Remembering the Real Santa Claus
His feast day is December 6.
St. Nicholas, the real person behind the figure of Santa Claus, was a fourth-century bishop who was known for his generosity, especially to young people. Continue »
A Tale of Two Friends
Francis Xavier, Ignatius of Loyola, and the Power of Friendship in the Lord
St. Francis Xavier—the sixteenth-century Jesuit who spread the gospel in India, Indonesia, and Japan—has been called the greatest missionary since St. Paul. Continue »
The Woman Who Never Gave Up
The Life of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne
Kaskasia, Michigamea, Cahokia—strange-sounding Indian names peppered the priest’s conversation as he sat in the Duchesnes’ study in France and told of his work in far away North America. Continue »
St. Elizabeth of Hungary
Both in wealth and in poverty, she gave all to God.
St. Elizabeth of Hungary (1207–1231) was a wealthy princess. As was common with royalty in her day, when she was only four years old, she was betrothed to the prince of a neighboring country in what is modern-day Germany. Continue »
Becoming Generous Givers
St. Martin of Tours shows us how
Here’s a paradox that is central to Christianity: We lose what we keep, and we gain what we give away! “Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it,” Jesus told his disciples (Luke 17:33). Continue »
Martin de Porres, Saint of the “Least”
This unwanted son found—and proclaimed—his Father’s love
Eight-year-old Martin de Porres was not what most people today would call a “normal” child. Living in Lima, Peru, in 1587, the boy was already in training to be a barber, which in his world also meant learning to be a surgeon, pharmacist, and physician. Continue »
