St. Isidore was a Spanish day laborer who was born in 1070 and died in 1130. He learned the importance of a life of prayer and growing in the virtues despite lacking formal education and spent his life as a tenant farmer.
Born in Bolsward, Netherlands, Titus entered the Carmelites and was ordained in 1905. After earning a doctorate in philosophy in Rome, Titus taught in Dutch universities and lectured on Carmelite spirituality and mysticism. He served as rector at the Catholic University of
Joachim and Anne are mentioned as the parents of Mary in the apocryphal Gospel of James. Born in Bethlehem, Anne married Joachim and although they had wealth and led a devout life, they were left childless. Joachim retreated to the desert to
The son of Zebedee and Salome, St. James fished for a living with his brother, John, in Galilee. Jesus called them to leave their livelihood and to follow him. Jesus nicknamed James and John “the sons of thunder.” James was with Peter
Bridget was born in 1303, the daughter of the governor of Uppland, Sweden, and his second wife. Bridget's mother died when she was 12, and she was raised by an aunt. From a young age, she began receiving private visions and revelations.
St. Mary Magdalene Mary Magdalene was a devoted follower of Jesus during his earthly ministry and was a model of penitence. She is believed to have come from Magdala, a town on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, near Tiberias.
Lawrence was born Caesare de Rossi in Brindisi, a kingdom of Naples. Taking the name Lawrence, he became a Franciscan at age 16. Educated at the University of Padua, he began preaching and became a superior in the order. Alongside Blessed Benedict
Camillus was born in Italy in 1550. At age 16, he joined his father in the Venetian army and fought in a war against the Turks. After his military service ended, Camillus gambled away all his property. He became a laborer at
Born in Italy in 1221, Bonaventure was reported to have been cured of a serious illness through the intercession of St. Francis of Assisi. He became a Franciscan and after making his vows, went to Paris to complete his studies. He received
Born in 1656, the daughter of a Mohawk chief and Algonquin woman, young Kateri was orphaned due to a smallpox epidemic. The disease left her partially blind and disfigured. Adopted by her uncle, she refused marriage offers and converted to Christianity. Baptized
Born in Germany, Henry was the son of Henry, Duke of Bavaria, and of Gisella, daughter of Conrad, King of Burgundy. Henry became duke after his father died, and then emperor in 1002 when his cousin, Otto III, died. In 1014, he