Today, June 17, is the memorial of Saint Emilie de Vialar. Foundress of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition. In 1797, Emilie was born to an aristocratic family. When Emilie was 15, her mother Antoinette died. She then took over the house until she turned 35. During those times, Emilie nurtured a life …
Today, June 16, is the memorial of Saint Lutgardis. Lutgardis was born in Belgium in 1182. She was a pretty girl who enjoyed wearing the most fashionable clothes. She also had no apparent religious vocation, She was sent to the Benedictine monastery near Saint Trond at age 12 because her dowry had been lost in …
Today, June 15, is the memorial of Saint Germaine Cousin. Germaine was born into poverty in 1579 in Pibrac, France. Her mother died while Germaine was an infant. A sickly child, Germaine suffered from scrofula, and her right hand was deformed. Her step-mother Hortense (other accounts identified her as Armande) mistreated her while her father …
Today, June 14, is the memorial of Saint Elisha the Prophet. Carmelite and prophet. “Elisha came to Elijah, who threw his cloak over him and he abandoned the oxen, followed Elijah and became his servant” (1 K 19, 19. 21). As Elijah was taken up by a fiery chariot, Elisha asked to inherit “a double-portion” …
Today, June 13, is the memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua. Doctor of the Church. Fernando Martins de Bulhões was born to a wealthy family in Lisbon, Portugal in 1195. Their dream for Anthony was to become a rich nobleman. However, Anthony was so devoted to Christ that he wanted to imitate Him in poverty. …
Today June 11, is the memorial of Saint Barnabas. He was a Levite Jewish convert, coming to the faith soon after Pentecost, taking the name Barnabas. Though not of the chosen Twelve Apostles, Barnabas is mentioned frequently in the Acts of the Apostles, and is included among the prophets and doctors at Antioch, and is …
Today, June 10, is the memorial of Blessed Edward Poppe. A follower of St. Therese of Lisieux’s “The Little Way,” Edward was one of 11 children and born in Belgium. One brother became a priest, five sisters were nuns. He felt a call to the priesthood early in life. When his father died, Edward wanted …
Today, June 9, is the memorial of Blessed Anna Maria Taigi. Anna Maria was born in 1769. Her father Luigi’s pharmacy went bankrupt when she was five years old. Luigi moved the family from their native Siena to Rome to find work. Anna Maria had no choice but to work to help feed the family. …
Today, June 8, is the memorial of Saint Medard. Medard was born in 456 in Picardy, France. His parents were Nectardus and Protagia, both from the nobility. His brother was St. Gildardus. It is said that he was a pious youth and an outstanding student who studied at Saint-Quentin. He was devoted to Nectardus, accompanying …
Today, June 7, is the memorial of Blessed Anne of St. Bartholomew. Secretary of St. Teresa of Avila. Anne Garcia Manzanas was born in 1550 in Spain. At 13, the orphan Anne became a shepherdess. She already knew that she had a vocation. As a devotee to the Passion of Christ, she wanted to consecrate …