Today, April 17, is the memorial of Blessed Baptist Spagnoli of Mantua. Prior General of the Order of Carmelites. Born in 1447 of a noble Spanish family that moved to Italy, Baptist entered the Order of Carmelites in Ferrara and professed his religious vows in 1464. He was elected six times as Vicar General for …
Today, March 19, is the solemnity of Saint Joseph, Husband of Mary. Principal Protector of the Carmelite Order. 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 Principal Protector of the Carmelite …
Today, March 4, is the memorial of Blessed Romeo. Carmelite friar. Also known as Romaeus, he was already fixed on God early in life. He decided to pursue his vocation in the hopes of going against the ways of the world. He entered the Order of Carmelites and set about leading a life of virtue. …
Today, February 25, is the memorial of Blessed Avertano of Lucca. Carmelite confessor. Avertano was born in Limoges, France at the end of the 12th century. In his youth, Avertano had resolved to live a life closest to the teachings of the Gospels. The desire for holiness was always in his mind and soul. Thus, …
Today, January 9, is the feast of Saint Andrew Corsini. Carmelite bishop. Andrew, born in 14th-century Florence in Italy, came from the noble and wealthy Corsini family. He was a wild and extravagant youth, engaging in different vices. It was something that shocked and saddened his mother, who was a devout Catholic. Andrew’s parents scolded …
Born about 1305 in southern Perigord in France, Peter Thomas entered the Carmelites when he was twenty-one. He was chosen by the Order as its procurator general to the Papal Court at Avignon in 1345. After being made bishop of Patti and Lipari in 1354, he was entrusted with many papal missions to promote peace …
Today, January 8, is the feast of Saint Peter Thomas. Procurator General of the Carmelite Order. Born in Perigord, France, around 1305, Peter Thomas came from a very poor peasant family. To unburden the family, the teenage Peter Thomas left. He attended school, lived on alms, and taught students. At age 20, he joined the …
Born about 1305 in southern Perigord in France, Peter Thomas entered the Carmelites when he was twenty-one. He was chosen by the Order as its procurator general to the Papal Court at Avignon in 1345. After being made bishop of Patti and Lipari in 1354, he was entrusted with many papal missions to promote peace …
Today, December 16, is the memorial of Blessed Mary of the Angels. Carmelite nun. She was born Marianna Fontanella in Turin, Italy in 1661 to nobility. She was a distant cousin of St. Aloysius Gonzaga. At around six years old, Marianna already knew she had a vocation to the religious life. One day, she planned …
Today, December 14, is the feast of Saint John of the Cross. Carmelite and Doctor of the Church. Born in Fontiveros, Spain in 1542, Juan de Yepes y Álvarez lived in poverty. In Medina del Campo, John was able to study and become an altar boy at a nearby Augustinian nunnery. There, he also cared …