Fr. Theodulf Vrakking, O.Carm. October 31, 1998 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 On this day we remember Fr. Theodulf Vrakking, O.Carm. whose life was a gift to the church in the Philippines. He …
Today, October 29, is the memorial of Blessed Chiara Badano. Born in 1971, Chiara was a bright and strong-willed child. Chiara was an only child, so her parents Ruggero and Maria Teresa enrolled her in the nearby kindergarten to make friends with other kids. When Chiara was nine years old, she discovered the Focolare Movement, …
Today, October 28, is the feast of Saint Jude and Saint Simon. St. Jude, also known as Thaddeus, was a brother of St. James the Lesser, and a relative of Jesus. According to the ancient writers, Jude preached the Gospel in Judea, Samaria, Idumaea, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Lybia. Eusebius wrote that he returned to Jerusalem …
Today, October 26, is the memorial of Blessed Jose Gregorio Hernandez. The future physician was born in 1864 in Trujillo, Venezuela. His parents, seller Benigno and housekeeper Josefa Antonia, had six children of which Jose Gregorio was the eldest. He had wanted to study law, but Josefa Antonia successfully convinced him to take medicine instead. …
Today, October 25, is the memorial of Blessed Recaredo Abad. Recaredo was born in the Diocese of Tortosa, Spain, where he studied. He also attended the seminary in Tarragona. He was ordained priest in 1929, having been inspired by his rector, Blesed Joe Maria Peris. He was a member of the Diocesan Worker Priests of …
Today, October 24, is the memorial of Saint Anthony Mary Claret. Founder of the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretians). Anthony Mary was born in Barcelona, Spain in 1807, and was the fifth of 11 children. He worked as a weaver in his youth. He wanted to join the …
Fr. Bernard Gerritsen Roosendaal, O.Carm. April 5, 1930 – October 23, 2019 Fr. Bernard Gerritsen Roosendaal, O.Carm. was born Bernardus Gerardus Johannes on April 5, 1930 in Doetinchem, Gelderland, the Netherlands to parents Antonius and Anna Maria. The third of seven children, he was raised in the farming village of Gaanderen, where he was also …
Fr. Edilberto Aguilar de la Peña, O.Carm. February 24, 1940 – October 23, 2019 Born to parents Constantino and Leonor de la Pena, Bert, as he is known to family, friends, and associates, was born in Mercy Hospital in Pasay City on February 24, 1940 and was baptised in Sta. Lucia Parish in Sasmuan, Pampanga. …
Today, October 22, is the memorial of Pope Saint John Paul II. Karol Wojtyla believed that God blessed him with a priestly vocation. After surviving two almost fatal accidents, he finally answered God’s call. He attended secret classes during the German occupation of Poland, and was ordained in 1946. Around this time he learned and …
Today, October 21, is the memorial of Blessed Charles of Austria. Charles was the last Emperor of Austria and the last King of Hungary. He was the husband of the Servant of God Empress Zita of Bourbon-Parma, whose own cause for beatification is already underway. Charles received a strong Catholic education, and developed a strong …