Saint Theodosius the Cenobiarch (423-529)
Saint Theodosius was born to a religious family. He began his education at a young age and followed the example of Abraham by leaving home to follow God. He met and worked with Saints Simeon Stylites and Longinus the Centurian …
Saint Peter Orseolo (928-987)
Saint Peter Orseolo was born into a wealthy family. He married and he and his wife had a son. Peter served as admiral and commander of the Venetian navy before being appointed doge of Venice. This position was one of …
Saint Raymond of Peñafort (1175-1275)
Saint Raymond of Peñafort was born to Aragonian nobility in Spain and was well educated. He taught philosophy and received doctoral degrees in both canon law and civil law. At the age of 41, he joined the Dominicans. He was …
Saint André Bessette (1845-1937)
Saint André Bessette was one of 12 children born to a French Canadian couple who lived near Montreal. He was adopted at the age of 12 after both of his parents passed away. He held odd jobs to contribute to …
Saint Genevieve (d.500)
Saint Genevieve was born around the year 422 in a village near Paris. When she was around seven years old, Saint Germain came to her village to preach against the heresy of Pelagius. While listening to his preaching, he singled …
Saint Sylvester I (d.335)
Saint Sylvester I was pope during the reign of Emperor Constantine I, after the persecutions and terror of Diocletian. He was pope during important events such as the proclamation of the Edict of Milan, the rise of the Catholic Church …
Saint Thomas Becket (1118-1170)
Saint Thomas Becket was appointed chancellor of England by his friend, King Henry II. King Henry selected Thomas with the hope that he could encroach on Church affairs. However, Thomas warned Henry that their friendship did not guarantee that he …
Saint Eugenia (d.258)
Saint Eugenia's life is shrouded in mystery. She is said to have been the daughter of Duke Philip of Alexandria, the governor of Egypt during the time of Emperor Valerian. According to legend, Eugenia ran away from home dressed as …
Saint John Kanty (1390-1473)
Saint John Kanty was born in Poland and studied at the University of Cracow. He then became a professor of theology at his alma mater. However, John's tenure didn't last long. His fellow professors were jealous of his popularity, and …
Saint Peter Canisius (1521-1597)
Peter Canisius was an extremely hard-working person. At the young age of 19, he earned his master's degree from the University at Cologne. Soon after completing his degree, he became acquainted with Peter Faber, who influenced him to join the …
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 …
