The “apostle of the north” (Scandinavia) had enough frustrations to become a saint—and he did. He became a Benedictine at Corbie, France, where he had been educated. Three years later, when the king of Denmark became a convert, Ansgar went to that country for three years of missionary work, without noticeable success. Sweden asked for Christian missionaries, and he went...

Jeanne de Lestonnac, O.D.N., (December 27, 1556 – February 2, 1640), alternately known as Joan of Lestonnac, was a Roman Catholic saint and foundress of the Sisters of the Company of Mary, Our Lady, in 1607. The new institute, approved by Paul V in 1607, was the first religious order of women-teachers approved by the Church. De Lestonnac was born in Bordeaux in 1556 to Richard de...

The Martyr Tryphon was born in Phrygia, one of the districts of Asia Minor, in the village of Lampsacus. From his early years the Lord granted him the power to cast out demons and to heal various maladies. He once saved the inhabitants of his native city from starvation. Saint Tryphon, by the power of his prayer, turned back a plague of locusts that were devouring the grain and devastating the...

St. Aedan was the son of Eithne and Sedna, chief of Connaught.  A widespread reputation for sanctity brought him potential disciples in his youth; he fled to Kilmulne, Wales, to escape them.  He became one of Saint David’s most faithful disciples.  He returned to Ireland in 580 with a band of disciples, including St. Caillan and settled in Brentrocht, Leinster.  He...

Bathilde was kidnapped in her youth from her native England and sold into slavery in France to Erkenwald, the Mayor of the Palace of King Clovis II. When grown, she was placed in charge of the household. She married King Clovis II in 649, and as a result she became a Queen and a mother of three sons, all of whom became kings: Clotaire III, Childeric II and Thierry I. She used her royal...