Saint Isidore of Seville

Feast Day: 4th April

Virtue: Perseverance

Isidore was born at Cartagena in Spain. His two brothers and sisters are saints. As a boy Isidore was discouraged because he failed in his studies, but with the help of god he became one of the most learned men of his time.

Isidore helped to free Spain from the Arian heresy. Following a call from God, he became a hermit. But after his brother’s death he became the archbishop of Seville. Both of his brothers were bishops.

Isidore was admired for his preaching, his miracles, his work for the liturgy and the laws of the church. He brought many Catholics in Spain back to the church. He was the head of the Fourth Council of the church in Toledo in 633.

Isidore wrote many books. He governed his diocese about thirty - seven years. He died in Seville on April 4th, 636. He is honored as a Doctor of the church.

Saint Gemma

Feast Day: 11th April

Virtue: Innocence

St. Gemma Galgani, also known as the Flower of Lucca, was an Italian mystic often referred to as the "Daughter of Passion," for her intense replication of the Passion of Christ. She was born on March 12, 1878, in a small Italian town near Lucca. At a very young age, Gemma developed a love for prayer. She made her First Communion on June 17, 1887. Gemma was loved by her teachers and her fellow students, as a student at a school run by the Sisters of St. Zita. Though quiet and reserved, she always had a smile for everyone. Unfortunately, Gemma had to quit school due to her chronic ill health before completing the course of study. Throughout her life, Gemma was to be chosen with many mystical experiences and special graces. These were often misunderstood by others, causing ridicule. Gemma suffered heartaches in reparation, remembering that Our Lord Himself had been misunderstood and ridiculed. Gemma had an immense love for the poor and helped them in any way she could. After her father's death, the 19-year-old Gemma became the mother figure for her seven brothers and sisters. When some of her siblings became old enough to share the responsibility, Gemma went to live briefly with a married aunt. In January of 1903, Gemma was diagnosed with tuberculosis. At the start of Holy Week in 1903, Gemma began suffering greatly. She died at age 25 on Holy Saturday, April 11. The Parish Priest in her company said, "She died with a smile which remained upon her lips, so that I could not convince myself that she was really dead." St. Gemma Galgani was beatified on May 14, 1933, by Pope Pius XI and canonized on May 2, 1940, only 37 years after her death, by Pope Pius XII. She is the patron saint against temptations, against the death of parents, against tuberculosis, of students and of pharmacists. Her feast day is celebrated on April 11.

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