Feast Day: June 21. Patron of : AIDS victims. AIDS caregivers. Teenagers. He grew up in a castle and was trained as a soldier and courtier from the age of four. A kidney infection left Aloysius bedridden, with much solitary time spent in prayer. At the age of eighteen he became a Jesuit novice, signing his inheritance away to his family. He tended plague victims in Rome before dying of the plague himself.
Feast Day: June 13. Patron of: Lost Articles. Those in Debt. Portugal. A Franciscan friar known for his extraordinary preaching ability, he is also known as “The Wonderworker.” He is always shown with the baby Jesus because an uncle once saw Anthony laughing and playing in the garden with an infant who kissed him, then disappeared. The angels hold the psalter that was stolen then returned to Anthony after praying for it.
The above holy card saints for June have been excerpted from the book: “Holy Cards” by Barbara Calamari and Sandra DiPasqua. All images are from the collection of Father Eugene Carrella.
Novena to be said beginning on the Friday after Ascension Thursday until Pentecost Sunday Nine days later
Antiphon
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.
V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Let us Pray:
O God, who hast taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the gift of the same Spirit we may be always truly wise, and ever rejoice in His consolations,
Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
An immensely popular Franciscan preacher, Bernardine vowed to preach in every part of Italy. Thoroughly entertaining to common people, he would speak in the open air for four hours at a time. Because he often strained his voice, he suffered from hoarseness, like patients with pulmonary problems. A master communicator, he designed the IHS visual emblem of Christ.
Novena to Saint Bernardine of Siena
Father,
You gave Saint Bernardine a special love
for the holy name of Jesus.
By the help of his prayers,
may we always be alive with the spirit of Your love.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. (MENTION YOUR REQUEST HERE).
Amen.
Saint Joan of Arc 1412–1431. Feast Day: May 30.
Patron of: France. Soldiers. Captives.
A mystic with the gift of prophecy, Joan was a young French peasant girl who was counseled by three voices, Michael the Archangel, Margaret of Antioch, and Catherine of Alexandria. Using their guidance she was able to inspire the French to free themselves from British domination. She is shown with her banner reading “Jesus Mary,” with which she led troops into battle. She is surrounded by lilies for purity. This card was made before she was declared a saint and was still a Blessed.
Blessed Mary Bartholomea de Bagnesi 1511–1577.
Feast Day: May 27.
Because of her many physical ailments, Mary Bartholomea led a pained and difficult life as a Dominican nun. Eventually bedridden, her room radiated such peace and calm that it attracted many. Cats especially loved her. She is shown with the halo of the Blessed, a cat drinking the milk of human kindness at her feet. She holds a whip for her life of penance, a cross (the object of her meditations), and lilies for purity.
Blessed Peter Sanz and His Companions 1680–1747.
Feast Day: May 26.
Peter Sanz and his four companions were a group of Dominican missionaries credited with converting thousands of Chinese to Christianity. They were incarcerated by the governor of Peking. When they began converting their jailors and other prisoners, they were tortured by fire and executed on the chopping block.
Blessed Eve of liège Died 1266. Feast Day: May 26.
Eve was a Cistercian nun who lived as a recluse. When Saint Julienne of Cornillon was driven from her convent, she took shelter in Eve’s cell. Eve helped her to propagate the Feast of Corpus Christi. Eve holds the Papal Proclamation of the feast and an open book which signifies the widespread celebration of this feast. She has the halo of the Blessed.
Saint Rita of Cascia 1377–1447. Feast Day: May 22. Patron of: Impossible Causes. Marital Problems.
Married to an abusive man who was murdered, Rita tried to join the local Augustinian convent after the death of her two sons. She was refused three times. Saint John the Baptist, Saint Nicholas of Tolentino, and Saint Augustine appeared to her and advised her to try again. She was accepted and became known for the power of her prayers. She meditated on Christ’s passion and is shown with a thorn in her head because she begged to feel a part of Christ’s suffering. She is always depicted with roses because upon her death, the roses in her garden bloomed off season so that they could adorn her casket.
Saint Walburga 710–779. Feast Day: February 25. May 1.
Patron of: Cough sufferers. Famine. Storms at sea. Antwerp, Belgium. The daughter of one of the Saxon kings, Walburga was born in Wessex, England. As a Benedictine nun she moved to Germany where she became Abbess of several religious communities of men and women. She wears a crown denoting her royal birth and holds the Abbess’s staff. In her hand is the closed book of mysterious knowledge. On the book and at her feet are flasks of the oil which still oozes at her shrine and is reputed to have curative powers.
The above saints for May are excerpted from the book: “Holy Cards” by Barbara Calamari and Sandra DiPasqua. All images are from the collection of Father Eugene Carrella.
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