Christian Today

USA records increase in abortions due to distribution of abortion pill - ZENIT - English : According to Guttmacher’s analysis, more than one million abortions were performed in states without total bans, marking a marginal but significant increase from the previous year

  SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR  MAY 01  St. John-Louis Bonnard,Jean-Louis Bonnard (b. 1 March 1824 at Saint-Christôt-en-Jarret, Diocese of Lyon; beheaded 1 May 1852) was a French Roman Catholic missionary to Vietnam, one of the Martyrs of Vietnam, canonized in 1988,May 1 ST JOSEPH THE WORKER, SPOUSE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, PATRON OF WORKERS May 1-St Joseph  The Worker, Spouse of the Blessede Virigin Mary,  Patron of Workers - https://www.vaticannews.va/en/saints/05/01/st-joseph--the-worker--spouse-of-the-blessede-virigin-mary---pat.html  ST. JEREMIAH, PROPHET Jeremias is the prophet of mourning and of symbolical suffering. This distinguishes his personality from that of Isaias, the prophet of ecstasy and the Messianic future, of Ezechiel, the prophet of mystical (not typical) suffering, and of Daniel, the cosmopolitan revealer of apocalyptic visions of the Old Covenant. May 1 St. Bertha of Kent, The first Christian queen of England, a Frankish princess. She ma...

  St Pius V https://www.indcatholicnews.com/saint/126 Pope. Anthony Ghislieri was born in 1504 in Piedmont, Italy. He joined the Dominicans in 1518, was ordained in 1540 and then taught philosophy and theology for 16 years, before becoming bishop of Suiri in 1556. He was made a cardinal in 1557 and elected Pope in 1565. His first task was to begin implementing the sweeping reforms called for by the Council. He ordered the founding of seminaries and published a new missal, a new breviary, and a new catechism as well as establishing the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) classes for the young. Pius built hospitals, provided food for the hungry and gave money customarily used for the papal banquets to poor Roman converts. His decision to keep wearing his Dominican habit led to the custom of the pope wearing a white cassock. In striving to reform both Church and state, Pius encountered strong opposition from England's Queen Elizabeth and the Roman Emperor Maximilian II. Problem...

Gospel in Art: God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/52271

  SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 30  Bl. Francis Dickenson, 1590 A.D. English martyr. He was born in Yorkshire, England, and was a convert to the Church. After being ordained at Reims, France, in 1589, he returned to England and was promptly arrested. Francis was hanged, drawn, and quartered at Rochester. He was beatified in 1929.   St. Gerard Miles, 1590 A.D. Martyr of England with Blessed Francis Dickinson. He was born in Lancashire, England, and went to Douai and Reims where he was ordained in 1583. Returning from England, he was arrested when the ship that he and Francis were using wrecked at Kent. They were arrested and hanged, drawn, and quartered at Rochester in April. They were beatified in 1929.  ST. QUIRINUS OF ROME, MARTYRED ON THE VIA APPIA- Quirinus was a Roman tribune who was charged with executing the Christians Alexander, Eventius, and Theodulus, arrested under Trajan. Instead, converted by the miracles worked by the saints, he converted and was bap...

  St Catherine of Siena https://www.indcatholicnews.com/saint/125

  Gospel in Art: Feast of Saint Catherine of Siena https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/52263

 SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 29  ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA, VIRGIN, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH, PATRONESS OF EUROPE AND OF ITALY St. Endellion, 6th century. Virgin recluse honored at St. Endellion, in Cornwall, England. She was the sister of St. Nectan of Hartland, and the daughter of Brychan of Brecknock.   St. Wilfrid the Younger, 744 A.D. Benedictine abbot and bishop of York, England. A monk and disciple of St. John of Beverley, he studied at Whitby Abbey and received ordination. He became John's chaplain when John was named bishop of York, and received appointment as abbot of the cathedral community in the city. Soon after, he was appointed John's coadjutor and succeeded to the see at York at his benefactor's passing in 721. He eventually retired to a monastery, most likely Ripon, where he died.   St. Senan, 7th century. Welsh hermit. Owing to the confusion of records and traditions of this time and region, it is difficult to determine precise details of his lif...

  St Peter Chanel, St Louis de Montfort, St Gianna Beretta Mola and St George https://www.indcatholicnews.com/saint/123

  Gospel in Art: Solemnity of Saint George, Martyr https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/52255

  SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 28  ST. PETER CHANEL, PRIEST, FIRST MARTYR OF OCEANIA ST. LOUIS-MARY GRIGNION DE MONTFORT, FOUNDER OF THE COMPANY OF MARY St. Cronan of Roscrea, 626 A.D. Founder and hermit in Ireland. He was the son of Odran, born in Munster, or possibly Ely O’Carroll, Offaly, Ireland. Cronan founded fifty monasteries, the first at Puay and the most famous at Roscrea. He ended his life as a blind hermit.   St. Gianna Beretta Molla, Roman Catholic laywoman and Patron of mothers, physicians, preborn children, April 28 https://www.jesuit.org.sg/april-28th-ven-emmanuel-padial-sj/

  St Zita https://www.indcatholicnews.com/saint/122

  Gospel in Art: Divine Mercy Sunday https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/52248

  SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 27  ST. SIMEON, BISHOP OF JERUSALEM AND MARTYR April 27 ST. ZITA OF LUCCA, VIRGIN At the age of twelve, Zita went to work as a servant for a noble family in Lucca. Despite mistreatment, she always had a smile on her face and was always ready to assist the poor. The family eventually recognised her gifts, and entrusted her with the running of the household until her death in 1278.  April 27 St. Asicus, 490 A.D. Abbot-Bishop of Ireland and disciple of St. Patrick, also called Ascicus and Tassach. Asicus was a coppersmith and was married when he first met St. Patrick. In time he was made the first abbot-bishop of Elphim Monastery in Roscommon, Ireland. Humble and not believing he was worthy of the office, Asicus went to an island in Donegal Bay, where he resigned his rank and became a hermit. After seven years the monks of Elphin found him and persuaded him to return to the monastery. He died at Raith Cungilor on the return journey.   ...

  St Pedro de Betancur https://www.indcatholicnews.com/saint/121

  Gospel in Art: Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/52242

  SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 26  St. Cletus, Roman Catholic Pope and Martyr. Cletus was a Roman, but probably of Athenian origin. He was the third Pope, reigning from about 80 to 92. He built a small shrine over the tomb of St Peter on the Vatican hill, and was himself buried close to the first Pope. The Colosseum in Rome was inaugurated during his reign. He was the third bishop of Rome, and succeeded St. Linus, which circumstance alone shows his eminent virtue among the first disciples of St. Peter in the West. He sat twelve years, from 76 to 89. Feastday April 26 St. Riquier, 645 A.D. Abbot and hermit, also called Richarius. Born at Celles, near Amiens, France, he became a priest after rescuing two Irish missionaries from a murderous band of local pagans. After studying in England, he was ordained and returned home, where he founded an abbey at Celles over which he presided as abbot. He later resigned from his office and spent his remaining days as a hermit on the site of F...

  Holy Virgin Queen of Apostles Pray for us. The twelve apostles are Peter, Andrew, James (son of Zebedee), John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddeus, Simon (the Zealot), and Judas. https://www.catholic.com/qa/were-all-twelve-apostles-martyred

  St Mark https://www.indcatholicnews.com/saint/120

  Gospel in Art: They caught one hundred and fifty-three fish https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/52236

  SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 25  Bl. Robert Anderton, and Bl. William Marsden Roman Catholic Priests and English Martyrs. Summoned to London, where they were examined upon the celebrated "bloody question", whether they would fight against the Pope, even if the quarrel were for purely religious causes. Though they acknowledged Elizabeth as their lawful queen in all temporal matters, they would not consent to the required test. The sentence was then confirmed, and a proclamation was published, explaining their guilt. They were taken back and executed near the place where they had been cast ashore, being hanged, drawn, and quartered. Feastday April 25 Bl. William Marsden, 1586 A.D. Martyr of England. A native of Lancashire, he studied at Oxford and then departed the island for Reims, France, where he was ordained in 1585 with Blessed Robert Anderson. They were sent to England but were forced to land on the Isle of Wight in a storm. They were arrested, and then condemned and han...

  St Mellitus https://www.indcatholicnews.com/saint/119 Bishop. Mellitus was one of the second band of missionaries sent from Rome to England by Pope Gregory I. He took with him a letter advising Augustine not to destroy the temples of the Saxons, but only their idols. The temples he was told, should be turned into churches, and the pagan feasts adapted to Christian purposes. In 604 he was consecrated the first bishop of the East Saxons, with his see in London. He converted the King Sabert, but not his sons. When the king died they drove Mellitus out, after he refused their demand to give them the 'white bread' (the Eucharist). Mellitus withdrew to Gaul for a year with St Justus of Rochester. When he returned to England he was made Archbishop of Canterbury. He built St Mary's Church there. Mellitus died on this day in 624 and was buried near St Augustine in the abbey church of St Peter and St Paul. Bede said that he was 'noble by birth but yet nobler in mind'.

  Gospel in Art: As they were talking about these things, Jesus stood among them https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/52228

  SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 24  St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Roman Catholic Franciscan Capuchin Martyr. A practicing lawyer, he traveled across Europe as a tutor to aristocrats but then started defending the poor. In 1612, he became a Franciscan Capuchin monk, taking the name of Fidelis. A missionary to Grisons, Switzerland, Fidelis was so successful that local Protestants claimed that he was a spy for the Austrian Emperor. Fidelis was stabbed to death. Feastday April 24 St. Egbert. Egbert IS A 8th. Century an English monk of Lindisfarne, he was anxious to go on the mission to Germany. His destiny, however, was less heroic but quite important. Settling on Iona, he succeeded in persuading the monks to adopt the roman usage over the celebration of Easter - a task which took thirteen years of gentle persuasion.   St. Diarmaid, 851 A.D. Irish bishop of Armagh known for his learning. He was named bishop in 834 but was driven from his see by a usurper, Forau. Diarmaid wen...

  St George and St Erkenwald - see NOTE https://www.indcatholicnews.com/saint/118

  Gospel in Art: The Supper at Emmaus https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/52220

  St. George, Martyr - Information on the Saint of the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/saints/04/23/st--george--martyr.html

Half of Polish Clergy Claims to Have Been Victimized Just for Being Priests - ZENIT - English : They noted that their insecurity lessened when they wore clerical insignia. 85.9% say that violence against priests has increased over the last decade.

India: six Christian families expelled from village for not renouncing their religion - ZENIT - English : In the predominantly tribal district of Sukma, families were forced out of their homes and dumped in a forest. Only the intervention of the police allowed them to return, but locals first prevented access. Archbishop Thakur laments ongoing persecution, stressing that the Church continues to serve without discrimination despite unfair accusations.

 SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 23 ST. ADALBERT, BISHOP OF PRAGUE AND MARTYR Adalbert was the first Slavic Bishop of Prague. After studying at Magdeburg, he attempted to evangelize the city, but with little success; so he went to Rome and became a Benedictine monk. Later he went as a missionary to northern Europe, and in 997 he was martyred along the Baltic coast.  April 23   St. George, Martyr, Patron of England & Catalonia. Pictures of St. George usually show him killing a dragon to rescue a beautiful lady. The dragon stands for wickedness. The lady stands for God's holy truth. St. George was a brave martyr who was victorious over the devil.  He was a soldier in the army of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, and he was one of the Emperor's favorite soldiers. Now Diocletian was a pagan and a bitter enemy to the Christians. He put to death every Christian he could find. George was a brave Christian, a real soldier of Christ. Without fear, he went to the Emperor and stern...

  15 Beautiful Pope Francis Quotes to Meditate on as the Church Mourns His Passing https://www.churchpop.com/15-beautiful-pope-francis-quotes-to-meditate-on-as-the-church-mourns-his-passing/

  On praying for Pope Francis https://www.globalsistersreport.org/node/299351