Some Saints For July

Here is a link to information on the controversy about St. Junipero Serra:

https://angelusnews.com/voices/letter-to-the-faithful-for-the-memorial-of-st-junipero-serra/

(Plain Text Version)

Celebrations for July

July 1: Blessed Junipero Serra (1713 – 1784).  Fr. Serra traveled from Spain to California to bring the Gospel to the native peoples.  He established ten missions, which were places of worship and education.  Many modern cities grew around these missions.  His memory is under attack today because of the crimes committed by his fellow Spaniards.

July 3: St. Thomas the Apostle.  St. Thomas is famous for his refusal to believe the report of Christ’s resurrection.  Jesus personally convinced him afterwards.  After the founding of the Church, Thomas brought the Gospel to India.

July 6: St. Maria Goretti (1890 – 1902).  At the age of 12 years, Maria was stabbed to death for refusing the advances of a man.  Before she died, she forgave her attacker.  Years later, the attacker saw her in a vision, and underwent a deep conversion.

July 9: St Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions.  This day was chosen to celebrate some 120 Chinese martyrs who died for Christ from 1648 to 1930.

July 14: St. Kateri Tekakwitha (1656 – 1680).  Kateri was born of a Mohawk father and a Christian Algonquin mother.  When she became a Christian and chose to stay single, she was persecuted.  She fled to a Christian village where she lived a life of prayer and virtue.

July 22: St. Mary Magdalene.  Mary Magdalene is mentioned in the Gospels several times.  She was a great sinner, who repented when she met Jesus.  She followed the Lord faithfully, regardless of opposition and danger.

July 31: St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491 – 1556).  Ignatius, a soldier living a worldly life, was wounded in battle.  While recuperating, he read books about the Saints, and underwent a conversion.  He became a priest and founded the Society of Jesus (the “Jesuits”).  This society is dedicated to education and missionary work.