- Seven Joys of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (Historical)
- St. Caesarian of Arles (543). Bishop. (Historical)
- St. Joseph Calasanctius (Calasanz) (1648). Founder or Foundress, Priest. (Traditional) Founder of Piarists
- St. Monica (387). Patron or Patroness. Patroness of Mothers. (Current) St. Augustine’s mother
ST. JOSEPH CALASANCTIUS was born in Arragon, A.D. 1556. When only five years old, he led a troop of children through the streets to find the devil and kill him. He became a priest, and was engaged in various reforms, when he heard a voice saying, “Go to Rome,” and had a vision of many children who were being taught by him and by a company of angels. When he reached the Holy City, his heart was moved by the vice and ignorance of the children of the poor. Their need mastered his humility, and he founded the Order of Clerks Regular of the Pious Schools. He himself provided all that was necessary for the education of the children, receiving nothing from them in payment, and there were soon about a thousand scholars of every rank under his care. Each lesson began with prayer. Every half-hour devotion was renewed by acts of faith, hope, and charity, and towards the end of school-time the children were instructed in the Christian doctrine. They were then escorted home by the masters, so as to escape all harm by the way. But enemies arose against Joseph from among his own subjects. They accused him to the Holy Office, and at the age of eighty-six he was led through the streets to prison. At last the Order was reduced to a simple congregation. It was not restored to its former privileges till after the Saint’s death. Yet he died full of hope. “My work,” he said, “was done solely for the love of God.”
REFLECTION: “My children,” said the Curé of Ars, “I often think that most of the Christians who are lost are lost for want of instruction; they do not know their religion well.”
WORD OF THE DAY
SECOND COMING OF CHRIST. "I am going now to prepare a place for you and after I have gone and prepared a place for you, I shall return to take you with me" (John 14:3). This promise, which Jesus made to his Apostles the night before he died, will be the culmination of his incarnation and redemption. On the occasion of his Ascension, angels repeated the promise. "This same Jesus will come back in the same way as you have seen Him go there" (Acts 1:11). When the Second Coming will be, no one knows. Some of his devoted followers were mistaken in thinking that the return would take place in a short time, possibly in their lifetime. Nevertheless, that promise is the basis of Christian hope. As Paul wrote to Titus: "We must be self-restrained and live good and religious lives here in this present world while we are waiting in hope for the blessing which will come with the Appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus" (Titus 2:13).
Modern Catholic Dictionary, Fr. John Hardon SJ (Get the real one at Eternal Life — don’t accept an abridged or edited version of this masterpiece!)
