Saints

The notion of heavenly beings worshipping God and ready to do his bidding, has been taken from Jewish thought and placed in the heart of Christian worship. The ancient Jews believed that angels served both individuals and nations. Jesus accepted this idea too. He said the angels would support him at his second coming. Once he took a little child and spoke to his followers about becoming like chi... Read More

Carmelite nun. Patron of the missions. Therese was born in 1873 in Alencon, France. When she was 15 she told her father she was so devoted to God she wanted to become a nun. The Carmelites and her bishop thought she was too young, but she persisted and eventually got her way. Therese loved life. She had many dreams and wanted to go to the Far East as a missionary. But it wasn't to be. In 1896 she... Read More

Benedictine abbot. The gentle saint was born to a wealthy family in 895 near Fosse, in France. From his youth, he had a reputation for being friendly and kind. For a time he was a soldier and courtier of the Count of Namur. One day after a hunting trip with friends the group returned to his family estate tired and hungry. After he had invited everyone in to rest and eat Gerard slipped away to a l... Read More