There are different accounts of the lives of these two Saints.  One legend tells us that they were Roman soldiers who renounced their commission when they converted to the faith. They were arrested, beheaded, and their bodies were buried in the catacomb of Domitilla on the Via Ardeatina.  In following centuries, a Mass was celebrated on their graves on the 12th of May. Another...

Ignazio da Laconi (10 December 1701 - 11 May 1781) - born Vincenzo Peis - was a Roman Catholic professed religious born in Sardinia, from the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. His conquering a serious illness prompted him to consecrate his life to God and therefore entered the religious life though not as an ordained priest. Peis was better known in Sardinia for his humble demeanor coupled with...

St. Joseph de Veuster (1840–1889), also known as St. Damien of Molokai, was a priest from Belgium belonging to the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. He had a special devotion to St. Francis Xavier and desired, like him, to be a missionary. His desire was fulfilled when he was sent to minister in Hawaii in place of his brother, a religious of the same congregation, who...

St. Catherine of Bologna was an Italian nun and artist born as Catherine de' Vigri on September 8, 1413 in Bologna, Italy. She was the member of an aristocratic family and the daughter of a diplomat to the Marquis of Ferrara. Catherine received a wonderful education in reading, writing, singing and drawing while being raised at the court of the Duke of Ferrara. Catherine excelled in...

Miriam Teresa Demjanovich was born March 26, 1901 in Bayonne, New Jersey. She was the youngest of seven children and received her baptism, confirmation and her first Holy Communion in the Byzantine Ruthenian rite of her immigrant parents. By the time she graduated from Bayonne High School in January 1917, she felt a calling to become a Carmelite, but remained home to care for her ailing...