Today, January 18, is the memorial of Saint Margaret of Hungary. Margaret, born in 1242 in Croatia, was the daughter of King Bela IV and Queen Maria. On her father’s side, Margaret was the niece of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. She was born around the time of the Mongol Invasion of Hungary. King Bela and …
Today, January 16, is the memorial of Saint Joseph Vaz. Joseph, who belonged to the Congregation of the Oratory, was born in 1651 in Goa, India. He was ordained priest in 1676. He soon after lived barefoot to imitate the poor and preached the Gospel with much success. Joseph journeyed to Sri Lanka during the …
Today, January 15, is the memorial of Saint Arnold Janssen. Founder of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS), and the Sister Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration (Pink Sisters). Born in 1837 in Germany, Arnold felt an early call to the priesthood. He …
Today, January 14, is the memorial of Saint Felix of Nola.Felix was born in the early Third Century in Italy. After the death of his soldier-father Hermias, Felix sold off most of his property and possessions, gave the proceeds to the poor, and pursued his vocation.Felix was ordained by and worked with Saint Maximus of …
Today, January 13, is the memorial of Saint Hilary of Poitiers. Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Hilary, whose name in Latin means happy, was born in 310 in Pictavium, Gaul (now modern-day Poitiers, France). His parents were well-known pagans, and so Hilary was raised and educated in a pagan environment. Hilary would later convert …
Today, January 12, is the memorial of Blessed Nicholas Bunkerd Kitbamrung. Nicholas was born in 1895 in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. His parents were converts to Catholicism. He took ecclesial studies and became a catechist. He took further studies in Malaysia and was ordained priest in 1926. Four years later, Nicholas became a missionary to Northern …
Today, January 11, is the memorial of Saint Theodosius the Cenobiarch. A cenobiarch is basically an abbot or a leader of people living a life in common, which was what Theodosius became. He was born in Cappadocia, Turkey to pious parents Proheresius and Eulogia. In later life, Eulogia would become a nun and would choose …
Today, January 9, is the feast of Saint Andrew Corsini. Carmelite bishop. Andrew, born in 14th-century Florence in Italy, came from the noble and wealthy Corsini family. He was a wild and extravagant youth, engaging in different vices. It was something that shocked and saddened his mother, who was a devout Catholic. Andrew’s parents scolded …
Today, January 8, is the feast of Saint Peter Thomas. Procurator General of the Carmelite Order. Born in Perigord, France, around 1305, Peter Thomas came from a very poor peasant family. To unburden the family, the teenage Peter Thomas left. He attended school, lived on alms, and taught students. At age 20, he joined the …
Today, January 7, is the memorial of Saint Raymond of Peñafort. Patron saint of lawyers. Raymond of Peñafort was the confessor of King James I of Aragon, who used to be a devout Catholic until he had a mistress. When the king went to the island of Majorca to convert the Moors, he brought along …