Another star in heaven. I wonder if we went back in time and were to have met Marguerite would we have understood we were talking to a saint? Certainly her great works would have been a hint.
Was good to read thus reflection today.... High places make us think of God. The Greeks thought their gods literally lived on Olympus, which is the tallest peak in Greece. I had the honor of preaching in Ireland and visiting Croagh Patrick, where the pagan celts thought their gods lived. It’s a huge granite mountain surrounded by misty waters below, jutting into clouds above—the perfect image of transcendence and mystery. It’s ominous, almost. The pagans didn’t dare ascend it. In a legendary move, Patrick walked up, fasted and prayed on the peak, and claimed Ireland for Christ before beginning his public mystery. But it’s always been this way. Heights make us think of God’s presence. Jesus shows us another place we might find Him even more profoundly than the heights. Yesterday we celebrated the Baptism of the Lord. The biblical significance of the place he was baptized at the Jordan, Al-Maghats, is mind blowing. It’s the region where: Elijah—who prefigured John the Baptist—was assumed into heaven. The people of God crossed from the wilderness into the promised land—a prefigurement of what happens to us at baptism. The first interactions of Jesus with humanity are recorded in the Gospel of John. But it’s geographic significance is no less profound. You see, the place Jesus was baptized is just where the Jordan is about to let out into the Dead Sea. It is the lowest valley on earth. It’s literally the opposite of where mankind had always looked for God. There’s a message in that for you. I hope you can see God in the highs of life: the joys and triumphs. He’s very much there. Smiling on. But I think He’s even more ready to reveal his presence in the lows. The bad medical report. The heartache. The depression and anxiety. The dull ache of waiting. The sin you keep struggling with. The pain in this valley of tears. A dear friend who almost died of cancer and is now struggling in his marriage texted me the other day. He wrote: Pray for me, Chris. There is joy in death. I know it. I have seen it. I have felt it. Dying of cancer… there was so much joy, one day I will share this… But what’s happening in my marriage… It’s just another thing that feels like dying… And there is joy because my faith stays strong. St. Michael is always here. My godly mother is holding my hand. And, like I did with cancer, and I am doing now with my marriage. It feels like I am walking barefoot on glass along the path I need to walk. It’s so painful, but there is a light and I see it. The pain of life is real. Very real. Faith doesn’t make it “go away.” But when you’re in it, looking for a way out, don’t forget to look for Him, right there with you. He’s realer than the pain. He is in the lowest of places, on the cross, right next to you. “If I climb to the heavens, you are there; [AND] if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.” —Psalm 139:8 God bless you, Chris Stefanick Real Life Catholic
SAINT OF THE DAY TUESDAY, 13 JANUARY, 2026 SAINT HILARY OF POITIERS BISHOP, CONFESSOR, FATHER AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH (c. 310–c. 367) St. Hilary was one of those great Christian heroes who poured out their lives laboring and suffering in defense of Christ's divinity. Scarcely had the days of bloody persecution ended (313), when there arose, now within the Church, a most dangerous enemy of another sort, Arianism. The heresy of Arianism denied the divinity of Christ; it was, in fact, hardly more than a form of paganism masquerading as the Christian Gospel. The smoldering strife soon flared into a mighty conflict endangering the whole Church; and its spread was all the more rapid and powerful because emperors, who called themselves Christian, proved its best supporters. Once again countless martyrs sealed in blood their belief in Christ's divinity; and orthodox bishops who voiced opposition were forced into exile amid extreme privations. Among the foremost defenders of the true faith stood Hilary. He belonged to a distinguished family and had received an excellent education. Though a married man, he was made bishop of Poitiers by reason of his exemplary life. It was not long before his valiant defense of the faith precipitated his exile to Phrygia. Here he composed his great work on the Blessed Trinity (in twelve books). It is a vigorous defense of the faith, which, he said, "triumphs when attacked." Finally, after four years he was permitted to return to his native land. He continued his efforts, and through prudence and mildness succeeded in ridding Gaul of Arianism. Because of his edifying and illustrious writings on behalf of the true religion, the Church honors him as one of her doctors. Here is an example of Hilary's vigorous style: "Now it is time to speak, the time for silence is past. We must expect Christ's return, for the reign of Antichrist has begun. The shepherds must give the warning signals because the hirelings have fled. Let us lay down our lives for the sheep, for brigands have entered the fold and the roaring lion is rampaging about. Be ready for martyrdom! Satan himself is clothed as an angel of light." A favorite motto of St. Hilary was Ministros veritatis decet vera proferre, "Servants of the truth ought speak the truth." PATRON: Against snakes; backward children; snake bites and lawyers. PRAYER: Grant, we pray, almighty God, that we may rightly understand and truthfully profess the divinity of your Son, which the Bishop Saint Hilary taught with such constancy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Very, very good. One thing that came to mind about Jesus being with us in the lows of life - In one of the adverts for Jordan Peterson's Academy, Jordan quotes Carl Jung, saying that the reason most people don't find God is that they don't look low enough. And then he says, "now think about that - for the rest of your life!"
All these different saints like a great rainbow! Each of them so different, but each one so lovely.!!
FEAST OF THE DAY WEDNESDAY, 14 JANUARY, 2026 INFANT JESUS OF PRAGUE The devotion to the Holy Child Jesus has long been a tradition of the Catholic Church for a very long time. This devotion is a veneration of our Lord's sacred Infancy. Many saints had a very strong devotion to the Divine Child, notably St. Therese of the Child Jesus, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Anthony of Padua, and St. Teresa of Avila. Prague is the capitol city of the Czech Republic, which is at the very central of Europe with Germany, Poland, Russia and Austria as its neighbours. The history of the Infant Jesus of Prague started in the 17th century when a statue of the Infant Jesus was brought into Bohemia (now Czech Republic) and eventually was given to the Discalced Carmelites in Prague. Since then, the statue has remained in Prague and has drawn many devotees worldwide to go and honor the Holy Child. Many graces, blessings, favors and miraculous healings have been received by many who petitioned before the Infant Jesus. The exact origin of the Infant Jesus statue was not truly known, but historical sources point to a small 28cm high sculpture of the Holy Child with a bird in his right hand carved in around the year 1340. Many other Infant Jesus sculptures were also carved by famous masters throughout Europe in the Middle Ages. The popularity of the Child Jesus grew in the Baroque period in Spain which may have been caused by the visions of St. Teresa of Avila. A number of sculptures made in Spain eventually found their way to Prague. These sculptures were made of wax, ivory, and bronze and were dressed in garments reflecting the aristocratic fashion of that period. It is unknown to this date which of those early sculptures that got to Prague was the exact origin of the Infant Jesus of Prague. It was speculated that it came from a monastery in Bohemia and from there it was obtained by Dona Isabella Manrique who gave it as a wedding gift to her daughter Marie Manrique who married a noble of the Czech kingdom. Later, the Holy Infant statue was again given to Marie's daughter Polyxena as a wedding gift in 1587. In 1628, Lady Polyxena presented the statue to the Carmelites at the Church of the Virgin Mary the Victorious in Mala Strana saying, "I am giving you what I most esteem of my possessions. Keep the sculpture in reference and you will be well off". This statue then became known as the Infant Jesus of Prague. It stands 47 cm high (includes a 2cm base) and has a long gown around the wax body. Shortly after 1628, the Saxons and the Swedes took turns to invade Prague and the Carmelites had to flee and the veneration of the Holy Infant ceased. It was not until 1638 that a young priest named Fr. P. Cyril, a Matre Dei, returned to Prague and found the Holy Infant statue buried in the ruins of the Lady of Victory church. Fr. Cyril cleaned the statue and placed it in the oratory for worship. While he was praying before the Infant Jesus, he heard the Infant Jesus say, " "Have mercy on Me and I will have mercy on you. Give Me hands and I will give you peace. The more you honor Me, the more I will bless you." The repairing of the statue's hand was a miracle since Fr. Cyril and his peers did not have the financial resources nor the know — how to repair it. Through prayer, Fr. Cyril asked the Blessed Virgin Mary in several occassions to to provide the necessary funds for fixing the Infant statue. The Divine Infant spoke to him again, "Place Me near the entrance of the sacristy and you will receive aid". Fr. Cyril then did what he was told and in a few days time, the statue was fixed by a man who came to the sacristy to offer help.Since the statue was fixed, Many miracles have occurred through intercession to the Divine Infant. During one invasion, all the children of the city were taken to the Church for protection—praying to the Infant, they were all saved. For almost four centuries, this promise of protection and blessing has inspired devotion and love of the Infant Jesus of Prague. The word began to spread, resulting in a large increase of veneration to the Holy Child. This includes the Czech nobles as well. These early miracles were recorded in a book by P. Emerich a St Stephano, published in German in 1736 and in Czech in 1749. In 1641, an altar was built for the Infant Jesus in the church, and in 1644 a chapel was built, but was not completed until 1654. Many nobles of the time had greatly supported the Infant Jesus, among them were Lady Polyxena, King Ferdinard (Czech), King Charles Gustav(Sweden), and Bernard Ignatius of the Lords of Martinic. It is interesting to note that the crown over the Divine Infant's head came from Bernard Ignatius, who presented the Infant statue with a little gold crown set with precious stones and jewels on January 14, 1651 during a procession that carried the Infant Jesus statue from the Lady of Victory church to other Prague churches. The Infant Jesus was solemnly coronated on April 4, 1655 by the Archbishop Josef Corta acting for Cardinal Harrach III who was sick. After that period, Prague went through more wars and unrest but the church and the Infant Jesus chapel was miraculously protected. In 1776 the altar was rebuilt using marble and two huge sculptures of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph were placed to the left and right sides of the altar. The Holy Infant was kept in a glass case standing on a pedestal engraved with crystals, and surrounding the Infant were twenty angels in gold. Since then copies of the Infant Jesus were made and distributed throughout European churches. The Spanish colonial efforts later brought the Infant Jesus to the Philippines and to central America. And since then, the devotion has kept spreading to all parts of the world. PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING: Divine Infant Jesus, I know you love me and would never leave me. I thank you for your close presence in my life. Miraculous Infant, I believe in your promise of peace, blessings, and freedom from want. I place every need and care in your hands. Lord Jesus, may I always trust in your generous mercy and love. I want to honor and praise you, now and forever. Amen.
What a lovely Feast. My own Infant of Prague statue if standing across from me. My father bought my mother a Statue of the Child for their engagement present. They kept it on a stand outside their bedroom and we all used to pass it several times a day so it was hard not to have a devotion to it. I note at the current apparitions to Manuela Strack in Germany Jesus often appears as child and dressed as a little King which is so interesting. He is doing this for a reason, it is not random.
I've written before about how I have my Infant of Prague statue. A woman used to pick up my husband and his 2 cousins and bring them to school. Her daughter got leukemia and was dying. She made a novena to the Infant Child of Prague and promised if she was cured, she would give away three statues of the Infant of Prague every year of her life. Her daughter was miraculously cured and the first three statues were given to my husband and his cousins. It's on a shelf in my room now.
SAINT OF THE DAY THURSDAY, 15 JANUARY, 2026 SAINT PAUL - THE FIRST HERMIT CONFESSOR (c. 233 – c. 345) A Christian from his youth, Paul was orphaned at age 15. In 250 the persecution by Decius forced him into hiding, first at a friend's house and then, fearing exposure, to a cave in the Egyptian desert. He had planned to return home after things quieted down, but the peaceful solitude of the desert seduced him to stay. A palm tree and a spring near his cave provided him food, clothing, and water until he turned 43. After that time, as it had happened for Elias, a raven brought him half a loaf of bread each day. In Paul's 90th year in the desert his presence was revealed to St. Anthony, who immediately went to find him. Anthony met Paul in his cave, and the two hermits became friends overnight. They shared a whole loaf of bread brought by the raven, discussed world events, and prayed. Anthony thought he had found a companion, but Paul knew that God had sent Anthony to help him die. The biography described their meeting: Blessed Paul said to Anthony: “For a long time now, I have known that you dwelled in these regions. And for a long time God had promised you to me for a companion. Since my hour of eternal sleep has arrived, and because I have always desired ‘to be dissolved and to be with Christ' (see Philippians 1:23), having ‘finished the course, . . . a crown of justice' (see 2 Timothy 4:7–8) remains for me. You have been sent by God to bury my miserable body, rather to return earth to earth.” Anthony listened to these words with tears and groans, begging Paul not to leave him behind, but to accept him as a companion on that journey. Paul answered: “You ought not seek your own interests but those of another. It is indeed profitable for you to cast off the burden of the flesh to follow the Lamb, but it is also profitable for the rest of your brethren that they may be the more instructed by your example. I beg of you, hasten, if is not too much to ask, and bring back the cloak which Athanasius the bishop gave you, to wrap about my wretched body.” Now, blessed Paul made this request, not because he cared at all whether or not his body decayed covered up or naked, since for a long time now he had been wearing garments woven from palm leaves, but because he wanted to spare Anthony the grief of witnessing his death. Anthony went to get the cloak. When he returned he found Paul kneeling with arms outstretched, but already dead. Two lions dug Paul's grave and Anthony buried him. But he kept Paul's outer garment woven from palm leaves, which he treasured from that time and which he always wore on great feast days. Paul was spared a lonely death because he found a friend in Anthony. His experience suggests that we become friends with the sick and elderly and provide them companionship in their last days. And that we make friends with younger people ourselves as insurance against loneliness in the autumn of our lives. PATRON: Clothing industry; weavers. PRAYER: O God, who wanted that St. Paul, our father, reach a high degree of sanctity through a life of solitude in the desert, grant that, through his intercession we, who are striving to develop in ourselves the spirit of prayer and service, may come ever closer to you in love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
I love the stories of hermits. I live as a hermit myself these days. One thing about the stories of the hermit saints is how often stories of animals creep in. For instance Julian of Norwich and her beloved cat or Elijah with his ravens. For anyone who lives alone having the company of animals is such a delight and comfort, it is as if God felt a little pity of us and gave these creatures as consolation prize.
SAINT OF THE DAY FRIDAY, 16 JANUARY, 2026 SAINT JOSEPH VAZ CONFESSOR (21 April 1651 - 16 January 1711) The day he was born, his father Cristovam Vaz saw a star in the Sky around midday. He wrote in his personal diary that his son would become a great man. The doors of Cortalim Church opened on their own when he went to visit the Blessed Sacrament one night. He was called “the little saint” as a boy and recited the Rosary on his way to Church and school. He resolved to eat kanji for his food (sometimes called the food of the poor) throughout his life. He started the first Milagristas or Oratorians indigenous order which brought peace among warring factions. The Oratorians served the Church in Sri Lanka and other countries for 150 years. He disguised himself as a coolie wearing a loin cloth around his waist when he entered Sri Lanka as part of his mission since no priest was allowed on the island. His wheatish brown complexion helped him slip onto the island where the Dutch persecuted Roman Catholics. He entered hiding a kit under his loin cloth and wore a Rosary round his neck. He later built the first Church in Sri Lanka and dedicated it to Mother Mary. He worked alone in Sri Lanka for 10 years and the next 14 years was accompanied by Indian Oratorians. He learnt their culture, sang their songs, and helped build their own local Church, never imposing the western Church on the faithful. He baptised, catechised and built 300 chapels, churches and built homes for the old, sick and the needy next to the churches. He would always keep a sack of rice to be distributed to the poor after mass. Under the fear of being caught by the Dutch who were ruling in Sri Lanka, he disguised himself as a baker, clothes washer, coolie, servant, businessman, porter and even a fisherwoman. He would work during the night by the light of the moon. He issued a command over snakes to never bite a priest. Till date, never has a priest in Sri Lanka has been bitten by a snake. While in prison, he learnt Tamil and Sinhalese, Srilankan languages translating Catechism books and wrote the Stations of the Cross in the local language. He won the hearts of the Buddhist kings with the exemplary life he led there. He was requested by the kings to pray for rain when the island was ravaged by drought. He performed the miracle of rain in Kandy, a record of which can be found in their archives. It had rained all over the island except on the Saint and the Altar he built to pray for rain. He never kept any money with him, always depended on God and his fellowmen. He had nothing to owe, and nothing to call his own. He wore and owned only one cassock, which was patched and stitched all over. The Sri Lankans called him Samanasu Swami (the angelic priest) and is the first and only missionary of the East to have his mission in the East. He educated his neighbour and companion John who accompanied him in Sri Lanka and requested the superior of the Oratorians to ordain him a priest. John, who later returned to Goa, India was ordained a priest. He would always sleep on a mat on the floor and never sought glory. He served 30 years as a priest, 24 of them in the Sri Lankan Vineyard and walked barefoot for the most part of his life. Despite his thin figure, he walked through the jungles like the wind. He died in an odour of Sanctity on January 16, 1711, the day and the time that he had been foretold! Before dying he advised those gathered around him in Sinhala saying, “Hardly will you be able to do at the time of death what you have not done during your life”. He sent the crucifix given to him by the Pope to Goa, now preserved in the oratory room of the shrine of St. Joseph Vaz at Sancoale, Goa, the only relic in India which is close to St. Francis Xavier's preserved body place in India. PATRON: Sri Lanka. SPECIAL PRAYER OVER THE SICK: Heavenly Father, Your Son proved through wonders how sensitive Your heart is towards those who are burdened with sin, sorrow, sickness and difficulties. Through the wonders Your Servant Blessed Joseph Vaz, wrought both in his life and death, he trailed the same path to show forth that divine kindness and thus drew thousands to the bosom of the Church. Therefore, we plead, through his intercession, to increase our faith in You, to make of us true witnesses of Your love, and, if it is Your will, grant us this favour (pray silently for your intention) and especially grant us a much needed miracle (pray silently for a miracle) through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
It is really lovely to hear of these wonderful saints who even as a child had these wonderful miraculous signs of their present and future sanctity. It reminds me of those who looked at the face of the baby Jesus and wondered, 'Who will this one be?'
SAINT OF THE DAY SATURDAY, 17 JANUARY, 2026 SAINT ANTHONY THE ABBOT (GREAT / EGYPT) ( 12 January 251 AD - 17 January 356 AD) Anthony "the Great", the "Father of Monks", ranks with those saints whose life exercised a profound influence upon succeeding generations. He was born in Middle Egypt (about 250) of distinguished parents. After their untimely deaths, he dedicated himself wholly to acts of mortification. One day while in church he heard the words of the Gospel: "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give it to the poor" (Matt. 19:21). It seemed as if Christ had spoken to him personally, giving a command he must obey. Without delay he sold his property, gave the proceeds to the poor, and went into the desert (about 270). When overcome by fatigue, his bed was the hard ground. He fasted rigorously, ate only bread and salt, and drank only water. Nor would he take food before sundown; at times he passed two days without any nourishment. Often, too, he spent whole nights in prayer. The saint suffered repeatedly from diabolical attacks, but these merely made him more steadfast in virtue. He would encourage his disciples in their struggle with the devil with such words: "Believe me; the devil fears the vigils of pious souls, and their fastings, their voluntary poverty, their loving compassion, their humility, but most of all their ardent love of Christ our Lord. As soon as he sees the sign of the Cross, he flees in terror." He died in 356 on Mount Kolzin by the Red Sea, 105 years old. A year later his friend, the fearless bishop and confessor St. Athanasius, wrote his biography, which for centuries became the classic handbook of ascetics. As seen by St. Anthony, the purpose of asceticism is not to destroy the body but to bring it into subjection, re-establishing man's original harmonious integrity, his true God-given nature. St. Anthony lived in solitude for about twenty years. "His was a perfectly purified soul. No pain could annoy him, no pleasure bind him. In him was neither laughter nor sadness. The sight of the crowd did not trouble him, and the warm greetings of so many men did not move him. In a word, he was thoroughly immune to the vanities of the world, like a man unswervingly governed by reason, established in inner peace and harmony." Here are a few of his famous sayings to monks. "Let it be your supreme and common purpose not to grow weary in the work you have begun, and in time of trial and affliction not to lose courage and say: Oh, how long already have we been mortifying ourselves! Rather, we should daily begin anew and constantly increase our fervor. For man's whole life is short when measured against the time to come, so short, in fact, that it is as nothing in comparison with eternity. . . . Therefore, my children, let us persevere in our acts of asceticism. And that we may not become weary and disheartened, it is good to meditate on the words of the apostle: 'I die daily.' If we live with the picture of death always before our eyes, we will not sin. The apostle's words tell us that we should so awaken in the morning as though we would not live to evening, and so fall asleep as if there were to be no awakening. For our life is by nature uncertain and is daily meted out to us by Providence. If we are convinced of this and live each day as the apostle suggests, then we will not fall into sin; no desire will enslave us, no anger move us, no treasure bind us to earth; we will await death with unfettered hearts." PATRON: Amputees; animals; basket makers; basket weavers; brushmakers; butchers; cemetery workers; domestic animals; eczema; epilepsy; epileptics; ergotism (Saint Anthony's fire); erysipelas; gravediggers; hermits; hogs; monks; pigs; relief from pestilence; skin diseases; skin rashes; swine; swineherds. PRAYER: O God, who brought the Abbot Saint Anthony to serve you by a wondrous way of life in the desert, grant, through his intercession, that, denying ourselves, we may always love you above all things. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
I love the old stories about St Anthony fighting armies of demons. The same thing that happened to Jesus in the Desert. The same thing that happens to all saints. Eventually the devil appears manifestly or covertly and goes to war. We too must expect the same.
SAINT OF THE DAY SUNDAY, 18 JANUARY, 2026 SAINT PRISCA OF ROME VIRGIN AND MARTYR (269 AD) Prisca, who is also known as Priscilla, was a child martyr of the early Roman Church. Born to Christian parents of a noble family, Prisca was raised during the reign of the Roman emperor Claudius. While Claudius did not persecute Christians with the same fervor as other Roman emperors, Christians still did not practice their faith openly. In fact, Prisca's parents went to great lengths to conceal their faith, and thus they were not suspected of being Christians. Prisca, however, did not feel the need to take precaution. The young girl openly professed her dedication to Christ, and eventually, she was reported to the emperor. Claudius had her arrested, and commanded her to make a sacrifice to Apollo, the pagan god of the sun. According to the legend, Prisca refused, and was tortured for disobeying. Then, suddenly, a bright, yellow light shone about her, and she appeared to be a little star. Claudius ordered that Prisca be taken away to prison, in the hopes that she would abandon Christ. When all efforts to change her mind were unsuccessful, she was taken to an amphitheatre and thrown in with a lion. As the crowd watched, Prisca stood fearless. According to legend, the lion walked toward the barefoot girl, and then gently licked her feet. Disgusted by his thwarted efforts to dissuade Prisca, Claudius had her beheaded. Seventh-century accounts of the grave sites of Roman martyrs refer to the discovery of an epitaph of a Roman Christian named Priscilla in a large catacomb and identifies her place of interment on the Via Salaria as the Catacomb of Priscilla. PATRON: Good Marriages. PRAYER: Grant, we pray You, almighty God, that as we celebrate the heavenly birthday of blessed Prisca, your virgin and martyr, so we may rejoice in her annual festival and profit by the example of her great faith. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who being God, lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.
I weep a little on reading the above. Why? It is a great testimony by a friend to a friend (Chris S.) A year ago, my daughter, Therese, and her family lived just hours from us, the geographically closest of all our children. Then Johnny, her husband, found a new job, a marvelous promotion, that moved their family from PA to Colorado. None of our grandchildren are east of the Mississippi now. But Johnny's employer hired Johnny as the producer of his evangelistic endeavors. The employer is Chris Stefanick, the recipient of the above, from a friend. In the midst of Geralyn's and my loss, we rejoice.
Prisca a young girl who died nearly 2,000 years ago when we recall virtually no one else from that time. That says it all really.
SAINT OF THE DAY MONDAY, 19 JANUARY, 2026 SAINT CANUTE IV KING AND MARTYR (c. 1042 - July 10, 1086) Canute was an ambitious king (1080-1086) who sought to strengthen the Danish Monarchy was a devout Catholic and devotedly supported the Church and the Pope and had designs on the English throne. Slain by rebels in 1086, he was the first Danish king to be canonised. He was recognized by the Roman Catholic Church as patron saint of Denmark in 1101. Canute was a strong, wise king of Denmark. He was a great athlete, an expert horseman, and a marvelous general. At the beginning of his reign, he led a war against the barbarians who were threatening to take over the civilized world. King Canute and his army defeated them. He loved the Christian faith so much that he introduced it to people who had never heard of Christianity. St. Canute knelt in church at the foot of the altar and offered his crown to the King of kings, Jesus. King Canute was very charitable and gentle with his people. He tried to help them with their problems. Most of all, he wanted to help them be true followers of Christ. However, a rebellion broke out in his kingdom because of the laws he had made about supporting the Church. On 10 July 1086, Canute and his men took refuge inside the wooden St. Alban's Priory in Odense. While his enemies were still outside, King Canute received the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion. He felt compassion for those who were upset enough to kill him. With all his heart he forgave his enemies. The rebels stormed into the church and Canute was killed kneeling before the altar along with seventeen of his followers and his brother Benedict. According to chronicler Ælnoth of Canterbury, Canute died following a lance thrust in the side. He was succeeded by Olaf as Olaf I of Denmark. Because of his martyrdom and advocacy of the Church, Canute quickly began to be considered a saint. Under the reign of Olaf, Denmark suffered from crop failure, which was seen as divine retribution for the sacrilege killing of Canute. Miracles were soon reported as taking place at his grave and his canonisation was already being sought during the reign of Olaf. On 19 April 1101, persuaded by the envoys from Eric III of Denmark, Pope Paschal II confirmed the “cult of Canute” that had arisen and King Canute IV was canonised as a saint under the name San Canuto. He was the first Dane to be canonised. PATRON: Zeeland, Denmark. PRAYER: Glorious St. Canute, as king, you died fighting for the Church. Help me appreciate all martyrs who have protected the Church. Amen.
The conversion of the Vikings must have been one of the most incredible, supernatural events in all of human history. So sudden so unexpected.
