Today, October 29, is the memorial of Blessed Chiara Badano. Born in 1971, Chiara was a bright and strong-willed child. Chiara was an only child, so her parents Ruggero and Maria Teresa enrolled her in the nearby kindergarten to make friends with other kids. When Chiara was nine years old, she discovered the Focolare Movement, …
Today, October 28, is the feast of Saint Jude and Saint Simon. St. Jude, also known as Thaddeus, was a brother of St. James the Lesser, and a relative of Jesus. According to the ancient writers, Jude preached the Gospel in Judea, Samaria, Idumaea, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Lybia. Eusebius wrote that he returned to Jerusalem …
Today, October 27, is the memorial of Saint Emilina of Boulancourt. Born in 1115, the young Emilina joined the Cistercian Abbey of Boulancourt at Longeville, France. Emilina became a lay sister and was known for her intense prayer life, extreme way of fasting, and severe self-imposed penances such as wearing a pointed chain under her …
Today, October 26, is the memorial of Blessed Celine Borzecka. Co-foundress — along with her biological daughter Venerable Hedwig Borzecka — of the Sisters of the Resurrection. Celine was born in 1833 in Belarus to Ignatius and Petronella, both wealthy landowners in Belarus. She wanted to pursue her religious vocation, but her family opposed it. …
Today, October 25, is the memorial of Blessed Recaredo Abad. Recaredo was born in the Diocese of Tortosa, Spain, where he studied. He also attended the seminary in Tarragona. He was ordained priest in 1929, having been inspired by his rector, Blesed Joe Maria Peris. He was a member of the Diocesan Worker Priests of …
Today, October 23, is the memorial of Saint John of Capistrano. John was born in 1386 at Capistrano, Kingdom of Naples. He took up law at Perugia in Central Italy and eventually became governor there in 1412. He was jailed when Malatesta di Rimini conquered Perugia. In a vision, St. Francis of Assisi invited him …
Today, October 22, is the memorial of Pope Saint John Paul II. Karol Wojtyla believed that God blessed him with a priestly vocation. After surviving two almost fatal accidents, he finally answered God’s call. He attended secret classes during the German occupation of Poland, and was ordained in 1946. Around this time he learned and …
Today, October 21, is the memorial of Blessed Charles of Austria. Emperor and King. Charles was the last Emperor of Austria and the last King of Hungary. He was the husband of the Servant of God Empress Zita of Bourbon-Parma, whose own cause for beatification is already underway. Charles received a strong Catholic education, and …
Today, October 20, is the memorial of Saint Maria Bertilla Boscardin. Born Anna Francesca Boscardin to a poor peasant family, she was nicknamed “The Goose” because of her lack of intelligence and mental slowness. Her childhood was full of trials. She had to endure her father Angelo’s violent behavior whenever he was drunk. She worked …
Today, October 19, is the memorial of Saint Paul of the Cross. Founder of the Passionists (Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ). Paul was born in 1694. Family and relatives wanted Paul to marry, but he refused, believing that he could serve God more as a bachelor. A heavenly vision inspired Paul to found …