Saint of the day

Saint of the day

17 November: Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Franciscan Tertiary

Following in the footsteps of Saint Francis of Assisi

Elizabeth, born in 1207 in Hungary into a royal family and destined for marriage to the ruler of Thuringia, lived in the same years as Francis of Assisi. From a young age, she showed a natural inclination toward those who suffered and were in need—an inclination further strengthened through her contact with the Friars Minor, especially Brother Rüdiger, her first spiritual advisor, and later Brother Conrad. They merely helped direct, in an evangelical sense, a heart already inclined toward the most vulnerable.

November 16: Saint Agnes of Assisi, sister of Saint Clare

A point of reference for religious vocations

Caterina di Favarone, a member of the Offreduccio family and younger sister of Clare of Assisi, was born in the Umbrian city in 1197. Before she had even turned sixteen, she felt the desire to follow her elder sister’s example, choosing a life shaped by evangelical poverty and the Franciscan way.

15 November: Saint Albert the Great, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

The teacher of Saint Thomas Aquinas

Albrecht von Bollstädt, better known as Albert the Great, was a Bishop, a philosopher, a theologian, a naturalist, a chemist and the teacher of Saint Thomas Aquinas. He was highly educated, especially in natural sciences, and wrote a Summa Theologiae that became the model for Aquinas’ own celebrated, Summa Theologiae.

14 November: Saint Laurence O’Toole, Bishop

A Promoter of Unity and Loyalty to the Pope

A model of courage, holiness, and commitment to justice and unity: this is the example offered by Laurence O’Toole (Lorcan Ua Tuathail), born in Castledermot, County Kildare, in 1128 into an Irish noble family.

13 November: Artemide Zatti, Salesian Lay Brother

The Holy Nurse

Artemide Zatti was born in Boretto, Italy, in the province of Reggio Emilia, on 12 October 1880. From an early age he had to face the hardships of life; at just nine years old he was already working as a farm laborer to earn a living. Because of poverty, his family emigrated in 1897 to Argentina, settling in Bahía Blanca.

12 November: Saint Diego of Alcalá, Franciscan lay brother

A humble wonder-working friar

He is known above all for his humility, his charity toward the poor, and his dedication to the sick and the marginalized. Even during his lifetime he was regarded as a saint because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession. This is Saint Didacus or San Diego of Alcalá, born around 1400 in San Nicolás del Puerto, in the region of Seville, Andalusia (Spain). From a young age, he felt a strong call to a solitary life dedicated to prayer and humble labor. After entering the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans), he devoted himself with humility to the simplest services within the religious community.