In 1898 seven sisters of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary were sent to the Shanxi diocese in China to serve the poor in hospitals, and care for the unwanted or other destitutes in orphanages. There they all died in one of the periodic crackdowns against foreign missionaries. They were beheaded on July 9, 1900 at Taiyuanfu, China. They were Beatified on November 24, 1946 by Pope Pius...

Saint Apollonius of Brescia, a second-century bishop, is believed to have been born in Brescia, Italy. Though information about his early life is scarce, historical documents suggest that he played a significant role in the early Christian community in Brescia. Apollonius was baptized Saint Afra of Brescia, a martyr who is venerated in the city. According to the Acts of Saints Faustinus and...

Saint Romulus of Fiesole (Italian: San Romolo, died c. AD 90) was bishop of Fiesole during the 1st century. He is venerated as the patron saint of Fiesole, Italy. Romulus was probably a local deacon, priest, or bishop of the 1st century. According to tradition, he was a disciple of Saint Peter and had been converted to Christianity by the apostle. This tradition states that Romulus became...

Saint Zoe of Rome, also known as Zoa of Rome, was a devout Christian who lived during the time of imperial Rome. She is believed to have been married to Nicostratus, a high court official in Rome. Zoe maintained a deep and unwavering devotion to Saint Peter, one of the Twelve Apostles, and this bond would ultimately lead to her martyrdom. Legend holds that one day, while engaged in prayer at...

St. Elizabeth of Portugal was the daughter of the King of Aragon. At 12, she married King Denis of Portugal, a profligate man, who tolerated his wife’s piety while making no secret of his own infidelities. Elizabeth bore him two children, a son and a daughter. Her son, Alfonso, would later come close to open rebellion against his neglectful father. For her role in effecting a...