Saint of the day

Saint of the day

July 23: Saint Bridget of Sweden, Patroness of Europe

In Search of Peace

 She promoted peace and reconciliation in Europe, writing to rulers to call for an end to the Hundred Years' War between France and England. This was Bridget (Birgitta Birgersdotter), born in 1303 into a noble Swedish family. She seemed destined for an ordinary life for a woman of her status. Married to Ulf Gudmarsson, a high-ranking official of the kingdom, she had eight children, including Saint Catherine of Sweden. Together with her husband, she followed the Rule of the Third Order of Saint Francis, dedicating herself to charity and founding a hospital where they personally cared for the sick.

July 22: Saint Mary Magdalene, Disciple of the Lord

Apostle to the Apostles

Mary Magdalene is known as the “Apostle to the Apostles” because she was the first to announce Jesus’ resurrection to the other disciples. She is also called an “evangelist” because she was a messenger of the Good News.

July 21: Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, Doctor of the Church

Defender of Church Doctrine

He carried out every task with simplicity and humility, defending the Church from attacks by enemies of the faith, promoting peace among warring powers, and leading the Order of Capuchin Friars Minor with dedication.

July 19: Saint Symmachus, Pope

Charity toward the poor and pilgrims

Symmachus, originally from Sardinia, was elected Pope on November 22, 498, following the death of Pope Anastasius II. However, his election was contested by a Roman faction aligned with the Byzantines, who instead elected the archpriest Laurentius. To resolve the dispute, the Ostrogothic King Theodoric summoned both candidates to Ravenna and decreed that the one who had received the most votes would be recognized as the legitimate pope. Symmachus had the majority and was thus confirmed as supreme pontiff.

July 18: Saint Bruno of Segni, Bishop

In the Service of the Popes and the Church

Saint Bruno of Segni was born between 1045 and 1049 in Solero d’Asti (now in the Province of Alessandria in northwestern Italy) to a modest family. Educated by the Benedictines, he continued his studies at the University of Bologna where he specialized in the trivium and quadrivium. After being ordained a priest, he became a canon in Siena and wrote biblical commentaries.

July 17: Saint Teresa of St. Augustine and 15 Discalced Carmelite Companion Martyrs

Guillotined for their faithfulness to consecrated life

A show trial before the Revolutionary Tribunal — a parody of justice whose only guiding principle was hatred toward religion and the Church. The outcome was fatal: sixteen Discalced Carmelite nuns from Compiègne, led by their prioress, Teresa of St. Augustine (born Marie-Madeleine-Claudine Lidoine), were guillotined in Paris’s Place du Trône on July 17, 1794.