St. Albertus Magnus was born in Swabia (now Germany) in 1206. This Dominican priest taught theology; St. Thomas Aquinas was one of his students. He became bishop of Regensberg (in present-day Germany) and brought Greek and Arabic philosophy and science to Europe. He was interested in the natural sciences and wrote guides. The theological writer...Read More

St. Serapion lived circa 252. He was martyred in Alexandria, Egypt, when anti-Christian riots broke out in the city. A mob threw him from his roof, and he died.Read More

St. Martin of Tours was born circa 316 in present-day Hungary. He became a Christian when he was a teenager and served in the Roman army. In France, he gave his officer’s cloak to a beggar. He then had a vision that Christ was wearing his cloak. Later on, he spent 10 years living as...Read More

St. Leo the Great was born to a noble family in Tuscany, Italy, circa 400. This priest led the church as pope from 440-461, during Attila the Hun’s invasion. When Attila was invading Rome, Leo greeted him and asked for leave. As Leo was speaking, Attila had a vision of a man carrying a sword;...Read More

Today is the feast of the four crowned martyrs, St. Castorus, St. Claudius, St. Nicostratus and St. Simpronian. Living in the third century, they were masons. After they refused to carve an idol for Diocletian, they were martyred. The four crowned martyrs are patron saints of masons and sculptors.Read More

St. Willibrord was born in Northumbria, England, in 658. This son of St. Hilgis was educated under St. Egbert. A Benedictine monk, he served as a missionary in Friesland and Luxembourg. He was the founding bishop of Utrecht in the Netherlands in 695, and he founded monasteries. He died Nov. 7, 739. St. Willibrord is...Read More

Today is the feast of All Souls. This feast commemorates all of the faithful departed. The feast began as a remembrance among members of religious orders, but it was adopted by dioceses and eventually by the entire church.Read More

Today is the feast of All Saints. It originated circa 609 when Pope Boniface IV dedicated the Pantheon to honor the Virgin Mary and the martyrs, although the day was celebrated May 13. However, Pope Gregory III consecrated a basilica in the Vatican to honor all saints, and he chose Nov. 1 as their feast....Read More