CHOSEN!

I have been chosen by a Saint!

This year I will have the patronage of a particular saint chosen especially for me.

I am so excited, not only because I knew very little about this particular saint, but because I love the idea of someone up in heaven looking out for me especially. This year I will need it I am sure.

my saint for the year is (drum roll please)


Margaret of Clitherow (also known as) Margaret of York


St. Margaret Clitherow was born in Middleton, England, in 1555, of protestant parents. Possessed of good looks and full of wit and merriment, she was a charming personality. In 1571, she married John Clitherow, a well-to-do grazier and butcher (to whom she bore two children), and a few years later entered the Catholic Church. Her zeal led her to harbor fugitive priests, for which she was arrested and imprisoned by hostile authorities. Recourse was had to every means in an attempt to make her deny her Faith, but the holy woman stood firm. Finally, she was condemned to be pressed to death on March 25, 1586. She was stretched out on the ground with a sharp rock on her back and crushed under a door over laden with unbearable weights. Her bones were broken and she died within fifteen minutes. The humanity and holiness of this servant of God can be readily glimpsed in her words to a friend when she learned of her condemnation: "The sheriffs have said that I am going to die this coming Friday; and I feel the weakness of my flesh which is troubled at this news, but my spirit rejoices greatly. For the love of God, pray for me and ask all good people to do likewise." Her feast day is March 26th.

Thought for the Day: Through everyday fidelity we are
given the strength to face the great crisis. St. Margaret Clitherow did not
expect to die a martyr, but she was faithful in the everyday practice of her
religion. When the great crisis came, she was ready.

Lord, let me be ready for whatever comes.

Not a bad prayer, don't-ya-think?

Pax