Saint of the Month - May 2025: Saint Paschal Baylon

St. Paschal Baylon

Model of Eucharistic Devotion

Feast: May 17th

This month we honor St. Paschal Baylon, a Franciscan Friar and an exceptional Eucharistic Saint. In fact, one of his nicknames is "Seraph of the Eucharist" and rightfully so - the Eucharist was the heart of his soul.  Paschal was born on May 16, 1540 - a Pentecost Sunday - in the Spanish hamlet of Torrehermosa to a virtuous peasant couple.  Given his poor circumstances, Pascal was employed from age 7 as a shepherd to a wealthy land owner.

In the solitude and grandeur of the outdoors, little Paschal developed a deep respect for our Creator and a lively piety, which was expressed in the charitable sharing of his meager meals with the poor and his inclination to contemplative prayer.  Whenever the distant church bell rang, it was a signal for him to kneel and pray wherever he was, regardless what he was engaged in ... and thanks to the help of certain educated friends, he slowly learned to read and availed himself of spiritual reading while out in the fields.

Attracted to the religious life, in his adolescence he applied with the Franciscans, but was initially declined because of his youthful age.  In 1564, at the age of 24, he was accepted with the Alcantarine (reformed) Franciscans that was recently founded by St. Peter of Alcantara (d. 1562).  The following year, in February 1565, he made his solemn profession in the Order's Monastery of St. Joseph in Orito.

The Saint’s simple and tiny cell in the

Franciscan monastery of Villarreal

As a spiritual son of the illustrious St. Francis of Assisi, the Saint was exceptional for his ascetic and materially-detached lifestyle.  In fact, he once explained his choice of joining the Franciscans as: "I was born poor and I am resolved to die in poverty and penance." and he lived up to his words.  Paschal not only adhered to his Order's strict rule of poverty but exceeded it -  he only wore cast off, worn-out habits; walked about completely barefoot (even in snow); and fasted rigorously.  His superiors wanted him to study for the Priesthood but Paschal declined, believing himself unworthy of the dignity of the role.  Instead, he volunteered as cook, gardener, doorkeeper, and even the humiliation of begging for food for his monastery.

Despite the humble positions he served in, the saintly friar became well-respected in all the monasteries where he was assigned to.  His apparent humility, charity, and patience towards visitors at the gate also endeared him to the wider community.  Furthermore, word of his blossoming mystical gifts fueled his reputation for lofty holiness.

Concerning the latter, Paschal's extraordinary charisms was said to include the following:

• He spent entire nights enraptured in deep ecstasy while in Eucharistic Adoration; immobile with his arms habitually extended towards Heaven without any discomfort.

• During his ecstatic states, he also often experienced sublime visions, which filled him with an extraordinary understanding of the mysteries of our Catholic Faith.

• Still, at other times, he was witnessed lifted several feet into the air in levitation and surrounded with a heavenly glow!

• His prayers effected cures for the many sick who began seeking him out.

• And lastly, he is among those rare Saints who had the privilege of receiving Holy Communion from the hands of angels when circumstances prevented him from receiving the Host in the normal manner.

Eucharistic Adoration often triggered

the Saint's frequent ecstasies

St. Paschal's infused knowledge became all the more evident when he was sent to Paris on an important mission for his Order.  As he made his way up north through France then back down, he passed through regions taken over by Calvanist Protestants and took the opportunity to preach to fallen-away Catholics in spite of the danger to himself; his teaching impressed many.  On one occasion he was publicly challenged by a Calvanist leader about the Doctrine of the True Presence, but our Saint's defense of the Eucharist was so solid and convincing, he managed to revert many spectators back to Catholicism.  An enraged group then beat Paschal and attempted to stone him to death but he somehow managed to escape.  The attack left the friar with a permanent injury to one of his shoulders that caused him chronic pain for the rest of his life.

Upon his return to his Spanish monastery, Paschal casually resumed his chores and his routine of nocturnal Adoration despite his injury.  He was a much sought-after counselor and healer until his death in Villarreal on May 17, 1592 (another Pentacost Sunday!).  Not surprisingly, miracles were reported immediately after his passing.  For one, his corpse was exposed for three days due to the massive crowd of mourners who came to pay their respects to the deceased holy man.  All the while his body remained supple and showed no signs of decomposing, and a moisture (described as "dew") exuded from its forehead, which effected cures when it was applied to the sick.  Also, during the funeral Mass, his eyes were seen by attendees to open at both the elevations of the Host and the Chalice; the Saint's final act of reverence towards our Eucharistic Lord whom he loved and defended!

Cures continued at the friar's gravesite, eventually leading up to his Canonization in 1690.

St. Paschal's new sarcophagus in his

Sanctuary in Villarreal, Spain

Sadly, St. Paschal's sacred body, which had remained miraculously incorrupt for centuries, was desecrated and burned by Communist insurgents and secularists during the infamous Spanish Civil War of the 1930s. Several bone fragments survived, however, which are now entombed in a rebuilt Basilica dedicated to St. Paschal in Villarreal.  May this great Saint of the Eucharist inspire in us an ever-deepening love for the Blessed Sacrament.

St. Paschal Baylon,

pray for us!

Habemus Papam!

This is a crucial time in our

Church and in the world.  Please

PRAY for our new Pope. 🕊

POPE LEO XIV

Monthly Message from the Queen of Peace of Medjugorje: April 2025

  "Dear Children, winds of peacelessness, selfishness and sin are catching hold of many hearts and leading them into peacelessness and perdition.  That is why I am calling you, little children: return to God and to prayer, so that it may be good for you in the hearts and on the earth on which you live.  I love you, little children, and that is why I am not tiring of calling you to conversion.  Thank you for having responded to my call."

Was it the face of our Risen Lord? (UPDATED 4/28/2025)

Every morning when I pray my Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet, I usually view one of the live Eucharistic Adoration webcams now common in YouTube.  The one shown below is one of my favorites because of the beautiful Gregorian Chants that also play in the background while praying before the Blessed Sacrament.

(To view this live webcam, click here)

This morning, however, was a different experience than all the other days in the past couple of years that I've been frequenting this channel - today, I think I saw the Holy Face of Jesus appear in the Host, resembling his face as seen on the Shroud of Turin.  See the photos I took below of my tv screen.

O Sacrament most Holy,

O Sacrament Divine,

all praise and all thanksgiving,

be every moment Thine!

Comparisons with the normal view and

with the Holy Face from the Shroud

The mysterious apparition's resemblance to the image on the Shroud is simply uncanny ... and as a strong believer in the Holy Face Devotion, this was a highly meaningful sign to witness.  The lesson here is clear and two-fold - JESUS IS TRULY PRESENT IN THE EUCHARIST ... and the HOLY FACE REVELATIONS AND DEVOTION ARE POWERFULLY ANOINTED!

Lord Jesus, through the merits

of Your Holy Face have pity on us

and on the whole world.  Amen.

+ U P D A T E :  4 - 2 8 - 2 0 2 5 +

FOR DISCERNMENT:  It happened again - the pic below was snapped this morning, while praying the Rosary and viewing the Eucharistic Adoration livestream from a parish in Middleton, New Jersey.  It seemed to this author that the Holy Face was again appearing in the Host.  It wasn’t as clear as last Wednesday's image but it was there.  I took several photos and the one below is the best one although I had to add a little contrast to it.

Is it a miracle?  I won't say for certain ... but what I will testify to is this: again, I have never seen anything like it on this livestream (nor in any of the other live Adoration webcams in YouTube) until it showed up on Easter Wednesday; then yesterday (Divine Mercy Sunday) and today.  It's not a permanent image (it lasted for over 30 minutes each occasion, repeatedly appearing, fading, and materializing again and again in varying clarity before it finally vanished) ... and it doesn't appear to be a projection of any sort ... nor is it a reflection of a Jesus-photo on my side of the screen.

Of course it could just be a natural trick of light, but I can't get over its striking resemblance to the mysterious Shroud of Turin, which I believe IS the miraculous burial cloth of our Lord.  Frankly, it's an impressive thing to witness and I'm profoundly moved by it all: the Eucharist ... that Face ... the power and goodness of our living and true GOD - AMAZING!

R.I.P. Pope Francis

"We all have the duty to do good."

POPE FRANCIS

1936 - 2025

HE LIVES!

Witnessed and photographed early this morning, right before an Easter Sunday Mass - a remarkable human-like silhouette was discernable in a bright cloud.  So it seems even nature is celebrating and witnessing to our Lord's Resurrection!  Hallelujah!

"The heavens declare the

glory of God; the skies proclaim

the work of His hands."

- Psalm 19:1

For Discernment: Let us follow Our Lady to the Cross

While driving to work and praying the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary this morning, a familiar figure appeared in the sky ahead of me.  I managed to snap a few photos ...

Upon reflection, I discerned Our Lady's desire to "prepare" us for the upcoming Paschal Triduum and Easter Sunday.  She is also inviting us to especially accompany her to the foot of the Holy Cross this Good Friday; to prayerfully contemplate in a personal manner our Lord's painful sacrifice and his unconditional love.  After which she will lead us to Christ's empty tomb where an "infusion of grace" awaits.

There's an expectation of joy to all of this but there's also a sense of urgency, and I can't help but ponder this from Luke 21:11 in light of current events:

"There will be great earthquakes,

and in various places famines and

pestilences.  And there will be terrors

and great signs from heaven."

This recent experience and the Bible passage cited above are highly pertinent.  Truly, disasters and signs are escalating all over the world in our present times and much prayer is needed ... but are we paying attention?

O Mary, our Heavenly Mother,

pray for us who have recourse to

thee.  Amen.

Lourdes: A Gateway to Heaven

"Enter through the narrow gate; for

the gate is wide and the road broad that

leads to destruction, and those who enter

through it are many.  How narrow the

gate and constricted the road that leads

to life.  And those who find it are few."

- Matthew 7:13-14

Lourdes is a holy place ... and an ongoing miracle.  I understood it when I first read about this Marian apparition site decades ago and I felt it when I went there on pilgrimage in October 2024.  I got to experience Lourdes - in-person - and discovered just how saturated it is with the very PRESENCE OF GOD AND THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY; it exudes SANCTITY, PEACE, and LOVE.

In particular, I found the Holy Grotto of Apparitions to be where the spiritual power of Lourdes is the most concentrated (my personal opinion).  As such, since returning from my pilgrimage, I now view the Lourdes Sanctuary live webcam daily in YouTube when praying the Rosary.  It helps me "relive" Lourdes over and over ... and sometimes one can even catch glimpses of unusual "luminosities" in and around the cave, which brings us to this blog.

"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

and into His courts with praise: be thankful

unto Him, and bless His name."

- Psalm 100:4

Just a couple of days ago, while praying my Rosary with the webcam streaming on my TV, I was surprised to see a faint golden light flickering inside of the Grotto - it grew brighter  and  solidified into the clear form of a doorway or gate.  It wasn't a bug on the camera lense, but it may also just be a natural trick of sunlight.  However, in all the past years that I've been frequenting the webcam, I've never seen a light formation like it before in that cave so I snapped pics of the screen.  Besides, it really looked like a door or gate, and its location above the altar and its timing being coincidental with the start of the Sanctuary's daily evening Rosary at the Grotto were both significant.

An unusual light in the Lourdes Grotto - a

passageway between Heaven and Earth?

I'd like to suppose that I maybe inadvertently witnessed the Gate of Heaven opening up in the Grotto for Our Lady to come through to be with the pilgrims.  It's completely plausible.  Plus, I've captured other extraordinary light phenomena in the past, via the Grotto's webcam, and have a friend who has seen luminosities, too - see here and here.

Irregardless whether the light is a genuine sign or not, no doubt about it - Lourdes is holy.  I can gratefully testify along with countless other pilgrims who've been there that it's a rare, miraculous place where Heaven and Earth unite; Lourdes is a Gateway to Heaven.  And let's not forget - one of Our Lady's glorious Titles in the Litany of Loreto is: "Gate of Heaven" ... and recorded in Sacred Scriptures are the words below, spoken by our Lord about Himself.  Indeed, both Mother Mary and Jesus are present in Lourdes.

"I AM the DOOR.  By me, if any

man enter in, he shall be saved."

- John 10:9

Is this what two great Saints looked like?

I was researching something on the net the other day when I came upon a pleasant surprise - more forensic reconstruction of the faces of Saints! Those familiar with this blog are likely aware that this author is a big fan of such things (click here to see other forensic "faces of holiness" that I've shared about in the past).  This time around I add two famous Saints who are both Doctors of the Church:

St. Teresa of Avila

   

Compare this Spanish Saint's forensic reconstruction (Above-Left) with the most famous portrait done of her when she was 61 (I personally don't see a similarity and prefer the painting).  To read about St. Teresa's prodigious life, click here.

St. Thomas Aquinas

   

Above, the forensic reconstruction (Left) with a typical representation of the Saint painted shortly after he was canonized in July 1323 (there appears to be a slight resemblance).

So what do viewers think?  I personally find it highly fascinating to see these scientifically reconstructed faces ... then find it amusing when I compare them to statues and paintings to see how they measure up to each other.  The artistic depictions usually don't come close to reality - almost all look too perfect with their tall, slim bodies and their perfect complexion, especially devotional statues I see on sale.

I prefer to see true likenesses of our Saints and Blesseds with their not-so-perfect features.  I think it brings them down to earth, which makes them relatable; mostly ordinary people but who lived their Catholic Faith in an extraordinary manner!

Saint of the Month - April 2025: Blessed Pauline von Mallinckrodt

 

Bl. Pauline von Mallinckrodt

A Light to the Blind

Memorial: April 30th

This month this ministry features Bl. Pauline von Mallinckrodt, a little-known German foundress of a Catholic Congregation. She was born on June 3, 1817 in the town of Minden and baptized with the name Maria Bernardine Sophia Pauline.  Her family was well-to-do being that her father, Detmar, was a government official.  He was a Lutheran but Pauline’s mother Marianna was a highly devout Catholic who raised her children in the Faith.

Given Detmar’s work, Pauline and her three siblings received an excellent education and afforded luxuries reserved only for the privileged: abundant food, fine clothing, social status, servants, extensive travels, etc.  Despite her family’s affluent lifestyle, the Beata developed a deep piety from her early youth, which was expressed via a deepening devotion towards the Blessed Sacrament and a compassionate heart for the less fortunate.

Biographies relate how young Maria affectionately cared for her father and siblings after her mother passed away from typhus when she was 17-years-old … and her loving concern extended to the hired help, who Maria treated with solicitude and nursed when they were ill.  This kindness she strove to live by extended outside of the Mallinckrodt home reaching out to the poor with whom she shared her monetary allowances and whatever other alms she could provide.

After Maria’s father retired from public service in 1840, the family relocated to Paderborn where she was drawn to a group of pious women who charitably assisted the sick-poor in the community.  She joined this association while entertaining the notion of becoming a Vincentian Sister of Charity, even going so far as to visit their motherhouse in Paris (where St. Catherine Laboure received her Miraculous Medal apparitions) to get an idea of what religious life would be like.

It soon became evident that Maria was the immerging leader of the charity she was a member of.  Through her initiative, their ministry opened a school to ensure children and orphans were not only educated, but also protected from neglect in the wake of the chaotic Industrial Revolution of the early 1800s.  In addition, an opportunity arose to establish a special school for blind children, which Maria also took on.  Both projects prospered and the work quickly grew beyond what was easily manageable for her and her companions.  Besides that, the Beata was still planning to become a nun.

Bl. Pauline in her youth

In 1846, Maria traveled to France to meet with another religious founder – Mother Madeleine Sophie Barat (now a Saint) – with the intent of turning over the administration of the school for the blind to St. Madeleine’s congregation.  Things, however, didn’t turn out the way she hoped as the German/Prussian government was unwilling to have a French organization – even a religious one – operating on German soil. Following this major setback, Maria consulted with the Archbishop of Cologne who encouraged her to start her own congregation to continue and propagate the charisms of charitable service and Christian education that she was already doing.  After prayerful consideration, she founded the Sisters of Christian Charity (SCC) in Paderborn in August 1849, along with three companions, and became its first superior under the name of Mother Pauline.

It should be mentioned that in the hustle and bustle of her daily life and work, Pauline had, for some time, been receiving Holy Communion daily with the Church’s permission (it was uncommon in her time to do so).  This was the secret to her burning charity and the drive she possessed to serve the Lord in serving others – the Eucharist and deep prayer were the fuel to her fire.  After establishing her congregation, she was able to have the Blessed Sacrament reserved in the chapels of her religious houses and made it a rule for her spiritual daughters to attend daily Mass.

Pauline spent her remaining years growing the SCC ministry.  Within the span of the next 25 years, they had over 200 members working in 20 establishments in Germany before branching out to other countries beginning in June 1873 when a group of her nuns sailed to New Orleans, USA (the first of over two dozen houses of charity/schools in the US!).  Other requests for the SCC also came in from Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay where there was an influx of German immigrants in the second half of the 1800s … so Mother Pauline sent her daughters there, too, to assist her former countrymen and the locals.

Despite chronic illnesses in her later years, the Beata traveled extensively – even going overseas to personally monitor the expansion of her congregation’s work.  Upon returning from a grueling trip to South America then up to New York in 1880, she fell ill and progressively worsened.  She succumbed to pneumonia on the morning of April 30, 1881; Mother Pauline was 63-years-old.

A bone relic from Mother Pauline gifted to this

ministry by the Sisters of Christian Charity

The founder’s reputation for sanctity earned while she was still alive survived her death, leading to the opening of her Cause for Canonization in Paderborn in 1926.  In December 1984 a miraculous cure attributed to her intercession was officially approved by the Vatican and Pauline was Beatified by Pope John Paul II the following April 1985.  A second officially recognized miracle is needed to raise her to Sainthood.  We pray for her speedy Canonization.

Bl. Pauline von Mallinckrodt,

pray for us!

Are these extraordinary blessings for St. Anthony of Padua Parish?

Strange things are happening at my Kailua parish of St. Anthony of Padua Church; wonderful things ... and this author suspects perhaps the Good Lord and the Holy Virgin is trying to tell Hawaii something and maybe has plans for the parish.  May our priests and faith community respond worthily with opens hearts.  Allow me to elaborate.

It started 10 days ago on March 20, 2025.  While praying after the morning Mass, I felt a powerful presence within the church; a living and holy presence that was so tangible I could pinpoint it hovering up in the highest part of the church interior.  I couldn't see anything but I sensed it was there ... and after I was done praying and left the church, it followed me; it was around me.  I couldn't help but think to myself, "Something special is gonna happen today." and I looked up searching at the sky but didn't see anything extraordinary.

However, while walking across the street to my car, I heard a woman's voice say to me, "Go ahead - take a picture."  I recognized the voice as Our Lady's, and without hesitation I snapped three photos towards the church.  Upon reviewing the pics, I was amazed to discover that one of them showed her silhouette atop a palm tree in front of the church - it reminded me of a classic depiction of the Virgin of Fatima on her little tree!  So the "presence" was her, after all.

We observe First Saturdays with a special

Rosary so was it Our Lady of Fatima?

Fast forward to yesterday - March 29th - after the Saturday evening Vigil Mass, a huge cloud above the church began taking a human-like silhouette - a familiar form.  In awe, I recall thinking something to this effect, "It can't be.  Not again."  I don't know why but I actually ignored what I was seeing and drove off to a nearby Aunt's house ... and when I got out of my car, the cloud-figure was still above - impossibly intact! - so I took a few photos, which I post a couple below.

   

Showing both sets of the pics to family and a few friends, collectively we came to the same conclusion - we see the outline/figure of the Virgin Mary.  But the big question is ... WHY?  Why an influx of signs?  I can only assume that there is a special grace being granted to St. Anthony of Padua Church and a lesson to be learned.  The truth is, these two photos aren't the only unusual ones taken at the parish.  If one browses this ministry's Photo Albums of Little Signs to the right, one will find others taken within the past 10 years so it can't be mere coincidences.  I believe all of it has something to do with the faith and dedication of certain parishioners there; a few of them are co-members with me in our parish's FIAT: Faith In Action Today Prayer Group so I know them very well.  All are active in parish ministries and involved in spreading the Faith; all have a loving, filial relationship with Our Lady, especially through the Holy Rosary.  

What a privilege it is to know such good people; to pray and serve alongside them.  I believe that it's because of our collaborative efforts to spread devotion to the Blessed Virgin that she responds as our "Mom" to encourage and remind us of her abiding maternal love.  And the pics - they're only a visible sign of something more important, which is the invisible grace Our Lady brings that is working in life of our parish.  I discern its power ... and I'm humbled, uplifted, and grateful.  I also sense that we haven't seen the last of her.

So long as the parish continues doing what it's doing for our dear Heavenly Mother, blessings will blossom into good fruit in our faith-community; she'll also continue dropping by on occasion to check-in with us - her "kids" - knowing that she's invited and welcomed.  That's the special grace and, ultimately, the big lesson ... and it applies to every other parish not just mine.  Make Mother Mary welcomed - she will come bearing gifts.  Ave Maria!

[If you're ever in Kailua, please visit us

too - we welcome you!  For directions to

our beautiful church, click here]

Monthly Message from the Queen of Peace of Medjugorje: March 2025

Monthly Message given to Marija on March 25th:

  “Dear children, in this time of grace when you are called to conversion, I am encouraging you, little children: offer me your prayers, sufferings and tears for conversion of hearts that are far from the Heart of my Son Jesus.  Pray with me, because, little children, without God you do not have a future or eternal life.  I love you, but I cannot help you without you; therefore, say 'yes' to God.  Thank you for having responded to my call.”

Message given to Mirjana during her Annual Apparition on March 18th:

  “Dear children!  With motherly love I implore you: give me your hands folded in prayer, give me your hearts cleansed in confession and I will lead you to my Son.  Because, my children, only my Son, with His light, can illuminate the darkness; only He, with His Word, can remove suffering.  Therefore, do not be afraid to walk with me, because I am leading you to my Son – salvation.  Thank you.”

Saints & Relics Presentation, 3/15/2025: Holy Cross Parish, Kalaheo (Kauai)

Once again, the people of Kauai have warmed my heart and exceeded my expectations with their enthusiasm and hospitality!  This morning, this author flew over to Kauai Island to conduct a Lenten "Mini-Retreat" for Holy Cross Parish, which included a talk on Saints, Relics, and Eucharistic Miracles.  Based on feedback, the event was a complete success.  Thanks and Praises be to God!

The church's Pastor, Fr. Danny Galang, and his parish team of organizers were well-prepared to host the Relics, having setup covered tables and generously putting together packets filled with rosaries, holy cards, and even handkerchiefs with which to touch the Relics, so as to create 3rd Class ones for blessed mementos of the occasion.  And there was food prepared for the 70+ attendees!  (Well done, Holy Cross Parish!)

With my new friend - Fr. Danny

What was also exceptional was the invitation extended to the other parishes on the island - I met people from St. Raphael Parish, St. Theresa Parish, and again saw several friends I made when I did the January 2025 talk at St. Catherine Parish in Kapa'a.

Over 30 Relics on display, including Relics

of Our Lady's veil and the True Cross

What a beautiful and highly fruitful event orchestrated by our Lord; all the free sacramentals were scooped up and this ministry was invited to return in October to faith-share about the Blessed Virgin's apparitions and messages.  God's will be done!

Fr. Danny and my new Kauai Ohana

Saint of the Month - March 2025: Venerable Maria Costanza Zauli

Ven. Maria Costanza Zauli

A Handmaid of the Eucharist

Although not yet Canonized, the life of this lofty Italian mystic is worth reflecting upon, especially for the upcoming Lenten Season.  Like many authentic mystics, her life was filled with many sufferings, patiently and generously endured for the love of God and in atonement for the sins of others ... yet compensated with sublime heavenly visitations and abundant graces.

Born in Faenza, Italy, on April 17, 1886, she was baptized on the following day - a Palm Sunday - by her highly devout parents.  Thus, they named her Palma Pascua ("Easter Palm").  She reportedly smiled sweetly and laughed as the baptismal waters flowed over her head prompting the priest to exclaim: "This little girl is singular! Usually little ones cry, while she smiles so much!"

Indeed, Palma was special in many ways. Being that she was the only daughter with 6 brothers, she was doted upon by her entire family - the girl was said to have been exceptionally affable, and displayed a deep piety from her earliest years.  In fact, in her diary Palma recounted how her father, Giuseppe, taught her to love the Blessed Virgin and how she often heard the Lord clearly "speaking" to her heart (interior locutions); teaching and guiding her, which she initially thought was common to all children.

A pivotal experience occurred when Palma was only about 3-years-old - her father took her to Mass with him during which she witnessed the Host brilliantly illuminated by a supernatural light. From henceforth she was enamored by the Eucharist and when Giuseppe asked her what she wanted to do when she grew up, Palma decisively replied: "I will become a nun."

Throughout her pre-adolescent years, Palma amazed all who knew her with her admirable conduct, the aura of sanctity she exuded, and the special gifts God was clearly manifesting in her - she seemed to read souls and possessed a mature level of spiritual insight.  Of this period in her life, the Venerable once wrote: "The Lord, from then on, made himself known to my soul as a great light that enveloped me, permeated me, centered me in Himself, and I lived in that celestial atmosphere.  I preferred to remain in silence, in contemplation... In everything the Lord attracted me with an irresistible force and filled me with Himself."

At 9-years-old, Palma received Confirmation followed by her First Holy Communion, which was an earlier age than usual during her time. On both occasions she felt herself "alight" with presence of God, but it was during Communion that she heard Jesus say to her: "Will you be all mine as I am all yours, and forever? I have chosen you as my bride."  To this invitation Palma replied: "I will be yours forever."

In 1895, at the age of 20, Palma left home for Bologna to pursue her goal of becoming a nun.  Her vocation was at first opposed by her mother, but the young girl's firm resolve and Giuseppe's support managed to convince the woman.  So Palma entered the Congregation of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart (a teaching and nursing congregation) on August 15th, the Feast of Our Lady's Assumption ... and after proving herself sincere and capable, she was admitted into investiture during which she was given the religious name of Sr. Maria Costanza (referred to as simply Sr. Costanza).

Sr. Costanza as a young nun.

In the convent, Sr. Costanza's mysticism escalated.  Frequent apparitions of our Lord occurred as He revealed to her profound heavenly mysteries and was apparently preparing her for a very special mission.  In her diary, she wrote these words concerning what the Lord was asking of her:

  "A great and luminous idea dominated my spirit from then on: the sanctity that the Lord demands of those consecrated to Him, priests, and religious: demands of love not sufficiently satisfied, for which the lament of the Divine Heart committed me to take the utmost care of my perfection, and to pray and offer for the sanctification of the chosen portion. With the consent of the director, I offered myself for this purpose so desired by God."

There were also encouraging appearances from the Madonna, whom Costanza loved dearly, and other visitations not so wonderful, as they involved the devil.  The enemy came in the form of a large menacing black dog to intimidate the young novice.  This infernal animal was also witnessed by the other nuns, but Sr. Costanza wasn't afraid - she simply invoked Our Lady and her guardian angel and it was usually sufficient to dispel the devil.

The profusion of extraordinary graces this Venerable experienced was so numerous, it will take too long to explain them all in a short blog.  So below is just a summary of some of the more significant ones:

• In separate successive visions, the Lord showed Sr. Costanza Purgatory, then Hell, and finally Heaven in 1911.

• During Holy Week of 1913, she experienced the suffering of the pains of Christ's Passion, via the Stigmata.  The Stigmata were repeated frequently, per witnesses who saw the wounds on her limbs.

• Also during Lent of 1913, on Good Friday, she underwent the Mystical Marriage with Jesus in the presence of His Holy Mother who placed her finger into a ring with three precious stones.

• The Eucharist was for her the summit of her spiritual life, triggering many of her visions, revelations, and outward signs such as ecstasies and a fiery glow on her face after Holy Communion or Adoration.

The nun, despite the unusual graces and sufferings she was living through, was able to fulfill her religious duties and was generally well-liked by her companions for her faith-example and the contagious joy she exuded; a smile was ever on her face ... and the students under her care loved her like a mother.  Furthermore, everything that God revealed to her, she entrusted to the guidance of her Confessor.

Beginning in 1923, Costanza came down with a mysterious and painful malady that mostly left her bedridden.  Our Lord had forewarned her of this trial, which He described as a participation and preparation for a great work.  In a series of revelations, He informed Costanza that she would leave her congregation to found another; Jesus wanted a new contemplative group of nuns who would  dedicate their lives to Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration for the specific purposes of praying for the sanctification of priests and religious; making reparation for their sins; supporting their work through prayer and sacrifices; and praying for spiritual vocations.

The sick nun sought discernment and approval from her Confessor and Cardinal Giorgio Cusmini, who unknown to her was the spiritual director to another reputable privileged soul, Elena Rocca (d. 1919 - read about her here).  Elena and Costanza were strangers to one another, but in September 1917 the Lord directed Elena to write to the Cardinal to urge him to support Sr. Costanza's initiative.  She did as instructed and was instrumental in setting into motion the establishment of the new congregation.

It wasn't until 1933 that the Handmaid Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament was finally founded amidst providential circumstances, in the face of many obstacles, and supported by the prayerful sacrifices on the part of Sr. Costanza and Elena Rocca.  On the day of the inauguration of the new monastery the foundress was miraculously healed of her illness and was able to join her spiritual daughters as their Mother Superior; she changed her name to Maria Costanza of the Sacred Side.  It was a name Jesus, Himself, had once called her because the work, He explained had sprung from his side-wound; hence, from the Sacred Heart, itself.

The Handmaid Adorers of the Blessed

Sacrament (Madre Costanza sits in the

front row to the left of the Cardinal).

Now a founder, Madre Costanza spent the rest of her life in complete dedication to the charism of her congregation and in intimate union with her Divine Spouse, via an intense Eucharistic Devotion.  Miracles and revelations also continued - she was reported to heal illnesses with her touch and foresee future events ... and demons still harassed her.

In July 1938 she was warned by Christ of an upcoming second World War.  Consequently, the founder transformed her monastery's cellar into a shelter, which she wisely stocked with necessary supplies.  When WWII erupted the year after in September 1939, her foresight greatly served not just her nuns, but also the local community.  Furthermore, God protected the Handmaids against the ravages of the war - bombs that fell on their monastery grounds failed to explode and bullets shot at their chapel missed the worshippers inside!  

Given that she had offered herself as an expiatory victim soul to mitigate the evils and ravages of the war (along with other mystic souls of her time) Madre Costanza suffered greatly.  By the time the war abated in Italy in the Spring of 1945, it had taken a toll on the nun; she began a slow decline.  In fact, Jesus appeared to her in August of that year bearing a magnificent jeweled crown for her, which she sensed was a happy foreshadowing of her eternal reward.  She lived until April 28, 1954, being 68-years-old at the time of her passing.

Madre Maria Costanza Zauli's Cause for Canonization is in progress; she was declared Venerable in June 2024.  Her body was discovered incorrupt during the ritual examination of her remains.  Please join this ministry in praying for her speedy Canonization.  Madre Costanza, pray for us!

A prayer leaflet w/a relic from Madre Maria

Costanza's veil, "Particella del Velo".