Hilary was raised as a pagan but converted to Christianity. He was elected bishop of Limonum (modern Poitiers) around 353, and shortly afterward, he emerged as the main defender of orthodoxy in the West against the Arians. Condemned for his stand by
Born in Troyes, France, Marguerite had a special devotion to Our Lady. She was turned away by several religious communities, but after meeting the founder of what is now Montreal, Canada, she traveled there to open a new school. She helped teach
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. Jesus’ baptism is described in all four Gospels and it marks the beginning of his public ministry. We know that —
Born in Spain, Raymond was already an accomplished academic and preacher when he joined the Dominicans in 1222. He authored for the order the influential manual on canon law for confessors, the Summa de Casibus Poenitentiae. Called to Rome as papal confessor
The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord commemorates the visit of the Magi to worship the baby Jesus as told in the Gospel of Matthew. According to Matthew's Gospel, the Magi offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the newborn
Born in Canada in 1845, André moved to the United States, where he worked as a laborer for several years. Returning to Canada, he joined the Congregation of the Holy Cross and took his final vows in 1874. Known as Brother Andre,
Born in Bohemia, Neumann studied at the University of Prague, became a noted scholar and entered religious life. He traveled to New York, where he spent several years doing missionary work. In 1842, he joined the Redemptorist order, and 10 years later,
Born in New York, St. Elizabeth Seton was raised Episcopalian. She married William Magee Seton and the couple had five children. William died of tuberculosis in 1803. During this time, Elizabeth was drawn to the Catholic faith and entered the Church in
On January 3, we observe the feast of the Holy Name of Jesus. St. Paul tells us in his Letter to the Philippians, “at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the
Born to a saintly family in Caesarea, Basil studied rhetoric in Constantinople and Athens. He was baptized with his friend, St. Gregory Nazianzen, and was ordained around 365. After being chosen as bishop of Caesarea, he championed the faith at the Council