Saints

Italian priest and founder of the Sisters of Providence. Luigi was born on 4 August 1804, at Udine in Italy, the youngest of three sons of Domenico Scrosoppi, a jeweller and his wife Antonia Lazzarini. His brother Carlo was ordained when Luigi was six, and his brother Giovanni several years later. When he was 11 or 12 years old, Luigi's home region was struck by drought, famine, typhus, and smal... 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

Laybrother. Born in Sicily in 1526, to African slave parents, Benedict was freed by his owner at a young age. When he was 21 some Franciscan hermits saw him being publicly insulted because of his colour. They were impressed by the dignified and patient way he endured being taunted, and invited to join their group. In time he became their leader. When the group dispersed, in around 1564, he joined... Read More