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"Having received a good education, and observed the corruption of the world, he resolved to withdraw from it. He entered into a deep cave, and continued there for three years in prayer, mortification and fasting. No one was acquainted with his retreat, but one religious man, whose care it was to supply him with bread. Offer up your prayers for all who are engaged in the corruptions of the world, and beseech God to inspire them with the thoughts of retiring from it. Though all cannot hide themselves in deserts, there are none who have it not in their power to withdraw from so much of the world, at least, as is to them an occasion of sin.

Being discovered at length in that retirement, he was obliged to quit it; but still lived in solitude, with his usual rigours. God permitted him to be assaulted with most violent temptations; but being truly apprehensive of the danger in which he was, he resolved to repel force by force, and going into a field, laid himself down in the midst of nettles and briars, till the pain had extinguished that fire which his enemy had kindled; and thus the wounds of his body became the eure of his soul: for from that time he was never molested with the like temptations. Pray for all in these difficulties, that God would be their protector and comfort. And if you are at present in peace, prepare at least, against the day of battle.

"The Medal of St. Benedict: This highly indulgenced medal bears a likeness of the great "Father of the Monastic Life." In his right hand is a cross, beside which are the words: "Crux Patric Benedicti" (The Cross of the Father Benedict"); in his left hand is the book of the Benedictine rule. At his feet are represented a chalice and a raven, symbols of the priesthood and of hermit life. Around the edge are the words: "Ejus in Obitu Nostro Praesentia Muniamur" ("At our death may we be fortified by his presence"). On the reverse side is a cross, on the vertical bar of which are the initial letters of the words "Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux" ("The holy Cross be my light"); on the horizontal bar are the initials of "Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux" ("Let not the Dragon be my guide"); and around are other letters signifying other Latin mottoes. At the top is usually the word "Pax" ("Peace") or the monogram IHS.

This form of the Benedict medal commemorates the 1400th anniversary of the birth of St. Benedict, celebrated in 1880. (...)
The medal of St. Benedict was first approved by Benedict XIV in 1741, an further indulgences were granted by Pius IX in 1877 and by Pius X in 1907."

Source:The Externals of the Catholic Church, By Rev. Fr. John Francis Sullivan from the Diocese of Providence p 226. 1918
The Medal Or Cross of St. Benedict: Its Origin, Meaning, and Privileges by Prosper Guéranger

The Journey by Fenwick Lawson, showing the coffin of Saint Cuthbert of Lindisfarne being carried by 6 monks, eventually to Durham, UK.

"The accomplishment of Prophecies: St. Cyril, bishop of Jerusalem, is one of the greatest prelates that the Church has ever possessed; pious and learned in all sciences human and divine; inflexible in the doctrines of faith, and, for that reason, twice sent into exile; benevolent and charitable beyond measure, abounding with a zeal truly apostolic, such, in brief, was this holy bishop.

His episcopate was marked by two great events, first, the appearance of a luminous cross above Mount Calvary, which was visible to the whole of Judea and Samaria; and next, the accomplishment of the prophecy of Jesus Christ relative to the temple of Jerusalem.

Julian the Apostate, having wished to rebuild it in order to set the Gospel at naught, the Jews were all jubilant and the Christians borne down with dread; but Cyril reassured them, and scoffed at the enterprise. In fact, on the last stone being torn from the foundations, flames burst forth, which trice consumed the separate relays of workmen. The apostate having died, the undertaking was suspended, and since then never has there been a stone upon a stone. St. Cyril died in 386.

Moral reflection: If our faith grow timid, those words of the Divine Master should suffice to calm our disquietude, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word shall not fail." (Matt. XXIV. 35) Source: Pictorial half hours with the saints, by Rev. Fr. Auguste François Lecanu 1865

Saint Patrick, Saint Patrick Catholic Church, Charlotte, NC

Prayer to St. Patrick:

O glorious St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland, who left father and mother, and all earthly things, to bring our forefathers from the valley of sin and the shades of death, to the admirable light of Jesus Christ; intercede with our Divine Lord and Master, "who came to seek the lost sheep" that we may obtain the grace of conversion; that we may receive pardon of our past sins, which we here acknowledge before him, and promise to confess with due disposition to his appointed Ministers, that we never more offend him; but perform His will in all things, during the remainder of our lives, through the merits of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.

Litany of St. Patrick

Lord, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Lord, Have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father, Creator of Heaven and earth, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of mankind, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, Three Persons in one God, Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
All ye holy Angels, pray for us.
All ye Apostles and Evangelists, pray for us.
All ye holy Saints and Doctors, pray for us.
All ye Bishops and Confessors, pray for us.
St. Patrick, our Apostle and Patron, pray for us.
St. Patrick, vessel of election, pray for us.
St. Patrick, model of Penitents, pray for us. 
St. Patrick, example of mortification, pray for us.
St. Patrick, profoundly humble, pray for us.
St. Patrick, meek and patient, pray for us.
St. Patrick, pure and patient, pray for us.
St. Patrick, pure and chaste, pray for us.
St. Patrick, temperate and abstemious, pray for us.
St. Patrick, zealous pastor of souls, pray for us.
St. Patrick, ardent lover of Jesus and Mary, pray for us.
St. Patrick, true lover of thy neighbor, pray for us.
St. Patrick, example of perfect charity, pray for us.
St. Patrick, glory of Ireland, pray for us.
St. Patrick, our powerful protector, pray for us.
St. Patrick, pillar of Catholicity, pray for us.
St. Patrick, confessor of the faith, pray for us.
St. Patrick, enemy of Satan, pray for us.
St. Patrick, herald of salvation, pray for us.
St. Patrick, our Father in Christ, pray for us.

Lord Jesus, we beseech thee, hear us.
That it would please thee, through the intercession of thy servant Patrick, to make thy name glorious to those who know it not, we beseech thee, hear us.
Thou thou wilt protect our Bishops and Clergy, and all who labor in Thy Holy Church, we beseech thee, hear us.
That thou wilt preserve and increase the Faith in Ireland, and re-establish it in the sister country, we beseech thee, hear us.
That thou vouchsafe to preserve the Pope, and all Ecclesiastical orders in Religion, we beseech thee, hear us.
That thou wilt enlighten all those who are in error and bring them to the knowledge of thy truth, we beseech thee, hear us.
That thou wilt deliver us from all sin, we beseech thee, hear us.
From all intemperance, Deliver us, O Lord.
From all impurity, Deliver us, O Lord.
From all hatred and ill-will, Deliver us, O Lord.
From a sudden and unprovided death, Deliver us, O Lord.
In the day of judgement, Lord, deliver us.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us, O Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Prayer: O God, who hast vouchsafe to send thy Confessor and Bishop, the blessed St. Patrick, to preach thy glory to nations, grant by his merits and intercession, that we may accomplish in thy mercy, what thou commandest to be done; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Source: Loretto's Manual, Ireland, 1852

St. Abraham

"In his youth, his parents importuning him to marry, though he knew not how to contradict them, yet when the appointed time was come, he withdrew from them in disguise, and entering into a solitude, was so charmed with it, that no persuasions could oblige him to quit it. He spent his whole time in adoring and praising God, and imploring his mercy. He possessed no other goods but a cloak and a piece of sackcloth which he wore, and a little vessel out of which he both eat and drank. For fifty years he was never wearied with his austere penance, and holy exercises, and seemed to draw from them every day fresh vigour.

"St. Zachary succeeded Gregory III., in 741, and was a man of singular meekness and goodness. He loved the clergy and people of Rome to that degree that he hazarded his life for them on occasion of the troubles which Italy fell into by the rebellion of the Dukes of Spoleto and Benevento agaisnt King Luitprand. Out of respect to his sanctity and dignity, that king restored to the Church of Rome all the places which belonged to it, and sent back the captives without ransom. The Lombards were moved to tears at the devotion with which they heard him perform the divine service. The zeal and prudence of this holy Pope appeared in many wholesome regulations which he had made to reform or settle the discipline and peace of several churches. Saint Boniface, the Apostles of Germany, wrote to him against a certain priest named Virgilius, that he labored to sow the seeds of discord between him and Odilo, Duke of Bavaria, and taught, besides, many errors. Zachary ordered that Virgilius should be sent to Rome, that his doctrine might be examined. It seems that he cleared himself; for we find this same Virgilius soon after made Bishop of Salzburg. Certain Venetian merchants having bought at Rome many slaves to sell to the Moors in Africa, Saint Zachary forbade such an iniquitous traffic, and, paying the merchants their price, gave the slaves their liberty. He adorned Rome with sacred buildings, and with great foundations in favor of the poor and pilgrims, and gave every year a considerable sum to furnish oil for the lamps in Saint Peter's Church. He died in 752, in the month of March.

Reflection: Oh, That we realized the omnipotence of prayer! Every soul was created to glorify God eternally; and it is the power of every one to add by the salvation of his neighbor to the glory of God. Let us make good use of this talent of prayer, lest our brother's blood be required of us at the last."

Source: Lives of the Saints, with reflections for every day in the year.

Prayers for the Sovereign Pontiff

To God the Father.
Be mindful, O Eternal Father, of Thy Church, which Thou hast possessed from the beginning; recognize in her the unspotted bride, for whom Thy Adorable Son shed His Precious Blood. Vouchsafe to exalt her, to sanctify and replenish her with such an abundance of Thy graces, that she may be worthy of her Divine Spouse, and that her children may confess Thee with a lively faith, call upon Thee with a firm hope, and love Thee with a perfect charity. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary.

To God the Son
O Lord Jesus, the True Light, that enlightenest every man coming into the world, dissipate, I beseech Thee, the darkness of heresy and schism. Open the eyes of those in error, that they may perceive the brightness of Divine Faith, and embrace the doctrines of the true and only Church, so that, for the future, there may be but one fold and one flock. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary.

To God the Holy Ghost.
O Holy Ghost, Spirit of Peace and Love, enkindle in the hearts of princes, the fire of divine charity, which Thou camest to cast upon the earth! Teach them not to meditate any enterprise subversive of Thy Glory of They Church's peace, but to seek by every means in their power to attain for themselves and those confided to them the enjoyment of eternal repose. Amen
Our Father, Hail Mary.

To the Most Holy Trinity
Adorable Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Who didst create the souls of infidels after Thine own image and likeness, hear the prayers of pious Christians, and the supplications of Thy Church; disperse the blindness of idolaters; send among them men truly apostolic, who may teach them the only saving faith; and grant them the grace to know and adore Thee for evermore. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary.

Prayer for our Holy Father the Pope
O God, the Pastor and Governor of all the faithful, look propitiously on Thy servant N., whom Thou hast constituted Head of Thy Church; grant him grace to form to virtue and religion, both by word and example, the flock committed to his charge, so that they may, with him, attain the rewards of eternal life. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary.

May the Almighty and Merciful God graciously hear us.
And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Source: The Holy Family Manual, A Selection of Prayers and Devotional Exercises, Sisters of Notre Dame, Cincinnati, Ohio 1883

wiki commons

“God has placed deep within the bosom of this physician and priest the heart of Saint Vincent de Paul. The fervour of his love for the poor was unsurpassed, the integrity of his blameless conduct was truly angelic, the kindness beaming from his face recalled Saint Francis de Sales. I have followed him very attentively through all the stages of his virtuous life and I must acknowledge, I have never met a priest who was so zealous for the salvation of souls, so amiable and so holy as he.” Archbishop of Palermo, Cardinal Giuseppe Guarino,

• Missionary Servants of the Poor

Prayer to Blessed James Cusmano:

O Most loving Father James Cusmano, you who consecrated your life to the love and service of Christ by serving the Poor, teach us to make real in our own lives the "New Commandment" given by Our Lord, by lovingly putting into practice the Works of Charity.
Help us to re-discover the joy of serving others, so that we can come to the fullness of "Faith through Charity". Free us from the illusion of feeling we are so poor that we have nothing to give or of feeling so rich that we have nothing to receive. Make us capable of sharing with others what we have and what we are, in a spirit of true communion. Obtain for us that, by loving and serving Christ with you as our example we may one day contemplate Him and possess Him for ever, together with you in the Home of our heavenly Father. Amen.

Source: Missionary Servants of the Poor Philippines

Almighty God and Merciful Father, I thank you and praise you for you adorned the heart of Blessed James Cusmano with "Charity which knows no bounds" in helping the poor and the unhappy.
Make that, by his example, inflamed by the ardor of the same ardor of charity, I can also be always happy to offer my life for the glory of Your name, to the service of others, and to be blessed in the Kingdom of Heaven. Grant me, through his intercession the grace ... of which I am badly in need. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end amen.

Source: James Cusmano

Nikephoros I of Constantinople trampling on John VII of Constantinople. Miniature from Chludov Psalter.

"Integrity of the Faith: There are not in the Christian faith any articles which it is permissible to accept or reject according to one's own good pleasure; all are equally holy and equally true. Faith teaches that it is good to hold in reverence the images of the saints; and this article of belief, apparently to little importance, has been upheld by martyrs.

Nicephorus, elected patriarch of Constantinople in 806, despite his opposition, furnished us with a striking example. The emperor Nicephorus, who had been instrumental in bringing about this election, was not mistaken in the estimate he had made of his former secretary. On the emperor Leo the Armenian succeeding to Nicephorus, he renewed the persecution in the matter of images, but found on the part of the patriarch an amount of resistance as unbending as it was determined. Unable to conquer him, he banished him to a monastery, where the saintly old man spent fourteen years, accounting himself happy to suffer this long disgrace for the sake of religion. He there died in 828, after having composed several works in defense of the faith. The Greeks celebrate his festival on the 2nd of June, and the Latin Church on the 13th of March.

Moral Reflection: How shall we venture to cavil at the Faith, when St. Paul himself proclaimed that he had received the apostleship not for the control of, but for obedience to the faith? (Rom. i. 5)" Pictorial Half Hours with the Saints by Abbe Auguste Lecanu

• "Second Council of Nicaea, the Seventh Ecumenical Council, in 787. Among the canons that were issued  during this council:
  
      “We define that the holy icons, whether in color, mosaic, or some other material, should be exhibited in the holy churches of God, on the sacred vessels and liturgical vestments, on the walls, furnishings, and in houses and along the roads, namely the icons of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, that of our Lady the Theotokos, those of the venerable angels and those of all saintly people. The more frequently they are seen in representational art, the more are those who see them drawn to remember and long for those who serve as models, and to pay these images the tribute of salutation and respectful veneration (dulia). Certainly, this is not the full adoration [or real worship] (latria) in accordance with our faith, which is properly paid only to the divine nature… Further, people are drawn to honor these images with the offering of incense and lights, as was piously established by ancient custom. Indeed, the honor paid to the image is in effect transmitted to the prototype; he who venerates the image, venerates the person represented in that image.
  
      “Therefore all those who dare to think or teach anything different, or who follow the accursed heretics in rejecting ecclesiastical traditions, or who devise innovations, or who spurn anything entrusted to the church (whether it be the Gospel or the figure of the cross or any example of representational art or any martyr’s holy relic), or who fabricate perverted and evil prejudices against cherishing any of the lawful traditions of the Catholic Church, or who secularize the sacred objects and saintly monasteries, we order that they be suspended if they are bishops or clerics, and excommunicated if they are monks or lay people.”

“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too, and it cannot be all of a sudden entirely forbidden or even considered harmful.  It behooves all of us to preserve the riches which have developed in the Church’s faith and prayer, and to give them their proper place.” Pope Benedict XVI

Source: Ugly Churches and Modern Day Iconoclasm

A Litany of Saints Who Suffered for the Sake of Holy Images (for private use)

Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father, invisible and uncircumscribed, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Image of the Father, made flesh for man, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, sent under the form of a dove and tongues of flame, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.

Ye forty-two holy monks of Ephesus, tortured under Constantine Copronymus, pray for us.
St. Lazarus, monk, tortured under Theophilus as a painter of sacred images, pray for us.
St. Tharasius, bishop, recipient of a letter from Pope Adrian I in defense of holy images, pray for us.
St. Euthymius of Sardis, bishop, exiled by Michael and martyred under Theophilus, pray for us.
St. Theophanes, monk, imprisoned, then exiled by Leo the Armenian for venerating images, pray for us.
St. Nicephorus, bishop, exiled to the island of Prokonesis for reverencing holy images, pray for us.
St. Paul of Constantinople, burnt to death under Constantine Copronymus, pray for us.
St. Nicetas of Apollonia, bishop, driven into exile, pray for us.
St. John Damascene, apologist of icons, whose cut-off hand was restored by the Mother of God, pray for us.
St. Macarius, who under the Emperor Leo ended his life in exile, pray for us.
St. Nicetas of Medikion, abbot, who suffered much under Leo the Armenian, pray for us.
St. Plato, monk, who strove dauntlessly against the heretical breakers of holy images, pray for us.
St. George of Antioch, bishop, who died in exile for the veneration of holy images, pray for us.
St. Anthusa, virgin, beaten with scourges for the veneration of holy images and exiled, pray for us.
St. Emilian, bishop, who suffered at the hands of the Emperor Leo and died in exile, pray for us.
SS. Julian, Marcian, and eight others, slain with the sword for venerating an image of the Saviour, pray for us.
St. George Limniota, whose hands were cut off and whose head was set on fire, pray for us.
SS. Hypatius and Andrew, who suffered flaying, burning, and the cutting of your throats, pray for us.
St. Theophilus, cruelly scourged and driven into exile by Leo the Isaurian, pray for us.
St. Andrew of Crete, monk, scourged by Constantine Copronymus who cut off thy foot, pray for us.
St. Theodore of Studium, zealous fighter for the Catholic veneration of holy images, pray for us.
St. Gregory Decapolites, who suffered much for the veneration of holy images, pray for us.
SS. Theodore & Theophanes, brothers, beaten and sent into exile twice for the honor due to icons, pray for us.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

V. There is no idol in Jacob, neither is there a simulacrum in Israel.
R. The Lord his God is with him, and the sound of the King’s victory is in him. (Num 23:21)

V. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
R. For in him were all things created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible. (Col 1:15–16)

Let us pray. Almighty everlasting God, who dost not forbid us to carve or paint likenesses of Thy saints, in order that whenever we look at them with our bodily eyes we may call to mind their holy lives and resolve to follow in their footsteps: may it please Thee to bless us by images made in memory and honor of Thine only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and to grant that all who in their presence pay devout homage to Thine only-begotten Son may by His merits and primacy obtain Thy grace in this life and everlasting glory in the life to come, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: A Litany of Saints Who Suffered for the Sake of Holy Images

"Having lived a monk for some time, eminent for sanctity, he was afterwards abbot; and upon the death of Pelagius, was chosen bishop of Rome. In this dignity he preserved a wonderful humility, was ever careful in regulating the clergy, in promoting the honour and worship of God, in relieving the poor, having a list of all that were in the city and neighboring villages, and never dining but with some of them at his table. Though he was of a very infirm constitution, he was very vigorous in the public concerns of his flock; and in his vacant hours either reading, writing, or dictating to others holy lessons, such as discover the great sanctity of this prelate, and serve for food to all pious souls. Pray that all his successors may inherit his spirit; and that his example may be a rule to all the prelates of Christ's church. Pray for his present Holiness, that God would direct and assist him in the whole discharge of his duty.

St. Gregory, before he became pope, was anxious to bring about the conversion of the English nation. Seeing certain youths of fine features exposed to sale for slaves in the market at Rome, and being informed that they came from England, where the people were still heathens, he fetched a deep sigh, and lamented that the devil should be master of so much beauty, and that so fine an exterior should have nothing of God's grace within. When he was advanced to the chair of St. Peter, moved with compassion for the English, he sent St. Augustin with some other religious into this country, in the year 596, by whose zealous labors it was converted to the Christian faith. St. Gregory is therefore styled by St. Bede, the Apostle of England. Give God thanks for the light of the gospel, thus brought into this nation. Pray that God would remove all obstinacy, prejudice, and blindness from deluded souls, and solicit in particular in behalf of those who sincerely seek him. Pray for all the pastors of this nation, that they may faithfully labor in seeking the lost sheep; and that God would give a blessing to their endeavors." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother

Prayer to Saint Gregory, Pope and Confessor: O invincible defender of Holy Church's freedom, Saint Gregory of great Renown by that firmness thou didst show in maintaining the Church's rights against all her enemies, stretch forth from heaven thy mighty arm, we beseech thee, to comfort her and defend her in the fearful battle she must ever wage with the powers of darkness.
Do thou, in an especial manner, give strength in this dread conflict to the venerable Pontiff who has fallen heir not only to thy throne, but likewise to the fearlessness of thy mighty heart; obtain for him the joy of beholding his holy endeavors crowned by the triumph of the Church and the return of the lost sheep into the right path.
Grant, finally, that all may understand how vain it is to strive against that faith which has always conquered and is destined always to conquer: "this is the victory which overcometh the world, our faith." This is the prayer that we raise to thee with one accord; and we are confident, that, after thou has heard our prayers on earth, thou wilt one day call us to stand with thee in heaven, before the eternal High Priest, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth world without end. Amen.

Source: CAPG