Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist
The last and greatest of the prophets was beheaded by a guard of Herod. As soon as they heard the news, John's disciples “came, and took up the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus”
Saint Augustine
One of the greatest geniuses in the history of thought, the ecclesiastical writer most quoted in the Catechism, the man of faith capable of attracting an innumerable number of people to Christ, one of the first four Doctors of the Church, would have been like a pile of talents thrown to the wind had he not agreed to accept the Grace of God.
Saint Monica
Saint Monica (331-387), that exemplary model of bride and mother, powerfully reminds us of the meaning of our life down here: the conquest of eternal salvation, towards which she guided her loved ones with immeasurable love. She was in fact instrumental in the conversion of both her husband and her most famous son, St Augustine.
Saint Alexander
The patron saint of Bergamo, Saint Alexander († c. 303), is traditionally considered the standard bearer of the Theban Legion and one of several Christian soldiers who suffered martyrdom during the persecutions of Diocletian and Maximian.
Saint Louis (Louis IX)
Louis IX (1214-1270) was canonized in 1297. He was called by his contemporaries “the devout king” and went down in history as a just sovereign who was able to promote the artistic, cultural and economic development of France.
Saint Bartholomew
The Church commemorates with a liturgical feast the Apostle Saint Bartholomew. That man who at first sight seems harsh would receive from Our Lord one of the greatest praises conveyed by the Gospel texts: “Behold indeed an Israelite in whom there is no falsehood”.
Saint Rose of Lima
Saint Rose of Lima (1586-1617), a mystic blessed with countless heavenly gifts, offered her whole life in oblation to God for the salvation of souls and the conversion of the peoples of the New World.
Mary Queen
“At your right is seated the Queen, shining with gold and gems”. The liturgical re-enactment of Psalm 44 reminds us that the Church today celebrates Mary Queen. The celebration falls in the octave of the Assumption, to underline the very close link between these two glorious mysteries meditated on in the Holy Rosary.
Saint Pius X
“Restoring everything in Christ” was the inspiring principle of the 11 years of the pontificate of Saint Pius X (1835-1914), the Pope of humble origins who was able to analyse lucidly and condemn the errors of Modernism. He recognized its evil roots and prophesied that it would lead to an atheistic society.
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
In 1112 the Cistercian Order was in serious danger of disappearing. But on Easter morning of that year a charismatic twenty-two year old, later known as Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (c. 1090-1153), with thirty companions, asked to be allowed to wear the Cistercian habit . Their entry was like an overabundance of grace that revitalized the Order.
Saint John Eudes
The great precursor of the liturgical cult of the Sacred Hearts, Saint John Eudes (1601-1680), was one of the protagonists of the Catholic Restoration during the 17th century in France, a century in which the nation experienced an exceptional flowering of holiness.
Saint Helena
She was the mother of the emperor Constantine and the woman rich in faith who found the True Cross.
