Rudolph, A Saint?

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Every Christmas, there is a little known saint who shares her feast day with Our Lord's Birth. That saint is St. Anastasia. Did you know there is another lesser known Christmas saint?

Everyone has heard of Rudolph, the Red Nose Reindeer. But...do you recall St. Rudolph, the Bishop of Gubbio? Chances are you haven't since there is very little known about him. 

*I was reminded today that there are only 100 days until Christmas, so I wanted to finish this post...started back in December of 2023*

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In the 1030s, a very holy bishop was born...the end! 

Just kidding! :D If you got my hint, there isn't much information about him because he lived so long ago. However, we do know that he became bishop at the very very young age of 25. He must have had a very holy life leading up to this point, right? Wrong! He actually converted to Christianity at the age of 17, after meeting St. Peter Damian. (Don't you love the saint friendships in our beautiful Communion of Saints?) 

His conversion was so radical that he not only joined St. Peter Damian's Benedictine order and became a monk, but also gave away his castle that he had inherited from his family! He also practiced some very rigorous penances, such as wearing a hair shirt; abstaining from meat, eggs, and cheese; walking barefoot; and sleeping on a wooden board without blankets. 

Because of his piety, the Church made an exception to his young age and consecrated him a bishop at only 25 years old. He continued in his severe penances and only ate food that was given to his servants. He loved caring for the poor and most vulnerable. He is often called "a miracle of unselfishness". 

To the sadness of the world, St. Rudolph lived a short life- he died on October 17, 1066. St. Peter Damien wrote that St. Rudolph was "quod in eremo didicit, in ecclesia non omisit", in English "what is learned in the hermitage, do not forget in the church". 

Feast day: October 17

Patron of: Gubbio, bishops, and preachers

Sources:

https://www.keytoumbria.com/Gubbio/Eremo_di_Fonte_Avellana.html

https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4647

Let us be inspired by St. Rudolph's piety in all things, doing all of our work simply for the greater honor of God! 

St. Rudolph, pray for us! 

Are you familiar with St. Rudolph? 

-Miss K

Saints from A to Z: Letter C

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I've finished another post that has been in my drafts for two years! Esteban has been asking me to post some of these biographies to go along with his art, so without further ado...one of my favorite saints! He's a sort of a "twin" saint to St. Augustine, as he had a huge conversion later in life. 

Clues:

CLUE 1: My early life was hard- my mother died when I was only 12 years old and my father was often away as a solider. 

CLUE 2: St. Philip Neri was my spiritual director who encouraged me to enter the priesthood. 

CLUE 3: I was a priest in Italy, who founded the Camillians. 

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It is Saint Camillus de Lellis!

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Can a gambler become a saint? Let's look into the life of St. Camillus de Lellis because that is how his road to conversion started- with a love for gambling...

St. Camillus de Lellis was born in 1550 in modern day Italy. From a young age he endured much suffering: his mother died when he was barely a teenager and his father, being a solider, was often away at war. Eventually, Camillus himself joined the army with his father. As one can imagine, this was a horrible idea and led to much trouble, but God was watching out for him all along. 

At the age of 17, a disease on his leg gave him an incurable sore, one that would last his entire lifetime and be the source of his conversion. (Isn't it truly amazing the way God works good through evil in every instance of our lives?!) While doctors had difficulty curing his leg, Camillus never gave up and found work at a friary. There he had his conversion when a friar spoke the words "God is everything. The rest is nothing. One should save one's soul which does not die". At this point, he realized how much he had wasted his life, how much more he could do to help others grow closer to Christ. 

A few years after his great conversion, he entered the Capuchin friars, but was sent away due to his incurable sore on his leg. He tried to enter a monastery another time but was sent away, again for his leg sore. 

Finally, God blessed him with his love for the sick- he became the hospital director. Since his conversion had such an impact on his life, he began to live a life of penance and was charitable to all who encountered him. He treated each patient as though he were speaking with Christ Himself. One event led to another...

until he met St. Philip Neri, who became his spiritual director and sent him to seminary. At the age of 34, St. Camillus de Lellis was ordained to the priesthood. He founded his own order, called the Order of Clerks Regular, Ministers of the Infirm (M.I.), now known as the Camillians. He devoted himself to caring for the sick and dying out of pure charity; no one was left alone. Camillus and all of the brothers in his order took a forth vow of "service to the sick poor, including the palgue-ridden, in their corporeal and spiritual needs, even at risk to their own life, having to do this out of sincere love for God." 

In his final illness, Camillus was administering to the needs of others, despite his great pain. He had such great compassion for their physical needs, but he wanted more than anything to save their souls and bring them to Christ before death. 

Patron of: hospitals, nurses, the sick, and physicians 

Feast: July 18

Sources:

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-camillus-de-lellis/

A Solider Surrenders by Susan Peek (I HIGHLY recommend this book! This is how St. Camillus became one of my favorite saints of all time. :) )

Let us be inspired by St. Camillus and not be discouraged by our past failings and sins, but be enlightened by the mercy of God and persevere in all things! 

 Be sure to check out Esteban's drawing of St. Camillus here. 

St. Camillus de Lellis, pray for us! 

Who is your favorite saint who was a priest? 

-Miss K

Sunshine Blogger Award

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Hello dear readers who are still here! It has been THREE years already since I last posted. Life has kept me busy, but God continues to teach me new things every day. Over the past year, I've especially learned that in all things He is good and never fails to prove His Infinite Love! I'm excited to announce that I will be entering a Benedictine monastery next month. Please keep me in your prayers as I prepare for this next step! 

My first tag has been in my drafts since 2023, so I thought I'd finish it up today. :) Thank you to Sarah @ In the Hearts of Jesus and Mary for tagging me! 

Rules: 

-Thank the blogger who nominated you in the blog post and link back to their blog. 

-Answer the 11 questions the blogger asked you. 

-Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and write them 11 new questions. List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post and/or on your blog. 

Sarah's questions:

1. What is your favorite time of the year? Not necessarily a season (unless that truly is your favorite) but maybe a holiday, feast day, yearly event, or liturgical season. What makes it your favorite?

I'll say it now, but I don't pick favorites...:) If I HAVE to pick one, I'd say Lent especially the Holy Triduum. Without it, we wouldn't have the glorious liturgical season of Easter. The last few years, I was blessed to attend the pre-1955 liturgies, which are absolutely glorious! I love the Holy Thursday Procession and hearing the Pange Lingua and also the Altar of Repose. It is such a glorious yet somber day as we await Our Lord's Death and Resurrection. 

2. If you could learn any musical instrument, what would you choose? 

I already play flute (and I can play a bit of saxophone) but the violin would be cool to learn. Side story: when I was a toddler, I loved watching my older siblings play violin and made everything into a toy violin, including race car tracks. When I finally got old enough to play, around five years old, I hated practicing so much and didn't notice my mom returned my violin until a month later. Haha! It's a good memory to look back on and see how much I love music now! 

3. Describe your dream sitting room/living room. (Pictures are a bonus!)

Hmm...my dream living room has always included a huge library... with my entrance to the monastery, I'll have access to the biggest library I've ever been in! I've always loved going to homes with fireplaces too. 

4. What do your daydreams usually consist of?

My daydreams right now consist of seeing my future life in the quiet monastery...waking up at 5 am, not having any free talking until 4 pm, having 12 hours of Grand Silence, offering night Holy Hours for our priests...I can't wait to embrace the silence and live with Our Lord under my roof! Here's the monastery I'll be entering: 

5. Where's your favorite spot in the world to pray and talk to God?

My favorite spot in the world to pray and talk to God is in front of the Blessed Sacrament. I love Eucharistic Adoration, especially our parish's perpetual adoration chapel!

6. What's the most recent quote you wrote down somewhere or saved on Pinterest/Instagram?

I'll share the two most recent. :) My desktop background currently has a quote and photo of now Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati: 

"When God is with us we don't have to be afraid of anything." 

I'm also working on a drawing of Saint John Bosco, who is one of my favorite saints! I added one of his quotes decoration at my farewell party. 

7. Describe a delightfully ideal Saturday afternoon for you. 

I would say a delightfully ideal Saturday afternoon would be anytime I'm exploring God's beautiful Creation with my family. I recently went on a week camping trip with some of my siblings and I am still amazed at this incredible sunset by the lake! 

8. Out of horses, giraffes, dolphins, and elephants, which one would you choose for a pet and why?

Horses! This might be the easiest question on the list because horses used to be my favorite animal and I had a childhood obsession over horses...just ask any of my siblings, they know. Without my obsession, though, I'd still pick horses because they're a good source of transportation while still having fun. 

9. What is your favorite medium of art whether you actually use it or just appreciate it? Acrylics, watercolor, pastels, charcoal, mosaics, etc...?

My favorite medium to appreciate is watercolor because it is just so versatile; while my favorite medium to actually use is graphite pencil. 

I started drawing again for the first
time since middle school...St. Therese
of Lisieux!

10. What is your favorite smell?

Incense and candles! There's nothing better than a High Mass with lots of incense. 

11. How do you come up with your blog post ideas? 

I originally started this blog to post biographies for my brother's art work but I also post about anything that comes to mind. Stay tuned for some more biographies and reflection posts! 

Thank you again, Sarah, for tagging me! 

I nominate: 

Esteban @ Sketched Drawn And Painted

Samantha @ Bookshire

Chloe @ Movies Meet Their Match

Megan @ Only Mildly Mad

Lizzie @ Starlight & Saucepans

And anyone else who would like to nominate themselves! :)

My questions: 

1. Where is your favorite place to read? 
2. If you could be the patron saint of anything, what would it be and why? 
3. Swimming pools or lakes? 
4. You have to spend an entire day in one room of your house. Which room would it be? 
5. Would you rather lose your hearing or your sight? 
6. What is a song that's always stuck in your head? 
7. Who is the most inspirational person in your life? (real or fictional)
8. What is your favorite book series? 
9. If you could learn a new language, what would it be and why? 
10. You have the option to travel back in time for a month. Would you stay in the present or choose a time period?
11. Why did you start your blog? 

I'd love to hear from you! What have been up to lately? Do you enjoy fall? 

-Miss K

Saints from A to Z: Letter A

My dear little blog has been neglected for the millionth time. I have plenty of books to share but today we're moving on to the second biography in the "Saints from A to Z" series. Maybe one of these days I'll catch up to Esteban's drawings! 

Today, we're going back to beginning with letter A. 

Clues:

Similar to the last biography, I'll give you some clues before the biography. :)

CLUE 1: I died as a virgin-martyr in the year 304. 

CLUE 2: Little is known about me, but most sources agree that I was martyred at age 12 or 13. 

CLUE 3: I am often shown with a lamb to represent my innocence. 

That third clue might have easily given it away... 

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(scroll no more) 

It is Saint Agnes of Rome!

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Similar to the lives of saints who lived long ago, much of St. Agnes' life is legend with very few facts. She was born in 291 AD to a Christian family and though her life was short, she lived it well and holy. Because her family was wealthy and she was beautiful, men often wanted her for marriage. Agnes had a wish, however. She wanted to live a pure life and often declared: "Jesus Christ is my only Spouse". 

One case involved the governor's son, Procop. He tried many times to win Agnes as his wife with rich gifts and promises, but Agnes kept her promise to the Lord: "I am already promised to the Lord of the Universe. He is more splendid than the sun and the stars, and He has said He will never leave me!" 

Procop and his father did not approve of Christianity. They tried to change her ways by making her deny God, but she never accepted. Again, they put her in chains but she became more joyous through this suffering. A third time they sent her to a sinful place, but an Angel rescued her. With no other way to make her suffer, she was condemned to death in January 304 at the age of 12 or 13. The pagans were even sad to see her dying at a young age, but she was happy to go to her only Spouse. After her death, it is believed that Christians used cloths to soak up her blood. 

Patron of: young girls, engaged couples, and chastity

Feast: January 21

Source:

https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=106

https://www.americaneedsfatima.org/articles/saint-agnes

Let us follow in St. Agnes footsteps of innocence and put our full trust in God! Be sure to check out Esteban's drawing of St. Agnes here. 

St. Agnes, pray for us! 

Who is your favorite martyr saint? 

-Miss K

A Reflection on Holy Thursday

Today marks the beginning of the Sacred Triduum, commemorating Our Lord's crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. Today is also the last Mass of the Lenten Season, making it a huge day for us Catholics. Although the liturgy is transitioning to a more somber feel, the Mass of Holy Thursday will be more joyful: not only will the priest wear white vestments, but the Gloria will be heard by all, while the bells ring one last time before Easter. After Mass, the liturgy becomes more somber. The stripping of the altar takes place to remind us of the crucifixion and death of Our Lord that is only hours away. Tomorrow, the bells will stay silent and instead, we will hear the crotalus. Before leaving the church, tonight we will "watch one hour with Me" after the Blessed Sacrament is brought to the Altar of Repose. 

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Each of the three days has a special event and today is especially special. Today IS the night of the Last Supper, the night that Our Lord gave us His Body and Blood through the Holy Eucharist and instituted the priesthood: 

"And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke: and gave to his disciples, and said: Take ye, and eat. This is my body. And taking the chalice, he gave thanks, and gave to them, saying: Drink ye all of this. For this is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many unto remission of sins" (Matthew 26:26-28). 

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In today's Epistle, the True Presence of Our Lord in the Eucharist is explained by St. Paul: 

"For as often as you shall eat this bread, and drink the chalice, you shall shew the death of the Lord, until he come. Therefore whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself: and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of the chalice. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgement to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord. Therefore are there many infirm and weak among you, and many sleep" (1 Corinthians 11:26-30). 

He teaches that the Eucharist IS the body of Jesus, not merely a symbol. How often do we truly love the Body and Blood of Christ? He committed the greatest sacrifice ever seen for love of us! So many times we offend Him and yet He continues to love us. Tomorrow is the day that we remember all of the pain that we caused Him- it is by our sins that He suffered so much pain. Now is the time to reflect on our little sufferings that God sends us each day; how often do we complain about them? Instead, look up to the Cross and remember how much suffering He went through to show us His love. Be silent then and offer up each suffering for love of Jesus.

-Miss K