Lives Of The Saints

St. Paul of the Cross (1695-1775), an Italian mystic and founder of the Passionists PIOUS BEGINNINGS Paul of the Cross was born to pious parents at Uvada in the Duchy of Savoy (Piedmont area of northern Italy) on 3 January 1694. He was descended from a noble family and christened Paolo Francesco Danei. His future holiness was foreshown by a wonderful light which filled his mother's room while she was in labor, and by a remarkable proof of the protection of the Queen of Heaven, who saved him from drowning in a river as a child. He was the second of [...]

ST. FIDELIS OF SIGMARINGEN, OFM St. Fidelis (1577-1622), a Capuchin friar, was a principal defender of the Catholic Faith during the Counter-Revolution. He gave his life witnessing for the Faith when Protestant revolutionaries murdered him. EARLY LIFE Fidelis was born in Sigmaringen, a town in Southern Germany on the Danube River near the Black Forrest (modern day state of Baden-Württenberg). His parents christened him Mark. He studied law and philosophy at the University of Freiburg (a city in that corner of Germany where France and Switzerland meet). As a student, he never drank and always wore a hear shirt. His companions [...]

Bl. Margaret (1287-1320) was blind and lame from birth, rejected by many, yet still achieved heroic sanctity by her love of God and charity towards every neighbor (1287-1320). A DIFFICULT CHILDHOOD Because she was born dwarfed, blind, hunchbacked and lame, Blessed Margaret was kept hidden by her noble parents throughout her childhood. They made every effort to prevent visitors to their castle from discovering her existence. When a visiting lady happened to meet her in the castle’s chapel (Margret was then six), her parents were horrified at the possible scandal this could cause for them. Human respect dominated their worldly way [...]

St. Hermenegild, Martyr Prince (6th Century), is recognized as 'the seed' which brought Spain into the bosom of Holy Mother Church. Leovigild, King of the Visigoths in Spain, had two sons, Hermenegild and Recared, who reigned conjointly with him. All three were Arians, but Prince Hermenegild married a zealous Catholic, Princess Indegundis, the daughter of Sigebert, King of France, and by her holy example, Hermenegild was converted to the true Faith. Here is illustrated yet another reason why France is known as the 'Eldest Daughter of the Church' - for through her intercession Spain became Catholic. Queen Goinswintha, Hermenegild's step-mother and [...]

St. Mary of Egypt was a terrible sinner who became an even greater penitent and saint. In the 5th century in Palestine, there was a very holy priest monk named Zosimus. He had served God since his youth with great fervor for more than 53 years and many souls came to him for spiritual direction. His reputation for holiness grew far and wide. So much so, that the devil was able to tempt him into pridefully thinking he had reached perfection. To prevent him from harboring a proud spirit, God prompted Zosimus to journey to a monastery near the Jordan. Being [...]

Bl. Herman was a great devotee of the Blessed Mother and an eminent contemplative mystic.(+1226 AD) Herman’s parents were very poor yet noble people who lived in Germany. His father was the Count of Meer and his mother was St. Hildegund. So often saints come from families with more saints! He was born around 1150 AD in Cologne. Because he was so poor, little Herman did not receive much of an education. Yet his great love for our Blessed Mother kept him out of trouble. He spent every free moment at a chapel dedicated to the Blessed Mother on a small [...]

[column size="2-3" last="0"] Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints. Blessed be God in His humble servant, Vincent Ferrer. St. Vincent Ferrer lived from 1350-1419. He was one the Church’s greatest missionaries and miracle workers (thaumaturgus). He was a Spanish Dominican, and one of the greatest preachers in the history of the Church. He was known as “The Angel of the Judgment.” St. Vincent traveled all over western Europe preaching penance, attracting enormous crowds, and followed by thousands of disciples. He converted St. Bernardine of Siena and Blessed Margaret of Savoy. St. Antoninus, Archbishop of Florence, another learned [...]

St. John Capistran (1385-1456), was a Franciscan preacher who promoted devotion to the Holy Name and is known as the "soldier saint" for his bravery at the Battle of Belgrade A MAN OF SUCCESS IN THE WORLD St. John was born in Capistrano in central Italy. His father died when he was young and his mother sent him to study in Perugia. He achieved great acclaim as a lawyer and was appointed governor of the city of Perugia by King Ladislaus of Naples. John rooted out much corruption and bribery. War broke out between Perugia and Malatesta and John was sent [...]

In Catholic Tradition, on the Friday after Passion Sunday, the Catholic Faithful are encouraged to meditate upon the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady. Let us thank our Blessed Mother for all the pain and suffering she willingly accepted for our salvation. The following is a Church approved miraculous event which occurred in Quito, Ecuador on April 20 of 1906. HISTORICAL CONTEXT For a better understanding, let us recall a few pertinent historical circumstances. Ecuador was the first nation officially consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on March 25, 1874. This was done by the president, Gabriel Garcia Moreno, the national [...]

The Forty Martyrs of Sebaste (320 AD) THE PERSECUTION OF LICINUS The worst Roman persecution against Catholics was launched by Emperors Diocletian and Galerius in 303 AD. The danger threatening Christians did not end until Constantine’s famous Edict of Milan (313 AD) which he signed along with the other new emperors. However, the peace between the emperors did not last long and soon Constantine found himself fighting (and defeating) the others. Licinius, Emperor in the East, had signed the Edict of Milan and married Constantine’s sister. Yet Licinius and Constantine now became bitter foes for sole mastery over the Roman Empire. [...]