Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord

Saint Albert of Montecorvino was born in Normandy, France, and as a child was brought far from his homeland to Motta Montecorvino in Apulia, southern Italy. There, Providence quietly shaped his path: the boy who arrived as a stranger grew to love the people and the land that would become his spiritual home. In time Albert was chosen as bishop of Montecorvino, shepherding his diocese with steady faith and pastoral care. In his later years, Albert was afflicted with blindness. Yet this darkness did not diminish his inner light. He became known for heavenly visions that strengthened the faithful, and for miracles attributed to his prayer—signs that drew hearts back to God and encouraged trust in divine mercy. His life is remembered as a witness that holiness does not depend on earthly strength, but on a soul attentive to the Lord. Saint Albert is venerated especially as patron of Pietramontecorvino. His feast day is celebrated on April 5.

Saint Catalina Thomás was born on May 1, 1531, in Valldemossa on the island of Mallorca, Spain, the sixth of seven children in a humble peasant family. Orphaned at a young age, she was raised first by her grandparents near the Charterhouse of Valldemossa, then sent at ten to live with relatives at the estate of Son Gallard, where she worked in the fields and tended sheep. Even amid hard labor and family pressure to choose a different path, her heart was drawn steadily toward God; in her trials she was consoled, according to tradition, by heavenly visitations and the encouragement of saints. With the help of the hermit Antonio Castañeda, Catalina left home and served in Palma before entering the Canonesses of Saint Augustine at the convent of Saint Mary Magdalene on November 13, 1552. She became known for deep prayer, wise counsel to rich and poor alike, and mystical graces, including ecstasies in her final years. She died in Palma on April 5, 1574, and is venerated as patron of Canyamel, Sant Elm, and Valldemossa. Her feast day is April 5.

Saint Vincent Ferrer was born on January 23, 1350, in Valencia, Spain, into a devout family. From childhood he embraced fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, and as a young man entered the Dominican Order, persevering through strong temptations to abandon his vocation. Ordained a priest in Barcelona, he became a gifted theologian and logician, teaching and preaching with clarity and ardor. During the turmoil of the Western Schism, Vincent supported Benedict XIII while also laboring for unity in the Church, a struggle that weighed heavily on him. For more than two decades he traveled widely through Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, and the British Isles as a missionary preacher. Many believed he was granted the gift of tongues, and countless people were moved to repentance and renewed faith through his direct, popular style. He also helped his homeland during the Compromise of Caspe, publicly proclaiming Ferdinand as king of Aragon. Vincent died at Vannes in Brittany on April 5, 1419, and was canonized in 1455. His feast day is April 5.