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“Rogate”: the discovery of the necessity of prayer for vocations, according to the Gospel — “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray [Rogate] the Master of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2) — is the essence of the charism of Saint Hannibal Mary Di Francia. The premature death of his father also led him to develop a special tenderness and loving care toward orphans.
Her life is closely connected with the earliest presence of the Dominicans in Bologna. She herself entered the Order and founded the Monastery of Saint Agnes. She was Diana degli Andalò, born in Bologna around the year 1200 into a noble and influential family. Her father, Andrea Lovello (from whom came the nickname Andalò), belonged to the Carbonesi noble clan.
Saint Barnabas, though not one of the original twelve Apostles directly chosen by Jesus, was recognized as a true Apostle by the early Church Fathers and by Saint Luke. This recognition was granted not only because of his special vocation inspired by the Holy Spirit but also due to the significant role he played in the spread of Christianity, actively collaborating with the other Apostles.
"The heart of Christ, as the symbol of the deepest and most personal source of his love for us, is the very core of the initial preaching of the Gospel. It stands at the origin of our faith, as the wellspring that refreshes and enlivens our Christian beliefs.”
With these words, Pope Francis expressed himself in his encyclical Dilexit nos on the human and divine love of the Heart of Jesus Christ, dated October 24, 2024.
Pope Leo III, born in Rome, was educated from childhood within the vestiarium of the Roman Church, the office that managed the papal treasury.
Ordained as a subdeacon and later as Cardinal with the titular church of Santa Susanna, he maintained an important role in that administration which he officially headed in 789, becoming one of the main collaborators of Pope Adrian I.
A Portuguese nobleman who renounced wealth and honors to join the Augustinian Canons, Saint Anthony of Padua was deeply moved by the martyrdom of five Franciscan proto-missionaries. Inspired by their example, he became a disciple of Saint Francis of Assisi, dedicating his life to preaching the Word of God.
“We have strayed from that path of peace. We have forgotten the lesson learned from the tragedies of the last century, the sacrifice of the millions who fell in two world wars. We have disregarded the commitments we made as a community of nations. We have betrayed peoples’ dreams of peace and the hopes of the young.
Elisha is still a common name among African Christian families today. It comes from the Hebrew meaning “God is Lord” (El-Yah). In the Bible, Elisha is presented as a prophet who lived in the 8th century B.C., a disciple of the great prophet Elijah. His calling is recounted in the First Book of Kings, chapter 19:
He is known for founding the famous hospices on the alpine passes of the Great St. Bernard and the Little St. Bernard, which were named after him. These hospices, located at altitudes of 2,469 meters and 2,188 meters respectively, were established to meet the needs of travelers crossing the Alps. They offered shelter, medical assistance, and spiritual support to pilgrims and wayfarers in difficulty. In a short time, the hospices became a symbol of Christian charity and dedication to others.
Quiricus and Julita were two martyrs of the 4th century: a mother and her three-year-old son, killed together in Tarsus, in what is now Turkey. Julita was a noblewoman of royal lineage from Iconium in Lycaonia, a central region of present-day Turkey.
Blaise (or Blastus) and Diogen (or Diogenes) are two saints who have been venerated in Rome since antiquity and throughout the Middle Ages. Their commemoration is recorded in the Martyrologium Hieronymianum under the date of June 17.
Regarding Saint Blaise, some texts — including the Acts of the Martyr Saint Valentine — refer to a Roman Tribune named Blastus, who was condemned to death in 269 AD by Emperor Claudius Gothicus for his Christian faith. However, there is no conclusive evidence to confirm that this Blastus is the same saint remembered on this date.
“The greatest imitator of Saint Charles [Borromeo] was Saint Gregory Barbarigo in Padua, where, thanks to his virtue, the Seminary became a monument and through three centuries it still remains in aedificationem gentium[for the edification of the nations].”
With these words, Pope John XXIII described Saint Gregory Barbarigo during the homily for his canonization, on May 26, 1960, in the Basilica of Saint John Lateran.
"Although the Eucharist is solemnly celebrated every day, we deem it fitting that, at least once a year, a more honored and solemn remembrance be observed. The other things we commemorate, we grasp with the spirit and the mind, but do not for that reason obtain their real presence. However, in this sacramental commemoration of Christ, even though under a different form, Jesus Christ is truly present among us in His own substance. Indeed, as He was about to ascend into heaven, He said: 'And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age (Mt 28:20)."
Information about the life of Saint Erasmus is scarce and derives from a Passio dating back to the 6th century. His date of birth is unknown. According to tradition, Erasmus was Bishop of Antioch. When persecutions against Christians broke out, he hid for seven years in a cave. Discovered and arrested, he was thrown into prison for refusing to sacrifice to the pagan gods.
A central figure in the monasticism of southern Italy, founder of a Benedictine Congregation and an Abbey. This was John of Matera, born in Matera around 1070 into a wealthy and noble Christian family.
Everything the world desires—honor, wealth, nobility, glory, power—he had. Yet Aloysius (Louis) Gonzaga chose to go against the tide, abandoning all worldly security to stake his entire life on following Christ. Born into the noble Gonzaga family on March 9, 1568 as the eldest son of the Marquis of Castiglione, Aloysius had a future of comfort and distinction ahead of him. However, he preferred prayer and penance over weapons and armor.
It was June 22, 1535, when Bishop John Fisher of Rochester England was executed by beheading in the Tower of London. He had been accused of high treason by King Henry VIII. In the hope of sparing his life, Pope Paul III had named him Cardinal on May 20 of that year, but it was in vain. Fisher’s head was displayed at the entrance of London Bridge until July 6, when it was thrown into the River Thames. In its place, the head of Thomas More, the Lord Chancellor of England, was set. He too had been condemned to death for high treason. His sentence was carried out on July 6, 1535.
He accompanied no fewer than 57 condemned prisoners to the gallows, hearing their confessions and giving them Communion to support them in their final moments. For this reason, he became known as the “Priest of the Gallows.” His concern for prisoners was part of his deep love for the marginalized and the most in need, to whom he sought to show the merciful face of God.
Saint John the Baptist is the only person, along with the Virgin Mary, whose birth is celebrated by the Church with a solemn feast. According to tradition, John was born in Ain Karem, and his coming into the world is considered the first visible sign of the beginning of the messianic times.
Pilgrim, founder of the Abbey of Montevergine and of the Benedictine Congregation closely linked to the monastery. He is known as William of Vercelli or William of Montevergine.
Born in Vercelli Italy around 1085 into a noble family, William began journeying across Europe at just 14 years old. He abandoned his noble garments, donned a simple cloak, and set out barefoot on a long pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Saint James of Compostela in Spain.
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