Pope Saint Sylvester

Pope Saint Sylvester surely was appointed by God to govern his holy church in the first years of her temporal prosperity and triumph over her persecuting enemies. His pontificate was one of the most important, crucial and eventful of all Popes.

Saint Felix of Nola

Saint Felix of Nola, once a Roman soldier's son, became a Christian martyr and saint, renowned for his humility, charity, and miraculous escape from persecution.

Saint Raymond of Penafort

Saint Raymond of Penafort, Patron Saint of Canonists (c.1180-1275). Born in Spain, St. Raymond was a relative of the King of Aragon. From childhood he had a tender love and devotion to the Blessed Mother. He finished his studies at an early age, and became a famous teacher. He then gave up all his honors and entered the Order of the Dominicans.

Saint Paul the Hermit

Saint Paul the Hermit, known as the 'First Hermit,' lived 90 years in solitude, sustained miraculously in the Egyptian desert, inspiring Christian monasticism.

Feast of the Holy Innocents

Upon the birth of Our Lord, Herod ordered the murder of all all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, known as the massacre of the Holy Innocents.

Saint Henry of Uppsala

Saint Henry of Uppsala, 12th-century English bishop, evangelized Finland, built Nousis church, and met martyrdom, becoming the Patron Saint of Finland.

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

The Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple marks Mary's purification and Jesus' first introduction to the temple in accordance with Mosaic law.

Saint Thomas Becket

Thomas Becket (1118-1170), Archbishop of Canterbury, clashed with King Henry II over church-state authority, martyred, and canonized in 1173.

Saint Agatha

Saint Agatha of Sicily (6th century) devoted her life to God, resisting suitors. She was martyred after being forced into a brothel.

Saint Julia

Saint Julia was a noble virgin of Carthage, who was captured and sold as a slave to a pagan merchant named Eusebius. When she refused to offer sacrifice to pagan gods, the pagan ruler, in great anger, had her struck on the face and her hair torn from her head. She was next put on a cross to hang there until she died.