Faithful Friday: St. Simeon Stylites

September 2, 2023.Reading time 1 minute.

Also known as St. Simeon the Elder, Simeon was born circa 390 in Sisan, Cilicia (modern Syria) to Sisotian and Martha. Simeon became a monk at the age of eighteen…

Faithful Friday: St. Simeon Stylites

September 2, 2023.Reading time 1 minute.

Also known as St. Simeon the Elder, Simeon was born circa 390 in Sisan, Cilicia (modern Syria) to Sisotian and Martha. Simeon became a monk at the age of eighteen…

Faithful Friday: Genesius of Rome

August 25, 2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

While performing a play that satirized the Christian rite of Baptism, Genesius felt the weight of his sins. Claiming to have seen an angel, Genesius demanded to be baptized. The actor playing the priest dumped a basin of water on him, believing this to be part of the show. Genesius, however, was quite serious. He began to preach Christ to the Emperor and all others in attendance, urging them to convert and be baptized.

Faithful Friday: St. Daig of Iniskeen

August 18, 2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

Daig of Iniskeen was born to a noble family sometime in the middle of the Fifth Century, in County Meath, Ireland, possibly near the suburbs of Dublin. His father was named Cayrell, and was a descendant of legendary Irish king Naill of the Nine Hostages.

Faithful Friday: St. Syncletica of Alexandria

August 11, 2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

St. Syncletica was born in Alexandria, Egypt, to wealthy parents around the year 270AD. From an early age she dedicated herself to God, devoting herself to fasting and praying, to the disappointment of her suitors. Upon the death of her parents, who were predeceased by her brothers, she inherited the family wealth. This she distributed to the poor.

Faithful Friday: Aristarchus of Thessalonica

August 4, 2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

The subtle presence of Aristarchus of Thessalonica can be traced in New Testament scripture. Although he is not mentioned to great extent, it is known that he was considered an apostle – one of the Seventy – and a companion of Paul.

Faithful Friday: Johann Sebastian Bach

July 28, 2023.Reading time 5 minutes.

At a young age, Johann Sebastian was tragically orphaned, and was thereafter cared for by his older brother, Johann Christoph. The elder Bach was an accomplished keyboard player, and taught his little brother to play the organ; an instrument the younger Bach would play throughout his life.

Faithful Friday: Lawrence of Brindisi

July 21, 2023.Reading time 3 minutes.

As a young boy, his piety and great oratorical skills were already evident. There is an Italian Christmas custom that young boys can get up and preach a sermon in a church in memory of Jesus in the Temple, and at the age of six, the future Brother Lawrence delivered a sermon so great that even adults were moved to do better in their Christian walk.

Faithful Friday: Samson Occom

July 14, 2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

Samson Occom, born in the early 18th century to the Mohegan tribe of Connecticut, is known for his influence on Native American populations during the period of the Great Awakening. As a Native American himself, Occom was introduced to the gospel by Eleazer Wheelock’s ministry centralized around a reach towards Native Americans.

Faithful Friday: James Montgomery Boice

July 7, 2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

In 1668, Boice became the minister of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, PA, where he would stay for the rest of his 61 years. During that time, he tripled his congregation, wrote a multitude of books and commentaries, started multiple schools and charitable organizations, taught and evangelized through the radio program The Bible Study Hour…

Faithful Friday: Irenaeus of Lyons

June 30, 2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

By Ian Wilson (Rated G) Little is known of the life of Irenaeus, one of the great theologians of the Early Church. It is believed that he was born in Smyrna in Asia Minor (modern Turkey) around the early part the second century, AD. There, he heard Polycarp, another early church father, preach. Irenaeus served […]

Faithful Friday: St. Ephraem the Syrian

June 16, 2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

St. Ephraem (also known as Ephrem or Ephraim or Ephraem the Syrian) was born around 306 A.D. in Nisibis, Mesopotamia (modern Turkey). He converted to Christianity as a young man thanks to the teaching of St. James, Bishop of Nisibis.

Faithful Friday: Irene of Thessaloniki

May 12, 2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

By T.K. Wilson (Rated G) Irene, Great-Martyr of Thessalonica, was born Princess Penelope to pagan parents. Afraid his daughter would be influenced by Christianity (as no doubt the stories of other high-born ladies who dedicated themselves to Jesus had reached him), he locked her up in a tower with thirteen other girls. Because God finds […]

Faithful Friday: St Louis Grignion de Montfort

April 28, 2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

St. Louis Grignion de Montfort was known for his deep devotion and sensitivity towards Christ and the Church from even the days of his childhood. As he matured, he directed this passion towards the study of theology, which he undertook in Paris. It was here, at the seminary of Saint-Sulpice, that Montfort uncovered a particular interest in the Virgin Mary – which would prove to be one of the most defining facets of his life and ministry.

Faithful Friday: Pope Martin I

April 14, 2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

Pope Martin the First was born in Tuscany, in the late sixth or early seventh century AD. Known for his devotion and piety, he was made an official assistant to Pope Theodore the First. Though Martin was a good and faithful man, it was in this position that his troubles began.

Faithful Friday: Simon of Cyrene

April 7, 2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

Cyrene is a region in the Roman province of Libya in North Africa, which has led to some speculation that Simon of Cyrene was black. The fact is, we do not know the color of his skin. We do know that Cyrene had a large population of the Jewish diaspora. Simon, like many Jews, had likely come to Jerusalem to celebrate the passover.

Faithful Friday: Aedh Mac Cairthinn of Clogher

March 31, 2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

Not much is known about the early life of Aedh Mac Cairthinn of Clogher. It is supposed by some that he was a prince of one of the kingdoms of Connaught or may have been the uncle of St. Bridget.

Faithful Friday: St. Toribio Alfonso de Mogrovejo

March 24, 2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

Toribio Alfonso de Mogrovejo was born in Spain in 1538 to a family of high standing. As such, he was able to receive an exceptional education, which proved to scintillate his preexistent intellect and ambition. After working his way up to become a professor of law, he was ordained and eventually decided to carry out his ministry overseas in Peru.

Faithful Friday: St Patrick

March 17, 2023.Reading time 3 minutes.

St. Patrick is one of the most recognized names in Christianity, yet few know his full story. He was born sometime in the fifth century to a wealthy British deacon named Calpurnius, but he did not follow his father’s faith. After a rebellious youth, Patrick was captured by Irish slavers and taken back to Ireland.

Faithful Friday: Macarius of Jerusalem

March 10, 2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

St. Macarius of Jerusalem was the bishop of that city during the time of the First Council of Nicea in 325. Nothing is known of his early life, but he was elevated to the rank of bishop in 312. Macarius was a strong opponent of the heretic Arius…