Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 St. Justin 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Body & Blood St. Boniface St. Norbert Sacred Immaculate of Christ Heart Heart of Jesus of Mary June Saints 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Tenth Sunday St. Barnabas St. Anthony in of Padua Ordinary Time 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Eleventh Sunday St. Aloysius Sts. John in Gonzaga Fisher & Ordinary Time Thomas More 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Birth of St. Cyril St. Irenaeus Sts. Peter First Martyrs St. John of Alexandria & Paul of the Church the Baptist Saint Justin by Theophanes the Cretan (d. 1559) Living with the Saints St. Justyn Martyr (c. 100-165) was born into St. Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) is one of Both St. Cyril of Alexandria (376 a pagan family and converted to Christianity 13 the busiest saints in his role as the patron 27 & 28 -444) and St. Irenaeus (c. 125- 1as an adult. He was one of the first apologists-- of lost objects! He was a great teacher and 202) were bishops known for boldly defending one who makes a case for the faith with non- preacher and for this reason is another Doctor the Church’s teachings against heresy believers. Find time today to read his description of the Church. Today, ask St. Anthony’s interces- (something common in the early Church). Ask of the Mass written in the year 155 (quoted in the sion for lost people (especially missing children) for the intercession of these two holy men so Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1345). and lost souls. that you will be able to explain the faith to oth- ers and draw people closer to the Lord Jesus. St. Norbert (c. 1080-1134) was a German St. Aloysius Gonzaga (1568-91) came bishop who founded an order called the from a wealthy family, but he gave up his The early Church had great reverence 6 21 for the Twelve Apostles who were eye Norbertines, which is still active in the world inheritance to become a member of the Society 29 (and our state) today. He is the patron saint of a of Jesus (Jesuits). He spent the final year of his witnesses of the life of Jesus Christ. They knew safe childbirth. Pray for the safety of babies who life caring for plague victims in Rome, eventual- that the Church was “built upon the foundation will be born this day and for respect for all chil- ly dying of that disease. Since he is the patron of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus dren in the womb. saint of Christian Youth, pray for young people himself as the capstone” (Ephesians 2:20). today. Most were venerated in the place of their mar- The celebrations of the Most Sacred tyrdom, so Saints Peter and Paul were both 8 & 9 Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate St. John Fisher (1469-1535) and St. venerated in Rome. Both were martyred during Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary always take 22 Thomas More (1478-1535) both were the persecution of the Emperor Nero (54-68). place on the Friday and Saturday following the martyred within a month of each other for refus- St. Peter was crucified upside down and St. Sunday commemoration of the Body and Blood ing to approve King Henry VIII’s annulment. Paul was beheaded. Within 100-200 years after of Christ. Jesus’ heart was overflowing with love Immediately before his execution, St. Thomas their death we have evidence of a liturgical and the Blessed Mother’s heart was broken but More said, “The king’s good servant, but God’s feast on June 29. The Entrance Antiphon of remained faithful. Look into your own heart to- servant first.” Ask for the intercession of these Mass says, “These are the ones who...planted day, considering whether or not it is filled with two martyrs for our nation and government. the Church with their blood...and became love for God and one another. friends of God.” Ask God for the strength al- The Birth of St. John the Baptist is one ways to boldly live out your faith. St. Barnabas, while not among the Twelve 24 of only three births that we celebrate li- Apostles, still bears the title of Apostle. He turgically (the other two are Jesus and the Today’s feast commemorates all who 11is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles and was Blessed Mother). He famously said of Jesus, “He 30 were martyred during the first major commissioned by the Twelve to travel to Antioch must increase, I must decrease.” Reflect upon persecution of Christians by Nero in the year (Acts 11:20-22). He recruited St. Paul to assist this phrase today and ask yourself if your life 64. Pray today for those who are persecuted for him (11:25-26). His name means “son of encour- points to the Lord or to your own wants. the faith throughout the world. Some of these agement.” Who can you encourage in the faith people soon will be martyrs. today? .