Today, April 30, is the memorial of Pope Saint Pius V. Pope Pius V’s real name was Antonio Ghislieri. Born in 1504, he joined the Dominican Order 14 years later. Upon his ascension to the papacy in 1566, Pius V found himself leading the task of enacting the reforms of the Council of Trent. Under …
Today, April 29, is the memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena. Doctor of the Church. Born in 1347, Catherine was the youngest of 24 children of Lapa Piagenti and Jacopo di Benincasa, a wool-dyer. When Catherine was five years old, she experienced her first vision of Jesus. At the age of seven, she had a …
Today, April 28, is the memorial of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla. Born to Alberto and Maria Beretta in 1922, Gianna was the 10th of 13 children. Hers was a Christian family, a sister was a nun while her two brothers became priests. As a student, Gianna was involved in charitable work. She became a physician …
Today, April 27, is the memorial of Saint Zita. Patron saint of maids and domestic helpers. Around the year 1212, Zita was born to a very poor but pious family. When Zita turned 12, she was hired as a house-helper for the rich Fatinelli family in Lucca, Italy. For Zita, her employment was an opportunity …
Today, April 26, is the memorial of Saint Rafael Arnáiz Barón. Patron saint of diabetics. Rafael was born in 1911 in Burgos, Spain. His mother was born in Manila, Philippines while his father was a Spaniard. An artistic young man, he studied architecture in Madrid, Spain. He then felt that the Lord was calling him …
Today, April 24, is the memorial of Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen. The future saint was named Rey when he was born in 1577 in Germany. He was known to be a role model for humility and chastity in his youth. He was a brilliant lawyer who had a devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and made …
Today, April 23, is the memorial of Saint George. George was a soldier of Cappadocia, in modern-day Turkey. He was a member of the Praetorian Guards for Roman emperor Diocletian. He was firm in his Christian faith that, during the anti-Christian persecutions, he affirmed his love of God and belief in Jesus Christ. For this …
Today, April 22, is the memorial of Saint Opportuna. What is certain is that Opportuna was born in a castle in Normandy, France. Her family tree had saints. She was the sister of St. Chrodegang and the niece of St. Lanthilda. Opportuna was a virtuous Benedictine nun and abbess who received the veil from her …
Today, April 21, is the memorial of Saint Anselm. Doctor of the Church. Anselm came from Italian nobility. He was already a pious and studious child. Anselm, then aged 15, wished to enter the religious life. His father Gondulf said no. Upon the death of his mother, Ermenberge, Anselm argued with his father, fled to …
Today, April 20, is the memorial of Saint Agnes of Montepulciano. About 70 years after Agnes died, her body remained incorrupt. St. Catherine of Siena made a pilgrimage to Agnes’ shrine. As St. Catherine bowed to kiss St. Agnes’ foot in reverence and devotion, St. Agnes’ foot rose toward her. Even at an early age, …