Saints of the Week

Saint: Saint John Nepomucene

Virtue: Honesty

Feast Day: 16th May

In his early childhood, John Nepomucene was cured of a disease through the prayers of his good parents. In thanksgiving, they consecrated him to the service of God. 

After he was ordained, he was sent to a parish in the city of Prague. He became a great preacher, and thousands of those who listened to him changed their way of life. 

Father John was invited to the court of Wenceslaus IV. He also became the queen's confessor.  One day, about 1393, the king asked him to tell what the queen had said in confession. When Father John refused, he was thrown into prison. 

A second time, he was asked to reveal the queen's confession. "If you do not tell me," said the king, "you shall die. But if you obey my commands, riches and honor will be yours." Again Father John refused. He was tortured. The king ordered to be thrown into the river Moldau at night. But the people discovered his body and buried it with honors. He is known as the "martyr of the confessional."

Saint: Saint Rita

Virtue: Patience

Feast Day: 22nd May

At an early age, Rita begged her parents to allow her to enter a convent. Instead, they arranged a marriage for her.

Rita became a good wife and mother, but her husband mistreated her. He taught their children his own evil ways. One day, her husband was stabbed by an enemy, but before he died, he was sorry for his sins because Rita prayed for him. Shortly afterwards, her two sons died, and Rita was alone.

Rita spent her time in prayer, penance and good works. She entered the convent of the Augustinian nuns.

Sister Rita had a great devotion to the Passion of Christ. “Please let me suffer like you, divine Saviour,” she said one day and suddenly one of the thorns from the crucifix struck her on the forehead. It left a deep wound that did not heal and which caused her much suffering for the rest of her life.

People pray to St Rita to help them in their family problems because she was a good example of a wife and mother.