SAINTS

(1786-1837) Gaspare was such a sickly child that his mother had him confirmed at the age of one and a half. Prayers were offered to St. Francis Xavier for his recovery from an incurable malady of the eyes, which threatened to leave him blind. In 1787, he was miraculously cured. Later in life he held […]

(1888-1922) Maria Bertilla Boscardin gave witness to Christian stewardship through her simple living and caring for others as a nurse and consecrated religious. She was born in 1888 in a village near Vicenza, in northern Italy, to a poor farming family headed by a violently abusive and alcoholic father. She lacked a normal education and […]

(Died 1642-1649) Isaac Jogues and his companions were the first martyrs of the North American continent officially recognized by the church. Jogues gave up a career as a teacher of literature in France to work among the Huron Indians in the New World, and in 1636, he and his companions, under the leadership of Jean […]

(Died circa 84 AD) Luke was born in Antioch and was a Gentile. We know this because, Paul always mentions first “those of the circumcision” (that is, the Jews), in the Letter to the Colossians, when speaking of his companions without including Luke among them (cf. Col 4:10-11). And in his Gospel, Luke shows a […]

(Died c. 107)  Ignatius was born in Syria and converted to Christianity. He eventually became bishop of Antioch. In the year 107, Emperor Trajan visited Antioch and forced the Christians there to choose between death and apostasy. Ignatius would not deny Christ, and thus was condemned to be put to death in Rome. Ignatius is […]

(Died 1267) In the latter part of the 12th century, St. Hedwig was married to the Duke of Lower Silesia, Henry the Bearded. She soon became a mother, ultimately giving birth to six children. From the beginning, the young duchess was beloved like a beautiful queen, thanks to her prompt generosity, which always was ready […]

(1515-1582) Teresa, then known as Beatrice, was the daughter of a Jewish convert and his second wife. She had a happy childhood with her brothers and cousins. She was fascinated by novels that told tales of chivalry. After the death of her elder brother John in 1524 and the loss of her mother, Beatrice, the […]

(Died 223) Callistus was a slave in the imperial Roman household. Put in charge of the bank by his master, he lost the money deposited, fled and was caught. After serving time for a while, he was released to make some attempt to recover the money. Apparently, he carried his zeal too far, being arrested […]

(Died circa 185 AD)           Theophilus was born a heathen, not far from the Tigris and Euphrates, and was led to embrace Christianity by studying the Holy Scriptures. He makes no reference to his office in his existing writings, nor is any other fact in his life recorded. Eusebius, however, speaks of […]

On Oct. 12, 1717, three Brazilian fishermen set out on the waters of the Paraiba River, which ran through their village. They were charged with providing the fish for the banquet that would be take place a few days later in the village of Guarantinguetá on the occasion of the visit of the Count of […]