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Wednesday September 30, 2026ST JEROME, P.D (MEMORIAL)Vestment: WhiteToday’s Rosary: The Sorrowful MysteryFIRST READING”H...
30/09/2026

Wednesday September 30, 2026
ST JEROME, P.D (MEMORIAL)
Vestment: White
Today’s Rosary: The Sorrowful Mystery

FIRST READING
”How can a man be just before God? ”
A reading from the Book of Job (Job 9:1-12. 14-16)

Job answered his friends: “Truly I know that it is so: But how can a man be just before God? If one wished to contend with Him, one could not answer Him once in a thousand times. He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength — who has hardened himself against Him, and succeeded? — He who removes mountains, and they know it not, when He overturns them in His anger; who shakes the earth out of its place, and its pillars tremble; who commands the sun, and it does not rise; who seals up the stars; who alone stretched out the heavens, and trampled the waves of the sea; who made the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the chambers of the south; who does great things beyond understanding, and marvellous things without number. Behold, He passes by me, and I see Him not; He moves on, but I do not perceive Him. Behold, He snatches away; who can hinder Him? Who will say to Him, ‘What are you doing?’ “How then can I answer Him, choosing my words with Him? Though I am innocent, I cannot answer Him; I must appeal for mercy to my accuser. If I summoned Him and He answered me, I would not believe that He was listening to my voice.”

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 88: 10bc-11. 12-13. 14—15 (R. 3a)
R/. Let my prayer come into your presence, O Lord.

I call to you, Lord, all day long;
to you I stretch out my hands.
Will you work your wonders for the dead?
Will the shades rise up to praise you? R/.

Will your mercy be told in the grave,
or your faithfulness in the place of perdition?
Will your wonders be known in the dark,
your justice in the land of oblivion? R/.

But I, O Lord, cry out to you;
in the morning my prayer comes before you.
Why do you reject me, O Lord?
Why do you hide your face from me? R/.

ALLELUIA Philippians 3:8-9a
Alleluia. I count everything as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
“I will follow you wherever you go. ”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 9:57-62)

At that time: As Jesus and His disciples were going along the road, a man said to Him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay His head.” To another He said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” But He said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

The Gospel of the Lord.


TODAY’S REFLECTION
“Foxes have holes but the son of man has nowhere to lay His head,” He went about doing good, He healed the sick, raised the dead, fed the hungry and comforted the afflicted. Yet He was homeless and poor, making His home with the wretched of the earth. That was His life and that is the path every believer is called to follow. It is a call to a life of total self-giving and sacrifice; to live for God and for others without counting the cost. And once we say Yes, there is no backing down or turning back, for only cowards do that! How much sacrifice can we make in the service of the Lord?

Today’s Saint St. MichaelFeast day: 29 September St. Michael St. Michael the Archangel, also known as Saint Michael the ...
29/09/2026

Today’s Saint
St. Michael
Feast day: 29 September

St. Michael
St. Michael the Archangel, also known as Saint Michael the Archangel or simply Archangel Michael, holds a significant place in the Roman Catholic tradition. He is an Archangel, associated with courage, protection, and divine intervention.

St. Michael's presence can be traced back to early Jewish writings, particularly in texts from the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC. In these ancient texts, he is depicted as the chief among angels and archangels, responsible for guarding and caring for Israel.

In Jewish tradition, St. Michael is often referred to as the guardian prince of Israel, a protector who stands ready to defend God's chosen people. He appears in the Book of Enoch as one of the seven archangels, alongside Uriel, Raguel, Raphael, Sariel, Gabriel, and Remiel. These archangels are described as standing before the glory of the Lord.

St. Michael's role as a defender of faith and a warrior against evil is most vividly portrayed in the New Testament, particularly in the Book of Revelation (Revelation 12:7–12). Here, he engages in a cosmic battle against Satan, casting the adversary out of heaven and preventing him from accusing humanity before God. St. Michael's triumphant role in this battle marks a significant shift from the Old Testament to the New Testament.

Catholics frequently turn to St. Michael for protection and guidance. The "Prayer to Saint Michael" specifically implores his defense against the forces of darkness. The "Chaplet of Saint Michael" consists of nine salutations, each dedicated to one of the choirs of angels, and serves as a way to honor and seek the intercession of St. Michael.
St. Michael the Archangel plays a crucial role in our Roman Catholic tradition as a defender of faith, protector of souls, and a symbol of divine justice. His presence and intercession are sought after in times of spiritual warfare and challenges, making him a revered figure in Catholic devotion and liturgy.

Tuesday September 29, 2026SAINTS MICHAEL, GABRIEL & RAPHAEL, ARCHANGELS FEASTWeekday (25)Vestment: WhiteToday’s Rosary: ...
29/09/2026

Tuesday September 29, 2026
SAINTS MICHAEL, GABRIEL & RAPHAEL,
ARCHANGELS FEAST
Weekday (25)
Vestment: White
Today’s Rosary: The Sorrowful Mystery

FIRST READING
A thousand thousands served Him.
A reading from the Book of the Prophet Daniel (Daniel 7:9-10. 13-14)

As I looked, thrones were placed and one that was ancient of days took His seat; His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head like pure wool; His throne was fiery flames, its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and came forth from before Him; a thousand thousands served Him, and ten thousand times ten thousands stood before Him; the court sat in judgement, and the books were opened. I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and He came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. And to Him was given dominion and glory and kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him; His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 138: 1-2a. 2bcd-3. 4-5 (R.1b)
R/. In the presence of the angels I praise you, O Lord.

I thank you, Lord, with all my heart;
you have heard the words of my mouth.
In the presence of the angels I praise you.
I bow down towards your holy temple. R/.

I give thanks to your name
for your merciful love and your faithfulness.
You have exalted your name and your promise overall.
On the day I called, you answered me;
you increased the strength of my soul. R/.

R/. In the presence of the angels I praise you, O Lord.

All earth’s kings shall thank you, O Lord,
when they hear the words of your mouth.
They shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
How great is the glory of the Lord!” R/.

ALLELUIA Psalm 103:21
Alleluia. Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, His ministers that do His will. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
You will see the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 1:47-51)

At that time: Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” Nathanael said to Him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these.” And He said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION
Today the church celebrates the archangels, Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Who are they and why do we celebrate them? They are the unseen and unsoiled spirits poised at God’s command. Michael means “God’s healing.” We remember Archangel Michael who battles Satan to affirm God’s supremacy. We remember Gabriel who delivered the good news to Mary. We remember Raphael for his work as a healer in the home of Tobit. We never walk alone; we are surrounded by millions of angels!

Today’s Saint St. Vincent de Paul Feast Day: 27 September St. Vincent de Paul St. Vincent de Paul was born to a poor pea...
27/09/2026

Today’s Saint
St. Vincent de Paul
Feast Day: 27 September

St. Vincent de Paul
St. Vincent de Paul was born to a poor peasant family in the French village of Pouy on April 24, 1581. His first formal education was provided by the Franciscans. He did so well, he was hired to tutor the children of a nearby wealthy family. He used the monies he earned teaching to continue his formal studies at the University of Toulose where he studied theology.

He was ordained in 1600 and remained in Toulose for a time. In 1605, while on a ship traveling from Marseilles to Narbone, he was captured, brought to Tunis and sold as a slave. Two years later he and his master managed to escape and both returned to France.

St. Vincent went to Avignon and later to Rome to continue his studies. While there he became a chaplain to the Count of Goigny and was placed in charge of distributing money to the deserving poor. He became pastor of a small parish in Clichy for a short period of time, while also serving as a tutor and spiritual director.

From that point forward he spent his life preaching missions to and providing relief to the poor. He even established hospitals for them. This work became his passion. He later extended his concern and ministry to convicts. The need to evangelize and assist these souls was so great and the demands beyond his own ability to meet that he founded the Ladies of Charity, a lay institute of woman, to help, as well as a religious institute of priests – the Congregation of Priests of the Mission, commonly referred to now as the Vincentians.

The Vincentians remain with us today with nearly 4,000 members in 86 countries. In addition to his order of Vincentian priests, St. Vincent cofounded the Daughters of Charity along with St. Louise de Marillac. There are more than 18,000 Daughters today serving the needs of the poor in 94 countries. He was eighty years old when he died in Paris on September 27, 1660.He had “become the symbol of the successful reform of the French Church”. St. Vincent is sometimes referred to as “The Apostle of Charity” and “The Father of the Poor”.

Sunday September 27, 2026TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR (A) Vestment: GreenToday’s Rosary: The Glorious MysteryFIRST RE...
27/09/2026

Sunday September 27, 2026
TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR (A)
Vestment: Green
Today’s Rosary: The Glorious Mystery

FIRST READING
When the wicked man turns away from his wickedness, he shall save his life
A reading from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 18:25-28)

Thus says the Lord: You say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way not just? Is it not your ways that are not just? When a righteous man turns away from it his righteousness and commits iniquity, he shall die for it; for the iniquity which he has committed he shall die. Again, when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is lawful and right, he shall save his life. Because he considered and turned away from all the transgressions which he had committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 25:4-5.6-7.8-9 (R. 6a)
R/. Remember your compassion, O Lord.

O Lord, make me know your ways.
Teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth, and teach me;
for you are the God of my salvation.
I have hoped in you all day long. R/.

Remember your compassion, O Lord,
and your merciful love,
for they are from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth,
nor my transgressions.
In your merciful love remember me,
because of your goodness, O Lord. R/.

R/. Remember your compassion, O Lord.

Good and upright is the Lord;
He shows the way to sinners.
He guides the humble in right judgement;
to the humble He teaches His way. R/.

SECOND READING
Have this mind among yourselves which was in Christ Jesus.
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians (Philippians 2:1-11)

Brethren: If there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which was in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The word of the Lord.

ALLELUIA John 10:27
Alleluia. My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; and I know them, and they follow me. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
Afterwards he repented and went. The tax collectors and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 21:28-32)
At that time: Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people, “What do you think? A man had two sons; and he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ “And he answered, ‘I will not’; but afterwards he repented and went. “And he went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir, ’but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father? ”They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the harlots believed him; and even when you saw it, you did not afterwards repent and believe him.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION
An important lesson from this gospel is this: we must never make assumptions about whom the Lord will accept or reject. There can be so much good in those we consider evil and there can be so much evil in those we consider good. The prostitutes, the tax collectors, the garage boys, the street urchins, the prisoners and all those we see as the odd assortment of degeneration are finding their way to heaven through a sincere act of conversion. What matters to the Lord is sincerity of conversion and obedience to His word. In the words of G.K. Chesterton, “just going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car”. We may come to church every day, recite the rosary and follow the Stations of the Cross and observe other devotions; but, if there is no sincere act of conversion, we are off the track.

Today’s SaintsSts. Cosmas and Damian Feast day: 26 September Sts. Cosmas and Damian Sts. Cosmas and Damian were brothers...
26/09/2026

Today’s Saints
Sts. Cosmas and Damian
Feast day: 26 September

Sts. Cosmas and Damian
Sts. Cosmas and Damian were brothers, born in Arabia, who had become eminent for their skill in the science of medicine. Being Christians, they were filled with the spirit of charity and never took money for their services. At Egaea in Cilicia, where they lived, they enjoyed the highest esteem of the people. When the persecution under Diocletian broke out, their very prominence rendered them marked objects of persecution. Being apprehended by order of Lysias, governor of Cilicia, they underwent various torments about the year 283. Their feast day is September 26th. They are patron saints of pharmacists.

Saturday September 26, 2026SS COSMAS & DAMIAN, M (Opt. Mem.)or BVM on SaturdayVestment: Green/Red/WhiteToday’s Rosary: T...
26/09/2026

Saturday September 26, 2026
SS COSMAS & DAMIAN, M (Opt. Mem.)
or BVM on Saturday
Vestment: Green/Red/White
Today’s Rosary: The Joyful Mystery

FIRST READING
“Remember your creator in the days of your youth before the dust returns to the earth and the spirit returns to God.”
A reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:8)

Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgement. Remove vexation from your mind, and put away pain from your body; for youth and the dawn of life are vanity. Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw nigh, when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”; before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain; in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look through the windows are dimmed, and the doors on the street are shut; when the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the voice of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low; they are afraid also of what is high, and terrors are in the way; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along and desire fails; because man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets; before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 90:3-4. 5-6. 12-13. 14 and 17 (R. 1)
R/. O Lord, you have been our refuge, from generation to generation.

You turn man back to dust,
and say, “Return, O children of men.”
To your eyes a thousand years
are like yesterday, come and gone,
or like a watch in the night. R/.

You sweep them away like a dream,
like grass which is fresh in the morning.
In the morning it sprouts and is fresh;
by evening it withers and fades. R/.

R/. O Lord, you have been our refuge, from generation to generation.

Then teach us to number our days,
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Turn back, O Lord! How long?
Show pity to your servants. R/.

At dawn, fill us with your merciful love;
we shall exult and rejoice all our days.
Let the favour of the Lord our God be upon us;
give success to the work of our hands.
O give success to the work of our hands. R/.

ALLELUIA 2 Timothy 1:10
Alleluia. Our Saviour Jesus Christ abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
“The Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men. They were afraid to ask Him about this saying. ”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 9:43b-45)

At that time: While all were marveling at everything Jesus did, He said to His disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men.” But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying.

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION
In the gospel, Jesus challenges the outlook of His disciples about the Messiah. He repeatedly predicts His death so when it does happen, their faith would not fail them. He is preparing them for what is going to come, so it would not break them up. He wants them to understand that the cross is the choice He made and not something foisted on Him. It is the way to salvation and a path He must take. But the disciples fail to understand as so many Christians today still do – they find it hard to reconcile with a crucified Christ and His cross. Today, the Lord still challenges our thought and outlook; we cannot separate Christ from the cross.

Friday September 25, 2026Weekday (25) Vestment: GreenToday’s Rosary: The Sorrowful MysteryFIRST READING “There is a time...
25/09/2026

Friday September 25, 2026
Weekday (25)
Vestment: Green
Today’s Rosary: The Sorrowful Mystery

FIRST READING
“There is a time for every matter under heaven.”
A reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 3:1-11)

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace. What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the sons of men to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time; also He has put eternity into man’s mind, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 144: la and 2abc. 3-4 (R. la)
R/. Blest be the Lord, my rock!

Blest be the Lord, my rock.
He is my merciful love, my fortress;
He is my stronghold, my saviour,
my shield in whom I take refuge. R/.

Lord, what is man that you regard him,
the son of man that you keep him in mind,
man who is merely a breath,
whose days are like a passing shadow? R/.

ALLELUIA Mark 10:45
Alleluia. The Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
You are the Christ of God. The Son of man must suffer many things.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 9: 18-22)

Now it happened that as Jesus was praying alone the disciples were with Him; and He asked them, “Who do the people say that I am?” And they answered, “John the Baptist; but others say, Elijah; and others, that one of the old prophets has risen.” And He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” But He charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, “The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION
Who do you say that I am? While some try to avoid the question and others try to tiptoe towards it. This is the Jesus’ question we all must answer. Not who your parents, spouse, priests, pastors, teachers or friends say that Jesus is but who do you say that He is. It is a question that must be answered at the level of a personal encounter with Jesus. He wants us to be clear about His identity and the more we discover who He is, the more we place Him at the core of our lives, we make Him our personal Lord and saviour.

Thursday September 24, 2026Weekday (25)Vestment: GreenToday’s Rosary: The Luminous MysteryFIRST READING“There is nothing...
24/09/2026

Thursday September 24, 2026
Weekday (25)
Vestment: Green
Today’s Rosary: The Luminous Mystery

FIRST READING
“There is nothing new under the sun.”
A reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 1:2- 11)

Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. The sun rises and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises. The wind blows to the south, and goes round to the north; round and round goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns. All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again. All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”? It has been already, in the ages before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to happen among those who come after.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 90:3-4. 5-6. 12-13. 14 and 17 (R. 1)
R/. O Lord, you have been our refuge, from generation to generation.

You turn man back to dust,
and say, “Return, O children of men.”
To your eyes a thousand years
are like yesterday, come and gone,
or like a watch in the night. R/.

You sweep them away like a dream,
like grass which is fresh in the morning.
In the morning it sprouts and is fresh;
by evening it withers and fades. R/.

Then teach us to number our days,
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Turn back, O Lord! How long?
Show pity to your servants. R/.

At dawn, fill us with your merciful love;
we shall exult and rejoice all our days.
Let the favour of the Lord our God be upon us;
give success to the work of our hands.
O give success to the work of our hands. R/.

ALLELUIA John 14:6
Alleluia. I am the way, and the truth, and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father, but by me. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
“John I beheaded,’ but who is this about whom I hear such things?”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 9:7-9)

At that time: Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Jesus, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen. Herod said, “John I beheaded; but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he sought to see Him.

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION
Herod was curious about Jesus but this did not lead him to conversion. Herod’s effort to see Jesus was fulfilled only when Jesus was on His way to the cross. Today Jesus remains an enigma; a figure that has provoked the same question: who is this Jesus? Some come to Him with curiosity to know more for historical reasons. Some approach Him with self-needs. But for us, it is a question that must lead us to a daily encounter with Jesus and a consequent conversion of heart.

St. Padre PioSt. Padre Pio was an Italian priest who was known for his piety and charity, as well as the gift of the sti...
23/09/2026

St. Padre Pio
St. Padre Pio was an Italian priest who was known for his piety and charity, as well as the gift of the stigmata, which has never been explained.

St. Padre Pio was born Francesco Forgione, on May 25, 1887, in Pietrelcina, Italy. His parents were peasant farmers. He had an older brother and three younger sisters, as well as two other siblings who died in infancy. As a child, he was very religious and by the age of five he reportedly made the decision to dedicate his life to God.

Fortunately, his parents were also very religious and they supported his Catholic development. His family attended daily Mass. Francisco served as an altar boy at his local parish. Francisco was known for taking on penances and his mother once scolded him for sleeping on a stone floor.

Francisco's community was also supportive. Saint's days were popular celebrations and commonly celebrated in his town.

From his tender age, Francisco had a peculiar ability. He could see guardian angels, spoke with Jesus and the Virgin Mary. This was not something taught to him, but occurred so naturally that he assumed other people could see them too.

Although Francisco and his family was very religious, they were also very poor, which required that he work. He spent many years as a child tending to a small flock of sheep owned by his family. Unfortunately, the work meant he was unable to attend school regularly, so he quickly fell behind other kids his age.

Francisco was sickly as a child. He suffered an attack of gastroenteritis at age six and when he was ten, he had typhoid fever.

In 1897, after three years of schooling, Francisco expressed to his parents that he wanted to become a friar. His parents traveled to a nearby community of monks and asked if Francesco could join them. He was evaluated, despite his young age, and was told that he needed more education before he could join.

To prepare Francesco, his parents decided to hire a private tutor. To pay the cost of the tutor, Francesco's father traveled to America to find work, and sent the money home.

At the age of 15, Francisco was finally ready and he entered the novitiate of the Capuchin friars at Morcone.

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