St. Philomena
Daughter if Light
Little is known about the life of St. Philomena. However, it is believed she was a Greek princess who became a virgin martyr and died at 13-years-old.
Remains of a young lady were discovered in May 1802 at the Catacombs of Priscilla on the Via Salaria Nova with three tiles reading “Peace be to you, Philomena.”
Feastday: August 11
Patron of infants, babies, and youth
Birth: c. January 10, 291
Death: c. August 10, 304
Liturgical celebration: Pope Gregory XVI
Canonization & Beatification: Pre-congregation
Siblings: Only child
Place of birth: Greece
Parents: Unknown, described as Royal Family
St. Gemma Galgani
Flower of Lucca and Daughter of Passion
St. Gemma Galgani, also known as the Flower of Lucca, was an Italian mystic often referred to as the “Daughter of Passion,” for her intense replication of the Passion of Christ. She was born on March 12, 1878, in a small Italian town near Lucca
Feastday: April 11
Patron of Students, Pharmacists, against temptations, against the death of parents, against tuberculosis
Parents: Enrico Galgani and Aurelia Galgani
Birth: March 12, 1878
Siblings: Carlo, Giulia, Aurelia and Gino Galgani
Death: April 11, 1903
Beatified By: May 14, 1933 by Pope Pius XI
Canonized By: May 2, 1940 by Pope Pius XII
St. Therese of Lisieux
The Little Flower
Generations of Catholics have admired this young saint, called her the “Little Flower”, and found in her short life more inspiration for their own lives than in volumes by theologians.
St Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897) was a French Catholic who became a Carmelite nun at an early age. She died in obscurity at the age of 26. However, after her death, her autobiography – Story of a Soul was published and became a best-seller around the world. Her books explained her spiritual path of love and selflessness, and she became one of only three females to be considered a doctor of the Catholic Church.
Name of Saints: Maria Francoise – Therese Martin
Feastday: October 1
Patron of the Missions
Parents: Marie-Azelle Guerin and Louis Martin
Siblings: Helene, Marie, Pauline, Leonie and Celine
Beatification: St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome last April 29, 1923 by Pope Pius XI
Canonization: St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome last May 17, 1925 by Pope Pius XI
Birth: January 2, 173 A.D at Alencon Orne, France
Death: 1897
St. Agnes of Rome
St. Agnes of Rome was born in 291 AD and raised in a Christian family. Agnes was very beautiful and belonged to a wealthy family. Her hand in marriage was highly sought after, and she had many high ranking men chasing after her. However, Agnes made a promise to God never to stain her purity. Her love for the Lord was great and she hated sin even more than death!
Feastday: January 21
Patron of young girls, chastity, rape survivors, and the Children of Mary
Parents: Unknown
Siblings: Unknown
Place of Birth: Rome, Italy
Canonization & Beatification: Pre-congregation
Birth: 291 A.D
Death: 304 A.D
St. Lucy
Lucy’s history has been lost and all we really know for certain is that this brave woman who lived in Syracuse lost her life during the persecution of Christians in the early fourth century. Her veneration spread to Rome so that by the sixth century the whole Church recognized her courage in defense of the faith.
Feastday: December 13
Patron of Blindness
Birth date & place: 283 A.D in Syracuse, Sicily
Parents: Father was a Roman origin, mother’s name is Eutychia.
Canonization & Beatification: Pre-congregation