Hey there,
May is here and we’ll hopefully be reaping the flowers from the April showers soon.
It’s the month we celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary. And there are 15 feast days we celebrate Saints.
The Saints we honor this month lived anywhere from 14 years old up to their 80s. They were Popes, bishops, priests, nuns, and even a few lay people. Some died for their faith. And one even walked with Jesus Christ. But one thing they all have in common is that they turned their life over to God to do His will.
This week’s issue of Genuflect is an opportunity to look at how the Saints of May lived … and in some cases died. What their lives looked like and how they served God were all very different, but they each offer something we can learn … and take inspiration for our own lives.
Keep Believing-
Katy Barrilleaux
Founding Editor, Genuflect
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Saint Athanasius
Saint Athanasius was a 4th century Bishop and Doctor of the Church who we celebrate each year on May 2. He was dedicated to the church’s teaching of Jesus Christ as the son of God and spent most of his life upholding these teachings despite the efforts of emperors and even popes who were preaching that Jesus not God.
St. Athanasius, Doctor of The Church | Catholic News Agency
Saints Philip and James
On May 3rd we celebrated Saints Philip and James “the Less.” Though not a lot, here’s what we know about these two apostles of Jesus Christ.
Biography of Sts. Philip And James | Saints Philip and James RC Church
Saint Damien de Veuster of Moloka’i
On May 10th we celebrate the priest Saint Damien de Veuster. He was the ninth Saint to have worked, lived and died in the United States. Saint Damien dedicated his life to the leper colony on the Hawaiian island of Moloka’i. Here’s just some of what he did for them.
Damien de Veuster | Saints Resource
Saint John of Ávila
May 10th is when we celebrate Saint John of Ávila, the first diocesan priest to be declared a Doctor of the Church. You may not be familiar with Saint John, but you probably know some of the Saints who he was a spiritual guide to like Teresa of Ávila and Ignatius of Loyola. Saint Francis de Sales and Saint John Vianney benefited from his writings. Learn more about him here.
450 Years After His Death, John of Avila is a Saint For Today | Angelus News
Saints Nereus and Achilleus
The two Saints who are memorialized on May 12th are believed to have been Roman soldiers who were executed for their belief in Jesus Christ. My Catholic Life! looks at what we do know about Saints Nereus and Achilleus.
Saints Nereus And Achilleus, Martyrs | My Catholic Life!
Saint Pancras
Saint Pancras lived and was martyred in the 3rd Century. It’s believed he was only 14 years old when he was beheaded for not denouncing Christianity. We will memorialize Saint Pancras on May 12th.
Saint Pancras, Martyr | My Catholic Life!
Saint Matthias
After Judas’ death, the Apostles needed another Apostle so they would number 12 again. But who would they choose? Peter determined the criteria and it was Saint Matthias who was selected. Here’s the full story about this Saint whose feast day is May 14th.
St. Matthias | Catholic Online
Pope Saint John I
We celebrate the first Pope John on May 18th. He was a 6th Century Pope who was martyred by the King because he would not support the Arians, who didn’t accept Jesus as the second person of the Holy Trinity, in Constantinople.
St. John I, Pope | Catholic News Agency
Saint Bernadine of Siena
Saint Bernadine of Siena selflessly cared for the sick during a plague and then his ailing aunt. And though you might expect him to pursue a life in medicine, he instead heard the call of God to become a priest. He didn’t begin his priesthood as a missionary preacher, but made up for it later on. We honor this Saint on May 20th.
St. Bernardine of Siena | Catholic Online
Saint Christopher Magallanes And Companions
It’s hard to imagine that as recently as the 1920’s Priests in Mexico were being arrested and killed. It was known as the Cristero War and on May 21st we commemorate 25 martyrs who died during this time, all were diocesan Priests except for 3 who died beside their Priest.
Saint Christopher Magallanes And Companions, Martyrs | My Catholic Life!
Saint Bede the Venerable
Saint Bede was an 8th century Priest who lived in a Benedictine monastery, never venturing very far away. He wrote more than 45 books on theology and the Bible, but also science, literature, and history. Many came to him for spiritual guidance. Pope Leo XII declared him a Doctor of the Church in 1899. We will honor Saint Bede the Venerable on May 25th.
St. Bede The Venerable | Catholic News Agency
Pope Saint Gregory VII
Pope Saint Gregory VII was Pope during the 11th century, a time when the church was experiencing challenges like corruption among the clergy, a schism with Constantinople, and interference from civil rulers. He worked to reform the church and stood up against German Emperor Henry IV, who he excommunicated … twice! Pope Saint Gregory VII’s feast day is May 25th.
Pope St. Gregory VII | Catholic News Agency
Saint Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi
On May 25th we celebrate Saint Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi, a 16th century nun in Italy. She was gifted with ecstasies, but her view of this gift was quite different than one might imagine. Here’s more about this Saint’s incredible life.
St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi | Catholic Online
St. Philip Neri
Saint Philip Neri was born in 1515 in Florence, Italy. He was eventually ordained a Priest and founded the Congregation of the Oratory, a community of Catholic priests and lay brothers. He is well known for his warm personality and sense of humor. He is the patron saint of Rome, US Special Forces, humor, and joy. We celebrate Saint Philip Neri on May 26th.
St. Philip Neri | Catholic Online
Saint Augustine of Canterbury
Saint Augustine of Canterbury was an Italian monk who lived in the late 6th and early 7th century. Pope Gregory sent Saint Augustine as part of a group of about 40 monks to England to convert them to Catholicism. They succeeded in converting King Ethelbert and Queen Bertha, along with thousands of Englishmen. We honor Saint Augustine of Canterbury on May 27th.
St. Augustine of Canterbury | Catholic News Agency
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