Mary Mother of the Church
Today we commemorate the Blessed Virgin Mary “Mother of the Church”, a title that was defined during the Second Vatican Council, but which is based on two thousand years of Christianity and the history of salvation.
Pentecost
Towards the end of Pentecost, on the fiftieth day after Easter, the Holy Spirit promised by Jesus descended abundantly on the disciples gathered in the Upper Room. Thus began the saving mission of the Church among the peoples of every language and nation.
Saint Rita of Cascia
For the faithful she is the “Saint of impossible cases”, as well as an admirable example in all the vocations she embodied in her life: wife, mother, widow, bride of Christ. For this reason Saint Rita of Cascia is one of the figures dearest to Christian piety.
Holy Mexican Martyrs
The 25 holy martyrs commemorated today lived during the historical context of the 20th century persecutions in Mexico, which resulted in the revolt of the “Cristeros” (1926-1929).
Saint Bernardine of Siena
“The name of Jesus is the glory of preachers, because the shining splendour of that name causes his word to be proclaimed and heard. And how do you think such an immense, sudden and dazzling light of faith came into the world, if not because Jesus was preached?” So said in one of his famous speeches Bernardine of Siena (8 September 1380 - 20 May 1444), the Franciscan saint and tireless preacher who propagated devotion to the Most Holy Name of Jesus.
Saint Celestine V
Before the incredible succession of events that led to his election as pontiff when he was already 85 years old, Saint Celestine V (c. 1209-1296), born Pietro Angelerio, known as Pietro da Morrone, had consecrated his existence to God by living for most of his life as a hermit.
Saint John I
Pope John I died for love of Christ and the Church, his death caused by the harsh privations he suffered in prison. The personal ordeal of St. John I (†526) took place near the end of the life of the Ostrogoth king Theodoric, a follower of the Arian heresy.
Saint Paschal Baylón
The Spanish mystic Saint Paschal Baylón (1540-1592) was called the “Seraph of the Eucharist” because of the angelic devotion with which he approached and spoke of the real presence of Christ in the consecrated Host.
Saint Ubaldus of Gubbio
A few decades before St. Francis of Assisi spent time there, Gubbio had known the virtues of St. Ubaldus (c. 1085-1160), who was bishop of the city for 31 years and helped to protect it from enemy attacks. He was born into the noble Baldassini family and lost his father when still a child.
Saint Isidore the Farmer
From Spain his cult has spread almost everywhere. Therefore today there are many places where St. Isidore the Farmer (c. 1082 - c. 1172), Isidro Labrador in Spanish, is invoked as patron saint of farmers and crops.
Saint Matthias
The apostolic nature of the Church is particularly evident on the feast of St. Matthias, who was called to replace Judas Iscariot in the time immediately following the Ascension. The initiative was taken by Peter, who thus began to exercise the supreme ministry to which Jesus had called him.
Our Lady of Fatima
On May 13, 1917, while they were grazing their flock at the Cova d'Iria in the Fatima area, 10 year old Lucia dos Santos, 9 year old Francisco and 7 year old Jacinta Marto saw a Lady dressed in white appear.
