Catholic Saint of the Day

The feast of Maundy (or Holy) Thursday solemnly commemorates the institution of the Eucharist and is the oldest of the observances peculiar to Holy Week.

Saint Benjamin was a deacon martyred circa 424 in Persia. St. Benjamin was executed during a period of persecution of Christians that lasted forty years and through the reign of two Persian kings. St. Benjamin was tortured mercilessly until his death in the year 424, specifically, "sharpened reeds were stuck under the nails of his fingers and toes."

Saint Peter de Regalado (1390–1456) was a Friar Minor and reformer. He was born at Valladolid. He was noted reformer, primarily by setting a good and pious example. Had the gifts of bi-location, prophecy and miracle working.

Despite cruel tortures, the two brothers remained steadfast in the Faith. New and more horrible torments were then devised under which at last they yielded up their lives, while their pure souls winged their flight to heaven, there to gain the martyr's crown, which they had so faithfully won.

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 John of Egypt was born in Lycopolis, modern Assiut, Egypt, and spent his youth as a carpenter under his father. Then feeling a call from God, he left the world and committed himself to a holy solitary in the desert. He was a man who desired to be alone with God and became one of the most famous hermits of his time.

Saint Margaret Clitherow was born in Middleton, England, in 1555, of protestant parents. She converted to the Catholic Church. Her zeal led her to harbor fugitive priests, for which she was arrested and imprisoned by hostile authorities. Finally, she was condemned to be pressed to death. She was stretched out on the ground with a sharp rock on her back and crushed under a door over laden with unbearable weights.

Solemnity Of The Annunciation of The Lord. The central focus of this Solemnity is the Incarnation: God has become one of us. From all eternity God had decided that the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity should become human.

Saint Irenaeus of Sirmium (died 304 AD) was bishop of Sirmium in Pannonia, which is now Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia. He was bishop during the reign of Diocletian. He refused to offer pagan sacrifices, even at the behest of his family. He was condemned, and then beheaded on 24 March 304.

Saint Toribio Alfonso de Mongrovejo (1538-1606) Bishop and defender of the rights of the native Indians in Peru. He founded schools, churches, hospitals, and the first seminary in the New World. To assist his pastoral work among the Indians, he also mastered several Indian dialects. He was canonized in 1726.