Daily Saints

Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini

Originally named Maria Francesca Cabrini, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini was born in Lombardy, Italy. She was the youngest of 13 children.

Even at a young age she was dedicated to living a life doing religious work. She received education at a school ran by the Daughters of the Sacred Heart, where she graduated with honors and a teaching certificate. At 18, she applied for admission to the same school but was turned down due to her delicate health. She was asked instead to teach at the House of Providence Orphanage. She taught there for six years.

She eventually became Mother Cabrini when she took her vows in 1877. She was beatified on November 13, 1938 by Pope Pius XI and was canonized on July 7, 1946. She was the first United States citizen to be canonized. She is the patron saint of immigrants.

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Saint Benedict and Companions

Saint Benedict and his companions – John, Matthew, Isaac, and Christinus– were Italian Benedectine martyrs. They were doing missionary work with St. Adalbert of Prague. They were on a mission among Slavic people when their monastery was attacked and they were killed near Gnesen.

They were canonized by Pope Julius II. They are known as the “Five Polish Brothers” in Poland despite not being Poles.

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Saint Martin of Tours

Saint Martin of Tours was born in Hungary to pagan parents but was raised in Italy. His father was in the cavalry corps and when he was 15 years old, he served in the Roman military as well. Despite being in the military, it was said that he was more of a monk. He was later on discharged and became a disciple of Hilary of Poitiers.

He was ordained as an exorcist. He also became a monk and lived in Milan. He returned to France where he established a French monastery. He lived there for 10 years where formed disciples and preached to the people.

He became a bishop due to the demand of his people. He was known to fight paganism and he pleaded mercy to the heretics.

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Saint Leo the Great

Saint Leo the Great was from a Roman aristocratic family. In 431, he became a well-known deacon of the Church. He was also known for often settling disputes inside the church due to his intelligence and strong conviction. He was widely respected.

In 440, he was elected as pope, succeeding after Peter. He was the first pope to be given the title “the Great”. He displayed endless dedication to his role as the pope. During his reign, he was passionate about preserving the unity and faith of the Church. He prioritized the safety of his people against armies who are against Christianity and the Church.

In 1754, St. Leo the Great was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict XIV.

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Saint Benignus

Saint Benignus was the son of an Irish chieftain. He was a follower of St. Patrick who baptised him into Christianity. He went with St. Patrick in his travels and helped with the missionary labours. He assisted in forming choral services and became known as “Patrick’s psalm-singer”.

Saint Benignus was trained by St. Patrick since his youth and he later on was appointed to the Commission of Nine. It is said that St. Benignus contributed to the Psalter of Cashel and Book of Rights.

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Saint Castorius

St. Castorius is one of the “four crowned martyrs”. They were tortured and executed during the reign of Diocletian during the rule of Diocletian in Hungary. St. Castorius and the other “crowned martyrs” were commissioned by Diocletian as carvers. Diocletian was impressed by their carvings and he requested them to carve a statue of Aesculapius, a Greek god. They refused to do it as they were Christians. They also refused to sacrifice to the gods and because of this they were imprisoned. They were also falsely accused of being involved in the death of one of Diocletian’s officers.

St. Castorius died around 287 A.D.. He is the patron saint of sculptors.

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Saint Achillas

Saint Achillas was a bishop and a theologian during an era of dispute in the church. He was the bishop of Alexandria in Egypt, which was one of the most powerful cities at that time.

A bishop named Arius was ordained later on. Saint Achillas recognized the untruths in Arius preaching. He defended the faith but Arius attacked him. A council was put together to condemn Arius for his false preachings. He was forced to flee to Palestine.

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Blessed Jose Maria of Manila

Blessed Jose Maria de Manila was born in the Philippines to Spanish parents. His father, Don Eugenio del Saz-Orozco de la Oz, was the last Spanish Mayor of Manila. At the age of 16, he left the Philippines to study in Spain. Later on, he became a Capuchin priest.

He wanted to return and serve in the Philippines but due to the war and other circumstances, he was unable to go back. He continued proclaiming the Gospel in Spain.

On July 1936, there was an uprising which began the Spanish Civil War. The church was seized and priests were imprisoned. Blessed Jose Maria de Manila was executed at the gardens of Cuartel de la Montana in Madrid.

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Saint Zachariah & St. Elizabeth

Saints Zachariah and Elizabeth, the parents of Saint John Baptist, were considered as a deeply religious couple. They were also known as the last and greatest prophets.

Saint Elizabeth was the cousin of our Blessed Virgin Mary. She was already old and was known to be barren when she gave birth to St. John the Baptist as the angel that visited them foretold. St. Zachariah was a holy prophet and a priest in the temple of Jerusalem. When the angel visited them and foretold the prophecy about their son, St. Zacharia doubted this and thus, he was struck mute. He was mute until the birth of their son.

Little is known of the couple. Their lives can be found in the 1st chapter of Luke in the New Testament.

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Saint Charles Borromeo

St. Charles Borromeo was one of the most important figures of the counter-reformation in Italy. He was appointed as cardinal and archbishop of Milan in 1559. A year prior to his appointment, he received a doctorate degree in both civil law and canon law.

He headed the Consulta which made him secretary of state to Pius. The pope relied heavily on St. Charles Borromeo for his role in the third convocation of the Council of Trent. Afterwards, he served in executing decrees and he also brought out the Roman catechism in 1566. When his uncle died, St. Charles Borromeo took part in the conclave that elected Pius V.

St. Charles Borromeo became embroiled in politics and serious administrative problems. However, his heroic behaviour during the plague of 1576-1578 won him much him respect. He was known for giving away his wealth to help the poor and to care for the sick. He is the patron saint of bishops, cardinals, seminarians, and spiritual leaders.

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