Today we learn about St. Stephen, the first person to give his life for Christ after the Lord’s birth. Celebrated the day after Christmas, St. Stephen reminds us that following Jesus is not only about joy and wonder, but also about courage, sacrifice, and faithful witness.

In this episode, Saul shares 7 cool facts about St. Stephen. You will learn how he was chosen as one of the first deacons of the Church, how he preached boldly with wisdom and the Holy Spirit, and how he delivered one of the earliest Christian sermons recorded in Scripture. You will also hear about his unjust trial, his vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father, and his final act of forgiveness toward those who stoned him.

💬 Thought to Remember

“Love your enemies.”

St. Stephen shows us that Christian love reaches its fullest expression in forgiveness, even in the face of suffering.

📖 Reflection Verse

“But Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.”

Acts 7:55

🙏 Prayer to St. Stephen

St. Stephen,

faithful deacon and first martyr of the Church,

pray for us.

Help us to serve with humility,

to speak the truth with courage,

and to forgive with the love of Christ.

When following Jesus becomes difficult,

remind us that heaven is open to those who remain faithful.

St. Stephen, pray for us.

Amen.

📅 Follow Saints in a Year daily as we walk through the Church calendar and learn from the saints who guide us to Christ.

📺 Subscribe to join the journey: @TravelingtoDamascus

📖 #TheRoadToDamascus #SaintsInAYear #StStephen #FirstMartyr #CatholicSaints #WitnessToChrist

Today we pause our journey through the saints to celebrate the very reason saints exist at all — the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christmas is the fulfillment of centuries of promise, the moment when God entered human history, not with power or wealth, but in humility, silence, and love.

In this special Christmas Day episode, Saul reflects on the story of the Nativity, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, and the deep meaning behind Christ’s birth in Bethlehem, the “House of Bread.” You will hear how Scripture foretold the coming of Emmanuel, how light enters the world through Christ, and how the manger already points us toward the Eucharist.

This episode also explains why Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25, while acknowledging that the exact historical date of Christ’s birth is unknown. The focus is not the calendar, but the truth that when Christ entered the world, darkness began to lose its power.

✨ Topics included

The Nativity of Our Lord

Old Testament prophecies fulfilled in Christ

The meaning of Bethlehem

Light overcoming darkness

Why Christmas is celebrated in December

Preparing our hearts to welcome Christ today

💬 Thought to Remember

“God became man so that man might become holy.”

📖 Reflection Verse

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”

John 1:14

🙏 Christmas Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,

we adore You in the manger.

Thank You for entering our world in humility and love.

Help us welcome You with the faith of Mary,

the obedience of Joseph,

and the wonder of the shepherds.

May our hearts become a home for You.

Amen.

🎄 Merry Christmas from Saints in a Year.

📺 Subscribe to continue the journey: @TravelingtoDamascus

📖 #TheRoadToDamascus #SaintsInAYear #ChristmasDay #Nativity #Incarnation #HouseOfBread #GodWithUs #CatholicChristmas

Today we learn about St. Adele of Pfalzel, a holy woman whose life of faith, motherhood, and quiet preparation leads us beautifully into the celebration of Christmas. Honored on Christmas Eve, St. Adele reminds us that Christ is welcomed into hearts that are formed by prayer, humility, and love.

In this episode, Saul shares 7 cool facts about St. Adele. You will learn about her noble background, her life as a wife and mother, and how she raised children who later became saints. You will also hear how she embraced the consecrated life, became an abbess at Pfalzel near Trier, and guided a monastic community through prayer, discipline, and charity. Her story shows how holiness is often built through daily faithfulness rather than dramatic moments.

💬 Thought to Remember

“Prepare the way of the Lord.”

St. Adele teaches us that preparing for Christ begins in the heart, in the home, and in quiet obedience to God’s will.

✝️ Reflection Verse

“Let it be done to me according to your word.”

Luke 1:38

🙏 Prayer to St. Adele of Pfalzel

St. Adele of Pfalzel,

holy mother and faithful servant of God,

pray for us as we prepare to welcome Christ.

Teach us to form holy homes,

to live with humble trust in God,

and to receive the Savior with love and faith.

St. Adele of Pfalzel, pray for us.

Amen.

📅 Follow Saints in a Year daily as we walk through the Church calendar and prepare our hearts for Christ.

📺 Subscribe to join the journey: @TravelingtoDamascus

📖 #TheRoadToDamascus #SaintsInAYear #StAdele #CatholicSaints #Advent #ChristmasEve

Today we learn about St. John of Kanty, a humble Polish priest, theologian, and university professor whose holiness was rooted in charity, patience, and simplicity. As we approach Christmas, St. John helps us understand how to prepare our hearts for Christ through humility and love for the poor.

In this episode, Saul shares 7 cool facts about St. John of Kanty. You will learn about his work as a respected professor at the University of Kraków, his commitment to living the Gospel he taught, and his remarkable generosity to the poor. You will also hear how he endured injustice with patience, welcomed the needy into his own home, and lived a disciplined priestly life that inspired devotion long after his death.

💬 Thought to Remember

“Learned humility is greater than learned knowledge.”

St. John of Kanty reminds us that wisdom finds its true purpose in love and service.

✝️ Reflection Verse

“What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Micah 6:8

🙏 Prayer to St. John of Kanty

St. John of Kanty,

humble priest and faithful teacher,

pray for us as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ.

Teach us to love truth with humility,

to serve the poor with joy,

and to live the Gospel faithfully each day.

St. John of Kanty, pray for us.

Amen.

📅 Follow Saints in a Year daily as we walk through the Church calendar and prepare our hearts for Christ.

📺 Subscribe to join the journey: @TravelingtoDamascus

📖 #TheRoadToDamascus #SaintsInAYear #StJohnOfKanty #CatholicSaints #Advent #ChristianCharity

Today we learn about St. Chaeremon of Nilopolis, an early Christian bishop who remained faithful to Christ during one of the harshest persecutions in Church history. Elderly and vulnerable, Chaeremon chose endurance and fidelity rather than compromise, offering a quiet but powerful witness of faith as the Church suffered under the Decian persecution.

In this episode, Saul shares 7 cool facts about St. Chaeremon. You will learn about his role as a bishop in Roman Egypt, the dangers Christians faced under Emperor Decius, and how Chaeremon fled into the desert with companions to avoid being forced to deny Christ. You will also hear how his death in exile came to be recognized as martyrdom and why his story encouraged persecuted Christians to remain faithful to the very end.

💬 Thought to Remember

“The one who endures to the end will be saved.”

St. Chaeremon reminds us that holiness is often lived quietly through perseverance and trust in God.

✝️ Reflection Verse

“Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Revelation 2:10

🙏 Prayer to St. Chaeremon

St. Chaeremon,

faithful bishop and humble martyr,

pray for us as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ.

Teach us to remain steadfast in faith,

to trust God in times of weakness,

and to endure with hope until the end.

St. Chaeremon of Nilopolis, pray for us.

Amen.

📅 Follow Saints in a Year daily as we walk through the Church calendar and prepare our hearts for Christ.

📺 Subscribe to join the journey: @TravelingtoDamascus

📖 #TheRoadToDamascus #SaintsInAYear #StChaeremon #EarlyChurch #AdventSaints #CatholicFaith

Today we learn about St. Peter Canisius, a Doctor of the Church and one of the greatest Catholic teachers in history. Living during a time of confusion and division, he helped preserve and renew the Catholic faith across Europe through clear teaching, charity, and unwavering fidelity to Christ.

In this episode, Saul shares 7 cool facts about St. Peter Canisius. You will hear how he became one of the early Jesuits, why he is called the Second Apostle of Germany, and how his catechisms formed generations of Catholics. You will also learn about his role in founding schools, advising Church leaders, and defending the faith with patience and love rather than hostility. His life reminds us that knowing the truth about Christ helps us love Him more deeply.

💬 Thought to Remember

“Better to illuminate than to dominate.”

St. Peter Canisius teaches us that truth changes hearts when it is shared with humility and charity.

✝️ Reflection Verse

“Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you.”

1 Peter 3:15

🙏 Prayer to St. Peter Canisius

St. Peter Canisius,

faithful teacher and Doctor of the Church,

pray for all catechists, parents, and teachers.

Help us grow in knowledge of the faith

so that we may love Christ more deeply

and prepare our hearts for His coming.

St. Peter Canisius, pray for us.

Amen.

📅 Follow Saints in a Year daily as we walk through the Church calendar and prepare our hearts for Christ.

📺 Subscribe to join the journey: @TravelingtoDamascus

📖 #TheRoadToDamascus #SaintsInAYear #StPeterCanisius #DoctorOfTheChurch #CatholicTeaching #Advent

Today we learn about St. Dominic of Silos, a holy abbot and miracle worker whose life was marked by prayer, reform, and the liberation of captives. Living in medieval Spain during a time of conflict and suffering, Dominic became a powerful instrument of God’s mercy and freedom. His witness reminds us that Christ comes to set both hearts and bodies free.

In this episode, Saul shares 7 cool facts about St. Dominic of Silos. You will hear about his monastic calling, his reform of the monastery of Silos, his reputation for holiness and miracles, and the countless stories of prisoners who were freed through his intercession. His life points us toward the true freedom that comes from obedience to God and trust in His providence.

💬 Thought to Remember

True freedom begins in obedience to God.

✝️ Reflection Verse

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to proclaim liberty to captives.”

Luke 4:18

🙏 Prayer to St. Dominic of Silos

St. Dominic of Silos,

faithful abbot and liberator of captives,

pray for those who are bound by fear, suffering, or injustice.

Help us trust in God’s power to heal and restore,

and prepare our hearts to welcome Christ with hope and freedom.

St. Dominic of Silos, pray for us.

Amen.

📅 Follow Saints in a Year daily as we walk through the Church calendar and prepare our hearts for Christ.

📺 Subscribe to join the journey: @TravelingtoDamascus

📖 #TheRoadToDamascus #SaintsInAYear #StDominicOfSilos #CatholicSaints #Advent #MiracleWorker

Today we learn about St. Nemesius of Alexandria, an early Christian martyr whose life reflected the Passion of Christ in a striking way. Betrayed, falsely accused, declared innocent, and still condemned, Nemesius remained faithful to Christ through extreme injustice and suffering. His witness strengthened the early Church and continues to inspire Christians today.

In this episode, Saul shares 7 cool facts about St. Nemesius. You will hear how he was betrayed by someone claiming to be a fellow Christian, how authorities recognized his innocence yet punished him more severely, how his suffering mirrored the betrayal and trial of Jesus, and how he courageously endured martyrdom by fire during the Decian persecution. St. Nemesius reminds us that faithfulness to Christ matters more than fairness in this world.

💬 Thought to Remember

Faithfulness is proven when obedience costs everything.

✝️ Reflection Verse

“If we endure, we shall also reign with Him.”

2 Timothy 2:12

🙏 Prayer to St. Nemesius of Alexandria

St. Nemesius,

faithful martyr and witness to Christ,

pray for those who suffer injustice and betrayal.

Help us remain faithful to the truth,

trust in God when the world fails us,

and prepare our hearts for Christ with courage and hope.

St. Nemesius, pray for us.

Amen.

📅 Follow Saints in a Year daily as we walk through the Church calendar and prepare our hearts for Christ.

📺 Subscribe to join the journey: @TravelingtoDamascus

📖 #TheRoadToDamascus #SaintsInAYear #StNemesius #EarlyChurchMartyrs #Advent #CatholicSaints