Feast Day: August 21 St. Jane Frances De Chantal at the age of sixteen was a motherless child, placed under the care of a worldly-minded governess. In this crisis she offered herself to the Mother of God, and secured Mary's protection for life. When a Protestant sought her hand, she steadily refused to marry "an enemy of God and His Church," and shortly afterwards, as the … [Read more...]
St. Symphorian
Feast Day: August 22 St. Symphorian was therefore dragged before the magistrate and accused of sacrilege and sedition about the year 180. There was a great procession of the heathen goddess Ceres, at Autun, in France. Symphorian refused to pay the ordinary marks of worship. When asked his name and condition, he replied, "My name is Symphorian; I am a Christian!' He came of a … [Read more...]
St. Helena
Feast Day: August 18 St. Helena was born in Colchester, England. She embraced Christianity late in life; but her incomparable faith and piety greatly influenced her son Constantine, the first Christian emperor, and served to kindle a holy zeal in the hearts of the Roman people. Forgetful of her high dignity, she delighted to assist at the Divine Office amid the poor; and by … [Read more...]
St. Agapetus
Feast Day: August 18 St. Agapetus suffered in his youth a cruel martyrdom at Palestrina, twenty-four miles from Rome, under Aurelian, about the year 275. His name is famous in the ancient calendars of the Church of Rome. Two churches in Palestrina and others in other places are dedicated to God under his name. Adapted from the Lives of the Saints by Fr. Alban Butler first … [Read more...]
St. Eusebius
Feast Day: August 14 St. Eusebius opposed the Arians, at Rome, with so much zeal. He was imprisoned in his room by order of the Emperor Constantius, and sanctified his captivity by constant prayer. Another Saint of the same name, a priest and martyr, is commemorated on this day. In the reign of Diocletian and Maximian, before they had published any new edicts against the … [Read more...]