St. Benedict is sometimes known as St. Benedict the Moor as he was a black slave who is patron of African-Americans. The name Moor is from the Italian word for “black.” Benedict was born a slave near Messina, Italy. Freed, he became a hermit at Montepellegrino, eventually becoming superior of a large group of recluses.  When these hermits were disbanded by Pope Pius VI,...

Saint Joseph the Hymnographer was a Greek monk of the ninth century. He is one of the greatest liturgical poets and hymnographers of the Eastern Orthodox Church, but as a poet he is often confused with Joseph, the Archbishop of Thessalonica and brother of Theodore the Studite, who were one generation older than he was. He is also known for his confession of the Orthodox Faith in opposition to...

From Tyre, Lebanon, the seventeen-year-old Theodosia had made her way to Caesarea in Palestine. On Easter Day, 307, according to Eusebius, she went to the public square where a number of Christians were in chains awaiting interrogation. She congratulated them and asked to be remembered in their prayers. Seized by the guards and brought before the governor, he ordered her to sacrifice to the...

Lodovico Pavoni was born in Brescia on 11 September 1794 as the first of five brothers to Alessandro Pavoni and Lelia Poncarali. Pavoni was a bright child and took a keen interest in the world around him while responding to the social problems of his time. He was skilled at painting and hunting and was also good at horseback riding. He received his theological formation at the home of the...

The story of Balbina is introduced in the legendary Acts of Sts. Alexander and Balbina, where it is said that she was the daughter of Quirinus, a Tribune in the Roman Army. Usuardus speaks of her in his martyrology; his account of St. Balbina rests on the record of the martyrdom of St. Alexander. Legend has it that Pope Alexander I healed the daughter of Quirinius of a goiter by telling her to...