Author: Editor

(1195–1231) St. Anthony certainly does not need any introduction in our city, having a neighboring parish bearing his name. He often is invoked when someone searches for a lost item or is at a loss for patience. There are, however, some popular misconceptions about the holy man. First of all, though he is the patron […]

(c. 1235–1298) The daughter of King Bela IV of Hungary, Jolenta was sent to Poland to supervise the education of her sister Kunigunde, who was married to the Duke of Poland. So introduced into the Polish court, Jolenta became the wife of Boleslaaus, the Duke of Greater Poland. Together with her husband, the pair did […]

(c. 75) You know that game “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon?” One could easily play that with St. Barnabas. Though not one of the original Apostles, he was about as close as one could be to that. Barnabas was a Jew from Cyprus and it was he who introduced Paul to Peter and the other […]

(1783 – 1854) Joachima’s birth into an aristocratic family of Barcelona should have guaranteed an easy life, but fate saw things another way. Though she expressed a desire to become a Carmelite nun as early as 12 years old, she married at the age of 16 Theodore de Mas, a young lawyer. During their 17-year […]

(306-373) St. Ephrem is the only Syrian recognized as a Doctor of the Church (Cosma and Damian were doctors, born in Arabia, who practiced in Syria). You could say he was one of the first “rock stars” of the church as well. Born in the city of Nisibis, he became a Christian early in his […]

(1090-1154) St. William’s life was like a telenovela. Born into a prominent 12th century English family, his uncle was next in line for the English throne. One would assume that this guaranteed a charmed life. It was quite the contrary. He was first nominated to the position of Archbishop of York in 1140, but some […]

(1907-1943) Blessed Franz is recognized in Rome as one of the 20th century martyrs for their faith. Born in Upper Austria, he lost his father during World War I. He was later adopted by Heinrich Jägerstätter and grew up loving motorcycles and, to be honest, raised a bit of hell. He and his gang were […]

(1075-1134) St. Norbert was a German of Frankish and German stock. As a youth, he was educated both in literature and the ways of the court and the world at the collegiate church of St. Victor in Xanten. He became a subdeacon but showed no inclination to pursue the priesthood. Rather, the wealthy, handsome, thin […]

(Died 755 AD) St. Boniface was a native of England. He was baptized under the name of Winfrid but received the name Boniface from the Pope, on account of the great good which he did. Boniface means one who does good. When just 5 years old, he requested of his parents to be sent to […]

(1563-1608) Francis Caracciolo was born from a noble family Villa Santa Maria (Abruzzo Region of Italy). When he was 22 years old, he was inflicted by a terrible disease which almost led him to death. In this trial he heard the Lord’s call and was ready to dedicate his life completely in the service of […]