He was born in Ireland before the middle of the sixth century. He was a monk from his youth and was learned in both sacred and secular literature. At the age of 45 he left Ireland and went to Europe, where he founded three monasteries in what is now France. His monastic rule was strict, based on Irish practice. For more about this saint, please click on the image. Peace be with you!
Miguel was born in 1891 in Guadalupe. He was the oldest living boy of eleven children, and his family was deeply Catholic. By the time he was twenty years old, he knew he was called to the priesthood and entered the Jesuit order. After years of trying to find a reason to imprison him, Miguel Pro was arrested by the Mexican government under the false charge he attempted to assassinate the former Mexican President. The government skipped the trial process and quickly sentenced him to death by firing squad. On his walk from his prison cell to the courtyard where he was to be shot, Miguel blessed the soldiers. His last request was to be allowed a moment to kneel and pray. Then he stood bravely, refusing a blindfold, and faced his executioners. Before they shot him, he forgave them aloud. He raised his arms out like Christ on the Cross. As the soldiers shot him, Miguel cried out, “Viva Cristo Rey!” which means, “Long live Christ the King!” The Mexican authorities, in an effort to intimidate the Mexican people from their religious practices, placed photos of the assassinations in the local papers. Instead, the Mexican people used the photos as holy cards, which was a sign that their faith only strengthened as they witnessed such Christian courage in the face of brutal atheism from their own government. Miguel Pro and his companions, 20th Century martyrs, are a reminder, again, that everywhere where Atheism has spread, when it seeps into totalitarian governmental regimes, as we've seen throughout history, Christian persecutions follow; and persecuted finally to the end of a barrel of a gun. The empty philosophy of atheism down through the ages, and such anti-Christian sentiment of Miguel Pro's day and today, will never understand Tertullian (160-220 A.D.): "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church." For more about this saint, please click on the image. Peace be with you!
St. Clement of Rome, also known as Pope St. Clement I, is considered the first Apostolic Father of the Church. He was Bishop of Rome after Peter, Linus and Cletus. He lived towards the end of the first century, but nothing is known for certain about his life. He is mentioned by name in the Bible by the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:3. St. Clement is also said to be one of the band of seventy followers of Jesus' ministry as described in the Gospels. Clement was a disciple of St. Peter and was ordained by him, and later became the fourth Bishop of Rome. Of his life and death little is known, but he has left one definite writing that has survived: a letter to the Church in Corinth, Greece. It is the first known Patristic document, and exhorts them to peace and brotherly harmony. The Basilica of St. Clement is one of the earliest parish churches of Rome and was built on the site of his home. Pope St. Clement I is the patron saint of mariners, sailors, marble-workers, stone-cutters, and sick children. For more about this saint, please click on the image. Peace be with you!
In today's Office of Readings we encounter a reading from a letter by Pope St. Clement I of Rome to the Church in Corinth, ca. 96 A.D. Clement was the fourth Bishop of Rome after Peter, Linus and Cletus. He lived towards the end of the first century, but nothing is known for certain about his life. Clement’s letter to the Corinthian church has survived. It is the first known Patristic document, and exhorts them to peace and brotherly harmony. For a reflection, "God's gifts are wonderful," please click on the image. Peace be with you!
