SAINTS OF THE DAY
FRIDAY, 16 AUGUST, 2024
1) SAINT STEPHEN OF HUNGARY
2) SAINT ROQUE (ROCH)
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1) SAINT STEPHEN OF HUNGARY
KING
(C. 975 – 1038)
Before the birth of Saint Stephen of Hungary, in 975, his mother, the duchess Sarolt, is said to have received a vision in which the original Saint Stephen – the Church's first martyr – appeared telling her she would bear a son who would evangelize their land.
Saint Stephen's parents duke Geza and Sarolt are believed to have been converted and baptized by the bishop Saint Adalbert of Prague. The same saint baptized their son Vaik in 985, giving him the name of Stephen. Geza had desired to convert the Hungarians to the Catholic faith, a passion shared by Stephen once he reached adulthood and succeeded him in power. After conclusively defeating an alliance of rival pagan nobility, he used their acquired wealth to build a monastery, and invited clergy to convert the people.
Stephen established laws favoring Christianity over paganism, and sent an emissary to Rome with a request for the Pope to proclaim him as king. Pope Sylvester II accepted the request, sending him a crown and a gold processional cross, while also giving Stephen certain religious privileges. He showed great diligence as king, while devoting the rest of his time to his religious duties – including charity toward the poor and sick, as well as the worship of God – and to his household. Gisela, Stephen's wife, was the sister of the ruler later canonized as the Holy Roman Emperor Saint Henry II.
Greatly devoted to the Virgin Mary, Stephen had several churches built in her honor both in Hungary and outside the kingdom. Her intercession is credited with preventing a war between Hungary and the Holy Roman Empire under Conrad II, and stopping an assassination plot against Stephen himself. Stephen established a monastery in Jerusalem, and set up institutions to aid pilgrims in other major cities. He counted saints among his friends and correspondents, and fulfilled the Pope's charge to use his royal authority for the good of the Church.
Most of his children had died as infants, However only one of his children survived to adulthood, his son Emeric. Emeric received a strong Catholic upbringing, and was expected to succeed his father. But Emeric died before Stephen, after a hunting accident in 1031. Emeric was later canonized as a saint in his own right, and Stephen eventually came to rejoice that his son had been permitted to enter God's presence before him. The king's final years, however, were marked by illness as well as a succession dispute among his relatives.
In 1038, on the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Stephen delivered his final words to leaders of the Church and state, telling them to protect and spread the Catholic faith. To the Virgin Mary, the king directed one of his final prayers: “To thee, O Queen of heaven, and to thy guardianship, I commend the holy Church, all the bishops and the clergy, the whole kingdom, its rulers and inhabitants; but before all, I commend my soul to thy care.” St. Stephen of Hungary died on Aug. 15, 1038. He was buried alongside his son St. Emeric, and the two were canonized together in 1083.
PATRON: Hungary and of kings.
PRAYER: Saint Stephen, you bear the name of the first martyr of the Church and showed similar courage in battling the enemies of God. May your brave and visionary leadership embolden all civil and church leaders to lay the foundations for a success which flourishes long after they have died. Amen.
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2) SAINT ROQUE (ROCH)
CONFESSOR
(1295 - 1327)
Tradition recalls that Roque was born around 1295 to the rich family of the Governor John and his wife Libera in Montpellier, France. His birth was considered a miracle because his mother was barren until she prayed for a miracle to the Virgin Mary and Roque was conceived. It is said that Roque had a red birthmark in the shape of a cross on his chest.
Governor John died when Roque was 12 and his mother died when he was 20. Even though Roque inherited his parent's fortune he joined the Franciscan order soon after his mother's death and distributed his wealth and possessions among the poor. He then handed the government of Montpellier to his uncle.
Roque then set out as a mendicant pilgrim heading towards Italy during the epidemic of the bubonic plague. He stopped along the way to care for plague victims at Acquapendente, Cesena, Rimini, Novara and Rome, and is said to have effected many miraculous cures by prayer and the sign of the cross and the touch of his hand.
While ministering at Piacenza he himself finally fell ill. He left the town and went into the forest. He made a hut in which to live even though he expected to die.
Two miraculous events then happened: a spring arose near his hut to supply fresh water and a hunting dog would bring him bread daily and lick his wounds, thus healing them.
The dog belonged to a nobleman named Count Gothard Palastrelli who one day followed his hunting dog to the hut where he discovered Saint Roque and became his acolyte (assistant novice).
After his recovery Roque returned incognito to Montpeillier in France. Upon arriving at Montpellier he refused to disclose his identity because he wanted to avoid worldly glory (being the son of the former governor and nephew of the present one). Because of his refusal to identify himself he was taken for a spy in the disguise of a pilgrim and cast into prison by order of the governor his uncle. He died in prison five years later.
The miraculous cross on his chest as well as a document found in his possession revealed his identification. He was accordingly given a public funeral, and numerous miracles attested his sanctity.
Saint Roque is known as Rocco in Italy and San Roque in Spain, he is patron saint of the sick and invalids and of dogs. Worldwide the faithful offer prayers for intercession to San Roque.
PATRON: Bachelors; cholera; diseased cattle; dogs; epidemics; falsely accused people; invalids; knee problems; plague; relief from pestilence; skin diseases; skin rashes; surgeons; tile makers; Barano, Italy; Castropignano, Italy; Constantinople; Istanbul; Orsogna, Italy; Patricia, Italy.
PRAYER: Lord God, you teach us that the commandments of heaven are summarized in love of you and love of our neighbor. By following the example of Saint Roque in practicing works of charity may we be counted among the blessed in your kingdom. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit one God, forever and ever. Amen.