Aug 8, 2025 | Library
SAINT MARY MAGDALENE BACKGROUND
Mary Magdalene was a historical figure; she was born circa AD 8, possibly in Magdala, Roman Judea. She was a prominent follower of Jesus who was believed to have been healed by him, supported his ministry financially, and was present at his crucifixion and burial. She played a key role among his female disciples. Overall, there is limited information about her life.
Apocryphal early Christian writings often portray Mary Magdalene as a prominent, spiritually insightful figure favored by Jesus, challenging traditional patriarchal norms. These texts have inspired modern reinterpretations of her role. During the Patristic era, Mary Magdalene was mentioned only briefly by early Church Fathers, with her image evolving from a minor gospel figure to being conflated with other women in the Bible. Eventually, she became viewed in Western Christianity, largely due to Pope Gregory I’s influential 591 sermon, as a repentant prostitute, despite there being no biblical basis for this portrayal.
The Eastern Orthodox Church has always viewed Mary Magdalene as a virtuous Myrrhbearer and “Equal to the Apostles”, distinct from other biblical women. The Roman Catholic Church historically conflated her with the repentant sinner in Luke 7 but later emphasized her role as the first witness to the resurrection and honored her as the “Apostle to the Apostles”. Many alleged relics of Mary Magdalene, including her skull, a piece of forehead flesh, a tibia, and her left hand, are preserved in Catholic sites in France and Mount Athos, with notable displays and annual processions honoring them. Her feast day is July 22nd.
SAINT MARY MAGDALENE – BIBLIOGRAPHY
Butcher, John Beverley. Sacred Partnership: Jesus and Mary Magdalene. Hannacroix, NY: Apocryphile Press. 2011
Davidson, Fr. Sean. Saint Mary Magdalene Prophetess of Eucharistic Love. San Francisco, CA: 2017.
Ehrman, Bart D. Peter, Paul, & Mary Magdalene: The Followers of Jesus in History and Legend. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. 2006.
Emmerich, Anne Catherine. Mary Magdalene: In the Visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich. Rockford, IL: Tan Books 2005
Filliette, Edith. Saint Mary Magdalene: Her Life and Times. Newton Lower Fall, MA: Society. 1983. of Mary Magdalene
Ho, Sr. Loan Hong. Mary Magdalene as a Model of the Lovers of the Holy Cross. Cromwell, CT: Holy Apostles College & Seminary. Master’s Thesis 2016.
COPY OF PAINTING DISPLAYED: The Conversion of Mary Magdalene, painted by Paolo Veronese, 1548.
COPY OF PICTURE DISPLAYED: Saint Mary Magdalene, painted by Antonio Veneziano circa 1369-1419
ARCHIVAL BOOK SELECTED
Author: Bellarmino, Saint Roberto Francesco Romolo (1542-1621)
Title: Explanatio in Psalmos
Language: Latin
Publisher: Georgium Iosse
Date Published: 1664
Jul 1, 2025 | Library
SAINT PADRE PIO BACKGROUND
Pio of Pietrelcina (May 25 1887 – September 231968), widely known as Padre Pio. He was an Italian Capuchin friar, priest, stigmatist, and mystic. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church, celebrated on September 23rd.
Pio joined the Capuchins when he was fifteen and spent most of his religious life in the convent of San Giovanni Rotondo. In September 1918, Pio began to display permanent wounds on his hands and feet, known as stigmata in reference to Christ’s wounds. This led to several investigations by the Holy See. In the next months, his reputation of sainthood grew rapidly in the region of San Giovanni Rotondo, attracting hundreds of believers to the monastery, coming each day to see him. Those close to him attest that he began to manifest several spiritual gifts, including the gifts of healing, bilocation, levitation, prophecy, miracles, and extraordinary abstinence from both sleep and nourishment.
He was beatified on May 2, 1999 and canonized on June 16, 2002, by Pope John Paul II. His relics are exposed in the sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, next to the convent of San Giovanni Rotondo, now a major pilgrimage site.
SAINT PADRE PIO – BIBLIOGRAPHY
Allegri, Reno. Padre Pio Man Of Hope. Ann Arbor, MI: Charis Servant Publications. 2000.
Fide, Michael. Padre Pio and His Stigmata. Wheaton, IL: Holy Voices Media. 2024.
Mandato, Graziella DeNuncia. Encounters with a Spiritual Daughter from Pietrelcina. Sea Bright, NJ: Angelus Media Distribution. 2002.
Parente, Fr. Alessio. Send Me Your Guardian Angel. Italy, San Giovanni Rotondo: 2015.
Parente, Pascal P. Padre Pio: A City on a Mountain. Washington, NJ: Ave Maria Institute. 1968.
Pasquale, Gianluigi. Secrets of a Soul: Padre Pio’s Letters to His Spiritual Directors, Boston, MA: Pauline Books. 2003.
Regan, Frank M. Padre Pio and America. Rockford, IL: Tan Books. 2004.
Ruffin, C. Bernard. Padre Pio The Wonder Worker. New Bedford, MA: Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate. 1999.
Tangari, Madame Katharina. Stories of Padre Pio. Rockford, IL: Tan Books. 1996.
Mar 5, 2025 | Library
FATHER EUSEBE-HENRI MENARD BACKGROUND
Born in East Broughton, Quebec, Canada in 1916, Fr. Menard was ordained a priest in 1941. Several years later, he was instrumental in founding a seminary in Montreal for both young and older men. Initially it was named the Apostolic School of St. Pascal, it them became the Seminary of the Holy Apostles. Fr. Menard went on to help found several seminaries, retreat centers, and healthcare organizations. His efforts led to The Society of the Holy Apostles, The Society of the Sisters of the Holy Apostles, The Society of the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles, and The Father Eusebe Menard Foundation. Fr. Menard had a dream and a charism from the Holy Spirit, which is alive and vibrant since before the Vatican Council II and into this millennium: “to promote, form, and accompany youth and adults in their vocation to the priesthood and to other ministries in the church”.
The last 20 years of Fr. Menard’s life were spent helping the people of Peru. He died in 1987.*
*Toolin-Wilson, Cynthia and Hubbard, Robert. The Story of Holy Apostles College and Seminary. St Louis, MO: En Route Books and Media, LLC. 2020
FATHER EUSEBE-HENRI MENARD – BIBLIOGRAPHY
Anello, Robert L. Thesis: The Hand of God at Work in Adult Catholic Priestly Formation. Cromwell, CT: Holy Apostles College & Seminary. 2006
Menard, Eusebe-Henri and Christian Rodembourg compiler. 15 Days of Prayer. Hyde Park, NY: New City Press.
Menard, Eusebe-Henri. A Toute Heure A Tout Age. 1967.
Menard, Eusebe-Henri Celibate: “For the Sake of the Kingdom of God”. 1984
Menard, Eusebe-Henri. Les Vocations Tardives. 1955.
Menard, Eusebe-Henri. One Solitary Life. Undated.
Menard, Eusebe-Henri. Peter, Disciple and Pastor. Undated.
Menard, Eusebe-Henri. The Essential Functions of the Priest. Undated.
Menard, Eusebe-Henri. Through Jesus, As Jesus, and in Jesus. Undated.
Menard, Eusebe-Henri. Who are You? The Mystical Body of Christ. Undated.
Feb 14, 2025 | Library
SAINT BLAISE
Saint Blaise was the Bishop of Sebastea and a doctor. The first known record of the saint’s life comes from the medical writings of Aëtius Amidenus, where he is recorded as helping patients suffering from objects stuck in their throats. Many of the miraculous aspects of St. Blaise’s life are written 400 years after his martyrdom in the “Acts of St. Blaise.”
Saint Blaise is believed to have begun as a healer and then, eventually, became a “physician of souls.” He then retired to a cave, where he remained in prayer. People often turned to Saint Blaise for healing miracles.
In 316, the governor of Cappadocia and of Lesser Armenia, Agricola, arrested then-bishop Blaise for being a Christian. On their way to the jail, a woman set her only son, who was choking to death on a fish bone, at his feet.
Blaise cured the child, and though Agricola was amazed, he could not get Blaise to renounce his faith. Therefore, Agricola beat Blaise with a stick and tore at his flesh with iron combs before beheading him. St. Blaise is the patron saint of throat illnesses, animals, wool combers, and wool trading. He died in the year 316 AD.
SAINT VALENTINE
Saint Valentine, officially known as Saint Valentine of Rome, is a third-century Roman saint widely celebrated on February 14 and commonly associated with “courtly love.”
Although not much of St. Valentine’s life is reliably known, and whether or not the stories involve two different saints by the same name is also not officially decided, it is highly agreed that St. Valentine was martyred and then buried on the Via Flaminia to the north of Rome.
In 1969, the Roman Catholic Church removed St. Valentine from the General Roman Calendar, because so little is known about him. However, the church still recognizes him as a saint, listing him in the February 14 spot of Roman Martyrology.
The legends attributed to the mysterious saint are as inconsistent as the actual identification of the man.
One common story about St. Valentine is that at one point in his life, as the former Bishop of Terni, Narnia, and Amelia, he was on house arrest with Judge Asterius. While discussing religion and faith with the Judge, Valentine pledged the validity of Jesus. The judge immediately put Valentine and his faith to the test.
SAINT BLAISE AND SAINT VALENTINE – BIBLIOGRAPHY
Cronin, Blaise. The Book of Blaise: A Saint in his Name. Self-Published 2021.
Gabriel, Cole M. The Story of Saint Blaise. Self-Published: 2024.
Gauthier, Andrew. Saint Valentine: The Story of St. Valentine Patron Saint of Love. Self-Published 2024.
Pickfor, Ben. The Life of St. Blaise. Self-Published: 2023.
Roberts, Nichola. The Story of Valentine: History of God’s Brave Loving Servant, Patron Saint of Love and Relationships. Self-Published 2024
ARCHIVAL/SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
Tennyson, Alfred Barron. The Poetical Works of Alfred Tennyson. Chicago, IL: National Library Association. 1891
Jan 17, 2025 | Library
St. John Bosco
August 16, 1815 – January 31, 1888
St. John Bosco was an Italian Catholic priest, educator, and writer of the 19th century. While working in Turin, where the population suffered many of the ill effects of industrialization and urbanization, he dedicated his life to the betterment and education of street children, juvenile delinquents, and other disadvantaged youth. He developed teaching methods based on love rather than punishment, a method that became known as the “Salesian Preventive System.”
A follower of the spirituality and philosophy of St. Francis de Sales, Bosco was an ardent devotee of the Virgin Mary under the title *Mary Help of Christians*. He later dedicated his works to de Sales when he founded the Salesians of Don Bosco, based in Turin. He was one of the pioneers of mutual aid societies, which provided financial support to young migrant Catholic workers in Turin. In 1850, he drafted regulations to assist apprentices and their companions when they were involuntarily unemployed or fell ill.
In 1875, Bosco began publishing the *Salesian Bulletin*, which has remained in continuous publication and is currently available in 50 different editions and 30 languages. In 1876, he founded the Association of Salesian Cooperators, a movement of laypeople dedicated to the same educational mission for the poor. Through a network of organizations and centers, Bosco’s legacy continues to thrive.
St. Francis de Sales
August 21, 1567 – December 28, 1622
St. Francis de Sales was a Roman Catholic bishop of Geneva and a Doctor of the Church. He was active in the struggle against Calvinism and co-founded the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary.
At the age of 19, Francis attended a Calvinist lecture on predestination, which led him to believe he was destined for hell. This caused him great distress for months. Eventually, through the intercession of the Blessed Mother and the *Memorare* prayer, Francis was freed from this error and focused on the pure love of God. Though initially reluctant, his father eventually supported Francis’s ordination and helped secure him an important position in the Diocese of Geneva.
Francis’s success as a preacher was marked by his ability to convey the faith clearly, respectfully, truthfully, and charitably. He often placed written explanations of Catholic beliefs under people’s doors, inviting them to return to the Church. His motto was: *“He who preaches with love, preaches effectively.”*
Francis believed holiness was not limited to monastic or religious life but was attainable for everyone, regardless of their state in life or occupation. This conviction is most evident in his renowned book, *Introduction to the Devout Life.* It is said that through his efforts, Bishop de Sales brought back as many as 40,000 Catholics who had embraced Calvinism.
After nine years as a priest and 20 years as a bishop, Francis suffered a stroke and died shortly after. It is believed that one of the last things he wrote was a testimony to his deep love of God.
SAINT BOSCO & SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES – BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ceria, Reverand Eugenio. The Biographical Memoirs of Saint John Bosco. New Rochelle, NY: Salesiana Publishers. 1985.
Dailey, Thomas F. Praying with Francis de Sales. Winona, MI: St Mary’s Press. 1997.
Bacchiarello, Father J. (editor). Forty Dreams of St. John Bosco: The Apostle of Youth. Rockford, IL: Tan Books & Publishers Inc. 1969.
Phelan, Edna Beyer. Don Bosco A Spiritual Portrait. Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Company, Inc. 1963.
Rinaldi, Peter. Man with a Dream The Story of St. John Bosco. New Rochelle, NY: Don Bosco Publications. 1981.
De Sales, St. Francis. Thy Will Be Done! Letters of St. Francis de Sales. Manchester NH: Sophia Institute Press. 1995.
De Sales, St Francis and Mackey, Rev. Henry Benedict (Translator). The Catholic Controversy St. Francis de Sales Defense of the Church. Charlotte, NC. 2012.
Ravier, Andre. Francis De Sales Sage and Saint. Bowler, Joseph D. (Translator). San Francisco, CA: 1988.
Sheppard, Lancelot C. Don Bosco Westminster, MD: The Newman Press. 1957.
ARCHIVAL/SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
Chalippe, Candide, Reverand (translator). The Life of S: Francis of Assisi. New York: D&J Sadler & Co. 1877
Livius, Reverand T. S. Peter, Bishop of Rome: or the Roman Episcopate of the Prince of the Apostles; proved from the Fathers, History, and Archeology, and illustrated by arguments from other sources. New York: Catholic Publication Society. 1888
