May 18, 2013
SAINT OF THE DAY: ST. JOHN I, Pope and Martyr. He was born in Italy and was elected Pope while still a deacon. He visited Emperor Justin in Constantinople as an ambassador of Theodoric, king of Italy. Note that Theodoric believed in Arianism and only tolerated Catholicism. The Emperor, on the other hand, had enacted a severe edict against the heretics. King Theodoric was suspicious that the meeting between the Pope and the Emperor was meant to hatch a plot against him. On his return, the Pope was cast into prison where he died because of ill treatment.
May 17, 2013
SAINT OF THE DAY: ST. PASCHAL BAYLON was born in 1540 in the kingdom of Aragon. He spent his childhood as a shepherd but he also learned to read during that time. Eventually he was reading pious works. At the age of 24, he joined the reformed Franciscan and became a lay brother. He lived in extreme poverty and constant prayer. He died in 1592.
May 6, 2013
SAINT OF THE DAY: SAINT BRENDAN was born in 484 on the west coast of Ireland. From his early years he was exposed to people of holiness and they influenced much his later life. When he was a child he was in the care of St. Ita. Later he was under the supervision of Bishop Erc who ordained him after his education in the monastic school. He became abbot of a monastery and offered himself completely to the Lord. He died in 577.
