St. Bernard of Clairvaux lived in the 12th century and was considered one of the most important figures of that time. As a young man he entered a Cistercian monastery, and between the time he officially committed to joining and his arrival a month later, he convinced 30 of his friends to join him. That is the kind of leadership he demonstrated throughout his life.
    
Bernard wrote a number of books on spiritual theology, especially about the Blessed Mother. He became an advisor to kings and bishops and popes.
    
His feast day is this Wednesday, Aug. 20.

The feast of Pope St. Pius X is on Thursday, Aug. 21. He was pope from 1903 to 1914. He is known for his opposition to Modernist interpretations to Catholic teaching, promotion of Thomistic theology, and liturgical reforms, including moving reception of First Communion from mid-teens to seven or eight.

The final mystery of the rosary is the crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth. This confused many people, because we tend to think of a queen as a ruler. But there is another kind of queen, known as the queen mother. Queen Elizabeth’s mother, who had been married to her father, King George, became known as Queen Mother once her husband had died. That remained her title until her death. 
    
The Queen Mother has no power of her own. All her power and standing come from her son or daughter on the throne. The same is true for Mary. As Queen Mother, all her power and glory come from her Son Jesus. She possesses none for herself.
    
That relationship has been described by comparing them to the sun and moon. Jesus is the son, and Mary is the moon. The moon would be a cold, dark stone except for the glory of the sun that shines on it. Mary’s glory is reflective glory, as the moon’s light is reflective light.
    
Friday, Aug. 22, is the feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Born Isabel Flores de Olivia in 1586, St. Rose of Lima, Peru, acquired the name "Rose" because she was exceptionally beautiful. Rose was deeply devout and wanted to become a nun. Her parents opposed this plan and wanted her to marry instead. To discourage her many suitors, she attempted to disfigure herself by rubbing pepper on her face, causing her skin to blister. She also cut her hair short.

In defiance of her parents, she spent her teenaged years secluded in her room, fasting and praying. They finally gave in to her wishes and allowed her to join the Third Order of Dominicans when she was 20 years old. She lived a life of extreme prayer, fasting and penance. She accurately predicted the date of her own death at the age of 31 on Aug. 25, 1617. She was beatified in 1667 and canonized in 1671.
   
Her feast is Saturday, Aug. 23.