Born in Spain in 1807, Anthony was the son of a weaver. Initially, he pursued weaving as well, but he later decided to study for the priesthood with the aspiration of becoming a Jesuit. Ill health prevented him from entering the order,
Born in Capistrano, Italy, John studied law and married the daughter of a wealthy family. He was later appointed governor of Perugia.
After receiving a marriage dispensation, he entered the Franciscans and became a well-known preacher. He worked to reform the Franciscan orders
Karol Wojtyla was born in Wadowice, Poland, the son of a retired army lieutenant; his mother died when he was still young. Karol studied literature and was a gifted sportsman, poet, and performer in amateur theater. After his father's death, he chose
Born in 1694 at Ovada in Italy, Paolo Francesco Danell was the eldest son in a poor but noble family. He lived austerely even as a teen. After a year in the Venetian army, Paul returned to a life of prayer and
St. John de Brebeuf was born in Normandy in 1593. John entered the Jesuits and was ordained in 1622. Three years later, he volunteered for the missions in Quebec, Canada. For the next quarter of a century, with a brief interruption, he
St. Luke, one of the four Evangelists, is the author of the third Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. Luke is believed to have been a Greek Gentile from Antioch (modern Turkey) and was educated as a physician. In a passage
Born in Syria, Saint Ignatius was bishop of Antioch and a martyr of the early Church. Arrested by Roman authorities during the Trajan persecution, Ignatius was sent to Rome for execution. In the company of soldiers, he set out on the road
Born in France, Margaret Mary entered a Visitation convent in 1671. In visions, Christ told her that she was his instrument in spreading devotion to his Sacred Heart. Her superior and local theologians were unconvinced of the validity of her visions, but
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- St. Thérèse of Lisieux, long one of Pope Francis' favorite saints, teaches Christians "the little way" of love, self-giving, concern for others and complete trust in the mercy of God, the pope said in a new document. "At
Born at Ávila, In Castile, Spain, to a wealthy family, Teresa was educated in an Augustinian convent. Rejecting marriage, she entered the Carmelite order in 1536. During a long illness, she began to practice contemplative prayer, and she experienced mystical visions and