Daily Readings

Servant Zita works 48 years for the same family, rises before dawn for Mass, does everyone’s chores, gets slapped and insulted — then angels bake her bread. The maid who became a saint.

Cletus and Marcellinus: two early Roman bishops who shepherded the Church through persecution. Both styled martyrs. The popes who kept the faith alive when it cost everything.

Converted by Peter, Mark pens “Peter’s Gospel” packed with eyewitness touches, establishes Egypt’s Church and first Christian school, then dies a martyr. The Apostle whose words still make the Savior come alive.

Lawyer Fidelis ditches the courtroom for the Capuchins, heads to Switzerland to convert Calvinists, preaches with fire, gets stabbed, and dies forgiving his murderers. From advocate to martyr.

Soldier George tells Emperor Diocletian to stop killing Christians, endures brutal tortures, and is beheaded. Became the dragon-slaying patron of England and symbol of faith conquering evil.

Pope Soter ruled with fatherly gentleness, poured out alms on the poor and suffering, wrote a letter to Corinth read publicly like Scripture, and crushed the Montanist heresy. The dad-energy defender of the early Church.

Anselm leaves court for monastery, becomes archbishop, fights two English kings for papal supremacy, pens scholastic classics, dies 1109. The saint who put God above thrones.

African noble Marcellinus sails to Gaul, preaches in the Alps, builds a chapel at Embrun, converts pagans by prayer and example, becomes bishop, and keeps working miracles from his tomb.

Elphege stands firm against Viking demands, protects his flock from ruinous tax, suffers months of torture, forgives murderers. Canterbury’s brave bishop who chose death over injustice.

Philosopher-senator Apollonius refuses to deny Christ when dragged before the Senate. His calm, learned defense leads to martyrdom. Patron of apologists who stand firm under accusation.