May 28 - Germain de Paris, also called Germain d'Autun, born in Autun in 496. Born of Eleuthère and Eusébie in Autun, he escaped death as a child. The mother of his cousin Stratidius wants to poison him to take his inheritance, but the maid mistakenly gives the poison to Stratidius.

27 May - Augustine is a Benedictine monk. Prior in an abbey in Rome, he is chosen by Pope Gregory the Great to head the Gregorian mission. In 595, Gregory the Great chooses the monks who are to be part of the mission in Kent and asks Augustine, the prior of St. Andrew's Abbey in Rome, to lead them.

26 May - Philippe was born in Florence on 21 July 1515 in the neighbourhood of S. Pier Gattolini. He is the third child of Francesco di Filippo da Castelfranco, notary, and Lucrezia de Mosciano, daughter of a carpenter. His cheerful character earned him the nickname of "Saint of Joy".

25 May - Bède, known as the Venerable (in Latin: Beda Venerabilis), is an Anglo-Saxon monk and scholar born around 672/673 in Northumbria and died on 26 May 735. At the age of seven, Bede was sent to the monastery of Wearmouth by his family to receive the teaching of Benedict Biscop, then Ceolfrith.

May 24 - Mary Help of Christians is one of the titles under which the faithful venerate the Virgin Mary, Mother of God. First mentioned by John Chrysostom around 345, it became very popular after the victory of the coalition of Christian armies over the Turkish fleet, off Lepanto, in 1571.

23 May - Didier de Vienne or Didier d'Autun was bishop of Vienne, in the Dauphiné region, from the extreme end of the 6th century and the beginning of the following century. He would have left very young to join around 558 Namatius bishop of Vienne. Around 570, Bishop Philippe would have made him join the clergy of his church.

22 May - Margherita Manchini, commonly known as Sister Rita of Cascia commonly simplified into Rita, born in May 1381 in Roccaporena (Umbria, Italy) is the only daughter of Antonio Manchini and Amata Ferri. Little is known about Rita's parents, except that they were nicknamed "the peace-bearers of Jesus Christ".

May 21 - Christophe Magallanes Jara was born in Totatiche, Jalisco, Mexico, on July 30, 1869. He was the son of Rafael Magallanes Romero and Clara Jara Sanchez, who were farmers. He worked as a shepherd in his youth and enrolled in the San José Conciliar Seminary in Guadalajara at the age of 19.

20 May - Bernardin was born on 8 September 1380 in Massa Maritima to an illustrious family from Siena, the Albizeschi. He loses his mother at the age of three and his father at the age of six, and is taken in by his aunt Diana.

19 May - Raphaël-Louis Rafiringa was born on 1 May 1856 in the Mahamasina district of Antananarivo. His father having lost his first child, wanted to baptize his second son Rakotonirina, meaning the one who is desired. Nevertheless, the local witchdoctor forbade him to do so under penalty of misfortune and so he called his son Firinga, meaning dustbin in order to preserve him from misfortune.

18 May - Eric was King of Sweden from about 1156 until his death on May 18, 1160, when his reign was marked by the first legendary attempt to convert the pagan Finns. According to the "Vita Santi Erici" written by the Bishop of Västerås, Israel Erlandsson in the 14th century, he organised a crusade in Finland.

Pascal Baylon was born in Spain in Aragon, in a household of modest farmers, Martin Baylon and Isabelle Jubera. As a child, he shows a great attraction for the church, where his mother leads him, and stays long hours in prayer in front of the tabernacle. His parents place him as a shepherd. Guarding his animals, he prayed unceasingly, with a particular devotion for the Blessed Virgin.

Diocese of Miarinarivo

Pope Francis has accepted the renunciation of the pastoral government of the Diocese of Miarinarivo, presented by H.E. Mgr Jean Claude Randrianarisoa. At the same time, the Supreme Pontiff has appointed H.E. Mgr Marie Fabien Raharilamboniaina, as Apostolic Admnistrator sede vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis of the same Diocese.

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Love and Salvation

Christmas is a great joy, because it is the love of God that has come to us, proclaims Fr. Bizimana Innocent, Provincial Superior of the Salesians Don Bosco of Madagascar and Mauritius, presenting his Christmas greetings. Salvation is accomplished, so life is not in danger of disappearing. It is this love and this salvation that we wish to fill our life so that we have peace.

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Zatti, our brother

The short film "Zatti, our brother" (Argentina, 2020) focuses on one of the most difficult episodes of his life. We are in Viedma, in 1941: at the age of 60, Zatti is forced to leave the hospital he has attended for decades. His faith and strength are tested.

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