Presentation of the Lord
The feast of the Presentation of the Lord concludes the Christmas celebrations by recalling that, 40 days after His birth, Jesus was taken to the temple by Mary and Joseph.
Saint Brigid of Ireland
According to three ancient biographies, Brigid's mother was a Christian Pict slave named Brocca, who had been baptised by Saint Patrick; her father was a pagan chieftain, whose name was Dubthach.
Saint John Bosco
He was a pedagogue, a writer, a publisher, a saint endowed with countless mystical gifts
Saint Hyacintha Marescotti
She lived for a long time ignoring her solemn vows, but eventually had a change of heart and took refuge in the comfort of God
Saint Constantius
Saint Constantius, revered as the first bishop of Perugia, was martyred in the 2nd century, either under Marcus Aurelius (in office from 161 to 180) or during the persecutions of his predecessor Antoninus Pius.
Saint Thomas Aquinas
"Although the truth of the Christian faith exceeds the capacity of reason, nevertheless the natural principles of reason cannot be in contrast with this truth", taught Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), the Doctor Angelicus
Saint Angela Merici
The founder of the Ursulines consecrated her life to educating girls to follow the ways of God. In the Rule, she wrote her prayer to the Lord that her will may conform to His will
Saints Timothy and Titus
The Church commemorates on the same day the holy Bishops Timothy and Titus, favourite disciples of Saint Paul and recipients of three "pastoral" letters
Conversion of Saint Paul
The feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul reminds us of the fruits produced by the acceptance of grace, capable of radically transforming one of the most active persecutors of the early Church into the greatest announcer of the Gospel to the Gentiles.
Saint Francis de Sales
An inspired writer, preacher, spiritual guide for several saints, Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622) combined gentleness with an enthusiasm for truth, as Pius XI recalled in the encyclical Rerum Omnium Perturbationem of 1923, for the benefit of "those Catholics who as journalists and writers expound, spread, and defend the doctrines of the Church."
Saint Ildephonsus
He is renowned for a number of writings, which famously include a valuable treatise on the perpetual virginity of Mary
Saint Vincent Martyr
Vincent went to heaven on January 22nd, 304 (or 305). He is considered the first martyr in Valencia, a city which, according to Lorenzo Riber, was then little evangelised and highly pagan.
