Martyr of the Muslims – St. Peter Paschal

December 4, 2023

St. Peter Paschal, Bishop and Martyr This saint was born in Valencia, Spain, in 1227, and descended of the ancient family of the Paschals, which had edified the Church by the triumphs of five glorious martyrs, which it produced under the Moors. Peter’s parents were virtuous and exceedingly charitable; and St. Peter Nolasco often lodged […]

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Golden Legend – Life of Saint Nicholas

December 4, 2023

December 6 – Good St. Nicholas Here beginneth the Life of Saint Nicholas the Bishop. Nicholas is said of Nichos, which is to say victory, and of laos, people, so Nicholas is as much as to say as victory of people, that is, victory of sins, which be foul people. Or else he is said, […]

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How did St. Nicholas evolve into Santa Claus and why?

December 4, 2023

Four artists, working with stories handed down, are responsible for the Santa Claus that we know today as the “spirit of generosity and love.” The other reason we have Santa Claus and not St. Nicholas is due to Protestant hatred against Catholic Saint days. The transformation of St. Nicholas into Father Christmas or Father January […]

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Recipe in Honor of a Saint

December 4, 2023

The veneration of the 4th century Saint and bishop, Nicholas of Myra (also “of Bari,” the resting place of most of his relics), is widespread in both the Christian East and West. In Russia it seems that only the Blessed Virgin Mary is more popular. Few historical records on him survived the harsh test of […]

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Saint Louis to his son: “Avoid waging war on Christians”

November 30, 2023

Saint Louis tried to avoid waging war against Christians every way possible, only resorting to war when every peaceful means to solve the dispute had been exhausted. He recommended the same, in writing, to his son: “Dear son, I encourage you to avoid waging war on Christians by every means possible. If you suffer some […]

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Treasures of the Orient

November 30, 2023

Something of the luxury of the orient shows that the soul of the people was involved in it. The Persian carpet was not thought up by some nabob; not the designs, nor the colors, nor the manner of weaving them. Happy are the modest artisans who, on the shores of the Caspian Sea, make and […]

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RIP – King Leka I

November 30, 2023

On November 30, 2011, His Majesty King Leka I died of heart failure in Tirana, Albania. Albanian President Bamir Topi, Prime Minister Berisha and political parties sent condolences to the Royal family. “His active efforts and role to topple the communist system and, during transition, to heighten Albania’s national values and promote the integrating process […]

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November 30 – His name means manhood, or valour

November 30, 2023

St. Andrew The name “Andrew” (Gr., andreia, manhood, or valour), like other Greek names, appears to have been common among the Jews from the second or third century B.C. St. Andrew, the Apostle, son of Jonah, or John (Matt., xvi, 17; John, i, 42), was born in Bethsaida of Galilee (John, i, 44). He was […]

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December 1 – Sister Anuarita of Bafwabaka: A Mary Goretti of Central Africa

November 30, 2023

The present Soviet-Cuban aggression against the African continent has been prepared by decades of infiltration, propaganda, and communist inspired terrorist activity. The lives of the African people have been systematically disrupted, the land has been devastated, and religious and shrines of the Church have been desecrated. These assaults have at times, by way of reaction, […]

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The Virgin Mary appears to General Gaston de Sonis

November 30, 2023

December 1 – The Virgin Mary appears to General Gaston de Sonis after his army’s losses at Patay promising that France would survive On the night of December 1 [1870], the Zouaves were ordered to advance to Patay [France], where Joan of Arc had won a renowned victory against the English. [General Louis-Gaston de] Sonis […]

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Bl. Ralph Sherwin – December 1

November 30, 2023

Bl. Ralph Sherwin English martyr, born 1550 at Rodesley, near Longford, Derbyshire; died at Tyburn, 1 December, 1581. In 1568 Sir William Petre nominated him to one of the eight fellowships which he had founded at Exeter College, Oxford, probably acting under the influence of the martyr’s uncle, John Woodward, who from 1556 to 1566 […]

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December 2: The Battle of Loigny

November 30, 2023

The battle of Loigny, one of the most bloody encounters of that terrible winter, was made memorable by the heroic attitude of the Pontifical Zouaves, commanded by Charette, who was himself under the orders of General de Sonis, an eminent leader and a fervent Catholic. After the battle, Abbé Theuré’s house was filled with wounded […]

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Our Lady of Joy – December 2

November 30, 2023

Our Lady of Joy (aka Notre Dame de Liesse, or Causa Nostrae Laetitiae) In 1134 three Knights of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, prisoners of the Muslims in Egypt, miraculously found or received in their prison a statue of Our Lady, which they named Our Lady of Joy, or Notre Dame de Liesse. […]

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St. Francis Xavier, Apostle of the Indies – December 3

November 30, 2023

St. Francis Xavier Born in the Castle of Xavier near Sanguesa, in Navarre, 7 April, 1506; died on the Island of Sancian near the coast of China, 2 December, 1552. In 1525, having completed a preliminary course of studies in his own country, Francis Xavier went to Paris, where he entered the collège de Sainte-Barbe. […]

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The king who made France “First-born daughter of the Church”

November 27, 2023

Clovis Son of Childeric, King of the Salic Franks; born in the year 466; died at Paris, 27 November, 511. He succeeded his father as the King of the Franks of Tournai in 481. His kingdom was probably one of the States that sprang from the division of Clodion’s monarchy like those of Cambrai, Tongres […]

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Lessons in Psychological Warfare – Siege of Jasna Góra

November 27, 2023

Siege of Jasna Góra, November 28-December 27, 1655 This account of the siege of  Częstochowa is based on the Memoirs of the Siege of Czestochowa by Father Augustine Kordecki (Pamietnik oblezenia Częstochowy, edited and with a preface by Jan Tokarski, London, Veritas, 1956.) Written by Friar Kordecki in response to a wish of King Casimir, […]

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Count Louis de Baude Frontenac

November 27, 2023

November 28 – Count Louis de Baude Frontenac A governor of New France, born at Paris, 1662; died at Quebec, 28 Nov., 1698. His father was captain of the royal castle of St-Germain-en-laye; his mother, née Phelypeaux, was the daughter of the king’s secretary of state; Louis XIII was his godfather. By his valour and […]

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His Grandfather Defeated Charles Martel in Battle

November 27, 2023

St. Radbod, Bishop of Utrecht, Confessor This holy prelate was, by his father, of noble French extraction; and, by his mother, Radbod, the last king or prince of the Frisons was his great grandfather, whose name was given him by his mother. The first tincture of learning and piety he received under the tuition of […]

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November 29 – The coronation of St. Louis IX of France

November 27, 2023

Traditionally, new sacred music was composed for a coronation. The motet…which was sung for the anointing of Louis IX has come down to us. It was called Gaude, felix Francia…. The boy who was to be anointed and crowned was already on a platform built in front of the chancel, surrounded by the great lords […]

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St. Saturninus – November 29

November 27, 2023

St. Saturninus was, says Tillemont, one of the most illustrious martyrs France has given to the Church. We possess only his Acts, which are very old, since they were utilized by St. Gregory of Tours. He was the first bishop of Toulouse, whither he went during the consulate of Decius and Gratus (250). Whether there […]

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Moslem Seville surrenders to King Saint Ferdinand

November 23, 2023

The Moors had no choice but to accept the iron will of that King Ferdinand, who, like a curse of Allah, crossed Andalusia exterminating Islam. The ambassadors returned with broader powers to act, and then Don Ferdinand received them. After they had been conducted to his tent, they found him waiting surrounded by his whole […]

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The nations will form new constellations

November 23, 2023

As regards France, I am like a Jew in relation to the Chosen People. I love the Temple, I love the ruins of the Temple, and if these ruins were to turn to dust, I would love the dust that came from these ruins. I have the impression that France will continue to be key […]

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Duke Paul in Luxembourg fight against abortion

November 23, 2023

Remembering this fight for the unborn… Duke Paul in Luxembourg before the country’s fatal legalization of abortion on demand LUXEMBOURG, November 23, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The tiny principality of Luxembourg has adopted abortion on demand in a vote yesterday of 39 to 21 in the Chamber of Deputies. The bill’s promoters in the Chamber of […]

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November 24 – Intrepid missionaries

November 23, 2023

Joseph Marchand Joseph Marchand (August 17, 1803 – November 30, 1835) was a French missionary in Vietnam, and a member of the Paris Foreign Missions Society. Born August 17, 1803, in Passavant, in the Doubs department of France, in 1833 he joined the Lê Văn Khôi revolt by Lê Văn Khôi, son of the late […]

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The Battle of Montgisard

November 23, 2023

The Battle of Montgisard was fought between the Ayyubids and the Kingdom of Jerusalem on November 25, 1177. The 16 year old King Baldwin IV, seriously afflicted by leprosy, led an out-numbered Christian force against the army of Saladin. The Islamic force was routed and their casualties were massive, only a fraction managed to flee […]

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November 25 – She Defied the Emperor

November 23, 2023

St. Catherine of Alexandria A virgin and martyr whose feast is celebrated in the Latin Church and in the various Oriental churches on 25 November, and who for almost six centuries was the object of a very popular devotion. Of noble birth and learned in the sciences, when only eighteen years old, Catherine presented herself […]

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How a Catholic Queen gave Spain its Golden Age

November 23, 2023

Queen Isabella I (“The Catholic”) Queen of Castile; born in the town of Madrigal de las Altas Torres, 22 April, 1451; died a little before noon, 26 November, 1504, in the castle of La Mota, which still stands at Medina del Campo (Valladolid). She was the daughter of John II, King of Castile, by his […]

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RIP – HIRH Otto of Hapsburg-Lorraine (1912-2011)

November 20, 2023

His Imperial and Royal Highness Otto of Hapsburg-Lorraine passed away in the early hours of July 4. Born on November 20, 1912, Archduke Otto of Austria was the firstborn of the last monarchs of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Blessed Karl and Empress Zita. As head of the Hapsburg imperial family, Archduke Otto presided over what Prof. […]

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November 20 – Memorial of Queen Elizabeth II Wedding

November 20, 2023
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November 20 – St. Ambrose of Camaldoli

November 20, 2023

St. Ambrose of Camaldoli An Italian theologian and writer, born at Portico, near Florence, 16 September, 1386; died 21 October, 1439. His name was Ambrose Traversari. He entered the Order of the Camaldoli when fourteen and became its General in 1431. He was a great theologian and writer, and knew Greek as well as he […]

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Pope St. Gelasius I

November 20, 2023

Died at Rome, 19 Nov., 496. Gelasius, as he himself states in his letter to the Emperor Anastasius (Ep. xii, n. 1), was Romanus natus. The assertion of the “Liber Pontificalis” that he was natione Afer is consequently taken by many to mean that he was of African origin, though Roman born. Others, however, interpreting […]

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November 22 – The Eternal Glory of the Caecilia Family

November 20, 2023

St. Cecilia Virgin and martyr, patroness of Church music, died at Rome. This saint, so often glorified in the fine arts and in poetry, is one of the most venerated martyrs of Christian antiquity. The oldest historical account of St. Cecilia is found in the “Martyrologium Hieronymianum”; from this it is evident that her feast […]

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Christ the King? Or Christ the President?

November 20, 2023

Christ the King? Or Christ the President? A heavenly King above all, but a King whose government is already exercised in this world. A King who by right possesses the supreme and full authority. The King makes laws, commands and judges. His sovereignty becomes effective when his subjects recognize his rights, and obey his laws. […]

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One must fight to the last…

November 16, 2023

The Duke of Guise: One must fight to the last even amidst seemingly impossible odds During the battle for La Rochelle, the ship of the Duke of Guise caught fire.  La Rochefoucault approached to inform him:  “Sir, everything is lost!” The Duke immediately turned to the pilot and commanded:  “Turn the ship around. There’s no […]

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Without tradition, there is neither a destination nor a course to follow

November 16, 2023

The past prepares the present, the present protects the past, and both of them elaborate the future. A course followed is analogous to order in moving from one point to the next. Stability is not immobility, but rather mobility in a single direction. To continue is analogous to living, and changing is something analogous to […]

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Commissioned to preach the Sixth Crusade

November 16, 2023

November 16 – St. Edmund Rich Archbishop of Canterbury, England, born 20 November, c. 1180, at Abingdon, six miles from Oxford; died 16 November, 1240, at Soissy, France. His early chronology is somewhat uncertain. His parents, Reinald (Reginald) and Mabel Rich, were remarkable for piety. It is said that his mother constantly wore hair-cloth, and […]

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In the Middle Ages, the Marvelous Was Something Achievable

November 16, 2023

November 16 – St. Margaret of Scotland Commentaries made by Prof. Plinio Correa de Oliveira   … Sovereign and patroness of Scotland, 11th century. Although it is a very good intention to comment on the life of St. Margaret, at times one does not have the slightest biographical data on a saint. For lack of […]

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November 17 – This Queen Cared for the Sick and Suffering

November 16, 2023

St. Elizabeth of Hungary Also called St. Elizabeth of Thuringia, born in Hungary, probably at Pressburg, 1207; died at Marburg, Hesse, 17 November (not 19 November), 1231. She was a daughter of King Andrew II of Hungary (1205-35) and his wife Gertrude, a member of the family of the Counts of Andechs-Meran; Elizabeth’s brother succeeded […]

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Mary Tudor

November 16, 2023

November 17 – Mary Tudor Queen of England from 1553 to 1558; born 18 February, 1516; died 17 November, 1558. Mary was the daughter and only surviving child of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. Cardinal Wolsey was her godfather, and amongst her most intimate friends in early life were Cardinal Pole and his mother, […]

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Sincere, intense, generous, austere, yet affectionate

November 16, 2023

November 18 – St. Philippine-Rose Duchesne Founder in America of the first houses of the society of the Sacred Heart, born at Grenoble, France, 29 August, 1769; died at St. Charles, Missouri, 18 November, 1852. She was the daughter of Pierr-Francois Duchesne, an eminent lawyer. Her mother was a Périer, ancestor of Casimir Périer, President […]

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Luke Wadding

November 16, 2023

Historian and theologian, born at Waterford, Ireland, 16 October, 1588; died at St. Isidore’s College, Rome, 18 November, 1657. I. BIRTH AND EDUCATION He was the son of Walter Wadding, a citizen of eminence, and Anastasia Lombard, a near relation of Peter Lombard, Archbishop of Armagh. He was the eleventh of fourteen children and was […]

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St. Nerses I, Bishop of Armenia, Martyr

November 16, 2023

November 19 – St. Nerses I Armenian patriarch, surnamed “the Great”. Died 373. Born of the royal stock, he spent his youth in Caesarea where he married Sanducht, a Mamikonian princess. After the death of his wife, he was appointed chamberlain to King Arshak of Armenia. A few years later, having entered the ecclesiastical state, […]

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The Crusades – Part I

November 16, 2023

The Crusades – Part I The Crusades were expeditions undertaken, in fulfilment of a solemn vow, to deliver the Holy Places from Mohammedan tyranny. The origin of the word may be traced to the cross made of cloth and worn as a badge on the outer garment of those who took part in these enterprises. […]

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November 13 – Patroness of missionaries

November 13, 2023

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, M.S.C. Also called Mother Cabrini, she founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, a religious institute which was a major support to the Italian immigrants to the United States. She was the first citizen of the United States to be canonized by the Catholic Church. She was born in Sant’Angelo […]

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St. Stanislas Kostka

November 13, 2023

November 13 – Pure and noble, he received Holy Communion from the hands of angels Born at Rostkovo near Prasnysz, Poland, about 28 October, 1550; died at Rome during the night of 14-15 August, 1568. He entered the Society of Jesus at Rome, 28 October, 1567, and is said to have foretold his death a […]

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He calmed the fear of the end of the world

November 13, 2023

November 13 – St. Abbon (or Abbo), born near Orléans c. 945; died at Fleury, 13 November, 1004, a monk of the Benedictine monastery of Fleury sur Loire (Fleuret), conspicuous both for learning and sanctity, and one of the great lights of the Church in the stormy times of Hugh Capet of France and of […]

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November 14 – Charles Antoniewicz

November 13, 2023

(Botoz.) A Polish Jesuit and missionary, born in Lwów (Lemberg), 6 November 1807; died 14 November, 1852. He was the son of Joseph Antoniewicz, a nobleman and lawyer. His pious mother Josephine (Nikorowicz) attended to his early training on their estate at Skwarzawa, whither they moved in 1818. After the death of his father (1823), […]

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Saint Erconwald

November 13, 2023

November 14 – Saint Erconwald Bishop of London, died. about 690. He belonged to the princely family of the East Anglian Offa, and devoted a considerable portion of his patrimony to founding two monasteries, one for monks at Chertsey, and the other for nuns at Barking in Essex. Over the latter he placed his sister, […]

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St. Desiderius of Cahors

November 13, 2023

November 15 – St. Desiderius of Cahors Bishop, born at Obrege (perhaps Antobroges, name of a Gaulish tribe), on the frontier of the Provincia Narbonnensis, of a noble Frankish family from Aquitaine, which possessed large estates in the territory of Albi; died 15 Nov., 655—though Krusch has called this date in question. In his childhood […]

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Bl. Richard Whiting

November 13, 2023

November 15 – Martyred for God (and Money…) Bl. Richard Whiting Last Abbot of Glastonbury and martyr, parentage and date of birth unknown, executed 15 Nov., 1539; was probably educated in the claustral school at Glastonbury, whence he proceeded to Cambridge, graduating as M.A. in 1483 and D.D. in 1505. If, as is probable, he […]

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What happened at the State Opening of Parliament 2023?

November 9, 2023

The King…has opened Parliament for the first time since his Accession in a ceremony steeped in tradition and symbolism. The Imperial State Crown is processed to Westminster. The King and Queen process to Westminster in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, escorted by the Household Cavalry. His Majesty retires to the Robing Room, emerging shortly afterwards […]

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Charlemagnes give rise to Rolands

November 9, 2023

During the Middle Ages, it was usual for French soldiers as they marched to sing the Chanson de Roland (Song of Roland) which exalts the valor of Charlemagne. One day, hearing his troops singing, John II, a weakly king, stated: “It’s been a long time since a Roland appeared among French soldiery.” “There would be […]

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The masses arise

November 9, 2023

The world will be terribly vulgar and life unendurable when authentic gentlemen nor genuine ladies are no longer to be found on the earth. Propaganda as if standardizes all souls, removing their peculiarities, and almost life itself. Even the psychological and attitudinal differences between sexes tend to diminish as much as possible. Because of this, […]

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St. Theodore of Amasea

November 9, 2023

November 9 – He burned the pagan temple while out on bail St. Theodore of Amasea Surnamed Tyro (Tiro), not because he was a young recruit, but because for a time he belonged to the Cohors Tyronum (Nilles, Kal. man., I, 105), called of Amasea from the place where he suffered martyrdom, and Euchaita from […]

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Pope Paul III

November 9, 2023

November 10 – Pope Paul III (ALESSANDRO FARNESE). Born at Rome or Canino, 29 Feb., 1468; elected, 12 Oct., 1534; died at Rome, 10 Nov., 1549. The Farnese were an ancient Roman family whose possessions clustered about the Lake at Bolsena. Although counted among the Roman aristocrats, they first appear in history associated with Viterbo […]

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Giuliano Cesarini

November 9, 2023

November 10 – Giuliano Cesarini (Also known as CARDINAL JULIAN) Born at Rome, 1398; died at Varna, in Bulgaria 10 November, 1444. He was one of the group of brilliant cardinals created by Martin V on the conclusion of the Western Schism, and is described by Bossuet as the strongest bulwark that the Catholics could […]

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St. Andrew Avellino

November 9, 2023

November 10 – St. Andrew Avellino Born 1521 at Castronuovo, a small town in Sicily; died 10 November, 1608. His baptismal name was Lancelotto, which out of love for the cross he changed into Andrew when he entered the Order of Theatines. From his early youth he was a great lover of chastity. After receiving […]

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Patron of Veterans and Soldiers

November 9, 2023

November 11 – Patron of Veterans and Soldiers St. Martin of Tours Bishop; born at Sabaria (today Steinamanger in German, or Szombathely in Hungarian), Pannonia (Hungary), about 316; died at Candes, Touraine, most probably in 397. In his early years, when his father, a military tribune, was transferred to Pavia in Italy, Martin accompanied him […]

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Constable of France: Anne de Montmorency

November 9, 2023

November 12 – Constable of France: he fought his entire life and died in battle at age 74 Anne de Montmorency had proven many times before that his race does not degenerate and the brave blood of an illustrious line of ancestors flowed in his veins. Imperious, severe, of a stern mood, he had undeniable […]

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Purgatory in Painting

November 2, 2023

I have read in the Dictionary of Education a very amusing anecdote, which may, nevertheless, be cited of what I have said of All Souls’ Day. Certain canons over 1,000 years ago, having had to repair their Church, added to it a chapel dedicated to the Souls in Purgatory. The Sculptor who was charged with […]

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