SAINT OF THE DAY

(480-543) St. Scholastica was the sister and follower of St. Benedict. They were the children of Eutropius, in the town of Nursia (Norcia). He was a descendent of an ancient senatorial family of Rome. At the age of 12, Scholastica and her brother were sent to Rome (their mother had died). The siblings were appalled […]

On Feb. 11, 1858, a young, Bernadette Soubirous, a poor French girl, was collecting firewood near a grotto with her sister and another friend. As she looked up, she had a vision of a beautiful lady,” wearing a white dress, a blue girdle and a yellow rose on each foot, the same color as the […]

(4th century) The persecutions of Christians were brutal under the Emperor Diocletian. One of the worst scenes was in Abitina, a town in North Africa, Diocletian issued an order that all Christians, under penalty of death, had to deliver up Holy Scriptures to be burned. The bishop of Abitina complied with the magistrates and brought […]

(1729-1812) Today’s saint was born to poor parents in the town of Taranto, in southern Italy. His given name was Francesco. Growing up he learned the ropemaking, which served him and his family well when his father died in 1747, leaving Francesco, at age 18, as the sole support of his mother and siblings. At […]

(First died 269 AD; second died circa 346 AD) The feast of St. Valentine has become universal. Even non-Christians celebrate with messages and gifts to loved ones. But did you know there were two St. Valentines? Here are their stories. Our first St. Valentine was a Roman priest of the 3rd century. Intrigued by his […]

(Died 95 AD) Onesimus was born in Phrygia (west-central Turkey today). He became a slave to Philemon, an important person of the city of Colossae. At some point in his servitude Onesimus stole from his master and fled. During this period, he found himself in Rome and contacted St. Paul, who was in prison there. […]

(1083-1189) Perhaps long life is a gift to those who serve unselfishly. Gilbert of Sempringham can certainly be held as an example of that premise. He was born into a wealthy family, but he followed a path quite different from that expected of him as the son of a Norman knight. Sent to France for […]

(c. 526-603) Fintan was born into an Irish Christian family about 526 AD. He received his religious training under the Abbot Colum, being introduced to a rule of severity and austerity. Fintan, in turn, founded the monastery at Conemaugh. Life was certainly hard on his monks. They had strict rules not to consume any animal […]

(1367-1455) Today’s saint is considered to be the patron of Christian artists. John was born in Fiesole, the hilltop town overlooking the great Renaissance city of Florence. While he was still a youth, he was attracted to the religious life, and received into the Order of Friars Preachers (called the Observance), which had been established […]

(Died 1351) Conrad was a member of one of the most noble families of the city of Piacenza and thusly enjoyed all the benefits riches and station in life. He was married at a young age and by all accounts led a virtuous and God-fearing life. One day, while out hunting, he instructed his servants […]