ST. ANTHONY of PADUA

JUNE 13 is the traditional memorial of ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA (+1231). St. Anthony was the first teacher of the Franciscan Order, a fascinating preacher, a priest, and a declared Doctor of the Church. St. Anthony was born in 1195, in Lisbon, Portugal. His parents were...

ST. BARNABAS

JUNE 11 is the traditional memorial of ST. BARNABAS (1st CENTURY), one of the very early Christian Jews. Barnabas’ real name was either Joseph, or Joses, the Greek form. He was a Hellenic Jew, born on Cyprus. He was a Levite, therefore trained to be a teacher of the...

POPE ADRIAN II, WIDOWER

Adrian was a member of the Roman nobility as a youth. This is a frequently noted trait in the early Church. He was born about 792 in Rome. As a young man, he married Stephania and they had a daughter before he was ever ordained, which was still acceptable at the time....

SAINT PHILIP NERI, THE SECOND APOSTLE OF ROME

MAY 26 is the feast day of ST. PHILIP NERI (+1595), the “Second Apostle of Rome.” Filippo Neri was born July 21, 1515 in Florence, one of four children. His father was Francesco Neri, an aristocrat in service of the government. The family were relatively religious,...