Saint of the Day

Pope St. Gregory VII Feast date: May 25 On May 25 the Catholic Church celebrates Pope St. Gregory VII, who sought to reform the Church and secure its freedom against the intrusion of civil rulers during his 11th century pontificate. Born in the Italian region of Tuscany sometime between 1020 and 1025, the future Pope … Read morePope St. Gregory VII

St. Bede the Venerable Feast date: May 25 The Catholic Church will celebrate the feast of St. Bede on May 25. The English priest, monk, and scholar is sometimes known as “the Venerable Bede” for his combination of personal holiness and intellectual brilliance. Bede was born during 673 near the English town of Jarrow. His … Read moreSt. Bede the Venerable

St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi Feast date: May 25 On May 25, the Catholic Church celebrates Saint Mary Magdalene de Pazzi, an Italian noblewoman of the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries who became a Carmelite nun distinguished for her intense prayer life and devotion to frequent Holy Communion. In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI marked the … Read moreSt. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi

Sts. Donatian and Rogatian Feast date: May 24 Donatian and Rogatian were brothers who were martyred for their faith in the third century. Donatian was the first to convert to Christianity, becoming an ardent witness to the faith after receiving baptism.  His witness was said to be so inspiring that his brother, Rogatian, who had … Read moreSts. Donatian and Rogatian

St. Jane Antide Thouret Feast date: May 23 On May 23 the universal Church celebrates the feast day of St. Jane Antide (Jeanne-Antide) Thouret, a Sister of Charity who worked tirelessly for the faith amidst persecution during the French Revolution. Jane was born in Sancey, France, in 1765 to a poor family. Her mother died … Read moreSt. Jane Antide Thouret

St. Rita of Cascia Feast date: May 22 On May 22, the Church celebrates the feast day of St. Rita of Cascia, who the late John Paul II called “a disciple of the Crucified One” and an “expert in suffering.” Known in Spain as “La Santa de los impossibiles” (the saint of the impossible), St. … Read moreSt. Rita of Cascia

St. Christopher Magallanes and Companions Feast date: May 21 “Long live Christ the King and the Virgin of Guadalupe!” This was the slogan of the “Cristero” uprising in the 1920’s against the anti-Catholic government of Mexico which had instituted and enforced laws against the Church in an absurd attempt to eradicate the Catholic faith in … Read moreSt. Christopher Magallanes and Companions

St. Bernardine of Siena Feast date: May 20 The Catholic Church honors St. Bernardine of Siena on May 20. A Franciscan friar and preacher, St. Bernardine is known as “the Apostle of Italy” for his efforts to revive the country’s Catholic faith during the 15th century. Bernardine Albizeschi was born to upper-class parents in the … Read moreSt. Bernardine of Siena

Saint Celestine V, Pope Feast date: May 19 Celestine is a saint who will always be remembered for the unique manner in which he was elected Pope, for his spectacular incompetence in that office, and for the distinction of being the first pontiff ever to have resigned. Pietro di Murrone was born in born 1215 in … Read moreSaint Celestine V, Pope

St. John I, Pope Feast date: May 18 On May 18, the Catholic Church honors the first “Pope John” in its history. Saint John I was a martyr for the faith, imprisoned and starved to death by a heretical Germanic king during the sixth century. He was a friend of the renowned Christian philosopher Boethius, … Read moreSt. John I, Pope