Born to the Italian nobility, the daughter of the Duke of Marciano, and Anna, daughter of the Count of Corbara; her mother died when Angelina was 12. Given in an arranged marriage at age 15 to the Duke of Civitella, Giovanni da Terni, who agreed to honor the girl’s private vow of chastity. Widowed at age 17, she quickly moved to follow a call to religious life before another marriage...

Refugium Peccatorum meaning Refuge of Sinners is a Catholic title for the Blessed Virgin Mary. Its use goes back to Saint Germanus of Constantinople in the 8th century. In the Catholic tradition, Eve is viewed as being responsible for the sufferings of humans since their fall and expulsion from paradise while the Virgin Mary is viewed as the source of all healing. She is the new Eve, who...

Andrew of Crete, also known as Andrew of Jerusalem, was an 8th-century bishop, theologian, homilist, and hymnographer. He is venerated as a saint in both the Eastern Orthodoxy and the Catholic Church. Saint Andrew is primarily known as a hymnographer. He is credited with the invention (or at least the introduction) of the canon, a new form of hymnody, into the liturgy. Previously, the...

Raymond of Toulouse, also known as Raymond Gayrard, was a chanter and canon renowned for generosity. A native of Toulouse, who entered religious life after the death of his wife, he became a canon of St. Sernin, Toulouse, helping to rebuild the church which became a popular place for pilgrims. After his death on 3 July 1118, many miracles were reported at his tomb and he was beatified in...

Swithun, also spelled Swithin, was born in Wessex, England and was educated at the old monastery, Winchester, where he was ordained. He became chaplain to King Egbert of the West Saxons, who appointed him tutor of his son, Ethelwulf, and was one of the King's counselors. Swithun was named bishop of Winchester in 852 when Ethelwulf succeeded his father as king. Swithun built several...