Catholic Saint of the Day

Saint Nicholas Owens (c.1550-1606), was familiarly known as "Little John". During the English penal times (1559-1829), when a series of statutes punished Catholics for the practice of their faith he used his skills to build secret hiding places for priests throughout the country. He was arrested in 1606, subjected to horrible tortures, suffering an agonizing death. He was canonized in 1970.

Saint Nicholas of Flüe was a Swiss hermit and ascetic who is the patron saint of Switzerland. He is sometimes invoked as "Brother Klaus."

Saint Cuthbert (634 -687) was an Anglo-Saxon monk, bishop and hermit associated with the monasteries of Melrose and Lindisfarne in the Kingdom of Northumbria. Hee became one of the most important medieval saints of England. St. Cuthbert is regarded as the patron saint of northern England. His feast day is 20 March.

Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Virgin Mary, Foster-Father of Our Lord, Patron of the Universal Church and Fathers.

Saint Cyril of Jerusalem (315-386) Bishop of Jerusalem and Doctor of the Church. Defender of Orthodoxy against the Arians.

Saint Patrick, the Apostle of Ireland, born at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, in Scotland, in the year 387; died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, 17 March, 461. His parents were Calpurnius and Conchessa, who were Romans living in Britian in charge of the colonies. As a boy of fourteen or so, he was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. Ireland at this time was a land of Druids and pagans. He learned the language and practices of the people who held him.

Saint Abraham (296-366) was born to a wealthy family near Edessa, Syria. He was forced into an arranged marriage at an early age but had no desire to marry. During the wedding festivities, Abraham fled. He walled himself up in a nearby building, leaving a small hole through which his family could send in food and water, and by which he could explain his desire for a religious life. His family relented, the marriage was called off, and he spent the next ten years in his cell.

Saint Louise de Marillac (August 12, 1591 - March 15, 1660) was the co-founder, with St. Vincent de Paul, of the Daughters of Charity.

Saint Matilda was born about 895, the daughter of a German count. When she was still quite young, her parents arranged her marriage to a nobleman named Henry. Soon after their marriage, Henry became king of Germany. As queen, Matilda lived a simple lifestyle with times for daily prayer. Matilda founded several Benedictine abbeys, and was free to use the treasures of the kingdom for charity.

Saint Euphrasia (also, Eupraxia) (380 – March 13, 410) was a Constantinopolitan nun who was venerated after her death as a saint for her piety and example of charity.