October

The feast was instituted to honor Mary for the Christian victory over the Turks at Lepanto on October 7, 1571.

Ss. Simon and Jude, whose names occur together in the Canon of the Mass, are also celebrated on the same day.

After Mary, perhaps the most beloved saint of all time is St. Francis of Assisi, “il Poverello” (the Little Poor Man).

Raphael is associated with an unnamed angel in St. John’s Gospel, who stirs the water at the healing pool of Bethesda.

Today is the memorial of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, more popularly known as “the Little Flower”.

The day that comes before All Saints’ is one on which we unofficially remember the damned and the reality of Hell.

Our guardian angel accompanies our soul to purgatory or heaven, and remains our coheir in the heavenly kingdom.