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St. Philip was one of the twelve Apostles, originally from Bethsaida. He was a disciple of John the Baptist before being called by Jesus to follow Him. Philip is mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and the Gospel of John provides deeper insights, highlighting his role in the feeding of the multitudes and his conversation with Jesus about seeing the Father. After the Ascension, details of his life are unclear, though tradition suggests he preached in Phrygia and was martyred by crucifixion upside down. He is also known for his two revered daughters, as mentioned by Polycrates. St. Philip the Apostle Time Period: 1st Century Feast Day: May 3 Title/Attributes: Apostle, Martyr Location of Relic: Main Reliquary - Center Section Type of Relic: Bones St. Philip was one of the twelve Apostles. According to John (1:43-51), Philip came from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter, and belonged to the group of disciples who surrounded John the Baptist. Philip was apparently present when John pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God. Christ called him to be a disciple only one day after choosing Peter and Andrew. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke give reference to Philip in their lists, usually placing him fifth, behind Peter, Andrew, James, and John (Luke 6:13-16; Mark 3:14-19; Matthew 10:2-4). The Gospel of John offers much more insightful information about the disciple, mentioning Philip in the episode of the feeding of the multitudes (6:5-7); the desire of several Greeks to meet Jesus (12:21-23); and the memorable exchange with the Lord when Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us,” to which Jesus replied, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (14:9). Philip thus appears as a realist, a pleasant personality, and a disciple hesitant to force his views upon others. Few details are known of his Activities after the Ascension. Some confusion in accounts has occurred between Philip the Apostle and Philip the Evangelist mentioned in chapter 8 of the Acts of the Apostles. Eusebius and other writers preserved assorted traditions about Philip’s later life. He supposedly preached in Phrygia, in Asia Minor; Clement of Alexandria reported that Philip died a martyr during the reign of Domitian by being crucified upside down; perhaps he died at Hierapolis, in Asia Minor. His two daughters were mentioned by Polycrates, bishop of Ephesus. Both Philips had daughters who were much revered in the early church. Next Item Previous Item

Jude was one of the 12 apostles of Jesus and is one of the most widely venerated saints ever, despite being mentioned only a handful of times in the New Testament and having just one line of dialogue in the gospels. The details regarding St. Jude’s life are incomplete, but he is believed to have been related to Jesus, evangelized in Mesopotamia, and martyred in Armenia. He was an ardent follower of Christ, who implored fellow Christians to stand firm in the face of difficulty, and to hold fast to the truth of their Christian faith. He shares a feast day with St. Simon on October 28th. St. Jude Thaddeus the Apostle Time Period: 1st Century Feast Day: October 28 Title/Attributes: Apostle, Martyr Location of Relic: Main Reliquary - Center Section Type of Relic: Bones St. Jude, also known as Jude of James, Judas Thaddeus or Thaddeus, was one of the 12 apostles of Jesus and today, is one of the most widely-venerated saints ever. Jude the apostle is mentioned only a handful of times in the New Testament, and has just one line of dialogue in the gospels, speaking during the Last Supper in John 14:22. The variety of names attributed to Jude is partly due to early translators of the Bible attempting to differentiate Judas Thaddeus from Judas Iscariot. Even in his one line in John’s gospel, he is mentioned as “Judas, but not Iscariot” to avoid the identification of Jesus’ betrayer. Of his most popular titles, “Thaddeus” means generous and kind, while “Jude” can translate to “giver of joy”. The details regarding St. Jude’s life are incomplete, with some information varying based on different translations and writings. The New Testament mentions Jude or Judas (again, not counting mentions of Judas Iscariot) six times, in four different contexts. This has led to some uncertainty whether Judas Thaddeus is indeed the same person as St. Jude, author of the Epistle of Jude, but most biblical scholars believe them to be one and the same. St. Jude is also believed to have been related to Jesus – his mother, Mary of Cleophas, was commonly referred to as a cousin of Mary, Jesus’ mother. Jude’s father, Cleophas, was noted as a brother of St. Joseph. Jude also had many brothers, one of them being St. James the Lesser, who was another one of the original apostles. Most writings describe St. Jude as being married and having at least one child, with references to his grandchildren living as late as 95 A.D. Being one of the main disciples of Jesus Christ, writings place Jude in Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq) to evangelize all in the area. The Epistle of Jude was written around the time of his evangelizing, a brief book with only a single chapter, containing 25 verses. In it, Jude wrote to recent Christian converts who were under persecution, warning them against the lurings of false teachers and ideas, and instead, encouraging them to keep their faith and persevere amidst the harsh circumstances that they faced. Many believe it was this inspirational writing that earned St. Jude the patronage of lost causes and desperate situations. Following his time in Mesopotamia, Jude traveled to Armenia around 65 A.D., to join St. Simon the Zealot to spread Christ’s word. It is believed that Jude was one of the first to bring Christianity to Armenia, which is why he is also the patron saint of Armenia. It was in Armenia, alongside Simon, that St. Jude would be martyred, with most writings depicting the saint being beat to death by an axe or club. It is for this reason that an axe or club is often pictured in St. Jude’s icons. Other popular depictions traditionally include St. Jude carrying an image of Jesus in his hand or close to his chest. This depiction stems from a story in which King Abgar of Edessa (located in what is now Turkey) sent a letter to Jesus asking Him to cure him of leprosy. Along with the letter, he sent an artist to bring him a drawing of Jesus. When the message reached Jesus, He was impressed by Abgar’s faith. Pressing his face against a cloth, he instructed St. Jude to deliver the cloth to Abgar. Jude traveled to Edessa to hand over the cloth, now known as the Image of Edessa, and upon seeing Jesus’ image, King Abgar was healed. The king converted to Christianity, along with most of the people in his kingdom. Many people have found St. Jude’s patronage of lost causes to be a relatable, and much-needed source of prayers. Devotion to St. Jude began in earnest around the 1800’s in Italy and Spain, before spreading to South America and finally to the United States in the early 1920’s. Many immigrants, dealing with pressures from the Great Depression, found solace in novenas to St. Jude. St. Jude is the patron saint of the Chicago Police Department, there are shrines named after him in more than 12 countries, and TV superstar Danny Thomas credited Jude for showing him his way in life, leading Thomas to found the world-renowned St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. Despite the uncertainty regarding certain aspects of Jude’s life and lineage, this much is certain: he was an ardent follower of Christ, who implored fellow Christians to stand firm in the face of difficulty, and to hold fast to the truth of their Christian faith. He is a powerful name to call upon in the face of helplessness, and in today’s tumultuous times, we need his intercession more than ever. Next Item Previous Item

Stock Gifts To transfer a gift of securities submit a completed LETTER OF INTENT form to your broker, and to assure that your gift will be properly identified and applied to your intended purpose please send a copy to the Archdiocese. Gifting Stock to the Church Donating appreciated stock is a smart and impactful way to support the mission of the Church. Benefits to You: Tax Efficiency: You may avoid capital gains taxes on the appreciated value of the stock. Charitable Deduction: You can typically claim a charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the stock (if held for more than one year). Larger Impact: Because of the tax savings, giving stock may allow you to make a more generous gift than if you donated cash. How It Works: To transfer a gift of securities, submit a completed LETTER OF INTENT form to your broker Contact your broker to initiate a stock transfer. Provide the church’s brokerage information (available from the parish office). Notify the church of the gift so it can be properly acknowledged and directed to the intended purpose (i.e. General Offertory, Food Pantry, Parish Endowment, etc.) The Parish will provide an acknowledgement of the specific stock and number of shares donated. Important Note: Always consult your tax advisor to ensure the gift is structured in the most beneficial way for your situation. Next Item Previous Item

Congratulations on your decision to enter Holy Matrimony in the Catholic Church. The celebration you are planning and the lifelong commitment you are choosing to make are signs of God’s great love for us all. Click below for information.  Marriage Congratulations on your decision to enter Holy Matrimony in the Catholic Church. The celebration you are planning and the lifelong commitment you are choosing to make are signs of God’s great love for us all. Click below for information. 18+ years old Marriage Preparation Congratulations on your decision to enter Holy Matrimony in the Catholic Church. We at St. Anthony of Padua welcome you and rejoice with you! The celebration you are planning and the lifelong commitment you are choosing to make are signs of God’s great love for us all. We are here to support you and guide you through your preparation. The first step for preparing for your wedding is to read through the Marriage FAQs (below). Then, fill out a Request for Marriage. We cannot discuss available ceremony dates or marriage preparation until this request is complete. Marriage Request Form/Solicitud de Matrimonio Marriage FAQ'S When should I contact the Church? What days can I get married in the Church? You should contact us 1 year in advance of your desired wedding date. Please secure your wedding date with us before securing your reception venue and vendors. Weddings are held in the Our Lady of the Angels Chapel (seats 350) on: Saturdays at 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm Very small weddings may be held in the Adoration Chapel (seats 40) on: Saturdays at 11:30 am Very large weddings may be held in the Main Church (seats1,200) on: Saturdays at 2:00 pm Other things to consider when choosing a wedding date and location: Weddings are held on Saturdays. We are unable to accommodate weddings on other weekdays. No weddings can be scheduled on Sundays, Holy Days of Obligation, Parish holidays or Archdiocesan holidays. Weddings held during the liturgical seasons of Advent (the month preceding Christmas) and Lent (the 40 days preceding Easter) will reflect the nature of these more subdued seasons. Practically speaking, your floral and church decoration will be less elaborate, your music selections may be limited, and your choice of readings may be limited. The Adoration Chapel does not have an organ or piano, so please plan accordingly. What are the costs involved for a wedding and/or marriage preparation? Church Reservation Fees A $100 deposit is required to reserve your wedding date Wedding in the Our Lady of the Angels Chapel (holds 350 guests): $1000 Wedding in the Adoration Chapel (holds 40 guests): $500 Wedding in the Main Church (holds 1,200 guests): $1500 Marriage Preparation Fees Separate Prepare/Enrich Online Assessment Fee (required for all couples preparing at St. Anthony’s): $35.00 Marriage Preparation Only Fee (Domestic): $250.00 ( for couples preparing at St. Anthony’s, but marrying elsewhere within the United States Marriage Preparation Only Fee (International): $350.00 (for couples preparing at St. Anthony’s, but marrying elsewhere outside the United States) Other Costs Presider: $ TBD by the couple. This is a gift of appreciation to the priest or deacon presiding at your wedding Music & A/V Technician Fees: Varies. These depend on the type and number of musicians you will have at your wedding and the complexity of the A/V set up needed. Altar Server: $25 (for Marriage within Mass) Natural Family Planning class (optional, but highly recommended): prices vary by provider. Other costs may be incurred if you choose to complete marriage preparation at another parish, through a retreat, or through an online provider. How long does it take to prepare for marriage? Marriage preparation takes at least 8 months to complete if you prepare for marriage and have your wedding ceremony at St. Anthony’s. If you plan to marry elsewhere, you must add 1-3 months to the timeline, depending on the location of your wedding. (Weddings held in another diocese, another state, or another country add to the time needed to process documents.) There are several steps involved in marriage preparation. We will guide you through each step, so you do not feel overwhelmed. Unless otherwise noted, all of the elements of marriage preparation are conducted on-site at St. Anthony’s. This will total 8-12 in-person meetings on the St. Anthony’s campus. If you do not live near St. Anthony’s, we recommend that you complete your preparation at the Catholic parish near your residence. The key parts of preparation are as follows (not in any particular order): Attend a Wedding Day Orientation (if wedding is at St. Anthony’s). Take an online Prepare/Enrich assessment and meet with a facilitator to discuss your strength and growth areas as a couple. Meet with a deacon to discuss what is expected in Catholic marriages and complete some documentation establishing your freedom to marry. Attend a 3-part series of life skills sessions, led by mentor couples, to help you build a strong and holy marriage. (Held on Sunday afternoons, 4 series per year) Attend a 1-day retreat and Mass to understand the sacramental and covenantal nature of Catholic marriage. (Held on Saturdays, 4 times per year)\ Take a Natural Family Planning Class (offered by third party providers – online or at alternate locations). Gather and submit any necessary documents. Plan your wedding liturgy and meet with the presider of your ceremony. There is no “expedited” timeline for marriage preparation. The process relies on a group of clergy, staff, and volunteers who are dedicated to giving you every tool necessary to build a holy, lasting marriage. Give yourself the gift of time to properly prepare for the rest of your life. Can we have a priest come and marry us at our reception venue? No. Catholic marriage is a sacrament and so it is celebrated within the context of a sanctuary. In exceptional cases, with grave reason, you could be granted special dispensation from the bishop to have your wedding in a church or oratory that is approved by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Approval for this request takes time and is rarely granted. I am Catholic but my fiance is not. Can we still get married in the Catholic Church? Yes. This is called a “ mixed marriage .” The Catholic will be asked to make the following declaration and promise: “I reaffirm my faith in Jesus Christ and with God’s help I intend to continue living that faith in the Catholic Church.” “I promise to do all in my power to share the faith I have received with our children by having them baptized and reared as Catholics.” The non-Catholic must be informed of this declaration and promise. During your marriage preparation, we will help you complete the necessary documentation and obtain the dispensation required by the Archdiocese. Can a Catholic Priest, not from this parish, come and marry us? Yes! You will need to confirm that the priest or deacon is available for your wedding date and assist with any travel or accommodations for him. Please have the priest or deacon contact the Marriage Preparation Coordinator so we can secure the proper delegation for him to preside at your marriage ceremony. The priest or deacon will also need to secure a Letter of Suitability from his Diocese or Superior. Can I provide my own musician(s) at my wedding ceremony? Can I choose whatever music I like best? With the approval of the Music Department, an outside musician will be able to participate. While we are open to relatives/friends serving as guest cantors/song leaders, we do have a few guidelines that accompany that privilege. A St. Anthony of Padua staff accompanist and cantor must be present. They will be responsible for singing the Proper & Ordinary parts of the liturgy (Gloria, Gospel Acclamation, Eucharistic Acclamations, etc.) and the Responsorial Psalm. This is done first and foremost to ensure liturgical soundness and to alleviate potential stress for guest musicians/singers. Guest singers are permitted to sing processional/recessional hymns, offertory hymns, communion hymns, or a Marian hymn (for presentation of flowers to Our Lady). For your ceremony, we hope that you choose music that you like, while keeping in mind that your marriage ceremony is a sacred liturgy. As such, all music in the marriage ceremony is a prayer offered to God and must therefore be appropriate to the celebration and express the faith of the Church. We will provide you with guidelines to help you choose music that you love and that gives honor and glory to God. I am married civilly OR I am divorced and re-married civilly and I am now looking for the Catholic church to "Bless our Marriage". Where do I start? Since Convalidation marks the beginning of your sacramental marriage, the preparation for it will be very similar to the preparation that we have for couples who are not already civilly married. Your preparation will focus especially on the sacramentality of marriage, and how we are called to love each other with the sacrificial love of Christ. Many couples who are seeking Convalidation do not want a wedding ceremony, but that is exactly what a Convalidation is. A Convalidation is like any Catholic wedding that you may have attended. The prayers and vows are exactly the same as a couple who is not already civilly married. You will be making new, sacramental vows to each other, and these vows must be professed publicly, in the presence of at least two witnesses. By giving your consent to the marriage, you take on the responsibilities of a Catholic married couple. This is why preparation is such an important part of the process – so that you understand what you are asking of the Church and what is being asked of you in return. To get started in the Convalidation process, please fill out the “Request for Marriage.” The information you provide in the request will help us to know your specific needs and get you on the best path forward for preparation and marriage in the Catholic Church. Please note: if you were married previously to someone else, and that former spouse is still living, you will need to seek an annulment for that marriage, so you will be free to marry in the Catholic Church. Please visit our Annulments page for more information. Matrimonio FAQ'S ¿Cuándo debo contactar a la Iglesia? ¿Qué días puedo casarme por la Iglesia? Debe comunicarse con nosotros 1 año antes de la fecha deseada de su boda. Asegure la fecha de su boda con nosotros antes de asegurar el lugar de la recepción y los proveedores. Las bodas se llevan a cabo en la Capilla de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles (350 asientos) en: Sábados a la 1:00 pm y 4:00 pm Se pueden celebrar bodas muy pequeñas en la Capilla de la Adoración (40 asientos) en: Sábados a las 11:30 am Las bodas muy grandes pueden celebrarse en la Iglesia Principal (con capacidad para 1200 personas) los: Sábados a las 2:00 pm Otras cosas para tener en cuenta al elegir la fecha y el lugar de la boda: Las bodas suelen celebrarse los sábados. Las bodas también pueden programarse los viernes, dependiendo de la disponibilidad. No podemos organizar bodas en otros días de la semana. No se pueden programar bodas los domingos, días festivos de precepto, días festivos de la parroquia o días festivos de la arquidiócesis. Bodas celebradas durante los tiempos litúrgicos de Adviento (el mes que precede a la Navidad) y Cuaresma (los 40 días que preceden a la Pascua) reflejarán la naturaleza de estas temporadas más tenues. Hablando en términos prácticos, su decoración floral y de la iglesia será menos elaborada, sus selecciones de música y elección de lecturas pueden ser limitadas. La Capilla de la Adoración no dispone de órgano ni de piano, por lo que le recomendamos que mantenga esto en cuenta. ¿Cuáles son los costos involucrados para una boda y/o preparación matrimonial? Se requiere un depósito de $100 para reservar la fecha de su boda. Boda en la Capilla de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles (tiene capacidad para 350 invitados): $1000 Boda en la Capilla de la Adoración (tiene capacidad para 40 invitados): $500 Boda en la Iglesia Principal (tiene capacidad para 1,200 invitados): $1500 Honorarios de Preparación Matrimonial Cuota separada de evaluación en línea Prepare/Enrich (requerida para todas las parejas que se preparan en San Antonio de Padua): $35.00 Cuota de Preparación Matrimonial Solamente (Doméstica): $250.00 (para parejas que se preparan en San Antonio de Padua, pero se casan en otra Iglesia dentro de los Estados Unidos) Cuota de Preparación Matrimonial (Internacional): $350.00 (para parejas que se preparan en San Antonio de Padua, pero se casan en otra Iglesia fuera de los Estados Unidos) Otros Costos Celebrante: $ TBD por la pareja. Este es un regalo de agradecimiento al sacerdote o diácono que preside su boda. Honorarios de la música y del técnico de A/V: Varía. Estos dependen del tipo y número de músicos que tendrán en su boda y la complejidad de la instalación A/V necesaria. Acólito: $25 (para el Matrimonio dentro de la Misa) Clase de Planificación Familiar Natural (opcional, pero muy recomendable): los precios varían según el proveedor. Otros costos pueden ser incurridos si usted elige completar la preparación matrimonial en otra parroquia, a través de un retiro, o a través de un proveedor en línea. ¿Cuánto tiempo lleva prepararse para el matrimonio? La preparación para el matrimonio tarda al menos 8 meses en completarse si se prepara para el matrimonio y tiene su ceremonia de boda en San Antonio de Padua. Si planea casarse en otro lugar, debe agregar de 1 a 3 meses a su preparación, según el lugar de su boda. (Las bodas celebradas en otra Diócesis, otro estado u otro país aumentan el tiempo necesario para procesar los documentos). No hay un programa “acelerado” para la preparación matrimonial. El proceso se basa en un grupo de clérigos, personal y voluntarios que se dedican a brindarle todas las herramientas necesarias para construir un matrimonio santo y duradero. Date el regalo del tiempo para prepararte adecuadamente para el resto de su vida. ¿Podemos hacer que un sacerdote venga y nos case en nuestro lugar de recepción? No. El matrimonio Católico es un sacramento y por eso se celebra en el contexto de un santuario. En casos excepcionales, con motivo grave, se le podría otorgar una dispensación especial del Obispo para celebrar su boda en una iglesia u oratorio aprobado por la Arquidiócesis de Galveston-Houston. La aprobación de esta solicitud lleva tiempo y rara vez se concede. Soy católico pero mi prometido no lo es. ¿Todavía podemos casarnos en la Iglesia Católica? Sí. Esto se llama un “ matrimonio mixto ”. Se le pedirá al católico que haga la siguiente declaración y promesa: “Reafirmo mi fe en Jesucristo y con la ayuda de Dios me propongo seguir viviendo esa fe en la Iglesia Católica”. “Prometo hacer todo lo que esté a mi alcance para compartir la fe que he recibido con nuestros hijos bautizándolos y criándolos como católicos”. El no católico debe ser informado de esta declaración y promesa. Durante su preparación matrimonial, lo ayudaremos a completar la documentación necesaria y obtener la dispensa requerida por la Arquidiócesis. ¿Puede un sacerdote católico, que no sea de esta parroquia, venir a casarnos? ¡Sí! Deberá confirmar que el sacerdote o diácono está disponible para la fecha de su boda y ayudarlo con cualquier viaje o alojamiento para él. Pídale al sacerdote o diácono que se comunique con el Coordinador de Preparación Matrimonial para que podamos asegurar la delegación adecuada para que él presida su ceremonia de matrimonio. El sacerdote o diácono también deberá obtener una carta de su Diócesis o Superior. ¿Puedo proporcionar mi(s) propio(s) músico(s) en la ceremonia de mi boda? ¿Puedo elegir la música que más me guste? Con la aprobación del Departamento de Música, un músico externo podrá participar. Si bien estamos abiertos a familiares/amigos que sirvan como cantores invitados/líderes de canciones, tenemos algunas pautas que acompañan ese privilegio. Debe estar presente un acompañante y un cantor del personal de San Antonio de Padua. Serán responsables de cantar las partes Propias y Ordinarias de la liturgia (Gloria, Aclamación al Evangelio, Aclamaciones Eucarísticas, etc.) y el Salmo Responsorial. Esto se hace ante todo para garantizar la solidez litúrgica y para aliviar el estrés potencial de los músicos/cantantes invitados. Los cantantes invitados pueden cantar himnos de procesión/recesión, himnos de ofertorio, himnos de comunión o un himno mariano (para la presentación de flores a Nuestra Señora). Para su ceremonia, esperamos que elija la música que más le guste, sin olvidar que su ceremonia matrimonial es una liturgia sagrada. Como tal, toda la música de la ceremonia matrimonial es una oración ofrecida a Dios y, por lo tanto, debe ser apropiada para la celebración y expresar la fe de la Iglesia. Le proporcionaremos guías para ayudarle a elegir la música que más le guste y que dé honor y gloria a Dios. Estoy divorciado, me he vuelto a casar civilmente y ahora busco la iglesia católica para ``Bendecir nuestro matrimonio``. ¿Dónde empiezo? En primer lugar, debemos hablar de su matrimonio anterior. Si su ex-cónyuge aún vive, tendrá que iniciar el proceso de anulación. Incluso si se trataba de un matrimonio civil con un no-católico / católico, este matrimonio todavía necesita una anulación. Por favor visite nuestra página de Anulaciones para más información. Si su ex cónyuge ya no vive, o si ya recibió un decreto de nulidad, puede solicitar una Convalidación para su matrimonio civil actual. Una convalidación es más que tener su matrimonio “bendecido”. Visite nuestra página de Convalidación para obtener más información. Program Contact Tamara Barry Marriage Coordinator tbarry@ap.church 832-482-4123 Katie Krall Adult Faith & Sacraments Manager kkrall@ap.church 832-482-4147 Next Item Previous Item

Aurelia was likely martyred during the reign of Diocletian. Aurelia and Neomisia were virgins captured by the Saracens. They were born in Asia and made a pilgrimage to Palestine and Rome. At Capua, they fell into the hands of the Sacracens, who had invaded that area but escaped suring a severe rainstorm. Aurelia and Neomisia took shelter at Macerata, near Anagni, Italy. They died there. Her feast day is September 25. St. Aurelia Time Period: c. 300 Feast Day: September 25 Title/Attributes: Virgin, Martyr Location of Relic: Back Left Reliquary - Left Section Type of Relic: Bones Likely martyred during the reign of Diocletian; Aurelia and Neomisia. Virgins captured by the Saracens. They were born in Asia and made a pilgrimage to Palestine and Rome. At Capua, they fell into the hands of the Sacracens, who had invaded that area but escaped suring a severe rainstorm. Aurelia dn Neomisia took shelter at Macerata, near Anagni, Italy. They died there. Her feast day is September 25. Next Item Previous Item

St. Germaine Cousin was born in Pibrac, France, into harsh circumstances and physical frailty. She lost her mother as a baby and her father remarried. She was abused by her stepmother and neglected by her father, forced to sleep in a stable and survive on scraps. Despite harsh treatment, she lived a life of deep faith, attending daily Mass and tending sheep, which miraculously remained safe and obedient. Villagers witnessed many wonders, including the parting of a flooding stream and flowers falling from her apron when accused of stealing bread. She died alone and unnoticed, but her incorrupt body was discovered 43 years later. St. Germain Cousin Time Period: 1579-1601 Feast Day: June 15 Title/Attributes: Virgin, Incorrupt Location of Relic: Back Right Reliquary - Center Section Type of Relic: Bones St. Germaine Cousin was born into poor circumstances in Pibrac, near Toulouse, France. Shortly after her birth, she unfortunately lost her devoted mother. Her weak constitution, her withered right hand, and her scrofulous neck with its discharging sores made her an object of revulsion to her stepmother, who constantly persecuted her. It is recorded that her father also had little affection for her and he permitted her to be ejected from the house when the other children were born. Germaine was forced to sleep in the stable upon a heap of twigs beneath a stair, was begrudgingly fed on scraps, was denied the companionship of other children, and was required to shepherd the flocks at a young age. The little shepherdess’s virtues and sanctity did not go unnoticed by the villagers, for many of them witnessed unusual occurrences, which they considered to be miraculous. We are told that it was necessary for her to cross a stream that was often swollen by rain to reach the village church for her daily attendance at Mass. On one occasion, when the current was particularly strong, the villagers were astonished to see the rushing water separate to provide a dry passageway for her. The sheep, which she often took with her to church, never strayed from her staff that she stuck in the ground, and it is known that not once were they threatened by the wolves that inhabited the neighboring forest. The most celebrated incident involving Germaine, occurred one winter day when her stepmother was pursuing her with a stick, loudly accusing her of stealing bread to give to the poor. Upon being told to open her folded apron, there fell out only fragrant flowers of a variety unknown to the region. The witnesses of this even, Pierre Pailles and Jeanne Salaires, gave sworn testimony concerning this miracle, which is reminiscent of a similar marvel recorded of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. One night, Germaine died unattended on her pallet of straw, where her father found her sickly body the next morning. We are told that during the night two monks traveling from Toulouse were sleeping in the ruins of a nearby castle when they were awakened by angelic melodies. They saw a great beam of light rising from a distant building and extending into the sky. Heavenly figures were seen descending into the building and later ascending with another figure. Upon reaching Pibrac the next morning, they inquired if anyone had died during the night and were told of the death of the little shepherdess. 43 years after her death, Germaine’s body was discovered to be perfectly conserved and incorruptible. She is among the few saints who can be declared “incorruptible.” This little saint, so abused, neglected, and mistreated during her lifetime, has been greatly loved and venerated throughout the world, but especially in Pibrac where on her feast day, June 15, huge pilgrimages wend their way to the basilica where special ceremonies are observed in her honor. Next Item Previous Item

Saint Teresa of Ávila was born Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y Ahumada on March 28, 1515 in Ávila, Spain. At 16, she was sent by her father to be educated in a convent of Augustinian nuns, and she eventually joined the Carmelite Order. After a severe bout of Malaria and a series of striking visions, Teresa founded the Order of Discalced Carmelites, opening more than 30 convents in her lifetime. She is remembered as one of the great mystics of the Catholic faith, and is one of the four women to be named a Doctor of the Church. St. Teresa of Ávila Time Period: 1515-1582 Feast Day: October 15 Title/Attributes: Virgin, Doctor of the Church, Carmelite Location of Relic: Back Right Reliquary - Right Section Type of Relic: Bones The religious reformer known as Saint Teresa of Ávila was born Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y Ahumada on March 28, 1515 in Ávila, Spain. She was the third child in a family descended from Jewish merchants who converted to Christianity. Growing up, Teresa was captivated by the thought of spending eternity with God, and she soon became intrigued by the lives of saints and martyrs. So infatuated was Teresa, that before she would even turn ten years old, she would try to run away from home to devote her life to Christ as a martyr in a Muslim country, although her uncle found her down the road and sent her back home to Beatrice, her mother. Beatrice would pass away when Teresa was 14, causing a profound grief that would initially prompt a stronger devotion to the Virgin Mary, but by the age of 16, Teresa was more focused on clothes, flirting and rebelling. This newfound interest in worldly matters, along with the strict religious standards imposed by her father, caused Teresa to have a harsh sense of self-judgement, considering herself a “miserable sinner.” It wasn’t long before her father noticed the loss of her childhood zeal for God, and decided Teresa would benefit from a change of scenery. She was sent to be educated in a convent of Augustinian nuns. While Teresa found their way of life dull at first, she grew to like religious life, and when the time came for her to choose between marriage or religious life, she became a nun of the Carmelite Order (a decision which she wrote was “the safest for someone as prone to sin as she was”). This decision though was in direct opposition of the will of her father, who was displeased by the easy-going nature of the Carmelite Convent. Indeed, the convent was not the pious, contemplative institution Teresa expected. Many women who had no place else to go would end up in the convent, whether they felt they had a vocation or not, and numerous women were accepted for purely financial reasons. Parties seemed to take priority over piety, and the convent became overcrowded with a steady stream of visitors, which caused Teresa to struggle to grow in her relationship with God or find time for quiet reflection. Shortly after becoming a nun, Teresa experienced a severe case of malaria that would leave her in great pain for years. She was bedridden for a long period of time, endured a four-day coma, and many were convinced she would not survive. However during this period of pain, she began her very first experiences of divine visions. Teresa described the sensation as an inner sense of peace that seemed to transcend the intense physical pain of the body. One of the more striking visions Teresa experienced came in the form of an angel who would appear holding a long, golden spear. The angel was smiling and gentle, so Teresa wasn’t frightened by him, but she was surprised when he thrust the spear into her heart. She simultaneously felt severe pain and sweet ecstasy from the spear, a symbol of God’s love. Writing in her autobiography, Teresa described the experience – “the sweetness of the pain was so surpassing that I couldn’t possibly wish to be rid of it. My soul couldn’t be content with anything but God.” Many clergy dissuaded her from pursuing the visions though, as they felt they were the delusions of the devil. Nonetheless, Teresa grew significantly in mental prayer during her recovery, but once back to health, her prayer life plateaued. Having lost the confidence to pray as she ought, she settled instead to lapse into a more routine prayer life. She would remain an obedient Carmelite, but struggle to establish a close personal connection to God for nearly twenty years. Around the age of 40, Teresa experienced a spiritual awakening, finding herself dramatically called back to the practice of contemplative mental prayer. Furthermore, she felt called to restore the Carmelite spirituality back to its original purpose: to live for God. She plunged back into her faith, emboldened to reform the Church. Teresa desired to found a new convent that refocused on the basics of contemplative prayer and poverty. Around the same time, she became close friends with a Spanish priest named Juan de Yepes y Álvarez, who would come to be known as St. John of the Cross. With his close collaboration, Teresa founded the Order of Discalced Carmelites. Discalced means barefoot, a term Teresa chose to symbolize the simplicity to which she wished to return the order. The move was met with intense opposition and scrutiny from public officials and religious leaders, who denounced her from the pulpit, started legal proceedings against her, and told her she should raise money for the convent she was already in. The bulk of the hostility came from the fact that the convent existed without endowment, but Teresa stood firm on the focus of poverty, and eventually the opposition waned. In 1562, with Pope Pius IV’s authorization, she opened the first convent of the Carmelite Reform, St. Joseph’s. Teresa would go on to found 30 more convents during her life, as St. John of the Cross was initiating the Carmelite Reform for men, opening the first monastery of the Primitive Rule in Duruelo Spain in 1568. Teresa’s health never fully recovered following her bout with malaria, and the rigors of opening more convents and traveling around Spain left her frail. However she never let her poor health dissuade her from her life’s mission, and she persevered through continued criticism, clashes with the Spanish Inquisition, and even an attempt to excommunicate her order. While traveling through Salamanca in 1582, her health failed her for the final time, and she accepted her illness as God’s chosen means for calling her into His presence forever. A fellow Carmelite described the hours before her passing: “She remained in this position in prayer full of deep peace and great repose. Occasionally she gave some outward sign of surprise or amazement. Her facial expression was so wondrously changed that it looked like a celestial body to us. Thus immersed in prayer, happy and smiling, she went out of this world into eternal life.” She died in October of 1582, at the age of 67. Teresa of Ávila was canonized on March 12, 1622, and in 1970, she received the prestigious title of Doctor of the Church by Pope St. Paul VI. She is only one of four women to have ever been proclaimed as such. Saint Teresa is remembered as one of the great mystics of the Catholic faith, and her writings are heralded as literary canon regarding Christian mysticism and Christian meditation. Her writings Way of Perfection and The Interior Castle have helped generations of faithful Christians grow in contemplative prayer to this day. Teresa lived in a tumultuous time, but was determined to stand on her own two feet, and boldly pursue the call of God. Enthusiastic, courageous, and outgoing, she brought about immense reform despite the opposition of poor health, political turmoil, and her own feelings of mediocrity. Yet she struggled forward, faithful until the end, to found monasteries, share the beauty of mental prayer, and fall into the embrace of the Lord. A Doctor of the Church are certain men and women who are revered by the Church for the special value of their writings and preaching and the sanctity of their lives. They each made important and lasting contributions to the faith and are to be recognized for their great merits. To be declared a Doctor of the Church, you have to meet three basic requirements: First, you must have lived a life of exemplary holiness, or insignis vitae sanctitas (outstanding sanctity). In short, you have to be a saint. Second, to be a Doctor of the Church you must have deepened the whole Church's understanding of the Catholic Faith with emins doctrina (eminent teaching). Which is to say, sanctity isn't enough. There are thousands of saints, but only 37 Doctors of the Church. To be a Doctor one must do more than just live the Faith. Rather, one must significantly and profoundly contribute to our understanding of Divine Revelation, helping us to know more deeply some truth about God and His actions in the World. And third, a pope must officially declare you a Doctor. That being said, as the Church understands it, when a pope declares someone a Doctor of the Church, he's not so much making someone a Doctor as he is recognizing what the Holy Spirit has already done - that He has conferred the charism of Doctor upon them. Next Item Previous Item

St. Angela Merici, born in 1470 in Lombardy, Italy, founded the Ursulines and was a mystic. Orphaned young, she became a Franciscan tertiary and devoted herself to prayer. After a vision, she began educating girls in her hometown and later opened a school in Brescia. In 1524, while on a pilgrimage, she was temporarily blinded but regained her sight through prayer. In 1535, she founded the Ursulines, dedicated to the religious education of young women. Angela served as their superior until her death in 1540. Her order received papal approval in 1544, and she is venerated in Ursuline communities. Her feast day is January 27. St. Angela Merici Time Period: 1474-1540 Feast Day: January 27 Title/Attributes: Virgin, Founder of Ursuline Order, Incorrupt Location of Relic: Back Right Reliquary - Center Section Type of Relic: Bones St. Angela Merici is the foundress of the Ursulines and a mystic. Born on March 21, 1470, at Disenzano, Lombardy, Italy, she was orphaned at age 10. She and her sister went to nearby Salo, where they were raised by her uncle's family with loving care. Her sister died suddenly without the last sacraments, an event that distressed Angela. She then became a Franciscan tertiary (Third Order) and prayed for the repose of her sister's soul. When Angela was 20, her uncle died, and she returned to her home in Disenzano. There she converted her house into a school for teaching local girls the catechism. In a vision, she learned that she was to found a congregation dedicated to the religious training of young women. She started this work by opening a second school in Brescia, Italy. In 1524, Angela made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and was stricken blind while on the island of Crete. She finished her pilgrimage and returned to Crete, where she regained her sight while in prayer. The following year she went to Rome and was received by Pope Clement VII. The Holy Father asked her to remain in Rome, but she felt compelled to return to Brescia to continue her work. On November 25, 1535, Angela laid the foundation of the Ursulines, then called "The Cooperative of St. Ursula." They lived in a small house near St. Afra's Church in Brescia. She served as superior for five years, dying on January 27, 1540. Her body lies in the church of St. Afra, and she is sometime Ursulines received papal approval in 1544. St. Angela is especially venerated in Brescia and in Ursuline communities. She is depicted in liturgical art in her Ursuline habit. Bunson, Matthew E. Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints. 2nd ed., Our Sunday Visitor Inc.,u.s., 2014. Next Item Previous Item

St. Charles Lwanga, along with his 24 companions, became martyrs for the faith in Uganda between 1885 and 1887. Under King Mwanga, who engaged in pedophilic practices and persecuted Christians, Lwanga protected the young pages of the court from the corrupt king. After the beheading of Joseph Mukasa in 1885, Lwanga and 15 others boldly declared their commitment to Christianity, saying, “Until death!” In 1886, Lwanga was burned alive, proclaiming, “My God!” His companions endured similar tortures, singing hymns as they died. They were beatified in 1920 and canonized in 1964. St. Charles Lwanga is the patron of African Catholic Youth. St. Charles Lwanga Time Period: 1860-1886 Feast Day: June 3 Title/Attributes: Martyr Location of Relic: Back Left Reliquary - Center Section Type of Relic: Bones St. Charles and many other martyrs for the faith died between November 15, 1885 – January 27, 1887 in Namugongo, Uganda. St. Charles and his companions were beatified in 1920 and canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1964. In 1879 Catholicism began spreading in Uganda when the White Fathers, a congregation of priests founded by Cardinal Lavigerie were peacefully received by King Mutesa of Uganda. The priests soon began preparing catechumens for baptism and before long a number of the young pages in the king’s court had become Catholics. However, on the death of Mutesa, his son Mwanga, a corrupt man who ritually engaged in pedophilic practices with the younger pages, took the throne. When King Mwanga had a visiting Anglican Bishop murdered, his chief page, Joseph Mukasa, a Catholic who went to great length to protect the younger boys from the king’s lust, denounced the king’s actions and was beheaded on November 15, 1885. The 25 year old Charles Lwanga, a man wholly dedicated to the Christian instruction of the younger boys, became the chief page, and just as forcibly protected them from the kings advances. On the night of the martyrdom of Joseph Mukasa, realizing that their own lives were in danger, Lwanga and some of the other pages went to the White Fathers to receive baptism. Another 100 catechumens were baptized in the week following Joseph Mukasa’s death. The following May, King Mwanga learned that one of the boys was learning catechism. He was furious and ordered all the pages to be questioned to separate the Christians from the others. The Christians, 15 in all, between the ages of 13 and 25, stepped forward. The King asked them if they were willing to keep their faith. They answered in unison, “Until death!” They were bound together and taken on a two day walk to Namugongo where they were to be burned at the stake. On the way, Matthias Kalemba, one of the eldest boys, exclaimed, “God will rescue me. But you will not see how he does it, because he will take my soul and leave you only my body.” They executioners cut him to pieces and left him to die alone on the road, which took at least three days. When they reached the site where they were to be burned, they were kept tied together for seven days while the executioners prepared the wood for the fire. On June 3, 1886, the Feast of the Ascension, Charles Lwanga was separated from the others and burned at the stake. The executioners slowly burnt his feet until only the charred remained. Still alive, they promised him that they would let him go if he renounced his faith. He refused saying, “You are burning me, but it is as if you are pouring water over my body.” He then continued to pray silently as they set him on fire. Just before the flames reached his heart, he looked up and said in a loud voice, “Katonda! – My God!,” and died. His companions were all burned together the same day all the while praying and singing hymns until they died. There were 24 protomartyrs in all. The last of the protomartyrs, a young man named John Mary, was beheaded by King Mwanga on January 27, 1887. The persecutions spread during the reign of Mwanga, with 100 Christians, both Catholics and Protestants, being tortured and killed. St. Charles Lwanga is the patron saint of African Catholic Youth Action. Next Item Previous Item