MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7
First day of the triduum to Saint Scholastica

Today we begin the triduum to Saint Scholastica, who, while still very young, following the example of her great brother Benedict, left her family, left her comfortable life, and chose to live in intimate union with the Lord. Her hidden and secluded life was a life of complete surrender to God’s will in fidelity to the commitments she had undertaken. Let us invoke her intercession so that God’s grace may always accompany us in carrying out his holy will in the state of life in which we find ourselves.

For further reading:
• Prayers to Saints Benedict and Scholastica

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7
Martyrs of Široki Brijeg

Today we can remember the martyrs of Široki Brijeg by raising this prayer to the Queen of martyrs:
Queen of martyrs, may your powerful intercession obtain for your «dear martyr children» the rightful glory in the pilgrim Church, the glory they already possess in the heavenly Church. Queen of martyrs, may your powerful intercession obtain for the whole world an unshakable faith, a great and pure faith like that witnessed by the Franciscan martyrs of Široki Brijeg. Amen.

For further reading:
The novena to the martyrs of Široki Brijeg
Medjugorje: the pilgrim’s guide

You may also be interested in:
• Medjugorje postcard set vol. 1
• Medjugorje postcard set vol. 2

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8
Saint Bakhita

Bakhita was born around 1869 in a remote African village in Darfur. Her prosperous family, devoted to herding and farming, consisted of her parents, three brothers, and four sisters. Four other siblings had died before she was born. Her uncle was a tribal chief. Bakhita’s family was a happy one. Her father and mother were excellent parents who loved each other. 
At around seven years of age, her ordeal begins. She is kidnapped while gathering herbs in a field near her home. One of the two kidnappers points a large knife at her side and threatens her: «If you scream, you’re dead». He violently pushes her into the dense undergrowth, and the child is forced to walk all night. It is the beginning of her personal way of the cross. As a slave, she experiences much cruelty and great suffering. Bought in 1882 by an Italian consul, she arrives in Italy and thus has the opportunity to meet the Canossian Sisters of Venice. She will become one of them. From 1935 until a few years before her death, she begins a series of missionary animation journeys. Meanwhile, her story, thanks to a book written by Ida Zanolini, goes around the world. “The former slave who became a religious sister,” the newspapers headline. In every country, people want to see her, touch her, hear her speak, and listen to her marvelous story. For her, however, all the commotion is a source of suffering. Naturally shy and reserved, she is asked to appear in public. With candor and simplicity, she even agrees to go on stage and tell her story. She begins with the sign of the cross and these words: «For the glory of God, to exalt the omnipotence of God who led me to salvation». And each time she repeats: «Be good, love the Lord, pray for those unfortunate people who do not know him. If only you knew what a great grace it is to know God!». She dies on February 8, 1947. Her last words were: «How happy I am… Our Lady… Our Lady!». Bakhita’s tomb is soon besieged by the faithful, who continue even today to turn to her and can thus experience the surprising results of her intercession.

For further reading:
• Praying and living the Word with Saint Josephine Bakhita

You may also be interested in:
• Bakhita postcard with “O God, Father of mercy” prayer on the back
• Bakhita prayer card with “O God our Father” prayer on the back

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8
Blessed Mother Speranza

On this day, when we remember Mother Speranza, let us meditate on these words taken from her spiritual Testament: 
«To the Most Holy Virgin I entrust all my sons and daughters, my two beloved Congregations, and all the poor welcomed into them. I wish to leave my sons and daughters the precious inheritance that I received freely and without any merit of my own from the good Jesus. 
These gifts are: a living faith in the Eternal Father, in his divine Son, in the Holy Spirit, in the holy Gospel, in the holy Eucharist, in the triumph of the Resurrection and the Glory of the good Jesus, and in all that our holy Catholic, Apostolic, Roman Church teaches. A firm hope, an ardent charity, a strong love for the good Jesus, and the Constitutions dictated by Him and written with such faith and trust by this poor creature, so that my beloved sons and daughters may be rich for eternity».

For further reading:
• Novena to Merciful Love. Blessed Mother Speranza of Jesus
• With open arms. The life and works of Mother Speranza

You may also be interested in:
• Religious items about Mother Speranza

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11
Blessed Virgin Mary of Lourdes

This memorial is connected with the life and mystical experience of Saint Bernadette Soubirous, a lay sister of the Sisters of Nevers, favored by the apparitions of the Virgin Mary (February 11 – July 16, 1858) at the Massabielle grotto. From February 11, 1858, Mary appeared to Bernadette eighteen times. Since then, Lourdes has become a destination for intense pilgrimage. The Virgin's message consists of a call to conversion, prayer, and charity. Even today, 5 million pilgrims flock to Lourdes every year to experience its miracle: serenity. In remembrance of Lourdes, since 1993, at the initiative of Pope John Paul II, the World Day of the Sick has been celebrated throughout the world on this date. This year, the theme chosen by Pope Francis for the 30th World Day is “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Lk 6:36).
Standing beside those who suffer on a journey of charity. Let us pray for all those going through the trial of illness; let us invoke Our Lady of Lourdes so that, through her maternal care, she may comfort all who suffer.

For further reading:
• Lourdes. The story, the stories
• Lourdes… changed my life
• Lourdes. The month of February with Mary
• Lourdes. Novenas to the Virgin Mary
• Lourdes. Rosary to the Virgin Mary
• Lourdes. Rosary with Saint Bernadette
• Our Lady appears at Lourdes

You may also be interested in:
• Religious articles about Lourdes

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11
First day of the novena to Saints Francisco and Jacinta Marto

Today we begin the novena to Saints Francisco and Jacinta Marto. Pope Francis recalled in the homily he gave at the Mass for their canonization: “As examples, we have before our eyes Saint Francisco Marto and Saint Jacinta, whom the Virgin Mary introduced into the immense sea of the Light of God, leading them to adore Him. From this they drew the strength to overcome hardships and suffering. The divine presence became constant in their lives, as is clearly manifested in their insistent prayer for sinners and their abiding desire to remain close to ‘Jesus Hidden’ in the Tabernacle.” Let us confidently invoke their intercession.

For further reading:
• The Apparitions of Fatima: Between History and Wonder
• The apparitions of Fatima 
• Our Lady appears at Fatima
• Novena to the Shepherd Children of Fatima – COMING SOON

You may also be interested in: 
• Religious articles about Fatima