Today, September 27, is the memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul. Founder of the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians) and the Daughters of Charity. Born in 1581, Vincent was born to farmers Jean and Bertrande de Paul. Even as a child, Vincent demonstrated high intelligence. Jean was so impressed he sent the 15-year old Vincent …
Today, September 25, is the memorial of Blessed Herman the Cripple. Author of the “Salve Regina” and the “Alma Redemptoris Mater.” Herman was born in 1013 with a cleft palate and cerebral palsy. He suffered from severe physical disabilities and could hardly speak. Reports indicate he had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or spinal muscular atrophy. Because …
Today, September 24, is the memorial of Saint Gerard Sagredo. His father, also named Gerard, and mother Catherine waited for three years for his arrival. He was actually baptized George, after St. George. When his father died during a pilgrimage, he was renamed Gerard. When he was five, Gerard was miraculously cured. The recovery was …
Today, September 23, is the memorial of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio). In 1887, Padre Pio was born Francesco Forgione to farmers Grazio Mario Forgione and Maria Giuseppa Di Nunzio Grazio, who was an avid devotee of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The family would in fact abstain from meat three days a week …
Today, September 22, is the memorial of Saint Maurice & Companion-Martyrs of the Theban Legion. In the year 287, there was a group of around 6,500 Roman soldiers called the Theban Legion. All of them were Christians. Their leader was a general, Saint Maurice. These soldiers were recruited in the Thebes region in Upper Egypt. …
Today, September 21, is the feast of Saint Matthew the Apostle. Matthew was the son of Alphaeus. He lived at Capernaum on Lake Genesareth. He was a tax collector, someone who was corrupt, greedy, and dishonest. Worse for Matthew’s image, he was a Galilean son of the tribe of Levi, in those times he was …
Today, September 20, is the memorial of Saint Andrew Kim Taegon, Saint Paul Chong Hasang, and Companion-Martyrs of Korea. During the terrible persecutions that occurred in the 19th century (in 1839, 1866, and 1867), 103 members of the Christian community of Korea became martyrs. Outstanding among these witnesses to the faith were the first Korean …
Today, September 18, is the memorial of Saint Joseph of Cupertino. Patron saint of examination-takers, students, pilots, and astronauts. Joseph was born to a poor family. Even at age eight, he was already having ecstatic visions that left him gaping and staring into space. He had a hot temper which he overcame, and was known …
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 …