Saints Intercede For Us

We felt this section was necessary after reading and praying for so many intentions that we have in common. It is often known that the saints intercede on our behalf for special intentions. We pray to Our Divine Master and His Most Merciful Mother that they accept the intercession of the saints for us. It will take a while to get all of the Saints' bios. And feast days up but patience is a virtue and In God’s time all will be accomplished.

List Of Saints

Feast Of Assumption
St. Bernard of Clairvaux
St. Jane Chantal
St. John Eudes
St. Peregrine Laziosi
St. Maximillian Kolbe
St. Roch

St. Maximillian Kolbe
Feast Day: August 14

Patron of: The Pro-Life Movement Drug, Alcohol and Sexual Addiction Eating Disorders Healing: Spiritual, Mental and Physical Families Prisoners Conversions Success in a new ministry Journalists This difficult age in history

St. Maximilian was born Raymond Kolbe in Poland, January 8, 1894. In 1910, he entered the Conventual Franciscan Order. He was sent to study in Rome where he contracted tuberculosis, which afflicted him all his life. Before ordination, he founded the Militia Immaculata (MI) on October 16, 1917 to promote consecration to Mary.

He was ordained in 1918, returned to Poland in 1919 and began spreading his Militia of the Immaculata movement especially through print media. His magazine “Knight of the Immaculata”, went to hundreds of thousands of readers from his “City of the Immaculata”, the Franciscan friary that grew to 800 friars by 1939. The friars utilized the most modern printing and administrative techniques. This enabled them to publish countless catechetical and devotional tracts, a daily newspaper with a circulation of 230,000 and a monthly magazine with a circulation of over one million. Maximilian started a shortwave radio station and planned to build a motion picture studio--he was a true "apostle of the mass media." He established a City of the Immaculata in Nagasaki, Japan, in 1930, and envisioned missionary centers worldwide.

Maximilian was a ground-breaking theologian. His insights into the Immaculate Conception anticipated the Marian theology of the Second Vatican Council and further developed the Church's understanding of Mary as "Mediatrix" of all the graces of the Trinity, and as "Advocate" for God's people.

In 1941, the Nazis imprisoned Father Maximilian in the Auschwitz death camp. There he offered his life for another prisoner, a father with children, and along with 9 other prisioners was condemned to slow death in a starvation bunker. On August 14, 1941, his impatient captors ended his life with a fatal injection. Pope John Paul II canonized Maximilian as a "martyr of charity" in 1982.


PRAYERS

For the Grace to be an Instrument
Almighty and Eternal God, you gave us in the person of St. Maximilian an example of true devotion to the Immaculate Mother of our Savior and of unselfish love for our neighbor. Grant we beseech you through his intercession, that we may grow in our understanding and love of the Immaculata; that we may recognize her presence, her voice, her love and her power with us and be filled with an ardent desire and will to fulfill her will in every detail, and thus become sharers and true instruments of her most perfect response to you, in the Holy Spirit through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Novena
O St. Maximilian Kolbe, faithful follower of St. Francis of Assisi, inflamed by the love of God, you dedicate your life to the practice of virtue and to works of charity. Look kindly upon us who devoutly confide the following petitions to your intercession (here mention your special requests).

Having consecrated yourself to the Immaculate Virgin Mary, you founded the Militia Immaculata (MI) movement so that the Blessed Virgin might lead countless souls to holiness by inspiring them to do good, avoid evil and spread the Kingdom of God. Obtain for us, through her, the grace of drawing many souls to Christ.

In your close conformity to our Divine Savior, you reached such an intense degree of charity that you offered your life to save that of a fellow prisoner. Implore God that we, inflamed by such ardent charity, may, through our faith and good works, witness Christ’s love for the world and thus merit to join you in the blessed vision of God. Amen.

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St. Roch
(St. Rocco, St. Rock)
Feast Day: August 16

Name Means: The Rock Patron of: Diseases Plague Cholera Invalids Epidemics Dogs Surgeons Falsely Accused Individuals

The date of the birth of St. Rocco cannot be determined with exactness, but it is aid that he was born about 1295 at Montpellier, France. His father held a position of power and influence in the city. After the death of his parents, when he was about twenty years of age, the young man had no inclination to take his father’s position, but handed over the position to his uncle. He then distributed his wealth to the poor and set out to journey to Italy.

St. Rocco dressed in the clothes of a pilgrim and departed for Rome. At that time, Italy was stricken with a rampant disease. San Rocco cured many of this dreaded disease by praying for them and making the sign of the cross. During his travels, he too contracted the plague which was evident by an open sore on his leg. Rocco was banished from the city and took refuge in a cave. Here he slept on leaves and drank water from a small stream. Miraculously a dog that refused to eat, faithfully brought him bread as a means of sustenance. The dog used to leave a nearby castle and the Lord of this castle having a curious nature followed this dog into the woods and discovered Rocco. The nobleman had pity on Rocco and brought him to his castle where Rocco was cured.

St. Rocco traveled through northern Italy for two or three more years before returning to his birthplace in France. So weak and sick from suffering, the townspeople did not recognize him and he was thrown into jail as a spy without any proof. But yet he was kept in prison for five years. On August 16, 1378, a guard entered his cell and found St. Rocco near death. The dungeon was illuminated with a blue light radiating from his body. Upon hearing this, the Governor demanded to know St. Rocco's identity. St. Rocco faintly replied, I am your nephew Rocco. Only one thing could prove that, so he had him disrobed and the red cross-like mark was visible on the left side of his chest. The Governor and the townspeople present in the cell then believed. A voice from paradise was heard announcing that St. Rocco's soul had merited immortal glory in Heaven. Even after his death, St. Rocco performed many miracles.

Saint Rocco is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church as the protector against the plague and all contagious diseases. The statue of Saint Rocco is considered unique among theologians because of his pose. It is most unusual because it depicts him with his left hand pointing to an open sore on his left leg. Few images of saints expose any afflictions or handicaps. His body is enclosed in a glass tomb in the church of San Rocco in Venice, Italy. We commemorate the death of this great follower of Christ on August 16th of each year.


PRAYERS

Dear Mendicant Pilgrim, you once took care of sufferers from the plague and were always ready to help others by kind service and fervent prayers. You yourself had no home and you died in a dungeon. No wonder countless invalids have confidently invoked your help. Please grant a cure to (name of the sufferer), and help us all become spiritually healthy. Amen.

O Great St. Rocco, deliver us, we beseech thee, from the scourges of God, through thy intercession, preserve our bodies from contagious diseases, our souls from the contagion of sin. Obtain for us salubrious air, but above all, purity of heart. Assist us to make good use of our health, to bear sufferings with patience; and after thy example to live in the practice of penance and charity, that we may one day enjoy the happiness which thou has merited by thy virtues. St. Rocco, pray for us (3 times)

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Feast of Assumption of
Our Lady Into Heaven
Feast Day: August 15

Today August 15th we celebrate the Assumption of Mary Our Merciful Mother into Heaven. It is a Holy Day of Obligation meaning that Catholics have a responsibility to attend Mass.

This feast is the completion of Mary's physical work here on earth and a time when Her physical body and soul was taken into heaven. From the time of Her Immaculate Conception it was never God's plan to have the body that brought forth the Son of God to corrupt here on earth. In 1950 Pope Pius XII declared Mary's Assumption as a dogma of the Catholic Faith.

"In giving birth you kept your virginity; in your Dormition you did not leave the world, O Mother of God, but were joined to the source of Life. You conceived the living God and, by your prayers, will deliver our souls from death." [Byzantine Liturgy, Troparion, Feast of the Dormition, August 15th.]" - (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #966).

Many ask what is the difference between the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven and Mary's Assumption. The name "Assumption" is important, and one should be careful not to mix expressions here; in Catholic terminology, the "Assumption" is something that God did to Mary in bringing her into heaven, over which she had no control, while "Ascension" is what Jesus, being divine, did under his own power. Let us always remember that Mary ALWAYS trusted in God's Mercy. She was the "perfect human being, without original sin" created for the specific purpose of bringing the Son of God into the world. Her trust in Jesus' mercy was faithful throughout her entire life. From the time as a young mother, when she was first told by Simeon and Anna in the temple about what Jesus' life would be like, she trusted. When people turned away from her child and throughout His Passion and Crucifixtion she never doubted and always had Faith and Trust in God's Mercy. As painful as her motherhood was, Mary always forgave and always believed regardless of how difficult her sufferings became.

Today, on this most Blessed Feast let us try our best to TRUST unconditionally and ask fervently for an increase in Faith and Mercy. Never forget, we were told to ASK. God awaits our call for help. So, in our prayers, let us believe that all we ask for, if it is God's Holy will, it will be granted through Our Divine Master and His Most Merciful Mother especially on Mary's Blessed Feast Day.

"O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee."(3 times) - God Bless+

"Oh blood and water which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of Mercy for Us, I TRUST In You!"

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St. Peregrine Laziosi
Feast Day: May 4

Patron of: Cancer patients Life threatening diseases

Peregrine was born in Forli, Italy, around 1265. At that time, Forli was governed by the Pope as part of the Papal States, and Peregrine grew up in a family that was actively involved in the opposition, or anti-papal party. Because of anti-papal activity, the city was under the church penalty of interdict, meaning that Mass and the Sacraments could not be celebrated there. St. Philip Benizi, Prior General of the Servants of Mary, went to Forli to preach reconciliation. Young Peregrine, very intense in his political fervor, not only heckled Philip during his preaching, but, in fact, struck him. Philip, instead of responding with anger and violence to the attack, turned and forgave Peregrine.

This encounter with Philip is said to have dramatically changed Peregrine. He began channeling his energy into good works and eventually joined the Servants of Mary in Siena, Italy. He returned to Forli, where he spent the rest of his life, dedicating himself to the sick, the poor, and those on the fringes of society. He also imposed on himself the penance of standing whenever it was not necessary to sit. This led to varicose veins, which later deteriorated into an open sore on his leg, and was eventually diagnosed as cancer.

Peregrine's leg wound became so serious that the local surgeon decided to amputate the leg. The night before the surgery, Peregrine prayed before the image of the crucified Christ, and when he awoke, the wound was healed and his leg saved. He lived another 20 years, dying on May 1, 1345, and the age of about 80. Peregrine was canonized on December 27, 1726, and has been named the Patron Saint of those suffering from cancer.


PRAYERS

A Prayer to St. Peregrine for Sick Relatives and Friends
O great St. Peregrine, you have been called "The Mighty", the "The Wonder Worker" because of the numerous miracles which you obtained from God for those who have turned to you in their need. For so many years you bore in your own flesh this cancerous disease that destroys the very fiber of our being. You turned to God when the power of human beings could do no more, and you were favored with the vision of Jesus coming down from His cross to heal your affliction. I now ask God to heal these sick persons whom I entrust to you: (Here mention their names) Aided by your powerful intercession, I shall sing with Mary a hymn of gratitude to God for His great goodness and mercy. Amen.

Saint Peregrine, you have given us an example to follow; as a Christian you were steadfast in love; as a Servite you were faithful in service; as a penitent you humbly acknowledged your sin; afflicted you bore suffering with patience. Intercede for us, then, with our heavenly Father so that we steadfast, humble and patient may receive from Christ Jesus the grace we ask. Amen.

Novena
Glorious wonder-worker, St. Peregrine, you answered the divine call with a ready spirit, and forsook all the comforts of a life of ease and all the empty honors of the world to dedicate yourself to God in the Order of His holy Mother. You labored manfully for the salvation of souls. In union with Jesus crucified, you endured painful sufferings with such patience as to deserve to be healed miraculously of an incurable cancer in your leg by a touch of His divine hand.

Obtain for me the grace to answer every call of God and to fulfill His will in all the events of life. Enkindle in my heart a consuming zeal for the salvation of all men. Deliver me from the infirmities that afflict my body (especially.....). Obtain for me also a perfect resignation to the sufferings it may please God to send me, so that, imitating our crucified Savior and His sorrowful Mother, I may merit eternal glory in heaven.

St. Peregrine, pray for me and for all who invoke your aid.

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St. Jane Chantal
Feast Day: August 18

Patron of: Forgotten people In-law problems Loss of parents Parents separated from children Widows

Jane Frances Fremiot was born on January 23, 1572, into a prominent and prosperous family of Dijon, in France. Her father was the president of the parliament and a wealthy landowner; her mother, who died in childbirth when Jane was about eighteen months old, was a descendant of St. Bernard of Clairvaux.
By the time she was twenty, Jane was a beautiful, lively, charming young woman, not only rich and clever, but also possessing high ethical standards of service and a capacity for hard work.

In 1592, she was wed to Baron Christophe Rabutin-Chantal, a member of the aristocracy and a soldier in the king’s service, who did not hesitate to leave the care of his neglected estate to Jane. As result of her diligent efforts, the family lived comfortably. In spite of the fact that her first two children died in infancy, Jane was supremely happy in her role as wife and mother and administrator of a large property which gave her a chance to practice great charity toward the poor.

She set up soup kitchens and ovens to bake bread to feed the hungry of the neighborhood, she went to the homes of the sick to serve them as nurse and housekeeper, she organized a sort of relief work on a large scale, involving her servants and friends in her charitable interests.

About two weeks after the birth of her sixth child, her husband, Christophe, was fatally wounded in a hunting accident. Jane made a vow of chastity and gave her husband’s and her own elaborate state clothing and jewelry to neighboring churches for vestments and revenue; she reduced her household staff and devoted her spare time to prayer and works of service to the poor.

Within a few months her father-in-law demanded that she and her children come to live at his estate at Monthelon, which also needed a capable and firm management. Jane submitted to this demand, and, typically enough, turned this unhappy period of her life into a means of growth. Not only did she succeed in bringing order out of the domestic chaos, but did so in spite of the hindrances of a disagreeable housekeeper who resented her presence and who used her influence with the old baron to make life as difficult as possible for Jane.

At the same time Jane continued to carry on her works for the poor and sick, and undertook the care and education of the housekeeper’s children along with that of her own.

It was during this time that she met the Bishop of Geneva, the future St. Francis de Sales, who became her spiritual director. Under his guidance she learned to live a life of constant prayer in the midst of action, and to profit from the insults and arrogance she endured by increasing her patience, charity, forgiveness, and compliance with God’s will.

St. Francis de Sales confirmed her calling to live a consecrated life and invited her to join him in establishing a new type of religious life, one open to older women and those of delicate constitution, one that would stress the hidden, inner virtues of humility, obedience, poverty, even-tempered charity, and patience, one disciplined enough to be quite ordinary in the eyes of men, but quite extraordinary in the practice of love for God and others, one founded on the example of Mary in her journey of mercy to her cousin Elizabeth.

Over the strenuous objections of her family, Jane readily agreed to accept this challenge, and spent the remainder of her life, another thirty years, bringing the Bishop’s project to fruition. She traveled extensively throughout France and into Italy establishing foundations of the Congregation of the Visitation of Holy Mary.

In December of 1641 when Jane fell ill during a visit to the monastery in Moulins, she was more than ready to answer the summons of the Bridegroom. After dictating a circular letter to all the monasteries and making a firm act of faith, she received Holy Viaticum with great fervor. Slowly and distinctly she pronounced the name of Jesus three times and died at age 69.

At that moment in Paris, St. Vincent de Paul, her director after St. Francis de Sales, had a vision of a small globe of fire rising to join a more luminous globe, and the two rising higher to blend with an infinitely larger and more splendid sphere, and he knew that the souls of the two saints that he had known on earth had been reunited in death and had together returned to God, their first and last end.

The body of Saint Jane now reposes in the Church of the Visitation at Annecy, and her heart in the Church of the Visitation at La Charite, on the Loire.


PRAYERS

When shall it be that we shall taste the sweetness of the Divine Will in all that happens to us, considering in everything only His good pleasure, by whom it is certain that adversity is sent with as much love as prosperity, and as much for our good? When shall we cast ourselves undeservedly into the arms of our most loving Father in Heaven, leaving to Him the care of ourselves and of our affairs, and reserving only the desire of pleasing Him, and of serving Him well in all that we can?

Saint Jane, you forgave the man who killed your husband. Help me learn to forgive a particular person in my life who has caused me harm. You know how difficult it is to forgive. Help me to take the steps you took to welcome this person back into my life. Amen

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St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Abbot and Doctor of the Church
Feast Day: August 20

Patron of: Beekeepers Candlemakers

St. Bernard was born of noble parentage in Burgundy, France, in the castle of Fontaines near Dijon. Under the care of his pious parents he was sent at an early age to a college at Chatillon, where he was conspicuous for his remarkable piety and spirit of recollection. At the same place he entered upon the studies of theology and Holy Scripture. After the death of his mother, fearing the snares and temptations of the world, he resolved to embrace the newly established and very austere institute of the Cistercian Order, of which he was destined to become the greatest ornament. He also persuaded his brothers and several of his friends to follow his example. In 1113, St. Bernard, with thirty young noblemen, presented himself to the holy Abbot, St. Stephen, at Citeaux. After a novitiate spent in great fervor, he made his profession in the following year. His superior soon after, seeing the great progress he had made in the spiritual life, sent him with twelve monks to found a new monastery, which afterward became known as the celebrated Abbey of Clairvaux. St. Bernard was at once appointed Abbot and began that active life which has rendered him the most conspicuous figure in the history of the 12th century. He founded numerous other monasteries, composed a number of works and undertook many journeys for the honor of God.

Revised and reformed the Cistercians. Advisor to, and admonisher of, King Louis the Fat and King Louis the Young. Attended Second Lateran Council. Fought Albigensianism. Helped end the schism of anti-Pope Anacletus II. Preached in France, Italy, Germany. Helped organize the Second Crusade. Friend and biographer of Saint Malachy O'More. Spritual advisor to Pope Eugenius III, who had originally been one of his monks. First Cistercian monk placed on the calendar of saints. Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius VIII.

Several Bishoprics were offered him, but he refused them all. The reputation of St. Bernard spread far and wide; even the Popes were governed by his advice. He was commissioned by Pope Eugene III to preach the second Crusade. In obedience to the Sovereign Pontiff he traveled through France and Germany, and aroused the greatest enthusiasm for the holy war among the masses of the population. The failure of the expedition raised a great storm against the saint, but he attributed it to the sins of the Crusaders. St. Bernard was eminently endowed with the gift of miracles. He died on August 20, 1153.



PRAYERS

Remember O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known, that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee O Virgin of Virgins my mother, to thee to I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petition, but in thy mercy, here and answer me. Amen

“In dangers, in doubts, in difficulties, think of Mary, call upon Mary. Let not her name depart from your lips, never suffer it to leave your heart. And that you may more surely obtain the assistance of her prayer, neglect not to walk in her footsteps. With her for guide, you shall never go astray; while invoking her, you shall never lose heart; so long as she is in your mind, you are safe from deception; while she holds your hand, you cannot fall; under her protection you have nothing to fear; if she walks before you, you shall not grow weary; if she shows you favor, you shall reach the goal” (St. Bernard).


St. John Eudes
Feast Day: August 19

Founded: "Priests of Jesus and Mary" Congregation of "Sisters of Our Lady of Charity"

St John Eudes was born on 14th November 1601, of a peasant family at Ri, near Argentan in Normandy, France. Isaac Eudes, the father, had some education and had even considered the priesthood. He combined his skills on the land with the skills of a surgeon. Martha, his mother, shared her husband's uncompromising faith. John had two brothers, one of whom was an historian, Francois Eudes of Mezeray. John was taught Latin by a neighbouring priest and in 1615 he entered the Jesuit College of Caen. He did very well there at his classical studies which he prolonged by several years of theology. John however was not attracted so much to the Jesuits as to a new society of priests, founded in 1611, the congregation of the Oratory. Overcoming his father's opposition he finally joined the Oratorians in 1623 and was ordained priest in December, 1625. In his early years as a priest he worked heroically among plague victims, first in Argentan and later in Caen. From 1632 onwards, he devoted nearly all his activity to missions preached by the Oratorians. For 45 years he gave 2 or 3 missions of 4-8 weeks each year. He was for numerous people a spiritual master. He founded a society a widows, a type of secular institute. From 1641 John Eudes focused attention on the formation of priests, many of whom had little formal preparation for priesthood. This involvement led to him founding the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (Eudists) in 1643 whose aim was first the formation of priests, then any apostolic activity particular to the missions of the country

Also in 1641 John Eudes, responding to a challenge to do something practical for homeless women, initiated a refuge in Caen. At first he resisted forming a religious institute and relied on the support of a group of Visitandines. Eventually a new institute was established known as Our Lady of Charity of the Refuge. This congregation was officially approved by Rome in 1666. John Eudes endowed this congregation with solid constitutions and it was the only contemporary religious group to survive the French Revolution. It was to Our Lady of Charity of the Refuge in Tours that Rose Virginie (later St. Mary Euphrasia) Pelletier was attracted. Her origins in this congregation provided a solid basis for the development of the new congregation, Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd.

St John Eudes had great devotion to the hearts of Jesus and Mary and wrote extensively on these themes. His complete works, edited in 1905-1911 number twelve volumes. Pope Pius X proclaimed him "father, doctor and apostle of the liturgical cult of the Sacred Heart". He belongs to the French School of spirituality, characterised by its contemplation of Christ in the mystery of his Incarnation.

John Eudes' life was not without struggles. He was ostracised by his Oratorian brethren when he left them to found the Congregation of Jesus and Mary. At one time the Bishop of Bayeux forbade him to say mass at Caen. One of his worst trial was to fall into disgrace with the king, being unjustly accused of pledging unconditional obedience to the pope, contrary to the king's rights. He was accused of heresy by the Abbe d'Aunay. Throughout these trials he kept profound peace and always forgave his persecutors. John Eudes continued preaching as long as his health permitted. He spoke in the open air to a huge crowd at age 74. His last years were spent writing and he died on 19th August 1680. John Eudes was canonized on 31st May, 1925.



PRAYERS

Mercy - one of many prayers composed by St John Eudes
O most benevolent and most merciful Heart of Jesus, imprint in our hearts a perfect image of your great mercy, so that we may fulfil the commandment You gave us: "Be merciful as your Father is merciful".

Mother of mercy, look upon so much misery, so many poor people, so many captives, so many prisoners, so many men and women who suffer persecution at the hands of their brothers and sisters, so many defenceless people so many afflicted souls, so many troubled hearts. Mother of mercy, open the eyes of your clemency and see our desolation. Open the ears of your goodness and hear our supplication. Most loving and most powerful advocate, show that You are truly the Mother of Mercy.