June Saints

By Kilian de Lacy

Blessed Anne of St Bartholomew Garcia
1550-1626

Feast: 7 June

Anne was born in Castile, Spain. She was of humble origin and spent her youth in solitude and prayer tending the flocks. She entered the convent as a Carmelite lay sister and made her vows on 15 August 1572, taking the name of Sister Anne of St Bartholomew.
For the next ten years she filled the post of infirmarian. Her spirit of prayer and humilty endeared her to St. Teresa, whose secretary she became. After Teresa’s death in 1582, Anne returned to Avila, and was one of the seven nuns selected for the introduction of the order into France.
Being obliged to become a choir sister, she was appointed prioress to Pontoise, where she suffered heavy trials. At the expiration of her last term of office she proceeded to Belgium where she founded and became prioress of a convent in Antwerp, which she headed until she died.

Blessed Anne, obtain for us the courage to persevere even in the difficulties of life.

^{Source: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06378b.htm}

St Marina the Monk
5th century

Feast: 18 June

Marina was the daughter of wealthy Christian parents, her mother dying when she was very young. Her father wished to retire to become a monk, and Marina determined to go with him. She immediately shaved her hair and changed her clothes. Her father gave all his possessions to the poor and the two of them travelled to the Kadisha Valley to live in monastic community life, sharing a cell.
After ten years of prayer, fasting and worship together, Marina’s father died. Marina increased her level of asceticism and continued to conceal the fact that she was a woman. Sent on business with three other monks, they were forced to spend the night at an inn. When the inkeeper’s daughter was found to be pregnant after a liaison with a passing soldier, Marina was blamed.
Questioned by the abbott, she admitted guilt and was forced to leave the monastery. For ten years she took care of the innkeeper’s daughter’s child, eventually being permitted to return to the monastery, where she was condemned to hard labour in addition to her monastic duties. It was only after she died that the monks discovered that she was a woman. Many miracles have been attributed to her intercession, and she is the patron saint of men falsely accused of rape.

Saint Marina, help us to endure false accusations in peace.

^{Source: http://www.copticchurch.net/topics/synexarion/marina.html}

St Filippo Smaldone
1848-1923

Feast: 4 June

Filippo Smaldone was born in Naples at a time of political and social turmoil in Italy as well as in the Church. While still a student for the priesthood, he became involved in helping the enormous number of deaf-mutes in Naples at the time. Their plight spoke to his heart and he set himself to teach them, in both the Christian and the secular fields. After his ordination in 1871, he continued his work. He was known for his assiduous visitation of the sick and was not afraid to put his own life at risk. During a plague epidemic, he succumbed to the disease and, at death’s door, was miraculously cured by Our Lady of Pompeii.
At one point, depressed over the frustration of his mute students, he asked to give up his teaching and to work in the foreign missions. His confessor convinced him that his true mission was in Naples, he threw himself into the work, and went to live permanently with a group of priests and laity. In March 1885 he went to Lecce, where he founded an institution for deaf-mutes with the help of a group of Sisters who became the Congregation of the Salesian Sisters of the Sacred Hearts.
Soon, Father Filippo expanded his work to include blind, orphaned and abandoned children. Like most founders, he suffered many trials throughout his life. He had to defend himself against the anti-Church municipal council, for example.
He served as confessor and spiritual director to priests, seminarians and various religious communities, founded the Eucharistic League of Priest Adorers and Women Adorers, and was Superior of the Congregation of the Missionaries of St Francis de Sales. He died of a serious diabetic condition and heart complications at the age of 75.

Saint Filippo, show us how to recognise our true vocation in life. 

^{Source: Internet – various}