Saint Abraham Kidunaia

Saint Abraham Kidunaia was born into wealth around 296 A.D. at Edessa, Syria. He had been given a “most virtuous” education by his parents, who desired him to marry. Being forced into an arranged marriage at a young age, Abraham fled during the wedding festivities. He had desired to live a celibate, religious life and had told his new wife of his resolve. He hid in a building two miles from Edessa, and holed himself up in a cell, leaving only a small hole through which he could receive food and water. His friends found him at prayer there after a seventeen day search. His family and friends gave in to his wishes, and he spent the next ten years in his cell.

His parents died, and Saint Abraham was left their large estates. He entrusted a virtuous friend to sell these estates and give all the proceeds to the poor. Many came to him seeking spiritual advice, and he taught and comforted those who came to him.

The unrepentant pagan village of Beth-Kiduna was in the diocese of Edessa, and the bishop had sent several holy monks and missionaries there to preach the gospel to the inhabitants. The people of the village had “loaded with injuries and outrages” all who had been sent by the bishop, and none that he sent would or could remain at the village.

Being familiar with Abraham's pious life, the bishop ordered him to leave his cell, and against Abraham's wishes, ordained him, and sent him as a missionary priest to the village. He went to the village, found the inhabitants doggedly determined not hear him speak. He wept and prayed among them without ceasing, built a church, smashed idols, was beaten, badly treated, and was banished from the town three times. Yet, unlike his predecessors, he would not give up, and he would return each time with the same zeal. After three years, his good example along with his meekness, patience, and his extraordinary grace, the entire village was converted and baptised. He remained with them for one more year to instruct them in the faith, prayed that God would send the village a better pastor than he, and he returned to his cell.

Saint Abraham left the cell only twice more, once when a niece, Saint Mary of Edessa, was living a wild and misspent life. Abraham disguised himself as a soldier, which he knew would get her attention, and went to her home. Over supper he convinced her of the error of her ways, and she converted and changed her life, and he returned to his cell. His final trip out was his funeral, attended by a large, loving crowd of mourners.

Saint Abraham Kidunaia died of natural causes around 366 A.D. near Edessa, Syria. Saint Abraham's friend, Saint Ephrem of Syria, wrote his biography.

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Blessed Didacus Joseph of Cadiz

Blessed Didacus Joseph was born on March 29, 1743, in Cadiz, Spain. He was baptized Joseph Francis. His parents loved their faith and practiced it. He was brought up devoutly by his parents and his baptismal innocence remained with him throughout his life.

When he was old enough, Joseph learned how to serve Mass at the Capuchin Franciscan church just down the street. Joseph learned to love the Mass. He used to get up early enough to be at the church each morning to wait for the doors to be unlocked. He never missed a day.

One of the Capuchin priests or brothers gave Joseph a book about the lives of the Capuchin saints. He read it and read it again. Joseph learned every story. He grew to love the holy men who were poor and humble like Jesus.

The day came when he asked to join the order. At first he was refused entry because of poor education gaining entry only after a great deal of persistence. Although difficulties in studies remained with him during his years as a student, in time he was raised to the priesthood and then sent out to preach.

He was sent out to preach to the people the Good News of Jesus. He loved doing this. He had wonderful gifts for preaching the Word of God and it soon became evident. He travelled throughout Spain teaching and preaching in remote villages and crowded towns. His homilies were so clear and kind that people listened.

Everyone marvelled at the singular power and sweetness of his words, which swayed his audiences and left marked impressions on their lives. They even brought friends to listen. Soon an ordinary church was too small for the crowds. When Father Didacus was preaching, the talks were held outdoors, usually in the town square or in the streets.

Father Didacus loved to preach about the Blessed Trinity. He was always available to hear confessions, too. He was happy when people came to the sacrament of Reconciliation. He was capable of touching the heart of those who came to him for confession. Whenever he had some free time, he visited prisons and hospitals. He also would pay calls at the homes of shut-ins. Most of his nights were spent in prayer.

It was undoubtedly the Holy Spirit who because of Didacus' humility and virtue, converted this unlearned man into the most celebrated preacher in Spain. No doubt the Holy Spirit listened to his long and ardent prayers for guidance during the time that he spoke. On occasions Father Didacus was raised supernaturally into the air so that he required assistance to regain the floor of the pulpit.

Father Didacus died in 1801 and was declared "blessed" by Pope Leo XIII in 1894.

Saint Mary Frances of the Five Wounds

Anna Maria Rosa was born in Naples in 1715 and was christened Mary Frances. The family belonged to the middle class of society. Her mother was a devout and gentle woman, who had much to contend with from her hot-tempered husband. She was very worried before the birth of this child. Saint John Joseph of the Cross, lived in Naples at that time, calmed her and recommended special care of the child, as it was destined to attain to great holiness.

Mary Frances was scarcely 4 years old when she began to spend hours in prayer. She sometimes even arose at night to pray. She had such a desire to know the truths of the Catholic Faith that an angel appeared to her and instructed her regularly. Before she was seven, she desired to receive Holy Communion. The priest was astonished at her knowledge of the Faith, as well as her ardent desire for the Bread of Angels, and felt that he could not deny her the privilege.

As she grew, Mary would help her parents in their work. Her father was a weaver of gold lace and was anxious to have his children help as early as possible. He found that Mary Frances was not only the most willing but also the most skilled in the work.

When she was only sixteen years old, a rich young man asked her father for her hand in marriage. Rejoicing at the favorable prospect, her father at once gave his consent.

Mary’s father was shocked at Mary’s defiance when she was told of the plans for her marriage. She refused and would only espouse her Heavenly Bridegroom. Mary asked her father’s permission to become a Franciscan Tertiary. He became so enraged that he seized a rope and whipped the delicate girl unmercifully, until her mother intervened. He then locked her in a room, where she received only bread and water, and no one was permitted to speak to her.

Mary considered herself fortunate to be able to offer her divine bridegroom this early proof of her fidelity. She saw this as a pre-nuptial celebration. The earnest plea of a priest made her father, who after all was a believing Christian, realize that he had done wrong. He gave his blessing for Mary to take the Tertiary habit and serve God as a consecrated virgin at home, as was customary in those days.

Joy, joy, holy joy! Mary received the habit and with it the surname "of the Five Wounds." This name was prophetic of her ensuing years. At home she had much to endure. Her father never quite got over Mary not marrying the wealthy young man.

When God favored her with unusual graces, she was sometimes granted ecstasies at prayer and suffered our Lord's agony with Him, her own brothers and sisters insulted her as an imposter. Even her confessor felt obliged to deal harshly with her. For a long time she could find consolation nowhere but in the wounds of Christ.

Her confessor believed at last that it was God who was doing these things in her. Mary’s mother had died and he saw to it that she found a home with a fellow Tertiary. There one day, as she herself lay ill, she learned that her father was near death. She asked Almighty God to let her suffer her father's death agony and his purgatory. Both requests were granted.

Mary suffered continuously but our Lord also gave her great graces and consolations. She received the marks of the wounds of Christ and was granted the gift of prophesy and of miracles. When Pius VI was crowned pope in 1775, she saw him in a vision wearing a crown of thorns. Pope Pius died 24 years later as a prisoner of the French Revolution at Valence.

Mary Frances also prophesied the tragic events of the French Revolution. She asked that she be taken from this world before they would happen and her request was granted. She died on October 6, 1791, kissing the feet of her crucifix. God glorified her by many miracles. She was beatified by Pope Gregory XVI, and canonized by Pope Pius IX in 1867.