Fragments of the Face of God

Saints

St. Nicholas, Bishop, Confessor
St. Nicholas is invoked as patron of young people and has become widely known as "Santa Claus" the distributor of Christmas gifts. As Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor, he was noted for his charitable care of children and for his generous, anonymous gifts to dowerless young women. Having taken part in the condemnation of Arianism at the Council of Nicea, he died soon afterward. His relics are venerated at Bari in Italy, where they were taken from Myra. Countless miracles have heen attributed to the intercession of the Saint, and to this day his bones exude an oil, called the "manna of St. Nicholas." It was revealed to St. Bridget that his phenomenon represents the immense charity and compassion, which filled the holy Bishop and caused him to become "all things to all men" that he might assist all and lead them to the Lord Christ. He thus demonstrated the chief aim of our Catholic vocation: to separate ourselves from Satan and to direct our lives to God and to the doing of good. St. Nicholas is invoked as patron of young people and has become widely known as "Santa Claus" the distributor of Christmas gifts. As Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor, he was noted for his charitable care of children and for his generous, anonymous gifts to dowerless young women. Having taken part in the condemnation of Arianism at the Council of Nicea, he died soon afterward. His relics are venerated at Bari in Italy, where they were taken from Myra. Countless miracles have heen attributed to the intercession of the Saint, and to this day his bones exude an oil, called the "manna of St. Nicholas." It was revealed to St. Bridget that his phenomenon represents the immense charity and compassion, which filled the holy Bishop and caused him to become "all things to all men" that he might assist all and lead them to the Lord Christ. He thus demonstrated the chief aim of our Catholic vocation: to separate ourselves from Satan and to direct our lives to God and to the doing of good.

St. Vincent de Paul
Vincent de Paul was born at Pouy in the Landes about 1580 to a family of laborers and was the third child of six. In 1600 he was ordained a priest and opened a school in Buzet. In 1610 he was almoner of Queen Margot, the first wife of Henry IV, in Paris. In 1611, Vincent was made pastor of Clichy, became tutor in the Gondi Family in 1613, obtained various advantageous benefices; then suddenly, in 1617, he resigned all honors and from that time his behavior became that of a saint. Vincent de Paul was born at Pouy in the Landes about 1580 to a family of laborers and was the third child of six. In 1600 he was ordained a priest and opened a school in Buzet. In 1610 he was almoner of Queen Margot, the first wife of Henry IV, in Paris. In 1611, Vincent was made pastor of Clichy, became tutor in the Gondi Family in 1613, obtained various advantageous benefices; then suddenly, in 1617, he resigned all honors and from that time his behavior became that of a saint.

In 1625 he founded the congregation of Priests of the Mission of Lazarists, to evangelize the poor of the countryside. In 1634 he founded the congregation of Sisters of Charity. To him is also due the charity for the care of foundlings, established with the idea of collecting infants abandoned at street corners or on the church porches.

He did so much for the poor, the sick and for children, that his name is still known and respected everywhere.

St. Therese "Little Flower of Jesus"
St. Therese was a Carmlite of the Monastery of Lisieux. She entered the convent at the age of 15. She lived a spiritual childhood beloved by many people, but nonetheless was an intrepid, ardent, dedicated and disciplined soul... a truly great saint. She totally embraced suffering for the love of God and she abandoned herself so completely to our Lord that she did not even concern herself over her own spiritual welfare. St. Therese was a Carmlite of the Monastery of Lisieux. She entered the convent at the age of 15. She lived a spiritual childhood beloved by many people, but nonetheless was an intrepid, ardent, dedicated and disciplined soul... a truly great saint. She totally embraced suffering for the love of God and she abandoned herself so completely to our Lord that she did not even concern herself over her own spiritual welfare.

With St. Joan of Arc, she shares the title "Patroness of France." And, with St. Francis Xavier, she shares the honor of "Principal Patroness of all Missionaries." Her appeal is universal from peasants to Popes, and people of all nations know her and call upon her for help.

St. Timothy
Born in Lystra, Lycaneia the son of a Greek father and Eunice, a converted Jewess. He joined St. Paul when Paul preached at Lystra becoming his close friend and confidant. Timothy was probably with Paul when he (Paul) was imprisoned at Caesarea and then Rome. It is said that Timothy went to Ephesus, became its first bishop, and was stoned to death there when he opposed a pagan festival in honor of Diana. Paul wrote two letters to Timothy, one written from Macedonia and the second from Rome while he was in prison awaiting execution. Born in Lystra, Lycaneia the son of a Greek father and Eunice, a converted Jewess. He joined St. Paul when Paul preached at Lystra becoming his close friend and confidant. Timothy was probably with Paul when he (Paul) was imprisoned at Caesarea and then Rome. It is said that Timothy went to Ephesus, became its first bishop, and was stoned to death there when he opposed a pagan festival in honor of Diana. Paul wrote two letters to Timothy, one written from Macedonia and the second from Rome while he was in prison awaiting execution.

This information has been reprinted from Holy Cross' Sunday Bulletins
Holy Cross Catholic Church - Batavia, IL -- Page Last Updated 03 Apr 2007