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Sunday, November 22, 2009
Saint John the Apostle was born in Galilee around the year 1. His brother is Saint James the Great, and his father is Zebedee. Jesus recruited John and James to become his first two apostles when he came to Galilee and they agreed. His is known as the patron saint of theologians. Saint John the Apostle was Jesus' favorite apostle and he always stayed by his side even when some other apostles did not. He never denied being a follower of Jesus when asked, while all the other apostles did.

Jesus told John that he needed to watch over Mary after he died. This message was passed along to John while Jesus suffered on the cross.

Saint John the Apostle had many churches built in Asia and spent a lot of his time in Jerusalem. He did a lot of work in Jerusalem and made sure that the word of Jesus was spread there, even after his death.

John is responsible for three Epistles, and the fourth Gospel of the Bible. He also wrote the book of Revelation which tells about the end of the world.

John was kicked out of Rome for a year during his life because he was sent for punishment there and strange things occurred. He was supposed to be burned in a bucket full of boiling hot water and oil. However, he emerged from the bucket unscathed.

Saint John is known by many as the "Apostle of Charity". This is due to his many kind acts and donations to different people and places. He learned first hand from Jesus how to be a good person and applied what he learned for the rest of his life.

Saint John passed away in Asia sometime around the year 100. His feast day falls on December 27th each year.

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Saturday, November 21, 2009
Saint Joan of Arc was born on January 6, 1412 in Domremy, France. Her parents were both considered peasants in those times, but they were both good, faithful Catholics. Saint Joan of Arc is remembered today as the patron saint of soldiers.

Saint Joan of Arc was spoken to by other saints when she was just a child. She would consistently hear words of wisdom from the likes of Saint Catherine, Saint Margaret, and Saint Michael. After a few broad and uninterpretable messages from the saints, Joan realized they were telling her to go see the king of France.

They wanted Joan to give the king a helping hand in his attempts to regain his power in France. The British had been taking over more and more French territory at that time, and Joan was supposed to help the French king put a stop to it.

Many people did not think it was fitting that a teenage girl be given control of an army though. Eventually, after much persistence, Joan was given her own army. It was smaller than all the other ones, but it was still a start.

Beginning with the famous siege of New Orleans, Joan began a string of victories with her army. Her victories allowed the king to take over much of the lost land that he had wanted so badly.

However, shortly after this Joan would be captured in battle. The French king would not pay the amount that the opposing army wanted for Joan. The British wanted Joan though, and they payed the amount asked for her. The British kept Joan in jail for months before giving her a trial.

Joan was tricked at her trial. She made a few incriminating statements as far as the British were concerned, and this angered them. What made them most upset was Joan's persistence that the saints had spoken to her.

This trial led to Joan being given the death sentence. She was burned alive in May of 1431. Thirty years in the future, everybody would realized that Joan as wrongly put to death and they would clear her name of all the crimes she was condemned for. In 1920 Pope Benedict XV canonized Joan a saint. Her feast day falls each year on May 30th.

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Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Saint Jerome was born in the year 347 in Strido, Dalmatia. His parents were two pagans who did not care much about religion or their son. Saint Jerome basically had free reign to do whatever he pleased as a child, and got into trouble often. His misguided ways are what would eventually lead Jerome to be baptized a Christian. Saint Jerome is known now as the patron saint of field workers, as well as translators and writers.

While Saint Jerome studied law in Rome, he had to read often. He came across many books that described Christianity and it's theories and morals. He took a liking to the religion and kept reading about it to learn more. Eventually in 365, Jerome would be baptized.

After his baptism Jerome changed his studies from law to theology in hopes of someday becoming a priest.

After completing his studies, Jerome decided he wanted to live a life of recluse as a hermit. He went out into the deserts of Syria and remained there for a long time.

One story of Jerome's life as a hermit was when he came along an injured lion. Instead of just leaving the lion injured, Jerome took a huge risk and removed the thorn that was ailing the lion. The animal repaid Jerome for his kindness by remaining with Jerome for many years before it's eventual death.

Jerome would finally put his study of theology to use after many years of recluse. He became a priest upon his return to civilization. As a priest Jerome was taught by Saint Gregory. He also served as a secretary to Pope Damasus I. Pope Damasus I gave Jerome the task of translating the Bible from Latin.

This lead to the creation of the Vulgate translation. This translation is still used today, and it is much accredited to Saint Jerome. Jerome was friends with the likes of Saint Paula, Saint Eustochium, and Saint Marcella while he lived as a priest. However the group led to much talk around town, and rumors were started. These rumors caused Jerome to return to his life in the desert.

Saint Jerome lived for 34 more years after his return to recluse. This is when he did the majority of his written works. In 419, Saint Jerome passed away due to natural causes.

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Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Saint Jane of Valois was born in France in the year 1464. Her father and mother were the king and queen at the time. The king was looking to extend his family's reign on the throne and had wanted Jane to be boy.
Her father was cruel to her and attempted to take her life. This attempt failed, and her father chose to banish Saint Jane of Valois from his kingdom instead. This all took place before Jane even turned five years old, but it was at this time that Jane decided she would devote herself to God.

Saint Jane is now remembered as a patron saint and is usually pictured with a cross and rosary in hand.

Her father brought her back to his kingdom and informed Jane that he had given her hand in marriage to a local duke. She was forced to go through with the marriage even though she stated she was devoted to God. She obeyed her husband but God still always came first for Jane.

After many years, Jane decided to retire to the city of Bourges. This is where Jane would eventually go on to found the Order of the Annunciation. Some people did not like the idea of Jane starting this order, but she never gave up and eventually accomplished her goal.

Alexander VI decided to allow the Order of the Annunciation to become official. Members of the order were supposed to live life Mary did during the Incarnation. There were ten key morals that they were supposed to follow on a daily basis.

In 1502, Saint Jane would help to build and contribute funding for the first convent to be made for her Order. However, in February of 1505 Saint Jane of Valois would pass away. She was canonized a saint on May 28, 1950 by Pope Pius XII.

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