Today we celebrate the memorial of Saint Isidore the Farmer, the Patron Saint of Farmers and Rural Laborers. Isidore began working devotedly on John de Vergas’s estate outside of Madrid when he was barely old enough to use a hoe. His father, John de Vergas, was a wealthy landowner from Madrid. He wed Maria de […]
Today we celebrate the memorial of Saint Leopold Mandic. Leopold, a Croatian native, joined the Capuchin Franciscans and, despite his numerous illness, became a saint several years later. He was unable to preach aloud enough in public. Along with severe arthritis, bad eyesight, and a gastrointestinal illness, he endured these conditions for many years. Leopold […]
Today we celebrate the memorial of Saint Ignatius of Laconi. He is the second child to a peasant family of 7, 9 counting his parents, living in Sardinia. His journey to the Franciscans was unique. Ignatius promised to join the Capuchin order if he recovered from a terrible illness. Despite regaining his health, he disregarded […]
Today we celebrate the memorial of Saint John of Avila, Patron Saint of Andalusia, and Spain. John, a Spanish citizen born in Castile, was admitted to the University of Salamanca at age 14 to pursue a legal education. Later, he relocated to Alcala in preparation for his ordination as a diocesan priest, pursuing studies in […]
Today we celebrate the memorial of Saint Peter of Tarentaise. There were two people named Saint Peter of Tarentaise, each of whom lived in a different century. The person we’re honoring today is the elder Peter, who was born in early 12th-century France. The other man later became a pope named Innocent the Fifth. The […]
Today we celebrate the memorial of Saint Hilary of Arles. Hilary was born into an aristocratic family in France at the beginning of the fifth century. During his studies, he ran upon his relative Honoratus, who persuaded the young man to follow him into the monastic life. Hilary did this. He continued to serve as […]
Today we celebrate the memorial of Saint Athanasius. Athanasius was raised in a Christian household in Alexandria, Egypt, received a classical education, turned to the priesthood, and eventually became the bishop of Alexandria, serving as Alexander’s secretary. Alexander, his predecessor, had been a vocal opponent of an emerging movement called Arianism that took root in […]
Today we celebrate the memorial of Saint Peter Chanel, the Patron Saint of Oceania. Peter, a French native, first became interested in missions when reading letters missionaries to America wrote at home in school. Peter, a young priest, revitalized a parish in a “bad” neighborhood by demonstrating great devotion to the ill. At age 28, […]
Today we celebrate the memorial of Saint Louis Mary Grignion de Montfort. Louis Grignion, who grew up in the nearby Breton village of Montfort, near Rennes, France, chose to use his baptismal location as his name when he became an adult. He received a Jesuit and Sulpician education before being ordained as a diocesan priest […]
Today we celebrate the memorial of Saint Pedro de San José Betancur. Despite Pedro’s sincere desire to become a priest, God had other plans for his future. Pedro grew up in an impoverished household on the Canary Island of Tenerife. Pedro worked as a shepherd until the age of 24 when he began heading to […]