Saint Margaret of Antioch
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Author Archives: sandra dipasqua
Saint Alexis of Rome Early Fifth century. Feast Day: July 17.
Alexis, the son of a Roman senator, fled his wedding to become a beggar. After living in Edessa and earning the reputation for great sanctity, he returned to his home in Rome. His family did not recognize him in his ragged state and allowed him to live under their staircase. By the time of his death, the King (with crown), the Cardinal (in red), and the Pope (with the triple tiara) all recognized his holiness and came to pay him tribute.
Saint Veronica First century. Feast Day: July 12.
Patron of: Laundresses. Photographers.
As Christ was being led to his crucifixion, a woman named Seraphia wiped his face with her handkerchief and his image remained on the cloth. Vera icon means “true image,” giving the saint her new name. She is shown holding the image she obtained, with the crucifixion in the background.
Saint Camillus de Lellis 1550–1614. Feast Day: July 14.
Patron of: Nurses.Those with bodily ills.
A soldier with a gambling habit, Camillus was forced to work in construction to pay off debts. He was converted by the Capuchins for whom he was working. After spending time in a hospital for an incurable war injury, Camillus was inspired to devote his life to caring for the sick. He founded the Congregation of the Servants of the Sick, a nursing order which was later named for him. The red cross is his attribute.
Saint Benedict 480–547. Feast Day: July 11.
Patron of: Monks. Founder of the Benedictines.
He is the father of Western Monasticism, most monks still follow his rule. Living as a hermit when he founded his order, a raven with bread offers him sustenance. He holds the Abbot’s staff. Jealous monks once tried to poison his wine; the snake of Satan is lurking in the chalice. The closed book is for mysterious teachings. Benedict was known for his supernatural gift of prophecy.
Saint John of Cologne Died 1572. Feast Day: July 9.
John was a Dominican priest who could not wear his habit because of the persecution against the church. He was caught smuggling communion to Catholic prisoners in Gorkum, Netherlands. He wears the rope he was hung with, while holding martyrs’ palms. The monstrance with the host glows near him. The shield of his order is at the bottom of the card.
The above saints have been excerpted from the book “Holy Cards” by Barbara Calamari and Sandra DiPasqua. All images are from the collection of Father Eugene Carrella.
Dining With the Saints
The Feast of Saint Peter and Paul
Many people have experienced eating prosciutto with ripe summer cantaloupe. It’s an Italian flavor combination made in heaven. Even when prosciutto is scarce, Italians, even my father and grandfather, would just sprinkle a bit of salt on cantaloupe knowing it would bring out the fruits’ sweetness.
One of the most ancient feasts observed by Christians is the Feast of San Pietro e Paolo (Saints Peter and Paul) on June 28th and 29th, honoring the martyrdom of these two influential Apostles. Celebrations vary from region to region, but the town ofViadanainLombardyholds a very special sagra of prosciutto, cantaloupe, and their slightly sweet and fizzy Lambrusco wine, highlighting some of the areas most prized food products. The dense, orange fleshed melon got its name form Cantalupo in the Savine region, where it was grown in the papal gardens. The beautiful fruit then spread to other areas ofItaly, traveling from one papal property to another. Inside Viadana’s 17th century church hangs a painting of the town patron surrounded by cantaloupes.
In honor of this very special feast, I’ve turned toLombardyfor inspiration and created a summer salad using cantaloupe, prosciutto, and Lambrusco, all three of the fine products this region celebrates for its festival.
Cantaloupe Salad with Prosciutto, Mozzarella, and Lambrusco Vinaigrette
(Serves four as a first course or as a lunch dish)
For the vinaigrette:
¼ cup Lambrusco wine
1 tablespoon Spanish sherry vinegar
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt
Black pepper
1 small ripe cantaloupe, scooped out with a melon baller (about 2 cups)
1 pint grape tomatoes
About a dozen bocconicini mozzarella
¼ lb. prosciutto, cut into thin strips
1 large bunch of frisee, ripped into pieces
1 shallot, thinly sliced
A handful of small basil leaves, left whole
To make the vinaigrette, pour the Lambrusco into a small saucepot and boil it over high heat until you have about a tablespoon (you can use another semi-sweet wine instead if you like). Let this cool for a few minutes. Now whisk in the sherry vinegar and the olive oil and season it with salt and black pepper.
Place all the ingredients for the salad in a large salad bowl. Pour on the viniagrette and toss gently. Serve right away.
(Dining with the Saints is a monthly column written by Erica De Mane, cookbook writer and teacher. You can find her food blog at www.ericademane.com)
Holy Card Saints for June
Saint Paul First century. Feast Day: June 29.
Patron of: Evangelists. Snake bite. Malta. Journalists. Formerly an enemy of all Christians, Paul was knocked off his horse by a blinding light on the road to Damascus. For three days he was unable to see or eat while Christian teachings were infused in him. He became a zealous preacher of Christianity, traveling all over the ancient world. He was martyred in Rome. He holds his hand in blessing, he has the closed book of innate knowledge, and his attribute is a sword because he was beheaded and he was a great leader.
Novena to Saint Paul
Saint Peter First century. Feast Day: June 29.
Patron of: The Universal Church. Stone masons. Bakers. Peter was the leader of the original twelve apostles. His bad temper and errors in judgement make him the most human of apostles. It was to him that Jesus left the leadership of his church, calling Peter the rock. He was martyred in Rome by being crucified upside down, and the site of his tomb is now Saint Peter’s Basilica. He holds two keys, one of heaven, one of hell. He has an open book for the wide ranging spread of the faith.
Saint John the Baptist Died 30 a.d. Feast Day: June 24.
Patron of: Lambs. Baptism. Monks. A cousin of Christ, John began preaching in the wilderness that people should repent because the kingdom of heaven was at hand. He would baptize his followers, Christ among them, in the river Jordan. He hailed Christ as the lamb of God in reference to Isaiah’s image of the lamb led to slaughter to bear the sins of mankind, and also because of the custom of sacrificing a lamb at Passover. He holds the banner of Christ with a lamb on the book of innate knowledge.
novena.com 