Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Agnes Phila

Note: To observe the Jubilee Year of Mercy (which runs through November 20), for several weeks I am featuring women who exemplify one of the corporal or spiritual works of mercy. Today: Admonish sinners. The Basics: Born 1909 in Thailand; died December 26, 1940, in Thailand; beatified October 22, 1989, by John Paul II; feast day,… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Agnes Phila

Wednesday’s Woman: St. Leocadia

The Basics: Birthdate in Spain unknown; died about 304 in Spain; canonized pre-congregation; feast day, December 9. Martyr. The Story: Leocadia, a member of the Spanish nobility, had already been tortured as part of the Diocletian persecution because she refused to renounce Christianity. While imprisoned, she heard of additional torture suffered by other Catholics in the… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: St. Leocadia

Wednesday’s Woman: St. Dionysia

The Basics: Birthdate and place unknown; died in 484, possibly in Tunisia; canonized pre-congregation; feast day, December 6. Martyr. The Story: This saint is described as beautiful, as so many others are. She was also strong. Dionysia lived in North Africa during the time of King Huneric, notorious for his persecution of Christians. Her young son… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: St. Dionysia

Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Tarsykia Matskiv

The Basics: March 23, 1919, in Ukraine; died July 18, 1944, in Ukraine; beatified June 27, 2001, by John Paul II; feast day, July 18. Woman religious and martyr. The Story: Tarsykia’s story is one with little personal drama–until the last day. She entered the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate congregation shortly after her nineteenth birthday. World War… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Tarsykia Matskiv