Educated by the Jesuits in Visayas, the Philippines, Pedro could read, write and speak Visayan, Spanish and Chamorro, paint, draw, sing and worked as a carpenter. He served as a teenage catechist alongside Spanish Jesuit missionaries to the violent Chamarros in the Ladrones Islands (modern Marianas) in 1668 at age 14. When he was 17,
Feast Day: 24 March The night before he was murdered while celebrating Mass, Archbishop Oscar Romero of San Salvador said on the radio: “I would like to appeal in a special way to the men of the army, and in particular to the troops of the National Guard, the police, and the garrisons. Brothers, you
Feast Day: 17 March The patron saint of Ireland was born into either a Scottish or English family in the fourth century. He was captured as a teenager by Niall of the Nine Hostages who was to become a King of all Ireland. He was sold into slavery in Ireland and put to work as
Feast Day: 31 January Born in Castlenuovo d’Asti on August 16, 1815, John was educated in the faith and in living according to the Gospel message by his mother. He was just nine years old when he had a dream, which called him to dedicate himself to the education of young people. While still a
Thomas is believed to have been born in the castle of Roccasecca in the old county of the Kingdom of Sicily, which is now known as the Lazio region of Italy, in 1225. His parents were well-off, but as the youngest son Thomas was expected to enter the monastery. At 5-years-old, Thomas began his education
Feast Day: 24 January Born in France in 1567, Francis was a patient man. He knew for thirteen years that he had a vocation to the priesthood before he mentioned it to his family. When his father said that he wanted Francis to be a soldier and sent him to Paris to study, Francis said
Feast Day: 30 November Andrew was Simon Peter’s brother. They lived in Copernicum and were both fishermen. Andrew, along with Peter, James and John formed the inner circle of Jesus’ 12 apostles. Andrew was however a disciple of St John the Baptist prior to becoming a follower of Christ. Not a great deal is known
St Teresa of Avila was born on 28 March 1515 in what is now Spain and was baptised as Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y Ahumada, She was well educated at home by her parents and she found the stories of the saints – particularly the martyrs – very exciting. When she was just a child,
Saint Francis of Assisi abandoned a life of luxury for a life devoted to Christianity after reportedly hearing the voice of God, who commanded him to rebuild the Christian Church and live in poverty. He is the patron saint for ecologists. A Reckless Youth St Francis was born in Assisi, Italy, as Giovanni Francesco Bernardone,
Feast Day: 28 September “I am a Catholic and wholeheartedly do accept death for God. Had I a thousand lives, all these to Him I shall offer. Do with me as you please.” – St Lorenzo Ruiz Saint Lorenzo Ruiz was born around the year 1600 in Binondo, Manila in the Philippines. He was the
