Our School Patron Saint

Saint Charles Borromeo

 

Saint Charles Borromeo was born on October 2, 1538 at the castle of Arona on Lake Maggiore near Milan. His father was the Count of Arona and his mother a member of the House of Medici. At the age of twelve, the young Charles dedicated himself to a life of service to the Church. He told his father that he could only keep the money required for his education and to prepare him for service to the Church. All other money belonged to the poor of the Church and was to be given to them.

His uncle, Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Medici became Pope Pius IV on December 25, 1559. Pope Pius IV made his nephew a cardinal; he was only 23 years old. Charles was ordained a priest on September 4, 1563. Then, he was ordained as a bishop on December 7, 1563. He became Archbishop of Milan in May 12, 1564. In 1576 a famine struck Milan followed by the plague and Charles used his own fortune to feed the starving people.

St Charles dedicated his life to taking care of people and bringing them closer to God. Although his family was very rich, St Charles led a very simple life and never let his power put him above other people. He had a great love of children and was committed to their education always wanting them to be the best that they could be. He also started special schools for training priests called seminaries.

He died on November 3, 1584, at the age of 46. He was beatified on May 12, 1602 by Pope Paul V. He was subsequently canonised by Pope Paul V on November 1, 1610. St. Charles Borromeo’s feast day is celebrated on November 4. He is the patron of bishops, catechists, cardinals and seminarians.

Prayer of Saint Charles Borromeo

Almighty God, you have generously
made known to human beings
the mysteries of your life through
Jesus Christ your Son in the Holy Spirit.
Enlighten my mind to know these mysteries
which your Church treasures and teaches.

Move my heart to love them
and my will to live in accord with them.
Give me the ability to teach this Faith to others
without pride, without ostentation, and without personal gain.

Let me realize that I am simply your instrument
for bringing others to the knowledge
of the wonderful things you have done
for all your creatures.
Help me to be faithful to this task
that you have entrusted to me.

Amen.

 

Our House Saints

Saint Bernadette Soubirous

St. Bernadette was born in Lourdes, France on January 7, 1844. Her parents were very poor and she was the first of nine children. St Bernadette is remembered for seeing apparitions of Our Lady at Lourdes.

The Story of the Apparitions at Lourdes

Bernadette was out with her sister and a friend, they came to a spot where a large, shallow grotto had formed. Bernadette’s sister and friend decided to cross the stream. Bernadette was not well and she knew her mother would be angry if she went too, so she stayed behind. After a few minutes, she got tired of waiting and crossed the stream herself.

The bushes that grew out of the grotto walls started blowing around and Bernadette looked up and saw a girl. The girl was wearing a long white dress with a blue sash and a white veil. Yellow roses were at her feet, and she held a rosary. She stretched out her arms to her; Bernadette was afraid but she stayed where she was and knelt down. She reached into the pocket and found her own rosary, and started to pray with the girl. When she finished, the girl disappeared. Bernadette didn’t know who or what she had seen. All she knew was that being there had made her feel happy and peaceful. She told her sister and friend what had happened, and soon the whole village knew.

Over the next few weeks, Bernadette returned to the grotto and saw the beautiful girl several times. Each time she went, more people went with her. Only Bernadette could see the girl in white but when others prayed with her in the grotto, they felt peaceful and happy too. Those who were sick even felt that God had healed them while they prayed. During the apparitions, the girl spoke to Bernadette only a few times. She told her about the spring that flowed under the rocks; this is where people go today for the waters to heal them. She also told her that she was Our Lady but not everyone believed Bernadette when she told them. Despite this, she was inspired to take her final vows as a nun with the Sisters of Charity at Nevers, France, in 1878 and served God throughout her life. On April 16, 1879, Bernadette died and was buried in the convent chapel. She was beatified in 1925 and was canonised as St. Bernadette on December 8, 1933. Her feast day is on the 16^th April.

Today, millions of people go to Lourdes every year, to the grotto where Bernadette saw Mary. They go to pray and to open their hearts to God.

Prayer by Saint Bernadette

How happy my soul, good Mother, when I had the good fortune to gaze upon you!
How I love to recall the pleasant moments spent under your gaze, so full of kindness and mercy for us.

Yes, tender Mother, you stooped down to earth to appear to a mere child….
You, the Queen of heaven and earth, deigned to make use of the most fragile thing in the world’s eyes. Amen.

 

Saint Joseph

Saint Joseph was the husband of Mary and the foster father of Jesus; he was a descendent of King David. Not much is known about his life but we do know that he was a carpenter and was known for his craftsmanship. Throughout his life, he followed God’s law and was devoted to his faith. Despite the challenges he faced in life, he always remained obedient to God and served him faithfully.

Joseph protected Mary and Jesus and is now known as the protector of the Catholic Church. He is also patron saint of many things, such as fathers, pregnant mothers, immigrants, travellers, carpenters and working people.

The first feast day of Saint Joseph is on March 19th. However, in 1955, Pope Pius IX decided that there would be a second feast day for Saint Joseph. As he is known as the patron saint of workers, May 1st would be celebrated as the Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker. 

Prayer to Saint Joseph

O glorious Saint Joseph, chosen by God to be the foster father of Jesus and the spouse of Mary, pray for us and obtain for us from God the graces we need. Guide us in our lives, protect us from harm, and help us to follow the example of your faith and obedience. Amen.

 

 

St Francis of Assisi

St. Francis of Assisi, born in Italy in 1181 or 1182, was a wealthy young man who chose to live a life of poverty and service to others.  

His life changed when he fought in a war between Assisi and Perugia, where he was captured and imprisoned. After his release from prison, Francis experienced a series of visions and encounters that changed the way he looked at his life.  Due to these experiences, Francis renounced his family's wealth and possessions, choosing to live a life of poverty and service. He founded the Franciscan Order and dedicated himself to caring for the poor, the sick, and lepers. Saint Francis is known for his deep love and respect for all of God's creation. He is known for preaching to birds and taming wild animals.

Saint Francis died on October 3, 1226, and was canonised as a saint by the Catholic Church in 1228. He is the patron saint of animals, ecology, and merchants. His feast day is the 4^th October.

His life and teachings continue to inspire people around the world to live a life of love, compassion, and service. He particularly inspired Pope Francis, who took his name, and he wrote his encyclical, Laudate Si (Care for Creation), to encourage us to look after the world God created.

Prayer of Saint Francis

Lord make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
And where there is sadness, joy.

O divine master grant that I may
not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love
For it is in giving that we receive-
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned.
And it’s in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen

 

Saint Therese of Lisieux

Saint Therese of Lisieux was born on January 2, 1873 in Alencon, France.  At the age of fourteen, Therese asked to enter the Carmelite monastery in Lisieux as soon as possible.  After the local bishop refused, she travelled to Rome with her father and appealed to Pope Leo XIII for permission.  On New Year’s Day 1888, permission was finally granted.  On April 9, 1888, at the age of fifteen, Therese entered the Carmelite monastery in Lisieux. She took the religious name Sister Therese of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face.  During her time as a sister, she was known as an ordinary, good, reliable, and talented nun.  

Therese is most known for her “Little Way.”  She spoke not of doing great things, but of small things with great love.  She saw herself as a child who lived in complete dependence on God.  Therese saw herself as a tiny flower in the garden of God.  Therese requested to become a missionary and was about to leave for Vietnam when she became ill and so could not go. Therese died on September 30, 1897 when she was only twenty-four years old. She gazed at her crucifix and said, “My God…I love you.”

Pope Pius XI canonised Saint Therese of Lisieux on May 17, 1925. In 1994, Pope St. John Paul II named her co-patroness of France with St. Joan of Arc. Saint Therese’s feast day is October 1.

A Morning Offering written by Saint Therese

O my God!  I offer You all my actions this day for the intentions and for the glory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. 

I desire to sanctify every beat of my heart, my every thought, my simplest works, by uniting them to His infinite merits; and I wish to make reparation for my sins by casting them into the furnace of His merciful love.

O my God! I ask You for myself and for those whom I hold dear, the grace to fulfil perfectly Your holy will, to accept for love of You the joys and sorrows of this passing life, so that we may one day be united together in heaven for all eternity. 

Amen.