Today, November 11, is the memorial of Saint Martin of Tours. Martin was born in what is now Szombathely, Hungary. He had pagan parents but, as a teenager, discovered Christianity. He was baptized into the Church at age 18. Since his father was an officer, Martin was obliged to join the military. Once, while on …
Today, November 8, is the memorial of Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity. Carmelite nun. Elizabeth was born in 1880 to Captain Joseph Catez and Marie Catez. Joseph died when the girl was seven, leaving her mother to raise Elizabeth and her sister Marguerite. Elizabeth was a bubbly and popular girl, extremely stubborn with a fiery …
Today, November 7, is the memorial of Saint Vincenzo Grossi. Founder of the Daughters of the Oratory. Vincenzo was born in 1845 in Italy. His mother taught him how to pray while his father instructed him on honest work and hard labor. After his First Communion, he announced to his family his desire to join …
Today, November 5, is the memorial of Blessed Frances d’Amboise. Carmelite nun. Frances was born in 1427 in a castle in Thouars, France. Her father was Louis d’Amboise, Prince of Talmont and Viscount of Thouars, and Louise-Marie de Rieux. At the age of three, Frances was already engaged to marry Peter II, a son of …
Today, November 4, is the memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo. Patron saint of seminarians and catechists. Charles was born in 1538 to a very wealthy and noble family. His parents were Count Gilberto Borromeo and Margaret de’ Medici. His maternal uncle was Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Medici, who became Pope Pius IV. Charles was made a …
Today, November 3, is the memorial of Saint Martin de Porres. Juan Martín de Porres Velázquez was born in Peru in 1579. He was the illegitimate son of a Spanish nobleman, Juan de Porres, and a young freed black slave, Anna Velázquez. Martin and his sister Juana grew up in poverty after Juan abandoned the …