The Ave Maria Hour Radio Show Ave Maria Hour Radio Show

Rebroadcast of the long-running radio program, "The Ave Maria Hour," a presentation of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. www.AtonementFriars.org

Dramatization of the beatitude in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied." Matthew 5:6.

Rebroadcast of the long-running radio program, "The Ave Maria Hour," a presentation of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. www.AtonementFriars.org

Dramatization of the beatitude in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are they who mourn for they shall be comforted."  Matthew 5:4.

Rebroadcast of the long-running radio program, "The Ave Maria Hour," a presentation of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. www.AtonementFriars.org

Dramatization of the beatitude in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5.

Rebroadcast of the long-running radio program, "The Ave Maria Hour," a presentation of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. www.AtonementFriars.org

Dramatization of the beatitude in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven."  Matthew 5:3.

Rebroadcast of the long-running radio program, "The Ave Maria Hour," a presentation of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. www.AtonementFriars.org

St. Bernardino was born in 1530 in Capri, Italy.  At the age of 34, he became acquainted with priests of the Society of Jesus and made an eight-day retreat with them. During this retreat, he felt a strong call to religious life and asked to be admitted to the Jesuits. He was accepted and ordained a priest in 1567. For ten years he served in Naples, preaching, teaching catechism, visiting the sick, the poor and those in prison. He was eventually sent to Lecce, Italy.

Bernardino was well-known and loved for his work in Leece. He was a model confessor, a powerful preacher, a diligent catechist to the youth, as well as a Rector of the Jesuit college and Superior of the Community there. His charity to the poor and the sick knew no bounds and his kindness brought about the end of vendettas and public scandals.

St. Bernardino died in 1616, speaking the names of Jesus and Mary with his last breath. He was beatified by Pope Leo XII in 1895 and canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1947. His feast day is celebrated on July 2nd.

Rebroadcast of the long-running radio program, The Ave Maria Hour," a presentation of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. www.AtonementFriars.org

In the Acts of the Apostles, the Bible says that the apostles of Jesus needed helpers to care for widows and the poor. They ordained seven deacons to that task, and St. Stephen is the most famous of these. He is described as a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, who worked great miracles among the people.

Stephen preached forcefully and with wisdom about Jesus, telling all who would listen that Jesus is the Savior that God had promised to send. He scolded local Jewish authorities for not believing in Jesus. At that rebuke, they rose up in great anger and accused Stephen of blasphemy. They dragged him outside the city of Jerusalem and stoned him to death. The saint prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" Then he fell to his knees and begged God not to punish his enemies for killing him.

St. Stephen is often depicted with stones, a Gospel Book, a miniature church and a martyr's palm frond. He is the patron saint of altar servers, bricklayers, casket makers and deacons. His feast day is celebrated on December 26.