St. Agatha os Sicily St. Alexis of St. Angela of Bl. Anna Maria Adorni

St. Alexis was the son of a rich Roman St. Agatha is one of the most highly venerated senator. The Senator and his wife were very Bl. Anna Maria Adorni was born in Fivizzano in martyrs of the Catholic . It is believed charitable Christians and taught Alexis to take Northern Italy in 1805. Her father died when that she was born around 231 in either Catania or care of the poor. From an early age, Alexis she was only 15, after which she and her Palermo, Sicily to a rich and noble family. wished to renounce all of his wealth but his mother moved to Parma. parents had chosen a wife for him; out of Some show marks of holiness very From her very early years, the notably beautiful obedience, he obliged them. However, on She wanted to be a Capuchin , but early. Not Angela! Born of a leading family in Agatha dedicated her life to God. She became a Alexis’s wedding day, his fiancée agreed to acceded to her mother’s will and in 1826 Foligno, Italy, she became immersed in the consecrated virgin. That did not stop men from release him and let him follow his vocation. married Antonio Botti, and together they had quest for wealth and social position. As a wife desiring her and making unwanted advances Alexis then fled, in disguise, to Syria where he six children. and mother, she continued this life of toward her. lived as a beggar and taught children about distraction. God. He prayed for hours and hours in church, Her mother died three months after the However, one of the men who desired Agatha and worked as a lowly servant in hospitals. Around the age of 40, she recognized the wedding. Her husband died at the age of 39. thought he could force her to turn away from her vow Five of her six children died as youth, the sixth and force her to marry. His persistent proposals were emptiness of her life and sought God’s help in Almost 20 years later, he returned to Rome lived to the age of 26. Despite all these consistently spurned. He had her arrested. Serving the Sacrament of Penance. Her Franciscan and went as a beggar to his parents’ house. sorrows, Bl. Anna never lost hope. as the judge, he expected her to give in to his helped Angela to seek God’s They did not recognize him! He lived in a demands when she was faced with torture and pardon for her previous life and to dedicate corner under their stairs for 17 more years, She felt a call to become a consecrated widow possible death, but she simply reaffirmed her belief in herself to prayer and the works of charity. only going out to go to church or to teach and to dedicate the rest of her life to works of God and prayed for courage. small children. The servants were very mean Shortly after her conversion, her husband and charity, especially with prisoners. Agatha was imprisoned in a brothel, sent to prison, to him but he endured it all and never told his children died. Selling most of her possessions, Other women followed in her example and stretched on a rack to be torn with iron hooks, burned parents who he really was, even though that she entered the . their work expanded to the care of women with torches, and whipped. Noticing Agatha was would’ve ended his suffering. Instead, he gave She was alternately absorbed by meditating released from jail, protection to women in enduring all the torture with a sense of cheer, her all to God. When he died, his parents found a on the crucified Christ and by serving the poor danger, at-risk children and orphans through accuser commanded she be subjected to a worse note on his body telling who he was and how of Foligno as a nurse and beggar for their their house called the Institute of the Good form of torture - that her breasts be cut off. he had lived his life in penance from the day of needs. Other women joined her in a religious his wedding all for love of God. St. Alexis is community. Shepherd. In 857, together with eight He then sent her back to prison with an order of no venerated as the patron of beggars. companions she was able to found a religious food or medical attention. But the Lord gave her all At her confessor’s advice, Angela wrote her congregation known as the ‘Handmaidens of the care she needed. Finally, her accuser had her Book of Visions and Instructions . In it she Blessed Mary Immaculate.’ There is a Religious Order in the Catholic recalls some of the temptations she suffered stripped naked and rolled over hot coals mixed with Church. founded in the fifteenth century, after her conversion; she also expresses her Blessed Anna once said, even after the death sharp shards. When she was returned to prison, named for him and called “the Alexian thanks to God for the Incarnation of . of her parents, husband, and six children, that Agatha prayed for the Lord to receive her soul. Brothers.” They devote themselves to taking This book and her life earned for Angela the “if a happer person has existed in life, it is I.” care of the old, the insane and those suffering St. Agatha is the of Sicily, bellfounders, title “Teacher of Theologians.” She was At her Mass of , it was said that from nervous collapse. breast cancer patients, Palermo, rape victims, and beatified in 1693, and canonized in 2013. Blessed Anna is a model of a ‘wife, mother wet nurses. She is also considered to be a powerful and founder. It is very original that one person His Feast day is celebrated on July 17 Her Feast day is celebrated on January 7. intercessor when people suffer from fires. can be a model for several states of life.’ Her feast day is celebrated on February 5. St. Apollonia St. Arnold St. Athanasius St. Camilla Battista

St. Camilia Battista was born into nobility in Camerino, Italy on April 9, 1458. As a princess in the home of her father Duke Giulio Cesare da Varano, she grew up in the court and received a good education.

St. Athanasius led a tumultuous but dedicated life Around the age of 9 after hearing a moving St. Apollonia was a holy virgin who suffered St. Arnold was born into a prom inent Austrian family in 580. He was first a career soldier before of service to the Church. He was the great sermon, she resolved to show her love for Jesus martyrdom in during a local uprising champion of the faith against the widespread by shedding a tear each Friday for the Passion of against the Christians in the early 3 rd century. Her settling at the Benedictine St. Medard’s , Soissons, . He spent his first three years as heresy of Arianism, the teaching by Arius that Christ. Though not particularly spiritual, she martyrdom came just before the persecution of a , but later rose to be of the Jesus was not truly divine. The vigor of his writings persevered in her vow and would squeeze o ut a Decius (248-249). . Legend has that he tried to refuse this earned him the title of doctor of the Church. tear before running off to play. She found a book honor and flee, but was forced by a wolf to return. that contained a meditation on the Passion of During festivities commemorating the founding of He then became a priest and in 1080, bishop of Born in either 296 or 298 of a Christian family in Christ. She began to pray this devotion each the Roman Empire, a mob began attacking Soissons, another honor that he sought to avoid. Alexandria, , and given a classical education, Friday whil e on her knees before a crucifix. Other Christians. When his diocese was occupied by another bishop, Athanasius became secretary to Alexander, the spiritual practices like fasting and night vigils rather than fighting, he took the opportunity to reti re Bishop of Alexandria, entered the priesthood and began to attract her even though she continued to The great Dionysius, then Bishop of Alexandria from public life, founding the Abbey of St. Peter in was eventually named bishop himself. His spend time in the youthful pursuits of court life. (247-265), related the sufferings of Apollonia: Oudenburg. predece3ssor, Alexander, had been an outspoken critic of a new movement growing in the East – During Lent of 1 479, another sermon inspired her Men seized her and, by repeated blows, broke all of As abbot in Oudenburg, Arnold brewed beer. In that Arianism. Much of St. Athanasius’ life was a to take a private vow of . On November her teeth. Then they erected a pile of sticks outside time, water wasn’t actually very safe to drink, as it testimony to the divinity of Jesus Christ. 24, 1481, she entered the Poor Clare monastery the city and threatened to burn her alive is she was often filled with contaminants that could make in Urbino and made her profession in 1483. While refused to repeat impious words after them (either people sick. Beer’s preparation, however, kills off As bishop, St. Athanasius continued his defense of living in the monastery in Urbiono, she a blasphemy against Christ, or an invocation of the any harmful bacteria, making it positively healthy in the doctrine of Christ’s divinity and against experienced visions and composed several other heathen gods). When she was given a little comparison. Arnold spoke often on the topic of Arianism. Because of this, his opponents had him spiritual works. Early in 1484, she transferred to freedome, at her own request, she sprang quickly beer, especially its health benefits. He’s credited exiled five times and he spent 17 years of his life in the new Monastery of Santa Maria Nuova at Camerino which was close to her father’s castle intot he fire and was burned to death. with the statement, “From man’s sweat and God’s exile for the defense of the doctrine of Christ’s love, beer came into the world.” divinity. The last years of his life were peaceful, after her father had made arrangements. She was reluctant to do so and went only under obedience. Apollonia belongs to a class of early Christian About a year after Arnold's death and burial at his however, and he died on May 2, 373 in Alexandria. martyrs who, when confronted iwht thechoice monastery in Remiremont, France, his body was St. Athanasius is often shown as a bishop arguing She was elected in 1500. The following between renouncing their faith or suffering death, relocated to the local church in Metz, France, with a pagan, a bishop holding an open book or a year, due to p olitical disagreements, her father voluntarily embraced the latter. where he had frequently preached. According to bishop standing over a defeated heretic. He is a and her brothers were killed and she was forced legend, the procession that transported his body to flee the region until 1503. She founded a She is popularly invoked for toothaches because of stopped at a ta vern for refreshment on the way, but patron saint of theologians, and faithful Orthodox and Roman Catholic Christians and hailed, to this monastery in Fermo and trained a monastery of the torments she had to endure. She I s there was only one mug of beer left, so they all split in San Severino who adopted the day, as a great Defender of the Faith. represented in art with pincers holding a tooth. it... and the mug never ran dry, quenching the Rule of St. Clare. She died at the age of 66 on crowd's thirst. His feast day is celebrated on May 2. March 31, 1524 in the monastery in Camerino. Her feast day is celebrated February 9 th . His feast day is August 14. Her feast day is May 31. St. Canute IV of Denmark Blessed Jacoba St. Bonifacia Rodriguez St. Brice of Tours Castro

St. Brice was an orphan who was raised by St. Blessed Jacoba of Settesoli was a follower of St. Martin of Tours. Although Brice was vain, St. Canute IV of Denmark (1042 – 1086 A.D.), Francis of . overly ambitious, and rather volatile, St. Martin also known as Canute the Holy, was one of Born June 6, 1837, in Spain, Bonifacia’s life was patient with him. He became a priest, but Jacoba dei Settsoli was born in Rome and thirteen sons born to the king of Denmark. began quietly and simply, much as it would end was a vain, ambitious one with contempt for married into a noble family. Her husband died Canute later succeeded his to the throne despite some drama and challenge in between. Martin. Many advised Martin to kick him out, when she was still young, leaving her as a and reigned as king from 1080 to 1086. He was a From an early age, she helped her father, a but Saint Martin said that if Jesus could deal widow. Shortly after, she sought to meet Francis. devout Catholic, a zealous propagator of the tailor, with the sewing in his shop. She found a with Judas, he could deal with Brice. faith, and a brave warrior, in addition to being a Her opportunity came when he arrived in Rome, talent in rope-making, and when she and her man of prayer, penance, austerity, and charity seeking permission to form his order. She mother were the only family members remaining, On Martin‘s death in 397, Brice was towards the poor and weak among his people. listened to him preach and asked his advice on Bonifacia set up a shop in their home where she designated to succeed him as bishop of Tours, crafted rope, lace and other items. The happiness of his people and the interests of how to be charitable. France. However, the people of the diocese revolted and Brice left town to avoid a stoning. the Church were his motivation, often putting him Francis suggested she remain with her family, so A life-changing moment came in 1870 when she in opposition to the aristocracy. met a priest who came from a family of factory she became a member of the of St. In his 30 years of exile, Brice came to his workers and who was interested in the lives of Francis. She allowed her two sons to manage senses, and began to lead a pious and He fought against the barbarian nations and others who lived humbly. Bonifacia began inviting family affairs while she, working out of her house, admirable life. Formal ecclesiastical worked to strengthen the power of the monarchy, working women as well as the priest into her home, devoted herself to performing acts of charity for investigations cleared him of wrong doing. but some of his laws were unpopular and caused and eventually an association of laywomen was others. Brice returned to Tours to claim his seat. The unrest among the people. formed, with a focus living lives much like that of the locals, however, remembered him and his When Francis would visit Rome he would often Holy Family before Jesus’ public ministry began. Canute sought to expand Denmak's territory and past, and ran him out of town again, taking a stay with her and the two became friends. believed he had a claim to the English throne. In The of the Servants of St. priest names Armentius as bishop. 1085 he gathered his fleet and planned an Francis often referred to her kindly as "Brother Jacoba." Joseph followed, with Bonifacia, her mother, and five invasion of England to overthrow William the friends taking their vows in 1874. The order’s goal When Armentius died in 437, Brice returned to Conqueror, a plan which was never realized. Jacoba donated land to Francis and his followers was to shelter and educate women workers. Internal Tours again to claim his proper place, this time Instead, a revolt broke out against Canute, from her family holdings in Trastevere. The land divisions occurred, and Bonifacia was removed as preceded by the news of having led a better causing him to take refuge inside St. Alban's was dedicated for the use of the sick and lame. the leader. She continued her work humbly; the life during his 40 years of exile. He was in Odense. fissure was resolved 18 months after her death. allowed to stay, governed his diocese until his When Francis died, Jacoba was present, by his death, and his conversion had been so true Canute, his brother, and seventeen of his men request. She had prepared almond pastries for Helping people as Christ would is what the were pursued and killed by rebels in front of the and obvious that even his parishioners Francis, which were his favorite. Today, almond corporal acts of mercy are all about. We’re called immediately proclaimed him a saint. altar. He was named a martyr for the faith, and pastries are traditionally served on St. Francis' to clothe the naked through our charity and our many miracles were reported at his tomb. He feast day, in recollection of Bl. Jacoba's gift to the skills regardless of the human battles that might His feast day is November 13 th . was canonized in the year 1101, the first Danish dying saint. surround our efforts. saint. St. Canute is the patron saint of Denmark. Her feast day is February 9 th . Her feast day is August 8 th . His feast day is January 19. St. Cándida María de Jesús St. Casimir of Poland St. Columba St. Drogo of Sebourg Cipitria y Barriola

St. Casimir was the third of thirteen children born St. Drogo of Sebourg was born into Flemish Candida Maria de Jesus, whose name was The son of a tribal chieftain, Columba was given nobility in 1105. His father died before he was to King Casimir IV and Elizabeth of Austria. He the name Crimthann when he was baptized Juana Josefa Cipitria y Barriola, was born in was in line to be a king himself. As a youth, he born and his mother died giving him birth, a fact Andoain (Guipuzcoa, Spain) on May 31, 1845 to shortly after his birth in Donegal. As a boy, he was filled with exceptional values and strong that emotionally crushed him when he learned of a poor family. As a young girl she left home to was so often found praying in the town church convictions. As a teenager, Casimir lived a highly it at age 10; he imagined himself responsible for work in Castile in order to help her family that his friends called him Colm Cille (Dove of the disciplined, even severe life, sleeping on the her death. Later in life he practiced extreme financially. Gifted with a great sensitivity to the Church), and it was as Colm, or its Latin form penances, possibly to expiate this guilt. neediest, she was not indifferent to the situations ground, spending a great part of the night in Columba, that he was known for the rest of his of those living nearby. Therefore, even at the risk prayer and dedicating himself to lifelong . life. As he got older, Drogo felt called to give his of losing her job, she would say, “Where there is When nobles in Hungary became dissatisfied In his early 20s Columba was strongly influenced inheritance to the poor and adopt the life of a no room for the poor, neither is there room for with their king, they prevailed upon Casimir’s by one of his teachers, Finian of Clonard, and shepherd. He moved to a small village in France named Sebourg and soon became a renowned me”." father, the king of Poland, to send his son to take asked to be ordained a priest. When he was shepherd, helping others to learn the trade and over the country. Casimir obeyed his father. The given some land at Derry, he decided to start a In Salamanca on December 8, 1871, with five growing in holiness in his austere and solitary other women, she founded the Congregation of army he was supposed to lead was clearly monastery. He traveled through northern Ireland teaching about and inspiring many life. During this time, he made nine pilgrimages to the Daughters of Jesus to work for a Christian outnumbered by the “enemy;” some of his troops Rome. He also was reportedly able to bilocate, upbringing of children, and to improve the were deserting because they were not paid. At people by his personal holiness. He founded some 30 in those 10 years. with witnesses seeing him simultaneously condition of woman. Her adventure began with the advice of his officers, Casimir decided to working the fields and attending Mass. nothing more than the trust born of the return home. Columba's strong personality and forceful knowledge that what one undertakes is “what preaching aroused considerable antagonism. He During one pilgrimage, he suffered an "unsightly His father was irked at the failure of his plans, God wants.” In this manner and with the name of was accused in 563 of starting a war between bodily affliction." The term "unsightly" is actually a and confined his 15-year-old son for three Candida Maria de Jesus, this woman of scant two Irish tribes and was sentenced by the high bit too mild to properly convey Drogo's condition: education and scarce material means founded months. The lad made up his mind never again king never to see Ireland again. With 12 he became so deformed that townspeople of the Congregation of the Daughters of Jesus in to become involved in the wars of his day, and no companions he sailed from Ireland, and settled Sebourg in Hainault were scared of his one of the most important university cities of the amount of persuasion could change his mind. He on the island of Iona off the coast of Scotland. appearance, and they even built a cell (attached 19th century. And very soon what began in returned to prayer and study, maintaining his The visited to the Scottish mainland and to a church, since he was so religious) for him to Salamanca extended throughout the Spanish decision to remain celibate even under pressure preached to the people there. Soon their stay in, to "protect the local citizens of the village geography. to marry the emperor’s daughter. community had 150 members. from his appearance. On August 9, 1912, Mother Candida, simple and He reigned briefly as king of Poland during his Columba spent the rest of his life on Iona, For the remaining 40 years of his life, the only courageous woman who made her life a constant father’s absence. He died of lung trouble at 25 praying, fasting, and teaching his monks to read human contact he had was via a small window in surrender to the will of God, died in Salamanca. while visiting Lithuania, of which he was also and copy the Scriptures. He provided inspiration the door of his cell, through which he received his The Church, in Rome, beatified her on May 12, Grand Duke. He was buried in Vilnius, Lithuania. for their missionary efforts and was influential for sustenance—barley, water, and the Eucharist. 1996 and canonized her on October 17, 2010. a time in the politics of Scotland. Long before his St. Drogo died in 1186. th Today, the Congregation is present in 19 His feast day is March 4 . death in 597 he was regarded as a saint by his countries, at the service of others and with fellow monks and is today a beloved figure in His feast day is April 16. special attention to the most needy. Irish tradition. th Her feast day is August 9 . His feast day is June 9 th . St. Dymphna St. Edward the Confessor St. Elizabeth of the Trinity St. Enda of Aran and St. Fanchea

St. Edward the Confessor (1003-1066 A.D.) was a

prince born to the King and Queen of England. His St. Dymphna (7th c.) was the daughter of a pagan A saintly sibling relationship exists between St. family was exiled from the kingdom when the Irish chieftain and a beautiful Christian Enda of Aran, an Irishman, and his sister, St. Danish took control of the country in 1016 A.D. Elizabeth Catez offers hope to any parent who noblewoman. Dymphna was raised as a Christian, Fanchea. Enda was a 5th-century prince who was Edward spent much of his life in exile, probably in struggles with a strong-willed child. A holy terror as and she consecrated her to Christ at a converted to the Catholic faith by Fanchea. to Normandy. a toddler, she once embarrassed her mother by young age. Dymphna's father loved his wife deeply. his conversion, he was a pagan who had few shouting out at Mass, “Bad priest! Bad priest! qualms about participating in unjust wars. Fanchea, When her mother died, Dymphna's father was so Witnessing the folly of worldly ambition, he became That’s my doll!” The priest had secretly borrowed however, was a holy woman who (according to overcome with grief that he became mentally attracted to the life of the Church and grew in piety. her doll to be used as the Christ Child in his creche. legend) was converted and veiled by St. Patrick unstable. Unable to find another suitable wife of When opportunity arose he was persuaded to But gradually Elizabeth channeled her willfulness himself. She convinced Enda to retreat from these equal character and beauty to his first wife, he reclaim the throne of England, which he did in 1042 as one of its last Anglo-Saxon kings. into a determination to become a saint. kinds of wars, and in exchange for that agreement, attempted to marry Dymphna due to her close Enda requested that Fanchea find a woman for him resemblance to her mother. The people supported his rule, and he gained a At 14 she felt drawn to choose Christ as her to marry. reputation as a just king committed to the welfare of spouse. Without hesitating she made a private vow Upon learning of his wicked plan, Dymphna fled his subjects. He thwarted invasions, ended unjust of virginity. And having been intrigued by visits to Fanchea agreed, but by a strange turn of events, across the sea into Belgium along with her tutor taxes, and was profoundly generous to the poor. the local Carmelite at Dijon, France, since the woman who Enda was to marry died suddenly. and confessor, Father Gerebran. Her father His reign was marked by peace and prosperity childhood, she was determined to become a Fanchea chose this opportunity to remind Enda of pursued them and eventually discovered their throughout his kingdom. Carmelite. mortality, God’s judgment and the passing of location by tracing the foreign money they used earthly things. Enda, moved by her words, began along the way. He killed Dymphna's confessor and He married a beautiful woman to satisfy the Marie, her mother, was horrified at the thought, but the his conversion and eventually became a . people's desire for a queen, but, having already pleaded with his daughter to return with him to eventually Elizabeth to enter the Dijon Carmel in made a vow of chastity, he obtained his wife's Ireland to be his wife. When she refused, he cut off 1901. After Enda was given the Aran Islands by his agreement to live together as brother and sister. brother-in-law, King Aengus, he brought a group of her head in a mad rage. Elizabeth delighted the other sisters in the He was buried in Westminster Abbey, which he monks to the largest island and thus founded the with her simple and joyful service. However, in St. Dymphna's church still stands on the place of built, and after his death many miracles were first true Irish monastery. Enda and his monks lived 1903, she contracted Addison’s disease. She her burial near Antwerp. ascribed to his intercession. This lead to his a monastic life there in Benedictine-like simplicity. in 1161, and in 1163 the transferral of suffered intensely and joyfully until she died in The Aran Islands became hailed as a holy place, There have been numerous accounts of those his body to a new tomb. This was presided over by 1906. St. Elizabeth of the Trinity was only 26-years- and many Irish saints have been influenced by afflicted with epilepsy and mental illness visiting her St. Thomas Becket, the of Canterbury, old. them in one way or another. tomb and receiving miraculous cures through her who found Edward's body to be incorrupt. Elizabeth believed that she had a spiritual mission Enda, after his death in 530, became known as one intercession. Because of this, St. Dympha is the Edward was called "The Confessor" to distinguish to help lead souls to a deeper encounter with Christ of the founders of Irish , and is now the patroness of those suffering from mental and him from St. Edward the Martyr. He is buried Jesus. She said her mission was to lead souls out patron of the Aran Islands. neurological disorders and illnesses, as well as of behind the high altar in Westminster Abbey. He is of themselves and into a great silence, where God mental health professionals. the patron of kings, difficult marriages, separated could imprint himself in them, on their souls, so that Fanchea founded Rossary Convent in Fermanagh spouses, and the English royal family. they became more God-like. Ireland, and was buried at Killane. Her feast day is May 15th. His feast day is October 13 th Her feast day is November 8 th . St. Enda’s feast day is March 21 st . St. Fanchea’s feast day is January 1 st . St. Euphrosyne St. Eupsychius St. Fabiola Sts. Perpetua and Felicity

Eupsychius was born in the city of Caesarea Saint Euphrosyne of Alexandria was born at in Cappadocia and received a Christian the beginning of the fifth century in the city of upbringing. Perpetua and Felicity lived in Carthage, Africa, Alexandria. She was the only child in her during a time of the persecution of Christians. family of illustrious and rich parents. Since her At Caesarea there was a pagan temple to the Fabiola was a wealthy Roman Patrician from a Perpetua came from a wealthy family. Her mother died early, she was raised by her goddess Fortuna. As Eupsychius was going to noble family. She was for a time a member of father was a pagan and begged her to give up father, Paphnutius, a deeply believing and his wedding, the pagans were offering St. 's circle but fell away. Her first her faith. Felicity was a slave in St. Perpetua’s pious Christian. He frequented a monastery sacrifice to the goddess Fortuna. Saint husband was abusive and led so vicious a life house. They were both catechumens, for spiritual guidance. Eupsychius was filled with zeal for the Lord, that to live with him was impossible. Fabiola preparing for initiation into the Christian and he destroyed the temple. He knew that divorced her husband and remarried, even community. When she turned 18, her father wanted her to this would inevitably result in his punishment. though she knew it was against the Church Perpetua was the mother of an infant and marry, but she wanted to live the monastic life. Saint Eupsychius distributed all his teachings. Felicity was eight months pregnant when they possessions to the poor and prepared himself and four others were arrested and sentenced She secretly accepted from a for martyrdom. wandering monk, left her father’s house and On the day before Easter, following the death to die in the public games in the amphitheater decided to enter a monastery in order to lead of her second husband, she appeared before because they refused to renounce their faith in The enraged emperor Julian loosed his wrath the gates of the Lateran basilica, dressed in her life in solitude and prayer. She feared, not only upon Saint Eupsychius, but against all Jesus. penitential garb, and did penance in public for however, that in a women’s monastery her the inhabitants of this city. Some of the father would find her. Calling herself the her sin, an act which made a great impression While in prison, waiting for their execution, citizens were executed, while the more they were baptized. Perpetua kept a diary of eunuch Smaragdos, she went to the very respectable were sent into exile. Christian upon the Christian population of Rome. The same men’s monastery which she had visited received her formally again into full her time in captivity. Felicity was upset were drafted into military service, and because she didn’t think she would be able to with her father since childhood. communion with the Church. he looted the churches of anything valuable. suffer martyrdom at the same time as the The city was deprived of its title Caesarea [i.e. Here in a solitary cell, Saint Euphrosyne spent Fabiola devoted herself to charitable works others — the law forbade the execution of “Imperial”] and resumed its original name of pregnant women. 38 years in works, fasting and prayer, and and aiding churches. She built the first attained a high level of spiritual Maza. He also imposed a severe tax on the Christian public hospital in the West, where Felicity delivered a baby girl just two days accomplishment. inhabitants. The emperor threatened to annihilate the city altogether, if the people did she personally tended the sick. She visited before the “games” and was able to die in the Her father grieved over the loss of his beloved not build a new pagan temple in place of the Jerome at Bethlehem in 395 and supported amphitheater along with the others. The child daughter and more than once conversed with one destroyed. him in his controversy with John of was adopted by a Christian. the monk Smaragdos, revealing his grief and Jerusalem. On her return to Rome, she Because of their example while being held Julian tried to compel Saint Eupsychius to receiving spiritual comfort. Before her death, continued her charitable work, opening a captive, their guards became Christian. Euphrosyne revealed her secret to her father. offer sacrifice to idols. For many days they hospice for poor pilgrims at Porto with St. Having buried his daughter, Paphnutius tormented the saint on a rack, and also with Pammachius. Jerome wrote two treatises for St. Perpetua and St. Felicity are named in the distributed all his wealth to both the poor and iron claws. But his faith was firm, and the her and is the source of most of our Roman Cannon (the First Eucharistic Prayer). to the monastery, and then he accepted judge sentenced the martyr to be beheaded information about her. They are the Patron Saint of Barren Women monasticism. For ten years right up to his own with a sword. and Parents Who Have Had a Child Die death, he labored in the cell of his daughter. Her feast day is December 27th. His feast day is April 9 th . Their feast day is March 7 Her feast day is January 16 th . St. Gaspar del Bufalo St. Gemma of Galgani St. Genesius St.

Gemma was the oldest daughter of a poor

pharmacist, born in 1878 in Lucca, Tuscany, Genesius was a comic actor during the reign of Italy. Her mother died when she was seven and Diocletian who was intent upon eliminating the her father died when she was eighteen. Gemma St. Genevieve was born in 422 to a respectable cared for her seven brothers and sisters. Her Christians from the empire once and for all. health was always poor, and therefore she never When Genesius' theatrical troupe was family in a small village outside Paris, France. St. Gaspar del Bufalo was the Founder of the finished school. Gemma had an immense love commanded to perform before Diocletian, they When she was seven years old a famous bishop, Missioners of the Precious Blood. Gaspar, who for the poor and helped them in any way she decided to prepare a play that would be topical: St. Germain, spotted her in a crowd and was born in Rome in 1786 and ordained a priest could. they wrote a new farce that mocked the Christian prophesied to her parents about her future in 1808. Shortly after this, Rome was taken by sacrament of baptism. sanctity. At his invitation, St. Genevieve Napoleon's army, and he, with most of the clergy Gemma was cured in her 20’s of spinal expressed her desire to live in a of meningitis by prayers to the of was exiled for refusing to renounce his allegiance Genesius was cast as the convert to be baptized. perpetual virginity and made her vows under him, Jesus, St. Possenti, and St. Marguerite to the . He returned after the fall of But at the climactic moment, as the water was after which St. Germain gave her a brass medal Marie Alacoque. She was rejected by the poured over his head and the actor playing the Napoleon to find a wide scope for work, as Rome engraved with a cross as a reminder of her had for nearly five years been almost entirely religious orders to which she applied as they priest spoke the words of the baptismal rite, to Christ. without priests and sacraments. were concerned about her health. They did not something remarkable happened. Divine grace believe her cure and were suspicious of the flowed over Genesius just as if his baptism had In her teens she received the religious under In 1814 he founded the Congregation of the Most claims of a miracle. been authentic. He scrapped the sacrilegious the Bishop of Paris and lived a devout life of Precious Blood. His wish was to have a house in lines he was supposed to recite, and instead Each Thursday evening, beginning in 1899, prayer, charity, and austerity. She was especially every diocese, choosing the most neglected and Gemma would fall into rapture and the stigmata looked Diocletian in the eye and ad-libbed a known for her gifts of prophecy and reading wicked town or district. The Kingdom of in would appear. The marks remained until Friday speech denouncing the emperor for his cruelty to those days was a nest of crime of every kind and, afternoon or Saturday morning. When the the Christians and proclaimed his desire that all consciences. at the request of the pope, eventually found 6 bleeding would stop, the wounds would close, present should acknowledge Jesus Christ to be houses there. and only white marks would remain in place of the true God. When her parents died, she lived with her the deep gashes. Gemma's stigmata would grandmother in Paris, often visiting other cities His last mission was preached in Rome at the continue to appear until 1901 when her confessor The emperor stopped the performance, ordered where she would perform miracles. This led to Chiesa Nuova during the cholera outbreak of advised her to pray for their disappearance due Genesius arrested, and condemned him to be her persecution, with a plot against her life, but 1836. Feeling his strength failing, he returned at to her declining health. Through her prayers, the tortured to death. He was severely beaten with when St. Germain came to her defense she was once to Albano, and made every preparation for phenomenon ceased, but the white marks clubs upon the spot, then Diocletian delivered afterwards greatly revered by the people. death. He suffered terribly from cold, and at night remained on her skin until her death. him over to Plautian, of the praetorian, from parching thirst, but he would not take Gemma often saw her guardian angel whom she that he might compel him to renounce Jesus St. Genevieve became venerated as the patron anything to drink, so that he might be able to sent on errands, usually to deliver a letter or oral Christ. saint of Paris after she helped avert an attack celebrate Mass. After the feast of St. Francis message to her confessor in Rome. She also had against the city by Attila the Hun, and for saving Xavier he went to Rome to die. On December 19, visits from Jesus, Mary, St. Gabriel Possenti, and Plautian ordered Genesius to be stretched upon the city from famine during a siege, when a the doctor forbade him to say Mass; he received the devil who tempted her to spit on the cross the rack, to be torn with iron hooks, and burned boatload of grain overcame a military blockade the last sacraments on December 28, and he and break a . She died on Holy Saturday, with torches; during which horrid infliction the due to her intercession. St. Genevieve is also the died the same day. April 11, 1903 of tuberculosis. saint patron saint against fever, plague, and disasters. Her feast day is on April 11. th His feast day is January 2nd. His feast day is August 11 . Her feast day is January 3rd. St. Germaine Cousin St. St. Giulia Salzano St. Henry of Uppsala

St. Germaine Cousin was born in 1579 in a remote French village to a peasant farmer. She St. Gertrude the Great was born on the feast of One of the saints who is not so well-known in was born with a deformed right arm and a America but is more known elsewhere is St. Epiphany in Thuringia (modern Germany) in Saint Giulia Salzano was born in 1846 to disease that causes abscesses in her neck. Her Henry of Uppsala. St. Henry is the patron saint of 1256. She was sent to be educated at the Adelaide Valentino and Diego Salzano. Her mother died when she was an infant, and her Finland, and he is honored there by having the father remarried. Benedictine monastery in Helfta at the age of father was a captain in the Lancers of King only Catholic place of pilgrimage in that country four or five, possibly as an orphan or as a child Ferdinand II of Naples, and died when Giulia was dedicated to his name. Although he was never Due to Germaine's deformities, her stepmother dedicated to God by her parents. She proved to four years old. was thoroughly disgusted with her. She severely be an extremely bright and determined student officially canonized, he was referred to as a saint neglected and physically abused the child, and who became engrossed in her secular studies, She was raised and educated by the Sisters of in papal documents dated as early as 1296, and taught others to do the same. Starving, sick, and but was negligent of her prayer life. Charity in the Royal Orphanage of Saint Nicola so has been given due reverence since then. dressed in rags with no shoes, Germaine was La Strada until the age of fifteen. She was a forced to sleep in the barn. Her stepmother even She remained in the monastery and made her school teacher and catechist in Casoria, Naples, Henry was born to an English family sometime in attempted to kill her off, once by sending her to profession as a nun. At the age of 26 she entered and a friend and co-worker with Saint Caterina the early 12 th century. Not much is known about tend sheep near a wolf-infested forest. a time of spiritual crisis, after which she began to Volpicelli. Salzano is noted for her personal his early life, but we know that he became a bishop in Sweden in the mid-12 th century, around St. Germaine was a simple and pious child, and receive visions of Christ who chastised her for devotion to the Virgin Mary. She encouraged the same time that efforts were being made to through her extreme hardships she developed a not leaving room for God in her academic others in devotion to Our Lady and the Sacred organize the Church in Scandinavia. Near the deep interior life. She prayed the rosary and went pursuits. This caused Gertrude to abandon her Heart of Jesus. to Mass daily, leaving her sheep to the care of secular studies in total devotion to Sacred time of his ordination, a man who later became her guardian angel. Even though she was Scripture and the works of the . Giulia and her sisters devoted themselves to the known as King Eric the Saint had taken the emaciated, she shared the little food she had These theological studies, along with continued ministry of catechesis and she dedicated her life throne of Sweden, and he and Henry joined with beggars. Her piety was admired by the visions and messages from Jesus, became the to the formation and education of young people. efforts to spread the truth of Catholicism throughout Scandinavian regions. village children, and adults gradually became basis of her work as one of the great writers and Saint Giulia Salzano founded of the aware of her holiness, especially when news of mystics of the 13th century. Congregation of the Catechetical Sisters of the her miracles began to circulate. Henry, at King Eric’s behest, traveled to Finland Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1905. St. Gertrude had a lasting impact on the Church in order to evangelize the Finnish people. He St. Germaine died at the age of 22, succumbing in an age where academic and religious literature unfortunately did not live long in Finland before to her poor living conditions. Many years later her Saint Giulia Salzano died on May 17, 1929, and was dominated by men, and she is the only was canonized in 2010. Reflecting on her he was murdered by a pagan Finn who is known body was found incorrupt. Villagers began female saint to earn the title "The Great." She in legends by the name of Lalli. Legend says that praying for her intercession and receiving ministry, Pope Saint John Paul II said, “In was one of the early saints who spread devotion Lalli had a long life – continually tormented by miraculous cures. advance of her time, she was an apostle of the to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. St. Teresa of Avila new evangelization in which she combined mice as a penance for his attack. St. Germaine is the patron saint of unattractive chose St. Gertrude the Great, the patron saint of apostolic activity with prayer, offered ceaselessly, Henry was never formally canonized. people, peasant girls, abuse victims, nuns, as her model and guide. especially for the conversion of the ‘indifferent.’” handicapped people, and abandoned people. th Her feast day is November 16th. Her feast day is May 17 th . His feast day is January 19 . Her feast day is June 15th. St. Hildegard von Bingen St. John Francis Regis St. Joseph of Cupertino St. Josephine Bakhita

St. Hildegard von Bingen (1098–1179) was born Josephine Bakhita was born in the Darfur region to a large and noble German family. She began Born into a wealthy family, John Francis was so impressed by his Jesuit educators that he of southern Sudan, Josephine was kidnapped at to have mystical visions at the age of three which the age of 7, sold into slavery and given the continued throughout her life. Her parents, entered the at age 18. He spent St. Joseph of Cupertino (1603-1663) was the son many hours in chapel. As a priest, John Francis of a poor Italian carpenter. His father died before name Bakhita, which means fortunate. She was promising her to the service of God, sent her to he was born, leaving his mother destitute. As a resold several times, finally in 1883 to Callisto be educated at the Benedictine Abbey when she undertook missionary work in various French towns. Although plain, his discourses revealed result Joseph was underfed and often sick. He was Legnani, Italian consul in Khartoum, Sudan. was about eight years old. an intellectually dull child who constantly found the fervor within him and attracted people of all Two years later, he took Josephine to Italy and classes. Father Regis especially made himself himself the worse off in every situation. He was At the age of 14 she became a consecrated nun awkward, absent-minded, unintelligent, and difficult gave her to Augusto Michieli. Bakhita became attached to the Abbey, where she lived a quiet available to the poor including visits to prison s babysitter to Mimmina Michieli, whom she and hospitals. to be around. Many people thought he was good life of prayer. At the age of 38, after the for nothing–including his own mother, who treated accompanied to a school run by the Canossian anchoress' death, she was chosen as the new Some of villages in France had been deprived of him harshly and considered him a burden. Sisters. While Mimmina was being instructed, leader of a growing group of nuns. the sacraments for 20 years or more. Either Josephine felt drawn to the faith. She was Added to the scorn he received from everyone, at baptized and confirmed in 1890, t aking the name Protestantism or a general indifference toward the age of eight he began receiving ecstatic visions Hildegard was an avid composer of sacred music religion was evident. For three years, Fr. Regis Josephine. and liturgy, in addition to poems and plays. She for which he was also ridiculed. At the age of traveled through the area, conducting missions in seventeen Joseph found work with the Capuchin When the Michielis returned from Africa and also wrote heavily on theology, natural medicine, advance of a visit by the bishop. He succeeded and natural science. At the age of 42, at the Franciscan , eventually joining their order wanted to take Mimmina and Josephine back in converting many people and in bringing many once they recognized beneath his command of God, Hildegard began writing down with them, the future saint refused to go. During others back to religious observances. irritating demeanor. His ecstasies became more what she saw in her visions. Her works were the ensuing court case, the Canossian Sisters pronounced, and he would often levitate or float as and the patriarch of Venice intervened on widely read, even by the Pope, and leaders Fr. Regis lived out his days working for the Lord they happened. These ecstasies could be around the world sought her council. Her fame as in the wildest and most desolate part of his native Joseph ine’s behalf. The judge concluded that triggered easily through the mention of anything since slavery was illegal in Italy, she had actually a mystic and prophetess grew, earning her the France. He continued pr eaching missions and heavenly, or by any mortification. These been free since 1885. name "Sibyl of the Rhine." More nuns flocked to earned a reputation as a saint. occurrences became a spectacle and disturbance join her, causing Hildegard to establish a new He spent t he last four years of his life preaching to others and caused Joseph much suffering; they Josephine entered the Institute of St. Magdalene monastery at Rupertsberg. She wrote proficiently were a cross he would bear his whole life. For and organizing social services, especially for of Canossa in 1893 and made her profession on the harmony of created nature and man's example, as a priest he could not celebrate Mass prisoners, the sick and the poor. In the autumn of three years later. In 1902, she was transferred to need to live in balance with it, especially in virtue, publicly due to his distracting ecstasies. He was the city of Schio where she assisted her religious morality, and the love of God, which led Pope 1640, Father Regis sensed that his days were even reported to the for fear he was coming to a conclusion. He settled some of his community through cooking, sewing, embroidery, Benedict XVI to declare her the fourth female involved in witchcraft. and welcoming visitors at the door. She soon Doctor of the Church in 2012. Because her works affairs and prepared for the end by continuing to Yet St. Joseph lived a life of deep prayer and became well loved by the children attending the were far ahead of her time she is regarded as a do what he did so well: speaking to the people about the God who loved them. On December severe penance through continual fasting, sisters’ school and the local citizens. She once historical phenomenon. She is considered the subjecting himself every year to seven Lents of said, “Be good, love the Lord, pray for those who founder of scientific natural history in Germany. 31, he spent most of the day with his eyes on the crucifix. That evening, he di ed. His final words forty days each. Sometimes called “The Flying do not know Him. What a great grace it is to were: “Into thy hands I commend my spirit.” Saint,” St. Joseph of Cupertino is also the patron of know God!” Her feast day is September 17th. air crews and aviators. His feast day is June 16 th . Her feast day is February 8th. His feast day is September 18th. St. Jane of Valois St. Margaret of Antioch St. Marianne Cope St. Dorothy

St. Margaret (289-304 A.D.) was born in Antioch, the daughter of a pagan priest. Her mother died when she was an infant, and she was raised by a Christian nurse who baptized her and gave her a

Christian education. St. Jane of Valois (1464-1505) was born to St. Marianne Cope (1838–1918), also known as St. Dorothy was a 4th-century virgin martyr. St. Margaret grew into a pious and virtuous young French King Louis XI and Charlotte of Savoy. St. Marianne of Molokai, was a German-born Though her sisters Christa and Callista had woman under her nurse's care. When she came of Much of her life was marked by neglect and apostatized, she refused to, telling the judge who age, Margaret returned to live with her father. She American immigrant. She worked in a New York emotional abuse. Her father resented her threatened her, "If you could only see the quickly angered him, however, when she refused to factory before entering the Sisters of the Third because she was a sickly and deformed female Order of Saint Francis in Syracuse. gardens of Paradise where the Bridegroom take part in offering sacrifices to idols. Furious at awaits the faithful Bride, you would not hope to child. He sent her away to a remote country her refusals, he drove her out of his home. home where she was carelessly raised before She spent her early years serving as a leader in shake me with threats of torture and death.” Margaret returned to live with her nurse as a being married off at the age of nine to her cousin, health care and education. When the Hawaiian Her sisters were strengthened by Dorothy's servant. Roman prefect noticed Margaret's beauty the Duke of Orléans. Her husband likewise government was searching for a religious order courage, and when the judge bribed them to and desired to have her for himself. Margaret despised and publicly humiliated her, and their to run a station for victims of leprosy, the encourage her to apostatize, they begged her declined, citing that she had consecrated her marriage was never consummated. Syracuse sisters volunteered immediately. instead to pray that they, too, would have the virginity to Jesus, a reply for which she was courage to be martyrs. As all three were being Jane had a devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary severely persecuted. She was brought to trial for Mother Marianne and six other sisters left for dragged off to their death, a sarcastic young from a young age, especially in the mystery of her Christian faith, scourged, tortured, and thrown Hawaii in 1883. She devoted 35 years to caring pagan named Theophilus asked Dorothy to bring into prison. the Incarnation. One day Our Lady appeared to for those afflicted with Hansen’s disease him some fruit and flowers from her Bridegroom's Jane and told her that in the future she would In prison, the devil appeared to her in the form of a (leprosy) in Molokai, Hawaii. She also opened a garden. Shortly after her death, an angel brought found a religious community. Through her dragon to intimidate her and break her faith. hospital and a school for girls on the island of him a basket with apples and roses--in February. veneration of the Blessed Mother, Jane found the Margaret trusted in God and made the Sign of the Maui, and took charge of the home St. Damien of He was converted and later martyred himself. strength to be a loyal and devoted wife during her Cross, and the dragon fled defeated. At this triumph Molokai established for men and boys. Today we celebrate all four of these Saints: the painful twenty-two year marriage. over her enemy, Margaret's cell was filled with light steadfast, the backsliders, and the obnoxious and her wounds were miraculously healed. Mother Marianne changed life on Molokai by When her husband became king, he had their atheist. Whatever they may have done earlier in Enraged to find her healed, her suitor had new introducing cleanliness, dignity, and fun into the marriage annulled. This left Jane free to found life, on the last day they chose Jesus. You, my tortures applied to her body, which did her no harm colony. Despite her direct contact with leprosy the Order of the dedicated to friend, are called to be a Saint, whether you're a and caused many witnesses to convert to the patients over many years, she was not afflicted imitating Mary's virtues, as Our Lady foretold. Dorothy, a Christa or Callista, or a Theophilus. Christian faith. She was finally killed by beheading. by the disease, which some consider miraculous. Whatever has gone before, choose today to be a She also gave her Order the duty of constant St. Margaret of Antioch was one of the saints who She was canonized in 2012. saint. prayer for the souls of her father and husband appeared to St. . She is the patron saint who both mistreated her. against sterility, of the dying, and of pregnancy, Her feast day is January 23. Her fest day is February 6th. Her feast day is February 4th. labor, and childbirth. Her feast day is July 20th. St. Felix of St. Nicholas Owen St. Nonna St. Theobald

Nicholas, familiarly known as “Little John,” was St. Nonna was raised as a Christian but ended St. Theobald was born in 1017 to a noble family. small in stature but big in the esteem of his fellow up marrying Gregory, who was part of a pagan As a child, he was captivated by the early saints Jesuits. sect. Through her many prayers, Gregory who fled the city to seek a life of solitude and St. Felix of Nola (d. 250 A.D.) was born in Italy eventually converted to Christianity and is prayer in the desert. He wanted to follow them in near Naples, the son of a Syrian soldier. After his Born at Oxford, this humble artisan saved the venerated now as a saint! their pursuit of perfection and holiness. father's death, Felix gave his goods to the poor lives of many priests and laypersons in England during the penal times (1559-1829), when a Nonna and Gregory raised three children: Theobald and a friend named Walter left their and entered the priesthood. He was ordained by series of statutes punished Catholics for the his bishop, St. Maximus of Nola, and served as Gregory, who became bishop of Nazianzus and home and began living as wandering beggars. practice of their faith. Over a period of about 20 is now recognized as a Doctor of the Church, They built two small shelters in the forest and his assistant. years, Nicholas used his skills to build secret gave their lives to prayer and work, in the hiding places for priests throughout the country. Gorgonia, and Caesarius, who all also became When persecution against Christians increased saints. Nonna raised one of the most holy monastic tradition. They hired themselves out as under Roman Emperor Decius, St. Maximus hid His work, which he did completely by himself as families in history! She outlived her children manual laborers. While they worked with their in the desert while St. Felix was captured, both architect and builder, was so good that time Gorgonia and Caesarius and also her husband, hands, they continually prayed. tortured, and thrown into prison. While in prison and time again priests in hiding were undetected but still remained dedicated to caring for widows, by raiding parties. People began to take notice, and Theobald and an angel appeared to Felix and freed him from orphans, and the poor. Her son, St. Gregory Walter became well known for their practices and his chains, bidding him to go to the aid of his At one point he was even able to mastermind the Nazianzen, said of her, “While some women holiness. The friends wanted to escape notoriety bishop, St. Maximus, who was at the point of escape of two Jesuits from the Tower of London. excel in the management of their households and and its danger of pride, so they walked the starving to death. Whenever Nicholas set out to design such hiding others in piety—for it is difficult to achieve both— Camino de Santiago in Spain, then on to Rome places, he began by receiving the holy Eucharist, she nevertheless surpassed all in both, because After assisting the bishop, Felix fled from his and he would turn to God in prayer throughout as a pilgrimage she was pre-eminent in each and because she captors by hiding in a hole. Miraculously, a spider the long, dangerous construction process. alone combined the two. quickly spun a web over the hole and prevented They settled in Italy near Vicenza, and after two After many years at his unusual task, Nicholas years there, Walter died. A number of followers St. Felix from being caught by his pursuers. Felix entered the Society of Jesus and served as a lay She increased the resources of her household by gathered around him, and the local bishop continued hiding in a dry well for six months until brother, although—for very good reasons—his her care and practical foresight according to the ordained Theobald a priest so that they could the persecution abated. Afterwards he declined connection with the Jesuits was kept secret. standards and norms laid down by Solomon for celebrate the Sacraments together. an offer to become the bishop of Nola following After a number of narrow escapes, he was finally the valiant woman. She devoted herself to God the death of St. Maximus. Felix's property was caught in 1594. Despite protracted torture, and divine things as though she were completely Stories of Theobald started to spread—people confiscated in the persecutions, so he lived his Nicholas refused to disclose the names of other removed from household cares. In no way, spoke of miracles and prophecies—and his remaining years farming a few acres of rented Catholics. After being released following the however, did she neglect one duty in fulfilling the parents learned that this famous hermit was their land for his own sustenance as well as alms for payment of a ransom, “Little John” went back to other; rather, she performed both more son. They traveled to Italy to visit him, and his the poor. his work. He was arrested again in 1606. This effectively by making one support the other.” St. mother resolved to stay with him; Theobald built time he was subjected to horrible tortures, Nonna died a few months after her husband His feast day is January 14. suffering an agonizing death. her a small hermitage next to his. It was not long while at church participating in the Divine Liturgy. after that Theobald fell ill and died in 1066. His feast day is March 22 nd . Her feast day is August 5 th . His feast day is June 30 th . St. Rita of Cascia St. Vincent Pallotti St . Wenceslaus St. Brigid of Ireland

A contemporary of Cardinal Newman's and the St. Brigid of Ireland (451–525 A.D.), also known Cure of Ars', St. Vincent Pallotti was a very St. Wenceslaus (907–935 A.D.) was the son of St. Rita of Cascia (1381-1457) was born in Italy as St. Brigit of Kildare, was born to a pagan Irish modern saint who organized so many remarkable the Duke of Bohemia. His grandfather was during an era of violent strife between cities and chieftain and a Christian slave mother. Being the pastoral programs that he is considered the converted to Christianity by the missionaries Sts. warring family tribes. As a child she repeatedly daughter of a slave woman, she also was a forerunner of Catholic Action. He was a man of Cyril and Methodius. His mother, Dragomir, was requested to enter the convent, but instead her slave, and worked as a dairy maid. parents arranged her marriage to a rich, ill- great ideas and great vision and was able to the daughter of a pagan tribal chief who was tempered, and violent man. He became inspire others to tackle great things. He left baptized at her marriage. After the death of his She became known for her virtuous life and her physically abusive, yet she met his cruelty with behind schools, guilds, and institutes that carried father, Wenceslaus received a Christian charity to the poor. Recognizing her great piety kindness and patience. the Catholic mission into the very heart of upbringing from his grandmother, St. Ludmila, and special graces, a Christian king convinced contemporary society. while his mother reverted to her pagan ways. her father to grant Brigid her freedom. Once free During her eighteen years of marriage she bore Dragomir reigned as regent, had St. Ludmila to follow her own course in life, St. Brigid refused He was born in Rome in 1795 and began studies two sons whom she loved deeply. After many killed, and worked to oppose the spread of marriage, consecrated herself to Christ, and for the priesthood very early. He was ordained a years of persistent prayer she eventually won her Christianity in Bohemia. became Ireland's first nun. husband over to greater civility and kindness. priest at twenty-three and earned a doctorate in When he was murdered, her sons plotted a theology soon afterward. He was given an When St. Wenceslaus was 18 he took control of She also formed Ireland's first convent at Kildare bloody vendetta against the culprits. St. Rita assistant professorship at the Sapienza the government and exiled his mother. St. and became its abbess. She went on to found labored to guide her children into forgiveness, University but resigned it soon after to devote Wenceslaus was described as a pious, humble, many other religious communities, as well as a without success. She earnestly prayed that God himself to pastoral work. and intelligent ruler who worked to establish School of Art famous for its metal working and would change her son's murderous intentions, or Christianity in the land that would become part of illuminated manuscripts. Before long, his zeal was known all over Rome. allow them to die rather than commit a mortal sin. the . He was known for his He organized schools for shoemakers, tailors, vow of virginity, his many virtues, and his life of St. Brigid was known for her extraordinary God heard St. Rita's prayers, and soon both of coachmen, carpenters, and gardeners so that prayer and good works. spirituality, even converting her father to the faith her sons became ill and died. St. Rita was then they could better work at their trade, as well as after he witnessed her fashioning the sign of the free to join the convent, however, she was evening classes for young farmers and unskilled His mother and his younger brother, called cross from strands of rushes. She was also a rejected due to her family's connection with the workers. He gave away his books, his Boleslaus the Cruel, plotted his murder along contemporary and friend of St. Patrick. When she local violence. She finally obtained entry only possessions, and even his clothes to the poor, with a group of disaffected nobles. Boleslaus died, her sisters kept a fire burning in an after much prayer, humility, patience, and and once dressed up as an old woman to hear invited his brother to celebrate the feast of Sts. enclosure at her Kildare convent. This fire burned perseverance. the confession of a man who threatened "to kill Cosmas and Damian, and arranged to have him for centuries, tended by the sisters and not the first priest who came through the door." assassinated on his way to Mass. St. burning out until the 13th century. It was later re- St. Rita's life in the convent was marked by Wenceslaus muttered words of forgiveness as he lit and burned for 400 more years until the In 1835, he founded two congregations and was heroic charity and penance as she closely united died, and his body was buried at the murder site. Protestant revolt. herself and her life of deep suffering to Christ. instrumental in the founding of a missionary order His brother succeeded him as Duke of Bohemia. While praying before a crucifix, St. Rita mystically in England and several colleges for the training of Three years later Boleslaus repented of his St. Brigid is the patroness of Ireland and many received a thorn in her forehead (stigmata) from missionaries. crime, and had his brother's remains transferred other causes, most notably of dairy and milk Jesus' Crown of Thorns. St. Rita is the patron maids, chicken farmers, travelers, and sailors. He died at the age of fifty-five and his body lies to the Church of St. Vitus in Prague. Wenceslaus saint of impossible causes, difficult marriages, was considered a saint by the people at the time incorrupt in the church of San Salvatore in Rome. Her feast day is February 1st. and abuse victims. of his death. His feast day is January 22 nd . Her feast day is May 22 nd . His feast day is September 28 th . St. Martina of Rome St. Angela Merici St. Anastasius the Persian St. Anthony of the Desert

St. Angela Merici (1474 – 1540) was born in the St. Anastasius the Persian (7th c.) was the St. Anthony of the Desert (251–356 A.D.), also St. Martina of Rome (d. 228 A.D.) was born to region of Lombardy, Italy. Her deep piety drew son of a Persian sorcerer. He became a known as St. , was a a noble Roman family and orphaned at a her to make a private vow of virginity at a young Zoroastrian soldier in the army of Khosrau II, leading figure among the , the young age. She was zealous in the practice of age. Her parents died when she was ten, and the Persian monarch who absconded the True early Christian monks who lived in the her faith, remained a virgin, and, in soon afterwards she lost her sister with whom Cross of Christ from Jerusalem and took it to Egyptian desert in the 3rd and 4th centuries. preparation for the Christian persecutions she was very close. Angela went to live with her Persia in 614. The story of his life was written by St. sweeping the city, gave much of her uncle, and, despite lacking a formal education, inheritance to the poor. . St. Anthony's she grew in wisdom and virtue. She committed St. Anastasius was impressed with the parents were wealthy, and after their death She was martyred under Roman Emperor herself to prayer, penance, and serving the poor, and with the demeanor of the Christians he Anthony desired to conform himself to the Alexander Severus. According to the accounts eventually joining the Third Order of St. Francis saw. He inquired about the mysterious Cross manner of life of the Apostles and early of her martyrdom, she was discovered praying at the age of fifteen. and the Christian religion, and as a result soon Christians. On hearing these words from the in a church and was arrested by Roman When her uncle died she returned to her home, converted to the true Faith. He left the army, Gospel of Matthew in church, "If you wish to soldiers. She was ordered to pay homage to and, seeing a great need for the education of received baptism, and became a monk at a be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the pagan gods, which she refused. She was the money to the poor, and you will have young girls in the Christian faith, began a school monastery in Jerusalem. He lived there seven then cruelly tortured over several days. She treasure in heaven; then come, follow me," St. for girls in her house. She daily gathered all the years until he was called by God to martyrdom was raked with iron hooks and scourged, and little girls of her village and taught them the faith. Anthony left everything behind to live a life of when a bright light enveloped her, some of her among his people. prayer, fasting, self-denial, and labor. torturers were converted to the Faith amid her St. Angela became known for her holiness, and fervent prayers. soon she was invited to establish another school He went to Caesarea to preach, which was Whenever he heard of other holy people living in a neighboring town. One day while in prayer then under Persian rule. He was captured and in this manner, he would visit them to learn She was then taken to the temple of Diana to she received a vision that she would start a subject to cruel tortures. He was promised from their virtues in order to imitate them. He be forced to offer sacrifice, but at her presence religious order intended for the religious freedom and a high position in the kingdom if eventually removed himself from all society the temple's demon left with a scream. They and became the first Christian to live a life of education of girls. This was realized when St. he would simply denounce his faith, which he next tried to throw her to a lion (it showed no consecrated solitude. He occasionally left his Angela founded the under the refused. St. Anastasius was strangled and interest in her) and to burn her alive, but she patronage of St. Ursula. hermitage for pressing matters, once to would not catch fire. Finally, she was beheaded. encourage persecuted Christians, and another beheaded. St. Angela Merici is the patron saint against time to support Pope Athanasius against the illness, death of parents, and of the disabled and His feast day is January 22. heresy of Arius. St. Anthony died at the age of St. Martina's feast day is January 30. handicapped. one hundred and five. Her feast day is January 27 th . His feast day is January 17 th . St. Arnold Janssen St. Raymond of Penafort St. Andre Bessette St. John Neumann

St. Raymond of Penafort (1175–1275) was born in Spain to the noble family of Aragon. He received an excellent education and displayed a St. Arnold Janssen (1837–1909) was born in great love for the Blessed Mother. St. Andre Bessette (1845–1937) was born the Germany to a large Catholic family. He was a eighth of twelve children to a poor working class St. John Neumann (1811-1860) was born in man of simple faith who studied theology, After studying and teaching philosophy and law family in , Canada. He was weak and Bohemia in what is now the Czech Republic. He entered the priesthood, and served as a school he entered the Order of Preachers. He preached sickly from his birth. When he was nine, his entered the seminary, and when the day came the Crusades and encouraged the faithful to teacher. father died in a lumber accident; when he was for his ordination to the priesthood, his bishop fell defend their civilization from foreign threats. To twelve, his mother died of tuberculosis. He then ill and couldn't proceed with the ceremony. He had a profound devotion to the Sacred Heart aid his preaching, Raymond requested that his worked at various odd jobs until he entered the However, because Bohemia had an over- of Jesus, which awakened in him an increasing fellow Dominican, St. Thomas Aquinas, write his Congregation of the Holy Cross as a lay brother abundance of priests, John's ordination was epic Summa Contra Gentiles for the conversion desire for missionary work. This led him to found at age 25, serving as porter for Quebec's Notre never rescheduled. of non-Catholics, especially Muslims. It is said The Little Messenger of the Sacred Heart , a Dame College for much of his life. monthly magazine sharing news of the Church's that at least 10,000 Muslims were converted to Undeterred in pursuing his priestly vocation, John missionary activities and encouraging German the Catholic faith as a result of Raymond’s Andre welcomed and prayed for the people he decided to go to America to seek ordination. He evangelistic labors. Catholics to do more to help the missions. met, especially those who were ill or suffering. came to the United States in 1836 as a With King James of Aragon and St. Peter When an epidemic of sickness broke out, Andre missionary priest to serve America's European This was during a time of anti-Catholic Nolasco he founded the Order of Our Lady of demonstrated the gift of healing. He gave all the immigrant population. He was ordained in New persecution in Germany, and many priests were Ransom (Mercedarians), a group that worked to credit to St. Joseph, to whom he had a great York, joined the , and was later expelled from the country. Arnold suggested that free Christians enslaved by the Moors. devotion. consecrated a bishop. these expelled priests serve in the missions, and for this purpose he founded the Society of the Known for his great mind and great sanctity, St. Over the years, when word of his sanctity spread, He is famous for knowing twelve languages and Divine Word, known as the Divine Word Raymond was the Pope’s personal confessor tens of thousands of people came to Bessette for for being the first American man and American Missionaries, a religious congregation of and close adviser. As a trained lawyer, he was prayer and healing. He worked all day to receive bishop to be canonized. also chosen to compile the Church's legal them in person or answer their letters. When his missionary priests and lay brothers. St. John Neumann left his impact on the United documents into one source of law which Order wanted to purchase land on Mt. Royal, States by building a vast number of churches, He also founded two Orders of religious sisters was then used for centuries. He also wrote a Bessette buried St. Joseph medals on the schools, hospitals, and orphanages. The number associated with this missionary activity. manual of moral theology for . property. The owners yielded, the land was sold of parochial school students greatly increased in to the Order, and Andre worked to have a chapel Today more than 6,000 Divine Word Missionaries St. Raymond is famous for the miracle of sailing his diocese. are active in 63 countries. from the island of Majorca to Barcelona using his dedicated to St. Joseph built on the property. It is cape for a raft. still in use to this day. St. John Neumann had a strong effect on the St. Arnold was canonized in 2003 by Pope St. religious life of the laity in the United States, When he died at the age of 91, it is said that a John Paul II. St. Raymond of Penafort is the patron of lawyers especially in his promotion of devotion to the and canon lawyers. million people visited his coffin. His feast day is January 15 th . Holy Eucharist. His feast day is January 7 th . His feast day is January 6 th . His feast day is January 5th. St. Anastasia St. Victoria St. Adelaide St. Barbara

St. Adelaide (931-999 A.D.) was the virtuous daughter of King Rupert II of Burgundy, France. St. Anastasia (c. 281-314 A.D.) was a Roman She became the Queen of Italy after being given St. Barbara (3rd c.) was born in Nicomedia in citizen of the noble class, born to a wealthy in marriage to the future King of Italy. modern day Turkey. After her mother died, she was St. Victoria (d. 250 A.D.) was a Christian raised by her rich and tyrannical pagan father who, pagan father and a Christian mother. noblewoman from Rome. She, together with her When her husband died, she was imprisoned for refusing a second politically-driven marriage. because of her beauty and intelligence, guarded She was secretly baptized due to her mother's sister, St. Anatolia, were forced into arranged her closely, keeping her locked away in a tower to marriages with two pagan noblemen. However, when the German Emperor Otto came desire to raise her as a Christian. Anastasia to rule Italy, she accepted his rescue and offer of protect her from the outside world. She was married a Roman pagan of her class, and, when Both Victoria and Anatolia desired to devote marriage. educated by tutors. She rejected the false gods she was taught to worship in favor of the true God, themselves entirely to God rather than marry. he discovered that she was a practicing dedicating her life and virginity to this purpose. She Upon this refusal, their suitors denounced the They had four children, the future Otto II and Christian, he became a cruel tyrant and inflicted three daughters, two of whom became nuns. developed a prayer life and resisted her father's sisters as Christians to the authorities under the much suffering upon her. Pope John XII crowned Otto the Holy Roman attempts to have her marry. persecution of Roman Emperor Decius. Emperor in 962 A.D., and Adelaide was crowned After her husband's untimely death, Anastasia Believing Barbara to be negatively affected by the The sisters were seized and put under house as the Holy Roman Empress. devoted her life to acts of charity and to seclusion, her father allowed her more freedom to arrest in order to break their faith and convince consoling Christians who were imprisoned for When her son, Otto II, succeeded her husband associate with the world. She soon discovered them to marry. Instead of weakening, their faith in Christians, and, recognizing the Creator she their faith. When she was discovered to be a as Emperor, she was driven from court by her Christ became more resolute. jealous daughter-in-law. When they both died, sought, was baptized in secret. After informing her Christian during the persecutions of Diocletian, father that she was a Christian, he denounced her While under house arrest they sold all of their Adelaide returned to court to rule the empire as Anastasia was captured, tortured, and starved regent Queen until her grandson was of age. to the authorities under the persecution of Roman before being crucified, burned alive, and belongings, gave their money to the poor, and Emperor. She was imprisoned and cruelly tortured, converted the servants and guards who attended beheaded. She used her position, power, and influence to but remained steadfast in her faith. During the night them to Christianity. help the poor, evangelize her people, and to build she would pray, and her wounds would and restore monasteries and churches. She The place of her martyrdom is Sirmium in what is Both St. Victoria and her sister were eventually miraculously heal. This only subjected her to today Serbia, and afterwards she was venerated afterwards retired to a convent in Germany, greater torments, followed by more miraculous killed for their faith; first Anatolia, and later spending her remaining days in prayer. as a healer and . Victoria. interventions. She was finally beheaded by her own St. Adelaide is the patroness of princesses, father, and afterward he was struck and killed by St. Anastasia is one of the seven women, St. Victoria was stabbed through the heart at the empresses, second marriages, widows, lightening as punishment. request of her rejected suitor, Eugenius. besides the Virgin Mary, commemorated in the parenthood, brides, exiles, and abuse victims. St. Barbara is the patron saint of firemen, armorers, Roman Canon of the Mass (the First Eucharistic Her feast day is December 23 rd . Her feast day is December 16. military engineers, artillerymen, miners, and others Prayer). who work with explosives. She is also the patron against storms, lightning, and fire, to name a few. Her feast day is December 25 th . Her feast day is December 4 th . St. Gabriel Possenti St. Mary Magdalen Postel Sts. Boris and Gleb Sts. Crispin and Crispinian

Two saints who are known in the Eastern Rite, Julia Frances Catherine Postel was educated but not so much in the Western, are Sts. Boris at the Benedictine convent in France. At 18, and Gleb. They were both the sons of St. Vladimir of Kiev, who was a ruler of the Kievan she opened a girls’ school. When the French Sts. Crispin and Crispinian (d. 286 A.D.) were Rus’, a region of Slavic tribes in Europe. St. Revolution broke out, the school was closed brothers, believed to be twins, from a noble Saint Gabriel was known in the world as Vladimir, a convert from paganism to and she became a leader in the underground Roman family. They were Christians and went Christianity, is credited with Christianizing the Francis Possenti, son of a professional and Church. She created a secret chapel where as missionaries into Gaul (present-day Kievan Rus’ after he gained control of it in the respected family. He grew up in a household priests could say Mass for those who refused France). Taking the Apostle St. Paul as their late 10th century. where devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows was a to recognize the ‘constitutional’ clergy imposed example, they earned their living through a by the state. hallmark of family life. Francis grew up, living Boris and Gleb were recognized from an early trade, dividing their time between ministry and the life of a typical teenager, he danced, he Only when the pope made a treaty with age for their virtue and piety. Their popularity work. hunted, went out with girls. Napoleon in 1801 could Julie take up teaching among the Rus’ people contributed to the jealousy of their older brother Svyatopolk. His Their craft was shoe-making, and because He had become very sick during his school again as her life’s work. Then, at the age of they asked little pay for their shoes they were jealousy grew to such a great extent that he years and had promised that if he got better, 51, she set up a group of religious women to loved and esteemed by all. Crispin and began to contemplate assassinating his he would dedicate his life to God. St. Gabriel teach the young, inspire them to love God, Crispinian used their work as an opportunity to and help the poor in their misery. brothers. He plotted to ambush them both as Possenti got better and forgot about it. He got they were journeying to Kiev. He succeeded, share the Christian faith with the pagans they encountered, and many were converted sick again and made the same promise, but In 1807, Julie and three others took religious and Boris and Gleb were killed at the hands of through their witness. again got well and forgot his promise. Once, vows. Julie took a new name, Mary Magdalen their brother, just as Abel was killed at the during a church procession in which a great Postel. She reopened her school, which hands of Cain. During the persecution of the Roman Emperor banner of Our Lady, Help of Christians, was became the foundation of the Sisters of the Five years later, another one of Vladimir’s Diocletian they were denounced as Christians being carried, the eyes of Our Lady looked Christian Schools of Mercy. She was named and brought before the co-emperor, sons, known as Yaroslav the Wise, recovered straight at him and he heard the words: "Keep of the community. Maximanus Herculius. The emperor tried to the bodies of Boris and Gleb. They were your promise." Shaken, he remembered his Within three years 200 girls were being persuade them to abandon their faith with promise, changed his life completely, and immediately recognized, as the bodies were educated. For some time Sr. Mary Magdalen found in an incorrupt state. After Yaroslav promises and threats, but to no effect. The entered the . brothers were then given over to the governor and her nine fellow teachers lived in great entombed their bodies in a church near his who was notorious for his cruelty. They were poverty. These earlier years were hard but home, the brothers became even more well- As a Passionist he grew daily in love with Our stretched on the rack, their flesh was cut, and Lord and Mary, the Virgin of Sorrows and soon Sister Mary Magdalen refused to give up. The known and the church became a popular site community was forced to move several times of pilgrimage. Many miracles were worked awls were driven under their fingernails. They came to the perfection of Christian virtue. He were then thrown into a river with a millstone before it settled at in 1815. through their , and Yaroslav succeeded died from tuberculosis at the young age of 24. tied to their necks, but they both miraculously Whatever work they could find—as farm- in aiding their journey to canonization. He is Patron of Catholic youth, students, Although they were not officially martyred, survived and swam back to shore. They were laborers, seamstresses, etc.—was eagerly caught and finally beheaded. seminarians, novices and clerics. There is also seized so that they could carry on with their since it was not for religious reasons that a legend that he saved his village from bandits teaching. But their tenacity triumphed. In 1830, Svyatopolk killed them, they are known in the Crispin and Crispinian are the patron saints of by driving them out at gunpoint. they moved into an abandoned, derelict Eastern Rite as “passion-bearers,” for they shoemakers, saddlers, and tanners. abbey. The congregation was formally humbly offered up their suffering in union with His feast day is February 27 th . Christ’s. Their feast, known as St. Crispin's Day, is recognized seven years later. October 25 th . th Her feast day is July 16 th . Their feast day is July 24 .

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