Week beginning 18th July, 16th Sunday of the Year

St Apollinaris (Tuesday 20th) was Bishop of Ravenna in the late 2nd century and was martyred there. Devotion to him was widespread by the 7th century.

St Laurence of Brindisi (Wednesday 21st), a Capuchin Friar whose deep knowledge of the bible (and of Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Syriac, French and German) made him a popular preacher not only to Catholics but to Protestants and Jews. He was also an able administrator and diplomat for the Church.

St Mary Magdalene (Thursday 22nd) ministered to Jesus in Galilee, was present at His Crucifixion, she was among the group of women who discovered His empty tomb, and it was to her that the Risen Lord first appeared.

St Bridget of Sweden (Friday 23rd / 1303 – 91) was married to a nobleman and had eight children. Her saintly husband died on pilgrimage to Compostela. Six years later St Bridget went to Rome and remained for the rest of her life, caring for the poor and sick. She had many mystical visions.

St Sharbel Makhluf (Saturday 24th / 1828 – 98) was born in the Lebanon and became a hermit who considered himself the servant of anyone who came to visit him.