Today, January 6, is the memorial of Saint André Bessette. “At the end of my novitiate, my superiors showed me the door, and I stayed there for 40 years.” Thus said Brother André who, as a porter, had the job of opening the door and greeting guests. He was born Alfred Bessette in Quebec, Canada …
Today, January 5, is the memorial of Saint Charles of Mount Argus. In 1821, Saint Charles was born John Andrew Houben in Limburg, the Netherlands. He was born poor. His father Peter Joseph, who was a miller, and mother Johanna Elizabeth had 11 children. He was described as a slow learner, quiet, and very shy. …
Today, January 4, is the memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. Foundress of the Sisters of Charity. In 1774, Elizabeth Ann Bayley was born into a wealthy and influential Episcopalian family in New York. She was the daughter of surgeon Dr. Richard Bayley and Catherine Charlton. Elizabeth was raised in the New York high society …
Today, January 3, is the memorial of Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara. Co-founder of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) and the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel (CMC). The Indian Syro-Malabar Catholic priest Kuriakose Elias was born in 1805 in what is now Kerala, India. He studied with a Hindu teacher until age 10, and …
Today, December 29, is the memorial of Saint Thomas Becket. Thomas was born around 1118 in London. Gilbert and Matilda were his parents. He took up Canon Law and became a trusted assistant to the Archbishop of Canterbury. Later, Thomas was ordained deacon. That time, Henry II ascended to the throne. He and Thomas clicked …
Today, December 28, is the feast of the Holy Innocents. From Matthew 2:16-18, it is written: “When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had …
Today, December 27, is the feast of Saint John the Apostle. John was the son of Zebedee and Salome. He was the brother of Saint James the Greater and a disciple of Saint John the Baptist. He was a fisherman called by Jesus during the first year of His ministry, and traveled everywhere with Him, …
Today, December 26, is the feast of Saint Stephen. Deacon and the First Martyr. The account of Stephen is found in the Acts of the Apostles: while preaching the Gospel in the streets, angry Jews who believed his message to be blasphemy dragged him outside the city, and stoned him to death. “However, Stephen looked …
Today, December 23, is the memorial of Blessed Nicolas Factor. Franciscan priest and Renaissance painter. Nicolas knew poverty when he was born in 1520 in Valencia, Spain. His father was a poor tailor and had five children. As a child, Nicolas fasted thrice a week and gave his food to the poor. He was also …
Today, December 21, is the memorial of Saint Peter Canisius. Doctor of the Church. Born in 1521 in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, Peter had wealthy parents (his father was the mayor). At 19, he was sent to study at the University of Cologne. There he met St. Peter Faber, one of the founders of the Society …