january 15. ita, the wet nurse of christ

Either before or after Ita passed away (or, alternatively, "fell asleep in the Lord"), a beetle feasted on her side, growing to the size of a small suckling pig. Thanks to this gesture, the bereaved would no longer be tormented by the beetle's appetite for their loved ones' remains.

january 18. prisca, who god robed in sunbeams

Tiny and barefoot, Prisca was ready to be torn to pieces. When a great yellow lion stalked into the arena and saw the kneeling maiden, he showed no rage; instead, he licked the child’s feet and paused to guard her.

january 20. eustochia, whose corpse paused earthquakes

When Eustochia died, "her body was radiant with heavenly beauty, and the Stigmata, which had wounded her hands and feet for many years, were fragrant with the Odor of Sanctity."

January 21. Agnes of rome, whose long hair shielded her purity

Agnes once said: "I love Christ, into whose chamber I shall enter, whose mother is a virgin, whose father knows not woman, whose music and melody are sweet to my ears. When I love Him, I remain chaste; when I touch Him, I remain pure; when I possess him, I remain a virgin."

january 22. Laura Vicuña, who aimed to die sinless

While in school, Laura developed a strong interest in the Catholic faith. Upon seeing the tabernacle there, Laura called it “Jesus’s little house” and blew it a kiss. Soon after, when Laura received her first Holy Communion, she expressed a desire to die free of sin. 

January 27. Angela, for whom the sky opened

Angela became a tertiary of Saint Francis and increased her mortifications in hopes it would hasten the repose of her sister's soul. Nothing eased the heartache Angela felt, her young heart bleeding out of fear, wondering where in the heavens her dead sister was.