St. Casimir (1461-1484) was a prince of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, known for his deep piety, devotion to God, and acts of charity. Born on October 3, 1458, in Wawel Castle, Kraków, he was the second son of King Casimir IV and Queen Elizabeth of Austria.
Key Highlights of His Life Early Life and Education: Casimir was well-educated, learning Latin, German, law, history, rhetoric, and classical literature. He was known for his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and often prayed the hymn “Daily, Daily Sing to Mary”2.
Spiritual Devotion: From a young age, Casimir showed a strong commitment to his faith. He practiced penitential acts, slept on the floor, and spent nights in meditation on the Passion of Christ2.
Acts of Charity: Casimir was known for his generosity towards the poor and the sick. He often gave away his possessions to those in need1.
Martyrdom: Casimir died on March 4, 1484, at the age of 25, likely from tuberculosis. He was buried in Vilnius Cathedral.
Canonization: His canonization was initiated by his brother, King Sigismund I the Old, in 1514, and he was canonized by Pope Leo X in 1521 or Pope Clement VIII in 1602.
Legacy and Patronage Saint Casimir is the patron saint of Lithuania and Lithuanian youth. His feast day is celebrated on March 4th. In Vilnius, his feast day is marked with the Kaziuko mugė, a trade fair held on the Sunday nearest to the anniversary of his death.
St. John XXIII (1881–1963), born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, was the 261st pope of the Catholic Church, serving from 1958 until his death in 1963. Known as the “Good Pope,” he is celebrated for his humility, pastoral warmth, and vision for a renewed Church. Here are some key aspects of his life and pontificate:
Early Life and Ministry Born: November 25, 1881, in Sotto il Monte, Bergamo, Italy, into a humble farming family. Education: Studied at the Pontifical Roman Seminary and was ordained a priest in 1904. Diplomatic Career: Served as a papal diplomat in Bulgaria, Turkey, and France, where he worked to foster relations between Catholics and other Christian communities, as well as with Muslims and Jews. Papacy (1958–1963) Election: Elected pope on October 28, 1958, at age 76, many expected his pontificate to be transitional. Instead, it became transformative. Second Vatican Council (Vatican II): Convened the council in 1962, seeking to renew the Church and engage it with the modern world. His vision was one of aggiornamento (bringing up to date) while remaining faithful to tradition. Social Teachings: Promoted peace and social justice, most notably through his encyclical Pacem in Terris (1963), which addressed peace and human rights in the nuclear age. Key Themes and Legacy Pastoral Approach: Known for his kindness, accessibility, and emphasis on the Church as a motherly and merciful presence. Dialogue: Encouraged dialogue with other Christian denominations and religions. Canonization: Declared a saint by Pope Francis on April 27, 2014, alongside St. John Paul II. St. John XXIII is affectionately remembered for his human warmth and visionary leadership, leaving an indelible mark on the Catholic Church and the world. His feast day is October 11, commemorating the opening of the Second Vatican Council.
St. John Baptist de La Salle was born in 1651, in Reims, France. He was the eldest son of wealthy parents. At the age of eleven, La Salle was committed becoming a priest. At the age of sixteen, he was named Canon of Reims Cathedral. At the age of eighteen, he received a master’s degree in classical literature and arts, as well as philosophy.
Sadly, La Salle’s parents died within a year of each other in 1671 and 1672. La Salle had to manage his parent’s estate which included educating his four brothers and two sisters. Once this was done, he was ordained to the priesthood on April 9, 1678. He was 26 years old. He continued his studies until he received his doctorate in theology.
During this time, La Salle also worked with the Sisters of the Child Jesus to educate girls, serving as chaplain and confessor for their school. While performing this work, he met Adrian Nyel, who was himself a supervisor of teachers at a boys school in Reims. Through Nyel, a wealthy woman asked La Salle to be involved with the endowment of a new school for poor children. She provided the money, as long as La Salle agreed to help run the school.
La Salle gradually became preoccupied with work at the new school. He was aware that teachers needed training and direction, and that the children had few opportunities for success. He calculated that if he lent his talents to the school, and worked with both teachers and students, he could improve their lives.
La Salle worked with the teachers to educate them and teach them manners. He invited them to live in his home where he provided them with direction. This made them more effective with the students, and in turn improved outcomes for them.
There was a larger problem. Poverty was widespread in France during this time, and few families could afford to educate their children. La Salle felt the best way to approach this problem would be to establish a community devoted to the education of children, regardless of their ability to pay. He resigned his post as Canon at the Cathedral, left his comfortable family home to live with the teachers, and established the Brothers of the Christians Schools.
Surprisingly, this approach brought resistance from both the secular education system and the Church. The Church was initially opposed to the foundation of an order committed to education, and the secular educators were opposed to the elimination of tuition. They felt it would reduce the prices people would be willing to pay them.
Nonetheless, La Salle was successful. He even expanded his school to offer teaching to young men.
In 1685, La Salle established the first school for the training of educators in Reims.
La Salle worked as an educator all his life. He lived until 1719, when he died on April 7, which happened to be Good Friday.
La Salle was beatified by Pope Leo XIII on February 19, 1888 and canonized by him on May 24, 1900. His feast day is April 7. He is the patron saint of all educators.
St. John was born at Capistrano, Italy in 1385, the son of a former German knight in that city. He studied law at the University of Perugia and practiced as a lawyer in the courts of Naples. King Ladislas of Naples appointed him governor of Perugia. During a war with a neighboring town he was betrayed and imprisoned. Upon his release he entered the Franciscan community at Perugia in 1416. He and St. James of the March were fellow students under St. Bernardine of Siena, who inspired him to institute the devotion to the holy Name of Jesus and His Mother. John began his brilliant preaching apostolate with a deacon in 1420. After his ordination he traveled throughout Italy, Germany, Bohemia, Austria, Hungary, Poland, and Russia preaching penance and establishing numerous communities of Franciscan renewal. When Mohammed II was threatening Vienna and Rome, St. John, at the age of seventy, was commissioned by Pope Callistus III to preach and lead a crusade against the invading Turks. Marching at the head of seventy thousand Christians, he gained victory in the great battle of Belgrade against the Turks in 1456. Three months later he died at Illok, Hungary. His feast day is October 23. He is the patron of jurists.
St.Bruno was born in Cologne of the prominent Hartenfaust family. He studied at the Cathedral school at Rheims, and on his return to Cologne about 1055, was ordained and became a Canon at St. Cunibert’s. He returned to Rheims in 1056 as professor of theology, became head of the school the following year, and remained there until 1074, when he was appointed chancellor of Rheims by its archbishop, Manasses. Bruno was forced to flee Rheims when he and several other priests denounced Manasses in 1076 as unfit for the office of Papal Legate. Bruno later returned to Cologne but went back to Rheims in 1080 when Manasses was deposed, and though the people of Rheims wanted to make Bruno archbishop, he decided to pursue an eremitical life. He became a hermit under Abbot St. Robert of Molesmes (who later founded Citeaux) but then moved on to Grenoble with six companions in 1084. They were assigned a place for their hermitages in a desolate, mountainous, alpine area called La Grande Chartreuse, by Bishop St. Hugh of Grenoble, whose confessor Bruno became. They built an oratory and individual cells, roughly followed the rule of St. Benedict, and thus began the Carthusian Order. They embraced a life of poverty, manual work, prayer, and transcribing manuscripts, though as yet they had no written rule. The fame of the group and their founder spread, and in 1090, Bruno was brought to Rome, against his wishes, by Pope Urban II (whom he had taught at Rheims) as Papal Adviser in the reformation of the clergy. Bruno persuaded Urban to allow him to resume his eremitical state, founded St. Mary’s at La Torre in Calabria, declined the Pope’s offer of the archbishopric of Reggio, became a close friend of Count Robert of Sicily, and remained there until his death on October 6. He wrote several commentaries on the psalms and on St. Paul’s epistles. He was never formally canonized because of the Carthusians’ aversion to public honors but Pope Leo X granted the Carthusians permission to celebrate his feast in 1514, and his name was placed on the Roman calendar in 1623. His feast day is October 6.
“They didn’t know who they were.” This is how Hilary summed up the problem with the Arian heretics of the fourth century.
St.Hilary, on the other hand, knew very well who he was — a child of a loving God who had inherited eternal life through belief in the Son of God. He hadn’t been raised as a Christian but he had felt a wonder at the gift of life and a desire to find out the meaning of that gift. He first discarded the approach of many people who around him, who believed the purpose of life was only to satisfy desires. He knew he wasn’t a beast grazing in a pasture. The philosophers agreed with him. Human beings should rise above desires and live a life of virtue, they said. But Hilary could see in his own heart that humans were meant for even more than living a good life.
If he didn’t lead a virtuous life, he would suffer from guilt and be unhappy. His soul seemed to cry out that wasn’t enough to justify the enormous gift of life. So Hilary went looking for the giftgiver. He was told many things about the divine — many that we still hear today: that there were many Gods, that God didn’t exist but all creation was the result of random acts of nature, that God existed but didn’t really care for his creation, that God was in creatures or images. One look in his own soul told him these images of the divine were wrong. God had to be one because no creation could be as great as God. God had to be concerned with God’s creation — otherwise why create it?
At that point, Hilary tells us, he “chanced upon” the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures. When he read the verse where God tells Moses “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14), Hilary said, “I was frankly amazed at such a clear definition of God, which expressed the incomprehensible knowledge of the divine nature in words most suited to human intelligence.” In the Psalms and the Prophets he found descriptions of God’s power, concern, and beauty. For example in Psalm 139, “Where shall I go from your spirit?”, he found confirmation that God was everywhere and omnipotent.
But still he was troubled. He knew the giftgiver now, but what was he, the recipient of the gift? Was he just created for the moment to disappear at death? It only made sense to him that God’s purpose in creation should be “that what did not exist began to exist, not that what had begun to exist would cease to exist.” Then he found the Gospels and read John’s words including “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God…” (John 1:1-2). From John he learned of the Son of God and how Jesus had been sent to bring eternal life to those who believed. Finally his soul was at rest. “No longer did it look upon the life of this body as troublesome or wearisome, but believed it to be what the alphabet is to children… namely, as the patient endurance of the present trials of life in order to gain a blissful eternity.” He had found who he was in discovering God and God’s Son Jesus Christ.
After becoming a Christian, he was elected bishop of Poitiers in what is now France by the laity and clergy. He was already married with one daughter named Apra.
Not everyone at that time had the same idea of who they were. The Arians did not believe in the divinity of Christ and the Arians had a lot of power including the support of the emperor Constantius. This resulted in many persecutions. When Hilary refused to support their condemnation of Saint Athanasius he was exiled from Poitiers to the East in 356. The Arians couldn’t have had a worse plan — for themselves.
Hilary really had known very little of the whole Arian controversy before he was banished. Perhaps he supported Athanasius simply because he didn’t like their methods. But being exiled from his home and his duties gave him plenty of time to study and write. He learned everything he could about what the Arians said and what the orthodox Christians answered and then he began to write. “Although in exile we shall speak through these books, and the word of God, which cannot be bound, shall move about in freedom.” The writings of his that still exist include On the Trinity, a commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, and a commentary on the Psalms. He tells us about the Trinity, “For one to attempt to speak of God in terms more precise than he himself has used: — to undertake such a thing is to embark upon the boundless, to dare the incomprehensible. He fixed the names of His nature: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Whatever is sought over and above this is beyond the meaning of words, beyond the limits of perception, beyond the embrace of understanding.”
After three years the emperor kicked him back to Poitiers, because, we are told by Sulpicius Severus, the emperor was tired of having to deal with the troublemaker, “a sower of discord an a disturber of the Orient.” But no one told Hilary he had to go straight back to his home and so he took a leisurely route through Greece and Italy, preaching against the Arians as he went.
In the East he had also heard the hymns used by Arians and orthodox Christians as propaganda. These hymns were not based on Scripture as Western hymns but full of beliefs about God. Back at home, Hilary started writing hymns of propaganda himself to spread the faith. His hymns are the first in the West with a known writer.
Some of use may wonder at all the trouble over what may seem only words to us now. But Hilary wasn’t not fighting a war of words, but a battle for the eternal life of the souls who might hear the Arians and stop believing in the Son of God, their hope of salvation.
The death of Constantius in 361 ended the persecution of the orthodox Christians. Hilary died in 367 or 368 and was proclaimed a doctor of the Church in 1851.
In His Footsteps: In Exodus, the Prophets, and the Gospel of John, Hilary found his favorite descriptions of God and God’s relationship to us. What verses of Scripture describe God best for you? If you aren’t familiar with Scripture, look up the verses that Hilary found. What do they mean to you?
Prayer: Saint Hilary of Poitiers, instead of being discouraged by your exile, you used your time to study and write. Help us to bring good out of suffering and isolation in our own lives and see adversity as an opportunity to learn about or share our faith.
St. Camillus de Lellis—a remarkable soul whose life journey took unexpected turns, leading him from the battlefield to the bedside of the sick. Let’s delve into his inspiring story! 🌟🏥
Early Life and Unlikely Beginnings:
Born on May 25, 1550, in Bucchianico (which was part of the Kingdom of Naples, now in Italy), Camillus de Lellis entered this world with a twist of fate. His mother, Camilla Compelli de Laureto, was nearly fifty when she gave birth to him. His father, an officer in both the Neapolitan and French royal armies, was often away, leaving young Camillus to navigate life with a fiery temperament.
Imagine a spirited boy, tall for his age, accompanying his father from one military camp to another. At sixteen, he even fought in a war against the Turks. But life had more surprises in store for him.
From Soldier to Healer:
After years of military service, Camillus found himself wounded and in need of care. He sought refuge in Rome’s San Giacomo Hospital, but his quarrelsome attitude got him expelled. His leg wound, a stubborn companion, refused to heal.
Down on his luck and having gambled away all his possessions, Camillus took work as a laborer at a Capuchin friary. The guardian there saw beyond his rough exterior and tried to draw out the better side of his nature. 🌿
Eventually, Camillus had a religious conversion in 1575. His heart softened, and he entered the novitiate of the Capuchin friars. But alas, his leg wound persisted, and the physicians deemed it incurable. Denied admission to that Order, he moved to Rome.
Caregiver and Founder:
Back at San Giacomo degli Incurabili, Camillus became a caregiver, tending to the sick. His compassion and dedication shone through, and he eventually became the Superintendent of the hospital.
But Camillus dreamed of more—a mission beyond the walls of that hospital. In 1584, he founded the Camillians, a religious order dedicated to caring for the sick. These “Ministers of the Sick” would follow in his footsteps, bringing healing and hope to those in need.
Patronage and Canonization:
St. Camillus de Lellis became the patron saint of hospitals, nurses, and the sick. His legacy extended far beyond his own lifetime.
Beatified by Pope Benedict XIV in 1742 and canonized in 1746, Camillus left an enduring mark. His feast day is celebrated on July 14.
And here’s a little secret: His assistance is also invoked against gambling. Perhaps he watches over card games with a knowing smile! ♣️🙏
So, next time you step into a hospital or encounter a nurse’s caring touch, remember St. Camillus—the soldier turned healer, the quarrelsome heart transformed by compassion. 🌹✨
The Hunting Enthusiast: Imagine Hubert galloping through the lush forests of the Ardennes, chasing after magnificent stags. It was during one of these hunts that something extraordinary happened. Legend has it that on a Good Friday morning, while the faithful were in church, Hubert was out tracking a particularly impressive stag. But when the stag turned to face him, Hubert was astounded: There, between its antlers, floated a crucifix. Talk about a divine hunting experience! 🌳🦌🙏
The Miraculous Encounter: This vision shook Hubert to his core. It was a wake-up call—an invitation to turn away from worldly pursuits and embrace a higher calling. He retreated from court life, mourning the loss of his wife (who tragically died giving birth to their son, Floribert), and sought solace in the Ardennes. The stag with the crucifix had left an indelible mark on his heart, and Hubert knew he needed to change his ways.
Conversion and Spiritual Transformation: Hubert’s life took a dramatic turn. He abandoned the chase of earthly game and began pursuing a different kind of quarry: spiritual enlightenment. His newfound devotion led him to embrace Christianity fully. He became a beacon of faith, and his story spread far and wide.
First Bishop of Liège: In 708 A.D., Hubert was consecrated as the first bishop of Liège. His spiritual journey had come full circle—from noble courtier to hunter to shepherd of souls. And he didn’t stop there. As the “Apostle of the Ardennes,” he tirelessly spread the Gospel, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those he encountered.
Patronage and Legacy: St. Hubert is the patron saint of hunters (no surprise there!), mathematicians (because even saints appreciate a good equation), opticians (for clear vision, both literal and metaphorical), and metalworkers (because even saints need sturdy tools). And here’s a quirky historical tidbit: Until the early 20th century, people invoked St. Hubert to cure rabies using something called “Saint Hubert’s Key.” 🗝️
So, next time you’re in the woods, spare a thought for St. Hubert—the man who traded antlered game for divine grace. His feast day is celebrated on November 3rd, and I’m sure the heavenly hunting grounds are teeming with joy in his honor! 🌟🌲🙌
Is there anything else you’d like to know about St. Hubert or any other saint? 🕊️
St. Raymond of Pennafort, Patron Saint of Canonists (Feast day – January 7) Born in Spain, St. Raymond was a relative of the King of Aragon. From childhood he had a tender love and devotion to the Blessed Mother. He finished his studies at an early age, and became a famous teacher. He then gave up all his honors and entered the Order of the Dominicans. St. Raymond was very humble and very close to God. He did much penance and was so good and kind that he won many sinners to God. With King James of Aragon and St. Peter Nolasco he founded the Order of Our Lady of Ransom. The brave religious of this Order devoted themselves to saving poor Christians captured by the Moors.
Once he went with King James to the Island of Majorca to preach about Jesus. King James was a man of great qualities, but he let himself be ruled by passions. There on the Island, too, he was giving bad example. The Saint commanded him to send the woman away. The King said he would, but he did not keep his promise. So St. Raymond decided to leave the Island. The King declared he would punish any ship captain who brought the Saint back to Barcelona. Putting all his trust in God, Saint Raymond spread his cloak upon the water, tied up one corner of it to a stick for a sail, made the Sign of the Cross, stepped onto the cloak, and sailed along for six hours until he reached Barcelona. This miracle moved the King. He was sorry for what he had done, and he became a true follower of St. Raymond. St. Raymond was one hundred years old at the time of his death.
