Author: Editor

(Died 352 AD) For four months following the death of Pope St. Marcus in October 336, the see of Rome was vacant. Julius, a native of Rome, was elected to the post on Feb. 6, 337. Much of his pontificate was concerned with the situation of St. Athanasius, the bishop of Alexandria who for a […]

(1878-1903) Gemma was the first girl born to devout parents near Lucca in Tuscany. As a child she also adopted the devout faith that her beloved mother had imparted to her but, unfortunately the girl lost her mother when she was only eight years old. After her mother’s passing, Gemma’s father sent her to a […]

(1774-1835) Magdalene was born in Verona, Italy to a rich and noble family. Though born to wealth, her life was filled with misfortune, such as the death of her father, the departure of her mother, sickness and misunderstandings. At 17, she believed she was called to the life of the cloister and attempted to join […]

(c. 348–397) Little is known of Liborius’ life. He was a Gaul, influenced by Latin culture. He is said to have been bishop of Le Mans for 49 years, for which he built some churches. His missionary activity probably was limited to the Gaul of his time. He is said to have ordained, during 96 […]

(1751-1816) Marie Rose Julie Billiart was born in Cuvilly, France, into a family of well-to-do farmers. Early on she showed an early interest in religion and in helping the sick and poor. Julie had to take up manual work as a young teen when her family lost its money. She spent her spare time teaching […]

(1651-1719) John Baptist was the first-born child to wealthy parents in Reims, France. He received the tonsure at age 11 and became Canon of the Cathedral of Reims at 16. When his parents died, he assumed the responsibility of administering the family’s affairs, but managed to complete his theological studies and was ordained a priest […]

(1682-1744) Crescentia was the daughter of a poor weaver, in a little town near Augsburg, Germany. She had so mastered the truths of her religion that she was permitted to make her First Holy Communion at the then unusually early age of 7. In the town she was called “the little angel.” When she was older, she […]

(Died 304 AD) St. Irene was the sister of Sts. Agape and Chionia. They were martyred during the persecutions of the Christians by the Roman emperor Diocletian. They were found to have the Holy Scriptures in their possession. They were ordered to surrender the texts (which they had hidden) but said they would rather burn […]

(1526-1589) St Benedict the Black was the son of Negro slaves who were taken from Africa to San Fratello, Sicily, where they were converted to Christianity. They lived such exemplary lives and fulfilled their duties so thoroughly that their owner, in appreciation, granted freedom to their 18-year-old son Benedict. He continued to work as a […]