Saint of the day

Saint of the day

5 February: Saint Agatha, Martyr

The Saint who saved her city several times

Young Agatha is one of the most well-known and venerated martyrs of early Christianity. She was killed during the persecution of Christians, ordered by Emperor Decius (249-251) in Catania.

Information about her can be found in Jacobus de Voragine’s The Golden Legend (1261-1268) and in the Acta Sanctorum (1643-1648), as well as in writings by Methodius I, Patriarch of Constantinople, from the ninth century, and by Symeon Metaphrastes from the 10th century.

February 4: Saint Joan of Valois

Queen of France and Founder of the Order of the Annunciation

Of fragile appearance, with a slight build and a physical malformation, Joan of Valois never managed to receive from her father, Louis XI, King of France, the welcome that her open and generous character would have deserved. Born in Nogent-le-Roi on April 23, 1464, at just twelve years of age she was given in marriage to her cousin Louis, Duke of Orléans. It was a forced union, devoid of affection, which her husband never accepted willingly. Despite this, when Louis rebelled against King Charles VIII and risked a death sentence, it was Joan herself who intervened in his defense, succeeding in saving him.

3 February: Saint Blaise, Bishop and Martyr

There is not much reliable information on Saint Blaise of Sebaste. What is known comes from the Acts of Saint Blaise, which were written in Greek. Blaise studied philosophy as a young man and was a respected physician in Sebaste, Armenia, his hometown. Following the death of the city’s Bishop, he was elected as his successor by popular acclaim.

2 February: The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple

Christ, the Light of the World

The Church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, 40 days after Christmas. The feast is better known as the Feast of the Candelora (Candlemas) or the Festival of Lights, because it is inspired by a verse from the Gospel of Luke (2:22-40), in which Simeon prophesies that Jesus is “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel”.

February 1: Saint Verdiana, Virgin

Recluse for the Love of Christ

Verdiana was born in Castelfiorentino (province of Valdelsa in Tuscany), a commune recently named  by the Bishop of Florence. Historical sources place her birth in 1178 and popular tradition describes her as a young servant in the household of the Attavanti family.

31 January: Saint John Bosco

Education is a question of the heart

“Do not ever forget these three things, devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, devotion to Mary Help of Christians and devotion to the Holy Father”, Don John Bosco said to his companions, shortly before he died.

Giovanni Melchiorre Bosco was born on 16 August 1815 in Becchi, Castelnuovo d'Asti, to a poor and humble rural family. His parents' names were Francesco Bosco and Margherita Occhiena. He had two brothers, Giuseppe and Antonio.