a year of prayer: 365 Rosaries

Today, May 5, we remember Saint Hilary of Arles (400-449), a saint called to holiness at a young age, who suffered persecution from within the church late in life for his obedience to the Lord. The life of Saint Hilary suggests to us that even the holiest of men and women struggle with their callings, require assistance and support in prayer and encouragement from their friends and families, and despite their sanctity, are slaves to their human weaknesses.

Hilary was born into a noble family in France, a relative of Saint Honoratus, Archbishop of Arles. Hilary was raised with an extraordinary education, wealth, and privilege, and seemed poised to make his mark on the secular world when Saint Honoratus came to him, urging his entrance into the Abbey at Lerins. Saint Hilary was torn, as the monastic life was not what he had planned, nor had he felt called to completely. He wrote, "On one side, me-thought I saw the Lord calling me; on the other the world offering me its seducing charms and pleasures. How often did I embrace and reject, will and not will the same thing! But in the end Jesus Christ triumphed in me. And three days after Honoratus had left me, the mercy of God, solicited by his prayers, subdued my rebellious soul."

Following his visit with Saint Honoratus, Hillary entered the Abbey at Lerins, eager to embark on his spiritual mission alongside his relative. "What floods of tears," he wrote about Saint Honoratus, "did this true friend shed to soften the hardness of my heart! How often did he embrace me with the most tender and compassionate affection, to obtain of me that I would take into serious consideration the salvation of my soul! Yet, by an unhappy victory, I still remained conqueror." Honoratus, finding his endeavors to wean him from the charms of a deceitful world not completely effective, turned to prayer, saying to our soon-to-be-Saint, "I will obtain of God, what you will not now grant me."

At the young age of 29, Hilary was chosen as Archbishop of Arles—an appointment he resisted in humility-- succeeding Honoratus. He became known for his austerities, despite his appointed role, his mortification and penance, and for the love he showed to his community of faith—the “congregation” as he referred to them (possibly the first to do so). He spent his days in manual labor, raising money for the poor, and was quick to sell church property in ransom for captives. He traveled everywhere on foot, preaching, and converting many through the gift of persuasive oration provided to him by the Lord. Able to easily tailor his language to the education level of the listener, Saint Hilary was fond of saying phrases similar to, “You will not so easily get out of hell, if you are once unhappily fallen into its dungeons!" as warning to sinners.

Upon his appointment, Saint Hilary sold all the property he had inherited, distributing the money raised to the poor and to financially struggling monastic communities. He became a model of prayer, fasting, charity, and virtue. His zeal for the holy life raised the attention and anger of others in leadership roles in the Church, to whom Hilary’s zeal appeared hasty and disobedient. In his exuberance to spread the word of God, he occasionally made powerful governmental adversaries in a time when the power of the pope had not yet been fully established. Indeed, in speaking out on many issues, Saint Hilary—in his humanity-- made mistakes which led to his eventual reprimand by Pope Leo, and the stripping of his title. Eventually, through this time of trial, Saint Hilary refined his virtue, furthering his humility, patience, submissiveness, and obedience. After some time, he was restored by the patient pope, and served the Lord until his death at age 49. While some doubted his methods, none had ever doubted his piety and holiness.

Not only was Saint Hilary a gifted orator, he also wrote several treatises on God, some of which survive today. "We are all equal," he wrote, "in Jesus Christ; and the highest degree of our nobility is to be of the number of the true servants of God. Neither science, nor birth, according to this world, can exalt us, but in proportion to our contempt of them."

“The Lord taught by way of example that the glory of human ambition must be left behind when he said, “The Lord your God shall you adore and him only shall you serve.” And when he announced through the prophets that he would choose a people humble and in awe of his words, he introduced the perfect Beatitude as humility of spirit. Therefore he defines those who are inspired as people aware that they are in possession of the heavenly kingdom. Nothing belongs to anyone as being properly one’s own, but all have the same things by the gift of a single parent. They have been given the first things needed to come into life and have been supplied with the means to use them.”

The life of Saint Hilary is one of struggle to be obedient. His plans for his life were not what the Lord had in mind, and he struggled to obey—relying not only on his own merit but on the prayers and support of his family. At age 29, Saint Hilary resisted his appointment as Archbishop, but eventually was obedient to the Lord’s will and served with zeal. Even in his older age, Saint Hilary struggled with submissiveness to the pope, but through prayer and penance was able to again overcome his human weakness.

Oftentimes we think of the lives of the saints as perfect and smooth. Saint Hilary’s life reminds us that human struggles are part of the Lord’s plan for us, part of His calling to us, part of our refining process. Through prayer, penance, and fasting, Saint Hilary overcame his human weakness, increasing his obedience, and submitting himself to the will of God—but it wasn’t easy, and it took his entire life! We are encouraged by Saint Hilary when we, ourselves, struggle—that while we work to understand and follow the Lord’s will, our time on earth (while never smooth and easy) will yield holy fruit if we strive for virtue!


A Prayer for the Virtue of Obedience

Jesus, Almighty King of kings, You Who obeyed Your Father to the end, Teach me the meaning of obedience. My soul burns to comply to Your Will, Striving to charm Your Divinity. While my worldly nature seeks one way, My spiritual nature seeks another. Bless me with the strength to obey, That my soul may subdue both natures, Blending them as a fair aromatic bloom. I always seek favor in Your eyes, To always obey You until my last breath!

Today, April 27, is the feast of Saint Zita (1212-1272), virgin of the Church, patron saint of housework, servants, and lost keys. The life of Saint Zita is a simple one, filled with a profound love of the Lord, compassion and service to others, and daily toil. Throughout her lift, Zita suffered hardship, hard work, jealousy and mockery, yet never strayed from her path of holy patience, joyful suffering, obedience, and industry. For Saint Zita, and indeed for us, holiness was found not only in helping others, but also in hard work (reminding us of Proverbs 6:6, “Look to the ant, you sluggard! Consider it’s ways and be wise!")


Saint Zita was born to a poor working family in a village in Tuscany, Monsagrati. She was raised by her pious and hard-working parents, and taught to realize that there were more important things than gold or money—Christian virtues of love, kindness, and compassion towards others. Despite hard work, the family often went hungry, too poor to buy enough food, and suffering terribly during the cold of winter.

From a young age, Zita was recognized for her obedience, goodness, and charity. She ran with the love of a child to church each day, kneeling and praying of her own accord until her parents bade her come home. She frequently spoke of how she envisioned the Baby Jesus being born into similarly poor circumstances, but giving all He had, wandering the world, helping the poor.

At age 12, Zita was sent to live with a wealthy family in nearby Lucca, hired as a domestic servant. Her mother instructed her to serve the family well, for in serving her master, she was serving the Lord. Zita cheerfully undertook her work, striving to do her best at every task. Her zeal for her work, cheerful attitude, and industriousness immediately made her the envy of the other household servants. They treated her poorly, beating her, mocking her, and shirking their own responsibilities in the knowledge that she would do the work for them. Zita worked tirelessly, never complaining to her masters or the others.

Zita worked for the same family for the next 48 years, until her death. During that time, she rose long before the rest of the household each morning, walking a distance to the local church and attending morning Mass. She would then return to the household, bake bread for the family, and set about her daily chores until she went to bed late in the evening. Despite her busy schedule, Zita found time to serve the poor, never wasting leftover household food. While her master was initially irritated by her generosity to those in need, over time, her patience and holy disposition won him over. Under her generosity and careful oversight, the household supplies multiplied!

Throughout her life, Zita worked many miracles, and the heavenly host themselves intervened on her behalf. One morning at church, Zita was so engrossed in her prayers, she forgot to return home to bake the household bread. When she realized the time, she ran back to the house, out of breath, only to find freshly baked, perfect loaves, scented with the perfume of heaven. Her fellow servants reported that angels of heaven had baked the bread, and from that day, treated Zita with respect and dignity. The household had never tasted such incredibly delicious—truly heavenly—bread!

On another occasion, during the heat of summer, a poor traveler came to the door of the kitchen asking only for a drink of water. Zita knew that due to the heat, the water from the family well was unsafe to drink without treating it first. Yet, the traveler insisted that he only take water from the well, so as not to inconvenience her. Aloud, she spoke, “I wish this water were wine,” which the traveler echoed. Upon drawing the water from the well and drinking it, he found, indeed, that the Lord had transformed the well water into wine, per Zita’s prayer.

Lastly, on the feast of Christ the King, one bitter winter morning, Zita set off for church only to hear her master’s voice from the doorway calling her. As it was so cold, he suggested she stay home, but Zita was not to be deterred from visiting the Lord on His feast day at church. The master, fearing for her health, provided her with his warm, soft cloak—to be returned to him when she came back. The cloak was the most luxurious garment Zita had ever worn, and while comfortable, it filled her with guilt and regret as she prayed at the church. Christ had never had such comfortable clothing, and here, His humble servant, Zita, was wearing better garments than her king. At that moment, she noticed a poor beggar man, kneeling in church, shivering. She wrapped him in the cloak, instructing him that it needed to be returned to her at the end of the prayers, so she could return it to her master.

At the end of Mass, when she turned to invite the beggar home to warm himself by the kitchen hearth, she found him gone. Afraid, and certain of the beating she was to receive, Zita trudged through the cold winter morning, finding her master at the door. As expected, he was livid, and began violently reprimanding her, when the beggar man appeared at her side, his face shining with golden light. He returned the coat, both Zita and her master realizing him to be an angel of the Lord. From that moment on, Zita’s master treated her with respect and dignity, eventually entrusting her with the keys to the manor house, and placing her in charge of its operations. The home became a center of charity and Christian love—with each charitable act to those in need, whether they be poor, criminals, the ill, only increasing the fortune of the household!

Saint Zita died comfortably in the home she oversaw in 1272. At the moment of her death, a bright star appeared in the sky above the home, where it remained. Her funeral drew all the townspeople, who proclaimed that a saint had lived among them, and strained to kiss her hand or touch her garment sleeves. Many miracles were performed at her tomb. In the sixteenth century, nearly 300 years after her death, Saint Zita’s body was exhumed to be moved, and found to be incorrupt. It lies now, encased in a crystal coffin, in the Church of San Frediano.

Saint Zita’s life demonstrates that faith and hard work lead to holiness and sanctity. She was often heard remarking that ‘devotion that is slothful is false.’ Through her obedience and charity, patience and hard work, Zita brought honor and grace to the household in which she worked, surrounding all those she came into contact with a heavenly grace and light. We look to Saint Zita as a reminder—as an inspiration—to toil tirelessly in the vineyard of the Lord. For Zita, and indeed for our God, no work is too menial, too unimportant, or too trivial if undertaken with a heart of service, a love of neighbor, and a mind centered on God.

March 17 is one of the most widely recognized feast days throughout the Church, the feast of Saint Patrick (387-493), patron saint of Ireland. Many myths and legends have arisen regarding the life of Saint Patrick, some culturally-based in Celtic oral storytelling, and some much more modern in support of non-spiritual celebrations. Church historians have compiled the basic facts of Saint Patrick’s life from letters and Confessions that he wrote while alive, as well as survey of the political and historical landscapes of the time. Many of the legendary miracles reported to have been performed by Saint Patrick remain unverified by history, but for many verified by faith in the gentle man responsible for bringing Catholicism to Ireland.


Saint Patrick was born in Kilpatrick, Scotland, where he lived the first 14 years of his life with his family, Christians, although not overly devout. In late adolescence, Patrick was captured from his family’s home by Irish raiders, and taken back to Ireland as a slave. There, he would spend the next six years in captivity, learning Celtic customs and language, and spending significant periods of time alone, tending sheep in the fields. It was here that Patrick’s’ love of God deepened and his faith took root and bloomed. He prayed incessantly, writing, “the love of God, and His fear increased in me more and more, and the faith grew in me, and the spirit was roused, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers, and in the night nearly the same, so that whilst in the woods and on the mountain, even before the dawn, I was roused to prayer and felt no hurt from it, whether there was snow or ice or rain; nor was there any slothfulness in me, such as I see now, because the spirit was then fervent within me.”

After six years of contemplation, Patrick was visited by an angel who encouraged him to return home to Scotland by escaping his slavery and walking 200 miles to the coast where he would find a ship awaiting him. Patrick did as instructed, finding the crew of s ship willing to take him to Scotland, and returned home to his grateful family. After a few years, Patrick experienced a second call from God, this time in the form of a visitor from Ireland. In his Confessions, he wrote:

I saw a man coming, as it were from Ireland. His name was Victoricus, and he carried many letters, and he gave me one of them. I read the heading: "The Voice of the Irish". As I began the letter, I imagined in that moment that I heard the voice of those very people who were near the wood of Foclut, which is beside the western sea—and they cried out, as with one voice: "We appeal to you, holy servant boy, to come and walk among us!

Patrick felt called to return to Ireland, but wished to be ordained prior to his departure. He undertook rigorous religious study, lasting approximately 14 years, during which time he was first ordained a priest, and later a bishop. Only upon becoming bishop did Patrick feel prepared to return to Ireland. While some legend suggests that Saint Patrick introduced Christianity to Ireland, it is far more likely that some small Christian communities existed before his second arrival. His dual mission was that of ministering to the existing Christian communities and converting others to the faith.

Saint Patrick had great success on both accounts, drawing from his familiarity of Celtic and Druid religious beliefs and language. He introduced natural elements into his teaching, including placing the sun on the Celtic Cross as symbolization of the Godhead, illustrating the Resurrection of Christ through the use of bonfires (symbols familiar to the Druids), and most famously, explaining the Holy Trinity through comparison to the shamrock.

Many were converted by his works, and monasteries and convents established (although their formal structure and organization would not be complete until centuries after his death). During his ministry in Ireland, Saint Patrick lived a poor and austere life, accepting only what he needed to live. He was repeatedly arrested and imprisoned, threatened and attacked by chieftains of warring tribes, and suffered great peril. Throughout all struggles, he remained fearless, looking to the Lord for guidance and comfort, and demonstrating great love, humility, and charity towards all he encountered. Numerous miracles and intercessions are reported in his name.

Saint Patrick’s ministry in Ireland spanned over 40 years, during which he laid the foundation for the seat of the Church during the Dark Ages, when Christianity survived in Irish monasteries. He died in Saul, Ireland, where he is believed to be buried. He is reported to have composed the following prayer, referred to as “Saint Patrick’s Breastplate:”

I bind to myself today
The strong virtue of the Invocation of the Trinity:
I believe the Trinity in the Unity
The Creator of the Universe.


I bind to myself today
The virtue of the Incarnation of Christ with His Baptism,
The virtue of His crucifixion with His burial,
The virtue of His Resurrection with His Ascension,
The virtue of His coming on the Judgment Day.


I bind to myself today
The virtue of the love of seraphim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the hope of resurrection unto reward,
In prayers of Patriarchs,
In predictions of Prophets,
In preaching of Apostles,
In faith of Confessors,
In purity of holy Virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.
I bind to myself today
The power of Heaven,
The light of the sun,
The brightness of the moon,
The splendor of fire,
The flashing of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of sea,
The stability of earth,
The compactness of rocks.


I bind to myself today
God's Power to guide me,
God's Might to uphold me,
God's Wisdom to teach me,
God's Eye to watch over me,
God's Ear to hear me,
God's Word to give me speech,
God's Hand to guide me,
God's Way to lie before me,
God's Shield to shelter me,
God's Host to secure me,
Against the snares of demons,
Against the seductions of vices,
Against the lusts of nature,
Against everyone who meditates injury to me,
Whether far or near,
Whether few or with many.


I invoke today all these virtues
Against every hostile merciless power
Which may assail my body and my soul,
Against the incantations of false prophets,
Against the black laws of heathenism,
Against the false laws of heresy,
Against the deceits of idolatry,
Against the spells of women, and smiths, and druids,
Against every knowledge that binds the soul of man.


Christ, protect me today
Against every poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against death-wound,
That I may receive abundant reward.


Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right, Christ at my left,
Christ in the fort,
Christ in the chariot seat,
Christ in the deck of ships,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.


I bind to myself today
The strong virtue of an invocation of the Trinity:
I believe the Trinity in the Unity
The Creator of the Universe.

Today, March 13, we remember two lesser-known holy servants of God: Blessed Agnellus of Pisa (1195-1236) and Saint Euphrasia (380-420). Both Agnellus and Euphrasia, while very different from each other, possessed hearts of service and sacrifice for the Lord, committing their lives to the Gospel, and working to spread the Christian faith with profound humility and meekness.


Blessed Agnellus of Pisa is remembered as the founder of the English Franciscan province, credited with bringing the Franciscan rule to Great Britain in 1224. Admitted into the Order by Saint Francis himself, Agnellus was a tireless missionary of God’s love, going wherever he was asked, enduring harsh and inhospitable conditions.

Born in Pisa of noble family, as a youth he encountered Saint Francis, and was admitted directly into the Seraphic Order, where he became known for his pursuit of holy perfection. Saint Francis, recognizing in this young man not only zeal for God’s law, but also the meekness and humility required to counsel great leaders, mediate misunderstandings, and secure the spread of the order. Saint Francis first dispatched Agnellus to Paris, where he erected a convent, and upon success was ordered to England to establish the province. Along with nine companions, Agnellus traveled to Dover in the winter of 1224, subsisting on the alms and kindness of those they encountered, truly living the rule of poverty. They survived the winter, eating little but bread and fermented beer. Within months, Agnellus had secured a house in Oxford, which eventually became the examplar for all Franciscan provinces. Agnellus, despite his lack of personal schooling, established a school for friars at Oxford, which led to the development of the university there.

Blessed Agnellus sent his brothers across the region, and throughout Europe, spreading the word of God. He was counselor to Kings and Prices, and worked tirelessly to assist these leaders in finding political options in avoidance of war and suffering. Given his strict observance of the rule of poverty, his frequent fasting and mortification, and his travels, is was not surprising when he contracted a fatal disease. Upon returning to Oxford, he eagerly awaited death, crying out repeatedly for three days, “Come, Sweetest Jesus, Come!” His body, incorrupt, was buried in Oxford.



Saint Euphrasia was born into Roman nobility, the daughter of Antigonus, Senator of Constantinople, and cousin to Roman emperor Theodosius I who finished the conversion of Rome to a Christian state. When her father died, while Euphrasia was still very young, she and her mother became members of the emperor’s court. Euphrasia’s mother was a woman of great faith, and upon becoming a widow, consecrated her remaining years to God. With her young daughter, she moved to Egypt, where she owned an estate, and attached herself to a convent there. She would visit the sisters in faith each day, bringing young Euphrasia with her. At approximately age 7, Euphrasia requested that she be allowed to enter the convent, which her mother joyously allowed, saying, "Lord Jesus Christ, receive this child under Your special protection. It is You alone whom she loves and seeks; to You she recommends herself.”

Euphrasia moved into the convent, and her holy mother died a few years later, leaving her with these parting instructions: “"Fear God, honor your sisters, and serve them with humility. Never think of what you have been, nor say to yourself that you are of royal extraction. Be humble and poor on earth, that you may be rich in heaven." Upon her mother’s death, Euphrasia was recalled to Constantinople by the Emperor, as he had arranged a political marriage for her. Euphrasia was not to give up her vow of virginity and consecration to the Lord, however, and wrote the Emperor explaining as much. She further requested that all of her land and estates be sold, with the money used charitably to aid the poor. In her own words:
"Invincible emperor, having consecrated myself to Christ in perpetual chastity, I cannot be false to my engagement, and marry a mortal man, who will shortly be the food of worms. For the sake of my parents, be pleased to distribute their estates among the poor, the orphans, and the church. Set all my slaves at liberty, and discharge my vassals and servants, giving them whatever is their due. Order my father's stewards to acquit my farmers of all they owe since his death, that I may serve God without let or hindrance, and may stand before him without the solicitude of temporal affairs. Pray for me, you, and your empress, that I may be made worthy to serve Christ."

The emperor, moved by her faith, executed all her wishes before his death in 395.

Saint Euphrasia exemplified humility, meekness, and charity. She was frequently tormented by temptation, which upon guidance from the abbess, she overcame through physical and oftentimes exhausting penitential labors. In one case, as recorded in her life, she repeatedly moved a pile of heavy and painful stones from one place to another for thirty days, at which time, the temptations she struggled with left her.

She was known for driving demons out of those possessed, as well as miraculous cures, saying, “May He who created you, heal you!” Euphrasia lived an austere life, relishing with holy ardor the love of the Lord. She persisted in self-imposed fasting nearly every day, spent much of her time in prayer, and yet was often times treated poorly due to her status as a foreigner in Egypt. Even in moments of mockery and humiliation, she remained humble and meek, oftentimes falling at the feet of her accusers, and begging that they pray for her. She died peacefully at age 40.

Blessed Agnellus and Saint Euphrasia were confronted with multiple obstacles and ridicule in their lives, but through their humility and meekness were able not only to overcome these obstacles, but witness to the love of Christ in the process. The exhibited that special quality, the quality that made those who encountered them wonder about what made them different from others? We know the answer is the grace of God, the identification with, and living of, the Christian life we are all called to. How often are our lives, our behaviors, witness of that call to others? How often, when we meet someone, do they wonder what makes us different, special, grace-filled, at peace?

Today, February 26, we celebrate the feast day of Saint Isabelle of France (1225-1270, also known as Isabel and Isabella), the daughter of King Louis VIII of France. Remembered for extreme devotion to the Lord, even as a child, Saint Isabelle requested spiritual direction and permanent confessors from Pope Innocent IV, who allowed her to retain some local Franciscans for that post. As she matured, she became even more devoted to the Lord, through the direction of the Franciscans, eventually breaking off several engagements (arranged for political reasons by her brother who had assumed the throne), and refusing to marry so as to remain virginal for the Lord.

Isabelle resided in the royal castle for much of young adult life, but lived a cloistered life, similar to that of a religious. She refused the lavish appointments and meals offered to her, instead subsisting on meager rations, and donating what she saved to the poor. Her days were spent in service to those in need, specifically the sick and the destitute. Of weak constitution, Isabelle was often ill, specifically with stomach ailments, a condition exacerbated by her fasting and mortification.

Following the king’s return from the Crusades, where he had been imprisoned for some time, Isabelle left the castle, called to found a Franciscan Order for women—the Convent of the Humility of the Blessed Virgin-- in Longchamp, France. The sisters of the order spent their days in charity, but as the name of the order suggests, never accepted recognition or reward for their labors, instead glorifying the Lord. The mission of the Franciscan Order was to serve the poor in love.

Saint Isabelle was appointed Abbess upon recognition and approval of the Order, but refused, instead preferring to live nearby the monastery, oversee operations from her home in solitude, and re-write the rules governing the work of the sisters. Unpleased with the first rule of the order, which was modified from the Rules of the Order of Poor Clares, Isabelle sought to make the direction of her sisters more strict, eventually succeeding in gaining approval.

Isabelle continued to suffer from constant illness, but also, through the grace of God, received mystical graces and experienced numerous ecstasies. During one of these ecstatic visions, she foretold the day and hour she would pass away, which delighted her greatly, as she was eager to return to her Lord. Following her death, she was buried in her habit, and laid to rest in the convent she had founded. Her body was exhumed twice, both times found to be incorrupt.

The life of Saint Isabelle suggests to us that our human weaknesses, even those of the body, can be overcome by the grace of God. Isabelle, despite pressure to do otherwise for personal and political gain, resisted the pressure of the Courts of France to marry, remaining a virgin, and consecrating herself to God. She sought out the spiritual direction she needed, listened for the call of the Lord, and followed it without question. Despite sickness and discomfort throughout her life, she found the strength to serve the Lord and those around her. So eager to rejoin her Maker, she was rewarded with knowledge of when that would happen, which she awaited with joy. Saint Isabelle of France inspires us to examine our lives, identifying those small barriers we hide behind, rather than serving God. Whether it be work, sickness, fatigue, or financial security, we all have many reasons—many excuses—to focus on ourselves, rather than on the Lord, and through Him, on those in need around us. This is a perfect opportunity to broaden our view from ourselves to those around us, breaking down our barriers, and embracing the Lord in those we serve.



Litany of Humility

Written by Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val (1865-1930), Secretary of State for Pope Saint Pius X


O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, hear me.

From the desire of being esteemed, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, deliver me, O Jesus.


From the fear of being humiliated, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, deliver me, O Jesus.


That others may be loved more than I, O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may increase and I may decrease, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything, grant me the grace to desire it.

Today, January 14, marks the death and martyrdom of Saint Felix of Nola (born early third century, died 255). Born in Campania, Italy, Felix joined the clergy, giving all he had to the poor, shortly following the death of his father. Working under the guidance of Bishop Maximus of Nola, both underwent persecution and torture at the hands of Roman Emperor Decius.

Shortly following the imprisonment of Bishop Maximus, Felix was taken into custody by Roman soldiers, imprisoned, scourged and tortured, and wrapped with heavy chains in his prison cell. He miraculously escaped from his cell, following visitation from an angel who instructed him to go to the aid of his ailing bishop. As the angel encouraged Felix, his chains fell off and his prison cell was opened. Felix rescued Maximus, bearing him on his back (despite weakness and small stature), and effectively hiding both men from Roman authorities until the end of Decius’ reign.

The second attempt to imprison Felix and Maximus was miraculously prevented by a spider! Upon hearing Roman soldiers approaching, Felix crawled into a small hole in the building he was staying, where it is said a spider immediately spun a web over the opening. The guards saw the spider web and ceased searching for the men, assuming that the room had been undisturbed for some time.

Felix was a humble and giving servant of the Lord. Following the death of Maximus, he was called to be the next Bishop of Nola, but refused, indicating that one of his more experienced brothers (ordained only seven days prior to Felix) was more deserving. He refused to reclaim his possessions and land seized during the persecution, instead renting a meager plot, tilling it by hand, and sharing his goods with the poorest around him. It is said that whatever Felix possessed, he gave away to those in need, oftentimes to his own detriment. He died in 255, and is considered a Church martyr due to the torture, imprisonment, persecution, and suffering he endured for his faith. Buried in Nola, numerous miracles have been reported at his tomb.

Felix received a clear call to action from the angel in his prison cell, just as the Blessed Virgin received the Archangel Gabriel’s message of her extraordinary role in the Incarnation of Jesus. Felix heard the call, and risked his life and unimaginable suffering to answer it. While the messages we receive from the Lord are not always heralded by angels, we still need to listen for them—and perhaps listen all the more closely. These are the quiet urgings of our hearts, which bring us closer to our God. How often are we too busy and too wrapped up in our wants and needless anxieties to hear the call of God? Might slowing down and creating some silence in our lives enable a deeper communion with Christ? Today, we pray for that silence—the silence in which we hear and understand what the Lord wishes for us, and the courage to stand up and put the call into action!

Northern France, circa 843

“Fight all error, but do it with good humor, patience, kindness, and love. Harshness will damage your own soul and spoil the best cause.”


Today, December 23, we celebrate the feast day of Saint John of Kanty (also know as Saint John Canteco, Saint John Cantius, 1390-1473), Polish priest, Scholastic philosopher, physicist, theologian, and one of the principal patron saints of Poland.

John was born in Kęty, a small town near Oświęcim, in the diocese of Kraków, Poland. A brilliant student, he attended the Kraków Academy at which he attained bachelor’s degree, and eventually his doctorate in physics and theology. Felt called to the priesthood, upon graduation he spent the next three years preparing for the holy life, at the end of which he was ordained.

Upon ordination, John was offered professorship at a nearby university, which he happily accepted. For some time, he served as a parish priest, a responsibility he took with the greatest seriousness. Soon thereafter, he was offered a professorship of Sacrae Scripturae (Sacred Scripture) back at the University of Krakow. This post he served until his death many years later.

Saint John lived his life in accordance with the Scriptures, and maintained both humor and humility. He was generally liked by all, and was regarded as an excellent teacher and scholar. John embraced mortification and suffering, visiting Rome and Jerusalem on foot, wishing for nothing more that to suffer martyrdom. During one such trip, he was accosted by thieves, who stripped him of his valuables. Upon asking if he had anything else, and the saint denying it, the theives left him. Soon after, John remembered that he had sewn some gold into the lining of his robes. He hurried after the theives, confessing his “lie” and offering the gold to them. So moved by his truthfulness, the theives are said to have returned all his posessions.

In his daily life, he subsisted only on what was strictly necessary to sustain his life, giving alms regularly to the poor. It is said that he frequently would take his dinner plate into the street, offering it to the poor, rather than eating it himself

To guard himself and his household from evil gossip, John is said to have written upon the wall of his room: Conturbare cave, non est placare suave, diffamare cave, nam revocare grave: "Guard against causing trouble and slandering others, for it is difficult to right the evil done."

When he reached the end of his life, sensing that his death was near at hand, he distributed whatever possessions he still had to the poor and died peacefully at an advanced age. His remains were interred in the Church of St. Anne, Kraków, where his tomb has become a popular pilgrimage site.



Grant, we pray, almighty God, that by the example of the Priest Saint John of Kanty we may advance in knowledge of holy things and by showing compassion to all, may gain forgiveness in your sight. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.




Year 2: Day 357 of 365
Prayer Intentions: Humility: Lives dedicated to our neighbors and those in need; Clean hearts and tongues;
Requested Intentions: Healing (M); Safety, security, and sanctity for a family (A); Healing (N); Successful relationship (N); Healing of a friend; growth in the Lord (M); To hear and answer the Lord’s call (M); Healing of a friend undergoing chemotherapy (L); For the peace, safety, and holiness of a sister (J); Financial security (C); Conversion of a newly married couple (M); Peace in a family (S); Peaceful repose of departed mother (J); Blessings on a relationship (J); Financial security, successful employment (J); Obedience to God’s will (A); Conversion of souls (A); Success of business venture; faith of daughter (S); Safe return home (J); Recovery of mother and son; repose of the souls of the dearly departed (A); Blessings upon a relationship (M); Sobriety and recovery for a son (M); Employment and successful marriage (A); Employment, healing, freedom from anxiety (T); Financial security (C); Conversion (T); Peace in difficult times at work (E); Financial security and blessings for mother and children (T); Financial security for a mother (M); Health, finances, successful marriage (A); Successful resolution of court case for son (K); Continued sobriety (N); Healing of a chronic health condition (B); Successful employment (A): Peace in a family, recovery of a niece from substance use (L); Blessings on a marriage, healing of a husband (P); For the health and recovery of sisters (B); For a daughter and granddaughter (D); Blessings on overseas employment (M); Healing of mother (L).

Today, December 9, we celebrate the feast day of Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin (1474-1548), visionary of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the first Catholic saint indigenous to the Americas. Saint Juan is a model of Christian steadfastness, walking 15 miles to attend Mass each day, and an example of profound humility, stating to Our Blessed Mother: “I am a nobody, I am a small rope, a tiny ladder, the tail end, a leaf.”


Little is factually known about the life of Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin before his conversion at age 50 by Franciscan missionaries. However, tradition, archeological, and iconographical sources, along with the indigenous document detailing the events of the apparitions at Guadalupe (“El nican Mopohua,” written in Náhuatl with Latin characters in 1556) shed some light on this simple and holy man.

Born with the name "Cuauhtlatoatzin" (which means "the talking eagle") in Cuautlitlán, (modern-day Mexico City), Mexico, Juan was a member of the Chichimeca people, a culturally advanced group living in Anáhuac Valley. Thought to an average man, of neither the upper respected classes of priests, warriors and merchants, but also not a slave, Juan is likely to have owned a small house and farmed a small tract of land. He was happily married, although had no children. The remainder of his life is lost to history until his encounter with Franciscan priest, Father Peter da Gand. At age 50, Juan accepted Christ into his life, converting to Catholicism and being baptized. Every day thereafter, he walked more than 15 miles barefoot to attend daily Mass.

The events of December 9, 1531, occurred during his usual morning walk, when on the crest of Tepeyac Hill (outside Mexico City), the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to him. Known as Our Lady of Guadalupe (whose feast we celebrate in just 3 days on December 12), Our Lady requested that Juan visit the local bishop and request that a shrine be built in her name. She further promised to pour out her unending grace on those who invoked her. Our Lady talked to Juan in his language, Nahuatl. She called him "Juanito, Juan Dieguito,” "the most humble of my sons,” "my son the least,” and "my little dear.”

Indeed a humble man, Juan obediently visited the bishop, who did not believe the wild tale—especially from a “nobody.” Why would the Blessed Virgin appear to such a simple man? He requested that Juan return with a sign to prove that the apparition was true. Three days later, on December 12 (the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe), Juan was again climbing Tepeyac Hill and encountered Our Lady again. She instructed him to climb to the top of the hill and to pick the flowers he would find there. Despite it being wintertime, he obeyed, climbing the hill, finding fragrant roses in blossom. He picked the flowers and carried them to Our Lady. She gently placed them in his mantle (robe) and instructed him to take them to his bishop as proof of his claims and her appearance.

Juan carefully carried the flowers back to the bishop, and miraculously found that when he opened his mantle and the flowers fell to the ground, in their place was an image of the Blessed Mother as she appeared at Tepeyac. The bishop was convinced and ordered a church built for Virgin of Guadalupe, which became a place of pilgrimage for the faithful.

For his part, Juan requested that he be allowed to live in hermitude in a small hut near the chapel that was built to house the miraculous image. Receiving permission from the bishop, he gave up all his worldly possessions and lived his remaining years caring for the church and the pilgrims who visited, venerating the image, and praying for the grace of Mary. Upon his death, he was buried in the chapel of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Pope John Paul II called Juan “a simple, humble Indian” who accepted Christianity without giving up his identity as an Indian. “In praising the Indian Juan Diego, I want to express to all of you the closeness of the church and the pope, embracing you with love and encouraging you to overcome with hope the difficult times you are going through,” the pope said. Among the thousands present for the event were members of Mexico’s 64 indigenous groups.

Saint Juan Diego reminds us of the universality of the Church, and that the Lord and His Blessed Mother value each of us equally. In the end, as we read the lives of the saints, it becomes clear that race, gender, class, wealth, disability, appearance, culture, sexual orientation—all the things that divide us—are unimportant in the eyes of Lord. Rather, the willingness to open one’s heart, to serve, to embrace the Christian virtues of faith, hope, and charity—to be obedient to the Word of God—these are the things that matter on earth.


From the beatification homily delivered by Pope John Paul II:

At the dawn of Mexican evangelization Saint Juan Diego holds a place all by himself; according to tradition, his indigenous name was Cuauhtlatohuac, “The eagle who speaks”. His lovable figure is inseparable from the Guadalupe event, the miraculous maternal manifestation of the Virgin, Mother of God, both in iconographic and literary memorials as well as in the centuries-old devotion which the Mexican Church has shown for this Indian so loved by Mary. Similar to ancient Biblical personages who were collective representations of all the people, we could say that Juan Diego represents all the indigenous peoples who accepted the Gospel of Jesus, thanks to the maternal aid of Mary, who is always inseparable from the manifestation of her Son and the spread of the Church, as was her presence among the Apostles on the day of Pentecost. The information about him that has reached us praises his Christian virtues: his simple faith, nourished by catechesis and open to the mysteries; his hope and trust in God and in the Virgin; his love, his moral coherence, his unselfishness and evangelical poverty. Living the life of a hermit here near Tepeyac, he was a model of humility. The Virgin chose him from among the most humble as the one to receive that loving and gracious manifestation of hers which is the Guadalupe apparition. Her maternal face and her Saint image which she left us as a priceless gift is a permanent remembrance of this. In this manner she wanted to remain among you as a sign of the communion and unity of all those who were to live together in this land. The recognition of the cult which for centuries has been paid to the layman Juan Diego takes on a special importance. It is a strong call to all the lay faithful of this nation to assume all their responsibilities, for passing on the Gospel message and witnessing to one faith active and working in the sphere of Mexican society. From this privileged spot of Guadalupe, ever-faithful heart of Mexico, I wish to call on all the Mexican laity, to commit themselves more actively to the re-evangelization of society. The lay faithful share in the prophetic, priestly and royal role of Christ (cf. Lumen Gentium, 31), but they carry out this vocation in the ordinary situations of daily life. Their natural and immediate field of action extends to all the areas of human coexistence and to everything that constitutes culture in the widest and fullest sense of the term. As I wrote in the Apostolic Exhortation Christifideles Laici: “In order to achieve their task directed to the Christian animation of the temporal order, in the sense of serving persons and society, the lay faithful are never to relinquish their participation in public life, that is, in the many different economic, social, legislative, administrative and cultural areas, which are intended to promote organically and institutionally the common good” (n. 42). Catholic men and women of Mexico, your Christian vocation is, by its very nature, a vocation to the apostolate (cf. Apostolicam Actuositatem, 3). Therefore, you cannot remain indifferent before the suffering of your brothers and sisters: before the poverty, corruption and outrages committed against the truth and human rights. You must be the salt of the earth and the light of the world (cf. Matthew 5:13-14). Thus the Lord says once more to us today: “Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Mt 5:16). Juan Diego too shines before you, raised by the Church to the honors of the altar; we can invoke him as the protector and the advocate of the indigenous peoples.”




Prayer to Saint Juan Diego

You who were chosen by Our Lady of Guadalupe as an instrument to show your people and the world that the way of Christianity is one of love, compassion, understanding, values, sacrifices, repentance of our sins, appreciation and respect for God's creation, and most of all one of HUMILITY and obedience. You who we know is now in the Kingdom of the Lord and close to our Mother, be our angel and protect us, stay with us as we struggle in this modern life not knowing most of the time where to set our priorities. Help us to pray to our God to obtain the gifts of the Holy Spirit and use them for the good of humanity and the good of our Church, through the Heart of Our Lady of Guadalupe to the Heart of Jesus. Amen.



Blessed Juan, you faced the skepticism and rejection of a bishop and the crowds to bring Mary's message to Mexico. Pray for us that when we are faced with obstacles to our faith we may show that same courage and commitment. Amen.

Lord God,
hrough Saint Juan Diego
You made known the love of Our Lady of Guadalupe
toward Your people.
Grant by his intercession
that we who follow the counsel of Mary, our Mother,
may strive continually to do Your will.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit. Amen.



Year 2: Day 343 of 365
Prayer Intentions: Unity within the Church; Humility and Obedience; For all those who are marginalized, maligned, and mistreated.

Requested Intentions: Blessings upon a relationship (M); Sobriety and recovery for a son (M); Employment and successful marriage (A); Employment, healing, freedom from anxiety (T); Financial security (C); Conversion (T); Peace in difficult times at work (E); Financial security and blessings for mother and children (T); Financial security for a mother (M); Health, finances, successful marriage (A); Successful resolution of court case for son (K); Continued sobriety (N); Healing of a chronic health condition (B); Successful employment (A): Peace in a family, recovery of a niece from substance use (L); Blessings on a marriage, healing of a husband (P); For the health and recovery of sisters (B); For a daughter and granddaughter (D); Blessings on overseas employment (M); Healing of mother (L); Successful employment for husband (G); Successful employment, personal fulfillment (C); Health and recovery of ill sister (A); Resolution of legal issues; Grace and protection (E); Successful and meaningful employment (S); Restoration of a marriage (A).