Saint Louis Bertrand, also known as the Apostle of South America, was born on January 1, 1526, in Valencia, Spain. From an early age, he displayed a deep religious fervor and a strong desire to serve God. At the age of 18, Louis joined the Dominican Order in 1544, and three years later, at the age of 21, he was ordained as a priest. Louis Bertrand quickly gained recognition as a talented and...
Thaïs is first briefly described as wealthy and beautiful, a courtesan living in the cosmopolitan city of Alexandria, Egypt. Yet in the eyes of the church, she was a public sinner. Thaïs, however, made inquiries about the Christian religion and eventually converted. In her Vita a monk in disguise pays for entry into her chambers in order to challenge her and convert her, yet he finds that she...
Saint Reparata was a young Christian girl who lived during the era of intense persecution under the reign of Emperor Decius in the 3rd century. Born in Caesarea, Palestine, and baptized at a very young age, Reparata remained steadfast in her faith despite the dangers that it entailed. At the tender age of 11, Reparata found herself at the center of religious unrest and hostility. The...
Saint Ammon The Great, also known as Ammon the Anchorite, Ammon Nitriota, Ammonius, and Amun, was a prominent figure in early Christian monasticism and is considered one of the greatest desert monks of his time. He was born around the year 286 in the region of Mariotis, Egypt, into a wealthy family. Ammon began his adult life as a married layman. He and his wife made the mutual decision to...
Saint Adalgott of Chur, also known as Adalgott of Dissentis, was a significant figure in the early 12th century. He was a monk, abbot, and bishop who dedicated his life to serving God and his fellow human beings. Adalgott joined the Cistercian Order and received a comprehensive education in theology, philosophy, and spiritual discipline under the guidance of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. He...