Saints

Soldier and martyr, Demetrius of Sermium, Serbia, died for his faith in the early 4th century under Maximian. He became immensely popular in the east where he was called the Great Martyr. He was regarded as a never-failing help in all needs, especially against evil spirits. Two churches were built in his honour in the early 5th century, one at Sirmium and the other at Thessalonika, where some of... Read More

The apparition of Our Lady of the Rosary is by tradition attributed to Saint Dominic. According to the attribution, the Virgin Mary appeared to St Dominic in 1208, in the church of Prouille, in France and introduced him to the rosary. For centuries, Dominicans became instrumental in spreading the practice of praying the rosary. Today's feast was introduced by St Pius V, who was also a Dominican,... Read More

Saint John Henry Newman was a priest, theologian, writer and preacher. His life spanned most of the 19th century. He was an Anglican for the first half of his life and became a Catholic in the second half. Born in London in 1801, Newman studied at Oxford's Trinity College, was a tutor at Oriel College and for 17 years vicar of the university church, St Mary the Virgin. He published eight volumes... Read More