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Saints
Today, Friday, December 24, We Celebrate Vigil of Christmas
In the first ages, during the night before every feast, a vigil was kept. In the evening the faithful assembled in the place or church where the feast was to be celebrated and prepared themselves by prayers, readings from Holy Writ (now the Offices of Vespers and Matins), and sometimes also by hearing a sermon.
Today, December 23, We Celebrate St. Thorlak of Iceland
The Scandinavian island nation of Iceland celebrates its national patron, St. Thorlak Thorhallsson, on Dec. 23.
Today, December 22, We Celebrate St. Chaeromon
Not much is known about the life of St. Chaeromon except that he was a bishop of Nilopolis in Egypt who was already advanced in age when Emperor Trajanus Decius began the intense persecution of Christians.
Today, December 21, We Celebrate St. Peter Canisius
An important figure in the Catholic counter-reformation that responded to the 16th century spread of Protestantism, the priest and Doctor of the Church Saint Peter Canisius is remembered liturgically on Dec. 21.
Today, December 20, We Celebrate St. Dominic of Silos
Saint Dominic was born in 1000 in Cañas, Navarre, Spain. He was born a peasant, and as a youth worked as a shepherd until he entered the Benedictine monastery in Navarre. When Dominic refused to hand over the monastery lands at the King of Navarre’s demands, he was forced to leave the house with two other monks.
Today, December 17, We Celebrate Saint Jose Manyanet y Vives
St. Jose Manyanet y Vives was born on January 7, 1883 in Catalonia, Spain. At the age of five, José’s mother dedicated him to the Virgin Mary, and later entered the seminary while still a youth. He was ordained in 1859 and served as the secretary of the bishop of Urgell, the seminary librarian, and the chancery administrator before responding to the call to found two religious congregations.
St. Leo the Great: The Pope Who Clarified the Humanity and Divinity of Christ
The worldwide Church celebrates St. Leo the Great, the 45th bishop of Rome and one of only 37 doctors of the Church, on Nov. 10.
What is the Process for Canonization? A guide for All Saints’ Day
On the day the Church celebrates the Church triumphant in heaven, we take a closer look at the formal process the Church uses to declare someone a saint.
After 1,700 years, An Ancient Olive Tree Marks the Vanished Hometown of St. Augustine
St. Augustine, whose feast day is today, Aug. 28, is associated most prominently with Hippo, the city that constitutes his well-known epithet. Yet well before his ancient bishopric, Augustine hailed from a now-long-vanished town located just a few dozen miles from that city, a place that still bears at least one landmark popularly associated with the venerated saint.
Today, July 29, We Celebrate St. Martha
Saint Martha is mentioned in three Gospel passages: Luke 10:38-42, John 11:1-53, and John 12:1-9, and the type of friendship between her and her siblings, Mary and Lazarus, with the Lord Jesus is evident in these passages.
In Rome, Relic of St. Mary Magdalene’s Foot Points Way to the Vatican
As the stories of many ancient things go, the relic of St. Mary Magdalene’s left foot had been lost to memory for centuries before it was rediscovered in the year 2000.
Today, July 7, We Celebrate St. Pope Benedict XI
Nicholas Boccasini was born at Treviso, Italy, in 1240. Hhe entered the Dominican Order at the age of 14. After 14 years of study, he became lector of theology, an office he filled for several years.
St. Josemaría Escrivá’s Call to Sanctify Daily Work is a Modern Spiritual Call to Arms
According to St. Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, a Catholic’s everyday, ordinary struggles and work are in fact “God’s work.”
Today, June 8, We Celebrate St. Medard, bishop
St. Medard was born around 456 in Salency, France. His father Nectard was a noble Frenchman, and his mother, Protogia, descended from a Roman family that settled in Gaul.
Today, June 7, We Celebrate St. Anthony Mary Gianelli
Anthony grew up in a poor but pious family in a small farming village in Lombardy, Italy. The owner of his family farm paid for Anthony's seminary education because he was such a promising student.
Today, May 27, We Celebrate St. Augustine of Canterbury
An Italian Benedictine monk who became the “Apostle of the English,” Saint Augustine of Canterbury is honored by the Catholic Church on May 27.
Saint of the day: Today, March 31, We Celebrate Bl. Jane of Toulouse
Blessed Jane lived in the French town of Toulouse during the 13th century. A Carmelite monastery was founded in the same town in 1240 which exposed Jane to the Carmelite lifestyle and spirituality.
Today, March 29, We Celebrate St. Joseph of Arimathea
St. Joseph of Arimathea is a disciple of Jesus Christ who is mentioned in each account of the Passion narrative. After the Passion of the Lord, Joseph, a member of the Jewish council went to Pilate and asked for possession of the body of Jesus. After receiving this permission, Joseph had Jesus laid in a nearby tomb.
Today we celebrate Saint Brigid of Kildare, patron saint of Ireland
On Feb. 1 Catholics in Ireland and elsewhere will honor Saint Brigid of Kildare, a monastic foundress who is – together with Saint Patrick and Saint Columcille – one of the country’s three patron saints.
Today we celebrate St, John Bosco, patron saint of young people
On Jan. 31, the Roman Catholic Church honors St. John Bosco (or “Don Bosco”), a 19th century Italian priest who reached out to young people to remedy their lack of education, opportunities, and faith.
