FIRST SATURDAY

• St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1539). Founder or Foundress, Priest. (Current, Traditional) Founder of the Clerks Regular of St. Paul
• St. Athanasius the Athonite (1003). Abbot or Abbess. (Historical)
• St. Elizabeth of Portugal (1336). (Current) Queen

PETER OF LUXEMBURG, descended both by his father and mother from the noblest families in Europe, was born in Lorraine, in the year 1369. When but a schoolboy, twelve years of age, he went to London as a hostage for his brother, the Count of St. Pol, who had been taken prisoner. The English were so won by Peter’s holy example that they released him at the end of the year, taking his word for the ransom. Richard Il. now invited him to remain at the English court; but Peter returned to Paris, determined to have no master but Christ. At the early age of fifteen, he was appointed, on account of his prudence and sanctity, Bishop of Metz, and made his public entry into his see barefoot and riding an ass. He governed his diocese with all the zeal and prudence of maturity, and divided his revenues in three parts-for the Church, the poor, and his household. His charities often left him personally destitute, and he had but twenty pence left when he died. Created Cardinal of St. George, his austerities in the midst of a court were so severe that he was ordered to moderate them. Peter replied, “I shall always be an unprofitable servant, but I can at least obey.” Ten months after his promotion, he fell sick of a fever, and lingered for some time in a sinking condition, his holiness increasing as he drew near his end. St. Peter, it was believed, never stained his soul by mortal sin; yet, as he grew in grace, his holy hatred of self became more and more intense. At length, when he had received the last Sacraments, he forced his attendants each in turn to scourge him for his faults, and then lay silent till he died. But God was pleased to glorify His servant. Among other miracles is the following: On July 5th, 1432, a child about twelve years old was killed by falling from a high tower, in the palace of Avignon, upon a sharp rock. The father, distracted with grief, picked up the scattered pieces of the skull and brains, and carried them in a sack, with the mutilated body of his son, to St. Peter’s shrine, and with many tears besought the Saint’s intercession. After a while, the child returned to life, and was placed upon the altar for all to witness. In honor of this miracle, the city of Avignon chose St. Peter as its patron Saint. He died A.D. 1381, aged eighteen years.

REFLECTION: St. Peter teaches us how, by self-denial, rank, riches, the highest dignities, and all this world can give, may serve to make a Saint.

WORD OF THE DAY

CHINA, OUR LADY OF. A Marian sanctuary in the village of Tong Lu near Peiping. In 1900 the village was attacked by about ten thousand rioters during the Boxer Rebellion. In their rage they started to shoot skyward where a woman dressed in white had appeared, but her apparition did not fade. The crazed mob was put to flight at the appearance of a strange horseman. Father Wu, a Chinese priest, admitted having prayed to Mary for help. A church was built on the site, honoring a picture of Mary and the Christ Child which was placed over the main altar. During the progress of the Red Revolution, the people had the treasured painting copied, and when the Chinese Communists destroyed the Tong Lu church the copy was burned. But the original picture known as Our Lady of China had been hidden and is now thought to be in the possession of some faithful priests living in disguise.

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 5th — Types of the Precious Blood: (2) The Blood of the Paschal Lamb.