Author: Editor

(1371-1447) Margherita Lotti — “Rita” for short — was born in the small township of Roccaporena in Umbria, probably in 1371. Her parents, poor farmers, and peasants made sure she had good schooling and religious education in the nearby Cascia, in the care of the Augustinian friars. From the friars, Rita learned devotion to St. […]

(1869-1927) Cristobal Magallanes Jara was born on a farm in Mexico. He entered the seminary at 19, and served as parish priest at Totatiche, Mexico. He also helped found schools, a newspaper, catechism centers for children and adults, carpentry shops and an electric plant to power the mills. In addition, he worked with the indigenous […]

(1380-1444) Bernardine was a Friar Minor, missionary and reformer, often called the “Apostle of Italy,” of the noble family of Albizeschi of Massa, near Siena of which his father was then governor. Left an orphan at the age of 6, Bernardine was brought up by his pious aunts. In 1397, after a course of civil […]

(1253-1303) Probably better known as St. Ives in this country, our saint was born in Kermartin near Treguier, Brittany. In 1267, Ivo was sent to the University of Paris, where he graduated in civil law. While other students partied, Ivo studied, prayed, and visited the sick. He also refused to eat meat or drink wine. […]

(Died 526) The future Pope John I, the first pope to be so named, was born in Tuscany, and served as an archdeacon in the Church for several years. He was chosen to become the Bishop of Rome in 523, succeeding Pope St. Hormisdas. During his papal reign, Italy was ruled by the Ostrogothic King […]

(1540-1592) Pascal was born in Torre Hermosa, in Aragon, on Pentecost Sunday. He was christened Pascua in honor of the feast. As a boy, Paschal worked as a shepherd for his father. It is said that he performed miracles and was distinguished for his austerity. He also taught himself to read. At some point Pascal […]

(1247-1297) Margaret was the child of farmers of Laviano, Tuscany. Her mother died when Margaret was 7. Her father remarried, but life with her stepmother became so difficult that Margaret moved out. For nine years she lived with a man named Arsenio. Though they were not married, Margaret eventually bore him a son. Understandably, Margaret […]

(1070-1130) St. Isadore gives hope to those of us who will never build a church, convert the masses or have beatific visions and yet yearn to lead a blessed life. Isadore was a simple man and following his very modest path, has been recognized as the patron of farmers. When he was barely old enough […]

(Died 1st century) Matthias was not one of the original Apostles, although he was with Jesus from his baptism through the Ascension. It was after that when Peter proposed that the assembled disciples, who numbered about 120, nominate two men to replace Judas. They chose Joseph called Barsabas (whose surname was Justus) and Matthias. Then […]