Author: Editor

(1538-1584) Charles was born in Arona in 1538, the second son of Gilbert and Margaret. At the age of 12 he was given the title of “commendatory” of a nearby Benedictine Abbey. The honorific title came with a notable income, but the future saint insisted on dedicating the revenue to charity, especially the care of […]

(1579-1639) Martin de Porres was born in Lima, Peru, of Spanish and black parentage. Inheriting his mother’s dark color, at times he was looked down upon by his aristocratic father, and, in early childhood, he was badly neglected. An intelligent boy, he was befriended by a doctor who taught him the art of healing. Martin […]

The origins of today’s feast are rooted in Christian beliefs and ancient pagan rituals. The church has always encouraged prayer for the dead from the earliest times as an act of Christian charity. “If we had no care for the dead,” Augustine noted, “we would not be in the habit of praying for them.” Even […]

Last Updated on November 3, 2020 by Editor Would it surprise you to know that All Saints Day was not always celebrated in November? The earliest celebration of the memory of the great role models of the church took place in the fourth century. In those days it was dedicated to all the martyrs who […]

(924-994) Wolfgang was born in Swabia, Germany, and was educated at a school at the abbey of Reichenau. There he encountered Henry, a young noble who went on to become Archbishop of Trier. Meanwhile, Wolfgang remained in close contact with the archbishop, teaching in his cathedral school and supporting his efforts to reform the clergy. […]

(Died 541) It is believed that Germanus was born in Capua sometime in the 470s. After his father’s death, he sold his inheritance with his mother’s blessing in order to devote himself to the ascetic life. When on the death of Bishop Alexander, the Capuans elected him their bishop. Germanus at first refused before being […]

(550-632) St. Colman was the son of Queen Rhinagh and her husband the chieftain Duac, born in Kiltartan, now County Galway. He was educated at St. Enda’s monastery in Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands and lived there as a hermit. He built a church, Teampuill Mor Mhic Duagh, and a small oratory, Teampuill […]

(1st century AD) Today’s saints are two of the least known Apostles, yet, among the closest to their Master, two of his cousins. Tradition is quite certain of it as regards Jude Thaddeus, since it is clear from the scriptures that his father, Alpheus, was the brother of St. Joseph, while his mother, Mary Cleophas, […]

(Died 383) St. Frumentius was still a child when his uncle, a Christian philosopher of Tyre in Phoenicia, took him and his brother Edesius on a voyage to Ethiopia. In the course of their voyage the vessel anchored at a certain port, and the barbarians of that country slew all the crew and passengers, except […]

(1499-1562) Peter was born into a noble family (his father was the governor of Alcantara in Spain). He studied law at the University of Salamanca, and at 16 he joined the Observant Franciscans, also known as the discalced friars. His exemplary behavior was dually noted and he was eventually named the superior of a new […]