Martyrdom of St. Denis & the Mission of St. John Leonardi (9 October): Our Plans Aren't God's Plans

About this sermon

Why does God allow opposition when you are trying to do good? This Catholic sermon explores St. John Leonardi’s exile from his hometown and the work that followed in Rome. What appeared to be the collapse of his ministry opened the way to wider service through religious reform, missionary formation, and catechetical teaching. Beginning with St. Denis and his companions, the sermon recalls the saints’ courage before turning to Leonardi’s example of prayer, Eucharistic devotion, charity, and perseverance. When your efforts seem wasted or your good intentions meet hostility, resist bitterness. God can work beyond the results you see. The examples of St. Bridget of Sweden and St. Catherine of Siena remind us that faithful prayer bears fruit even when we do not live to witness it. Know the saints: they understand our struggles and intercede for us. 00:00 St. Denis and St. John Leonardi 00:24 St. Denis, first bishop of Paris 00:39 Martyrdom and the tradition of his final sermon 01:04 The Basilica of St. Denis 01:21 St. John Leonardi’s vocation 01:46 Catechism, charity, and Eucharistic devotion 02:16 Religious reform and opposition 02:56 Exile from his hometown 03:20 Why did God allow this setback? 03:42 Rome and St. Philip Neri 04:13 Reforming monasteries 04:36 Missionary formation and Christian doctrine 05:02 Serving the sick and his death 05:17 God’s greater plans beyond apparent failure 06:21 Attacked for doing good 07:00 Perseverance without bitterness 07:07 St. Bridget and the unseen fruits of prayer 07:39 The saints understand your struggles 08:11 Final blessing 🙏 St. Denis, St. Rusticus, St. Eleutherius, and St. John Leonardi, pray for us! Please say 3 Hail Marys for the priest. #SaintsOfTheDay #StDenis #StJohnLeonardi #CatholicSaints #Martyrs #14HolyHelpers #BasilicaOfSaintDenis #Paris #Faith #CatholicChurch #CatholicFaith #Christianity #Martyrdom #CatholicFeastDay #SaintStories #CatholicReformers 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Topics

• Suffering & Trials