St. Joan of Arc (1412-1431) was born in Doremy, France to peasant farmers during the Hundred Years War between France and England. She was a pious child, and from age 13 she received visions of saints, most notably St. Michael the Archangel, St. Margaret of Antioch, and St. Catherine of Alexandria, who became her special patrons. Through these visions, voices, and other interior promptings,...

Saint Justus of Urgell (died c. 527 AD) was a Spanish bishop and saint. He is the first known and recorded bishop of Urgell, and is considered to have participated in some of the Councils of Toledo, and the councils of Lleida, and Valencia. He is mentioned by Isidore of Seville, who considered him one of the “illustrious men" of whom he wrote the lives. According to one tradition,...

Saint Julius the Veteran, also known as Julius of Durostorum, is a Roman Catholic, Anglican and Eastern Orthodox saint and martyr. His feast day is May 27. Julius of Durostorum was born to pagan parents and served as a Roman soldier for 27 years. Although a veteran of several military campaigns, he converted to Christianity and was denounced by his fellow soldiers. Under the Diocletian...

Mary Ann grew close to God and his people during her short life. The youngest of eight, Mary Ann was born in Quito, Ecuador, which had been brought under Spanish control in 1534. She joined the Secular Franciscans and led a life of prayer and penance at home, leaving her parents’ house only to go to church and to perform some work of charity. She established in Quito a clinic and a...