SAINT JOHN BAPTIST DE LA SALLE

John started out in life much luckier than many of his compatriots and fellow French Saints. He was born in the year 1651 to wealthy parents, Louis and Nicolle de la Salle. His father had hopes that his intelligent son would pursue a career in law but John was of a decisive nature and had already decided to become a Priest.

After studying at various academy's where he impressed many of his teachers, John eventually gained a place at the Sorbonne where he studied theology and also excelled in that field. Though not all compliments were given because of his high intellect for John also had a pleasing personality which sought no fame for himself but instead sought to help others. John's obvious piety was witnessed by many of his teachers and fellow students, who all had high praise for this young man who wished to serve God all his life.

Grief though would touch the life of John when both his parents died within a year of each other, which brought much heartache to John who had dearly loved both his parents. This was a difficult time for John as he grappled with his own grief and tried to the best of his ability to provide for his younger siblings. It also meant putting his studies on hold as he took the reigns of the household till his brothers and sisters were able to take care of themselves.

Though he was immersed in the domestic activities of his home John did not forget his first love which was to serve God. So after speaking with his spiritual advisor Nicolas Roland, John was ordained as a subdeacon at Cambrai. During this time between looking after his family and his parish commitments John also did not forget the poor and sought out ways to help them in a practical manner.

John eventually fulfilled his longed for wish to become a Priest, he was ordained in the year 1678 and gained his Doctorate in theology in 1680. Though Father John wished to serve God as any other devoted Priest through the care of his parish, God had other plans for this true son of the Church. It so happened that he came across an enterprise where a few good men were trying to teach literacy to young boys who had been born in rough circumstances. One of the leaders of these young boys was Adrien Nyel who though he did his best his gift was in interacting with his students and not in the organizational needs that this little group desperately needed in order to succeed.

Father John first watched this group of boys and a few good men from a distance, rendering help when needed. Gradually though it dawned on Father John that the boys needed a strong figure head, one who could make this ideal of educating poor young boys into a movement. Father John even though he was very busy decided with his usual decisive nature to bring the boys back to his own house so they could be properly supervised, not everyone was thrilled with this idea, as questions were raised about the young boys moral characters. This love that grew within Father John for these poor boys would soon become a matter of principle as he grappled with the consequences of truly helping these young men gain a good future for themselves whilst regaining their lost dignity.

This great man of the Church though was never one to back away from a challenge and so Father John took the extraordinary step of leaving behind his comfortable lifestyle, so that he could become one with the poor rather than continue to remain aloof from them. Father John realised that in order to truly gain the respect of these boys he had to live with them in order to teach them a better way of life. This brought much contention within his own family and circle of friends, and also much heartache as many of his family disowned him through this act of true and authentic charity of spirit displayed by Father John.

Due to his love of these poor boys Father John endured the estrangement from his family, friends and some of his fellow Priests, he even faced prison when the authorities raised objections to his teaching techniques. It was just as well that Father John De La Salle was resolute of nature and not one to give up easily no matter how many hurdles were thrown at him, he would rise above them all. This was not done from a spirit of pride in himself but of a self giving to those who needed him most, the poor.

Father John would face many obstacles on the path he had chosen and he also faced betrayal from those he had trusted in founding this institute to educate the poor boys in France which was named, 'Brothers of the Christian Schools'. He struggled against many adversaries many of whom from within the Catholic Church, but always Father John kept his eyes on Jesus and did not waver in his attempts to form a school to help the young youth of France find better lives for themselves.

When it came to teaching the boys Father John would prove to be an innovator and with a small group of like minded men, he changed the face of Christian education as it had been into a more modern and more practical way of educating his young boys to equip them better when they left his schools and began lives of their own.

Though Father John faced much adversity he never allowed this to embitter him even when friends betrayed his trust, still Father John focused on Jesus and to Father John God truly did suffice.

Many thought that Father John gave up all the glories and honors that could have been his for the taking....but the one thing that Father John longed for and the only words that Father John wanted to hear were....'well done good and faithful servant'.

Father John Baptist de La Salle died in the year 1719.

Saint John Baptist de La Salle was canonized in the year 1900 by Pope Leo XIII.

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Saint John of God

John de Dios was born of a humble couple in the year 1495, though his parents were devout they were also poor. The young John was very taken with stories of adventures far from his native land of Portugal so from a young age John decided to run away from home and explore the excitements of the wider world. This would bring much sorrow to his parents most especially his mother who died not long after John left home, but she was comforted when an Angel appeared to her and told her that though her son would suffer adversity he would lead a good and holy life. John's mother then died a peaceful death.

Upon running away it didn't take John long to have regrets over his actions, for John at first did not find the expected excitement and instead worked as a shepherd in the fields of Spain. Through his hard work he was able to gain the trust of his employer who offered John his daughter to marry, but John declined the offer, as he felt God calling him to another direction entirely. Once he refused the offer of marriage John felt a little uncomfortable so he stowed away in the middle of the night and decided to join the Spanish army in their fight against France. John roamed about for many years not really knowing what to do with his life as he served in the army, and though he was a good soldier and joined in with the antics of his fellow soldiers in the end it failed to deliver the fulfillment that he longed for. Because of Johns inner wranglings his fellow compatriots became annoyed and so tricked John into leaving his post thereby angering the authorities and John subsequently was discharged from serving with them.

Through this internal dialogue within himself John would prove himself to be no ordinary man as he repented deeply of the wrongs he had done in his life most especially the pain he had caused his parents. He decided that he would put things right between himself and his parents and so returned to his native homeland. Upon arriving though John was sorrowful unto death when he discovered that both of his parents had died during his absence this truly tore at the heart of this repentant man and he wept profusely that it was now too late to make amends to his parents. Once again this got John thinking and he decided right there and then to never let an opportunity to do good pass him by, he may have let down his parents, his former employer and the army but John would not let down God.

He returned to work as a shepherd for a short time and it was when he heard of the war with the Moslems that once again John's impetuous heart was set afire and he decided to join those who were opposing this mighty army of the Moors. Once he reached the port of Gibraltar where he had indented to take a ship to Africa he came upon a wealthy family who also had need to leave the area immediately, without too much forethought John decided on the spur of the moment that he would instead become the servant to Count DaSilva. Unfortunately the Count died and the DaSilva family were able to return to Spain. John also returned to Spain, thinking himself a failure yet again.

John's whole life seemed to be one misadventure after another, as he tried to find some meaning to his life by jumping from one thing to another only to find that this was not what he was seeking. It was not so much that he was selfish as in he could not pinpoint the direction for which he felt an internal restlessness and so seemed to flit from one occupation to another in a frenzy of activity in order to fill the emptiness he felt within his soul. This did not make John a bad man nor a flighty one it made him a restless one with no place to call home.

It was while he was at Granada that he heard a sermon delivered by John of Avila, this stirred his heart deeply so much so that through his outward display of his intense feeling of grief over his past sins, John soon found himself locked within an insane asylum. He was visited by John of Avila and finding him to be sane John of Avila instructed John to behave himself and to do something with his life rather than meander on his meaningless trail. This truth truly struck home with John and he promised then and there to do all he could to serve God and the poor.

Upon his release from prison John began collecting all he could for the poor of the area in Granada. This particular work appealed to John in that he also empathized with all he met and did not judge those who found themselves in difficult circumstances. John knew that his own past behaviour did not bare closer scrutiny and though he knew God had forgiven him still he compassionated with those who did not yet understand the deep mercy of God's Love. Johns deep love for the poor was never in doubt and when he heard that a terrible fire had broken out in a nearby hospital John immediately left to do all he could to assist in saving those from the burnt out wreckage. Once he arrived though John was stunned to see many spectators just standing around as they watch the inmates burn, John did not lack courage so he raced into the burning building to save as many lives as he could. This time his impetuous nature not only worked for him it also saved lives.

There were many instances that changed Johns life most especially when he aided a poor beggar who had collapsed and as he bent to kiss the feet of the poor beggar it was here that John noticed he had nail marks driven into his feet. John was full of awe and knelt at the feet of his Lord and Savior. John was to come to the aid of many of the poor and his friends, one especially who had accidentally fallen into a raging river, John with no thought for his own safety jumped in and saved his friends life. It was through this accident that John would become critically ill as he caught pneumonia.

Though John's beginnings seemed to be one long accident after another as he tried desperately to 'fit in' John finally found his calling to serve God through the poor. John found the meaning of his existance through the love of God, and therefore he strove to serve God the rest of his remaining days.

John de Dios died in 1550.

Saint John of God was canonized in 1690 by Pope Alexander VIII.

Some Quotes

"If we look forward to receiving God's mercy, we can never fail to do good so long as we have the strength. For is we share with the poor, out of love for God, whatever he has given to us, we shall receive according to his promise a hundredfold in eternal happiness. What a fine profit, what a blessed reward! With outstretched arms he begs us to turn toward him, to weep for our sins, and to become the servants of love, first for ourselves, then for our neighbors. Just as water extinguishes a fire, so love wipes away sin."

"I work here on borrowed money, a prisoner for the sake of Jesus Christ. And often my debts are so pressing that I dare not go out of the house for fear of being seized by my creditors. Whenever I see so many poor brothers and neighbors of mine suffering beyond their strength and overwhelmed with so many physical or mental ills which I cannot alleviate, then I become exceedingly sorrowful; but I trust in Christ, who knows my heart. And so I say, "Woe to the man who trusts in men rather than in Christ."

"God is Gracious"

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Blessed Ivan Merz

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Ivan Merz was born in the year 1896 in Bosnia. Like every young person Ivan attended school in a society that tended towards the more liberal way of thinking where great literature was extolled over the Churches Teachings. This did not deter the young Ivan who not only loved his Faith but tried his utmost to live it everyday.

This was the standout point with Ivan, unlike many of his contemporaries Ivan's focus was on God and living to please God by prayerfully doing His Will. This meant a great deal of self discipline as Ivan distanced himself from those who led loose lives with equally loose morals.

Ivan chose instead to concentrate on his education and attended the University of Vienna with the hope that he would be able to pass on his own love of the Catholic Church to a younger generation. Ivan's love of the Church was so fierce and so devout that he could not imagine a world where people could be happy without God, so began his longing to evangelize the Catholic Church to all he met and all he would come to meet.

Though Ivan did not feel a calling to become a Priest he did decide after much prayer to make a vow of chastity so that he could concentrate on spreading the Faith that he loves so well and so passionately. Ivan truly is a wonderful example of how a young man can live in the world without becoming corrupted by it nor of living in the world.

As in all things though what we plan does not always turn out exactly how we would wish, this was so with Ivan with the commencement of the First World War. A horrific war with devastating consequences for many families and for the world as a whole, it would also deeply impact Ivan's own life, and lead him ever deeper into prayer and trusting in God alone.

During this most brutal war the Italian soldiers were poorly equipped with some of the fighting in the mountainous regions. It led to much bloodshed and loss of life and through it all Ivan was able to maintain his Faith even if at times he felt himself in the pits of hell due to the suffering and devastation he witnessed. Though the First World War would become known as 'the war to end all wars' unfortunately history does not bear this out, but Ivan would not see the brutality of yet another World conflict.

Upon the finish of the First World War, Ivan returned to resume his studies and took a course on Literature whereupon he completed his studies in Paris in 1922. He then studied Philosophy specializing in the Liturgy and the influence of French literature within the Liturgy itself. Ivan undertook this course of study so he could help young people gain a new love and reverence for the Liturgical elements in the Mass and the deeper meaning within the Mass, so as to impress upon young minds the essentialness of the Liturgy in Catholic Worship.

During this time Ivan also started several groups for young people in order to teach and instruct them on the Faith one of these groups being, "League of Young Croatian Catholics". Through his in-depth and private studies of documents within the Magisterium, Ivan hoped to renew the love of young people towards the Catholic Church and to influence them to give their obedience to the Vicar of Christ and the Magisterium. This young man truly was an inspiration to many he met as he sought to convey his own passion for the Church to those who needed to hear that God can be found within the One Holy and Apostolic Catholic Church.

Through all this activity Ivan never lost track of prayer and devoted many hours in silent prayer in spiritual communion with the Triune Spirit, after all it was the source of Ivan's strength, for no good work for the Church has ever been accomplished without a deep and devout prayer life. Though Ivan would suffer the ridicule of some and the insults of others he did not allow this to affect his Faith or his peace of heart. This was a young man who's soul was immersed in the love of God which knew no bounds as he offered up these sufferings to our Lord and Savior. Ivan simply wished to spread the love of God to all and the joy he had found in the embrace of the Catholic Church.

Ivan would be spared the pain of having to endure yet another world war and also the pain of watching his own country erupt in civil war. Though Ivan suffered and endured much pain he was spared this searing affliction of his own war torn country.

Ivan Merz died in 1928.

Blessed Ivan Merz was Beatified in 2003 by Pope John Paul II.

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Saint Raphael Kalinowski

Joseph Kalinowski was born in the year 1835 in the town of Vilna Poland. He was fortunate in that his parents were well educated, and his father Andrew Kalinowski, was a professor of mathematics. Coming from such a background, it was no surprise that Joseph excelled at his studies and won prizes for his gift of learning.

Even though the young Joseph received a head start in life in that his parents were well educated and prosperous, he also had the great fortune that both his parents were devout Catholics and raised their son with a deep love for the Church and for prayer. Still the political situation of his country was unsettling and would not leave the Kalinowski family unscathed.

In order to further his education and his prospects, Joseph chose to attend the Academy of Military Engineering in Russia, mainly because many Polish universities had been closed due to the Russian invasion of his homeland. It was not a happy situation and many of his fellow Poles were becoming disaffected with the Russian regime, so while this hot bed of insurrection grew, Joseph concentrated on his studies.

Joseph graduated in 1857 and as a lieutenant in the Russian Engineering Corp he worked on designing a railway line between Kursk and Odessa. Though this meant separation from his family which made Joseph homesick, still he concentrated on the task at hand, despite the vastness of the landscape. It was during these almost solitary months that Joseph grew to love this aloneness where he could commune with God as best he could under the circumstances. Joseph grew to love this solitude of heart and mind which perhaps laid the foundation for his future life. This sojourn though was to be interrupted when Joseph was recalled by the Russian authorities and transferred to the fortress at Litovsk, where he received a promotion to Captain. Though he was pleased with this promotion Joseph was not so pleased to see how Russia was oppressing his own people and the Catholic Church. It was here that he decided to run a Catholic Sunday school in order to teach the fundamentals of the Faith to the youth, at times Joseph even bought the materials needed out of his own wages.

The Polish people though were a tough and uncompromising nation and they soon became disillusioned with the force of the Russian government dictating how they should live and what they could believe, and an uprising quickly developed. Though Joseph knew that they were outnumbered and out armed, his love for his native country came first, and he joined the uprising where he was named as minister for war in the area of Vilna. He took this post on the understanding that he would not accept nor condone the death penalty on anyone. Though Joseph loved his country he loved God first!

In all despotic leaderships they usually persecute the intellectuals first, so was the case with the young Joseph Kalinowski where upon their defeat, the Russians had taken particular notice of this young mans adeptness and his love for his Faith. So it was that in 1864 the Russians arrested Joseph and sentenced him to death which they later commuted to a ten year sentence of hard labor.

For his own people and the peoples of Russia, Siberia was a place of dread where only the toughest made it through its harsh landscape and unforgiving and bitter cold. It was here where Joseph with countless others were sent as they walked their way to Siberia which took 9 months of torture as many succumbed on the way. It was also here that Joseph's strength of character came forth as many looked to him to uplift them in their own agonies. Joseph's profound love of God and the instructions he had received as a child from his loving parents shone forth as he became a beacon of light in a horrific situation. During this time he befriended the Priest who he helped by teaching the children of his fellow prisoners Catechism as they were prepared to receive their first Communion. Through this experience Joseph became more aware of where God was calling him and his heart opened to the thought of the Priesthood, as he continued to assist his fellow prisoners.

Upon his release in 1873 and returning to his native country Joseph found to his sadness that many Religious Orders had been disbanded on orders of the Russian government. This did not deter Joseph and he set off for France where he could study to become a Priest. It was in France that he became a Tutor to prominent and distinguished families and where he taught the young Prince Augusto Czartoryski who went on to join the Salesian Order of St. John Bosco.

Though Joseph loved to teach the Faith to young hearts, still he longed to become a Priest himself and this was to be answered when he joined the Carmelite Order in Austria and chose the religious name Brother Raphael, he was Ordained into the Priesthood in the year 1882, his joy was complete.

Father Raphael returned to his native country to try and help his oppressed people and to bring alive the spirit of Carmel, he also had a deep love for the Sacrament of Penance and encouraged all peoples to empty their hearts of sin and open them to the Light of Christ. It was through the example of Father Raphael that many embraced the ideal of Carmel and so the seeds were planted to be reaped at a later date as the Order of Carmel gained prominence.

Due to the many hours he spent in the Sacrament of Penance, Father Raphael earned the title that the people gave him as "martyr of the confessional." This most holy Priest did not mind the time he spent in freeing souls of the darkness of sin as they embraced and were renewed with the Light of Christ through the Sacraments of the Church.

Through imprisonment and torture this great man never once wavered in his Faith and through his efforts the Order of Carmel would flourish once again in Poland.

Father Raphael Kalinowski died in the year 1907.

Saint Raphael Kalinowski was canonized in 1991 by Pope John Paul II.

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Saint Julie Billiart

Julie Billiart was born into tempestuous times as France tinkered on the brink of revolution and civil decline. As it was in 1751 Julie was born into a devout family who loved their Catholic Faith and their country.

Julie was to become acquainted with the piquancy of life when several of her beloved siblings died at young ages which brought great suffering to the Billiart family, this suffering seemed to strengthen the Faith that held this loving family together. This studious young girl loved to study and had a great intellectual curiosity about her Faith and the world around her, which enabled her to excel in her studies and impressed her parish Priest. Due much to her maturity of nature her Priest allowed Julie to receive her first Communion at a very young age before the accepted norm which was 13 years old. When she was only 16 years old Julie gained employment in order to help with the family finances as difficulties arise in the family. Within the bosom of her family Julie was known to be a loving and compassionate girl who tried her best to help out when things needed to be done.

Julie's disposition was such that many admired her ability to work harder than anyone else in order to help her parents look after her family. What impressed many people was Julie's selflessness and gentle compassion to all irrespective of their backgrounds. This young girl who had made a private promise to God to maintain a chaste life became renowned for her prayerfulness and kindly nature. So it came as a surprise that when an extraordinary violent incident occurred within her own family it was to change Julies life forever.

France was quickly heading down the road of insurrection as many had become disaffected with their government and also the Church which some of the more political elements used to try and persecute the Catholic Church within France. This revolutionary terrorism would strike at the heart of the Billiart home when an assassin's bullet missed Julies father by only inches. This was such a shock to Julie that it affected her nerves in a very bad way and she was confined to bed, unable to work or to do anything at all. Though this terrible incident affected her nervous disposition still Julie strove by her prayers to help her family and her beloved France.

It was during this time that Julie's spiritual life gained ground and she grew in wisdom so much so that many came to seek her advice about various situations in their own lives. Though Julie was struck down with this mysterious ailment she did not allow it to embitter her but rather became even more prayerful and turned directly to God for her solace. Even Priest's sought out her wisdom to help them in their arduous vocation most especially during these dangerous years.

Then came one of Julie's biggest dreads her beloved France rose up and so began the infamous French Revolution which would also persecute her beloved Catholic Church. Though the leaders of the revolution tried to destroy the Catholic Church they did not succeed and their own attempts at a 'quasi church' met with disdain from the faithful! This persecution also led this courageous lady into hiding as she was paralyzed, and unable to defend herself for she would not submit to this 'quasi church' and allied herself totally with the Roman Catholic Church and to the Pontiff!

Julie would travel to various places including a short stay in Compiegne the scene of a terrible massacre of some heroic Carmelite Nuns. Julie then moved on to Amiens and in 1794 she stayed with the Vicomtesse Francoise de Bourdon after the terrorist revolutionaries had done their worst.

Julie's presence brought much comfort to the Vicomtesse who had been lucky to escape execution by the revolutionaries! Everybody was affected by this truly horrendous persecution of the wealthy classes, the Church and all those who opposed the revolutionaries reign of terror. Everyone was in a state of nervous tension as France endured the persecutors hatred and many of the faithful were forced to go underground in order to receive the Sacraments of the Church. While Julie stayed with Vicomtesse de Bourdon Mass was often held secretly within her home as Julie continued with her strong prayer life as France and its people were in grave need of God's Mercy and protection.

It was here that the first beginnings of a new Religious Order came to be as many in the area were drawn to Julie's particular strong devotion to prayer and her Faith. It was also here that a very holy Priest would visit and through his prayerful novena which Julie also prayed with him, she was cured of her paralysis, such is the power of prayer.

Through the intervention of Father Varin and with approval of the Bishop of Amiens a school would be opened to help aid the poor children many of whom had been orphaned during the terror of the French revolutionaries. It was also at this time that Julie Billiart took her Vows to join the Congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame. The emphasis with Julie's Order was education of the young many of whom were abandoned by their parents or were made orphans because of the revolution.

As the reputation of the Sisters of Notre Dame grew for its excellent instruction and care of the young, more Houses were opened under the Rule of the Order. This Rule would turn into an open dispute when a Priest decided to try and impose his own rules which had a different Charism than what Mother Julie Billiart had intended but rather than become embroiled in arguments, Mother Julie chose instead to leave Amiens and begin in Ghent.

Mother Julie Billiart's Order grew as its reputation became widely known and admired. The personality of Mother Julie also played an important part as many could see her obvious piety and holiness with an inherent cheerfulness, there was nothing dour in Mother in Mother Julie. This made her loved and admired by one and all.

Though Mother Julie worked hard the effort to maintain the charism of her Order and its standards of excellence led her to neglect her own health. Mother Julie became ill and with her usual patience she bore all with peace of heart and tranquility.

Mother Julie Billiart died in the year 1816.

Saint Julie Billiart was canonized in 1969 by Pope Paul VI.

Peace of Christ to ALL

Copyright © 2006 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.