St. Denis (? to c.250)

A lot of what is known as miracles seems to defy all logic and science. One of the best examples I can think of is St. Denis.
He was born in Italy in the third century and was the first bishop of Paris, France. After encountering pagan priests who were not happy with his conversions, St. Denis was beheaded in c.250 in the modern day Montmartre section of Paris.
Once his head was chopped off, he picked it up and walked with it for six miles, preaching the entire way. Then, St. Denis handed his head to a religious woman and collapsed. A basilica was built in his honor on that very site in what is now called Saint-Denis in the northern part of Paris.
This is probably hard for most people to believe. And who can blame them? Even with his vocal chords severed and lungs no longer attached to his mouth, St. Denis continued to talk.
I'd like to know, why things like that don't happen today. St. Denis is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers (those saints whose intercession helps against specific diseases). He is the patron saint of possessed people and those with headaches. His feast day is Oct. 9.

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul

Of all the cities I've visited in my travels, I cannot think of a place more spectacular than Rome, Italy. There's more to it than world renowned architecture and art, high fashion, and five-star cuisine.
From the moment I arrived there on a train one midnight in August, and as I've mentioned throughout this blog, the Eternal City has been dear to me. It holds memories of a carefree youth, finding my faith, and learning more about my ethnic heritage.
There is so much that impressed me on my three trips to Rome. And, one of the things was June 29, a holiday in the city that honors the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. It is a liturgical feast which recognizes their martrydom. It was chosen because it was either the day they died or the day of translation of their relics (It was never determined since it happened so long ago).
St. Peter was born in 1 AD in Galilee and St. Paul in c.5 in Tarsus. They were Apostles of Christ who were martyred c.67.
Instead of writing about their lives, which most people know, there's something new and exciting I'd like to share. Just last week it was announced that the first icons of Saints Peter and Paul were discovered in a catacomb in Rome. They are in an underground burial chamber beneath an eight-story contemporary office building.
The icons were made in the second half of the fourth century and the images were uncovered through the use of a new laser technique that allows restorers to burn off centuries of thick white calcium carbonate deposits without destroying the brilliant dark colors of the original paintings underneath.

St. Lillian (? to 852)

"I have something to tell you," my coworker and friend, Kim, said with a smile at my desk this morning.
Before she could show me a ultrasound photo on her iPhone, I said, "Lily is pregnant."
Sure enough, I was right. Lily is a mutual friend and former coworker.
Nearly 18 months ago, we went to a Mexican mystic named Maria for psychic readings in Providence that Kim had told us about. While Lily was in a dark, candlelit room with Maria, I looked through religious products like Our Lady of Guadalupe body wash, St. Barbara dishwashing liquid, and St. Francis of Assisi air freshener in the main store. Everything was written in Spanish, but it was easy enough to figure out and good for a laugh or two.
When Lily's reading was done, she told me all about it (one outlandish thing after another) and concluded with Maria telling her she would have a baby and with whom. But, because the mystic was so religious and had one of the most extensive collections of Roman Catholic memorabilia I'd ever seen, I told Lily it would probably happen.
And, it did. Which opens up the discussion as to why some people can tap into things or have a keen intuition. Should we believe or shouldn't we? Is it a sin to go to religious psychics?
All I know is that we all have the ability to foresee things and that some people are a little more sensitive to it.
Lily's real name is Lillian. There was a St. Lillian (also known as St. Liliosa) who was a laywoman that lived amongst Muslims. She kept her faith to herself for a time, but eventually lived openly as a Christian. This led to her being martyred with her husband St. Felix in Cordoba, Spain in 852.
Her feast day is July 27.

St. Maelruain (? to 792)

Two days ago, I thought I'd stop writing this blog simply because a wave of doubt came over me. I felt like maybe there is nothing after we die and I'm wasting my time.
Perhaps my small contribution of promoting the saints is something that no one cares about, so why bother. That was on Friday.
This morning, I was at my friend Kathleen's and I noticed in a very subtle way that she had some of the religious items that I own. An old St. Francis statue in the yard, a special calendar of the saints and a Brigid Cross, made by our mutual friend, Laura, in the kitchen, and palms twisted into crosses hanging on a door.
Sure, anyone could have these things in their home but, with Kathleen, it meant something to me. Three years ago her husband died unexpectedly, when she was just 41. She could have given up then easily. Yet, her she is still running the family business, playing music, taking care of her house and gardens, and continuing to live a life filled with faith.
So, now I've decided to at least give it one more try. I will believe.
There is no St. Kathleen, but there are many saints with feast days on my friend's birthday, July 7. Kathleen was born in England to Irish parents, so I've chosen St. Maelruain (St. Maolruain), an abbot founder of Ireland.
He was a leader in the monastic movement and is responsible for creating a mythology of Tallaght (County Dublin) where he established a monastery. St. Maelruain died in 792 and is the patron saint of Tallaght.

St. Gertrude of Nivelles (626 to March 17, 659)

I'm extremely fortunate to have a good paying full-time job. But, sometimes, when things gets stressful, I imagine I work for myself.
After sleeping for as long as I want, I awaken as an herbalist. I have a breakfast parfait of nonfat strawberry yogurt, fresh fruit, and granola, and an iced coffee, Then I begin my day.
My gardens have the herbs that I need to supply my store. It's just like the one that Sandra Bullock works at in the movie "Practical Magic." And, I spend my days in a gratifying job helping appreciative people who do not scream at me to approve their work when they have not met their deadlines.
Now, I come back to reality.
St. Gertrude of Nivelles is the patron saint of herbalists. She was born in 626 in Landen, Belgium. St. Gertrude was a Benedictine abbess at a monastery in Nivelles.
There were many saints in her family including St. Itta (mother), St. Begga (sister), and St. Gudula (cousin).
When the son of a duke asked to marry St. Gertrude of Nivelles, she replied that only Jesus would be her bridegroom.
She died on March 17, 659 and her feast day is March 17.

Try this delicious ice cold limeade with mint in honor of St. Gertrude of Nivelles. It's green, of course, because of her feast day.

Ingredients
6 cups water, divided
1 3/4 cups sugar
1/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh mint
1 cup fresh lime juice (about 12 limes)
10 mint sprigs and 10 lime slices (for garnish)

Preparation
Combine 2 cups water, sugar, and chopped mint in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook until sugar dissolves, stir frequently. Remove from heat; let stand 10 minutes. Strain through a sieve into a bowl and discard solids.

Combine the remaining 4 cups water, sugar syrup, and lime juice in a large pitcher, stirring well. Serve over ice; garnish with mint sprigs and lime slices, if you'd like.

Virgin of Copacabana

The Virgin of Copacabana is a four foot tall statue of the Madonna created by Francisco Tito Yupanqui to help promote Christianity in the town in Bolivia (not to be mistaken for the thong-clad place in Rio de Janeiro). It was made from maguey wood and wears a wig and gold leaf clothing. It holds a straw basket and baton.
The Virgin of Copacabana, the patron saint of Bolivia, is responsible for many miracles. In 1949, the statue received a crown and the 16th century Spanish colonial shrine where its housed was named a basilica. The feast day is Aug. 5.

St. John the Baptist (c.6-2 BC to c. 36)

"On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for them and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she said, 'Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.'" (Matthew 13:6-8)

If you've ever wondered why the medicinal herb used to treat depression is called St. John's wort, it's because the plant is in full bloom on June 24, St. John's feast day.
The Gospel of Luke says that the birth of St. John the Baptist was foretold to Zachariah (his father) by Gabriel the Archangel.
He was born in Judaea six months before his cousin, Jesus, to Zachariah and Elizabeth, who was beyond childbearing years. St. John the Baptist began his ministry at age 27. He baptized Jesus and converted many people.
What I find the most amazing thing about St. John the Baptist is that he stepped aside with his own career to let Jesus lead the way.
Salome made the above comment which ended St. John the Baptist's life c.36. He is the patron saint of French Canada.

St. Drogo (1105 to 1185)

"Your looks will only get you so far," my mom would tell me when I was a teenager. "You'll see what I mean some day."
Maybe she was right, but I like to take care of myself, maybe just not to the point of vanity.
Sometimes, I can't imagine what it would be like to live without small luxuries, although, I understand why St. Francis of Assisi gave up his worldly possessions. So, if need be, I could do it.
As far as being ugly, you'd think that only in fairytales the grotesque would be hidden away in a cave or other type of dwelling. But, for St. Drogo, it was a reality.
He was born in Flanders, France in 1105. His mother died in childbirth and he blamed it on himself.
St. Drogo was orphaned as a teen, worked for a time as a shepherd, and made many pilgrimages to Rome, Italy. He was able to bilocate, being in two places at one time.
When he was in his twenties, St. Drogo received unsightly bodily affliction which caused him to be so ugly that he terrified anyone who laid eyes on him. He had to be locked away in a cell for the rest of his life.
St. Drogo lived by a church and was brought the Eucharist and a small amount of food each day which he received through a tiny window. He died in Sebourg in 1185 and his feast day is April 16.
St. Drogo is the patron saint of repulsive and unattractive people.

Our Lady of Loreto

On one of my trips to Italy, I was told that the house in which the Virgin Mary was born was carried by angels from the Holy Land and dropped at its final resting place in Loreto (there were stops in modern day Croatia and Recanati, Italy along the way) around 1295 on the Adriatic coast. The Holy House of Loreto is also where the Annunciation happened.
Angels must abound in Italy because there's a family story that one day when my maternal great grandmother, Crescenza, was a young girl working and singing in the fields in Lazio her future husband, Vincenzo (my great grandfather), stopped in his tracks because she sounded so beautitul he thought it was the voice of an angel.
The Holy House of Loreto has been a popular pilgrimage site for Roman Catholics since the 15th century. It remains sacred to all faiths. The feast of Our Lady of Loreto is Dec. 10.

St. Columbanus (540 to Nov. 23, 615)

"Get your motor runnin'
Head out on the highway
Lookin' for adventure
And whatever comes our way." (Mars Bonfire)

I was told, when I was five-years-old, that I'd be going to the doctor's office and it wasn't going to hurt. After having a boil lanced off my tiny butt cheek, I left the doctor's office in Providence and ran across a main intersection.
An 18-year-old motorcyclist, who had the right of way, just missed killing me. He pulled over to the side of the road, shaken and in tears, as my mother and grandmother caught up with me.
I can barely remember the incident and it was only time my grandmother ever yelled at me. I was given a spanking.
St. Columbanus is the patron saint of motorcyclists. He was born in West Leinster, Ireland in 540. It is said he was so striking in looks that he had to resist the temptation of being with scores of women. He was an Irish missionary who founded monasteries throughout Europe. His writings are included in the Monastic Rule of St. Columbanus.
In art, St. Columbanus is often shown taming a bear. He died in Bobbio, Italy on Nov. 23, 615. His feast day is Nov. 23.