06 February — historically, on February 6th is the date of commemoration of Martyrs in Japan, among them, the name of Paul Mikki stands out from the others. Jesuit priest persecuted, Paul Miki died on the cross in Japan on February 6th 1597.

Born in the 3rd century in Catania, Sicily, into a noble family, Agatha was of great beauty and honoured God with fervour and thus consecrated her virginity to him. Quintian, proconsul of Sicily but a man of low extraction, wished above all to marry her, thinking that he could thus gain respect but also enjoy the beauty and fortune of such a wife.

The Church is celebrating the memory of Saint Veronica or Berenice on February 4th. It is essentially the apocryphal gospel of Nicodemus that speaks of the story of Veronica, closely linked to Christ's Way of the Cross to Mount Golgotha.

Saint Blaise was a doctor in Sebaste, Armenia, his hometown, and he practised his art with extraordinary ability, great goodwill and piety. When the bishop of the city died, the acclamation of all the people designated him as his successor.

The presentation of the Lord in the Temple and the Candlemas are celebrated on this February 02. It is especially the Gospel according to Saint Luke (Lk 2, 22-40) which transcribes the presentation of the Lord.

The memory of Saint Ella is celebrated on February 1st. Ella, whose maiden name is Fitzpatrick, is the wife of William Longespée, himself the brother of the Prince of England Richard the Lionheart. William, Ella's husband, was not a model of virtue: he was unfaithful and adulterous.

We celebrate Sain John Bosco on January 31. John Bosco was born in Becchi, a little city of Castelnuovo of Asti in August 1815. When he was young, his father was dead while he is only 2 years old, his mother has raised them three.

Sainte Martina was celebrated on January 30. Born in Rome and comes from a famous family, Martina is the daughter of a consul famous for his faith and charity. After the death of his father, Martina sold all her possession and did works of charity and mercy for the poor.

On this January 29, we celebrate the memory of Saint Gildas the wise. Comes from a noble family in Great Britain, Gildas was born in Scotland towards the end of the fifth century when the Bretons, Roman citizens, fought against the Saxon invaders.

Comes from a Norman and Germanic family, Thomas d'Aquin was born toward the end of 1224. Son of Landulph, Count of Aquinas and Countess Theodora Caracciolo Rossi.

The church celebrates on this January 27 the memory of Sainte Angela of Merici, founders of Ursulines. Born in 1474 in Desenzano, near Lake Garda. Her parents, devout Christians, wishing that their children can live the beatitudes in the Glory of God.

We celebrate on this 26 January the memory of Saint Timothy and Titus. Born in Lystra, Timothy is the son of a Jew mother who was converted to Christianity and a Greek pagan father. Whereas Titus comes from a noble family of Crete.

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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