Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church

Today is the Memorial of St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556). In the year 1521 a cannon ball fractured the left leg of Captain Ignatius Loyola, the future founder of the Jesuits. While he was convalescing, Ignatius read about Christ and His saints and thus turned wholly to God. He then undertook to equip himself for Christ's service by acquiring a good classical and theological education. The members of the Society of Jesus became the shock troops of the Church in the battle against the spread of Protestantism in Europe, as well as one of the greatest foreign mission organizations that the world has known. Ignatius died on July 31, 1556.

Today the Church celebrates the Optional Memorial of St. Peter Chrysologus (406-450) ("the man of golden speech"). St. Peter earned the title of Doctor of the Church for his eloquent sermons, of which some two hundred remain. He was consecrated as Archbishop of Ravenna in 433. He rooted out all remaining traces of paganism, as well as a number of abuses among the Christians. In his sermons he strongly urged frequent Communion. He is supposed to have given us the saying: "He who wants to laugh with the devil cannot rejoice with Christ." St. Peter died about the year 450 in his native city of Imola.

Today the Church celebrates the Memorial of Sts. Martha, Mary and Lazarus. In the household of Bethany the Lord Jesus experienced the family spirit and friendship, and for this reason the Gospel of John states that he loved them. Martha generously offered him hospitality, Mary listened attentively to his words and Lazarus promptly emerged from the tomb at the command of the One who humiliated death.