Good Friday
Good Friday is the Friday within Holy Week, and is traditionally a time of fasting and penance, commemorating the anniversary of Christ's crucifixion and death. For Christians, Good Friday commemorates not just a historical event, but the sacrificial death of Christ, which with the resurrection, comprises the heart of the Christian faith.
Saint Mary Cleophas
Saint Mary Cleophas was one of the “three Marys” who followed Our Lord and stood at the foot of the Cross on Calvary and who went to the tomb.
Saint Julie Billiart
Saint Julie Billiart (12 July 1751 — 8 April 1816) was the founder and first Superior General of the Congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Saint Julie was best-known for her charity. Her whole soul was echoed in the simple and naive formula which was continually on her lips and pen: Ah, qu'il est bon, le bon Dieu! (How good is the good God).
Saint John Baptist de La Salle
Saint Jean-Baptiste de La Salle (1651-1719) was a priest, educational reformer, and founder of Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. He is a the patron saint of teachers. He is considered the founder of the first Catholic schools.
Saint Crescentia Hoess
Saint Crescentia Hoess was born in 1682 in a little town near Augsburg, the daughter of a poor weaver. As she grew older she desired to enter the convent of the Tertiaries of St. Francis. Bodily afflictions and pain were always with her. Despite her sufferings she was filled with peace and joy as she died on Easter Sunday in 1744.
Palm Sunday of The Lord’s Passion
Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion, the first Sunday of Holy Week within the Lenten Season, commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem preceding his passion. As he entered, the people of Jerusalem recognized Jesus as their king, saying "Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
Saint Benedict the Moor
Saint Benedict the Moor (1526-1589) was born a slave. At 18 he was freed and eventually became superior of a community of hermits at Montepellegrino. Canonized in 1807, he is honored as a patron saint of African-Americans.
Saints Agape, Chionia, and Irene
Saints Agape, Chionia, and Irene where 3 sisters who were martyred under Diocletian in 303 A.D. for violating a decree making it an offense punishable by death to possess any portion of sacred Christian writings and refusing to sacrifice to pagan gods.
Saint Francis of Paola
Saint Francis of Paola (1416-1507) founder of the Order of Minims. The rule of life adopted by Francis and his religious was one of extraordinary severity. They observed perpetual abstinence and lived in great poverty, but the distinguishing mark of the order was humility. They were to seek to live unknown and hidden from the world. To express this character which he would have his disciples cultivate, Francis eventually obtained from the Holy See that they should be styled Minims, the least of all religious.
Saint Hugh of Grenoble
Saint Hugh of Grenoble (1052-1132) served as a bishop in France for 52 years. In conflicts between Church and state he was an unflinching defender of the Church. He fearlessly supported the papacy. St. Hugh may be best known as patron and benefactor of St. Bruno, founder of the Carthusian Order.
