Saint of the Day: Bl. Christopher of Milan

Dominican Friar (1410-1484)

His life

+ Christopher was born in Milan, although nothing more is known of his early life.

+ After entering the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans), he became an itinerant preacher, traveling throughout Italy.

+ Said to have the gift of prophecy, he anticipated plagues, a massive flood, and an invasion by the Turks.

+ Four of his books on sermon preparation have survived and the sources he used indicate that he had an expansive knowledge of theology and the Fathers of the Church.

+ Blessed Christopher died in Taggia, Italy, in 1484. Devotion to this holy friar was confirmed by the Holy See in 1875.

For prayer and reflection

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
for he has anointed me
and sent me to preach the good news to the poor,
to heal the broken-hearted.”—Luke 4:18

Spiritual bonus

Today the Church also remembers Saint Agnes Cao Guiying. A Chinese Christian, she was widowed when her husband was martyred for his Christian faith. Following his death, she devoted herself to teaching catechism. For this “crime,” she was executed on March 1, 1856, in Xilin, China. She was canonized with other Chinese martyrs in 2000.

Prayer

God of all truth, you made Blessed Christopher a faithful herald of your word to the people. By his life and ministry may we keep Christ ever in our thoughts and in the love of our hearts, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Traditional Dominican Prayer)

Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.