St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church - Brooklyn Park, MN

06/18/2026

Saints Marcus and Marcellianus, pray for us!

“Marcus and Marcellianus were twin brothers of an illustrious family in Rome, who had converted to Christianity in their youth and later married.

Under the rule of Diocletian, the brothers were thrown into prison and condemned to be beheaded — simply for being Christians. Their family and friends obtained a pause on the ex*****on for thirty days so that they might convince them to worship the false gods. Sebastian (who later became a Saint), an officer of the emperor’s household, visited the brothers daily and encouraged them to stay strong in their faith. While the brothers were in prison, Sebastian was able to convert the brothers’ parents, wives, Chromatius (the judge) and his son, Tiburtius, who became a saint. Chromatius set the Saints free and retired from his position.

After leaving prison, Marcus and Marcellianus were taken and hidden by a Christian officer of the household in his apartments in the palace; but they were betrayed by an apostate, and rearrested. Fabian, who had succeeded Chromatius, condemned them to be bound to two pillars, with their feet nailed to the same. In this posture they remained a day and a night, and on the following day were stabbed with lances. Their martyrdom occurred in the year 286.”

JUNE 18 + Today is the Feast Day of Spiritual Warrior Saints Marcus and Marcellianus + Pray for us

Marcus and Marcellianus were twin brothers of an illustrious family in Rome, who had converted to Christianity in their youth and later married.

Under the rule of Diocletian, the brothers were thrown into prison and condemned to be beheaded — simply for being Christians. Their family and friends obtained a pause on the ex*****on for thirty days so that they might convince them to worship the false gods. Sebastian (who later became a Saint), an officer of the emperor’s household, visited the brothers daily and encouraged them to stay strong in their faith. While the brothers were in prison, Sebastian was able to convert the brothers’ parents, wives, Chromatius (the judge) and his son, Tiburtius, who became a saint. Chromatius set the Saints free and retired from his position.

After leaving prison, Marcus and Marcellianus were taken and hidden by a Christian officer of the household in his apartments in the palace; but they were betrayed by an apostate, and rearrested. Fabian, who had succeeded Chromatius, condemned them to be bound to two pillars, with their feet nailed to the same. In this posture they remained a day and a night, and on the following day were stabbed with lances. Their martyrdom occurred in the year 286.

06/17/2026

Saint Gregory Barbarigo, pray for us!

“Gregory was the oldest of four children born in 1625, to a distinguished Venetian family. His father instructed him in philosophy and mathematics, while preceptors taught him Latin and Greek. His parents died of the plague and a cousin came in to take care of the family.

A brilliant student, he embraced a diplomatic career and accompanied the Venetian Ambassador, Contarini, to the Congress of Munster in 1648.

He obtained a doctorate in utroque iure (a doctor of both canon and civil law), then became a priest and was soon thereafter consecrated as the first Bishop of Bergamo by Pope Alexander VII. Later on he was elevated to the rank of Cardinal and also given authority over the diocese of Padua. He guided his flock with pastoral wisdom and deep understanding.

Gregory worked unceasingly in carrying out the reforms set forth by the Council of Trent. Through his efforts the seminaries of both Bergamo and Padua were substantially enlarged. At Padua he also added a library and a printing press. He died in 1697.

His remains were exhumed in 1725 and were found to be incorrupt. His body can be viewed in the Chapel of Saint Gregorio Barbarigo in Padua.”

JUNE 17 + Today we celebrate the Feast Day of Spiritual Warrior Saint Gregory Barbarigo + Pray for us

Gregory was the oldest of four children born in 1625, to a distinguished Venetian family. His father instructed him in philosophy and mathematics, while preceptors taught him Latin and Greek. His parents died of the plague and a cousin came in to take care of the family.

A brilliant student, he embraced a diplomatic career and accompanied the Venetian Ambassador, Contarini, to the Congress of Munster in 1648.

He obtained a doctorate in utroque iure (a doctor of both canon and civil law), then became a priest and was soon thereafter consecrated as the first Bishop of Bergamo by Pope Alexander VII. Later on he was elevated to the rank of Cardinal and also given authority over the diocese of Padua. He guided his flock with pastoral wisdom and deep understanding.

Gregory worked unceasingly in carrying out the reforms set forth by the Council of Trent. Through his efforts the seminaries of both Bergamo and Padua were substantially enlarged. At Padua he also added a library and a printing press. He died in 1697.

His remains were exhumed in 1725 and were found to be incorrupt. His body can be viewed in the Chapel of Saint Gregorio Barbarigo in Padua.

06/16/2026

"My brothers and sisters, our Catholic families are the vital cell, the building block, the beginning and end of Catholic civilization. Let us help each other’s families flourish. Let us pray, frequent the sacraments, engage in corporal and spiritual works of mercy, study, seek fellowship in our parish, and love our spouses and families with a supernatural, Christ-like love. In so doing, we will change the world, one soul and one family at a time."

Read his letter at https://www.archspm.org/familyletter, and see a video from Archbishop Hebda.

06/16/2026

Saint John Francis Regis, pray for us!

“In a 1997 letter to the Bishop of Viviers, St. Pope John Paul II commemorated the fourth centenary of St. John Francis Regis' birth, honoring him as a ‘lofty figure of holiness’ and an example for the Church in the modern world.

‘In less than 10 years of ministry, this saintly Frenchman succeeded, with God’s help, in leading back to Christ an immense crowd of men, women and children of all ages and walks of life,’ the Pope recalled. He urged the faithful to imitate the saint and ‘put themselves in God’s hands with total trust.’

Born in 1597, John Francis Regis was the son of a wealthy merchant father and a mother from nobility. As a boy he was sensitive, devout, and eager to please his parents and teachers. Educated by Jesuits from the age of 14, he entered the Society of Jesus at the age of 18.

As he followed the traditional Jesuit path of teaching and extensive studies, John also became known as a skilled catechist. He was eager to enter the priesthood, and offered his first Mass in 1631. John spent much of the rest of that year caring for victims of a plague outbreak in the city of Toulouse.

John's missionary work spanned both a large geographical distance and a broad social spectrum. In over 50 districts of France, he preached the Gospel to children, the poor, prisoners, and others forgotten or neglected by society. His best-known work involved helping women escape prostitution.

John's labors reaped a harvest of conversions. However, his boldness – perceived as arrogance in some cases – led to a conflict with certain other priests, a period of tension with the local bishop, and even threats of violence from those whose vices he condemned.

Against these obstacles, John persevered, sustained by fervent prayer and severe asceticism. His missionary work involved difficult winter journeys, and a witness at his beatification testified to John’s habit of preaching outdoors all day, then hearing confessions throughout the night.

John died at age 43, in late December of 1640. Though suffering from a lung ailment, he insisted on preaching and hearing confessions. A penitent found him unconscious in the confessional, though he revived long enough to receive the last rites before dying. His final words were: “Into thy hands I commend my spirit.”

JUNE 16 + Today we celebrate the Feast Day of Spiritual Warrior Saint John Francis Regis + Pray for us

In a 1997 letter to the Bishop of Viviers, St. Pope John Paul II commemorated the fourth centenary of St. John Francis Regis' birth, honoring him as a “lofty figure of holiness” and an example for the Church in the modern world.

“In less than 10 years of ministry, this saintly Frenchman succeeded, with God’s help, in leading back to Christ an immense crowd of men, women and children of all ages and walks of life,” the Pope recalled. He urged the faithful to imitate the saint and “put themselves in God’s hands with total trust.”

Born in 1597, John Francis Regis was the son of a wealthy merchant father and a mother from nobility. As a boy he was sensitive, devout, and eager to please his parents and teachers. Educated by Jesuits from the age of 14, he entered the Society of Jesus at the age of 18.

As he followed the traditional Jesuit path of teaching and extensive studies, John also became known as a skilled catechist. He was eager to enter the priesthood, and offered his first Mass in 1631. John spent much of the rest of that year caring for victims of a plague outbreak in the city of Toulouse.

John's missionary work spanned both a large geographical distance and a broad social spectrum. In over 50 districts of France, he preached the Gospel to children, the poor, prisoners, and others forgotten or neglected by society. His best-known work involved helping women escape prostitution.

John's labors reaped a harvest of conversions. However, his boldness – perceived as arrogance in some cases – led to a conflict with certain other priests, a period of tension with the local bishop, and even threats of violence from those whose vices he condemned.

Against these obstacles, John persevered, sustained by fervent prayer and severe asceticism. His missionary work involved difficult winter journeys, and a witness at his beatification testified to John’s habit of preaching outdoors all day, then hearing confessions throughout the night.

John died at age 43, in late December of 1640. Though suffering from a lung ailment, he insisted on preaching and hearing confessions. A penitent found him unconscious in the confessional, though he revived long enough to receive the last rites before dying. His final words were: “Into thy hands I commend my spirit.”

06/15/2026

"Love and mercy are forever united in the heart of our Lord." In this month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, hear from Archbishop Hebda about the history of this devotion and what it says about Jesus' love for us. Watch the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_pkheeiuU4

06/15/2026

Saint Germaine Cousin — the Patron Saint of child abuse victims and the disabled, pray for us!

“Germaine Cousin was born in 1579 in France. After her mother died when Germaine was just an infant, her father Laurent was re-married to a woman named Hortense, who despised the young girl. Germaine was born weak, ill and with a deformity of her right hand. Hortense, in her cruelty, starved Germaine forcing her to crawl to eat from a dog dish. Hortense even poured boiling hot water on Germaine's legs, all the while her father did nothing to protect her.

Due to the abuse of her stepmother, Germaine became even more weak and ill, developing a disease known as scrofula, a type of tuberculosis that causes glands to swell. She developed sores that left her immune system vulnerable to other diseases.

Germaine's own siblings took part in the torment by putting ashes in the little food she did receive and pitch in her clothes. Afraid her own children would catch Germaine's diseases, Hortense made her sleep in the barn, and the only food she ate were the scraps for the animals.

Instead of being lonely, Germaine found solitude with God. She had a rosary made of knots and would pray simple prayers. Out of her prayers grew a deep faith and trust in God. She attended Mass daily without fail. One day, a long rain flooded the river and a villager saw the river part so that she could cross to get to Mass on time.

Germaine's holiness infuriated her stepmother and she waited to catch Germaine doing wrong. One evening Hortense saw Germaine with a bundle in her apron. Certain that Germaine had stolen bread, she began to chase and scream at the child. As she began to beat her, Germaine opened her apron and beautiful bright flowers that didn’t grow during that season tumbled out. Germaine handed a flower to her stepmother and said, ‘Please accept this flower, Mother. God sends it to you as a sign of His forgiveness.’

Germaine was found dead on her bed of leaves at the age of 22. When her body was exhumed 40 years later, it was found incorrupt.

When you read Germaine's story, the Walt Disney classic Cinderella quickly comes to mind. Germaine was a real life Cinderella except that she didn't marry a Prince. Her ending and reward was much greater as she was rescued by the Prince of Peace and her Divine Mother and received a crown far more glorious than any crown this world could have given her. She is a humbling reminder that we might not be rewarded for being faithful in this life, but the rewards in the next are incomparable to anything we deem as valuable on earth.”

JUNE 15 + Today is the Feast Day of Spiritual Warrior Saint Germaine Cousin — the Patron Saint of child abuse victims and the disabled + Pray for us

Germaine Cousin was born in 1579 in France. After her mother died when Germaine was just an infant, her father Laurent was re-married to a woman named Hortense, who despised the young girl. Germaine was born weak, ill and with a deformity of her right hand. Hortense, in her cruelty, starved Germaine forcing her to crawl to eat from a dog dish. Hortense even poured boiling hot water on Germaine's legs, all the while her father did nothing to protect her.

Due to the abuse of her stepmother, Germaine became even more weak and ill, developing a disease known as scrofula, a type of tuberculosis that causes glands to swell. She developed sores that left her immune system vulnerable to other diseases.

Germaine's own siblings took part in the torment by putting ashes in the little food she did receive and pitch in her clothes. Afraid her own children would catch Germaine's diseases, Hortense made her sleep in the barn, and the only food she ate were the scraps for the animals.

Instead of being lonely, Germaine found solitude with God. She had a rosary made of knots and would pray simple prayers. Out of her prayers grew a deep faith and trust in God. She attended Mass daily without fail. One day, a long rain flooded the river and a villager saw the river part so that she could cross to get to Mass on time.

Germaine's holiness infuriated her stepmother and she waited to catch Germaine doing wrong. One evening Hortense saw Germaine with a bundle in her apron. Certain that Germaine had stolen bread, she began to chase and scream at the child. As she began to beat her, Germaine opened her apron and beautiful bright flowers that didn’t grow during that season tumbled out. Germaine handed a flower to her stepmother and said, “Please accept this flower, Mother. God sends it to you as a sign of His forgiveness.”

Germaine was found dead on her bed of leaves at the age of 22. When her body was exhumed 40 years later, it was found incorrupt.

When you read Germaine's story, the Walt Disney classic Cinderella quickly comes to mind. Germaine was a real life Cinderella except that she didn't marry a Prince. Her ending and reward was much greater as she was rescued by the Prince of Peace and her Divine Mother and received a crown far more glorious than any crown this world could have given her. She is a humbling reminder that we might not be rewarded for being faithful in this life, but the rewards in the next are incomparable to anything we deem as valuable on earth.

06/15/2026

Monday morning smile for you...

06/14/2026

Is God calling you to pray in this way? We are so grateful for the women already involved in this ministry, who tell us that they benefit from this extra devoted prayer time for our priests. What a beautiful gift!

06/14/2026

Learn more at https://careers.archspm.org/job/faithful-beginnings-assistant-teacher-2026-2027-school-year-2.

06/14/2026

Saint Basil the Great, pray for us!

“Basil, the Bishop of Caesarea, is one of the most distinguished Doctors of the Church.

Born in 329, Basil was on his way to becoming a famous teacher when he decided to begin a religious life of gospel poverty. After studying various modes of religious life, he founded what was probably the first monastery in Asia Minor. He is to monks of the East what Saint Benedict is to the West, and Basil’s principles influence Eastern monasticism today.

He was ordained a priest, assisted the archbishop of Caesarea (now southeastern Turkey) and ultimately became archbishop himself, in spite of opposition from some of the bishops under him, probably because they foresaw coming reforms.

Arianism, one of the most damaging heresies in the history of the Church which denied the divinity of Christ, was at its height. Emperor Valens persecuted orthodox believers, and put great pressure on Basil to remain silent and admit the heretics to communion. Basil remained firm, and Valens backed down. But trouble remained. When the great Saint Athanasius died, the mantle of the defender of the faith against Arianism fell upon Basil. He strove mightily to unite and rally his fellow Catholics who were crushed by tyranny and torn by internal dissension. He was misunderstood, misrepresented, accused of heresy and ambition. Even appeals to the pope brought no response. ‘For my sins I seem to be unsuccessful in everything.’

Basil was a strong supporter of the Nicene Creed. With his friend Gregory of Nazianzus and his brother Gregory of Nyssa, he is part of the trio known as ‘The Three Cappadocians,’ of which he was the most important in practical genius and theological writings.

Tireless in pastoral care, Basil preached twice a day to huge crowds, built a hospital that was called a wonder of the world — as a youth he had organized famine relief and worked in a soup kitchen himself — and fought the prostitution business.

Basil was best known as an orator. Though not recognized greatly in his lifetime, his writings rightly place him among the great teachers of the Church. Seventy-two years after his death, the Council of Chalcedon described him as ‘the great Basil, minister of grace who has expounded the truth to the whole earth.’”

JUNE 14 + Today is the Feast Day of Spiritual Warrior Saint Basil the Great + Pray for us

Basil, the Bishop of Caesarea, is one of the most distinguished Doctors of the Church.

Born in 329, Basil was on his way to becoming a famous teacher when he decided to begin a religious life of gospel poverty. After studying various modes of religious life, he founded what was probably the first monastery in Asia Minor. He is to monks of the East what Saint Benedict is to the West, and Basil’s principles influence Eastern monasticism today.

He was ordained a priest, assisted the archbishop of Caesarea (now southeastern Turkey) and ultimately became archbishop himself, in spite of opposition from some of the bishops under him, probably because they foresaw coming reforms.

Arianism, one of the most damaging heresies in the history of the Church which denied the divinity of Christ, was at its height. Emperor Valens persecuted orthodox believers, and put great pressure on Basil to remain silent and admit the heretics to communion. Basil remained firm, and Valens backed down. But trouble remained. When the great Saint Athanasius died, the mantle of the defender of the faith against Arianism fell upon Basil. He strove mightily to unite and rally his fellow Catholics who were crushed by tyranny and torn by internal dissension. He was misunderstood, misrepresented, accused of heresy and ambition. Even appeals to the pope brought no response. “For my sins I seem to be unsuccessful in everything.”

Basil was a strong supporter of the Nicene Creed. With his friend Gregory of Nazianzus and his brother Gregory of Nyssa, he is part of the trio known as "The Three Cappadocians," of which he was the most important in practical genius and theological writings.

Tireless in pastoral care, Basil preached twice a day to huge crowds, built a hospital that was called a wonder of the world — as a youth he had organized famine relief and worked in a soup kitchen himself — and fought the prostitution business.

Basil was best known as an orator. Though not recognized greatly in his lifetime, his writings rightly place him among the great teachers of the Church. Seventy-two years after his death, the Council of Chalcedon described him as “the great Basil, minister of grace who has expounded the truth to the whole earth.”