Faithful Friday: Nicolaus Zinzindorf

May 26, 2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

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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. Toribio Alfonso de Mogrovejo

March 24, 2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

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…

Faithful Friday: Katherine Drexel

March 3, 2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

On a trip into the West, Katherine witnessed the misery of the Native American tribes and resolved that this population and the African American population would be her own personal mission. She became a patroness of schools and missions to these marginalized groups.

Faithful Friday: Mother Ascensión Nicol y Goñi

February 24, 2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

Following a long-held desire to serve the poor, at age 45, Mother Ascensión and four of her sisters accepted a mission to Peru, where they trekked through jungle and mountains to Porto Maldonado, the first European women to make the journey.

Faithful Friday: Archbishop Janani Luwum

February 17, 2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

Janani Luwum was born in Uganda in 1923. He grew up to be a school teacher, then converted to Christianity in 1948. The following year he attended a seminary school, then returned to his home in Acoli to teach others about his faith.

Faithful Friday: St Scholastica

February 10, 2023.Reading time 3 minutes.

Not much is known about the early life of Scholastica, twin sister of St. Benedict. St. Gregory the Great, in his biography of St. Benedict, states that she was dedicated to Jesus at a young age.

Faithful Friday: Lawrence of Canterbury

February 3, 2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

Lawrence of Canterbury was one of the early missionaries sent to Britain from Rome along with St. Augustine of Canterbury. After Augustine’s death around 604, Lawrence succeeded him as Archbishop of Canterbury.

Faithful Friday: John Chrysostom

January 27, 2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

Saint John Chrysostom is a figure in ecclesial history with a stunning breadth of influence. As a writer, preacher, and archbishop, his life was scored with a generative fervor in bolstering and guiding the church.

Faithful Friday: Pope Fabian

January 20, 2023.Reading time 1 minute.

Little is known about Pope Fabian, including when he was born. He became Pope in 236AD, following the death of Pope Anterus. The early Church historian Eusebius relates that Fabian was not one of the original candidates for the office, but a dove descended upon him during the election process and those present decided this was a sign from the Holy Spirit and thus duly elected him.

Faithful Friday: St. Mungo

January 13, 2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

St. Mungo was born Kentigern, son of Princess Teneu of Lothian. He was the result of his mother being attacked by Owain mab Urien, for which her father, King Lot (also called Lleuddun) had Teneu thrown from a cliff. She miraculously survived and came to an area inhabited by a man called Saint Serf, and was cared for by him.

Faithful Friday: St. Andre Bessette

January 6, 2023.Reading time 5 minutes.

Through trials, rigors and the initial skepticism of the brethren, Alfred persevered, joining the religious order known as the Congregation of the Holy Cross. As a novice, he learned to read (a skill he had not learned as a child) and memorized many portions of Scripture and of the writings of the saints. He received Holy Orders on August 22, 1872, taking the name Brother Andre. He was then assigned to serve as a porter at the College of Notre Dame, which he served admirably, despite ill-treatment by his superior. Once again, he persevered without the slightest complaint as he always had before.

Faithful Friday: Gregory of Nazianzus

December 30, 2022.Reading time 2 minutes.

Gregory of Nazianzus (also called Gregory Nazianzen) was born around 330 AD in Cappadocia, now modern Turkey. Gregory was given a classical education in the cities of Caesarea, Alexandria, and Athens. Among his schoolmates were St. Basil the Great and future Roman emperor Julian the Apostate.

Faithful Friday: Channing Moore Williams

December 2, 2022.Reading time 4 minutes.

Reverend Channing Moore Williams, Episcopal missionary and bishop, was born in Richmand, Virginia on July 18, 1829 to Mary and John Green Williams, who named him after the zealous second Episcopal bishop of Virginia, Richard Channing Moore. When Channing Moore Williams was only three years old, his father died, leaving Mary to raise their six children alone, which she proved quite capable of doing, raising her children in the Episcopal church.