Saint Theodore Guerin, also known as Anne-Therese, was born on October 2, 1798, in Etables, France. In 1823, she joined the Sisters of Providence of Ruille-sur-Loir. For the next 17 years in France, she dedicated herself to the education of children and providing care to the impoverished sick.

In 1840, answering a call from the bishop of Vincennes, Indiana, Mother Theodore led a delegation of five Sisters of Providence to the U.S. Their mission was to found a motherhouse and novitiate, offer education to the children of pioneers, and serve the sickly poor.

On the night of October 22, 1840, she and her fellow sisters reached the secluded forested area of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. By the next summer, Mother Theodore had inaugurated an Academy, which stands today as the esteemed Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, the most ancient Catholic college for women in the U.S. Come March 1842, she had also started a school in Jasper, Indiana. As years passed, she went on to found several schools across Indiana, set up two orphanages in Vincennes, and established free pharmacies both at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods and in Vincennes.

Mother Theodore’s journey on Earth came to an end on May 14, 1856. Her indomitable spirit and dedication led to her beatification in October 1998 at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican. The good news of her canonization into sainthood was announced on July 2, 2006, and the ceremony took place on October 15 of the same year. Today, a shrine in her honor graces the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

Photo credit: Sweet Kate via Wikimedia Commons

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Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17
Psalm 119:66, 71, 75, 91, 125, 130
Luke 10:17-24

Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17
(1) Then Job, responding to the Lord, said: (2) I know that you are able to do all things, and that no thoughts are hidden from you. (3) So, who is it that would disguise a lack of knowledge as counsel? Therefore, I have been speaking foolishly, about things whose measure exceeds my knowledge. (5) By paying attention with the ear, I have heard you, but now my eye sees you. (6) Therefore, I find myself reprehensible, and I will do penance in embers and ashes. (12) And the Lord blessed the latter end of Job even more than his beginning. And he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand pairs of oxen, and a thousand she-donkeys. (13) And he had seven sons and three daughters. (14) And he called the name of one, Daylight, and the name of the second, Cinnamon, and the name of the third, Horn of Cosmetics. (15) And, in the whole world, there were not found women so beautiful as the daughters of Job. And so their father gave them an inheritance along with their brothers. (16) But Job lived long after these events, for a hundred and forty years, and he saw his children, and his children’s children, all the way to the fourth generation, and he died an old man and full of days.

Psalm 119:66, 71, 75, 91, 125, 130
(66) Teach me goodness and discipline and knowledge, for I have trusted your commandments. (71) It is good for me that you humbled me, so that I may learn your justifications. (75) I know, O Lord, that your judgments are fairness. And in your truth, you have humbled me. (91) By your ordinance, the day perseveres. For all things are in service to you. (125) I am your servant. Give me understanding, so that I may know your testimonies. (130) The declaration of your words illuminates, and it gives understanding to little ones.

Luke 10:17-24
(17) Then the seventy-two returned with gladness, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us, in your name.” (18) And he said to them: “I was watching as Satan fell like lightning from heaven. (19) Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and upon all the powers of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. (20) Yet truly, do not choose to rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (21) In the same hour, he exulted in the Holy Spirit, and he said: “I confess to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the prudent, and have revealed them to little ones. It is so, Father, because this way was pleasing before you. (22) All things have been delivered to me by my Father. And no one knows who the Son is, except the Father, and who the Father is, except the Son, and those to whom the Son has chosen to reveal him.” (23) And turning to his disciples, he said: “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. (24) For I say to you, that many prophets and kings wanted to see the things that you see, and they did not see them, and to hear the things that you hear, and they did not hear them.”

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Please comment below to leave your prayer request. As your request will be prayed for, please also pray for the petitions of others! Remember in your prayers, those in purgatory, all those suffering around the world, and for the intentions of the Pope! Lord, hear our prayer!

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Guardian angels, often pictured as protective figures watching over children, play a comforting role in Catholic devotion, providing assurance not only to youngsters but also to adults. They are believed to serve as individual representatives before God, aiding in prayers, overseeing daily lives, and ushering souls to God upon death.

Although the belief in guardian angels draws inspiration from Scripture, it isn’t taken from it directly. A reference from Jesus in Matthew 18:10 provides the strongest scriptural backing: “Do not disdain these little ones, for their angels in heaven always behold the face of my Heavenly Father.”

The dedication towards angels flourished with the emergence of monastic traditions. Notable figures like St. Benedict and Bernard of Clairvaux, a 12th-century reformer, played significant roles in shaping the modern perception and devotion to guardian angels. By the 16th century, a special feast honoring guardian angels was celebrated, which Pope Paul V later integrated into the Roman calendar in 1615.

The Catholic Church acknowledges the existence of angels and their pivotal role in God’s salvific design. Throughout biblical history, angels have been instrumental in revealing divine messages. Angels, distinct from saints, are pure spirits brought into existence by God. They perpetually laud and venerate Him. Meaning “messenger” in translation, angels are seen as conduits of God’s love, relaying divine plans and prompting individuals towards righteousness. The angels specifically tasked with safeguarding and guiding humans are fondly known as “guardian angels.” Angels are categorized into distinct types:

First Triad:
Angels, Archangels, and Principalities: These focus on the detailed governance of the universe and specific purposes, which encompasses the wellbeing of humans. Each person, church, and nation is believed to have a Guardian Angel. Their feast is celebrated on October 2.

Second Triad:
Powers, Virtues, and Dominations: Often referred to as the “angels of creation,” they oversee the organization of the universe and its manifold causes.

Third Triad:
Thrones, Cherubim, and Seraphim: These celestial beings are engrossed in adoring God’s splendor. The six-winged Seraphim are attributed with the chant of the Sanctus, extolling, “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Hosts.”

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Job 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5
Psalm 139:1-3, 7-10, 13-14
Matthew 18:1-5, 10

Job 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5
(1) But the Lord, responding to Job from a whirlwind, said: (12) Did you, after your birth, command the birth of the sun and show the sunrise its place? (13) And did you hold the extremities of the earth, shaking them, and have you shaken the impious out of it? (14) The seal will be restored like clay, and it will remain in place like a garment. (15) From the impious, the light will be taken away, and the exalted arm will be broken. (16) Have you entered the depths of the sea, and have you taken a walk in the uttermost parts of the abyss? (17) Have the gates of death been opened to you, and have you seen the doors of darkness? (18) Have you considered the breadth of the earth? If you know all things, reveal them to me. (19) Which is the way that holds the light, and which is the place of darkness? (20) In this way, you might lead each thing to its final place, and understand the paths of its house. (21) So then, did you know when you were to be born? And did you know the number of your days? (3) Will you make my judgment null and void; and will you condemn me so that you may be justified? (4) And do you have an arm like God, or a voice like thunder? (5) Envelop yourself with splendor, and raise yourself up on high, and be glorious, and put on splendid garments.

Psalm 139:1-3, 7-10, 13-14
(1) Unto the end. A Psalm of David. O Lord, you have examined me, and you have known me. (2) You have known my sitting down and my rising up again. (3) You have understood my thoughts from afar. My path and my fate, you have investigated. (7) Where will I go from your Spirit? And where will I flee from your face? (8) If I ascend into heaven, you are there. If I descend into Hell, you are near. (9) If I assume my feathers in early morning, and dwell in the utmost parts of the sea, (10) even there, your hand will lead me forth, and your right hand will hold me. (13) For you have possessed my temperament. You have supported me from the womb of my mother. (14) I will confess to you, for you have been magnified terribly. Your works are miraculous, as my soul knows exceedingly well.

Matthew 18:1-5, 10
(1) In that hour, the disciples drew near to Jesus, saying, “Whom do you consider to be greater in the kingdom of heaven?” (2) And Jesus, calling to himself a little child, placed him in their midst. (3) And he said: “Amen I say to you, unless you change and become like little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (4) Therefore, whoever will have humbled himself like this little child, such a one is greater in the kingdom of heaven. (5) And whoever shall accept one such little child in my name, accepts me. (10) See to it that you do not despise even one of these little ones. For I say to you, that their Angels in heaven continually look upon the face of my Father, who is in heaven.

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Please comment below to leave your prayer request. As your request will be prayed for, please also pray for the petitions of others! Remember in your prayers, those in purgatory, all those suffering around the world, and for the intentions of the Pope! Lord, hear our prayer!

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Saint Therese of Lisieux, often referred to as the “Little Flower,” was born as the youngest of nine children to Louis and Zélie Martin, devout parents who had once aspired to monastic lives themselves. Raised in an environment steeped in faith, Therese felt a call to religious life from an early age.

Sadly, Therese experienced profound grief when she lost her mother to breast cancer at just four and a half. Her elder sister, Pauline, stepped into the role of mother, only to leave Therese again when she joined the Carmelite convent five years later. During a severe illness in her youth, Therese saw a vision of the Virgin Mary, which miraculously resulted in her recovery.

Educated by the Benedictines, a burning desire to serve God led a fifteen-year-old Therese to seek entry into the Carmelite Convent. When initially denied, she embarked on a pilgrimage to Rome with her supportive father to appeal directly to Pope Leo XIII. The Pope deferred to the convent’s superior, who eventually allowed the fervent young girl to join, an exceptional occurrence at such a young age.

In 1896, a new chapter opened for Therese when she was chosen to be a missionary in Hanoi, Vietnam. However, a divine revelation told her that she wouldn’t be on Earth for much longer. Indeed, she contracted tuberculosis shortly thereafter. Despite her intense suffering, Therese displayed exemplary resilience and cheerfulness. She believed her true mission would begin after her earthly life, where she’d aid people from heaven. She passed away on September 30, 1897, aged just 24.

St. Therese’s autobiography, detailing her journey of faith, was posthumously published. Its profound insights into living a life of simplicity and devotion has resonated with countless readers. Her remarkable sanctity and miracles attributed to her led to the initiation of her canonization process in 1914. Pope John Paul II declared her a Doctor of the Church in 1997.

Known for her love for the missions, St. Therese of Lisieux is celebrated as one of its patron saints, even though she never ventured to foreign lands. Apart from missionaries, aviators and florists also revere her as their patron saint.

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Job 19:21-27
Psalm 27:7-9, 13-14
Luke 10:1-12

Job 19:21-27
(21) Have mercy on me, have compassion on me, at least you my friends, because the hand of the Lord has touched me. (22) Why do you pursue me just as God does, and satiate yourselves with my flesh? (23) Who will grant to me that my words may be written down? Who will grant to me that they may be inscribed in a book, (24) with an iron pen and a plate of lead, or else be carved in stone? (25) For I know that my Redeemer lives, and on the last day I will rise out of the earth. (26) And I will be enveloped again with my skin, and in my flesh I will see my God. (27) It is he whom I myself will see, and he whom my eyes will behold, and no other. This, my hope, has taken rest in my bosom.

Psalm 27:7-9, 13-14
(7) Hear my voice, O Lord, with which I have cried out to you. Have mercy on me, and hear me. (8) My heart has spoken to you; my face has sought you. I yearn for your face, O Lord. (8) My heart has spoken to you; my face has sought you. I yearn for your face, O Lord. (9) Do not turn your face away from me. In your wrath, do not turn aside from your servant. Be my helper. Do not abandon me, and do not despise me, O God, my Savior. (13) I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living. (14) Wait for the Lord, act manfully; and let your heart be strengthened, and remain with the Lord.

Luke 10:1-12
(1) Then, after these things, the Lord also designated another seventy-two. And he sent them in pairs before his face, into every city and place where he was to arrive. (2) And he said to them: “Certainly the harvest is great, but the workers are few. Therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers into his harvest. (3) Go forth. Behold, I send you out like lambs among wolves. (4) Do not choose to carry a purse, nor provisions, nor shoes; and you shall greet no one along the way. (5) Into whatever house you will have entered, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ (6) And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. (7) And remain in the same house, eating and drinking the things that are with them. For the worker is worthy of his pay. Do not choose to pass from house to house. (8) And into whatever city you have entered and they have received you, eat what they set before you. (9) And cure the sick who are in that place, and proclaim to them, ‘The kingdom of God has drawn near to you.’ (10) But into whatever city you have entered and they have not received you, going out into its main streets, say: (11) ‘Even the dust which clings to us from your city, we wipe away against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has drawn near.’ (12) I say to you, that in that day, Sodom will be forgiven more than that city will be.

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Please comment below to leave your prayer request. As your request will be prayed for, please also pray for the petitions of others! Remember in your prayers, those in purgatory, all those suffering around the world, and for the intentions of the Pope! Lord, hear our prayer!

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Saint Jerome was born Eusebius Hieronymus around 347.

A renowned Father and Doctor of the Church, he’s famed for his monumental contribution: translating the Bible into Latin, thus creating the revered Vulgate edition.

Born in Stridon, a region straddling today’s Slovenia and Croatia, Jerome’s affluent Catholic family ensured he received a robust education. As a youth, he journeyed to Rome, immersing himself in classical literature and, marking a spiritual transformation, was baptized at 19. His thirst for knowledge led him to Trier and Aquileia, where he began exploring theology with fellow ascetics.

The East beckoned Jerome around 373. In Antioch, while deepening his humanistic and monastic pursuits, a dream altered his life’s course: Christ criticized him for valuing Cicero over Christianity. Although his commitment to solely focus on theology was sometimes questioned by peers like Rufinus, this dream undeniably redirected his passions. Jerome’s self-imposed exile to the Chalcis desert saw him embrace asceticism and master Hebrew.

After his ordination by Bishop Paulinus in Antioch and spending time under Gregory of Nazianzus’s tutelage in Constantinople, Rome called him back. Pope Damasus I, recognizing his talents, entrusted him with the formidable task of refining the Latin Bible. But following Damasus’s passing, Jerome’s influence waned, prompting his return to the East.

It was in Bethlehem in 386, supported by his devoted patroness Paula, that Jerome’s literary genius truly flourished. Over the next three decades, he crafted insightful biblical commentaries and the significant portions of the Latin Bible, the Vulgate.

Blending philology, geography, and archaeology, he set the benchmark for Western biblical exegesis. His vast correspondence included exchanges with Saint Augustine.

His two-decade endeavor, the Vulgate, replaced the disordered older Latin translations, becoming the bedrock of Latin Christianity. Reaffirmed by the Council of Trent in 1546, it is still cherished as the quintessential Latin Bible.

Saint Jerome is venerated as the patron of numerous vocations, including librarians, archaeologists, and translators, and even the city of Quebec in Canada.

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