a year of prayer: 365 Rosaries

Today, February 13, we celebrate the feast of Blessed Archangela Girlani (1460-1495), virgin, foundress, and miracle worker. The life of Blessed Archangela is one of deep faith and commitment to the Lord. Willing to reconsider her own plans for those that the Lord placed before her, Archangela served and followed wherever the Holy Spirit led her.


Born Eleanor Girlani in the small Italian town of Trino (Piedmont), Eleanor demonstrated great piety and holiness as a child. Despite her family’s noble heritage, her only ambition in life was to become a Benedictine sister, and together with some friends and relatives, she prepared to travel to the monastery of Rocca delle Donne, who had agreed to accept and raise her as a member of the Order. However, this was not to occur. Upon mounting her horse to travel, the animal refused to carry her to the monastery. As this particular horse was one of gentle and obedient spirit, the animal’s refusal to move was interpreted as a sign from the Lord, and Eleanor returned home. Despairing, she prayed for guidance and contented herself in her own daily practices of contemplation, penance, and service to others.

Eleanor soon encountered a Carmelite monk, who introduced her to the sisters of the Carmelite Order. Understanding this as divine intervention, Eleanor sought admission, and was accepted into the Order on her seventeenth birthday. She lived and served in the convent of Maria Maddalena in Parma, along with her sisters Mary and Scholastica.

Eleanor received the veil as a Carmelite sister at age eighteen, taking the name Archangela as her own. She was made Prioress of the abbey, given her nobility (as was the custom of the time), and became a model of Christian virtue to her sisters. Especially devoted to the Holy Trinity, Archangela spent hours in the chapel praying and contemplating the divinity of the Lord.

Sister Archangela soon was requested to found an additional abbey in Mantua, which was named Santa Maria del Paradiso (The Convent of Mary in Paradise). There, under her direction, sisters of the Order lived as if already absorbed into heaven. The monastery developed a reputation for great holiness, and received many new sisters. As prioress, Archangela experienced great ecstasies, some lasting well over 24 hours, and on more than on occasion was discovered by her sisters to be levitating above the ground while contemplating the Holy Trinity. She further performed many miracles.

Only three years after founding the monastery at Mantua, Blessed Archangela fell gravely ill. Strengthened with the Sacraments and with her eyes fixed on an image of the Crucified Christ, she repeated her frequently uttered words; “Jesus, my Love" and peacefully died at the young age of thirty-four. Based upon her request, was buried in the simplicity of a common grave at the monastery. Three years later, when the tomb was re-opened to commit another sister to the earth, her remains were found incorrupt and exuding the fragrance of holiness. Great miracles were reported, and her relics were enclosed in a crystal tomb, and placed above the alter at the monastery.

Nearly 300 years after her death, the monastery in Mantua was closed, and Archangela’s relics were translated to Trino, where she had been born. Her relics, still venerated today, were placed in the church of Saint Lorenzo. There, her body rests, wearing the habit of the barefoot Carmelite, in a casket of crystal.


Incorrupt Body of Beata Archangela Girlani

Church of San Lorenzo in Trino

Father in heaven,
Through her prayers
may we taste the delights of your glory
already here on earth,
and look upon you for ever in heaven.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Father Tansi knew that there is something of the Prodigal Son in every human being. He knew that all men and women are tempted to separate themselves from God in order to lead their own independent and selfish existence. He knew that they are then disappointed by the emptiness of the illusion which had fascinated them, and that they eventually find in the depths of their heart the road leading back to the Father's house (cf. Reconciliatio et Paenitentia, n. 5). He encouraged people to confess their sins and receive God's forgiveness in the sacrament of Reconciliation. He implored them to forgive one another as God forgives us, and to hand on the gift of reconciliation, making it a reality at every level of Nigerian life. Fr Tansi tried to imitate the father in the parable:  he was always available for those searching for reconciliation. He spread the joy of restored communion with God. He inspired people to welcome the peace of Christ, and encouraged them to nourish the life of grace with the word of God and with Holy Communion.... 

Blessed Cyprian Michael Tansi is a prime example of the fruits of holiness which have grown and matured in the Church in Nigeria since the Gospel was first preached in this land. He received the gift of faith through the efforts of the missionaries, and taking the Christian way of life as his own he made it truly African and Nigerian. So too the Nigerians of today young and old alike are called to reap the spiritual fruits which have been planted among them and are now ready for the harvest. In this regard, I wish to thank and to encourage the Church in Nigeria for her missionary work in Nigeria, in Africa and beyond. Fr Tansi's witness to the Gospel and to Christian charity is a spiritual gift which this local Church now offers to the universal Church.”

Onitsha, Nigeria

Saint Genoveva's Entombed Relics

Peter was born in Vienne, France, to a peasant family.  He was a model of steadfastness and holiness as a youth, joining the Cistercian monastery at Bonnevaux at the age of twenty.  There, he shone so brightly as a holy light, he attracted many followers, including his two brothers and his father, who joined the order.  By age 30, Peter was elected abbot of a new Cistercian house in the Tarentaise mountains.  There, the monastery sat atop a perch which overlooked the major traveling route between Geneva and Savoy.  To aid travelers, Peter saw to the construction of a hospice for those far from home, especially the poor and ill.  Despite his position as abbot, he spent his days humbly, serving all who entered the doors of the hospice, and providing Christian hospitality.

Not long thereafter, having grown the faith in the area through his model, Peter was elected Archbishop of Tarentaise (in 1142).  Reluctantly, Peter accepted the post.  His preference would have been to continue his current service to the poor and wayward, but he felt called to obey the people’s wishes.  Immediately, Peter set about correcting the mismanagement of funds and corruption that had preceded his election.  He replaced those who extorted the faithful with canons regular of the Order of Saint Augustine, rebuilt the cathedral in the glory of holiness, and spent much time creating public programs for the poor and uneducated.  Saint Peter became known for miracles, including physical healings of the lame and sick, and multiplication of scarce provisions during famine and drought.

After 13 years of service, Saint Peter disappeared from his post, only to be discovered one year later in a remote area of Switzerland.  There he had offered himself as a lay member of a Cistercian house, and lived simply as a monk.  Upon discovery, he returned to his see, and lived out the remainder of his life in service. Delighted to see how much he had been missed by his flock, Peter threw himself back into service with renewed vigor.

With his strength renewed, Peter focused his attention on the poor, providing spiritual, physical, and educational nourishment.  He rebuilt the hospice of Little Saint Bernard at the mountain pass, and erected many more hospices for the sick and travelers along the Alpine pass routes. He instituted public bread lines for those who were poor, a practice which continued in the region for hundreds of years.
Always preaching peace, Saint Peter was called upon by Pope Alexander III to assist in minimizing bloodshed throughout France, and later England.  Saint Peter counseled kings and leaders, preaching the Gospel of peace.  He fell ill on a return trip from England, and died at the age of 73 at the Bellevaux monastery.

Saint Peter was a model of charity and peace, one the world would have lost had he followed his own plan, rather than the Lord’s.  What are we depriving the world of when we close our hearts and minds to God’s plan?  Let us recommit ourselves to sowing the seeds of love, service, and peace, as did Saint Peter of Tarentaise.

Today, September 18, we celebrate the feast day of Saint Juan de Massias (1585-1645), Dominican monk in Lima, Peru, who was especially devoted to caring for the poor of the city. Saint Juan served his brethren in the most menial of tasks, always without complaint. He is remembered for his austerities, miracles, and visions.


Born as Juan de Arcas Sanchez, Juan grew up in Extremadura, Spain. His parents were pious, but poor, and died while Juan was quite young. At four years old, orphaned, and living with his uncle, Juan apparently changed his name, and began working as a shepherd. It was during his youth that he received a heavenly vision which commanded him to travel to Peru. During his long hours in the fields with the sheep, when there was nothing particular to do except keep his eyes open, Juan would pray the Rosary and meditate on the Christian mysteries, and it sometimes appeared that the holy ones were there, visible and talking to him. He was especially comforted by visions of Our Blessed Mother and Saint John the Evangelist.

At the age of 25, Juan began working for a wealthy businessman, who offered him the opportunity to travel to South America. Juan took advantage of the offer, landing in Colombia, where he worked for some time as a shepherd. Over time, he worked his way to Ecuador, and then finally to Peru, arriving in his mid-thirties. Confident in his abilities and talents as a sheepherder, he worked with other shepherds in the outskirts of the capital city.

Receiving another vision, Juan found his way into the heart of Lima, and was received by the Dominican lay brothers at their house. Following his observation of the brothers, his sense of piety eventually led him to part with all of his belongings, giving them to the poor. He was admitted to the Order as a cooperator brother, and one year later took his vows. At the Dominican friary, he worked as porter and doorkeeper for over 20 years. He befriended Dominican saint, Martin de Porres, and like Saint Martin worked tirelessly for the care of the poor.

At the friary, Juan’s life was filled with fervent prayer, frequent penance, and charity. As a result of his austerity (and the fact that he slept only one hour each night, always on his knees), he soon fell ill and had to have a risky surgery. Nevertheless, he continued to care for the sick and needy as they waited at the friary gates. Beggars, disabled people, and others of the disadvantaged where commonplace throughout Lima, and they flocked to him at the friary gates for counsel and comfort. The upper classes where also no strangers to him; they also sought his counsel at the gates. While Juan desired more than anything a quiet, contemplative life, his job as porter forced him to interact consistently with all those who came to the friary. Through his obedience to his post, Juan perfected his submission to the will of God. He found joy in the most menial of tasks, spending his days cleaning and engaged in manual labor. He was further noted for his visions and his endless praying of the Holy Rosary-- It is said that through his prayers for the release of the souls in purgatory, he freed over a million souls through his daily Rosaries!

Saint Juan died at the age of 60 of natural causes. He is venerated at the church of Our Lady of the Rosary in Lima. He never preached eloquent sermons or left written homilies or texts. Rather, his humility, service, and obedience to the Will of God, inspire us to live lives more fully realized in the grace of God.



O God, who was pleased that John, Thy Confessor, early endowed with the richness of Thy grace, should in a lowly state of life blossom with a brilliance of virtue, grant us, we beseech Thee, so to follow his footsteps that by purity of mind we may merit to come to Thee. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.



Year 2: Day 259 of 365
Prayer Intentions: Sincere spirits of repentance and conversion
Requested Intentions: Clear speech for a child (C); Conversion of a family (A); Successful employment (S); For the healing of impaired vision (F); For a couple experiencing difficulties (L); Successful employment after finishing college (M); Mother’s health (A); Financial security, freedom from anxiety (S); For a son and cousins (L); Peace and civility (B); Successful examination results (D); Safety of family, strength, courage, wisdom (C); For the souls of a departed father and brother, finding of a suitable marriage partner (R); Successful pilgrimage, deepening of prayer life (R); Restoration of health (J); Restoration of health (S); Freedom from pride (A); For children and marriage (M); For the birth of a healthy baby (Y); For personal family intentions, for the sick, poor, hungry, and homeless (G); Financial security and peace (J); Grace, peace, and obedience to the will of God in a marriage (H); Successful and blessed marriage for sin, freedom from anxiety for husband, spiritual contentedness for family (N); Employment and health for a husband (B); Recovery and health of a mother (J); For a family to grow closer to the Church, salvation for all children (D); Successful employment (L); Successful employment (S); Renewal of faith life (A); Support for an intended marriage, health for friend and aunt (J); Mental health assistance for son (G); Freedom from illness (S); Successful employment (C).

Today, September 7, we celebrate the feast day of Saint Clodoald (also known as Saint Cloud, 522-560), a noble man born into privilege and royalty who renounced his life of ease for one of service to the Lord. Saint Cloud reminds us that our daily choices allow us to grow closer to, or further from, the great plan and gifts that the Lord has in store for us. By accepting God’s Will for us, we are able to better serve others, becoming a part of the grace and love of the Lord.


Clodoald was born in 552, the grandson of King Clovis the First of France. He was named after the city of the same name, suggested by the city-plotter, and foretelling of his life of humility and humble service. Clodoald was raised in Paris by his grandmother, Saint Clotilde, who instructed he and his two brothers—Theodoald and Gunther—in the ways of the faith. Clodoald and his brothers were also being groomed for the throne, with the area of control of their grandfather to be split amongst them. However, sadness and bitter family rivalry was to prevent that as the boys’ uncle, Clotaire I, had Clodoad’s brothers assassinated. Clodoald managed to escape to Provence, and drawn to a more contemplative life, renounced all claims to the throne.

In Provence, Clodoald found a mentor in Saint Severinus of Noricum, and lived and studied with him as a disciple for eleven years. Over time, he became known for his gentleness, humility, and counsel, and many visited him for spiritual direction and healing. Remembering the excess of his upbringing, Clodoald gave all he had to those in need, but gradually felt the need to return to society. Returning to Paris, he was received with joy, and at the urging of the people, was ordained a priest by Bishop Eusebius. As a priest, he went about his daily tasks with profound humility, diligence, and impact on those he encountered.

Saint Clodoald established a holy place at Nogent-sur-Seine that is now a collegiate church of canons regular called Saint Cloud. His relics are venerated there, whereas the village hosting his tomb has been renamed in his honor.



Today, as we celebrate the feast of Saint Clodoald, we pray for the acceptance of God’s Will in our own lives.

Prayer for Acceptance of God’s Will

Lord, teach me to be patient - with life, with people, and with myself. I sometimes try to hurry things along too much, and I push for answers before the time is right. Teach me to trust Your sense of timing rather than my own and to surrender my will to Your greater and wiser plan. Help me let life unfold slowly, like the small rosebud whose petals unravel bit by bit, and remind me that in hurrying the bloom along, I destroy the bud and much of the beauty therein.


Instead, let me wait for all to unfold in its own time. Each moment and state of growth contains a loveliness. Teach me to slow down enough to appreciate life and all it holds. Amen.

Today, September 1, we celebrate the feast day of Saint Fiacre (also known as Fiacre of Meaux, or Saint Fiachra, died 670), miracle worker, monastery founder, and patron saint of gardeners and cab drivers. Through a simple life of solitude, Saint Fiacre brought many to the Lord, as his hermitage became a place of pilgrimage, miraculous healings, and spiritual guidance and direction.


Fiacre was born in Ireland, and raised in a monastery surrounded by pious and contemplative monks. As was common at the time, new knowledge and learning from around the globe was deposited at monasteries, which were the seats of knowledge. Along with spices and other exotic discoveries, the monastery where Fiacre was raised was also home to many seeds and exotic plants brought from Europe and the Holy Land. Fiacre spent his days at the monastery in quiet contemplation, working in the garden, learning to find the Lord in the silence and radiance of nature.

Fiacre longed to worship and serve the Lord with his entire being, but preferred to do so in silence and isolation, lest he be distracted by others. He established a hermitage in a wooded area far from the monastery, living in a cave. His quest for peace was not to be, however, as soon many flocked to his cave, longing for prayers, food, and healing. He served all who sought him, both bodily and spiritually, and the herbs from his garden became known for miraculous cures of illnesses. Fiacre had the gift of healing by laying on his hands-- blindness, tumors, and fevers are mentioned as being cured by his touch.

Having attracted too great a following, Fiacre left his homeland and traveled to France where the Bishop of Meaux granted him land to build a new hermitage. Located near the Marne river, Fiacre build a small hut in which to live and worship. He also built an oratory in honor of the Blessed Virgin, and made a hospice for travelers which developed into the village of Saint-Fiacre in Seine-et-Marne. However, he missed his garden and requested more land from the kindly bishop. Bishop Faro told Fiacre he could have as much land as he could clear in one day. Holy legend recounts Fiacre’s first miracle in France, as upon waking the next morning, he dragged his walking staff along the ground, and in doing so, the trees toppled and bushes were uprooted. He cleared for himself a sizable garden in which to grow fruits, herbs, and vegetables. As word of his miracle spread, people again began visiting the hermit in pilgrimage, praying for food, healing, and spiritual direction. Anne of Austria, Queen of France, was a frequent pilgrim, offering her prayers outside the door, amongst the other pilgrims.

Fiacre, despite his wishes for solitude, turned no one away. Soon, a small community, later becoming a monastery, had grown up in the woods around his garden. He welcomed all, providing food, healing, and beauty through his garden—which became the center of the monastery. Under his cultivation, a fruit and vegetable garden fed the poor, an herb garden cured the sick of their maladies, and a flower garden reminded all who visited of the splendor and glory of the Lord.

Saint Fiacre died in advances years, and his monastery continued to thrive. Pilgrims still visit the shrine of Saint Fiacre, and miraculous cures of mind, body, and spirit continue to be reported. His relics at Meaux are invoked against all sorts of physical ills, including venereal disease (for which he is considered a patron). He is also a patron saint of gardeners and of cab-drivers of Paris. French cabs are called fiacres because the first establishment to let coaches on hire, in the middle of the seventeenth century, was in the Rue Saint-Martin, near the hotel Saint-Fiacre, in Paris.

Saint Fiacre’s life reminds us that our wishes are not always what the Lord has planned for us. Time and time again, Fiacre attempted to withdraw from the world and live in solitude, but every time he tried, the Lord bestowed upon him miraculous abilities to restore the faith of countless pilgrims. Saint Fiacre reminds us to look for the Lord in all we do, and to find Him in the beauty that surround us.



Year 2: Day 244 of 365
Prayer Intentions: Hearts open to the Will of God.
Requested Intentions: Mother’s health (A); Financial security, freedom from anxiety (S); For a son and cousins (L); Peace and civility (B); Successful examination results (D); Safety of family, strength, courage, wisdom (C); For the souls of a departed father and brother, finding of a suitable marriage partner (R); Successful pilgrimage, deepening of prayer life (R); Restoration of health (J); Restoration of health (S); Freedom from pride (A); For children and marriage (M); For the birth of a healthy baby (Y); For personal family intentions, for the sick, poor, hungry, and homeless (G); Financial security and peace (J); Grace, peace, and obedience to the will of God in a marriage (H); Successful and blessed marriage for sin, freedom from anxiety for husband, spiritual contentedness for family (N); Employment and health for a husband (B); Recovery and health of a mother (J); For a family to grow closer to the Church, salvation for all children (D); Successful employment (L); Successful employment (S); Renewal of faith life (A); Support for an intended marriage, health for friend and aunt (J); Mental health assistance for son (G); Freedom from illness (S); Successful employment (C); Financial assistance and employment (B); For a family’s intentions (T); Successful examination results (B); Healing of a friend with cancer, for all those who help others (B); Healing and love (L); Grace and healing (V); Healing of a heart, consecration of a marriage (M); Health of a family, intentions of apostolate (H); For repentance (J); For a family in trouble (R).