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If this were a television series, the scene might look like this: A towering crowded cathedral, a grand organ filling the air with heavenly sounds, it's Palm Sunday, the Bishop is presiding, Solemn High Mass! The featured family in their Easter finery, having just arrived from their palace is occupying the front pew. The mother, first daughter of a noble family, always devout and pius, the father, a wealthy Count, an ancient Roman family, head bowed in thanksgiving for his aristocratic family, his beautiful daughter sitting alongside in her designer outfit... The Bishop is at the altar, the congregation gathers, receiving their palms, but, the girl is unable to approach, she is transfixed, bathed in blinding bright light, all eyes upon her. The Bishop leaves his sanctuary and places the branch of palm in the hand of the girl. The cameras fades to black, the girl is never seen again... The story does continue, but not as a television series, as a true story. The country is Italy, the town is Assisi, the family is that of Flavorino Scifi and the young girl, is St Clare of Assisi. She is now hidden away in a monastery outside of town, in a rough, thick veil and a plain brown tunic, her head has been shaven and she has tossed away her Easter finery, and the hopes and dreams of her family. It is time for her to follow her own dreams, those which allow her to walk in the steps of Jesus Christ, as did her spiritual mentor and First Saint of Assisi, St Francis. Clare had met him when he came to preach at a Lenten service. She realized her calling was not the high life of upscale Rome, but the right to abandon all of her worldly goods, to be distributed to the poor in the name of Him, who was the Way, the Truth and the Light! St Francis had immediately recognized her as a 'chosen soul' and agreed to help her begin her life with Christ. He placed her in a humble chapel in Sam Damiano, her dedication attracted others, and thus, began the the Poor Ladies of St Clare, a monastic life for women, honoring the life and word of their Lord by living in poverty, manual labor and prayer. St Clare spent her life dedicated to the Order, from abyss to superior, forty long years. She was instrumental in writing the Rite of the Clares, a rule of governing cloistered life. Although St Clare spent many years in poor health she was said to be able to see and hear the Mass on the walls of her austere room. This encouraged Pope Pius XII to award her the title of Patron Saint of Television in 1958. St Clare died in 1253 at age 59 on August 11th and was canonized in Rome by Pope Alexander IV on September 26, 1255.We celebrate her Feast Day on August 11.

During Vatican II it was said "Moral Theology should be more thoroughly nourished by Scripture, and show the nobility of the Christian vocation of the faithful and their obligation to bring fourth fruit in charity for the life of the world." St. Alphonus Liguori, the patron of moral theologians would celebrate in that statement. After losing a very important case the young attorney's failure as a lawyer helped him to see that God had something else planned for him. Not long after he entered the priesthood and from there went on to become known as one of the greatest moral theologians in Church history. After his ordination he focused on preaching parish missions, hearing confessions, and forming Christian groups such as the Redemptorist Congregation in 1732 which he envisioned as an association of priests and brothers living a common life, dedicated to the imitation of Christ, and working mainly in popular missions, preaching the Gospel to peasants in rural areas. Alphonsus Liguori's great pastoral reforms took place in the pulpit and confessional. He replaced the arrogant oratory of the time with clarity and openness, and replaced the often stern or disciplinary practices of the day with kindness and patience. After much rejection to the honor he finally accepted and was made Bishop at the age of 66 and at once initiated a comprehensive reform of his Diocese. Although known best for his moral theology, he was also an accomplished writer of spiritual and dogmatic theology. His two greatest works on the subject is his "Glories of Mary" and "Visits to the Blessed Sacrament" which went through not only 40 editions during his lifetime but are still widely available to this day and are still greatly influencing the practice of this devotion in the Church. We celebrate St. Alphonsus Liguori's feast day on August 1st.

Wow, Patron Saints for grandparents. We know what an important job grand parenting is, God worked especially hard to find this ideal set for Jesus. Born to the tribe of Judah and the royal house of David, Saints Ann and Joachim were a devout, religious couple. They shared a wealthy, comfortable life in Nazareth with plans to be the world's best parents. Their deep faith and close knit family offered just the perfect environment to raise a child of God. But, years slipped by and no babies arrived. Petitions, Prayers and Promises followed! Twenty long years!! Finally, an angel appeared with God's special plan. Ann and Joachim had been selected to raise the beautiful baby girl, they called Mary, who was to be the Virgin Mother of the Christ Child. They were overjoyed and with great love and gratitude devoted their lives to the preparation of their little girl for the greatest honor that could ever be. They fulfilled their promises to God. When Mary was three years old, they made a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem, the day we know as the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. They taught and trained their young Mary until she was ready to fulfill her role in the Scriptures. Ann and Joachim are hardly mentioned in Scripture, this private couple, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grandparents of Jesus Christ, simply fulfilled God's Plan to the best of their ability. How better could they have served Him? Saints Ann and Joachim are celebrated on JuIy 25 as the Patron Saints of Grandparents, Mothers and Fathers and are often viewed in liturgical art as an elderly couple with a book instructing Mary.

Were you ever accused of doing something you did not, or been slandered or put down by others. St. Mary Magdalene knows about this all too well. Other than Mary, the mother of Jesus few women are more honored in the Gospels than she was, yet she could well have been the patron of the slandered, since for almost twenty centuries she has been the victim of mistaken identity, as there has been a persistent rumor that she was the unnamed sinful woman who anointed the feet of Jesus. Yet today many scripture scholars are quick to point out that there is no scriptural basis for this confusion. She may be one of the most misunderstood people of the Gospel’s but that has also made her one of the most intriguing person’s as well. As there has been countless movies, television shows, books, and paintings, dedicated to trying to understand this woman known as the “Apostle to the Apostles.” The daughter of a successful fish processor, Mary was raised in a religiously observant family in the town of Magdala on the Sea of Galilee. Although we don’t know much about her life before Christ we do know that when she met Jesus for the first time he exorcised seven demons from this troubled woman. From that first meeting Mary Magdalene was an ever-faithful follower of Christ. She assisted Jesus and the Apostles out of her own means, donating her time and money to the universal changing events happening before her eyes. She traveled with them and was present for many of the events of the Gospels. While Peter was denying Jesus and other Apostles fled during the crucifixion it was Mary Magdalene standing beside Jesus’ mother at the foot of the cross grieving over not only the death of her Messiah but also her friend. Of all the “official” witnesses that could have been chosen by Jesus to announce the Resurrection, it was Mary to whom he appeared too first. Although mistaken for almost 20 centuries St. Mary Magdalene would no doubt insist that it makes no difference, since we are all sinners in need of the saving power of God, whether our sins have been lurid or not. More importantly, we are all, with her, “unofficial” witnesses of the Resurrection.

Except for the mother of Jesus, few women are more honored in the Bible than Mary Magdalene. Yet she could well be the patron of the slandered, since there has been a persistent legend in the Church that she is the unnamed sinful woman who anointed the feet of Jesus in Luke 7:36-50. Most Scripture scholars today point out that there is no scriptural basis for confusing the two women. Mary Magdalene, that is, “of Magdala,” was the one from whom Christ cast out “seven demons” (Luke 8:2)—an indication, at the worst, of extreme demonic possession or, possibly, severe illness. Father W.J. Harrington, O.P., writing in the New Catholic Commentary, says that “seven demons” “does not mean that Mary had lived an immoral life—a conclusion reached only by means of a mistaken identification with the anonymous woman of Luke 7:36.” Father Edward Mally, S.J., writing in the Jerome Biblical Commentary, agrees that she “is not...the same as the sinner of Luke 7:37, despite the later Western romantic tradition about her.” Mary Magdalene was one of the many “who were assisting them [Jesus and the Twelve] out of their means.” She was one of those who stood by the cross of Jesus with his mother. And, of all the “official” witnesses that might have been chosen for the first awareness of the Resurrection, she was the one to whom that privilege was given. She is known as the "Apostle to the Apostles."