<p>Philip and James were apostles of Jesus. The choice of Philip as a disciple is recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke. John's Gospel records several conversations between Jesus and Philip which show that he was present throughout the Lord's public ministry.</p>

<p style="margin: 4pt 0cm 0pt;">Irenaeus was born in Asia Minor, probably between 130 and 135 and went to Lyons as a missionary priest sometime before 177. While he was away in Rome, the persecution against the Church of Lyons mounted and many suffered martyrdom. Later, Irenaeus returned and by 199 he was Bishop of Lyons. Through his writings, we know that he was a disciple of Saint Polycarp, who was himself a disciple of Saint John the Evangelist; thus Irenaeus was in the direct line of the disciples.

<p>This day is dedicated to the Christians who were martyred under the Emperor Nero. In the year 64, a great fire broke out in Rome and when suspicion fell on Nero himself, he accused the Christians of having set the fire. The historian Tacitus wrote that while no one believed this, nevertheless, countless Christians were seized, mocked and put to death in various and unspeakable ways. Their martyrdom preceded that of Saints Peter and Paul, and to this day they are honoured in the Piazza of the Protomartyrs in Vatican City.</p>

<p>Élodie Paradis was born in 1840 in L'Acadie, Quebec. At age 17 she took vows with the Marianite Sisters (a branch of the Congregation of Holy Cross). She taught in Montreal, New York and Indiana before finding the opportunity to fulfill her calling of dedication to the care of priests and seminarians. In 1877, Mother Marie-Léonie (Élodie's religious name), with 14 young Acadian women, founded the Little Sisters of the Holy Family, in Memramcook, NB. Mother Marie-Léonie worked tirelessly for others, and was known for her generosity and humility.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 4pt 0cm 0pt;">Cyril was a patriarch of the Eastern Church and a Greek theologian. In 412, he succeeded his uncle as Archbishop of Alexandria and, in the tradition of the pharaohs and high priests of ancient Egypt, used his power and wealth to champion his cause - the defence of the doctrines of the Church. It is said that few people have had so formidable an enemy.

<p>Of all the Marian feasts of the Church, this day dedicated to Mary, Mother of God, is the greatest. Drawing on scriptural and patristic sources, it celebrates Mary's role in the incarnation and in redemption. In this role, her special relationship with her son is emphasized and she is acknowledged as a model of the Church.©2011 <em>Living with Christ, </em>Novalis - Bayard Press Canada Inc., <strong>http://www.livingwithchrist.ca/</strong&gt;. Reprinted with permission.</p>

<p>Aloysius Gonzaga (1568-91) is the patron saint of young men. Born in Lombardy, he was an imperial prince, connected with all the royal houses. The history of his powerful ancestors shows that while they were capable of good works and practised their faith, their moral conduct was often outrageous. While he was still young, Aloysius began to practise prayer and penance, and to reject the values of his position and family. Against great resistance, in 1585 he gave up his rights as eldest son and joined the Jesuits, hoping to go to the missions.

<p>Marcellinus and Peter lived in Rome during the time of the Emperor Diocletian. Little is known about them. Peter is said to have been an exorcist who ministered under Marcellinus, a well-known priest. Legend has it that, while in prison, they converted their jailer and his family. They were put to death for their faith about the year 304 and are commemorated in the canon of the Mass.

<p>Justin, a Samaritan, was called "The Philosopher." A convert to Christianity, this layman used his knowledge of philosophy to explain Christian doctrine. Denounced to the authorities by a disgruntled debating opponent, Justin was brought to trial and martyred about the year 165. The official account from court records still exists and shows how Justin and his companions, when brought before the Roman prefect, declared themselves to be Christians, refused to sacrifice to the gods and were condemned to death.

<p>The birth of John the Baptist was one of the earliest feasts to be named to a particular day on the Church calendar. June 24 was chosen as it is six months before the birth of Christ. With its proximity to the summer solstice, it signifies the waning of the light, while the birth of Jesus near the winter solstice marks the coming of the light. On the occasion of his birth, Elizabeth and Zechariah, his parents, called him John in accordance with an angel's instruction to his father.