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.
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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.
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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 […]
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By T.K. Wilson (Rated G) Aloysius Gonzalga was born in the midst of the decadent Renaissance, in the most decadent of countries at that time, Italy. He was the firstborn son of the prestigious Gonzalga family, and his father wanted him to become a great soldier, but Aloysius wanted a different life. When he was […]
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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.
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By Ian Wilson (Rated G) Bernardine had always been pious, even as a youth. Born to a wealthy family of Tuscany in 1380, Bernardine was orphaned at the young age of six, and raised by his aunt. He was known to practice many spiritual disciplines at his tender age, and had a great heart for […]
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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 […]
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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…
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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