Saints

The Maid of Orleans was the daughter of a peasant, born in Domremy in Lorraine, in 1412. From the age of 13 she began hearing heavenly voices telling her to take up arms and lead the French army against the English who had invaded the country. She obtained an audience with the Dauphin, Charles, and after a searching interview, he entrusted her with a staff of attendants and a suit of armour. The... Read More

Pilgrim. Bona was born in Pisa in 1156. From an early age she experienced visions, particularly of St James. By the age of ten she had decided to dedicate herself to the Augustinian rule and by 14 had set off on her first journey to see her father, who was fighting in the Crusades near Jerusalem. On her way home she was captured by Muslim pirates in the Mediterranean, wounded and imprisoned. Some... Read More

Little is known about this early Roman martyr, except that she refused to marry a nobleman named Flaccus, in the first century. He threatened to kill her, but she died naturally after three days fasting. Petronilla is traditionally identified as the daughter of Saint Peter, though this may stem simply because of the similarity of names. It is believed she may have been a convert of the saint (and... Read More