A true defender of Tradition, St. Athanasius, whose Feast Day we honor on May 2nd; he was an Egyptian who devoted his life to proving that Jesus is truly God against the Arians who denied it. There are many things about the fourth century, the time St. Athanasius lived, that will remind us of our own day. The luxuries of education and material comforts were widely available. Political, social, and religious changes such as today with Vatican II. If anyone can be singled out as a saint for our times, surely it is Saint Athanasius. For 46 years, he was Archbishop of Alexandria in Egypt. Four Roman emperors could not make him stop writing his clear and beautiful explanations of our holy Faith. Because of his Faith he was sent into exile several times. Once while his enemies were chasing him down the Nile River. His friends called out to him, "They are catching up to us!" Inspired by God, Athanasius said "Turn the boat around, and row towards them," when they met face to face with the enemy, the enemy not recognizing the Saint shouted, "Have you seen Athanasius?" "You are not far from him!" was the answer. The enemy boat sped on faster than ever, trying to catch up to the Saint. He became bishop in 328 at the age of about 30 and made extensive pastoral visits in his province, but was soon the target of bitter attacks by Arians and Meletians. Summoned to the hostile Council of Tyre and appealing to the emperor for fair treatment, he was exiled and then restored, deposed, and then reinstated. Much of his life was spent in exile. Athanasius was accused of sedition, promoting violence, and other "crimes" Traditionalist are accused of today. Some quotes of St. Athanasius When speaking of Christ he said, "He became what we are that He might make us what He is." As stated above, St. Athanasius truly is the saint of our times for just as in his time, today too, it seems many have fallen away from truth. The following letter to his flock could, almost word for word, have been written yesterday when you consider the changes in the church since Vatican II. Letter of St. Athanasius to his Flock ...Coll.selecta SS. Ecci. Patrum, Caillau and Guillou, Vol.32, pp. 411-412 May God console you! ... What saddens you ... is the fact that, others have occupied the Churches by violence, while during this time you are on the outside. It is a fact that they have the premises --- but you have the Apostolic Faith. They can occupy our Churches, but they are outside the true faith. You remain outside the places of worship, but the faith dwells within you. Let us consider: What is more important, the place of worship or the faith? The true faith, obviously. Who has lost and who has won in this struggle --- the one who keeps the premises or the one who keeps the faith? True, the premises are good when the Apostolic Faith is preached there; they are holy if everything takes place in a holy way ... You are the ones who are happy; you who remain within the Church by your faith, who hold firmly to the foundations of the faith which has come down to you from Apostolic Tradition. And if an execrable jealousy has tried to shake it on a number of occassions, it has not succeeded. They are the ones who have broken away from it in the present crisis. No one, ever, will prevail against your faith, beloved brothers. And we believe that God will give us our Churches back some day. Thus, the more violently they try to occupy the places of worship, the more they separate themselves from the Church. The claim that they represent the Church; but in reality they are the ones who are expelling themselves from it and going astray. Even if Catholics faithful to tradition are reduced to a handful, they are the ones who are the true Church of Jesus Christ. The above summary is taken from: Standard Bearers of the Faithseries, volume Saint Athanasius, by F.A. Forbes, R & T Washbourne, LTD Paternoster Row, London, 1919 Nihil Obstat:J.N. Strassmaier, S.J., Imprimatur:EDM. Can. Surmont For a more detailed story of the Saint

St. Juliana feast day is June 19, she was born in answer to prayer, A.D. 1270. Her father built the splendid church of the Annunziata in Florence, while her uncle, Blessed Alexius, became one of the founders of the Servite Order. Under his care Juliana grew up, as he said, more like an angel than a human being. Such was her modesty that she never used a mirror or gazed upon the face of a man during her whole life. The mere mention of sin made her shudder and tremble, and once hearing a scandal related she fell into a dead swoon. Her devotion to the sorrows of Our Lady drew her to the Servants of Mary; and, at the age of fourteen, she refused an offer of marriage, and received the habit from St. Philip Benizi himself. Her sanctity attracted many novices, for whose direction she was bidden to draw up a rule, and thus with reluctance she became foundress of the "Mantellate." She was with her children as their servant rather than their mistress, while outside her convent she led a life of apostolic charity, converting sinners, reconciling enemies, and healing the sick by sucking with her own lips their ulcerous sores. She was sometimes rapt for whole days in ecstasy, and her prayers saved the Servite Order when it was in danger of being suppressed. She was visited in her last hour by angels in the form of white doves, and Jesus Himself, as a beautiful child, crowned her with a garland of flowers. She wasted away through a disease of the stomach, which prevented her taking food. She bore her silent agony with constant cheerfulness, grieving only for the privation of Holy Communion. At last, when, inher seventieth year, she had sunk to the point of death, she beged to be allowed once more to see and adore the Blessed Sacrament. It was brought to her cell, and reverently laid on a corporal, which was placed overher heart. At this moment she expired, and the Sacred Host disappeared. After her death the form of the Host was found stamped uponher heart in the exact spot over which the Blessed Sacrament had been placed. Juliana died A.D. 1340 REFLECTION - "Meditate often," says St. Paul of the Cross, "on the sorrows of the holy Mother, sorrows inseparable from those of her beloved Son. If you seek the Cross, there you will find the Mother; and where the Mother is, there also is the Son." Source of above text on St. Juliana Falconieri is taken from "Little Pictorial LIVES OF THE SAINTS with reflections For Every Day In The Year, Benziger Brothers 1878

Camillus de Lellis Original Feast day of July 14, currently July 18th It was on an ancient road that God spoke for the first time to Camillus de Lellis and His voice was in the sharp sword of sorrow. He had conquered Paul on the road to Tarsus and He was to conquer Camillus de Lellis on the road to Ancona, not immediately, but by moving the first pawn in the game of chess that was to decide between sinner and saint. Camillus living the life of a rough young soldier in the 16 century, excelling in fighting, drinking and gambling while traveling all over Italy to battle the Turk. What could have happened to change him from sinner to saint? One day while traveling along with his father on a worn, historic road, Camillus and his soldier father who he loved and admired began to converse. "This road is a new route for me, Father when do we stop for a rest?" They continued in silence until again they broke into conversation this time about his mother who was deceased. "Isn't it strange, Father," he asked, "that I was born so late in life?" The father answered... "some call it a miracle and well it may have been. Your mother was a very fine lady. All the townspeople called her St. Elizabeth because she was nearly 60 years old when you were born. She had prayed constantly for you. She had a dream, a dream difficult to forget. She saw you at the head of an army of men and each of them was wearing a large badge; a bright red cross. What the dream meant she did not know." "I recall her talking of such a dream," said Camillus. "It may be that you will be a great soldier. I have taught you all I know. Remember this, though, there is no greatness without opportunity. Whomsoever you serve, serve well. "Look," the father pointed down the road. "There is the village of Loretto and it is there we shall stop and push on tomorrow." Tomorrow however, for the father of Camillus became a sudden turn of events. During the night the father became ill, a doctor was sent for and then a priest. Camillus was stunned by this sudden turn. In the early hours of the morning the father rallied and regained consciousness, recognizing his son. "It is the end of the road. You have pleased me greatly. I thank you for calling the priest. At last I can face your mother. You know, she used to worry that I might die without the sacraments. Well, I have had them." Camillus de Lellis wept as his father died. After a short time a mysterious sore began to appeared on the leg of Camillus and eventually ended his army career. Admittance was granted him at the Hospital of St. Giacomo for the Incurables in Rome, where it was arranged for him to work while his leg was being treated. After a number of upseting experiences he began to see the light. This amazing man overcame the fascination of gambling and drinking...he wrestled with the learned to subdue a quick temper which was a constant plague...and with the same gusto which distinguished his fighting, he became the champion of the poor who were sick, helpless, and often abused. Camillus de Lellis now had a mission, he had good reason to believe that his work of helping the sick was God's work. Camillus organized a small group of devoted men with the principal idea of serving the Lord Jesus Christ through care of the sick, and Camillus had a burning desire to have the aims of the society recognized as in union with the Church. For this he prayed incessantly and worked beyond human powers. With the help of Cardinal Lauro, Camillus was granted an audience with Pope Sixtus concerning the rules of the organization, and a request to wear a red cross on the breast of their habits. In 1586, at the age of 36, now a priest of two years of the Capuchins, Camilluis de Lellis received the approval of Pope Sixtus V and his dream of founding an Order devoted to the care of the poor sick was realized. On July 14, 1614 St. Camillus died, the great gamble for God was over; and as always, Camillus had won. While most believe the Red Cross, symbol of mercy and refuge of the stricken came into existence during the past century. St. Camillus, the true founder of the Red Cross worn on the cassocks of his followers for almost four hundred years, was one whose life is a striking example of God's influence upon a man of His choice. Could this Red Cross be the same cross his saintly mother had seen in a constant dream before he was born? A red cross on his breast carrying a standard with many following him. Information about St. Camillus taken from the treasured book of the same title, "St.Camillus" by Edmound F. Curley and "A Gamble for God" by Daughters of St. Paul

This month our FEATURED SAINT Philomena Virgin and Martyr...ORIGINAL Feast day August 10, currently August 11 Our Saint this month might be spelled Philomena or Filomena, either way her name is "Powerful with God." Of all the saints whom God has raised up for modern times, one possesses a special attraction for both young and old alike. For long centuries He kept the story of her beautiful soul hidden like a precious treasure, as her relics lay deep within the Roman catacombs, her name lost in obscuriy and unknown to mankind. It was only in recent years that God, in His all-wise Providence, saw fit to lift the veil which covered the luminous beauty of her pure soul, and the light which radiated from thence has since pierced the thick fog of this sin-laden world. Her name is Philomena, "Daughter of Light." Her relics only discovered May 24, 1802, also found a vial, a slightly broken small vase, containing in dried form a darkish red or brown substance. Scientific testing determined this congealed mass in the vial to be dried blood. Upon examination of the blood, the experts were startled by a strange chemical reaction. As the samll particles were carefully detached and transferred to a clean new vase of clear visibility, glorious shining gems appeared. Precious stones with the luster of purest silver and gold! The Court of Inquiry was awed. Onlookers gazed reverently and wonderingly on that holy phenomenon. They blessed God. Only theologians understood. Yes, a divine power could and would permit this guarantee of sainthood. There was no question. Nothing was known of this little Saint except the symbols inscribed on the tiles that marked her tomb. Symbols as a lily, arrows, an anchor and a lance, which would appear to indicate virginity and martyrdom. It was also determined she was about twelve or thirteen years of age at the time of her martyrdom. Immediately upon the official donation of St. Philomena's sacred remains, signal favors began to be granted through her intercession, and unusual events occured. Favors, graces and miracles started to increase and her popularity began to spread. But who was St. Philomena? Very little data could be found to throw light on her life before her martyrdom. In answer to the fervent prayers of her devotees, however, the saint revealed to three different persons the story of her life and martyrdom. While we are not bound to accept private revelation, these revelations were extraordinary in that the persons to whom they were revealed lived far apart and were unknown to each other. In the month of August, 1833 Mother Luisa de Gesu, a Dominican tertiary, was at prayer before her statue of St. Philomena while thinking about the Saint she thought she heard ..."My dear sister, it was on the tenth of August that I died in order to live, and that I entered triumphantly into heaven, where my divine Spouse put me in possession of those everlasting joys which cannot be comprehended by the understanding of man. For this reason His admirable wisdom so disposed the circumstances of my translation to Mugnano. Despite the plans arranged by the priest who obtained my mortal remains, I arrived in that town, not on the fifth of August, but on the tenth; and not to be placed with little solemnity in the oratory of his house, as he also wished, but in the church, where they venerate me, in the midst of universal acclamations of joy, accompanied by miraculous circumstances.". Other revelations came to Mother Luisa after much prayer...."My dear sister, I am the daughter of a prince who governed a small state in Greece. My mother was also of royal blood. My parents were without children. They were idolaters. They continally offered sacrifices and prayers to their false gods. A doctor from Rome, named Publius, lived in the palace in the service of my father. This doctor professed Christianity. Seeing the affliction of my parents, by the impulse of the Holy Ghost, he spoke to them of Christianity and promised to pray for them if they consented to receive baptism. The grace which accompanied his words enlightened their understanding, and triumphed over their will. They became Christians, and obtained the long-desired happiness that Publius had assured them as the reward of their conversion. At the moment of my birth they gave me the name of Lumena, in allusion to the light of faith, of which I had been, as it were, the fruit. The day of my baptism they called me Filumena, or daughter of light (filia luminis), because on that day I was born to the faith. The affection which my parents bore me was so great that they would have me always with them. It was on this account that they took me to Rome, on a journey that my father was obliged to make on the occasion of an unjust war with which he was threatened by the haughty Diocletian. I was then thirteen years old. On our arrival in the capitol of the world, we proceeded to the palace of the emperor, and were admitted for an audience. As soon as Diocletian saw me his eyes were fixed upon me. He appeared to be prepossessed in this manner during the entire time that my father was stating with animated feelings everything that could serve for his defense. As soon as Father had ceased to speak, the emperor desired him to be disturbed no longer, to banish all fear, to think only of living in happiness. These are the emperor's words: 'I shall place at your disposal all the force of the empire. I ask only one thing, that is, the hand of your daughter.' My father, dazzled with an honor he was far from expecting, willingly acceded on the spot to the proposal of the emperor. When we returned to our own dwelling, Father and Mother did all they could to induce me to yield to Diocletican's wishes, and to theirs. I cried: 'Do you wish that for the love of a man I should break the promise I have made to Jesus Christ? My virginity belongs to Him. I can no longer dispose of it.' But you were young then, too young,' answered my father, 'to form such an engagement.' He joined the most terrible threats to the command that he gave me to accept the hand of Diocletian. "The grace of my God rendered me invincible. My father, not being able to make the emperor relent, in order to disengage himself from the promise he had given, was obliged by Diocletian to bring me to the imperial chamber. I had to withstand for some time beforehand a new attack from my father's anger. My mother, uniting her efforts to his, endeavored to conquer my resolution. Caresses, threats, everything was employed to reduce me to compliance. At last I saw both of my parents fall at my knees, and say to me with tears in their eyes, 'My child, have pity on thy father, thy mother, thy country, our country, our subjects.' "'No, no!' I answered them. 'My virginity which I have vowed to God comes before everything; before you, before my country! My kingdom is heaven.' My words plunged them into despair, and they brought me before the emperor, who, on his part, did all in his power to win me; but his promises, his allurements, his threats, were equally useless. He then got into a violent fit of anger and, influenced by the devil, had me cast into one of the prisons of the palace, where I was loaded with chains. Thinking that pain and shame would weaken the courage with which my divine Spouse inspired me, he came to see me every day. After several days the emperor issued an order for my chains to be loosed that I might take a small portion of bread and water. He renewed his attacks, some of which, if not for the grace of God, would have been fatal to purity. The defeats which he always experienced were for me the preludes to new tortures. Prayer supported me. I ceased not to recommend myself to Jesus, and His most pure Mother. My captivity lasted thirty-seven days, when in the midst of a heavenly light I saw Mary holding her divine Son in her arms. 'My daughter,' said she to me, 'three days more of prison, and after forty days, thou shal leave this state of pain.' "Such happy news renewed my courage to pepare for the frightful combat awaiting. The Queen of Heaven reminded me of the name I had received in Baptism, saying: 'Thou art Lumena, as thy Spouse is called Light, or Sun. Fear not. I will aid thee, Now nature, whose weakness asserts itself, is humbling thee. In the moment of struggle grace will come to thee to lend its force. The angel who is mine also, Gabriel, whose name expresses force, will come to thy succor. I will recommend thee especially to his care.' The vision disappeared, leaving my prison scented with a fragrance like incense. I experienced a joy out of this world, something indefinable. "What the Queen of Angels had prepared me for was soon experienced. Diocletian, despairing of bending me, decided on public chastisement to offend my virtue. He condemned me to be stripped and scourged, like the Spouse I preferred to him. These were his horrifying words: 'Since she is not ashamed to prefer, to an emperor like me, a malefactor condemned to an infamous death by His own people, she deserves that my justice shall treat her as He was treated.' "The prison guards hesitated to unclothe me entirely, but they did tie me to a column in the presence of the great men of the Court. They lashed me with violence, until I was bathed in blood. My whole body felt like one open wound, but I did not faint. "The tyrant had me dragged back to the dungeon, expecting me to die. I hoped to join my heavenly Spouse. Two angels, shining with light, appeared to me in the darkness. They poured a soothing balm on my wounds, bestowing on me a vigor I did not have before the torture. "When the emperor was informed of the change that had come over me, he had me brought before him. He viewed me with a greedy desire, and tried to persuade me that I owed my healing and regained vigor to Jupiter and another god, whom he, the emperor, had sent to me. He attempted to impress me with his belief that Jupiter desired me to be empress of Rome. Joining to these seductive words, promises of great honor, cooing the most flattering words, Diocletian tried to caress me. Fiendishly he attempted to complete the work of hell which he had begun. "The Divine Spirit, to whom I am indebted for constancy in preserving my purity, seemed to fill me with light and knowledge. To all the proofs which I gave of the solidity of our faith, neither Diocletian nor his own courtires could find an answer. Then the frenzied emperor dashed at me, commanding a guard to chain an anchor round my neck, and bury me deep in the waters of the Tiber. "The order was executed. I was cast into the water, but God sent to me two angels, who unfastened the anchor. It fell into the river mud, where it remains, no doubt, to the present time. The angels transported me gently. In full view of the multitude upon the river bank I came back unharmed, not even wet, after being plunged with the heavy anchor. "When a cry of joy rose from the watchers on the shore, and so many embraced Christianity by proclaiming their belief in my God, Diocletian attributed my preservation to secret magic. "Then the emperor had me dragged through the streets of Rome and shot at with a shower of arrows. My blood flowed, but I did not faint. Diocletian thought I was dying and commanded the guards to carry me back to my dungeon. Heaven honored me with a new favor there. I fell into a sweet sleep. A second time the tyrant attempted to have me pierced with sharper darts. Again the archers bent their bows. They gathered all their strength, but the arrows refused to second their intentions. The emperor was present. In a rage, he called me a magician, and, thinking that the action of the fire could destroy the enchantment, he ordered the darts to be made red in a furnace, and directed against my heart. He was obeyed, but these darts, after having gone over a part of the space which they were to cross to come to me, took quite a contrary direction, and returned to strike those by whom they had been hurled. Six of the archers were killed by them. Several among them renounced paganism. The people began to render public testimony to the power of God that protected me. These murmurs and acclamations infuriated the tyrant. "He determined to hasten my death by piercing my neck with a lance. My soul took flight toward my heavenly Spouse, who placed me, with the crown of virginity and the palm of martyrdom, in a distinguished place among the elect. The day that was so happy for me and saw me enter into glory was Friday, the third hour after midday, the same hour that saw my divine Master expire." NOVENA PRAYER TO ST. PHILOMENA Illustrious Virgin and Martyr, St. Philomena, behold me prostrate before the throne whereon it has pleased the Most Holy Trinity to set thee. Full of confidence in thy protection, I entreat thee to intercede for me with God. Ah! from the heights of Heaven deign to cast a glance upon thy humble client. Spouse of Christ, sustain me in suffering, fortify me in temptation, protect me in the dangers surrounding me, obtain for me the graces necessary to me, and in particular . . . Above all, assist me at the hour of my death. Amen. St. Philomena, powerful with God - Pray for us. If you would like to read more about the miracles of St. Philomena please click link provided. Information about St. Philomena compiled from: "Saint Philomena Powerful With God" by Sister Marie Helen Mohr. S.C.and The Reign of Mary a Traditional Catholic Publication.