On May 17, the Church commemorates the Franciscan friar Aragonese St. Pascual Bailon, of the 16th century, characterized by an ardent love for Jesus in the Eucharist and for the Virgin Mary. The saints' calendar also celebrates the Italian saints Julia Salzano and Antonia Mesina (15 years old), St. Paul and St. Paul (15 years old), St. Paul and St. Paul (15 years old). chinese family man St. Peter Liu Wenyuan, and the Polish Redemptorist Blessed Ivan Ziatyk.
The Martyrology Roman describes St. Pascual Bailon as follows: "In Villarreal, in the region of Valencia, in Spain, St. Pascual Bailon, a religious of the Order of Friars Minor, who, always showing himself diligent and benevolent towards all, constantly honored with ardent love the mystery of the Most Holy Eucharist († 1592)".
St. Paschal: few studies, but gifts of advice and wisdom
In fact, St. Paschal Bailon, who was called Paschal because he was born on the eve of Pentecost, was a shepherd as a young man. In 1564 he entered the Order of St. Francis. He wore the Franciscan habit in Elche (Alicante).
He was of humble origins and had little education, and was assigned to the offices of the lay brothers. But he had the gifts of counsel and wisdom, and great devotion to the Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin. Pope Leo XIII named him patron of Eucharistic Associations and Congresses. He was beatified in 1618 by Pope Paul V, and canonized in 1690 by Pope Alexander VIII.
St. Peter Liu Wenyuan: pursued and arrested several times
Saint Peter Liu Wenyuan was born in China, of a pagan family, around the year 1790, according to the franciscan directory. Through a friend he learned about Christianity and was baptized. He was soon arrested and condemned, but was released. In 1814 he was arrested again and banished to Mongolia, where he was sold into slavery. He fell ill, and again friends managed to bring him home. He wanted to help his relatives who were persecuted for being Christians, and ended up imprisoned himself. He died in Guizhou (China) in 1834.
