Blessed Sebastian of Aparicio, born 1502 in Spain, emigrated as a young man of thirty-one to Mexico. There he contributed much to the public welfare by manufacturing plows, wagons, building roads through the forests and mountains, and transporting grain and other produce to the cities. After death had robbed him of his second wife, and at the age of 71, he gave all his possessions to the poor to become a became a Franciscan brother at Puebla. There he died in his 98th year on February 25, 1600; and there, in a large chapel adjoining the Franciscan church, lies his incorrupt body in a glass tomb. The main highway that to this day connects Zacatecas with Mexico City was first built by Blessed Sebastian.
February 25
The Franciscan Book of Saints, Marion A. Habig, OFM
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
BLESSED MARK MARCONI
BLESSED MARK MARCONI
Mark was born around the year 1480 in Milliarino near Mantua, Italy, to poor and simple parents. From early youth he was endowed with a deep sense of piety and his life reflected signs of extraordinary sanctity. He joined a community of the Poor Hermits of St. Jerome who observed the rule of the Third Order of St. Francis. From the beginning of his religious life Mark was admired for his cheerfulness and promptness for carrying out all spiritual exercises. His one desire was to become as perfect an imitator of Christ as possible. Mark died at age thirty on February 24, 1510. His incorrupt body is venerated in the cathedral Mantua.
February 24
Mark was born around the year 1480 in Milliarino near Mantua, Italy, to poor and simple parents. From early youth he was endowed with a deep sense of piety and his life reflected signs of extraordinary sanctity. He joined a community of the Poor Hermits of St. Jerome who observed the rule of the Third Order of St. Francis. From the beginning of his religious life Mark was admired for his cheerfulness and promptness for carrying out all spiritual exercises. His one desire was to become as perfect an imitator of Christ as possible. Mark died at age thirty on February 24, 1510. His incorrupt body is venerated in the cathedral Mantua.
February 24
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
THE SERVANTS OF GOD FREDERICK BACHSTEIN AND COMANIONS
THE SERVANTS OF GOD FREDERICK BACHSTEIN AND COMANIONS
Martyrs
St. Mary of the Snow convent at Prague was founded by Emperor Rudolph II in 1607 and entrusted to the care of Franciscan friars. The hope was the friars would be true to the tradition of their forebears and oppose with zeal and power the growing spirit of immorality and indifference to God in Bohemia and lead the people back to the right path.
The friars immediately began to preach by word and deed and to refute heresy. The Hussites and Calvanists enraged by the success of the friars waited for an opportune time to rid themselves of the Franciscan community. On February 15, 1611, an angry mob armed with deadly weapons stormed the church and began desecrating the Eucharist, crucifixes and holy images, robed the church of sacred vessels and demolished the altars. The mob then forced their way into the convent and proceeded to shoot, stab, club, crush and hack to pieces the holy men. In all 14 were massacred during the bloody three hour period.
After three days devout Catholics ventured into the church and convent and wrapped the precious remains in canvas and secretly buried them in the transept. Five years later the remains were exhumed and found to be wholly incorrupt and the wounds still bleeding and fresh. Te remains were interred in the Chapel of St. Michael the Archangel where they continue to be glorified by many miracles.
February 23
Martyrs
St. Mary of the Snow convent at Prague was founded by Emperor Rudolph II in 1607 and entrusted to the care of Franciscan friars. The hope was the friars would be true to the tradition of their forebears and oppose with zeal and power the growing spirit of immorality and indifference to God in Bohemia and lead the people back to the right path.
The friars immediately began to preach by word and deed and to refute heresy. The Hussites and Calvanists enraged by the success of the friars waited for an opportune time to rid themselves of the Franciscan community. On February 15, 1611, an angry mob armed with deadly weapons stormed the church and began desecrating the Eucharist, crucifixes and holy images, robed the church of sacred vessels and demolished the altars. The mob then forced their way into the convent and proceeded to shoot, stab, club, crush and hack to pieces the holy men. In all 14 were massacred during the bloody three hour period.
After three days devout Catholics ventured into the church and convent and wrapped the precious remains in canvas and secretly buried them in the transept. Five years later the remains were exhumed and found to be wholly incorrupt and the wounds still bleeding and fresh. Te remains were interred in the Chapel of St. Michael the Archangel where they continue to be glorified by many miracles.
February 23
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