Reflecting on the origins and spread of various Marian devotions such as the Franciscan crown and the Rosary as well as on her many apparitions, one recurrent theme was underlined, that is, Mary comes to the rescue whenever the chips are down, be it the chips of an individual or of the entire world. The underlying message is, also, the same, which is that true devotion to Mary is not just good for but is essential to our growth and witness as Christians.
It is well established in our hearts how important the virtue of humility is, how it is highly needed in the society and how it is valued by God. We know that we need it, but we do not expect it to be acquired so easily. We need God’s grace and sincere disposition for us to have it.
Humility and humanity are two different words but similar in nature. The words “humility” and “human” have one root word ‘Humus’ which is the Latin word for earth (a rich and nutrient filled soil). Humility is derived from ‘Humilitas’ a Latin word which means ‘one who is grounded or near to the earth’
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Among the most loved saints of The Holy Roman Catholic Church, St. Pio of Pietrelcina is popular. His popularity did not begin when he was canonized but rather during his life time: the convent of San Giovanni Rotondo where he lived and died continues to be flooded with lots of visitors and devotees. Indeed, he is a reflection of the power of God's gratuitous graces.
“The
life of a true Christian is a perpetual strive against self”, said St. Maria
Faustina, and so it is. Every good Christian knows that he ought to continually
strive against his natural inclinations, in other to be that which God wills
for him. This fact was not unknown to St. Crispin Fioretti of Viterbo. Despite
his weak constitution, he made every possible effort to live a life of total
dedication to God and he succeeded unto eternal life.
Born at Viterbo, Italy on the 13th of November, 1668. He was named Peter. His Father, Ubald died when he was still very young and left his upbringing, with that of his step-sister, in the hands of the poor mother, Marsha. His mother dedicated him to Mary when he was still small and told him “this is your mother too. I have made you a gift to her”, Crispin never forgot those words. Because of their poor condition, his uncle provided for his schooling. He, also, worked as a cobbler for his uncle. At the age of 25, he applied to the Capuchins, after the example of St. Felix of Cantalice. He was accepted but met with oppositions, both from the family and from the novice master himself. To the glory of God, he overcame the oppositions. In the Order, he took the name Crispin after the example of St. Crispin, patron of Cobblers. However, he never served the Order as a cobbler. After his vows on the 22nd of July, 1694, he worked as a cook, orchard keeper, infirmarian and finally, questor for 38years.
St Veronica Giullani was born on the 27 December 1660, originally named Ursula. It is told that at the age of three years Giuliani had already began to show immense compassion for the poor. She would set apart a portion of her food for the poor, and even part with her clothes when she met a poor child scantily clad. In 1677, at the age of 17, Giuliani was received into the monastery of the Capuchin Poor Clares in Citta di Castello in Umbria, Italy, taking the name of Veronica in memory of the Passion. 
Her
life, simply put, was a life offered to God as a holocaust. It was spent in
love of God, in dedication to the passion of her divine spouse, in love for the
blessed Virgin, in love and obedience to the Church despite the seemingly harsh
treatment and in an outburst of love for her neighbour.
Her love for her neighbour is visible in the many ways she acted with immense charity towards those around her. One day, Christ appeared to her with a pair of Golden shoes, to thank her for the gifts of shoes she gave to a beggar. But her love was more visible in how much she prayed for the conversion of sinners. In an outburst of her love for sinners and desire to see them saved, she cries out "O sinners... all men and all women, come to Jesus' heart; come to be cleansed by his most precious blood.... He awaits you with open arms to embrace you". She spent a great part of her life praying for sinners; she would say "We cannot go about the world preaching to convert souls but are bound to pray ceaselessly for all those souls who are offending God... particularly with our sufferings, that is, with a principle of crucified life"
Born at Camporosso (Imperial) Italy, on 27th December, 1804. He was named John Evamgelist. His family owned a modest house and maintained small parcels of farmland. At the age of 18, his zeal for the service of God led him to seek admission among the Friars Minor Conventuals, where he took
Benedict XVI, born Joseph Ratzinger, was a man of deep faith and unwavering conviction. He was a man who dedicated his life to the Catholic ...
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