Michael de Sanctis emerged in Catalonia, Spain, around 1591. At six, he declared a future in monastic life to his parents, closely mirroring St. Francis of Assisi, to the point of needing restraint. Following his parents’ demise, he apprenticed with a merchant but maintained a fervent, devoted life. In 1603, Michael joined the Trinitarian Friars in Barcelona and took vows at Saragosa’s St. Lambert’s monastery in 1607.

He soon aspired to join the Trinitarians’ reformed sect, moving to the Madrid Novitiate. His studies in Seville and Salamanca led to ordination and leadership roles in Valladolid, twice as Superior.

His peers viewed him as saintly, particularly for his Eucharistic devotion and Mass ecstasies. Dying at 35 on April 10, 1625, posthumous miracles led to his 1862 canonization by Pope Pius IX. The Roman Martyrology celebrates him for his life’s purity, asceticism, and divine love. From childhood, Michael’s trajectory towards remarkable sanctity never deviated. Today, as young individuals navigate a seemingly indifferent world, St. Michael de Sanctis offers both a model for emulation and a source of intercession.

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Acts 4:1-12
Psalm 118:1-2, 4, 22-27
John 21:1-14

Acts 4:1-12
(1) But while they were speaking to the people, the priests and the magistrate of the temple and the Sadducees overwhelmed them (2) being grieved that they were teaching the people and announcing in Jesus the resurrection from the dead (3) And they laid hands on them, and they placed them under guard until the next day. For it was now evening (4) But many of those who had heard the word believed. And the number of men became five thousand (5) And it happened on the next day that their leaders and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem (6) including Annas, the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John and Alexander, and as many as were of the priestly family (7) And stationing them in the middle, they questioned them: “By what power, or in whose name, have you done this? (8) Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Leaders of the people and elders, listen (9) If we today are judged by a good deed done to an infirm man, by which he has been made whole (10) let it be known to all of you and to all of the people of Israel, that in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God has raised from the dead, by him, this man stands before you, healthy (11) He is the stone, which was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner (12) And there is no salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to men, by which it is necessary for us to be saved.

Psalm 118:1-2, 4, 22-27
(1) Alleluia. Confess to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy is forever (2) Let Israel now say: For he is good, for his mercy is forever (4) Let those who fear the Lord now say: For his mercy is forever (22) The stone which the builders have rejected, this has become the head of the corner (23) By the Lord has this been done, and it is a wonder before our eyes (24) This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us exult and rejoice in it (25) O Lord, grant salvation to me. O Lord, grant good prosperity (26) Blessed is he who arrives in the name of the Lord. We have blessed you from the house of the Lord (27) The Lord is God, and he has enlightened us. Establish a solemn day amid a dense crowd, even to the horn of the altar

John 21:1-14
(1) After this, Jesus manifested himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. And he manifested himself in this way (2) These were together: Simon Peter and Thomas, who is called the Twin, and Nathanael, who was from Cana of Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples (3) Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “And we are going with you.” And they went and climbed into the ship. And in that night, they caught nothing (4) But when morning arrived, Jesus stood on the shore. Yet the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus (5) Then Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any food?” They answered him, “No. (6) He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the ship, and you will find some.” Therefore, they cast it out, and then they were not able to draw it in, because of the multitude of fish (7) Therefore, the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” Simon Peter, when he had heard that it was the Lord, wrapped his tunic around himself, (for he was naked) and he cast himself into the sea (8) Then the other disciples arrived in a boat, (for they were not far from the land, only about two hundred cubits) dragging the net with the fish (9) Then, when they climbed down to the land they saw burning coals prepared, and fish already placed above them, and bread (10) Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just now caught. (11) Simon Peter climbed up and drew in the net to land: full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn (12) Jesus said to them, “Approach and dine.” And not one of them sitting down to eat dared to ask him, “Who are you?” For they knew that it was the Lord (13) And Jesus approached, and he took bread, and he gave it to them, and similarly with the fish (14) This was now the third time that Jesus was manifested to his disciples, after he had resurrected from the dead

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Saint Mary Cleophas, among the trio known as the “three Marys,” played a crucial role in the narratives of the New Testament. She was a steadfast follower of Christ, present during His crucifixion at Calvary and later visiting His tomb. Married to Saint Cleophas, who was Saint Joseph’s brother, she was also the mother of Saint James the Less.

In 47 AD, Saint Mary of Cleophas, along with several others, was forcibly placed on a boat by the Jews, deprived of sails and oars, and cast adrift at sea. Her voyage concluded in France, where she is said to have passed away. This extraordinary odyssey from Jerusalem to the French coast led to the naming of the landing spot as les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, translating to “the Holy Marys of the Sea.” This name commemorates not only Saint Mary of Cleophas but also Saint Mary Magdalen and Saint Mary Salome, marking their shared legacy.

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Acts 3:11-26
Psalm 8:2, 5-9
Luke 24:35-48

Acts 3:11-26
(11) Then, as he held on to Peter and John, all the people ran to them at the portico, which is called Solomon’s, in astonishment (12) But Peter, seeing this, responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this? Or why do you stare at us, as if it were by our own strength or power that we caused this man to walk (13) The God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his Son Jesus, whom you, indeed, handed over and denied before the face of Pilate, when he was giving judgment to release him (14) Then you denied the Holy and Just One, and petitioned for a murderous man to be given to you (15) Truly, it was the Author of Life whom you put to death, whom God raised from the dead, to whom we are witnesses (16) And by faith in his name, this man, whom you have seen and known, has confirmed his name. And faith through him has given this man complete health in the sight of you all (17) And now, brothers, I know that you did this through ignorance, just as your leaders also did (18) But in this way God has fulfilled the things that he announced beforehand through the mouth of all the Prophets: that his Christ would suffer (19) Therefore, repent and be converted, so that your sins may be wiped away (20) And then, when the time of consolation will have arrived from the presence of the Lord, he will send the One who was foretold to you, Jesus Christ (21) whom heaven certainly must take up, until the time of the restoration of all things, which God has spoken of by the mouth of his holy prophets, from ages past (22) Indeed, Moses said: ‘For the Lord your God shall raise up a Prophet for you from your brothers, one like me; the same shall you listen to according to everything whatsoever that he shall speak to you (23) And this shall be: every soul who will not listen to that Prophet shall be exterminated from the people. (24) And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and thereafter, have announced these days (25) You are sons of the prophets and of the testament which God has appointed for our fathers, saying to Abraham: ‘And by your offspring all the families of the earth shall be blessed. (26) God raised up his Son and sent him first to you, to bless you, so that each one may turn himself away from his wickedness.

Psalm 8:2, 5-9
(2) O Lord, our Lord, how admirable is your name throughout all the earth! For your magnificence is elevated above the heavens (5) What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you visit him (6) You reduced him to a little less than the Angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor (7) and you have set him over the works of your hands (8) You have subjected all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and in addition: the beasts of the field (9) the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, which pass through the paths of the sea

Luke 24:35-48
(35) And they explained the things that were done on the way, and how they had recognized him at the breaking of the bread (36) Then, while they were talking about these things, Jesus stood in their midst, And he said to them: “Peace be with you. It is I. Do not be afraid. (37) Yet truly, they were very disturbed and terrified, supposing that they saw a spirit (38) And he said to them: “Why are you disturbed, and why do these thoughts rise up in your hearts (39) See my hands and feet, that it is I myself. Look and touch. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see that I have. (40) And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet (41) Then, while they were still in disbelief and in wonder out of joy, he said, “Do you have anything here to eat? (42) And they offered him a piece of roasted fish and a honeycomb (43) And when he had eaten these in their sight, taking up what was left, he gave it to them (44) And he said to them: “These are the words that I spoke to you when I was still with you, because all things must be fulfilled which are written in the law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms about me. (45) Then he opened their mind, so that they might understand the Scriptures (46) And he said to them: “For so it is written, and so it was necessary, for the Christ to suffer and to rise up from the dead on the third day (47) and, in his name, for repentance and the remission of sins to be preached, among all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem (48) And you are witnesses of these things

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Marie Rose Julia Billiart, born to affluent farmers in Cuvilly, France, developed a fervent interest in religion and aiding the less fortunate from an early age. Early tranquility gave way to hardship when her family’s fortunes dwindled, propelling young Julie into manual labor while she continued to impart religious teachings to the youth and farmhands in her spare moments.

At around 30, a life-altering illness struck Julie following a traumatic incident aimed at her father, leaving her paralyzed and bedridden. From her bed, she continued her catechism teachings, dispensed spiritual guidance, and welcomed visitors drawn by her reputed sanctity.

The outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789 marked a perilous time for Julie, known for her support of persecuted priests. Friends smuggled her out of Cuvilly, concealed in a haycart. She endured years of concealment and pain in Compiegne, moving stealthily from one refuge to another and even temporarily losing her speech.

Despite these trials, Julie experienced profound spiritual growth, envisioning a future where she would lead a community of religious women dedicated to the cross. Her path crossed with Francoise Blin de Bourdon, an aristocratic woman with similar educational aspirations. Together, in 1803, they founded the Institute of Notre Dame, focusing on the education of the impoverished, Christian youth, and catechist training. The subsequent year, the institute’s first vows were taken, coinciding remarkably with Julie’s miraculous recovery from her decades-long paralysis.

Julie, while prioritizing aid for the impoverished, recognized the need for Christian education across all societal levels. From the inception of the Sisters of Notre Dame to her demise, Julie tirelessly established schools across France and Belgium for diverse groups, including the indigent and the affluent, vocational learners, and educators. The motherhouse eventually found its home in Namur, Belgium, where Julie passed away in 1816, leaving a legacy of compassion and education. Her sanctity was formally recognized in 1969 with her canonization.

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Acts 3:1-10
Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9
Luke 24:13-35

Acts 3:1-10
(1) Now Peter and John went up to the temple at the ninth hour of prayer (2) And a certain man, who was lame from his mother’s womb, was being carried in. They would lay him every day at the gate of the temple, which is called the Beautiful, so that he might request alms from those entering into the temple (3) And this man, when he had seen Peter and John beginning to enter the temple, was begging, so that he might receive alms (4) Then Peter and John, gazing at him, said, “Look at us. (5) And he looked intently at them, hoping that he might receive something from them (6) But Peter said: “Silver and gold is not mine. But what I have, I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, rise up and walk. (7) And taking him by the right hand, he lifted him up. And immediately his legs and feet were strengthened (8) And leaping up, he stood and walked around. And he entered with them into the temple, walking and leaping and praising God (9) And all the people saw him walking and praising God (10) And they recognized him, that he was the same one who was sitting for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. And they were filled with awe and amazement at what had happened to him

Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9
(1) Alleluia. Confess to the Lord, and invoke his name. Announce his works among the nations (2) Sing to him, and sing psalms to him. Describe all his wonders (3) Be praised in his holy name. Let the heart of those who seek the Lord rejoice (4) Seek the Lord, and be confirmed. Seek his face always (6) you offspring of Abraham his servant, you sons of Jacob his elect (7) He is the Lord our God. His judgments are throughout the entire earth (8) He has remembered his covenant for all ages: the word that he entrusted to a thousand generations (9) which he assigned to Abraham, and his oath to Isaac

Luke 24:13-35
(13) And behold, two of them went out, on the same day, to a town named Emmaus, which was the distance of sixty stadia from Jerusalem (14) And they spoke to one another about all of these things that had occurred (15) And it happened that, while they were speculating and questioning within themselves, Jesus himself, drawing near, traveled with them (16) But their eyes were restrained, so that they would not recognize him (17) And he said to them, “What are these words, which you are discussing with one another, as you walk and are sad? (18) And one of them, whose name was Cleopas, responded by saying to him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days? (19) And he said to them, “What things?” And they said, “About Jesus of Nazareth, who was a noble prophet, powerful in works and in words, before God and all the people (20) And how our high priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death. And they crucified him (21) But we were hoping that he would be the Redeemer of Israel. And now, on top of all this, today is the third day since these things have happened (22) Then, too, certain women from among us terrified us. For before daytime, they were at the tomb (23) and, having not found his body, they returned, saying that they had even seen a vision of Angels, who said that he is alive (24) And some of us went out to the tomb. And they found it just as the women had said. But truly, they did not find him. (25) And he said to them: “How foolish and reluctant in heart you are, to believe everything that has been spoken by the Prophets (26) Was not the Christ required to suffer these things, and so enter into his glory? (27) And beginning from Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them, in all the Scriptures, the things that were about him (28) And they drew near to the town where they were going. And he conducted himself so as to go on further (29) But they were insistent with him, saying, “Remain with us, because it is toward evening and now daylight is declining.” And so he entered with them (30) And it happened that, while he was at table with them, he took bread, and he blessed and broke it, and he extended it to them (31) And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their eyes (32) And they said to one another, “Was not our heart burning within us, while he was speaking on the way, and when he opened the Scriptures to us? (33) And rising up at that same hour, they returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven gathered together, and those who were with them (34) saying: “In truth, the Lord has risen, and he has appeared to Simon. (35) And they explained the things that were done on the way, and how they had recognized him at the breaking of the bread

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Saint John Baptist de La Salle’s life was a testament to his unwavering commitment to what he believed was his divine calling. In 1950, his pioneering efforts in education earned him the title of patron of schoolteachers by Pope Pius XII. Born into privilege in 17th century France—equipped with intellect, looks, noble lineage, wealth, and a refined upbringing—John seemed destined for a comfortable, prestigious life within the Church. At 11, he embarked on his clerical journey with the tonsure, leading to priesthood at 27.

However, destiny had a different path. A serendipitous encounter with M. Nyel of Raven sparked an interest in educating poor boys in Raven, igniting a passion that would redefine his life. Initially repelled by the work, his dedication deepened, eventually seeing it as his divine duty. This realization prompted him to forsake his wealth, status, and comfort to live among and serve the impoverished, marking a dramatic pivot in his life’s direction.

John’s legacy is inseparable from the Brothers of the Christian Schools, a religious community he founded, which flourished under his guidance. They revolutionized education for the poor, established the first teacher training college, and provided for juvenile delinquents from affluent backgrounds. His drive was fueled by a desire to cultivate devout Christians.

Despite his achievements, John’s journey was marred by challenges: he faced disillusionment and desertions within his ranks, encountered fierce resistance from traditional educators threatened by his innovative methods, and battled against the Jansenists’ austere outlook on morality and human nature—a battle he fought tirelessly.

In his final years, plagued by asthma and rheumatism, John passed away on Good Friday at the age of 68. His canonization in 1900 was a fitting tribute to a life of profound impact and selfless dedication to education and faith.

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