Today, April 15, is the memorial of Blessed Cesar de Bus. Cesar led a wild life of partying. Back in his home town of Cavaillon, Cesar succeeded his deceased brother as canon. The problem was, Cesar only wanted to become a canon because he could get money off it and increase his influence. He was …
Today, April 14, is the memorial of Blessed Lucien Botovasoa. Lucien was born in 1908 in Madagascar. He was a most prayerful man who enjoyed reading the lives of the saints. He was also attracted to the religious life so much that his wife was worried that Lucien would leave her to join a religious …
Today, April 13, is the memorial of Blessed Margaret of Castello. Margaret was born into a proud, noble family in 1287. She was a hunchback midget, and born blind, lame, and deformed. Her parents were so ashamed of her looks that they decided to keep her existence a secret. When Margaret was six, she was …
Today, April 12, is the memorial of Saint David Uribe Velasco. David was born in Buenavista de Cuellar, Mexico in 1889. He came from a poor family and did not become a priest until 1913. In 1914, when David became the parish priest and served as secretary to Bishop Antonio Rodriguez, the anti-religious violence was …
Today, March 27, is the memorial of Saint John of Egypt. John was born in the year 305. At 25, he became a monk guided by an elderly hermit. When the latter died, John went on a spiritual journey to some holy places. He eventually lived—permanently—on the top of a cliff near Lycopolis, Egypt. He …
Today, March 27, is the memorial of Saint Pedro Calungsod. Born in 1654, Pedro was educated by members of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in the Visayas. He could thus read, write, and speak Chamorro, Spanish, and Visayan. He was also skilled in painting, drawing, singing, and carpentry. In 1668, he became a teenage lay …
Today, March 26, is the memorial of Saint Ludger.Born in 742 AD, Ludger came from a family of wealth and nobility. He was the brothers of St. Gerburgis and St. Hildegrin. He was much impressed by the preaching of St. Boniface. He was ordained priest and became a missionary. He went on a pilgrimage to …
Today, March 24, is the memorial of Saint Catherine of Sweden. Born in either 1331 or 1332, Catherine was the fourth of the eight children of Saint Bridget of Sweden and Ulf Gudmarsson. Through arranged marriage, Catherine was wed, at age 13, to Lord Eggert. The couple agreed that they would take a vow …
Today, March 23, is the memorial of Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo. Born to the nobility in 1538, Toribio was named after St. Toribio de Astorga. As a child, Toribio had a devotion to the Virgin Mary, fasted in her honor, and recited rosaries. He became a lawyer and law professor in Saamanca, Spain. He became …
Today, March 22, is the memorial of Saint Lea. What is known about Lea came from the writings of her friend, St. Jerome. Lea was born into a life of riches and privilege. When her husband died, Lea found herself possessing much material and financial wealth. Instead of spending the rest of her life in …