Viewing all items in Resource Category: Holy Days
Featuring the Saints whose feast-day is this month
- Theresa of Lisieux (1873-97) should be the patron saint of teenage girls and young women who want to make the most of their lives, despite being constrained by family and school or work. Theresa grew up in a strict, devout Roman Catholic middle-class family in France, one of four sisters. Her father was a watch-maker. ...1st Oct Theresa of Lisieux – making the most of life
- If you’ve ever prayed for the ill children of non-Christian friends, then you are following in the steps of Remigius (d.533). Remigius was bishop of Reims late in the 5th century, and the king’s son was ill. The queen, Clotild, was a Christian, but the king of the Franks, Clovis I, was not. Then Remigius...1st Oct Remigius – praying for ill children
- The teaching of Jesus encourages us to believe in guardian angels. He once said, ‘See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.’ (Matthew 18:10) The existence of angels was suggested in various...2 Guardian Angels – keeping an eye on us
- With Islamic State’s current savage persecution of Iraqi Christians in mind, here are two saints for this autumn: Hewald the Black and Hewald the White (d.c. 695). These 7th century Anglo-Saxon priests were living peacefully in Frisia among the Old Saxons, worshipping the Christian God by daily Mass on a portable altar, and reverently devoting...3 Hewalds the Black and White – martyred because they were different
- Just about the only thing most people know about Francis of Assisi is that he talked to the birds. Church-goers also know the popular hymn based on his famous prayer, ‘Make me a channel of your Peace’, which was sung at the funeral of Princess Diana. However, Italy’s patron saint, whose feast day is this...4 St Francis – and the Life of Simplicity
- St Francis (1181 – 1226) is surely one of the most attractive and best-loved of all the saints. But he began by being anything but a saint. Born the son of a wealthy cloth-merchant of Assisi, Francis’ youth was spent in fast-living, parties and on fast horses as a leader of the young society of...4 St Francis of Assisi – love for the Creation
- This month is the 501th anniversary of the beginning of the Reformation, and so a good time to pay tribute to an outstanding English scholar, translator and martyr of the Reformation. William Tyndale (c. 1494 – 6th October 1536) was born near Gloucester, and studied at Oxford and Cambridge. He could speak seven languages, and...6 William Tyndale, Bible translator and Reformation martyr
- Demetrius of Sirmium should be the patron saint of anyone who takes a stand for the right, despite knowing they will suffer for it. Demetrius was a soldier from Serbia in the fourth century. He fought for the Roman Emperor, and that took courage. Then Demetrius converted to Christianity – and took his stand with...8 Demetrius of Sirmium – taking a stand, and suffering for it
- Do you want your life to make a difference – for the good – in this world? Then Luis Bertran (1526-81) is the saint for you. This fearless Dominican priest so inspired tens of thousands of people in Latin America that he was chosen as patron of Columbia. Luis Bertran was born at Valencia in...9 Luis Bertran – patron saint of Columbia
- Have you ever held your head in your hands and felt that events were against you? Then Denys is the saint for you. This Christian martyr knew all about holding his head in his hands when times got rough. According to Gregory of Tours, Denys was an Italian bishop who became the first bishop of...9 Denys of Paris – why losing your head is not always a bad thing
- Thomas Traherne (1636 – 1674) is a good saint for anyone who loves our planet, and who wants to preserve Creation. This 17th century poet and clergyman wrote extensively about his love for nature, seeing in it a reflection of the glory of God. Traherne was not of a literary family, for his father was...*NEW 10th Oct: Thomas Traherne – lover of nature
- Here is a saint for you if you have lost the person you love. Here is a saint for you if you would not let your wealth and security stop you from doing something daringly good with your life. Francis Borgia (1510 – 72) certainly began with it ‘all’. He was the son of a...10 Francis Borgia – ‘the Jesuits’ second founder’