The Feast of Our Lady of Peace (also Our Lady of Peace, Mother of Peace, Queen of Peace or Our Lady Queen of Peace) is celebrated annually on January 24. This feast commemorates the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is often represented holding a dove and an olive branch, the symbols [...]

Saint James, Apostle First Century July 25—Feast Liturgical Color: White Patron Saint of Spain, equestrians, and pilgrims  Herod strikes again  The primary legacy of the Twelve Apostles is silence. Yes, their voices are sometimes heard in the Gospels, briefly. Yes, they traveled, evangelized, and built up the Church, discreetly. And [...]

Saint Benedict, Abbot c. 480–c. 550 July 11—Memorial Liturgical Color: White Patron Saint of Europe and monks His Rule helped create Europe, one monastery at a time Before the time of today’s saint, to be a monk meant to wander into the Syrian desert and never come back, to climb [...]

Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest 1491–1556 July 31—Memorial Liturgical Color: White Patron Saint of soldiers, retreats, and the Basque country A soldier reads his way to holiness and founds a mighty company Like so many other male saints, today’s saint began his adult life as a knight and soldier. In [...]