1. St Justin (100-165): the unapologetic apologist
Justin was an educated pagan who was converted to Christianity initially through his searches in philosophy. .... |
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1. Apologist for the faith: St Justin
Justin has left us a very beautiful description of the Mass as it was celebrated in his time. He sought to .... |
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2. SS Marcellinus and Peter: martyred at Rome 304
The fact that Marcellinus and Peter are named in Eucharistic Prayer (The Roman Canon) indicates that they .... |
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3. St Kevin of Glendalough (498?-618)
The themes of Kevin's life include harmony with nature, the struggle about celibacy and a desire for solitude .... |
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4. St Charles Lwanga and companions: the Uganda martyrs (d.1885-6)
There were martyrs in North Africa at the start of the third century. Two young married women, Perpetua and .... |
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5. St Boniface: apostle of the Germans 674-754
An English monk from Exeter, Boniface evangelised first among the Frisians (Holland), then visited Pope .... |
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5. St Boniface (673-754) apostle to the Germans
Boniface - originally called Winfrid - was from Devon, England. He became a monk and went to preach the .... |
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6. St Jarlath of Tuam (445-550)
Jarlath is the abbot-bishop associated with the archdiocese of Tuam. Patrick Duffy looks at what is known .... |
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6. St Norbert (1080-1134) founder of the Canons of Premontre
Norbert was the founder of the canons of Prémontré, and an indefatigable campaigner against heresy, schism .... |
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7. St Colman of Dromore, Co Down (c.450-520)
Colman of Dromore in the Lagan valley of Co Down set up a monastery here at the beginning of the sixth .... |
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7. Matt Talbot – the workers’ saint
Mary Gaffney tells the story of Matt Talbot, a Dubliner who struggled with a drink problem, then led a severe .... |
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8. St William of York d. 1154 archbishop of York
William is an engaging figure. he was the "on and off" Archbishop of York twice in the time of england's .... |
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9. St Columba: dove of the church
While his feast-day 9 June passes most years without any great sense of occasion, St Columba is in fact one .... |
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9. St Colmcille of Iona (521-597)
One of the most inspiring figures in the early Irish Church and its patron along with Patrick and Brigid, .... |
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10. St Ephraem of Syria (306-373): composer of hymns
Many of the writings of St Ephraem of Syria are still extant. He greatly influenced the Eastern liturgy. He .... |
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11. St Barnabas, apostle: "son of encouragement"
Barnabas was probably born in Cyprus, was one of the first converts in Jerusalem and preached at Antioch. He .... |
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12. Blessed Anna Maria Taigi (1769-1837)
Blessed Anna Maria Taigi is an good example of how an ordinary mother with little education can become a .... |
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13. St Anthony of Padua (1193-1231)
The love of Jesus, the desire to tell others about him, humility and eloquence as well as his role in answer .... |
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14. Saint Davnet (6th century): patron of the mentally ill?
Saint Davnet of Sliabh Beagh in Co Monaghan is popularly identified with Saint Dympna, whose relics are found .... |
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14. St Methodius of Constantinople: defender of icons; d. 847
St Methodius of Constantinople was a monk from Sicily who restored the veneration of icons after the .... |
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15. St Vitus (martyred c. 303)
St Vitus is an example of how different themes can in differing circumstances become associated with the .... |
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16. St Germaine Cousin of Pibrac (1579-1601): weakness confounding strength
Germaine is a good example of what St Paul says in 1 Cor 1:27-28. "It was to shame the wise that God chose .... |
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17. St Moling Luachra (614-696)
Place names such as Mullinakill, Co Kilkenny, Timolin, Co Kildare, Monamolin, Co Wexford and St Mullins, Co .... |
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18. St Juliana Falconieri (1270-1341) foundress of the "Mantellate" Servite Sisters
A spirited young woman who felt drawn to serve God in a radical way. Through her uncle she was attracted to .... |
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20. The Irish Martyrs of the 16th and 17th centuries
The canonisation of Oliver Plunkett in 1975 brought an awareness of the other men and women who died for the .... |
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19. St Romuald of Ravenna: (950-1027) founder of the Camaldolese monks
Romuald had a somewhat prickly temperament and seems to have found it hard to settle in a community. Perhaps .... |
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21. St Aloysius Gonzaga (1568-1591): patron of Catholic youth
In James Joyce's novel "The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man", there is a famous passaage, excised by .... |
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22. St Thomas More: patron of statesmen and politicians (1478-1535)
Pope John Paul II proclaimed St Thomas More as patron of statesmen and politicians. Along with St John .... |
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22. St John Fisher
John Fisher was a quiet, scholarly man who as Bishop of Rochester refused to recognise Henry VIII as Head of .... |
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23. St Paulinus: married man, bishop and poet (353-431)
At first living among the leisurely aristocracy of the later Roman empire, Paulinus was a married man who .... |
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24. The Birth of John the Baptist
As the feast of Christmas christianised the celebration of the winter solstice with the theme of the .... |
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25. St John Fisher, bishop and martyr (1469-1535)
A scholar and a man of simple life, John was both chancellor of Cambridge University and bishop of Rochester. .... |
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26. SS John and Paul martyrs
At Rome on Mt. Coelius, the holy martyrs John and Paul, brothers. The former was steward, the other .... |
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27. St Cyril of Alexandria, patriarch and theologian (378-444)
Impulsive and intelligent, Cyril was energetic in defending what he saw was true doctrine, especially .... |
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27. The Theotokos saint
.... |
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28. St Irenaeus: bishop and theologian (c. 135-202)
Originally from Asia, he was with the group which first brought Christianity to Lyons, France, whe he became .... |
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29. St Peter (1st century) apostle and first pope
There is an irony that can only be providential in the fact that Jesus chose the bungling Simon to be the .... |
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29. You are Peter
Peter is a very atrractive figure since he shared our weakness, but after the resurrection he became the one .... |
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30. The First Martyrs of the Church of Rome (64AD)
This feast was mentioned in the Jerome Martyrology (6th century) and extended to the universal Church with .... |
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26. Saints John and Paul, brothers and Roman martyrs
Saints John and Paul (Italian: Giovanni e Paolo) are not be confused with the famous apostles of the same .... |
