Today, January 5, is the memorial of Saint Charles of Mount Argus.
In 1821, Saint Charles was born John Andrew Houben in Limburg, the Netherlands. He was born poor. His father Peter Joseph, who was a miller, and mother Johanna Elizabeth had 11 children. He was described as a slow learner, quiet, and very shy.
In his late teens, he became a soldier of the First Infantry Regiment. Later, he would manage to serve out his time as an army reserve, be discharged formally, and felt the need to respond to his religious vocation.
In 1845, he joined the Congregation of the Passion, also known as the Passionists. He received the religious name Charles of St. Andrew. Twelve years later, he was sent to Dublin, Ireland at the newly founded Mount Argus monastery.
As it turned out, Charles was not a good preacher and never learned the English language. He was, however, a complete success in hearing confessions and taking care of the sick. He became known as a miracle worker, performing healings of both body and soul.
He led a life most humble and edifying that the Irish people loved him dearly. In 1893, he died in Dublin of natural causes at age 71.
He was beatified by Pope St. Paul II in 1988. Pope Benedict XVI canonized him in 2007.