17/04/2026
πππ’π§π π¨π ππ‘π πππ² ~ ππ©π«π’π₯ ππ
ππ₯ππ¬π¬ππ πππ¦ππ¬ ππ₯ππ¨ (1364-1404) Youβve heard rags-to-riches stories. Today, we celebrate the reverse. James of Oldo was born into a well-to-do family near Milan in 1364. He married a woman who, like him, appreciated the comforts that came with wealth. But an outbreak of plague drove James, his wife and their three children out of their home and into the countryside. Despite those precautions, two of his daughters died from the plague, James determined to use whatever time he had left to build up treasures in heaven and to build Godβs realm on earth. He and his wife became Secular Franciscans. James gave up his old lifestyle and did penance for his sins. He cared for a sick priest, who taught him Latin. Upon the death of his wife, James himself became a priest. His house was transformed into a chapel where small groups of people, many of them fellow Secular Franciscans, came for prayer and support. James focused on caring for the sick and for prisoners of war. He died in 1404 after contracting a disease from one of his patients. James Oldo was beatified in 1933. Comment: The death of those we love brings a troubling awareness of our own mortality. James had that experience when he gazed into a friendβs grave, and it brought him to his senses. He determined to use whatever time he had left to build up treasures in heaven and to build Godβs realm on earth. Our time is limited, too. We can use it well or foolishly: The choice is ours IN other word
Hereβs a simpler way to understand it:
Blessed James Oldo was once rich and lived comfortably. But when the plague came, his life changedβhe lost two of his daughters, and it made him realize that life is short.
Because of that, he chose to stop focusing on wealth and comfort. Instead, he dedicated his life to God. He became a Secular Franciscan, helped the sick, cared for prisoners, and later became a priest. He even turned his home into a place of prayer. In the end, he died after catching an illness while helping someone.
Main message:
When we face loss or realize life is short, we can choose to live more meaningfullyβby helping others, doing good, and focusing on what truly matters, not just material things.
Saint of the Day ~ April 18 Blessed James Oldo (1364-1404) Youβve heard rags-to-riches stories. Today, we celebrate the reverse. James of Oldo was born into a well-to-do family near Milan in 1364. He married a woman who, like him, appreciated the comforts that came with wealth. But an outbreak of plague drove James, his wife and their three children out of their home and into the countryside. Despite those precautions, two of his daughters died from the plague, James determined to use whatever time he had left to build up treasures in heaven and to build Godβs realm on earth. He and his wife became Secular Franciscans. James gave up his old lifestyle and did penance for his sins. He cared for a sick priest, who taught him Latin. Upon the death of his wife, James himself became a priest. His house was transformed into a chapel where small groups of people, many of them fellow Secular Franciscans, came for prayer and support. James focused on caring for the sick and for prisoners of war. He died in 1404 after contracting a disease from one of his patients. James Oldo was beatified in 1933. Comment: The death of those we love brings a troubling awareness of our own mortality. James had that experience when he gazed into a friendβs grave, and it brought him to his senses. He determined to use whatever time he had left to build up treasures in heaven and to build Godβs realm on earth. Our time is limited, too. We can use it well or foolishly: The choice is ours IN other words pero ganito Iibahin lamang ang bawat words
Hereβs a rewritten version using different words but keeping the same meaning:
Saint of the Day β April 18
Blessed James Oldo
We often hear stories about people rising from poverty to wealthβbut this story goes the opposite way.
James Oldo was born into a wealthy family near Milan in 1364. He married a woman who also enjoyed a comfortable and prosperous life. However, when a deadly plague spread, their family was forced to leave their home and move to the countryside. Even so, two of their daughters died from the disease. This painful loss led James to realize how short life is, and he decided to spend the rest of his life serving God and preparing for eternal life.
He and his wife joined the Secular Franciscans. James turned away from his former luxurious lifestyle and began doing acts of repentance. He took care of an ill priest, who in return taught him Latin. After his wife passed away, James became a priest. He turned his home into a small chapel where people gathered to pray and support one another, especially fellow Secular Franciscans. He devoted himself to helping the sick and prisoners of war. Eventually, he died in 1404 after catching an illness from someone he was caring for.
James Oldo was declared Blessed in 1933.
Reflection:
Losing loved ones can remind us that life does not last forever. James experienced this deeply, and it changed the way he lived. He chose to use his remaining time doing good and serving God. Like him, we also have limited time, and we can choose to spend it wisely or waste itβthe decision is ours.
