04 May - Sylvain, revered as bishop of Gaza in the fourth century, was probably a Roman soldier converted to Christianity. After serving in the army, he became a priest and then was elected bishop of Gaza where he converted many polytheists.

03 May - Originally from Galilee, Philip is from Bethsaida, on the shores of Lake Tiberias, like Peter and Andrew. Several characters are called James in the New Testament, but here it is James the son of Alphaeus, who also belongs to the Twelve, nicknamed James the Minor in Roman tradition.

02 May - Athanasius was born at Damanhour, near Alexandria, Egypt, in 298. He came from a pagan family and was attracted to Christianity because of the good manners of the Christians with whom he lived. He was baptized by Pope Alexander, who ordained him a deacon and took him as a disciple.

May 1st - St. Joseph the Worker, St. Joseph the Carpenter is none other than the same St. Joseph, Foster Father of Jesus in Nazareth, whom we celebrated on March 19th. The day of May 1st is dedicated to Saint Joseph but also to all workers since he is the patron saint.

April 30 - Pius V is the 255th Pope of the Catholic Church from 1566 to 1572. Antonio Ghislieri is his real name, born on 17 January 1504 in Bosco d'Alexandria in the diocese of Tortone.

April 29 - Catherine is the twenty-third of the twenty-five children of a dyer, Giacomo Benincasa, and Monna Lapa. She and her twin sister Jeanne were born in Siena on March 25, 1347, the feast of the Annunciation to Mary. Jeanne died shortly afterwards.

April 28 - Pierre Chanel, was born on July 12, 1803 at La Potière farm in Cuet in the commune of Montrevel-en-Bresse (Ain). Fifth of a family of eight children, son of Claude-François Chanel and Marie-Anne Sibellas.

27 April - Zita was born in the village of Bozzanello, near Lucca, Tuscany, around 1218. Her parents were poor ploughmen. Zita is brought up by her mother, a virtuous and very modest woman. Zita, from an early age, was gentle, modest and docile to God's will.

26 April - This is the third pope at the head of the Church from 79 to 91. According to the Liber pontificalis, Clet is of Roman origin. He was born in Patricius in the Equiline region, not far from where St. Peter lived.

25 April - Mark is a first-century Jew, mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles and in various epistles where he is referred to as "John nicknamed Mark" or "John Mark" and presented as close to the apostles Peter and Paul.

24 April - Fidèle to his civil name Marc Roy, was born on 1 October 1578 in Sigmaringen, capital of the principality of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen in Swabia (today part of the German state of Baden-Württemberg).

23 April - Georges de Lydda was born around 275/280 in Mazaca, Cappadocia, to a relatively well-to-do family. At the age of fifteen, he went to Nicomedia and became an officer in the Roman army. He appeared before the Emperor Diocletian, who recognized him as the son of his former comrade-in-arms and made him a knight, head of his private guard.

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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