Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week of Ordinary Time

Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria was born in December 1502 in Cremona, Italy. Orphaned of his father at two, he was raised by a noble mother who taught him compassion by making him her almoner to the poor. After studies at Pavia and Padua, he returned home as a physician, but his care for the sick and the needy drew him to a deeper healing: the priesthood. Ordained on February 20, 1529, he soon went to Milan, where his preaching and tireless charity helped awaken faith in a troubled time. With companions inspired by Saint Paul, Anthony promoted ardent love for Christ crucified and the Holy Eucharist, reviving public remembrance of the Lord’s Passion and spreading Eucharistic adoration, including the Forty Hours devotion. He founded the Clerics Regular of Saint Paul, known as the Barnabites, along with the Angelic Sisters of Saint Paul and a lay movement for married people, seeking renewal of clergy and laity alike. Though investigated twice for heresy, he was cleared and persevered in humility. He died at 36 on July 5, 1539. He is patron of the Barnabites and of physicians. His feast day is July 5.

Saint Apollonius, honored on July 7, is remembered as an early bishop of Brescia and a faithful Catholic priest who helped shepherd the Church in its beginnings. Though little is known of his personal history—his birthplace and birth year are not recorded—tradition preserves his name among those entrusted with guiding the Christian community in northern Italy. His death is placed around the year 135, situating him close to the apostolic age, when the Church’s pastors strengthened believers through teaching, prayer, and steady witness. Saint Apollonius is especially venerated as patron of Bovezzo and Prestine, where the faithful continue to look to his example of pastoral care and perseverance. Through his intercession, many ask for grace to remain steadfast in Christ.

Saint Kyriaki was born in Nicomedia to devout Greek Christian parents, Dorotheus and Eusebia. Because she was born on Sunday, the Lord’s Day, they named her Kyriaki, meaning “of the Lord.” From childhood she consecrated herself to Christ, and when suitors sought her hand, she refused them all, choosing a life of faithful virginity. Her steadfastness provoked a local magistrate, who denounced Kyriaki and her parents during the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian. Her parents were beaten and exiled, while Kyriaki was interrogated and cruelly tortured for refusing to worship the pagan gods. Imprisoned and wounded, she was strengthened by a vision of Christ who healed her. Brought to a temple, she prayed, and an earthquake shattered the idols. Further torments followed—fire that would not consume her and wild beasts that would not harm her—until she was condemned to death. After praying for all who would honor her martyrdom, she surrendered her soul to God at only twenty-one. Saint Kyriaki is honored as patroness of places including Servia and is celebrated on July 7.

Saint Odile of Alsace was born around 662 in Alsace, near what is now Mont Sainte-Odile, the daughter of Duke Etichon and Bethswinda. Tradition says she was born blind, and because of her disability she was sent away and raised far from her father’s court. As a young girl she was brought to a monastery, where Bishop Erhard of Regensburg baptized her; at her baptism, she miraculously received her sight. Odile later returned home through the help of her brother, but family conflict followed, and she chose a life set apart for God. After years of hardship and reconciliation, she came back to nurse her ailing father, who at last relented and founded the monastery of Hohenburg (Mont Sainte-Odile), where Odile became abbess. She also established a second monastery at Niedermünster, including a hospital, and became known for compassion toward the sick and the poor. Venerated in both the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, she is patroness of Alsace and of those suffering from eye disease. Her feast day is December 13.

Thomas Becket was born on 21 December 1119 or 1120 in Cheapside, London, to Gilbert and Matilda Beket. Educated in London and Paris, he entered church service under Archbishop Theobald of Canterbury, who recognized his gifts and sent him to study canon law. In 1155 Becket became Lord Chancellor to King Henry II, serving with notable skill and enjoying the king’s trust. In 1162 he was chosen Archbishop of Canterbury. To many, his life seemed to change overnight: he resigned the chancellorship, embraced a more austere spirit, and began to defend the Church’s freedom with unwavering resolve. This brought him into bitter conflict with Henry II, especially over the king’s attempts to limit ecclesiastical rights through the Constitutions of Clarendon. Condemned at Northampton, Becket fled into exile in France, enduring years of hardship while continuing to uphold the Church’s authority. Returning to England in 1170, he renewed censures against bishops who had violated Canterbury’s privileges. Soon after, he was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral by men acting in the king’s name. Honored as a martyr, he is patron of places including Portsmouth. His feast day is December 29.