He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. (Isaiah 40:29)
Lives Of Saints
November 1 : Solemnity of All Saints
All Saints’ Day is a solemn holy day of the Catholic Church celebrated annually on November 1. The day is dedicated to the saints of the Church, that is, all those who have attained heaven. All Saints’ Day observances tend to focus on known saints –that is those recognized in the canon of the saints by... Read More
November 2 : Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed
This day is observed the commemoration of the faithful departed, in which our common and pious Mother the Church, immediately after having endeavored to celebrate by worthy praise all her children who already rejoice in heaven, strives to aid by her powerful intercession with Christ, her Lord and Spouse, all those who still groan in... Read More
November 3 : Saint Martin de Porres
The illegitimate son of a Spanish nobleman, Juan, and a young freed black slave, Anna Velasquez, Martin grew up in poverty. He spent part of his youth with a surgeon–barber from whom he learned some medicine and care of the sick. At age 11 he became a servant in the Holy Rosary Dominican priory in... Read More
November 4 : Saint Charles Borromeo
Saint Charles Borromeo was the nephew of Pope Pius IV. He was born in 1537 of one of the oldest, noblest, and wealthiest families of Lombardy, being the second son of Count Borrormeo. From his earliest years the little Charles was so noted for the gravity and sanctity of his character, that his uncle, Pope... Read More
November 5 : Saint Peter Chrysologus
St. Peter Chrysologus, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Feast-July 30) Born at Imola, Italy in 380, St. Peter was baptized, educated, and ordained a deacon by Cornelius, Bishop of Imola. St. Peter merited being called "Chrysologus" (golden-worded) from his exceptional oratorical eloquence. In 433, Pope Sixtus III consecrated him bishop of Ravenna. He practiced... Read More
November 6 : Saint Nicholas Tavelic and Companions
Nicholas and his three companions are among the 158 Franciscans who have been martyred in the Holy Land since the friars became custodians of the shrines in 1335. Nicholas was born in 1340 to a wealthy and noble family in Croatia. He joined the Franciscans, and was sent with Deodat of Rodez to preach in... Read More
November 7 : Saint Didacus
Didacus is living proof that God “chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.” As a young man in Spain, Didacus joined the Secular Franciscan Order and lived for some time as a hermit. After Didacus became a Franciscan brother,... Read More
November 8 : Blessed John Duns Scotus
A humble man, John Duns Scotus has been one of the most influential Franciscans through the centuries. Born at Duns in the county of Berwick, Scotland, John was descended from a wealthy farming family. In later years, he was identified as John Duns Scotus to indicate the land of his birth; Scotia is the Latin... Read More
November 9 : Dedication of Saint John Lateran Basilica
Most Catholics think of St. Peter’s as the pope’s main church, but they are wrong. St. John Lateran is the pope’s church, the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome where the Bishop of Rome presides. The first basilica on the site was built in the fourth century when Constantine donated land he had received from... Read More
November 10 : Saint Leo the Great
Saint Leo the Great, also known as Pope Saint Leo I, was born into a Roman aristocratic family. His response to the call of the Lord transformed him into one of the greatest popes of Christian history. In fact, he was the first pope to be given the title "the Great." Details pertaining to Leo's... Read More