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 …
Today, September 15, is the memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows. This celebration honors the spiritual martyrdom of the Blessed Virgin Mary as well as her unity with the sufferings and passion of her Son Jesus. It was Pope Saint Pius X who, in 1913, set the date on September 15 as the memorial. This …
Today, September 13, is the memorial of Saint John Chrysostom. Bishop and Doctor of the Church. John was born in Antioch in 347. His father died when he was young. His influential mother Anthusa raised John and helped him get an education. He did, under the famous orator Libanius. He became a hermit and practiced …
Today, September 11, is the memorial of Blessed Maria of Jesus. Maria Lopez de Rivas Martinez was born in 1560, and grew up in a small hamlet near Madrid. She inherited a vast amount of wealth after her father’s death. When her mother re-married, she was left to the care of her paternal grandparents. When …