Bishop of Alexandria and Doctor of the Church, St. Athanasius, who died in 373, is known as the Father of Orthodoxy for defending the true and equal divinity of the incarnate Son of God. A man with a sharp intellect but also
St. John Bosco was an Italian priest who lived in the 19th century and founded the Society of St. Francis de Sales (Salesians). He is known for his great faith and strong prayer life enabling him to find the means to educate
Born to a noble Italian family, St. Thomas Aquinas studied at the University of Naples. While there, he expressed a desire to join the Dominican Order. This was unacceptable to his family, and he was kidnapped by his brothers and imprisoned for
Born in Italy in 1474, Angela was orphaned at a young age so she, along with her sister, went to live with her uncles family. After her sister died suddenly, Angela became a Franciscan tertiary. She returned to her hometown of Disenzano
St. Timothy was a companion and one of the closest collaborators of St. Paul. Accompanying St. Paul on many of his missionary travels throughout the Gentile world, St. Timothy became one of his most trusted aides. He was assigned important tasks like
Saul, which is Paul’s given name, was born into a Jewish family in Tarsus (now Turkey). Schooled as a Pharisee, he was a tent maker by trade, but was most noted for his hatred of Christians. The first mention of Saul in
Born in France in 1567, Francis studied at Annecy, in Paris, and the University of Padua, receiving his doctorate in law at the age of twenty-four. He chose to enter religious life and was ordained in 1593. He spent four years reconverting
Born in Germany, Marianne moved to the United States with her family when she was 2. She entered the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis in New York in 1862. She served as teacher, then
principal at a school for immigrant
Born into Roman nobility, Agnes was raised in a Christian family. A beautiful young girl, she was sought after by many suitors who wanted her hand in marriage. She refused them all and instead dedicated her life to the Lord. The suitors,
According to legend, Sebastian was born in Gaul and educated in Milan. Sebastian served as an officer in the imperial guard under Diocletian. He made converts of officials and jailers, and urged Christian prisoners to stay strong in their faith. He distinguished
Born in Egypt, Anthony was 20 when his parents died. Soon after inheriting the family estate, he gave away everything he owned, placed his sister in a convent and started a hermit's life in an ancient tomb near his village. Anthony endured