Her life and work have had a profound influence on Catholic spirituality and the history of the Church.Youth and ConversionSaint Teresa of Ávila was born on 28 March 1515 in Gotarrendura, in the Spanish province of Valladolid. She was the third of nine children born into a pious family. From an early age, Thérèse showed a keen interest in the Catholic faith and the spiritual life.At the age of 20, Thérèse entered the Carmelite convent of Ávila, but her frail health forced her to leave the convent after a few years. For several years, she experienced periods of doubt and spiritual struggle. However, her faith was rekindled after reading St Augustine's "The Confessions", and the desire to live a deeper, more committed life with God grew within her. Read more...

St Bernard of Clairvaux, also known as Bernard of Fontaine, was a 12th-century Cistercian monk, theologian and religious reformer. His life and work had a profound influence on Christian spirituality, medieval theology and Church history. Read more...

The life of Saint Denis, also known as Saint Denis of Paris, is a story that dates back to the first millennium AD. Saint Denis is a particularly venerated Catholic saint in France, and is considered to be the first bishop of Paris. Here is a summary of his life: Read more...

Birth of Saint Justine: St. Justine is thought to have lived in the early fourth century, although the exact dates of her birth and life are uncertain. It is generally believed that she was born in Antioch, a city of the Roman Empire located in present-day Turkey. Read more...

Birth of Saint Bruno: Bruno was born around 1030 in Cologne, Germany, into a noble family. He received a solid education and became a professor of theology at the cathedral school in Reims. Read more...