Saints

Priest teacher and founder. John was born in Rheims, France, in 1651 to a wealthy family. He was given a canonry as a young man. He trained for the priesthood at Saint Sulpice. In 1678 he became a priest, and could have continued living a rather relaxed life. Instead, he decided to devote himself to the education of poor boys. He gave up his canonry and fortune and set about training a group of y... Read More

Augustinian abbot. Born in France in 1127, William of Aebelholt went on to become one of Denmark's most revered saints. His letters are a valuable source of information about the early church there. William was a canon in Paris, when in 1171 he was invited by the bishop of Roskilde to take care of the reform of the abbey of Eskilso in Ise Fjord, Zealand. He then founded the abbey of Aebelholt o... Read More

Nun and foundress. Julie Billiart was born in Cuvilly, France in 1751. The fifth of seven children, she attended a little one room school. She enjoyed all subjects, but was particularly attracted to the religion lessons taught by the parish priest. Recognizing something 'special' in her, the priest secretly allowed her to make her First Communion at the age of nine, when the normal age at the tim... Read More