Blessed Karl Leisner was born on 28 February 1915, the oldest of five children. When he was six years old, the family moved to Kleve, a city on the lower Rhine, where his father worked as a civil servant. He attended school and completed his gymnasium studies in 1934. During his youth, he became an altar boy and, at the suggestion of the high school chaplain, formed a Catholic youth group, the...
St. Géry or St. Gaugericus of Cambrai (c 550 – 626) Bishop of Cambrai, Founder of Monateries, Churches and of St Géry Island off Belgium, Géry devoted himself to the fight against paganism, Miracle-worker – born at Trier, Germany and died in 626 of natural cause in Cambrai, Belgium. Also known as Gaugericus, Gaugerico, Gorik, Djèri, Gau. Additional...
Bessus, sometimes Besse, (it|San Besso) is venerated as a member of the legendary Theban Legion, whose members were led by Maurice and were martyred for their Christian faith in the 3rd century.
Evidence for Bessus's existence is confused and uncertain: the name of Bessus is actually identified with two different, semi-legendary saints with the same name: one was a martyred bishop of...
Firmus and Rusticus are remembered on August 9 as martyrs of Verona, men who would not purchase peace by bowing to false gods. When imperial officials demanded public honor to idols, they chose the narrow way—confessing Christ even when it cost them safety, reputation, and life.
According to tradition, the soldier Firmus was captured for the sake of his faith and brought to Milan. On...
Saint Afra of Augsburg, also known simply as Saint Afra, was a remarkable figure in early Christian history. Born in the latter 3rd century in Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany, Afra initially led a life as a prostitute in the city of Augsburg. During the Diocletian persecutions, around the year 303, Afra and her mother, Saint Hilaria of Augsburg, found themselves involved in a life-altering event....