— St. Vincent de Paul (1581–1660) was a French priest who dedicated himself to ministering spiritually and materially to the poor and suffering. He founded the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians) and he cofounded the Daughters of Charity with St. Louise de Marillac.
Saint Pius of Pietrelcina (1887–1968), known as Padre Pio, was an Italian Franciscan Capuchin friar, priest, stigmatist, and mystic. His miraculous abilities as spiritual advisor, confessor, and intercessor attracted the attention of the world.
— “As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he rose and followed him.” (Mt 9:9)
— Our Blessed Mother endured each of the Seven Sorrows with perfect faith and trust in God; the echo of her Fiat. “… the Blessed Virgin faithfully persevered in her union with her Son unto the cross, where she stood, in keeping with the divine plan, grieving exceedingly with her only begotten Son, uniting herself […]
— The Church sings of the triumph of the Holy Cross, the instrument of our salvation: “We should glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom is our salvation, life and resurrection, through whom we are saved and delivered.” (Proper of Saints, Daily Roman Missal)
“Mary . . . is interpreted to mean ‘Star of the Sea.’ This admirably befits the Virgin Mother… She, I say, is that shining and brilliant star, so much needed, set in place above life’s great and spacious sea, glittering with merits, all aglow with examples for our imitation… In dangers, in doubts, in difficulties, […]
“This radiant and manifest coming of God to men most certainly needed a joyful prelude to introduce the great gift of salvation to us. The present festival, the birth of the Mother of God, is the prelude, while the final act is the fore-ordained union of the Word with flesh. Today the Virgin is born, […]
— St. Gregory the Great (540–604) was more inclined to the monastic lifestyle than a role in government or Church office, yet his papacy is considered one of the greatest. He provided guidance and leadership during a time when Rome faced many internal and external challenges. St. Gregory sent missionaries from Rome – the Gregorian […]
— Today the Church commemorates the Passion of St. John the Baptist. According to Matthew’s Gospel, St. John’s fearless condemnation of King Herod’s unlawful marriage incurred the hatred of Herod’s bride, resulting in his imprisonment and execution.
— St. Bartholomew was one of the Twelve Apostles as mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and also in Acts. According to tradition, he preached the Gospel as far as India and was martyred in Armenia for having converted the king. The saint may have been flayed alive which is widely depicted […]