Catholic Saint of the Day

Saint William of York, born around the year 1110, was the son of Count Herbert, treasurer to Henry I. He was elected archbishop of York in 1140. William's election was challenged on the grounds of simony and unchastity. He was cleared by Rome, but later a new Pope suspended William, and in 1147 he was deposed as archbishop of York. William then retired to Winchester where he led the austere life of a monk, practicing much prayer and mortification. Upon the death of his accusers, Pope Anastastius IV restored William his See and made him archbishop. William died in the year 1154. After his death miracles were reported at his tomb, and in 1227 he was declared a saint. His Feast Day is June 8.

Saint Paul, Bishop of Constantinople, during the period of bitter controversy in the Church over the Arian heresy. Elected in 336 to succeed Alexander of Constantinople, the following year he was exiled to Pontus by Emperor Constantius II. Here he was deliberately starved and finally strangled by Arian supporters. He is considered a martyr for the orthodox cause and was a close friend St. Athanasius.

Though Our Lady has been referred to as the mother of Christians and as the mother of the Church since ancient times, the Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church is the most recent addition to the liturgical calendar, instituted by Pope Francis in 2018.

Pentecost Sunday is one of the most ancient feasts of the Church, celebrated early enough to be mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (20:16) and St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians (16:8). Christ had promised His Apostles that He would sent His Holy Spirit, and, on Pentecost, they were granted the gifts of the Spirit.

Saint Petroc was the younger son of the King Glywys. On his father’s death, the people of Glywysing called for Petroc to take the crown of one the country’s sub-divisions, but Petroc wanted a religious life, and went to study in Ireland. After 30 years as abbot, Petroc made a pilgrimage to Rome, Italy. On his return, just as he reached Newton Saint Petroc, it began to rain. Petroc predicted it would soon stop, but it rained for three days. In penance for presuming to predict God’s weather, Petroc returned to Rome, then to Jerusalem, then to India where he lived seven years on an island in the Indian Ocean.

Saint Charles Lwanga was one of 22 Ugandan martyrs who converted from paganism. He made no cry of pain but just twisted and moaned, "Kotanda! (O my God!)." He was burned to death by Mwanga's order on June 3, 1886. Pope Paul VI canonized Charles Lwanga and his companions on June 22,1964. We celebrate his memorial on June 3rd of the Roman Calendar. Charles is the Patron of the African Youth of Catholic Action.

Saint Elmo, also known as St. Erasmus, is the patron of sailors and stomach ailments and against storms. He is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. Legend records that when a blue light appears at mastheads before and after a storm, the seamen took it as a sign of St. Elmo's protection. This was known as "St. Elmo's fire".

Saint Justin Martyr (c.100-165) is the patron of Philosophers and Apologists and is a Father of the Church. He wrote many works, some of which are still extant. After giving a defense of the Faith, he was martyred under the Roman Prefect Rusticus in the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

The Feast of the Visitation recalls to us the visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to her cousin Elizabeth shortly after the Annunciation

Saint Joan of Arc is the patroness of soldiers and of France. After hearing the voices of saints, at a mere 17 years, she led the King's forces to victory over the English. She was eventually captured by the English and falsely burned at the stake as a heretic. She was later exonerated of all guilt and canonized in 1920.