May 26: St. Philip Neri

Philip Neri was born was born in Florence in 1515 and educated by the Dominicans.  He experienced conversion at the age of 18 and left for Rome, where he lived a life of seclusion and poverty.  He studied philosophy and theology for three years before choosing to re-evangelize Rome, where...

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May 25: St. Gregory

Born in Tuscany about 1023, Hildebrand (Later Pope Gregory VII) was sent to a monastery to be educated under John Gratian. When Gratian was elected Pope, Hildebrand became his personal secretary.  He also served Pope Leo IX as counsellor and treasurer of the Church’s finances.  After serving as chief counsellor...

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May 24: Blessed Louis-Zéphirin Moreau

Louis-Zéphirin Moreau was born in Béancour, Quebec in 1824. The fifth of 13 children, Louis-Zéphirin was educated in the seminary but was initially rejected for the priesthood because of his frail health.  His desire was strong, however and his persistence resulted in his ordination in 1846. He soon became secretary...

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May 21: St. Eugène de Mazenod

Charles Joseph Eugène de Mazenod was born in France in 1782.  Ordained in 1811, his religious experience led him to minister to the poor and the young. Interested in popular missions, Eugène founded a missionary institute of priests and lay brothers in 1826, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, whose particular...

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May 18: Saint John I

When John I became pope in 523, Italy was ruled by an Arian, Theodoric the Goth, who had reversed his policy of tolerance toward Christians because of trouble between Roma and the emperor of Constantinople, Justin I. When his subjects appealed to him, Theodoric organized a delegation to negotiate with...

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May 14: St. Matthias

The Acts of the Apostles (1.15-26) tells us that Matthias was chosen after the resurrection to replace Judas. Peter, quoting a psalm, told the 120 gathered that they must choose a new apostle: someone who had been with them from the time of the baptism of the Lord until the...

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May 13: Our Lady of Fatima

This title was given to the Blessed Virgin Mary after she appeared to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal, between May 13 and October 13, 1917. Three messages or ‘secrets’ of Fatima stress the importance of repentance, conversion of the heart and dedication to Our Lady, especially through daily prayer...

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