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 22, is the memorial of Saint Flavian of Acquapendente. Flavian was the father of Saint Bibiana and Saint Demetria, and the husband of Saint Dafrosa of Acquapendente. He was greatly admired by Romans for his virtues and talents. Even Constantine the Great held him in high esteem, so much so that the emperor …
Today, December 21, is the memorial of Saint Peter Canisius. Doctor of the Church. Born in 1521 in Habsburg Netherlands, Peter had wealthy parents (his father was a chief magistrate). 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 …
Today, December 20, is the memorial of Saint Dominic of Silos. Dominic was born in the year 1000 in Spain. He was a shepherd before becoming a Benedictine monk at the monastery of San Millán de Cogolla. There Dominic became novice master and then prior before being driven out with two of his fellow monks …
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 15, is the memorial of the Blessed Martyrs of Drina. Blessed Jula Ivanisevic, Berchmana Leidenix, Krizina Bojanc, Antonija Fabjan, and Bernadeta Banja were all members of the Daughters of Divine Charity. They served the poor in the Serbian village of Pale. Anti-Christian Serb soldiers burned their convent in late 1941. The sisters were …
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 …
Today, December 13, is the memorial of Saint Lucy. Patron saint of the blind & people with eye problems. Lucy was a rich, young Christian of Greek ancestry. She was raised in a pious family. She consecrated her virginity to Christ. Her Roman father died when she was young. Her mother, Eutychia, arranged a marriage …
Today, December 11, is the memorial of Saint Maria Maravillas de Jesus. Carmelite nun. Maria de la Maravillas Pidal Chico de Guzman was born in Madrid in 1891. Her father was the Spanish ambassador to the Vatican. She grew up in a pious family, was known as “Mavi, ”an intelligent and religious child. When she …
Today, December 10, is the memorial of Our Lady of Loreto. The title Our Lady of Loreto refers to the Holy House of Loreto, the house in which Mary was born, and where the Annunciation occurred, and to an ancient statue of Our Lady which is found there. Tradition says that a band of angels …