October 2 – Falsely charged, mutilated and martyred

September 29, 2016

St. Leodegar (also Leger or Leodegarius) Bishop of Autun, born about 615; died a martyr in 678, at Sarcing, Somme. His mother was called Sigrada, and his father Bobilo. His parents being of high rank, his early childhood was passed at the court of Clotaire II. He went later to Poitiers, to study under the […]

Read the full article →

October 2 – The Holy Guardian Angels

September 29, 2016

That every individual soul has a guardian angel has never been defined by the Church, and is, consequently, not an article of faith; but it is the “mind of the Church”, as St. Jerome expressed it: “how great the dignity of the soul, since each one has from his birth an angel commissioned to guard […]

Read the full article →

October 3 – Military turned monk

September 29, 2016

St. Gérard, Abbot of Brogne Born at Staves in the county of Namur, towards the end of the ninth century; died at Brogne or St-Gérard, 3 Oct. 959. The son of Stance, of the family of dukes of Lower Austrasia, and of Plectrude, sister of Stephen, Bishop of Liège, the young Gérard, like most men […]

Read the full article →

October 3 – Enemy of King St. Louis, but still his friend in Christ

September 29, 2016

(THOMAS DE CANTELUPE). Born at Hambledon, Buckinghamshire, England, about 1218; died at Orvieto, Italy, 25 August, 1282. He was the son of William de Cantelupe and Millicent de Gournay, and thus a member of an illustrious and influential family. He was educated under the care of his uncle, Walter de Cantelupe, Bishop of Worcester, first […]

Read the full article →

October 3 – Mother Théodore Guérin

September 29, 2016

Many of the early pioneers faced the hardships of this country where wars, famine and disease were the norm. Leaving everything behind, heroic souls came not only to save the souls of Indian nations, but also to minister to these frontier families. One such person was St. Mother Théodore Guérin, who became the eighth American Saint […]

Read the full article →

October 3 – Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira

September 29, 2016

(December 13, 1908 – October 3, 1995) Brazilian intellectual and Catholic activist. Corrêa de Oliveira was born in São Paulo to Lucilia Corrêa de Oliveira, a devout Roman Catholic, and educated by Jesuits. In 1928 he joined the Marian Congregations of São Paulo and soon became a leader of that organization. In 1933 he helped […]

Read the full article →

September 27 – St. Vincent de Paul had special charity to the impoverished nobility

September 26, 2016

St. Vincent de Paul founded a special organization for the relief of the nobility of Lorraine who had sought refuge in Paris during the Thirty Years War. In that period of the war known as the French period Lorraine, Trois-Evechés, Franche-Comté, and Champagne underwent for nearly a quarter of a century all the horrors and […]

Read the full article →

September 27 – These exemplary nobles personified virtue

September 26, 2016

Saint Elzéar of Sabran, Count of Arian, and Saint Delphina of Glandenes St. Elzear (also spelled Eleazarus) was descended of the ancient and illustrious family of Sabran, in Provence; his father, Hermengaud of Sabran, was created count of Arian (Ariano), in the kingdom of Naples; his mother was Lauduna of Albes, a family no less […]

Read the full article →

September 27 – Fr. Peter Skarga: Court Preacher

September 26, 2016

Fr. Peter Skarga Theologian and missionary, born at Grojec, 1536; died at Cracow, 27 Sept., 1612. He began his education in his native town in 1552; he went to study in Cracow and afterwards in Warsaw. In 1557 he was in Vienna as tutor to the young Castellan, Teczynski; returning thence in 1564, he received […]

Read the full article →

September 28 – Franciscan money lender

September 26, 2016

Bl. Bernardine of Feltre Friar Minor and missionary, born at Feltre, Italy, in 1439 and died at Pavia, 28 September, 1494. He belonged to the noble family of Tomitano and was the eldest of nine children. In 1456 St. James of the Marches preached the Lenten course at Padua, and inspired to enter the Franciscan […]

Read the full article →

September 28 – Good King Wenceslaus

September 26, 2016

(Also Vaclav, Vaceslav.) Duke, martyr, and patron of Bohemia, born probably 903; died at Alt-Bunzlau, 28 September, 935. His parents were Duke Wratislaw, a Christian, and Dragomir, a heathen. He received a good Christian education from his grandmother (St. Ludmilla) and at Budweis. After the death of Wratislaw, Dragomir, acting as regent, opposed Christianity, and […]

Read the full article →

September 29 – In battle or in prison, he never missed Mass

September 26, 2016

Blessed Charles of Blois (1320- September 29, 1364) Charles is the son of Guy I of Blois-Châtillon, count of Blois, by Margaret of Valois, a sister of king Philip VI of France. Early in life, he felt a call to be a Franciscan friar, but political duty kept him in secular life. Following his marriage […]

Read the full article →

September 29 – Military Orders of St. Michael

September 26, 2016

Military Orders of St. Michael (1) A Bavarian Order, founded in 1721 by Elector Joseph Clemens of Cologne, Duke of Bavaria, and confirmed by Maximilian Joseph, King of Bavaria, 11 September 1808. Pius VII, 5 Feb. 1802 granted to priests decorated with this order all the privileges of domestic prelates. Under Louis I it was […]

Read the full article →

September 29 – The Angelic Inspiration of Chivalry

September 26, 2016

Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael _____________________ Saint Michael the Archangel: “Who is like God?” In Hebraic, mîkâ’êl, means “Who is like God?” The Scriptures refer to the Archangel Saint Michael in four different passages: two of them, in Daniel’s prophesy (chap. 10, 13 and 21; and chap. 12, 1); one in Saint Jude Thaddeus (single […]

Read the full article →

The Protection of the Faith Is Sufficient Cause for the Lawfulness of War

September 26, 2016

What Popes, Saints, Doctors and Theologians Think Regarding the Lawfulness of War (contd.) The Protection of the Faith Is Sufficient Cause for the Lawfulness of War From the Seraphic Doctor, Saint Bonaventure, we present the following judgment on the subject: For the lawfulness [of war] it is required…that the person who declares war be invested […]

Read the full article →

Prince William helps aide as he slips on pavement

September 22, 2016

According to BBC: The Duke of Cambridge was one of several people to help the Queen’s representative in Essex when he appeared to slip and fall on a wet pavement. Jonathan Douglas-Hughes, Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Essex, was introducing Prince William to local dignitaries in Harlow when he slipped outside the Stewards Academy school. A gasp […]

Read the full article →

Netherlands: King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima Attend the 2016 Prinsjesdag

September 22, 2016

According to the Royal Correspondent: King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands…attended the 2016 Prinsjesdag held at the Ridderzaal (Hall of Knights) in Den Haag. Prinsjesdag is the opening of the new parliamentary year of the Staten-Generaal (Dutch Senate and House of Representatives). His Majesty delivered a speech… [excerpt] It is not wise […]

Read the full article →

A hero model Catholic youth

September 22, 2016

by Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira “Long live Christ the King!” Such was the cry that opened the gates of Heaven and eternal glory to many blessed during the Catholic resistance in the Mexico of the 20s. The Cristero martyrs shouted it as they were executed by the communist regime they had fought: a tyrannical regime […]

Read the full article →

Hollywood’s influence: a crusade against the Cross

September 22, 2016

What I think was really terrible – as far as I could see – was that from the moment the Hollywood atmosphere began to penetrate civil society it met no resistance from the ecclesiastical society; and then it began to intoxicate even religious ambiences with loads and loads of secularism, frivolity, and liberalism. It is […]

Read the full article →

September 23 – He ensured the immunity of non-combatants in warfare

September 22, 2016

St. Adamnan of Ireland, Abbot He was the eighth in descent from the great Nial, king of Ireland, and from Conal the Great, ancestor of St. Columbkille. His parents were eminent for their rank and virtue. He was born in the year 626, at Rathboth, (1) now called Raphoe, in the county of Donegal, and […]

Read the full article →

September 24 – “There is nothing so sublime as the papacy nor so exalted as the imperial throne”

September 22, 2016

Pope Innocent II (Gregorio Papereschi) Elected 14 Feb., 1130; died 24 Sept., 1143. He was a native of Rome and belonged to the ancient family of the Guidoni. His father’s name is given as John. The youthful Gregory became canon of the Lateran and later Abbot of Sts. Nicholas and Primitivus. He was made Cardinal-Deacon […]

Read the full article →

September 24 – Our Lady of Ransom (also Our Lady of Mercy)

September 22, 2016

24 September commemorates the foundation of the Mercedarians. [Nobility.org note: The most current historical dates and facts can be found in the Mercedarian history book, available here: http://orderofmercy.org/charism.html] On 10 August, 1223, the Mercedarian Order was legally constituted at Barcelona by King James of Aragon and was approved by Gregory IX on 17 January, 1235. […]

Read the full article →

September 24 – Founding Father

September 22, 2016

Fr. François Vaillant de Gueslis Jesuit missionary, born at Orleans, 20 July, 1646; died at Moulins, 24 Sept., 1718. He entered the Society of Jesus, 10 Nov., 1665; came to Canada in 1670; and was ordained priest at Quebec, 1 Dec., 1675. He first evangelized the Mohawks (1679-84). In the beginning of 1688 he was […]

Read the full article →

September 25 – St. Aunarius

September 22, 2016

St. Aunarius (Or Aunacharius). Bishop of Auxerre in France, born 573, died 603. Being of noble birth, he was brought up in the royal court, but evinced a desire to enter the clerical state, was ordained priest by St. Syagrius of Autum, and eventually was made Bishop of Auxerre. His administration is noted for certain […]

Read the full article →

September 25 – Princely Umpire in a deadly sport

September 22, 2016

St. Albert of Jerusalem Patriarch of Jerusalem, one of the conspicuous ecclesiastics in the troubles between the Holy See and Federick Barbarossa; date of birth uncertain; died 14 September, 1215. He was in fact asked by both Pope and Emperor to act as umpire in their dispute and, as a reward, was made Prince of […]

Read the full article →

September 26 – Fr. Frederick William Faber

September 22, 2016

Fr. Frederick William Faber Oratorian and devotional writer, b. 28 June, 1814, at Calverley, Yorkshire, England; d. in London, 26 Sept., 1863. After five years at Harrow School he matriculated at Balliol in 1832, became a scholar at University College in 1834, and a fellow of that College in 1837. Of Huguenot descent Faber was […]

Read the full article →

Saint Bernard: To Die or to Kill for Christ Is Not Criminal, but Glorious

September 22, 2016

What Popes, Saints, Doctors and Theologians Think Regarding the Lawfulness of War (contd.) To Die or to Kill for Christ Is Not Criminal, but Glorious About the lawfulness of war against the pagans, Saint Bernard, the Mellifluous Doctor, has these glowing words: But in truth the knights of Christ fight the battles of their Lord […]

Read the full article →

September 20 – “Threats do not terrify me”

September 19, 2016

Pope St. Agapetus I (Also AGAPITUS.) Reigned 535-536. Date of birth uncertain; died 22 April, 536. He was the son of Gordianus, a Roman priest who had been slain during the riots in the days of Pope Symmachus. His first official act was to burn in the presence of the assembled clergy the anathema which […]

Read the full article →

September 20 – Court preacher to Charles V

September 19, 2016

Saint Alonso de Orozco Mena Alphonsus de Orozco was born in Oropesa, Province of Toledo, Spain, on the 17th of October 1500, where his father was governor of the local castle. He began his studies in the nearby Talavera de la Reina and for three years he was a choir boy in the Cathedral of […]

Read the full article →

September 20 – Starved to death for the faith

September 19, 2016

Bl. Thomas Johnson Carthusian martyr, died in Newgate gaol, London, 20 September, 1537. On 18 May, 1537, the twenty choir monks and eighteen brothers remaining in the London Charterhouse were required to take the Oath of Supremacy. Of these choir monks Thomas Johnson, Richard Bere, Thomas Green (priests), and John Davy (deacon) refused; and of […]

Read the full article →

September 22 – Saint Emmeram

September 19, 2016

Saint Emmeram Bishop of Poitiers and missionary to Bavaria, born at Poitiers in the first half of the seventh century; martyred at Ascheim (Bavaria) towards the end of the same century. Of a noble family of Aquitaine, he received a good education and was ordained priest. According to some authors Emmeram occupied the See of […]

Read the full article →

September 22 – He especially sought out impoverished nobles who shrank from asking alms

September 19, 2016

St. Thomas of Villanova Educator, philanthropist, born at Fuentellana, Spain, 1488; died at Valencia, 8 September, 1555. Son of Aloazo Tomas Garcia and Lucia Martínez Castellanos, the saint was brought up in the practices of religion and charity. Every Friday his father was wont to give in alms all the meal he earned at the […]

Read the full article →

Popes and Councils Confirm the Doctrine of Saint Thomas on War

September 19, 2016

What Popes, Saints, Doctors and Theologians Think Regarding the Lawfulness of War (contd.) 2. Popes and Councils Confirm the Doctrine of Saint Thomas on War According to the entry “Paix et Guerre” in the Dictionnaire Apologétique de la Foi Catholique, Saint Thomas Aquinas “sets forth the three conditions that legitimize in conscience the use of […]

Read the full article →

Princess Madeleine and Queen Silvia of Sweden grant seriously ill girl’s lifelong wish

September 15, 2016

According to Royal Central: Queen Silvia and Princess Madeleine were happy to grant Enna her life’s dream of meeting them. Enna…is suffering from a disease that makes her life extra difficult. The little girl was clearly very thrilled… Madeleine said of the visit…“Enna is 7 and her dream was to meet the Royal Family at […]

Read the full article →

New Petition Questions Monarchy in Luxembourg

September 15, 2016

According to Luxerazzi: A new petition has called for a referendum on Luxembourg’s monarchy. The petition is supported by the political party Déi Lénk, which notes that the State of Luxembourg currently supports the Grand Ducal family at the expense of 10 million euros each year and asks for a nationwide vote on the type […]

Read the full article →

Etiquette and American Nobility

September 15, 2016

On a certain occasion, some years since, half a dozen titled ladies were in the anteroom of the German Empress by appointment. Her Majesty was engaged for a time and the audience was delayed beyond the limits of ordinary patience. At last one of the restless group remarked in French to her neighbor their prolonged […]

Read the full article →

War’s Legitimate Purpose is Peace in Justice

September 15, 2016

What Popes, Saints, Doctors and Theologians Think Regarding the Lawfulness of War The pugnacious and warlike manifestation of the medieval spirit, as well as the militant character of the Church, may amaze the radicals of contemporary pacifism, absolutely intolerant of any and every type of war, for to their ears the expressions “holy war” and […]

Read the full article →

September 16 – The pope who exacted tribute from the Mohammedan ruler of Tunis

September 15, 2016

Pope Blessed Victor III Born in 1026 or 1027 of a non-regnant branch of the Lombard dukes of Benevento; died in Rome, 16 Sept., 1087. Being an only son his desire to embrace the monastic state was strenuously opposed by both his parents. After his father’s death in battle with the Normans, 1047, he fled […]

Read the full article →

September 16 – St. Cyprian of Carthage

September 15, 2016

St. Cyprian of Carthage (Thaschus Cæcilius Cyprianus). Bishop and martyr. Of the date of the saint’s birth and of his early life nothing is known. At the time of his conversion to Christianity he had, perhaps, passed middle life. He was famous as an orator and pleader, had considerable wealth, and held, no doubt, a […]

Read the full article →

September 17 – Noble calm in all controversy, even when correcting the pope

September 15, 2016

St. Robert Francis Romulus Bellarmine (Also, “Bellarmino”). A distinguished Jesuit theologian, writer, and cardinal, born at Montepulciano, 4 October, 1542; died 17 September, 1621. His father was Vincenzo Bellarmino, his mother Cinthia Cervini, sister of Cardinal Marcello Cervini, afterwards Pope Marcellus II. He was brought up at the newly founded Jesuit college in his native […]

Read the full article →

September 17 – Stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi

September 15, 2016

Early in August, 1224, Francis retired with three companions to “that rugged rock ‘twixt Tiber and Arno”, as Dante called La Verna, there to keep a forty days fast in preparation for Michaelmas. During this retreat the sufferings of Christ became more than ever the burden of his meditations; into few souls, perhaps, had the […]

Read the full article →

September 18 – The first time US Congress went to Mass

September 15, 2016

Phillippe-Charles-Jean-Baptiste-Tronson Du Coudray Soldier, born at Reims, France, 8 September, 1738; died at Philadelphia, U.S.A., 11 September, 1777. He was educated for the army and showed great merit as an engineer. He was adjutant­ general of artillery and considered one of the best military experts in France when, in 1776, he volunteered to go to […]

Read the full article →

September 19 – She begged donations to ransom Christian captives

September 15, 2016

Blessed Mary de Cervellione (or De Cervello) Popularly styled “de Socos” (of Help) Saint, born about 1230 at Barcelona; died there 19 September, 1290. She was a daughter of a Spanish nobleman named William de Cervellon. One day she heard a sermon preached by Blessed Bernard de Corbarie, the superior of the Brotherhood of Our […]

Read the full article →

September 19 – The Pope asks Princess Mary to marry James II of England

September 15, 2016

Another voice, the most august of all, was now to break silence. The arguments of Kings, Cardinals, Ambassadors, and of her own family had failed to shake the purpose or convince the mind of the young Princess. Moved by a desire to benefit the Catholics of England, and as much perhaps by the solicitations of […]

Read the full article →

Relative of Prince William and Prince Harry on path to sainthood

September 12, 2016

According to BBC News: The priest…was a great, great, great uncle of Diana, Princess of Wales. Born George Spencer in 1799, he was the youngest child of the second Earl Spencer, who was First Lord of the Admiralty at the time. He grew up at Althorp, where Diana Princess of Wales is now buried, and […]

Read the full article →

September 13 – He had a mouth of gold

September 12, 2016

St. John Chrysostom (Chrysostomos, “golden-mouthed” so called on account of his eloquence). Doctor of the Church, born at Antioch, c. 347; died at Commana in Pontus, 14 September, 407. John — whose surname “Chrysostom” occurs for the first time in the “Constitution” of Pope Vigilius (cf. P.L., LX, 217) in the year 553 — is […]

Read the full article →

September 14 – His gallant defeat saved Canada from the French Revolution

September 12, 2016

Marquis de Louis-Joseph Montcalm-Gozon A French general, born 28 Feb., 1712, at Candiac, of Louis-Daniel and Marie-Thérèse de Lauris; died at Quebec 14 Sept., 1759. He was descended from Gozon, Grand Master of Rhodes of legendary fame, The warlike spirit of his ancestors had given rise to the saying: “War is the tomb of the […]

Read the full article →

September 14 – Formerly a sign of abject disgrace, it now adorns even crowns and crests

September 12, 2016

The Cross could not be decently mentioned amongst Romans, who looked upon it as an unlucky omen, and as Cicero says, not to be named by a freeman. The vision of the Cross appeared to Constantine in the sky on the eve of a battle, with the words, “In this sign thou shalt conquer,” a […]

Read the full article →

September 15 – This Saint Felt the Pains of Purgatory

September 12, 2016

St. Catherine of Genoa also known as Caterina Fieschi Adorno.) Born at Genoa in 1447, died at the same place 15 September, 1510. The life of St. Catherine of Genoa may be more properly described as a state than as a life in the ordinary sense. When about twenty-six years old she became the subject […]

Read the full article →

September 15 – Grandmother of Good King Wenceslaus

September 12, 2016

St. Ludmilla Wife of Boriwoi, the first Christian Duke of Bohemia, born at Mielnik, circa 860; died at Tetin, near Beraun, 15 September, 921. She and her husband were baptized, probably by St. Methodius, in 871. Pagan fanatics drove them from their country, but they were soon recalled, and after reigning… Read more here.

Read the full article →

The Welcome Given by the People of Paris to the Count of Artois Upon His Return from Exile

September 12, 2016

The festive and enthusiastic reception given by the people of another European capital to another princely victim of misfortune—that given by the populace of Paris to the Count of Artois, the future Charles X, on his return from exile—shows well the people’s affection for the representatives of the ancient legitimate and paternal dynasties. It is […]

Read the full article →

Of a Hermit who fought to know whom he should have for his companion in Paradise, and of the leap made by King Richard of England.

September 8, 2016

One day Count Lucanor having called Patronio, said to him, “Patronio, I have great faith in your understanding, and believe that in any matter which you could not comprehend or give advice about no other man could succeed; I beg therefore that you will advise me as best you can on that which I am […]

Read the full article →

First the standing army, then firearms scuttled the military spirit of the Crusades

September 8, 2016

By Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira Well, then came the secularization of the fighting spirit through the hiring of regular armies in France. If I remember correctly, it was Louis XI that started it; but all the monarchs of the time started doing it as well. That did not exist before. The king would summon their […]

Read the full article →

September 9 – Wife of a dissolute husband

September 8, 2016

Blessed Seraphina Sforza Born at Urbino about 1434; died at Pesaro, 8 September, 1478. Her parents were Guido Antonio of Montefeltro, Count of Urbino, and Cattarina Colonna. She was brought up at Rome by her maternal uncle, Martin V. In 1448 Seraphina married Alexander Sforza, Lord of Pesaro. Ten years afterwards her husband gave himself […]

Read the full article →

September 9 – St. Omer

September 8, 2016

St. Omer Born of a distinguished family towards the close of the sixth or the beginning of the seventh century, at Guldendal, Switzerland; died c. 670. After the death of his mother, he, with his father, entered the monastery of Luxeuil in the Diocese of Besançon probably about 615. Under the direction of Saint Eustachius, […]

Read the full article →

September 10 – Model of chastity

September 8, 2016

St. Nicholas of Tolentino Born at Sant’ Angelo, near Fermo, in the March of Ancona, about 1246; d. 10 September, 1306. He is depicted in the black habit of the Hermits of St. Augustine — a star above him or on his breast, a lily, or a crucifix garlanded with lilies, in his hand. Sometimes, […]

Read the full article →

September 10 – They always carried a copy of his Bible in battle

September 8, 2016

St. Finnian of Moville Born about 495; died 589. Though not so celebrated as his namesake of Clonard, he was the founder of a famous school about the year 540. He studied under St. Colman of Dromore and St. Mochae of Noendrum (Mahee Island), and subsequently at Candida Casa (Whithern), whence he proceeded to Rome, […]

Read the full article →

September 10 – St. Pulcheria, Empress, and her husband Marcian

September 8, 2016

St. Pulcheria Empress of the Eastern Roman Empire, eldest daughter of the Emperor Arcadius, born 19 Jan., 399; died in 453. After the death of Arcadius (408), her younger brother, Theodosius II, then only seven, became emperor under the guardianship of Anthimus. Pulcheria had matured early and had great administrative ability; she soon exerted salutary […]

Read the full article →

September 10 – Arrested while preaching

September 8, 2016

St. Edward Ambrose Barlow (Alias RADCLIFFE and BRERETON.) Priest and martyr, born at Barlow Hall, 1585; died 10 September, 1641. He was the fourth son of Sir Alexander Barlow, Knight of Barlow Hall, near Manchester, by Mary, daughter of Sir Uryan Brereton, Knight of Handforth Hall, Co. Chester, and was baptized at Didsbury Church 30 […]

Read the full article →

The Great Siege of Malta, May 18–September 11, 1565, was won because of one man: Grand Master Jean Parisot de la Valette

September 8, 2016

On the morning of August 18th the excessively heavy bombardment of Senglea warned them that an attack was imminent. It was not slow to develop. The moment that the rumble of the guns died down, the Iayalars and Janissaries were seen streaming forward across the no-man’s-land to the south. The attack developed in the same […]

Read the full article →

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →