THE FEAST OF THE APPARITION OF SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL; SAINT DESIDERATUS, BISHOP; SAINT ARSENIUS, DEACON AND MONK; SAINT ACHATIUS, MARTYR AND SAINT VICTOR MAURUS, MARTYR ~ FEAST DAY: MAY 8TH: Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Apparition of St. Michael the Archangel; Saint Desideratus, Bishop; Saint Arsenius, Deacon and Monk; Saint Achatius, Martyr and Saint Victor Maurus, Martyr. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy and all those who preach the Gospel. We pray for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, for seminarians, for the Church, for all youths, for persecuted christians and for the conversion of sinners and Christians all over the world. We also pray for the sick and dying, we particularly pray for those who are suffering from the coronavirus disease, cancer, severe headaches and those who are terminally ill. We pray for God’s Divine healing upon them. We pray the poor and needy and all over the world. And on this Mother’s day through the intercession of our Blessed Mother, we pray for all mothers, expectant mothers and all those who act in the capacity of a mother in any manner. May God bless us all…Amen 🙏🏽
THE FEAST OF THE APPARITION OF SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL: The feast commemorates an apparition of St. Michael on the summit of Monte Gargano, in Italy on the Adriatic coast, and the dedication of the sanctuary built on the site of the apparition.
According to tradition, St. Michael the Archangel appeared to an Italian bishop in 493 and consecrated a nearby cave. This became known as the Sanctuary of Monte Sant’Angelo sul Gargano, more commonly referred to as Monte Gargano. It is one of the oldest shrines dedicated to St. Michael and was the center of Christian pilgrimages.
St. Michael said to the bishop, “I am the archangel Michael, and I have chosen to dwell in that place on earth and to keep it safe.” When they arrived to consecrate the cave, St. Michael said, “It is not necessary that you dedicate this church that I myself have consecrated with my presence.”
PRAYER TO SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL: St. Michael the Archangel, Defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host By the power of God Cast into hell Satan, and all evil spirits Who prowl about the world Seeking the ruin of souls…Amen 🙏🏽
SAINT DESIDERATUS, BISHOP: He was the son of a wealthy couple from Soissons, France, who spent all their time and possessions in helping the poor. They were a good influence on Desideratus, and his brothers, Desiderius and Deodatus. All three became saints. King Clotaire made Desideratus Secretary of State. He was a holy man and lived a holy life despite the splendors of the royal court. He was a good influence on the King. He wanted to retire to a monastery, but the King reminded him to put the peoples welfare before his own. He became Bishop of Bourges and during that time he was known as a peacemaker and wonderworker. He was a member of the Fifth Council of Orleans and the Second Council of Auvergne. He attended several councils that condemned Nestorianism and Eutychianism, was reputed to have performed miracles and was known for his peace making abilities. He died May 8, 550.
PRAYER: O God, You made St. Desideratus an outstanding exemplar of Divine love and the Faith that conquers the world, and added him to the roll of saintly pastors. Grand by his intercession that we may persevere in Faith and love, and become sharers of his glory… Amen 🙏🏽
SAINT ARSENIUS, DEACON AND MONK: The Monk Arsenius the Great was born in the year 354 at Rome into a pious Christian family, which provided him a fine education and upbringing. Having studied the secular sciences and mastered to perfection the Latin and Greek languages, the Monk Arsenius acquired profound knowledge, combined with a pious and virtuous life. His deep faith impelled the youth to leave his preoccupation with the sciences and choose service to God. When he entered into the ranks of the clergy at one of the Roman churches, he was then elevated to the dignity of deacon. Saint Arsenius, while still living in the palace, prayed to God, saying, Lord, show me the way, how I can be saved. And a voice came to him, saying, Arsenius, flee men, and you will be saved. He, having withdrawn to the solitary life, prayed again, saying the same thing. And he heard a voice saying to him, Arsenius, flee, be silent, be still. For these are the root of sinlessness.
PRAYER: God, You called St. Arsenius to seek Your Kingdom in this world through the pursuit of perfect charity. Grand that we may be strengthen by his intercession and advance in the way of love with joyful hearts… Amen 🙏🏽
SAINT ACHATIUS, MARTYR: A Fourteen Holy Helper. Saint Achatius is reckoned among the Holy Helpers who, as a Roman soldier, died for Christ. Achatius was a native of Cappadocia and as a youth joined the Roman army during the reign of Emperor Hadrian, attaining the rank of captain. One day, when leading his company against the enemy, he heard a voice saying to him, “Call on the God of Christians!” He obeyed, was instructed, and received Baptism. Filled with zeal, he henceforth sought to convert also the pagan soldiers of the army. When the emperor heard of this, Achatius was thrown into prison, then placed on the rack, bound to a post and scourged, because he refused to offer sacrifice to the idols. When all these tortures availed nothing, he was brought before the tribune Bibianus. Eventually, Flaccius, the proconsul of Thracia, who imprisoned him for five days, and meanwhile read the records of his former trials, then he ordered him to be beheaded. Achatius suffered death for Christ on May 8, 311. He’s Patron Saint against headaches and at the time of death’s agony.
PRAYER: O GOD, Who didst fortify Thy holy Martyr Achatius with constancy and trustful reliance on Thee in death; grant us through his intercession at the hour of our death to be free from all anxiety and victorious in our last combat with the enemy. Through Christ our Lord…Amen 🙏🏽
SAINT VICTOR MAURUS, MARTYR: St. Victor Maurus (d. 303 A.D.), also known as Victor the Moor and Victor of Milan, was born in Mauretania (North Africa) in a Christian household. He later relocated to Milan, Italy, as a soldier of the Praetorian Guard that served Roman Emperor Maximian during his persecution of Christians. Although Victor was a Christian since childhood, this fact was not widely known until he destroyed an altar to a pagan god. The Emperor, infuriated, had Victor imprisoned and starved for six days. The Emperor then gave him every chance to recant his faith, including offering him riches, but Victor refused each attempt. He was then tortured mercilessly, unless he would offer sacrifice to the gods, by being stretched on the rack and having molten lead poured over his body. Victor remained steadfast and boldly proclaimed his faith in Christ, declaring that the Roman gods were demons. Finally the saint was beheaded on May 8 in the year 303 A.D. The Emperor refused him burial so that wild beasts would consume his body. However, after six days the body was discovered untouched with two beasts guarding it at the head and foot. The local bishop then received permission to bury the body. A church was later erected over Victor’s grave and many miracles occurred there. St. Victor’s feast day is May 8th.
Saint Victor Maurus, Martyr ~ Pray for us🙏🏽