Today, November 26, is the memorial of Blessed James Alberione. Founder of the Society of Saint Paul (SSP), the Daughters of Saint Paul (DSP), the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master (PDDM), and the Sisters of Jesus Good Shepherd (SJBP), among others. James was born in 1884 to a farming family in Cuneo, Italy. He …
Today, November 25, is the memorial of Blessed Luigi and Maria Quattrocchi. They are the first married couple to be beatified together. Luigi Vita Quattrocchi was an adopted son of his aunt and uncle while keeping in close contact with his biological parents. He eventually became a lawyer and held various important positions in banks …
Today, November 24, is the memorial of Saint Andrew Dung-Lac & Companion-Martyrs of Vietnam. Andrew was born Trần An Dũng in 1795 to pagan parents. He got his Christian name during baptism and learned Chinese and Latin. Before becoming a priest in 1823, he was a catechist. He was known as a tireless preacher and …
Today, November 23, is the memorial of Blessed Miguel Pro. Born to a privileged family in 1891 in Zacatecas, Mexico, Miguel grew up establishing friendships with the poor and working classes. Despite coming from a wealthy mining family, he was a humble, witty man. He became a Jesuit novice at age 20. He was exiled …
Today, November 22, is the feast of Saint Cecilia. Patron saint of musicians. Cecilia came from a well-known and wealthy Roman family. Her parents, who largely ignored her vow of perpetual virginity, arranged her marriage to nobleman Valerian. On her wedding night, Cecilia successfully convinced Valerian to respect her vow of virginity and converted him …
Fr. Toon Mol, O.Carm. ✞ November 22, 2015 On this day we remember Fr. Toon Mol, O.Carm. whose life was a gift to the church in the Philippines. Fr. Toon served the Carmelite community in Escalante City, Negros Occidental for around 40 years. Let us remember Fr. Toon in our prayers. A few words of …
Today, November 21, is the memorial of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary. Mary’s parents, Joachim and Anne, who had been childless, received a heavenly message that they would have a child. In thanksgiving for the gift of their daughter, they brought her, when still a child, to the Temple in Jerusalem to consecrate her …
Fr. Jan Simon Westendorp, O.Carm. November 19, 1936 – November 21, 1983 On this day we remember Fr. Simon Westendorp, O.Carm. whose life was a gift to the church in the Philippines. Fr. Simon worked wholeheartedly on social justice, wanting to bring God’s kingdom to the poor. His engagement with the Rural Missionaries of the …
Bro. Frans Kleine Koerkamp, a.O.Carm. Feb 11, 1936 – Nov 20, 2020 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 Bro. Frans Kleine Koerkamp, aO.Carm. with these words from Prof. Antonio …
Today, November 19, is the memorial of Saint Raphael Kalinowski. Carmelite friar. He was born Jozef Kalinowski to a noble Polish family in Vilnius, Lithuania in 1835. When he turned 18, he joined the Imperial Russian Army and got promoted to Captain years later. He later resigned from the Army and became minister of war …