Saints

St Paul of the Cross Founder of the Passionists. Born in northern Italy in 1694, Paul Daneo lived at a time when many regarded Jesus as a great moral teacher but no more. After a brief time as a soldier, he turned to solitary prayer, developing a devotion to Christ's passion. Paul saw in the Lord's passion a demonstration of God's love for all people. In turn that devotion nurtured his compassion ... Read More

Evangelist. Patron of artists and doctors. All we know of Luke comes from the New Testament. He was a Greek physician, and accompanied St Paul on some of his missionary journeys. According to tradition he was one of the founder members of the community at Antioch. St Luke's Gospels include much of the account of the Virgin Birth of Christ, and some of the most moving parables including the Prod... Read More

Nurse and nun. Maria was born in 1888 to a poor Italian family in Brendola in northern Italy. Her father was a violent alcoholic. She was considered not very bright at school, and was called a 'goose' by the local clergy. In 1904, she joined the sisters of St Dorothy and worked in the kitchens and laundry. In 1907, when she took her final vows she became a nurse in the children's diphtheria ward.... Read More