Stories, Saints and Mysteries

The most important church in the world dedicated to the Virgin Mary was supposedly founded because of a very strange meteorological event that occurred in the 4th century! Is there any truth to this strange legend? And if so why is it celebrated all over the world?

St. Lucy is celebrated around the world from Sweden to Sicily as part of the holiday season. Known for bringing light and hope during the darkest time of the year she is often depicted carrying her eyes on a plate! Find out about her interesting history and why she is still so loved today.

Hidden in churches all over Rome are skeletons - life-size statues, mosaics and friezes of skeletons that adorn tombs. These skeletons look incredibly “alive”. Special guest Natalie Edwards talks with Anna about the meaning behind them and why this type of decoration was so popular in the 17th century.

St. Agatha of Catania, Sicily was not any ordinary girl living in the Ancient Roman Empire - not only was she incredibly smart, beautiful and wealthy but also brave enough to stand up for what she believed in despite being terribly tortured. Truly a heroine, she is one of the most celebrated saints even today.

The story of Cacus takes place much before the founding of ancient Rome. He was a Sasquatch or Bigfoot terrorizing the ancient Greek settlers living near the Tiber river where Rome is today. But was he really the man-eating monster that some ancient writers make him out to be?

Giulia Tofana got herself out of poverty and even became quite wealthy, all the while helping other women escape from terrible, dangerous marriages. She was a successful businesswoman, an incredibly rare feat in the 17th century. All of this thanks to the deadly poison, Acqua Tofana, that she made.

St. Benedict Joseph Labre forged his own path, his own way, to becoming a saint with some truly memorable attributes. He was an unusual man even for his times - living on the streets of Rome in the 1700's and walking thousands of miles during his many pilgrimages, and yet he is still an inspiration to some even today.

St. Praxedes or Prassede was an early Christian woman living in ancient Rome at a time when Christianity was illegal. Although there is a lot of mystery surrounding the facts of her life, she is famous for collecting the blood of her fellow Christians who were killed and for being a leader in the early Church.