Memorial of Saints (July 24)

Sharbel Makhlouf: was a Lebanese monk, born in a small mountain village and ordained in 1858 A.D. Devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, he spent the last twenty three years of his life as a hermit. Despite temptations to wealth and comfort, Saint Sharbel taught the value of poverty, self-sacrifice and prayer by the way he lived his life.

also on July 24:

• Christina, virgin and martyr;
• Lewina, virgin and martyr;
• Declan, bishop;
• Boris and Gleb, martyrs;
• Christina the Astonishing, virgin;
• Christina of Tyre, virgin and martyr;
• John Boste, priest and martyr

Declan (c. 6th century A.D.) was born at Desi in Ireland and was baptized by St. Colman. After being a disciple of St. Colman, he made two pilgrimages to Rome and later became bishop of Ardmore.

Memorial of Saints (July 23)

Bridget (died 1373 A.D.): in Rome; born in Sweden; mother of eight; mystic, prophet and foundress of the Order of the Most Holy Savior ("Bridgetines"); sought an end to the luxury and dissipation of the Avignon papacy and return of the pope to Rome; her Revelations record her spiritual experiences and life; patroness of Sweden.

(more on St. Bridget of Sweden)

St. Bridget experienced visions and revelations early in life. After marrying and having children, she made a holy pilgrimage to St. Olaf at Norway. Upon her husband's death in 1344 A.D., she spent the next four years living in the Cistercian monastery of Alvastra. As a result of a revelation in her visions, she denounced the King and Queen of Sweden for their frivolous lives. She then founded a monastery at Vadstena in 1344 A.D. This marked the beginning of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity (the Brigettines). Vadstena then became the intellectual center of fifteenth century Sweden.

Because St. Bridget had very high moral standards, she denounced many people in high offices, including Pope Urban V. The constitutions of her Order was approved in 1370 A.D. Before she passed away in 1373 A.D., St. Bridget made a final journey to the Holy Land in 1371 A.D. Canonized in 1391 A.D., she is also known as Birgitta.

also on July 23:

• Apollinaris of Ravenna, bishop and martyr;
• Liborius, bishop;
• The Three Wise Men;
• John Cassian, abbot (learn more);
• Romula and her Companions, virgins;
• Anne or Susanna, virgin

Liborius (d. 390 A.D.) was known to be a bishop of Le Mans, Gaul, for almost fifty years. This is all that is known about him.

Memorial of Saints (July 22)

Mary Magdalene: (died 1st c. A.D.); healed of possession; disciple of Jesus and present at his crucifixion; in Mark, the first to witness to the risen Lord (hence, called the "apostle of the apostles" - Robanus Maurus, +856 A.D.); mistakenly identified as the sinful woman of Luke 7:36-50; patroness of the Order of Preachers.

also on July 22:

• Joseph of Palestine;
• Wandregisilus or Wandrille, abbot;
• Philip Evans and John Lloyd, priests and martyrs

Joseph of Palestine (d. ca. 356 A.D.) was assistant to Rabbi Hillel, but became a Christian when the Rabbi was baptized at his death. He inherited the Christian books of the Rabbi. He was made a comes by Emperor Constantine and built several churches in Galilee. When he took up residence in Scythopolis, he gave shelter to St. Eusebius of Vercelli, St. Epiphanus, and other refugees of Arian persecution. St. Epiphanus later wrote a biography of Joseph of Palestine.

Wandregisilus (d. 668 A.D.) was married in deference to his parents wishes. In 628 A.D., he separated from his wife by mutual consent: she to become a nun, and he to become a Benedictine monk in Montefaucon Abbey under St. Baudry. For a time he also became a hermit, then went to Romain-Moûtier abbey where he was ordained after 10 years. He again left this abbey to found a new one in Normandy. It was here that he also built a school and became involved in preaching to the inhabitants of the area.