Saint Colette, born in 1381 to a carpenter named DeBoilet in Corby Abbey, Picardy, France, embarked on a remarkable journey of faith and reform after being orphaned at seventeen. Choosing to distribute her inheritance among the poor, she joined the Franciscan tertiaries and adopted a solitary life within Corby Abbey.

Her life took a transformative turn following visions of Saint Francis of Assisi, who commanded her to restore the Rule of Saint Clare to its pristine strictness. Initially hesitant, Colette was struck by a temporary blindness followed by muteness, each lasting three days. She interpreted these afflictions as divine signals to pursue her calling.

Faced with initial resistance when she tried to share her mission, Colette realized the need for authoritative support. Thus, she undertook a humble pilgrimage to Nice, France, to seek the endorsement of Peter de Luna, recognized by the French as Pope Benedict XIII despite the ongoing schism. Impressed by her conviction, he ordained her as a Poor Clare and granted her the authority to oversee the reformation and establishment of convents for the Minoresses, as well as to act as a missioner to Franciscan friars and tertiaries.

Colette’s journey was fraught with challenges, including opposition, defamation, and even accusations of sorcery. Despite these hurdles, she found success and support, notably in Savoy, which became a stronghold for her reformist efforts. Her reforms eventually spread to Burgundy in France, Flanders in Belgium, and even Spain.

In collaboration with Saint Vincent Ferrer, Colette played a pivotal role in resolving the papal schism. Her foundational efforts led to the creation of seventeen convents, and the establishment of the Colettine Poor Clares, a branch of the Poor Clares that adheres to her strict reforms, which include extreme poverty, barefootedness, and the observance of perpetual fasting and abstinence.

Renowned for her profound devotion to Christ’s Passion and her compassionate care for animals, Colette’s spiritual practices included fasting every Friday in meditation on the Passion and experiencing hours-long ecstasies after receiving Holy Communion. She even predicted her own death, underscoring her deep spiritual insight.

The Colettine Sisters, a testament to Colette’s enduring legacy, continue her work beyond France in countries such as Belgium, Germany, Spain, England, and the United States. Saint Colette was beatified on January 23, 1740, and canonized on May 24, 1807.

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In the Roman Catholic Church, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the season of preparation for the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. (In Eastern Rite Catholic churches, Lent begins two days earlier, on Clean Monday.)

While Ash Wednesday is not a Holy Day of Obligation, all Roman Catholics are encouraged to attend Mass on this day in order to mark the beginning of the Lenten season.

The Distribution of Ashes:
During Mass, the ashes which give Ash Wednesday its name are distributed. The ashes are made by burning the blessed palms that were distributed the previous year on Palm Sunday; many churches ask their parishioners to return any palms that they took home so that they can be burned.

After the priest blesses the ashes and sprinkles them with holy water, the faithful come forward to receive them. The priest dips his right thumb in the ashes and, making the Sign of the Cross on each person’s forehead, says, “Remember, man, that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return” (or a variation on those words).

A Day of Repentance:
The distribution of ashes reminds us of our own mortality and calls us to repentance. In the early Church, Ash Wednesday was the day on which those who had sinned, and who wished to be readmitted to the Church, would begin their public penance. The ashes that we receive are a reminder of our own sinfulness, and many Catholics leave them on their foreheads all day as a sign of humility.

Fasting and Abstinence Are Required:
The Church emphasizes the penitential nature of Ash Wednesday by calling us to fast and abstain from meat. Catholics who are over the age of 18 and under the age of 60 are required to fast, which means that they can eat only one complete meal and two smaller ones during the day, with no food in between. Catholics who are over the age of 14 are required to refrain from eating any meat, or any food made with meat, on Ash Wednesday.

Taking Stock of Our Spiritual Life:
This fasting and abstinence is not simply a form of penance, however; it is also a call for us to take stock of our spiritual lives. As Lent begins, we should set out specific spiritual goals we would like to reach before Easter and decide how we will pursue them—for instance, by going to daily Mass when we can and receiving the Sacrament of Confession more often.

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Saint Casimir, born into Polish royalty on October 3, 1458, in Cracow, was a figure of significant historical and spiritual prominence. His lineage was distinguished, with his grandfather, Wladislaus II Jagiello, introducing Christianity into Lithuania, and his parents, King Casimir IV of Poland and Queen Elizabeth of Austria, being notable figures in European royalty. Saint Casimir’s life was deeply intertwined with the political and religious fabric of the time, as his family connections spanned across the European continent, influencing regions far beyond Poland and Lithuania.

His upbringing, under the guidance of Father Dlugosz, a respected Polish historian and canon, and Filippo Buonaccorsi, known as Callimachus, was marked by a deep commitment to piety and learning. This early education played a crucial role in shaping Casimir’s character, imbuing him with a strong sense of duty, justice, and devotion, particularly towards the Virgin Mary. His refusal of the Hungarian crown and the decision to remain single highlighted his dedication to his spiritual beliefs and responsibilities over temporal power and personal desires.

Saint Casimir’s tenure as the administrator of Poland during his father’s absence demonstrated his capability and wisdom in governance, earning him the respect and admiration of his contemporaries. His untimely death at the age of 25 due to lung disease did not diminish his impact; rather, it solidified his legacy as a saintly figure. The miracles attributed to him posthumously further cemented his status as a patron saint, leading to his canonization by Pope Adrian VI in 1522, a process initiated by the efforts of Sigismund I, King of Poland.

His veneration as the patron saint of Poland and Lithuania attests to his enduring influence and the deep respect he commands across nations. Churches and chapels dedicated to him, as well as his celebration on March 4th, reflect the widespread devotion to Saint Casimir, whose life of piety, service, and devotion continues to inspire.

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Saint Katharine Drexel’s journey from a life of privilege to one of profound service and dedication illuminates a path of spiritual awakening and relentless philanthropy. Born into wealth in Philadelphia in 1858, Katharine’s early life was marked by luxury and education, affording her opportunities to travel and experience the world. Yet, it was the intimate experience of caring for her stepmother through a prolonged illness that unveiled to her the limitations of wealth in the face of human suffering.

Katharine’s compassion extended beyond her immediate family to the marginalized communities of her time. Horrified by the injustices faced by Native Americans and influenced by the writings of Helen Hunt Jackson, she sought to make a difference. A pivotal encounter with Pope Leo XIII, who challenged her to take up the missionary work she sought for others, catalyzed her commitment to a life of service.

Rejecting the prospects of marriage and a life of leisure, Katharine instead devoted her wealth and her life to the education and support of African Americans and Native Americans. In 1889, inspired by a divine call, she founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, dedicating her considerable resources to establishing schools and missions across the United States. Noteworthy among her achievements was the founding of Xavier University in New Orleans, a pioneering institution for the higher education of African Americans.

Throughout her life, Katharine faced and overcame numerous challenges, including opposition and racism from those who resisted her efforts. Yet, her dedication never wavered, and her legacy is a testament to the power of faith and commitment to justice.

In her later years, Katharine continued her mission through prayer, remaining a spiritual beacon until her death at the age of 96. Canonized in 2000.

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Pope Saint Simplicius, originating from Tivoli, ascended to the papacy following St. Hilary, marking the beginning of a tenure that contrasted a peaceful election with tumultuous times. The backdrop of his papacy was a Western Roman Empire in decline, spiraling into disarray after the assassination of Valentinian III in 455. This period saw a carousel of nine ephemeral emperors, largely puppets maneuvered by barbarian generals. The notable climax of this disintegration occurred during Simplicius’s papacy in 476, when Odovakar, a Heruli leader, overthrew the last emperor and proclaimed his governance to Emperor Zeno of Constantinople, symbolizing the effective end of Roman authority in the West. Various barbarian tribes had already carved out their territories: Visigoths in Spain, Franks and other groups in Gaul, Vandals in Africa, and the British Isles left to native and invading peoples.

Despite the seismic political shifts, Pope Simplicius found a relatively cooperative ruler in Odovakar, an Arian, who nonetheless maintained a benign stance towards the Church. However, the tranquility in the West was starkly contrasted by turbulence in the Eastern Roman Empire. The year 475 saw Basiliscus usurp Emperor Zeno, initiating a brief era of ascendancy for Monophysitism, a doctrinal controversy that Simplicius found deeply troubling. Under Basiliscus’s encouragement, notable Monophysites reclaimed positions of power, and the “Encyclion” decree sought to undermine the Council of Chalcedon’s teachings, propelling the East towards theological crisis. Yet, Constantinople remained a bastion of orthodoxy, partly due to Pope Simplicius’s fervent support of its clerical resistance against the usurper.

The pendulum swung back when Zeno reclaimed the throne, displacing Monophysite leaders and restoring Catholic authority, a transition that Simplicius viewed as pivotal for the Eastern Church’s survival. However, this respite was fleeting. The subsequent patriarchal election in Alexandria became a new focal point of controversy, leading to a divisive endorsement of Peter the Hoarse by Zeno and Patriarch Acacius, despite Simplicius’s objections. Their collaboration culminated in the Henoticon in 482, an attempted theological compromise that emerged too late for Simplicius to witness its full impact, as he passed away in 483.

Throughout his papacy, St. Simplicius contributed to the spiritual landscape of Rome by founding four churches, leaving a lasting legacy. His death on March 2 is commemorated as his feast day, marking the end of a papacy that navigated the Church through one of history’s pivotal junctures, balancing the ecclesiastical integrity amidst the fading echoes of Roman power in the West and doctrinal challenges in the East.

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Saint David, the revered patron saint of Wales and one of the most iconic saints in British history, remains shrouded in mystery due to the sparse reliable historical records about his life. Tradition holds that he was born to King Sant of South Wales and St. Non. He was consecrated as a priest and pursued his religious studies under St. Paulinus.

David is celebrated for his devout life, marked by his dedication to missionary endeavors and the establishment of numerous monasteries, with his main abbey located in southwestern Wales. The tales of David and his monks are renowned for their severe ascetic practices. They maintained silence during labor, eschewing animal help for farming, and subsisted on a simple diet of bread, vegetables, and water.

Around 550 AD, David’s articulate speech at a synod earned him such admiration from his peers that he was appointed the primate of the area. Subsequently, the episcopal see was transferred to Mynyw, the site of his monastery, now known as St. David’s. He led his diocese into his advanced years, imparting the memorable exhortation to his followers: “Be joyful, brothers and sisters. Keep your faith, and do the little things that you have seen and heard with me.”

St. David is often depicted standing on a hill with a dove on his shoulder, a symbol of a miraculous event where a dove landed on him and the ground elevated beneath his feet to amplify his voice to the masses during a sermon. Before the Reformation, over 50 churches in South Wales were consecrated in his honor.

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Succeeding the formidable St. Leo the Great as pope was no small feat, yet Hilarius, the Archdeacon, rose to the challenge admirably. A native of Sardinia, Hilarius had been a distinguished member of the Roman clergy, previously appointed by St. Leo as a papal legate to the controversial council at Ephesus in 449. This council, which was overrun by Monophysite sympathizers and led by Dioscorus, the patriarch of Alexandria, notoriously rejected the appeals of the papal legates. Despite Hilarius’s protests, the council wrongly condemned Flavian, the orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople, and endorsed the Monophysite Eutyches, forcing Hilarius to escape under threat to his life and seek refuge in a chapel dedicated to St. John the Evangelist. His return to Rome was fraught with difficulty, earning the council at Ephesus the title of a “robbers’ gathering” by St. Leo.

As the pope, Hilarius was instrumental in bringing stability to the church, especially within the Gallic hierarchy. The unauthorized appointment of Hermes as Archbishop of Narbonne led to an appeal to Pope Hilarius, who resolved the dispute in a council at Rome in 462, reinforcing the primacy of Arles as the leading see in Gaul. Similarly, he addressed appeals from Spain in a council held in 465, notable for being the first Council of Rome with surviving acts. His tenure also included affirming the ecumenical councils of Nicaea, Ephesus, and Chalcedon through a letter sent to the East, alongside the dogmatic letter of his predecessor, St. Leo, to Flavian. Hilarius further demonstrated his commitment to orthodoxy by publicly reprimanding Emperor Anthemius in St. Peter’s for tolerating heresy.

Hilarius’s dedication to enhancing Rome’s sacred architecture was evident in the construction and embellishment of several churches, notably an oratory near the Lateran dedicated to St. John the Evangelist. This was a gesture of gratitude for the saint’s believed intercession during Hilarius’s perilous time in Ephesus. The entrance of this oratory still bears the inscription acknowledging St. John as Hilarius’s savior. Beyond this, Hilarius’s efforts included the building of two additional churches and the lavish decoration of others, showcasing the support of Rome’s affluent families despite the depredations of Goths and Vandals.

Pope Hilarius passed away on February 29, and his legacy is honored annually on February 28, marking the end of a pontificate that significantly contributed to the consolidation of the church’s authority and the beautification of its spiritual homes in Rome.

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Born in Italy into a large family and christened Francis, he faced the loss of his mother at the tender age of four. Raised by Jesuits, Francis encountered two severe illnesses early in life, which he survived, leading him to believe he was destined for a religious vocation. Despite his eagerness to join the Jesuits as a teenager, he was likely rejected due to his young age, not yet 17.

The death of his sister from cholera only strengthened his determination to pursue a life in religion, leading to his acceptance into the Passionist order. It was here he received the name Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows. Known for his cheerful disposition and popularity, Gabriel dedicated himself to the small acts of faith that defined his spiritual journey. His commitment to prayer, compassion for the impoverished, empathy towards others, strict adherence to the Passionist Rule, and voluntary physical penances—always under the guidance of his superiors—left a lasting impact on all who knew him.

As Gabriel prepared for priesthood, his superiors saw great potential in him, but after four years in the religious life, he developed symptoms of tuberculosis. With remarkable obedience, he endured the painful symptoms and limitations of the disease without seeking special attention. Gabriel passed away quietly on February 27, 1862, at the young age of 24, remembered as a model of virtue for both the young and the old. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows was canonized as a saint in 1920.

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At twenty-five years old, Saint Porphyry of Gaza, originally a wealthy inhabitant of Thessalonica, embarked on a spiritual journey that led him to the desert of Sceté. For five years, he devoted himself to the monastic life within one of its esteemed religious communities. Yet, an inner calling toward a more secluded existence prompted him to move to Palestine. There, amidst rigorous self-discipline, he endured five years of stringent penance until deteriorating health necessitated a reduction in his ascetic practices. Undeterred by his physical ailments, Porphyry made Jerusalem his home, where he dutifully visited the sacred sites daily, displaying a remarkable indifference to his suffering, as if it afflicted someone else entirely.

During this period, a divine inspiration led him to divest all his possessions, distributing the proceeds among the impoverished. This act of sacrifice was met with a miraculous restoration of his health. In 393, Porphyry was ordained as a priest and entrusted with the guardianship of the relics of the true cross. Three years later, despite his attempts to decline due to his humility, he was unexpectedly consecrated as the Bishop of Gaza through the orchestration of a neighboring bishop and the local Christian community, effectively being coerced into acceptance.

Gaza, a stronghold of paganism at the time, presented Porphyry with a vast field for his evangelical endeavors. Through his efforts, complemented by miraculous occurrences, he succeeded in converting many to Christianity. His mission was further bolstered by an imperial decree, secured with the help of St. John Chrysostom, mandating the demolition of pagan temples.

Confronted with a particularly majestic temple dedicated to the principal deity, Porphyry seized the opportunity to symbolically vanquish paganism by constructing a Christian church atop its ruins. The church’s entrance was notably adorned with marble from the destroyed temple, ensuring that each Christian stepping into the church would symbolically trample over the remnants of idolatry and superstition. Porphyry witnessed the near eradication of idol worship within his diocese and passed away in 420.

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Saint Ananias, a seminal figure in early Christianity, played a pivotal role in the spiritual awakening of Saul of Tarsus, later known as Saint Paul. Ananias’s story is interwoven with the early Christian community in Damascus, documented by Saint Luke as the first Christian congregation beyond Palestine. This community, possibly predating Antioch’s, emerged merely five to six years after Christ’s ascension, organized around Ananias, a charismatic and devout leader. They were known by various names, including Followers of the Way and Disciples, highlighting their devotion and communal identity.

Ananias stands out as the first named spiritual leader outside Jerusalem in Christian texts, signifying his importance. Described as merciful, reputable, and god-fearing, he is believed to have been among the 72 disciples, a native of Damascus recommended by the Apostles to lead there. His ministry extended to central Syria, underlined by his proficiency in Latin, which was instrumental during Saint Paul’s testimony before Proconsul Felix.

His martyrdom came under the orders of Roman Governor Licianus Mucianus, who condemned Ananias to death by stoning outside Damascus. His grave became a site of memorial, later encompassed by a monastery that medieval Arabic writers frequently mentioned.

Ananias’s most distinguished act was baptizing Saint Paul, following Saul’s transformative vision on the road to Damascus. This baptism not only marked Saul’s conversion but also signified the beginning of Paul’s missionary journey. Ananias, having fulfilled his divine mission, met his martyrdom in Eleutheropolis. His residence was later transformed into a sanctuary and a center of religious veneration. Through his actions, Saint Ananias shaped the early Christian church.

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