November Saints

Saint Bertilia (c. 705)

Born in Soissons, France, Bertilia felt the call to grow closer to God while still a teenager. She realised that the life of prayer and sacrifice she wanted could be found in a monastery. She entered a monastery of nuns who followed the rule of Saint Columban. Years passed. Bertilia spent her time praying and doing different tasks. She was especially good at offering hospitality to travellers and the sick who came to the monastery.

When Saint Bathildis, the wife of King Clovis II, started a new monastery, she asked the abbess at Soissons to send some nuns to begin the community. Bertilia was among those chosen and was appointed the abbess. Surprised, she knew that the Lord would help her in every way. The community of nuns grew. Queen Bathildis herself became a nun after her husband died. Then, another queen, Hereswitha, widow of the king of the East Angles, became a nun, too.

Bertilia lived a long life and ruled the monastery of Chelles for forty-six years.

Saint Bertilia, instil in us the virtue of hospitality.

(Source: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/november/1105.asp)

Blessed Luigi & Maria Quattrocchi (1880/1884-1951/1965)

Luigi was born in 1880 in Catania, Italy, and grew up in Urbino, raised by an uncle, though retaining close ties with his siblings. After his basic preparatory education, he obtained a degree in law, entered the service of the Inland Revenue Department, and held responsible positions in the Italian State.

Maria Corsini was born in 1884 to a noble family in Florence. She received a solid cultural formation, loved music, was a professor and writer on education topics, and belonged to several associations, including Women’s Catholic Action.

The couple met at Maria’s home in Florence. Before marriage, Luigi, while exceptionally virtuous, honest and unselfish, did not have a strong faith. His love for Maria changed all that. Their zeal for spiritual growth became a kind of race.

The couple began attending morning Mass together, they prayed the rosary every evening and consecrated their family to God. Four children were born to them, the last being something of a miracle. Maria had been advised to have an abortion, but she refused and carried the child to term.

Far from being ‘pious,’ Luigi and Maria injected a huge sense of fun into their home which was happy and particularly noisy at meal times. They earnestly trained their children to love the things that could not be seen.

Luigi and Maria knew the dangers of war first hand. During the turmoil, they never lost heart despite the negative part of family life: the tragedies of war, two sons as chaplains in the army, the German occupation of Rome.

They were beatified together by Pope Saint John Paul II, the first married couple to be so honoured.

Blessed Luigi and Maria, help all married couples to be faithful.

(Source: Internet – various)

Saint Gregory the Wonder-Worker (213-270)

Gregory was born of a distinguished pagan family at Neocaesarea, Pontus, and studied law there. About 233, he and his brother, Athenodorus, met Origen, and entered his school at Caesarea, studied theology, and were converted to Christianity.

Gregory returned to Neocaesarea about 238, intending to practice law, but was elected bishop. It soon became apparent that he was gifted with remarkable powers. He preached eloquently, made so many converts he was able to build a church, and soon was so renowned for his miracles that he was surnamed Thaumaturgus (the wonder-worker). A much-sought-after arbiter for his wisdom, legal knowledge and ability, he advised his flock to go into hiding during Decius' persecution of Christians, and fled to the desert with his deacon. On his return, he ministered to his flock when plague struck his See and when the Goths devastated Pontus.

It is reported that at his death at Neocaesarea, only seventeen unbelievers were left in the city. He is invoked against floods and earthquakes.

Saint Gregory, help us to believe totally in the power of God in our lives.

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=656