Saint of the Week:

A Saint is often an ordinary person who has lived an extraordinary life of virtue and faith. As Catholics we should use these exemplars to inspire us in our daily lives.


July 2 - St. Oliver Plunkett (1629-1681)


St. Oliver Plunkett was born in Loughcrew, County Meath, Ireland in1629. He came from a prosperous family and had an aristocratic Irish heritage. His early education was guided by his cousin Patrick, Abbot of St. Mary's in Dublin and who would later become a Bishop. This was a difficult time in Ireland as war was being waged between Catholics and Protestants. An excellent student who felt a calling for the priesthood, he was sent to Rome where he attended the Irish College. He was ordained in 1654 but could not return to Ireland. Cromwell had defeated the Irish Catholics and .the practice of Roman Catholicism was banned. Practicing Catholic Clergy were arrested and executed. Oliver remained in Rome for a number of years and became a Professor of Theology at the Propaganda Fide. It was here that he was made Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland but he did not actually arrive in Ireland until 1670. This was a more tolerant time and he went about rebuilding the Faith. Unfortunately, the persecution of Catholics would soon begin again and Archbishop Plunkett was arrested and tried for treason. No witnesses would testify against him in Ireland so he was moved to London were he was found guilty by an all Protestant jury. He was hanged, drawn & quartered on July 1, 1681. He was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1975.



This week pray a Rosary in his honor, his feast day is July 2nd.

I've been blogging for over 3 years now and this will be my first giveaway to all bloggers all over the world. Since Holy week is getting closer I thought of giving this to ONE lucky individual or blogger as a gift. You will receive two pieces of knotted Rosary. One piece with combination of white and pink color, the other one with silver, white and blue color. What you see in the above photo, thats what you get.

This Giveaway is a POINT system and will begin on April 1st, 2010 ends on April 30th, 2010 at midnight EST. Winners will be announced May 3rd, 2010 and will be chosen through Random.org.

Right now, I'm seeking for Blogger SPONSORS worldwide. You have the option to give the following:

The mounting devastation in Haiti cries out to all of us to open our hearts to help the people of this tiny island nation. The nations of the world and international relief agencies will rush needed food, water, housing and medical supplies to the Haitian people. All of this will take some time, and the faith of the people will be tested. They lost their Archbishop, Joseph Serge Miot, their Cathedral, seminaries and many of their churches. Lewis and Company and rosaryparts.com know our Rosary Makers want to lend their help and support to the Haitian people who are 80% Catholic. Working with the Family Rosary, who have a mission in Haiti, we will help supply Rosaries to these people who have lost everything. Food, shelter and water will help in the long recovery process but when you have lost everything, only prayer can restore faith and hope. Our Blessed Mother promised to answer the prayers of those in need and we can think of no better prayer than the Rosary. If you wish to help by making Rosaries to help restore hope to Haiti, Lewis and Company and rosaryparts.com will pay for the shipping costs of our Missionary Rosaries Kits to you. After you have completed the kits, please send them back to us. We will pay for the shipping to the Family Rosary's Haitian Mission to guarantee your Rosaries will reach those in need. May you be blessed in your generosity.

This week say a Rosary to Our Blessed Mother to help those who are suffering in Haiti.

Saint of the week:

A Saint is often an ordinary person who has lived an extraordinary life of virtue and faith. As Catholics we should use these exemplars to inspire us in our daily lives.

St. Gregory of Nyssa ( 330-395)

His family must have been a great inspiration for this Saint was born the son of two Saints, Saints Basil and Emmilia. He was also raised by his brother, St. Basil the Great. He was a smart boy and excelled at his studies. He became a professor of rhetoric but would pursue theology. He became a priest and was elected Bishop of Nyssa. He was a defender of the faith against the Arianism and other heresies that were spreading through the early church. His work gained him a seat on the Council of Constantinople. He was a universalist and was one of the first theologians to argue for and defend the infinity of God. He taught that spiritual growth had three stages. It began with darkness or ignorance, which was overcome by illumination which lead to a final contemplation of God, who in essence (ousia) cannot be comprehended. St. Gregory of Nyssa, his brother St Basil the Great (Bishop of Caesarea) and Gregory of Nazianzus (Patriarch of Constantinople) are known as the Cappadocian Fathers. Their theological goal was to establish a Christian philosophy superior to ancient Greek philosophy.

This week pray a Rosary in his honor, his feast day is January 10th.