Saint of the day

Saint of the day

January 14: Saint Felix of Nola, priest

Unfettered devotion to charity

An example of fidelity, humility, and Christian witness lived to its utmost consequences, yet without the martyrdom of blood. The figure of Felix of Nola is known to us almost exclusively through the poetic compositions of Saint Paulinus of Nola, who between the late 4th and early 5th centuries committed to writing oral traditions still alive in the Nola region. These poems represent the earliest historical testimony to the life of the saint, whose memory has remained deeply rooted in the Christianity of southern Italy.

13 January: Saint Hilary of Poitiers, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

A journey in search of truth

Born into a noble and wealthy pagan family in Poitiers, Aquitaine, around 310, he was able to receive an education befitting his status. He felt compelled to seek the truth from a young age and, at the end of his journey, he converted to Christianity. He was baptized when he was 30 years old. Reading the Gospel of John gave him with an opportunity to find answers to his questions. He described his personal journey in the introduction to his famous work on the Trinity (De Trinitate), in which he highlighted the stages a pagan goes through to come to know God.

12 January, Saint Anthony Maria Pucci, of the Order of Servants of Mary

The little Curatino, who gave himself entirely for his parishioners

He never hesitated when faced with people in need, giving everything to everyone in charity, even going so far as to give away his own clothes to help the poor. He challenged the hostility of some anticlerical citizens, for which he was even beaten with clubs on one occasion, as he walked through Viareggio’s streets, distributing food. Known to everyone as the “Curatino”, he was seen as the manifestation of God’s presence among the people. He was the father of the poor and a supporter of sailors, who faced the storms to feed their families. Everyone knew they could count on the prayers of this little friar, who was small in height, but who had a big heart that was open to the needs of others.

January 11: Saint Paulinus of Aquileia, Bishop

Zealous Shepherd of his Flock

Paulinus of Aquileia was born in the territory of the Lombard Duchy of Friuli, at Premariacco, near Cividale. We possess no certain information about his childhood and youth, but it is plausible that he received a thorough education, both in secular disciplines and in theological studies, perhaps within the local episcopal environment, where his priestly vocation also matured.

January 10: Saint Gregory of Nyssa, Father of the Church

One of the Great Cappadocian Fathers

Gregory of Nyssa, a leading figure of fourth-century Christianity, was born in Cappadocia between 335 and 340 into an extraordinarily rich family of religious personalities. The younger brother of Basil of Caesarea, he was above all deeply influenced in his spiritual formation by his elder sister Macrina.

9 January: Saint Andrew Corsini, Bishop

A peacemaker in the midst of conflicts

As a mediator and peacemaker in disputes between warring towns, Saint Andrew Corsini, a Carmelite religious and Bishop of Fiesole, was imprisoned for his zeal.

Saint Andrew was born into an aristocratic Florentine family in Florence on 30 November 1301, and had a carefree adolescence. He entered the Carmine convent when he was 15 years old, distinguishing himself for his charity towards the poor and those in need. After he was ordained a priest, he was sent to the University of Paris to complete his studies.