Entry 3: Saint Isidore the Laborer

Date: 15 May 2012 Anno Domini

Greetings all.  

Today, May 15th is the feast day of Saint Isidore, the Laborer (sometimes called 'the Farmer').  Saint Isidore was an exceedingly religious man who attended mass every single morning.  However, a group of disgruntiled co-workers told their master, Juan de Vargas that Isidore was late coming to work every day.

Essentially, the miracle goes that Juan de Vargas found Isidore kneeling in prayer whilst an angel plowed for him.  However, there is some dispute, as to whether it was two angels instead of just one.  He was known to have brought Juan de Vargas's daughter back to life, and for a fountain to spring out of dry earth.  Eventually he married Saint Maria de la Cabeza or Maria Torribia.

Together they produced a son who was known to have fallen into a well and drowned.  However, the water rose considerably and poured forth from the well, elevating his son's body as well.  For the rest of their lives, Saints Isidore and Maria lived apart - and remained chaste for the rest of their lives.  He died on May 15th, 1130 Anno Domini. 

There is much that we can learn from Saint Isidore.  He was a hardworking, pious man who achieved so much in life.  May we as human beings aspire to the piety and diligence that this blessed saint had.  May be as chaste and pure as Saints Isidore and Maria.

Thank You, Lord.  For giving us Saints Isidore and Maria to serve as a good example.

Kind regards,
~Marianne D.

Saints Apollonia & Pope Dionysius of Alexandria

Entry 2: Saints Apollonia & Pope Dionysius of Alexandria

Date: 12 February 2012 Anno Domini

To-day I am writing about a particular saint of whom faced a great ordeal towards the end of her life.  She goes by the name of Saint Apollonia.  A greatly pious woman, she was attacked by an entire mob of polytheists who knocked out all of her teeth and threatened to burn her alive.  In fact, they conveyed to her that she must renounce our Lord or she would be thrown into the fire.  In the stead of that, she cast herself straight into the fire without a second thought.  The later saint, Saint Augustine attributed her last minute martyrdom to the inspiration and design of the Holy Spirit.  Nonetheless, it is such a wondrous thing.  We, however, learn that Saint Apollonia was not harmed by the fire – not even a little bit.  Actually, she later beheaded by the mob.  Saint Apollonia, due to the terrible incident that occurred before her martyrdom, is the patron saint of dentistry as well as tooth problems.  That is why most of the prayers at least I have seen have been used in conjunction with teeth or tooth problems.  Even though to-day is not February 9^th, which is her feastday, let us remember her for her most glorious martyrdom with the help of the majestic Holy Spirit.

Saint Apollonia is indeed a great inspiration due to the fact that she weathered through the storm and still in the end remained firm in her faith.  Nothing could shake her from the fortress of her faith – not even the mob that sought to kill her.  At her time of death, she thought only of our Lord, Jesus Christ and even died for her love of him.  Up until her death, she remained pure and good despite the adversities that threatened her.  In a way, we can glean inspiration from this saint who seemed to have lived a beautiful life – leaning upon our most splendid Lord.  


When the mob was at her back – tormenting and torturing her – she still had the courage to say no.  For to-day, let us remember her glorious sacrifice and how she was so devoted to our Lord.  Through her inspiration, I sincerely hope to remain firm in my faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, to lean upon the Rock that is never shaken.  Below is the prayer to Saint Apollonia:

O Glorious Apollonia, patron saint of dentistry and refuge to all those suffering from diseases of the teeth, I consecrate myself to thee, beseeching thee to number me among thy clients. Assist me by your intercession with God in my daily work and intercede with Him to obtain for me a happy death. Pray that my heart like thine may be inflamed with the love of Jesus and Mary, through Christ our Lord. Amen. 0 My God, bring me safe through temptation and strengthen me as thou didst our own patron Apollonia, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Source: http://www.fauchard.org/history/articles/jdh/v53n3_nov05/pp97/st_apollonia_v53n3_nov05_p97.html)

Furthermore, it is because of Saint & Pope Dionysius (the Great) of Alexandria that we have this account of Saint Apollonia.  A small prayer to Pope Dionysius is:

O God, who hast enlightened thy Church by the teaching of thy servant Dionysius: Enrich us evermore with thy heavenly grace, and raise up faithful witnesses who by their life and doctrine will set forth the truth of thy salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever.

A prayer of Saint Dionysius is:

God the Father,

source of everything Divine,

You are good

surpassing everything good

and just surpassing everything just.

In You is tranquility,

as well as peace and harmony.

Heal our divisions

and restore us to the unity of love,

which is similar to Your Divine nature.

Let the bond of love

and the ties of Divine affection

make us one in the Spirit by your peace

which renders everything peaceful.

We ask this through the grace, mercy,

and compassion of Your only Son,

our Lord Jesus Christ.

(Source: http://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/english/p00374.htm)

The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

Entry 1: The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

Date: 10 February 2012 Anno Domini

Greetings all, and welcome to my blog.  As this is my first blog post, I shall introduce myself.  My name is Marianne D, and I often go by the epithet of "Lady Marianne."  The reason why I decided to start this blog is because, well, I have a desire to share the love of my faith and my beliefs with others - especially the essential virtue of unconditional love towards others.  During the time of our Lord, Jesus Christ, unconditional love, which is a universal love, went by the name of "agape."  According to John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting."  I believe that a whole lot of agape could be more actively utilized in this modern world of fast cars, instantaneous text messages, a general distrust of one's own fellow human being (and we are all children of God), and the importance that is placed in greed rather than love.  We live in an age where many new and wonderful happenings are occurring quite literally every minute, but one must bear in mind the essential nature of connecting with the Lord, our God.  He is the one from whence we came and to whom we shall one day return.  That is why, I believe it is eminent to show agape or rather, love and charity towards your fellow human being.  I officially dedicate this blog to my patron saint, Saint Margaret of Scotland.   

That aside, to-day is the feastday of that of Our Lady of Lourdes - February 11th, 2012 Anno Domini.  

This is a day where we can reflect upon the mysteries that occurred at Lourdes on February 11th in the year of 1844.  It was the day that our beloved Saint Bernadette went to the grotto with her friends and was visited by our most beloved Blessed Mother.  Saint Bernadette was very much punished for conveying to the town locals that a most magnificent woman had visited her.  In fact, people simply denounced Saint Bernadette as a foolish young woman and even went so far as to declare it blasphemy.  During that time, through her trials and travails, Saint Bernadette remained firm as Saint Peter, the apostle who is "the Rock."  In Matthew 16:18, Our Lord states, "And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."  Therefore, we must remain strong during our own trials, as they are sent to us as a test by our Heavenly Father.  We must be as brave and courageous as many of the wondrous Saints who have come before us, as steadfast in our faith and as loving as the Angels, and as obedient as our Holy Mother.  Since the springs of Lourdes are best known for their miraculous healing abilities, this may be a good day to pray for healing in all avenues of life - whether it be physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual.  Take time out to-day and pray for another person.  Pray for their well-being, their health, their happiness, and love.

Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes

O ever-Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Mercy,
health of the sick, refuge of sinners,
comforter of the afflicted,
you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings;
look with mercy on me.

By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes,
you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary,
whence you dispense your favors;
and already many sufferers have obtained
the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal.

I come, therefore, with complete confidence
to implore your maternal intercession.

Obtain, O loving Mother, the grant of my requests.
Through gratitude for your favors,
I will endeavor to imitate your virtues,
that I may one day share your glory.

Amen. 

I sincerely hope that you all have a wonderful feastday of Our Lady of Lourdes.
Marianne D.