Saint Teresa Eustochio Verzeri, also known as Ignazia Verzeri, was born on July 31, 1801, in Bergamo, Lombardy, Italy. She was the oldest of seven children born to Countess Elena Pedrocca-Grumelli and her husband. Teresa's mother, Countess Elena, had initially felt a calling to the religious life. However, her aunt, a Poor Clare nun, prophesied that Elena would instead be the mother of...
Saint Angela of the Cross Guerrero, also known as Angela de la Cruz, was born on January 30, 1846, in Seville, Spain. She was one of fourteen children born to a poor but deeply religious family. Unfortunately, only five of her siblings survived into adulthood. Angela's father worked as a cook, while her mother was a laundress in a Trinitarian Fathers convent. At a young age, Angela had to...
Saint Leolucas of Corleone, also known as Leo Lukas, Leo Luke, Leoluca, Leone Luca, Leo Luke of Corleone, and Luke of Sicily, was born between the years 815 and 818 in Corleone, Sicily, to a wealthy and pious family who were primarily engaged in cattle and sheep farming. Unfortunately, at an early age, Leolucas was orphaned and left to take care of the family estate and supervise the herds. In...
Saint Porphyrius of Gaza, also known as Porphyry or Porphyrius of Thessalonica, was born into a wealthy family in Thessalonica, Greece. From our understanding of historical documents, not much is known about his early life, but it is believed that he came from a privileged background.
At some point in his life, Porphyrius sought a more ascetic and contemplative lifestyle and became a hermit...
Saint Callistus Caravario, also known as Callisto or Calixto, was born on June 18, 1903, in Cuorgné, Italy. From a young age, he exhibited great piety and a deep devotion to prayer. Recognizing his religious inclination, he entered the Salesian congregation and was ordained as a missionary priest. After his ordination, Saint Callistus was sent to serve in various locations around the world. He...