Saint Leonidas of Alexandria
The martyrdom of Saint Leonidas of Alexandria (†202), father of the philosopher and theologian Origen, took place during the persecutions ordered by Emperor Septimius Severus.
Saint Anselm of Aosta
Fides quaerens intellectum, “the faith that seeks the intellect”, was the guiding principle of Saint Anselm of Aosta or Canterbury (1033-1109). Called Doctor Magnificus, he devised a famous argument on the existence of God, which has engaged generations of philosophers and theologians.
Saint Agnes of Montepulciano
In 1374 Our Lord revealed to Saint Catherine of Siena that in Paradise she would enjoy a glory equal to that of Saint Agnes of Montepulciano (c. 1268-1317). This fact is indicative of the greatness of this relatively little known mystic.
Divine Mercy Sunday
On 22 February 1931 Jesus first communicated to St. Faustina Kowalska His desire for a Feast of Divine Mercy to be celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter, asking her to announce the extraordinary graces He would bestow.
Saint Galdino
Among the holy bishops of Milan, Saint Galdino (c. 1096-1176) occupies a prominent place next to two giants, Saint Ambrose and Saint Charles Borromeo. Born into a family of minor nobles, Galdino was archdeacon of the cathedral at the time of Archbishop Oberto da Pirovano.
Saint Robert of Molesme
The principal founder of the Cistercian Order, Saint Robert of Molesme (c. 1029-1111) promoted the return to a simple and austere monastic life, docilely abandoning himself to the action of grace.
Saint Bernadette
“Oh yes! But I had no right to such grace”, Saint Bernadette Soubirous (1844-1879) one day replied to a sister who reminded her of the sweetness of the times she had seen Our Lady. This was how Bernadette was, adorned with simplicity in her every gesture and word.
Saints Basilissa and Anastasia
Among the first holy Roman martyrs, Basilissa and Anastasia were disciples of Peter and Paul at the time of Emperor Nero. After the martyrdom of the two holy apostles they piously took care of the burial of their bodies.
Saint Lidwina
Much venerated in the Netherlands, Saint Lidwina of Schiedam (1380-1433) was a Dutch mystic who offered all her sufferings to Christ for the salvation of souls and had visions of Hell, Purgatory and Paradise.
Easter Monday
For the liturgy of the Church, today is Monday in the Octave of Easter. Traditionally it recalls what happened at the tomb the previous day, on the Sunday morning when the pious women - Mary Magdalene, Salome and Mary mother of James - went to the tomb with the intention of anointing Jesus' body with aromatic oils.
Easter of Resurrection
The pain experienced by Jesus on the day of His death on the Cross, which the faithful of all times relive, acquires meaning in the light of the Resurrection, the supreme proof of His divinity and His eternal words: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (Jn 14:6).
Holy Saturday
Holy Saturday is called an aliturgical day because the Church does not celebrate the Eucharist. The faithful are called to relive in silence and meditate on the mystery of Christ in the tomb and on His descent into hell, in soul and divinity, to proclaim salvation to the just.
