Happy Feast Day Saint Cecilia 2nd century Feast Day: November 22 Patronage: Church music, great musicians, poets, France Cecilia’s parents arranged for her to be married to Valerian of Trastevere. Because she was focused above, she is said to have interiorly sung to Jesus while her wedding music was playing. This marked the beginning of
Happy Feast Day Saint John Licci 1400-1511 Feast Day: November 14 Patronage: head injuries, Caccamo, Italy Saint John Licci is the longest living saint, living to 111 years old. His life was one of miracles and good works. He was saying the daily office at 10 years old and at 15 he entered the Dominicans
Happy Feast Day Saint Raphael the Archangel Feast Day: September 29 Patronage: blind people, bodily ills, druggists, guardian angel, happy meetings, insanity, lovers, mental illness, nurses, pharmacists, physicians Raphael, meaning “God has healed”, is one of the seven archangels. Powerful in healing both humans and animals, he is called upon by doctors and therapists to
Happy Feast Day Saint Christopher Died: 251 Feast day: July 25 Patronage: Bachelors, transportation, traveling, storms St. Christopher, whose name, means “Christ-bearer” is venerated as a martyr. His most famous legend, tells that he carried a child, who was unknown to him, across a river before the child revealed himself as Christ. Therefore he is
Happy Feast Day Saint Boniface 675-754 Feast Day: June 5 Patronage: Brewers, Fulda, Germany, World Youth Day Saint Boniface was an English Benedictine monk known as the “Apostle of Germany” for evangelizing and reforming the Germanic church. He was a respected scholar, teacher, and priest, (then bishop) that was called to be a missionary. To
Happy Feast Day Saint Charles Lwanga 1860-1886 Feastday: June 3 Patronage: youth, converts, torture victims, Catholic action Saint Charles Lwanga is one of the martyrs of Uganda, killed during King Mwanga’s reign. In 1879, the White Fathers (Society of Missionaries of Africa) welcomed by Mwanga’s father, came and started to evangelize Uganda. Mwanga, violent and
Happy Feast Day Saint Clotilde 474-545 Feast Day: June 3 Patronage: brides, adopted children, parents, exiles, widows, skin disease Saint Clotilde was married to King Clovis who ruled the Franks and was instrumental in the King’s conversion. She is credited with bringing Christianity to Europe. Queen Clotilde was known for her charitable and penitential works
Happy Feast Day Saint Joan of Arc 1412-1431 Feast day: May 30 Patronage: France; martyrs; captives; military personnel; people ridiculed for their piety; prisoners; soldiers Joan of Arc, a national heroine of France, was born in 1412 during the Hundred Years War. At age 12 she began receiving visions of Saint Michael, as well as
Happy Feast Day Saint Melangell Died: c. 590 Feast Day: May 27 Patronage: hares, rabbits, small animals, and the natural environment Saint Melangell was a Welsh virgin who pursued a solitude life of prayer as a hermit. Legend has it that a Scottish prince of Powys was hunting with his dogs in hot pursuit of
Happy Feast Day Saint Rita of Cascia 1381-1457 Feast Day: May 22 Patronage: lost and impossible causes, sickness, wounds, marital problems, abuse, mothers, infertility St. Rita was married at an early age to a man described as cruel and harsh. They had two sons. After her husband was killed and both sons died, she entered
Happy Feast Day Saint Paschal Baylon 1540-1592 Feast day: May 17 Patronage: Eucharistic congresses and associations, shepherds Saint Paschal was a Franciscan lay brother, mystic, and contemplative. Born on the feast of Pentecost to poor Spanish parents, he lived the vow of poverty his whole life. He had a great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament,
Happy Feast Day Saint Florian 250-304 Feast Day: May 4 Patronage: firemen, brewers, chimney-sweeps, protector from fires, floods, battles, drowning victims, Poland, Austria Saint Florian was a Roman officer, martyred during Diocletian’s reign. He was scourged, flayed, set on fire, and finally thrown in a river with a milestone. Many miracles are attributed to him;
Happy Feast Day Saint Peregrine Laziosi 1260-1345 Feast day: May 1 Patronage: Cancer and AIDS victims The youthful Italian St. Peregrine was so politically opposed to the papacy, that he struck St. Philip Benizi, who was trying to preach reconciliation. Being forgiven by the saint, he dramatically converted. Saint Peregrine eventually joined the Servants of
Happy Feast Day Saint Peter Chanel 1803-1841 Feast Day: April 28 Patronage: Oceania Saint Peter Chanel was born in France and ended his life as the protomartyr of Oceania. Peter was attracted to the missionary life and became a Marist priest and made the 10-month journey to Futuna Island in Oceania. With courage and patience,
Happy Feast Day St. Mark the Evangelist 1AD-68 Feast Day: April 25 Patronage: notaries, secretaries, pharmacists, lawyers, lions, prisoners, glaziers, Venice Saint Mark is one of the Gospel writers and a member of the tribe of Levi. He is believed to be “John Mark” in the Acts of the Apostles and the cousin of St.
Happy Feast Day Saint George Died: 303 Feast Day: April 23 Patronage: England, crusaders, soldiers Saint George was a Roman soldier of Greek Christian origin. He was a Praetorian guard for Diocletian who valued his service. When the Emperor ordered the soldiers to sacrifice to the gods, St. George refused, even after Diocletian offered him
Happy Feast Day Magnus Erlendsson 1080-1115 Feast Day: April 16 Patronage: Orkney Island Saint Magnus Erlendsson was a Scottish Viking convert known for his piety and gentleness. The rule of the Island of Orkney was divided between St. Magnus and his cousin Haakon, which ended in enmity and the death of Magnus. As Magnus was
Happy Feast Day Saint Gemma Galgani 1878-1903 Feast day: April 11 Patronage: students, pharmacists, tuberculosis patients, love, hope, spinal injury Throughout her life, Gemma was to be favored with many mystical experiences and special graces. She wished to become a nun, but her poor health prevented her from being accepted. On June 8, 1899, Gemma
Happy Feast Day Saint Vincent Ferrer 1357-1419 Feast day: April 5 Patronage: builders, reconciliation, aid in storms, orphanages Saint Vincent Ferrer was a Spanish Dominican during the Great Schism of the Church. He was a brilliant theologian and preacher, who preached throughout Europe. Because of his fiery sermons, with accompanying miracles, he is called the
Happy Feast Day Saint Benjamin 329-424 Feast day: March 31 Patronage: Preachers, Evangelist Saint Benjamin was a deacon and martyr in Persia. He was imprisoned a year for his faith (because of the indiscretion of a Christian Bishop who destroyed the pagan Temple of Fire, which started a 40-year persecution of Christians). He was released
Happy Feast Day Saint Joseph, Terror of Demons Feast day: March 19 Patronage: The Catholic Church, unborn children, fathers, purity, immigrants, workers, against doubt and hesitation, and of a happy death Saint Joseph is invoked by many titles including Terror of Demons. Venerable Mary of Agreda writes in Mystical City of God that when we
Happy Feast Day Saint Patrick 390 – 460 Feast Day: March 17 Patronage: Ireland, engineers, paralegals. Invoked against snakes, sins, and witchcraft. Patrick was born in Scotland. As a boy of fourteen or so, he was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to tend sheep. During his captivity, he
Happy Feast Day Saint Matilda 895-968 Feast day: March 14 Patronage: large families, disappointing children, falsely accused people, death of children, people ridiculed for their piety, second marriages, widows, queens Saint Matilda was the daughter of royalty, raised by her grandmother in a convent and married Henry the Fowler, who eventually became king. She was
Happy Feast Day Saint Colette 1381-1447 Feast day: March 6 Patronage: Women seeking to conceive, expectant mothers and sick children Saint Colette, born Nicole Boellet (or Boylet), was a French abbess and the foundress of the Colettine Poor Clares, a reform branch of the Order of Saint Clare, better known as the Poor Clares. Due
Happy Feast Day Saint David of Wales 500-589 Feast day: March 1 Patronage: Wales, poets, and vegetarians Saint David was a bishop who engaged in missionary work and founded monasteries in Wales. He and his monks practiced asceticism, silence and were vegetarians. In 550, he was elected Primate because of his defense of the faith,
Happy Feast Day Saint Anne Line 1567 – 1601 Feast day: February 27 Patronage: converts, widows, childless people Saint Anne Higham/Line was one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. After losing her husband she became very active in sheltering Catholic priests. Finally arrested she was condemned to death and executed during the reign
Happy Feast Day Saint Valentine Died: 269 Feast day: February 14 Patronage: love, youth, happy marriages Saint Valentine of Rome was a bishop and martyr of the early church. Not much is known about him, except that his relics were found in the catacombs and an ancient church was dedicated to him. Tradition has it
Happy Feast Day Saint Abigail 5th-6th C. Feast Day: February 11 Patronage: honeybees, beekeepers health, and fertility Saint Abigail was a Medieval Irish saint, also known as Gobnait (Irish for Abigail which means brings joy) or Deborah (meaning honeybee). She had a special relationship with bees and would care for the sick with honey and
Happy Feast Day Saint Scholastica 480 – 542 Feast Day: February 10 Patronage: convulsive children, nuns, invoked against storms and rain Scholastica, born in Italy, was the twin sister of Benedict of Nursia. Scholastica was dedicated to God from a young age. The most commonly told story about her is that she would, once a
Happy Feast Day Saint Apollonia Died: 249 Feast Day: February 9 Patronage: dentists, tooth problems St. Apollonia, an early Church martyr, is the patron of dentists and toothaches. A Christian persecution in 249, led many to their death. St. Apollonia would not renounce her faith and was beaten, having all her teeth knocked out. Her
Happy Feast Day Saint Paul Miki 1562 – 1597 Feast Day: February 6 Patronage: Japan Paul Miki was born at Tounucumada, Japan, into a wealthy Japanese family. He was educated at the Jesuit college, joined the Jesuits in 1580, and became known for his eloquent preaching, gaining numerous converts to Catholicism. He was crucified on
Happy Feast Day Saint Dorothy Died 311 Feast Day: February 6 Patronage: horticulture; brewers; brides; florists; gardeners; midwives; newlyweds; love Saint Dorothy lived in Caesarea (Turkey) during the Diocletian persecution of Christians. Legend has it, that she was ordered to sacrifice to the pagan gods and refused. On the way to her execution, a young
Happy Feast Day Saint Agatha 231 – 251 Feast Day: February 5 Patronage: Sicily, breast cancer, bakers, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, wet nurses, natural disasters Saint Agatha was born into an important Sicilian family and from an early age dedicated herself to Christ as a virgin. Legend has it that one suitor, Quintian, after being rejected,
Happy Feast Day Saint John Bosco 1815-1888 Feast day: January 31 Patronage: Christian apprentices, editors, publishers, schoolchildren, young people, magicians, magic tricks John Bosco, also known as Don Bosco, was an Italian Roman Catholic priest who dedicated his life to the betterment and education of street children, juvenile delinquents, and other disadvantaged youth, employing teaching
Happy Feast Day Saint Paula of Rome 347-404 Feast Day: January 26 Patronage: Monks, Nuns, Widows Saint Paula of Rome was an intelligent and educated wife and mother in a happy marriage. After her husband died, she embraced the faith and lived an austere life. She was a beloved friend and assistant of St. Jerome.
Happy Feast Day Saint Dwynwen Died c.460 Feast Day: January 25 Patronage: lovers, sick animals, Welsh St.Valentine Daughter of Welsh king Brychan Brycheiniog, Saint Dwynwen fell in reciprocal love with a young man named Maelon, ultimately rejecting him for her deep desire to join the religious life. In a dream, she was given a drink
Happy Feast Day Saint Sebastian 256 -.288 Feast Day: January 20 Patronage: Soldiers, archers, holy Christian death, athletes, plague stricken people Sebastian was a brave Roman soldier who secretly converted many to Christianity in the 3rd century. He was ordered executed and was shot at with arrows and left for dead; a widow discovered him
Happy Feast Day Saint John Neumann 1811-1860 Feast day: January 5 Patronage: Catholic Education St. John Neumann was the first canonized male saint of the United States. He is proclaimed the model and patron for all the faithful. He introduced the Forty Hours devotion and laid the foundation for the Catholic school system in this
Happy Feast Day Saint Nicholas 270 – 343 Feast Day: December 6 Patronage: Children, sailors, fishermen, merchants, broadcasters, the falsely accused, prostitutes, repentant thieves Known for his secret generosity, Nicholas would do things such as leaving coins in the shoe people left outside. He would thus serve as the prototype for the character Santa Claus.
Happy Feast Day Saint Barbara 3rd Century Feast Day: December 4 Patronage: prisoners, architects, artillerymen Saint Barbara, a 4th century Christian so angered her pagan father by her will to remain a virgin, that he forced her to live in a locked tower. The solitude gave her the ability to pray, study and convert to
Happy Feast Day St. John Licci 1400-1511 Feast Day: November 14 Patronage: Head injuries, Caccamo, Italy Saint John Licci is the longest living saint, living to 111 years old. His life was one of miracles and good works. He was saying the daily office at 10 years old and at 15 he entered the Dominicans,
Happy Feast Day Saint Winifred 600-660 Feast Day: November 3 Patronage: Virgins, from unwanted advances, incest victims, martyrs, Holywell, Wales, Gwytherin, Wales, Shrewsbury, England Saint Winifred was from a wealthy Welsh family. Legend has it that she was beheaded by a rejected suitor, Prince Caradog. Winifred’s uncle, Saint Beuno, miraculously restored her head and life.
Happy Feast Day Saint Hubert 656-658 Feast day: November 3 Patronage: hunters, mathematicians, opticians, metalworkers Saint Hubert or Hubertus was passionately devoted to hunting. While chasing a stag on a Good Friday morning, he received a vision of a crucifix between the animal’s antlers. A voice warned him,“Hubert, unless you turn to the Lord, and
Happy Feast Day Saint Denis Died around 270 Feast Day: October 9 Patronage; France, against headaches, frenzy and possessed people. Saint Denis, bishop, and martyr, is the patron of France and one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. He was beheaded together with his two deacons in connection with the Decian persecution of Christians. After his
Venerable Henriette DeLille Servant of Slaves 1812-1862 Patronage: Racial justice Henriette Delille was born, a “free woman of color” in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1812. Her father was a white man of French descent. Henriette founded the Sisters of the Holy Family, a Black religious congregation, to… More Source All content is property of the
Happy Feast Day Saint John Eudes 1601-1680 Feast day: August 19 Patronage: fallen women and prostitutes, Diocese of Quebec and Baie-Comeau Saint John Eudes was born in Normandy, France to a farming family. He was ordained a priest in 1625 and was an eloquent preacher and confessor. Seeing a need to improve seminarian formation, he
Happy Feast Day Saint Helen 246 – 330 Feast Day: August 18 Patronage: archaeologists, converts, difficult marriages, divorced people, empresses St. Helena also was known as St. Helen, Helena Augusta or Helena of Constantinople was the consort of Emperor Constantius and the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great. She is traditionally credited with finding the
Happy Feast Day Saint Roch 1295-1327 Feast day: August 16 Patronage: dogs, invalids, skin rashes, invoked against the plague and pestilence Saint Roch was a French noble, orphaned at 20. Legend claims that he had a red cross birthmark on his chest. He gave all his possessions away and made a pilgrimage to Rome, where
Happy Feast Day Saint Tarcisius 3rd Century Feast Day: August 15 Patronage: Altar Servers and First Holy Communicants St.Tarcisius is said to have been about 12 years old when he was beaten to death by a mob rather than deliver to them the Blessed Sacrament, which he was carrying to prisoners awaiting martyrdom under Valerian.
Happy Feast Day Saint Philomena 291 – 304 Feast Day: August 11 Patronage: children, youth, babies, priests, lost causes, sterility, virgins St. Philomena's remains were discovered in the catacombs in 1802. Her relics were eventually enshrined in Mugnano, Italy, where healing miracles immediately began to take place, and overnight she became one of the most
Daily Readings
- Wednesday of the First Week of Advent December 1, 2021Reading I Is 25:6-10a On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples A feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines. On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, The web that is woven over all nations; […]
Hail M
ary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.
