Jmj

Today, August 14, the Catholic Church honors, in a special way, the following friends of God, saints whose souls are now in heaven:

St. Maximillian Kolbe (Polish Franciscan, martyred by Nazis in Auschwitz death camp, 1941)
Bl. Juliana Puricelli (Augustinian nun, died 1501)

If you have anything to share about these holy people, please reply now -- biographical episodes, prayers through their intercession, the fact that one is your patron saint -- whatever moves you. If you are interested in one of these saints and want to find out more about him/her, please ask. Information is sometimes available on the Internet.

All you holy men and women, saints of God, pray for us.
God bless you.
John


-- J. F. Gecik (jgecik@amdg.ihs), August 14, 2001

Answers

-- (_@_._), August 14, 2001.

As a "soon-to-be" Franciscan nun, I offer only that the action of St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe most effectively demonstrates what Christ did for us...laying down one's own life for their fellow brother. To willingly offer to take the place of a man with wife and family who was selected to die, he took a most sacred place in Christian history, and his sacrifice should remind us that the trials and sufferings we are dealt are nowhere near the level that he was confronted with.

His story is further beautified by his dream in which our Blessed Mother appeared to him, offering two crowns...one white (the crown of purity) and one red (the crown of martyrdom). His response was that he chose both.

I also have a story about how he and other Catholic prisoners were able to celebrate the Mass by covertly hoarding the grapes, water and wheat they were given for sustinence. Even in the most unholy of existences, he was able to provide Holy Communion through much toil and at terrible risk of punishment. But it is a long story...

-- Melissa (holy_rhodes@earthlink.net), August 16, 2001.

Thank you, Chris.

As soon as the debt disappears, I'll be adding the OSF after my name!

-- Melissa (holy_rhodes@earthlink.net), August 16, 2001.

Jmj

Thank you, Melissa, for that lovely reflection on the man who loved "the Immaculata."
Please remember to pray for us and this forum when you enter religious life.
John

-- (jgecik@amdg.ihs), August 16, 2001.

Of my prayers, John, you can be assured. I do so already. Please continue with fervor, your apologetics. You don't need me to tell you how wonderful your conviction to the faith is, and that your desire to share it it a blessing.

All peace and good, Melissa

-- Melissa (holy_rhodes@earthlink.net), August 17, 2001.

Many thanks, Melissa.
"Pax et bonum" to you also.
JFG

-- (jgecik@amdg.ihs), August 17, 2001.

[An expanded and improved 2002 version of the opening (2001) post follows:]

Jmj

Today, August 14, we members of the Catholic Church family honor, in a special way, the following friends of God -- saints whose souls are now in heaven:

St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe (Polish, son of poor weavers, Franciscan priest and superior, religious journalist, martyred [starved and poisoned] by Nazis in Auschwitz death camp in 1941 [canonized 1982])
Bl. Antony Primaldi and 800 companions (Italian, artisan and other citizens of Otranto, rejected forced conversion to Islam, martyred [hacked to pieces] by Moslem invaders in 1480)
St. Athanasia of Constantinople (Greek, married woman, died at Constantinople in 860)
St. Demetrius (African, early martyr)
Bl. Eberhard of Einsiedeln (German, Benedictine hermit and abbot in Switzerland, d. 958)
St. Eusebius (Palestinian, priest, martyred by beheading in 3rd century)
St. Eusebius (Roman, priest, c. 357)
St. Fachanan of Ross (Irish, bishop, 6th century)
Bl. Juliana Puricelli (Italian, Augustinian nun, d. 1501)
St. Marcellus of Apamaea (Cypriot, bishop in Syria, martyred [burned] in 389)
Blessed Sanctes Brancasino (Italian, Franciscan brother, d. 1490)
St. Ursicius of Nicomedia (from Asia Minor [Turkish], army officer, martyred by beheading in 304)
St. Werenfrid of Arnheim (English, Benedictine monk, missionary in Holland, c. 780)

If you have anything to share about these holy people, please reply now -- biographical episodes, prayers through their intercession, the fact that one is your patron saint -- whatever moves you. If you are interested in one of these saints and want to find out more about him/her, please ask. Information is sometimes available on the Internet.

All you holy men and women, saints of God, pray for us.
God bless you.
John

-- (jfgecik@hotmail.com), August 14, 2002.

Jmj

On August 14, we members of the Catholic Church family honor, in a special way, the following friends of God -- saints and blesseds whose souls are now in heaven:

St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe of Zdunska Wola [Maksymilian Maria] [baptized Rajmund (Raymond)] (Polish, son of poor weavers, Franciscan priest and superior, religious journalist, martyred [starved and poisoned] by Nazis in Auschwitz death camp in 1941 [canonized 1982])

Bl. Antony Primaldi of Otranto [Antonio] and 800 companions (Italian, artisan and other citizens of Otranto, rejected forced conversion to Islam, martyred [hacked to pieces] by Moslem invaders in 1480)
St. Athanasia of Constantinople (Greek, married woman, died at Constantinople in 860)
St. Demetrius (African, early martyr)
Bl. Eberhard of Einsiedeln (German, Benedictine hermit and abbot in Switzerland, d. 958)
Bl. Elizabeth Renzi of Saludecio [Elisabetta] (Italian, virgin, founded Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows, d. 1859 [beatified 1989])
St. Eusebius (Palestinian, priest, martyred by beheading in 3rd century)
St. Eusebius of Rome (Italian, priest, c. 357)
St. Fachanan of Ross (Irish, bishop, 6th century)
Bl. Juliana Puricelli of Busto-Arizio (Italian, Augustinian nun, d. 1501 [beatified 1769])
St. Marcellus of Apamaea (Cypriot, bishop in Syria, martyred [burned] in 389)
Bl. Sanctes Brancasino of Monte Fabri (Italian, Franciscan brother, d. 1490)
St. Ursicius of Nicomedia (from Asia Minor [Turkish], army officer, martyred by beheading in 304)
St. Werenfrid of Arnheim (English, Benedictine monk, missionary in Holland, c. 780)

If you have anything to share about these holy people, please reply now -- biographical episodes, prayers through their intercession, the fact that one is your patron -- whatever moves you. If you are interested in one of these saints or blesseds and want to find out more about him/her, please ask. Information is sometimes available on the Internet.

All you holy men and women, saints of God, pray for us.
God bless you.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), August 14, 2003.