— Although exact dates of the events in St. Patrick’s life are uncertain, early tradition credits the popular saint with converting a largely pagan society in Ireland to Christianity during the fifth century. Born in Roman Britain, when he was about 16, St. Patrick was captured by pirates and brought to Ireland. He would spend […]
— Perpetua, a young mother of Carthaginian nobility, and Felicity, a slave woman imprisoned with her and pregnant at the time, were martyred during the persecution of Emperor Severus in 203. Along with their Christian companions, they were sent to the public games in the Carthage arena. Although details of early martyrs are often unclear, […]
“His life of purity and prayer beckons you to practice your faith with courage and zeal, to reject the deceptive attractions of modern permissive society, and to live your convictions with fearless confidence and joy.” (St. John Paul II; 500th anniversary commemorating St. Casimir’s death)
“Lent is a time of truth. Let us examine ourselves sincerely, honestly and simply. Our brothers and sisters are there among the poor, the sick, the outcast, the aged. What sort of love do we have? What sort of truth? …So open your minds to look around you, open your hearts to understand and sympathize, […]
“He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter said in reply, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus said to him in reply, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And […]
“O God, who enlightened the Slavic peoples through the brothers Saints Cyril and Methodius, grant that our hearts may grasp the words of your teaching, and perfect us as a people of one accord in true faith and right confession. Through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Proper of Saints, Daily Roman Missal)
“Grant us, O merciful God, protection in our weakness, that we, who keep the Memorial of the Immaculate Mother of God, may, with the help of her intercession, rise up from our iniquities. Through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Proper of Saints, Daily Roman Missal)
— Born into a Roman noble family, St. Scholastica (ca. 480) was the sister of St. Benedict, the “father of monasticism.” Following the rule of her brother, she founded the Order of Benedictine nuns and according to the Dialogues of St. Gregory the Great, they spent their last day together in prayer and conversation.
— Born in Sudan, St. Bakhita (ca. 1869-1947) was only about 7 years old when seized by slave traders. She was resold several times and endured horrific cruelty at the hands of some of her captors. Her life journey would eventually take her to the Canossian Sisters, where she was baptized into the faith. In […]
— “The presentation of Jesus in the temple shows him to be the firstborn Son who belongs to the Lord. With Simeon and Anna, all Israel awaits its encounter with the Savior… Jesus is recognized as the long-expected Messiah, the ‘light to the nations’ and the ‘glory of Israel.’” (CCC 529)