Saints

Patron of soldiers, the Swiss Guards, weavers and dyers. Maurice was a black soldier in the 2nd century Roman army. In around 287AD, he served under General Maximian Herculius, in a legion that had been recruited entirely from Christians in Upper Egypt. They were sent to Gaul to put down a revolt by Bagaudae tribe. When the army reached the River Rhone, the General ordered every soldier to make a... Read More

Apostle and evangelist. Matthew was called Levi by St Mark and St Luke. He was a Jewish tax collector for the Romans, working and living in Capernum, before he was called by Jesus. St Matthew wrote first of all for his fellow Jews, longing to show them how Jesus had fulfilled their deepest hopes. He brought a message of a Saviour who would never desert his followers. The last words of Matthew's ... Read More

Capuchin priest. Mystic. Padre Pio is one of the most loved figures in the Catholic Church of the 20th century. He spent nearly all his life in the Italian town of San Giovanni Rotondo. Born in 1887, Francesco was one of eight children of Grazio and Maria Forgione. A very devout child, from an early age he felt drawn to the priesthood. He became a Capuchin novice at the age of sixteen and receiv... Read More