St. Bona (1156 - 1207 A.D.) was born in Pisa, Italy. She experienced visions at a young age which led her into an ascetical life of penance and fasting. She dedicated herself to God at the early age of ten and became an Augustinian tertiary. At the age of fourteen she went on her first pilgrimage to Jerusalem where her father was fighting in the crusades. On her trip home she was captured and...

St. Quadratus is said to have been the first of the Christian apologists. He is counted among the Seventy Apostles in the tradition of the Eastern Churches. He is said by Eusebius of Caesarea to have been a disciple of the Apostles. In his Ecclesiastical History, Book IV, chapter 3, Eusebius records that: 1. After Trajan had reigned for nineteen and a half years Ælius Adrian became his...

While the Universal Church celebrates the Feast of Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces on November 8, the Franciscan Friars celebrate this feast on May 8. The friary which houses the General Curia of the Order of Friars Minor is named for Mary under this title. The term “Mediatrix” refers to Mary’s unique role in the economy of grace. Here are some key points: Cooperation...

Román Adame Rosales was born on February 27, 1859. He studied for the priesthood in Guadalajara, Jalisco, and was ordained on November 30, 1890. He worked in various parishes, showing a profound dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to catechesis, directing spiritual exercises, and parish schools. He founded the association "Daughters of Mary and Nocturnal Adoration," and...

St. Marcian is sometimes called Marianus. He was a lay brother of a community of religious in Autessiodurum, Gaul (modern day Auxerre, France), which was dedicated to the memory of Sts. Cosmas and Damian.  He fled Avaricum (modern Bourges) to escape an invasion of Visigoths.  Under St. Mamertinus, Marcian was put in charge of the community’s livestock. He was honored by having...