Saint Anthony of the Desert had a singular purpose – become a “lover of God” by resisting the Devil and yielding to Christ. He is a mysterious figure, with nearly everything we know about him coming from a biography written by Saint Athanasius. But what we do know is that he spent most of his days in solitude- living in the desert as a hermit – while occasionally traveling into cities to defend Christians from Roman persecution or spreading heresy. Anthony was extremely devoted to the Lord, and his ascetic lifestyle inspired many to devote themselves as well. His feast day is January 17th. St. Anthony of the Desert Time Period: 250-356 Feast Day: January 17 Title/Attributes: Abbott, Hermit Location of Relic: Back Right Reliquary - Left Section Type of Relic: Bones Saint Anthony of the Desert went by many names (St. Anthony of Egypt, St. Anthony the Great, St. Anthony Abbot, and more) but had a singular purpose – become a “lover of God” by resisting the Devil and yielding to Christ. He is a mysterious figure, with nearly everything we know about him coming from a biography written by Saint Athanasius titled “The Life of Saint Anthony the Great.” But what we do know about him, is inspiring in our current day and age. Anthony was born around 250 A.D. in the village of Coma, located in Lower Egypt to an extremely wealthy family. His parents owned three hundred acres of land, which Anthony inherited around the age of 20 when his parents died, leaving him with vast wealth and the care of his unmarried sister. One day while attending Mass though, a reading from the Gospel of Matthew changed everything for the future Father of All Monks. “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven.” – Matthew 19:21 While most would balk at the prospect of living out those words to their fullest, Anthony decided to do just that around the year 285: he gave away some of the inherited land to his neighbors, sold the remaining property, and donated all of the funds to the poor. Placing his sister in the care of a group of Christian virgins, he left the city and entered the desert. Anthony was not the first monk or ascetic hermit, but he was notable for being one of the first to truly cut himself off from civilization. While most monastics chose to practice their lifestyle on the outskirts of cities, Anthony decided to head into the desert region called the Nitra, which was about 95 km west of Alexandria and filled with some of the most rugged terrain that could be found. According to Athanasius’ biography, Anthony remained in this area for 15 years, practicing a strict ascetic diet of only bread, salt and water, eating at most only once a day. He took up strenuous spiritual exercises, such as staying up all night, choosing sleepless nights of prayer over a restful night of sleep. He had discovered, as written in his biography, that “the mind of the soul is strong when the pleasures of the body are weak.” Trial would soon arrive at Anthony’s doorstep, as the devil perceived the strength of this ascetic monk. Anthony, who had walled himself into a ruin in order to devote himself fully and perfectly to the Lord, was afflicted with boredom, laziness and even the phantoms of women as the devil attempted to break his focus. Anthony combatted these afflictions with the power of prayer, which would eventually form a theme for future Christian art. Saint Anthony being assailed by demons became a popular subject in the history of art and literature in the 15th Century. The earliest depiction of him being attacked by demons can be traced to a wall painting in the atrium of Santa Maria Antiqua, a Catholic Church in Italy, from the 10th Century. Perhaps the most famous depiction was an engraving by Martin Schongauer titled “The Temptation of St. Anthony”, which Michelangelo would later use to paint one of his earliest known paintings, “The Torment of Saint Anthony.” The calmness of Saint Anthony depicted in the artwork is hard to believe when reading the torments he endured, as recounted by Athanasius. The demons would assault him furiously, both physically and spiritually, but Anthony endured the attacks. Despite being beaten to the point of unconsciousness, phantoms appearing in the form of horrid wild beasts, and repeated attacks, he persevered. When he would see the wolves, lions, snakes and scorpions gathering in an attempt to attack, he would laugh at them scornfully and say, “If any of you have any authority over me, only one would have been sufficient to fight me.” At the age of 35, he wished to retreat to absolute solitude and relocated to an abandoned Roman fort for another 20 years of ardent prayer. Food was thrown to him over the wall, and he would not allow anyone to enter, but word of his devotion to the Lord spread, and gradually a number of would-be disciples would come to the wall to listen to his advice. As the number of followers grew to the nearby caves and huts around the mountain, many begged Anthony to come out and be a guide for those wishing to imitate his spiritual life. Finally, around the year 305, Anthony emerged from his retreat. By this time, after decades of solitude, most expected him to have wasted away physically or been driven insane mentally, but who would emerge but a perfectly healthy and serene Anthony of the Desert, clothed in sackcloth and sheepskin but rippling with muscle. Rejuvenated, he continued his mission to serve the Lord, even as his legend grew. He would soon found two monasteries for the great body of monks which had formed, and he wrote a rule of life in order to help guide them in the path of ascetism. These were reportedly the first monasteries ever founded, which led to the namesake “Father of All Monks”, despite the fact Anthony himself was not in fact, the first monk to exist. Anthony is noted for not allowing the attention or number of followers distract him from remaining solely focused on the Lord, both in his own personal life, and in the monasteries he was founding. It is written he had a disdain for “stately buildings and well-laden tables”, so all of his efforts were rooted in a focus on Christ alone. After his time guiding those seeking to practice self-denial and the hermetic life, he focused his efforts on aiding the Church amidst the persecution of Egyptian Christians in the early 300’s. Word had spread to Anthony of the severe attacks by the Roman Emperor Diocletian, in which churches were razed, scriptures burned, and Christians martyred. He and several monks traveled to Alexandria, where they ministered to the persecuted. The Governor of Alexandria is reported to have ordered Anthony not to show up in the city and continue to comfort those imprisoned, but Anthony, in hopes that he would be tortured and martyred, refused. He was 60 years old at the time, and fearlessly exposing himself to danger in hopes of being an ultimate witness to the faith. He spent the majority of his remaining years returning to solitude in order to pray, as well as share teachings with those who traveled to hear him. Occasionally, he would grow tired of visitors keeping him from his worship, so he eventually went further into the Eastern Desert of Egypt, finding a spring of water and palm trees. He created an inner monastery there, where he would often retreat to following trips to the desert to visit the brethren of monks. On the spot where he settled amid the palm trees now stands the Monastery of Saint Anthony the Great. He traveled out of his desert solitude only one additional time, around the year 338 when the Arian heresy began spreading in Egypt. The former deacon Arius began swaying many Egyptian Christians with his teachings about how Jesus was not equal with God, and the leader of the church in Alexandria, Athanasius himself, called upon Anthony to join him in a campaign to champion the truth to the people of Egypt. The future saint provided an eloquent defense of the belief as Jesus being true God and true Man, which led to the eventual elimination of Arianism. Anthony would live to be over 100 years old, but still miraculously maintain the appearance of youth. Eventually, Anthony felt that the day of his departure was nearing. He commanded his disciples with strict instructions to give away his possessions (which consisted of a staff and two sheepskin cloaks) and to bury his body in an unmarked, secret grave, lest his body become an object of veneration. He died around the year 356. He was 105 years old. Saint Anthony was canonized Pre-Congregation and left no physical writings behind. A handful of his words are included in the Apophthegmata, a collection of sayings attributed to the early desert fathers and mothers, but he most likely only spoke his native language of Coptic, and almost certainly was illiterate. But through the life of Saint Anthony of the Desert, we discover a great, divine paradox. He hardly ate, yet remained in perfect health. He grew extremely old, yet retained the appearance of youth. He lived in extreme isolation, yet grew agonizingly popular. He possessed so little, yet continually gave so much. Saint Anthony, devoted to the Lord, persevering against afflictions, and emboldened in faith, was aware of his shortcomings, but rooted himself in what he knew to be his ultimate strength. When two Greek philosophers traveled to speak with Anthony, he questioned why they “wished to meet with a fool.” They replied that they viewed him as no fool, but wise and prudent. In response, Anthony said: “If you think me prudent, become as I am, for we ought to imitate what is good. And if I had come to you, I should have imitated you; but if you to me, become as I am, for I am a Christian.” While those philosophers departed in silence, having no desire to be converted, may we have our hearts and lives converted by Saint Anthony the Great. Next Item Previous Item

Saint Peter –the first Pope and rock upon which Jesus built His church – is one of the greatest stories of redemption and love in the Bible. His bold faith was gained from humble beginnings, repeated missteps, and a stubborn trust that Jesus Christ was truly God. Jesus loved his Apostles dearly but was also unafraid to correct the words and actions of the fallible, fragile humans He chose to be His closest followers. Peter, an inquisitive, brash, hopeful follower of Christ, was the perfect leader of this group and provided the foundation for the Church we still have today. His feast day is June 29th. St. Peter the Apostle Time Period: 1st Century Feast Day: June 29 Title/Attributes: Apostle, Martyr Location of Relic: Main Reliquary - Center Section Type of Relic: Bones Saint Peter – the most outspoken apostle, the first Pope, the rock upon which Jesus built His church – is one of the greatest stories of redemption and love in the Bible. His bold faith that would ultimately change the world was gained from humble beginnings, repeated missteps and a stubborn trust that Jesus Christ was truly God. It is nearly impossible to fully encompass all of Peter’s deeds in the Bible. His adventures are recounted throughout the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, and numerous letters of St. Paul; his name appears a total of 187 times in the New Testament. As prominent of a role Peter played in Jesus’ ministry, we know very little about his life prior to his conversion. Tradition places his birth in the 1st century BC, and he was originally named Simon. He lived in the village of Bethsaida, near the Sea of Galilee, and scripture (as well as most historians) point to him having been married. Him and his brother Andrew were both fisherman by trade and Peter owned his own boat. It was in this boat that Peter’s life was changed forever. Matthew 4:18-19, Mark 1:16-17, and Luke 5:1-11 all depict Jesus encountering Peter as he was fishing on the Sea of Galilee. As the crowds listening to Jesus pressed in, He hopped into Peter’s boat and asked him to put out from the shore. Obeying the preacher, Peter rowed out so Jesus could continue to teach the people. After Jesus finished speaking, He turned to Simon Peter to teach one of the most important lessons Peter would ever learn: trust in Him. “When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” Simon Peter, already sensing the prominence of Jesus by calling Him “master”, obliged the request, and upon seeing the miraculous catch of fish they procured, fell to his knees in front of Jesus. “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” But Jesus instead called him deeper, replying, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So, they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” The Gospel of John tells a slight variation of when Simon Peter first met Jesus, including an earlier name change than the other three Gospels. John 1:35-42 tells of Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, hearing John the Baptist cry out, “Look, the Lamb of God!” as Jesus passed by. After Andrew heard this, he immediately ran to find his brother and tell him, “We have found the Messiah.” Jesus, meeting Simon for the first time, greeted Simon with a gift: a new name. “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).” In all of the Gospels, Jesus began to travel throughout the region after he had called His first disciples. He taught in synagogues, healed sicknesses and attracted large crowds everywhere He went. How awestruck must these first Apostles have been witnessing these miracles and hearing the Sermon on the Mount as written in Matthew 5. Just a few chapters later, Simon Peter witnesses a very personal miracle, as Jesus visits his mother-in-law, sick in bed with a fever. Matthew 8:14-15 tells of Jesus “touching her hand and the fever left her.” The faith of Peter was growing. That faith would be tested though later in Matthew 8, when the experienced fisherman found himself caught in a furious storm while out in a boat with Jesus, who was sleeping. The Apostles, many of whom were likely still just beginning to grasp the divine abilities of Jesus, frantically awoke him saying “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” Matthew 8:26: “He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” Sitting in the boat, an astonished Simon Peter stared at the calm waters which just seconds ago had been raging all around him. His faith was growing. Another miracle that Jesus would perform not long thereafter points to Simon Peter beginning to form a particular group with James and John out of the twelve Apostles. When a synagogue leader named Jairus earnestly pleaded with Jesus to heal his dying daughter, as written in Mark 5:21-43, Jesus would eventually only bring Peter, James, and John into the home to witness the healing. Perhaps it was for them to witness the mourners laughing at Jesus as He announced “The child is not dead, but asleep” or maybe Jesus wished Peter to see those miraculous steps the little girl took towards Him after she was resurrected. No matter what Jesus’ motives, it’s clear that this trio of Apostles (who would also be the only ones present at the Transfiguration of Jesus and were called deeper by Jesus into the Garden of Gethsemane) were special. It’s clear throughout the Bible that Simon Peter was essentially the “spokesman” of the twelve Apostles. Whenever they are all listed by name (Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:16–19; Luke 6:14–16; Acts 1:13), Peter is mentioned first. On a few occasions, when multiple Apostles were present or speaking, only Peter is specifically mentioned by name and the others are merely with him (Mark 1:36; Luke 8:45). His authority was recognizable by others as well; Matthew 17:24 tells of the collectors of the temple tax approaching Peter specifically to question him regarding Jesus. Peter – displaying remarkable insight, developing a depth to his faith, but still harboring reservations and doubts – was the perfect representative of the Apostles, as stubborn and foolhardy as they often were. Matthew 14 and Matthew 16 both contain a monumental event in Peter’s life and both of them are preceded with a misstep or misunderstanding by the Apostles. In Matthew 14, Jesus attempts to retreat to a solitary place following the death of John the Baptist. Crowds followed Him regardless, and while still mourning the loss of His close friend, Jesus “had compassion on them and healed their sick.” As night fell though, the worn-out disciples implored Jesus to dismiss the crowds so they would go away to buy themselves food and leave them alone. Jesus, likely beginning to prepare the Apostles for their ministry following His ascension into heaven, replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” And while they could only muster five loaves and two fish, Jesus taught them an important lesson that night: despite their “little faith” (Matthew 8:26, 14:31, 16:8, 17:20), what they have is enough. After five thousand were fed and twelve baskets of leftovers collected, Jesus instructed the disciples to get into a boat (a recurring location of transformative moments in Peter’s life) and meet Him on the other side. Jesus dismissed the crowds and retreated up the mountainside to pray alone. As the night grew later, the Apostle’s boat traveled a “considerable distance from land” as the wind had picked up. As they continued to traverse across the lake and dawn approached, an impossible sight appeared: a man, Jesus himself, walking on the water. Matthew 14:26-27: When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.” Then, Simon Peter took a leap of faith. “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Simon Peter, a normal fisherman from Bethsaida, stepped out of the boat. Eyes fixed on Jesus, he began to walk across the water. But as the wind picked up, his gaze on the Lord wavered and he instead looked at the waves all around him. Afraid and sinking into the cold water, Simon Peter cried out, “Lord, save me!” There was no hesitation at all by Jesus. Matthew 14:31 – “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”” Peter and Jesus returned to the boat, where the incredulous Apostles began to worship Jesus saying, ““Truly you are the Son of God.” Two chapters later, the second prominent milestone of Peter would take place, and it was preceded with Jesus yet again questioning the Apostles and their little faith while in a boat. Matthew 16:5-12 depicts Jesus and the Apostles traveling across a lake. The Apostles had forgotten to pack bread for their journey, and Jesus took the opportunity to begin teaching them to be on their guard against “the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” The Apostles took the words in a literal sense (as they too often did) and began to discuss the teaching among themselves, as they assumed it was a form of chastisement from Jesus brought forth due to their forgetfulness. Matthew 16:7 – “They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.” This reaction is unique for a number of reasons. Firstly, prior to this journey they had witnessed Jesus on multiple occasions supernaturally multiply bread right in front of them. Secondly, both scripture passages of this story (Mark 8:14-21 also tells of this moment) specifically displays them discussing this apparent chastisement by Jesus just among themselves, without including Jesus in the conversation. The all-knowing Jesus immediately cuts into the chatter and makes it clear that His teaching is regarding something much more serious than baking ingredients. Matthew 16:9 – Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” It’s not hard to imagine a stunned silence filling the boat, as Simon Peter and the other Apostles realized the profundity of Jesus’ words and the deeper meaning He was speaking to them. Arriving in the region of Caesarea Philippi, these thoughts were likely still swirling in Simon Peter’s head as Jesus turned to His disciples and asked: “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” The first replies were hesitant and non-committal: “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Then, Jesus presented the most important question they’d ever face. Matthew 16:15 – “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” It was Simon Peter who stepped up for his second leap of faith. Matthew 16:16 – “Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”” This was the first outright proclamation by an Apostle that Jesus was truly the Messiah – the one promised by God to save His people. It was a significant moment, and the response by Jesus was also significant. Matthew 16:17-18 – “Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Simon Peter had become the foundation of the future Catholic Church, but just a few verses later, it was clear that his sturdiness was still under construction. With everything slowly falling into place for Jesus to fulfill His mission, He began to explain what was soon to come. Peter however, still riding high from being given the keys of the kingdom, wasn’t too fond of the idea of his closest friend going to Jerusalem to be killed. Matthew 16:22 – “Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”” Jesus replied with a stinging rebuke of His own, one that likely cut Peter to the core. Matthew 16:23 – “Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”” The teaching that followed from Jesus, as Peter stood reeling from the swift reproachment, was one that would shape the lives of many future holy men and women of the Catholic Church. Matthew 16:24-25 – “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.”” As sharp as this moment was for the future saint, Peter took it in stride. He experienced the wonder of the Transfiguration of Jesus just six days later, at which he had the unique opportunity of being interrupted by God Himself, speaking down from the clouds. Matthew 17:4-5 – “Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”” Peter and his fellow Apostles continued to do just that, but they found themselves dumbstruck while listening to Jesus on the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, as they sat around the table to eat: one of them would betray the Messiah and Peter would deny Jesus three times. Jesus, alluding again to His death, had foretold the desertion of the Apostles and Peter’s response again resolutely denied this charge: “Even if I fall away on account of you, I never will.” Matthew 17:34-35 – ““Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.” But try as he might to prevent Jesus from being taken away later that night, going so far as to strike the servant of the high priest with his sword and cut off his ear, Peter was forced to witness the betrayal of Judas and arrest of Jesus. Peter, his world crashing down all around him, retreated to the courtyard as Jesus was brought before the high priests, who mocked and scorned his friend, his leader, the Son of Man. First, a servant girl came to him: “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said to Peter as Jesus was spit at and struck. He uttered his first denial – “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Then, a second slave woman noticed him and said to the people around them – “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.” As bloodthirsty cries for Jesus, who had called Peter out into the depths, to be put to death rung out in the courtyard, Peter denied him again – “I do not know the man And a final time, as more bystanders noticed his accent and came up to him with accusations, he began to curse and swear, crying out – “I do not know the man!” Immediately, a rooster crowed, and the devastating words of Jesus Christ had come true: Peter had denied Jesus three times. Just before Jesus was led away to face Pontius Pilate, be crowned with thorns, and ultimately crucified upon Golgotha, He locked eyes with Peter, who was filled with sorrow. He left the courtyard and wept bitterly. But the tomb would not remain occupied for long, and redemption was on its way to Peter. All four Gospels tell of the Resurrection of Jesus, with the Gospel of John providing unique details to the discovery of the empty tomb. After Mary Magdalene discovered the stone had been rolled away, it was Peter who she ran to in distress, believing someone to have taken the body of Jesus from the tomb. Simon and John immediately ran to the tomb, with John arriving first but remaining outside. Peter however, arrived at the tomb and went straight in. Stunned, Peter saw the strips of linen and the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head, lying on the ground. The immensity of what had happened was beginning to dawn on them. Even when Mary Magdalene told them of her seeing Jesus risen from the dead, many of the Apostles were likely still in a state of tense disbelief while together later that day in the locked upper room. But before they knew it, Jesus was there, standing in their midst. He would appear in the room again a week later to prove He had returned to Thomas the Apostle, who had been absent at the first reappearance. But it was the third time Jesus appeared to His disciples after being raised from the dead that was most significant for Peter. John 21:1-14 tells of the Apostles once again on the Sea of Galilee. Peter, likely still yearning for a chance to reconcile with Jesus after his denials, had returned to his original occupation and familiar pastime: fishing. In a reflection of the first time Peter had encountered Jesus, they were fishing without success until a man on the shore called out to them. John 21:5-6 – “He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.” The disciple whom Jesus loved immediately cried out “It is the Lord!” and that was all Peter needed to hear. Refusing to even wait for the boat to return to shore, Peter sprung into the water and swam the roughly hundred yards to shore, where Jesus was preparing a familiar breakfast of bread and fish. It was after this meal that Jesus finally spoke to Peter, but the conversation did not go how the future saint likely expected. John 21:15 – “When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”” Twice more Jesus would ask Peter, “Do you love me?” and a perplexed Peter responded earnestly in affirmation but was hurt by what he perceived as a lack of trust between Jesus and himself on account of the repeated questions. “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you,” Peter responded to Jesus’ final question. But it was not an absence of trust that had led Jesus to ask Peter three times, but instead an opportunity for redemption – the three denials of Jesus had now been countered with three declarations of love. With that conversation Jesus reinstated Peter; the betrayal had been superseded by an ultimate act of forgiveness and love. Peter was at the head of a flurry of activity following the Ascension of Jesus Christ, which is depicted clearly in the Acts of the Apostles. He was in charge of appointing the replacement of Judas Iscariot, he was the first to preach following the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (which was so powerful that 3,000 people asked to be baptized following his preaching), and he even was the first one to defend the Church by rendering judgement upon anyone who sought to damage it (the first case being Ananias and Sapphira for lying about their almsgiving). He was even the first Apostle to perform a miracle of healing. A crippled beggar, cast down lame on the side of the road by some affliction, asked Peter for some money. While he had none on him, he instead told the man that in the name of Jesus the Nazarene, to arise and walk. Immediately cured of his lameness, the beggar stood up and was able to walk freely. As the Apostles began to fan out across the regions, Peter was instrumental in spreading the message of Jesus, but not without coming into conflict with the Jewish authorities, still dismayed by the boldness being displayed by the followers of the man they had put to death. Acts 4 tells of Peter and John being brought before the same high priests who had not long ago been spitting upon Jesus, to question their power to teach the people. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, delivered a matchless declaration that it was by the name of “Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead” that they did their mighty deeds. The high priests were astonished that these “unschooled, ordinary men” could have such wisdom and courage and they quickly attempted to threaten and silence them. But it was the faith of Peter, growing steadily through every miracle and misstep he had experienced in his journey with Jesus Christ, that led him to boldly reply, “we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Even when King Herod attempted to arrest and persecute some who belonged to Christ’s Church, including Peter, God had other plans for him. Acts 12 depicts Peter, bound with chains, freed and guided out of the prison by an angel; an escape so miraculous that when he arrived at the house of Mary, the mother of John, he had to knock multiple times before they believed it was truly him to let him in! On and on the stories continue, as Peter preached to countless regions and races, converting hearts for the Lord. We don’t know precisely the events towards the end of his life and details such as whether he ever physically resided in Rome, but testimony of Peter’s martyrdom is widespread. Following the Great Fire of Rome in A.D. 64, the emperor Nero wished to place the blame on Christians for the fire that had destroyed their city. Three months after the fire, on the “dies imperii” of Nero assuming power (the ten-year anniversary of him ascending the throne), Church tradition tells of Peter being sentenced to death by crucifixion at Vatican Hill. Peter had initially been encouraged to flee the city by his followers, in order to escape persecution, but stories tell of Peter coming across Christ, heading the other way as he fled the city. Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “I am going to Rome to be crucified again.” Realizing he is about to make the same mistake he made when denying Jesus three times, Peter turned around to return to Rome and accept his martyrdom. The death of Peter had been foretold by Jesus during that fateful breakfast next to the Sea of Galilee: “when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” However, Peter felt he was unworthy to die in the exact same manner that Jesus had, so he made one final request: to be crucified upside down. Most historians believe he died between the ages of 62 and 67. Most recounts of Saint Peter’s life tell of him having been buried in Rome near Vatican Hill. It was at his burial site that in the early 4th century, Emperor Constantine I built a large basilica in honor of Peter. The exact location of Peter’s body and relics were largely a mystery until 1950, when human bones were discovered beneath the altar of St. Peter’s Basilica. Believing these to belong to Saint Peter, an excavation began in 1953 that unearthed St. Peter’s tomb in Jerusalem (bearing the name Simon) as well as the tombs of other apostles. More excavations were conducted in the 1960s, which eventually led to Pope Paul VI in 1968 announcing that the relics they had discovered belonged to the Apostle Peter. Finally, on November 24, 2013, Pope Francis revealed the relics of nine bone fragments for the first time to the public during a Mass celebrated in the very square that bore Peter’s name. Jesus did not coddle the twelve Apostles. He loved them and cared for them deeply, but He was unafraid to correct the course of their words and actions. Fully God and fully man, He purposely selected fallible, fragile humans to be His closest followers. Saint Peter, an inquisitive, brash, hopeful follower of Christ, was the perfect leader of this group and provided the foundation for the Church we still love and cling to today. As the waves of our life rise, and the winds blow all around us, may we keep our eyes on Jesus as Peter did, and walk towards him with trust and faith. 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

St. Alexander Sauli was the apostle of Corsica and bishop. At an early age he entered the Barnabite Congregation, and became a teacher at the University of Pavia and superior general of the congregation. In 1571, he was appointed by Pope St. Pius V to Aleria on the island of Corsica. Taking three companions, they rebuilt churches, founded seminaries and colleges, and stood off the pirate raids in the area. He became the bishop of Pavia, serving only a year before his death. St. Alexander was a noted miracle worker and the spiritual adviser to St. Charles Borromeo and Cardinal Sfondrato, who became Pope Gregory XIV. St. Alexander Sauli Time Period: 1533-1592 Feast Day: October 11 Title/Attributes: Bishop, Confessor Location of Relic: Back Right Reliquary - Right Section Type of Relic: Bones St. Alexander Sauli was the apostle of Corsica and bishop. At an early age he entered the Barnabite Congregation, and became a teacher at the University of Pavia and superior general of the congregation. In 1571, he was appointed by Pope St. Pius V to Aleria on the island of Corsica. Taking three companions, they rebuilt churches, founded seminaries and colleges, and stood off the pirate raids in the area. He became the bishop of Pavia, serving only a year before his death. St. Alexander was a noted miracle worker and the spiritual adviser to St. Charles Borromeo and Cardinal Sfondrato, who became Pope Gregory XIV. Next Item Previous Item

St. Philip Benizi, born in 1233 in Florence, was a nobleman educated in Paris and Padua, earning doctorates in medicine and philosophy. He joined the Servite Order in 1253 and was ordained in 1259. A renowned preacher and reformer, he became prior general of the Servites in 1267. Despite being considered for the papacy, he humbly fled to avoid election. He attended the Council of Lyons, promoted peace, supported the founding of the Servite Third Order, and sent missionaries to the Far East. He died in Todi in 1285, remembered for his humility, leadership, and dedication to Church reform and unity. St. Philip Benizi Time Period: 1233-1285 Feast Day: August 23 Title/Attributes: Confessor, Servite Location of Relic: Back Right Reliquary - Left Section Type of Relic: Bones St. Philip Benizi was a Servite cardinal and preacher. He was born in 1233 in Florence, Italy to a noble family. He was educated in Paris and Padua, where he earned doctorates in medicine and philosophy. He practiced medicine for some time, but in 1253 he joined the Servite Order in Florence. He served as a lay brother until 1259, when his superiors directed him to be ordained. Philip soon became known as one of the foremost preachers of his era, becoming master of novices at Siena in 1262 and then superior of several friaries and prior general of the Servites against his own wishes in 1267. Reforming the order with zeal and patience, he was named as a possible candidate to become pope by the influential Cardinal Ottobuoni just before the election to choose a successor to Pope Clement IV. This possibility was so distressing to Philip that he fled and hid in a cave until the election was finally over. He attended the Council of Lyons in 1274 that brought about a brief reunion with the Orthodox, worked to bring peace between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines in 1279, assisted St. Juliana in founding the Third Order of Servites, and in 1284 dispatched the first Servite missionaries to the Far East. He retired to a small Servite house in Todi, where he died on August 22, 1285. Next Item Previous Item

Sts. Perpetua and Felicity were young Christian women martyred in Carthage around 203 AD. Perpetua, a noblewoman with a newborn son, and Felicity, her pregnant slave, were arrested for their faith after they were baptized. Despite pleas from Perpetua’s pagan father to renounce Christianity, she remained steadfast, declaring, “I am a Christian.” In prison, the women suffered hardship—Felicity even gave birth in jail. Perpetua received heavenly visions foreshadowing their martyrdom. During a brutal public execution, they faced wild beasts and the sword with unwavering faith. Their heroic witness inspired many, and Perpetua’s written account became a treasured text in the early Church. St. Felicity Time Period: d. 203 Feast Day: March 7 Title/Attributes: Mother, Martyr Location of Relic: Main Reliquary - Left Section Type of Relic: Bones Saints Perpetua and Felicity were young women in Carthage around 181-203 AD. Perpetua was a rich young wife in Carthage, who had just given birth to a son. Felicity was Perpetua’s slave, and was about to have a baby of her own. Perpetua’s mother and brothers were Christian, but her father was a pagan. So when Perpetua told her father she wanted to be baptized, he flew into a rage. “Why can’t you just keep your faith secret?” he asked her. “Don’t you know you can be killed for becoming a Christian?” “Do you see this jar of water on the table?” Perpetua asked him. “Can you call it anything but a jar of water? Can you call it a hurricane? Or an elephant?” “No,” her father said. “I’m a Christian,” Perpetua told him. “I can’t call myself anything else.” Her father was so angry he didn’t talk with her for days. While he still wasn’t speaking to her, Perpetua was baptized, along with Felicity and several other slaves. And just as Perpetua’s father feared, when the Roman rulers heard about it, Perpetua and her friends were all arrested, along with her teacher, Saturus. The prison they were thrown in was hot and dark. The guards pushed and shoved the prisoners, even Felicity, who was about to give birth. Worst of all, they took Perpetua’s baby son away from her. She wasn’t allowed to see him until her mother and brother brought the child to her so she could nurse him. Nobody knew what was going to happen next. Would they be set free? Would they be killed? “You should ask God for a vision,” Perpetua’s brother told her. So Perpetua prayed, and that night God gave her a dream. In the dream, she saw a huge bronze ladder. All along it were swords, spears, hooks, and knives. The only possible way to climb it was to always look up, never down. If someone looked away for even a moment, they’d be torn apart. At the bottom of the ladder was a giant serpent, ready to bite anyone who tried to climb. Saturus, Perpetua and Felicity’s teacher, was in the dream too. He started to climb up the ladder. “Don’t let the snake bit you,” he called back to Perpetua. “It will not hurt me,” Perpetua said. “In the name of Jesus Christ.” When the snake heard that name, it bowed its head, afraid. So instead of stepping on the first rung of the ladder, Perpetua stepped on the snake’s head. Then she climbed all the way up the ladder, to a beautiful garden. It was full of thousands of people dressed in white. “Welcome, child,” a man said, and handed her a bowl of sweet milk. Perpetua could still taste the sweetness when she woke up. But when she told her brother the vision, they both knew what it meant: she wouldn’t be set free. She would be killed for her faith. Perpetua’s father came to visit her in jail, weeping. “Have pity on my gray hairs,” he said kissing her hands. “You’ve always been my favorite. Why don’t you just give up your faith?” “We don’t live in our own power,” Perpetua told him, “but in the power of God.” When Perpetua and Felicity and their friends were put on trial, her father came, holding her baby. “Just give a sacrifice for the emperor,” he said. “And this can all be over. Come home and raise your son.” The judge didn’t want to sentence Perpetua to death, either. “Why don’t you just do as your father says?” he asked. But Perpetua and Felicity and their friends refused to deny their faith, so all of them were sentenced to death. In the prison, it came time for Felicity to deliver her child. While the jailers made fun of her, in that hot, dark cell, she went into labor and gave birth to a beautiful daughter. Because Felicity couldn’t care for her little girl, she gave her to a free Christian woman, who promised to adopt her. The judge decreed that Felicity, Perpetua, and their friends should all be killed just two days later, during a feast in the amphitheater, in front of thousands of people who thought that seeing them die was nothing more than watching a game. Waiting in prison, Perpetua had another dream. She dreamed that when she was taken into the amphitheater, she turned into a man. Another man was there to fight her. He tried to trip her, but she kicked him in the face. As she rained blows down on his head, she realized she wasn’t even touching the ground anymore: she was flying. And when she won the fight, she was given a branch as a reward. Saturus had a dream in the prison as well. He dreamed that they were transported by four angels to a beautiful garden, where there were rose trees as big as cypresses, with leaves that sang. In the garden were other people who had been killed for their faith, and a building with walls made of light, where they met a man with a white head, surrounded by four elders. The day of the feast, Perpetua went to the amphitheater with her friends, singing. “You judge us,” they told the people who had come to watch them die. “But God judges you.” First, the men were led into the ring with wild beasts. Perpetua and Felicity watched as their friends were torn apart by leopards, bears, and a wild boar. They crowd loved it. But when Perpetua and Felicity were brought out, the crowd fell silent. They were shocked to see the young mothers stripped and in danger of being trampled by a wild cow. So before the cow could kill them, Perpetua and Felicity were taken out of the ring. Perpetua was in an ecstasy, a trance of faith so deep that she didn’t realize anything had happened to her. “When are we to be thrown to the beasts?” she asked. Her friends and her brother, who had been watching, showed her wounds to her to prove that she had already been sent into the ring. Before they dragged Perpetua and Felicity back out, she said her last words to her brother: “Stand fast in faith,” she told him. “And love one another.” Then Felicity and Perpetua were sent back into the ring. In the ring, a solider had been ordered to kill them by the sword. But the soldier was young. He didn’t know what he was doing, so when he stabbed Perpetua, she cried out in pain, but she wasn’t killed. Finally, Perpetua placed the blade on the neck herself. The young soldier sliced her throat, and she died. But her story wasn’t over, because she had written it down while she was in prison. After her death, it spread around the Roman Empire like wildfire. Some churches even read it during their services. And many of the people who saw how Perpetua and Felicity died became Christians – even the jailer who had held them once in prison. Saint names in Eucharistic Prayer I The first list begins with Mary and Joseph and then the “blessed Apostles and Martyrs,” including Peter, Paul, Andrew (Peter’s brother), James (“the Greater”: the brother of John), John, Thomas, James (“the Lesser”: the son of Alpheus), Matthew, Bartholomew, Simon (“the Zealot”), and Jude (also called Thaddeus). The First List of Saint Names Continuing this first list of saints in Eucharistic Prayer I, as Charles Belmonte notes, “Five popes head the list: St. Peter’s first three successors, Linus, Cletus, Clement; then two popes of the third century, Sixtus II and Cornelius; Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, the intrepid defender of Catholic unity; the deacon Lawrence, who when his persecutor demanded from him the ‘treasures’ of the Church, showed him hundreds of poor people; Chrysogonus, a Roman priest who carried out the holy work of comforting the Christians who were in prison; two brothers, John and Paul, both officers of the [Roman] imperial palace, who were put to death under [the emperor] Julian the Apostate; and lastly, Cosmas and Damian, two Oriental physicians who gave their aid freely, and at whose graves there occurred ‘yet more cures than they had effected in their lives’” (Understanding the Mass, p. 158). The Second List of Saint Names As for the second list of saints in Eucharistic Prayer I, we ask for “some share in the fellowship” of several saints who were martyrs. Belmonte continues, “It mentions, in the first place, John (here obviously St. John the Baptist), and then seven men, followed by seven women, all martyrs. Stephen is the first deacon, whose glorious martyrdom is recounted in the Acts of the Apostles (6:8-7:60). Two apostles come next: Matthias, elected to take the place of Judas (Acts 1:15-16) and probably left out of the first list so as not to exceed the number of twelve, and Barnabas, St. Paul’s companion in his first missionary journey. Ignatius is the famous bishop of Antioch, sentenced to be fed to the wild beasts in Rome under [emperor] Trajano. Besides their names and the place of their martyrdom, little else is known of Alexander, the priest Marcellinus, and the exorcist Peter, who were all put to death in the great persecution of [emperor] Diocletian. The list continues with the names of the two young girls, Felicity and Perpetua (their names form the expression ‘everlasting happiness’), who confessed their faith at Carthage [in North Africa]; and of Agatha and Lucy in Sicily. It concludes with the names of two young martyrs beloved by the Romans, Agnes and Cecelia; and of Anastasia, martyred at Sirmium and later honored in Rome” (Understanding the Mass, pp. 159–160). All these saints are important because they were among the many early witnesses to Jesus Christ and the Christian faith. These are our spiritual fathers, our older brothers and sisters in Christ, who showed us that our faith was worth living and dying for. They showed us that, strengthened by the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the presence of the Holy Spirit in their hearts, they could overcome any persecutions and sufferings, even to the point of being killed. These saints give us great hope, and their prayers for us give us confidence that we, too, can live out the faith as they did, that we can live our life in Christ every day and look forward to the glory of heaven! https://www.eucharisticrevival.org/post/do-this-in-remembrance-of-me-part-55-saint-names-epi Next Item Previous Item

Internet for Volunteers Internet Acceptable Usage Policy Acknowledgement of this policy is required for all campus volunteers wishing to have access to Parish technology. Please consult your ministry leader with any questions about technology access. Once a year in late summer we reset the password for the volunteer wifi signal. This is different than the guest signal that is reset every month. Because it is a long-term connection, we ask the volunteers to acknowledge an Internet Usage Policy in order to receive the password and connect to this volunteer signal. Once volunteers have submitted the form, they will receive an email with the new username and password for the upcoming faith formation year. IT Systems Policy Acknowledgement for Volunteers St. Anthony of Padua has established this policy with regard to access and disclosure of messages created, sent, received or stored by Parish volunteers using the Parish's Systems, which include the Parish's internet, email, telephone and voice mail systems, facsimile and modem equipment, and computer hardware and software ("Parish Systems"). The Parish Systems are Parish property and are intended for business and ministry purposes. Personal use should be kept to a minimum and should in no event interfere with a volunteer’s normal job duties and responsibilities. . The Parish owns the rights to all data and files stored in or on the Parish Systems. All messages (e-mail, instant messages, and voice mail) composed, sent, received or stored on the Parish Systems are and remain the property of the Parish. They are not the property of any volunteer and are subject to viewing, downloading, inspection, release and archiving by the Parish at all times. Volunteers have no expectation of privacy on any information, message, data, or information on or transmitted by any of the Parish Systems. The Parish may exercise its right to monitor, review, audit, intercept, access, and disclose all information created, received or sent over the Parish Systems for any purpose. The confidentiality of any information should not be assumed. Even if information is erased or deleted, it is still possible to retrieve and read the information. All use of Parish Systems becomes part of the Parish and is subject to disclosure to law enforcement or government officials or to other third parties through subpoena or other legal process. Consequently, volunteers should always ensure that their use of and business information contained in the Parish Systems is accurate, appropriate and lawful. To continue reading the policy, agree to the terms and receive the campus volunteer wifi credentials, visit the Usage Policy Agreement Form. USAGE POLICY AGREEMENT FORM Previous Item Next Item

Giving Giving Options Thank you for supporting the mission of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church! Below are different options for making a gift to our parish. For more information, check out the most commonly asked questions at the bottom of the page. If you still have questions, feel free to contact us at support@ap.church . Contact Us Questions Giving FAQs How do I change my payment method? Unfortunately, our parish staff is not able to edit your scheduled recurring giving amount or payment method for you. This is for your protection. Find detailed instructions on how to edit your card number, edit a card expiration date, change your bank account, change the dollar amount or frequency of your recurring gift here . Looking for your annual giving statement? Statements for 2023 were emailed on Friday, January 26, 2024, to donor accounts with annual giving to the email address found on your PushPay account profile from the address of no-reply@pushpay.com . If we have an EMAIL address for your profile in the PushPay system, you will receive an ELECTRONIC statement by email delivery. Detailed instructions on how to log into your PushPay account can be found here. ALL DONORS, regardless of how they give, have an online PushPay account. If you give cash in a giving envelope OR by check, we have created a PushPay account on your behalf and can help you get logged in to see your transactions and download a statement. If we do not have an email address for your profile in the PushPay system, but we do have a USPS mailing address, you will receive a PAPER statement by postal mail delivery IF you had a single contribution greater than $250 and we have a USPS mailing address for the donor. If you do not have an email address on file in PushPay and you do not have a mailing address on file in PushPay, we are happy to send you a statement upon request. Send your inquiry to support@ap.church . Want to stop (or start) receiving envelopes? Do you give online but still receive Giving Envelopes? By choosing to give online instead of by envelope, you will save the parish money and cut the cost of printing and shipping! Let us know you no longer want to receive envelopes by filling out the Envelope Change Request Form. Can I set up a Corporate Matching Gift? Corporate matching gifts are a type of philanthropy in which companies financially match donations their employees make to nonprofit organizations. When an employee makes a donation, they’ll request the matching gift from their employer, who then makes their own donation. Some companies have a policy against contributing to religious organizations, but will match donations made to institutions affiliated with houses of worship that provide a service to community members regardless of religious beliefs, such as St. Anthony’s Bread (the food pantry of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church). St. Anthony’s Bread is the 2nd largest distributor of food in Montgomery County, Texas. Please check with your employer to see if a Matching Gift can be made to either St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church or to St. Anthony’s Bread. EIN is 76-0545136. How do you keep my information secure? Due to an increase in identity theft, the credit card brands (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express) have developed a security standard to help protect cardholder data. It is called the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). When using the St. Anthony of Padua+Pushpay payment portal, your cardholder data is handled carefully as it is transmitted through the St. Anthony of Padua+Pushpay system to our Merchant Provider's system. Responsibility for the security of your cardholder data can be broken up into two categories. St. Anthony of Padua+Pushpay are responsible for the security of all cardholder data transmitted through its systems. To ensure that your cardholder data is handled securely, St. Anthony of Padua has been assessed by a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) and found to be compliant with the PCI DSS as a Level 1 Service Provider. Our Merchant Provider is responsible for the security of all cardholder data transmitted, stored, and processed on their systems. Merchant Providers also maintain compliance with the PCI DSS. My Catholic Will Create a Will For FREE! As a gift to you we are proud to sponsor free access to MyCatholicWill.com so that you can protect your family, ensure your wishes are carried out, and support our Parish with your Legacy of Faith. Complete a legal will in 20 minutes or less. Start My Free Will Parish Endowment Investing in the St. Anthony of Padua Parish Endowment is a meaningful way to leave a lasting legacy—one that nurtures our parish and sustains the faith for generations to come. Learn More Gift in Your Will or Trust Remembering our parish in your will or trust is a meaningful way to extend your faith and generosity beyond your lifetime More Information Beneficiary Designation Naming our parish as a beneficiary of a retirement account, life insurance policy, or other financial asset is a simple way to make a lasting impact without changing your will or trust. More Information

St. Benedict of Nursia was an influential monk and the founder of Western monasticism. Born in Italy, he sought a life of solitude and prayer, eventually establishing a monastic community at Monte Cassino. There, he wrote the Rule of St. Benedict, a guide for monastic life emphasizing balance, moderation, and obedience. The Rule shaped Western monastic practices, stressing communal living, work, and prayer. Benedict’s teachings spread across Europe, profoundly influencing medieval monasticism and Western Christianity. The St. Benedict Medal conveys a message of trust in God’s power and His ability to overcome evil. St. Benedict of Nursia Time Period: 480-547 Feast Day: July 11 Title/Attributes: Abbot, Founder of Benedictines Location of Relic: Back Right Reliquary - Left Section Type of Relic: Bones Saint Benedict was born c. 480, in Nursia. He was the founder of the Benedictine monastery at Monte Cassino and father of Western monasticism; the Rule that he established became the norm for monastic living throughout Europe. In 1964, in view of the work of monks following the Benedictine Rule in the evangelization and civilization of so many European countries in the Middle Ages, Pope Paul VI proclaimed him the patron saint of all Europe. The only recognized authority for the facts of Benedict’s life is book 2 of the Dialogues of St. Gregory I, who said that he had obtained his information from four of Benedict’s disciples. Though Gregory’s work includes many signs and wonders, his outline of Benedict’s life may be accepted as historical. He gives no dates, however. Benedict was born of good family and was sent by his parents to Roman schools. His life spanned the decades in which the decayed imperial city became the Rome of the medieval papacy. In Benedict’s youth, Rome under Theodoric still retained vestiges of the old administrative and governmental system, with a Senate and consuls. In 546 Rome was sacked and emptied of inhabitants by the Gothic king Totila, and, when the attempt of Emperor Justinian I to reconquer and hold Italy failed, the papacy filled the administrative vacuum and shortly thereafter became the sovereign power of a small Italian dominion virtually independent of the Eastern Empire. Benedict thus served as a link between the monasticism of the East and the new age that was dawning. Shocked by the licentiousness of Rome, he retired as a young man to Enfide (modern Affile) in the Simbruinian hills and later to a cave in the rocks beside the lake then existing near the ruins of Nero’s palace above Subiaco, 64 km (40 miles) east of Rome in the foothills of the Abruzzi. There he lived alone for three years, furnished with food and monastic garb by Romanus, a monk of one of the numerous monasteries nearby. When the fame of his sanctity spread, Benedict was persuaded to become abbot of one of these monasteries. His reforming zeal was resisted, however, and an attempt was made to poison him. He returned to his cave, but again disciples flocked to him, and he founded 12 monasteries, each with 12 monks, with himself in general control of all. Patricians and senators of Rome offered their sons to become monks under his care, and from these novices came two of his best-known disciples, Maurus and Placid. Later, disturbed by the intrigues of a neighboring priest, he left the area, while the 12 monasteries continued in existence. A few disciples followed Benedict south, where he settled on the summit of a hill rising steeply above Cassino, halfway between Rome and Naples. The district was still largely pagan, but the people were converted by his preaching. His sister Scholastica, who came to live nearby as the head of a nunnery, died shortly before her brother. The only certain date in Benedict’s life is given by a visit from the Gothic king Totila about 542. Benedict’s feast day is kept by monks on March 21, the traditional day of his death, and by the Roman Catholic Church in Europe on July 11. Benedict’s character, as Gregory points out, must be discovered from his Rule, and the impression given there is of a wise and mature sanctity, authoritative but fatherly, and firm but loving. It is that of a spiritual master, fitted and accustomed to rule and guide others, having himself found his peace in the acceptance of Christ. ”Saint Benedict of Nursia.” Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Benedict-of-Nursia Next Item Previous Item

Sts. Perpetua and Felicity were young Christian women martyred in Carthage around 203 AD. Perpetua, a noblewoman with a newborn son, and Felicity, her pregnant slave, were arrested for their faith after they were baptized. Despite pleas from Perpetua’s pagan father to renounce Christianity, she remained steadfast, declaring, “I am a Christian.” In prison, the women suffered hardship—Felicity even gave birth in jail. Perpetua received heavenly visions foreshadowing their martyrdom. During a brutal public execution, they faced wild beasts and the sword with unwavering faith. Their heroic witness inspired many, and Perpetua’s written account became a treasured text in the early Church. St. Perpetua Time Period: d. 203 Feast Day: March 7 Title/Attributes: Mother, Martyr Location of Relic: Main Reliquary - Left Section Type of Relic: Bones Saints Perpetua and Felicity were young women in Carthage around 181-203 AD. Perpetua was a rich young wife in Carthage, who had just given birth to a son. Felicity was Perpetua’s slave, and was about to have a baby of her own. Perpetua’s mother and brothers were Christian, but her father was a pagan. So when Perpetua told her father she wanted to be baptized, he flew into a rage. “Why can’t you just keep your faith secret?” he asked her. “Don’t you know you can be killed for becoming a Christian?” “Do you see this jar of water on the table?” Perpetua asked him. “Can you call it anything but a jar of water? Can you call it a hurricane? Or an elephant?” “No,” her father said. “I’m a Christian,” Perpetua told him. “I can’t call myself anything else.” Her father was so angry he didn’t talk with her for days. While he still wasn’t speaking to her, Perpetua was baptized, along with Felicity and several other slaves. And just as Perpetua’s father feared, when the Roman rulers heard about it, Perpetua and her friends were all arrested, along with her teacher, Saturus. The prison they were thrown in was hot and dark. The guards pushed and shoved the prisoners, even Felicity, who was about to give birth. Worst of all, they took Perpetua’s baby son away from her. She wasn’t allowed to see him until her mother and brother brought the child to her so she could nurse him. Nobody knew what was going to happen next. Would they be set free? Would they be killed? “You should ask God for a vision,” Perpetua’s brother told her. So Perpetua prayed, and that night God gave her a dream. In the dream, she saw a huge bronze ladder. All along it were swords, spears, hooks, and knives. The only possible way to climb it was to always look up, never down. If someone looked away for even a moment, they’d be torn apart. At the bottom of the ladder was a giant serpent, ready to bite anyone who tried to climb. Saturus, Perpetua and Felicity’s teacher, was in the dream too. He started to climb up the ladder. “Don’t let the snake bit you,” he called back to Perpetua. “It will not hurt me,” Perpetua said. “In the name of Jesus Christ.” When the snake heard that name, it bowed its head, afraid. So instead of stepping on the first rung of the ladder, Perpetua stepped on the snake’s head. Then she climbed all the way up the ladder, to a beautiful garden. It was full of thousands of people dressed in white. “Welcome, child,” a man said, and handed her a bowl of sweet milk. Perpetua could still taste the sweetness when she woke up. But when she told her brother the vision, they both knew what it meant: she wouldn’t be set free. She would be killed for her faith. Perpetua’s father came to visit her in jail, weeping. “Have pity on my gray hairs,” he said kissing her hands. “You’ve always been my favorite. Why don’t you just give up your faith?” “We don’t live in our own power,” Perpetua told him, “but in the power of God.” When Perpetua and Felicity and their friends were put on trial, her father came, holding her baby. “Just give a sacrifice for the emperor,” he said. “And this can all be over. Come home and raise your son.” The judge didn’t want to sentence Perpetua to death, either. “Why don’t you just do as your father says?” he asked. But Perpetua and Felicity and their friends refused to deny their faith, so all of them were sentenced to death. In the prison, it came time for Felicity to deliver her child. While the jailers made fun of her, in that hot, dark cell, she went into labor and gave birth to a beautiful daughter. Because Felicity couldn’t care for her little girl, she gave her to a free Christian woman, who promised to adopt her. The judge decreed that Felicity, Perpetua, and their friends should all be killed just two days later, during a feast in the amphitheater, in front of thousands of people who thought that seeing them die was nothing more than watching a game. Waiting in prison, Perpetua had another dream. She dreamed that when she was taken into the amphitheater, she turned into a man. Another man was there to fight her. He tried to trip her, but she kicked him in the face. As she rained blows down on his head, she realized she wasn’t even touching the ground anymore: she was flying. And when she won the fight, she was given a branch as a reward. Saturus had a dream in the prison as well. He dreamed that they were transported by four angels to a beautiful garden, where there were rose trees as big as cypresses, with leaves that sang. In the garden were other people who had been killed for their faith, and a building with walls made of light, where they met a man with a white head, surrounded by four elders. The day of the feast, Perpetua went to the amphitheater with her friends, signing. “You judge us,” they told the people who had come to watch them die. “But God judges you.” First, the men were led into the ring with wild beasts. Perpetua and Felicity watched as their friends were torn apart by leopards, bears, and a wild boar. They crowd loved it. But when Perpetua and Felicity were brought out, the crowd fell silent. They were shocked to see the young mothers stripped and in danger of being trampled by a wild cow. So before the cow could kill them, Perpetua and Felicity were taken out of the ring. Perpetua was in an ecstasy, a trance of faith so deep that she didn’t realize anything had happened to her. “When are we to be thrown to the beasts?” she asked. Her friends and her brother, who had been watching, showed her wounds to her to prove that she had already been sent into the ring. Before they dragged Perpetua and Felicity back out, she said her last words to her brother: “Stand fast in faith,” she told him. “And love one another.” Then Felicity and Perpetua were sent back into the ring. In the ring, a solider had been ordered to kill them by the sword. But the soldier was young. He didn’t know what he was doing, so when he stabbed Perpetua, she cried out in pain, but she wasn’t killed. Finally, Perpetua placed the blade on the neck herself. The young soldier sliced her throat, and she died. But her story wasn’t over, because she had written it down while she was in prison. After her death, it spread around the Roman Empire like wildfire. Some churches even read it during their services. And many of the people who saw how Perpetua and Felicity died became Christians – even the jailer who had held them once in prison. Saint names in Eucharistic Prayer I The first list begins with Mary and Joseph and then the “blessed Apostles and Martyrs,” including Peter, Paul, Andrew (Peter’s brother), James (“the Greater”: the brother of John), John, Thomas, James (“the Lesser”: the son of Alpheus), Matthew, Bartholomew, Simon (“the Zealot”), and Jude (also called Thaddeus). The First List of Saint Names Continuing this first list of saints in Eucharistic Prayer I, as Charles Belmonte notes, “Five popes head the list: St. Peter’s first three successors, Linus, Cletus, Clement; then two popes of the third century, Sixtus II and Cornelius; Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, the intrepid defender of Catholic unity; the deacon Lawrence, who when his persecutor demanded from him the ‘treasures’ of the Church, showed him hundreds of poor people; Chrysogonus, a Roman priest who carried out the holy work of comforting the Christians who were in prison; two brothers, John and Paul, both officers of the [Roman] imperial palace, who were put to death under [the emperor] Julian the Apostate; and lastly, Cosmas and Damian, two Oriental physicians who gave their aid freely, and at whose graves there occurred ‘yet more cures than they had effected in their lives’” (Understanding the Mass, p. 158). The Second List of Saint Names As for the second list of saints in Eucharistic Prayer I, we ask for “some share in the fellowship” of several saints who were martyrs. Belmonte continues, “It mentions, in the first place, John (here obviously St. John the Baptist), and then seven men, followed by seven women, all martyrs. Stephen is the first deacon, whose glorious martyrdom is recounted in the Acts of the Apostles (6:8-7:60). Two apostles come next: Matthias, elected to take the place of Judas (Acts 1:15-16) and probably left out of the first list so as not to exceed the number of twelve, and Barnabas, St. Paul’s companion in his first missionary journey. Ignatius is the famous bishop of Antioch, sentenced to be fed to the wild beasts in Rome under [emperor] Trajano. Besides their names and the place of their martyrdom, little else is known of Alexander, the priest Marcellinus, and the exorcist Peter, who were all put to death in the great persecution of [emperor] Diocletian. The list continues with the names of the two young girls, Felicity and Perpetua (their names form the expression ‘everlasting happiness’), who confessed their faith at Carthage [in North Africa]; and of Agatha and Lucy in Sicily. It concludes with the names of two young martyrs beloved by the Romans, Agnes and Cecelia; and of Anastasia, martyred at Sirmium and later honored in Rome” (Understanding the Mass, pp. 159–160). All these saints are important because they were among the many early witnesses to Jesus Christ and the Christian faith. These are our spiritual fathers, our older brothers and sisters in Christ, who showed us that our faith was worth living and dying for. They showed us that, strengthened by the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the presence of the Holy Spirit in their hearts, they could overcome any persecutions and sufferings, even to the point of being killed. These saints give us great hope, and their prayers for us give us confidence that we, too, can live out the faith as they did, that we can live our life in Christ every day and look forward to the glory of heaven! https://www.eucharisticrevival.org/post/do-this-in-remembrance-of-me-part-55-saint-names-epi Next Item Previous Item