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St. Barlaam was born in Antioch sometime after 200. During the persecutions under Diocletian, this Christian peasant was jailed for his faith. At his trial in 304, he was tortured but refused to deny his faith. Barlaam lost his hand in fire when the judge tried to make it look like he was making a sacrifice to an idol. Finally, Barlaam was murdered. St. Barlaam is a martyr.

Today is the feast of the presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which honors her presentation in the temple when she was just a child. The feast began circa the seventh century; however, it was brought to the Western church in the 14th century. Pope Pius V eliminated the feast, but Pope Sixtus V brought it back in 1585.

St. Clement I, who was born in Rome, became the fourth pope circa 88. He wrote “Epistle to the Corinthians,” and his name is in the canon of the Mass. He worked with St. Paul the Apostle, according to St. Jerome and Origen. The pope was martyred under Trajan’s persecutions in 101. St. Clement I is patron saint of sailors.

St. Siricius, born circa 334 in Rome, was elected the 38th pope in 384. Siricius extended the authority of the pope, and he said papal documents must be widely distributed. In a synod in 386, he reaffirmed canon laws. The importance of celibate life for the religious and clergy was reaffirmed in another synod, 390-392. Siricius also healed a schism. He died Nov. 26, 399.

St. Eligius, a metalworker born in France circa 590, was the “master of mint” under King Clotaire II. As Eligius became famous for his work, he also became rich. He generously helped the poor, and he built churches and a monastery. Eligius was ordained a priest circa 640 and later became a bishop. He converted many people before his death circa 660. St. Eligius is patron saint of metalworkers.

St. Francis Xavier was born in Spanish Navarre in 1506. St. Ignatius of Loyola convinced his friend Francis Xavier to help spread the Gospel. Francis was one of the founding Jesuits and the first Jesuit missionary. Also a priest, he preached, helped the sick and taught the catechism to children in Goa. He served as a missionary in India, the East Indies and Japan. This miracle worker was a prophet and healer who is said to have calmed storms. He died of a fever in 1552. St. Francis Xavier is patron saint of African missions, Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and Navarre, Spain.

St. Giovanni Calabria was born Oct. 8, 1873, in Verona, Italy. This priest started homes for abandoned teens throughout his home country. He also founded the Congregation of the Poor Servants of Divine Providence. He died Dec. 4, 1954, in Italy. He was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1999.

St. Sabbas was born in Cappadocia in 439. An anchorite as of age 30, he renounced the world in order to devote his life to prayer and work. He wove baskets, which he took to a monastery led by St. Euthymius to trade for food and materials to make more baskets. When St. Euthymius died, St. Sabbas was co-superior, along with St. Theodosius, of the area’s monks and hermits. He died in 532.

St. Nicholas was a priest, abbot and bishop of Myra (located in present-day Turkey) who was very generous to those who were in need. He also protected the innocent. He is known by many as Santa Claus. There are many stories about St. Nicholas. Once he heard of a poor man who was going to make his daughters become prostitutes; St. Nicholas threw bags of gold through their window to save the girls. He died circa 346. St. Nicholas is patron saint of children, sailors, students, unmarried girls and newlyweds.

St. Eulalia of Merida was born circa 290. This consecrated virgin wanted to be a martyr. During the persecutions of Christians by Emperor Diocletian, Eulalia confessed her faith. She was tortured and burned alive for her faith circa 304. St. Eulalia is patron saint of torture victims and Merida, Spain.

St. Lucy of Syracuse was born in Sicily circa 283. She promised to live her life for Christ, but Lucy’s mother arranged her marriage. After Lucy prayed at St. Agatha’s tomb and her mother’s illness was cured, Lucy’s mother agreed that Lucy did not have to marry. However, Lucy’s would-be groom told the governor that Lucy was a Christian. They gouged her eyes, tortured her and killed her. St. Lucy is patron saint of the blind, authors and sore throats.

St. Olympias was born to a noble family in Constantinople but was orphaned when she was young. After she was married and widowed, she decided to devote her life to the church. She built a hospital and an orphanage, and she performed other charitable works. In 404 she was exiled because she supported St. John Chrysostom. She died in 408.