SAINT OF THE DAY

(406–450) Today’s saint was known for his silver tongue — “golden words” actually, is what Chrysologus means. So how did he get this moniker? St. Peter was born in the town of Imola, near Bologna, Italy. We know little of his formative years but he was baptized, educated and ordained deacon by Cornelius, bishop of […]

(1491–1556) Iñigo Lopez de Loyola was born in the Basque region of Spain, in the town of Loiola (in his day it was spelled “Loyola,” hence, his name as we know it). He was the 13th child in his noble family and enjoyed all its advantages and vices. His education was limited but prepared him […]

(1696-1796) When St. Alphonsus was bishop he had to deal with one of his priests who was leading an entirely too “worldly” lifestyle. He invited the priest to see him. When he arrived, the priest found a large crucifix lying in the threshold of Alphonsus’ study. When the bishop saw the priest hesitate to enter, […]

(283–371) Most people who know a bit about Christian history know that the Emperor Constantine the Great recognized Christianity with the Edict of Milan in 313 AD (even though he only converted close to his death in 337 AD). Recognition of a religion and acceptance of it and a universally recognized version of it are […]

St. Lydia is recognized as the first European convert to Christianity. She is described in the Acts of the Apostles as a “seller of purple,” a person who traded in purple dyes and fabrics. Purple goods were considered precious and were used by emperors, high government officials, and priests of the pagan religions. Her conversion […]

(1786–1859) Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney was born May 8, 1786, in France in the town of Dardilly, near Lyons. His devout Catholic parents were farmers, and from an early age, John worked in the fields. Without formal education, as a young man he was functionally illiterate; but thanks to his mother’s teaching, Vianney was able to memorize […]

(604–642) Oswald was a 7th-century Anglo-Saxon king. He came to power in Northumbria around 633 or 634 AD. Oswald ruled over the Northumbrian kingdoms of Bernicia and Deira and held power over parts of modern-day England, Wales and Scotland. From the end of the 6th century through much of the 7th century, two royal houses […]

(c. 450–523) Hormisdas was one of a few popes to have had children. He married as a young man and was widowed by the time he pursued his religious career. His son Sliverus grew to follow his father in the family business, becoming pope in (536). Hormisdas was born in the town of Frosinone, south […]

(1480–547) Cajetan began his professional life as a lawyer. After his ordination at age 36, he was engaged in the work of the Roman Curia. While in Rome he joined the Oratory of Divine Love, a group devoted to piety and charity. When he was 42, he founded a hospital for incurables in Venice. Cajetan […]

(Aug. 8, 1170–Aug. 6, 1221) Those people of a certain age will remember a song performed by a singing Belgian Dominican nun that, against all probability, topped the charts in America in the 1960s — “Domi-nique:” Domi-nique -nique -nique s’en allait tout simplement, Routier, pauvre et chantant. En tous chemins, en tous lieux, Il ne […]