Monday 24th April, St Fidelis of Sigmaringen 1578-1622. A Capuchin who preached to the Calvinists in Switzerland, where he was killed by a group of extremists.
Tuesday 25th April, St. Mark, Evangelist. Was closely connected to the preaching of Ss. Peter, Paul and Barnabas. His Gospel was probably written at Rome when he was with Paul, and is traditionally viewed as representing St. Peter’s approach to the preaching of the good news. Later tradition has him as an interpreter for St. Peter. His symbol is a winged lion.
Thursday 27th April, St Asicus, bishop.
Friday 28th April, St Peter Chanel 1803-1841. He is hone as the first martyr of the Church in Oceania. St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort 1673-1716. He was a priest whose calling was to preach missions and to care for the sick and the poor. His writings concern Mary’s role in the mystery of salvation. He strongly promoted the praying of the rosary.
Saturday 29th April, St Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church and patron of Europe 1347-1380. She was a humble and dauntless Dominican tertiary who brought peace to her native Siena, to Italy and to fourteenth-century Europe. She spent all her energies on the Church and being able to achieve the pope’s return from Avignon to Rome. She is remembered also as a mystic and reformer of religious life. Proclaimed doctor of the Church in 1970 and patron of Europe in 2000.