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SEPTEMBER 16: AN AFRICAN FATHER OF THE CHURCH Saint Thascius Caecilius Cyprianus Bishop and Martyr Died: 258 --- He is more popularly known as St. Cyprian of Carthage. He was an African bishop, martyr, and is one of the Fathers of the Church. He wrote many books and letters concerning theology. He gave a catechesis on the Lord's Prayer and on the unity of the Catholic Church. During the persecution of Christians, he was told to worship the gods. He refused. He was sentenced to death. Before being beheaded, he knelt down and blindfolded himself.

VIETNAM'S GREAT CARDINAL Venerable Phanxico Xavie Nguyen Van Thuan --- Today is the death anniversary of the Ven. Phanxico Xavie Nguyen Van Thuan. He was a Vietnamese cardinal who served as the bishop of Nha Trang. He was imprisoned by the communists when he was still a bishop. In jail, he made a tiny Bible our of scraps of paper and make shift crucifix. He secretly wrote messages of hope to people. He was later released and allowed to go to Rome but never to return to Vietnam.

SEPTEMBER 14: HER SICKLE FLOATED IN THE AIR Saint Notburga of Eben Married Layperson Died: 1313 --- She was a German married layperson. She was a maid and cook of a nobleman. When the man died, passed into the service of farmers in Eben. According to legend, when one day, her boss did not allow her to go to Mass, she threw her sickle or scythe up in the air. It remained suspended there until she returned from attending Mass and started working again. She is venerated as the patroness of peasants and maids.

SEPTEMBER 14: THE LAW-GIVER OF CARMEL Saint Alberto Avogadro Patriarch and Martyr Died: 1214 --- He is more popularly known as St. Albert of Jerusalem. He was an Italian patriarch of Jerusalem and martyr. He is considered as the “Law Giver” of the Carmelite Order. Contrary to popular belief, he was not a Carmelite monk but a member of the Canons Regular of the Holy Cross. He helped the Carmelites draft a rule of life. He deposed a man leading a hospital in Jerusalem for being immoral. He was stabbed to death by that man.

SEPTEMBER 14: SHEPHERD OF CHINESE PRIESTS Saint Jean-Gabriel-Taurin Dufresse Bishop and Martyr Died: 1815 --- He was a French bishop and martyr. He was a member of the Paris Foreign Missions Society. He left for China a year after his ordination. He was repeatedly arrested as he tried to spread the gospel in Sichuan province. Consecrated bishop, he supervised the formation of Chinese clergy. Through his efforts, conversions and missionary work increased. He was later arrested for being a Christian bishop and was beheaded.

SHE JUMPED OUT A WINDOW AND DIED Servant of God Barbora Umiastauskaitė --- She is also known as Barbora of Žagarė. There is almost no verifiable information about her life. It is said that her exceptional piousness and devotion to God angered her father. She wanted to become a nun but her non-believer father would not allow it. One day, she jumped out of the second floor of their house to escape her father's lust and died of injuries. Her exact date of death was not recorded. She was only 20 years old.

"When people attempt to rebel against the iron logic of nature, they come into conflict with the very same principles to which they owe their existence as human beings. Their actions against nature must lead to their own downfall." - Adolf Hitler

"When people attempt to rebel against the iron logic of nature, they come into conflict with the very same principles to which they owe their existence as human beings. Their actions against nature must lead to their own downfall." - Adolf Hitler

The Blessed Folkish Saint Adolphus Hitler on the Thomistic perspective on Natural Law. Did you know St Thomas Aquinas and St Isidore of Seville also condemned marriages with foreigners on the basis of ius gentium? Discuss in chat!

THE PATRIARCH VS THE EMPRESS --- St. John Chrysostom criticized corrupt officials of the Church and the government. He also criticized people, especially women who wore extravagant clothing. Due to this, he was hated by Empress Eudoxia who thought that the preachings were directed towards her. He also denounced the erection of a silver statue of the empress near the cathedral. There was even a time when he barred the empress from entering the Church. Eudoxia had him deposed twice. But on both times, the people rioted so, she had him reinstated.

SEPTEMBER 13: THE PATRON OF LIGHTHOUSE KEEPERS Saint Venerius of Tino Hermit and Monk Died: 630 --- He was an Italian hermit monk in the monastery that once existed on the island of Tino. According to tradition, he was a sailor who got attracted by the silence, the climate of contemplation, and the spirit of poverty in the monastery. As a monk, people were drawn towards him. He did not like the attention he was getting. The lighthouse on the island, and his holy reputation, led to his patronage of lighthouse keepers.

SEPTEMBER 13: THE GOLDEN-MOUTHED DOCTOR Saint Ioannes Chrysostomos Patriarch and Doctor of the Church Died: 407 --- St. John Chrysostom was an Antiochene Patriarch of Constantinople and is one of the 38 Doctors of the Church. He was known for his eloquent sermons that's why he was named "chrysostomos" which means "golden mouthed." His preaching concentrated on moral living. He criticized corrupt officials of the Church and the government. He also criticized people who wore extravagant clothing. He is the patron of public speakers.