Patroclus, a citizen of Troyes, Gaul (France), was taken into custody for being a Christian by the Roman regime of the emperor Valerian. Upon being questioned about his faith by the Roman general Aurelian, Patroclus replied, "I adore the living and true God, who inhabits heaven, and regards the humble, and knows all things..."Aurelian then demanded that Patroclus worship the pagan gods, threatening him with death if he did not, but Patroclus remained steadfast. The general ordered the prisoner to be fettered and tortured. Three days later, Aurelian summoned Patroclus and asked him whether he was now willing to offer sacrifice to the gods. Patroclus answered, "The Lord delivers the souls of his servants, and will not forsake them that hope in him." In the end Aurelian ordered that the prisoner be taken to the bank of the Seine River to be executed there, but when a flood disrupted the execution, Patroclus took advantage of the confusion to escape. He was soon recaptured and beheaded.
St. Dominic Savio was born in Italy in 1842. One day when he was just four, he disappeared and his good mother went looking for him. She found the little fellow in a corner praying with his ... continue reading
Also called Euphemianus, a widow, born in Constantinople. From a good family, Anne was forced to marry. When widowed, she assumed a male disguise and the name of Euphemianus. As this male, ... continue reading
St. Catherine of Bologna, Virgin (Patroness of Artists) Feast - March 9th Born in 1413, Catherine de Vigri was the daughter of a diplomatic agent of the Marquis of Ferrara. At the age of ... continue reading
St. Jerome, who was born Eusebius Hieronymous Sophronius, was the most learned of the Fathers of the Western Church. He was born about the year 342 at Stridonius, a small town at the head of the ... continue reading
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Gemma Galgani was born on March 12, 1878, in a small Italian town near Lucca. At a very young age, Gemma developed a love for prayer. She made her First Communion on June 17, 1887. As a pupil at the school run by the Sisters of St. Zita, Gemma was loved by her teachers ... continue reading
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Saint Michael the Archangel isn't a saint, but rather he is an angel, and the leader of all angels and of the army of God. This is what the title "Archangel" means, that he is above all the others in rank. St. Michael has four main responsibilities or offices, as we ... continue reading
Saint Lorenzo Ruiz was born around the year 1600 in Binondo, Manila in the Philippines. He was the son of a Chinese father and a Filipino mother. Both were Christians and took care to raise Lorenzo as a Catholic. He served happily in his parish church as an altar boy ... continue reading
Sts. Cosmas and Damian were brothers, born in Arabia, who had become eminent for their skill in the science of medicine. Being Christians, they were filled with the spirit of charity and never took money for their services. At Egaea in Cilicia, where they lived, they ... continue reading
By Youngsun Jun
Though I am not strong enough to hold the suffering souls in my arms and carry them home, I can do one thing: I can pray for the deliverance of the souls who are in the darkness. I can request help from the angels for them. I can make a 911 call for them. So again, I ... continue reading
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