Saint Michael Garicoïts was born on 15 April 1797 in Ibarre, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France, to a humble family of Pyrenean peasants. His parents, Arnold and Gratianne Garicoïts, were devout Catholics who sheltered priests escaping the persecutions of the French Revolution. From a young age, Michael felt called to the priesthood, but his family's poverty made it difficult for them to provide...

Saint Euthymius The Illuminator, also known as Euthymius Opplyseren, Euthymius the Atonite, Euthymius of Mount Athos, Euthymius the Georgian, Euthymius dell’Abasgian, and Eutimio, was a distinguished figure in the early Christian Church. He was born in Iberia, Georgia, and is believed to be the son of Saint John the Iberian, a renowned ascetic and monastic leader. Little is known about...

Saint Epiphanius of Salamis, also known as Epiphanius of Cyprus, was a renowned figure in early Christian history. Born in 315 in Besanduk, near Eleutheropolis, Judea, he hailed from a Hellenized Jewish background and later became a convert to Christianity. Epiphanius possessed an impressive intellect and was fluent in five languages. He extensively studied theology and the classics, which...

Saint Mamertus of Vienne, also known as Mamerto, Mamertius, or Mammertus, was a well-educated individual, likely born to the Gallic nobility. Although there is limited information about his early life, it is believed that he may have been married at one point. In 461, Mamertus became the Archbishop of Vienne, a region in France. He was renowned for both his secular and theological knowledge...

Born in the Castile region of Spain, John was sent at the age of 14 to the University of Salamanca to study law. He later moved to Alcala, where he studied philosophy and theology before his ordination as a diocesan priest. After John’s parents died and left him as their sole heir to a considerable fortune, he distributed his money to the poor. In 1527, he traveled to Seville, hoping...