March 25

Born Arnošt z Pardubic in Bohemia, he joined the Cistercian order and rose through church ranks. In 1344, Pope Clement VI appointed him the first Archbishop of Prague. He played a key role in organizing the Bohemian church and enforcing clerical discipline. Arnošt founded the theological faculty at the University of Prague, laying foundations for higher education in the region. He mediated political disputes between secular rulers and the papacy. As a diplomat, he negotiated privileges for the Bohemian church with the Holy Roman Emperor. He died in 1364, remembered for his contributions to religious scholarship and institutional development.

Born in Siena in 1347, Catherine joined the Dominican Third Order and embraced a life of asceticism. She began experiencing mystical visions as a young woman and recorded them in her spiritual treatise. Catherine wrote numerous letters to popes and European rulers, calling for unity and moral renewal in the Church. In 1377, she traveled to Avignon to persuade Pope Gregory XI to return the papacy to Rome, a mission she accomplished. Her diplomacy and spiritual authority earned her widespread respect and criticism. Catherine’s legacy includes the Dialogue and a collection of her letters that continue to influence Catholic thought. She died in Rome in 1380, was canonized in 1461, and later declared a Doctor of the Church.

Born around 1434 in Messina, Eustochia joined the Poor Clares and took vows of poverty and obedience. She adopted a life of strict asceticism and devoted herself to prayer and service to the sick. In 1459, she founded the Convent of the Immaculate Conception on Stromboli, providing spiritual guidance to her community. Eustochia was known for reported miracles and visions that drew pilgrims and devotees. As abbess, she led her convent with humility and pastoral care. After her death in 1485, numerous miracles were attributed to her intercession, enhancing her reputation for holiness. She was canonized by Pope Leo XIII in 1888 and remains a patroness of Messina and the island of Stromboli.

Born in 1593 in Normandy, Brébeuf joined the Society of Jesus and volunteered for missionary work in New France. He arrived in Canada in 1625 and devoted himself to learning the Huron language and customs. Brébeuf composed a Huron grammar and translated prayers to facilitate his evangelization efforts. He endured harsh winters, disease, and conflicts, and was martyred by an Iroquois raid in 1649. His letters and ethnographic observations provide valuable insights into early Indigenous cultures. Canonized in 1930, Brébeuf is venerated as a patron saint of Canada and missionaries.