Andrew the Scot is the brother of St. Brigid, patroness of Ireland. He was born in the beginning of the ninth century to at least one noble parent (there are some accounts that Brigid’s mother was a slave while her father was a chieftain. Whether she and Andrew shared the same mother is ambiguous). Both Andrew the Scot and his sister Brigid studied under St. Donatus. While Andrew accompanied him to Italy on pilgrimage, Brigid did not. It was because... Read more
Pius X might be most well-known as the namesake of the Society of Saint Pius X, a semi-schismatic fraternity of priests (they currently have no canonical standing). The Vatican and the SSPX are currently at an impasse. It is unfortunate that this saint’s name is wound up in this mess, as he was an incredible person. Pius X was born as Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto on June 2, 1835 in Riesi, Italy (then part of the Austrian Empire). He was the... Read more
Bernard, what to say about him. My favorite thing about this great saint is that he composed my favorite prayer, the Memorare: Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the... Read more
Emily Bicchieri was born at Vercelli, Italy on May 3, 1238. She lost her mother while she was very young. Because of this, Emily put herself under the protection Mary, Mother of God. She had a great devotion to the Blessed Mother and truly communed with her as though she were her own mother. Emily refused her father’s plans for her to marry, as she was certain her vocation laid elsewhere. She successfully convinced her father to build a convent... Read more
Luis Alberto Hurtado Cruchaga Alberto Hurtado Cruchaga was born in Viña del Mar, Chile on January 22, 1901 to an aristocratic family. His father died when he was only four years old, his mother decided to sell their large estate. Unfortunately, she was defrauded. This impoverished their family, leading them to live with a string of relatives over the years. Now without money or a home, Alberto was forced to understand life in poverty. He was only able to attend... Read more
Jeanne Delanoue was born on June 18, 1666 in Anjoú, France to devoutly Catholic parents. She was the youngest of twelve children. Her father was a draper and her mother ran a religious goods shop that catered to pilgrims of a local shrine of Our Lady of Ardilier. Jeanne was described as a very selfish child which spilled over into her adult life for a time. Her mother died when Jeanne was only 25 and she took over the shop,... Read more
Ignatius of Loyola. He’s one of the big dogs. You probably know him as one of the founders of the Society of Jesus (aka the Jesuits). I know him as a kindred spirit. There is so much to say about Ignatius that this will be insufficient regardless. There’s lots of information on him and the Order he founded, and plenty on the spirituality he spurred, too. Ignatian Spirituality is a great resource for all of this! Of course, there are... Read more
Peter Chrysologus was a bishop and is a Doctor of the Church known as the “Doctor of Homilies” for his short but rich sermons. His name “Chrysologus” means “golden-worded” and was given this name by Empress Galla Placidia, who also patronized many of his projects. Peter Chrysologus was born in Imola, Italy in 380. He was made bishop of Ravenna in 433 and led his flock with extreme diligence and care. Interestingly, he was appointed over the candidate the people... Read more
Elton John’s song “Tiny Dancer” doesn’t seem like it would evoke anything Biblical or holy “Tiny Dancer” is, in fact, about lyricist Bernie Taupin’s first wife, who had actually been a ballerina as a child and was Elton John’s and the band’s seamstress. It’s been a favorite song of mine since childhood, when I first heard it featured in the movie (that may as well be a semi-biographical account of my life) My Girl 2. I often sing this song as... Read more
Martha Wang Luo Mande was born in 1812 in Zunji, China. She and her husband later lived in Qingyian and owned a small vegetable farm. Martha Wang and her husband were unable to have biological children. What a sorrow this was for them. I wonder if she felt as many of us who have trouble conceiving feel: Did she feel unworthy or defective? Did she feel abandoned by God? Did she feel subhuman? Was she able to see past the... Read more
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