Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
The Lateran Basilica is the oldest in the West and above all, being the cathedral of Rome, the most important in all Christianity. This is evident from the title with which it is honoured and that sums up the reason for its commemoration today: Omnium Urbis et Orbis Ecclesiarum Mater et Caput, Mother and Head of all the Churches of Rome and the World.
Four Crowned Saints
Mindful of the example of St Peter and the apostles before the synedrium, they knew they had to obey God rather than men, beginning with the exercise of their profession. Thus it was that the stonemasons Simphorianus, Claudius, Nicostratus and Castorius, known as the Four Crowned Saints (†304), suffered martyrdom during Diocletian's persecutions.
Saint Vincenzo Grossi
This priest became a saint by carrying out his ministry in faithfulness to God, whom he served in his daily life. He spent hours in the confessional, educating consciences in the Christian virtues and nourished himself with prayer, penance and contemplation of the Blessed Sacrament.
Saint Leonard of Noblac
Very popular in the Middle Ages and especially in Central Europe, Saint Leonard of Noblac or Noblat († c. 559) was born into a family of noble Franks. He was baptised on Christmas Eve 496 by St Remigius, then Archbishop of Reims, with King Clovis as godfather.
Saint Guido Maria Conforti
Reading about the life of Saint Guido Maria Conforti (1865-1931) makes us long for pastors like him. The founder of the Xaverians never ceased to encourage the evangelisation of non-Christians in the world.
Saint Charles Borromeo
Few people have managed to work tirelessly for the common good and to make an impact on their century and beyond as St. Charles Borromeo (1538-1584). He was rightly called “a second Ambrose” and is considered one of the most shining examples of holiness that animated the Catholic Reformation.
Saint Martin de Porres
There are many supernatural gifts with which God adorned the humble soul of Martin de Porres (1579-1639), a great Peruvian saint who did not have an easy childhood. He was born of a Panamanian servant girl of African origin and a Spanish aristocrat.
Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed
Custodian of Divine Revelation and herald of the Risen Christ, the Church today commemorates all the faithful who have died, i.e. those who died in the grace of God. On their behalf we are called to offer good works. For 2020-2021, the possibility to gain plenary indulgence for a soul in Purgator has been extended to the entire month of November.
All Saints
Today the Church celebrates the solemnity of All Saints, including those not canonised and whose names we do not know, “united in Christ in glory”, as the Roman Martyrology recalls.
Saint María de la Purísima of the Cross
Among contemporary saints only John Paul II was canonised faster than María de la Purísima of the Cross (1926-1998), born Maria Isabel Salvat Romero, canonised on 18 October 2015 by Pope Francis.
Saint Germanus of Capua
The doctrine and wisdom acknowledged to St Germanus of Capua († 540/541), friend of St Benedict, were important in settling a schism with the East that had lasted for 35 years. Before being chosen for this mission, Germanus had demonstrated that he was a man totally focused on God.
Saint Gaetano Errico
“God loves you, when will I see you?”, said St. Gaetano Errico (1791-1860), founder of the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, to the people he met in the streets of Secondigliano (Naples).
