Saints of the Day & More

St. John Bosco was born on 16 August 1815 at Castelnuovo d'Asti, and received from his mother Margarita Occhiena a solid Christian and human education. Endowed with intelligence, memory, will and physical agility uncommon since childhood was followed by his contemporaries, who organized games that broke the sound of the bells to bring them to church. He was ordained priest in Turin in 1841, where he began his pastoral work with St. Joseph Cafasso. His program, or rather, his passion was the education of youth, the poor and abandoned. He gathered a small group that had to play, to pray often to dine with him. The uncomfortable and noisy company of Don Bosco (as it was called and took him familiarly called) had to be continually changing places until I finally found a permanent place under the shed Pinardi, which was the first cell of the Oratory.One of the boys who was with John Bosco was St. Dominic Savio. They had a strong friendship. Until Dominic died. With the help of mum Marga...

Saint Mutien-Marie Wiaux was a Belgian member of the Brothers of Christian Schools. He was born Louis Wiaux, the third of six children, in French-speaking Belgium to a devout Catholic family. After joining the Christian Brothers, he took the religious name Mutien-Marie, "Mutien" being a reference to the early Roman martyr Mucian. He began the novitiate at Namur. After teaching at an elementary school, he was assigned to teach at a boarding school, where he taught fine arts, including music and art, for fifty-eight years. At first teaching was a difficult assignment for him, and his students were known as disruptive and out of control. But in time Brother Mutien grew into an effective teacher also known for his patience and piety. He taught music and art, a saint of sensibility not intellect. Mutien-Marie was buried in Malonne. His fame began to grow after his death and miracles were attributed to him. Prayer Lord bless us with the memory of your humble servant Mutien-Marie, s...

Saint Juniper called "the renowned jester of the Lord," was one of the original followers of Saint Francis of Assisi. Not much is known about Juniper before he joined the friars. In 1210, he was received into the order of the Franciscans by St. Francis of Assis himself. "Would to God, my brothers, I had a whole forest of such Junipers," Saint Francis would pun. St. Francis of Assis sent him to establish "places" for the friars in Gualdo Tadino and Viterbo. When St. Clare of Assisi was dying, Juniper consoled her.He died 1258. Juniper is buried at Ara Coeli Church at Rome. Prayer Fahter may the name of Juinper let us be your jester so we can love you more each day like Christ loved us. AMEN References: Wikipedia.Org

Thomas was born in Roccasecca, Kingdom of Sicily in the year 1225. He was born into the Italian Nobility and was destend to be a Count as his father had been. Thomas was a well eduacted young man, that at the age of five he was taught at Monte Cassino but after the military conflict between Pope Gregory IX and Emperor Fredrick II. After this his mother, Theodora Countess of Theate, enrolled him at Studium Generale , in Naples, which would now relate to the University. Here is where St. Thomas learned about Aristotle and the many other great philosophers who influenced his philosophy. It was also during his study at Naples that Aquinas came under the influence of John of St. Julian, a Dominican preacher in Naples, who was part of the active effort by the Dominican order to recruit devout followers. Here his teacher in arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and music was Petrus de Ibernia. In the year 1244, Thomas decided that he was going to join the Dominican Order. Thomas' family was no...

Born in Italy in 1474 and is credited with having founded the first female religious community to educate girls. She grew up in a peasant family in a believer, where every night reading the life of a saint, and that the aroused much and excited by religion. Lost her father and mother while still very young and it impressed her very much. After all her life she would ask God for forgiveness for not trusting enough in her youth in Divine Providence that no one leaves. Her childhood is very patient and has to work hard but that makes it strong and makes sympathetic to poor girls who need help in order to be adequately instructed. Franciscan Tertiary and is made without having primary school but, becomes Minister of governors, bishops,doctors of the church,and priests. It had received the Holy Spirit the gift of the Council, which consists of knowing what is best to do and avoid each time. Seeing that the girls who were not educated and free her from mortal danger, and that theories were n...

St. Timothy Born at Lystra, Lycaenia, Timothy was the son of a Greek father and Eunice, a converted Jewess. He joined St. Paul when Paul preached at Lystra replacing Barnabas, and became Paul's close friend and confidant. Paul allowed him to be circumcised to placate the Jews, since he was the son of a Jewess, and he then accompanied Paul on his second missionary journey. When Paul was forced to flee Berea because of the enmity of the Jews there, Timothy remained, but after a time was sent to Thessalonica to report on the condition of the Christians there and to encourage them under persecution, a report that led to Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians when he joined Timothy at Corinth. Timothy and Erastus were sent to Macedonia in 58, went to Corinth to remind the Corinthians of Paul's teaching, and then accompanied Paul into Macedonia and Achaia. Timothy was probably with Paul when the Apostle was imprisoned at Caesarea and then Rome, and was himself imprisoned but th...

Paul, called Saul on the use and rigorous Jewish vehemently asserted that the gospel he preached had not learned or received from men. He belonged to the caste of the Pharisees. He was born in Tarsus, a city that belonged to the Greco-Roman world, who was born there was the Roman citizen status was less so when the centurion, the prosecutor, the magistrate or tribune. Necessarily, being Jewish does not fit him better luck in childhood hiding his condition to walk among the rest of the people, hiding their belief as superstition held by the heathen Romans. This may be going on inside him and he affirmed his faith even when he grew older and had to defend himself going against the tide. Was rather low, with broad shoulders and somewhat lame. Strong and solid as a log. A grin that had made him a fan. He knew the old manuscripts written with signs that the Greeks and Romans seemed unintelligible scrawl, but they contained all the wisdom and rationale of a people. Usually as a scholar in Gr...

Born in Savoy in the heart of a Catholic family, a rarity in a region that Calvin had imposed his doctrine of predestination against the odds. His father wanted to study law and sent him to Paris. But it was here that he felt love for theology and the problems of predestination. The pernicious Calvinistic doctrine had penetrated into himself for moments. It was believed destined for damnation. In this state of crisis, read something that turned him completely. It was a prayer of St. Bernard. He gave a course of 180 degrees to your life. He was full of joy, giving life to all its rich pastoral bishop of Geneva. He also began his writing with "Introduction to the Devout Life." He stayed and lived near Geneva, in Annecy, not to be bothered with headquarters and the emporium of the Calvinists. He devoted himself to making contact with the Catholics of his time, helped all he could to bring it to fruition the reform of Caramel and the very foundation of the Oratory, founded by St....

Emerentiana was around Saint Agnes' time, because her mother was the nurse and nanny of St. Agnes. Emerentiana was a catechumen still learning about Christianity before being officially baptized. Catholics believe martyrs are "baptized by blood," and otherwise go to heaven.. A few days prior to the death of St. Agnes she was found weeping on her tomb and praying by her tomb; upset upon the death of her best friend and foster sister, she claimed that she was a Christian as well and belittled the pagans who had killed Agnes, and was stoned to death by the crowd. PRAYER Lord may we love and venerate your beloved daughter Saint Emerentiana, and may all who are in formation to recieve a sacrament, may their prayers unite with hers so that they may worship you forever. AMEN .

Vincent was born third century AD Saragossa, Spain. Not much is known about his early life. But he was a deacon. He was taken prisoner for not denouncing his faith. He was thrown in jail. The prison guards made him starve. He refused to worship the pagan gods. He was tortured by being burnt on a grid iron. He burnt but he lived. They starved him even more. Until his martyrdom finally he was crucified in a cross shaped like an X. Vincent is the patron saint of wine growers,wine,vinegar makers, and Portugal. He is the protomartyr of Spain. Prayer Father may the martyrdom of saint Vincent help us understand that your name is holy we must defend with all our faith and strength. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN

Agnes was born into a family of Christians and Roman Nobles in the year 291. Agnes was raised Christian and had a huge love for Christ and God. Agnes was a beautiful, wealthy Roman maiden who had, in childhood, dedicated herself to God. Though at the age of 13 the Prefect Sempronius went to ask for her hand in marriage for one of his sons. Agnes refused and was condemned to death due to her refusal. But due to Roman Law, it was not allowed to kill Virgins, then the Prefect stripped her and dragged her all the way to a brothel. As she was being dragged to said place she never stopped praying. Along the way her hair grew and grew until it covered up her body, in order for no one to see her body. When they arrived at the brothel, there were already men ready to rape her, but as they were getting close to her they all went blind. After she this she was taken and tied to the stake. The soldiers prepared everything and lit the firewood under her feet, but the hay and the wood would not ligh...

According to his legend, Sebastian was born at Narbonne, Gaul. He became a soldier in the Roman army at Rome in about 283, and encouraged Marcellian and Marcus, under sentence of death, to remain firm in their faith. Sebastian made numerous converts: among them were the master of the rolls, Nicostratus, who was in charge of prisoners and his wife, Zoe, a deaf mute whom he cured; the jailer Claudius; Chromatius, Prefect of Rome, whom he cured of gout; and Chromatius' son, Tiburtius. Chromatius set the prisoners free, freed his slaves, and resigned as prefect. Sebastian was named captain in the praetorian guards by Emperor Diocletian, as did Emperor Maximian when Diocletian went to the East. Neither knew that Sebastian was a Christian. When it was discovered during Maximian's persecution of the Christians that Sebastian was indeed a Christian, he was ordered executed. He was shot with arrows and left for dead, but when the widow of St. Castulus (St. Irene of Rome) went to recover...

Canute IV the Saint reigned in Denmark from 1080 until his assassination in 1086. It was the natural son of Sven II King of England. He succeeded his brother Harald III Hen. From Young highlighted the best qualities in him to fight and has appreciated gifts of conqueror. Fight against pirates who destroy the shores of the kingdom and gets clean seas out victorious in the bloody wars against the pagan Wends. It grows more and more esteem among the people. But the death of his father usurped the throne by his brother Harald because the nobility prefer a weak and foolish king, who dies within two years. That's when Canute becomes king, running the year 1080. It strives to restore morality as it has found a kingdom that still suffers the pitfalls of paganism. Purge the people of defects and disorders. Wars against Estonia and Denmark added to the territories of Courland and Samogitia. It seems that not by ambition but by pity, indeed, immediately sends missionaries to evangelize the in...

St. Volusian was born into a very wealthy family and was actually related to St. Perpetuus his predecessor as Bishops at Tours, presumably with Ruricius of Limoges. Only a little has been said about the time of his election as Bishop of Tours. Named bishop of the city in 488, he was forced to leave the see in 496 by the Arian Visigoths, and went to Spain. He died perhaps in Toulouse, or in Spain, possibly as a martyr. Very little is known about St. Volusian and I wasn't able to find a picture but here's one of the Cathedral in Tours PRAYER Lord may we venerate and apply the life of St. Volusian your humble servant of Tours, into our daily lives. That we may be humble of heart and Strong in our proclamation of the Gospel of Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. AMEN .

Anthony was born in the village of Comas, near Heraclea in Upper Egypt Two Greek philosophers ventured out into the Egyptian desert to the mountain where Anthony lived. When they got there, Anthony asked them why they had come to talk to such a foolish man? He had reason to say that -- they saw before them a man who wore a skin, who refused to bathe, who lived on bread and water. They were Greek, the world's most admired civilization, and Anthony was Egyptian, a member of a conquered nation. They were philosophers, educated in languages and rhetoric. Anthony had not even attended school as a boy and he needed an interpreter to speak to them. In their eyes, he would have seemed very foolish. But the Greek philosophers had heard the stories of Anthony. They had heard how disciples came from all over to learn from him, how his intercession had brought about miraculous healings, how his words comforted the suffering. They assured him that they had come to him because he was a wise man....

Irish monastic founder, the brother of Sts. Foillan and Ulan, praised by St. Bede. Fursey was born on the island of Inisguia en Lough Carri, Ire­land, as a noble. He founded Rathmat Abbey, now probably Killursa. In 630 Fursey and his friends went to East Anglia, England, where he founded a monastery near Ugremouth on land donated by King Sigebert. In his later years, Fursey went to France to build a monastery at Lagny, near Paris, France. He was buried in Picardy. St. Bede and others wrote about Fursey’s intense ecstasies. Prayer of St. Fursey “The arms of God be around my shoulders, The touch of the Holy Spirit upon my head, The sign of Christ’s cross upon my forehead, The sound of the Holy Spirit in my ears, The fragrance of the Holy Spirit in my nostrils, The vision of heaven in my eyes, The conversation of heaven’s company on my lips, The work of God’s church with my hands, The service of God and my neighbour in my feet, A home for God in my heart, And to God, the father of all, my...

Macario was born in upper Egypt, around 300, and spent his youth as a shepherd. Driven by an intense grace, retired from an early age, confined to a narrow cell where he divided his time between prayer, penitential practices and the manufacture of mats. A woman falsely accused him that he had attempted to do violence. As a result, Macario was dragged through the streets, beaten and treated as hypocritical disguised as a monk. All suffered with patience, and even sent the woman the product of his work, saying: "Macario, now you have to work harder, because you have to hold to another." But God made known his innocence: the woman who had slandered him could not give birth until they revealed the name of the father of the child. This brings the fury of the people turned to admiration for the humility and patience of a saint. To escape the esteem of men, Macario took refuge in the vast desert Scete melancholy, when I was about thirty years. Here he lived sixty years and was the s...

Felix was the son of Hermias, a Syrian who had been a Roman soldier. He was born on his father's estate at Nola near Naples, Italy. On the death of his father, Felix distributed his inheritance to the poor, was ordained by Bishop St. Maximus of Nola, and became his assistant. When Maximus fled to the desert at the beginning of Decius' persecution of the Christians in 250, Felix was seized in his stead and imprisoned. He was reputedly released from prison by an angel, who directed him to the ailing Maximus, whom he brought back to Nola. Even after Decius' death in 251, Felix was a hunted man but kept well hidden until the persecution ended. When Maximus died, the people unanimously selected Felix as their Bishop, but he declined the honor in favor of Quintus, a senior priest. Felix spent the rest of his life on a small piece of land sharing what he had with the poor, and died there on January 14. His tomb soon became famous for the miracles reported there, and when St. Pauli...

Born in the early fourth century Poitiers. It was called the "Athanasius of the West", who was a contemporary. Both had to fight against the same opponent, Arianism. Participated in the theological polemics with speeches and especially writing. Hilary was exiled to Phrygia by the Emperor Constantine, who had aligned with the decisions of the Arian synod of Béziers in the year 356. Contact with the Orient was providential for the bishop of Poitiers. During the five years spent in Phrygia learned and discovered Greek origins, as also the great theological production of the Eastern Fathers, obtaining an important documentation for the book that earned him the title of Doctor of the Church: On the Trinity, whose title De Fide adversus original Arians. It was the most important and profound treatise which had appeared previously on the main tenet of the Christian faith. Despite being banished, not inactive. With the booklet Maxertiam Against Constantius himself violently attacked,...

Martin was a Canon Regular of the Augustinian Order. After the death of his mother, his father, Juan, decided to join the catholic Canonry at St. Marcellinus in León. Martin was educated and raised at the Canonry, and after the death of his father he decieded to go on a major pilgramage to many Italian cities and Constantinople. After he returned to Spain he decieded to take the habit of the Augustinian order, at St. Marcellinus, but after seeing this monastery had been secularized by the bishops he entered the collegiate church of St. Isidore in the same city. Martin distinguished himself by his zealous observance, his charity, and his deep devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. The religious of St. Isidore's dedicated a chapel to Martin very early and celebrated his feast each year. St. Martin wrote many commentaries to the Epistles and on the Book of Revelations. St. Martin has left full class discussions which are stored and were published by Espinosa in Seville. PRAYER Lord you le...

St. Leucius of Brindisi was in the Early Second Century. Not much is know of Leucius' early life, though it is believed that he was born in Eastern Europe, to Eudecius and Euphrodisia and was given the name of Eupressius at birth. What is known, is that the young Eupressius was educated and spent the formative years of his existence in Alexandria, Egypt. Following the death of his mother he entered monastic life. A heavenly vision, during the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin, would change his name from Eupressius to Leucius. Having already been ordained bishop, Leucius wanted to undertake a missionary apostolate in Brindisi, to liberate the pagans of the misconceptions of Christianity. Leucius left Alexandria to, what was at the time one of the largest ports of the Mediterranean, Brindisi in what is now the southern part of Italy. Leucius first came to notoriety when many pagans in Puglia, heard him preaching the Gospel during a drought. He claimed that if they had faith the r...

Benedictine hermit. Also called Peter Orseolo, he was a member of one of the most noble houses of Venice and, at the age of twenty, became an admiral in the Venetian Navy. After a series of successful campaigns against the Dalmatian pirates, he was elected Doge of Venice in 967, supposedly securing his elevation by poisoning his predecessor Peter Candiani IV, as was charged by St. Peter Damian. For two years Peter ruled with consummate skill, assisting Venice to weather a series of political crises. Then, without any warning and without informing his family, he disappeared from Venice and secretly entered the Benedictine abbey of Cuxa, in the Spanish Pyrenees. There he devoted himself to a life of severe austerity and asceticism, working as a humble sacrist until St. Romuald suggested that he become a hermit. He lived alone until his death. PRAYER Lord you blessed us with the memory of St. Pietro I Orseolo, may we ask for his interssession at the moment we are before you and the Holy C...

Saint Marciana, originating "Rusuccur (now Tigzirt) in Mauritania, left all the advantages valiantly attempting to go to the world locked in a cell in Caesarea and keep her virginity intact, under the gaze of God. However, she believed it was their duty to declare war on idolatry that then reigned in Africa. One day, in crossing the public square, could not bear to see displayed a statue of Diana and broke his head. The arrested, beaten with rods, and then condemned her to die in the amphitheater, torn by the teeth of wild beasts. As expected this last punishment, handed it to the gladiators for violating her chastity, but God did not allow this outrage. At the date of execution, Marciana was exposed first to a lion who did not do any harm, then a bull pounced on her and thrust his horns into the chest, which fell face down on the floor, almost without sense. Finally, a leopard and tore this torment expired. The manuscripts of the Acts do not agree on the date of martyrdom, Januar...

During the V century the Western Roman Empire was gradually invaded by the Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Vandals, Franks, etc.. In the devastation only the authorities and Christian structures were a strong point for survival. This is the historical context in which it presents the figure and work of San Severino, who was born of a noble Roman family around the year 410. After a stay in the East, to 454 was established near the Danube, where he built monasteries to house and threatened the residents at the same time points of irradiation were the Gospel among the barbarian tribes. Therefore inclined to the contemplative life as a hermit and missionary activity, and helped with the charism of prophecy, San Severino also made estimates of the temporal human level. It realized that the youth movement was unstoppable barbarians and the decadent Roman society regain its strength thanks to these new forces. But it was necessary that those minds were enlightened by the truths of the Gospel, and guid...

St. Raymond of Pennafort, Patron Saint of Canonists Born in Spain. St. Raymond was a relative of the King of Aragon. From childhood he had a tender love and devotion to the Blessed Mother. He finished his studies at an early age, and became a famous teacher. He then gave up all his honors and entered the Order of the Dominicans. St. Raymond was very humble and very close to God. He did much penance and was so good and kind that he won many sinners to God. With King James of Aragon and St. Peter Nolasco he founded the Order of Our Lady of Ransom. The brave religious of this Order devoted themselves to saving poor Christians captured by the Moors. Also Raymond decided to make converting the Jews and the Muslims towards Christianity. Once he went with King James to the Island of Majorca to preach about Jesus. King James was a man of great qualities, but he let himself be ruled by passions. There on the Island, too, he was giving bad example. The Saint commanded him to send the woman away....

With the shepherds spent a few days ago an unusual event that turned out well. Tended their herds to meet its tough job so strange when they saw a clear vision of angels as they were told at first incomprehensible things and soon established. Yes, there, in a CASUCO, was the Child of which he spoke with his mother and a boy. They did what they could in their crudeness and lack commanded by the circumstances. As I was assured it was the "light that illuminated the people who lived in the shadow of death" of what they gave to help and to look good with that family that seemed to be poorer than them. It was hard for them to accept the miracle that was so clear. The angels said, because ... were right. The Three Wise Men came about. They were the last to arrive to see if that Child and entertain a little more ... because you can not find it! Roads traveled widely around the world. They came from far away. It took fear, cold and heat. Until they were lost but, wondering and inquir...

This American saint was born in Bohemia in 1811. He was looking forward to being ordained in 1835 when the bishop decided there would be no more ordinations. It is difficult for us to imagine now, but Bohemia was overstocked with priests. John wrote to bishops all over Europe but the story was the same everywhere no one wanted any more bishops. John was sure he was called to be a priest but all the doors to follow that vocation seemed to close in his face. But John didn't give up. He had learned English by working in a factory with English-speaking workers so he wrote to the bishops in America. Finally, the bishop in New York agreed to ordain him. In order to follow God's call to the priesthood John would have to leave his home forever and travel across the ocean to a new and rugged land. In New York, John was one of 36 priests for 200,000 Catholics. John's parish in western New York stretched from Lake Ontario to Pennsylvania. His church had no steeple or floor but that di...

Elizabeth Ann born in New York on August 28, 1774. It grows within the Episcopal Church. William Seton married her at the age of twenty years and comes to have five children. On December 27, 1803 she was widowed. Years later, on March 14, 1805 embraces Catholicism, which causes it multiple tests, both internal and external, coming from relatives and friends. All overcomes with faith, love and courage. Applied regularly to the spiritual life. Educate your children to request and, eager to indulge in the charitable and educational activity. In 1809 the diocese of Baltimore founded the Institute of Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph, renewing the saga of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac. This Institute aims at the training of girls. It is the first female religious congregation in North America. After her death the sisters joined the Society of the Daughters of Charity in Paris, as was her desire from the beginning. She also founded the first Catholic parochial school in Ameri...

St. Genevieve was born about the year 422, at Nanterre near Paris. She was seven years old when St. Germain of Auxerre came to her native village on his way to great Britain to combat the heresy of Pelagius. The child stood in the midst of a crowd gathered around the man of God, who singled her out and foretold her future sanctity. At her desire the holy Bishop led her to a church, accompanied by all the faithful, and consecrated her to God as a virgin. When Attila was reported to be marching on Paris, the inhabitants of the city prepared to evacuate, but St. Genevieve persuaded them to avert the scourge by fasting and prayer, assuring them of the protection of Heaven. The event verified the prediction, for the barbarian suddenly changed the course of his march. The life of St. Genevieve was one of great austerity, constant prayer, and works of charity. She died in the year 512. Her feast day is January 3rd. She dressed in a long flowing gown with a mantle covering her shoulders, simil...

Saint Gregory Nazianzen Gregory was born in 329-330 near Nazianzus, in Cappadocia (Asia Minor). During his youth attended school in Caesarea of Cappadocia, and later the Christian school of Caesarea in Palestine, where he learned rhetoric, and that of Alexandria. Finally went to Athens and became a philosophy, a teacher Christians and pagans. There he began his friendship with St. Basil the Great, which was to last a lifetime. When Basil went to Cappadocia to devote himself to God, Gregory remained in Athens. However, almost secretly, one day left town and returned to Nazianzus. He received baptism and became a monastic life with Basil. On Christmas Day 361 he was ordained priest and in 372 was consecrated bishop by St. Basil Sasima, then Metropolitan of Cappadocia, while never taking his seat, having been put in charge of the Church in his hometown . On the death of the Arian emperor Valens, the Catholics of Constantinople was asked to take charge of the ecclesiastical reorganization ...