Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish

The month of July is dedicated to The Precious Blood of Jesus. Pope St Clement I, who was Pope from 88 to 99 AD (the fourth Pope, and possibly mentioned in Phillipans 4:3) wrote of the Precious Blood: “Let us fix our gaze on the Blood of Christ and realise how truly precious It is, seeing that it was poured out for our salvation and brought the grace of conversion to the whole world.”

The Holy Father Pope Francis’ Prayer Intention for July – For a Eucharistic Life: “Let us pray that Catholics place at the centre of their lives the Eucharistic Celebration, which transforms human relationships profoundly and opens up an encounter with God and their brothers and sisters.”

July 3rd – Feast of St Thomas,  apostle – Also known as “Doubting Thomas”, St Thomas is best known as the apostle who, in the Gospel of John 20:24-29 doubts the resurrection of our Lord, until He appears and allows Thomas to touch His wounds. 

St Thomas is the Patron Saint of architects.

July 11th – Memorial of St. Benedict –  St. Benedict, known as the founder of western monasticism, founded the Benedictine Monks in 529 AD. His Rule (The Rule of St. Benedict) carefully integrated prayer, manual labour, and study into a well-rounded daily routine that has shaped Christianity for nearly 1,500 years. 

He is the Patron Saint of monks, school children and students, farmers, fevers, against poison, against witchcraft, and against temptation to name a few.        

July 13th – Memorial of St. Henry – King Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor, devoted himself to spreading the Faith by rebuilding churches, founding monasteries, and encouraging reform within religious orders. Until the end of his life he displayed the virtues of a great saint. 

He is the Patron of the childless, the disabled, handicapped, and those with physical challenges, and sterility. He is also the Patron of Holy Rosary’s sister parish, St. Henri. 

July 15th – Memorial of St. Bonaventure – A doctor of the church and regarded by the Franciscans as their second founder, due to his great work in reforming the order. 

He is the Patron Saint of those with bowel disorders. 

July 22nd – Feast of St. Mary Magdalene – St. Mary Magdalene was known to be a great sinner. She heard our Lord speak of forgiveness and God’s mercy, then changed her life completely. She stood with our Blessed Mother at the foot of our Lord’s cross, and was the first witness to His resurrection. 

She is the Patron of contemplative life, converts, hairdressers, penitent sinners, people ridiculed for their piety, perfumers, pharmacists, and women.

July 25th – Feast of St. James, apostle – Along with Peter and his brother John, St. James was present at our Lord’s Transfiguration, witnessed many of His miracles, and accompanied Him during His Agony in the Garden. 

He is the Patron Saint of blacksmiths, equestrians, horsemen, labourers, pharmacists, pilgrims, rheumatoid sufferers, riders, soldiers, veterinarians.

July 26th – Feast of St. Anne and St. Joachim – Sts. Joachim and Anne are the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We know little else about their lives, but that they were blessed with pregnancy in old age after years of prayer, and dedicated Mary to God at a very young age. 

St. Joachim is the Patron of fathers, grandfathers, and grandparents. 

St. Anne is the Patron of Canada, of Quebec, against poverty, childless couples, equestrians, grandmothers, grandparents, homemakers, mothers, pregnant women, seamstresses, women in labour.

July 29th – Memorial of Sts. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus – Added by decree to the Liturgical Calendar by the Holy Father Pope Francis in 2021. The decree states that: “in the household of Bethany the Lord Jesus experienced the family spirit and friendship of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, and for this reason, the Gospel of John states that he loved them. Martha generously offered him hospitality, Mary listened attentively to his words and Lazarus promptly emerged from the tomb at the command of the One who humiliated death”. 

St. Martha is the Patron of cooks, dietitians, homemakers, innkeepers, laundry workers, maids, single laywomen, travellers.

St. Lazarus is the Patron of gravediggers. 

St. Mary (of Bethany) is the Patron of spiritual studies and lectors.