Franciscan protomartyrs
Saint Francis had sent them to announce the Gospel to Muslims in Spain and Morocco. The friars Berard, Otho, Peter, Accursius and Adjutus received the blessing from Francis on the day of Pentecost and started their journey towards Spain, when the actual Reconquista was still far away (it took place only in 1492).
Saint Maurus
Most of the information about him is found in the second book of Dialogues by Pope Gregory the Great
Saint Felix of Nola
Felix († 14 January, after 250) was born in Nola to a wealthy Syrian who was there on business. After the death of his father, he sold most of his assets and distributed the proceeds to the poor, consecrated himself to Christ as a priest and became a collaborator of Bishop Maximus.
Saint Hilary of Poitiers
He was called the Athanasius of the West because, similarly to the great Bishop of Alexandria of Egypt, Saint Hilary of Poitiers (ca. 310-367) dedicated his whole religious life to the defence of Christ true God and true man.
Saint Margaret Bourgeoys
She carried out her apostolate in Canada. She and her disciples cared for the daughters of both the French colonists and the natives, all precious “drops of Our Lord's blood”
Saint Hyginus
The ninth pope was elected in 138 after the death of Saint Telesphorus
Saint Gregory of Nyssa
He is one of the group of Cappadocian Fathers and deserved to be called a "column of orthodoxy"
Saint Marcellinus of Ancona
His biographers report that he became Bishop of the city of Conero in 551, during the pontificate of Vigilius I.
The Baptism of Jesus
Baptism in the Jordan is another Epiphany, since Jesus here appears as the awaited Messiah and Son of God
Saint Raymond of Penyafort
He was a great connoisseur of canon law and third Superior General of the Dominican Order, leaving a significant mark on the history of the Church
Epiphany of the Lord
Meditating on the example of the Magi, Saint Anthony of Padua said: "Thus, also true penitents offer [the Lord] the gold of total poverty, the incense of devout prayer, the myrrh of voluntary suffering".
Saint Edward the Confessor
He was canonised in 1161 by Alexander III (and called "the Confessor", a title then given to saints who had died from natural causes and, in his case, to distinguish him from Saint Edward the Martyr).
