THE ARCHANGELS

THE ARCHANGELS By tradition, there are seven archangels. Three are well- known by name, Gabriel, Raphael and Michael. The others have had various names assigned over time, with no finalized consensus. Gabriel (“God is Great”) is seen as a messenger in both the Old and...

POPE JOHN IX–HOLDING IT ALL TOGETHER

Pope John IX was the first pope in a while to last a whole year. He lasted almost two. Born in Tivoli, 30 km from Rome, the son of Rampoaldo, John was born around 840 AD. Little is heard of him until he became a Benedictine monk, then was ordained a priest by Pope...

ST. HILDEGARD OF BIRGEN

SEPTEMBER 17 is the traditional memorial of ST. HILDEGARD (+1179). Hildegard was born around 1098 in the western part of Germany. Her father, Metchuld of Merrheim-Nahet, was in service to Count Meginhard of Sponheim. He and her mother, Hildebert of Bermers, were of...

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF THE SEVEN SORROWS

SEPTEMBER 15 is the traditional memorial of  THE SEVEN SORROWS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. In 1233, seven young men in Tuscany founded the Servite Order, the “Order of the Servants of Mary”. Within five years, they had made as one of their primary dedications,...

ST. NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO

SEPTEMBER 10 is the traditional memorial of ST. NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO (+1305). Nicholas was named after St. Nicholas of Myra, to whom his parents prayed asking for a child. Not only did the gift-bearing saint arrange for them to have a child, he gave them an...