Today we celebrate the memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga. Aloysius underwent a significant spiritual quickening at the age of seven. He prayed the Psalms, the Office of Mary, and other devotions. He moved to Florence at age nine to pursue his education; when he was eleven, he taught catechism to underprivileged children, fasting three days […]

Today we celebrate the memorial of Saint Paulinus of Nola. He was the son of the Roman prefect of Gaul, who owned substantial property in both Gaul and Italy, and was born not far from Bordeaux. Paulinus rose to prominence as a lawyer and served in several government positions throughout the Roman Empire. He retired […]

Today we celebrate the memorial of Saint Romuald. Romuald spent the following thirty years establishing monasteries and hermitages throughout Italy. He obtained the Pope’s approval to preach the gospel in Hungary because he yearned to sacrifice his life to Christ in martyrdom. But as soon as he arrived, he fell unwell, and the disease returned […]

Today we celebrate the memorial of Saint Marguerite d’Youville. Marie Marguerite Dufrost de Lajemmerais, a Canadian native born in Varennes, had to leave school at age 12 to assist her widowed mother. Eight years later, she wed François d’Youville; they had six children together, four of them passed away while they were very young. She […]

Today we celebrate the memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua. The gospel’s invitation to give all up and follow Christ served as the compass for Saint Anthony of Padua’s life. God continually beckoned him to take on new roles in his plans. Anthony always answered by renewing his commitment to serving his Lord Jesus with […]

Today we celebrate the memorial of Saint Ephrem. Ephrem received his baptism as a young boy in Nisibis, Mesopotamia, where he was raised and rose to fame as a teacher. Ephrem and many other Christians fled as refugees to Edessa after the Christian monarch had to turn over Nisibis to the Persians. He received credit […]

Today we celebrate the memorial of Saint William of York. William appeared as though he was destined for greatness when he was born in 12th-century England into a wealthy household. Even though there was a severe dynastic conflict, his uncle was the next in line for the English crown. Having to deal with a conflict […]

Today we celebrate the memorial of Blessed Franz Jägerstätter. Franz, a husband and the father of three girls named Rosalie, Marie, and Aloisia, was eventually called to serve his country as a Nazi soldier, which he refused, resulting in his execution. Franz was raised in St. Radegund, Upper Austria, lost his father in World War […]

Today we celebrate the memorial of Saint Norbert. Saint Norbert established the Praemonstratensians, also known as the Norbertines, in the 12th century in the French province of Premontre. In addition to bringing back to life many of the faithful who had grown apathetic and corrupt, he also had to bring peace and reconciliation between foes. […]

Today we celebrate the memorial of Saint Boniface. An English Benedictine monk named Boniface referred to as the apostle of the Germans, declined the position of the elected abbot to devote his life to converting the Germanic nations. Boniface’s orthodoxy as a Christian and his loyalty to the Roman pope are two distinguishing qualities. The […]