St. Mary of Mount Carmel / Blessed Sacrament Parish
648 JAY ST., UTICA, NY 13501 – 315-735-1482
(1559–1619) Gifted with a facility with languages and diplomacy, today’s saint played an important role in the history of the church and in Europe in his day. St. Lawrence was born in Brindisi, Italy, on July 22, 1559. He was baptized with the name Giulio Cesare. He received his early education from the Franciscan Friars […]
(Died 79 A. D.) The importance of St. Apollinaris in the early church can be substantiated by two magnificent basilicas in the city of Ravenna, Italy and another in Rome. Who was this man? Tradition says that when St. Peter left Antioch to bring the message of Jesus to Rome, he was accompanied by some […]
Last Updated on July 22, 2020 by Editor (Died in 514) The political upheaval we witness today has nothing on that of the early 5th century. Pope Symmacus was a major player in those events. Born in Sardinia to pagan parents, Symmacus came to Rome, converted to Catholicism and was baptized. That’s all we know […]
Last Updated on September 28, 2025 by Editor Our Lady of Mount Carmel is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary in her role as patroness of the Carmelite Order. The first Carmelites were Christian hermits living on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land during the late 12th and early to mid 13th century. […]
(1048–1123) St. Bruno of Segni was born in Solero, Piedmont. His early education was received from the Benedictines in his town. He later studied in Bologna and received ordination. He was made a canon of Siena. Known for his great learning and piety, he was called to Rome, where his advice was sought by four […]
(4th century) Who would think that a saint would have something in common with Harry Potter? Today’s saint lived under the stairs in his family home just like the famous hero of the J. K. Rowling’s famous series. St. Alexis belonged to an important family of Rome. As a youth he devoted himself to the […]
(1756–1846) Today’s saint was born with the name Julie Frances Catharine Postel, in Barfleur in Normandy, France. While studying with the Benedictine nuns at Volognes, she decided to devote her life to the service of God and her neighbor and took the vow of chastity. At age 18, Postel opened a school for girls in […]
(1217–1274) St. Bonaventure was born in Umbria, the “green heart” of the Italian peninsula, in the town of Bagnoregio. His father, Giovanni di Fidanza was doctor and probably well off for those times. That did not preclude any health issues for Bonaventure (then known by his given name, Giovanni). His mother, Maria di Ritello, was […]
(1550–1614) If ever there were proof that a sinner could one day become a saint, today’s saint is your man. In 1550, Camilla Compelli de Laureto found herself pregnant at an advanced age and with a terrible dream. In the dream, the son she was carrying was wearing a cross on his chest and he […]
St. Henry received a strong Christian education as a child. Born in Bamberg in 973, he was the son of the Duke of Bavaria. Among his teachers was St. Wolfgang, bishop of Ratisbon (now called Regensburg). Henry became duke when his father died and later became king of Germany in 1002, when his cousin Otto […]