oday, October 22nd, we celebrate the feast of:

Saints Nunilona and Alodia, martyrs; Saints Mary Salome and Mary of Clopas; and Saint John Paul II, Pope

Saints Nunilona and Alodia, martyrs 

They were two sisters who lived in Huesca in the 9th century. According to tradition, their father was a Muslim and their mother a Christian. After their father's death, the two sisters continued to profess the Christian faith, even though this was not permitted under Islamic law. For this reason, they were imprisoned and, remaining steadfast in the faith, condemned to death: "We are Christians; we believe in Christ, the Son of God, and we adore Him, just as our mother raised us and gave us a Christian upbringing. Now, for our faith in Jesus Christ, we prefer to die beforehand so as to live happily with Him forever, rather than dwell here with you and afterwards be tormented in hell." Their martyrdom took place in Huesca, according to tradition, on October 22, 851. Their relics were later transferred to the Monastery of San Salvador de Leyre, where they are venerated.

Saints Mary Salome and Mary of Clopas 

They belong to the group of women who accompanied Jesus during His ministry and remained with Him until His death. The Gospels place them among the women standing at the foot of the cross who, on Easter morning, went to the tomb with spices to anoint the body of Jesus and received the proclamation of His resurrection.

Mary Salome is identified by tradition as the wife of Zebedee and mother of the apostles James the Greater and John. Mary of Clopas is a figure more difficult to identify: the Gospel according to John mentions her among the women present at Calvary, but does not allow us to establish with certainty her exact relationship to Clopas or the other women.

Saint John Paul II, Pope 

Karol Wojtyła was born in Wadowice, Poland, in 1920. During the Nazi occupation, he worked in a quarry and a factory while clandestinely studying for the priesthood. He was ordained a priest in 1946 and, after a few years dedicated to pastoral ministry and teaching, was appointed auxiliary bishop of Kraków in 1958 and archbishop of that city in 1964. He was created a cardinal three years later.

In 1978, he was elected pope and took the name John Paul II. The words from the homily at the inauguration of his pontificate are famous: "Do not be afraid!" His pontificate, one of the longest in the history of the Church, was characterized by intense pastoral and missionary activity, including 104 apostolic journeys around the world. He died in 2005. He was beatified in 2011 and canonized in 2014, alongside Saint John XXIII. His liturgical memorial is celebrated on October 22, the date on which he solemnly began his pontificate.