Saint of the Day

February 28. Some people would call Blessed Daniel Brottier "lucky." But in the eyes of faith, God’s providence and desire for Blessed Daniel to do great things in his kingdom is what protected him in some very dangerous situations. Blessed Daniel cooperated with that providence and became an example to all.

February 29. Saint Oswald knew people in high places─his uncle was the archbishop of Canterbury. But even though he received “favors” from his uncle, he served humbly and gained holiness through God's grace.

March 1. Saint David of Wales was by legend the nephew of King Arthur. He was educated under the tutelage of Saint Paulinus, whose sight he allegedly restored. He was known as the “Water Drinker,” because he drank only water, and was a vegetarian. He founded 12 monasteries of very strict observance. He lived over 100 years.

March 2. Saint Agnes of Bohemia, also known as Saint Agnes of Prague, never married, but had a number of nobles interested in her as a possible wife. Preferring the religious life, Saint Agnes joined the Poor Clares, but not until after she had built a hospital and a friary for the local Friars. She lived the Poor Clare life for 45 years.

March 3. Saint Katharine Drexel founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament to minister primarily to Native and African Americans in the United States. She used much of her inherited wealth to support both the sisters and the ministry. She entered religious life as a Sister of Mercy before founding her new community which opened its first foundation in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1894.

March 4. While Saint Casimir was born into a noble family, and was himself in line to be king, he opted instead for a life of prayer, and as a youth vowed perpetual chastity. Opposed by his family, Saint Casimir held fast to his ideals until his early death at the age of 25. In his native land and elsewhere, he is considered an example of perseverance.

March 5. Saint John Joseph of the Cross entered the Franciscan community at the age of 16. A humble man, he was asked to serve his community in a number of leadership roles, including provincial minister. Yet he retained his simplicity throughout and retired to the quiet service of confessor.

March 6. Saint Mary Ann of Jesus of Paredes was a Secular Franciscan who lived a life of quiet prayer and penance. She established a clinic where she helped to nurse plague patients, but seems to have succumbed to the disease herself.

March 7. The Church faced persecutions early on in its history. Saints Perpetua and Felicity are two well-known names among the martyrs. While we don’t know much about them, we do have Saint Perpetua’s diary that gives a few facts about their last days.

March 8. Saint John of God’s life story is proof of the possibility of conversion and change with the grace of our merciful God. The first part of his life was not very praiseworthy, but once he turned to God and asked for mercy, he became the saint that we know.