Saint Jan Sarkander, also known as John Sarkander, was born on 20 December 1576 in Skotschau (Skoczow), Austrian Silesia (now in modern-day Poland). He lived during a tumultuous time in history, marked by the chaos and conflict of the Protestant Reformation. Jan's father, Georg Mathias Sarkander, passed away when he was young, and his family relocated to Pribor. After receiving education...
Saint Julian of Anazarbus, also known as Julian of Antioch, Julian of Tarsus, Julian of Cilicia, and Giuliano, was a prominent citizen of senatorial rank in Anazarbus, located in the region of Cilicia (in modern-day Turkey). He lived during the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian when Christians faced fierce persecution for their faith. Saint Julian's steadfast devotion to Christianity...
St. Longinus was the centurion who, standing by Pilate’s direction with other soldiers beneath the cross of our Lord, pierced His side with a lance, and seeing the portents which followed, the darkening of the sky and the earthquake, believed in Christ. “Surely, this was the Son of God.” Legend says that his eyesight had been failing. When he pierced the side of...
St. Matilda (895-968 A.D.) was born in Prussia, the daughter of a Count, and was raised and educated in a monastery by her grandmother, who was the abbess. A political marriage was arranged for her to Henry I, the future king of Germany. Henry and Matilda enjoyed a happy and blessed marriage. As the Queen of Germany, Matilda became the mother of five important historical figures: Holy Roman...
Bl. Agnellus was born in Pisa in 1195 of the prominent family, the Agnelli. This similarity to the upbringing of St. Francis makes it no surprise that Agnellus was approached by St. Francis himself and invited to join his Order. He lived a life of holiness, his purity, wholesomeness and devotion to improving the world around him had great impact on the world around him. Agnellus understood the...