Saint Porphyry of Gaza (d.420)
Saint Porphyry of Gaza was a fourth-century Macedonian who was a hermit by the Jordan River. When he inherited some money, he gave it all away to the poor, went to work as a shoemaker in the great vast teeming …
Saint Tarasius of Constantinople (c.730-806)
Saint Tarasius of Constantinople was given the high honor of acting as consul and secretary of state to Emperor Constantine IV and his mother, Empress Irene. Although he held positions of prestige and power, he led the simple life of …
Saint Montanus (d.259)
Saint Montanus was martyred along with Flavian, Julian, Lucius, Victoricus, and five other companions under the persecution of Valerian. Montanus and his fellows were disciples of Saint Cypiran of Carthage. The 10 companions did not waver in or deny their …
Saint Polycarp (c.69-c.155)
Saint Polycarp was a friend, convert, and disciple of Saint John the Apostle. He was also a prominent Christian leader in the first half of the second century. Because of Polycarp's level head and leadership skills, he was chosen by …
Saint Margaret of Cortona (1247-1297)
Saint Margaret of Cortona was born to a farmer. Her mother died when she was young, and, feeling rejected and unwanted, she ran away with a young nobleman. She gave birth to his son and lived as his mistress for …
Saint Peter Damian (1007-1072)
Saint Peter Damian was very young when he was orphaned and sent to live with his brother. However, his brother mistreated him so badly that he went to live with his other brother, Damian, who was a priest in Ravenna, …
Saint Wulfric (d.1154)
Saint Wulfric was an ordained priest, but continued to live a life that was dominated by parties with neighboring nobles and hunting excursions. After a chance meeting with a humble beggar, Wulfric realized the error of his ways and was …
Saint Conrad of Piacenza (c.1290-1351)
Saint Conrad of Piacenza was born into a noble family and married the daughter of a nobleman. One day, while Conrad was out on a hunting trip, he ordered his guides to set fire to a pile of brush in …
Saint Flavian of Constantinople (d.449)
Saint Flavian was the patriarch of Constantinople around the year 446. He received harsh treatment from the imperial court when he declined to bribe Emperor Theodosius II to keep his position, and made Theodosius's sister a deaconess against the emperor's …
Saint Alexis Falconieri (1200-1310)
Saint Alexis Falconieri was one of the seven founders of the Servants of Mary, or Servite Order. Alexis and six friends joined the Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin in 1225. As they were assembled on the Feast of the Assumption …
Saint Onesimus (1st century)
Saint Onesimus was the slave of two Colossian Christians, Saints Philemon and Apphia. While enslaved, Onesimus committed a crime and escaped punishment from his masters by running away to Rome. While in Rome, he met Saint Paul, who baptized him …
Saint Claude la Colombière (1641-1682)
Saint Claude la Colombière heard God's call early on to join religious life. He joined the Jesuits, and was educated in Lyons, France, at a Jesuit college. Claude had a special devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Sacred …
Saint Valentine (d.269)
Saint Valentine was a priest in Rome. He helped prisoners who were awaiting martyrdom during the persecution under Claudius II. During his ministry, he was seized and ordered to deny his faith in Christ. Valentine refused, and was sentenced to …
Saint Catherine de Ricci (1522-1590)
Saint Catherine de Ricci exhibited a great love of prayer and a deep devotion to Jesus from a very young age. When she was six years old, her father allowed her to join the convent of Monticelli in Florence, where …
Saint Julian the Hospitaller (unknown)
Saint Julian the Hospitaller married a wealthy widow. While hunting in the woods, a deer predicted that Julian would kill his parents. Greatly troubled by this premonition, Julian and his wife moved far away from his family. One day, while …
Saint Paschal (d.824)
Saint Paschal studied at the Lateran Basilica in Rome and became a Benedictine monk. He was put in charge of Saint Stephen's Monastery, which was near the Vatican and accommodated pilgrims to Rome. Paschal succeeded Pope Stephen IV, and was …
Saint Scholastica (480-c.543)
Saint Scholastica shared a love of God and a vocation to religious life with her twin brother, Saint Benedict. The twins established religious communities within five miles of each other. Scholastica and Benedict met once a year in a neighboring …
Saint Ansbert (d.695)
Saint Ansbert was chancellor to King Clotaire III of France. As chancellor, and a member of the court, Ansbert enjoyed a life of luxury and influence. However, he did not feel that he was fully serving God in his position, …
Saint Josephine Bakhita (1868-1947)
In 1869, in a small village in the Sudan, in Africa, Bakhita (the “fortunate one” in a Sudanese language) was born. At the age of nine, she was kidnapped and sold into slavery. During her teenage years, she experienced unspeakable …
Saint Theodore Stratelates (d.319)
Saint Theodore Stratelates was a Christian general during a time of persecution. When his faith was exposed, a military panel concluded that he was a respectable soldier who had simply made the mistake of becoming a Christian. They told him …
Saint Paul Miki (d.1597)
Saint Paul Miki felt called to religious life as a young man. He was educated by the Jesuits and entered their order. He became a very successful preacher and evangelist. When Japan's political climate became unfriendly to Christianity, Paul was …
Saint Agatha (d.251)
Saint Agatha's story is similar to the story of Saint Agnes. She was born into a wealthy family, and was well-known for her beauty. Agatha consecrated her life and her virginity to God, and rejected suitors who wished to marry …
Saint Joseph of Leonessa (1556-1612)
Saint Joseph was born in Leonessa, Italy, and felt called to religious life. He joined the Capuchins in his home town, and began living a life of simplicity and penance. He went without large meals and accommodating living quarters, and …
Saint Blaise (d.316)
Reliable historical sources are slim on the life of Saint Blaise. He is believed to have been a doctor who was ordained a priest and then was consecrated a bishop. The most famous legend surrounding Blaise is that he healed …
Saint Joan de Lestonnac (d.1640)
Saint Joan de Lestonnac was born in Bordeaux, France, in 1556. She was happily married with four children, until her husband tragically passed away. After his passing, Joan singlehandedly ran her home and estate. When her children were grown and …
Saint Brigid of Ireland (c.452-524)
Saint Brigid was the daughter of an Irish king and a Christian slave woman. She was known for her joy, kindness, and compassion toward the poor. Brigid could not stand to see anyone suffering, so she frequently gave away her …
Saint John Bosco (1815-1888)
John Bosco was an educator who started schools and eventually a religious order called the Salesians. Saint John Bosco believed in educating the whole person, not just the mind but also the body and the soul. Though he trained young …
Saint Hyacintha of Mariscotti (1585-1640)
When Saint Hyacintha of Mariscotti's younger sister married before she did, she became so jealous that she made herself, as well as her family, miserable. Her actions became so intolerable that her family sent her off to a Franciscan convent. …
Saint Gildas the Wise (c.500-570)
Saint Gildas the Wise was cared for and educated at a monastery. He became friends with many exceptional men who would one day become saints, and he excelled in the classroom. Gildas became a monk, and moved to Ireland to …
Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Saint Thomas Aquinas is one of the greatest theologians in the history of the Church. His mind was so keen that it is reported that he could dictate to four scribes at the same time--each scribe working on a different …
Saint Angela Merici (1470-1540)
As a young woman, Saint Angela Merici felt called to life in a religious order and became a member of the Third Order of Saint Francis. In the order, she lived a very simple life, owning nothing. It greatly troubled …
Saint Timothy (1st century)
Saint Timothy was born to a Greek father and a Jewish mother. His grandmother, Lois, was the first member of the family to convert to Christianity. Timothy converted to the faith through the ministry of Saint Paul, and joined him …
Saint Paul (1st century)
Saint Paul, or Saul, as he was called before his conversion, put extreme energy and vigor into everything that he did. Starting out, that vigor went toward the persecution of Christians. He was so passionate about his persecutions that he …
Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Saint Francis de Sales was bishop of Geneva, Switzerland, and is known as a Doctor of the Church. Saint Francis lived a simple life and had a deep love for the poor and the sick. He was well known for …
Saint John the Almoner (d.619)
Saint John's early life is one that many of us can relate to. He married, became a father, and lived a normal life with his family. Sadly, disease took his wife and child. After this tragedy, John felt called to …
Saint Agnes (d.304)
Saint Agnes made a pledge to God, whom she called her heavenly Spouse, that she would remain a consecrated virgin throughout her life. Agnes was very beautiful, and many young men wanted to marry her. In order to keep her …
Saint Fabian (d.250)
Saint Fabian was a farmer near Rome who traveled into the city one day as the clergy and townspeople were getting ready to elect a new pope. Tradition tells us that when Fabian arrived to watch the election a dove …
Saint Wulfstan (d.1095)
Saint Wulfstan was a devout young man. He joined the Benedictines at Worcester in England and instructed children in the catechism, served as treasurer and prior, and was eventually elected bishop. He showed incredible skill and devotion to his position …
Saint Charles of Sezze (1613-1670)
Saint Charles was born in Sezze, which is southeast of Rome. He was inspired to join the Franciscans and held small, humble jobs in the order. Examples of these positions included cook, porter, sacristan, gardener, and beggar. When Charles's superior …
Saint Anthony of Egypt (251-356)
After his parents passed away, Saint Anthony made sure that his younger sister finished her education and was well looked after, then sold all of his possessions and gave the money to the poor. He then set out into the …
Saint Berard (d.1220)
Saint Berard was born to a family of Italian nobles. He became a Franciscan monk, and was welcomed into the order by Saint Francis of Assisi himself. Berard was part of a missionary party assigned by Saint Francis to travel …
Saint Paul the Hermit (c.230-342)
Saint Paul the Hermit was raised in a well-to-do Christian family. He was well educated and could speak both Greek and Egyptian. Sadly, he was orphaned at the age of 15. When the persecutions of Decius broke out a few …
Saint Sava (1174-1237)
Saint Sava was born a prince of Serbia. He felt called to a life outside the royal court, and became a monk at Mount Athos. His father, King Stephen I, later gave up his throne and joined Sava in the …
Saint Hilary of Poitiers (c.315-368)
Saint Hilary was born to a wealthy pagan family in France. He married, became the father of a daughter named Abra, and studied on his own. Through his studies he experienced a faith conversion. He began to study the Bible, …
Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys (1620-1700)
Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys was the sixth of 12 children born to her religious parents. When Marguerite was 19 years old her mother passed away, leaving Marguerite to look after her family and household. When her brothers and sisters were grown …
Saint Theodosius the Cenobiarch (423-529)
Saint Theodosius was born to a religious family. He began his education at a young age and followed the example of Abraham by leaving home to follow God. He met and worked with Saints Simeon Stylites and Longinus the Centurian …
Saint Peter Orseolo (928-987)
Saint Peter Orseolo was born into a wealthy family. He married and he and his wife had a son. Peter served as admiral and commander of the Venetian navy before being appointed doge of Venice. This position was one of …
Saint Adrian of Canterbury (d.710)
Saint Adrian of Canterbury was born in Africa. He was selected to become archbishop of Canterbury by Pope Saint Vitalian. However, Adrian declined the position, even though it came with prestige and glory. Instead, Adrian agreed to become the assistant …
Saint Thorfinn (d.1285)
Saint Thorfinn was a Norwegian monk and bishop. He lived a very low-profile life. The only public "fame" that he received was when he stood by the archbishop of Norway in an argument with King Eric over state interference in …
Saint Raymond of Peñafort (1175-1275)
Saint Raymond of Peñafort was born to Aragonian nobility in Spain and was well educated. He taught philosophy and received doctoral degrees in both canon law and civil law. At the age of 41, he joined the Dominicans. He was …
Saint André Bessette (1845-1937)
Saint André Bessette was one of 12 children born to a French Canadian couple who lived near Montreal. He was adopted at the age of 12 after both of his parents passed away. He held odd jobs to contribute to …
Saint John Neumann (1811-1860)
Saint John Neumann was born in Bohemia around the year 1811. He desired to become a priest in his home country, but because there were so many priests in Bohemia at the time he was denied. However, John persevered, and …
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774-1821)
Elizabeth Ann Seton is a great American saint who was born wealthy but found her happiness in serving the poor. She was born in New York City into a wealthy Episcopal family. She was home-schooled by her father, and she …
Saint Genevieve (d.500)
Saint Genevieve was born around the year 422 in a village near Paris. When she was around seven years old, Saint Germain came to her village to preach against the heresy of Pelagius. While listening to his preaching, he singled …
Saint Basil the Great (329-379)
Saint Basil the Great was born to a noble family. He was on the path to becoming a famous teacher when he realized that his pride in his accomplishments might surpass his devoutness. After this realization, he sold all that …
Mary, Mother of God (1st century)
Catholics have a special devotion to Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. We do not worship her or pray to her as God, as some people mistakenly believe. But we do honor her as the mother of God, and at …
Saint Sylvester I (d.335)
Saint Sylvester I was pope during the reign of Emperor Constantine I, after the persecutions and terror of Diocletian. He was pope during important events such as the proclamation of the Edict of Milan, the rise of the Catholic Church …
Saint Egwin (d.717)
Saint Egwin was born to a noble family in Worcester, England. After joining a monastery, he was eagerly welcomed by royalty, the clergy, and the townspeople when he was appointed bishop of Worcester. His popularity soon began to wane, due …
Saint Thomas Becket (1118-1170)
Saint Thomas Becket was appointed chancellor of England by his friend, King Henry II. King Henry selected Thomas with the hope that he could encroach on Church affairs. However, Thomas warned Henry that their friendship did not guarantee that he …
Saint Anthony the Hermit (c.468-c.520)
Saint Anthony was just a small child when his father passed away. Orphaned, he went to stay with his uncle, Bishop Constantius of Lorsch in Bavaria. When Anthony became old enough, he entered monastic life. He then joined a fellow …
Saint John the Apostle (1st century)
Saint John, a fisherman, was one of the first Apostles. Jesus chose him and his brother, James. Jesus “saw two other brothers . . . in their boat with their father Zebedee, getting their nets ready. Jesus called them, and …
Saint Stephen (d.33)
Stephen is the first Christian martyr. The word "martyr" means “witness.” Stephen was the first of many to live and die giving witness to their undying faith in Jesus. It is the courage and willingness of those first persecuted Christians …
Saint Eugenia (d.258)
Saint Eugenia's life is shrouded in mystery. She is said to have been the daughter of Duke Philip of Alexandria, the governor of Egypt during the time of Emperor Valerian. According to legend, Eugenia ran away from home dressed as …
Saint Charbel Makhlouf (1828-1898)
In 1828, Charbel Makhluf was born Joseph Zaroun Makluf in the village of Bekaa Kafra in northern Lebanon. His father died when Saint Sharbel was three years old, and he was raised by his uncle. Charbel was very devout, even …
Saint John Kanty (1390-1473)
Saint John Kanty was born in Poland and studied at the University of Cracow. He then became a professor of theology at his alma mater. However, John's tenure didn't last long. His fellow professors were jealous of his popularity, and …
Saint Zeno of Nicomedia (d.303)
Saint Zeno was a Roman soldier. He was apprehended and condemned to death for laughing at and ridiculing Emperor Diocletian's sacrifice to a statue of the goddess Ceres. His jaws were shattered for opposing the emperor and he was beheaded. …
Saint Peter Canisius (1521-1597)
Peter Canisius was an extremely hard-working person. At the young age of 19, he earned his master's degree from the University at Cologne. Soon after completing his degree, he became acquainted with Peter Faber, who influenced him to join the …
Saint Dominic of Silos (1000-1073)
Saint Dominic of Silos was born into a Spanish peasant family around the year 1000. He spent a considerable amount of time in the fields as a young boy working to support his family and enjoying time alone. He felt …
Saint Anastasius I (d.401)
Saint Anastasius I was a Roman by birth, but very little is known about his early life. He was elected pope in 399 and began his papacy by condemning the works of Origen. His mistrust of Origen began after he …
Saint Flannan (d.642)
Saint Flannan was the son of an Irish chieftain and next in line for the throne. Flannan feared becoming king, and prayed for a disfigurement that would prevent his ascension to the throne. After his prayer, his face became inflamed …
Saint Jose Manyanet y Vives (1833-1901)
Saint Jose Manyanet y Vives was born into a large, religious family. He was dedicated to Our Lady at the age of five by his mother, and was ordained into the priesthood several years later. Jose founded the Congregation of …
Saint Adelaide (931-999)
Saint Adelaide married King Otto of Germany after her first husband passed away. After Otto's death, Adelaide had a rocky relationship with her son, Otto II, most likely due to the hateful nature of his wife, Theophano. When Otto II …
Saint Mary Di Rosa (1813-1855)
Saint Mary Di Rosa was born in 1813, and began to take charge of situations from the time she was a young girl. She set up retreats and missions for her parish, arranged a women's guild, and supervised a workhouse …
Saint John of the Cross (c.1541-1591)
Saint John of the Cross, a 16th-century mystic, was responsible for reforming the Carmelite Order. He was a person who lived an austere life, renouncing many of the things of the world. John was a man of intense prayer who …
Saint Lucy (c.283-c.304)
Saint Lucy is a beloved saint in Rome and Sicily. She died a martyr around the year 304. She gave herself totally to Christ in all things. The reading for her feast points to pure speech and service to the …
Saint Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641)
Saint Jane Frances de Chantal was born into a noble family and married the Baron de Chantal when she was 20. They enjoyed a fruitful marriage and had several children. Tragically, the baron was killed in a hunting accident when …
Saint Damasus I (c.305-384)
Saint Damasus I was appointed pope after the death of Pope Liberius. However, a minority in Rome appointed another man, Ursinus, as pope. This caused a controversy that resulted in violence and scandal. During the papacy of Damasus, Christianity was …
Saint Gregory III (d.741)
Saint Gregory III was not intending on taking over the papacy when Saint Gregory II passed away. He was part of the crowd that was mourning the loss of the pope during his funeral procession, when someone recognized him as …
Saint Juan Diego (1474-1548)
On December 9, 1531, a 57-year-old peasant named Juan Diego, who lived near Mexico City, was on his way to Mass. Suddenly he heard beautiful music and a woman’s voice calling to him from Tepeyac Hill. At the top of …
Saint Romaric (d.653)
When Saint Romaric's father was killed on the orders of Queen Brunehilda, the young boy became a homeless nomad. With time and hard work, Romaric's luck changed. He amassed a great fortune and was a landowner with many slaves. Romaric …
Saint Ambrose (c.340-397)
Those who knew Saint Ambrose were divided between those who admired him and those who loathed him. This division stemmed from Ambrose's personality and how he practiced his ministry. Ambrose would publicly do verbal battle with anyone, even people of …
Saint Nicholas (d.346)
Saint Nicholas was a bishop, and bishops are often referred to as the shepherds of the people of God in the Church. Accounts credit Saint Nicholas with saving the lives of three daughters who were destined for prostitution because their …
Saint Sabas (439-532)
Saint Sabas was left in the care of his aunt and uncle as a child. His aunt treated him so wickedly that he ran away to live with another uncle when he was only eight years old. These two uncles …
Saint John Damascene (645-749)
Saint John was born in Damascus. He and his adoptive brother Cosmos received a classical and theological education. Both brothers joined the Monastery of Saint Sabas near Jerusalem. John is well known in three areas. First, he is known for …
Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1552)
Saint Francis Xavier was born to a noble family of the Kingdom of Navarre in what is modern-day Spain. Giving up a promising career as a professor of philosophy, he joined Saint Ignatius of Loyola to become one of the …
Saint Bibiana (d.361)
Saint Bibiana was a virgin and martyr. Very little is known about her life, except what we know from a later tradition. Her parents, Saints Flavian and Dafrosa, were martyred during the persecution of Julian the Apostate. Bibiana and her …
Saint Edmund Campion (1540-1581)
Saint Edmund Campion was born in London, England. He was extremely bright, and was given a scholarship to Saint John's College, Oxford, when he was only 15 years old. Edmund was raised a Catholic, but chose to become an Anglican …
Saint Andrew (1st century)
Matthew tells us that Andrew was a fisherman, along with his brother Peter. In the Gospel of John, we learn that Andrew was also a disciple of John the Baptist (see 1:40). With John the Baptist, Andrew was waiting for …
Saint Radbod (d.918)
Saint Radbod lived a very quiet and holy life. He was the grandson of the last pagan king of the Frisions in the Netherlands. Radbod was raised and educated by his uncle, the bishop of Cologne. He became the bishop …
Saint James of the Marche (1391-1476)
Saint James was born in the Marche of Ancona in Italy. He attended the University of Perugia, where he attained doctorates in canon law and civil law. After he earned his degrees, he felt called to join the Franciscans and …
Saint Francesco Antonio Fasani (1681-1742)
Saint Francesco Antonio Fasani was born in Lucera, Italy. He was a very devout child and entered the order of Conventual Franciscans, taking the name Francis. He was ordained 10 years later and taught philosophy to younger friars in the …
Saint Conrad (d.975)
Saint Conrad was born into a prominent Guelph family. He received an education at the Cathedral School at Constance and was ordained a priest. Conrad was appointed provost of the cathedral and was then selected bishop of Constance. He was …
Saint Catherine of Alexandria (d.305)
Saint Catherine is thought to have been born in Alexandria to a noble family. She converted to Christianity after she had a life-altering vision. Catherine criticized Emperor Maxentius for his persecution of Christians. In an attempt to sway Catherine away …
Saint Andrew Dung-Lac (1795-1839)
Saint Andrew Dung-Lac was one of 117 people martyred in Vietnam for their Catholic faith between 1820 and 1862. Of the 117 martyrs, 96 were Vietnamese, 11 were Spanish, and 10 were French. Christianity arrived in Vietnam through the Portuguese, …
Saint Columban (543-615)
Saint Columban was a famous Irish missionary. Columban received a good education, and resolved to live a life of simplicity and abstinence. However, he began to worry that this might not be possible because he was tempted by the pretty …
Saint Cecilia (2nd century)
Saint Cecilia is the patron saint of musicians, singers, and poets. She lived in the second century and died a martyr. Although not much is known about her, a fifth-century legend holds that she had taken a vow of virginity, …
Saint Albert of Louvain (1166-1192)
Saint Albert of Louvain entered into religious life at the age of 12. However, he left the priesthood at the age of 21 to become a knight of Count Baldwin. He planned to go on a crusade, but did not, …
Saint Edmund the Martyr (c.841-870)
Saint Edmund the Martyr was the king of Norfolk and Suffolk in England in the ninth century. Exact details about his life are fuzzy. It is known that Edmund defended his people against Danish invaders and was killed when the …
Saint Agnes of Assisi (1197-1253)
Saint Agnes was the sister of Saint Clare, and also her first follower. At first, her family disapproved of her choice, and tried to bring her back home. However, when they tried to take her from the monastery, her body …
Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne (1769-1852)
Sister Rose Duchesne was known for praying without ceasing. She was also a woman who gave thanks to God, even though as a missionary to the United States she lived a life of great physical hardship on the frontier. Sister …
Saint Elizabeth of Hungary (1207-1231)
Saint Elizabeth was born in 1207 as a princess of Hungary. She lived there until she was four, and then went to live with her betrothed, Louis, the Landgrave of Thuringia. When Franciscan friars arrived in Germany, Elizabeth not only …
Saint Gertrude (1256-1301)
Saint Gertrude was born at Eisleben, Saxony, in 1256. She was entrusted to the care of Benedictine nuns at the age of five. When she grew up, she became a Benedictine nun herself, and was elected abbess of the monastery …
Saint Albert the Great (1206-1280)
Saint Albert the Great was born in 1206 to a wealthy and powerful German family. He was well educated, and despite disapproval from his family he joined the Dominicans. He was an educator at Paris and at Cologne, and had …
Saint Laurence O'Toole (1128-1180)
Saint Laurence O'Toole was born in the year 1128 in Ireland. At the age of 10 he became the hostage of one of his father's enemies and brought to the king of Leinster, who mistreated him. After two years of …
Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850-1917)
Francesca Cabrini was born in northern Italy in 1850, the youngest of 13 or more children. As a child she dreamed of being a missionary to faraway lands. When she was 18, she tried to join a religious community, but …
Saint Josaphat (c.1580-1623)
This saint, who was a bishop and martyr, spent his life working for the unity of all Christians. He was a reform-minded bishop who brought order and proper procedure into his diocese. Josephat also helped bring the Eastern Church of …
Saint Martin of Tours (c.316-397)
Saint Martin became a Christian at the age of 18. Even though his father was a military officer, Martin believed that Christians were not allowed to kill. He became a conscientious objector, even though he was imprisoned for refusing to …
Saint Leo the Great (c.400-461)
Saint Leo was a pope who lived in the early centuries of the Church. Elected in 440, he was a talented administrator who was equally gifted at spiritual leadership. He was the first pope to claim to be Peter’s heir …
Saint Benen (d.467)
Saint Benen was the son of an Irish chieftain. He was baptized by Saint Patrick, and was so enraptured by him and his work that he asked the saint if he could accompany him on his travels as a missionary. …
Saint Godfrey (c.1066-c.1115)
Saint Godfrey started his monastic life at a very young age. He was raised from the age of five in the Benedictine Abbey of Mont-Saint-Quentin, where his godfather was abbot. He was given his own tiny habit, and lived life …
Saint Willibrord (658-739)
Saint Willibrord was born in England in 658. He felt called to spread the Good News through missionary work in Germany. With great zeal and enthusiasm, he followed his call and constructed churches and an abbey. Willibrord was experiencing great …
Saint Winoc (d.717)
Saint Winoc was brought up and educated in Brittany. He is said to have possible noble lineage. He was called to become a monk at Saint Peter's monastery at Sithiu under Abbot Saint Bertin. He and three companions founded a …
Saint Sylvia (d.593)
Saint Sylvia was the mother of Saint Gregory the Great. When Sylvia's husband passed away, her son Gregory converted their home into a monastery. Silvia was then able to retire to a life of solitude in a small home in …
Saint Charles Borromeo (1538-1584)
Saint Charles was a bishop in Milan, Italy. His appointment as bishop was delayed because the Council of Trent needed his skill as a behind-the-scenes leader when serious disagreements occurred—something he could not offer if he had been a bishop …
Saint Martin de Porres (1579-1639)
Martin de Porres lived in Peru in the 16th century. The sin of racism was alive and well, and he, being of mixed race, was treated like a slave. His family lived in poverty because his Spanish father abandoned them …
Saint Marcian (d.387)
Saint Marcian was a hermit in the fourth century. During that time, living the secluded, prayerful life of a hermit was very popular. Marcian lived in a tiny cell that was too small for him to stand up straight or …
Solemnity of All Saints
Naming people “saints” acknowledges that they led holy lives, did the work of God, and are now with God. A saint is anyone who lives with God, whether officially recognized or not. (Taken from "Good News Day by Day: Bible …
Saint Wolfgang of Regensburg (924-994)
Saint Wolfgang was born in Swabia, Germany, and attended school near the Abbey of Reichenau. While at school, Wolfgang met Henry, a young man of noble birth who would become the archbishop of Trier. Wolfgang remained in contact with Henry, …
Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez (1533-1617)
Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez was born in Segovia, Spain. He was the son of a wool merchant who died when Alphonsus was young, leaving the business to him. He married and had three children. Not long after, he found himself a …
Saint Narcissus of Jerusalem (99-215)
Saint Narcissus became the bishop of Jerusalem when he was already advanced in years. While he was bishop, one of his critics accused him of a crime that he did not commit. The claim was not believed by the Christians …
Sts. Simon and Jude (1st century)
The two Apostles we celebrate today are Simon the Zealot and Judas, the son of James. Zealots were members of a Jewish nationalist group who wanted to bring down Roman rule. Judas is normally referred to as Jude in English, …
Saint Frumentius (4th century-c.380)
Saint Frumentius was born in Lebanon. He and his brother, Saint Aedesius, were the only survivors of a shipwreck on the Red Sea. They were discovered and taken to the royal court of Aksum, Ethiopia, where they were made members …
Saint Rusticus of Narbonne (d.462)
Saint Rusticus was born in Gaul and was the son of Bishop Bonosus. He developed the talent of preaching, and used his gift to share the Good News in Rome before entering monastic life in France. Rusticus was appointed bishop …
Saint John Roberts (1577-1610)
Saint John Roberts was born in Wales in 1575. After studying at Oxford for two years, he left to study law, and joined the Catholic Church after visiting Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. While in Paris, John began studying to …
Saint Anthony Claret (1807-1870)
Saint Anthony Claret was born in Catalonia, Spain in 1807. As the son of a weaver, he took up his father's craft, but began studying for the priesthood to become a Jesuit. He was not able to join the Jesuits …
Saint John of Capistrano (1386-1456)
Saint John was born in Capistrano, Italy, in 1385. He was the son of a former knight. He studied law, became a lawyer in the courts of Naples, and was eventually appointed the governor of Perugia. He was incarcerated after …
Saint Abercius Marcellus (d.200)
Saint Abercius Marcellus was the bishop of Hierapolis in what is modern-day Turkey as well as a missionary. He was incarcerated for a period of time because he created a danger to civil order by countering paganism. During his imprisonment, …
Saint Hilarion (c.291-371)
Saint Hilarion was born in Palestine. He converted to Christianity and felt a calling to a life of prayer and solitude. Hilarion spent time in Egypt with Saint Anthony, who also sought prayer and solitude. While living out his vocation, …
Saint Artemius (d.363)
Saint Artemius was a soldier under Emperor Constantine the Great. He was appointed as the imperial prefect of Egypt by Emperor Constantius, and used his influential position to spread the Arian heresy. During the reign of Julian the Apostate, Artemius …
Saint Isaac Jogues (1607-1646)
Throughout the history of the Church, Catholics have imitated Jesus' willingness to suffer and die for the sake of the Kingdom of God. This was particularly true of some missionaries who preached the Gospel to people who were hostile to …
Saint Luke (1st century)
Luke is one of the four Gospel writers, or Evangelists, of the New Testament, but, unlike the others, he also wrote a second volume entitled Acts of the Apostles. Luke’s Gospel emphasizes the compassion of Jesus and his concern for …
Saint Ignatius of Antioch (d.107)
Ignatius of Antioch died a martyr's death when he was thrown to the lions in 107. He was a Greek Christian who became bishop of Antioch in 69. Antioch, in Syria, was the most important Christian community outside of Jerusalem. …
Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Saint Teresa of Avila was a mystic, a teacher of the art of prayer, a Spirit-filled leader of a religious order, a woman of great courage, and an individual who lived life to the full. Born in Spain, she was …
Saint Callistus I (d.223)
As a young slave, Pope Saint Callistus I was given the task of maintaining the collected funds which were given as alms by Christians. Callistus lost the funds he was supposed to be minding, and ran away from Rome. He …
Saint Edward the Confessor (1003-1066)
Saint Edward the Confessor was born a prince in England. His father was overthrown during the Danish invasion, and Edward and his brother were sent to be killed in Denmark. The officer in charge of the transport took pity on …
Saint Seraphin of Montegranaro (1540-1604)
Saint Seraphin was born into a poor family in Italy. He spent his youth as a prayerful shepherd. After young Seraphin and his brother were orphaned, his brother began to mistreat him. Seraphin felt called at the age of 16 …
Saint Kenneth (c.525-c.599)
There are many legends surrounding Saint Kenneth. According to one popular legend, he was born in Glengiven, Ireland. He became a monk and was ordained a priest. Kenneth spent some time in Ireland preaching, and then went to share the …
Saint Francis Borgia (1510-1572)
Saint Francis Borgia was born into a noble family in Spain. He became a duke and lived happily with his wife and their eight children. Unlike many nobles in Spain at the time, Francis was a true man of God, …
Saint Cirilo Bertran (1888-1934)
Saint Cirilo Bertran was born in 1888. He joined the Brothers of the Christian Schools on October 23, 1906. He was appointed as the director of his house in Turón, Asturias, Spain. Cirilo was one of the nine Martyrs of …
Saint John Leonardi (1541-1609)
Saint John Leonardi was ordained a priest and became very passionate about ministering to prisoners and the sick. His commitment and devotion attracted other young men to assist him, and they later become priests themselves. John and his fellow assistants …
Saint Sergius the Martyr (d.303)
Saint Sergius was an officer in the Roman army under Emperor Maximian. He was well liked by the emperor until he admitted to being a Christian after he and his fellow officer, Bacchus, refused to enter a temple of Jupiter. …
Saint Bruno (c.1030-1101)
Saint Bruno was born in Cologne, Germany, in approximately 1030. He stood with Pope Gregory VII in his battle against the corruption and decadence of the clergy. Bruno was also involved in the removal of a scandalous archbishop by the …
Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938)
Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska was born in Poland in 1905. She was a member of a large family, and held odd jobs to help out before joining the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in 1925. As …
Saint Mother Theodora Guérin (1798-1856)
Saint Mother Theodora Guérin was born in Etables, France, in 1798. Her life changed forever when her father was murdered when she was 15, and she had to care for her mother and her younger sister. After several years, she …
Saint Leodegarius (c.615-678)
Saint Leodegarius was the son of Saint Sigrada and the brother of Saint Gerinus. His born to a noble family in France and was brought up in the court of King Clotaire II. Leodegarius was a reforming bishop of Autun …
Saint Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897)
Saint Therese of Lisieux, also known as the "Little Flower," was born in Alencon, France, in 1873. While still a young girl, Therese longed to enter the Carmelite convent at Lisieux. When she was 15, the bishop gave permission, and …
Saint Jerome (c.345-420)
Saint Jerome, a Scripture scholar, translated most of the Old Testament from Hebrew. He also wrote commentaries on the Bible that are still used today. In order to do this work, he took his studies seriously. Jerome also had little …
Saint Wenceslaus (c.907-929)
Saint Wenceslaus was born in 907 near Prague. His holy grandmother raised him and wanted to put him on the throne to replace his mother, an anti-Christian. Wenceslaus eventually took over the throne. During his reign, Saint Wenceslaus focused on …
Saint Vincent de Paul (1580-1660)
Vincent de Paul made a decision to serve the poor that changed his life and changed the world. He was born in France in 1581 into a peasant family. He progressed rapidly in school, and was ordained a priest at …
Sts. Cosmos and Damian (d.303)
Cosmos and Damian were killed for their Christian faith. Other than the fact that they were martyrs, we know little about them. Legend says that they were twins who were skilled doctors in Arabia. They are venerated in that part …
Saint Sergius of Radonezh (1314-1392)
Saint Sergius was born to a noble family in Russia. His baptismal name was Bartholomew. Sergius's family was impoverished when they had to flee to Rostov, near Moscow. After the death of his parents, Sergius became a hermit, along with …
Saint Pacifico of San Severino (1653-1721)
Saint Pacifico was born into a well-off family in San Severino, Italy. He was ordained, taught philosophy, and became an accomplished preacher. Pacifico was a severe man. He fasted at all times, wore a penitential shirt made of iron, and …
Saint Padre Pio da Pietrelcina (1887-1968)
Saint Padre Pio da Pietrelcina was born on May 25, 1887. It was affirmed by his mother that he was able to see and converse with Jesus, the Virgin Mary and his guardian angel as a child. When he became …
Saint Maurice (d.287)
Saint Maurice was a soldier. He was an officer of the Theban Legion of Emperor Maximian's army. Emperor Maximian's army was made up of Christians from Upper Egypt. When he and his fellow soldiers were ordered to sacrifice to gods …
Saint Matthew (1st century)
Matthew was a Jew who collected taxes for the Romans, who occupied Israel during the life of Jesus. The tax collectors were usually hated by their fellow Jews. Some strict Jews like the Pharisees considered tax collectors to be sinners …
Saint Andrew Kim Taegon (1821-1846)
Saint Andrew Kim Taegon is among the 103 Korean martyrs canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1984. During the 18th and 19th centuries, Christians in Korea were persecuted. Openly practicing the faith meant risking death. At the age of …
Saint Januarius (d.304)
Saint Januarius was born in Italy. He was the bishop of Benevento during Emperor Diocletion's persecution of Christians. One day, Bishop Januarius went to visit two deacons and two laymen who were imprisoned. During his visit, he was also incarcerated. …
Saint Joseph of Cupertino (1603-1663)
Saint Joseph of Cupertino showed a love of prayer from a young age. He was ordained into the priesthood in 1628. Joseph is most well-known for his gift of levitating during prayer. Saint Joseph's gift of levitation led him to …
Saint Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621)
Saint Robert Bellarmine was a theologian and Scripture scholar. He was a Jesuit priest who was made a cardinal because the pope said, “He had not his equal for learning.” In spite of his brilliance and honors, Robert ate only …
Saint Cyprian (d.258)
Saint Cyprian was born in Tunisia around the year 200. He was a lawyer and professor of public speaking for most of his life, but at age 46 he became convinced that Christ told no lies, and joined the Christians. …
Saint Catherine of Genoa (1447-1510)
Saint Catherine of Genoa was beautiful, intelligent, and pious. She felt called to religious life, and attempted to enter a convent when she was 13. However, she was turned away because of her youth, and instead entered into an arranged …
Saint Notburga (1265-1313)
Saint Notburga was a servant in the kitchen of Count Henry Rattenberg in Austria. At the end of each day, Notburga took the leftovers from the day's meals into town and gave them away to the poor and starving. The …
Saint John Chrysostom (347-407)
Saint John Chrysostom was a bishop who was unpopular with the rich and powerful people of his time. He lived simply, and he preached dramatically and concretely that the rich should share with the poor and that husbands should be …
Saint Guy of Anderlecht (950-1012)
Saint Guy of Anderlecht was born into a poor family in Belgium. Even though the family had little material wealth, they had great spiritual wealth. Guy's parents were very pious, and taught him their faith. Saint Guy believed that God's …
Saint Theodora of Alexandria (d.491)
Saint Theodora was from Alexandria, Egypt, and found herself in a life of sin. However, upon realizing her sinful ways, she repented. After her atonement, she spent the rest of her life as a hermit in southern Egypt, disguised as …
Saint Peter Martinez (d.1000)
Saint Peter Martinez was born in Galicia, Spain. He began his religious life as a Benedictine monk at the Monastery of Saint Mary of Monzonzo in around 950. In 986, he was appointed the archbishop of Saint Martin of Antealares …
Saint Peter Claver (1581-1654)
Peter Claver was born in Spain and went to Colombia in South America as a missionary to serve the African slaves who had been taken there to be sold in the New World. For years he would meet the ships …
Saint Adrian (d.306)
Tradition tells us that Saint Adrian was a pagan officer at the court of Nicomedia. While at court, Adrian saw a number of Christians tortured for their faith. Captivated by their extreme courage, he converted and declared himself a Christian. …
Saint Cloud (522-560)
Saint Cloud was born into French royalty, his father the king of the Franks. When the king was killed in battle, his kingdom was divided up among his four young sons. Once one of Cloud's brothers was killed in battle, …
Saint Cagnoald (d.635)
Saint Cagnoald began religious life after meeting Saint Columban. The religious path that he chose to take was the life of a monk. Cagnoald's love and devotion to Jesus were shared by many members of his family as well, including …
Saint Bertin (d.709)
Saint Bertin was born in France in the beginning of the seventh century. He began his religious life at the Abbey of Luxeuil, and then joined the bishop of Therouanne, who was sharing the message of Christ with the pagans. …
Saint Rosalia (c.1130-c.1160)
Saint Rosalia had a famous lineage, she was a descendant of Charlemagne. She was born in Sicily, and turned away from earthly pleasures to God when she was a young girl. Rosalia left the comforts of her home to reside …
Saint Gregory the Great (c.540-604)
When he was in his 30s, Gregory sold the many properties he owned, established seven monasteries in Italy, and distributed much of his considerable wealth to the poor. The next year he became a monk, and devoted himself to an …
Saint Ingrid of Sweden (d.1282)
Saint Ingrid was born in Sweden in the 13th century. She lived under the spiritual guidance of a Dominican priest, and became the first Dominican nun in Sweden. Ingrid established a Dominican cloister in Sweden, called Saint Martin's. When she …
Saint Giles (650-710)
Saint Giles was born in France during the seventh century. While in France, he built a monastery that became a popular halfway destination for pilgrims traveling from Spain to the Holy Land. Giles also became well known in England, where …
Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne (d.651)
Saint Aidan was born in Ireland. It is said that he may have been a student of Saint Senan before dedicating himself to monastic life. At the request of the king of Northumbria, Aidan became the bishop of Lindisfarne. He …
Saint Jeanne Jugan (1792-1879)
Saint Jeanne Jugan, also known as Sister Mary of the Cross, was born in France in 1792. She and two other companions formed a Catholic community of prayer, dedicated to teaching the catechism and assisting the poor. Jeanne then set …
Saint John the Baptist (d.30)
Saint John the Baptist was a selflessly giving religious reformer. He is quoted in Matthew 3:11 as saying, "I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am …
Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430)
Saint Augustine of Hippo is one of the most significant figures in the history of Western Christianity. The influence of his many books, sermons, and letters can be found on virtually every Christian doctrine, particularly the theology of Original Sin. …
Saint Monica (332-387)
Monica was the mother of Augustine of Hippo, a difficult young man who became a great theologian and bishop. He did everything he could to avoid God, but Monica never stopped praying for him. She once declared, “Nothing is far …
Saint Teresa of Jesus Jornet Ibars (1843-1897)
Saint Teresa was born in Catalonia, Spain. She faced many hardships in her youth, finally becoming a teacher at Lerida. Teresa yearned to begin religious life, but was not accepted into the convent that she wished to enter. After she …
Saint Louis of France (1214-1270)
Saint Louis, a king of France, was born in 1214. He lost his father at a young age, and was moved to a love of holy things by his mother. He married a virtuous women, and became king two years …
Saint Bartholomew (1st century)
Saint Bartholomew is listed in the Bible as one of the Twelve Apostles. Not much is known about this saint. Some scholars believe him to be the Nathanael who is mentioned in the Gospel of John. The Apostles were tirelessly …
Saint Rose of Lima (1586-1617)
Saint Rose was born in Lima, Peru, on April 20, 1586. She was given the name Isabel, but nicknamed Rose because of her great beauty. However, Rose did not want people to admire her beauty, because it might lead to …
Saint Antoninus (d.186)
Saint Antonius held a very gruesome profession; he was a Roman public executioner. He was involved in the trial proceedings of Saint Eusebius. During the proceedings, Antonius received a vision, and converted to Christianity. Because he proclaimed himself a Christian, …
Saint Pius X (1835-1914)
Saint Pius X is one of the 20th century's greatest popes. He had grown up in a poor family, and he was often embarrassed by the showiness and excess of the papal court. He often saw this insistence on grandeur …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux was called at the age of 20 to leave his family and join the Monastery of Citeaux. He was soon joined in his new monastic lifestyle by numerous family members and friends. Bernard was fervent and …
Saint John Eudes (1601-1680)
Saint John Eudes was born in France in 1602. He felt called to religious life, and was ordained a priest at the age of 24. When plagues struck France in 1627 and in 1631, John ministered to those afflicted. He …
Saint Helen (d.330)
Saint Helen was the mother of the first Christian emperor, Constantine. She married the Roman general Constantius Chlorus. In 292 he divorced her to marry the emperor's stepdaughter. Helen's ex-husband and eventually her son each became emperor. Her son, Constantine, …
Saint Joan of the Cross (1666-1736)
Saint Joan was born in 1666 in France. Her parents owned a small business, which she took over upon their deaths. In her business dealings, Joan was notorious for her greed and heartlessness to beggars and the poor. However, Joan's …
Saint Stephen of Hungary (975-1038)
Saint Stephen of Hungary was baptized at a young age. His father was the chief of the Magyars, and Stephen succeeded his father as chieftain. Stephen married the daughter of Duke Henry II, and dedicated much of his time to …
Saint Tarsicius (3rd or 4th century)
Saint Tarsicius was either a layman or a deacon who lived sometime in the third or fourth century. He was attacked by a pagan gang while he was on his way to deliver the Eucharist to a bedridden Christian friend. …
Saint Maximilian Kolbe (1894-1941)
Maximilian Kolbe was born in Poland in 1894 with the name Raimund Kolbe. He attended a Franciscan seminary as a teen, where he took the name Maximilian. Despite having tuberculosis, he was ordained a Franciscan priest and earned two doctoral …
Saint Hippolytus (170-235)
Saint Hippolytus was a presbyter in Rome. He had a strong passion for discipline and was a very important theologian and a productive religious writer. He maintained that the pope should come down harder on heretics and stop listening so …
Saint Hilaria (d.304)
Saint Hilaria and her daughter, Saint Afra, hid their bishop from harm during the Diocletian persecutions. In turn, their bishop converted them. Saint Afra was martyred because she refused to sacrifice to pagan gods. After her daughter was martyred, Hilaria …
Saint Clare of Assisi (1193-1253)
Saint Clare of Assisi was of noble birth, but when she was 18 she was so moved by the Lenten sermons of Saint Francis of Assisi that she renounced all her possessions to become a nun. Her family and friends …
Saint Lawrence Martyr (d.258)
Saint Lawrence was a deacon martyred at Rome around the year 250. One tradition tells us that, during a time of persecution, Roman authorities demanded that Lawrence give up the Church's treasures to the emperor: Lawrence replied that he would …
Saint Edith Stein (1891-1942)
Edith Stein was born to a Jewish family in Breslau, Germany (now Wroclaw, Poland). As a teenager she turned away from Judaism and professed atheism. Years later, after becoming a noted philosopher, Stein was drawn to Catholic thought. Her reading …
Saint Dominic (1170-1221)
Saint Dominic de Guzman was a Spanish theologian and the founder of the Order of Friars Preachers. At the age of 14 he went to the university to study theology and philosophy, and was ordained a priest as a young …
Saint Cajetan (1480-1547)
Saint Cajetan began his adult life by first becoming a lawyer and then turning to the priesthood. He was ordained at 36, and at the age of 42 established a hospital in Venice, Italy, for those suffering from incurable ailments. …
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