SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ MARCH 5TH

MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN JOSEPH OF THE CROSS, PRIEST AND SAINT LUCIUS I, POPE – FEAST DAY ~ MARCH 5TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint John Joseph of the Cross, Priest (Patron Saint of Ischia, Italy). St John-Joseph’s early life was one of poverty, homelessness and searching for work. And we also celebrate Saint Lucius I, Pope, who was a true shepherd of his flock during a time of violent persecution. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for the poor and the needy, especially those who are suffering at these incredibly challenging times and we also pray for persecuted christians, for an end to religious and political unrest, for justice and peace, love and unity in our world that is torn apart by war, terrorism, racism and countless other acts of violence against human life… Amen 🙏🏽

Saint John Joseph of the Cross, Priest and Saint Lucius I, Pope ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽

SAINT JOHN JOSEPH OF THE CROSS, PRIEST: St. John-Joseph of the Cross (1654-1734) was a Confessor, priest, Franciscan Friar, born on the feast of the Assumption on August 15, 1654 on the beautiful island of Ischia, near Naples. He joined the Franciscan Order of the Strict Observance (the reform of St. Peter of Alcantara) at age sixteen. He was the first Italian to follow the reform movement of Saint Peter Alcantara. St. John Joseph was very ascetic even as a young man. He devoted himself even at his youngest years to a life of poverty and fasting. St. John’s influence was great despite his young age, his reputation for holiness prompted his superiors to put him in charge of establishing a new friary, after three years even before he was ordained. He was sent to help found a new order of friars in Piedmont in 1674 and he assisted with his own hands in the building. Much against his will, he was ordained to the priesthood. One day St. John Joseph was found in the chapel in ecstasy, raised far above the floor. He won the hearts of all his religious, and became a priest out of obedience to his Superiors. He obtained what seemed to be an inspired knowledge of moral theology, in prayer and silence. He assisted at the death of his dear mother who rejoiced and seemed to live again in his presence, and after he had sung the Mass for the repose of her soul, saw her soul ascend to heaven, to pray thereafter their God face to face. With his superiors’ permission St. John built another monastery and drew up rules for that community, he codified a set of guidelines for spiritual and daily life that were approved by the Holy See and became a lasting model for religious communities. He afterward became master of novices. Some time later he was made provincial of the province of Naples, erected in the beginning of the 18th century by Pope Clement XI. In 1702 he was appointed Vicar Provincial of the Alcantarine Reform in Italy. During his time as Vicar he implemented a rule that no beggar would be turned away without assistance, and in times of extreme scarcity he would offer his own portion to the poor. He labored hard to establish in Italy this branch of his Order, which the Sovereign Pontiff had separated from the same branch in Spain. His ministry brought him many sufferings, especially moral sufferings occasioned by numerous calumnies. Nonetheless, St. John Joseph succeeded in his undertakings, striving to inculcate in his subjects the double spirit of contemplation and penance which Saint Peter of Alcantara had bequeathed to the Franciscans of the Strict Observance.

Obedience moved St. John to accept appointments as novice master, guardian and, finally, provincial. His years of mortification enabled him to offer these services to the friars with great charity. He was known as a deeply holy man who served Christ and the monastic community through daily acts of mortification and humility. Despite his high ranking position, he continued to lead a life of service and took on menial tasks whenever possible. As guardian, he saw himself with no higher privilege and insisted on working in the kitchen or chopping and carrying the firewood and water needed by the friars. When his term as provincial expired, St. John Joseph dedicated himself to hearing confessions and practicing mortification, two concerns contrary to the spirit of the dawning Age of Enlightenment. St. John Joseph exemplified the most sublime virtues, especially humility and religious discipline. He also possessed numerous gifts in the supernatural order and he was said to have performed numerous miracles as well as the gift of prophecy. Finally, consumed by labors for the glory of God, he was called to his reward. Stricken with apoplexy, he died an octogenarian in his monastery at Naples on March 5, 1734. Countless posthumous miracles confirmed the sanctity and glory of the Saint. Self-denial is never an end in itself but is only a help toward greater charity—as the life of Saint John Joseph shows. St. John Joseph was beatified in 1789 and canonized in 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI. He’s the Patron Saint of Ischilia, Italy, the place where he was born.

PRAYER: St. John Joseph, pray for us that we will place our love for others before our love for ourselves. We ask today for your mighty intercession, to pray for us that we learn humility and seek an attitude of service so we, too, may follow in the footsteps of Jesus. In His Mighty Name we pray… Amen 🙏🏽

O God, You inspired St. John Joseph to strive for perfect charity and so attain Your Kingdom at the end of his pilgrimage on earth. Strengthen us through his intercession that we may advice rejoicing in the way of love. Amen 🙏🏽

SAINT LUCIUS I, POPE: His Holiness Pope St. Lucius I was born in Rome, Italy, and his father’s name was Porphyrianus. He assumed the Throne on June 25, 253 A.D., and ruled only eight months until his death on March 5, 254 A.D. He was chosen as the 22nd Pontiff to succeed Pope St. Cornelius, who had died in exile during a time of persecution against Christians. It was a very difficult phase for the Church, still far from obtaining freedom of worship, which would only come decades later.

Pope St. Lucius himself was exiled briefly immediately after his election during the persecution of Emperor Trebonianus Gallus, but he was soon permitted to return to Rome, where his return was warmly welcomed by the faithful. During his brief reign, St. Lucius I was noted for his ascetic lifestyle and his firm defense of the Church’s mercy. He continued the policy of admitting repentant apostates to communion after sincere penance and opposed the Novatian heresy, which denied reconciliation to those who had fallen during persecution.

St. Cyprian of Carthage praised him highly, calling him a Confessor of Christ for his steadfast witness during exile. While some early traditions referred to him as a martyr, historical evidence suggests that he most likely died a natural death after his short but faithful service as Bishop of Rome. He was buried in the Catacomb of Saint Callistus, and his relics were later transferred to the Church of Saint Cecilia in Rome.

PRAYER: O Eternal Shepherd, who appointed blessed Lucius shepherd of the whole Church, let the prayers of this Confessor and supreme pontiff move You to look with favor upon Your flock and to keep it under Your continual protection. Help us to mirror his mercy toward those who have fallen. Through our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏🏽