Stephen was a native of Rome, the son of Jovius and was serving as an archdeacon at the time of his election to succeed the martyred Pope St. Lucius I. His reign was blessedly free of the severe persecutions of the Church that had characterized the previous years and preceded the onset of new oppression under Emperor Valerian. Nevertheless, his time as pontiff was noted for its turmoil, owing...

St. Alphonsus Ligouri (1696–1787) was born near Naples, the eldest of eight children of a noble family. He became a lawyer after receiving doctorates in canon and civil law at the age of 16. For many years he was successful in practicing law, but grew disenchanted with the profession. After losing his first case at the age of 27, and after a time of discernment, he decided to enter the...

Germanus of Auxerre (c. 378 – c. 448) was a bishop of Auxerre in Late Antique Gaul. He abandoned a career as a high-ranking government official to devote his formidable energy towards the promotion of the church and the protection of his 'flock' in dangerous times: personally confronting, for instance, the barbarian king, "Goar". In Britain he is best remembered for his...

St. Peter Chrysologus (406-550 A.D.) was born in Imola, Italy. He was an adult convert to Christianity and studied under his bishop, Cornelius, who ordained him a deacon. In his day the city of Ravenna was the center of the Roman Empire, making the Archbishop of Ravenna an important position in the Church. When the Archbishop of Ravenna died, a new archbishop was elected by the clergy and the...

The son of King Harald Grenske of Norway was born in 995 A.D. He spent most of his youth as a Norse raider until 1010 when he was baptized at Rouen. In 1013, he journeyed to England and offered his services to King Ethelred II against the invading Danes. Returning home in 1015 after succeeding to the throne, he embarked upon a war to free Norway from the domination of the Danes and the Swedes,...