Our Blessed Friends #2

 “I AM NOT AFRAID”

Anasztáz János Brenner

It was a cold December morning when the villagers came upon the murdered priest. They gasped as they recognized him as the beloved Father Anasztáz. Covered in 32 wounds, the courageous priest still clutched the Eucharist close to his heart. Who was this “Hungarian Tarcisius”, and what had happened to him?

Born János Brenner to a Hungarian couple almost 26 years earlier, Father Anasztáz was the second of three boys. He attended a Cistercian school in his homeland of Hungary until the communists closed it. His experiences with the Cistercians caused Father Anasztáz to discern religious life. At the age of eighteen, he began his studies for the priesthood, taking the name Anasztáz. Six years later he was ordained and adopted the Biblical motto of Romans 8:28 - “ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THOSE WHO LOVE G’D.” 

Father Anasztáz used his energy to teach people about the faith, especially children. He was told by the communists to stop, but he would not bow to their demands. He trusted G’D and that helped him remain courageous in the face of threats and even attempts on his life. The bishop, however, was concerned and he offered Father Anasztáz a position elsewhere. Father remarked, “I AM NOT AFRAID; I WOULD LIKE TO STAY.”

On 14 December 1957, Father Anasztáz received word that a dying man was in need of last rites. Father rushed to him, even in the late hour, but was ambushed by communists in the forest and killed. The communists hoped his murder would discourage Catholics from practicing their faith, but Father’s example only strengthened their faith.

Now, with the communism enforced by the Soviet Union dissipated, a chapel stands on the site where Father Anasztáz fell. It stands courageously as a reminder of the holy courage that we can all take up if we put our trust completely in G’D. 

Our Blessed Friends #1

 “SHE BELIEVED”

Alexia González-Barros

At a papal audience in 1979, a young girl broke through the crowd and ran to the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II. She received his blessing before returning to her family in the crowd. But who was this girl, and why is she important?

Her name was Alexia Gonzáles-Barros. She was born to Francisco and Moncha Gonzáles-Barros as the last of seven children. Both Francisco and Moncha were members of Opus Dei - a religious group founded by Saint Josemaría Escrivá that promoted “finding G’D in daily life”. 

Alexia was an extrovert who enjoyed music and dancing. She frequented the Royal Theater for concerts and enjoyed the international song competition Eurovision. Very outgoing, Alexia shared her humor and joy with everyone around her.

At thirteen, Alexia was diagnosed with Erving’s Sarcoma - a rare and aggressive form of cancer where tumors develop in and around the bone. Even though the operations and procedures were very painful, Alexia remained joyful and offered all her suffering for the Church and for the intentions of her family and friends. 

Through all her pain, Alexia never lost her smile. She died in 1985 after an excruciating ten month battle with cancer. She constantly prayed, “JESUS, MAY I ALWAYS DO WHAT YOU WANT”.

A quote from her brother Francisco proves we can be like Alexia. He said of his little sister, “ALEXIA LIVED A CLEAR AND CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS. THE STRENGTH OF ALEXIA’S CASE RESTS ON THIS: SHE BELIEVED.”  

Coming Soon - Our Blessed Friends!

Hi everybody!

After a conversation I recently had with a friend of mine, I've been encouraged to start putting these out for all of you! I will have a new one out every Monday from the tenth of January until the twenty-eighth of February! Merry Christmas!

The 2022 Reboot

Hey guys!

If you don't know me, my name is Katie Orloski. I am fifteen and I live in Virginia with my parents, two siblings, and almost-two-year-old puppy Cooper, whom we got last year around this time. I have a passion for writing and learning about the saints, the latter I wish to foster in all of you young people that stumble across my tiny little corner of the internet (and by tiny, I mean that it is practically impossible for anyone to actually find this place unless they know about it...). 

I've been learning about the saints for a long time, and I've always looked up to them as heroes. Because really, they are. Whether they were engaging fearlessly in battle like Joan of Arc, being stoned to death for believing in Jesus like Saint Stephen, ministering to the poor dying in the streets like Saint Vincent de Paul, or just plain hanging out with Jesus in a convent like Saint Therese of Lisieux, these people really were heroes, guys! And guess what else? We can also be heroes! All we have to do is follow the beautiful patterns laid out to us by these saintly humans. Just like us, they were not perfect - they were flawed creatures who struggled with doubt and temptation and yes, sometimes even the seven deadlies! But you know what? All of these people that the Church has recognized as saints - Rose, Augustine, Mary Magdalene, Dismas, etc. etc. - are in heaven with Jesus, even though they did some crazy things! 

So how did these flawed people suddenly get canonized?

They made Jesus the king of their lives. They made a 180 degree turn in the opposite direction of all their sins and chose, even though it hurt, to follow Him at all costs. Even if it meant giving up their own lives in the process. 

So my big question of 2022 for you is...do you want to be a saint? Maybe your name won't be in the table of contents in a book of saints, maybe you won't get to have your name on a calendar or said at a Mass...but do you want to be in heaven? Because that's really the question you're being asked when someone asks if you want to be a saint. 

My hand is RAISED for this question, guys! It's totally something I want...it's at the TOP of my list of accomplishments for my life. But what about you? Do you want to be a saint, a citizen of heaven? Do you want to live with Jesus forever? And ever and ever and ever? There's a pretty easy way to START getting there (actually getting there must be pretty tricky, seeing as I personally mess up every day, pretty much every hour, actually). And that easy way is...learning about how people already got there! I.e., the saints!

My goal, by "rebooting" this blog, is to help all of you get there with me by learning about the saints. I recently wrote a little book (and then a second one, for Christmas) for my family about some lesser-known saints. One of my friends who knew I had been keeping up a blog in the past encouraged me to publish my stories on here, and so I am listening to this advice and putting it out for you all to see. HOPEFULLY, they will help you on your journey to the arms of Jesus!

Remember that I'm always praying for you! Go with G'D! 

SAINTS CORNER - An Saint in the Making: Servant of God Giulia Gabrieli

Hello, again! It's Julia! Recently, I have been learning about some saints from recent times. Last time, we learned about Venerable Carlo Acutis, and this time we are going to learn about a young girl who shares my name! Giulia Gabrieli is currently a candidate for sainthood. That means she is not yet a saint, but one day she will be. Giulia is currently a Servant of God, the first step in becoming a saint. 

In 1997, Giulia was born in Italy. She was the oldest child of two - her little brother was born later. His name is Davide Gabrieli, and he is a teenager and is still alive. Giulia died in 2011 (which is the year my nine-year-old sister was born - that's how recent she died). She loved to do many things you like to do. She loved to shop and hang out with friends and listen to music (her favorite song was Strada Facendo, and she especially liked the version by Laura Pausini)...but she also loved Jesus, and her life was lived for Him. Giulia also had a special talent for writing. She won awards for her writing, and after she died, a book of hers was published, titled Un Gancio in Mezzo al Cielo, which is Italian for "a hook in the middle of the sky". In it, she told the story of herself, and it is a truly inspiring story (unfortunately, it has not yet been translated into English). 

In 2009, she noticed swelling in her hand while she was on vacation. Everyone thought it was a bug bite, but when the swelling persisted, Giulia was taken to the doctor for tests. They found that Giulia's swelling was caused by a form of cancer. Giulia dedicated her last days to God, praying the rosary all the time and even visiting religious sites. During her illness, she stumbled across the life of Blessed Chiara Badano, whom you can read about here. Giulia's faith in Jesus gave her great peace. 

On August 19, 2011, while the Way of the Cross was being held during World Youth Day, Giulia went to heaven at the age of fourteen. Giulia's book was published, and the people who knew her worked tirelessly to let the whole world know about her. Now, Giulia is a Servant of God, three steps away from sainthood. If you are ever sick, pray for Giulia to help you. She is a powerful intercessor because she understands kids our age, because she was a kid just like you once upon a time. 

Giulia Gabrieli, PRAY FOR US!

SAINTS CORNER - A Saint for Computers: Venerable Carlo Acutis

 Hello there! My name is Julia!

Do you know what steps it takes to get to sainthood? If you don't know, I am going to tell you right now. There are four steps - Servant of God, Venerable, Blessed, and Saint. In the last post, we learned about Blessed Chiara Badano, a young Italian teenager who got cancer and died when she was only eighteen years old. She loved tennis, hanging out with friends, and doing many things you like to do. And Chiara Badano isn't the only saint out there like you! There are many, many saints in the making who do the same things you do! A good example is Venerable Carlo Acutis. Chiara Badano died in 1990, but Carlo Acutis died in 2006 - that's the year I was born! There are still saints who walk this earth, and one day even you could be one!

Carlo was born in 1991 in London, England, but he moved to Italy, the home of his parents, as a baby. He loved to play soccer and program computers. But the thing that stood out most about Carlo was that he loved the Eucharist. From the day after his First Communion, he never missed a daily Mass. He was always there to receive Jesus into his soul. Carlo's parents weren't especially religious, but the Holy Spirit was working inside Carlo and Carlo managed to get his parents to go to Mass with him. He also loved to play the rosary. 

At school, Carlo always reached out to kids who got picked on. He played soccer with them and encouraged them. He played video games with them. Carlo loved video games, but he only allowed himself to play an hour a week as a penance. Carlo also loved to program computers. His mother had to buy him textbooks that you would find in a college so he could learn more information. He knew so much about computers that he created a blog to catalog all the Eucharistic miracles around the world (you can visit it here). 

Carlo died when he was fifteen, of cancer. His unwavering faith has inspired so many people. Venerable Carlo Acutis WILL BE BEATIFIED THIS SUNDAY, 10 OCTOBER 2020. That means he will continue climbing the ladder to sainthood and become Blessed Carlo Acutis. 

Carlo was so close to God that his body is incorrupt. He is on display for people to see in Italy. He remains buried in his jeans and Nike sneakers. He is an incredible saint for our modern era, and he is always looking out for the young children in the world. 

Venerable Carlo Acutis, PRAY FOR US!

Saints for Schools

     School is starting up again, and the summer is over (not that it felt much like summer because there weren't pools to swim in or museums to go to or trips to take). We have to wake up earlier, get ourselves back into a routine, and focus our minds on learning. And with all of this sudden change, it can be a little crazy and overwhelming. That's when we can turn to the saints, because there are some very amazing ones who we can ask to help us with busy school life. 

Saint Edith Stein (Teresa Benedicta of the Cross)

Edith Stein was born Jewish but she became Catholic as an adult. There was also a brief time in her life when she was an athiest, which means she didn't follow any religion. Edith Stein was a very bright young woman, and she was able to attend a university, which was very uncommon when she was there. She studied philosophy, which is the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. She had close friends who were also philosophers, such as Edmund Husserl (Edith eventually became his assistant). After Edith Stein was baptized a Catholic, she left behind her promising career at the university and entered a Carmelite convent with her sister, Rosa. She was martyred during World War II because of her Jewish heritage, and has been named one of the patronesses of Europe.

Saint Thomas Aquinas

Thomas Aquinas was sent by his parents to live and be educated at a Benedictine monastery at the early age of five, in the hopes that he would become a monk there. He was sent elsewhere to complete his studies and was attracted to the philosophy of Aristotle. Then, Thomas decided he would not become a Benedictine monk, but a Dominican friar. His parents were greatly displeased and sent his brothers to kidnap him. Thomas was kept at his home for over a year. After he was set free, he became a great teacher and studied the teachings of the Catholic Church, and teaching them to others. He wrote many documents still treasured by the Church today on the teachings of the Church. He was named a Doctor of the Church. 

Saint Gemma Galgani

Saint Gemma Galgani is one of the patronesses of students. She was a very diligent student and was loved by her teachers fellow students. She excelled and received outstanding grades. However, Gemma was a very sick girl, and her sickness prevented her from completing her schooling. Gemma turned to Jesus. She spent her days caring for the poor and the sick and taking care of her seven siblings because their parents had died. Gemma got even sicker, but continued to pray constantly and care for her siblings and the poor. She wanted to become a Passionist nun but was rejected due to her poor health. Gemma remained very close to Jesus and died of tuberculosis at the age of 25. Even though she was never able to join the order, the Passionists recognize her as one of their greatest saints. 

Saint Albert the Great

Not too much is known about Saint Albert's early life. We do know that he was well educated. He attended the University of Padua and studied Aristotle. After an encounter with Our Lady he became a Dominican. Albert became a great Dominican teacher and taught other great saints such as Saint Thomas Aquinas. Albert was appointed a bishop but resigned after a few years, finding that the life of a bishop was not for him. Albert wrote thirty-eight books on all sorts of topics from philosophy to friendship. He is the patron saint of scientists.

Saint Catherine of Alexandria

Saint Catherine of Alexandria was born around 287 in Egypt. Catherine was of noble birth, and might have even been a princess. She was well educated and had excellent debating skills. After a vision of Our Lady and the infant Jesus, she converted to the Catholic faith. Catherine was not pleased with the emperor's persecution of Christians, and she went to him and told him so. The emperor ordered his best philosophers and speakers to come debate Catherine, but the Holy Spirit gave her the right answers to speak in defense of her faith. The emperor became angry and he had her tortured and imprisoned. The emperor thought she was very beautiful and asked if she would become his wife. If she said yes, she would become the empress and she would not die. However, Catherine told the emperor that she was already married to Jesus and would never marry anyone else. The emperor became extremely angry and ordered her execution. They came out with a spiked wheel to kill her, but the instant Catherine touched it, it shattered into a million pieces. The emperor ordered her to be beheaded. Catherine is one of the most well known saints and is still remembered for her unwavering faith in Jesus and also her excellent debating skills. 

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

Elizabeth was born into a rich Protestant family in 1774. She grew up in the upper class of New York and was a profuse reader. Despite her high class, her life was simple and often lonely. Elizabeth relied on the Bible for constant support. Elizabeth fell in love with William Seton and they were happily married in 1794. Their first few years of marriage were like an oasis. She was happy and free from her loneliness. However, those years were short-lived. William's father died, and Elizabeth and William were left to care for William's siblings and his father's business. William's business failed, and the family lost all their money. William got sick, and the family went to Italy in the hopes that a new environment would help William's sickness. Elizabeth was devastated when the trip proved unsuccessful and William died there. Again, Elizabeth turned to the Bible for comfort in those hard times. Elizabeth was drawn to the Catholic Church and she was baptized. Elizabeth started a school in Maryland, which became the first free Catholic school in America. Elizabeth became a nun and continued to teach until she died. She had established two orphanages and two schools. She is the patroness of Catholic schools. 

Saint John Bosco

Saint John Bosco was born into a Catholic family. His mother encouraged him to live the faith every day. When he was nine years old he had a dream that called him to educate the young people. From that day, he worked to lead his peers in prayers and games. He became a priest and decided to teach the poor youngsters that lived where he lived. John led young people to Christ through his example of kindness. He was well-loved by all the children he taught. He founded the Salesians and the Salesian Sisters with the help of Saint Maria Domenica Mazzarello. He is the patron saint of schoolchildren. 

Saints Benedict and Scholastica

Saints Benedict and Scholastica were twins born into a Christian family in Italy. Benedict became a hermit. He came to be in charge of a troublesome group of monks who did not like his teachings so much that they tried to poison him. He founded monasteries all over Italy. It was there that Benedict wrote his book. He died standing in front of the altar with his fellow monks standing around him. His sister Scholastica was also very religious. She led a group of nuns and was always close to Jesus. Scholastica was very close to Benedict, and they frequently had holy conversations. They would meet to talk at a small house between Benedict's monastery and Scholastica's convent. On one occasion, Benedict had to leave so as to be home by nightfall. Scholastica told him not to go, and when he said he had to, Scholastica cried and prayed and suddenly a storm kicked up outside, preventing Benedict from leaving so they could finish their conversation. Benedict and Scholastica were buried together in Benedict's monastery. Both are patron saints of education. 

Saints Edith, Thomas, Gemma, Albert, Catherine, Elizabeth, John, Benedict, and Scholastica, PRAY FOR US!!!