Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes; in 1858 in Lourdes, France, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared 18 times to Bernadette Soubirous; eventually, thousands gathered around her to witness the events, including the appearance of a new, surging spring (still present today) from which Bernadette drank; today, millions visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes annually
Memorial of St. Scholastica, 480-543; sister of St. Benedict; she founded and ran a nunnery in the Benedictine tradition; as Abbess, Saint Scholastica aided in the spiritual formation of many holy sisters; God answered her with thunder and storms when she pleaded Him to convince her brother to prolong their annual visit; St. Benedict stayed, due to tremendous rains, and three days later Saint Scholastica died
Saint of the Day: St. Raynald of Nocera, 1150-1225; Benedictine bishop who served the order in various capacities until receiving appointment as bishop of Nocera in 1222; owing to his excellent service in that capacity, he is considered the patron of Nocera
Memorial of St. Paul Miki and companions, the Japanese martyrs; in 1587, Japan issued an edict of persecution against Christians; St. Paul Miki and his companions were arrested and martyred on the hill of Nagasaki in 1597
Memorial of St. Agatha, 231-251; an early Christian martyr from Catania, Sicily; she pledged her virginity to Christ and after refusing to compromise was killed; by the 5th century, she was highly venerated for her purity and goodness; patron saint of breast ailments
Saint of the Day: St. Andrew Corsini, 1302-1374; born to a powerful family in Florence; lived a wild youth, but was converted by his mother and became a Carmelite; after his studies, he returned to his birthplace and became known as a prophet and miracle worker; he was named bishop of Fiesole in 1349; he was sent by Pope Urban V to Bologna to settle disputes between the nobles and commoners, a mission he performed well.; Andrew died in Fiesole in 1373.
Optional Memorial of St. Blaise; a good bishop of Sebastea, Armenia, but was forced to flee to the back country due to persecution; he lived as a hermit, and made friends with wild animals; when hunters hauled Blaise off to prison, a mother came with her young son who had a fish bone lodged in his throat; at Blaise’s command the child was able to cough up the bone. Blaise was martyred in 316 A.D.
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