Today, we celebrate the memorial of Saint Scholastica, Patron Saint of religious sisters and of those seeking protection against violent storms. Saint Scholastica had dedicated her life to God since her earlier days as a youth. When her brother, Saint Benedict, went to establish his monastery at Monte Cassino, she had made her home at […]
Today, we celebrate the memorial of Saint Jerome Emiliani, Patron Saint of orphans and abandoned children. Jerome was born into an aristocratic family in Venice, and he had a morally upright upbringing. In his younger years, he was sociable, friendly, cheerful, strong-willed, and enthusiastic. When he was a teenager, he enlisted in the military, as […]
Today, we celebrate the memorial of Saint Josephine Bakhita, Patron Saint of Sudan. Josephine was born in 1869 in the village of Olgossa, Sudan, where her uncle was tribal chief. There, she had lived a comfortable life, never knowing hardship or suffering. At the age of 7, she was kidnapped and sold into slavery numerous […]
Today, we celebrate the memorial of Saint Colette, The patroness of women seeking to conceive, expectant mothers and sick children. Colette was the daughter of a carpenter who lived at Corby Abbey in France. Born on the 13th of January and later christened Nicolette, nicknamed Colette. She was orphaned at the age of seventeen. She […]
Today, we celebrate the memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Patron Saint of Japan. Paul Miki was born to a wealthy Japanese Family residing near Osaka. He was taught by the Jesuits in Azuchi and Takatsuki. He then later joined the Society of Jesus and became a well-known preacher, converting many Japanese citizens to […]
Today, we also celebrate the memorial of Blessed Carlo Acutis, patron saint of the Diocese of Bacolod – Diocesan Commission on Information Technology. Born in London and raised in Milan, Carlo’s wealthy parents were not particularly religious. Upon receiving his first communion at age seven, Carlo became a frequent communicant, making a point of praying […]
Today, we celebrate the memorial of the Our Lady of the Pillar. The story was the Blessed Virgin Mary was still living in the year 40, and was aware of Saint James’ distress. Like a true mother, and in order to console the saint, she miraculously bi-located hundreds of miles to appear to Saint James […]
Today, we celebrate the optional memorial of Saint Denis and his companion, martyrs. Saint Denis was regarded as the first bishop of Paris. His popularity is due to a series of legends, especially those connecting him with the great abbey church of St. Denis in Paris. He was for a time confused with the writer […]
Today, we celebrate the optional memorial of Saint Bruno, pastor, and founder of the Carthusian Order. This saint has the honor of having founded a religious order which, as the saying goes, has never had to be reformed because it was never deformed. No doubt both the founder and the members would reject such high […]
Today, we celebrate the memorial of Saint Therese of Lisieux, virgin and doctor of the Church. “I prefer the monotony of obscure sacrifice to all ecstasies. To pick up a pin for love can convert a soul.”These are the words of Thérèse of Lisieux, a Carmelite nun called the “Little Flower,” who lived a cloistered […]