Monday 24th, The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church: This feast day was introduced by Pope Francis and is to be celebrated every year on the day after Pentecost Sunday. Mary was present with the disciples at Pentecost, praying with them as the Holy Spirit descended. Mary has never ceased to take motherly care of the pilgrim church on earth.
Tuesday 25th, St. Bede the Venerable (673-735, monk at Jarow, historian and biblical commentator. Patron of scholars. St,. Gregory VII (1028-1085) was a Cluniac monk in Rome who, on becoming Pope, worked for reform, and died in exile in Salerno. St. Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi (1566-1607), a Carmelite in Florence, offered her life for the spiritual renewal of the Church.
Wednesday 26th, St. Philip Neri (1515-1595) founded the Congregation of the Oratory to foster good preaching and to promote holiness of priestly life.
Thursday 27th, St. Augustine of Canterbury, a monk in Rome, was sent-by Pope Gregory the Great to preach to the English. Had much success in converting the south of England.
Saturday 29th , Pope St. Paul VI: The feast of Pope St. Paul VI (Giovanni Baptista Montini) is observed on this date, the anniversary of his ordination as priest. On 21st June 1963, then Archbishop of Milan, he was elected pope and continued the Second Vatican Council as begun by his predecessor Pope St. John XXIII. The renewal of the Church called for in the Council was entrusted to his leadership. He died on the 6th August 197, the Feast of the Transfiguration.