Today, October 24, is the memorial of Saint Anthony Mary Claret. Founder of the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretians). Anthony Mary was born in Barcelona, Spain in 1807, and was the fifth of 11 children. He worked as a weaver in his youth. He wanted to join the …
Today, October 22, is the memorial of Pope Saint John Paul II. Karol Wojtyla believed that God blessed him with a priestly vocation. After surviving two almost fatal accidents, he finally answered God’s call. He attended secret classes during the German occupation of Poland, and was ordained in 1946. Around this time he learned and …
Today, October 21, is the memorial of Blessed Charles of Austria. Charles was the last Emperor of Austria and the last King of Hungary. He was the husband of the Servant of God Empress Zita of Bourbon-Parma, whose own cause for beatification is already underway. Charles received a strong Catholic education, and developed a strong …
Today, October 20, is the memorial of Saint Maria Bertilla Boscardin. Born Anna Francesca Boscardin to a poor peasant family, she was nicknamed “The Goose” because of her lack of intelligence and mental slowness. Her childhood was full of trials. She had to endure her father Angelo’s violent behavior whenever he was drunk. She worked …
Today, October 19, is the memorial of Saint Paul of the Cross. Founder of the Passionists (Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ). Paul was born in 1694. Family and relatives wanted Paul to marry, but he refused, believing that he could serve God more as a bachelor. A heavenly vision inspired Paul to found …
Today, October 18, is the feast of Saint Luke the Evangelist. Born to pagan Greek parents, and possibly a slave, Luke was one of the earliest converts to Christianity. Luke was a physician who studied in Antioch and Tarsus. Some accounts mention that the evangelist may have been a ship‘s doctor. He met Saint Paul …
Today, October 17, is the memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch. Bishop, Martyr & Church Father. Ignatius, also known as Ignatius Theophorus (God-bearing) or Ignatius Nurono (fire-bearer), was a convert from paganism to Christianity. He succeeded Saint Peter the Apostle as bishop of Antioch, Syria. He also served during the persecution of Domitian. In his …
Today, October 15, is the feast of Saint Teresa of Avila. Doctor of the Church. Foundress of the Order of Discalced Carmelites. Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y Ahumada was born in 1515 to the Spanish nobility, the daughter of Don Alonso Sanchez de Cepeda and Doña Beatriz. She grew up reading the lives of the …
Today, October 13, is the memorial of Blessed Alexandrina da Costa. Alexandrina was born in 1904 in Balasar, Portugal. When she reached 12, Alexandrina got an infection and became sickly. The infection never left her since then. She understood that God had a special mission for her: to suffer as a “victim soul.” When she …
Today, October 12, is the memorial of Blessed Carlo Acutis. Carlo was born on May 3, 1991 in London to parents Andrea and Antonia Acutis. A few months later, due to work, the family settled in Milan. As a young child, Carlo prayed the Rosary a lot and made the Eucharist the center of his …