Today, September 17, is the feast of Saint Albert of Jerusalem. Law-Giver of the Carmelites. Albert was born in Castel Gualtieri, Italy. He was educated in theology and law. He entered the Canons Regular of the Holy Cross at Mortara and was elected prior in 1180. Albert was a canon lawyer who became bishop of …
Today, September 16, is the memorial of Pope Saint Cornelius and Saint Cyprian. Cornelius, a Roman, was the 21st Pope during the reign of the Emperor Gallus and Volusian. He had to oppose Novatian, the first anti-pope, who believed that apostates who repented could not be forgiven. Helped by St. Cyprian, Cornelius confirmed his papal …
Today, September 15, is the memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows. This celebration honors the spiritual martyrdom of the Blessed Virgin Mary as well as her unity with the sufferings and passion of her Son Jesus. It was Pope Saint Pius X who, in 1913, set the date on September 15 as the memorial. This …
Today, September 13, is the memorial of Saint John Chrysostom. Bishop and Doctor of the Church. John was born in Antioch in 347. His father died when he was young. His influential mother Anthusa raised John and helped him get an education. He did, under the famous orator Libanius. He became a hermit and practiced …
Today, September 12, is the memorial of the Holy Name of Mary. This began in 1513 as a local celebration in Cuenca, Spain, celebrated on September 15. In 1587 Pope Sixtus V moved the celebration to September 17. Pope Gregory XV extended the celebration to the Archdiocese of Toledo in 1622. In 1666 the Discalced …
Today, September 10, is the memorial of Saint Nicholas of Tolentino. Patron saint of the holy souls in Purgatory. Nicholas was born in 1245 in Sant’Angelo in Pontano, Italy and was named after St. Nicholas of Myra. He so impressed the Bishop of Fermo with his holiness and intelligence that the latter admitted him to …
Today, September 9, is the memorial of Saint Peter Claver. Born in 1580, Peter came from a rich Catholic family in Verdu, Spain. He joined the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1601. When he was in Majorca studying philosophy, Claver was encouraged by St. Alphonsus Rodriguez, the doorkeeper of the college, to take part in …
Today, September 8, is the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. Your birth, O Virgin Mother of God, proclaims joy to the whole world, for from you arose the glorious Sun of Justice, Christ our God; He freed us from the age-old curse & filled us with holiness; He destroyed death & gave …
Today, September 7, is the memorial of Saint Regina. Regina was born in Autun, France, to a pagan named Clement. Her mother died at her birth and her father rejected her. She then went to live with a Christian nurse who baptized her. This same nurse recognized the holiness of the young Regina. The young …
Today, September 5, is the memorial of Saint Teresa of Calcutta. Foundress of the Missionaries of Charity. Mother Teresa was baptized Gonxha Agnes. At the age of 18, Gonxha left her home in September 1928 to join the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, known as the Sisters of Loreto, In Ireland. There she received …