Eoghan or Eugene of Ardstraw was a native of Leinster, and, after presiding over the abbey of Kilnamanagh (County Wicklow) for fifteen years, settled in the valley of Mourne (County Tyrone), his mother’s country, about the year 576. He was followed by many disciples. He was consecrated first Bishop of Ardstraw in about 581. His name is generally latinised as Eugenius, but the Irish form...

John Kemble was one of the oldest of the martyrs, being 80 when he was executed. He was from near  Hereford, being born into a Catholic family in 1599. He studied for the priesthood at Douai where he was ordained a priest, and worked as a priest in England and Wales for 54 years. He founded several missions, some of which were still functioning well into the 19th century. In 1678 he was...

Saint Abraham of Smolensk (1150 or 1172 - c. 1222) was a Russian monk and priest. He resided at the Bogoroditzkaja convent and was regarded as a miracle worker. He engaged in extensive preaching and biblical studies and is viewed as a notable figure in the pre-Mongol Russia. The saint was said to be born either in 1150 or 1172 to nobles; he was orphaned in his childhood and then decided to...

Maria Matilda De Mattias, A.S.C., is a saint from Italy in the Roman Catholic Church and was the founder of the religious congregation of the Sisters Adorers of the Blood of Christ. Saint Maria Matilda De Mattias, A.S.C., (February 4, 1805 – August 20, 1866) is a saint from Italy in the Roman Catholic Church and was the founder of the religious congregation of the Sisters Adorers of...

St. John Eudes (1601–1680) was born in Normandy, France to a farming family. His devout parents consecrated him to the Blessed Virgin Mary when he was a child. At the age of 14 he took a vow of chastity, and studied under the Jesuits where he earned the reputation of being a brilliant student. After his ordination to the priesthood he ministered to his countrymen who were suffering from...