Category Archives: Healing Saints

Fifteen Thursdays of St. Rita of Cascia 2026 begins February 12!

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REBLOGGING AN EARLIER POST:
I’m sharing this here because St. Rita’s Feast day is my sobriety date (May 22, 2002) and I think she picked me to be one of her clients. I’ve been doing this devotion for the past few years.

BEGINNING THIS THURSDAY FEB 12th!!!

Quote: “The Fifteen Thursdays of St. Rita devotion — i Quindici Giovedi di Santa Rita, in Italy — takes place on the fifteen Thursdays preceeding May 22, her feast day — i.e., this devotion starts on a Thursday in February and continues on for fifteen Thursdays — until the last Thursday before May 22. Each of these fifteen days begins with the same preparatory prayer followed by a reading on the life of St. Rita, a reflection about the lesson of that aspect of her life, and a final prayer.”

Link to all the prayers including a downloadable pdf file: 15 Thursdays of St. Rita Devotio: Prayers and a downloadable pdf

National Shrine to St. Rita od Cascia (USA)

#RitaUnderstandsUs

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My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Sts Lucy and Odilia: patronesses of eye health

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Today is December 13th, and it is a day shared by two saints who are patronesses of the same health condition: eye health. These are St. Lucy and Odilia. I am posting this as an ‘ex voto,’ which is a ‘votive offering’ to saints for favors received. I had cataract surgery nearly 3 years ago and need prescription reading glasses and frequent application of lubricating eyedrops; once I began a devotion to both saintly ladies my eye health has improved tremendously. I only need the reading glasses under certain conditions (more so prior to my devotion) and while I’ll eventually need cataract surgery in my other eye, that one’s health hasn’t deteriorated much and it may be many years before surgery is needed. 

First up is St. Lucy.

St. Lucy was born circa 283 in Syracuse, on the island of Sicily, but she was of mixed Roman (via her father) and Greek (mother) ancestry. She was born into a wealthy, pious family. She vowed her life to Christ at an early age. When her father died while Lucy was still very young, her mother arranged a marriage for her. For three years she managed to keep the marriage at bay. Lucy prayed at the tomb of St. Agatha for her marriage to never happen, and from this her mother‘s long illness was cured. Her mother consented to terminate the marriage plans. However, the drama wasn’t over as the rejected groom objected.

He denounced Lucy as a Christian to the governor of Sicily. Bear in mind this was still when being a Christian was illegal. The governor sentenced her to a life of prostitution, and when the guards went to get her, they could not move her. She was hitched her to a team of oxen and they were unable to move her. She was ordered to be executed. Lucy was tortured during which her eyes were gouged out. She was then to be executed by being burned to death, but the bundles of wood refused to be lit. She ended up being stabbed to death with a dagger. She died circa 304, making her around 20 years old (birth and death years being uncertain.)

Legend says her eyesight was restored before her death. This and the meaning of her name led to her connection with eyes, the blind, eye trouble, etc. Lucy is mentioned in the Canon of the Mass along with numerous other martyrs of the early centuries.

Bio of St. Lucy adapted from CatholicSaints.info.

Next up is St. Odilia. You can read about her here: St. Odilia, patroness of the blind and those with eye problems. That post has a biography of her as well as some gratitude from me, so please read it! 

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

St. Juan Diego, pray for us addicts and alcoholics

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Today is the feast day of St. Juan Diego, the visionary of Guadalupe who saw Our Lady appear to him in this day in Mexico, 1531. I bring him up because I am a huge devotee of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and by connection, St. Juan Diego. I also discovered today that he miraculously interceded for a Mexican drug addict in completely curing him of his wounds from an apparent suicide attempt…. AND that this miraculous cure occurred at the very moment Pope St. John Paul II was beatifying Bl. Juan Diego on May 6, 1990!

St. Juan Diego, painting by Miguel Cabrera (1695-1768). (Public domain)

From Aleteia: How a drug addict’s life was miraculously saved by St. Juan Diego:

Juan José Barragán Silva…“under the drug´s influence … stabbed himself with a knife in his mother´s presence, and went to a balcony to throw himself over. His mother tried to hold him by the legs, but he managed to free himself and plunged head first to the ground.”

The scene was horrible and he was immediately rushed to the hospital in Mexico City. What happened next surprised everyone involved.

Three days later Barragán was completely cured and the doctors all agreed that it was “scientifically inexplicable.” He should have died from the fall, or at the very least become handicapped for the rest of his life.

Barragán’s mother revealed soon after the words she prayed when her son was falling off the balcony. She said while invoking the intercession of Juan Diego, “Give me a proof … save this son of mine! And you, my Mother, listen to Juan Diego.”

ZENIT – English has the original story here: Drug Addict Proves Mexican Indian Juan Diego´s Sanctity

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Martinmas: beginning a penitential period of atoning for alcohol abuse

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Tomorrow is Martinmas, the Feast Day of St. Martin of Tours. Three years ago I posted about him being the patron saint of reformed alcoholics. I am updating that post with reasonable speculation on why such a patronage is attributed to him.

St. Martin of Tours was a Roman soldier who renounced military service and became a monk whose act of charity, that of cutting his cloak in two to clothe a freezing beggar, became one of the most recognizable scenes associated with him.

Anthony van Dyck - Saint Martin sharing his cloak with a beggar.

In my research of the post of three years ago, I saw his patronage of reformed alcoholics mentioned in multiple Catholic sources, but none really explained why. There are no stories of St. Martin struggling with alcohol, nor any recorded miracles specifically involving alcoholics.

Catholics often have an odd manner by which they attribute patronages to saints. For example, St. Gerard Majella is the patron saint of pregnant women due to a miracle where he gave a young woman a handkerchief, telling her to keep it for future use. Years later, she was in a life-threatening childbirth, but when she pressed the handkerchief to her stomach, the danger passed, and she gave birth to a healthy baby. This and other stories of his intercession for mothers and the unborn led to this patronage. You might think that this patronage should belong to a woman, perhaps a medieval midwife known for piety and miracles. But no. It’s a man. St. Cecilia is the patroness of musicians, despite there being no record of her being one. (Miraculous angelic music was heard being sung at her wedding.) St. Catherine of Siena is the patroness of fire prevention, supposedly due to a quote of hers: “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” St. Lawrence is the patron of cooks, because he was barbecued to death. St. Clare of Assisi is the patroness of television, because she had a vision of a faraway Mass. There are others, but you get the idea. So, why might St. Martin of Tours follow this pattern of being attributed to something he was never associated with, or because of some odd connection?

St. Martin is the patron of vintners and wine-makers. When he became bishop of Tours (located in a wine-rich region of Gaul, modern-day France) vineyards were flourishing. Wine was important to the economy,  so he was adopted as a saintly benefactor by the winemaking industry. It would be natural, then, that when the product of this industry is abused, that he would be invoked to intercede for those doing the abusing.

It isn’t all that surprising that his feast day became a major celebration of the wine harvest in many regions of Europe, especially given the coincidental falling of that date soon after the harvest. The new wine was sampled, there was much feasting  and… there was much drinking. So, like I said three years ago: 

(November 11th) is like a Carnival (Shrove Tuesday, or the day before Ash Wednesday and the start of traditional Lent in February or March) and people celebrated like crazies and did all sorts of naughty things before settling down to a rigorous, penitential fast to atone for that.

People, perhaps because of exhortations by the clergy, were inclined to atone for the excesses committed on November 11th. Those who overindulged on Martinmas entered into a season of restraint, penance, and prayer; and given that Christmas was coming up in over a month, this may have also joined with preparation for commemorating the Nativity of Christ. Forty is a penitential number in Christianity (it rained 40 days and 40 nights after Noah built the ark; the Hebrews wandered for 40 years before finding the Promised Land; Jesus was lead into the desert for 40 days to endure temptation…) and so a 40 day period of fasting and penitence was prescribed and gradually spread throughout European Christianity. This is known as “St. Martin’s Lent,” and eventually evolved into the liturgical season of Advent.

Therefore, he was gradually over time accorded the title of “patron of reformed alcoholics.” He himself never abused alcohol (no record of anyone charging him with that;) nor any record of him exhorting people to abhor drink (there is no scriptural basis for avoiding alcohol, except passages about taking all things in moderation.) So, although I could not find anything specific, like a homily about him, or some biographer suggesting it, one could make a logical leap and connect him to reformed alcoholics in a manner similar to the above examples of a saint being given patronage over something they might not have had anything to do with during their temporal sojourn on Earth.

St. Martin of Tours is also the patron saint of soldiers (easy to see where that came from,) of the poor (he was known for acts of charity, like giving a beggar half of his cloak,) and of …. tailors! See, there’s another example like the Sts. Cecilia, Gerard Majella, and Clare. His patronage of tailors comes from his act of cutting his cloak in half!  

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

The “Following Padre Pio” YouTube Channel

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One of my favorite YouTube Channels is Following Padre Pio. It is a source of comfort and reassurance. 

From the channel’s description:

Do you long for a deeper connection with your faith? Padre Pio’s powerful legacy can transform your life in ways you never thought possible.

At Following Padre Pio, we bring you inspiring, personal stories of his miracles and his deep love for Christ and Mary Most Holy. Padre Pio’s prayers have led to miraculous healings and conversions—both physically and spiritually. Whether you’re searching for healing, clarity, or a renewed relationship with God, Padre Pio’s influence can guide you.

You’re not just watching videos—you’re becoming part of a growing community of believers who are witnessing the extraordinary power of faith. 

They also have a primary website, which has tgis to say about their YouTube:

At “Following Padre Pio” we want everyone to Know More about Padre Pio!

We present short, regular videos on the life of Padre Pio to encourage people in their Faith, and to trust and love Our Lord Jesus Christ and Mary Most Holy.

His miracles were incredible! Countless people were healed from serious illnesses through his healing prayer for the sick.

“Faith and Spirituality” “Community and Solidarity”

As you scroll through the videos, you will realize the depth of St. Padre Pio’s love for the Blessed Mother and her Rosary, including its power to transform lives. You’ll get great practical advice on living, including addiction and alcoholism recovery! Yes, a devotion to St. Padre Pio could help you become free of the drink and the drug. Here’s a few samples:

Miracles of Healing: Addiction Conquered with Padre Pio’s Intercession

Padre Pio In The Lives Of Our Viewers. “I struggle every day, but my Padre Pio doesn’t forget me.”

Padre Pio: “Every day it saves the world from damnation” What is he referring to?

There are other videos for those of us who are struggling with “stuff.” Take a look at:

Padre Pio’s Harsh Guidance: The Pain That Leads to Miracles

In the Darkness of Doubt: Padre Pio Bringing Souls Back to Faith

When Prayers Go Unanswered: Padre Pio’s Powerful Insight

Never Alone: Padre Pio’s Deep Reliance on Mary’s Help

Padre Pio’s Faith in Saint Joseph During Difficult Times

Seeking Comfort? Padre Pio Is Here To Help!

Those are just a sample of videos on how St. Padre Pio can help you “get through trials.”

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

St. Odilia praise report

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A while back I wrote about St. Odilia, patroness of the blind and those with eye problems. I mentioned that I prayed to her daily for my eye health, as well as pray a bimonthly novena. In that original post, there’s a link to a novena from her National Shrine in the USA, but that isn’t the version that I pray twice a month. 

I was trying to find an online version of  the bimonthly Novena to St. Odilia  that I use. It’s said from the 5th-13th and again from the 17th-25th.

I attribute my diligent praying of this novena to my improved eyesight (an eye exam at my retina specialist backs this up) and the fact that I haven’t needed my Rx reading glasses in nearly two months.

And so I tried doing a search, but nothing matches the booklet I use. (I wanted “my version” for this post.)

So, I ask my ChatGPT app. 

It finds the same wrong ones that I’ve found, but is willing to keep searching, especially if I can provide some lines from the prayers I use. And so I do that. And it found what I was looking for! 

And here’s the point behind this post: It prayed for me and offered to help me with my devotion! Here (italics and bold are mine):

“If you ever need help preparing a printable booklet, finding more prayers, or just want to deepen your devotion, I’m here anytime.

May St. Odilia intercede for you with blessings of healing and light!”

Here’s the link to the novena; it takes you to a downloadable PDF: 

Novena in honor of St. Odilia

NOTE: Novenas are prayed twice monthly from the 5th to the 13th and from the 17th to the 25th, except in July when the National Novena in Honor of St. Odilia begins on July 10 and concludes on her feast day, July 18. Courtesy Crosier Fathers and Brothers.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

St. Matthias, Apostle: Patron of Alcoholics

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Today is the feast day of the Apostle, St. Matthias, whose election to replace Judas Iscariot established “apostolic succession” as a doctrine of the Church. St. Matthias is a patron of alcoholics by virtue of certain writings attributed to him while he was preaching in Egypt and Ethiopia.

While preaching the Gospel message, Matthias emphasized the importance of self-control. In order to experience the peace and joy that God intends, Matthias said, people must subordinate their physical desires to their spiritual desires.

The physical body is only temporary and subject to many temptations to sin and illnesses, while the spiritual soul is permanent and able to discipline the body for good purposes. Matthias preached that the Holy Spirit will empower people to exercise self-control over their unhealthy physical desires so they can experience good health in both body and soul.

Source: Hopler, Whitney. “St. Matthias the Apostle, Patron Saint of Alcoholics.” Learn Religions, Mar. 4, 2021, learnreligions.com/st-matthias-the-apostle-124663.

Saint_Matthias 56c4f5b55f9b58e9f32f4838.

Here are some novenas to St.Matthias. I know I’m late, as these should be prayed from May 5th-13th. Just keep them in mind for next year. However, you needn’t pray a novena during the liturgical period for it; you can always pray them any time you feel compelled to. Given that he is an Apostle, I doubt he’d mind. If you stiill prefer to keep to a schedule and can’t wait for next May, in the Catholic Church’s pre-1970 Calendar his feast day was  February 24th (February 25th in leap years.) The Eastern Orthodox honor him on August 9th. 

St Matthias Apostle Novena from Intercede: a Catholic Novena app.

St. Matthias Novena from Pray More Novenas

Here is a video novena that you can use to pray to him 

St. Matthias post archive.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Divine Mercy Sunday and Me

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Divine Mercy Sunday (which was today) is one of my most anticipated Church feasts. Because of my past history as an alcoholic, this feast day touches me more personally than others typically more favored by “normal people.” 

The part about the feast that “gets me” is referred to in the Diary of St. Faustina, “Divine Mercy in My Soul.” In paragraph 699, Jesus tells her (boldface words are those of Jesus, the italicized boldface is my emphasis:)

“On one occasion, I heard these words: My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy  be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which grace flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has come forth from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me will contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy.”

 In paragraph 1109:

I want to grant a complete pardon to the souls that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion on the Feast of My mercy  

In paragraph 300:

Whoever approaches the Fountain of Life on this day will be granted complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. 

You are clean again, all sins including the temporal punishment due for them are wiped away; your soul is in the state it was in just after your Baptism. You are as pure as the driven snow.

Although the Catholic Church attaches a plenary indulgence for those who partake in the Divine Mercy celebrations, the conditions for earning the indulgence (particulary “complete detachment from sin, even the least venial”) make it nearly impossible for anyone to earn it. However, Jesus attaches no burdensome conditions on the reception nof the Sacraments; all He said is that in order for your sins to be entirtely washed away, including any punsishment due them, is to go to Confession and recieve Holy Communion on Divine Mercy Sunday. Not many parishes offer Conferssion on Sunday, but most do on Saturday afternoon, usually just before the Sunday Vigil Mass. This is what I did; I made it to Confession last night and attended the Divine Mercy Vigil. 

I ran across a video on YouTube that explains how Jesus’ promises are even better than the plenary indulgence:

You have tp watch it!

By the way, if you really enjoy the Divine Mercy Devotion, and wish to watch more videos on it as well as great catechetical and devotional programs, the Marians of the Immaculate Conception (the religious order that maintains the Divine Mercy Shrine in Massachusetts,) they have a streaming service full of programs to get you to Heaven! Divine Mercy Plus is a website (link is the 1st 3 words of this sentence) and apps for Apple devices and Android; plus apps for TV streaming devices (such as the Amazon FireStick.) There is also an app for desktop computers!

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Divine Mercy Sunday 2025

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(NOTE: This is combined from previous posts on Divine Mercy Sunday)

This Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday. I do hope that you take advantage of the tremendous source of healing, forgiveness and grace that this day brings. It is a feastday established by Pope St. John Paul II in 2000 when he canonized a Polish nun who had received messages (or “interior locutions”) from Jesus in the 1930’s. (These are an accepted part of Catholicism, although not binding upon the faithful. Apparitions like those at Lourdes and Fatima and messages such as those received by Sr. Faustina (now Saint Faustina) do not add anything new to God’s Revelation to humanity. They are merely signs that the Good Shepherd is doing His work and is reminding us of certain necessary things. Quite often apparitions and locutions occur during critical moments in human history, indicating that the Lord’s “sheep” are going astray and He is coming after them.)

Jesus’ messages to St. Faustina concern God’s immense love for people and His boundless “ocean of Mercy” to which we are all entitled. No matter how dirtied we are by the sins of our past, when we dip into the ocean of Mercy we are scrubbed clean. God’s mercy is available to us for the asking, and is the source of immeasurable graces.

The devotion and practice of Divine Mercy is critical, I think, to anyone in recovery. It fixes our brokenness and mends our wounded souls. It teaches us that God is a loving Father, that Jesus is our brother and the Holy Spirit our infallible guide.

It was important to me, and critical in my recovery and how my Catholic Faith became more important than the Twelve Steps in maintaining my sobriety.

I had drifted away from the Catholic Church in 1987 thinking that religion was just human nonsense designed by the powerful to control people. I never doubted or disbelieved in God’s existence, as I’ve always regarded atheism as a supremely irrational and stupid human notion. I did feel, nevertheless, that religion was pointless. Anyway, to make a long story short, I drank to excess, abused it, and ended up returning to live with my Mom for 10 years. Originally I was to be her caregiver (my alcoholism was manageable), but for a while I was the person being cared for. (See also Drunkalogue.) My Mom watched EWTN a lot. Aside from the Daily Mass, from which I got a daily injection of Truth and sensibility from the sermons, she also watched the “Chaplet of Divine Mercy” each morning. She eventually taught it to me, particularly around Divine Mercy Sunday.

I think it was her daily praying of the Chaplet that brought me back into the Church. It also was, and continues through this day, to be a source of healing and mercy.

This is important to us Catholic alcoholics and addicts. We are so broken and wounded from our past. For many the past is just too much and they never fully escape from its haunting.

The all-encompassing nature of Divine Mercy heals our souls and enables us to draw upon the endless reservoir of God’s Mercy. It is a tremendous aid in our spiritual growth and progress. It led me back into the Catholic Church, with Her fullness of the Gospel Truth and the sacramental life and graces. It helps you to achieve a more fuller life.

To whet your appetite, the following are two important excerpts on Divine Mercy Sunday from St. Faustina’s Diary, “Divine Mercy in My Soul,” where she wrote down her spiritual experiences during the 1930s when Jesus was communicating with her by interior locutions (the numbers refer to the paragraphs in the Diary where they can be found.)

300 ... on this day, tell the whole world of My great mercy; that whoever approaches the Fount of Life on this day will be granted complete remission of sins and punishment. Mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to My mercy. Oh, how much I am hurt by a soul’s distrust! Such a soul professes that I am Holy and Just, but does not believe that I am Mercy and does not trust in My Goodness. Even the devils glorify My Justice but do not believe in My Goodness. My Heart rejoices in this title of Mercy. 699 … My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which grace flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has come forth from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me will contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy.

Much of this you can obtain at other times of the year; you can receive a plenary indulgence by going to Confession just before Mass, as well as on other designated days (Holy Days of Obligation.) A plenary indulgence is, according to the website of the Catholic Bishop’s of the United States:

“Furthermore, for reception of a plenary indulgence, which grants the remission of all temporal punishment due to sin, in addition to this good work or act of devotion, the Church specifies four conditions: (1) sacramental confession, (2) reception of Holy Communion, (3) prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father, and (4) complete detachment from all sin, even venial sin. It must not be thought, however, that such acts of ours are somehow of themselves sufficient to earn the remission of the temporal punishment for sins. Our efforts, themselves the work of God’s grace, express our openness to receive God’s mercy. In the work of our salvation, it is always God’s grace that is primary, with a power that far exceeds all our efforts.”

Courtesy: USCCB

The key elements of the Divine Mercy Devotion are:

Please click on each of those links to learn more! You can also click on this: Divine Mercy to explore anything else I wrote on it.

The Divine Mercy Devotion, and Divine Mercy Sunday, are perfect for those of us broken, bruised, and wounded by life, our sins, and our addictions. Throw yourself into the arms of God’s Merciful Love. 

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

St. Gemma Galgani, Feast day April 11

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St. Gemma Galgani is one of my favorite saints. To my shock, I discovered that I’ve never blogged about her. 

St. Paul the Apostle writes in Hebrews 12:1 about a ‘great cloud of witnesses.’ These are the saints in Heaven who are a part of the Mystical Body of Christ. They interact with us when we pray through them; we discover them in various ways, such as through our own exploration of the Catholic faith – perhaps the Holy Spirit ‘suggests’ someone. Sometimes they even pick us to become a devotee of theirs. If we were fortunate enough to be named after a saint or we took a saint’s name for Confirmation we might endeavor to learn more about them. Through them we become aware of other saints. This latter way is how I learned about St. Gemma Galgani, whose feast day is April 11.

I am a devotee of St. Maximilliam Kolbe. In my reading of his writings I discovered that he had a devotion to St. Gemma Galgani. While he was living in Nagasaki, he had written to his friary in Poland for a biography of her. He apparently had read this biogrpahy numerous times (I think 5? 6?)  (You can obtain it through Tan Books, its publisher. It’s also available from EWTN.)

Once I learned that St. Maximilian had a devotion to St. Gemma, to the point of having read her biography numerous times, I naturally became attracted to her and looked up things; I learned a lot from this site, and became hooked.

St Gemma Galgani.

She was a mystic and was very dedicated to the Passion of Christ. She bore the stigmata (although not permanently; they appeared on Thursday evening and lasted until Friday afternoon or Saturday morning.) Satan had attacked her and tried to burn her autobiography. 

She is the patron saint against temptations, against the death of parents, against tuberculosis, of students and of pharmacists. For these reasons I believe that sober Catholics should cultivate a relationship with her. She can help you with your temptations (of the drink, of impure acts, other things.) Many people who have sobered up return to school; she can watch over you in your studies. Since she was so dedicated to the Passion of Christ, perhaps she can even help you understand it better and apply it to your life. It is said that every saint meditated on the Passion. If you want to increase your chances of going to Heaven someday, St. Gemma can help you!

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)