Catholic Fire

On July 7, we commemorate Blessed Maria Romero Meneses (1902 - 1977), a Salesian Sister who was known as the Social Apostle of Costa Rica, due her active initiation of several projects which served the needs of the poor. Some of these included: teaching catechism and vocational skills, setting up a medical center, opening food distribution centers,  starting a school for teaching the social doctrine of the Church, and organizing the construction of homes for the poor in Costa Rica. One of eight children, Maria Romero Meneses was born in Granada, Nicaragua, in 1902 to a wealthy, upper class family; her father was a government minister. She was well-educated by her parents, her aunts, and the Salesian Sisters at the local Catholic school. Because she was artistically and musically gifted, she had private instructors for drawing, painting, piano and violin. At the age of twelve, Maria became very ill with a serious form of rheumatic fever that paralyzed her for six months. She...

Today we remember Blessed Phillip Rinaldi, a Salesian priest. Phillip was born on May 28, 1856 at Lu Monferrato (Alessandria). Philip met Don Bosco at age 5, and at the age of 22, joined him in the Salesian order. When he was ordained,  his first responsibility was the formation of aspirants and novices. He became the Salesian provincial superior in Spain where he opened many new houses and then served as vicar-general of the Salesians before becoming the Rector Major in 1922, Don Bosco’s third successor. As Vicar General of the Congregation, he displayed even more of his fatherly gifts and his willingness to assume many pastoral responsibilities. He was elected Rector Major in 1922 and focused his energy on adapting the spirit of Don Bosco to the current situation. Don Francesia wrote “Don Rinaldi was only missing the voice of Don Bosco: he had everything else!” He was a master of Salesian ways and spirituality and brought about a renewal in the interior life of Salesians,...

One of eight children, Maria Romero Meneses was born in Granada, Nicaragua, in 1902 to a wealthy, upper class family; her father was a government minister. She was well-educated by her parents, her aunts, and the Salesian Sisters at the local Catholic school. Because she was artistically and musically gifted, she had private instructors for drawing, painting, piano and violin. At the age of twelve, Maria became very ill with a serious form of rheumatic fever that paralyzed her for six months. She was not worried, however, but put all her confidence in Our Lady, Help of Christians and was cured through her intercession. At twenty-one, she joined the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (Salesian Sisters) and made her final profession in 1929. Two years later, she was sent to San Jose, Costa Rica. She taught music, drawing and typing to the girls from wealthy families. She also trained catechists and trades to the poor. She inspired many of her students to her way of life – to hel...