St. Leo III, an Italian, was a priest and cardinal who was elected to the papacy Dec. 26, 795. After his election St. Leo sent the keys of St. Peter to Charlemagne, who in turn sent money to the pope. St. Leo used the money to build churches and give funds to charities. On Christmas...Read More

Blessed John Dominic was born in Florence, Italy, in 1356. He joined the Dominican order when he was 17 years old. He became a priest and preached in Venice, Italy, for a dozen years. Blessed John Dominic was a great supporter of Christian education for youths. He served as confessor and advisor to Pope Gregory...Read More

St. Medard was born around 456 in France. He was ordained when he was 33 and became a bishop in the year 530. The bishop was loved by his people, and eventually legends about him surfaced. He died June 8, 545, in Noyon, France. St. Medard is patron saint against bad weather because he is...Read More

St. Erasmus was the bishop of Formiae, Campagna, Italy. During Emperor Diocletian’s persecution of Christians, St. Erasmus fled and was supposedly fed by a raven in order to keep hiding. The first time he was captured, an angel rescued him. The second time he was captured circa 303, he was martyred and became one of...Read More

St. Bona of Pisa was born around 1156 in Pisa, Italy. From a young age she was a visionary, and at age 10 she became an Augustinian tertiary. She made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land at age 14, and she later made pilgrimages to Rome and Spain on numerous occasions. She led other pilgrims...Read More

St. Germanus of Paris was born in Autun, France, in the year 496. He was a priest and abbot and became bishop of Paris in 555. He cured King Childebert I from an illness and then converted him. Once converted, King Childebert I built the abbey of St. Vincent, which is now called St. Germain...Read More

St. Rita of Cascia wanted to join a religious order from a very young age. However, when she was 12 her parents arranged her marriage. She obediently married the abusive man when she turned 18 and had twin sons. Her husband abused her for 18 years, after which he was murdered. He repented at the...Read More

St. Bernadine of Siena was a theological writer, a preacher, a priest and a Friar Minor. A charismatic preacher, St. Bernadine became associated with public speaking, advertising and public relations. The saint was also a great peacemaker who said gossip was a major source of arguments which could turn violent. He died in Italy in...Read More