SEPTEMBER 17: THE ONLY CANONIZED JESUIT BISHOP
Saint Roberto Francesco Romolo Bellarmino
Cardinal
Died: 1621
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St. Robert Bellarmine was an Italian Jesuit cardinal and is one of the 37 Doctors of the Church. He wrote many books concerning dogma. He implemented the declarations of the Council of Trent. He was also assigned to take care of many state-related concerns of the Vatican. He was known for his love of the poor. At one point he used the tapestries in his living quarters to clothe the poor, saying that “the walls won’t catch cold.”

SEPTEMBER 17: THE FIRST BEATIFIED 21ST CENTURY MARTYR
Blessed Leonella Sgorbati
Religious Virgin and Martyr
Died: 2006
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She was an Italian martyred Consolata Missionary Sister. Her original name was Rosa Maria Sgorbati. She was sent to Kenya, where she worked mainly as a midwife. She was later sent to Somalia where she founded a center for the training of Somali nurses and midwives. One day, when she went home after her lessons in the hospital, she was shot by a Muslim extremist. She died while saying "Forgiveness, forgiveness, forgiveness“.
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Blessed Leonella Sgorbati, blessed martyr killed by evil heathens, please pray for the conversion of the Muslims! Please pray likewise for the Africans to find Christ, and for forgiveness of these people as they unite themselves with our Church. Amen.

Hatsune Miku — Luce (Vatican)

Here's a present for our followers to share with women they find special in their lives!

Merlin Advising King Arthur

Gustave Doré

SEPTEMBER 18: THE FLYING PRIEST
Saint Giuseppe Desa
Priest
Died: 1663
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He is more popularly known as St. Joseph of Cupertino. He was an Italian Franciscan priest. After his ordination, his ecstasies became more frequent. He also started to levitate every time that he would fall into deep prayer or during times when he felt happy. His frequent levitations caught much attention and disturbed ceremonies that, at one point, he was forbidden to celebrate Mass in public. He is the patron of pilots and airline employees.

Psalms 140

140:1 I have cried to thee, O Lord, hear me: hearken to my voice, when I cry to thee.
140:2 Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight; the lifting up of my hands, as evening sacrifice.
140:3 Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth: and a door round about my lips.
140:4 Incline not my heart to evil words; to make excuses in sins. With men that work iniquity: and I will not communicate with the choicest of them.
140:5 The just man shall correct me in mercy, and shall reprove me: but let not the oil of the sinner fatten my head. For my prayer shall still be against the things with which they are well pleased:
140:6 Their judges falling upon the rock have been swallowed up. They shall hear my words, for they have prevailed:
140:7 As when the thickness of the earth is broken up upon the ground: Our bones are scattered by the side of hell.
140:8 But to thee, O Lord, Lord, are my eyes: in thee have I put my trust, take not away my soul.
140:9 Keep me from the snare, which they have laid for me, and from the stumblingblocks of them that work iniquity.
140:10 The wicked shall fall in his net: I am alone until I pass.

Psalm 83:10 Behold, O God our protector: and look on the face of thy Christ.
83:11 For better is one day in thy courts above thousands. I have chosen to be an abject in the house of my God, rather than to dwell in the tabernacles of sinners.
83:12 For God loveth mercy and truth: the Lord will give grace and glory.

Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the Lord hateth evil; I hate arrogance, and pride, and every wicked way, and a mouth with a double tongue.