BIG C CATHOLICS

Saint Paulinus of Nola, born Pontius Meropius Anicius Paulinus, was a Roman poet, scriptor, and senator who attained the ranks of suffect consul and governor of Campania prior to his calling. His wife consecrated herself to God. Following her example, Paulinus lived an austere hermit's life at Nola in Italy. There he became a priest and then bishop of the city, and gave his people not only an example of virtue but also wise guidance during the ravages and calamities of the Gothic invasion. He died in 431, aged 78. Pope Benedict XVI remarked on St. Paulinus' artistic gifts , which inspired "songs of faith and love in which the daily history of small and great events is seen as a history of salvation, a history of God with us." During his lifetime, Paulinus was praised by St. Augustine and St. Jerome for the depth of his conversion. Even before his death, he was regarded as a saint. The Life of  St. Paulinus In 353 Pontius Meropius Anicius Paulinus was born of a

June 22nd is the feast day of English Saints John Fisher (1469 – 1535) and Thomas More (1478 – 1535). Fisher, a priest and bishop, and More, a statesman, were martyred within nine days of each other for the cause of religious freedom after defending the sanctity of marriage and papal authority against King Henry VIII's usurpation of the Church. Both were convicted of treason, imprisoned and beheaded. They were beatified together by Pope Leo XIII in 1886. Pope Pius XI canonized them on May 19, 1935. In October 2000, Saint John Paul II issued his apostolic letter on St.Thomas More , proclaiming him patron saint of statesman and politicians. Five centuries after their martyrdom, the lives of Sts. John Fisher and Thomas More speak to people everywhere of the innate dignity of the human conscience. The Life of St. Thomas More His belief that no lay ruler has jurisdiction over the church of Christ cost Thomas More his life. Beheaded on Tower Hill, London, July 6, 1535, he stea

June 21, 2016 On this final day of the Novena for the Persecuted Church and Religious Freedom, we give thanks to God. If you have not been greatly persecuted for your faith in Jesus, then give thanks to God for the blessing of not having that cross. If you have been persecuted for your faith in Jesus, then give thanks to God for allowing you to partake in His cross. In both cases, if we continue to follow Him faithfully, we will be able to partake in His resurrection. Day 9 - The Novena for the Persecuted Church O great cloud of witnesses! O host of Angels and Saints worshiping God for all eternity! O holy ones in heaven above, Pray for us! You who were once part of the Church on earth, you who were faithful servants of the Church Militant, you who suffered for the love of God, Pray for us! In all ages, the Church is persecuted and hated. We pray, oh Lord, through your holy Saints, that we may be blessed with the freedom to worship and adore you at all times! We pray th

Please remember the Holy Father Pope Francis' intentions in prayer through the month of July: General Intention : Indigenous Peoples That indigenous peoples, whose identity and very existence are threatened, will be shown due respect. Evangelization: Latin America and the Caribbean That the Church in Latin America and the Caribbean, by means of her mission to the continent, may announce the Gospel with renewed vigor and enthusiasm.

Saint Aloysius (1568-1591) was born in Castiglione, Italy. He was destined for the military by his father, but at age 9 Aloysius dedicated himself to religious life, making a vow of perpetual virginity. St. Charles Borromeo gave him his first Holy Communion. A kidney disease prevented St. Aloysius from having a full social life. Consequently, he spent his time praying and reading about the lives of the saints. When he was 18, Aloysius joined the Jesuit. In 1591, a plague ravaged Rome. The Jesuits opened a hospital in response. Because he nursed patients, washing and caring for them, Aloysius caught the disease. His fever persisted and he was so weak he could scarcely rise from bed. Still, Aloysius maintained his great discipline of prayer, knowing that he would soon die. He was born into eternal life on June 21, 1591, at the age of 23. St. Aloysius Gonzaga was named the patron saint of youth by Pope Benedict XIII at his canonization. (Video below) The Life of St. Aloysius Gonzaga

USCCB Fact Sheet: Frequently Asked Questions on  Religious Liberty What do we mean by religious liberty? In Catholic teaching, the Second Vatican Council “declare[d] that the human person has a right to religious freedom. This freedom means that all men are to be immune from coercion on the part of individuals or of social groups and of any human power, in such wise that no one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his own beliefs, whether privately or publicly, whether alone or in association with others, within due limits.” ( Dignitatis Humanae , No. 2.) Religious liberty is protected in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and in federal and state laws. Religious liberty includes more than our ability to go to Mass on Sunday or pray the Rosary at home; it also encompasses our ability to contribute freely to the common good of all Americans. What is the First Amendment? The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states the following: “Congress shall mak

June 20, 2016 Today we remember those parts of the world most hostile to Christianity. Let us pray for Christians in the Middle East and Asia where the Church is persecuted. May those forced to live their faith underground not be martyred. Day 8 - The Novena for the Persecuted Church O great cloud of witnesses! O host of Angels and Saints worshiping God for all eternity! O holy ones in heaven above, Pray for us! You who were once part of the Church on earth, you who were faithful servants of the Church Militant, you who suffered for the love of God, Pray for us! In all ages, the Church is persecuted and hated. We pray, oh Lord, through your holy Saints, that we may be blessed with the freedom to worship and adore you at all times! We pray that you may bless your Church throughout the world and me, personally, with your grace to persevere with love in the face of persecution just as You did on the Cross. (Mention your personal intentions here) St. Lucy – Pray for us!