Eighth Centennial of the Magna Carta

June 11, 2015

Magna Carta The charter of liberties granted by King John of England in 1215 and confirmed with modifications by Henry III in 1216, 1217, and 1225. The Magna Carta has long been considered by the English-speaking peoples as the earliest of the great constitutional documents which give the history of England so unique a character; […]

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June 9 – A simple palace servant, God confided to her the destiny of nations

June 8, 2015

Blessed Anna Maria Gesualda Antonia Taigi (Maiden name Giannetti.) Venerable Servant of God, born at Siena, Italy, 29 May, 1769; died at Rome, 9 June, 1837. Her parents, Luigi Giannetti and Maria Masi, kept an apothecary shop at Siena, but lost all their fortune and were obliged to go to Rome in search of a […]

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June 9 – Apostle of Brazil

June 8, 2015

St. Joseph Anchieta A famous Jesuit missionary, commonly known as the Apostle of Brazil, born on the Island of Tenerife, in 1553, of noble family; died in Brazil, 1596. After studying in Coimbra, he entered the Society of Jesus, at the age of seventeen, and when a novice nearly ruined his health by his excessive […]

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June 10 – Anti-pagan Renaissance Saint

June 8, 2015

Bl. Giovanni Dominici (BANCHINI or BACCHINI was his family name). Cardinal, statesman and writer, born at Florence, 1356; died at Buda, 10 July, 1420. He entered the Dominican Order at Santa Maria Novella in 1372 after having been cured, through the intercession of St. Catherine of Siena, of an impediment of speech for which he […]

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June 10 – Most Sublime Figure of Portuguese Literature

June 8, 2015

Luis Vaz de Camões (OR CAMOENS) Born in 1524 or 1525; died 10 June, 1580. The most sublime figure in the history of Portuguese literature, Camões owes his lasting fame to his epic poem “Os Lusiadas,” (The Lusiads); he is remarkable also for the degree of art attained in his lyrics, less noteworthy for his […]

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Video: Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, June 2, 1953

June 4, 2015

Also of interest: Buckingham Palace exhibit displays the gowns, robes, jewels and floral arrangements from Queen Elizabeth’s coronation 60 years ago Queen’s Coronation anniversary marked in unique way Coronation violates human rights? The Coronation: A ceremony for a sublime-starved world June 2, 1953: The Medieval Coronation Ceremony that Fascinated the World  

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Quebec Government, and others, challenge Canadian Royal Succession

June 4, 2015

According to The Guardian: [Plaintiffs] Motard and Taillon, supported by the Quebec government, and Canadian Royal Heritage Trust, a monarchist organisation, contend that, because Canada is a sovereign state with its own constitution, its parliament must alter Canadian law to implement the royal succession reform. In 1982…the Canada Act severed any residual jurisdiction that the […]

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The Crystal Vase

June 4, 2015

St. Henry, Emperor of Germany, on his return from Italy, went, along with his whole Court to Cluny to visit the holy Abbot Odilo. During his journey through Europe a certain Prince, to show esteem for so great a monarch, presented him with a crystal vase of magnificent workmanship. The pious Emperor thought that this […]

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The Laws Of Unity

June 4, 2015

1: The Law of Continuity and Cohesion Unity supposes an absence of interruption which may be verified in two ways: through continuity or cohesion. Continuity is the simple absence of deficiencies which exists that there might be no gaps in the [created] being. Unity verified by cohesion is much more profound: in this case there […]

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June 6 – Patron and Protector of Bohemia

June 4, 2015

St. Norbert Born at Xanten on the left bank of the Rhine, near Wesel, c. 1080; died at Magdeburg, 6 June, 1134. His father, Heribert, Count of Gennep, was related to the imperial house of Germany, and his house of Lorraine. A stately bearing, a penetrating intellect, a tender, earnest heart, marked the future apostle. […]

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June 7 – Martyr Prince of the Wends

June 4, 2015

St. Gottschalk (GODESCALCUS). Martyr Prince of the Wends; d. at Lenzen on the Elbe, 7 June 1066. His feast is noted for 7 June in the additions of the Carthusians at Brussels to the martyrology of Usuardus. He was the son of Udo, Prince of the Abrodites who remained a Christian, though a poor one […]

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June 7 – The Crusaders reach the walls of Jerusalem

June 4, 2015

In June of 1099 [the First Crusade] arrived before the walls of Jerusalem, which was then held by the Fatimid Arabs of Egypt. With their usual religious zeal and grim determination, the Christians prepared to attack the walls. Their fighting force had been reduced to 1,200 knights and 10,000 foot soldiers, with a similar number […]

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June 8 – She did what St. Ignatius could not

June 4, 2015

Ven. Anne de Xainctonge Foundress of the Society of the Sisters of St. Ursula of the Blessed Virgin, born at Dijon, 21 November, 1567; died at Dôle, 8 June, 1621. She was the daughter of Jean de Xainctonge, councillor in the Dijon Parliament, and of Lady Marguerite Collard, both of noble birth and virtuous life… […]

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June 8 – Accused of theft and other misconduct

June 4, 2015

St. William of York (WILLIAM FITZHERBERT, also called WILLIAM OF THWAYT). Archbishop of York. Tradition represents him as nephew of King Stephen, whose sister Emma was believed to have married Herbert of Winchester, treasurer to Henry I. William became a priest, and about 1130 he was canon and treasurer of York. In 1142 he was […]

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June 8 – The Noble Countess Who Dedicated Her Life to Bringing Dissolute Women to Repentance

June 4, 2015

Blessed Mary of the Divine Heart (died in Porto, Portugal, June 8, 1899), born Maria Droste zu Vischering, was a noble of Germany and Roman Catholic nun best known for influencing Pope Leo XIII’s… Read more here.  

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June 3 – She had to witness her children kill each other

June 1, 2015

St. Clotilda, Queen of the Franks (French: CLOTILDE; German: CHLOTHILDE). Queen of the Franks, born probably at Lyons, c. 474; died at Tours, 3 June, 545. Her feast is celebrated 3 June. Clotilda was the wife of Clovis I, and the daughter of Chilperic, King of Burgundians of Lyons, and Caretena. After the death of […]

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June 4 – St. Francis Caracciolo

June 1, 2015

St. Francis Caracciolo Co-founder with John Augustine Adorno of the Conregation of the Minor Clerks Regular; born in Villa Santa Maria in the Abrusso (Italy), 13 October, 1563; died at Agnone, 4 June, 1608. He belonged to the Pisquizio branch of the Caracciolo and received in baptism the name of Ascanio. From his infancy he […]

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At allegiance ceremony, MP mocks his own oath

May 28, 2015

According to the Crown Chronicles: An MP made a mockery of his oath of allegiance to Her Majesty on Wednesday, when he called for the abolition of Monarchy just seconds before he swore his service to The Queen. …[Labour MP Richard Burgon] said this prior to his oath: ‘As someone that believes that the head […]

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Agenda for Queen Elizabeth’s new government: renegotiate European treaties, defeat terrorism, defend Ukraine

May 28, 2015

According to Euronews: Britain’s Queen Elizabeth has outlined the government’s legislative agenda, during the official state opening of parliament at Westminster. “…legislation will be introduced to provide for an in-out referendum on membership of the European Union before the end of 2017.” The Queen also said that Britain would continue…efforts to defeat terrorism in the […]

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The Priest and the Soldier

May 28, 2015

About a hundred years ago, when the terrible Revolution broke out in France, a certain priest called Father Aurain gave a beautiful example of doing good to one who hated him. One day he was in the church at his prayers. Suddenly someone ran to tell him that the Republican soldiers were coming towards the […]

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Dignified Pride Is the Harmonious Complement of Humility

May 28, 2015

by Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira A manly figure, whose strength is replete with harmony and proportion and whose bodily vigor seems penetrated by and imbued with the strong and luminous presence of a great soul. His facial features are very defined and also well proportioned. Handsome? Without a doubt. But there is almost no time […]

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May 29 – Intimate friend of St. Athanasius

May 28, 2015

St. Maximinus Bishop of Trier, born at Silly near Poitiers, died there, 29 May, 352 or 12 Sept., 349. He was educated and ordained priest by St. Agritius, whom he succeeded as Bishop of Trier in 332 or 335. At that time Trier was the government seat of the Western Emperor and, by force of […]

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May 31 – St. Camilla Battista da Varano

May 28, 2015

St. Baptista Varano (also spelled Varani). An ascetical writer, born at Camerino, in the March of Ancona, 9 Apr., 1458; died there, 31 May, 1527. Her father, Julius Caesar Varano or de Varanis, Duke of Camerino, belonged to an illustrious family; her mother, Joanna Malatesta, was a daughter of Sigismund, Prince of Rimini… Read more […]

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May 31 – St. Mechtildis of Edelstetten

May 28, 2015

St. Mechtildis was a Benedictine abbess and renowned miracle worker. Mechtildis was the daughter of Count Berthold of Andechs, whose wife, Sophie, founded a monastery on their estate at Diessen, Bavaria, and placed their daughter there at the age of five. In 1153, the Bishop of Augsburg placed… Read more here.

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June 1 – Kidnapped for Christ

May 28, 2015

Bl. John Story (Or Storey.) Martyr; born 1504; died at Tyburn, 1 June, 1571. He was educated at Oxford, and was president of Broadgates Hall, now Pembroke College, from 1537 to 1539. He entered Parliament as member for Hindon, Wilts, in 1547, and was imprisoned for opposing the Bill of Uniformity, 24 Jan.-2 March… Read […]

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June 1 – The Aristocrat Who Gave His Life for the Poor

May 28, 2015

Saint Hannibal Mary Di Francia (1851-1927)  (sometimes written as Annibale Maria Di Francia) Hannibal Mary Di Francia was born in Messina, Italy, on July 5, 1851. His father Francis was a knight, the Marquis of St. Catherine of Jonio, Papal Vice-Consul and Honorary Captain of the Navy. His mother, Anna Toscano, also belonged to an […]

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May 26 – Saint Bruno of Würzburg

May 25, 2015

Saint Bruno of Würzburg (c. 1005 – 26 May 1045) Also known as Bruno of Carinthia, he was imperial chancellor of Italy from 1027 to 1034 for Conrad II, Holy Roman Emperor, to whom he was related, and from 1034 until his death prince-bishop of Würzburg. Bruno was the son of Conrad I, Duke of […]

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May 28 – Whether She Was Upstairs Or Downstairs, She Was Ever Steady

May 25, 2015

Blessed Margaret Pole Countess of Salisbury, martyr; born at Castle Farley, near Bath, 14 August, 1473; martyred at East Smithfield Green, 28 May, 1541. She was the daughter of George Plantagenet, Duke of Clarence, and Isabel, elder daughter of the Earl of Warwick (the king-maker), and the sister of Edmund of Warwick who, under Henry […]

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May 28 – After Defeating the Saracens, He Joined the Benedictines

May 25, 2015

St. William of Gellone Born 755; died 28 May, c. 812; was the second count of Toulouse, having attained that dignity in 790. He is by some writers also given the title of Duke of Aquitaine. This saint is the hero of the ninth-century “Roman de Guillame au court nez”, but the story of his […]

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May 28 – St. Germain of Paris

May 25, 2015

St. Germain Bishop of Paris; born near Autun, Saône-et-Loire, c. 496; died at Paris, 28 May, 576. He studied at Avalon and also at Luzy under the guidance of his cousin Scapilion, a priest. At the age of thirty-four he was ordained by St. Agrippinus of Autun and became Abbot of Saint-Symphorien near that town. […]

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A Catholic’s Noble Revenge

May 21, 2015

A brave Hungarian Count, by name Péter Szapáry, was taken prisoner by the Turks, brought to the city of Ofen, and dragged before Hamsa-Bey. The cruel Turk rejoiced to see his dreaded enemy at length in his power; he loaded him with insult, condemned him to receive a hundred blows on the soles of his […]

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The Duke of Vendôme Turns Fifty

May 21, 2015

According to the Royal Forums: Prince Jean d’Orléans, the Duke of Vendome today celebrates his fiftieth birthday. He is the second son of Henri, Count of Paris, the Orléanist claimant to the defunct throne of France, and his first wife, Duchess Marie Thérèse of Württemberg. Jean…married Philomena de Tornos y Steinhart on May 2, 2009. […]

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4: The Law of Movement

May 21, 2015

The variety of movements that God has placed in the Universe is gradual and harmonic, as are the gradations of hierarchy. This harmony of movement is an element of perfection in Creation. Let’s reflect upon how life unfolds in a just man. The man is born, blossoms in adolescence with a movement rich in harmony, […]

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May 23 – Appointed bishop to replace a corrupt one, then imprisoned for defending the King’s legitimate wife

May 21, 2015

St. Ivo of Chartres (YVO, YVES). One of the most notable bishops of France at the time of the Investiture struggles and the most important canonist before Gratian in the Occident, born of a noble family about 1040; died in 1116. From the neighbourhood of Beauvais, his native country, he went for his studies first […]

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May 23 – St. John Baptist de Rossi

May 21, 2015

St. John Baptist de Rossi (De Rubeis). Born at Voltaggio in the Diocese of Genoa, 22 February, 1698; died at Rome, 23 May, 1764; feast on 23 May. His parents, Charles de Rossi and Frances Anfossi, were not rich in earthly goods, but had solid piety and the esteem of their fellow-citizens. Of their four […]

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May 23 – Chevalier of the Order of Leopold

May 21, 2015

Fr. Pierre-Jean De Smet Missionary among the North American Indians, born at Termonde (Dendermonde), Belgium, 30 Jan., 1801; died at St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A., 23 May, 1873. He emigrated to the United States in 1821 through a desire for missionary labours, and entered the Jesuit novitiate at Whitemarsh, Maryland. In 1823, however, at the suggestion […]

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May 24 – Bl. Hermann Joseph

May 21, 2015

Bl. Hermann Joseph Premonstratensian monk and mystic; born at Cologne about 1150; died at Hoven, 7 April, 1241. According to the biography by Razo Bonvisinus, contemporary prior of Steinfeld (Acta SS., 7 April, I, 679), Hermann was the son of poor parents who had once been rich. At the age of seven he attended school […]

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May 24 – Our Lady Help of Christians, to commemorate the liberation of the Pope from prison

May 21, 2015

This commemoration was introduced in the liturgical calendar by decree of Pope Pius VII on September 16, 1815, in thanksgiving for his happy return to Rome after a long and painful captivity in Savona and France due to Napoleon’s tyrannical power… Read more here.

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May 24 – St. Vincent of Lérins

May 21, 2015

St. Vincent of Lérins Feast on 24 May, an ecclesiastical writer in Southern Gaul in the fifth century. His work is much better known than his life. Almost all our information concerning him is contained in Gennadius, “De viris illustribus” (lxiv). He entered the monastery of Lérins (today Isle St…. Read more here.

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May 25 – She withstood the devil

May 21, 2015

St. Mary Magdalen de’ Pazzi Carmelite Virgin, born 2 April, 1566; died 25 May, 1607. Of outward events there were very few in the saint’s life. She came of two noble families, her father being Camillo Geri de’ Pazzi and her mother a Buondelmonti. She was baptized, and named Caterina, in the great baptistery. Her […]

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May 19 – Charlemagne’s Scholar

May 18, 2015

Blessed Alcuin of York An eminent educator, scholar, and theologian born about 735; died 19 May, 804. He came of noble Northumbrian parentage, but the place of his birth is a matter of dispute. It was probably in or near York. While still a mere child, he entered the cathedral school founded at that place […]

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May 20 – St. Bernardine of Siena

May 18, 2015

St. Bernardine of Siena Friar Minor, missionary, and reformer, often called the “Apostle of Italy”, b. of the noble family of Albizeschi at Massa, a Sienese town of which his father was then governor, 8 September, 1380; d. at Aquila in the Abruzzi, 20 May, 1444. Left an orphan at six Bernardine was brought up […]

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May 20 – Mentor of the Duke of Ferrara

May 18, 2015

Blessed Colomba of Rieti Born at Rieti in Umbria, Italy, 1467; died at Perugia, 1501. Blessed Colomba of Rieti is always called after her birthplace, though she actually spent the greater part of her life away from it. Her celebrity is based — as it was even in her lifetime — mainly on two things: […]

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May 20 – King of the East Angles

May 18, 2015

St. Ethelbert Date of birth unknown; died 794. King of the East Angles, was, according to the “Speculum Historiale” of Richard of Cirencester (who died about 1401), the son of King Ethelred and Leofrana, a lady of Mercia. Brought up in piety, he was a man of singular humility. Urged to marry, he declared his […]

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May 21- De Soto meets the mighty Mississippi

May 18, 2015

The next day, upon which De Soto was hoping to see the chief, a large company of Indians came, fully armed and in war-paint, with the purpose of attacking the Christians. But when they saw that the Governor had… Read more here.

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May 22 – Hanged for Printing a Book

May 18, 2015

Blessed James Duckett Martyr, born at Gilfortrigs in the parish of Skelsmergh in Westmoreland, England, date uncertain, of an ancient family of that county; died 9 April, 1601. He was a bookseller and publisher in London. His godfather was the well-known martyr James Leybourbe of Skelsmergh. He seems, however, to have been brought up a […]

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May 22 – Queen’s Confessor

May 18, 2015

Blessed John Forest Born in 1471, presumably at Oxford, where his surname was then not unknown; suffered 22 May, 1538. At the age of twenty he received the habit of St. Francis at Greenwich, in the church of the Friars Minor of the Regular Observance, called for brevity’s sake “Observants”. Nine years later we find […]

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Clematis Charlotte named for new Princess

May 14, 2015

According to The Telegraph: Wyevale Garden Centres is launching a double flowering clematis named after Princess Charlotte this week…following the popularity of Clematis George, released after the birth of the first child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2013. David Mitchell Plant Buyer at WGC said, “In 2013 the Clematis George was our […]

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Video: Prince Harry training with the Australian Defence Force

May 14, 2015

According to the British Monarchy: Just released today, we have some footage of Prince Harry training with the Australian Defence Force (ADF). His Royal Highness, or Captain Harry Wales as he is known in the Army, spent a month training with the ADF working and living alongside colleagues in the Australian Army in a number […]

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Grand Ducal Family celebrates Luxembourg’s most important religious ceremony

May 14, 2015

According to the Royal Forums: Grand Duchess Maria Teresa was joined by two of her sons…in the morning for the mass at the Cathedrale de Luxembourg held in honour of the event. Later, the family…process[ed] from the Cathedrale to the Grand Ducal Palace… A large number of the public lined the streets to celebrate with […]

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St. Francis de Sales Defends Himself When Attacked

May 14, 2015

St. Francis of Sales, though one of the gentlest of the Saints of God, knew how to defend himself from the swords of his enemies in the day of danger. During his residence in Padua, whither his father had sent him to pursue his studies, it happened that certain young men, who seemed to live […]

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3: The Law of Gradation

May 14, 2015

Divine Providence wanted to create all things in a hierarchy. In making minerals, plants, animals, men, and the angels, Divine Providence established an immense gamut of intermediary degrees within each of these categories. At one and the same time, this hierarchy is full of diversity and entirely harmonic. There is an infinity of “nuances” between […]

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May 15 – Beautiful Princess, Tragic Story

May 14, 2015

St. Dymphna Virgin and martyr. The earliest historical account of the veneration of St. Dymphna dates from the middle of the thirteenth century. Under Bishop Guy I of Cambrai (1238-47), Pierre, a canon of the church of Saint Aubert at Cambrai, wrote a “Vita” of the saint, from which we learn that she had been […]

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May 16 – Patron of Poland

May 14, 2015

Saint Andrew Bobola Saint Andrew Bobola earned the name “Hunter of Souls” due to his tireless zeal and missionary travels. Martyr, born of an old and illustrious Polish family, in the Palatinate of Sandomir, 1590; died at Janów, 16 May, 1657. Having entered the novitiate of the Society of Jesus at Wilno (1611), he was […]

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May 16 – Leper King

May 14, 2015

Modern society obsessively avoids suffering, risk and danger. It secures everything with seatbelts and safety rails, air conditions the summer heat, prints warnings on coffee cups and advises that that safety glasses should be used while working with hammers. Certainly such precautions have prevented misfortune. However, since heroism and excellence are born from confronting rather […]

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May 16 – St. Honoratus of Amiens

May 14, 2015

Saint Honoratus of Amiens (Honoré, sometimes Honorius, Honortus) (d. May 16, ca. 600) was the seventh bishop of Amiens. His feast day is May 16. He was born in Port-le-Grand (Ponthieu) near Amiens to a noble family. He was said to be virtuous from birth. He was taught by his predecessor in the bishopric of […]

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

May 14, 2015

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… Read more here.

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May 18 – St. Eric, King of Sweden, Martyr

May 14, 2015

St. Eric, King of Sweden, Martyr Eric [1] was descended of a most illustrious Swedish family: in his youth he laid a solid foundation of virtue and learning, and took to wife Christina, daughter of Ingo IV, king of Sweden. Upon the death of King Smercher in 1141, he was, purely for his extraordinary virtues […]

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May 12 – She said no to the crowns of England, France and the Holy Roman Empire

May 11, 2015

Blessed Joanna of Portugal Born at Lisbon, 16 February, 1452; died at Aveiro, 12 May, 1490; the daughter of Alfonso V, King of Portugal, and his wife Elizabeth. She was chiefly remarkable for the courage and persistence with which she opposed all attempts on the part of her father and brother to make her marry.  […]

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May 13 – “Can anyone receive Jesus into his heart and not die?”

May 11, 2015

Blessed Imelda Lambertini (1322 – May 13, 1333) is the patroness of First Holy Communicants. Imelda was born in 1322 in Bologna, the only child of Count Egano Lambertini and Castora Galuzzi. Her parents were devout Catholics and were known for their charity and generosity to the underprivileged of Bologna. As a very young girl, […]

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