As we are living with threat of Coronavirus, we are praying to the Saints, like Saint Roch, Saint Rosalie, Saint Raphael the Archangel and the Blessed Virgin Mary, to protect our families and friends against this pandemic. Similarly, back in the mid-1300s, there was also a disease that spread throughout Europe and Asia where 200 million people died, it is called the “Black Plague” or the “Black Death”.
We have read many lives of saints in books, internet or in their life story in a movie or television series. There are saints that are smart, academic and known for their writings, and there are some saints that are calm and easily loved by the people. But some saints don’t have these qualities, just like the priest from Cupertino, Italy. His name Saint Joseph of Cupertino, mostly known as the Flying Saint.
Every 3rd of February, there is a tradition of blessing of the throat in the Holy mass of the Catholic church. A day after candlemass, priests would make a simple rite of crossing two candles on the throat with a short prayer, especially asking for grace from a miraculous bishop from the 4th century named St Blaise.
The corona virus pandemic that has already killed hundred of thousands of people worldwide is the reason why, all of a sudden, people are aware of a Christian martyr believed to have been tortured to death by the Romans about 1,800 years ago. Her name Corona, which means "crown" in Latin. Let's discover St. Corona's story, whose feast day is May 14.
According to the story, she died on a Friday at three in the afternoon. Two anchors, three arrows, a palm symbol of martyrdom, and a flower were found on the tiles in her tomb, as symbols of her martyrdom. St. Philomena is the patron saint of infants, babies, and youth.
Maria Faustina Kowalska also known as Helena Kowalska was born on August 25, 1905 at Glogowiec, the third child of Marianna and Stanislaw Kowalska. At an early age expressed her desire of entering a convent to her parent, to which they refused firmly. Helena went to Warsaw and worked as a household helper. Later on she was allowed to enter the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy.
He is renowned as “The Messenger of God” since he always brings good news from the Lord every time he appears through visions to fortunate human-beings here on earth.
Every catholic is taught to pray to God, Mary, the angels and saints in times of great need. To make that plea and help to God’s special saints when nature strikes is an instinct for any devout catholic who knows his’ saints.
The great Doctor of the Church St. Thomas Aquinas once said that “Some saints are privileged to extend to us their patronage with particular efficacy, in certain needs, but not in others, but our holy patron St. Joseph, has the power to assist us in all cases, in every necessity, in every undertaking.“
This year from December 8, 2020 to December 8, 2021, in honor of the 150th anniversary of St. Joseph’s proclamation as patron of the Universal Church, Pope Francis in his decree has proclaimed this year 2021 as the Year of St. Joseph. The pope has timely declared this honor as St. Joseph also has been part of giving great care to Our Lord Jesus Christ and Mary, Mother of God during his life.
Blessed Justo Takayama Ukon, the Samurai of Christ
