St. Lucy (Lucia) of Syracuse (283–304 A.D.) was born to a wealthy Christian family on the island of Sicily. Her father died when she was in her infancy. Lucy grew in piety, and at a young age secretly consecrated her virginity to Christ. Her mother pressured her into an arranged marriage with a pagan nobleman in order to provide for her daughter's future, which Lucy avoided. When...
St. Juan Diego, a humble Aztec peasant, saw the Blessed Virgin Mary on the Hill of Tepeyac near present-day Mexico City on December 9, 1531, the feast of the Immaculate Conception at the time. After a request by the bishop to prove her identity, Our Lady asked Juan Diego to gather the roses which he found growing on the hill, which were neither native to the area nor in season, and take them...
Saint Gemellus of Ancyra, also known as Gemellus of Edessa and Gemellus of Paphlagonia, was a Christian saint who was martyred during the persecutions of Julian the Apostate. His feast day is celebrated on December 10th. Although limited information is available about his life, the details we know shed light on his undeniable faith and valor in the face of persecution. Gemellus was born in...
Pope Saint Miltiades, also known as Melchiades, was a significant figure in the history of the Catholic Church. Not much is known about his early life, but it is believed that he hailed from Africa. Miltiades served as the Bishop of Rome during a crucial period in the Church's history when Christianity faced intense persecution in the Roman Empire.
One of the notable events that...
The Blessed Mercedarian Fathers are a group of ten Mercedarian friars who have been particularly revered for their exceptional holiness. They are collectively remembered and honored on December 9th each year.
Arnaldo de Querol, one of the ten blessed Mercedarian Fathers, devoted his life to the service of God and his fellow brothers. With unwavering faith and selflessness, he tirelessly...