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Vision
OF ST. BOSCO
It is belived that Pope Benedict XVI is the Pope that was being
mentioned in this vision of St. John Bosco.
 On
May 30, 1862, Don Bosco recounted that, in a dream, he had seen
an immense sea, on which a great many ships were arranged for
battle, against a larger and taller ship. He also saw others which
were defending the tall ship. Here are his words: "In the
midst of this endless sea, two solid columns, a short distance
apart, soar high into the sky. One is surmounted by a statue of
the Immaculate Virgin, at whose feet a large inscription reads:
'Auxilium Christianorum,' ('Help of Christians'). The other, far
loftier and sturdier, supports a Host of Proportionate size, and
bears beneath it the inscription: 'Salus credentium,' ('Salvation
of believers'). "The flagship commander the Roman Pontiff
standing at the helm, strains every muscle to steer his ship between
the two columns, from whose summit hang many anchors, and strong
hooks linked to chains. The entire enemy fleet closes in, to intercept
and sink the flagship at all costs. They bombard it with everything
they have: books and pamphlets, incendiary bombs, firearms, cannons.
The battle rages ever more furious. Beaked prows ram the flagship
again and again, but to no avail, as, unscathed and undaunted,
it keeps on its course. At times a formidable ram splinters a
gaping hole into its hull, but, immediately, a breeze from the
two columns instantly seals the gash.
"Meanwhile, enemy cannons blow up; firearms and beaks fall
to pieces; ships crack up and sink to the bottom. In a blind fury,
the enemy takes to hand to hand combat, cursing and blaspheming.
Suddenly the Pope falls, seriously wounded. He is instantly helped
up, but, struck a second time, dies. A shout of victory rises
from the enemy, and wild rejoicing sweeps their ships. But no
sooner is the Pope dead, than another takes his place. The captains
of the auxiliary ships elected him so quickly, that the news of
the Pope's death coincides with that of his successor's election.
The enemy's self assurance wanes.
"Breaking through all resistance, the new Pope steers his
ships safely between the two columns; first, to the one surmounted
by the Host, and then to the other, topped by the statue of the
Virgin. At this point, something unexpected happens. The enemy
ships panic and disperse, colliding with and scuttling each other.
"Some auxiliary ships, which had gallantly fought alongside
their flagship, are the first to tie up at the two columns. Many
others, which had fearfully kept far away from the fight, stand
still, cautiously waiting until the wrecked enemy ships vanish
under the waves. Then they, too, head for the two columns, tie
up at the swinging hooks, and ride safe and tranquil beside their
flagship. A great calm now covers the sea."
SBB. (Memoirs, Vol. Vll, 107-108.)
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| LIVES
OF THE SAINTS |
MARCH 1
St. Felix II
St Felix II, the pope is an ancestor of the future Pope St. Gregory the Great who lived from 540 to 604. 
MARCH 2
Blessed Charles the Good
Count Charles of Flanders, was called "the good" by the people of his kingdom. They named him for what they found him to truly be.
MARCH 3
Blessed Katharine Drexel
Blessed Katharine was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 26, 1858. Katharine's mother died when she was a baby.
MARCH 4
St. Casimir
St. Casimir was born in 1458, son of Casimir IV, king of Poland. Casimir was one of thirteen children.
MARCH 5
St. John Joseph of the Cross
St. John Joseph of the Cross was born in southern Italy on the feast of the Assumption, 1654. He was a young noble, but he dressed like a poor man.
MARCH 6
St. Colette
St. Nicolette was named in honor of St. Nicholas of Myra. She was born in 1380. Her loving parents nicknamed her Colette from the time she was a baby.
MARCH 7
St. Perpetua and St. Felicity
St. Perpetua and St. Felicity lived in Carthage, North Africa, in the third century. It was the time of the fierce persecution of Christians by Emperor Septimus Severus.
MARCH 8
St. John of God
St. John was born in Portugal on March 8, 1495. His parents were poor, but deeply Christian. John was a restless boy.
MARCH 9
St. Frances of Rome
St. Frances was born in 1384. Her parents were wealthy, but they taught Frances to be concerned about people and to live a good Christian life.
MARCH 10
St. Simplicius
St. Simplicius became pope in 468. Sometimes it seemed to him that he was all alone in trying to correct evils that were everywhere.
MARCH 11
St. Eulogius of Spain
St. Eulogius lived in the ninth century. His family was well-known and he received an excellent education. While he learned his lessons, he also learned from the good example of his teachers.
MARCH 12
St. Fina (Seraphina)
St. Fina was born in a little Italian town called San Geminiano. Her parents had once been well off, but misfortune had left them poor.
MARCH 13
St. Euphrasia
St. Euphrasia was born in the fifth century to deeply Christian parents. Her father, a relative of the emperor, died when she was a year old.
MARCH 14
St. Matilda
St. Matilda was born about 895, the daughter of a German count. When she was still quite young, her parents arranged her marriage to a nobleman named Henry.
MARCH 15
St. Zachary
St. Zachary was a Benedictine monk from Greece who lived in the eighth century. He became a cardinal and then pope.
MARCH 16
Blessed Torello
Blessed Torello was born in 1202, in Poppi, Italy. His life as a child in the village was ordinary and uneventful. But after his father's death.
MARCH 17
St. Patrick
St. Patrick was believed born in fifth-century Britain to Roman parents. When he was sixteen, he was captured by pirates and taken to Ireland.
MARCH 18
St. Cyril of Jerusalem
St. Cyril was born around 315 when a new phase was beginning for Christians. Before that date, the Church was persecuted by the emperors.
MARCH 19
St. Joseph
St. Joseph is a great saint. He was Jesus' foster-father and Mary's husband.
MARCH 20
St. Cuthbert
St. Cuthbert lived in England in the seventh century. He was a poor shepherd boy who loved to play games with his friends.
MARCH 21
St. Serapion
St. Serapion lived in Egypt in the fourth century. Those were exciting times for the Church and for St. Serapion.
MARCH 22
St. Deogratias
St. Deogratias was ordained bishop of the City of Carthage when it was taken over by barbarian armies in 439.
MARCH 23
St. Turibius of Mongrovejo
St. Turibius was born in 1538 in Leon, Spain. He became a university professor and then a famous judge.
MARCH 24
Blessed Didacus
Blessed Didacus Joseph was born on March 29, 1743, in Cadiz, Spain. He was baptized Joseph Francis.
MARCH 25
ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD
The time arrived for Jesus to come down from heaven. God sent the Archangel Gabriel to the town of Nazareth where Mary lived.
MARCH 26
St. Ludger
St. Ludger was born in northern Europe in the eighth century. After he had studied hard for many years, he was ordained a priest.
MARCH 27
St. John of Egypt
St. John was man who desired to be alone with God was to become one of the most famous hermits of his time.
MARCH 28
St. Tutilo
St. Tutilo lived in the late ninth and early tenth centuries. He was educated at the Benedictine monastery of Saint-Gall.
MARCH 29
St. Jonas and St. Barachisius
King Sapor of Persia reigned in the fourth century. He hated Christians and persecuted them cruelly. He destroyed their churches and monasteries.
MARCH 30
St. John Climacus
St. John was believed born in Palestine in the seventh century. He seems to have been a disciple of St. Gregory Nazianzen.
MARCH 31
Blessed Joan of Toulouse
In 1240, some Carmelite brothers from Palestine started a monastery in Toulouse, France.
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PHOTO OF THE MONTH |
Tour
of the Relics of the Passion
(International Center
for Holy Relics)
www.HolyRelics.org
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| REFLECTIONS |
 “Jesus’
Baptism”
Why did Jesus, the sinless one sent from the Father in heaven,
submit himself to John’s baptism? John preached a
baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Luke
3:3). In this humble submission we see a foreshadowing of
the “baptism” of Jesus bloody death upon the
cross. Jesus’ baptism is the acceptance and the beginning
of his mission as God’s suffering Servant (Isaiah
52:13-15; 53:1-12). He allowed himself to be numbered among
sinners. Jesus submitted himself entirely to his Father’s
will. Out of love he consented to this baptism of death
for the remission of our sins. Do you know the joy of trust
and submission to God?
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