Dear Parishioners of Mary Immaculate and Saint Rose,
      August 27th was the feast of Saint Monica. She lived in northern Africa in the 4th century.  She was born of a Christian family but was married to a pagan husband.  She is known for persevering in prayer for decades for the conversion of her family.  Her husband  became Christian at the end of her life. Her son became a Christian through the prayers of his mother and the influence of Saint Ambrose.  Augustine became a priest, a bishop, and eventually a saint!  His feast day is the day following his mother’s: August 28th.                                                                
    I was intrigued with this idea of holiness begetting holiness.  I wondered is it common for those in the same family to become saints? The New Testament is full of saints who are married or are from the same family.  John the Baptist and his parents Zechariah and Elizabeth are all saints. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus were siblings, friends of Jesus, and now celebrated as saints.  Jesus called two sets of brothers as part of His twelve apostles: Peter and Andrew, and James and John. 
 So all of these are rather ancient saints.  Does it still hold true that in modern times, holiness runs in families? 
          Saint Thérèse of Lisieux was canonized in 1925.  She was a cloistered Carmelite nun who died at the age of 24.  She was from an incredible family.  Her parents Louis and Zelie Martin had both sought to enter religious life but were refused.  They married and had nine children.  They were also members of the Third Order of St. Francis (now known as the Secular Franciscan Order).  Five daughters lived to be adults, and all five girls entered the convert.  In 2015 the parents of Saint Therese were declared saints. Another member of the family, Leonie, who became a Visitation nun instead of a Carmelite, is also being considered for canonization.   
        Saint Gianna Molla refused treatment for cancer to carry to term an unborn child.  She was canonized in 2004 for her heroic act of love.  Her brother Enrice Beretta was a missionary priest in Brazil and is presently being considered for canonization. 
      In a world that seems to be increasingly secular, vulgar, and violent, we can see the influence of those who follow a bad example. It gives one hope to see that goodness and holiness are also “catching.”   
      So we Christians must persevere in our prayers for conversion, especially for family and friends who may have strayed.  We also must strive to be good examples of living the Faith so we will influence others to follow Jesus.  Remember holiness begets holiness.  May God bless us with many virtuous and holy families!                                  
Msgr. Cox

St. Augustine with his mother St. Monica, Ary Scheffer (1846)