Saintly

St. Sylvester

be-saintly-kyle-admin — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 06:00:00 +0000

St. Pope Sylvester I (born circa 285, died 31 December 335) was the bishop of Rome from 31 January 314 until his death. He is remembered in particular for his leadership through two heretical controversies in the Church – Donatism and Arianism – as well as the baptism of Constantine and the triumph of the Church over its former persecutors.

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St. Egwin of Evesham

be-saintly-kyle-admin — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 06:00:00 +0000

St. Egwin of Evesham, OSB (died 30 December 717) was a Benedictine monk and, later, the third Bishop of Worcester in England. He founded Evesham Abbey, which became one of the great Benedictine houses of medieval England.

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St. Thomas Becket

be-saintly-kyle-admin — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 06:00:00 +0000

St. Thomas Becket, also known as Saint Thomas of Canterbury, Thomas of London and later Thomas à Becket (21 December 1119 or 1120 – 29 December 1170), was an English nobleman who served as Lord Chancellor from 1155 to 1162, and then notably as Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his murder in 1170. He is venerated as a saint and martyr by the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. He engaged in conflict with Henry II, King of England, over the rights and privileges of the Church and was murdered by followers of the king in Canterbury Cathedral. Soon after his death, he was canonised by Pope Alexander III.

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Feast of the Holy Innocents

be-saintly-kyle-admin — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 06:00:00 +0000

The Massacre of the Innocents is the incident described in the nativity narrative of the Gospel of Matthew (2:16–18) in which Herod the Great, king of Judea, orders the execution of all male children who are two years old and under in the vicinity of Bethlehem. The Catholic Church regards them as the first Christian martyrs, and their feast – Holy Innocents’ Day (or the Feast of the Holy Innocents) – is celebrated on 28 December.

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St. John, Apostle And Evangelist

be-saintly-kyle-admin — Sun, 27 Dec 2020 06:00:00 +0000

St. John the Apostle (c. 6 AD – c. 100 AD) or Saint John the Beloved was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. Generally listed as the youngest apostle, he was the son of Zebedee and Salome. His brother James was another of the Twelve Apostles. The Church Fathers identify him as John the Evangelist, John of Patmos, John the Elder, and the Beloved Disciple, and testify that he outlived the remaining apostles and was the only one to die of natural causes.

St. John the Apostle is held to be the author of the Gospel of John, as well as several other books of the New Testament.

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St. Stephen

be-saintly-kyle-admin — Sat, 26 Dec 2020 06:00:00 +0000

St. Stephen (c. 5 – c. 34 AD) is traditionally venerated as the protomartyr or first martyr of Christianity. According to the Acts of the Apostles, he was a deacon in the early Church at Jerusalem who angered members of various synagogues by his teachings. Accused of blasphemy at his trial, he made a speech denouncing the Jewish authorities who were sitting in judgment on him [Acts 7:51–53] and was then stoned to death. Saul of Tarsus, later known as St. Paul, participated in Stephen’s martyrdom.

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St. Anastasia

be-saintly-kyle-admin — Fri, 25 Dec 2020 06:00:00 +0000

St. Anastasia (died December 25 A.D. 304) is a saint and martyr who died at Sirmium in the Roman province of Pannonia Secunda (modern Serbia). Anastasia has long been venerated as a healer and exorcist. Her relics lie in the Cathedral of St. Anastasia in Zadar, Croatia.

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St. Irmina of Oeren

be-saintly-kyle-admin — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 06:00:00 +0000

St. Irmina of Oeren (also called Ermina and Hirmina; d. 720) was a saint, founder and abbess of a convent in Oeren (now Alveringem in West Belgium), and co-founder of a convent in Echternach (now eastern Luxembourg). She is the patron saint of Trevos and is represented with a church in her hand, signifying her status as a church founder, and with two angels above her head, carrying her soul to heaven.

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St. John Of Kanty

be-saintly-kyle-admin — Wed, 23 Dec 2020 06:00:00 +0000

St. John of Kanty (or John Cantius, 23 June 1390 – 24 December 1473) was a Polish priest, scholastic philosopher, physicist and theologian. During his time in Kraków, Cantius became well known in the city for his generosity and compassion toward the poor, especially needy students at the university. He subsisted on what was strictly necessary to sustain his life, giving alms regularly to the poor. He made one pilgrimage to Jerusalem and four pilgrimages on foot to Rome. He was named patron of Poland and Lithuania.

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An Ocean of Faith: St. Frances Xavier Cabrini

be-saintly-kyle-admin — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 06:00:00 +0000

In the pantheon of Catholic saints, few shine as brightly as St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the patron saint of immigrants. Her remarkable journey from a small town in Italy to the shores of the United States is a testament to her unwavering faith and her commitment to serving those in need. Mother Cabrini’s life was a beacon of hope to many, establishing schools, hospitals, and orphanages across the U.S. Let’s dive into the extraordinary life of this remarkable woman.

Early Life and Call to Service

Born in Lombardy, Italy, on July 15, 1850, Maria Francesca Cabrini felt the call to serve God from a very young age. Despite facing health challenges and initial setbacks in her desire to become a nun, her determination never wavered. In 1880, she founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, aiming to spread the love of Christ around the world. Initially dreaming of China, a divine redirection from Pope Leo XIII sent her to the United States instead, marking the beginning of an incredible chapter of her life dedicated to helping Italian immigrants.

Journey to the United States

Arriving in New York City in 1889, Mother Cabrini encountered a reality far from welcoming. The Italian immigrant community faced poverty, discrimination, and a lack of spiritual support. Amidst this, Cabrini’s resolve only strengthened. Her mission was clear: to provide care and support to her fellow Italians, giving them a sense of belonging and hope in a foreign land.

Mother Cabrini’s English Skills

Mother Cabrini spoke virtually no English upon arriving in the United States. However, she did learn to speak and write in English. Her willingness to learn and communicate in English exemplifies her dedication to her mission. Language was a tool for unity and service, enabling her to reach out to the broader community and advocate for the needs of the immigrants she so dearly cared for. While she always spoke with a heavy Italian accent, she did strive always to improve her skills with the English language.

Life and Work in the United States

Mother Cabrini’s base of operations was in New York City, but her work stretched across the United States, from Chicago to Seattle, and down to New Orleans. She founded over 67 institutions – a testament to her tireless energy and devotion. These included schools to educate immigrant children, hospitals to care for the sick, and orphanages to provide a home for the destitute.

Miracles and Canonization

The path to sainthood is paved with acts of faith, and Mother Cabrini’s life was no exception. Her canonization was supported by miraculous events attributed to her intercession, both during her life and after her passing. One notable miracle involved the healing of a terminally ill child, a sign of her continued care from heaven. In 1946, Mother Cabrini was canonized by Pope Pius XII, becoming the first U.S. citizen to achieve this holy recognition. In the Roman Martyrology, her feast day is December 22.

Death and Legacy

Mother Cabrini passed away in Chicago on December 22nd, 1917, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and dedication that continues to inspire millions. Her body was initially interred at what became Saint Cabrini Home, the orphanage she founded in West Park, Ulster County, New York. In 1933, her body was exhumed as part of the canonization process, revealing that her body was incorrupt. In a practice not uncommon in the Catholic tradition, her body was divided, allowing various parts to be venerated in different locations. This act of distributing her relics was both a testament to her widespread impact and a means to inspire devotion among the faithful. Her head was enshrined in Rome at the motherhouse of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, her heart in Codogno, Italy, where she founded her religious institute, and the rest of her body placed under the altar of the Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini in New York City.

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini: The First American Citizen Saint

While Mother Cabrini was born in Italy, her becoming a U.S. citizen is a key part of her identity as a saint. She is indeed the first United States citizen to be canonized, a milestone that reflects her profound impact on her adopted country. Her canonization is a beacon of hope for immigrants and a reminder of the Catholic Church’s call to welcome the stranger among us.

Mother Cabrini’s Impact on American Catholicism

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini’s life is a powerful illustration of the Catholic teachings on charity, service, and the inherent dignity of every human being. She stands as a model for Catholics today, showing how faith can move mountains and how service to the least among us is service to Christ Himself. Her story is particularly relevant today, serving as a reminder of the Church’s role in advocacy and care for the marginalized.

Conclusion

The life of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini is a testament to the power of faith and the impact one person can have on the world. Her legacy is not just in the bricks and mortar of the institutions she founded but in the hearts of those she served. As we reflect on her extraordinary life, let us draw inspiration from her dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment to serving God by serving others.