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

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