St. Gertrude of Nivelles, Mar. 17

Gertrude was born in Landen in 626 and was the daughter of Bls. Pepin and Itta. She refused to marry, becoming a nun instead. After her father died, her mother founded a double monastery at Nivelles. She became abbess in 652, the year that her mother died. She died on March 17, 659.

Comments

St. Angelo, May 5

Source Angelo was born in Jerusalem to Jewish parents who later converted to Christianity. At the age of eighteen, he and his twin brother became Carmelites. Angelo lived for five years as a hermit and then he went to Sicily to convert Jews. He was finally stabbed to death in 1220.

Priestley and Cavendish: How their discoveries worked together

Joseph Priestley was born near Leeds, England, in 1733. He wanted to become a minister, yet he had been studying math, astronomy, and chemistry, too! Then he met Ben Franklin. They both happened to be in London at the same time, and Priestley decided to devote his life to science. (To be continued... From The Mystery of the Periodic Table)

Saint Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)

Vincent grew up a farmer's son, and he tended sheep when he was young. He wanted to be a priest, so Vincent studied, took up, and got ordained. His mission was to help the poor; he provided food and clothing for them. Tradition says that he was seized by pirates (while onboard a ship) and sold into slavery in North Africa! But he escaped (phew!) and made his way to Rome. He went back to France, and was appointed court chaplain to Queen Margaret of Valois. He is the patron saint of all charities.

Search This Blog