Son of a wealthy French noble, Albinus chose a life of service to God. One day when passing a prison tower, Albinus heard the cries of tortured prisoners. He pleaded unsuccessfully with the local authorities for mercy on the prisoners. That night while praying near the prison walls, a landslide opened a hole in the wall allowing the prisoners to leave freely. All the prisoners followed Saint Albinus to a local church where they thanked God in prayer. The prisoners went on to live productive, reformed lives.

King Oswy of Northumbria appointed Chad archbishop of York, when the previous archbishop's chosen successor, Wilfrid, did not return from his consecration in France. Saint Theodore, the archbishop of Canterbury, admonished Chad for assuming the position of archbishop since the appointment was not canonical. Chad voluntarily vacated the post. Theodore was so impressed by Chad's humility and obedience that he appointed him bishop of Mercians with his see at Lichfield.

The Venerable Bede wrote of Saint Chad: "As soon as Chad had been consecrated bishop, he began most strenuously to devote himself to ecclesiastical truth and purity of doctrine and to give attention to the practice of humility, self- denial and study: to travel about, not on horseback, but on foot, after the manner of the apostles, preaching the Gospel in the towns and the open country, in cottages, villages and castles, for he was one of Aidan's disciples and tried to instruct his hearers by acting and behaving after the example of his master and of his brother Cedd."

Founded Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Indians and Colored People. Dedicated her life to helping poor blacks, and American Indians. She founded 63 schools in the USA.

Patron Saint of Poland and Lithuania

Third son of the King of Poland, at a young age Casmir decided to forsake worldly matters, and to lead a pious and spiritual life. At the age of 13, he renounced a plan to place him on the throne of Hungary, since usurping the present king's throne would be unjust. Later he refused to marry the daughter of the Emperor of Germany, preferring to maintain his vow of purity. He died at the young age of 23.

At the age of 16 John entered an order of friars near Naples. For 30 years he promoted Franciscan reforms in the priesthood. After which, he asked the Pope to remove him from office. John spent the rest of his life in a monastery. Many miracles are associated with this saint. He had the ability to take on the pain (physical and spiritual) of others, foretell the future of individuals, and read people's hearts. Incidents of levitation, and bilocation are also associated with John of the Cross.

Associate of Saint Clare. Agnes was daughter of the King of Bohemia. She refused to marry King Fredrick of Germany, choosing instead to become a Poor Clare. She lived most of her life in a convent in Prague.

Associate of Saint Vincent Ferrer. As a young woman she became a Poor Clare. While fulfilling a vow of seclusion, she had a vision of Saint Francis and Saint Clare. They ordered her to reform the Franciscan order. She worked the rest of her life promoting the Colette Reform in the Poor Claris, and in the order of friars minor.

Invoked to watch over mothers and childern who are separated from each other.

Martyred along with Saint Perpetua.

Invoked to watch over mothers and childern who are separated from each other.

Martyred along with Saint Felcity.

In Granada, Spain in 1437 John started a temporary shelter for the infirm who had been abandoned. When he found an infirm person, he would carry them to the shelter on his back. He financed the shelter by selling bundles of firewood from door to door. Over the years, word of his charitable works spread. The shelter received generous donations, and helpers volunteered. In 1586, Pope Sixtus V approved John's charity as an order and named it the Brothers of Saint John of God. This order continues its charitable works today.

Known by her caring for the sick, and helping the poor.

Anastasia was from a prominent family, and a member of Emperor Constantine's court. She was well liked by the Emperor. After being widowed at a young age, she dedicated her life to God, and took a vow of celibacy. When the Emperor's wife died, he turned his attention to Anastasia. To escape his advances, she fled to a monastery. She hid for 28 years by dressing as a man, and living in the desert as a hermit.

Father of the Church, writer, and poet. A native of Damascus, Sophronios traveled to monasteries throughout Palestine with his mentor John Moskhos. Together they wrote a book about monastic ascetics entitled, Spiritual Meadow. Fleeing a Persian invasion of Palestine, they moved to Alexandria, Egypt where they lived for several years. Barbarians invaded Alexandria in 622, forcing Sophronios to flee again. This time he moved to Rome. In 634 Sophronios became Patriarch of Jerusalem. He resided over the city during a very difficult period. While he was Patriarch, Saracens laid a two-year siege of the city, and eventually captured it.

Father of the church. A wealthy prefect of Rome, Gregory gave his entire fortune for the endowment of monasteries. In 590 Gregory became Pope. Some of his achievements as pope included converting the pagan Lombard, developing the church liturgy, and increasing the church's presence in Gaul, Africa, Dalmatia, Sicily, and Sardinia.

Theophanes was a relative of the Byzantine Emperor. He grew up in the imperial court. Theophanes wished to dedicate himself to God, but the Emperor required him to marry. Theophanes complied. However, both Theophanes and his wife remained celibate and joined religious orders.

He founded two monasteries, one located on the Island of Kalon, the other called the Big Settlement was located in Asia Minor. He is best known for writing the Chronographia, a history of Christianity from 285 to 813. Even today, it is considered a major source of historical information about the church.

In 813 the Iconoclasts (those who believed in icon worship) came into political power in Byzantine. Theophanes was imprisoned for refusing to accept their beliefs. He died in prison after 23 months of captivity.

Sabinus was a Christian and governor of Hermopolis, Egypt. During the Roman Emperor Diocletian's persecution of Christians, Sabinus was arrested. He was turned into the authorities by a beggar whom Sabinus had helped and fed. Along with six other Christians, Sabinus was tortured and drowned in the Nile River.

Patron Saint of Parents of Large Families

Matilda, or Maud, was the daughter of a count, and descendant of a king. In 913 she married Henry the Fowler, son of the Duke of Saxony. In 919 Henry became King of Germany. When Henry the Fowler died, their two sons, Otto and Henry competed for their father’s throne. Otto succeeded his father as king, and crushed a rebellion lead by his brother Henry. Matilda convinced Otto to forgive his brother and appoint him Duke of Bavaria. Matilda spent much of her fortune on charitable works. This angered Henry and Otto and they seized their mother’s fortune. In the latter years of her life, Matilda founded 3 convents and a monastery.

During the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian Christians were persecuted. Nicander was a physician in Alexandria, Egypt who visited Christian prisoner, providing them with medical treatment, and bringing them food. The Roman authorities would dump the bodies of dead Christian prisoners in a field. At night, Nicander would give these bodies a proper burial. For aiding Christians, Nicander was arrested, tortured, and beheaded.

Born in Anazauria, Turkey Julian was a Christian who held the rank of Roman Senator. During the persecutions of Christians under Emperor Maximian Galerius he was arrested. Since he was a Roman Senator, the authorities decided to make an example of him. While imprisoned he was publicly displayed throughout Turkey. He was executed by being sealed into a bag full of poisonous snakes, and thrown into the sea.

Patron Saint of pallbearers, and funeral directors.

Joseph of Arimathea is mentioned in all 4 gospels (Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John). St. Luke (Luke 23:50) describes him as a "virtuous and righteous man". Joseph was a wealthy member of the Jewish Sanhedrin (ruling council), and secretly a follower of Jesus. As a member of the Sanhedrin, Joseph opposed the execution of Jesus, and may not have been present when Jesus was tried. After the crucifixion, Joseph went to Pilate and received permission to bury Jesus. He removed Jesus' body from the cross, embalmed it, wrapped it in cloth, and placed it in his own tomb.

The Gospel of Nicodemas (a non-canonical source) states that after burying Jesus, Joseph was imprisoned by the Jewish elders for being a Christian. Jesus miraculously released him from prison. Joseph then went on to establish a Christian community in the Judean city of Lydda.

According to legend, Joseph led the first group of Christian missionaries to England, where in 62 AD they established a Christian church at Glastonbury (also called Avalon). Joseph brought with him the cup that Christ used during the Last Supper. This is the origin of the "Holy Grail" myth.

Patron Saint of Ireland.

Converted Ireland to Christainity.

Bishop of Jerusalem.

Patron Saint of Capenters, Wheelwrights, Cabinetmakers, and other craftsman. Also Patron Saint of the Universal Church, a Good Death, and those who combat atheistic communism.

Saint Joseph was the Foster Father of Jesus and husband of Mary. Since Joseph was a carpenter by trade, he is also venerated on May 1st (International Labor Day).

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Photina is the name given by Christian tradition to the Samaritan woman in the Gospel of John who gave Jesus a drink of water at Jacob's well. Jesus offered to give the Photina a drink of living water (John 4:14), and converted her along with many other Samaritans. Photina became a Christian missionary to Carthage. Under the Emperor Nero she was martyred by being drowned in a well.

Patron Saint of Switzerland

At the age of 50, after a successful political career, Nicholas decided to live the life of a hermit. With a reputation for being a holy and wise man, Swiss leaders of the day sought out this hermit's advice. In 1481 he helped Switzerland avoid a civil war by negotiating the inclusion of Fribourg and Soleure in the Swiss Confederation.

Basil was a priest in Ancyra, Galatia who opposed Arianism. During the persecution of orthodox Christians under the Emperor Julian the Apostate, he was arrested, tortured, and executed.

Defender of Indians.

Archbishop of Lima, Peru.

Artemon was a pious and virtuous man. According to Christian tradition, the Apostle Paul appointed Artemon bishop of Seleucia. He was a successful bishop and died of old age.

According to the apocryphal gospels, Dismis is the name given to one of the thieves who was crucified along with Jesus. While hanging on the cross, Dismis became a follower of Jesus. According to the Gospel of Luke (23:42-43) Dismis said to Jesus, "Lord remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom". Jesus replied, "Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise". In Christian tradition Dismis is also referred to as the Good Thief.

Margaret Clitherow was born a protestant in Middleton, England. She converted to Catholicism. During a period of persecution of Catholics by English authorities, she aided fugitive Catholic priests. She was arrested and executed by being placed under a door, the door was loaded with weights, and she was crushed.

John was an Egyptian prophet and hermit. He became a hermit at the age of 20, and spent the rest of his life living behind the walls of his desert hermitage. From a single window that opened to the outside, he would preach and prophetize to the public.

Cyril was a prominent Christian deacon in Heliopolis, Greece. He opposed idol worship and destroyed many of the city's idols. Emperor Julian the Apostate sentenced him to torture and death. Tradition holds that God punished Cyril's torturers with blindness, boils, and terrible illness.

Abbot of the Monastery at Mount Sinai. John lived as a desert hermit for many years. He is best known for authoring the work The Climax, a treatise on Christian perfection. John Climacus is also known as John Scholasticus.

In 420, Bishop Abdas burned down an important pagan temple in Persia. The King of Persia ordered that unless the Bishop Abdas agreed to rebuild the temple, every Christian church in Persia would be destroyed. The Bishop refused, and this set off a 40-year period of persecution of Christians in Persia. Benjamin was one of many Christian martyrs during this period.