Today’s Saint

By Franciscan Media - Pope Pius X is perhaps best remembered for his encouragement of the frequent reception of Holy Communion, especially by children... The second of 10 children in a poor Italian family, Joseph Sarto became Pius X at age 68. He was one of the 20th century’s greatest popes... Ever mindful of his humble origin, Pope Pius stated, “I was born poor, I lived poor, I will die poor.” He was embarrassed by some of the pomp of the papal court.

By Franciscan Media - Man of the century! Woman of the century! You see such terms applied to so many today—“golfer of the century,” “composer of the century,” “right tackle of the century”—that the line no longer has any punch. But Western Europe’s “man of the twelfth century,” without doubt or controversy, had to be Bernard of Clairvaux. Adviser of popes, preacher of the Second Crusade, defender of the faith ....

By Franciscan Media - How little we know where God’s grace will lead. Born on a farm in northern France, John died at 79 in the next “county” or department. In that time, he was a religious, a parish missionary, founder of two religious communities, and a great promoter of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary... John joined the religious community of the Oratorians and was ordained a priest at 24...

By Franciscan Media - Saint Louis of Toulouse’s Story - When he died at the age of 23, Louis was already a Franciscan, a bishop, and a saint! Louis’s parents were Charles II of Naples and Sicily, and Mary, daughter of the King of Hungary. Louis was related to Saint Louis IX on his father’s side and to Elizabeth of Hungary on his mother’s side... Louis showed early signs of attachment to prayer and to the corporal works of mercy.