Saint Dominic of Silos (1000-1073)
Saint Dominic of Silos was born into a Spanish peasant family around the year 1000. He spent a considerable amount of time in the fields as a young boy working to support his family and enjoying time alone. He felt …
Saint Anastasius I (d.401)
Saint Anastasius I was a Roman by birth, but very little is known about his early life. He was elected pope in 399 and began his papacy by condemning the works of Origen. His mistrust of Origen began after he …
Saint Jose Manyanet y Vives (1833-1901)
Saint Jose Manyanet y Vives was born into a large, religious family. He was dedicated to Our Lady at the age of five by his mother, and was ordained into the priesthood several years later. Jose founded the Congregation of …
Saint Adelaide (931-999)
Saint Adelaide married King Otto of Germany after her first husband passed away. After Otto's death, Adelaide had a rocky relationship with her son, Otto II, most likely due to the hateful nature of his wife, Theophano. When Otto II …
Saint Lucy (c.283-c.304)
Saint Lucy is a beloved saint in Rome and Sicily. She died a martyr around the year 304. She gave herself totally to Christ in all things. The reading for her feast points to pure speech and service to the …
Saint Damasus I (c.305-384)
Saint Damasus I was appointed pope after the death of Pope Liberius. However, a minority in Rome appointed another man, Ursinus, as pope. This caused a controversy that resulted in violence and scandal. During the papacy of Damasus, Christianity was …
Saint Gregory III (d.741)
Saint Gregory III was not intending on taking over the papacy when Saint Gregory II passed away. He was part of the crowd that was mourning the loss of the pope during his funeral procession, when someone recognized him as …
Saint Nicholas (d.346)
Saint Nicholas was a bishop, and bishops are often referred to as the shepherds of the people of God in the Church. Accounts credit Saint Nicholas with saving the lives of three daughters who were destined for prostitution because their …
Saint Sabas (439-532)
Saint Sabas was left in the care of his aunt and uncle as a child. His aunt treated him so wickedly that he ran away to live with another uncle when he was only eight years old. These two uncles …
Saint Edmund Campion (1540-1581)
Saint Edmund Campion was born in London, England. He was extremely bright, and was given a scholarship to Saint John's College, Oxford, when he was only 15 years old. Edmund was raised a Catholic, but chose to become an Anglican …
Saint Andrew (1st century)
Matthew tells us that Andrew was a fisherman, along with his brother Peter. In the Gospel of John, we learn that Andrew was also a disciple of John the Baptist (see 1:40). With John the Baptist, Andrew was waiting for …
Saint Radbod (d.918)
Saint Radbod lived a very quiet and holy life. He was the grandson of the last pagan king of the Frisions in the Netherlands. Radbod was raised and educated by his uncle, the bishop of Cologne. He became the bishop …
Saint James of the Marche (1391-1476)
Saint James was born in the Marche of Ancona in Italy. He attended the University of Perugia, where he attained doctorates in canon law and civil law. After he earned his degrees, he felt called to join the Franciscans and …
Saint Francesco Antonio Fasani (1681-1742)
Saint Francesco Antonio Fasani was born in Lucera, Italy. He was a very devout child and entered the order of Conventual Franciscans, taking the name Francis. He was ordained 10 years later and taught philosophy to younger friars in the …
Saint Conrad (d.975)
Saint Conrad was born into a prominent Guelph family. He received an education at the Cathedral School at Constance and was ordained a priest. Conrad was appointed provost of the cathedral and was then selected bishop of Constance. He was …
Saint Catherine of Alexandria (d.305)
Saint Catherine is thought to have been born in Alexandria to a noble family. She converted to Christianity after she had a life-altering vision. Catherine criticized Emperor Maxentius for his persecution of Christians. In an attempt to sway Catherine away …
Saint Columban (543-615)
Saint Columban was a famous Irish missionary. Columban received a good education, and resolved to live a life of simplicity and abstinence. However, he began to worry that this might not be possible because he was tempted by the pretty …
Saint Cecilia (2nd century)
Saint Cecilia is the patron saint of musicians, singers, and poets. She lived in the second century and died a martyr. Although not much is known about her, a fifth-century legend holds that she had taken a vow of virginity, …
Saint Edmund the Martyr (c.841-870)
Saint Edmund the Martyr was the king of Norfolk and Suffolk in England in the ninth century. Exact details about his life are fuzzy. It is known that Edmund defended his people against Danish invaders and was killed when the …
Saint Agnes of Assisi (1197-1253)
Saint Agnes was the sister of Saint Clare, and also her first follower. At first, her family disapproved of her choice, and tried to bring her back home. However, when they tried to take her from the monastery, her body …
Saint Gertrude (1256-1301)
Saint Gertrude was born at Eisleben, Saxony, in 1256. She was entrusted to the care of Benedictine nuns at the age of five. When she grew up, she became a Benedictine nun herself, and was elected abbess of the monastery …
Saint Albert the Great (1206-1280)
Saint Albert the Great was born in 1206 to a wealthy and powerful German family. He was well educated, and despite disapproval from his family he joined the Dominicans. He was an educator at Paris and at Cologne, and had …
Saint Laurence O'Toole (1128-1180)
Saint Laurence O'Toole was born in the year 1128 in Ireland. At the age of 10 he became the hostage of one of his father's enemies and brought to the king of Leinster, who mistreated him. After two years of …
Saint Josaphat (c.1580-1623)
This saint, who was a bishop and martyr, spent his life working for the unity of all Christians. He was a reform-minded bishop who brought order and proper procedure into his diocese. Josephat also helped bring the Eastern Church of …
