Our Blessed Friends #3

“PERFECT ABANDONMENT”

Zelie Martin

Her eyes came to rest on the young man crossing the bridge. Though she had always planned to become a nun like her sister, she had just been turned away. Now, a voice called from deep inside her heart, “THIS IS HE WHOM I HAVE PREPARED FOR YOU.” Suddenly, she knew G’D had a plan for her that was more wonderful than anything she could come up with. But who was this young woman, and what did G’D have in store for her?

Zelie was born to Isidore Guérin and Louise-Jeanne Macé on 23 December 1831 and baptized the following day. She did not remember her childhood fondly, remarking that her childhood in a military family was “DISMAL”. Zelie’s education is attributed to the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in Alençon. She became a skilled lacemaker while there - a trade which she would continue practicing for the rest of her life. 

Zelie met her future husband, Louis Martin, in Alençon and married him in 1858, when she was 26. Originally, she had wanted to enter the convent with her sister, Marie-Louise, but after being turned away, she quickly met Louis and was swept into the blessed life of motherhood.

Zelie bore Louis nine children, four of whom died at early ages. All four of those babies died within three years, leaving Zelie shocked and saddened. 

In 1876, Zelie began to suffer from cancer which developed in her chest. She once wrote, asking “IF NOT FOR A CURE, BUT FOR PERFECT ABANDONMENT TO THE WILL OF G’D.”

Zelie died in August 1877, but her legacy continued with her saintly children. The holiness she fostered in her daughters stayed with them, and all five became nuns. Before her death, Zelie’s youngest daughter Thérèse wrote down her Little Way, which seems to have been rooted in her mother’s constant reminders to please Jesus through sacrifice and prayer. Thérèse was later canonized and was named a Doctor of the Church, and another one of Zelie’s daughters, Leonie, is on the road to sainthood. Her other surviving daughters - Marie, Pauline, and Celine - also lived exemplary lives of virtue and may one day be canonized saints. Zelie made sure her husband also made it to heaven, and he is canonized as well. Their loving example proves how our impact on others can make the greatest saints!

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!