Wednesday’s Woman: St. Begga

The Basics: Born 615 in what is now Belgium; died 693 in what is now Belgium; canonized pre-congregation; feast day, December 17. Benefactoress, woman religious. The Story: If you lived in Begga’s time, you knew of her family, perhaps the way we’re all aware of advisers to the Bushes, the Clintons, the Kennedys and so on. Her… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: St. Begga

Wednesday’s Woman: St. Mary Joseph Rossello

The Basics: Born May 27, 1811, in Italy; died December 7, 1880, in Italy; canonized June 12, 1949, by Pius XII; feast day, December 7. Woman religious, caregiver. The Story: Initially, money stood in the way of Mary Joseph’s vocation. She didn’t have enough money for a dowry, so she went to work for an invalid for… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: St. Mary Joseph Rossello

Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Josaphata Hordashevska

The Basics: Born November 20, 1869, in Ukraine; died April 7, 1919, in Ukraine; beatified June 27, 2001, by John Paul II; feast day, November 20. Woman religious. The Story: The late 19th century was a time of rapid growth for the city of Lviv in western Ukraine. But in rural areas, there was much poverty and… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Josaphata Hordashevska

Wednesday’s Woman: St. Frances Cabrini

The Basics: Born July 15, 1850, in Italy; died December 22, 1917, in Chicago; canonized July 7, 1946, by Pius XII; feast day, November 13. Woman religious, social worker. The Story: Frances was quite sure she was meant to be a missionary, taking the Word of God beyond her homeland. At age thirty, she was among the… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: St. Frances Cabrini