Veronica (her birth name was Ursula) was a Capuchin Poor Clares nun known for her spiritual and mystical gifts. She was born near Milan, Italy and entered the convent when she was just 17 years old. It was then that she took the name Veronica in remembrance of Christ’s Passion, a name that would end up having particular significance in her life. Veronica was a very practical woman and led her sisters with common sense. As novice mistress, a position... Read more
Killian was an Irish monk. He was made bishop and then went to Rome with eleven companions. From there, he received permission from Pope Conon to evangelize Franconia (modern-day Germany). He was very successful! That is, until he converted a duke. Killian had converted the Duke of Würzburg, Gozbert, who had married his brother’s widow Geilana. Killian told Gozbert that his marriage was not in line with the precepts of the Church (details on why are fuzzy) and so Gozbert... Read more
Felix was a bit of an oddity as far as priests go– he was married! Unexpectedly, at the age of thirty-seven, he was made bishop of Nantes, France. When this happened, Felix’s wife decided to become a nun. Felix then sold his inheritance on behalf of the poor and took his position. While Bishop of Nantes, he had a cathedral erected there; a project started by his predecessor. The improvements he made to the town were recorded in poems by... Read more
Dominica is another Christian who lived during the early days of Emperor Diocletian’s reign and persecution of Christians. She was born in Campania, Italy in 287AD and was just a girl of 13 when she was martyred. Dominica smashed pagan idols and the emperor’s men then arrested her. She was thrown to wild beasts but the beasts wouldn’t touch her! After this went on for a time, Dominica was beheaded. Though she was born in Italy, she was martyred in... Read more
Brian Fraga of On the Catholic Beat writes today: “We see God’s truth, goodness and beauty not only in natural wonders, but in human beings who fulfill their potential, who become the people God made them to be. By answering the Lord’s call in their lives and cooperating with His grace, every Christian can inspire others and set the world around them on fire, to borrow a favorite phrase of St. Catherine of Sienna’s. Of course, God’s greatness is not only reflected... Read more
This is not the St. Zoe I took as my Confirmation saint (and from where I get the name Zoe) but she’s cool even still! When her feast day comes around, you can be sure I’ll tell you about St. Zoe of Pamphilia and why I chose her over this Zoe. Until then, onward! St. Zoe of Rome lived during the early stages of Emperor Diocletian’s persecution of Christians, around the 280s AD. She was a noble woman in the... Read more
Elizabeth was a Spanish princess who married King Denis of Portugal at the age of twelve (this wasn’t uncommon in the Middle Ages). She was beautiful, lovable, very devout, and went to Mass everyday. King Denis was a good ruler of the people, but he didn’t imitate Elizabeth’s love of prayer and virtue. This caused her great suffering as it was hard to rule alongside him and live in union with him. In fact, his sins of impurity even scandalized... Read more
Good ol’ doubting Thomas. That’s what he’s most famous for, doubting the other apostles when they said Christ had risen and then seeing Christ and placing his fingers in the wounds of Christ and believing. It was also he who, at the Last Supper, pleaded with Christ that they did not know the way to the place Christ was making for them and Christ responded that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. It seems that Thomas spent... Read more
Blessed Eugenia was a French nun. She was born in 1876 to a devout family and she was the fourth of eight children. At the age of 12, Eugenia received her First Holy Communion. In 1895, she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of the Heart of Jesus, and two years later obtained her religious vows. She taught catechism to children, first in Aubervilliers, near Paris, then in Saint Denis, where she exercised her novitiate. In 1902, Eugenia... Read more
Junipero Serra was a Franciscan missionary. He took over the Jesuit missions in Mexico when the Jesuits were expelled and then established nine missions in California before he died. That number eventually grew to 21. Junipero spoke against cruelties by the Spanish government and begged for mercy on the Natives. He also always looked for similarities between the Natives and Catholics, rather than pointing out differences, and tried to learn the native languages. St. Junipero devoted himself to Our Lady... Read more
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