St. Valentine may have been a physician who cured the daughter of a Roman officer. Little is definitively known about the original St. Valentine, but one popular legend claims he was a physician in Rome. He was one of the first “physician-priests,” who matched medical knowledge with trust in Divine Providence. This combination made him an enemy… Continue reading Why St. Valentine is a patron saint against plagues
Category: Life of Saints
Saint of the Day: Sts Cyril and Methodius (SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14)
Patron Saints of Church Unity. Missionaries (Ninth Century) Their story + The brothers Cyril and Methodius were born in Greece and educated in Constantinople. + Sent by the patriarch of Constantinople as missionaries to the people of Bulgaria, they later traveled to Rome to give an account of their ministry to Pope Saint Nicholas… Continue reading Saint of the Day: Sts Cyril and Methodius (SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14)
The Blessed Virgin Mary — Our Lady of Lourdes (THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11)
“I am the Immaculate Conception” The story behind the celebration + On this day, the Church commemorates the Immaculate Virgin Mary who appeared to Saint Bernadette Soubirous at Lourdes, France, eighteen times between February 11 and July 16, 1858. + The memorial of Mary under the title of “Our Lady of Lourdes” was… Continue reading The Blessed Virgin Mary — Our Lady of Lourdes (THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11)
Why St. Josephine Bakhita is a model of hope
She experienced great darkness, but was able to keep the hope of Christ alive in her heart. St. Josephine Bakhita, an African slave during the 19th century, experienced first-hand the horrors of humanity. She was kidnapped at a young age and beaten until she bled. She had a difficult life, but later, when she… Continue reading Why St. Josephine Bakhita is a model of hope
Saint of the Day: St. Josephine Bakhita (MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8)
Patron of the Victims of the Human Trafficking. Canossian Daughter of Charity (ca. 1869-1947) Her life + Born in Sudan, Josephine Bakhita was kidnapped and sold into slavery when was ten years-old. During her years of enslavement, she suffered unspeakable abuse, so severe that she eventually forgot her given name. “Bakhita,” the name by… Continue reading Saint of the Day: St. Josephine Bakhita (MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8)
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2)
“A Light of Revelation to the Nations” The story behind this celebration + On this day, the Church celebrates the feast of light, recalling that forty days after the birth of the Lord, Mary and Joseph took the Child to the temple in Jerusalem. + At this time of presentation and purification, the holy… Continue reading The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2)
Saint of the Day: St. Thomas Aquinas (THURSDAY, JANUARY 28)
Patron Saint of Catholic Schools, Theologians, and Philosophers. Dominican Friar and Doctor of the Church (1225-1274) His life + Thomas was in the Aquino region of Italy. Educated by the Benedictine monks at the great abbey of Monte Cassino, he also studied at the University of Naples. + Despite severe opposition from his… Continue reading Saint of the Day: St. Thomas Aquinas (THURSDAY, JANUARY 28)
Saint of the Day: St. Angela Merici (WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27)
Religious Sister (1470-1540) Her life + Angela was born in the Lombardy region of Italy. + A member of the Third Order of St. Francis, Angela dedicated herself to the service of poor girls. + In 1535, Angela brought together a group of women dedicated to prayer and service under the patronage of the… Continue reading Saint of the Day: St. Angela Merici (WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27)
The Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul
“I am Jesus the Nazarene whom you are persecuting.” The story + Saul was a faithful Pharisee who was born in Tarsus. Entrusted with a formal mission by the high priest, Saul departed for Damascus, intending to arrest Christians in that city and bring them to Jerusalem for trial. + As Saul was… Continue reading The Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul
Saint of the Day: St. Francis de Sales
Doctor of Charity. Bishop and Doctor of the Church (1567-1622) His life + As a child, Francis showed great interest in ecclesiastical life and received the tonsure at the age of eleven (marking his status as a cleric). After studying philosophy and theology in Paris, he traveled to Padua and was awarded doctorates in… Continue reading Saint of the Day: St. Francis de Sales
Why St. Joseph is patron and protector of the unborn
St. Joseph protected Mary and her unborn child, even though Jesus was not his biological son. Among the many titles of St. Joseph, one that has grown in significance over the past 40 years has been “St. Joseph, patron of the unborn.” The title and patronage is most fitting for St. Joseph, as he… Continue reading Why St. Joseph is patron and protector of the unborn
St. René Goupil was a highly praised missionary surgeon
In 1951 the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists chose St. René Goupil as their patron. Listed as one of the North American Martyrs, St. René Goupil is well-known both for his sanctity and his medical practice. He was a young man who volunteered to be a lay missionary with the Jesuits in New France.… Continue reading St. René Goupil was a highly praised missionary surgeon
St. Martin de Porres was a skilled surgeon and healer
The humble Dominican became well known for his medical knowledge and healing abilities. St. Martin de Porres is well-known for his humility and holiness, but few remember his medical skills. At his canonization, St. John XXIII briefly mentioned this aspect of his life. He excused the faults of others; He forgave harsh injuries, being… Continue reading St. Martin de Porres was a skilled surgeon and healer
Saint of the Day: St. Anthony of Egypt
Father of Western Monasticism. Abbot (ca. 201-306) His life + Anthony was born in Upper Egypt. After the death of his parents, he divided up his inheritance and possessions and journeyed into the desert, desiring to seek and serve God in solitude. + Anthony lived as a hermit for many years, practicing heroic penances… Continue reading Saint of the Day: St. Anthony of Egypt
Traces of miracles remain at the birthplace of St. Rita of Cascia
Pilgrims visiting the Umbrian hill town can follow the spiritual journey of Saint of the Impossible. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. John: 14:27 In Umbria’s Valnerina… Continue reading Traces of miracles remain at the birthplace of St. Rita of Cascia
5 Saints who loved the game of chess
These holy men and women were fans of the game centuries ago. Chess is enjoying a huge surge in popularity thanks to recent shows like Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit, which has garnered millions of viewers. And while the game may require the patience of a saint, only a handful of the Church’s holy men… Continue reading 5 Saints who loved the game of chess