Catholic Saints & Feasts of the Liturgical Year

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July 6: Saint Maria Goretti, Virgin and Martyr—Optional Memorial

1890–1902
Patron Saint of young people (especially girls), rape victims, and the poor
Invoked for the grace of mercy and forgiveness
Canonized by Pope Pius XII on June 24, 1950
Liturgical Color: Red

Quote:
In the heroic testimony of the saint of Le Ferriere, her forgiveness of the man who killed her and her desire to be able to meet him one day in Heaven deserve special attention. This spiritual and social message is of extraordinary relevance in our time…The saint’s mother, for her part, pardoned him on behalf of the family in the hall of the tribunal where his trial was taking place. We do not know whether it was the mother who taught her daughter to forgive or the martyr’s forgiveness on her death-bed that determined her mother’s conduct. Yet it is certain that the spirit of forgiveness motivated relations within the whole Goretti family, and for this reason could be so naturally expressed by both the martyr and her mother. ~Saint John Paul II

Prayer:
Saint Maria Goretti, your merciful heart turned tragedy into triumph. You not only forgave your murderer, you also converted him by your love and prayers. Please pray for me, that I, too, will have a merciful heart and will forgive all who have harmed me, seeking only the salvation of their souls. Saint Maria Goretti, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.

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July 5: Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria, Priest—Optional Memorial

1502–1539
Patron Saint of physicians
Canonized by Pope Leo XIII on May 27, 1897
Liturgical Color: White

Quote:
Angel in human form, Angelic man, Founder of the Clerics Regular of St. Paul, of the Angelic Sisters, And of other pious associations. Destroyer of vices, Guardian of chastity, Restorer of the service of God. Perfect laborer for the salvation of souls, Preacher of the Word of God, Faithful disciple of St. Paul, Indefatigable worker in the Vineyard of the Lord, Constant enemy of the world, of the flesh and of wickedness, Conqueror of Demons. Perfect image of the ardent charity of the Holy Ghost. Today a citizen of heaven. The city of Cremona, rejoicing and proud of the glory of its children, filled with admiration for its citizen now gone to join the Angels, erects this monument in token of eternal gratitude for his saintly life and heroic deeds. ~Inscription on a column in Cremona dedicated to Saint Anthony

Prayer:
Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria, from a young age God entered your heart and filled you with a burning love for the poor, sick, imprisoned, and sinner. You worked tirelessly in fulfilling God’s mission to save souls. Please pray for me, that I will have the same zeal that you had so that God can use me to bring His saving message to others. Saint Anthony, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.

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July 4: Independence Day—USA Optional Memorial

Quote:
When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness… ~From the Declaration of Independence

Prayer:
Lord of all nations, You are the true King of all Kings and the Lord of all Lords. I choose You as my King and my God. As You come to govern my life, please use me to help establish peace and justice within our society, respecting the rights and dignity of all people, and enacting Your holy will in everything we do. May Your Kingdom come and Your will be done, now and until the end of time. Jesus, I trust in You.

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Image: Prayer for USA by Harley Pebley, license CC BY 2.0

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July 4: Saint Elizabeth of Portugal—Optional Memorial
(Celebrated July 5 in the USA)

1271–1336
Patron Saint of widows, brides, charity workers, those falsely accused, victims of adultery, and the Canary Islands, Spain
Invoked against jealousy, war, and difficult marriages
Canonized by Pope Urban VIII on June 24, 1625
Liturgical Color: White

Quote:
I, Elizabeth, daughter of the Most Illustrious Don Pedro, by the grace of God king of Aragon, hereby bestow my body as the legitimate wife of Dom Dinis, king of Portugal and of the Algarve, in his absence as if he were present…. ~From the written consent to marriage of Saint Elizabeth at the age of twelve

Prayer:
Saint Elizabeth, you were a queen in this world, but that royal dignity greatly paled in comparison to the saintly virtues you acquired. Please pray for me, that I will imitate your example and seek only those things that are eternal, rejecting the fleeting seductions of the world. May I learn from your life of prayer and charity, and discover the peace and joy that you did so that I will give eternal glory to God in Heaven. Saint Elizabeth of Portugal, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.

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Image: St Elizabeth of Portugal by Lawrence OP, license CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

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July 3: Saint Thomas the Apostle—Feast

Died c. 72
Patron Saint of doubters, architects, blind people, builders, geometricians, masons, surveyors, and theologians
Pre-Congregation canonization
Liturgical Color: Red

Quote:
Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”  Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” ~John 20:24–29

Prayer:
Saint Thomas the Apostle, you became a faithful follower of Jesus. Though you struggled with an occasion of doubt, that struggle transformed you into a new man. Please pray for me, that every struggle and weakness I have will be eliminated and transformed so that God can use me to fulfill His holy and perfect will. Saint Thomas the Apostle, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.

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Image: Peter Paul Rubens, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons