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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 …
