Aug. 13 Patron of altar servers The patron saint of altar servers, John wanted to be a priest from boyhood, when he might serve at five Masses a day in his native Flanders, now in Belgium. This son of a shoemaker began priestly studies with the Jesuits at 17. Drawn to simple devotions like praying…
July 30 Capuchin priest, healer and porter Blessed Solanus Casey (1870-1957) – born Bernard Francis Casey – was an American Roman Catholic priest and a professed member of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. He was known during his lifetime as a wonderworker, for his great faith, and for his abilities as a spiritual counselor,…
Holy Roman Emperor, patron of the Benedictine Oblates Henry succeeded his father as duke of Bavaria in 975, was elected king of Germany in 1002, and was crowned holy Roman emperor by the pope in 1014. His chief concerns were consolidation the power of the German monarchy and reforming and reorganizing the Church. He founded…
June 29 Apostles These apostles share a feast as founders of the church in Rome. Peter, a Galilean fisherman chosen by Christ as one of the Twelve Apostles, became the undisputed leader of the fledgling church after Pentecost. Paul, a Pharisee and Roman citizen who had persecuted Christians, became after his dramatic conversion the church’s…
June 26 Patron of Opus Dei Born in Barbastro, Spain, Josemaria was ordained a priest in 1925. In 1928, he founded Opus Dei, Latin for “God’s work,” as an apostolate in the ordinary circumstances of life, especially work, focusing on the universal call to holiness. It includes laypeople, priests and seminarians. Msgr. Escriva died in…
In the conclusion of his letter, Archbishop Vigneron asks local Catholics to call on our “heavenly partners” in prayer for the new evangelization. For the duration of this section, our “Know Your Saints” column will be known as “Prayer Partners.” St. Boniface was very bold in his faith, and was well known for being very…
