June Saints

11 June

St Paula Frasinetti
(1809-1882)

Paula Frassinetti was baptised on the day she was born, in Genoa, Italy. Her mother died when she was nine. An aunt moved in to look after the family – Paula and her four brothers. In need of a substitute mother, Paula turned to Our Lady. Three years later, the aunt also died, leaving Paula in charge. Because she was unable to go to school, each night her brothers would pass along what they had learned that day, her father filled in the gaps, and Paula actually had a good education. She attended Mass daily and prayed her way through her work.

Her older brother, Giuseppe, went on to study for the priesthood -- as did all of her brothers -- and his discussions with Paula about God and faith led her to believe she might have a vocation. But her father could not imagine how the family would manage without her, and for the time being she was forced to put her dreams aside.

By the time she was 19, Paula was exhausted from having so much responsibility. She went to stay with her brother, Father Giuseppe, for a brief holiday, and during that time she came to know the youth of his parish and would take them on nature walks or to the ocean, all the time instructing them in the faith. At age 20 she developed respiratory problems. When she recovered, Paula, with her brother’s help, opened a parochial school for poor girls in the area. She soon came to realise that she had talent as a teacher, and the idea for a new religious community took hold of her.

In 1934, she and six other young women began to live in community, working at night to make money and educating very poor children by day. Her goal was to bring young people to God through education.

The group became known as the Sisters of St Dorothy. Eventually, they opened more houses, including one in Rome. Poverty and sickness were always with the Sisters, who often did not even have enough money to buy medicine for themselves, but Paula was determined and knew that God was always with her. In 1866 she sent Sisters to Brazil and Portugal to open more schools.

St Paula, help us to teach the faith by our lives and example.

Source: Internet – arious

11 June

Blessed Ignatius Maloyan
(1869-1915)

Ignatius Maloyan, son of Milkon and Faridé, was born in Mardin, Turkey. An Armenian Catholic, he showed early signs of a priestly vocation and at age fourteen went to the Convent of Bzommar–Lebanon. He was ordained in 1896, became a member of the Bzommar Institute and took the name Ignatius.

For thirteen years, Father Ignatius served as parish priest in Alexandria and Cairo before being sent back to his home diocese, then in a state of anarchy, to restore it to order. In 1911 he was elected Archbishop of Mardin and set about renewing the wrecked diocese, especially by promoting devotion to the Sacred Heart.

The outbreak of the First World War was the beginning of unspeakable suffering for the Armenians resident in Turkey. In fact, this ally of the Germans embarked on a veritable campaign of extermination. On 13 April 1915, Turkish soldiers surrounded the Bishop’s house and church, saying that there were arms hidden there. The Bishop gathered his priests together and warned them of the volatile situation.

A month later, Bishop Maloyan was dragged in chains to court, along with numerous members of his flock. The next day, 25 priests and 862 others were placed in chains. During his trial on the trumped-up charge, Ignatius was pressured to convert to Islam. In spite of merciless beatings and prolonged abuse, he steadfastly refused. Instead, with each blow he prayed, “Oh Lord, have mercy on me. Oh Lord, give me strength,” and he asked his priests to give him absolution. The soldiers retaliated by pulling out his toenails.

Ignatius encouraged his people to hold firm and prayed that they accept martyrdom with patience and courage. Hungry, naked and chained, the Armenians were forced on a two-hour walk before being summarily killed before the Bishop. Then it was his turn. Once again, he was urged to convert to Islam. Again, he refused and was shot. His last words were, “Into your hands I commend my spirit. My God, have mercy on me.”

Blessed Ignatius, help us to persevere in the faith through all difficulties.

Source: Internet – various