Today, March 23, is the memorial of Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo. Born to the nobility in 1538, Toribio was named after St. Toribio de Astorga. As a child, Toribio had a devotion to the Virgin Mary, fasted in her honor, and recited rosaries. He became a lawyer and law professor in Salamanca, Spain. He became …
Today, March 22, is the memorial of Saint Lea. What is known about Lea came from the writings of her friend, St. Jerome. Lea was born into a life of riches and privilege. When her husband died, Lea found herself possessing much material and financial wealth. Instead of spending the rest of her life in …
Today March 21, is the commemoration of Saint Benedetta Frassinello. Foundress of the Congregation of the Benedictine Sisters of Providence. Benedetta was born in 1791 in Genoa, Italy. At the age of 20 she had a profound spiritual experience that made her desire for a life of prayer, penance, and consecration to God. Her parents …
Today, March 20, is the solemnity of Saint Joseph, Husband of Mary. Principal Protector of the Carmelite Order. Patron of the Universal Church. The liturgical feast of St. Joseph already appeared in the Carmelite Order in the second half of the 15th century. In 1680, the Carmelite General Chapter unanimously elected St. Joseph as the …
Today, March 18, is the memorial of Saint Cyril of Jerusalem. Doctor of the Church. Cyril’s early life is rather sketchy, but his birth year has been pegged at 315. He was known for his expertise in the topics of theology and philosophy. He was ordained deacon by St. Macarius of Jerusalem and priest by …
Today, March 17, is the memorial of Saint Patrick. Patrick lived in tumultuous times. He was kidnapped from the British mainland around age 16, and shipped to Ireland as a slave. There he was assigned to serve as shepherd. Even while guarding sheep, Patrick never neglected his prayer life. He dreamt that a mission was …
Today, March 16, is the memorial of St. Eusebia. The saint was born in the year 640. Eusebia came from a family of saints: she was the eldest daughter of St. Adalbald of Ostrevant and St. Rictrudis of Marchiennes; great-granddaughter of St. Gertrude the Elder; sister of St. Maurontius, St. Clotsindis, and St. Adalsindis of …
Today, March 15, is the memorial of Saint Clement Hofbauer. Born in 1751 in present-day Czech Republic, Clement felt called to become a priest early in life. However, his family could not afford such an education. After his father’s death, he then worked as a journeyman, apprentice baker, and househelp at the Norbertine Abbey. He …
Today, March 13, is the memorial of Saint Leander of Seville. Born in Cartagena, Spain in 534, Leander came from a family of holy people. He was the son of Severianus and Theodora, known for their piety. He was the brother of St. Isidore of Seville, St. Fulgentius of Ecija, and St. Florentina of Cartagena. …
Fr. Richard Vissers, O.Carm. ♰ March 8, 1992 Today, March 8, we remember Fr. Richard Vissers, O.Carm., the very first Dutch Carmelite missionary to the Philippines. In October 1957, Fr. Vissers, who was a missionary to Indonesia, together with the Prior Provincial of the Dutch province, Fr. Brocardus Meijer, came to the Philippines to explore …