St. Cyril (315?-386) was born of a Christian family in Jerusalem, where he received a good education. He was ordained a priest, and given the task of teaching catechumens who were preparing to be baptized at the Easter Vigil. Cyril’s…

The patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick (389?-461) was born near the west coast of Britain, the son of a Roman civil servant. At age sixteen Patrick was carried off by Irish raiders and sold as a slave in Ireland,…

Julian was born in Anazarbus, Cilicia (modern Turkey) sometime in the third century. During the persecution of Christians, he was arrested. His judge, seeing his strong tolerance and bravery against all types of torture, decided to prolong his torment. Every…

Zachary was born in Calabria to a Greek family in the eighth century. It is thought that he was a deacon in the Roman Church during the council of 732 because his signature is said to be on the decrees…

Matilda, also sometimes known as Maude, was born around 895. Her father was Count Dietrich of Westphalia and her mother’s name was Reinhild. Her grandmother, who was the Abbess of the Eufurt convent, raised Matilda.

In 909, Matilda married Henry…

Roderick (sometimes known as Ruderic or Rodriguez) lived in Spain during the ninth century. During this time Christians were under great persecution by the Moors. Roderick had two brothers, one a fallen-away Catholic and the other who had become a…

Theophanes was born in Constantinople around the year 758. When he was only three, his father, who was the governor of the isles of the Archipelago, died. His mother died soon after and Theophanes came under the guardianship of Emperor…

Eulogius was born sometime during the ninth century. There are records showing that he was a priest during the year 848. He was highly respected among the Christian communities of Catalonia and Navarre, Spain. Eulogius had five brothers, and all…

Macarius lived in the fourth century and, as with many saints from that early period, there is very little information available about him. What we do know is that Macarius was named bishop of Jerusalem in the year 314. He…

St. Frances of Rome (1384-1440) was a member of the Roman aristocracy; she wished to enter a convent, but in obedience to her parents was instead married at age thirteen to a young nobleman named Lorenzo de’ Ponziani. Frances was…