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(1751-1816) Marie Rose Julie Billiart was born in Cuvilly, France, into a family of well-to-do farmers. Early on she showed an early interest in religion and in helping the sick and poor. Julie had to take up manual work as a young teen when her family lost its money. She spent her spare time teaching […]

(1651-1719) John Baptist was the first-born child to wealthy parents in Reims, France. He received the tonsure at age 11 and became Canon of the Cathedral of Reims at 16. When his parents died, he assumed the responsibility of administering the family’s affairs, but managed to complete his theological studies and was ordained a priest […]

(1682-1744) Crescentia was the daughter of a poor weaver, in a little town near Augsburg, Germany. She had so mastered the truths of her religion that she was permitted to make her First Holy Communion at the then unusually early age of 7. In the town she was called “the little angel.” When she was older, she […]

(Died 304 AD) St. Irene was the sister of Sts. Agape and Chionia. They were martyred during the persecutions of the Christians by the Roman emperor Diocletian. They were found to have the Holy Scriptures in their possession. They were ordered to surrender the texts (which they had hidden) but said they would rather burn […]

(1526-1589) St Benedict the Black was the son of Negro slaves who were taken from Africa to San Fratello, Sicily, where they were converted to Christianity. They lived such exemplary lives and fulfilled their duties so thoroughly that their owner, in appreciation, granted freedom to their 18-year-old son Benedict. He continued to work as a […]

(Died 432 AD) Bishop Giovanni (John) I of Naples served his episcopate during a turbulent political period, as well as a time of religious upheaval. He is chiefly remembered today for transferring the remains of San Gennaro (St. Januarius) from Marciano, near Pozzuoli where the martyr died, to the then suburban Neapolitan cemetery. That sacred […]

(1416-1507) Francis was born in Paola, now province of Cosenza, in Calabria (the “toe” of the Italian “boot”). As a child he suffered a severe infection in his eye. His parents entrusted him to the intercession of Francis of Assisi, vowing that if he recovered, he would wear the Franciscan habit for a whole year. […]

(1053-1132) Hugh was born at Châteauneuf-sur-Isère, France. Even at a young age he showed piety and theological facility. While still a layman, Hugh was made a canon of Valence. At the Council of Avignon in 1080, he was elected bishop of Grenoble, though he was not yet ordained. The See of Grenoble had fallen into […]

(329-424 AD) Christians had enjoyed 12 years of peaceful worship when suddenly in 420 AD, Bishop Abdas, in the pitch of religious fervor, burned the Persians Temple of Fire. The Persian king Isdegerd threatened to destroy all the Christian churches unless bishop rebuilt the temple. Abdas refused to comply and built someplace dedicated to idolatry. […]

(1390-1456) Peter was born in the city of Valladolid, Spain to noble parents conspicuous for their wealth and virtue. Though he lost his father in his early youth, he was piously educated by his mother. At age 10, Peter begged to be admitted into the Seraphic Order, which was granted to him three years later […]