Saint of the day

A hermit and founder of a Benedictine Congregation

A central figure in the monasticism of southern Italy, founder of a Benedictine Congregation and an Abbey. This was John of Matera, born in Matera around 1070 into a wealthy and noble Christian family.

"Although the Eucharist is solemnly celebrated every day, we deem it fitting that, at least once a year, a more honored and solemn remembrance be observed. The other things we commemorate, we grasp with the spirit and the mind, but do not for that reason obtain their real presence. However, in this sacramental commemoration of Christ, even though under a different form, Jesus Christ is truly present among us in His own substance. Indeed, as He was about to ascend into heaven, He said: 'And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age (Mt 28:20)."

Bishop, Reformer, Man of Charity and Dialogue 

“The greatest imitator of Saint Charles [Borromeo] was Saint Gregory Barbarigo in Padua, where, thanks to his virtue, the Seminary became a monument and through three centuries it still remains in aedificationem gentium [for the edification of the nations].”

With these words, Pope John XXIII described Saint Gregory Barbarigo during the homily for his canonization, on May 26, 1960, in the Basilica of Saint John Lateran.

Witnesses to Christ unto giving their lives

Blaise (or Blastus) and Diogen (or Diogenes)  are two saints who have been venerated in Rome since antiquity and throughout the Middle Ages. Their commemoration is recorded in the Martyrologium Hieronymianum under the date of June 17.

Regarding Saint Blaise, some texts — including the Acts of the Martyr Saint Valentine — refer to a Roman Tribune named Blastus, who was condemned to death in 269 AD by Emperor Claudius Gothicus for his Christian faith. However, there is no conclusive evidence to confirm that this Blastus is the same saint remembered on this date.

Mother and son united in faithfulness to Christ

Quiricus and Julita were two martyrs of the 4th century: a mother and her three-year-old son, killed together in Tarsus, in what is now Turkey. Julita was a noblewoman of royal lineage from Iconium in Lycaonia, a central region of present-day Turkey.