Catholic Fire

Today's Mass Readings Saint of the Day: Sts. Christopher Magallanes, priest, and companions, martyrs Today in Catholic History: 996 Pope Gregory V (ca. 970–999; reigned 996–999) crowned Otto III (980–1002) as emperor. 1864 Joseph de Veuster (better known as Father Damien , 1840–1889) was ordained priest in Honolulu. In 1873 at his own request he was sent to a settlement of lepers on the island of Molokai, where he later contracted the disease and died. 1972 Wielding a hammer, Laszlo Toth damaged one of the world's most celebrated sculptures, Michelangelo's Piet à , in the Vatican at Rome. Birthday: Giuseppe Mercalli , an Italian volcanologist, was born on May 21, 1850 in the Italian city of Milan. He was ordained a Roman Catholic priest and soon became a professor of the Natural Sciences at the seminary of Milan. He is best remembered today for his Mercalli scale for measuring earthquakes which is still used today. Today's Prayer Intentions/Requests

Father Damien, formally Joseph de Veuster, ss.cc. and Blessed Damien of Molokai (January 3, 1840 - April 15, 1889), was a missionary of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary who is revered primarily by Hawaii residents and Christians for having dedicated his life in service to the lepers of Molokai in the Kingdom of Hawaii. Father Damien is the spiritual patron of lepers, outcasts, and those with HIV/AIDS, and of the State of Hawaii. Read more here and here.