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Saint Apollinaris, regarded as the first Bishop of Ravenna, lived around the middle of the 2nd century. Ancient inscriptions found in the area of Classe show that a well-organized Christian community already existed in Ravenna at a very early date.
He carried out every task with simplicity and humility, defending the Church from attacks by enemies of the faith, promoting peace among warring powers, and leading the Order of Capuchin Friars Minor with dedication.
Mary Magdalene is known as the “Apostle to the Apostles” because she was the first to announce Jesus’ resurrection to the other disciples. She is also called an “evangelist” because she was a messenger of the Good News.
She promoted peace and reconciliation in Europe, writing to rulers to call for an end to the Hundred Years' War between France and England. This was Bridget (Birgitta Birgersdotter), born in 1303 into a noble Swedish family. She seemed destined for an ordinary life for a woman of her status. Married to Ulf Gudmarsson, a high-ranking official of the kingdom, she had eight children, including Saint Catherine of Sweden. Together with her husband, she followed the Rule of the Third Order of Saint Francis, dedicating herself to charity and founding a hospital where they personally cared for the sick.
He was deeply devoted to the Queen of the Rosary, whom he invoked incessantly, day and night. Saint Charbel Makhlouf had placed an image of the Virgin Mary on the altar where he celebrated Mass daily, and another image in his cell beside his bed, as a sign of Mary’s maternal presence watching over his rest.
Brother of Saint John the Evangelist, he was called James the Greater to distinguish him from the other Apostle with the same name, known as James the Lesser, who was also younge.
In the Gospels, Mary is presented as a young woman from Nazareth, betrothed to Joseph, whose genealogy is carefully traced to illustrate Jesus as descendant of David. However, there is no direct reference to Mary's own family, who were likely also residents of Nazareth.
Saint Pantaleon, also known as Saint Pantalon, is one of the most well-known martyrs of the Great Persecution against Christians under the Roman Empire (303–305 AD). He is venerated as the Patron Saint of midwives and, together with Saints Cosmas and Damian, is a co-patron of physicians. He belongs to the group of anargyroi saints—those who offered medical care free of charge, without accepting any payment (from the Greek: “without silver”).
Victor was the first African Pope of the Church of Rome. During his pontificate, Emperor Commodus suspended the persecutions against Christians and met with the Pope. On that occasion, Victor presented him with a list of Christians who had been condemned to forced labor in the mines of Sardinia. Commodus ordered their release, marking the first time the Roman Empire officially negotiated with the Church and the Bishop of Rome (in the year 190).
Martha, Mary, and Lazarus were siblings. When they welcomed Jesus into their home in Bethany, Martha served him with care, and Mary listened to him with devotion; through their prayers, they asked for the resurrection of their brother.
Thomas, also called Didymus (which means “Twin”), was part of the small group of disciples chosen by Jesus from the very beginning of His public ministry. He was one of the Twelve Apostles, as emphasized by the Evangelist John. John also recounts several episodes that help us understand Thomas’s personality.
Saint Peter Chrysologus was likely born in Forum Cornelii (modern-day Imola) around the year 380. He was initiated into the Christian faith and ordained deacon by Bishop Cornelius of Imola. Between the years 424 and 429, he was appointed Bishop of Ravenna by Pope Sixtus III., Ravenna had been the seat of the emperor of the Western Roman Empire since the year 404. Peter was the first Metropolitan Bishop of Ravenna who was not of Eastern origin.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola was born in 1491 at the Loyola Tower House in the Basque Country, Spain. His original name was Iñigo, and he was the youngest son in a large family with thirteen siblings.
Isabella of Aragon, Queen of Portugal, distinguished herself through her dedication to promoting peace among rulers and her generosity toward the poor. After the death of her husband, King Denis, she chose to consecrate her life to God by joining the Third Order of Saint Clare in the convent of Estremoz, which she herself had founded.
“It is truly the mark of great hearts to serve others without expecting anything in return” so often said Saint Anthony Zaccaria.
He was born into a noble family in Cremona, Italy in 1502. Left fatherless at an early age, he was lovingly raised by his mother, who was herself still very young.
A martyr of the faith at only 12 years of age, Maria Goretti chose to die rather than give in to the sexual advances of a violent young man, her neighbor. Faced with his repeated attempts, she always firmly refused, wanting to remain pure. Eventually, blinded by passion, the young man fatally attacked her. But before dying, Maria forgave him and said she wished to have him with her in Heaven.
NNazaria Ignazia March Mesa was born in Madrid on January 10, 1889, into a large family: eighteen children were born to her parents, of whom only ten survived. At the age of nine, while preparing for her First Holy Communion, she felt the Lord’s call: “You, Nazaria, follow me,” and she replied: “I will follow you, Lord, as closely as it is possible for a human creature to do.” On August 15, 1900, she made a vow of virginity.
He was first a Benedictine monk and later was sent by Pope Gregory III to assist Saint Boniface in the work of evangelizing Bavaria.
This was Willibald, the firstborn son of a landowner from southern England. Born on October 22, 700, in Wessex, he spent a year at the monastery of Waltham. Around 720, he accompanied his father and his brother Wunibald on a pilgrimage to Rome, and from there he traveled to Jerusalem, where he remained for three years.
“As soon as Peter recognized the Lord, he threw himself into the water and reached Him, while the others arrived by boat. [This event…] is a sign of Peter’s unique authority as Pontiff […]. [Peter] was given governance over the whole world, not just a single boat like the other Apostles.
She experienced mystical phenomena, had visions of Hell and Purgatory, and even received the stigmata—so much so that the Inquisition became suspicious. After a thorough investigation, however, they confirmed the authenticity of her experiences.
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