Liturgical Calendar

Saint of the day

Saint Germaine of Pibrac (1579-1601)

Saint Germaine of Pibrac was born with a withered hand. She was desperately poor, growing up on a farm in the French countryside. She was mistreated by her stepmother, fed on scraps, and forced to sleep in the stable. She was a shepherdess from the age of nine. On one bitter, cold, icy winter's day, she was accused by her stepmother of stealing a loaf of bread to feed a starving beggar. Germaine's apron was wrenched open and onlookers expected to see the stolen loaf fall to the ground. Instead, out fell a shower of fresh spring flowers, as fresh and redolent as if they were picked seconds before. Saint Germain of Pibrac died at the age of 21, still a poor French shepherdess. (Taken from "Saints Passionate and Peculiar.")

Reflection

Saint Germaine of Pibrac was a holy woman, but she was, in her own lifetime, completely unknown. She did not accomplish any great deeds or become a great leader. She achieved no advanced learning and attained no accolades. And yet she is a saint, on a par with Christianity's most powerful and wonderful saints. Saint Germaine of Pibrac reminds us that, no matter how seemingly mundane and trivial our lives, we are called to and can in fact achieve magnificent holiness.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, please help me to be holy and appreciate my life.