Mary, the Holy Mother of God, is revered as the mother of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world. According to Christian belief, Mary was chosen by God to conceive Jesus through the Holy Spirit, remaining a virgin before, during, and after His birth. She is honoured for her complete faith, humility, and obedience to […]
Sts. Basil the Great (c. 330–379) and Gregory Nazianzen (c. 329–389) were close friends and key figures in the 4th-century theological debates surrounding the nature of the Trinity. Both were prominent bishops and theologians from Cappadocia (modern-day Turkey) and played vital roles in the defence of the Nicene faith against Arianism. Basil was known for […]
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has decreed that this is a Holy Day of Memorial (Optional) to be observed in Canada.
The Most Holy Name of Jesus refers to the sacred name of Jesus Christ, revered in Christianity for its divine power and significance. It embodies the essence of God's salvation, as Jesus means "God saves" in Hebrew. This name represents the incarnation of God's love and the ultimate sacrifice for humanity’s redemption. Catholics and many […]
The Vigil of the Epiphany marks the anticipation of the feast day of the Epiphany, which celebrates the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles, symbolized by the visit of the Magi. This liturgical vigil includes prayer, scripture readings, and hymns, often in the form of a solemn evening service. The vigil emphasizes the mystery of […]
The Epiphany commemorates the revelation of Jesus Christ as the Son of God to the Gentiles, symbolized by the visit of the Magi (wise men) from the East. They followed a star to find the newborn Jesus and presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This event underscores the universal significance of Christ's birth, showing […]
Saint André Bessette (1845–1937) was a Canadian lay brother of the Congregation of Holy Cross, renowned for his deep faith, humility, and devotion to Saint Joseph. Born into poverty, André worked as a porter at the College of Notre-Dame in Montreal, where he became known for his healing ministry and miracles, particularly through his prayers […]
Saint Raymond of Penyafort (c. 1175–1275) was a Spanish Dominican friar and a renowned scholar and preacher. He is best known for his work in canon law, compiling the Decretals of Gregory IX, which became a foundational text for Church law. Raymond also played a key role in the formation of the Dominican Order, helping […]
The Baptism of the Lord is a significant event in the Christian liturgical calendar, marking the moment when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. This event, which appears in all four Gospels, symbolizes the beginning of Jesus' public ministry. The moment is marked by the Holy Spirit descending like a […]
St. Hilary of Poitiers, known as the "Doctor of the Divinity of Christ," was a 4th-century bishop and theologian. Born in the Roman Empire, he initially embraced pagan philosophy before converting to Christianity. As bishop of Poitiers, he strongly opposed Arianism, a heresy that denied the divinity of Christ. Hilary’s writings, particularly his work De […]
St. Anthony the Great, also known as St. Anthony of Egypt, was a 3rd-4th century Christian monk who is often regarded as the father of Christian monasticism. Born in 251 in Egypt, he sold his possessions to live a life of asceticism and solitude in the desert, seeking to live more closely with God. His […]
St. Fabian was a pope and martyr who served as the Bishop of Rome from 236 until his death in 250. His papacy is noted for his leadership during a period of Christian persecution under Emperor Decius. Fabian was elected pope in a rather unusual manner: a dove is said to have landed on his […]
St. Sebastian (d. c. 288) was a Christian martyr and one of the most venerated saints in Catholic tradition. A soldier in the Roman army, he secretly converted many of his fellow soldiers to Christianity. When his faith was discovered, he was ordered to be executed by Emperor Diocletian. He was tied to a post […]
St. Agnes (c. 291–304) is a Christian martyr and one of the most beloved saints of the early Church. Born into a noble family in Rome, she dedicated her life to Christ and vowed to remain a virgin. At a young age, she was arrested during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Diocletian. Despite facing […]
St. Vincent of Saragossa (d. 304) is a Christian martyr and deacon, venerated as the patron saint of Spain and deacons. Born in Huesca, Spain, he served as a deacon under St. Valerius, the bishop of Saragossa, during the persecution of Christians under the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Vincent was arrested, tortured, and ultimately martyred for […]
St. Francis de Sales (1567–1622) was a bishop, theologian, and one of the most beloved saints of the Catholic Church. Renowned for his kindness, patience, and deep spirituality, he became a guiding figure during the Counter-Reformation. As bishop of Geneva, he worked to reconcile Protestants to the Catholic Church through gentle persuasion and a pastoral […]
The Conversion of St. Paul, commemorated on January 25, marks the dramatic transformation of Saul of Tarsus, a zealous persecutor of Christians, into the Apostle Paul. On his journey to Damascus to arrest Christians, Saul was struck blind by a divine light and heard the voice of Jesus asking, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting […]
St. Angela Merici (1474–1540) was an Italian religious educator and founder of the Ursuline Order, one of the first groups of women dedicated to the education of girls. Born in Desenzano, Italy, she experienced a deep spiritual vision that led her to dedicate her life to the service of God and the improvement of education […]
Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) was a Dominican friar, theologian, and philosopher, widely regarded as one of the Church’s greatest thinkers. His works, particularly the Summa Theologica, integrate faith and reason, exploring topics like the existence of God, morality, and the nature of the soul. Aquinas is known for his efforts to reconcile Christian theology with […]
St. John Bosco (1815–1888) was an Italian priest, educator, and founder of the Salesian Society, dedicated to the care and education of young people, especially the poor and marginalized. Driven by a deep love for youth, he created innovative educational methods that combined reason, religion, and loving-kindness. St. John Bosco founded the Salesian Sisters and […]
The Presentation of the Lord, or Candlemas, celebrated on February 2nd, marks the occasion when Mary and Joseph presented the infant Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem, forty days after His birth. This event, also known as the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, fulfills Jewish law, which required a mother to […]
St. Blaise, a 4th-century bishop and martyr, is best known as the patron saint of throat ailments. According to tradition, he was a physician before becoming the bishop of Sebaste in Armenia. He is said to have miraculously healed a boy choking on a fish bone, leading to his association with throat diseases. Blaise was […]
St. Ansgar, known as the "Apostle of the North," was a 9th-century missionary who played a crucial role in spreading Christianity in Scandinavia, particularly in Denmark and Sweden. Born in France around 801, he became a monk and was sent by Emperor Louis the Pious to evangelize the Nordic regions. Despite many challenges, including Viking […]