St. Edith Stein, born into a Jewish family in Breslau, was a brilliant philosopher who converted from atheism to Catholicism after reading the works of St. Teresa of Avila. A student of Edmund Husserl and an expert in phenomenology, she later explored Catholic theology through the lens of Thomistic philosophy. Baptized in 1922, she left academia to teach, eventually joining the Carmelite Order in 1934. Fleeing Nazi Germany to the Netherlands, she was arrested in 1942 and sent to die in Auschwitz. Canonized in 1998, she is honored as a martyr and co-patroness of Europe. St. Edith Stein Time Period: 1891-1942 Feast Day: August 9 Title/Attributes: Virgin, Martyr Location of Relic: Back Left Reliquary - Center Section Type of Relic: Piece of clothing St. Edith Stein is also known as St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (religious life name). She was a brilliant philosopher, spiritual writer, and convert to the Church from Judaism. During World War II, she perished in the Auschwitz concentration camp. Edith Stein was born at Breslau to a Jewish family, she abandoned the Jewish faith in 1904 and became a self-proclaimed atheist. Entering the University of Göttingen, she became a protégé of the philosopher Edmund Husserl and a proponent of the philosophical school of phenomenology both at Göttingen and Freiburg in Breisgau. She earned a doctorate in 1916 and emerged as one of Europe’s brightest philosophers. One of her primary endeavors was to examine phenomenology from the perspective of Thomistic thought, part of her growing interest in Catholic teachings. Propelled by her reading of the autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila, she was baptized on January 1, 1922. She gave up her university post and became a teacher in the Dominican school in Speyer, receiving as well in 1932 the post of lecturer at the Educational Institute of Munch. She then resigned under pressure from the Nazis who were now in control of Germany. In 1934, Edith entered the Carmelite Order. Smuggled out of Germany into the Netherlands in 1938 to escape the mounting Nazi oppression, she fell into the hands of the Third Reich with the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands in 1940. Edith was arrested in 1942 with her sister Rosa (also a Catholic convert) as part of Hitler’s order to liquidate all non-Aryan Catholics. She was taken to Auschwitz and on August 9, 1942, she died in the gas chamber. In the years after the war, her extensive spiritual and philosophical writings were collected and published, receiving promotion by the Archivum Carmelitanum Edith Steith at Louvain, Belgium. Later, Pope St. John Paul II declared her one of the co-patrons of Europe. Next Item Previous Item

AV Equipment AV Equipment To ensure that your event runs smoothly we will assist you with verifying that your presentation, program and devices are compatible with our AV equipment. This requires that you schedule a meeting with our staff several days before your event. To schedule this meeting email avhelp@ap.church . The Paduan Center, PLB, and STC come equipped with a standard AV set up. When booking Sheltz Hall or the Gym you must specifically list your AV needs. In all spaces you must provide your own laptop. AV GUIDES REQUEST AV HELP Previous Item Next Item

Saint Thomas Aquinas was an invaluable gift to both the Catholic Church and to the world for his ability to bridge the gap between faith and reason. A 13th century Dominican friar, he is recognized today as the most significant figure in scholastic theology, and an unparalleled voice on biblical interpretations during the Middle Ages. Thomas preached a revolutionary focus: viewing faith and reason not as contradicting opposites, but as complementary fountains of knowledge. “The Universal Teacher”, his timeless works and his relentless pursuit of knowledge and holiness are still benefiting the church and the world to this day. St. Thomas Aquinas Time Period: 1225-1274 Feast Day: January 28 Title/Attributes: Confessor, Doctor of the Church, Dominican Location of Relic: Back Right Reliquary - Center Section Type of Relic: Bones Saint Thomas Aquinas was an invaluable gift to both the Catholic Church and to the world for his ability to bridge the gap between faith and reason. A 13th century Dominican friar, he is recognized today as the most significant figure in scholastic theology, and an unparalleled voice on biblical interpretations during the Middle Ages. Thomas Aquinas was born in 1225, inside a castle owned by his parents, Count Landulf of Aquino and Theodora, the Countess of Teano. The family, with Thomas being the youngest child among his eight siblings, were descendant of Emperors Frederick I and Henry VI, though they were generally regarded as lower nobility in the Kingdom of Sicily. At the age of five, Thomas was sent to study among Benedictine monks at the Abbey of Monte Cassino. He was regarded as a “witty child” who was often quizzical and curious, posing questions to the monks such as “What is God?” to the surprised monks. Eventually the military conflict between the Emperor Frederick II and Pope Gregory IX reached the abbey in 1239, forcing 13-year-old Thomas to return to Naples. While studying at the University of Naples, he was attracted to the work of Aristotle and became greatly intrigued by philosophy. He also took interest in the newly founded Dominican order of friars, thanks to meeting John of St. Julian, a Dominican preacher who was part of an active effort to recruit more followers to their order. Thomas was attracted to their emphasis on academic learning, poverty, purity, and a life of spiritual service, and at the age of 19, he secretly joined the order of Dominican monks. When his family found out, they were outraged with his decision. His parents demanded that Thomas become a Benedictine instead, in order to enjoy a more affluent and influential position in the church; they couldn’t stand to imagine their son begging as a poor monk. The Dominicans attempted to prevent his parents from interfering with his decision and arranged to move him to Rome, but on their way to Rome, he was kidnapped by his own brothers and returned to his family’s castle, San Giovanni at Rocca Secca. His family tried desperately for an entire year to sway Thomas from his new beliefs as he was held captive, but instead he passed the time by tutoring his younger sisters and secretly communicating with the Dominicans. His family even went so far as to offer him a position as Archbishop of Naples and hire a prostitute to attempt to break his resolve. He resolutely rejected both, and legend tells of Thomas chasing the prostitute out of his room with a flaming iron, branding a cross into his door, and then seeing two angels appear in a dream to strengthen his resolve to remain celibate. When his mother realized their attempts were futile, Theodora arranged for him to escape through a window. So prideful was their family that they preferred a secret escape rather than appearing to accept his position at the sake of their family name. After his escape around the year 1245, Thomas returned to Naples, where he resumed his studies with the Dominicans. He began studying theology at the University of Paris – the leading center for academic studies in Europe at the time – and likely fell under the wing of another future saint, Albert the Great. Albert was by far the best theological teacher Thomas could have met, and when he was sent to teach at a new university in Cologne in 1248, Thomas would follow the theologian, declining the offer of Pope Innocent IV to become the abbot of Monte Cassino. Thomas was appointed magister studentium of the university by Saint Albert, but many were confused by the quiet, introverted friar with lopsided eyes, and he gained the nickname “the dumb ox.” Nonetheless, after reading Thomas’ thesis and finding it brilliant, Saint Albert proclaimed to the university, “We call this young man a dumb ox, but his bellowing in doctrine will one day resound throughout the world!” The next years of his life would find Thomas spending his time teaching and writing across Europe. He taught in Cologne as an apprentice professor, wrote commentaries on the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Lamentations, and rapidly gained prominence through his public speaking and preaching. At the time in Medieval thought, many were struggling to reconcile the relationship between faith and reason. Many great minds of Christianity and brilliant philosophers were present, but few sought to harmonize the two prior to Thomas Aquinas. Averroes, a Muslim Andalusian who wrote many books on philosophy and theology, had created a popular “theory of the double truth” at the time, which viewed the two types of knowledge, faith and reason, as being in direct opposition of each other. Thomas preached a revolutionary new focus on the theological aspects of faith and the philosophical principles of reason not as contradicting opposites, but instead as complementary fountains of knowledge that both flowed from God alone. Not only were the two compatible, according to Thomas, but he believed that “revelation could guide reason and prevent it from making mistakes, while reason could clarify and demystify faith.” To expand on the many teachings and defenses of faith that Thomas provided would require hours upon hours of explanation, but at its core, Thomas combined traditional principles of theology with modern philosophic thought to bring clarity and truth to the world, answering the questions of church authorities, medieval intellectuals, and common people alike. Thomas would later go on to receive a master’s degree in theology, and teach in Paris, Ostia, Bologna, Rome, Naples, and more. He would write more than 60 books, ranging from topics such as apologetics, philosophy, and Biblical commentaries. He was appointed regent master in theology at Paris in 1256, served as general preacher of Naples in 1260, and in 1261 traveled to Orvieto, where he worked to form friars who were unable to attend a university, while also producing works for Pope Urban IV, such as writing a newly created liturgy for the feast of Corpus Christi. In February of 1265, Thomas was called to Rome by the newly elected Pope Clement IV to serve as papal theologian. The same year, he began teaching deep theology courses at a newly established Dominican school at Santa Sabina, one of the first advanced schools for the province. It was while teaching at Santa Sabina that Thomas began his most famous work, the Summa Theologica, a timeless book on Christian doctrine that is also a highly practical guide for spiritual leaders. While it eventually would remain unfinished by Aquinas, to this day it is regarded as one of the most influential works of Western literature. In 1268, Thomas was called again to serve as regent master at the University of Paris, partly due to a sudden rise of “Averroism”, a resurgence of a “radical Aristotelianism” that opposed the combability of faith and reason. Thomas ended up penning two works which combatted these beliefs and reprimanded Averroism as being “incompatible with Christian doctrine.” The Catholic church would publicly condemn the works of Averroes in 1270 and later in 1277. At the end of his regency in Paris, the Dominicans requested Thomas to establish a university at the place of his choosing. He chose Naples for the new institution and moved there upon its founding to serve as regent master. He continued to write and preach in Naples, until two mystical experiences would change everything for Thomas. In 1273, during the Feast of St. Nicholas, Thomas Aquinas had a mystical vision at Mass where he heard the voice of Christ speak to him saying, “You have written well of me, Thomas. What reward would you have for your labor?” Thomas replied, “Nothing but you, Lord.” Stories tell of Thomas being found by a sacristan crying and levitating in front of an icon of the crucified Christ while praying, and following this mystical experience, Aquinas found himself unable to continue his writings, saying, “I can do no more. Such secrets have been revealed to me that all I have written now appears to be of little value.” After his confessor, Father Reginald of Piperno, urged him to continue writing, he refused, admitting that “all that I have written seems like straw to me.” He would never write again. In 1274, Thomas Aquinas was invited to participate in the Second Council of Lyons to help bridge the gap between Eastern and Western churches, which was rapidly widening at the time. While on his way to the council, Thomas hit his head on the branch of a fallen tree and became ill. He was ushered to Monte Cassino to rest, but after attempting to set out again, he was unable to continue and stopped at the Cistercian abbey in Fossanova, Italy. The monks there offered Thomas a spot inside the castle, but sensing his death was near, he requested to remain in the monastery saying, “If the Lord wishes to take me away, it is better that I be found in a religious house than in the dwelling of a layperson.” His health continued to dwindle for several days before receiving his last rites and praying “”I have written and taught much about this very holy Body, and about the other sacraments in the faith of Christ, and about the Holy Roman Church, to whose correction I expose and submit everything I have written.” He died on March 7, 1274, while giving commentary on the Song of Songs. Before half a century had passed, Thomas Aquinas was canonized a saint by Pope John XXII. In 1567, Pope Pius V named him a Doctor of the Church. In the 16th century, the University of Paris was renamed the College of Saint Thomas. In the 19th century, Pope Leo XIII declared the works of Aquinas were to be taught at all Catholic seminaries and theological institutions around the world. His original feast day was March 7, the day of his death, but due to that date often falling within Lent, it was moved to January 28th after a revision of the Roman Calendar in 1969. Saint Thomas Aquinas is the patron saint of academics, philosophers, students, publishers, and pencilmakers. “The Universal Teacher”, Saint Thomas Aquinas illuminated a compatibility of faith and reason and serves as a towering example of what it means to be a devout believer in Jesus Christ. His timeless works are still benefitting the church and the world to this day, and his relentless pursuit of knowledge and holiness, despite any opposition or degradation he faced, should inspire us all to use our gifts for the glory of God. 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

Born in 1878 in Italy, Saint Gemma Galgani’s life was a testament to extraordinary faith and profound suffering. From a young age, she displayed a deep devotion to Christ, often experiencing mystical visions and receiving the stigmata. Gemma’s life was marked by illness and tragedy, losing her parents, and enduring her own physical ailments. Despite these challenges, she embraced her suffering as a means of union with God and offered her life as a sacrifice for the salvation of souls. Gemma’s unwavering trust in divine providence, coupled with her ardent love for Jesus, earned her recognition as a saint and an enduring inspiration for believers worldwide. Her feast day is April 11th. St. Gemma Galgani Time Period: 1878-1903 Feast Day: April 11 Title/Attributes: Virgin, Passionist Sister, Stigmata Location of Relic: Back Left Reliquary - Right Section Type of Relic: Body Gemma Galgani was born on March 12, 1878 in Bogonuovo di Camigliano (Lucca) and was struck by suffering from a very early age: she was in fact only 7 years old when her mother died. But the family was struck by other losses: the death of her brother Gino, a seminarian, then that of her father. The Galgani brothers ended up broke and Gemma was taken in by an aunt. Her very existence was also marked by illness: lumbar vertebrae osteitis and mastoid otitis. She remained in bed semi-paralyzed for several months. During that period she read the biography of Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, which struck her deeply. She then invoked Saint Mary Margaret Alacoque and after a novena, she was healed. It was 1899. The young Gemma deeply felt the desire to consecrate herself to the Lord but for various reasons she was not given the opportunity to become a cloistered nun. This however did not prevent her from immersing herself in the contemplation of Jesus Crucified. On June 8, 1899, the Octave of Corpus Christi and the eve of the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, she received the stigmata, which would be repeated periodically from Thursday evening to 3:00 pm on Friday. For a certain period they will manifest themselves almost every day. Some had doubts about the authenticity of these signs, but Father Germano Ruoppolo, general postulator of the Passionists and a great scholar of mysticism, defended her. Strong expression of her mystical life are also the conversations with Jesus, Mary, the Guardian Angel and Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows. These conversations are reported in the correspondence, the Diary and the Autobiography. A guest in Lucca at the Giannini house, this would be like a family to her until her death. In May 1902 Gemma was diagnosed with tuberculosis. She therefore had to move to another apartment, even if it was close to the Gianninis'. His death occurred on Holy Saturday, April 11, 1903, when the bells had already announced the Resurrection of Christ. She was beatified 30 years later by Pius XI. She was canonized in 1940 by Pius XII who called her “the star of his Pontificate”. Next Item Previous Item

Saint Andrew Kim Taegon, Korea's first priest and a martyr, exemplified unwavering faith and apostolic zeal. Born into a time of severe Christian persecution, he risked his life to evangelize in secret, identifying fellow believers through discreet signs and whispered confirmations. As a seminarian, he endured extreme hardships, including near-fatal journeys to welcome foreign missionaries. Executed in 1846 for his faith, he was canonized in 1984 as the leader of the Martyrs of Korea. His perseverance and courage continue to inspire, calling all Christians to evangelize with joy and unwavering commitment, even in the face of adversity. St. Andrew Kim Taegon Time Period: 1821-1846 Feast Day: September 20 Title/Attributes: Martyr Location of Relic: Back Left Reliquary - Center Section Type of Relic: Bones Saint Andrew Kim Tae-gon, was a martyr and Korea's first priest. His life was and remains an eloquent testimony of zeal for the proclamation of the Gospel. About 200 years ago, the Korean land was the scene of a very severe persecution: Christians were persecuted and annihilated. At that time, believing in Jesus Christ in Korea meant being ready to bear witness unto death. Specifically from the example of Saint Andrew Kim, we can draw out two concrete aspects of his life. The first is the way in which he had to meet with the faithful. Given the highly intimidating context, the saint was forced to approach Christians in a discreet manner, and always in the presence of other people, as if they had been talking to each other for a while. Then, in order to confirm his interlocutor's Christian identity, Saint Andrew would implement these devices: first, there was a previously agreed upon sign of recognition: you will meet with this Christian and he will have this sign on his outfit or in his hand, after which he would surreptitiously ask the question but under his breath "Are you a disciple of Jesus?" Since other people were watching the conversation, the saint had to speak in a low voice, saying only a few words, the most essential ones. Thus, for Andrew Kim, the expression that summed up the whole identity of the Christian was "disciple of Christ." "Are you a disciple of Christ?" but in a soft voice because it was dangerous. It was forbidden to be a Christian. Indeed, being a disciple of the Lord means following him, following his path. And the Christian is by nature one who preaches and bears witness to Jesus. Every Christian community receives this identity from the Holy Spirit, and so does the whole Church, since the day of Pentecost (cf. Vatican Council ii, Decree Ad Gentes, 2). And it is from this Spirit that we receive passion, passion for evangelization, this great apostolic zeal. It is a gift of the Spirit. And even if the surrounding context is not favorable like the Korean context of Andrew Kim the passion does not change. On the contrary, it becomes even more valuable. Saint Andrew Kim and other Korean believers have demonstrated that witnessing to the Gospel in times of persecution can bear much fruit for the faith. Now let us look at a second concrete example. When he was still a seminarian, Saint Andrew had to find a way to secretly welcome missionaries from abroad. This was not an easy task, as the regime of the time strictly forbade all foreigners from entering the territory. This is why it had been so difficult to find a priest that would come to do missionary work, before this: the laity undertook the mission. One time, he walked in the snow, without eating, for so long that he fell to the ground exhausted, risking unconsciousness and freezing. At that point, he suddenly heard a voice, "Get up and keep walking!" Hearing that voice, Andrew reawakened, and caught a glimpse of something like the shadow of someone who was guiding him. This experience of the great Korean witness makes us understand a very important aspect of apostolic zeal; namely, the courage to get back up when one falls. But do saints fall? Yes! Indeed, from the earliest times. Think of Saint Peter: he committed a great sin, but he found strength in God's mercy and got up again. And in Saint Andrew, we see this strength. He had fallen physically but he had the strength to go, go, go to carry the message forward. https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2023/documents/20230524-udienza-generale.html Next Item Previous Item

There is little known about St. Verecundus, whose feast day is October 22, except that he was the Bishop of Verona, Italy, and died in the year 522. He would have had to manage the declining state of affairs in his city after the fall of the Roman Empire and the rule of the Visigoths. His Episcopal Crest is pictured to the left, featuring his Episcopal Motto: "Velle et expectare tet vult semper idem" ("To want and to expect that God always wills the same"). St. Verecundus Time Period: d.c. 522 Feast Day: October 22 Title/Attributes: Bishop, Martyr Location of Relic: Back Left Reliquary - Left Section Type of Relic: Bones There is little known about St. Verecundus, whose feast day is October 22, except that he was the Bishop of Verona, Italy, and died in the year 522. He would have had to manage the declining state of affairs in his city after the fall of the Roman Empire and the rule of the Visigoths. His Episcopal Crest is pictured to the left, featuring his Episcopal Motto: "Velle et expectare tet vult semper idem" ("To want and to expect that God always wills the same"). Next Item Previous Item

The Martyrs of Gorkum were 19 Catholic priests captured during the Dutch Revolt in 1572 by Calvinist rebels. After enduring harsh imprisonment in Gorkum, they were taken to Brielle, where Admiral Lumey demanded they renounce their Catholic faith. All refused to deny their faith. On July 9, 1572, they were hanged and later buried, with reports of miraculous signs at the site. Canonized in 1867 by Pope Pius IX, their relics were moved to St. Nicholas Church in Brussels. Remembered on July 9, they stand as enduring witnesses of faith and courage. The Martyrs of Gorkum Time Period: d. 1572 Feast Day: July 9 Title/Attributes: Martyrs Location of Relic: Back Left Reliquary - Center Section Type of Relic: Bones The Martyrs of Gorkum were 19 Catholic priests from various religious orders who were captured during the Dutch Revolt amid the religious wars of the 16th century. In June 1572, a Calvinist rebel group, seized the town of Gorkum (now Gorinchem) and imprisoned the Catholic clergy From June 26 to July 6, the prisoners were held under harsh conditions at Gorkum and later transported to Brielle (Den Briel) aboard a ship. In Brielle, Admiral Lumey interrogated them, pressing them to renounce their Catholic faith. All steadfastly refused. Despite intervention from Prince William of Orange, whose letter instructed local authorities not to harm clergy, and protests from Gorkum magistrates, Lumey ordered the executions. On the night of July 9, 1572, the 19 were hanged in Brielle. Their bodies were mutilated, then hastily buried, reportedly accompanied by miraculous signs—like a shrub of 19 white flowers that emerged at the site. Canonized on June 29, 1867, by Pope Pius IX, the Martyrs of Gorkum have since inspired pilgrimages to Brielle. Most of their relics were transferred to St. Nicholas Church in Brussels, where a shrine was erected in their honor. These martyrs are remembered on July 9, their feast day, as enduring symbols of faith and courage. Next Item Previous Item

Giuseppe (Joseph) Maria Desa, born in 1603 in Cupertino, grew up in poverty and faced many challenges, including illness and lack of formal education. Despite these difficulties, he pursued his calling to become a Franciscan priest. Through perseverance and miraculous events, he was ordained in 1628. Known for his humility and devotion, he experienced frequent ecstasies and levitations that sent him flying through the air, attracting attention from both admirers and the Inquisition. After a life of service and mystical experiences, he passed away in 1663. He was beatified in 1753 and canonized in 1767. His remains rest in Osimo, where he spent his final years. St. Joseph of Cupertino Time Period: 1603-1663 Feast Day: September 18 Title/Attributes: Confessor, Franciscan Location of Relic: Back Right Reliquary - Left Section Type of Relic: Bones Giuseppe Maria Desa was born on June 17, 1603 in the small town of Copertino, in the province of Lecce. His family was not going through an easy time: his father, Felice, was involved in the financial failure of an acquaintance to whom he had lent money, and ended up in poverty. So Giuseppe was born in a stable like Jesus and from a young age he had to roll up his sleeves to contribute to the household economy, working as a shop boy. Giuseppe also tries to attend school, but is struck by a gangrenous ulcer that keeps him away from his studies for five years. His mother, Franceschina Panaca, a strong and vigorous woman, tries to give him a basic education through the narration of the lives of the Saints such as Saint Francis. In Giuseppe, the desire to walk in the footsteps of the "Poverello of Assisi" matures, so much so that, at the age of 16, he asks to enter the order of the Conventual Franciscan Friars, at the convent of "Grottella". But his poor education does not help him and he is forced to retrace his steps. He then turns to the Reformed Franciscans and then to the Capuchins of Martina Franca, but the response is the same: his poor education, accompanied by the first manifestations of ecstasy during which he lets everything fall from his hands, make him unfit for community life. In the meantime, the Supreme Court of Naples establishes that, upon reaching the age of majority, Giuseppe is forced to work without pay, until he pays off his father's debt, now deceased. Faced with such a sentence - in fact, a real slavery - the young man returns to ask for admission to the Convent of the "Grottella". The Friars take his situation to heart and help him to undertake a real course of studies. Despite a thousand difficulties, but thanks to great willpower, the young man reaches the examination for the diaconate. Here a miracle occurs: Joseph knows in depth only one passage of the Gospel and it is precisely that which, by chance, the examining bishop asks him to comment on. A similar extraordinary event is repeated three years later, during the examination to become a priest: the bishop questions some examinees and, finding them particularly prepared, extends admission to the priesthood to all the other candidates. Finally, in 1628, Joseph is ordained a priest. Giuseppe's humility, however, will remain proverbial: aware of his own cultural limitations, he does not disdain the simplest manual labor, he dedicates himself to the service of the poorest. He even nicknames himself "Brother Donkey". Joseph lives his love for the Church in an unconditional way, placing Christ at the centre of his existence and experiencing a profound devotion for Mary, Mother of God. However, those who hear him speak recognise in him the light of a mature theology, which he discusses in depth: it is the gift of infused knowledge that makes him so wise. Meanwhile, the phenomena of ecstasy and levitation become more pronounced in Joseph, especially when he pronounces the names of Jesus and Mary. “When the gunpowder ignites in the gun and sends out that roar and crash,” he explains to a brother, “so the ecstatic heart is inflamed with the love of God.” Such episodes do not escape the attention of the Inquisition of Naples, which summons him to try to understand whether the young man from Copertino is abusing popular credulity or not. Right in front of the judges lined up in the Monastery of San Gregorio Armeno, Giuseppe has a levitation. He is then acquitted of all charges, but the Holy Office confines him in isolation, away from the crowds. The future Saint then passes from one convent to another – Rome, Assisi, Pietrarubbia, Fossombrone – until he arrives in Osimo, near Ancona. Here, finally, he arrives in 1656, at the behest of Pope Alexander VII, and here he finds peace. In fact, he remains there uninterruptedly until his death, always leading a humble life in the service of others, and in conversation with God at the height of the Eucharistic celebration: “This is what we must do – he explains to a brother – leave the world, continue prayer and settle the 'little cave' of our heart to offer Jesus Christ our intellect, memory and will”. Death took him on September 18, 1663, at the age of 60. Benedict XIV beatified him in 1753, while Clement XIII proclaimed him a Saint on July 16, 1767. Today, his sacred remains rest inside a gilded bronze urn, in the crypt of the Church of Osimo, dedicated to him. A sanctuary was also erected in his honor in Copertino, above the stable where he was born. https://www.causesanti.va/it/santi-e-beati/giuseppe-da-copertino.html 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

God is Love September 2026 Monthly Meeting View Session Session Transcript Monthly Meeting View Session Session Transcript 1 John 4:16: "We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him" This month we will focus on personal encounters with God who is love. A different relationship, not master to slave or creator to creature, but we are sons and daughters of God-love. God is love- and He loves each of us infinitely, without conditions, and forever. Once we’ve experienced it, it becomes like an inner flame that we can always reignite. God Is Love: The truest relationship with God begins internalizing that He is Love, and that He love’s each one of us infinitely. He has loved us first and His love never pauses even when we sin. He has loved us into existence. His love sustains all of creation, and each one of us has been created to live eternally in His presence, in the presence of Love. He would never say, “I will love you if…” So, life is an ongoing journey of continuously internalizing that He loves me, that He loves you. He truly does. When we internalize His love, ‘because he loves me’ becomes what motivates me – to pray, to go to mass, to overcome my vices, to start again in my union with Him, AND to keep loving others. MONTHLY GATHERING: Saturday, September 19, 2026 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Located in the Main Church The speaker will be Fr. Jesse Garcia ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Fr. Jesse Garcia is the pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in The Woodlands, Texas. He has been a priest for more than fourteen years and has devoted his ministry to evangelization, spiritual formation, and helping people encounter the transforming love of Jesus Christ in their everyday lives. Before becoming a priest, Fr. Jesse lived for 27 years as a consecrated lay person in the Work of Mary, embracing the evangelical counsels through vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Those years of consecrated life profoundly shaped his understanding of Christian discipleship, community, and the call to make God’s love present in the world. Fr. Jesse’s academic and spiritual formation brings together psychology, theology, Sacred Scripture, and spirituality. He holds a Master of Science in Psychology, Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Theology, and Bachelor of Sacred Theology (STB) in Sacred Scripture, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Research. His theological and spiritual formation also includes studies at the Mystici Corporis Institute and ongoing formation through the Lifelong Marian University of the Work of Mary, where he continues to deepen his vocation and understanding of the Christian spiritual life. As pastor, Fr. Jesse has made evangelization and spiritual renewal a central part of his pastoral vision. This vision is expressed particularly through Embers, a parish-wide initiative designed to help people move from simply knowing about their faith to encountering Christ, living His Word, and becoming His presence for others. Fr. Jesse will give the first talk in the Embers series, “God Is Love.” Beginning with the foundational Christian revelation that God Himself is Love, he will invite participants to consider what it means to receive God’s love, allow that love to transform us, and ultimately become witnesses of that love in the world. For Fr. Jesse, the Christian life is not simply about knowing more about God, but about entering into a living relationship with the God who is Love. We are created by Love, redeemed by Love, and called to become vessels of that Love for one another. This encounter with divine love provides the foundation for the entire Embers journey.