SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 11

SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 11 

St. Mary Margaret d'Youville, 1771 A.D. Foundress of the Sisters of Charity, the Grey Nuns of Canada. She was born at Varennes, Quebec, and was baptized Marie Marguerite Dufrost de Ia Jemmerais. After being educated by the Ursulines, she was married to Francois d’Youville in 1722, becoming a widow eight years later. Mary Margaret worked to support herself and her children, aiding the Confraternity of the Holy Family as well. In 1737, she founded the Sisters of Charity, the Grey Nuns, with three companions. A formal declaration took place in 1745, and two years later she became directress of Montreal’s General Hospital, operated by her community. The Grey Nuns expanded to the United States, Africa, and South America. Mary Margaret died in Montreal on December 23. She was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1990.  

St. Machai. Abbot founder of a monastery on the isle of Bute in Ireland. He was a disciple of St. Patrick and he was a leader of the evangelical mission there.  

St. Maedhog.  An Irish abbot also called Aedhan or Mogue. He ruled Clonmore Abbey, Ireland, and was associated with Sts. Oncho and Finan.  

ST. GEMMA GALGANI, VIRGIN OF LUCCA, PASSIONIST TERTIARY

St. Gemma Galgani, 1878-1903 A spiritual daughter of St. Paul of the Cross, Gemma Galgani’s life carries a great message for all Passionists. To be called to be a Passionist is a calling “to suffer many things,” like Jesus himself who came not to be served but to serve and to offer his life for his brothers and sisters. April 11

ST STANISLAUS, BISHOP OF CRACOW AND MARTYR

Bishop Stanislaus was immediately venerated as a martyr, his relics were transferred to the Cathedral, and he was canonized a saint a century and a half after his death. For centuries, Polish kings were crowned at the splendid tomb of the martyr in the central nave of Krakow’s Cathedral. April 11