Prayers for Our Catholic Priests
Saint Cecilia is the patron of musicians. she was an early Church martyr in the late 2nd century. We don't know much for certain about her life. Legend has it that she was the only child of a rich Roman official. Her mother was Christian and her father allowed his wife to teach Cecilia the Faith. Cecilia made a vow of virginity, but fathers married off daughters. Cecilia's father found her a fitting husband and he got mad when Cecilia told him about her vow of virginity. He insisted she get married. So it was Cecilia was forced to participate in a pagan marriage ceremony intended for herself and future husband. It is said that she heard the music of Heaven playing in her heart while the pagan music was playing. Some stories say the angels sang to her. Either way, the sense is that she was attached to her Heavenly Spouse with love, and pagan music couldn't distract her.
After the pagan ceremony, Cecilia took her husband aside and told him about her vow. He respected the vow and asked her about the Faith. He was converted and later converted his brother. Both brothers were martyred because of their zeal; they could not keep quiet about their new found Faith and preached it openly. Soon after, St. Cecilia also gave up her life of wealth in favor of a martyr's death. It is said she died praising God in song.
St. Cecilia, patron of musician, Virgin and Martyr of Jesus Christ, pray for us
St. Cecilia
Feast Day: 22 November
St. Valentine
Feast day: Febuary 14
In early Christianity, the pagan feast of Lupercalia, which was the celebration in honor of the goddess of fertility, Juno Februata, was a popular celebration. The Church, wishing to give the Faithful and pagan converts a holy day to replace the unholy day, began looking for a saint to celebrate. In place of the pagan celebration celebrating the flesh, the Church wished to turn the eyes of the faithful towards God and true love. St. Valentine died on the Eve of the feast of Lupercalia (February 14) in defense of the sacrament of marriage. So, where once there was a pagan feast, today the feast of St. Valentine gives blessings to the Faithful. The secular world celebrates St. Valentine’s Day by passing around Valentines. Passing around Valentine may not be bad in itself, but, as Christians, we must not forget the real meaning behind St. Valentine’s Day: to celebrate the grace God gave to St. Valentine to defend marriage and to thank God for the graces of the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.
St. Valentine, pray for us today and that we also may uphold the sacredness of the Sacrament of Marriage
St Patrick
Feast day: March 17
St. Patrick lived in the 5th century. At the age of 16 he was captured by raiders and sold into slavery in Ireland. After escaping from slavery in Ireland to return home, St. Patrick supposedly had a dream which encouraged him to become a priest and go back to convert the Irish. He became bishop of Ireland and was so successful in spreading the faith that Ireland was a Catholic country by his death.
St. Patrick, pray for us that we may love those who injure us and care about the souls of all God place in our lives.
St. Monica
Feast day: August 27
St. Monica is credited for her persistent prayers which brought about the conversion of her husband and his mother. More remarkably, her son St Augustine of Hippo also converted from a sinful life because of her many prayers. He later became not only a remarkable Bishop but also a great saint. Maybe Saint Monica will help pray for many more holy priests today.
St Monica, pray for everyone God is calling to His holy priesthood and for all deacons, priests and bishops. Teach us, also, dear St. Monica, to learn from your example and to pray with persistence.
St. Augustine
Feast day: August 28
If we look at St. Augustine's early life, we see a life of impurity. His mother, Saint Monica, was so afraid he would loose his soul. After years of his mother praying for him, Augustine met Bishop Ambrose, who became a good influence in his life. Augustine admired Bishop Ambrose both for his pure life and his well founded teachings. Both the prayers of his mother and the influence of Bishop Ambrose led to Augustine's conversion. He who worried his mother so much in his early life soon became a great bishop and is now a doctor of the Church. Looking back on the life of St. Augustine, we see both the importance of prayer and the importance of the influence of priests. Is it not good priests who usually inspire young men to join the priesthood or to convert to the Catholic faith? Let us pray today for priests to become well-grounded in the doctrine of the Church so they can become a good influence for others, both for those who may be looking to convert to the Catholic faith and for those who are looking at the priesthood as a possible vocation.
