Saint Giovanni Theristi, also known as Giovanni the Reaper or Giovanni the Harvester, was born between 995 and 1049 in Palermo, Italy. His mother was taken as a slave to Palermo by Saracen raiders while she was pregnant with Giovanni. Unfortunately, his father, Arconte di Cursano, a farmer, was killed during the raid. Despite the Saracen-controlled area lacking churches or clergy,...

Saint Eustathius of Antioch, also known as Eustathius the Great or by variations of his name such as Eustacius, Eustatius, Eustace, and Eustazio, was a prominent figure in early Christianity. He was noted for his extensive learning, personal piety, and eloquence in defending the Christian faith. Eustathius was born around 270 in Sida, Pamphylia, which is located in modern-day Turkey. Little is...

Saint Eleutherius of Tournai, also known as Eleuthere, Eleuterio, or Lehire, was born in 456 in Tournai, western Belgium. He came from a noble Gallo-Roman family, the son of Blanda and Serenus, who converted to Christianity after being inspired by the preaching of Saint Plato. Serenus was so moved by the newfound faith that he generously donated the land on which the cathedral of Notre-Dame of...

Saint Cumiano of Bobbio, also known as Cuimino, Cumino, Cummiano, Cumianus, Cumméne, and Cummian, was a revered Catholic monk at the monastery of San Colombano in Bobbio, Italy. Born in the 7th century in Ireland, Cumiano dedicated his life to the service of God and the adherence to the Rule of his Order. From an early age, Cumiano showed remarkable piety and a deep understanding of Christian...

Saint Jean-François-Régis Clet was born in Grenoble, France in 1748. He was the tenth child in a family of fifteen children, and his father was a farmer and merchant. Jean-François-Régis was named after Saint John Francis Regis, a renowned seventeenth-century Jesuit missionary. Raised in a pious family, Jean-François-Régis grew up with a strong faith. His brother became a priest, while one of...