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.
Saints Nereus and Achilleus
Nereus and Achilleus were two Roman soldiers who converted to Christianity. Their martyrdom, according to historians, probably took place around 300, during Diocletian's persecutions.
Saint Francis De Geronimo
“Return to Christ!”, Saint Francis De Geronimo (1642-1716) admonished during his missions in the streets of Naples. This famous preacher had the gift of prophecy and several miracles were attributed to him during his lifetime.
Saint John of Avila
Mystic and Doctor of the Church, precursor and advisor of the Council of Trent, model for priests and a “prophetic figure”, as Paul VI called him when he canonized him in 1970. Saint John of Avila (c. 1500-1569) was all of these.
Saint Pachomius
Saint Pachomius (c. 292-348), generally considered the founder of cenobitic monasticism, achieved several records in the history of Christianity. These records are all the more surprising considering that he was born of pagan parents: proof of how Providence works wonders through those who give their full acceptance to the divine will.
Saint Victor
Saint Ambrose's piety towards the martyrs accounts for much of the popularity of the cult of Saint Victor (†303), one of the most beautiful figures to have been witness to Christ during the Great Persecution, to the point of giving up his life. Ambrose, bishop of Milan since 7 December 374, spoke of him in the Expositio evangelii secundum Lucam and in the hymn Victor, Nabor, Felix pii.
