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Dominican Laity
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Calendar of Saints Jan | Feb | Mar | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec
January
1. Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Solemnity
1.
1.
1. Stigmata of St. Catherine of Siena
May
1. Joseph the Worker
1. Justin, martyr Memorial
1. Bl. Junipero Serra [U.S.A.]
1. Alphonsus Liguori,bishop and doctor Memorial
1.
1. Theresa of the Child Jesus, virgin Memorial
1. ALL
SAINTS Solemnity
1.
Bl. John of Vercelli, Friar, Priest and Master
Sunday within octave of Christmas or Dec 30 JANUARY 3 - THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS COMMEMORATION [Top of Page] In the revised Roman Calendar, the conferral of the Holy Name of Jesus is recalled on January 1, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. [CR, n.35] However, a separate votive Mass under this title is found in the revised Roman Missal, and may be used for an annual celebration (e.g. titular of a Church) or as an expression of devotion which is part of the tradition and spirituality of the Order. While January 3 is suggested for this votive Mass and Office, they may be celebrated on any day which is not impeded by another celebration. From the Votive Office of the Holy Name of Jesus (in a separate booklet.) JANUARY 3 - Blessed Stephana Quinzani SISTER AND VIRGIN [Top of Page] Blessed Stephana was born in 1457 near Brescia, Italy. She was particularly devoted to the Passion of our Lord and bore the marks of his stigmata. At the same time she experienced spiritual aridity as well as doubts and temptations. She founded a convent at Socino where she and her sisters led a regular life. Well-known for her service to the poor, she died at Socino on January 2, 1530. JANUARY 4 - Saint Zedislava Berkiana LAY DOMINICAN AND WIFE [Top of Page] Saint Zedislava was born in Moravia around the year 1220. As a wife and mother she provided well for-her own family and was also known as a loving mother of the poor. She received the Dominican habit and together with her husband helped to build up the Order in Bohemia. Renowned for her service to the poor, she died in 1252. JANUARY 7 - Saint Raymond of Peņafort FRIAR, PRIEST AND MASTER OF THE ORDER - MEMORIAL Born at Peņafort in Catalonia around the year 1175, Saint Raymond was a priest of the church of Barcelona. He became a distinguished theologian and professor of canon law at the University of Bologna and while there joined the Order in 1222. During his own lifetime he was known for his Summa which he composed as an aid for confessors. Upon the order of Gregory IX he compiled the Decretals which remained in use until the present century. Elected third Master of the Order (1238-1240) Raymond served his brothers faithfully. He encouraged the friars to engage in dialogue with Moslems and Jews, established a school for the study of Arabic languages and the Koran and aided the friars of Our Lady of Mercy in their work in northern Africa. He died in Barcelona on January 6, 1275. JANUARY 10 - Blessed Gonsalvo of Amarante, FRIAR AND PRIEST [Top of Page] Born around 1187 in the diocese of Braga, Portugal, Blessed Gonsalvo became a parish priest. After spending fourteen years travelling about the Holy Land and the sanctuaries of Rome, he took up the eremitical life. Eventually he was inspired to enter the Dominican Order. After his introduction to religious life he obtained permission to return with a companion to Amarante, the scene of his earlier solitude, and there took up the life of a hermit once again. He spent his time in contemplation, ascetical practices and in catechising the people of the area. He died at Amarante in 1259. JANUARY 10 - Blessed Ann of the Angels Monteagudo, NUN AND VIRGIN [Top of Page] Blessed Ann was born in Arequipa, Peru, in the year 1602 and in 1619 professed solemn vows in the monastery of St. Catherine of Siena. There she fulfilled the offices of sacristan, mistress of novices and prioress. She was completely taken up in prayer with God, yet did not neglect the needs of her neighbours. She died in Arequipa on January 10, 1686. JANUARY 11 - Blessed Bernard Scammacca, FRIAR AND PRIEST [Top of Page] Blessed Bernard was born in Sicily in the year 1430. As a young man he suffered a serious leg wound which became the means of his conversion from a life of dissipation. He entered the Order in 1452 and strove to conform himself to Christ crucified through works of charity, acts of penance and contemplation of the Passion. Bernard was especially known for his care of the sick and the poor and he established a hospital to serve them. He promoted the regular life in the Order and was a gifted preacher. He died on January 11, 1487. JANUARY 18 - Saint Margaret of Hungary, NUN AND VIRGIN. MEMORIAL, For the Nuns of the Order: FEAST Margaret was born in 1242, the daughter of Bela IV, King of Hungary, and Maria Lascaris, daughter of the emperor of Constantinople. Before her birth her parents had vowed to dedicate their child to God if Hungary would be victorious over the invading Tartars. Their prayers were answered, and so, when almost four years old, Margaret was placed in the Dominican monastery of Veszprim. At the age of twelve she moved to a new monastery built by her father near Buda and there made profession into the hands of Humbert of Romans. Margaret lived a life totally dedicated to Christ crucified and inspired her sisters by her asceticism, her works of mercy, her pursuit of peace, and her humble service. She had a special love for the Eucharist and the Passion of Christ and showed a special devotion to the Holy Spirit and Our Lady. She died on January 18, 1270. JANUARY 19 - Blessed Andrew of Peschiera, FRIAR AND PRIEST [Top of Page] Blessed Andrew was born at Peschiera, Italy in 1400 and entered the Order in a reformed priory of the Congregation of Lombardy. Itinerant. preaching was his life's ministry, especially in the Valtelline region of the Italian Alps where he laboured for forty-five years. Travelling on foot and living with the poor, he reconciled many to Christ. He died at the priory of Morbegno on January 18, 1485. JANUARY 22 - Blessed Anthony Della Chiesa, FRIAR AND PRIEST [Top of Page] A member of the noble Della Chiesa family, Blessed Anthony was born at San Germano, Italy, in 1394 and received the Dominican habit at Vercelli in 1417. He served as prior in several convents of the Order and laboured to restore the regular life. He was known for his gentle, yet firm treatment of human frailty. He died on January 22, 1459. In Australia JANUARY 23 - Blessed Henry Suso, FRIAR AND PRIEST [Top of Page] Blessed Henry Suso was born in Constance-Swabia, Germany, towards the end of the thirteen century and is associated with Meister Eckhart and John Tauler in the school of Dominican spirituality know as the "Rhineland Mystics." He pursued Divine Wisdom and manifested a great love for the Passion of the Lord. In his writings he taught detachment from all sensible reality and union with God through the contemplation of the perfections and sufferings of Christ. He died in Ulm on January 25, 1366. JANUARY 27 - Blessed Marcolino of Forli, FRIAR AND PRIEST [Top of Page] Blessed Marcolino was born in Forli, Italy, in 1317 and entered the Dominican Order as a youth. He loved silence and solitude and was noted for his devotion to the Virgin Mother of God. He supported the reform efforts of Raymond of Capua, faithfully carried out his priestly ministry and performed works of charity. He was a counsellor for many, especially of the sick. He died on January 24, 1397. JANUARY 28 - Saint Thomas Aquinas, FRIAR, PRIEST AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH, FEAST Saint Thomas, a member of the noble family of Aquino, was born in the castle of Rocca Sicca in 1225 and spent his early years at the Abbey of Monte Cassino, Against his family's wishes he entered the Order of Preachers at Naples (1244) and was sent to Cologne to complete his studies under the direction of Saint Albert the Great. He devoted all his energy to the service of truth, eagerlysearching it out, lovingly contemplating it, and imparting it to others through hiswriting, his teaching and his preaching. His life was marked by devotion to the Passion of the Lord, to the mystery of the Eucharist, and to the Virgin Mary,Mother of God. Because of his fidelity to regular life, his love of truth, and hispiety, the Order recognises him as a model for its own pursuit of truth. He died at Fossanova on March 7, 1274,while on his way to the Council of Lyons. He was declared Patron of all Universities and Catholic Schools by LeoXIII. This date recalls the translation of his remains to Toulouse. JANUARY 29 - Blessed Villana de' Botti, LAY DOMINICAN AND WIFE [Top of Page] Blessed Villana, the daughter of a rich merchant, was born at Florence in 1332. She married the wealthy Pietro Benitendo and together with her husband lived a worldly life which their wealth sustained. Realising the emptiness of her life, Villana went to the friars of Santa Maria Novella to confess her sins and ask for the habit of the sisters of Penance of St. Dominic. She took up the study of scripture and the contemplation of Christ crucified and drew other women to follow her example. She died on January 29, 1361.
February 3 - Blessed Peter of Ruffia, FRIAR, PRIEST AND MARTYR
[Top of Page]
FEBRUARY 3 - Blessed Anthony of Pavonio, FRIAR,
PRIEST AND MARTYR
[Top of Page]
FEBRUARY 3 - Blessed Bartholomew of Cerverio, FRIAR, PRIEST AND MARTYR
[Top of Page]
FEBRUARY 4 - Saint Catherine de' Ricci, SISTER AND VIRGIN, MEMORIAL
[Top of Page]
FEBRUARY 7 - Anniversary of Deceased Parents,
[Top of Page]
FEBRUARY 12 - Blessed Reginald of Orleans, FRIAR AND PRIEST, OPTIONAL MEMORIAL
FEBRUARY 13 - Blessed Jordan of Saxony, FRIAR, PRIEST AND MASTER OF THE ORDER, MEMORIAL Blessed Jordan was born at Burgberg, Westphalia, around the year 1185. While studying in aris he was attracted to the Order by Blessed Reginald and received the habit from him in 1220. On the eath of Saint Dominic the friars elected him Master of the Order. For fifteen years he ministered to his rothers and sisters by his preaching, his letters, his edition of the Constitutions, his frequent visitations and he example of his life. More than one thousand novices were attracted to the Order during the tenure of his ffice. He directed Blessed Diana and her community in the way of perfection and governed all his subjects ith gentleness and kindness. His love for Mary, the Mother of God, expressed itself by his decree that the alve Regina was to be sung after compline. Blessed Jordan was shipwrecked and drowned on February 13, 1237.
FEBRUARY 16 - Blessed Nicholas of Paglia, FRIAR AND PRIEST
[Top of Page]
FEBRUARY 18 - Blessed John of Fiesole (Fra Angelico), FRIAR AND PRIEST, OPTIONAL
MEMORIAL
FEBRUARY 19 - Blessed Alvarez of Cordoba, FRIAR AND PRIEST
[Top of Page]
FEBRUARY 20 - Blessed Christopher of Milan, FRIAR AND PRIEST
[Top of Page]
FEBRUARY 24 - Blessed Constantius of Fabriano, FRIAR AND PRIEST
[Top of Page] August 21 - Our Lady of Knock [Top of Page] On the evening of August 21, 1879 Mary McLoughlin, the housekeeper to the parish priest of Knock, County Mayo, ireland, was astonished to see the outside south wall of the church bathed in a mysterious light; there were three figures standing in front of the wall, which she mistook for replacements of the stone figures destroyed in a storm. She rushed through the rain to her friend Margaret Byrne's house. After a half hour Mary decided to leave and Margaret's sister Mary agreed to walk home with her. As they passed the church they saw and amazing vision very clearly: Standing out from the gable and to the west of it appeared the Blessed Virgin, St. Joseph and St. John. The figure of the Blessed Virgin was life-size, while the others seemed to be neither as large nor as tall. They stood a little away from the gable wall about two feet from the ground. The Virgin was erect with her eyes toward Heaven, and she was wearing a large white cloak hanging in full folds; on her head was a large crown. Mary Byrne ran to tell her family while Mary McLoughlin gazed at the apparition. Soon a crowd gathered and all saw the apparition. The parish priest, Archdeacon Cavanaugh, did not come out, however, and his absence was a disappointment to the devout villagers. Among the witnesses were Patrick Hill and John Curry. As Patrick later described the scene: 'The figures were fully rounded, as if they had a body and life. They did not speak but, as we drew near, they retreated a little towards the wall.' Patrick reported that he got close enough to make out the words in the book held by the figure of St. John. An old woman named Bridget trench drew closer to embrace the feet of the Virgin, but the figure seemed always beyond reach. Others out in the fields and some distance away saw a strange light around the church. The vision lasted for about three hours and then faded. The next day a group of villagers went to see the priest, who accepted the their report as genuine; he wrote to the diocesan Bishop of Tuam; then the Church set up a commission to interview a number of the people claiming to witness the apparition. The diocesan hierarchy was not convinced, and some members of the commission ridiculed the visionaries, alleging they were victims of a hoax perpetrated by the local Protestant constable! But the ordinary people were not so skeptical, and the first pilgrimages to knock began in 1880. Two years later Archbishop John Joseph Lynch of Toronto made a visit to the parish and claimed he had been healed by the Virgin of Knock. In due course many of the witnesses died. But Mary Byrne married, raised six children, living her entire life in Knock. When interviewed again in 1963 at the age of eighty-six, her account did not vary from the first report she gave in 1879. The village of Knock was transformed by the thousands who came to commemorate the vision and to ask for healing for others and themselves. The local church was too small to accommodate the crowds. In 1976 a new church, Our Lady Queen of Ireland, was erected. It holds more than two thousand and needs to, for each year more than a half million visitors arrive to pay their respects to the Blessed Virgin. The Church approved the the apparition in 1971 as being quite probable, although it has never been formally stated. The Shrine at Knock is opened year round. In 1994 three life-sized statues were erected of Our Lady, St. Joseph and St. John
August 26 - OUR LADY OF CZESTOCHOWA [Top of Page]
Many cultists think that the "Black Madonna" is really black. However, it is a painting of the Jewish Mother of Jesus. People living in the Holy Lands have darker skin than those living in the North. This is because of the harsh climate and hot sun.
The history, traditions, and miracles of Czestochowa are part of the heritage of the Polish people. Upon this page, we will explore its impact on Eastern Europe. Up to the 1300's, there is not much written about the origin and early history of this famous painting of the Virgin Mother and Child. Church traditions state that the painting (Mary sat for the portrait) was done on a wooden (cypress) table top, from a table made by Jesus Christ. After his death on the cross, The Blessed Mother, Mary, took this table to the home of Saint John, who was her guardian. The painting was made by Saint Luke, and was hid in the Catacombs of Jerusalem for three hundred (300) years. Here is the sequence of events: In the year, 326, Saint Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great (first Christian Emperor of Rome), wanted to locate the relic (Our Lady) and the true cross. Even though she was getting old, it is said that she went to Jerusalem, and with God's help, she found it. She proceeded to give it to her son. Constantine built a church at Constantinople and dedicated this church to the Blessed Mother, and the painting was housed here from many years. Constantine's city was called New Rome and it chose the Mother of God as their patroness. The painting became famous. When the Saracens besieged the city, the painting was carried through the streets in a solemn processional by the nobles and officials, and the Saracens fled. It was thought that they already considered this painting to have strength, because of its reputation for miracles. The painting survived the reign of Emperor Izauryn, who wanted all holy objects and relics burned. At this time, the painting was hidden in the Emperor's own palace, by his own wife, Irene. Irene gave the Holy Image to Pulcheria and Pulcheria passed it down through her descendants, The painting was in Constantinople for five hundred years (500).
The painting went from Constantinople into Russia; then to Halicia; and finally the castle of Belzki/Belz. Royalty from the East married daughters of these countries and their dowry was this sacred painting, a gift from the Byzantium Empire to a Ruthenian noblemen.
All the above were Russian princesses. The Opolsey princes were also related to the Polish kings. For example,Ladislaus was an Opolski prince (later Louis, King of Poland and Hungary). Casimir the Great (in 1352), made the Ukraine part of the Kingdom of Poland (1370-1382). Louis was crowned after his death, in 1390. Ladislaus of Hungary, who also became "King," captured all the castles of the Russian lords, including Castle Belzki (where the painting had been for five hundred (500) years. When the Jasna Gora Monastery was founded, when the Paulites were granted a small timber church. Then in 1430, they built a larger brick church, which was completed before the middle of the 15th century. Father Izydor Lesczcynski painted scenes showing the life of Mary and Jesus and the miracles performed at Jasna Gora, while side altars were painted by Father Felicjan Ratynski. The walls of the basillica were re-vaulted between 1692 and 1695. In 1382, when the Tartars attacked the castle, an arrow entered the chapel where the painting hung, and made a scar on the throat of the Virgin. Ladislaw wanted to take the painting to Opala, his birthplace, located in upper Silesia. He thought he could guard the painting from further damage. On the road to Opala, he stopped at Czestochowa. He placed the painting in a wooden parish church there. This church was under the patronage of the Assumption of Our Blessed Mother. When Ladislaus attempted to continue his journey, with the portrait on his wagon, the horses could not move it. Ladislaus then decided that the painting should remain in Czestochowa on Jasna Gora (bright hill). Klasztor Paulinow (the Paulite Monastery) is on top of Jasna Gora. This monastery resembled a Baroque fortress, and was founded in 1382 by Duke Wladyslaw Opolczk. The portrait was left there in the Church of the Assumption. This event occured on August 26, 1382, which was the Wednesday after the feast of St. Bartholomew, which is today called the Feast of Our Lady of Czestochowa. Ladislaus/Wladyslaw ordered the erection of Jasna Gora as a convent, church, and cloister. The Pauline Fathers from the Convent of Nosztre, Hungary were entrusted to care for this portrait. In 1382, the recorded history of this painting begins. In 1430, the Hussites made two scars on the Virgin's face. An artist tried to cover these scars, but they continued to reappear. In 1655, the monastery held out against the Swedish Army; in 1685, it was the Turks; and in 1920, it was the Bolsheviks. The portrait had three dresses: One of previous jewels; the other was beaded in rich colors; while another was of pearls. In 1909, the gold crown and the pearl dress of Constanty Sobieski, the king's son, were stolen. Then they made a silver dress. Every Holy Thursday these dresses were changed. The present crown of gold, decorated with jewels; was a gift from Pope Pious X. The first crown was given by Pope Clement XI, in 1717 (this was the crown stolen in 1901). In 1717, a ceremony was performed by Bishop Jan Krystof Szembek, as the first official cornation of the painting. On this day, one-hundred, forty eight thousand (148,000) received the Holy Eucharist. In 1910, a second cornation took place with the Bishop of Wlaclaw, Stanislaus Zdzitowiecki. Since this painting is Jewish, in origin, Mary has Jewish features and it has been darkened (over the centuries) by candle smoke and body lanolin from people's lips (kissing it). In 1925, the Pauline Fathers restored the painting (from November 1925 to March 1926), and replaced it upon the altar. The first time it was renovated was in 1430, during the reign of Jagiello, and the second time was in 1682, during the reign of King John Sobieski. After the 1925 restoration, the dresses were never put directly on the painting, from that point on there was always a protective device between the painting and the dresses. MIRACLES ATTRIBUTED TO OUR LADY OF CZESTOCHOWA:In tradition, many knights never went into battle without a medal of Our Lady hanging around their neck. Andrew Jezowski was the name of one such knight. In 1677, he was doing battle against the Tartars and Turks (with 1,500 men), at the battle of Wojnilowa. When he was taken captive, as might be expected, Andrew was tortured and starved. When he was disrobed, no doubt to take a beating, they took his medal from his neck. To desecrate it, they threw it under the feet of horses. Andrew begged for the return of the medal, a plea that fell on deaf ears. He was tortured and after that thrown into a prison cell. He prayed to Our Lady of Czestochowa and his medal was said to appear suddenly, on his cot. His kissed the image and placed it back around his neck. As soon as they noticed the necklace had returned, they tried to remove it a second time. It could not be taken off. They gave up and left it there. The men were a bit taken back by this event, so he was freed and returned to Warsaw. Another soldier was similarly saved. In 1672, Sir Adam Strzalkowski, was threatened by a Tartar's sword. He prayed and the Tartar's hand began to shake violently, causing the sword to drop. The executioner picked up the sword, and tried again, with similar results. Adam returned home briefly, then went to another battle. His medal again spared his life. This time he was shot and a hole went through his armor, but was stopped by Our Lady, which afterwards carried the imprint of the bullet. Colonel Stanislus Jazowski was traveling in 1743, during a plague epidemic. He fell from his horse stricken by the fever. He could not move from the ground, because of his sudden weakness. He prayed: "Our Lady of Czestochowa, help me." He fainted away and slept. He began to float in the air, and saw his own image laying on the ground below. He knew, at that moment, that he must be dying. However, as he floated, he then saw the image of the Blessed Virgin. She spoke: "Fear not, you will live." He woke up later feeling revived and healthy. Princess Anna Wisniowiecka went boating in 1613. As soon as she was a distance from the shore, a storm approached rapidly. The violent wind scared her and she lost hold of her oars. The sky grew darker and she could barely see the oar in the water. In her attempt to reach it, she fell into the water of the now angry river. She was terrified, since she could not swim. She called out desperately: "Our Lady of Czestochowa, help me." The Lady appeared and helped the young woman safely to the shore. The princess showed her gratitude by presenting a silver plaque to Czestochowa to commemerate her rescue. On May 29, 1921, Anna Korsak, from Lublin, was cured of an incurable eye disease and regained her sight. A blind, deaf, and dumb man, named Martin Obietynski was similarly cured and made able to hear, see, and speak. Many people died of epidemics in central Europe in 1622, 1625, 1630, 1677, and 1707; and Crakow (Kracow), Warsaw, Lwow and other cities were devastated. However, the city of Czestochowa was never touched. The Pauline fathers were prepared for an epidemic that never came. Those who prayed, at the Madonna, were saved. Countess Mniszchowa, of Lubomir, was in pain and had a burning fever. Her doctors gave her medicines and practiced cures, but nothing worked. She had her servants take her to Czestochowa in 1744. She prayed for several days at the foot of the painting, begging Our Lady to save her. She then noticed pilgrims pouring water on their afflictions and being cured before her eyes. The Countess did the same and prayed again. She was cured and traveled home. The court artist, James Wezyk (of King Jagiello's court), was afflicted with eye problems. He thought this was the worst thing that could happen to an artist, since he could no long see and paint the beauty of the world. Being an artist and not being able to paint greatly troubled him. Court physicians could not cure him. The artist lived in Wilno (Vilno), Lithuania. In 1392, he learned of Jasna Gora and Czestochowa. This was thousands of kilometers from Wilno, but he was determined to make the trip, as his last chance at a cure. He made the trip to Jasna Gora and entered the chapel and began to pray. His eyes suddenly filled with tears as he tried to look upon the face of the Blessed Mother. Since he was almost completely blind it was difficult to see. However, a voice instructed him where to look. He looked in that direction and beheld a radiant glow of light and a beautiful painting with the face of Our Lady. His eyesight returned and he dedicated the rest of his life to painting images of the Virgin Mary. This miracle was verified by Bishop Martin Szyszkowski, an eyewitness to the miracle. In 1784, on an estate in Krzewiny; Francis Bialkowski, the estate's adnministrator, noticed a peasant stealing their wood. The thief was scared of the consequences of his thievery, and attacked the onlooker, hoping to avoid his fate. He wounded the administrator with his axe. Francis, though greatly shaken by the blow, ran towards his horse to escape. The peasant again attacked. The victim prayed: "Our Lady of Czestochowa, help me." The attacker trampled Bialkowski, stabbed him with a rod and left him for dead," then fled the scene. Hours passed and the man lost a lot of blood, and felt as if he were leaving his mortal body, then suddenly he was in the world again. The man regained consciousness and prayed" "O Mother of God, I thank thee for saving my life." The man had enough strength to get home and be treated for his wounds, which healed rapidly. He return to the Shrine again and again to thank Our Lady for sparing his life.
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