Friend of the Slaves
9th September
Saint Peter Claver
In the early 17th century the Spanish Empire was at the height of its powers. Colonies had been established throughout South America, and Spain was enjoying the huge wealth being generated by the...
The First Franciscan to Set Foot in England
10th September
Blessed Agnellus of Pisa
Blessed Agnellus is a saint very dear to the hearts of all Franciscans in Britain because it was St. Francis himself who sent him on a mission to this country. Born in Pisa around the year 1195,...
What a Powerful Name!
12th September
The Holy Name of Mary
Today we are celebrating the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the Catholic Church after the name of Jesus there is no name more loved and venerated and more powerful than the name of...
A Fearless Critic
13th September
Saint John Chrysostom
The preaching of a priest was so eloquent and effective that it earned him the nickname Chrysostom, the Golden Mouth. Yet his words were seldom soothing or comforting. He was outspoken in his...
A Sign of How God Approved of a Saint's Life
17th September
The Stigmata of Saint Francis
Francis loved Jesus. His heart's desire was to be another Christ. Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness fasting and praying. So Francis in imitation of Christ would make this fast several times a...
A Misjudged Saint
18th September
Saint Joseph of Cupertino
Joseph Desa led a difficult and lonely life, often unwanted and rejected, but God certainty wanted him and used him to bring healing and encouragement to many people. Born in a small Italian...
The Saints Never Forget Us
19th September
Saint Januarius
St. Januarius was one of the martyrs of the early Church. He shed his blood for the faith in the year 305, and ever since then his blood and his intercession have protected all who call upon his...
God's Special Confessor
23rd September
Saint Pio of Pietrelcina
Padre Pio’s name is known throughout the world as a holy Capuchin friar who received in his own body the marks of Christ's wounds. Much has been written about his love of prayer, his reverence for...
For Love of Our Lady
24th September
Our Lady of Walsingham
Walsingham was to England what Lourdes is to France. People from all over Europe would travel there to honour Our Lady. But it is much more ancient, dating from the 11th century, whereas Lourdes...
Christian Doctors
26th September
Saints Cosmas and Damian
Two brothers who put their Christian faith into practice by serving the sick were born in Southern Turkey sometime in the third century. They both trained as doctors and then gave their time and...
Friend Of The Poor
27th September
Saint Vincent de Paul
He was the son of a French farmer but made many aristocratic friends, winning the confidence of a queen and raising huge sums of money for charity. Yet to the end of his life he remained the...
Mark My Footsteps
28th September
Saint Wenceslaus
The saint whose name is well-known to us from the 'Good King Wenceslaus' carol was not in fact a duke! His grandparents had been devout converts, the first Christian rulers of Bohemia, but many of...
Do We Ask Our Powerful Friends for Help?
29th September
Saints Michael, Gabriel & Raphael
What part do angels play in your spiritual life? It would be very sad if the answer is very little. They have a function in Heaven as the servants of God and on Earth they can be the friends of...
A Life of Biblical Proportions!
30th September
Saint Jerome
As the patron saint of librarians artists have often depicted Jerome as a dedicated scholar working quietly and untroubled by the outside world. This tranquil picture tells only half the story....
The Saint of the Little Way
1st October
Saint Therese of Lisieux
In 1898 'The Story of a Soul' was published in France and quickly became a best-seller in several languages. It was the autobiography of a girl who spent her life in an enclosed convent and died at...