- St. Christina of Bolsena (307). Martyr, Patron or Patroness, Virgin. Patroness of millers & archers. (Traditional)
- St. James the Greater (42). Apostle, Martyr, Patron or Patroness. Patron of Spain & laborers. (Current, Traditional)
- St. Sharbel Makhlลซf (1898). Priest. (Current) Hermit
- Vigil of St. James the Greater (42). Apostle, Martyr, Patron or Patroness. Patron of Spain & laborers. (Traditional)
ST. CHRISTINA was the daughter of a rich and powerful magistrate named Urbain. Her father, who was deep in the practices of heathenism, had a number of golden idols, which our Saint destroyed and distributed the pieces among the poor. Infuriated by this act, Urban became the persecutor of his daughter; he had her whipped with rods and then thrown into a dungeon. Christina remained unshaken in her faith. Her tormentor then had her body torn by iron hooks, and fastened her to a rack beneath which a fire was kindled. But God watched over His servant and turned the flames upon the lookers-on. Christina was next seized, a heavy stone tied about her neck, and she was thrown into the lake of Bolsena, but she was saved by an angel, and outlived her father, who died of spite. Later, this martyr suffered the most inhuman torments under the judge who succeeded her father, and finally was thrown into a burning furnace, where she remained, unhurt, for five days. By the power of Christ, she overcame the serpents among which she was thrown; then her tongue was cut out, and afterwards, being pierced with arrows, she gained the martyrโs crown at Tyro, a city which formerly stood on an island in the lake of Bolsena, in Italy, but was long since swallowed up by the waters. Her relics are now at Palermo, in Sicily.
WORD OF THE DAY
ACTUAL GRACE. Temporary supernatural intervention by God to enlighten the mind or strengthen the will to perform supernatural actions that lead to heaven. Actual grace is therefore a transient divine assistance to enable man to obtain, retain, or grow in supernatural grace and the life of God. See also EFFICACIOUS GRACE, GRACE, HABITUAL GRACE, JUSTIFYING GRACE, SACRAMENTAL GRACE, SANCTIFYING GRACE, SUFFICIENT GRACE.
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!)
July, Month of the Precious Blood
The Precious BIood of Jesus – Short Meditations for July. July 24th โ The Fourth Shedding of the Precious Blood.ย
