Today, February 1, is the memorial of Blessed Benedict Daswa. The future beato was born Tshimangadzo Samuel Daswa in 1946 in South Africa. He was a member of the Lemba tribe. Since this tribe followed Jewish laws, rituals, and traditions, they were known as the “Black Jews.” He got the name “Benedict” when he converted …
Today, January 30, is the memorial of Saint Mutien-Marie Wiaux. The saint was born Louis-Joseph Wiaux in 1841 in Hainaut, Belgium. He came from a devout Catholic family, with his blacksmith father, coffeeshop-owner mother, and his five siblings. His family was the type that would pray the Holy Rosary after work. In his younger days, …
Today, January 29, is the memorial of Saint Aquilinus of Milan. Aquilinus was born to a wealthy and noble family in Wurzburg, Germany. He took up Theology in Cologne and was ordained priest. The bishopric of Cologne was offered to him, but he rejected it. He preferred to preach from city to city. He became …
Today, January 28, is the memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Thomas Aquinas was born in their family’s castle in Roccasecca, Central Italy in 1225. His family was the very wealthy and most powerful of the time. He went to the famed Benedictine monastery Monte Cassino where his uncle Sinibald was the abbot. In those times, …
Today, January 27, is the memorial of Saint Angela Merici. Foundress of the Company of Saint Ursula (Ursulines). Angela Merici was born on a farm near Deserzano del Garda, Italy in 1474. Both Angela and her sister became orphans at a very young age and were adopted by their uncle. Her sister suddenly died, and …
Today, January 26, is the memorial of the Martyred Family of Constantinople. It was the 5th century when this holy family lived: husband and wife Saint Xenophon and Saint Mary, and their sons Saint John and Saint Arcadius. They were a very wealthy family of senatorial rank in imperial Constantinople. In those times, being a …
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Today, January 25, is the feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul. “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me that he has made me his servant and judged me faithful. I was once a blasphemer, a persecutor, a man filled with arrogance, but I have been treated mercifully.” (1 Timothy 1:12-13, Daytime …
Today, January 23, is the memorial of Saint Ildephonsus. Born to the Spanish nobility in 607, Ildephonsus was the nephew of Saint Eugenius of Toledo. He was a brilliant student who was mentored by Saint Isidore of Seville. Ildephonsus’ family wanted him to land a job and earn a living, but he chose to stay …
Today, January 22, is the memorial of Blessed Laura Vicuña. Laura was born in 1891 in Santiago, Chile to soldier Jose Domingo and housewife Mercedes Pino. The family moved to Las Lajas, Argentina to escape the Chilean civil war. Jose Domingo was soon killed. With nowhere to turn to, Mercedes allowed herself to become the …
Today, January 21, is the memorial of Saint Agnes. Tradition states that Agnes was born in AD 291 and belonged to a noble Roman family. They were all Christians. With her beauty and wealth, Agnes attracted many suitors, most of them from high government positions. She turned down all the men, telling them that it …