The Catholic Church of the Incarnation is a parish community dedicated to proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by the Roman Catholic Church.
When Mary turned 3 years old, her parents, Sts. Joachim and Anne, offered their daughter to God in the Temple. The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary recognizes that Mary was holy, even in her childhood. The feast also recognizes that God chose Mary to be the mother of Jesus
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1880 & in 1889 left Italy for the US to help immigrants. She founded 67 institutions in the US that provided social services to the poor. Today, she has major shrines in Chicago & NYC.
"Be sure that you first preach by the way you live." Although born from wealth, St. Charles Borromeo was dedicated to serving the Church & quickly became Archbishop of Milan. To combat corruption and ignorance, he established many seminaries, abolished the selling of indulgences.
St. Martin de Porres was lay Dominican brother that devoted his life to serving others. Known for physical work & miracles, including levitating, bi-locating & curing the sick. He is the patron saint of all those seeking racial harmony. “I only cure you. It is God who heals you.”
Born in 1971 Italy, Blessed Chiara Badano became very active with her faith at 9 y/o & even grew closer to Christ as a teen. At 17, she was diagnosed with a painful bone cancer. She remained faithful & selfless. She died before her 19th birthday & is the patron saint of youth.
St. Anthony Claret is the “spiritual father of Cuba”. He made a major impact on the much-neglected archdiocese of Sanitago, Cuba. He hosted retreats, was a writer, publisher, & even chaplain for the queen. He founded the Religious Publishing House & was remarked as a "true saint"
St. Paul of the Cross had a devotion to Christ’s passion as a demonstration of God’s love for all people. He founded the Congregation of the Passion (Passionists) in 1720. Many of St. Paul of the Cross’ letters survive today, revealing the founding spirituality of the Passionists
St. Luke is best known for his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. His symbol is the winged ox, which represents sacrifice, service, and strength. Luke was a physician and an artist, showing the great diversity of professions in early Christians. He is the patron saint of both.
In 107 AD, the people of Antioch were forced by emperor Trajan to leave their faith or die. St. Ignatius of Antioch was a bishop and martyr, well-known for his 7 letters he wrote on his journey from Antioch to Rome. He remained faithful and was killed by lions in the Coliseum.
St. Longinus is the unnamed centurion who pierced Jesus at his crucifixion. He was a blind man and was healed when the Holy Blood hit his eye. He became Christian and a monk. He was martyred by a blind governor & his sight was restored when the blood of St. Longinus hit his eyes.
St. Teresa of Jesus was a woman of contemplation and active reform. She was outgoing & totally human. She founded over half a dozen monasteries & reformed the Carmelites back to full observance. She was the first woman honored as a doctor of the Church & was a woman "for others"
St. Callistus was a slave that was released after doing time for losing money. He became a deacon & later, pope. He was attacked by his losing opponent, St. Hippolytus, the first antipope later turned Saint. He was ahead of his time & the first pope to be martyred, besides Peter.
Our Lady of the Rosary Feast Day was declared in 1573 to thank God for the victory of Christians over the Turks at Lepanto-a victory attributed to praying the rosary. May this remind us to take refuge in Our Lady by praying the rosary, contemplating Christ's life through prayer.
Patron Saint of the sick, missionaries, and florists, St. Thérèse of Lisieux is famous for her autobiography, Story of a Soul. She became a nun at 15 and died from tuberculosis at 24. Those with a devotion to her often report roses appearing when they ask her for guidance.
St Lorenzo Ruiz was falsely accused of murder & sought comfort in 3 Dominican priests who he traveled with. They suffered persecution & torture, but remained committed to their ministry &faith. Ruiz was martyred by being hung upside down. He is the first Filipino canonized martyr
Saint Vincent De Paul is known for his charity work and reforming the educational training of seminarians in France. He is the patron saint of charities, volunteers, and hospitals. He also established the model of modern day. He serves as a reminder to have mercy on all.
Saints Cosmas and Damian were physicians and and early Christian martyrs known for their miraculous healings and refusal to accept payment. Their legacy is beautifully honored through a basilica in Rome in their name. They are the patron saints of doctors & physicians.
St. Padre Pio was a Capuchin priest, friar, and mystic. He is remembered for his charity, piety, and ability to levitate. After seeing a vision of Jesus on September 20, 1918, Padre Pio found the stigmata on his hands, feet, and side. St. Padre Pio, pray for us!
Little is known about todays feast day saint, St. Januarius. In 305, he survived a martyr attempt by wild animals in an ampitheater and was then beheaded. His blood was collected and brought to Naples. Several times a year the blood miraculously liquefies and bubbles.
On the feast day of St. Joseph of Cupertino, we remember his multiple occasions of ecstasy, being able to levitate during some. He remained devoted to God throughout his life and is a reminder to praise God, even in the good times. He is the patron saint of aviation & astronauts.