On September 12th the Church venerates the Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary because of her unique privilege as the holiest of creatures, the Mother of God, and the Queen of Heaven and Earth. Her name is therefore a royal one of the highest order, and as such should be given the greatest honor after that of her Divine Son, Jesus Christ. Instituted in 1513, the feast commemorates all the...

Saint Elijah Speleota, also known as Elijah Bozzetta, Elijah Espeleota, Elia, and Elias, was born in 863 in Reggio Calabria, Italy. He was born into a wealthy noble family, the son of Peitro Bozzetta and Leonzia de Leontini. At the age of 18, Elijah made a significant decision to answer a call to religious life and to avoid an arranged marriage. He left home and embarked on a pilgrimage to...

Empress of the Eastern Roman Empire, eldest daughter of the Emperor Arcadius, b. 19 Jan., 399; d. in 453. After the death of Arcadius (408), her younger brother, Theodosius II, then only seven, became emperor under the guardianship of Anthimus. Pulcheria had matured early and had great administrative ability; she soon exerted salutary influence over the young and not very capable emperor. On 4...

A man convinced of the inestimable worth of each human being, Frédéric Ozanam served the poor of Paris well, and drew others into serving the poor of the world. Through the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, which he founded, his work continues to the present day. Frédéric was the fifth of Jean and Marie Ozanam’s 14 children, one of only three to reach adulthood. As a teenager he began...

Thomas of Villanova (1488 – 8 September 1555), born Tomás García y Martínez, was a Spanish friar of the Order of Saint Augustine who was a noted preacher, ascetic and religious writer of his day. He became an archbishop who was famous for the extent of his care for the poor of his see. In 1544 he was nominated as Archbishop of Valencia and he continued to refuse the position until...