CNS STORY: Kateri and Jake: American Indians are joined in sainthood cause

The following excerpts are from Catholic News Service:

• Jake Finkbonner knows what it's like to have kids tease him because of the way he looks, but one of his heroes also grew up being teased.
• The 12-year-old boy said Kateri Tekakwitha, who was to become an official saint Oct. 21, was "an inspiration because I remember reading that many of the children in her tribe teased her because of her faith, but she continued to praise God and she made her own rosary."
• "One of the things she always tried to do was spread her faith, even though her uncle and aunt didn't really approve of it," he said.
• Kateri was raised by her Mohawk father's family after her parents died in a smallpox epidemic; Kateri survived, but with a scarred face and damaged vision.
• Jake and his parents -- Donny and Elsa -- his two little sisters, all four of his grandparents and lots of aunts and uncles traveled to Rome for Kateri's canonization.

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CNS STORY: Kateri and Jake: American Indians are joined in sainthood cause

Beatification soon for Pope Paul VI, Vatican journalist reports : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

The following excerpts are from Catholic Culture's Catholic World News:

• Pope Paul VI could be beatified before the end of 2013, according to the leading Vatican journalist Andrea Tornielli.
• Theologians commissioned by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints have approved the cause of the late Pontiff, Tornielli reports. The entire Congregation will vote on the case at a meeting in December, and with their approval Pope Benedict could declare the “heroic virtue” of Pope Paul VI at a consistory at Christmas time.

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Beatification soon for Pope Paul VI, Vatican journalist reports : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

Saint Teresa of Avila, Doctor of the Church

October 15

Saint Teresa of Avila (also known as Theresa of Avila; The Roving Nun; Teresa of Jesus; Teresa de Avila) was born in 1515 A.D. as Teresa Sanchez Cepeda Davila y Ahumada at Avila, at Castile, Spain. Teresa was a Spanish noble, the daughter of Don Alonso Sanchez de Cepeda and Doña Beatriz. She grew up reading the lives of the saints, and playing at "hermit" in the garden. 

She was crippled by disease in her youth, which led to her being well educated at home. She was cured of her affliction after prayer to Saint Joseph. Her mother died when Teresa was 12, and she prayed to Our Lady to be her replacement. Her father opposed her entry to religious life, so she left home without telling anyone, and entered a Carmelite house at the age of 17. Seeing her conviction to her call, her father and family consented.

Not long after taking her vows, Teresa became seriously ill, and the inadequate medical help she received aggravated her condition. She never fully recovered her health. She began receiving visions, and was examined by Dominicans and Jesuits, including Saint Francis Borgia, who pronounced the visions holy and true.

Teresa considered her original house too lax in its rule, so she founded a reformed convent of Saint John of Avila. She founded several houses, often receiving fierce resistance from local authorities. Teresa was a mystical writer, and most of her works are preserved until today. Pope Paul VI proclaimed Teresa a Doctor of the Church on September 27, 1970. She has the distinction of being the first woman saint to be declared a Doctor of the Church.

Saint Teresa of Avila died of natural causes on October 4, 1582 at Alba de Tormes in the arms of her secretary and close friend Blessed Anne of Saint Bartholomew. Her body is incorrupt, and her relics preserved at Alba. Her heart shows signs of Transverberation (piercing of the heart), and is displayed, too.

Pope opens synod on new evangelization, declares 2 new doctors of the Church : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

The following excerpts are from Catholic Culture's Catholic World News:

• Opening the Thirteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Pope Benedict emphasized that “the Church exists to evangelize” and formally proclaimed St. John of Avila (1500-69) and St. Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) doctors of the Church.

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Pope opens synod on new evangelization, declares 2 new doctors of the Church : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

Relic of St. Francis Xavier in Australia : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

The following excerpts are from Catholic Culture's Catholic World News:

• As part of the Year of Grace initiative that began in Australian dioceses on Pentecost Sunday, the right arm of St. Francis Xavier has been transported to Australia and will be venerated by the faithful in nearly two dozen dioceses between September 16 and December 3, his feast day.

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Relic of St. Francis Xavier in Australia : News Headlines - Catholic Culture