BIG C CATHOLICS

July 4th Saint Maria was a deeply pious child. She couldn't read or write, but she learned her Catechism and received her First Communion just one year before she died. She attended Mass as often as she could. Today we pray that St. Maria will intercede for all children, that their faith may grow and prosper as hers did. St. Maria Goretti Novena Prayers - Day 8 St. Maria Goretti, patron of youth, please pray for the children in our lives and the youth across the world. that their faith may be as strong as yours when you were but a child. Help them prize their virtue and see their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. Pray that we do all we can to support children in their faith, to encourage them to love our Lord, put Him first in their lives, and to follow Him. Please pray also for (mention your intentions here). Amen. O God, author of innocence and chastity, who bestowed the grace of martyrdom on your handmaid, the Virgin Saint Maria Goretti, in her youth, g

July 3rd When Maria was assaulted, her assailant Alessandro threatened to kill her if she did not submit to him. Maria refused. She would rather die than relinquish her virtue. Alessandro then stabbed her multiple times. Afterward, Maria was taken to the hospital where a team of doctors attempted heroically to save her life. Badly dehydrated due to her loss of blood, she begged for water, but was unable to receive it on account of complication from her wounds. Before surgery, a priest administered Last Rites, telling her that Our Lord also suffered from thirst during his agony on the Cross. He asked Maria if she would offer up her thirst to Jesus for the salvation of sinners. Maria agreed, and didn't ask for water again. St. Maria Goretti Novena Prayers - Day 6 St. Maria Goretti, beautiful model of christian suffering, pray for me. You carried your cross so courageously while you underwent surgery without anesthesia. You thirsted and were not able to be given wat

July 2nd Maria was born to a poor farming family in Italy, one of six children. Her father died when she was only 9 years old. After his death, Maria had to taking care of the rest of the children in the family while her mother worked. Maria also cooked and cleaned for their neighbors. Alessandro, her attacker, was her neighbor's son. In spite of having to take care of the children, cook and clean for her family and neighbors, it's said that she did so joyfully and with faith that God would provide. Today we pray that St. Maria will intercede for us to have faithful, holy lives. St. Maria Goretti Novena Prayers - Day 6 St. Maria Goretti, beautiful model of living a holy, everyday life, pray for us. We often feel as though our efforts must be extraordinary if we are to be a saint, but you show us another way. You show that we can achieve sainthood by loving our Lord completely, and serving others before ourselves. Please pray that we are selfless as you

July 1st It's said that St. Maria's greatest virtue was her forgiveness of her attacker, even in the midst of terrible physical suffering. That's why she is called the, "little saint of great mercy." St. Maria modeled Christ's mercy. We ask her help to do so also. St. Maria Goretti Novena Prayers - Day 5 St. Maria Goretti, beautiful model of mercy, pray for me. God’s mercy is the only hope for mankind. I know we are called to imitate our Father’s mercy to those around us, but it is hard, and I often fail. But you, even at a tender age, were strong and courageous enough to offer mercy to your attacker, the one who hurt you the very most. Pray that I will be able to do the same to those who hurt me. Pray that I will not consider their unworthiness, but only our Lord, as you did. Please pray also for (mention your intentions here). Amen. O God, author of innocence and chastity, who bestowed the grace of martyrdom on your handmaid, the Virg

June 30th Today we pray for chastity. It's something we are all called to practice, regardless of our vocation. The most basic definition of chastity is the virtue of saving sex for marriage and remaining open to life within marriage. The Catechism states that chastity allows us to imitate Jesus Christ in selfless love in everything we do. St. Maria Goretti Novena Prayers - Day 4 St. Maria Goretti, beautiful model of chastity, you guarded your virginity with such fervor. Even at the age of 11, you knew the value of the virtue of chastity. Pray that we practicing chastity in our own lives. Through your intercession, help us to conduct ourselves with modesty and humility, so as to make our desires subservient to reason and selflessly serve others in imitation of Christ our Lord. Please pray also for (mention your intentions here). Amen. O God, author of innocence and chastity, who bestowed the grace of martyrdom on your handmaid, the Virgin Saint Maria Goretti, in he

June 29th Today we pray that St. Maria Goretti will intercede for us to forgive those who sin against us. When Maria lay dying in the hospital, these were her last words: "I forgive Alessandro Serenelli (her attacker) and I want him with me in heaven forever." St. Maria forgave the man who killed her. May we forgive as she did. St. Maria Goretti Novena Prayers - Day 3 St. Maria Goretti, beautiful model of love, your love for God was so clear in how you cared for your family during such hardships and in how much you loved your enemies even while you were dying. At a tender age, you understood what it meant to love the Lord and to love your neighbor as yourself. Pray for me, that I may be able to do the same. Pray that I will be able to serve my family joyfully, and others who need my help. Most of all, pray that Jesus will enter my heart. Please pray also for (mention your intentions here). Amen. O God, author of innocence and chastity, who bestowed the grace

June 28th Today we pray that St. Maria Goretti will intercede for us to grow in our love of the Lord, our neighbor, and even our enemies. Maria's neighbor attacked her when she was only 11 years old. It was he who tried to rape her, and who ended up killing her. Yet, because she loved the Lord so greatly, Maria forgave him. St. Maria Goretti Novena Prayers - Day 2 St. Maria Goretti, beautiful model of love, your love for God was so clear in how you cared for your family during such hardships and in how much you loved your enemies even while you were dying. At a tender age, you understood what it meant to love the Lord and to love your neighbor as yourself. Pray for me, that I may be able to do the same. Pray that I will be able to serve my family joyfully, and others who need my help. Most of all, pray that Jesus will enter my heart. Please pray also for (mention your intentions here). Amen. O God, author of innocence and chastity, who bestowed the grace of martyr

June 27th Saint Maria Goretti is the Church's youngest canonized saint. She was born near Ancona, Italy into a poor peasant family. Known for her cheerfulness and piety, Maria attended Mass often and loved God completely. At the age of 11, she was assaulted by her neighbor's son. Marie chose to die rather than lose her virginity. Enraged by her refusal, Maria's attacker stabbed her nine times. Before she died, she forgave her assailant. Her mother was present at Saint Peter's in 1950, the first time a parent witnessed their child's canonization. Over one half million souls attended St. Maria's canonization Mass, the largest attendance up to that time. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Today, we pray for purity. The Catechism states that purity of heart enables one to see according to God and to accept others as our brothers & sisters in Christ. St. Maria Goretti Novena Prayers - Day 1 St. Maria Goretti, beautiful model

Saint Maria Goretti is the Church's youngest canonized saint. She was born near Ancona, Italy into a poor peasant family. Known for her cheerfulness and piety, Maria attended Mass often and loved God completely. At the age of 11, she was assaulted by her neighbor's son. Marie chose to die rather than lose her virginity. Enraged by her refusal, Maria's attacker stabbed her nine times. Before she died, she forgave her assailant. Her mother was present at Saint Peter's in 1950, the first time a parent witnessed their child's canonization. Over one half million souls attended St. Maria's canonization Mass, the largest attendance up to that time. St. Maria Goretti Novena Prayers - Day 1 St. Maria Goretti, beautiful model of purity, you defended your virginity unto death. Even at a young age, you held dear to your heart what is dear to our Lord's: your purity. Pray that we may do the same, especially when faced with temptation. Through your intercession

On June 21st, the Church celebrates the memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, a 16th century Jesuit seminarian known for his radiant purity and holiness. He was born March 9, 1568, in Castiglione, Italy, to a wealthy and influential family. His father had big plans for his oldest son. He sent Aloysius to serve in the court of King Philip II of Spain. Although destined for the military, unbeknownst to his father, at age 9, Aloysius dedicated himself to religious life, making a vow of perpetual virginity. Saint Charles Borromeo gave him his first Holy Communion. A kidney disease prevented Aloysius from having a full social life. Consequently, he spent his time praying and reading about the lives of the saints. He was drawn to spiritual things more than material wealth. As a teenager, he asked permission to renounce his inheritance and to pursue his religious vocation. At first his father opposed him, but in time relented. When he was 18, Aloysius joined the Jesuits. In 1591, a plagu

May 25th, is also the optional memorial of Saint Mary Magdalen of Pazzi. A highly gifted mystic, she made a vow of chastity at the age of ten. She entered the convent of the Discalced Carmelite nuns in Florence, because the practice of receiving holy Communion almost daily was observed there. For five years her only food was bread and water. She practiced the most austere penances and for long periods endured complete spiritual aridity. Her favorite phrase was: "Suffer, not die!" Her body has remained incorrupt to the present day; it is preserved in a glass coffin in the church of the Carmelite nuns at Florence. Purity of soul and love of Christ are the chief virtues which the Church admires in St. Mary Magdalen of Pazzi. These virtues matured her spiritually and enabled her to take as a motto, "Suffer, not die!" Purity and love are also the virtues which the Church today exhorts us to practice in imitation of the saint. We may never attain her high degree of

March 28th, is the optional memorial of Saint Catherine of Bologna (1413-1463), the 15th century sister, virgin, mystic, miracle worker and patron saint of artists and those facing temptation. Little is known of her formative years. She was born in Bologna, and served as the maid of honor to the Marquis of Ferrara's daughter. (Catherine’s father was an adviser to the Marquis.) Catherine took residence in the palace, and became friends with her mistress, Margaret. When Margaret became engaged, she asked Catherine to remain. Catherine instead perused her religious vocation. At age 14, she dedicated her life to God and entered the Third Order of the Franciscans where she lived as part of a semi-monastic community. Four years later, the community of women in Ferrara to which Catherine belonged joined the Order of the Poor Clares. Catherine continued in prayerful poverty and obedience, joyfully serving the Lord. She held numerous positions, working as a laundress, dressmaker, bread

(In 2017, Bl. Angela Salawa's feast is superseded by the Sunday liturgy.)  March 12th, the Church honors the humble simplicity and patient suffering of Blessed Angela Salawa served, who labored for Christ and Christ’s little ones with all her strength. Born in Siepraw, near Kraków, Poland, she was the 11th child of Bartlomiej and Ewa Salawa. In 1897, she moved to Kraków where her older sister Therese lived. Angela immediately began to gather together and instruct young women domestic workers. During World War I, she helped the prisoners of war without regard for their nationality or religion. The writings of Saint St. Teresa of Ávila and Saint John of the Cross provided her immense comfort and inspiration. Angela gave devoted service in caring for soldiers wounded in World War I. After 1918 her health did not permit her to exercise her customary apostolate. On one occasion, addressing herself to Christ, she wrote in her diary, "I want you to be adored as much as you w

On February 10th, the Church celebrates the memorial of Saint Scholastica (c. 480 – 547), the sixth century nun and twin sister of Saint Benedict of Nursia. In possession of numerous spiritual gifts, as a young girl, she dedicated her life and her virginity to God. What little we know about her comes from Saint Gregory the Great's Dialogues , (Chapters 33 and 34) in passages concerning Benedict. Once a year, she would visit her brother and together, they would spend the day praying, reading Sacred Scripture and discussing issues. She is the foundress of the women's Order of Benedictine Monasticism. The two siblings were born to a wealthy Roman noble family in Nursia, Italy, around the year 480. Their mother Claudia, died at their birth. When Benedict left to pursue his studies in Rome, Scholastica remained behind. It was customary for a young Roman woman of Scholastica's standing to reside with her family until marriage or her entrance into religious life. Accounts diff

January 27th, is the optional memorial of Saint Angela Merici (1474 – 1540), the 16th century virgin, religious educator and foundress, who established the Order of Ursulines, the first teaching order for women recognized by the Catholic Church. From this Order would later emerge the monastic Order of Ursulines, whose nuns founded convents of prayer and study throughout the world, including North America. From her earliest moments, Angela dedicated herself to fasting, self-sacrifice and prayer; practices she maintained throughout her life. Angela was born in the town of Desenzano del Garda in Lombardy, Italy, the second child of a pious middle class family.  At 15, her parents died, leaving her and her older sister orphans. A short time later, her sister would also die. At some point during this period, Angela dedicated herself to Christ as His bride and became a member of the Third Order of Saint Francis. She lived simply, sleeping only a few hours a night and spending much of her

Agnes is one of the most glorious saints in the calendar of the Roman Church. The greatest Church Fathers sing her praise and glory. St. Jerome writes: "All nations, especially their Christian communities, praise in word and writing the life of St. Agnes. She triumphed over her tender age as well as over the merciless tyrant. To the crown of spotless innocence she added the glory of martyrdom." Agnes's name should be traced to the Greek hagne meaning "the pure", rather than to the Latin agna , "lamb". The Latin derivation prevailed in the early Church. The reason may have been that eight days after her death Agnes appeared to her parents with a train of virgins, and a lamb at her side. St. Augustine knew both derivations. "Agnes", he writes, "means 'lamb' in Latin, but in Greek it denotes 'the pure one'". The Latin interpretation occasioned the yearly blessing of the St. Agnes lambs; it takes place on this day

St. Lucy professing her faith before Paschasius. Fr. Pius Parsch notes the memorial of Saint Lucy, December 13th, "can easily be harmonized with Advent themes. The very name Lucy pulsates with light, a living symbol amid the season's darkness (the days are now the shortest of the year). As a wise virgin, Lucy advances with a burning lamp to meet the Bridegroom. She typifies the Church and the soul now preparing their bridal robes for a Christmas marriage." She won the crown of martyrdom defending her purity. "St. Lucy a virgin of Syracuse, noble by birth and by her Christian faith, went to the tomb of St. Agatha at Catheria and obtained the cure of her mother, Eutichia who was suffering from a hemorrhage. Soon after, she gained her mother’s permission to distribute to the poor all the possessions which were to have served as her dowry. As a result of this charitable action, she was accused of being a Christian and brought before Paschasius the Prefect. When

From the tenth century onwards veneration for St. Catherine of Alexandria has been widespread in the Church of the East, and from the time of the Crusades this saint has been popular in the West, where many churches have been dedicated to her and her feast day kept with great solemnity, sometimes as a holy-day of obligation. She is listed as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers of mankind among the saints in Heaven; she is the patroness of young women, philosophers, preachers, theologians, wheelwrights, millers, and other workingmen. She was said to have appeared with Our Lady to St. Dominic and to Blessed Reginald of Orleans; the Dominicans adopted her as their special protectress. Hers was one of the heavenly voices heard by St. Joan of Arc. Artists have painted her with her chief emblem, the wheel, on which by tradition she was tortured; other emblems are a lamb and a sword. Her name continues to be cherished today by the young unmarried women of Paris. She is the patron saint of a

November 22nd, is the memorial of Saint Cecilia. The 3rd century virgin and martyr is one of the most famous of the Roman martyrs. Little is certain of her life apart from her martyrdom. A woman of great piety, she was attributed with the habit of daily singing the psalms, and as a gifted musician, for which she was named the patron saint of church music, musicians and composers. The daughter of patrician Roman Christians, she was given in marriage to a rich young nobleman, Valerian of Trastevere, despite desiring to remain a virgin. By the designs of Providence, her innocence was preserved. The Divine Office records how Cecilia told her husband that she had taken a vow of virginity and was under the protection of an angel: "Cecilia led a life of prayer and meditation and had vowed lifelong virginity, but a youth by the name of Valerian, relying upon the approval of her parents, hoped to marry her. When the wedding night arrived, she confided to Valerian, 'There is a sec

August 9th, is the Optional Memorial of Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. Edith Stein was born, October 12, 1891, in Breslau, Germany to Jewish parents. The date of her birth coincided with the celebration of Yom Kippur, the Jewish "day of atonement." The Torah states that Yom Kippur was the only time the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies and call on God's name to offer sacrifice for the people's sins. Providentially, on Easter Sunday, April 21, 1935, upon making her profession of vows as a Carmelite nun, Edith received the name "Sister Teresia Benedicta ac Cruce", literally, "Sister Teresa, blessed by the Cross". She believed God's mission for her was to suffer in atonement for man's sins. The future saint wrote: "I felt that those who understood the Cross of Christ should take [it] upon themselves on everybody's behalf," and, "to intercede with God for everyone," especially the Jewish people with who