Saint of the Day

Saint Francis of Paola

Saint Francis of Paola wanted to live a quiet life of solitude. He managed to do this in a cave near Paola, but soon followers began to gather. He formed them into a community which emphasized pretty severe penance and austerity. Saint Francis also had a public life assisting in the French court.

April 2

Blessed Adolph Kolping

Franciscan Media December 10

Concerned about the faith of single young men caught up in the industrial revolution in Germany, Blessed Adolph Kolping bucked social pressure by ministering to them. Today, the Kolping Society upholds the dignity of workers throughout the world.

Saint Juan Diego

Franciscan Media December 9

Thousands of people gathered in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe July 31, 2002, for the canonization of Juan Diego, to whom the Blessed Mother appeared in the 16th century. Pope John Paul II celebrated the ceremony at which ...

Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Franciscan Media December 8

Under the title of the Immaculate Conception, the Blessed Virgin is the patron of the United States. Thus this is a major feast—in fact a Holy Day of Obligation—for the Church in the United States of America.

Saint Ambrose

Franciscan Media December 7

One of Ambrose’s historical claims to fame is that he was instrumental in the conversion of Saint Augustine, and also baptized him. Known for his lively preaching and writing, Saint Ambrose must have been a force to be reckoned with. ...

Saint Nicholas

Franciscan Media December 6

The absence of “hard historical facts” is not necessarily an obstacle to the popularity of saints, as the devotion to Saint Nicholas shows. Both the Eastern and Western Churches honor him, and it is claimed that after the Blessed Virgin, ...

Saint Sabas

Franciscan Media December 5

After an abusive childhood, Saint Sabas found refuge in a monastery, where he also found his vocation to the monastic life. Permitted to live as a hermit, Saint Sabas soon found others attracted to his way of life, and he ...

Saint John Damascene

Franciscan Media December 4

Saint John Damascene was born in Damascus, but spent most of his life in a monastery near Jerusalem. Little is known about his life, but John is remembered as the last of the Eastern Church Fathers. He gained fame as ...