Holyblog
On 28 January, the liturgical memory of St. Thomas Aquinas, ‘angelic doctor’ and author of the most famous treatise on medieval theology, is celebrated. Thomas Aquinas lived in the 12th century. He was a Dominican friar, but he is remembered above all for his merits…
The Holy Helpers are invoked in situations of illness and serious danger. Between medieval beliefs and faith, here is who they are and how their cult developed. Invoking God, the Virgin Mary, Angels, or Saints to obtain help and comfort in times of danger, serious…
Contents1 The Life of Saint Sebastian2 The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian3 What Does Saint Sebastian Protect? Saint Sebastian was an upright Roman soldier before becoming a Christian martyr. His story remains today an example of courage and honour. From high-ranking officer of the Roman army…
Contents1 Joseph and Mary2 Saint Anne and Saint Joachim3 Saints Elizabeth and Zechariah4 Aquila and Priscilla5 Louis and Zélie Martin6 Saint Isidore and Saint Maria Toribia7 Saint Silvia and Saint Gordian United before men and before God, they were able to go further and share…
Contents1 The Story of Saint Barbara and Her Martyrdom2 Who Saint Barbara Protects3 Symbols of Saint Barbara Saint Barbara, patroness of firefighters, sailors, and miners, protects those who risk their lives every day in the fulfilment of their work On 4 December, the liturgical memory…
Contents1 Who are the social saints2 Don Bosco3 Pier Giorgio Frassati4 Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo5 Giulia di Barolo6 Giuseppe Cafasso From Don Bosco to Pier Giorgio Frassati: Who are the social saints who have changed the world In the heart of Piedmont, in that nineteenth-century Turin…
Contents1 The life of Pier Giorgio Frassati2 What miracles Pier Giorgio Frassati did3 When Pier Giorgio Frassati will be canonised From the mountains to heaven: the life and message of Pier Giorgio Frassati, the boy who loved the mountains and God, an example of charity…
Contents1 The Story of Saint Christopher2 The Way of Saint Christopher3 The Medal of Saint Christopher Saint Christopher is remembered as the protector of pilgrims. History and legend intertwine to create a cult that has existed for centuries in both the East and the West…
Contents1 Saint Rita, Protector of Marriages2 Donating a Wedding Dress to Saint Rita3 The Devotion of the Fifteen Thursdays of Saint Rita Among the few married saints that Christian history can enumerate, Saint Rita of Cascia is perhaps the most beloved. Invoked as the protector…
On 22 May, Saint Julia is celebrated as the patron saint of both Corsica and Livorno. Born into nobility, she lived as a slave and died a martyr by crucifixion. The story of Saint Julia the Martyr is not widely known, as it appears in…
Protector of unmarried women, Saint Paschal Baylon was a shepherd before becoming a friar. Though illiterate, he became a theologian of the Eucharist and gifted the world with an unrivalled dessert: zabaglione. Saint Paschal Baylon was a religious figure of Spanish origin who lived during…
Contents1 Don Bosco and Saint Dominic Savio2 The Miraculous Abitino of Saint Dominic Savio3 Prayer to Saint Dominic Savio Patron saint of children and expectant mothers, Saint Dominic Savio was an example of extraordinary virtue and qualities that were unparalleled, not only among his peers.…
Contents1 The Diary of Saint Gemma Galgani2 The Sanctuary Dedicated to Saint Gemma Galgani3 Prayers to Saint Gemma Galgani Saint Gemma Galgani was a mystic and seer from Lucca who died very young. Closely associated with the Passionist movement, she never entered a monastery, but…
Contents1 Saint Matthew the Evangelist2 Saint Mark the Evangelist3 Saint Luke the Evangelist4 Saint John the Evangelist Winged man, ox, lion, and eagle. The symbols of the Evangelists have been part of the history of sacred art and theology for centuries. Here is how they…
Contents1 So, who was Saint Valentine?2 Valentine’s Day in Terni3 Valentine’s Day in the rest of Italy4 Valentine’s Day around the world Chocolates, flowers, cards, but also love letters from God. Here are the Valentine’s Day traditions in Italy and around the world. There are…
Contents1 11 February, the Anniversary of Lourdes2 The Water of Lourdes and Its Miracles3 The Miracles Recognised by the Church at Lourdes The Church has recognised seventy of the seven thousand healings that occurred in the town of Lourdes as miracles of Our Lady. What…
Contents1 Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church2 Philothea, the Work of Saint Francis de Sales3 Prayer to Saint Francis de Sales Saint Francis de Sales made love for God and gentleness in expressing one’s faith the most powerful weapon of his…
Contents1 Canonizations by Pope Francis2 Saints Canonized in 20193 Blessed Canonized in 20204 Saints Canonized in 20215 Saints Canonized in 2022 Blessed saints are key figures in the history of the Catholic Church. Even today, men and women are deemed worthy of being canonized. Here…