Events Calendar

St. Maria Goretti (1890-1902) Martyr for chastity.  Maria was born in Corinaldo, Italy to a family of poor tenant farmers.  Unable to go to school, Maria never learned to read or write.  Shortly after moving to Ferriere di Conca at the age of ten, Maria’s father contracted malaria and died.  This left the poor family in even greater poverty.  Alessandro, a farm hand of 18, sought to seduce Maria and force himself upon her.  However, Maria, just shy of twelve,…

 St. Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions (17th-20th Centuries) Holy Martyrs of China.  Today 120 men, women, and children are honoured for giving of their lives as witnesses to the Catholic faith.  While at times the Christians mission was well received in China, other times it was met with great persecution.  Great care needed to be taken in the work of mission to inculturate the Gospel with ancient Chinese culture.  However, Christianity was still feared at times as a form of…

Sts. Louis (1823-1894)  and Zélie (1831-1877) Martin Together, a saintly couple.  Both Louis and Zélie were born to military families.  By trade, Louis was a watchmaker and Zélie was a lace-maker.  Both had attempted to enter religious life, but were not accepted.  They met in Zélie’s hometown of Alencon, and were married at midnight on July 13, 1858.  Nine children were born to this couple.  However, there was a three-year span where they experienced the death of four of their…

St. Bonaventure (c. 1217-1274) Seraphic Doctor and Second Founder of the Franciscan Order.  Bonaventure was born in Bagnoregio, Italy.  He received the name “Bonaventure” from St. Francis of Assisi, who healed him of a serious illness when he was a child.  Bonaventure studied at the University of  Paris.  Joining the Francisan Order, Bonaventure continued at the University of Paris as a professor of Theology and Sacred Scripture.  In 1257, Bonaventure was chosen as Minister General of the Franciscan Order.  As…

St. Mary Magdalene Apostle to the Apostles.  Mary Magdalene was a disciple of Jesus who accompanied Him and the Twelve on their journeys, providing for them out of her means.   Our Lord had cast seven demons out of her (Luke 8:1-3; Matthew 27:55; Mark 15:41, 16:9).  Along with our Lady and St. John, Mary Magdalene stood by our Lord during His Crucifixion (John 19:25; Matthew 27:55-56; Mark 15:40).  After our Lord was taken down from the Cross, Mary Magdalene…

St. Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373) Mystical visionary.  Bridget was happily married to the nobleman Ulf Gudmarsson for twenty eight years, and they had eight children together.  She served in the Swedeish royal courts as lady-in-waiting to Queen Blanche of Namur.  In her role in the courts, she sought the moral reform of King Magnus II and Queen Blanche.  Upon the death of her husband, Bridget joined the Third Order of St. Francis and devoted herself to a life of penance…

St. Anne and St. Joachim Grandparents of Jesus.  The story of Saints Joachim and Anne is recorded in the Protoevangelium of St. James.  We read here about how Joachim and Anne were a barren couple.  They mourned their barrenness, and the Lord granted them a child: Mary.  When Mary was but three years old, they dedicated Mary to the Lord, to serve Him in the Temple.  St. Anne is often invoked as a patron for ladies seeking a husband.  In…

St. Martha, St. Mary, and St. Lazarus Friends of Jesus.  These siblings resided in the town of Bethany, not far from Jerusalem.  In the tenth chapter of the Gospel of St. Luke, we hear about one of Jesus’ visits to the household of these siblings.  We hear about how Martha busied herself with matters of serving and hospitality, but was distracted; while Mary was occupied in listening to the Lord.  They are also mentioned in the Gospel of St. John. …

St. John Vianney (1786-1859) Patron of Parish Priests.  John was born to a peasant family in Dardilly, France.  His childhood years were marked by the French Revolution, and the upheavals and persecution of the Church at this time.  Twice as a young man, John was drafted into the Napoleon army, but was prevented by circumstances from actually going to war.  John struggled greatly with his studies for the priesthood, accomplishing these only by the assistance of a private tutor.  Once…

 Bl. Frédéric Janssoone (1838-1916) God’s Peddlar.  Frédéric was born in Ghyvelde, France to a well-to-do farming family.  At the age of nine, his father died.  Frédéric excelled in school, and he came to pursue studies towards the priesthood.  However, Frédéric suspended this pursuit to financially assist his mother.  Frédéric became a rather successful travelling salesman.  Upon the death of his mother in 1861, Frédéric returned to his priestly formation and was ordained a priest with Order of Friars Minor (i.e.…