St Philomena

Little is known about the life of St. Philomena. However, it is believed she was a Greek princess who
became a virgin martyr and died at 13-years-old.Remains of a young lady were discovered in May
1802 at the Catacombs of Priscilla on the Via Salaria Nova with three tiles reading "Peace be to you,
Philomena."All that is known about St. Philomena's life comes from a Neapolitan nun's vision. Sister
Maria Luisa di Gesu claims St. Philomena came to her and told her she was the daughter of a Greek
king who converted to Christianity. When Philomena was 13-years-old, she took a vow of
consecrated virginity.After her father took his family to Rome to make peace, Emperor Diocletian fell
in love with Philomena. When she refused to marry him, she was subjected to torture.St. Philomena
was scourged, drowned with an anchor attached to her, and shot with arrows. Each time she was
attacked angels took to her side and healed her through prayer.Finally, the Emperor had Philomena
decapitated. According to the story, her death came on a Friday at three in the afternoon, the same
as Jesus.Two anchors, three arrows, a palm symbol of martyrdom, and a flower were found on the
tiles in her tomb, interpreted as symbols of her martyrdom. The nun's account states Philomena was
born on January 10 and was killed on August 10.Devotion for Philomena began to spread once her
bones were exhumed and miracles began to occur. Canon Francesco De Lucia of Mugnano del
Cardinale received relics of St. Philomena and had them placed in the Church of Our Lady of Grace in
Mugnano, Italy.Soon after her relics were enshrined, cancers were cured, wounds were healed and
the Miracle of Mugnano, when Venerable Pauline Jaricot was cured of a severe heart issue
overnight, were all attributed to St. Philomena.Other Saints began to venerate Philomena and
attributing miracles in their lives to the young martyr, including St. John Marie Vianney and St. Peter
Louis Marie Chanel.Although controversy sometimes surrounds the truth behind St. Philomena's life
and sainthood, many believers all around the world continue to see her as a miraculous saint,
canonized in 1837.St. Philomena is the patron saint of infants, babies, and youth. She is often
depicted in her youth with a flower crown, a palm of martyrdom, arrows, or an anchor.Her feast day
is celebrated on August 11.
St Rita of Cascia
Augustiniannun, also called Margarita. She was born in Roccaporena, near Spoleto, Italy, in 1381,
and expressed from an early age the desire to become a nun. Her elderly parents insisted that she be
married at the age of twelve to a man described in accounts of her life as cruel and harsh. She spent
eighteen extremely unhappy years, had two sons, and was finally widowed when her husband was
killed in a brawl. Both sons also died, and Rita, still anxious to become a nun, tried unsuccessfully to
enter the Augustinians in their convent at Cascia. She was refused because she was a widow and
because of the requirement that all sisters should be virgins. Finally, in 1413, the order gave her
entry, and she earned fame for her austerity, devotion to prayer, and charity.In the midst of chronic
illnesses, she received visions and wounds on her forehead which resembled the crown of thorns.
She died on May 22 at Cascia, and many miracles were reported instantly. Canonized in 1900, she is
honored in Spain as La Santa de los Impossibles and elsewhere as a patron saint of hopeless causes.
St Barbara
Saint Barbara, also known as the Great Martyr Barbara, was an early Christian Greek martyr born
mid-third century in Heliopolis, Phoenicia.Barbara was the daughter to a rich pagan named
Dioscorus. After the death of Barbara's mother, Dioscorus dedicated his life to his only daughter.
Barbara was known for being extremely beautiful. As a way of "protecting" her, Dioscorus shielded
her from the world by locker her high up within a tower. He allowed only her pagan teachers to see
her.Barbara spent her days gazing upon the hills and admiring all of God's creations. She often
pondered about the "First Cause and Creator of so harmonious and splendid a world." She soon
realized the idols her father and teachers worshiped were not of God's creation.Barbara secretly
became a Christian and dedicated her life to knowing the true God and making Him known to others.
She offered herself completely to the Lord, choosing a life of consecrated virginity.As Barbara grew
older, her father, Dioscorus began presenting men to her for marriage. She refused them all and
warned her father that his persistence could forever damage their relationship.Dioscorus allowed for
Barbara to leave her tower, hoping some freedom would change her attitude. Barbara used this
opportunity to meet other Christians. They taught her about the Lord Jesus, the Holy Trinity and the
church. A priest from Alexandria, disguised as a merchant, baptized Barbara into Christ and His
Church.
St Lucy

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Lucy's history has been lost and all we really know for certain is that this brave woman who lived in
Syracuse lost her life during the persecution of Christians in the early fourth century. Her veneration
spread to Rome so that by the sixth century the whole Church recognized her courage in defense of
the faith.Because people wanted to shed light on Lucy's bravery, legends began to crop up. The one
that has passed the test of time tells the story of a young Christian woman who vowed to live her life
in service of Christ. Her mother tried to arrange a marriage for her with a pagan and Lucy knew her
mother could not be swayed by a young girl's vow, so she devised a plan to convince her mother
that Christ was the better partner for life.After several prayers at the tomb of Saint Agatha, Lucy saw
the saint in a dream. St. Agatha told Lucy her mother's illness would be cured through faith, which
Lucy used to persuade her mother to give the dowry money to the poor and allow her to commit her
life to God.While Lucy and her mother were grateful to God, the rejected bridegroom was deeply
angered and betrayed Lucy's faith to the governor Paschasius. The governor attempted to force her
into defilement at a brothel, but the guards who came to take her away were unable to move her,
even after hitching her to a team of oxen.The guards heaped bundles of wood around her but it
wouldn't burn so they finally resorted to their swords, and Lucy met her death.Though details of her
life remain unknown, it is widely known that during her lifetime Christians were persecuted for their
faith. They were forced to endure horrific torture and often met painful ends during Diocletian's
reign. Though the details surrounding her death remain only as legends, it is all modern-day
Christians can rely on.Lucy's legend did not end with her death. According to later accounts, Lucy
warned Paschasius he would be punished. When the governor heard this he ordered the guards to
gouge out her eyes; however, in another telling, it was Lucy who removed her eyes in an attempt to
discourage a persistent suitor who greatly admired them.When her body was being prepared for
burial, they discovered her eyes had been restored.Sigebert (1030-1112), a monk of Gembloux,
wrote sermo de Sancta Lucia, in which he described Lucy's body as remaining undisturbed in Sicily
for 400 years until Faroald II, Duke of Spoleto, seized the island and transferred Lucy's remains to
Abruzzo, Italy. It was later removed by Emperor Otho I in 972 to Metz and left in the church of St.
Vincent. There is much confusion about what happened to her body after its stay at St. Vincent's, but
it is believed that several pieces of her body can be found in Rome, Naples, Verona, Lisbon, Milan,
Germany, France and Sweden.In 1981, thieves stole all but her head but police were able to recover
them on her feast day.Lucy, whose name can mean "light" or "lucid," is the patron saint of the blind.
She is often seen with the emblem of eyes on a cup or plate. In paintings, she is often depicted with
a golden plate holding her eyes and often holds a palm branch, which is a symbol of victory over
evil.Saint Lucy's Prayer:
Saint Lucy, you did not hide your light under a basket, but let it shine for the whole world, for all the
centuries to see. We may not suffer torture in our lives the way you did, but we are still called to let
the light of our Christianity illumine our daily lives. Please help us to have the courage to bring our
Christianity into our work, our recreation, our relationships, our conversation -- every corner of our
day. Amen

St JOHN THE BABTIST

John the Baptist was a contemporary of Christ who was known for evangelization and his baptizing
of Jesus Christ.John the Baptist was born through the intercession of God to Zachariah and Elizabeth,
who was otherwise too old to bear children. According to scriptures, the Angel Gabriel visited
Elizabeth and Zachariah to tell them they would have a son and that they should name him John.
Zachariah was skeptical and for this he was rendered mute until the time his son was born and
named John, in fulfillment of God's will.When Elizabeth was pregnant with John, she was visited by
Mary, and John leapt in her womb. This revealed to Elizabeth that the child Mary carried was to be
the Son of God.John began public ministry around 30 AD, and was known for attracting large crowds
across the province of Judaea and around the Jordan River. When Jesus came to him to be baptized,
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John recognized him and said, "It is I who need baptism from you."Jesus told John to baptize Him
anyway, which he did, whereupon the heavens opened, and the Spirit of God was seen like a dove.
The voice of God spoke, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." John instructed
his followers to turn to Christ, calling Him the "Lamb of God" and these people were among the first
Christians.Following his baptism of Christ, John's popularity grew so much that he alarmed King
Herod. Herod ordered him arrested and imprisoned.John spoke with Herod on several occasions and
condemned his marriage to his half-brother's wife.This condemnation would be his downfall as King
Herod promised to grant a wish to his daughter. In revenge for John the Baptist's condemnation of
her mother's scandalous marriage to Herod, she asked for John's head. King Herod reluctantly
obliged. John the Baptist died sometime between 33 and 36 AD.John the Baptist's feast day is June
24, and the anniversary of his death is August 29 and is sometimes celebrated with a second feast.
John the Baptist is the patron saint of Jordan, Puerto Rico, French Canada and many other places.
ST rosalia
St. Rosalia, daughter of Sinibald, Lord of Roses and Quisquina, was a descendant of the great
Charlemagne. She was born at Palermo in Sicily. In her youth, her heart turned from earthly vanities
to God. She left her home and took up her abode in a cave, on the walls of which she wrote these
words: "I, Rosalia, daughter of Sinibald, Lord of Roses and Quisquina, have taken the resolution to
live in this cave for the love of my Lord, Jesus Christ." She remained there entirely hidden from the
world.She practiced great mortifications and lived in constant communion with God. Afterward she
transferred her abode to Mount Pellegrino, about three miles from Palermo, in order to triumph
entirely over the instincts of flesh and blood, in sight of her paternal home. She is said to have
appeared after death and to have revealed that she spent several years in a little excavation near the
grotto. She died alone, in 1160, ending her strange and wonderful life unknown to the world. Her
body was discovered several centuries later, in 1625, during the pontificate of Pope Urban VIII. Her
feast day is September 4th.St. Agatha, also known as Agatha of Sicily, is one of the most highly
venerated virgin martyrs of the Catholic Church. It is believed that she was born around 231 in either
Catania or Palermo, Sicily to a rich and noble family.From her very early years, the notably beautiful
Agatha dedicated her life to God. She became a consecrated virgin, a state in life where young
women choose to remain celibate and give themselves wholly to Jesus and the Church in a life of
prayer and service. That did not stop men from desiring her and making unwanted advances toward
her.However, one of the men who desired Agatha, whose name was Quintianus, because he was of
a high diplomatic ranking, thought he could force her to turn away from her vow and force her to
marry. His persistent proposals were consistently spurned by Agatha, so Quintianus, knowing she
was a Christian during the persecution of Decius, had her arrested and brought before the judge. He
was the Judge.He expected her to give in to his demands when she was faced with torture and
possible death, but she simply reaffirmed her belief in God by praying: "Jesus Christ, Lord of all, you
see my heart, you know my desires. Possess all that I am. I am your sheep: make me worthy to
overcome the devil." With tears falling from her eyes, she prayed for courage. To force her to change
her mind, Quintianus had her imprisoned - in a brothel. Agatha never lost her confidence in God,
even though she suffered a month of assaults and efforts to get her to abandon her vow to God and
go against her virtue. Quintianus heard of her calm strength and ordered that she be brought before
him once again. During her interrogation, she told him that to be a servant of Jesus Christ was her
true freedom.Enraged, Quintianus sent her off to prison instead of back to the brothel -- a move
intended to make her even more afraid, but it was probably a great relief to her.Agatha continued to
proclaim Jesus as her Savior, Lord, Life and Hope. Quintianus ordered her to be tortured. He had her
stretched on a rack to be torn with iron hooks, burned with torches, and whipped. Noticing Agatha
was enduring all the torture with a sense of cheer, he commanded she be subjected to a worse form
of torture ? this evil man ordered that her breasts be cut off.He then sent her back to prison with an
order of no food or medical attention. But the Lord gave her all the care she needed. He was her
Sacred Physician and protector. Agatha had a vision of the apostle, St. Peter, who comforted her and
healed her wounds through his prayers.After four days, Quintianus ignored the miraculous cure of
her wounds. He had her stripped naked and rolled over naked over hot coals which were mixed with
sharp shards. When she was returned to prison, Agatha prayed, "Lord, my Creator, you have ever
protected me from the cradle; you have taken me from the love of the world, and given me patience
to suffer: receive now my soul."Agatha is believed to have passed into Heaven around the year 251.
She is commonly featured in religious art with shears, tongs, or breasts on a plate.St. Agatha is the
patron saint of Sicily, bellfounders, breast cancer patients, Palermo, rape victims, and wet nurses.

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She is also considered to be a powerful intercessor when people suffer from fires. Her feast day is
celebrated on February 5.
St cecilia
In the fourth century a Greek religious romance on the Loves of Cecilia and Valerian was written in
glorification of virginal life with the purpose of taking the place of then-popular sensual
romances.Consequently, until better evidence is produced, we must conclude that St. Cecilia was not
known or venerated in Rome until about the time when Pope Gelasius (496) introduced her name
into his Sacramentary.It is said that there was a church dedicated to St. Cecilia in Rome in the fifth
century, in which Pope Symmachus held a council in 500.The story of St. Cecilia is not without
beauty or merit. She is said to have been quite close to God and prayed often:In the city of Rome
there was a virgin named Cecilia, who came from an extremely rich family and was given in marriage
to a youth named Valerian. She wore sackcloth next to her skin, fasted, and invoked the saints,
angels, and virgins, beseeching them to guard her virginityDuring her wedding ceremony she was
said to have sung in her heart to God and before the consummation of her nuptials, she told her
husband she had taken a vow of virginity and had an angel protecting her. Valerian asked to see the
angel as proof, and Cecilia told him he would have eyes to see once he traveled to the third
milestone on the Via Appia (Appian Way) and was baptized by Pope Urbanus. Following his baptism,
Valerian returned to his wife and found an angel at her side. The angel then crowned Cecilia with a
chaplet of rose and lily and when Valerian's brother, Tibertius, heard of the angel and his brother's
baptism, he also was baptized and together the brothers dedicated their lives to burying the saints
who were murdered each day by the prefect of the city, Turcius Almachius.Both brothers were
eventually arrested and brought before the prefect where they were executed after they refused to
offer a sacrifice to the gods.As her husband and brother-in-law buried the dead, St. Cecilia spent her
time preaching and in her lifetime was able to convert over four hundred people, most of whom
were baptized by Pope Urban.cecilia was later arrested and condemned to be suffocated in the
baths. She was shut in for one night and one day, as fires were heaped up and stoked to a terrifying
heat - but Cecilia did not even sweat.When Almachius heard this, he sent an executioner to cut off
her head in the baths.The executioner struck her three times but was unable to decapitate her so he
left her bleeding and she lived for three days. Crowds came to her and collected her blood while she
preached to them or prayed. On the third day she died and was buried by Pope Urban and his
deacons.St. Cecilia is regarded as the patroness of music, because she heard heavenly music in her
heart when she was married, and is represented in art with an organ or organ-pipes in her
hand.Officials exhumed her body in 1599 and found her to be incorrupt, the first of all incurrupt
saints. She was draped in a silk veil and wore a gold embroidered dress. Officials only looked through
the veil in an act of holy reverence and made no further examinations. They also reported a
"mysterious and delightful flower-like odor which proceeded from the coffin."St. Cecilia's remains
were transferred to Cecilia's titular church in Trastevere and placed under the high altar.In 1599
Cardina l Paolo Emilio Sfondrati, nephew of Pope Gregory XIV, rebuilt the church of St. Cecilia.