Saint of the day

Saint of the day

17 February: Seven Holy Founders of the Order of the Servants of Mary

Seven merchants united in imitation and praise of the Virgin Mary

Seven merchants met in an oratory in Florence on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary in 1233. They were all wealthy and part of the old nobility of Florence. Their names were Bonfilius Monaldi, Bonajunta Manetti, Manettus dell'Antella, Amidius Amidei, Hugo Uguccioni, Sosthenes Sostegni and Alexis Falconieri. 

They shared a great devotion to Our Lady and belonged to a confraternity, whose aim was to pay homage to Mary. Known as “Laudesi”, members of the confraternity felt called to be at the service of Our Lady and follow Christ. After seeking the advice of the Bishop of Florence, Ardingo, who encouraged their project, they began their new lives.

February 16: Saint Giuseppe Allamano

Founder of the Consolata Missionaries and the Consolata Missionary Sisters

Giuseppe Allamano was born on January 21, 1851, in Castelnuovo Don Bosco, Piedmont Italy, into a deeply religious family. His mother, Maria Anna Cafasso, was the younger sister of Saint Giuseppe Cafasso. She was a model of life and faith for her young son.

15 February: Blessed Angelo Scarpetti, Augustinian

In the School of Saint Augustine

Angelo Scarpetti was born between 1230 and 1240, most likely in Sansepolcro, the Tuscan town where he lived and died. According to established tradition, in 1254 he entered the convent of the Bonite hermits of Sansepolcro, who followed the Rule of Saint Augustine. This community became involved in the great process of unifying eremitical movements promoted by Pope Alexander IV which, in 1256, led to the foundation of the Order of the Hermits of Saint Augustine.

14 February: Saints Cyril and Methodius

Evangelizers of the Slavs

Cyril and Methodius are known for being the evangelizers of the Slavs, for whom they created an alphabet that was understandable to a large part of the people, in order to pass on the teachings of the Scriptures. The two brothers, Cyril and Methodius, were from Thessalonica, today known as Salonika,  in Greece, but then part of the Byzantine Empire. Methodius was born around 825, while Cyril was born two years later. Cyril’s original name was Constantine, but he changed his name when he became a monk on his deathbed.

13 February: Blessed Christina of Spoleto, Augustinian

Prayer, penance and charity toward the poor

Christina of Spoleto’s life changed radically when, around the middle of the fifteenth century, she chose to break with her past. At a very young age—probably shortly after 1450—she left her family to receive the religious habit and enter the order of Secular Augustinians. Until then, very little was known about this young woman named Christina, who wished to follow Christ without reservation. From that moment on, her existence was marked by continual journeys, without a permanent home, in search of God.

February 12: Saint Benedict of Aniane, Abbot

Reformer of Monastic Life

Benedict of Aniane, born Witiza, was born around the middle of the 8th century in southern France, into a noble family of Visigothic origin. At the age of twenty-seven, his life changed dramatically. During a military expedition to Pavia, he risked his life trying to save his brother, who had fallen into the River Ticino. Deeply shaken by the event, he vowed to dedicate himself entirely to God. True to his promise, around 774 he entered the monastery of Saint-Seine, near Dijon.