St. Jeanne (Jane) Frances de Chantal (1572–1641) was born in Dijon, France. She was the daughter of the president of parliament, and lived up to her noble status as a refined, cheerful, and beautiful woman. At the age of 21 she married a baron and together they had six children. She was strong in her faith, having daily Mass said in her castle, giving alms to the poor, and skillfully...

St. Clare (1194–1253) was born in Assisi, Italy to an aristocratic family, the daughter of a wealthy count. From childhood she was pious after the example of her mother, and as she grew her longing for God increased. When she was eighteen she heard St. Francis of Assisi preach a Lenten mission in the local church. His holy example kindled her desire to renounce the world and follow...

The Bishop of Rome was traditionally served by seven deacons. Pope Xystus II, sometimes called St. Sixtus, was served by Januarius, Vincent, Stephan, Magnus, Felicissimus, Agapite, and Lawrence. In 258 A.D., the emperor Valerian ordered the executions of many Christians. St. Sixtus and his seven deacons were among the first to be beheaded. When the soldiers rushed in to arrest the pope and his...

Giovanni Baptista Montini was the son of a prominent newspaper editor. Ordained in Brescia, Italy on May 29, 1920, he continue his studies in Rome, Italy, and became part of the Vatican secretariat of state in 1922, one of two pro-secretaries to Pope Pius XII. He was the archbishop of Milan from 1954 to 1963 where he worked on social problems and to improve relations between workers and...

St. Oswald (605-642 A.D.) was the second of seven sons born to the pagan king of Northumbria in northern England. After his father was killed in battle, the kingdom was split. His uncle claimed the throne, while Oswald fled with his mother and brothers to Scotland for safety. There his family was converted to Christianity by the renowned monks of Iona. Oswald was educated by the holy monks and...