Diocese of Savannah

06/01/2026

There's just one month left to submit to the Georgia Martyrs Art Contest and Exhibition!

We're looking for submissions of artwork depicting or inspired by Venerable Servants of God Pedro de Corpa and Companions, to be displayed in a gallery-style exhibition during the Beatification celebration. Artwork can be any non-AI visual art medium, such as painting, illustration, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, mosaic, stained glass, digital artwork, photography, animation, textiles, quilting, weaving, collage, etc. There is no entry fee. The exhibition is open to artists of all ages!

We're also holding an art competition to create the official Beatification image of the Georgia Martyrs. This image will be used on promotional items and in print and digital media before and after the Beatification liturgy. The chosen artist will receive a $5000 honorarium. There is no entry fee.

The digital submission deadline for both the exhibition and the contest is July 1, 2026. Physical art must be delivered to Savannah by September 14, 2026.

Visit thegeorgiamartyrs.org/art to submit your artwork.

06/01/2026

Today is the ordination anniversary for six of our priests:
• Fr. David Arnoldt, one of our retired priests, celebrating 58 years
• Fr. Francisco Gamboa, parochial vicar of St. Teresa of Ávila, Grovetown, celebrating 2 years
• Fr. Joseph Smith, one of our retired priests, celebrating 30 years
• Fr. Brett Brannen, pastor of St. Michael, Tybee Island, celebrating 35 years
• Fr. Jacob Almeter, pastor of Most Holy Trinity, Augusta, celebrating 13 years
• Fr. Kevin O'Keefe, pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus, Savannah, celebrating 13 years

06/01/2026

Today is the feast of St. Justin, Martyr.

Justin was born in the year 100 in Samaria. While he was raised in the Greek pagan religion, he was determined to find truth. He learned many philosophies in his search, and especially loved the teachings of Plato.

One day, Justin met an old man, and they discussed philosophy. He encouraged Justin to study not just philosophy but also the prophets, whose prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus. Justin took the man's advice and found what he felt was the true purpose of philosophy: to lead people to Christ.

Justin was baptized at age 30 and continued his work as a philosopher, this time to defend Christianity. Even in the reign of emperors tolerant of Christianity, persecution continued on a local level. Justin combatted this in his school of philosophy in Rome, engaging in public debate with Jewish rabbis and pagan Roman philosophers. He wrote detailed descriptions of the beliefs and worship of the early Church, including some of the earliest teachings about the Eucharist:

“And this food is called among us the Eucharist, of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are true, and who has been washed with the washing that is for the remission of sins, and unto regeneration, and who is so living as Christ has enjoined. For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; but in like manner as Jesus Christ our Savior, having been made flesh by the Word of God, had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh.”
—First Apology

Justin wrote to Emperor Antoninus Pius, a philosopher tolerant of Christians, to convince him to end persecution. He also wrote to the Roman Senate and several others.

In 165, the reign of Marcus Aurelius, a persecutor, a philosopher Justin debated with reported him to the prefect of Rome. Justin and 6 others were arrested. When they refused to apostatize, they were beheaded. An eyewitness recorded the events.

St. Justin Martyr, pray for us!

06/01/2026

05/31/2026

Today is the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness;
behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.
The Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is from age to age
to those who fear him.
He has shown might with his arm,
dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.
He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones
but lifted up the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things;
the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped Israel his servant,
remembering his mercy,
according to his promise to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
—Luke 1:46-55

Image: Visitation by Francesc Pla i Duran (El Vigatà), ca. 1780

***

Hoy es la fiesta de la Visitación de la Bienaventurada Virgen María.

“Mi alma glorifica al Señor
y mi espíritu se llena de júbilo en Dios, mi salvador,
porque puso sus ojos en la humildad de su esclava.
Desde ahora me llamarán dichosa todas las generaciones,
porque ha hecho en mí grandes cosas el que todo lo puede.
Santo es su nombre
y su misericordia llega de generación en generación
a los que lo temen.
Ha hecho sentir el poder de su brazo:
dispersó a los de corazón altanero,
destronó a los potentados
y exaltó a los humildes.
A los hambrientos los colmó de bienes
y a los ricos los despidió sin nada.
Acordándose de su misericordia,
vino en ayuda de Israel, su siervo,
como lo había prometido a nuestros padres,
a Abraham y a su descendencia, para siempre”.
—Lucas 1, 46-55

Imagen: Imagen: Visitación por Francesc Pla i Duran (El Vigatà), hacia 1780

05/31/2026

Today is the ordination anniversary for two of our priests:
• Fr. Vernon Knight, parochial administrator of St. Joseph, Waycross, celebrating 12 years
• Fr. Patrick O'Brien, one of our retired priests, celebrating 57 years

05/31/2026

Happy feast day to Holy Trinity, Swainsboro, and Most Holy Trinity, Augusta!

05/31/2026

SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY

Glory and praise for ever!

Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;
And blessed is your holy and glorious name,
praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.

Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,
praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.

Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.

Blessed are you who look into the depths
from your throne upon the cherubim,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
—Daniel 3:52-56

05/30/2026

Today is the 45th anniversary of Fr. Michael Cerrone, one of our retired priests.

05/30/2026

Happy feast day to St. Joan of Arc, Louisville!