St. Agnes

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St. Agnes is one of my favorites and is a member of my family via one of my daughter who names this beautiful virgin martyr as her confirmation saint.

January 21 is the memorial of St. Agnes of Rome in the Catholic Liturgical Calendar. Saint Agnes was 12 or 13 when she refused to marry the son of a Roman prefect. She was then condemned to death by that prefect, but Roman law didn't allow virgins to be executed, so they brought her to a brothel, where she refused to take part in the activities there. Later, a Roman officer killed her with a sword. "Agnes" means "pure" in Greek and "lamb" in Latin, so Agnes's most common symbol is a lamb. The palm branch symbolizes martyrdom. This window is part of a larger circular window in Gesu Church in Milaukee, WI.

St. Thomas Aquinas

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Finally, an image of St. Thomas that is actually attractive!

January 28 is the memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas, one of the greatest theologians and philosophers of the Catholic Church. This is part of a window depicting St. Dominic receiving the Rosary (in the center), Thomas on the left, and St. Hyacinth on the right. The book he's holding translates to something like "The Word of God is not chained," from the second letter of Timothy. Does anyone know why this was important or significant in terms of Thomas? I wasn't able to find anything online about it. This window is in the Basilica of Josaphat in Milwaukee, WI.

St. Brigid

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February 1 is the memorial of St. Brigid of Kildare. Many legends have arisen about her life since she died in 525. She established a nunnery at Kildare. Kildare had formerly been a pagan shrine where a sacred fire was kept perpetually burning. Rather than stamping out this pagan flame, Bridget and her nuns kept it burning as a Christian symbol. Brigid is often depicted with a flame or candle. This is a window in the Shrines of the Nations in the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul, MN. This is in the Irish along with a window of St. Columba and a statue of St. Patrick.

The Presentation

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February 2 is the feast of The Presentation of the Lord in the Catholic Liturgical Calendar. This window is in The Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians, at Holy Hill, Wisconsin, about 30 miles northwest of Milwaukee.

Our Lady of Mt Carmel and Purgatory

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St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Argyle, MN.

Very unique stained glass depicting the Blessed Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Mt. Carmel assisting the holy souls in Purgatory and obtaining their release. Just beautiful...

Christ the King

Located in the sacristy of the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis, MN

St. Agatha

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St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay, WI.

We have little reliable information about this martyr, who has been honoured since ancient times, and whose name is included in the canon of the Mass. Young, beautiful and rich, Agatha lived a life consecrated to God. When Decius announced the edicts against Christians, the magistrate Quinctianus tried to profit by Agatha’s sanctity; he planned to blackmail her into impurity in exchange for not charging her. Handed over to a brothel, she refused to accept customers. After rejecting Quinctianus’s advances, she was beaten, imprisoned, tortured, her breasts were crushed and cut off with pincers. She told the judge, “Cruel man, have you forgotten your mother and the breast that nourished you, that you dare to mutilate me this way?”

Saint Peter then appeared to her and healed her. She was then imprisoned again, then rolled on live coals; another version she was rolled on broken shards of glass. When she was near death, an earthquake stuck. In the destruction that followed, a friend of the magistrate was crushed, and the magistrate fled. Agatha thanked God for an end to her pain, and died.

Legend says that carrying her veil, taken from her tomb in Catania, in procession has averted eruptions of Mount Etna. Her intercession is reported to have saved Malta from Turkish invasion in 1551.

St. Catherine of Alexandria

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Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Minto, ND.

Symbol: broken wheel

St. Catherine was a great theologian and was responsible for the converion of many through debate. She was condemned to death for her faith on the breaking wheel (an instrument of torture). According to legend, the wheel itself broke when she touched it, so she was beheaded.

St. Clotilde

Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Minto, ND

Daughter of King Chilperic of Burgundy. Married young to King Clovis of the Salian Franks. Queen. Mother of three sons. Led her husband to Christianity in 496. Widow. Following Clovis’s death in 511, her sons fought for years over the kingdom. To escape the constant murder and intrigue, she retired to Tours, France where she spent her remaining 34 years caring for the poor and sick.

Buried in the church of Saint Genevieve, Paris, France

Our Lady of Seven Sorrows

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Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Minto, ND.

Traditionally the seven sorrows, or dolors of Mary are venerated and are as follows:

1. Prophecy of Simeon

2. Flight into Egypt

3. Child Jesus lost in the temple

4. Mary meets Jesus on the Way of the Cross

5. Death of Jesus

6. Descent of Jesus from the Cross

7. Burial of Jesus

St. Anne

The mother of Mary, St. Anne, is usually depicted instructing a young Mary.

Window in Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Strasburg, ND.

St. Aloysius Gonzaga

Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Strasburg, ND.

St. Benedict and St. Scholastica

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February 10 is the memorial of St. Scholastica, who was the twin sister of St. Benedict of Nursia.

She was a nun and leader of a religious community of women.Wikipedia: "At the end of the day, they had supper and continued their conversation. When Benedict indicated it was time for him to leave, she protested, and begged him to stay with her for the evening so they could continue their discussions. He refused, insisting that he needed to return to his cell. At that point, Scholastica closed her hands in prayer, and after a moment, a wild storm started outside of the guest house in which they were housed. Benedict asked, "What have you done?", to which she replied, "I asked you and you would not listen; so I asked my God and he did listen. So now go off, if you can, leave me and return to your monastery."Benedict was unable to return to his monastery, and they spent the night in discussion. According to St. Gregory's Dialogues, three days later, from his cell, he saw his sister's soul leaving the earth and ascending to heaven in the form of a shining white dove."

This window is in the Church of the Seven Dolors in Albany, MN.

Our Lady of Lourdes III

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Gesu Church in Milwaukee, WI

Our Lady of Lourdes II

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St. Louis King of France Catholic Church in downtown St. Paul, MN

Our Lady of Lourdes

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This window is in the Votive Candle Chapel at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe near LaCrosse, WI

St. Joseph the Worker

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Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior, WI.

Symbols include a carpenter's square, lily-staff, and Star of David.

St. Rose of Lima

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"Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" is exemplified by St. Rose of Lima.

Extended Holy Family

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Cathedral of St. Mary in Fargo, ND.

Here we see the Holy Family but also with the parents of Mary - who were holy enough in the eyes of God to be worthy of the Immaculate Conception, and to thereby become the Grandparents of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Left to Right: St. Joachim, St. Joseph, Blessed Virgin Mary with Jesus, St. Anne

Home Life of the Holy Family

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St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church of Hoven, SD.

Return from Passover

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St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church of Hoven, SD

This is a very interesting window. At first glance this appears to be an adult Jesus walking with a woman and a young boy. BUT - this is actually St. Joseph, walking with Mary and the 13 year old Jesus after He has stayed behind at the Temple and had been found. Imagine how they rejoiced! I can also imagine they kept a closer eye on Him too.

Flight Into Egypt

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St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church of Hoven, SD

The privations and dangers undergone by a son are those of his mother.

Gemitus matris tuæ ne obliviscaris—Forget not the groanings of thy mother (Ecclus vii, 29).

Immaculate Heart of Mary

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St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Warsaw, ND

Death of St. Joseph

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It is commonly believed that Joseph died just prior to the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus. St. Joseph has not one spoken word recorded in the Bible - which speaks volumes. His strength is in his hidden silent faith, known to God alone. St. Joseph is last spoken of in the Gospel as being present at the finding of the child Jesus in the temple.

St. Joseph is known by many titles, my two favorites are "Patron of the Family" and "Terror of Demons."

St. Jospeh - ora pro nobis!

Modern Descent of the Holy Spirit

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Yes, more "modern" than usually suits my taste, but sometimes new and beautiful can be used in the same sentence when it comes to Catholic Church art. This in one example. I especially like the centerpeice made of Our Lady and how the Apostles look to her as their mother as they receive the flame (visible above the head of each figure) of the Holy Spirit descending from the cloud above (which is not visible). This beautiful window is perfectly in keeping with the gospel:

Acts 1 And when the days of the Pentecost were accomplished, they were all together in one place: 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them parted tongues as it were of fire, and it sat upon every one of them: 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak with divers tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak.

Our Lady of Knock

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On August 21, 1879, the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and St. John the Evangelist appeared to 15 people in Knock, Ireland. Jesus was also visible under the form of a lamb - the Almighty God who has all power in His hands, emptied Himself and took the form of a tiny Lamb.

This window is in the Votive Candle Chapel at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe near LaCrosse, WI.

Hail Holy Queen

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The Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians, at Holy Hill, Wisconsin

Following the Rosary the Hail Holy Queen prayer is said:

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy

Our life, our sweetness and our hope.

To Thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve

To Thee do we send up sighs

Mourning and weeping in this valley of tears

Turn then Most Gracious Advocate

thine eyes of mercy toward us

and after this our exile

show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus

O Clement, O Loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary

Pray for us O Holy Mother of God

That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Amen+

Coronation

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Window in the choir loft in The Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians, at Holy Hill, Wisconsin

Mary is the Mother of the Son of God, who is the messianic King. Mary is the Mother of Christ, the Word incarnate. ... "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David; and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end." [Luke 1:32-33] ... Elizabeth greeted the Blessed Virgin, pregnant with Jesus, as "the Mother of my Lord." [Luke 1:41-43]

Mary is the perfect follower of Christ. The maid of Nazareth consented to God's plan; she journeyed on the pilgrimage of faith; she listened to God's word and kept it in her heart; she remained steadfastly in close union with her Son, all the way to the foot of the cross; she persevered in prayer with the Church. Thus in an eminent way she won the "crown of righteousness," [See 2 Timothy 4:8] the "crown of life," [See James 1:12; Revelation 2:10] the "crown of glory" [See 1 Peter 5:4] that is promised to those who follow Christ.

Assumption

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~Notice our Lady's feet are not touching the ground?

MUNIFICENTISSIMUS DEUS
Pope Pius XII

5. Now God has willed that the Blessed Virgin Mary should be exempted from this general rule. She, by an entirely unique privilege, completely overcame sin by her Immaculate Conception, and as a result she was not subject to the law of remaining in the corruption of the grave, and she did not have to wait until the end of time for the redemption of her body.
6. Thus, when it was solemnly proclaimed that Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, was from the very beginning free from the taint of original sin, the minds of the faithful were filled with a stronger hope that the day might soon come when the dogma of the Virgin Mary's bodily Assumption into heaven would also be defined by the Church's supreme teaching authority.

~Excerpt from the Apostolic Constitution defining "ex cathedra" (from the chair of Peter) the dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin)

Obtained at EWTN

BTW - a DOGMA is an official teaching of the Roman Catholic Church which is binding upon ALL Catholics. To wonder about, to question even to doubt is not a sin (as far as I'm aware) but to DISSENT or REJECT this teaching is gravely sinful.

Ascension

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St. Pancras Church, London, England

I love this window depicted just the feet of His Majesty before He is taken from the sight of the Apostles.

Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that we who believe Thine only-begotten Son our Redeemer, to have ascended this day into heaven,may ourselves dwell in spirit amid heavenly things. ~Roman Missal, 6th-8th Century

Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ

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St. Pancras Church, London, England

The Gospel of Mark 16, 1-7 places before our eyes the faithful holy women who, at the first rays of the Sunday dawn, run to the sepulchre, and on the way, wonder: "Who will roll back the stone from the door of the sepulchre for us?" This preoccupation, although it is well justified on account of the size and weight of the stone, does not deter them from proceeding with their plans; they are too much taken up with the desire of finding Jesus! And behold! hardly have they arrived when they see "the stone rolled back". They enter the tomb and find an Angel who greets them with the glad announcement: "He is risen; He is not here." At this time, Jesus does not let Himself be found or seen; but a little later when, in obedience to the command of the Angel, the women leave the tomb to bring the news to the disciples, He will appear before them saying, "All hail!" (Matthew 28, 9), and their joy will be overwhelming.

The Crucifixion

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St. Pancras Church, London, England

The most important reason for strongly encouraging the practice of the Rosary is that it represents a most effective means of fostering among the faithful that commitment to the contemplation of the Christian mystery... (John Paul II, "Rosarium Virginis Mariae", 5)

Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place which is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." And they cast lots to divide his garments.

Carrying of the Cross

You yourself must decide of your own free will to take up the cross; otherwise, your tongue may say that you are imitating Christ, but your actions will belie your words. That way, you will never get to know the Master intimately, or love him truly. It is really important that we Christians convince ourselves of this. We are not walking with Our Lord unless we are spontaneously depriving ourselves of many things that our whims, vanity, pleasure or self-interest clamour for. Not a single day should pass that has not been seasoned with the salt and grace of mortification; and, please get rid of the idea that you would then be miserable. What a sad little happiness you will have if you don't learn to overcome yourself, if you let your passions and fancies dominate and crush you, instead of courageously taking up your cross! (Friends of God, 129)

To love the Cross means being able to put oneself out, gladly, for the love of Christ, though it's hard -- and because it's hard. You have enough experience to know that this is not a contradiction. (The Forge, 519)

Crowning with Thorns

The Crowning With Thorns

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the praetorium, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe upon him, and plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on his head, and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him they mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they spat upon him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe, and put his own clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him

Scourging at the Pillar

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Chartres Cathedral Stained Glass, France
Passion of Christ Window (c.1150): Scourging

PILATE, perceiving the obstinacy of the people in requiring that Jesus should be crucified, sentenced Him, in the first place, to the shameful punishment of scourging, and consigned Him to the hands of the soldiers, that his orders might be executed.

Jesus is scourged, for no crime of His own, but to expiate, in His innocent flesh, those sins of impurity with which you have so often defiled your body. Contemplate Jesus at the pillar, bleeding and lacerated from head to foot, and learn hence all that your sins of impurity have cost Him. Beseech Him to cleanse all the stains of your soul with His Divine Blood.

Agony in the Garden

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St. Pancras Church, London England

And he came out, and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place he said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, "Father, if thou art willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.

Institution of the Eucharist

Chartres Cathedral Stained Glass
Passion of Christ Window (c.1150): Last Supper

THE INSTITUTION OF THE EUCHARIST

I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.
Jesus took bread, blessed it: "Take and eat, this is My Body."
Taking the wine: "This cup is the new covenant in my Blood, shed for you."
At that eucharistic meal, Jesus celebrated the first Mass.
At every Mass the sacrifice of Calvary is made present.
At the Last Supper Jesus instituted the sacrament of Holy Orders to perpetuate this sacrifice.
"Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him."
The Eucharist is a sacrifice inasmuch as it is offered up, and a sacrament inasmuch as it is received.
In the Mass we offer ourselves to God, and God gives himself to us.
The Mass will be fruitful in the measure of our surrender to the Father.
Spiritual Fruit: Love of our Eucharistic Lord

Transfiguration

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Jesus took Peter, James and John up a high mountain to pray.
Jesus was transfigured before them.
"His face became as dazzling as the sun, his clothes as radiant as light."
This was to fortify their faith to withstand the coming tragedy of the Passion.
Jesus foresaw the 'scandal of the cross,' and prepared them for it by this manifestation of His glory.
Moses and Elias (representing the Law and the prophets of the Old Testament) were conversing with Jesus about His passion.
"Do not think I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets... but to fulfill them."
From a cloud came a voice: "This is my beloved Son, listen to Him."
Jesus admonishes them not to tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man rises from the dead.
We too will behold the transfigured Jesus on the Last Day.
Spiritual Fruit: Spiritual Courage

My Lord Jesus, I trust in thee

Proclamation of the Kingdom

"Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand."
"My kingdom is not of this world."
"Unless a man be born again of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of heaven."
"Whoever does not accept the kingdom of God as a little child will not enter into it."
"I have come to call sinners, not the just."
"Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you."
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
"Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied."
"Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
"You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church... I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven."
Spiritual Fruit: Desire for Holiness

Wedding Feast of Cana

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Wedding Feast at Cana According to St. John (with commentary in italics)

1 And the third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee: and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 And Jesus also was invited, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3 And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus saith to him: They have no wine. 4 And Jesus saith to her: Woman, what is that to me and to thee? my hour is not yet come. 5 His mother saith to the waiters: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye.
4 "What is that to me"... These words of our Saviour, spoken to his mother, have been understood by some commentators as harsh, they not considering the next following verse: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye, which plainly shews that his mother knew of the miracle that he was to perform, and that it was at her request he wrought it; besides the manner of speaking the words as to the tone, and the countenance shewn at the same time, which could only be known to those who were present, or from what had followed: for words indicating anger in one tone of voice, would be understood quite the reverse in another.
6 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three measures apiece. 7 Jesus saith to them: Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And Jesus saith to them: Draw out now, and carry to the chief steward of the feast. And they carried it. 9 And when the chief steward had tasted the water made wine, and knew not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water; the chief steward calleth the bridegroom, 10 And saith to him: Every man at first setteth forth good wine, and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse. But thou hast kept the good wine until now.
11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee; and manifested his glory, and his disciples believed in him.

Baptism of Jesus

Baptism of Jesus According to St. Luke

13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan, unto John, to be baptized by him. 14 But John stayed him, saying: I ought to be baptized by thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering, said to him: Suffer it to be so now. For so it becometh us to fulfill all justice. Then he suffered him.
16 And Jesus being baptized, forthwith came out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened to him: and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him. 17 And behold a voice from heaven, saying: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Finding the Child Jesus in the Temple

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Jesus Lost in the Temple According to St. Luke

41 And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the solemn day of the pasch, 42 And when he was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast, 43 And having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not. 44 And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day's journey, and sought him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance. 45 And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his wisdom and his answers. 48 And seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: Son, why hast thou done so to us? behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said to them: How is it that you sought me? did you not know, that I must be about my father's business? 50 And they understood not the word that he spoke unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart. 52 And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and age, and grace with God and men.

The Presentation

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The Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple according to St. Luke

22 And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord: 23 As it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord: 24 And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons: 25 And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him.
26 And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, 28 He also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said: 29 Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace; 30 Because my eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: 32 A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33 And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him. 34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; 35 And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.

The Nativity

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According to the book "The Mystical City of God" by Ven. Mary of Agreda Mary received her Son in her arms from the hands of the holy angels and said:

“My sweetest love and light of my eyes, Thou hast arrived in good hour into this world as the Sun of justice, in order to disperse the darkness of sin and death! True God of the true God, save thy servants, and let all flesh see him, who shall draw upon it salvation.”

The Visitation

THE VISITATION ACCORDING TO THE VISIONS OF BL. ANNE CATHERINE EMMERICH

After the Conception of Jesus, Mary was inspired to visit her cousin, Elizabeth, who was then pregnant for John the Baptist. Elizabeth’s husband, Zachary, had been struck dumb shortly after Elizabeth’s conception and had taken to communicating by writing on a tablet.

Informed in a vision that Mary was approaching, Elizabeth made ready for her visitors. Sensing their approach, she hurried from the house to meet Mary and Joseph. Though they had never met, Mary recognized Elizabeth immediately and hurried to greet her.

I saw a light in Mary and issuing from her a ray which entered into Elizabeth, who thereby became wonderfully agitated. They did not pause long in sight of the beholders, but arm in arm passed up the courtyard to the door of the house, where Elizabeth once more bade Mary welcome. Joseph went around to the side of the house and into an open hall where sat Zachary. He respectfully saluted the aged priest, who responded in writing on his tablet.

When Mary and Elizabeth entered the house, a light issued down between them during their embrace, flooding Elizabeth with a passion that caused her to exclaim, “Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb” (which later became part of the Hail Mary: “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.”

The Annunciation

"Ave Gratia Plena, Dominus Tecum"

"Hail Full of Grace, the Lord is with Thee"

We all have a name given to us by God from all eternity, Mary's is "Full of Grace" as she has no stain of sin, there is room for nothing in her soul but grace.

St. Louis IX King of France

New Orleans - French Quarter: St. Louis Cathedral - The Life of Saint Louis IX Stained Glass

Louis was a devout Catholic, and he built the Sainte-Chapelle ("Holy Chapel"), located within the royal palace complex (now the Paris Hall of Justice), on the Île de la Cité in the centre of Paris. The Sainte Chapelle, a perfect example of the Rayonnant style of Gothic architecture, was erected as a shrine for the Crown of Thorns and a fragment of the True Cross, precious relics of the Passion of Jesus. Louis purchased these in 1239–41 from Emperor Baldwin II of the Latin Empire of Constantinople, for the exorbitant sum of 135,000 livres (the chapel, on the other hand, cost only 60,000 livres to build).

Louis IX took very seriously his mission as "lieutenant of God on Earth", with which he had been invested when he was crowned in Rheims. He practiced an interior life that was highly austere despite his rank and station in life as a King of great power. It was discovered after his death that he wore a heavy hairshirt and a cilice. These can be seen today at Notre-Dame Cathedral in France.

During his second crusade, Louis died at Tunis, 25 August 1270, and was succeeded by his son, Philip III. Louis was traditionally believed to have died from bubonic plague but the cause is thought by modern scholars to have been dysentery. The Bubonic Plague did not strike Europe until 1348, so the likelihood of him contracting and ultimately dying from the Bubonic Plague was very slim.
Christian tradition states that some of his entrails were buried directly on the spot in Tunisia, where a Tomb of Saint-Louis can still be visited today, whereas other parts of his entrails were sealed in an urn and placed in the Basilica of Monreale, Palermo, where they still remain. His corpse was taken, after a short stay at the Basilica of Saint Dominic in Bologna, to the French royal necropolis at Saint-Denis, resting in Lyon on the way. His tomb at Saint-Denis was a magnificent gilt brass monument designed in the late 14th century. It was melted down during the French Wars of Religion, at which time the body of the king disappeared. Only one finger was rescued and is kept at Saint-Denis.

Detail - Lion & Grapes

Saint George Roman Catholic Church, in New Baden, Illinois, USA

St. George

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Saint George Roman Catholic Church, in New Baden, Illinois, USA

Feast Day April 23
St. George was born of noble Christian parents. Due to his physical strength and beefy body he took the profession of soldier. After some time due to his courage and actions he became a colonel in the army. The Emperor Dioclesian hearing of his courage wanted him for a higher station. When the Emperor Dioclesian began to wage war against the Christian Religion St. George gave up his high post he assumed. He then proceeded to complain to the Emperor Dioclesian of his unjust actions toward the Christians due to the fact that they were bloody actions and decrees he enforced. The Emperor Dioclesian having heard this casted St. George into prison. St. George's faith and consistency was tried first by promises. Consequently, the Emperor seeing the promises failing to work, proceeded to have St. George to be tortured with great savagery. In the end, nothing daunted our great St. George. The next day his body was seen decapitated and the whole city saw St. George's headless body.

How then is St. George a patron saint of Soldiers?

Firstly it was due to his profession as a military man, St. George being himself a colonel in an army. Secondly there was a relation of his appearing to the Christian Army in the holy war before the battle of Antioch. The battle results favoring the Christians, who at the time was under Godfrey of Bouillon, made St. George widely known in Europe, and beseech military men to prayer for his intercession. This devotion was fulfilled in an apparition to the King Richard I who St. George appeared to in his campaign against the Saracens. After this being declared to the troops was a great encouragement, and the Christians soon defeated the Saracens, their enemy. It is related also that Byzantine historians relate numerous battles have been gained through St. George's intercession as well as many other miracles wrought in his intercession.

St. George is usually depicted in paintings on horseback learning toward the dragon under his feet. This representation shows that by his faith and fortitude he conquered the devil, also know as the dragon in the Apocalypse.

St Michael the Archangel

(photo credit)

Saint George Roman Catholic Church, in New Baden, Illinois, USA

The name Michael means "who is like unto God" which is what Michael said to satan when the angels were dividing into the fallen and the obedient. Michael is the General of God's army and a powerful intercessor against evil. Below is posted a powerful prayer against evil:

St. Michael the Archangel

Defend us in battle

be our safeguard against the wickedness and

snares of the devil

a do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host

by the power of God

cast into hell satan, and all the evil spirits

who prowl about the world

seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen+