St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen was highly educated in philosophy, civil and canon law. Ordained a priest in 1610 A.D., he joined the Franciscan Capuchins in 1612 A.D. Noted to be a good preacher and minister to the sick, he was killed during a mission to the Zwinglians in Switzerland. Martyred for the Christian faith, Fidelis was canonized in 1746 A.D. (died ca. 1622 A.D.).
St. Benedict Menni was ordained a priest in 1866 A.D. He began the work of restoring the Hospitaller Order in Spain and Portugal. Then he founded the Congregation of Hospitaller Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Gifted with leadership and organizational abilities, he created 22 centers - homes for the poor and general hospitals (died ca. 1914 A.D.).
St. Mellitus of Canterbury was abbot of St. Andrew's monastery. He then left the monastery to lead a group of missionaries to help St. Augustine in England. Mellitus worked in England for three years and was able to baptize the King of the East Saxons. After a dispute with the King's sons, Mellitus was exiled to France. But he was able to return to England and was even named archbishop of Canterbury in 619 A.D. (died ca. 624 A.D.).
St. Ivo is traditionally known to have been a Persian bishop who left Persia with three companions. The four of them went to England where Ivo decided to live as a recluse. A skeleton that was unearthed near Ramsey Abbey in 1001 A.D. is believed to be the remains of St. Ivo. There is no specific date or year recorded for his death.
St. Egbert was an English monk at Lindisfarne. He traveled to Ireland where he made additional studies until he was ordained. At Iona, he was successful in persuading the monks to adopt the Roman liturgy instead of their Celtic liturgical practices. Egbert was known for his holiness and learning. British historian Bede reports St. Egbert to have been a bishop (died ca. 729 A.D.).
St. William Firmatus pursued a military career and studied medicine. In response to a vision he received, he became a recluse with his mother. After his mother's death, he made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and then returned to his eremitical life at Vitre, Savigny and Mantilly. He made a second pilgrimage to Jerusalem and then spent his last years back at Mantilly. St. William was held in high regard by his holiness and Franciscan-like rapport with animals (died ca. 1090 A.D.).
St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier was originally a member of the Institute of Our Lady of Charity - founded by St. John Eudes in 1641 A.D. After some time, Mary Euphrasia felt the call to found another religious community - one that would be dedicated to working with wayward girls. She thus founded the Institute of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd at Angers, France. By the time of her death, there were almost 3,000 members of the Institute in different parts of the world (died ca. 1868 A.D.).
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