On the same day St. Barbara, Virgin and Martyr—St. Barbara was brought up a heathen. Her father jealously kept her secluded in a lonely tower. In her enforced solitude she studied and prayed, took instruction by stealth, and was baptized. Upon learning what Barbara had done, her father ordered her tortured and finally beheaded. A flash of lightning killed her father. St. Barbara is one of the fourteen Auxiliary Saints.

  Come thou spouse of Christ, receive the crown, which the Lord hath prepared for thee from eternity: for Whose love thou didst shed thy blood. –Gradual: Psalm xliv.

  If Jesus be with thee, no foe can harm thee. Whoever findeth Jesus findeth a good treasure –yea, a good above every good. –Imitation: Book II.

  Ideal: Have you ever heard people bemoaning that they have no chance? Have you done it yourself perhaps? This saint had a pagan father who vowed Barbara would not learn of the foolishness of Christianity. She managed to learn all about it, to be baptized, and even to die a martyr at the hands of her own father.

  Today: And you? What of your opportunities? And what have you to show up for them? There is no reason, you know, except that God was infinitely generous, that you were not born in the wilds of unexplored Africa. Resolve this minute never to envy other people’s chances; to thank God for your special privileges instead.

  Slogan: He that is mighty hath done great things to me.

~A Character Calendar
Sister Mary Fidelis, Sister Mary Charitas
Imprimatur 1931