September Saints

Feast: 15 December

Blessed Maria Vittoria Strata of Genoa
(1562-1617)

Maria Vittoria De Fornari was born in Genoa, the seventh of nine children.

Maria married Angelo Strata on 21 March 1579 and bore six children. In late 1587 her husband fell ill and died not long after, leaving her pregnant with her last child. While Maria wanted to find another spouse to be a father to her children, she experienced a vision in which the Madonna instructed her to live a single chaste life of motherhood. 

In 1605 she and ten others made private vows for faith renewal and used a grant from a rich friend to purchase a house for their religious activities. Her other companions included the sisters Chiara and Cecilia Spinola. 

She and four other women received the habit of the Blue Nuns on 5 August 1604. She made her profession on 7 September 1605 after she rallied from an earlier serious illness. She served as superior from the order’s founding until ill health saw her not re-elected in 1611, which she accepted with grace and tact. Her order received pontifical approval from Pope Paul V in 1613.

Blessed Maria, teach us to be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Source: www.revolvy.com

Feast: 26 September

Saint Justina
(+ 304)

According to local folklore, though with no basis in fact, Cyprian was a native of Antioch who became a practitioner of sorcery and black magic. When Aglaides, a young pagan, fell in love with the beautiful Justina, a Christian of Antioch, he asked Cyprian to help him win her. Cyprian tried all his black magic and diabolical expertise to win her for himself, but was repelled by her faith and the aid of Mary.

Justina’s steadfastness inspired Cyprian to seek instruction and he was converted to Christianity. He destroyed his books about magic, gave his wealth to the poor, and was baptised, as was Aglaides.

Justina then gave away her possessions and dedicated herself to God. In time Cyprian was ordained bishop of Antioch and later was arrested during Diocletian’s persecution and tortured at Tyre by the governor of Phoenicia, as was Justina. They were sent to Diocletian, who had them beheaded at Nicomedia. 

Saint Justina, help us to be true to our faith through all difficulties.

Source: www.catholic.org

Feast: 22 September

Saint Ignatius of Santhià
(1686-1770)

Saint Ignatius was born in Santhià, Northern Italy, the fourth of six children, and was baptised Lorenzo Maurizio Belvisotti. He received his early education from a priest who inspired him and helped him discern his call to the priesthood. Ordained a diocesan priest in 1710, he joined the Capuchin Order six years later.

From the day of his religious profession in 1717, he was completely at God’s disposition, happy to be moved from house to house in service of his Brothers. In 1727, he was given the mission, among other things, of confessor for the laity, in which ministry he demonstrated his fatherly concern for others and the spiritual wisdom which comes from living at the feet of the crucified Christ. It was not long before religious, priests, the faithful and the most hardened sinners began coming to the monastery to make their confession and receive spiritual direction.

As master of novices in Mondovi, his only desire was to make the novices entrusted to his care true followers of Christ and obedient sons of St Francis. His teaching was founded on two pillars: loving the novices, and teaching them more by example than by words. During the 1743-46 war in Piedmont, he was made head chaplain at the hospitals of Asti, Vinovo and Alessandria, offering an example of tireless activity and piety, service and love.

The war over, he returned to his convent in Turin where he would remain for 24 years a spiritual director and confessor, visiting the sick and begging for money and food for the needy. He died there, an example to all of holiness and abandonment in God’s hands.

Saint Ignatius, inspire us to work diligently on behalf of others.   

Source: Internet – various