Memorial of Saints (July 25)

James, brother of John, is called "the Greater" because he followed Christ before the other apostle of the same name; first of the twelve to be martyred, being decapitated by order of Herod Agrippa I, c. 44 A.D.; venerated at Campostella, Spain; named in the Roman Canon; patron of Spain, Guatemala, and Nicaragua.

also on July 25:

• Christopher, martyr;
• Thea, Valentina and Paul, martyrs;
• Magnericus, bishop

Christopher (d. ca. 251 A.D.) is well known among seasoned Catholics. His image as a man carrying the child Jesus in his shoulders over a river has been part of devotional practice before Vatican II. Even when devotion to Christopher declined when the socio-historical side of the Catholic faith had been emphasized, he is still present in religious tradition. The image of Christopher carrying the child Jesus over a river, will always make the meaning of his name notable - "Christopher = Christ-bearer". He is the patron of travelers and also particularly of motorists. He will always be remembered as long as traditional devotional practices are still in place through religious art, imagery and literature. And if the need for divine protection for travel becomes necessary, devotion to Christopher may be important again.

The Use of the Internet

There are many Church documents on the use of the Internet for evangelization purposes. Three that are worth mentioning are: The Church and Internet (February 22, 2002), the 36th World Communications Day Message (May 12, 2002), and Rapid Development (January 24, 2005).

There are many principles outlined in these documents. In Pope John Paul II's Message for the 36th World Communications Day, the principles are:

• "The Church in every age continues the work begun on the day of Pentecost...to preach the Gospel to every nation." (paragraph 1)
• "For the Church the new world of cyberspace is a summons...of using its potential to proclaim the Gospel message". (paragraph 2)
• "Like other communications media, it is a means, not an end in itself (paragraph 3)
• "Christian living calls for continuing instruction and catechesis...the area in which the Internet can provide excellent help". (paragraph 3)
• "...the Internet can never replace that profound experience of God which only the living, liturgical and sacramental life of the Church can offer...it can certainly provide a unique supplement and support". (paragraph 3)
• "...that this marvellous instrument serves the common good and does not become a source of harm". (paragraph 4)
• "...how are we to cultivate...values...insight...the wisdom that understands the difference between right and wrong (in the context of the Internet)?" (paragraph 4)
• "...electronically mediated relationships can never take the place of the direct human contact required for genuine evangelization". (paragraph 5)
• "...how can we ensure [the Internet] will work in favour of the globalization of human development and solidarity, objectives closely linked to the Church's evangelical mission?" (paragraph 5)
• "...how can we ensure that [the Internet] can serve the cause of peace?" (paragraph 5)
• "From this galaxy of sight and sound will the face of Christ emerge and the voice of Christ be heard?" (paragraph 6)
• "...this is what will make the Internet a genuinely human space...room for Christ [and] ...room for man". (paragraph 6)

Memorial of Saints (July 24)

Sharbel Makhlouf: was a Lebanese monk, born in a small mountain village and ordained in 1858 A.D. Devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, he spent the last twenty three years of his life as a hermit. Despite temptations to wealth and comfort, Saint Sharbel taught the value of poverty, self-sacrifice and prayer by the way he lived his life.

also on July 24:

• Christina, virgin and martyr;
• Lewina, virgin and martyr;
• Declan, bishop;
• Boris and Gleb, martyrs;
• Christina the Astonishing, virgin;
• Christina of Tyre, virgin and martyr;
• John Boste, priest and martyr

Declan (c. 6th century A.D.) was born at Desi in Ireland and was baptized by St. Colman. After being a disciple of St. Colman, he made two pilgrimages to Rome and later became bishop of Ardmore.