In this month of November let us remember the souls in Purgatory in a special way every day and let us also pray for the great blessing of a happy death in a state of grace for ourselves.  St. Joseph is the Patron of a Blessed Death; let us ask him for this grace.

The post St. Joseph: Patron of the Dying first appeared on AirMaria.com.

The Life of St. Louis Guanella, Confessor, Founder, Third Order (1842-1915) for the Franciscan Saint of the Day for Oct 24. St. Louis was an associate of John Bosco in the Salesians for some years and was a Third Order Franciscan. He was the founder of the Houses of Providence, Servants of Charity, and Sisters of St. Mary of Providence. He also started some of these houses in the USA and Italy and worked to support the Holy Land. Helped the poor find better prospects.

Reflection is on praying for the dying, that they may have a happy death, in union with God, in a state of grace. He started the Holy Crusade for the Salvation of the Dying, now an archconfraternity to pray for the dying.

For more on St. Louis Guanella
– https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luigi_Guanella
– https://catholicsaints.info/saint-luigi-guanella/

Also on Youtube: https://youtu.be/KBa4HQIOvCs

Read by Fr. Ignatius Manfredonia, FI from Marion Habig’s ‘The Franciscan Book of Saints’ Revised Edition, Franciscan Herald Press, ISBN: 978-0819907516

Playlist of Franciscan Saints: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TxcAETrU_k&list=PLejh_e0-LN4wErRczZGry4TXytCZFiLCm

Ave Maria!

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The post Oct 24 – St. Louis Guanella – Franciscan Saint of the Day first appeared on AirMaria.com.

Fr Matthias gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Mar 18, 2026, urging listeners to prepare for a happy death by living a holy life now in the presence of Jesus and Mary, as St. Joseph did.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus promises eternal life to those who hear His word and believe. Fr. Matthias connects this to the grace of a happy death, spotlighting St. Joseph, whose solemnity is tomorrow. St. Joseph is the patron of a happy death because he died in the company of Jesus and Mary, having lived with them faithfully. He teaches that the path to dying well is living well—invoking Jesus and Mary daily, forgiving enemies, and using God’s abundant graces in every moment. By doing so now, we ensure holiness at our final hour, happily passing from death to life.

USCCB John 5 – Gospel eternal life promise – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/5?24
Catholic Answers – St. Joseph’s happy death – https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/how-should-we-pray-when-death-approaches
EWTN – Patronage of St. Joseph – https://www.ewtn.com/programs/5511-st.-joseph:-patron-of-a-happy-death
CCC 532 – St. Joseph Holy Family – https://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/532.htm
CCC 1013 – Christian view of death – https://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1013.htm

00:00 – Introduction
00:22 – Happy Death Importance
00:40 – St. Joseph Patron Explained
01:20 – Live Holy Die Holy
02:12 – Use Graces Daily

Ave Maria!

Mass: Wednesday 4th Week of Lent – Wkdy
Readings:  – http://usccb.org/bible/readings/031826.cfm
1st: Isaiah 49:8-15
Resp: Psalms 145:8-9, 13-14, 17-18
Gsp: John 5:17-30

More on the Readings: http://dev.airmaria.com/r?m=1760

Also on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBYtzVnBawo

The post Holy Death From Living a Holy Life – Mar 18 – Homily – Fr Matthias first appeared on AirMaria.com.

Fr Josemaria gives the homily at Griswold, CT, on Mar 19, 2026, exhorting the faithful to devotion to St. Joseph through testimonies from St. Teresa of Ávila and Venerable Mary of Ágreda.

In this homily on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Fr. Josemaria highlights St. Joseph’s unique role as the virginal spouse of Mary and foster father of Jesus, noting that this identity says everything about him, as per Blessed Joseph Chaminade. He shares St. Teresa of Ávila’s fervent endorsement, based on her personal experiences of Joseph’s unfailing intercession in all needs, even greater than other saints, since Jesus was subject to him on earth. Venerable Mary of Ágreda details seven privileges: purity, escaping sin, devotion to Mary, happy death, terror to demons, health in difficulties, and family blessings. Fr. Josemaria urges everyone to test this devotion personally, as saints and popes have repeatedly encouraged.

Catechism of the Catholic Church – St. Joseph’s spousal role – https://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/532.htm
Catechism of the Catholic Church – Joseph’s obedient silence – https://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/533.htm
Catechism of the Catholic Church – Guardian of Redeemer – https://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/534.htm
USCCB Bible – Matthew 1:18-25 – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/1?18
Vatican – Quamquam Pluries encyclical – https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_15081889_quamquam-pluries.html
EWTN – St. Teresa devotion testimony – https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/i-wish-i-could-persuade-everyone-12568
New Advent – Mary of Ágreda bio – https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14524a.htm
USCCB – Litany of St. Joseph – https://www.usccb.org/prayers/litany-saint-joseph

00:00 – Opening Hymn Greeting
00:00:25 – St. Joseph Solemnity Introduction
00:00:34 – Chaminade on Gospel Silence
01:20 – Saints Mystics Exhort Devotion
01:34 – St. Teresa Ávila Testimony
03:14 – Mary Ágreda Privileges List
05:07 – Call to Test Devotion
06:00 – Closing Hymn Thanksgiving

Ave Maria!
Mass: St. Joseph Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Solemnity – http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4
Readings:  – http://usccb.org/bible/readings/031926.cfm
1st: 2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16
Resp: Psalms 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29
2nd: Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22
Gsp: Luke 2:41-51

More on the Readings: http://dev.airmaria.com/r?m=1047

Also on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XefsjOHV2KU

The post St. Teresa of Avila Urges Joseph Devotion – Mar 19 – Homily – Fr Josemaria first appeared on AirMaria.com.