Sarah's Saints

Seven Franciscan Missionaries of Mary

2008-07-10T08:26:00.000-07:00

July is a great month for saints, unfortunately it’s because a lot of religious persecutions really get going in the heat of the summer. Many great saints received the crown of martyrdom in July.

Such was the case for these seven women, who were among the tens of thousands of Christians massacred in 1900 during China’s Boxer Rebellion. (The fanatical Boxers could be compared to today’s Taliban. Their victims included many American Protestant missionary families, and the sheer brutality of the riots made headlines around the world.)

The seven Sisters honored today were from France, Italy, Belgium and Holland, members of a new missionary order, the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary. The youngest of them, Maria della Pace, was twenty-four and the oldest, Marie de St Natalie was thirty-five. Within months of their arrival in China they had established a charity hospital and orphanage in Shanghai’s capital.

That summer, when the Boxer riots reached Shanxi, their bishop tried to get the Sisters to evacuate, but the Sisters refused to leave their work. One of them wrote home: “I attach myself to the Will of God as the anchor of salvation.”

The Sisters were arrested with 33 other Christians, including a 66-year-old widow and six orphaned children. Days later, three thousand Boxers watched them sing hymns as they filed in to face the viceroy. As the hearing began, the viceroy quarreled with the bishop, then ordered his soldiers to kill them all. The Boxers immediately began hacking at heads and limbs. A Boxer witness said later: “What was most astonishing was to see these ‘she-devil Christians’ die singing.” The Martyrs of Shanxi were canonized with the Martyrs of China in 2000. They are venerated by the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary on July 10.

The Faith is still strong in China and the Order is still doing great work throughout the world. You can find out more about these wonderful women on their Order’s website, where they note that their seven martyred sisters all shared “the earnest desire to open their lives to the Spirit and to respond to God's call to the end.” http://www.fmm.org/

Feast of Saint Kilian, Irish Martyr

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Like many of the great Irish saints, Saint Kilian (c. 640 – 689) was a wanderer. Born in Ireland, he embraced the monastic life, which makes him one of those heroes celebrated by Thomas Cahill in “How the Irish Saved Civilization.” Yet Kilian felt called to be a missionary, and after a pilgrimage to Rome he was commissioned by Pope Conon as a kind of roving bishop. With eleven companions, he headed north to evangelize what is now Germany. Based in Wurzburg, he converted many of the local pagans to Christianity. His influence spread throughout the region that is now Bavaria, earning him the title “Apostle of Franconia.”

One of Kilian's most important converts was the Duke of Gosbert. The Duke was married to Geleina, the widow of his brother, and Kilian insisted that the marriage was invalid. Geleina decided to solve this problem by murdering Kilian. She waited until Gosbert was away to order the assassination, then tried to cover it up. One historian writes: “Geilana was seized with an evil spirit, which tormented her so much she died soon after.” At least one of Geleina’s thugs also went mad and died a horrible death. But the Christianity that Kilian had planted in Bavaria is still strong today and it is said that he personally intercedes for every citizen of Franconia, Germany, when they approach Heaven.

For some reason, the church I attended as a child in Farmingdale, Long Island, was called Saint Kilian’s, but the school was called Saint Killian’s. I seem to remember that the extra “L” was originally a misprint and the thrifty Dominican nuns and/or the Benedictine priests decided to just roll with it.

Saint Kilian might have enjoyed that. He was, after all, an Irishman, so he must have had a sense of humor.

I spent eight years at St Killian’s (a/k/a St Kilian’s) school and my class will mark a Very Important Anniversary in 2009. I’d love to hear from any of my former classmates who have probably traveled even further than St Kilian himself. I hope some of them will read this and e-mail me here.

Wednesday, March 12---Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Forest Hills

2008-02-15T08:03:00.000-08:00

I will be speaking at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in Forest Hills on Wednesday night, March 12, at 7:30 pm.

The subject will be "Saints of New York," especially Saint Elizabeth Seton and Saint Frances Cabrini.

The church is at 110-06 Queens Boulevard. I've linked to their website if you would like more information.

Spirit in Action, St Francis of Assisi, March 9

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Spirit in Action, St Francis of Assisi Church,
Sunday, March 9th, 2008

Sponsors a Lenten Mass/Continental Breakfast for "Singles Living God's Plan"
Mass is at 12 Noon in the lower church, 135 West 31st Street,
Celebrant is Father Patrick Fitzgerald, OFM

Followed by a continental breakfast in the St Francis Room of the Parish House.

Cost is $7.00 and The Big Book of Women Saints will be on sale.

February 28, 2008 Theology on Tap, Woodside

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I am delighted to be speaking at the next meeting of Theology on Tap in Woodside, New York, at the end of this month. More details (including time and place) to come.

Subject: Saints Alive: What the Saints Can Teach Us about Living Today.

Saint Jerome Emiliani, Patron of Orphans & Abandoned Children

2008-02-15T07:41:00.001-08:00

“Writing preserves the things of the past, teaches those of the present and prepares us for the things of the future. Although it is useful to us in every circumstance and various situations, it is more useful when, by narrating the history of the people of the past, it straightens and makes prudent and wise our deeds.”

I came across this passage in a biography of the great Saint Jerome Emiliani (1481 – 1537), patron of orphans and abandoned children, and it inspired me to get back to updating this blog. Saint Jerome inspired a lot of people, both in his own time and ever since.

He was very much a man of his time: from the ruling class in Venice, he enlisted in the army at fifteen in a time when Venice was fighting off most of the other armies of Europe. His last great battle was in 1511, against the forces of the Emperor Maximillian, and although his men were greatly outnumbered they made a valiant stand. In the end they were overrun and most of them slaughtered. Emiliani was taken prisoner and thrown into a dungeon. Kept in chains, starved and tortured, he had plenty of time to review his life and wonder why he had been spared. He prayed to God and the Blessed Mother. He was convinced it was she who unlocked his chains and allowed him to escape. He headed for a chapel in nearby Treviso where he left his chains on the altar.

Because of his bravery, he was appointed governor of Treviso, but after a few years he retired to devote the rest of his life to charity. He built orphanages all over northern Italy and founded an order of priests and brothers known in the United States as the Somascans who are dedicated to serving the poor, especially troubled youth. His feast day was formerly February 8 and is now July 20.

Jerome Emiliani has everything I love about the saints: bravery, courage and faith. His legacy lives on all over the world, including Connecticut where the Somascans have long operated a home for troubled boys.

EDISON, NEW JERSEY Saturday, November 17

2007-10-01T10:36:00.001-07:00

I will be speaking at the Daughters of St Paul Bookstore in Edison, New Jersey on Saturday, November 17. I will be speaking about my favorite subject, the women saints, especially those who are patrons of churches in the area, such as St Helena and St Theresa of the Infant Jesus. If you are in the area I hope you can drop by.

SAVE THESE NOVEMBER DATES

2007-10-01T10:17:00.000-07:00

November 15, 1:30 pm and 5:30 pm
New York City,
Daughters of St Paul Bookstore, 150 East 52nd Street
I am thrilled to be part of the Pauline Lecture Series. I will be speaking about some of the great saints of New York, from St Elizabeth Seton and St Frances Cabrini to new candidates such as Ven. Felix Varela and Ven. Pierre Toussaint. The Daughters of St Paul bookstore is huge with something for everyone. They schedule two lectures a day, so I will be speaking there at 1 pm and again at 5:30. The Big Book of Women Saints will be on sale and I'll be signing copies. It's not too soon to think about Christmas! Not to mention a gift for the hostess of your Thanksgiving dinner!

2007-10-01T10:13:00.000-07:00

This Wednesday I take a Red & Black bus up to Sparkill, New York to speak at Thomas Aquinas College. I'll be talking to a mixed group of retired Dominican nuns and young students who have grown up knowing very little about the great saints. This means a lot to me, since I was educated for nine years by the Dominican Sisters of Amityville, and owe them a great debt. I'll report on my visit later this week.

2007-10-01T10:10:00.000-07:00

I will be speaking to the Catholic Alumni of New York this Friday, October 5. The subject is Ven. Pierre Toussaint, one of the great figures in New York Catholic history, and a candidate for canonization. The more I've learned about this great man, the more I want to help promote his cause. I'll tell you more about him in a later post.

Excerpt from The Big Book of Women Saints

2007-09-27T13:47:00.000-07:00

I had dinner the other night with a friend who told me she was named after Mother Cabrini. I sent her this excerpt from my book. One of the best parts about the research was getting to know women like Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini better.

Of Note: I wrote this book so that it highlights at least one saint per day. Most of the saints and blesseds in this book are listed on their feast day. This entry is for November 13th, the date Mother Cabrini's feast is observed in the United States.

November 13

Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini
(Francesca Saverio Cabrini)
b. July 15, 1850, Sant’Angelo Lodigiano, Italy
d. December 22, 1917, Chicago, Illinois

Born in a small village in northern Italy,Frances Cabrini dreamed of becoming a missionary in China. By the time she arrived in America in 1889 she had founded numerous schools and orphanages in Italy and a religious order, the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She had also mastered the art of negotiating with Italy’s anticlerical government and a Church hierarchy opposed to the idea of women missionaries. Cabrini impressed John Joseph Scalabrini, who urged her to go to America where the Italian immigrants desperately needed support. Still hoping to go to China, Cabrini consulted Pope Leo XIII,209 who famously responded, “Not to the East, but to the West,” and so she accepted an invitation from the archbishop of New York to establish an orphanage there.

Cabrini arrived in New York with six Missionary Sisters. The next day, when she called on Archbishop Michael Corrigan, he had changed his mind about his invitation. He needed priests, not nuns, he said, and suggested that she return to Italy. Cabrini respectfully assured the archbishop that leaving was out of the question. He then directed her to the Sisters of Charity, who sheltered Cabrini and her companions for as long as they needed and introduced them to a more cordial side of the city. Despite their rocky start, Cabrini soon won Corrigan over. She learned that he had disagreed with an American-born countess, who had then withdrawn her financing for the orphanage. Cabrini reconciled all sides, and the orphanage was opened a few weeks later. She also started a free school in the neighborhood known as Little Italy and began catechism classes at the churches there.

Cabrini next assumed management of a hospital in Piscataway, New Jersey. This was the fi rst of a number of hospitals she named for Christopher Columbus, a subtle reminder of Italy’s contributions to America. She moved on to Chicago, New Orleans (where she arrived shortly after eleven Italian men had been lynched), Seattle(where she officially became a citizen of the United States), and Golden, Colorado(where her shrine draws 150,000 visitors a year). Cabrini also established foundations in South and Central America. In all, she founded sixty-seven institutions with almost no financial support from her Church. Blessed with a gift for bringing out generosity in others, she also shrewdly negotiated with landowners and contractors. Cabrini’s heart finally gave out in Chicago—she collapsed while wrapping Christmas presents at an orphanage. She died the following day and is buried at her shrine in New York. There are more shrines, but her true memorials are the schools, hospitals, and other institutions that bear her name. Mother Cabrini was canonized less than thirty years after her death, becoming the first United States citizen so honored. She was declared the Universal Patron of Immigrants in 1950. Her feast is observed on November 13 in the United States and on December 22 in the rest of the world. Members of her order, also known as the Cabrini Sisters, continue her work on six continents.

The Genius of Frances Cabrini:
Cabrini described the source of her strength: “The Holy Spirit is a sun whose light is reflected in just souls, a bottomless, shoreless ocean whose waters are beautiful, transparent, crystalline and life-giving, and flow continually and abundantly over souls who place no obstacle and do not oppose the Paraclete. Oh, the just souls who live in these saving waters are always happy, joyous, secure,peaceful, and full of trust and great confidence in God. They fear nothing and undertake all tasks with great courage.”

Reflection:
“I have the strength for everything through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 (motto of Frances Cabrini)

Click here to purchase THE BIG BOOK OF WOMEN SAINTS by Sarah Gallick

Upcoming Events and Engagements

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I worked for two long years to make this book a reality. I am so excited to share my love for Saints. Check this page for my upcoming appearances.

So far I have given talks about saints connected to the Rosary, the Martyrs of China, American saints, New York saints, married saints, Dominican saints and more.

If you are interested in having me speak to your group, please contact me at sarahssaints@gmail.com

Praise for the Big Book of Women Saints

2007-09-27T13:19:00.000-07:00

"THE BIG BOOK OF WOMEN SAINTS is a beautiful and concise guide to the luminous women who inspire us to a deeper faith. It is a welcomed daily reminder that holy women show us the way every day." -- Edward L. Beck, Author of GOD UNDERNEATH: Spiritual Memoirs of a Catholic Priest and Soul Provider: Spiritual Steps to Limitless Love

"This book is something we have been waiting for. The author has captured beautifully and meditatively the spirit of an army of women saints. Although saintly women have never been ignored, it's wonderful to meet so many whom we really did not know. If you are interested in the role of women in the Church, this is the book for you to read next. It is a joyful experience in getting to know saints." -- Father Benedict J. Groeschel, CFR, author of THE JOURNEY TOWARD GOD

"Heaven Sent! In a world where we are frequently focused on the power of Hollywood this book is sent to remind us of the power of heaven. Throughout biblical history there are stories of people sent by God to achieve missions impossible. This book is truly a treasure of hope, containing stories about a collection of women sent closer to home and to our times to carry out the work entrusted to them. In writing this book, Sarah Gallick provides us with comfort and hope in what could best be described as a diary of daily divine inspiration for everyone."
--Susan Crimp, author of TOUCHED BY A SAINT: Personal Encounters with Mother Teresa

"The women called saints are first in line in the army of powerful people who changed the world for the better. They are often avoided because to acknowledge the grandeur of their accomplishments is to acknowledge the grandeur of God. Non of us would be the same if these great women had not lived and altered the course of history. " -- Father George W. Rutler, author of A CRISIS OF SAINTS

Click here to visit Harper Collins website

What you will find inside The Big Book of Women Saints

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From Saint Agnes of Rome, first of the fearless girl martyrs, to Saint Zedislava Berka, who balanced a demanding husband and children with a deep spiritual life, The Big Book of Women Saints will introduce you to more than four hundred courageous Catholic women, including:

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774-1821) The first-ever U.S.-born saint was a devoted wife and mother of five who converted to Catholicism after the death of her husband. She went on to found the Sisters of Charity, and is considered the mother of the American parochial school system. Canonized 1975.

Saint Clare of Assisi (1193-1253) She was only eighteen when she abandoned her privileged life to embrace the "holy poverty" preached by Saint Francis. Clare became his treasured advisor and co-founder of the Franciscan movement.

Saint Agatha of Catania (235-250) When Decius announced the edicts against Christians, the beautiful Agatha was handed over to a brothel in punishment. After refusing to accept customers, she was beaten, imprisoned, tortured, and her breasts were removed with pincers.

She is the patron saint of nurses and breast-cancer patients.
Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) A Spanish Carmelite nun and Doctor of the Church, Teresa was one of the greatest mystics and a leading figure in the Counter Reformation. She gives a glowing and powerful picture of the contemplative life in her classic Interior Castle.

Saint Catherine of Sienna (1347-1380) As a young woman she experienced what she described in her letters as a 'Mystical Marriage' with Jesus, after which she began to tend the sick and serve the poor. Known for her daring letters to the Pope and people in authority, in 1999 Pope John Paul II made her one of Europe's patron saints.

We are not all called to be saints, but every saint is a unique human being. In this book you will meet brilliant scholars, fearless warriors, miracle workers, and tireless toilers for charity. More than one hundred fifty of them have been canonized or beatified since 1979, and more than one hundred lived in the twentieth century. They are women for today and for all time.

Visit HarperCollins.com for more info

About My Book

2007-09-27T13:06:00.001-07:00

Most books about the saints are thin on women, especially contemporary women. Even Butler's LIVES OF THE SAINTS, the 'bible' of this category, lists far more men than women.

No book about the saints could ignore such beloved early martyrs as Agnes of Rome and Lucy of Syracuse but this new book will introduce readers to many new women who have been canonized or beatified by Pope John Paul II.

Of the more than 377 women mentioned in the book, 159 have been canonized or beatified since 1979. Approximately 100 of them lived in the twentieth century.

This new book is also unique in that it uses the saint's own words wherever possible, taking advantage of newly discovered archives, memoirs and other primary sources. It will contain resources such as internet shrines and other websites, as well as little–known information on the canonization process.

Click here to purchase

About Me

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I am the author of six books and a founding member of Catholic Women at Work. My most recent work is THE BIG BOOK OF WOMEN SAINTS.

My articles have appeared in the New York Times, as well as Vogue, Harper's, and Star magazines and online at Godspy.com.

I live in New York City and love to give walking tours and talks on these courageous Catholic women who have become such an important part of my life. Read Full Profile