Saints

Bishop and monk. Hugh was born in 1052, at Chateauneuf in France. He was the son of a knight called Odilo and educated at the cathedral school at Valence, where he became a canon. Hugh is said to have been very gifted, and good looking. He was also very shy. The bishop of Die, who was a papal legate made him his secretary. In 1080 he attended the Synod of Avignon which reviewed the deplorable st... Read More

Bishop of Antioch. According to legend, this third century saint was so revered by his flock that they nicknamed him 'Agathangelus' - which means 'The Good Angel'. When the Emperor Decius began persecuting Christians, it is said not a single Christian in his diocese denied their faith. In 261, a representative of Decius named Martian, summoned the bishop for cross-examination. Acacius told him ... Read More

Patron saint of seafarers. Founder of the Franciscan Minim Friars, Born at Paola in Calabria, in 1416, Francis lived at a friary for a year when he was 13. He made a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi, and then became a hermit living in a cave overlooking the sea. When he was 20, he was joined by two companions. The neighbours built them a chapel and cells to live in. Later others came. The Friars we... Read More