Saints & Heroes

April 1: Saint Hugh is said to have been academically brilliant, tall of stature and by nature very bashful; his courtesy and modesty easily won hearts.

April 2: Penance, charity, humility. This trinity formed the foundation of Francis of Paola’s rule. Francis of Paola became universally renowned as a wonderworker and prophet.

April 3: Richard was born about 1197, the second son of a land-owning squire in Wyche, England. Today known as Droitwich, his birthplace is commonly associated with him.

April 4: During the thirty-seven years of Isidore's episcopate, which spanned the reign of six kings, he completed the work begun by his brother of converting the Visigoths from Arianism to Catholicism.

April 5: Saint Vincent Ferrer joined the Dominican Order, and before he reached the age of 21 was already teaching philosophy at Lérida, a famous university in Catalonia.

April 6: Although Saint William of Eskilsoë faced many difficulties both from powerful people and from within himself, he triumphed through prayer and patience.

April 7: Jean-Baptiste de la Salle, the founder of the Christian Brothers, was born in Rheims of the noble family of la Salle. He entered the seminary in 1670 at 19.

April 8: From early childhood Julie had a keen interest in spiritual things; by 7 years of age she memorized the catechism and attained an understanding beyond her years.

April 9: Although her family life was serene and exemplary, she suffered much from the slander of others, and from severe interior trials and temptations.