Saint Zoe of Rome (died c. 286) was a noblewoman, married to Nicostratus, a high Roman court official. For six years she had been unable to speak. Saint Sebastian made the sign of the cross over the woman, and she immediately began to speak and she glorified Jesus. Nicostratus and his wife asked for baptism. She lived during the reign of Emperor Diocletian and his early persecution of Christians. She was greatly devoted to Saint Peter, and was praying by his tomb when she was arrested for her faith. She died, stifled by smoke, hung over a fire. Her body then was thrown into the River Tiber. She is considered a saint in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. For more about this saint, early Christian martyr, please click on the image. Peace be with you!

Saint Anthony Zaccaria was born in Northern Italy just as the powder keg of the Protestant Reformation was about to ignite. He founded a Congregation whose members became more commonly known as the Barnabites, and whose mission was to enkindle people's faith and love of the Mass and the Holy Eucharist. He popularized the Forty Hours Devotion, where the Blessed Sacrament is exposed over a three-day period corresponding to Christ's forty hours in the tomb. For more about this saint please click on the image. Peace be with you!

Pope Saint John Paul II, who gave Blessed Pier Giorgio the name, "The Man of the Eight Beatitudes," spoke often of him. They had much in common, including their love for the great outdoors. For more about this saint, inspiration to many who followed, defender of joy in living in truth, please click on the image. Peace be with you!

Today is the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle. He is often referred as "Doubting Thomas". Upon seeing the Resurrected Lord he exclaimed, "My Lord and my God!" and, in such a statement, witnessed to Jesus, fully human and fully divine. For more about this great saint, Apostle, and defender of Jesus' Resurrection, please click on the image. Peace be with you!

Born in Majorca, Junípero Serra joined the Franciscans in 1730. A gifted teacher, he left Spain for the Mexican missions in 1749. He was appointed superior of a group of Franciscans assigned to Alta California (now the state of California). Despite a painful leg injury, he preached Christ to the natives up and down the coast, founding the first nine California missions. When the Spanish military presence threatened the economic independence of the missions, he returned to Mexico City to plead for the rights of the natives. His personal motto was “Always forward, never back.” Junípero died at Mission Carmel in 1784, and was canonized on September 23, 2015. Credit: Magnificat Magazine, July 1, 2020. For more about this great saint, please click on the image. Peace be with you!