1st. Charles Eugene de Foucauld, hermit in the Sahara, 1916.
Born in Strasbourg on 15th September, 1858. After a military career, he undertook a two year expedition to the Sahara. Stirred by the religiosity of the desert tribes people he met, he returned to the Roman Catholic Church in 1886, and spent some years as a Trappist in France and Syria. After his ordination in 1901, he returned to the desert as a hermit, studying the local languages and gaining respect from both the tribes and French soldiers for his charitable works. He was probably assasinated by Senoussi tribesmen at Tamanrasset, Algeria, on this date in 1916. He has recently been beatified. The world wide movement of The Little Brothers of the Cross follows the rule of life adopted by de Foucauld.
6th. Nicholas of Myra (Santa Claus)
Born in Pararia, Lycia, Asia Minor. A popular saint in both the Eastern and Western Churches, but little is known about him. Appointed bishop of Myria, he was imprisoned during the persecution of Dioletian, but released by Constantine I. He is associated with secretly providing dowries for poor young women, and he is often depicted carrying three bags of gold. He died at Myra on this day in 345 or 352. He is the patron saint of pawnbrokers!
14th. John of the Cross.
Born at Fontiveros, Spain on the 24th June, 1542, he became a Carmelite friar in 1563, but the laxity of the Order caused him disillusionment. With Teresa of Avila, he formed the Reformed Carmelites. His writings are spiritual masterpieces and include, 'The Dark Night of the Soul'. He died at Ubeda, Spain in 1591.