<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 4pt 0cm 0pt;">Hilary was born in Poitiers, Gaul, about 320 and was already an adult, married and a father, when he converted to Christianity. Chosen bishop of Poitiers about 350, Hilary is best known for his valiant defence of Christianity against the Arian heresy. In 356, on the advice of Arian bishops, the emperor exiled Hilary to the East. His continued defence of orthodoxy created such problems for the Arians there, that they convinced the emperor to send him back to his own diocese.

<p>Francis was born in France in 1567. His family insisted that he study law rather than enter the seminary. After obtaining doctorates in both canon and civil law by the age of 24, Francis rejected opportunities for a brilliant career and chose religious life instead. His family eventually became reconciled to his choice and he was ordained in 1593.</p>

<p>Raymond was born in 1175 in Peñafort, near Barcelona, Spain. He was a professor of philosophy by the age of 20, and in 1210 went to Bologna to study law. Raymond became an archdeacon in 1219 and a Dominican priest in 1222. He travelled throughout Spain preaching to Moors and Christians. In 1235, having been confessor to Pope Gregory IX, he was appointed Archbishop of Tarragona, but resigned a year later because of illness.</p>

<p>Known to millions simply as Brother André, Alfred Bessette was born in St-Grégoire, Quebec, in 1845. Orphaned by the age of 12, he was unschooled, small and sickly. In 1870 he joined the Congregation of Holy Cross. For the next 40 years, he was porter at the Collège Notre-Dame on Queen Mary Road in Montreal. In the course of his duties, he welcomed the sick and afflicted and it was his habit to pray with them through the intercession of Saint Joseph.

<p>Since New Testament times, the name of Jesus has been honoured. Paul writes that "at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2.10-11).</p>

<p>Paul's conversion was a turning point in the history of the early Church. There are three accounts of the incident in the Acts of the Apostles (9.1-22; 22.3-16; 26.12-18). It was cause for celebration that a persecutor became a follower of Christ and later a teacher of the nations.©2011 <em>Living with Christ, </em>Novalis - Bayard Press Canada Inc., <strong>http://www.livingwithchrist.ca/</strong&gt;. Reprinted with permission.</p>

<p>Basil and Gregory were born in the province of Cappadocia in Asia Minor about 330. Basil, who came from a deeply Christian family, was baptized only in his late twenties and in 358 decided to live as a hermit. So many joined him that he established a form of ascetic life lived in common, and his writings gave rise to the tradition of Byzantine monasticism which later influenced Saint Benedict. In 370, Basil was appointed Archbishop of Caesarea and led the battle in the East against the Arian heresy.

<p>Sylvester was the first pope to be elected after the Edict of Milan (314) granted the Christian religion recognition and freedom. He led the Church as Bishop of Rome for almost 21 years. Huge basilicas were built during Sylvester's reign by Emperor Constantine and various other leaders. Sylvester was a strong defender of the Church against heresies. The first general council was held at Nicaea during his pontificate; the 'Nicene Creed' was formulated at this council.

<p>Thomas was born in London about 1118 and after studies in various European cities he was ordained a deacon in 1154. King Henry II chose his capable friend Thomas as Lord Chancellor in 1155 and appointed him Archbishop of Canterbury in 1162. Unfortunately, Thomas and the King did not agree on matters regarding the Church, forcing Thomas into exile in France. Within weeks of his return in 1170, he and the king clashed again.

<p>These are the 'Holy Infants,' the male children recorded slain by King Herod in Matthew's Gospel. This unique episode in Jesus' life is not found in any other document, secular or religious, yet this incident, along with the account of the flight into Egypt, presents the ancient tradition of the early Church: Jesus as the 'new Israel,' persecuted and forced to flee, and the 'new Moses,' marvellously rescued from the slaughter of the Hebrew children.