St. John of Capistrano had a high education, was appointed Governor of Perugia, and married a rich and beautiful woman. In 1416 A.D., during the war between Perugia and the Malatestas, he was imprisoned. This experience led him to separate from his wife and become a Franciscan. Ordained in 1420 A.D., he became an excellent preacher. In 1456 A.D., he was commissioned by the Pope to preach a Crusade against the Turks. St. John recruited 70,000 Christian men, and led them to a victorious battle against the Turks. Three months later, he caught a deadly infection that caused his death (died ca. 1456 A.D.).
St. Severinus Boethius was orphaned as a child, but since his family was renowned, he received an excellent education and made a good marriage. Severinus was an excellent scholar, knowledgeable in many subjects. He wrote the theological treatise, "De sancta Trinitate". He was however caught up in the fight between the Ostrogoth rulers and Eastern Emperor Justin. Imprisoned, he took the opportunity to write "The Consolation of Philosophy". After his imprisonment, he was tortured and executed. St. Severinus Boethius is considered the first of the scholastics and had great influence in the Middle Ages (died ca. 524 A.D.).
St. Theodoret was a priest at Antioch who refused to surrender the sacred church vessels to Prefect Julian of the East. He was arrested, and also charged with destroying the statues of pagan gods. In retaliation, St. Theodoret denounced the Prefect for his apostasy. The Prefect then condemned Theodoret to death and had him beheaded. Before his martyrdom, Theodoret predicted that Julian would die painfully. The prophecy came true, and Prefect Julian died in agony (died ca. 362 A.D.).
St. Severinus, also known as Seurin, became bishop of Trier in Gaul. In about 405 A.D., he was named to the see of Bordeaux. It was here in Bordeaux that he became known for his zealous opposition to Arianism - the heresy that believed Christ is only man and not God. Severinus spent his last years in Bordeaux (died ca. 420 A.D.).
St. Romanus of Rouen was from a Frankish family and raised in the court of Clotaire II. In ca. 630 A.D., he was named bishop of Rouen. He did many things as bishop of Rouen: he worked to convert his people from idolatry; he ministered to criminals condemned to death; and he was known to have performed many miracles (died ca. 640 A.D.)
St. Ignatius of Constantinople and his brother were exiled to a monastery when their father, a Byzantine Emperor, was deposed by Leo the Armenian in 813 A.D. Ignatius grew up in the monastery and eventually became one of its abbots. Because of the political conflicts of that time, Ignatius was involved in an extended factional struggle in both the Church and the Empire. With all these political involvements, St. Igantius of Constantinople still pursued a road to sanctity and was very much recognized for his holiness (died ca. 877 A.D.)
St. Allucio was a shepherd in his native Pescia, Tuscany in Italy. He then became director of the almshouse in Valdi Nievole and built shelters at river crossings and mountain passes. These structures were eventually managed by young men who became known as the Brothers of St. Allucio. Allucio was also noted to have created an accord between the warring states of Ravenna and Faenza (died ca. 1134 A.D.)
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