Feb. 26, Bl. Isabella, Virgin of the Second Order.
Isabella, the sister of St. Louis, King of France, was trained to a pious life by her saintly mother Queen Blanche. From her tenderest years she determined to live in virginity. Secluded from court life, she practiced penance, the works of charity and prayer. After the death of her mother she entered the convent of Poor Clares in Longchamps which she herself had founded. She died in 1270, the same year in which her sainted brother was called to heaven. – (from) The Franciscan Supplement to the St. Andrew Missal.

Feb. 21, St. Margaret of Cortona, penitent, Franciscan Third Order Secular, d. 1297, Plenary Indulgence possible (renewal of engagements of the Franciscan Third Order Secular)
This Magdalen of the Franciscan Order, Saint Margaret of Cortona, came into the world in the year 1247 at Laviano near Cortona in the province of Tuscany. When Saint Margaret of Cortona was 7 years old, she lost her pious mother. She was neglected by her careless father, who married again within a short time, and her unsympathetic stepmother dealt harshly with her, so that when Margaret was 18 years old, she left home to earn her bread among strangers.
Saint Margaret of Cortona was possessed of rare beauty, and ere long this became a snare for her. For the space of 9 years she gave herself up to a life of sin and scandal. Then one day she waited a long time in vain for her accomplice in sin to return home to the place where she lived with him. Presently his dog came to her whining and tugging at her dress. She …More

Feb. 19, St. Conrad of Piacenza, Confessor of the third Order.
Conrad was born in Piacenza, Lombardy, of a noble family. He had a passionate love for chivalrous sports, especially hunting. One day while on the hunt, he ordered a fire to be kindled to drive the quarry from the underbrush. The fire spread and destroyed a whole grain field and a large forest. A poor peasant was accused in the affair and was about to be executed when Conrad, filled with remorse, confessed his guilt and, together with his wife offered to make reparation for the damage. This incident taught both Conrad and his wife the vanity of earthly things, and they resolved to dedicate themselves to God alone. Conrad, who was only twenty at the time, joined a group of hermits of the Third Order and his wife took the veil in a convent of the Poor Clares. He led a life of the severest penance, and God granted him the gifts of miracles and prophecy. He died in 1351. – (from) The Franciscan Supplement to the St. Andrew Missal.

Feb. 18, St. Bernadette Soubirous, Virgin, cordbearer, d. 1879 Plenary Indulgence possible for the Cordbearers only.
Born at Lourdes, France, on January 7, 1844. She was the oldest child of a miller named Francis Soubirous and his wife, Louise. She went by Bernadette as a child, and lived in abject poverty with her parents. She suffered from asthma, and was a poor student, which kept her from making her first Holy Communion until she was 14.
On February 11, 1858, while collecting firewood with her sisters along the banks of the Gave River near Lourdes, she alone saw a vision of a beautiful woman inside a cave above the riverbank. She was dressed in white and blue with golden roses on her feet. St Bernadette’s report was not immediately accepted, even by her mother, but her visions of the Lady drew increasingly larger crowds. Despite great hostility on the part of the socialist civil authorities, St Bernadette Soubirous’ reports of the visions continued, and on February 25 Our Lady told …More

Feb. 6, Bl. Pius IX, Pope, Franciscan Third Order Secular.
Pope Pius IX (Italian: Pio; 13 May 1792 – 7 February 1878), born Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, was head of the Catholic Church from 16 June 1846 to his death on 7 February 1878. He was the longest-reigning elected pope in the history of the Catholic Church, serving for over 31 years. During his pontificate, Pius IX convened the First Vatican Council (1869–70), which decreed papal infallibility, but the council was cut short owing to the loss of the Papal States.
Europe, including the Italian peninsula, was in the midst of considerable political ferment when the bishop of Imola, Cardinal Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, was elected pope. He took the name Pius, after his generous patron and the long-suffering prisoner of Napoleon, Pius VII. He had been elected by the faction of cardinals sympathetic to the political liberalization coursing across Europe, and his initial governance of the Papal States gives evidence of his own …More

Jan. 24, Bl. Paula Gambara-Costa, widow, Franciscan Third Order Secular.
Almighty God destined this holy woman to be a special pattern for Christian wives and widows in bearing the trials and difficulties of their state. Paula was born in Brescia, in northern Italy, of a very noble family. Even in her youth she showed a special love for solitude and a quiet, devout life. Prayer and spiritual reading were her delight, and she would gladly have changed her place in the world for life in a convent. But since her parents promised her in marriage to the young count Louis Costa, lord of Benasco, Paula recognized the will of God in this arrangement and complied with the wishes of her parents.
After the wedding the count conveyed his young wife in great pomp to the castle at Benasco in the province of Piedmont. He himself was quite fond of gaiety and amusement, and would have drawn his inexperienced wife into the whirl of worldly pleasures, for in the beginning she believed it a duty to yield …More

Nov. 29, Feast of All Saints of the Seraphic Order.
The Franciscan Order has always been the source of great sanctity. Its Menology includes six thousand martyrs, confessors, virgins or widows, all found within the Franciscan family. And how great must be the multitude of disciples of St. Francis whose merits and sacrifices, known by God and angels alone, will only be revealed at the last day. For this reason the Church celebrates in one single solemnity the feast days of all the elect that the Franciscan Order has given to God. Remembering the virtues of their predecessors, members of the Franciscan family should be filled with a desire to emulate them and should remember the words which so strongly moved the soul of St. Augustine: “Why could you not do what these and those have done” Therefore we should ask our saints to give us their continual protection, and to help us in purifying ourselves of our faults, so that we may share in their glory. – (from) The Franciscan Supplement.

Nov. 13, St. Didacus of Alcala, lay brother, religious of the Franciscan 1st Order.
Saint Didacus of Alcala was born about 1400 at San Nicolas in Andalusia, of poor and God-fearing parents. He entered the Third Order of St Francis when he had scarcely reached young manhood, and under the direction of a devout Tertiary priest, he served God for a long time as a hermit. Consumed with the desire for still greater perfection, he later entered the Franciscan convent at Arizafa in Castile and was there admitted to solemn vows as a lay brother.
His rapid progress in virtue made him a model to all his companions. His soul was continually occupied with God in prayer and meditation. From this source he gathered such supernatural insight concerning God and the mysteries of Faith that learned theologians listened with astonishment to the inspiring conversations of this uneducated lay brother.
Since Brother Didacus manifested great zeal for souls and willingness for sacrifice, his superiors sent him …More

Sept. 27, St. Elzear of Sabran, Confessor of the third Order.
This noble scion of the illustrious Sabran family was born in Provence. As soon as he was born his mother offered him to God, imploring Him to withdraw him from this world after his baptism, rather than allow him at any time to stain the purity of his soul by a mortal sin. The child, always keeping his heart pure, grew in knowledge, in wisdom and in age. He was known especially for his tender compassion for the poor. He married blessed Delphina of Glandeves, with whom he lived in perfect continence, and in the practice of all the virtues. Husband and wife rivaled each other in zeal, and in their faithfulness in following the road to God. Their days spent in prayer, in work, in holy reading, and in the care of the poor and the sick. They spent a part of the night in prayer. Besides these exercises, they practiced severe mortification in the form of fasting, hairshirts, and chastisement, which covered their innocent flesh with …More

Sept. 26, Bl. Delphina of Glandeves , Virgin of the third Order.
Blessed Delphina was born in 1284 in Provence. She was given in marriage to Elzear, Count of Sabran, a virtuous young man. The night of their marriage, she told her husband that she had made a vow of perpetual virginity. They both lived in great holiness, and to find greater strength against the world and temptations of the flesh, they entered the Third Order. By their example they contributed to the revival of faith in their district. After the holy death of her husband in 1323, Delphina embraced a life of absolute poverty, living by alms alone. She died in the midst of great suffering and infirmities on November 26, 1358, in the town of Apt, where the body of St. Elzear was buried. Urban V approved the popular cultus of this virgin who lived in voluntary poverty. – (from) The Franciscan Supplement.

Sept. 20, St. Francis Mary of Camporosso, lay brother, Capuchin religious.
In the cemetery in Genoa a statue of Blessed Francis Mary of Camporosso may be seen which bears the following inscription: "Francis of Camporosso was born December 27, 1804, and died on September 17, 1866. This poor man in Christ was more blessed in giving than in receiving. With bread and advice and consolation, he was ever prepared to minister to the sufferings and needs of all who came to him. His austere and holy life he crowned with the sacrifice he made of himself at the beginning of the epidemic of 1866. The sorrow and gratitude of the people prompted them to immortalize his image in this marble statue."
It needed but a few words to say all that one could wish to have said of this apostle of the people. As a shepherd in the little village of Camporosso near San Remo he was obliged to contribute to the support of his family. Later he joined the Capuchins at Genoa. There he clothed his ideals and intentions …More

Sept. 11, Bl. Bonaventure of Barcelona, Confessor of the first Order.
Bonaventure, who was born in 1620 of poor parents in Barcelona, spent his youth working in the fields. He heard the call of God early in life. He was married against his will, but lost his virtuous wife a few months later. He then entered the Franciscans as a lay brother. From then on his whole live was spent in continual union with God, and in the practice of the most severe mortification. Although a lay brother, he was called upon to found several contemplative monasteries in Italy, for which he composed statutes which were approved by the Pope. He built the monastery of St. Bonaventure in Rome. Named Guardian several times, he carried out his duties with the greatest prudence. Men of great learning and even Popes came to consult him about their difficulties, drawn by the renown of his sanctity. He died in Rome on September 11, 1684, and was beatified by Pius X on June 10, 1906. – (from) The Franciscan Supplement.

July 18, St. Camillus de Lellis, Priest, had been a tertiary before founding or joining another religious Institute.
Camillus, of the noble family of the Lelli, was born at Bucchianico in the diocese of Chieti. As a young man he entered the army and gave himself up for a time to worldly vices. But he was seized with sorrow at having offended God, and, going at once to the Friars Minor, called Capuchins, he earnestly pleaded to be admitted among them. His desire was granted this time, and again later on, when he had been out of the Order and had sought re-admission. But on both occasions an infected ulcer on his leg, which had afflicted him for some time, broke out, and he submitted himself humbly to his superiors, twice putting off the habit of the Order which he had twice asked for and received. He went to Rome and was ordained to the priesthood. Then he laid the first foundations of the Congregation of Clerks Regular for ministering to the sick, whose members bind themselves by a fourth …More

Commemoration of the Canonization of Our Holy Father Francis.
Hardly two years had elapsed since the death of St. Francis when Gregory IX, well known as Cardinal Ugolino and the friend and protector of the saint, decided to enroll him solemnly among the saints of the Church. The Pope caused the numerous reports of Francis’s virtues and miracles to be collected, and coming in person to Assisi, canonized him solemnly of July 16, 1228 in the church of St. George (now St. Clare). – (from) The Franciscan Supplement.

July 12, Sts. Geoffrey and Joachim, Priests, religious of the Franciscan 1st Order, martyrs.
John Wall, in religion Father Joachim of St Anna, was the fourth son of Anthony Wall of Chingle (Singleton) Hall, Lancashire. He was born in 1620, and when very young, was sent to the English College at Douai. From there he proceeded to Rome, where he was raised to the priesthood in 1648. Several years later he returned to Douai and was clothed in the habit of St Francis in the convent of St Bonaventure. He made his solemn profession on January 1, 1652. So great was the estimation in which he was held by his brethren, that within a few months he was elected vicar of the convent, and soon after, master of novices.
In 1656 Father Joachim of St Anna joined the English mission, and for 12 years he labored on Worcestershire under the names of Francis Johnson or Webb, winning souls even more by his example than by his words. At Harvington to this day the memory of Blessed Father Johnson is cherished,…More

June 13, St. Anthony of Padua, Confessor, Doctor of the third Order.
The glorious death of the first Franciscan martyrs was the occasion used by God to draw young Ferdinand de Bouillon to the Order. He took the name of Anthony. He left the Canons Regular of the Holy Cross, to put on the habit of the Friars Minor, hoping to obtain the crown of martyrdom in that Order. Since God decided otherwise, Anthony desired only to lead a secret and hidden life.
Seeking to hide his exceptional talents from the eyes of men, he asked to be placed in a monastery and allowed to work there in the kitchen and the garden. He found his delight in this humble and holy life, but God withdrew this light from under the bushel for it to shine among men. Anthony was asked by his Guardian to say a few words to some new priests, both Dominican and Franciscan, and by his true interpretation, he showed a deep knowledge of Holy Scripture.
St. Francis chose him to teach theology to his brothers in Bologna, Toulouse, …More

May 30, St. Ferdinand III, King, Confessor of the third Order.
St. Ferdinand III, King of Castille (Spain), a disciple of Francis in the Third Order, was the nephew of Blanche of Castille, and first cousin to St. Louis. Born around the year 1200, he was brought up in the purest Christian principles. On becoming King of Castille, at the age of seventeen, he married the virtuous Beatrice, daughter of Philip of Germany, with whom he lived in the most holy union. Although he was often compelled to wage war, he made his reign one of justice and of charity. The Saracens occupied a large part of Spain at that time. Instead of exterminating them, Ferdinand resolved to chase them from his kingdom. With the help of James of Aragon, he continued his conquests, and managed to seize Cordova, the center of Moslem power in Spain. Granada and Seville soon surrendered. The behavior of this holy king showed that piety is not incompatible with a noble patriotism. The care of his kingdoms was not an obstacle …More

April 24, St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Priest, Capuchin, martyr.
Born at Sigmaringen of prominent family in the principality of Hohenzollern, in the year 1577, St Fidelis of Sigmaringen received the name Mark in baptism. He was fortunately endowed both by nature and by grace, so that while he progressed in learning, he made still greater progress in virtue and piety.
When St Fidelis had completed his studies in philosophy and jurisprudence at the University of Freiburg in Breisgau, the parents of several young noblemen were looking for a tutor who would accompany their sons on a tour through the various countries of Europe. The professors at the university drew their attention to Mark, who qualified for the position by his moral as well as by his mental gifts.
Mark accepted the position, as a result of which he spent 6 years traveling. To the young men who had been entrusted to him he pointed out, not only everything that was noteworthy from a worldly point of view, but he led them also …More

March 26, Bl. Diego Joseph of Cadiz, Confessor of the first Order.
Blessed Diego who was born in Cadiz on March 29, 1743, heeded God’s call at an early age. But his vocation was tested for he was prevented from entering the Capuchins because of a pronounced stutter with which he was afflicted, a slow mind, and an unfruitful memory. In his faith, he turned his face towards the altar. God rewarded him by giving him infused wisdom, and the gift of fluent speech. He was admitted into the Order, and made his profession on May 31, 1759. He was an indefatigable missionary, who covered Spain, bringing a great number of sinners back to God, and performing miracles on his way. In the midst of this vast labor, he was resplendent with all the virtues. He died on March 24, 1801 and was beatified by Leo XIII. – (from) the Franciscan Supplement.

March 14, St. Catherine of Genoa, Virgin, Franciscan Third Order Secular.
Catarinetta (little Catherine) Fieschi, child of a noble family of Genoa, was born 1447. At thirteen she wanted to enter a convent, but was refused admission because of her youth. When she was sixteen, she was given in marriage to a young nobleman, Julian Adorno by name. For this reason she is sometimes called St Catherine Fieschi-Adorno.
Saint Catherine of Genoa's husband turned out to be pleasure-loving, quick-tempered, unfaithful. This was a great trial for Catarinetta; and for a while she tried to drown her disappointment in a whirl of pleasure. However, she retained her trust in God and did not give up her religious exercises.
One day in 1473 she visited the convent where her sister was a nun, and there went to confession. That confession was a turning point in her life. In her sadness and desperation she had turned to God; and He now filled her soul with a large measure of grace, making her realize vividly …More