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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During the same era as Martin Luther’s groundbreaking protests, attempts to reform the Church from within were already underway. A prominent figure in this Counter-Reformation was Saint Anthony Zaccaria.

Saint Anthony’s spiritual journey started early, guided by his mother, who was widowed at 18. Despite the challenges, she dedicated herself to his spiritual upbringing. Anthony went on to earn a medical doctorate at the young age of 22. While serving the underprivileged in his hometown, Cremona, Italy, he felt drawn towards a life of religious service.

Choosing to renounce his claim to any inheritance, Anthony became a catechist and, by 26, was ordained a priest. A few years later, he was called to Milan, where he established the foundations of three religious congregations: one for men, one for women, and an association for married couples. These groups sought to invigorate a society that they perceived as decadent, beginning with its clergy, religious institutions, and laypeople.

Greatly inspired by Saint Paul, Anthony even named his congregation the Barnabites, after Saint Paul’s companion. He was a passionate preacher, both in church and in public spaces, and was a driving force behind popular missions. Never one to shy away from public penance, Anthony held firm in his convictions.

Innovations he promoted included encouraging laypeople to collaborate in apostolic works, endorsing frequent Communion, advocating the Forty Hours devotion, and supporting the practice of ringing church bells at 3:00 p.m. on Fridays.

Anthony’s devoutness prompted many to rethink and reform their lives. However, just like all influential figures, his actions also spurred opposition. His community was investigated twice for religious misconduct, but on both occasions, it was absolved.

While on a peace mission, Anthony fell seriously ill and returned to his mother’s home. His life was cut short at the age of 36 in Cremona, leaving behind a profound legacy of counter-reformation.

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Pier Giorgio Frassati, born in Turin, Italy in 1901, is hailed as a saint for the contemporary world, particularly for today’s youth. Despite a tragically brief lifespan of 24 years, his fervent dedication to holy living left an enduring impact. He became an embodiment of virtue, aptly referred to as a “man of the beatitudes” by Pope John Paul II during his beatification in Rome on May 20, 1990. Friends fondly remembered him as an “explosion of joy,” while his sister, Luciana, characterized him as the epitome of Christian youth—pure, exuberant, and devoted to all that embodies beauty and goodness.

Frassati’s life offers a stark, inspiring contrast to a modern world often plagued by cynicism and unease. His existence, brimming with purpose, meaning, and peace, sprang from his unwavering faith in God. From an early age, Frassati prioritized Christ, a choice which provoked misunderstanding and disapproval from his nonreligious parents. Yet, he bore this familial friction patiently, silently, and lovingly, even until his abrupt demise from polio.

His devotion was evident in his daily routine. Frassati was a man of prayer, often found by his agnostic father, asleep on his knees by his bedside, after a heartfelt recitation of the rosary. As Luciana Frassati notes, “He gave his whole self, both in prayer and in action, in service to Christ.” His education at a Jesuit school further cemented his commitment, leading to the rare privilege of daily communion. Nights often passed in Eucharistic adoration. For Frassati, every action started and ended with Christ.

In 1922, at the age of 21, this balance of contemplation and action drew Frassati to the Fraternities of St. Dominic. As a tertiary, he adopted the name “Girolamo” (Jerome), after his idol, Girolamo Savonarola, a renowned Dominican preacher and reformer of the Renaissance period in Florence.

Frassati was a charismatic figure, attracting many with his vibrant personality and good looks. He was also an enthusiast of various sports, enjoying hiking, horse riding, skiing, and mountain climbing. Known for his love for humor, he was never shy of a practical joke.

Frassati’s faith was not confined to theory, but was an integral part of his daily life. He embraced spirited political activism during the Fascist period in World War I Italy, juggled his challenging academic responsibilities despite being a poor student, and silently served the destitute in Turin. His affluent background never affected his modest demeanor, and he was always willing to help those in need, often suspected of contracting polio from those he aided in the slums.

As he lay on his deathbed, his final week marked by rapid physical deterioration, Frassati continued to display remarkable virtue. His concern remained with others’ welfare, his focus outward, never highlighting his own suffering. Even as he lay dying, his last note, written with a paralyzed hand, was a reminder to a friend about the injections needed for a needy man he had been helping.

Frassati’s death on July 4, 1925, brought thousands of people to the Frassati mansion. The throngs of poor and lonely individuals who had been touched by his compassionate actions and inspiring life stood testament to his selfless service. The Frassati family, unaware of their son’s benevolence, were taken aback by the overwhelming public display of affection.

In 1981, Frassati’s body, found incorrupt, was moved from the family tomb in the cemetery of Pollone to the Cathedral of Turin.

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Saint Thomas, one of the revered Twelve Apostles, was known for his fervent yet impulsive dedication to Jesus Christ. When Jesus announced his intent to return to Judea to visit his ailing friend Lazarus, Thomas boldly encouraged his fellow Apostles to accompany Jesus, fully aware that the journey carried an imminent threat of danger, and even death, due to the escalating hostility from the authorities.

At the Last Supper, Jesus revealed to His Apostles his plan to prepare a place for them, assuring they knew the way. In his confusion, Thomas earnestly implored for clarity. This led to the sublime proclamation from Jesus that He himself was the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

However, Saint Thomas is perhaps most famously recognized for his role in confirming the Resurrection of Jesus. When told of Jesus’ reappearance on the first Easter Sunday, Thomas found himself enveloped by doubt, hence acquiring the moniker of “doubting Thomas.” Yet, eight days later, during Jesus’ second apparition, Thomas’ skepticism was gently admonished. He was provided with the evidence he sought, as he was allowed to see and touch the nail marks in Jesus’ hands and place his hand into His side. Overwhelmed with conviction, Saint Thomas openly professed his faith in the Divinity of Jesus, exclaiming, “My Lord and My God.”

In the New Testament, Saint Thomas is also mentioned as witnessing another miraculous event post-Resurrection— a significant haul of fish at Lake Tiberias.

Beyond these biblical accounts, tradition narrates that following the dispersion of the Apostles after Pentecost, Saint Thomas embarked on a mission to evangelize the Parthians, Medes, Persians, and ultimately arrived in India. He propagated the Christian faith along the Malabar coast, which to this day, boasts a sizable community identifying themselves as the “Christians of Saint Thomas.” His life culminated in martyrdom, as he was speared to death in a place named Calamine. Today, his feast day is celebrated on July 3rd, and he is recognized as the patron saint of architects.

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Oliver Plunkett, later recognized as Saint Oliver Plunkett, was born on 1st November 1625 into a prominent Anglo-Norman family in Loughcrew, near Oldcastle in County Meath. In 1647, he journeyed to Rome to study for the priesthood at the Irish College, and was ordained as a priest in 1654.

Plunkett’s formative years as a priest coincided with a tumultuous period in Irish history, sparked by the arrival of Oliver Cromwell in Ireland in 1649. This event ushered in a devastating era of massacre and persecution of Catholics. Even though Cromwell left Ireland the following year, his damaging legacy persisted through oppressive anti-Catholic laws.

Throughout the 1650s, Catholics faced expulsion from Dublin, while Catholic landowners were dispossessed of their lands. Catholic priests, in particular, bore the brunt of this oppression; they were outlawed and faced execution or exile to the West Indies for continuing to practice their faith. Seeking to evade this persecution, Plunkett successfully petitioned to stay in Rome where he became a professor of theology in 1657.

As anti-Catholic sentiments began to subside, Plunkett made his return to Ireland. He ascended to the position of Archbishop of Armagh in 1657. Under his leadership, he initiated significant reforms within the church, establishing schools for the education of both the young and the clergy, whom he found lacking in moral theology and controversies. His drive for reform extended to curbing drunkenness among the clergy, famously stating, “Let us remove this defect from an Irish priest, and he will be a saint.”

In 1670, Plunkett convened an episcopal conference in Dublin and held numerous synods within his archdiocese. Nevertheless, his tenure was not without controversy. He was embroiled in a long-standing dispute with Archbishop Peter Talbot of Dublin over their respective claims to be the primate of Ireland. His relationships with religious orders were also strained, especially with the Franciscans whom he upset by siding with the Dominicans in a property dispute.

The peaceful respite from anti-Catholic persecution was short-lived. By 1673, a new wave of persecution swept the land, prompting Plunkett to retreat into hiding. He rejected a government directive to register at a seaport for exile. When the so-called “Popish Plot” – a conspiracy theory by Titus Oates in England – ignited further anti-Catholic sentiments in 1678, Plunkett went into hiding once more.

Accusations against Plunkett escalated. The privy council in London was misinformed that he was plotting a French invasion. Consequently, in December 1679, Plunkett was arrested and incarcerated in Dublin Castle, where he gave absolution to the dying Talbot. He was transported to London, where he was wrongfully convicted of high treason in June 1681, based on perjured testimonies from two disgruntled Franciscans.

On July 1, 1681, Plunkett faced execution at Tyburn, becoming the last Catholic martyr in England. His sacrifice was not forgotten. He was beatified in 1920 and canonised in 1975, marking the first Irish saint in almost seven centuries.

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In 1776, as the American revolution was unfurling in the east, another transformative event was taking place in the west that would ultimately shape the future of the United States. In California, an unyielding Franciscan donned in gray robes laid the foundation of Mission San Juan Capistrano, which today is renowned for its annually returning swallows. This mission was the seventh of nine established under the auspices of this resolute Spaniard.

Born on Spain’s Mallorca island, Junipero Serra, as he became known, joined the Franciscan Order and adopted the name of Saint Francis’ innocent companion, Brother Juniper. Until the age of thirty-five, he dedicated most of his time to theological studies, first as a student and later as a professor, gaining notoriety for his compelling preaching. However, he felt a deep-seated longing to follow in the footsteps of Saint Francis Solanus, whose missionary work in South America he had heard about years earlier. Junipero aspired to convert the indigenous people of the New World to Christianity.

His journey began with a voyage by ship to Vera Cruz, Mexico. From there, he and a companion made the arduous 250-mile journey to Mexico City on foot. During the trip, Junipero suffered an insect bite on his left leg which became infected, causing him lifelong health complications that often posed a life-threatening risk. Undeterred, he devoted the next eighteen years to missionary work in central Mexico and the Baja Peninsula, eventually presiding over the missions there.

When King Charles III of Spain commanded an expedition to secure territory ahead of Russia, Junipero found himself tasked with a new mission. Jose de Galvez, acting as the last of the spiritual and military conquistadors, urged Junipero to join him on a journey to present-day Monterey, California. Upon their 900-mile northward journey, the first mission they established was San Diego in 1769. That same year, a food shortage nearly led to the expedition’s cancellation. Junipero, resolved to stand by the local people, started a novena alongside another friar in preparation for Saint Joseph’s Day, their planned departure date on March 19. Miraculously, a relief ship arrived on the very day they had prepared to leave.

Additional missions sprang up in the following years: Monterey/Carmel (1770); San Antonio and San Gabriel (1771); San Luis Obispo (1772); San Francisco and San Juan Capistrano (1776); Santa Clara (1777); San Buenaventura (1782). Even after Serra’s death, twelve more missions were founded.

On one occasion, Junipero made the arduous journey to Mexico City to resolve significant differences with the military commander. Despite arriving gravely ill, his negotiation yielded the famous “Regulation,” which served to protect the Indians and the missions. This legislation laid the groundwork for the first significant laws in California, essentially serving as a “Bill of Rights” for Native Americans.

In the eyes of the Spanish, the Native Americans were leading an inhumane life, which led to the friars becoming their legal guardians. The indigenous people, once baptized, were kept within the mission to prevent them from falling back into their old ways. This decision has been criticized by some today as unjust.

Junipero’s missionary life was filled with struggle — against harsh weather, hunger, unsympathetic military commanders, and even threats from non-Christian native groups. Nonetheless, his unwavering zeal was continually fueled by nightly prayer sessions that often lasted from midnight until dawn. He baptized over six thousand people and confirmed five thousand. His missionary travels could have encircled the globe. He brought more than faith to the Native Americans — he offered them a more humane standard of living. His genuine compassion earned their love, as evidenced by their mourning upon his death. Junipero was laid to rest at Mission San Carlo Borromeo, Carmel, and was beatified in 1988.

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