Saints

St Paula Widow. This early Christian saint came from the noblest of Roman families, the Scipios and Gracchi. She was happily married and had five children: four daughters, Blaesilla, Paulina, Eustochium, and Rufina and a son, Toxotius. Tragedy struck when she was only 32, when her husband and her daughter Rufina both died. After going through a long period of mourning, Paula found new purpose in ... Read More

Apostle of the Gentiles. This is one of the feast days celebrating the life of St Paul. Originally named Saul, he was born a Jew in Tarsus. He grew to hate Christians because he believed they were perverting the truth of his own faith. Saul was present at the stoning of the first martyr, St Stephen. After the body was removed, Saul ravaged the church and went from house to house dragging out Chr... Read More

Founder of the Ursuline nuns. Angela was born in 1474, at Desenzano on the shores of Lake Garda near Verona in Italy. Her parents died when she was very young. She became a Franciscan tertiary with several friends, and they devoted themselves to teaching poor children. In 1535 they dedicated themselves to this work under the patronage of St Ursula, although they took no vows and wore lay clothes.... Read More