Saints

Bishop of Geneva. Patron saint of writers and journalists, and a patron saint of the deaf. Francis was born in Savoy in 1567. A delicate child, he was educated at home first and then studied rhetoric, philosophy and theology at the University of Paris. In 1591 he became a Doctor of Law at Padua. Although he could have had a brilliant career in the world, he refused many opportunities, because he... Read More

Today marks the anniversary of the birth of of Mary Ward, whose cause for Beatification is underway at the Vatican. She was born in 1585, into a family of Yorkshire recusants, outlaw Catholics refusing to conform to the state religion. Condemned to death in London for her work among underground Catholics, she fled to the continent with a group of companions in 1609, believing herself called to sta... Read More

Apostle of the Gentiles. This is one of the feast days celebrating the life of St Paul. Originally named Saul, he was born a Jew in Tarsus. He grew to hate Christians because he believed they were perverting the truth of his own faith. Saul was present at the stoning of the first martyr, St Stephen. After the body was removed, Saul ravaged the church and went from house to house dragging out Chr... Read More