Feasts & Celebrations

                             February 8 ---- St. Jerome Emiliani (1537).
                             St. Jerome Emiliani was imprisoned by the enemy when he was a militia officer.  In prison he taught himself how to pray and was inspired to escape safely.  Helater became a priest and with his own resources opened orphanages, a homeless shelter, and a hospital.
                           
                            February 11 ---- Our Lady of Lourdes (1858)
                            A heavenly "lady" appeared to St. Bernadette Soubirous, a poor and sickly girl from a small village in France.  Soon after the vision, a spring with miraculous, healing waters emerged from a nearby cave.  The "lady" revealed herself as the "Immaculate Conception" ---- the Blessed Virgin Mary.

                           February 23 ---- St. Polycarp (156).
                           Bishop of Smyrna, Asia-Minor, Polycarp was a disciple of the apostle St. John and a friend of St. Ignatius of Antioch.  He faithfully cared for his flock despite being surrounded by pagans and a government opposed to his religion.  Before hewas martyred, he thanked God for making him worthy of a martyr's death.