SS Simon & Jude - Gillespie

06/17/2026

Happy feast of St. Emily de Vialar, Foundress of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition.
St. Emily devoted herself caring for neglected children and the poor of Gaillac, France. When she was left a fortune by her grandfather, she bought a large house and formed her religious community. Their work was caring of the needy, especially the sick, and educating children.
The last thing she told her community was, "Love one another." St. Emily de Vialar, pray for us.

06/16/2026

Today is the feast of St. Lutgardis, born in 1182 at Tangares in the Netherlands.
For the first part of her life, She Lutgardis felt no inclination towards religious life. This changed when she had a vision of Christ. She then entered the Benedictines and experienced visions of the Lord and His Mother. She was known as a mystic with the gifts of healing and prophecy.
Afflicted with blindness for the last 11 years of her life, she is the patron saint of the blind and physically disabled. St. Lutgardis, pray for us.

06/15/2026

Today is the feast of St. Germaine Cousin, the patron saint of victims of child abuse.
St. Germaine lost her mother as an infant, and her right hand was deformed and paralyzed at birth. Both St. Germaine’s father and step mother were cruel and abusive and her health suffered greatly.
St. Germaine found her comfort in God, especially through daily mass. One day when the rains had caused a flood, a villager saw the river part so that she could cross to get to Mass on time.
She was generous to beggars, even in her own poverty. She also showed kindness and forgiveness to her step mother, whose heart eventually softened towards her. Forty years after her death, St. Germaine’s body was found to be incorruptible
St. Germaine, pray for us to always show kindness and forgiveness

06/14/2026

Happy feast day of St. Joseph the Hymnographer!
St. Joseph is credited with the composition of about one thousand canons and was the most prolific of the Greek hymn writers.
Here is an excerpt of one of his hymns: “Up and follow, Christian men! Press through toil and sorrow; Spurn the night of fear, and then, O the glorious morrow! Who will venture on the strife; Who will first begin it? Who will grasp the Land of Life? Warriors, up and win it!”
St. Joseph, pray for us!

06/13/2026

The kingdom of God is at hand. Mark 1:15

06/13/2026

Happy Feast of Saint Anthony! Saint Anthony of Padua, aka Saint Anthony of Lisbon, was a Portuguese Catholic priest and friar of the Franciscan Order. He was born and raised by a wealthy family in Lisbon, Portugal, and died in Padua, Italy. Noted by his contemporaries for his powerful preaching, expert knowledge of scripture, and undying love and devotion to the poor and the sick, he is a Doctor of the Church. He is also the patron saint of lost things.

06/12/2026

Today is the feast of St. John of Sahagun, born in 1430 to a wealthy family in Sahagún de Campos, Spain.
St. John was a member of the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine. He was deeply devoted to the Eucharist, and at Mass he frequently saw the Sacred Host resplendent in glory. He fearlessly preached the word of God and opposed crimes and vices vehemently. This made enemies, which later led to his death.
St. John of Sahagun, pray for us

06/11/2026

06/11/2026

Happy feast of St. Barnabas!
St. Barnabas, along with St. Paul, was a charismatic leader called to preach to the Gentiles. It was St. Barnabas who persuaded the community in Jerusalem to accept St. Paul as a disciple.
St. Barnabas was sent to the new Christian community developed at Antioch to incorporate them into the fold.
He is the patron saint of Cyprus, Antioch, against hailstorms, and invoked as a peacemaker. St. Barnabas, pray for us!