St. Josephine Bakhita: February 8
The story of St. Josephine Bakhita (1869-1947) is a story that many people taken into slavery have experienced. Born in the Darfur region of Sudan, she was kidnapped at the age of 8 and sold into slavery many times. As she passed from owner to owner, she experienced the moral and physical humiliations associated with slavery. It was only at the age of 13 that her suffering was alleviated after she was bought for the Italian Counsul in Sudan. It was here that she was fortunate to receive kindness, respect and peace from her new master.
She was later handed over to the Canossian Sisters when she made the case that slavery had been outlawed in Italy for many years. She was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Church in 1890, where she took the name Josephine. She later entered the Institute of St. Magdalene of Canossa in 1893 and made her profession three years later.
St. Josephine Bakhita's next 50 years were spent serving people through cooking, sewing, embroidery and housekeeping. She was a source of encouragement and her constant smile won people's hearts, as did her humility and simplicity. Today she is known as the patron saint of victims of modern slavery and human trafficking.
Saints Cyril & Methodius: February 14
These brothers by birth became brothers in mission. Cyril and Methodius were born to a Greek diplomat in the 800s. The two brothers served in local governmental posts before each withdrew to a monastery. Their lives changed when the political leadership in Eastern Europe-what is now Ukraine-requested priests who spoke the native Slavic languages. Cyril and Methodius had proven themselves as able administrators and holy men, so they were sent as missionaries. First, Cyril invented an alphabet. This became the foundation for what is now used today and is still called the Cyrillic alphabet ! Next, the brothers translated the Gospels, the Psalms, and other liturgical books into the native language of the people. Their work spread across Eastern Europe. God indeed raises up saints for their times !
St. Conrad of Piacenza: February 19
The history of St. Conrad of Piacenza is quite fascinating. A member of one of the most noble families of Piacenza, he was known for his utmost honesty. One day while out hunting with friends, he thought he saw some game in an area of brush and ordered his attendants to set fire to the brush in order to scare it out of hiding. Unfortunately, the dry brush quickly ignited, and fire started to spread. Soon, the surrounding area was engulfed in flames.
Unfortunately, a known arsonist happened to be in the same area as the fire. This man was later imprisoned, tried and condemned to death for the damage. But on his way to this execution, St. Conrad of Piacenza, full of guilt, stopped the proceedings and confessed the fire. To make restitution for the damages, Conrad had to sell all his belongings, which reduced him to poverty. Soon after, he decided to retire to a hermitage, where he became a hermit of the Third Order of St. Francis, and his wife entered the Order of Poor Clares.
Chair of St. Peter: February 22
A feast for a chair? It might seem surprising, but this week on February 22nd we celebrate the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter. The Latin word for "chair" is cathedra. From there we get the word "cathedral" to designate literally the "seat" of the bishop. Cathedrals-and the bishop's chairs inside-are symbols of the bishop's authority.
So on this feast we don't celebrate where the Apostle Peter sat down, but we celebrate the Church and her apostolic origin. As Pope Benedict XVIII said, "it is a symbol of the special mission of Peter and his Successors to tend Christ's flock, keeping it united in faith and in charity." (Angelus Message, February 19, 2012)
St. Polycarp of Smyrna: February 23
As a disciple of St. John, the Evangelist, St. Polycarp was able to hear about Jesus' life, death and resurrection directly from those who witnessed it. Because Polycarp was ordained as Bishop of Smyrna by St. John, he is one of three chief Apostolic Fathers, along with Clement of Rome and Ignatius of Antioch.
During his life, Polycarp defended the Church against heresies. His important writing, the Letter to the Philippians, quoted the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles, stressing Paul's authority in the Church and setting out clear arguments against the gnostic heresy that denied Christ's divinity.
The early period of the Church was a dangerous time to be a Christian and like many, St. Polycarp was martyred. He was captured by Romans and sentenced to burn at the stake However, the fire did not touch him, instead rising up like sails around him. Seeing that the flames would not injure Polycarp, the Romans stabbed him instead. The Martyrdom of Polycarp is perhaps the earliest fully preserved account of a Christian martyr.
-copyright LPI