<p>Child of a noble family, Bernadine, born in 1380, was orphaned at 7 and raised by loving relatives who provided him with an excellent education. During an outbreak of the plague in 1400, he ministered to the sick, inspiring other young men to take the same risk. In 1402, he entered the Franciscan order and was ordained in 1404.</p>

<p>When John I became pope in 523, Italy was ruled by an Arian, Theodoric the Goth, who had reversed his policy of tolerance toward Christians because of trouble between Rome and the emperor of Constantinople, Justin I. When his subjects appealed to him, Theodoric organized a delegation to negotiate with the emperor and ordered a reluctant Pope John to head the mission. Enthusiastically received, John did win some concessions, but Theodoric was not satisfied.

<p>The Acts of the Apostles (1.15-26) tells us that Matthias was chosen after the resurrection to replace Judas. Peter, quoting a psalm, told the 120 people gathered that they must choose a new apostle: someone who had been with them from the time of the baptism of the Lord until the resurrection, someone who could join them in bearing witness to these events.

<p>This title was given to the Blessed Virgin Mary after she appeared to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal, between May 13 and October 13, 1917. The three messages or 'secrets' of Fatima stress the importance of repentance, conversion of heart, and dedication to Our Lady, especially through daily prayer of the Rosary.©2011 <em>Living with Christ, </em>Novalis - Bayard Press Canada Inc., <strong>http://www.livingwithchrist.ca/</strong&gt;.

<p>Nereus and Achilleus were soldiers in the imperial (Roman) army. While they may have lived in the 1st century, all that is known of them originates from a 4th century inscription by Pope Damasus which attests to the fact that these soldiers had experienced conversion and been martyred as a consequence.</p>
<p><strong>Saint Pancras</strong></p>

<p>Catherine de Longpré was born in France in 1632. At the age of 12, she entered the convent of the Hospitallers of Bayeux, a branch of the Augustinians, the first order to send missionaries to Canada. In 1648, she asked to go to Quebec City to help the sisters in the Hôtel-Dieu hospital, the first to be established in Canada. She contracted the plague on her voyage, but recovered. In the following years, she worked with the poor through famine, conflict and illness, even as other members of her community returned to France.

<p>Fabian succeeded Saint Antherus as pope in 236. The historian Eusebius describes Fabian's election as pope: Fabian was a layman and a stranger in Rome at the time of the election. When a dove settled upon his head, those around him were reminded of the descent of the Holy Spirit on Jesus at his baptism. The event was seen as divine intervention. Fabian was chosen pope and reigned for 14 years. He was martyred during a persecution in 250. Saint Cyprian records that Fabian was an "incomparable man."</p>

<p>The feast of St Agnes has been celebrated on this day since the 4th century. Little is known about Agnes. She was probably born in the early years of the 4th century, and was martyred at the age of 12 during a Roman persecution. She has been, over the centuries, a symbol of virginal innocence.

<p>Anthony was born into a wealthy Christian family in Upper Egypt about 251. Both his parents died while he was a teenager and Anthony gave away his inheritance and became a hermit. After years of solitude, he emerged to gather the ascetics who had followed him into a 'community.' This was the beginning of Christian monasticism.</p>

Vincent was a deacon in Saragossa, Spain, in the 3rd century. Deacons were responsible for the local church's works of charity and mercy - most often the only form of organized relief - and preaching was often part of this work. Vincent excelled in his duties and became known to the hostile Roman authorities. He was arrested with his bishop, tortured, imprisoned and killed in 304.