December

4 Franciscan feasts in December.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

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2Dec

Bl. Raphael Chyliński

Soldier, Friar and Friend of the Poor

Melchior Chyliński was born to a noble family in western Poland. As a boy he was so devout that his family nicknamed him “the little monk.” He studied with the Jesuits in Poznań and then joined the cavalry, where he rose to the rank of officer within three years. In 1715, despite the pleas of his fellow officers, he left the army and entered the Conventual Franciscans in Kraków, taking the name Raphael. He was ordained a priest two years later.

For reflection: Raphael traded a soldier’s sword for a friar’s cord and fought for the poor. True courage is shown in mercy.

Dates

Born: January 8, 1694, near Buk, Poland
Died: December 2, 1741, Łagiewniki, Poland
Order: Conventual Franciscans (First Order)
Beatified: June 9, 1991, Warsaw

2Dec

Bl. Maria Angela Astorch

Mystic of the Divine Office

Jerónima Maria Inés Astorch was born in Barcelona and lost both her parents before she was five. She was raised by a family servant and then by her older sister, who was a Capuchin Poor Clare. Even as a young girl she showed extraordinary intelligence and learned Latin so well that she could read the Church’s prayer book with ease.

Dates

Born: September 1, 1592, Barcelona, Spain
Died: December 2, 1665, Murcia, Spain
Order: Capuchin Poor Clares (Second Order)
Beatified: May 23, 1982, by Pope John Paul II

10Dec

Bl. Arsenio of Trigolo

Founder and Capuchin

Giuseppe Migliavacca was born in Lombardy, near Cremona, and was ordained a diocesan priest. Wanting to give himself more fully to God, he entered the Jesuits in 1875. He was a gifted preacher and director of souls.

For reflection: Arsenio was misunderstood and stepped aside, and God brought his work to life. What we entrust to God is never lost.

Dates

Born: June 13, 1849, Trigolo, Italy
Died: December 10, 1909, Bergamo, Italy
Order: Capuchin Friars Minor (First Order)
Beatified: October 7, 2017, Milan

15Dec

Bl. Mary Frances Schervier

Foundress of the Sisters of the Poor of St. Francis

Franziska Schervier was born to a wealthy family in the city of Aachen. Her mother died when she was a teenager, and she took charge of her father’s household. She was known throughout the city for her generosity to the poor, so much so that her father worried about how much she gave away.

For reflection: Frances saw Christ in the poor and served Him there. Charity is the language of the Gospel that everyone understands.

Dates

Born: January 3, 1819, Aachen, Germany
Died: December 14, 1876, Aachen
Order: Sisters of the Poor of St. Francis (Third Order)
Beatified: April 28, 1974, by Pope Paul VI

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