Saint John Eudes was born on November 14, 1601, in Ri, Normandy, France, the son of a farmer. He attended the Jesuit college in Caen at age 14, and despite his parents’ wishes for him to marry, he joined the Congregation of the Oratory of France in 1623. After studying in Paris and Aubervilliers, he was ordained in 1625.

John volunteered to care for plague victims in Normandy in 1625 and 1631. Over the next ten years, he built a reputation as an exceptional preacher and confessor and was known for his opposition to Jansenism. He became interested in helping fallen women and, with Madeleine Lamy, founded a refuge for them in Caen in 1641 under the direction of the Visitandines.

In 1643, he left the Oratorians and founded the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (the Eudists) in Caen. This group consisted of secular priests who were not bound by vows but dedicated to improving the clergy by establishing seminaries and preaching missions. His foundation faced opposition from the Oratorians and Jansenists, and he could not obtain Papal approval for it. However, in 1650, the Bishop of Coutances invited him to establish a seminary in that diocese. The same year, the sisters at his refuge in Caen left the Visitandines and were recognized as a new congregation under the name of Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Refuge by the Bishop of Bayeux.

John founded additional seminaries in Lisieux (1653) and Rouen (1659) and tried again unsuccessfully to get Papal approval for his congregation. However, in 1666, the Refuge sisters received Pope Alexander III’s approval as an institute for the care and rehabilitation of penitent wayward women. John continued to give missions and established new seminaries in Evreux (1666) and Rennes (1670).

He shared the honor of initiating devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Holy Heart of Mary with St. Mary Margaret Alacoque. He popularized these devotions with his writings “The Devotion to the Adorable Heart of Jesus” (1670) and “The Admirable Heart of the Most Holy Mother of God,” which he completed a month before his death in Caen on August 19th. He was canonized in 1925, and his feast day is celebrated on August 19th.

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Saint Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great, was born around the middle of the third century, likely in Drepanum, later known as Helenopolis.

Though she came from humble origins, she became the lawful wife of Constantius Chlorus, and together they had a son, Constantine, born in 274. There is a myth that she was the daughter of a British prince, but this is historically unfounded.

In 292, Constantius, having become co-Regent of the West, left Helena to marry Theodora, the step-daughter of Emperor Maximinianus Herculius. Despite this separation, their son Constantine remained loyal to Helena. Upon the death of Constantius in 308, Constantine summoned his mother to the imperial court, conferred on her the title of Augusta, and ordered that she be treated with all the respect due to the mother of the emperor.

Helena converted to Christianity, influenced by her son’s victory over Maxentius. As a devout Christian, she favored the spread of Christianity and was linked to the construction of Christian churches in Rome and Trier, as well as in Palestine.

In her later years, Helena embarked on a journey to Palestine, where she showed great devotion to the holy sites and had churches erected near the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem and on the Mount of the Ascension in Jerusalem. It was during her stay in Jerusalem that the legend of the discovery of the True Cross of Christ emerged. Helena was known for her charity, assisting not only individuals but entire communities, and her dedication to visiting and donating to churches.

In Rome, Helena’s memory is closely associated with the church of S. Croce in Gerusalemme, which was likely built on the site of her residence, the Palatium Sessorianum, and near the Thermae Helenianae named after her.

Helena lived until around 330, as evidenced by coins stamped with her name from that year. After her death, her body was brought to Constantinople and laid to rest in the imperial vault of the church of the Apostles. Her remains were possibly transferred to the Abbey of Hautvillers in France in 849. She was venerated as a saint, and her feast is celebrated on August 18th.

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Saint Mamas is a significant figure in Greek history, celebrated as a great martyr.

His story began with a dramatic origin: he was born 259AD in prison to Christian parents who were incarcerated for their faith. After they were executed, Mamas became an orphan. A wealthy widow named Ammia adopted him, but she passed away when he was just 15 years old.

As Mamas grew older, he was relentless in his faith. The governor of Caesarea tortured him for it. Even when brought before the Roman Emperor Aurelian, he endured further torture. According to legend, an angel then freed him and instructed him to take refuge on a mountain near Caesarea.

Mamas was later thrown to the lions, but he managed to tame these wild creatures. He preached to animals in the fields, and a lion became his loyal companion. Alongside the lion, he visited Duke Alexander, who condemned him to death. He was fatally wounded in the stomach with a trident. Despite his injury, Mamas dragged himself near a theater before he was finally taken to heaven by angels.

The cult of Saint Mamas originated in Caesarea but later moved to Langres in the 8th century when his relics were transferred there. The Cathédrale Saint-Mammès in Langres is dedicated to him, and he is the chief patron of the diocese.

Saint Mamas also has significant influence in Lebanon, where many churches and convents bear his name. The Saint Mamas Church in Ehden, built in 749 A.D., is one of the oldest Maronite Catholic churches in the country.

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Saint Stephen the Great (977-1038), also known as Stephen I, was the son of the Magyar chieftain Geza.

He ascended to the leadership in 997, following his father’s footsteps. A devout Christian since his youth, Stephen worked diligently to promote Christianity throughout his realm.

In 996, he married Gisela of Bavaria, the daughter of Duke Henry II, solidifying an alliance with the Christian states of Europe and further entrenching the faith within Hungary. As a ruler, Stephen fervently supported the Church, extending patronage to religious leaders and spearheading the construction of numerous churches across his lands.

But it was not just through peaceful means that Stephen spread Christianity. He decisively quashed pagan resistance, most notably suppressing a rebellion led by the so-called Black Hungarians. Their subsequent conversion cemented Christianity’s dominance in the region.

Pope Sylvester II recognized Stephen’s immense contributions to the Christian faith by anointing him King of Hungary in 1000, bestowing upon him the cross and crown that would become powerful symbols of the Hungarian nation.

Stephen’s reign was marked not only by his spiritual dedication but also by his efforts to consolidate the Christian presence in the region, fostering a strong, unified Hungary under the banner of the Christian faith.

After his death, Stephen’s legacy lived on through the veneration of his crown and regalia, which came to embody the spirit of the Hungarian nation.

His exemplary leadership and unwavering devotion to Christianity led to his canonization in 1083 by Pope St. Gregory VII. Saint Stephen the Great is now celebrated as the patron saint of Hungary, revered as the quintessential Christian monarch.

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For centuries, the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15 has been a cornerstone of Catholic tradition.

It marks the day Mary was believed to have been taken bodily into Heaven after her earthly demise. However, this widely accepted belief was only formally declared a dogma – an essential teaching of the Catholic Church – in 1950.

The Assumption is intertwined with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th. Both are primary feasts dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and are Holy Days of Obligation, making them among the most significant feasts in the Catholic calendar.

While the concept of Mary’s assumption dates back to narratives from the fifth and sixth centuries, it’s worth noting that there is no direct reference to this event in the Bible. Saint Gregory of Tours, in 594, was the first Church writer to touch upon this topic, followed by Ps.-Modestus of Jerusalem around 700 AD.

In a historic moment, Pope Pius XII, in 1946, inquired with bishops worldwide about formalizing this belief. With an overwhelming positive response, he declared on November 1, 1950, the Feast of All Saints, that Mary’s assumption was a divinely revealed dogma.

Details surrounding the exact date, year, and circumstances of Mary’s departure remain shrouded in mystery. Various sources claim her passing occurred between three to fifteen years after Christ’s Ascension. Her final resting place is contested between Jerusalem and Ephesus, the latter believed to be her home post-Jesus’s death. One pious tradition asserts that while her tomb in Jerusalem was initially discovered, it was subsequently found empty. This lead the Apostles to conclude that her body was assumed into heaven.

Saint Gregory of Tours provides insight into this tradition, likening Mary’s sin-free body to the Ark of the Covenant, believed to be crafted from undecaying wood. Thus, he posited it was unthinkable for her body to perish in the grave. This belief is further supported by the text, ‘Rise thou and the ark of thy strength’ (Ps 132/1:8), suggesting that just as Christ ascended, Mary too was destined for heaven.

However, it’s crucial to distinguish between Christ’s ascension and Mary’s assumption. While the former indicates a rise through one’s own power, the latter signifies an external intervention. Jesus, being divine, ascended without aid, whereas Mary, a mortal, was assumed.

Tradition paints a poetic picture of Mary’s end. It’s believed that Saint Michael the Archangel, known to escort souls to heaven, foretold her passing. Miraculously, all the apostles were transported to her side, and upon her death, Jesus is said to have taken her soul. Three days post-burial, her body is believed to have been transported to Paradise by angels, where it reunited with her soul.

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Born Rajmund Kolbe on January 8, 1894, in Zduńska Wola within the Russian Empire, Saint Maximilian Kolbe is renowned as the “Apostle of Consecration to Mary.”

Young Kolbe grew up in a devout family. They moved to Pabianice, working as weavers and later running a bookstore. Kolbe’s father, in 1914, even joined the fight for Poland’s independence, only to be captured by the Russians.

In 1907, drawn towards religious life, Kolbe and his elder brother crossed into Austria-Hungary to join the Conventual Franciscan junior seminary in Lwów. By 1911, he’d taken his first vows and adopted the name Maximilian. He completed his final vows in Rome in 1914, adding “Maria” to honor the Virgin Mary.

Rome was an educational haven for Kolbe. He pursued diverse subjects like philosophy, theology, mathematics, and even astrophysics. By 1919, he had two doctorates from prestigious institutions. The vehement anti-papal demonstrations by the Freemasons in Rome propelled Kolbe to form the Militia Immaculata (Army of Mary). This group aimed at converting sinners and the Church’s adversaries through Mary’s intercession.

Back in Poland, Kolbe was a whirlwind of activity. He passionately promoted the veneration of the Virgin Mary, establishing the Niepokalanów monastery near Warsaw, a radio station, seminary, and more. The 1930s saw him in Japan, where he founded a Nagasaki monastery, a newspaper, and a seminary. Interestingly, his decision to build the monastery on a particular mountain side protected it from the devastating atomic bomb blast in Nagasaki during WWII.

The war brought chaos to Poland. Kolbe’s friary became a haven, sheltering many, including 2,000 Jews from Nazi persecution. As a radio amateur (SP3RN), he openly condemned Nazi actions.

However, in February 1941, the Nazis arrested Kolbe. He was transferred to Auschwitz in May. A few months later, when a prisoner’s escape led to ten men being chosen for starvation as punishment, Kolbe’s unyielding spirit of service shone brightly. He voluntarily replaced a distraught man, Franciszek Gajowniczek, who feared for his family.

For three weeks, Kolbe uplifted fellow prisoners in Block 11 with songs and prayers. He was the last survivor, eventually executed via a lethal injection.

Saint Maximilian Kolbe’s is celebrated as one of the ten 20th-century martyrs above Westminster Abbey’s Great West Door. His ultimate sacrifice was recognized by the Vatican, and he was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1982, with Gajowniczek in attendance.

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Pope Saint Pontian served as the head of the Catholic Church from 230 to 235 AD.

Interestingly, he was the first pope in history to step down from his role.

Born likely in Rome, he took over the leadership from St. Urban I. During his time as the pope, he faced challenges from heretical views known as Origenism. He also had to deal with a schism fueled by supporters of St. Hippolytus, who considered him an ‘antipope’.

In 235, Emperor Maximinus I Thrax intensified his persecution of the Christian Church. As a result, Pontian was arrested by Roman authorities. He and his rival, St. Hippolytus, were both banished to the brutal mines of Sardinia.

Realizing the importance of a stable leadership for the Church, Pontian made a historic decision to resign. This ensured that the Church could elect a new leader in his absence.

On the island of Sardinia, the two former adversaries found common ground. Pontian and Hippolytus reconciled before both meeting their end as martyrs.

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In Catania, Sicily during the year 304 under the rule of Dioclesian and Maximian, Saint Euplius, a devoted deacon, was ushered into the governor’s chamber. Even before his formal introduction, he boldly declared, “I am a Christian and will gladly die for Jesus Christ.” The governor, Calvisianus, took note of his fervor.

A notable man in Calvisianus’s circle, Maximus, criticized Euplius for carrying forbidden Christian writings. These writings, contradicting the edicts of the emperors, were held close by Euplius. When questioned, Euplius revealed he was arrested with the sacred texts and had no intention of parting with them.

Intrigued, Calvisianus asked him to share a verse from the book. Euplius recited verses emphasizing the blessings on those persecuted for their beliefs and the calling to take up one’s cross in the name of Jesus. When asked to explain, Euplius firmly stated, “It is the law of my Lord, given to me by Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.”

This response led Calvisianus to order severe punishment. Euplius was subjected to excruciating torment. Throughout, he clung to his faith, repeatedly declaring his unwavering dedication to Christ. Calvisianus offered him freedom in exchange for worshiping the gods Mars, Apollo, and Æsculapius. Euplius refused, asserting his worship for the Holy Trinity and his identity as a Christian.

The torments escalated, but Euplius’s spirit remained unbroken. His prayers during the ordeal were heartfelt thanks and pleas for strength from Jesus Christ. He persisted even when his voice failed him, moving his lips in silent prayer.

Eventually, Calvisianus made the grave decision to execute Euplius. As a final mark of scorn, the Christian scriptures were hung around Euplius’s neck. The crier announced his crimes against the gods and the emperors as they led him to his fate. Yet, even in his final moments, Euplius continued to give thanks and pray, ultimately offering his neck to the executioner.

The faithful later retrieved his remains, providing a proper burial.

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Saint Clare of Assisi, a stunning Italian noblewoman, was profoundly influenced by the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi. After hearing him preach, she was overwhelmed with a fervent desire to lead a life of poverty and humility, just as Francis did, to dedicate herself wholly to Jesus.

At a small chapel outside Assisi, she devoted herself to God’s service. To signify her commitment, St. Francis chopped off her hair and presented her with a simple brown robe, cinched at the waist with a plain cord. Despite her family’s persistent efforts to bring her back, Clare remained steadfast in her decision.

Soon, her sister, St. Agnes, followed her footsteps. Numerous young women, driven by the same passion to be Jesus’ brides and lead a life devoid of materialistic comforts, joined them. They adopted a life of asceticism: they went barefoot, abstained from meat, resided in modest abodes, and maintained silence for the majority of their days. Their lives might seem full of sacrifices, but they found joy in the Lord’s constant presence.

One time, an army, known for their brutal ways, approached Assisi with intentions to besiege it. They planned to target the convent first. Despite her ailing health, St. Clare displayed incredible courage. She had the Blessed Sacrament positioned against the wall, visible to the invaders. Falling on her knees, she earnestly prayed for the Lord to shield the Sisters. Miraculously, an audible voice responded, “I will keep them always in My care.” This divine intervention struck fear into the hearts of the soldiers, causing them to retreat hastily.

Years of illness caused St. Clare immense suffering. Yet, her unwavering faith and joy in serving the Lord overshadowed her pain. She once poignantly remarked, “They say that we are too poor, but can a heart which possesses the infinite God be truly called poor?”

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Saint Lawrence was a revered Roman deacon serving under Pope St. Sixtus II. A mere four days after the Pope’s execution, Lawrence, alongside four clerics, faced martyrdom. Their deaths are believed to have taken place during the persecution led by Emperor Valerian.

Details of his death, which have become legendary over time, were well-documented by figures like Damasus, Prudentius, Ambrose, and Augustine. The church erected above his final resting place became one of Rome’s seven major churches and a renowned destination for pilgrims.

As a deacon in Rome, Lawrence was entrusted with the Church’s material assets and the task of distributing alms to the needy. Sensing his impending arrest following the Pope’s death, Lawrence gave away all available funds to the destitute, widows, and orphans of Rome. He even sold the Church’s sacred vessels to bolster the amount.

When the prefect of Rome caught wind of this act, he presumed the Christians to be hoarding significant treasures. He summoned Lawrence and said, “We’ve heard tales of priests using golden vessels during offerings and evening services illuminated by golden candlesticks. Your teachings advocate giving to Caesar what belongs to him. Hand over these treasures. The emperor needs them for his forces. After all, God doesn’t need material wealth—He values words. So, give us the wealth and keep your words.”

In response, Lawrence assured him of the Church’s immense wealth. Seeking time to prepare an “inventory,” he took three days and then gathered a multitude of Rome’s blind, lame, leprous, orphaned, and widowed. Upon the prefect’s arrival, Lawrence proclaimed, “Behold the treasures of the Church.”

Enraged by this defiance, the prefect devised a torturous death for Lawrence in 258AD.

A large gridiron was prepared with burning coals beneath. Lawrence was placed upon it, and as he endured the agonizing pain, he reportedly quipped with unwavering spirit, “It is well done. Turn me over!”

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