Saint Bonaventure, affectionately known as “the Seraphic Doctor,” was born in Bagnorea, near Viterbo, in 1217. Legend tells us that his name, Bonaventure, emerged from an exclamation by St. Francis of Assisi. When St. Francis was asked to pray for the recovery of the young and ailing John, he did so, foreseeing the boy’s remarkable future and exclaiming, “O Buona ventura!” — “O good fortune!”

At twenty-two, Bonaventure entered the Franciscan Order. After taking his vows, he was sent to Paris to finish his education under the renowned Franciscan scholar, Alexander of Hales, an Englishman. Following Hales’ death, Bonaventure continued his studies under Hales’ successor, John of Rochelle. It was during his time in Paris that he formed a close bond with the esteemed St. Thomas Aquinas. Both Bonaventure and Aquinas were awarded Doctorate degrees; however, in a show of deference and humility, Bonaventure allowed Aquinas to receive the honor first, despite Aquinas’s reluctance. The two shared a mutual friend in the virtuous King, St. Louis.

By the age of thirty-five, Bonaventure had been chosen as the General of his Order. He swiftly restored harmony where discord had once reigned due to internal conflicts. His contributions to his Order were numerous, including the composition of ‘The Life of St. Francis.’ He also took part in the relocation of the relics of St. Anthony of Padua. Pope Clement IV nominated him for the position of Archbishop of York, a title he humbly declined. Nonetheless, Gregory X insisted on bestowing upon him the greater roles of Cardinal and Bishop of Albano, one of the six subsidiary Sees of Rome. Before his death, Bonaventure relinquished his role as the General of the Franciscan Order. He passed away while attending the Second Council of Lyons on July 15, 1274.

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“From the blood of martyrs, saints are born.” It was nine years after the brutal tomahawking of Jesuits Isaac Jogues and John de Brebeuf by Iroquois warriors, that a baby girl came into the world, close to the site of their sacrifice, in Auriesville, New York.

Her mother, a Christian Algonquin, had been taken captive by the Iroquois, later becoming the wife to the chief of the fierce Mohawk clan – the most audacious among the Five Nations. Tragedy struck young Kateri at the age of four when a smallpox epidemic claimed the lives of her parents and little brother, leaving her scarred and nearly blind. Her uncle, who had ascended to the position of chief after her father’s death, took her in.

Although her uncle was no friend to the Blackrobes, the Jesuit missionaries, he was powerless against them due to a peace treaty with the French, which mandated their presence in villages with Christian captives. Despite the fear of her uncle’s wrath, Kateri was stirred by the teachings of the three Blackrobes who stayed in her uncle’s house. She refrained from seeking instruction, though, and also declined to marry a Mohawk warrior. It was at the age of 19 that Kateri mustered the courage to embrace her faith, and was baptized as Kateri, meaning Catherine, on Easter Sunday.

Her baptism marked the beginning of her life as a perceived slave. For refusing to work on Sundays, she was denied food. But her spiritual strength only grew with time. She spoke to a missionary about her profound reverence for the sanctity of baptism, and the incredible love of God for humanity that moved her deeply.

Despite the constant threat due to the ire her conversion and pious life had aroused, Kateri continued on her spiritual path. Following a priest’s advice, she undertook a daring 200-mile journey on foot to the Christian Indian village of Sault St. Louis, near Montreal.

Over the next three years, under the guidance of a priest and an elder Iroquois woman, she flourished in her faith, dedicating long hours to prayer, charity, and demanding penance. At 23, she took a vow of virginity, an extraordinary act for an Indian woman, as their futures often depended on marriage. Even when faced with accusations of meeting a man during her solitary prayer sessions in the woods, her commitment to her vow remained unbroken.

Her aspirations extended to establishing a religious community for women after visiting Montreal, but she was discouraged by a local priest. Accepting this with humility, she decided to lead an “ordinary” life, filled with fervent prayers and harsh fasting, in the hope of the conversion of her people. Kateri passed away the day before Holy Thursday, and those present witnessed a miraculous transformation of her emaciated, scarred face into that of a healthy child, a peaceful smile gracing her lips. She was beatified in 1980.

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, the humble and brave maiden, was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on October 21, 2012.

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Saint Henry, son of Duke Henry of Bavaria and Gisella, daughter of King Conrad of Burgundy, was born in 972. Raised under the tutelage of Saint Wolfgang, the Bishop of Ratisbon, he received an exceptional education. His rise to power commenced in 995, when he succeeded his father as Duke of Bavaria. Upon the death of his cousin, Otho III, in 1002, he was elected as Emperor.

Despite his high status, Saint Henry remained grounded, deeply rooted in his faith and committed to serving God’s greater glory. He prioritized the Church’s welfare, striving to uphold ecclesiastical discipline through the support of the Bishops. Known for his victories in domestic and foreign conflicts, he displayed noteworthy moderation and clemency in his triumphs.

In 1014, Saint Henry traveled to Rome where he was crowned Emperor by Pope Benedict VIII. During this event, he reaffirmed the sovereignty of Rome and the exarchate of Ravenna, a donation made to the Pope by his predecessors. Despite his peace-loving nature, he was forced into war several times, most notably against the Saracens and their Greek allies in Southern Italy, whom he decisively defeated.

Saint Henry was as notable for his humility and sense of justice as he was for his religious zeal. After a misunderstanding with Herebert, Bishop of Cologne, Saint Henry personally sought his forgiveness. He considered abdicating his title to join a monastery but was persuaded otherwise by the Abbot of Verdun.

Saint Henry and his wife, Saint Cunegundes, committed themselves to a life of perpetual chastity. This vow was a testament to their dedication to religious service. Saint Henry was also known for his generous contributions to religious foundations and institutions, as well as his construction of the Cathedral of Bamberg.

He passed away at the castle of Grone, near Halberstad, in 1024. His feast day is celebrated on July 13th, and he is revered as the patron saint of the childless, Dukes, the handicapped, and those rejected by Religious Orders.

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Saint Veronica, also known as Berenice, is a significant figure in Christian tradition. She is celebrated for having compassionately wiped the face of Christ with a veil as he made his painful journey to Calvary. In an extraordinary twist to the story, it’s believed that the image of Christ’s face was miraculously imprinted on the cloth. Despite the lack of historical evidence or biblical reference to support this event, Veronica’s tale remains one of the most treasured stories in Christian history. The veil she used has also become one of the most venerated relics within the Church.

As the legend continues, Veronica carried the relic away from the Holy Land and used its miraculous properties to cure Emperor Tiberius of a mysterious ailment. This revered veil later resurfaced in Rome during the eighth century, before being relocated to St. Peter’s in 1297, by order of Pope Boniface VIII. Beyond these stories, little is known about Veronica herself. However, in the non-canonical Acts of Pilate, she is associated with the woman referred to in the Gospel of Matthew who was healed of a chronic hemorrhage.

Veronica’s name is likely a Latinisation of Berenice, a name of Greek origin, meaning “bearer of victory”. Some have speculated that her name could be a fusion of Latin and Greek words for “true icon” (Latin: vera & Greek: icon). This linguistic amalgamation would symbolically underscore the authenticity of Veronica’s veil, distinguishing it from other similar religious relics, like those preserved in Milan.

Today, Veronica’s veil is still safeguarded in St. Peter’s, serving as a timeless reminder of her act of kindness. This event is solemnly remembered in the Stations of the Cross ritual. While Veronica is not officially recognized in the Roman Martyrology, she is commemorated with a feast day. Symbols associated with her include the veil bearing Christ’s face and the Crown of Thorns.

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It’s indeed unfortunate that we lack a contemporary biography of Saint Benedict, the individual who has been most influential to Western monasticism. Although St. Gregory briefly depicts Benedict in his later Dialogues, these writings focus more on the miraculous aspects of Benedict’s life rather than providing a comprehensive biography.

Saint Benedict, born into an esteemed family in central Italy, was drawn to the monastic life early on. He studied in Rome but was disheartened by the state of the world – pagan armies on the move, the Church in schism, war causing suffering among the people, and morality sinking to new lows.

Initially, Benedict chose the life of a hermit, but he soon realized that solitude was no more attainable in a small town than in a bustling city. Consequently, he retreated to a mountain cave for three years. Although some monks invited him to lead them for a period, they found his strict regimen disagreeable. Despite this, Benedict started transitioning from a hermit’s lifestyle to a communal one. His vision was to bring together diverse groups of monks into a single ‘Grand Monastery.’ The aim was to foster unity, brotherhood, and continuous worship under one roof.

Ultimately, Benedict commenced the construction of what would eventually become one of the world’s most renowned monasteries—Monte Cassino, situated in a commanding position overlooking three valleys that stretched towards the mountains north of Naples.

Benedict’s Rule, which evolved over time, advocated a balanced life of liturgical prayer, study, manual labor, and communal living under a shared father (abbot). Benedictine asceticism is praised for its temperance, and the Benedictines are known for their commitment to the welfare of the local communities. Over the course of the Middle Ages, all Western monasticism was gradually brought under Saint Benedict’s Rule.

In the present day, the Benedictine family is represented by two main branches: the Benedictine Federation and the Cistercians.

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Saint Veronica Giuliani, born in Mercatelli, was a woman deeply dedicated to her faith and whose desire to emulate Christ was so strong that it was answered with the stigmata. As her mother, Benedetta, lay on her deathbed, she entrusted each of her five daughters to one of the five wounds of Jesus. Veronica was given the sacred task of looking after the wound below Christ’s heart.

At a young age of 17, Veronica renounced worldly life and joined the Poor Clares, a monastic order under the guidance of the Capuchins. Her father initially hoped for her to get married, but she persuaded him to let her follow her spiritual calling instead. During her early years at the monastery, Veronica served humbly, fulfilling roles in the kitchen, infirmary, sacristy, and also as a portress. At 34, she was appointed the novice mistress, a role she dedicated herself to for the next 22 years.

When Veronica turned 37, she experienced a life-changing event – she received the stigmata, and her life took a significant turn thereafter. The Church authorities in Rome, seeking to verify Veronica’s authenticity, launched an investigation. This led to her temporary removal from her role as novice mistress and restricted her participation in Mass to only Sundays and holy days. Despite these challenges, Veronica bore no bitterness and continued to devote herself to her spiritual duties. Eventually, the investigation concluded in her favor, and she was reinstated as novice mistress.

Even though she initially resisted, Veronica was elected as the abbess at the age of 56, a position she dutifully served for 11 years until her death. Her devotion was particularly strong towards the Eucharist and the Sacred Heart, and she often offered her sufferings for the betterment of the missions. Veronica was canonized in 1839.

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The spread of Christianity into China began in the 600s, coming from Syria. Over the centuries, the circumstances of its growth were deeply influenced by China’s fluctuating relations with the outside world. At times, the religion experienced freedom and expansion, while in other periods, it was forced to operate in secrecy due to restrictions and persecution.

This narrative revolves around 120 Christian martyrs who lost their lives for their faith between 1648 and 1930. The majority of these martyrs, 87 to be exact, were native to China. They came from various walks of life – some were children, others were parents, catechists, or laborers. Their ages ranged from as young as nine to as old as 72. Within this group, four Chinese diocesan priests were included.

The remaining 33 martyrs were foreigners, predominantly priests and women of religious orders. They represented various Christian denominations and missionary groups including the Order of Preachers, the Paris Foreign Mission Society, the Friars Minor, Jesuits, Salesians, and the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary.

One notable martyr was Augustine Zhao Rong, a Chinese soldier who witnessed the martyrdom of Bishop John Gabriel Taurin Dufresse from the Paris Foreign Mission Society, in Beijing. This event led to Augustine’s baptism and subsequent ordination as a diocesan priest. He met his own martyrdom in 1815.

These 120 martyrs were beatified in separate groups at different times, but were collectively canonized in Rome on October 1, 2000, marking their official recognition as saints within the Catholic Church.

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Paul arrived in Corinth around the year 50, where he encountered Priscilla (or Prisca) and her husband Aquila. Like Paul, they were tentmakers and Jewish, newly arrived from Rome after Emperor Claudius expelled the Jewish community from the city. Roman historian Suetonius attributes this expulsion to the disturbances caused by someone named “Chrestus,” likely a reference to conflicts between Christian and non-Christian Jews.

The religious beliefs of Priscilla and Aquila before meeting Paul remain uncertain. We don’t know whether they were already Christians or if they converted to Christianity after hearing Paul’s preaching. Regardless, they accompanied Paul to Ephesus after 18 months in Corinth. Priscilla and Aquila stayed in Ephesus while Paul journeyed on to Antioch.

During their time in Ephesus, Priscilla and Aquila befriended a man named Apollos, an eloquent preacher who had accepted some aspects of the Christian message. Apollos was a knowledgeable interpreter of the Hebrew Scriptures. Priscilla and Aquila expanded his understanding of the Gospel, enhancing his preaching capabilities.

There is evidence to suggest that Priscilla and Aquila were in Rome when Paul wrote to the congregation there, and later they were in Ephesus with Timothy when Paul wrote his final letter to him. In fact, Paul often included their greetings in his letters from Ephesus to the Corinthians, demonstrating their close relationship and shared commitment to spreading the Christian faith.

Priscilla and Aquila are mentioned six times in the New Testament (Acts 18:2,18,26; Romans 16:3; 1 Corinthians 16:19; 2 Timothy 4:19). Interestingly, the order of their names alternates in these mentions – Aquila comes first in odd-numbered references, and Priscilla in even-numbered ones. This could underscore that they are equal partners in their religious endeavors.

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Pope Saint Benedict XI, originally known as Nicholas Boccasini, was born in Treviso, Italy, in 1240 and passed away on 7 July, 1304, in Perugia. He joined the Dominican Order when he was only 14 years old. After dedicating 14 years to his studies, he ascended to the position of lector of theology, a role he held for several years.

In 1296, amid growing hostility towards Pope Boniface VIII, Boccasini was elected as the Master General of the Order. As the leader, he issued a directive that none of his subjects should support the Pope’s opponents in any manner. He further instructed them to affirm the legitimacy of Boniface’s election in their sermons, if it was fitting to do so. Boccasini’s unwavering loyalty was appreciated by Boniface, who expressed his gratitude through various signs of favour and confidence.

Boccasini was entrusted with a critical mission to negotiate an armistice between the warring nations of England, led by Edward I, and France, led by Philip IV. He executed this mission alongside two cardinal-legates appointed by Boniface.

In 1298, Boccasini was elevated to the position of a cardinal. Later, he was designated as the Bishop of Ostia and the Dean of the Sacred College. His role extended further when Hungary was plunged into civil war. The Holy See assigned him as their representative to broker peace in the nation. Upon his return to Rome, Boccasini found himself in the midst of the intense conflict between Boniface VIII and Philip the Fair. Even when Pope Boniface VIII was overpowered by his enemies in the sacred palace, Boccasini stood by the Pope’s side, along with the Cardinal-Bishop of Sabina, to defend him against the aggression of William of Nogaret and Sciarra Colonna.

Boccasini’s loyalty was rewarded when, a month after the violence against Boniface, he was unanimously elected Pope on October 22, 1303. He took the name Benedict XI. The major accomplishment of his pontificate was the reconciliation with the French court. However, his reign was abruptly ended after just eight months when he suddenly died in Perugia. There were suspicions, not entirely unfounded, that his untimely death was a result of poisoning by William of Nogaret.

Benedict XI was beatified in 1773, and his feast is celebrated on July 7th in Rome and throughout the Dominican Order. He left behind a wealth of written works, including a collection of sermons and commentaries on parts of the Gospel of St. Matthew, the Psalms, the Book of Job, and the Apocalypse.

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The canonization of Saint Maria Goretti (1890-1902), which drew an immense crowd of 250,000 attendees, stands as a testament to the profound influence of her poignant life story that touched millions across the globe.

Maria was the daughter of a financially-strained Italian tenant farmer. Despite never having the chance to attend school or learn to read or write, her spiritual depth was remarkable. By the time she partook in her First Communion, she was comparatively older and less academically advanced than her peers, yet her commitment to her faith remained unwavering.

One sweltering afternoon in July, an event unfolded that would seal Maria’s fate and set the stage for her future sainthood. The barely twelve-year-old Maria, physically mature for her age, was repairing a shirt atop the stairs of her family home. Suddenly, a cart pulled up, and Alessandro, an 18-year-old neighbor, charged up the stairs, assaulting Maria and dragging her into a nearby bedroom. Throughout the traumatic ordeal, Maria vehemently resisted and called for divine intervention, warning Alessandro of the mortal sin he was about to commit.

After the violent confrontation, Maria was transported to a hospital where she spent her final hours. Even amidst her personal suffering, her empathetic and compassionate nature shone through. She expressed concerns for her mother’s comfort, offered forgiveness to her attacker (whom she had feared yet never spoken out against to avoid burdening his family), and enthusiastically embraced her last Holy Communion. Roughly 24 hours post the traumatic incident, Maria succumbed to her injuries.

Alessandro, Maria’s assailant, was condemned to a 30-year prison sentence. For a considerable period, he remained defiant and moody, showing no remorse for his actions. However, one night, a transformative dream featuring Maria offering him flowers initiated a profound shift in his disposition. Upon release from prison after serving 27 years, a reformed Alessandro sought Maria’s mother to plead for her forgiveness, marking the beginning of his penitence journey.

Maria’s martyrdom inspired devotion and reverence, prompting reports of miracles associated with her. In less than fifty years after her demise, she was canonized. Notably, her mother, then aged 82, along with two of Maria’s sisters and a brother, graced the beatification ceremony in 1947, standing alongside Pope Pius XII on the balcony of St. Peter’s. Three years later, at her canonization, an emotional 66-year-old Alessandro Serenelli was spotted amidst the crowd of a quarter-million, shedding tears of joy and redemption.

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