drunken oath of a king with a shallow sense of honor\, a seductive dance and the hateful heart of a queen combined to bring about the martyrdom of John the Baptist. The greatest of prophets suffered the fate of so many Old Testament prophets before him: rejection and martyrdom. The “voice crying in the desert” did not hesitate to accuse the guilty\, did not hesitate to speak the truth. But why? What possesses a man that he would give up his very life? \nThis great religious reformer was sent by God to prepare the people for the Messiah. His vocation was one of selfless giving. The only power that he claimed was the Spirit of Yahweh. “I am baptizing you with water\, for repentance\, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matthew 3:11). \nScripture tells us that many people followed John looking to him for hope\, perhaps in anticipation of some great messianic power. John never allowed himself the false honor of receiving these people for his own glory. He knew his calling was one of preparation. When the time came\, he led his disciples to Jesus: “The next day John was there again with two of his disciples\, and as he watched Jesus walk by\, he said\, ‘Behold\, the Lamb of God.’ The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus” (John 1:35-37). \nIt is John the Baptist who has pointed the way to Christ. John’s life and death were a giving over of self for God and other people. His simple style of life was one of complete detachment from earthly possessions. His heart was centered on God and the call that he heard from the Spirit of God speaking to his heart. Confident of God’s grace\, he had the courage to speak words of condemnation\, repentance\, and salvation. \n\nReflection\nEach of us has a calling to which we must listen. No one will ever repeat the mission of John\, and yet all of us are called to that very mission. It is the role of the Christian to witness to Jesus. Whatever our position in this world\, we are called to be disciples of Christ. By our words and deeds\, others should realize that we live in the joy of knowing that Jesus is Lord. We do not have to depend upon our own limited resources\, but can draw strength from the vastness of Christ’s saving grace.
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/martyrdom-of-john-the-baptist/2026-08-29/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260830
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260831
DTSTAMP:20260403T134137
CREATED:20170727T180932Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170727T180932Z
UID:50893-1788048000-1788134399@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Saint Jeanne Jugan
DESCRIPTION:Image: Statue of Saint Jeanne Jugan at the Sisters of the Poor in Valladolid | photo by Rodelar\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSaint Jeanne Jugan\nSaint of the Day for August 30\n(October 25\, 1792 – August 29\, 1879)\nSaint Jeanne Jugan’s Story\nClick to hear audio clip ►\nBorn in northern France during the French Revolution—a time when congregations of women and men religious were being suppressed by the national government\, Jeanne would eventually be highly praised in the French academy for her community’s compassionate care of elderly poor people. \nWhen Jeanne was three and a half years old\, her father\, a fisherman\, was lost at sea. Her widowed mother was hard pressed to raise her eight children alone; four died young. At the age of 15 or 16\, Jeanne became a kitchen maid for a family that not only cared for its own members\, but also served poor\, elderly people nearby. Ten years later\, Jeanne became a nurse at the hospital in Le Rosais. Soon thereafter\, she joined a third order group founded by Saint John Eudes. \nAfter six years she became a servant and friend of a woman she met through the third order. They prayed\, visited the poor\, and taught catechism to children. After her friend’s death\, Jeanne and two other women continued a similar life in the city of Saint-Sevran. In 1839\, they brought in their first permanent guest. They began an association\, received more members\, and more guests. Mère Marie of the Cross\, as Jeanne was now known\, founded six more houses for the elderly by the end of 1849\, all staffed by members of her association—the Little Sisters of the Poor. By 1853\, the association numbered 500 and had houses as far away as England. \nAbbé Le Pailleur\, a chaplain\, had prevented Jeanne’s reelection as superior in 1843; nine years later\, he had her assigned to duties within the congregation\, but would not allow her to be recognized as its founder. In 1890\, the Holy See removed him from office. \nBy the time Pope Leo XIII gave her final approval to the community’s constitutions in 1879\, there were 2\,400 Little Sisters of the Poor. Jeanne died later that same year\, on August 30. Her cause was introduced in Rome in 1970. She was beatified in 1982\, and canonized in 2009. \n\nReflection\nJeanne Jugan saw Christ in what Saint Teresa of Calcutta would describe as his “distressing disguises.” With great confidence in God’s providence and the intercession of Saint Joseph\, she begged willingly for the many homes that she opened\, relying on the good example of the Sisters and the generosity of benefactors who knew the good that the Sisters were doing. They now work in 30 countries. “With the eye of faith\, we must see Jesus in our old people—for they are God’s mouthpiece\,” Jeanne once said. No matter what the difficulties\, she was always able to praise God and move ahead.
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/saint-jeanne-jugan/2026-08-30/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260831
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260901
DTSTAMP:20260403T134137
CREATED:20170727T180935Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170727T180935Z
UID:50894-1788134400-1788220799@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Saints Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus
DESCRIPTION:Image: Monastery Church: Altar of the crucifixion\, Mecklenburg | Gaston Lenthe | (Longinus\, Joseph of Arimathea\, and Nicodemus)\nSaint Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus\nSaint of the Day for August 31\n(1st century)\nSaint Joseph of Arimathea’s and Nicodemus’ Story\nClick to hear audio clip ►\nThe actions of these two influential Jewish leaders give insight into the charismatic power of Jesus and his teachings—and the risks that could be involved in following him. \nJoseph was a respected\, wealthy civic leader who had become a disciple of Jesus. Following the death of Jesus\, Joseph obtained Jesus’ body from Pilate\, wrapped it in fine linen and buried it. For these reasons\, Joseph is considered the patron saint of funeral directors and pallbearers. More important is the courage Joseph showed in asking Pilate for Jesus’ body. Jesus was a condemned criminal who had been publicly executed. According to some legends\, Joseph was punished and imprisoned for such a bold act. \nNicodemus was a Pharisee and\, like Joseph\, an important first-century Jew. We know from John’s Gospel that Nicodemus went to Jesus at night—secretly—to better understand his teachings about the kingdom. Later\, he spoke up for Jesus at the time of his arrest and assisted in Jesus’ burial. We know little else about Nicodemus. \n\nReflection\nCelebrating these two contemporaries of Jesus who played significant roles in Jesus’ life\, reminds us of the humanity of Jesus and how he related to his fellow men and women. His gentleness to these two and his acceptance of their help remind us that he treats us in the same gentle way. \n\nSaint Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus are the Patron Saints of:\nFuneral Directors\nPallbearers \n\nAnother Saint of the Day for August 31 is Saint Raymond Nonnatus.
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/saints-joseph-of-arimathea-and-nicodemus/2026-08-31/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260901
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260902
DTSTAMP:20260403T134137
CREATED:20170728T180904Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170728T180904Z
UID:50898-1788220800-1788307199@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Saint Giles
DESCRIPTION:Saint Giles\nSaint of the Day for September 1\n(c. 650 – 710)\n Saint Giles’ Story   \nClick to hear audio clip ►\n\nDespite the fact that much about Saint Giles is shrouded in mystery\, we can say that he was one of the most popular saints in the Middle Ages. Likely\, he was born in the first half of the seventh century in southeastern France. That is where he built a monastery that became a popular stopping-off point for pilgrims making their way to Compostela in Spain and the Holy Land. \nIn England\, many ancient churches and hospitals were dedicated to Giles. One of the sections of the city of Brussels is named after him. In Germany\, Giles was included among the so-called 14 Holy Helpers\, a popular group of saints to whom people prayed\, especially for recovery from disease and for strength at the hour of death. Also among the 14 were Saints Christopher\, Barbara\, and Blaise. Interestingly\, Giles was the only non-martyr among them. Devotion to the “Holy Helpers” was especially strong in parts of Germany and in Hungary and Sweden. Such devotion made his popularity spread. Giles was soon invoked as the patron of the poor and the disabled. \nThe pilgrimage center that once drew so many fell into disrepair some centuries after Giles’ death. \n\nReflection\nSaint Giles may not have been a martyr but\, as the word martyr means\, he was a true witness to the faith. This is attested to by the faith of the People of God in the Middle Ages. He became one of the “holy helpers” and can still function in that role for us today. \n\nSaint Giles is the Patron Saint of:\nBeggars\nThe Disabled\nDisasters\nThe Poor
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/saint-giles/2026-09-01/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260902
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260903
DTSTAMP:20260403T134137
CREATED:20170728T180907Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170728T180907Z
UID:50906-1788307200-1788393599@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Blessed John Francis Burté and Companions
DESCRIPTION:Image: Massacre à la Salpêtrière\, 3 septembre 1792 | anonymous (Unrelated\, but similar incident during the French Revolution.)\nBlessed John Francis Burté and Companions\nSaint of the Day for September 2\n(d. September 2\, 1792 and January 21\, 1794)\nClick to hear audio clip ►\nBlessed John Francis Burté and Companions’ Story\nThese priests were victims of the French Revolution. Though their martyrdom spans a period of several years\, they stand together in the Church’s memory because they all gave their lives for the same principle. The Civil Constitution of the Clergy (1791) required all priests to take an oath which amounted to a denial of the faith. Each of these men refused and was executed. \nJohn Francis Burté became a Franciscan at 16 and after ordination taught theology to the young friars. Later he was guardian of the large Conventual friary in Paris until he was arrested and held in the convent of the Carmelites. \nAppolinaris of Posat was born in 1739 in Switzerland. He joined the Capuchins and acquired a reputation as an excellent preacher\, confessor\, and instructor of clerics. Preparing for his assignment to the East as a missionary\, he was in Paris studying Oriental languages when the French Revolution began. Refusing the oath\, he was swiftly arrested and detained in the Carmelite convent. \nSeverin Girault\, a member of the Third Order Regular\, was a chaplain for a group of sisters in Paris. Imprisoned with the others\, he was the first to die in the slaughter at the convent. \nThese three plus 182 others—including several bishops and many religious and diocesan priests—were massacred at the Carmelite house in Paris on September 2\, 1792. They were beatified in 1926. \nJohn Baptist Triquerie\, born in 1737\, entered the Conventual Franciscans. He was chaplain and confessor of Poor Clare monasteries in three cities before he was arrested for refusing to take the oath. He and 13 diocesan priests were martyred in Laval on January 21\, 1794. He was beatified in 1955. \n\nReflection\n“Liberty\, Equality\, Fraternity” was the motto of the French Revolution. If individuals have “inalienable rights\,” as the Declaration of Independence states\, these must come not from the agreement of society (which can be very fragile) but directly from God. Do we believe that? Do we act on it?
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/blessed-john-francis-burte-and-companions/2026-09-02/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260903
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260904
DTSTAMP:20260403T134137
CREATED:20170728T180909Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170728T180909Z
UID:50908-1788393600-1788479999@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Saint Gregory the Great
DESCRIPTION:Image: Saint Gregory the Great | Jusepe de Ribera\, also known as José de Ribera\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSaint Gregory the Great\nSaint of the Day for September 3\n(c. 540 – March 12\, 604)\nClick to hear audio clip ►\nSaint Gregory the Great’s Story\nGregory was the prefect of Rome before he was 30. After five years in office he resigned\, founded six monasteries on his Sicilian estate and became a Benedictine monk in his own home at Rome. \nOrdained a priest\, he became one of the pope’s seven deacons\, and also served six years in the East as papal representative in Constantinople. He was recalled to become abbot\, and at the age of 50 was elected pope by the clergy and people of Rome. \nHe was direct and firm. He removed unworthy priests from office\, forbade taking money for many services\, emptied the papal treasury to ransom prisoners of the Lombards and to care for persecuted Jews and the victims of plague and famine. He was very concerned about the conversion of England\, sending 40 monks from his own monastery. He is known for his reform of the liturgy\, and for strengthening respect for doctrine. Whether he was largely responsible for the revision of “Gregorian” chant is disputed. \nGregory lived in a time of perpetual strife with invading Lombards and difficult relations with the East. When Rome itself was under attack\, he interviewed the Lombard king. \nAn Anglican historian has written: “It is impossible to conceive what would have been the confusion\, the lawlessness\, the chaotic state of the Middle Ages without the medieval papacy; and of the medieval papacy\, the real father is Gregory the Great.” \nHis book\, Pastoral Care\, on the duties and qualities of a bishop\, was read for centuries after his death. He described bishops mainly as physicians whose main duties were preaching and the enforcement of discipline. In his own down-to-earth preaching\, Gregory was skilled at applying the daily Gospel to the needs of his listeners. Called “the Great\,” Gregory has been given a place with Augustine\, Ambrose\, and Jerome as one of the four key doctors of the Western Church. \n\nReflection\nGregory was content to be a monk\, but he willingly served the Church in other ways when asked. He sacrificed his own preferences in many ways\, especially when he was called to be Bishop of Rome. Once he was called to public service\, Gregory gave his considerable energies completely to this work. Gregory’s description of bishops as physicians fits in well with Pope Francis’ description of the Church as a “field hospital.” \n\nSaint Gregory the Gregory the Great is the Patron Saint of:\nEngland\nEpilepsy\nMusicians\nTeachers
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/saint-gregory-the-great/2026-09-03/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260904
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260905
DTSTAMP:20260403T134137
CREATED:20170728T180910Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170728T180910Z
UID:50910-1788480000-1788566399@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Saint Rose of Viterbo
DESCRIPTION:Image: Santa Rosa e San Donnino | fresco\, Duomo di Ivrea | photo by Laurom\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSaint Rose of Viterbo\nSaint of the Day for September 4\n(1233 – March 6\, 1251)\nClick to hear audio clip ►\nSaint Rose of Viterbo’s Story\nEven as a child\, Rose had a great desire to pray and to aid the poor. While still very young\, she began a life of penance in her parents’ house. She was as generous to the poor as she was strict with herself. At the age of 10\, she became a Secular Franciscan and soon began preaching in the streets about sin and the sufferings of Jesus. \nViterbo\, her native city\, was then in revolt against the pope. When Rose took the pope’s side against the emperor\, she and her family were exiled from the city. When the pope’s side won in Viterbo\, Rose was allowed to return. Her attempt at age 15 to found a religious community failed\, and she returned to a life of prayer and penance in her father’s home\, where she died in 1251. Rose was canonized in 1457. \n\nReflection\nThe list of Franciscan saints seems to have quite a few men and women who accomplished nothing very extraordinary. Rose is one of them. She did not influence popes and kings\, did not multiply bread for the hungry and never established the religious order of her dreams. But she made a place in her life for God’s grace\, and like Saint Francis before her\, saw death as the gateway to new life. \n\nSaint Rose of Viterbo is the Patron Saint of:\nFlorists\nFlower Growers
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/saint-rose-of-viterbo/2026-09-04/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260905
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260906
DTSTAMP:20260403T134137
CREATED:20170728T180912Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170728T180912Z
UID:50914-1788566400-1788652799@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Saint Teresa of Calcutta
DESCRIPTION:Image: Mother Teresa accompanies Pope John Paul II as he visits people at the Home For the Dying in Kolkata\, India\, in 1986. (CNS photo/Arturo Mari\, L’Osservatore Romano)\nSaint Teresa of Calcutta\nSaint of the Day for September 5\n(August 26\, 1910 – September 5\, 1997)\nClick to hear audio clip ►\nSaint Teresa of Calcutta’s Story\nMother Teresa of Calcutta\, the tiny woman recognized throughout the world for her work among the poorest of the poor\, was beatified October 19\, 2003. Among those present were hundreds of Missionaries of Charity\, the order she founded in 1950 as a diocesan religious community. Today the congregation also includes contemplative sisters and brothers and an order of priests. \nBorn to Albanian parents in what is now Skopje\, Macedonia\, Gonxha (Agnes) Bojaxhiu was the youngest of the three children who survived. For a time\, the family lived comfortably\, and her father’s construction business thrived. But life changed overnight following his unexpected death. \nDuring her years in public school\, Agnes participated in a Catholic sodality and showed a strong interest in the foreign missions. At age 18\, she entered the Loreto Sisters of Dublin. It was 1928 when she said goodbye to her mother for the final time and made her way to a new land and a new life. The following year she was sent to the Loreto novitiate in Darjeeling\, India. There she chose the name Teresa and prepared for a life of service. She was assigned to a high school for girls in Calcutta\, where she taught history and geography to the daughters of the wealthy. But she could not escape the realities around her—the poverty\, the suffering\, the overwhelming numbers of destitute people. \nIn 1946\, while riding a train to Darjeeling to make a retreat\, Sister Teresa heard what she later explained as “a call within a call. The message was clear. I was to leave the convent and help the poor while living among them.” She also heard a call to give up her life with the Sisters of Loreto and\, instead\, to “follow Christ into the slums to serve him among the poorest of the poor.” \nAfter receiving permission to leave Loreto\, establish a new religious community\, and undertake her new work\, she took a nursing course for several months. She returned to Calcutta\, where she lived in the slums and opened a school for poor children. Dressed in a white sari and sandals (the ordinary dress of an Indian woman) she soon began getting to know her neighbors—especially the poor and sick—and getting to know their needs through visits. \nThe work was exhausting\, but she was not alone for long. Volunteers who came to join her in the work\, some of them former students\, became the core of the Missionaries of Charity. Others helped by donating food\, clothing\, supplies\, and the use of buildings. In 1952\, the city of Calcutta gave Mother Teresa a former hostel\, which became a home for the dying and the destitute. As the order expanded\, services were also offered to orphans\, abandoned children\, alcoholics\, the aging\, and street people. \nFor the next four decades\, Mother Teresa worked tirelessly on behalf of the poor. Her love knew no bounds. Nor did her energy\, as she crisscrossed the globe pleading for support and inviting others to see the face of Jesus in the poorest of the poor. In 1979\, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. On September 5\, 1997\, God called her home. She was canonized by Pope Francis on September 4\, 2016. \n\nReflection\nMother Teresa’s beatification\, just over six years after her death\, was part of an expedited process put into effect by Pope John Paul II. Like so many others around the world\, he found her love for the Eucharist\, for prayer\, and for the poor a model for all to emulate.
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/saint-teresa-of-calcutta/2026-09-05/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260906
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260907
DTSTAMP:20260403T134137
CREATED:20170728T180914Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170728T180914Z
UID:50916-1788652800-1788739199@www.thefranciscanfriars.org
SUMMARY:Blessed Claudio Granzotto
DESCRIPTION:Image: Blessed Claudio Granzotto | photo by Infovalli It | flickr\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBlessed Claudio Granzotto\nSaint of the Day for September 6\n(August 23\, 1900 – August 15\, 1947)\n\n\n\n\nClick to hear audio clip ►\n\n\n\n\nBlessed Claudio Granzotto’s Story\nBorn in Santa Lucia del Piave near Venice\, Claudio was the youngest of nine children and was accustomed to hard work in the fields. At the age of 9\, he lost his father. Six years later\, he was drafted into the Italian army\, where he served more than three years. \nHis artistic abilities\, especially in sculpture\, led to studies at Venice’s Academy of Fine Arts\, which awarded him a diploma with the highest marks in 1929. Even then he was especially interested in religious art. When Claudio entered the Friars Minor four years later\, his parish priest wrote\, “The Order is receiving not only an artist but a saint.” Prayer\, charity to the poor\, and artistic work characterized his life which was cut short by a brain tumor. He died on the feast of the Assumption\, August 15\, 1947 and was beatified in 1994. \n\nReflection\nClaudio developed into such an excellent sculptor that his work still turns people toward God. No stranger to adversity\, he met every obstacle courageously\, reflecting the generosity\, faith\, and joy that he learned from Francis of Assisi. \n\nThe Liturgical Feast of Blessed Claudio Granzotto is March 23.
URL:https://www.thefranciscanfriars.org/event/blessed-claudio-granzotto/2026-09-06/
CATEGORIES:Saint of the Day
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