A Holy Life

Saint Francis Mary of Camporosso

Capuchin Lay Brother

Feast day – September 19

In the cemetery in Genoa a statue of Blessed Francis Mary may be seen which bears the following inscription:  “Francis of Camporosso was born December 27, 1804, and died on September 17, 1866.  This poor man in Christ was more blessed in giving than in receiving.  With bread and advice and consolation, he was ever prepared to minister to the sufferings and needs of all who came to him.  His austere and holy life he crowned with the sacrifice he made of himself at the beginning of the epidemic of 1866.  The sorrow and gratitude of the people prompted them to immortalize his image in this marble statue.”

It needed but a few words to say all that one could wish to have said of this apostle of the people.  As a shepherd in the little village of Camporosso near San Remo he was obliged to contribute to the support of his family.  Later he joined the Capuchins an Genoa.  There he clothed his ideals and intentions in the words: “I came to the convent to be its beast of burden.”

The opportunity was presented to him to carry out his intentions when he was made infirmarian, and especially when he was appointed to collect alms.  He called at the palaces of the nobles, but oftener at the huts of the poor in order to distribute to them the alms he had just begged.  He ventured to go into the ill-famed quarters of the seaport, where he would pick up the stones thrown at him and kiss them.  Soon it was reported of him from all sides that he was working miracles, cures, and conversions of a most unusual kind.  People of rank as well as the lowliest souls came to him to seek advice.

His love for our Blessed Lady was most touching.  He spent entire nights on his knees before the Blessed Sacrament.  When an epidemic broke out in 1866, he was seized with the desire to make his last and most magnanimous sacrifice.  He knelt before the altar of the Immaculate Virgin, and through her hands offered himself to God as a victim of expiation.  On September 17th, he departed this life as a victim.  The epidemic ceased that very day.  He was beatified by Pope Pius XI and canonized in 1962 by John XXIII.

Prayer

O God, who didst cause Thy humble servant Francis Mary to distinguish himself in an extraordinary way by works of charity, grant that by his merits and intercession Thy love may ever be increased in our hearts. Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Saint Francis Mary – Pray for us

A Holy Life

Saint Januarius

Patron saint of Naples, Italy

Feast day – September 19

Januarius, Bishop of Naples, is a martyr saint of the Roman Catholic and the Eastern Orthodox Churches. While no contemporary sources on his life are preserved, later sources and legends claim that he died during the Diocletianic Persecution, which ended with Diocletian's retirement in 305.

Januarius is the patron saint of Naples, where the faithful gather three times a year in Naples Cathedral to witness the alleged liquefaction of what is claimed to be a sample of his blood kept in a sealed glass ampoule.

Little is known of the life of Januarius, and what follows is mostly derived from later Christian sources, such as the Acta Bononensia (BHL 4132, not earlier than 6th century) and the Acta Vaticana (BHL 4115, 9th century), and from later-developing folk tradition. Now we know that he was born in Benevento. The earliest extant mention of him is contained in a 432 letter by Uranius, bishop of Nola, on the death of his mentor Saint Paulinus of Nola, where it is stated that the ghosts of Januarius and Saint Martin appeared to Paulinus three days before the latter's death in 431. About Januarius, the account says only that he was "bishop as well as martyr, an illustrious member of the Neapolitan church"  The Acta Bononensia says that "At Pozzuoli in Campania [is honored the memory] of the holy martyrs Januarius, Bishop of Beneventum, Festus his deacon, and Desiderius lector, together with Sossius deacon of the church of Misenum, Proculus, deacon of Pozzuoli, Eutyches and Acutius, who after chains and imprisonment were beheaded under the Emperor Diocletian".

Sources for this article were taken from the following books, available at www.fatimashoppe.org.

Prayer

O holy martyrs, and thou especially, O Januarius, the leader no less by the courage than by the pontifical dignity, your present glory increases our longing for Heaven; your past combats animate us to fight the good fight; your continual miracles confirm us in the faith. Praise and gratitude are therefore due to you on this day of your triumph; and we pay this our debt in the joy of our hearts. In return, extend to us the protection, of which the fortunate cities placed under your powerful patronage are so justly proud. Defend those faithful towns against the assaults of the evil one. In compensation for the falling away of society at large, offer to Christ our King the growing faith of all who pay you honor.

St. Januarius – Pray for us

Joy of Quotes

Whatever you are, be a good one.

Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 16:3