Saint of the day

Saint of the day

April 16: Saint Benedict Joseph Labre

The Beggar and Wanderer of God 

In our era he may have been called a globetrotter because he loved to visit the main Sanctuaries of Europe on foot: from Santiago de Compostela to Loreto, from Rome to Gargano. He is Saint Benedict Joseph Labre, known as the beggar or wanderer of God. In less than fifteen years, it is estimated that he traveled thousands of kilometers until he settled in Rome. At first, he found refuge under an arch of the Colosseum and people brought him alms which he promptly distributed to those he considered poorer than himself. He then found a place near the Basilica of Saints Sylvester and Martin, in Rome’s Monti district.

April 15: Saint Abbondio

Many miracles are attributed to Saint Peter, but one is truly special. It involves another saint, or rather, the Apostle invites a paralytic girl in a vision, who turns to his intercession in prayer, to go and look for a certain Abbondio if she wanted to be healed.

April 12: Saint Giuseppe Moscati

The Medical Profession as a Mission of Charity 

"Let those who have, give; let those who don’t, take": so read a sign placed on an open hat in a very special doctor’s office. This was the clinic where Saint Giuseppe Moscati practiced medicine. The poor were never charged for their visits—in fact, they often left with gifts of food and medicine.

April 10: Saint Magdalena of Canossa

She renounced noble honors to give herself to the poor 

For centuries, the Canossa were an important noble family in northern Italy. In the year 1077 the famous Matilda of Canossa played a leading role as mediator during the serious diplomatic crisis between King Henry IV and Pope Gregory VII, who had excommunicated the emperor.

April 7: Saint Jean-Baptiste de La Salle

The Patron Saint of Teachers 

In 17th century France, schooling was no longer in step with the times. Teaching was dispersive and far from the social needs of a changing society. Culture was reserved for an elite and primary school was still based on the private individual method. A young priest had the courage to transform schooling, making it a place for anyone to prepare for life, become educated and acquire knowledge.

April 5: Saint Vincent Ferrer

The Angel of the Apocalypse

He was called the Angel of the Apocalypse for his fiery sermons on the end times and the eternal destiny that awaits humanity. Recalling his contemporaries to coherence in life via the professed faith and announcing the Gospel with vigor and courage, he did not fear the powerful of his time. He is Saint Vincent Ferrer, born on January 23, 1350, in Valencia, Spain, to Don Guillermo Ferrer and Lady Costanza Miguel.