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Blessed Urban V

Blessed Urban V was born with the name Guillaume Grimoard in 1310. He was elected pope Sept. 28, 1362. He lived in Avignon at the beginning of his papacy, but he later moved the papacy back to Rome. He restored discipline of the clergy. Urban V worked for peace in Europe. He died Dec. 19, 1370.

St. Peter Canisius

St. Peter Canisius was born in Holland in 1521. He became a Jesuit and worked with St. Ignatius of Loyola. He had a vision of the Sacred Heart while he was praying. He was a leader of the German Counter-Reformation. He was ordained in 1546, and his catechism was translated into multiple languages. He also founded colleges. This saint died in 1597 in Switzerland. He is a doctor of the church. St. Peter Canisius is patron saint of the Catholic press and Germany.

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini was born in Italy in 1850. In 1877 she took religious vows and worked in an orphanage. When the orphanage closed, Frances founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart to take care of poor children; she did this at her bishop’s request. The pope had her move to the United States to continue caring for the poor. After arriving in New York in 1889, she worked with immigrants along with six other sisters. She founded schools, hospitals and orphanages. She died Dec. 22, 1917, in Chicago. St. Frances Xavier Cabrini is patron saint of immigrants, orphans and hospital administrators.

St. John Cantius

St. John Cantius was born in Poland in 1390. John was a priest and professor of theology at the University of Cracow, Poland. After attacks by his associates, John left the university to work in a parish. However, he later returned to the university and taught Scripture. He died in Poland in 1473. St. John Cantius is patron saint of Lithuania and Poland.

St. Tarsilla

St. Tarsilla, a Roman citizen, was the daughter of St. Sylvia, the sister of St. Emiliana and the aunt of St. Gregory the Great. She didn’t join an order, but she took private vows to live a religious life. She had a vision of St. Felix III, and, after her death, she appeared to Emiliana in a vision. She died Dec. 24. St. Tarsilla is patron saint of single laywomen.

Holy Innocents

Today is the feast of the Holy Innocents. These innocents are the children killed by Herod while he attempted to kill the infant Jesus. The Holy Innocents are patron saints of infants and children’s choirs.

Why Mitt Romney’s Mormonism Might Matter

Ever since Mitt Romney ran to be the Republication nominee for U.S. President back in 2007 and 2008, people have been talking about whether his Mormon faith matters. Mormonism is a particular worry for Evangelical Christians, many of whom don’t believe that Mormonism is a Christian faith. It forced Romney to address his faith while […]

Basilica pastor celebrates Mass for Ravens

Before they stepped into noisy M&T Bank Stadium for the AFC Divisional playoff game Jan. 15, some members of the Baltimore Ravens quietly gathered for morning prayer at their downtown hotel.

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