Blessed Isabel of France
(1225 - 1270)

Isabel was sister of St. Louis and daughter of King Louis VIII of France and Blanche of Castile. When still a child at court, Isabel, or Elizabeth, showed an extraordinary devotion to exercises of piety, modesty, and other virtues. She refused offers of marriage from several noble suitors to continue her life of virginity consecrated to God.

She ministered to the sick and the poor, and after the death of her mother, founded the Franciscan Monastery of the Humility of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Longchamps in Paris. She lived there in austerity but never became a nun and refused to become abbess.

She died there on February 22, and after nine days her body was exhumed, when it showed no signs of decay, and many miracles were wrought at her grave. Her cult was approved in 1521.

Other Saints of the Day:

• St. Peter Damian
• St. Cerneuf
• St. Alexander Akimetes
• St. Boswell
• St. Zebinus
• St. Willigis
• St. Serenus the Gardener
• St. Dositheus
• St. Felix of Brescia
• St. Florentius
• St. Jurmin
• St. Lazarus Zographos
• St. Romana
• St. Martha
• St. Ordonius
• St. Medrald
• St. Milburga
• St. Polycarp of Smyrna

SAINT PETER DAMIAN
Bishop and Doctor of the Church
(1007-1072)

St. Peter Damian was born in 1007, and lost both parents at an early age. His eldest brother, in whose hands he was left, treated him so cruelly that a younger brother, a priest, moved by his piteous state, sent him to the University of Parma, where he acquired great distinction. His studies were sanctified by vigils, fasts, and prayers, till at last, thinking that all this was only serving God by halves, he resolved to leave the world.

He joined the monks at Font-Avellano, then in the greatest repute, and by his wisdom and sanctity rose to be Superior. He was employed on the most delicate and difficult missions, amongst others the reform of ecclesiastical communities, which was effected by his zeal.

Seven Popes in succession made him their constant adviser, and he was at last created Cardinal Bishop of Ostia. He withstood Henry IV. of Germany, and labored in defence of Alexander II. against the Antipope, whom he forced to yield and seek for pardon.

He was charged, as Papal Legate, with the repression of simony; again, was commissioned to settle discords amongst various bishops, and finally, in 1072, to adjust the affairs of the Church at Ravenna. He was laid low by a fever on his homeward journey, and died at Faenza, in a monastery of his order, on the eighth day of his sickness, whilst the monks chanted matins around him.

Other Saints of the Day:

• St. Avitus II of Clermont
• St. Valerius
• St. Verulus and Companions
• St. Severian
• St. Felix of Metz
• St. Gundebert
• St. Paterius
• Bl. Pepin of Landen
• St. Peter the Scribe