Franciscan Media

The story of Teresa Benedicta of the Cross begins with her life as Edith Stein, a noted philosopher raised in the Jewish faith. Her studies led Edith to the Catholic Church and to becoming a Carmelite nun. She died in the gas chambers of Auschwitz in 1942.

Saint Dominic became aware that the preacher had to practice what he preached and connect with the people of God. He and a few Cistercians formed what was the beginning of the Order of Preachers, better known as the Dominicans.

Saint Cajetan was a lawyer who became a priest working in the Roman Curia. He came to realize that the Church needed reform, so he and three friends founded the Theatines, a small congregation dedicated to addressing the very issues that were at the heart of the Protestant Reformation.

Whatever happened on Mount Tabor within the hearts of Peter, James and John, we will never know. The experience was more than words can describe. But certainly, the three Apostles had an experience of the glory of Jesus, the Son of God.

Saint Mary Major is one of the four major churches in Rome known as patriarchal basilicas. It is the largest church in the world honoring Mary. This day is also known as the feast of Our Lady of the Snows because of the Blessed Mother’s intercession during a crisis in that city.

Saint John Vianney is best known as the Curé d’Ars, the little French town where he was pastor. John had great trouble with his studies and almost didn’t get ordained.