Saint Leopold Mandic (1887-1942)
Saint Leopold Mandic, a Capuchin Franciscan, was born in Croatia in 1866. He was a man of unusually small stature, and suffered from numerous disabilities: arthritis, which often made it difficult for him to walk, speech impediments, which inhibited his …
Saint Pantaleon (d.303)
Saint Pantaleon was such a celebrated doctor that the Roman Emperor Galerius appointed him as his personal physician. Pantaleon's excessive involvement in the pagan court influenced him to deny his Christianity. He lived as a pagan for some time before …
Sts. Joachim and Anne (1st century)
According to an ancient Church tradition, Joachim and Anne are the names of Mary’s parents. While we do not know much about them, we do know they raised Mary to practice her faith and to be a strong and courageous …
Saint James (1st century)
Saint James and his brother Saint John the Apostle were two of Jesus' Twelve Apostles. Jesus first encountered James and John while they were fishing with their father. After joining Jesus, James and John were among Jesus' closest disciples. James …
Saint Adele (d.730)
Saint Adele was the daughter of King Dagobert II of Germany. She married and had a son, who would become the father of Saint Gregory of Utrecht. After the passing of her husband, and after she made arrangements to provide …
Saint Bridget (1303-1373)
Saint Bridget of Sweden was born in 1303 and from an early age experienced visions of the nativity, the crucifixion, and purgatory. These visions became well known and inspired artistic depictions. Married at age 14 to Magnus II, the King …
Saint Mary Magdalene (1st century)
Mary of Magdala ("Magdalene" indicates she was from the town of Magdala) is among the first and greatest saints who lived in the company of Jesus. Yet she came from a very troubled past. We are told that Jesus cast …
Saint Lawrence of Brindisi (1559-1619)
Saint Lawrence of Brindisi was born in 1559 in Brindisi, Kingdom of Naples, and died exactly 60 years later, on his birthday in 1619. Born to successful merchants who died while Saint Lawrence was young, he was raised and educated …
Saint Apollinaris (1st century)
Tradition teaches that Saint Apollinaris was sent to Ravenna by Saint Peter to preach the gospel. The pagans of the city were angered at Saint Apollinaris and allegedly attacked him before expelling him from the city. He then preached in …
Saint Justa (d.287)
Saint Justa and her sister, Saint Rufina, earned their living by selling pottery. One day, they received a very large order for pottery from a wealthy customer. The sisters discovered that the pots would be used for pagan rituals, and …
Saint Bruno of Segni (d.1123)
Saint Bruno joined the Benedictines when he was a young man. He was appointed Bishop of Segni by Pope Saint Gregory VII. Saint Bruno was a great defender of orthodox Church wisdom and ardently fought against simony and lay investiture. …
Saint Francis Solano (1549-1610)
Saint Francis Solano was born in Spain in 1549. He came from a prominent family and, as a student, once broke up a deadly duel. At the age of 20, Saint Francis joined the Franciscans, studied philosophy and theology, and …
Saint Marie Magdalen Postel (1756-1846)
Saint Marie Magdalen Postel was born in Barfleur, France. She established a school for young girls in her hometown when she was just 18 years old. When the school closed due to the French Revolution, Marie used the school building …
Saint Bonaventure (1221-1274)
Saint Bonaventure was born in 1221 in Italy. He was a prominent theologian and bishop and is now a Doctor of the Church. As a young child, Bonaventure was cured of a fatal illness through prayers to Saint Francis of …
Saint Camillus of Lellis (1550-1614)
Saint Camillus of Lellis was a big, burly man. He was "hasty of temper," and such a ferocious and bad gambler that he eventually lost everything he owned and had to go to work digging ditches and building houses. From …
Saint Henry II (972-1024)
Saint Henry II was born in 972 and was Holy Roman Emperor, King of the Germans, and King of Italy. He fought many battles and quelled many rebellions, and assisted Pope Benedict XIII in subduing uprisings in Rome. His ultimate …
Sts. John Jones and John Wall (c.1530-1598; 1620-1679)
John Jones was born during the murderous reign of Queen Elizabeth, who despised Catholics and sought to remove all remnants of Catholicism from England. As a young man, Saint John traveled to France to take his vows as a Franciscan. …
Saint Benedict of Nursia (c.480-547)
Much of what we know about Saint Benedict comes from legends, and their accuracy is debated by scholars. Legend holds that he was born in the mountains northeast of Rome, and that he fled the eternal city as a young …
Saint Veronica Giuliani (1660-1727)
Saint Veronica exhibited tremendous holiness and understanding, even as a young child. She regularly set aside portions of her food and clothes to give to the needy, and once, at only 18 months of age, reprimanded a dishonest shop owner. …
Sts. Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions (17th-20th centuries)
Between 1648 and 1930, 87 Chinese-born Catholics and 33 non-Chinese-born Catholics, mostly priests and women religious, were martyred by Chinese authorities. Many died during the Boxer Rebellion, in which Chinese citizens afraid of Catholic influence murdered thousands of Christians. The …
Sts. Gregory Grassi and Companions (d.1900)
In the late 1800s, Russia, France, Britain and Germany forced China to relinquish large portions of its territory. This heightened already powerful xenophobic elements in Chinese culture and resulted in an intense hatred of foreigners. Among others, missionaries became targets …
Saint Odo of Urgell (d.1122)
Saint Odo of Urgell was born into a noble family in Barcelona, Spain. He was a soldier in his early years, but gave his position up when he felt called to religious life. Odo was selected as Bishop of Urgell, …
Saint Maria Goretti (1890-1902)
Saint Maria Goretti was fatally wounded while fending off a rapist at the age of 12. She was born in Italy to a peasant family that was too poor to send the children to school. Maria never had the chance …
Saint Anthony Zaccaria (1502-1539)
Saint Anthony Zaccaria was born in Italy to a wealthy family. His father died when he was only two, and his mother, then only 18 years old, dedicated her life to raising and religiously educating her only son, Anthony. While …
Saint Elizabeth of Portugal (1271-1336)
Saint Elizabeth, born in 1271, is usually pictured with a dove or an olive branch in her hand, both symbols of peace. Elizabeth was the daughter of the king of Aragon. As a young person, she learned self-discipline and acquired …
Saint Thomas the Apostle (1st century)
Saint Thomas was one of Jesus' Twelve Apostles. He is perhaps most known for the following remark: “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into …
Saint Oliver Plunkett (1629-1681)
Saint Oliver Plunkett was born in Ireland in 1629 and educated for the priesthood in Rome. Ordained in 1654, Saint Oliver remained in Rome for a few years, working with the poor and teaching. He was then appointed as Archbishop …
Saint Gall (550-646)
Saint Gall was a well-known Irish missionary and a friend of Saint Columban. He was taught by Saints Columban and Comgall, and was one of the 12 who went with Saint Columban to proclaim the Good News in France. He …
Saint Bertrand of Le Mans (d.623)
Saint Bertrand was the Archdeacon of Paris and worked at the city's Cathedral School. He was later appointed Bishop of Le Mans, France. Bertrand was celebrated for the generosity and kindness that he showed to the poor. He established a …
Saint Peter (1st century)
Simon Peter came from obscurity to become one of our greatest saints and our first pope. He came from the village of Bethsaida, in the outback region of Galilee. He and his brother Andrew were humble fishermen when Jesus called …
Saint Irenaeus (c.130-c.202)
Saint Irenaeus was a second-century bishop in what is now Lyons, France. As a prolific writer, he was a key figure in the many controversies that developed as the early Church sought to clarify her Trinitarian faith. His most famous …
Saint Cyril of Alexandria (c.376-444)
Saint Cyril of Alexandria was born around 376 in Egypt. His uncle was the powerful Patriarch of Alexandria. Cyril received an unparalleled education in grammar, rhetoric and theology. After his uncle's death, Cyril became the Patriarch, or Pope, of Alexandria, …
Saint Anthelm (1107-1178)
Saint Anthlem was a priest who got entangled in Church politics. He pursued positions of authority to increase his own power, not to serve his people more effectively. When he visited the Carthusians, his views on what power meant changed, …
Saint William of Vercelli (1085-1142)
Saint William of Vercelli was orphaned as a baby and brought up by relatives. He decided to devote his life to God after he completed a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain at the age of 14. He lived …
Saint Rumold (d.775)
Saint Rumold was a monk in Ireland who was later appointed a bishop of Rome. He was martyred by two men whom he had criticized for their unrepentant sinful ways. Some remember Rumold as a bishop of Dublin and the …
Saint John Fisher (1469-1535)
Saint John Fisher was an academic who was associated with the intellectuals and politicians of his time. He acted as chancellor at the University of Cambridge in England and was elected bishop. John's scholarly background helped mold him into a …
Saint Thomas More (1478-1535)
Saint Thomas More is perhaps the most famous English saint because of the play and subsequent movie based on his life, A Man for All Seasons. Thomas More was an educated man who was also deeply religious. He considered becoming …
Saint Aloysius Gonzaga (1568-1591)
Saint Aloysius Gonzaga was born to a wealthy Italian family in the late 1500s. Inspired by the lives of the saints and his love of prayer, Aloysius gave up a life of luxury and comfort to join the Society of …
Saint John of Pulsano (d.1139)
Saint John of Pulsano joined the Benedictines, but was disliked by his brothers because of his rigid severity and discipline. They thought that John was trying to outdo them or make them look bad to others. John left his monastery …
Saint Romuald (c.951-1027)
Saint Romuald felt a calling deep in his heart to live virtuously, but ignored the call in his youth. He spent many years devoted to the world and its pleasures. However, his life changed forever when he witnessed his father …
Saint Elizabeth of Schonau (c.1130-1164)
Saint Elizabeth of Schonau was brought up in a Benedictine monastery from the age of 12. She saw the monastery as her home and took her vows. Elizabeth was gifted with visions, prayerful ecstasies and prophecies, and she waged a …
Saint Teresa of Portugal (d.1250)
Saint Teresa was the daughter of the king of Portugal. She married her cousin and they lived happily, with the blessing of many children. After several years, their marriage was proclaimed invalid because the two were so closely related and …
Saint Lutgardis (1182-1246)
Saint Lutgardis never wanted to enter a convent. However, her supposed vocation in life of marriage and children changed when her dowry was lost in a bad business deal. Since her parents didn't think they could marry her off without …
Saint Germaine of Pibrac (1579-1601)
Saint Germaine of Pibrac was born with a withered hand. She was desperately poor, growing up on a farm in the French countryside. She was mistreated by her stepmother, fed on scraps, and forced to sleep in the stable. She …
Saint Joseph the Hymnographer (810-886)
Saint Joseph the Hymnographer was born in Sicily in 830, but had to flee his homeland due to an Arab invasion. He entered the monastery of Studium in Constantinople, but was again forced to flee when the iconoclast persecution broke …
Saint Anthony of Padua (1195-1231)
“Saint Anthony, Saint Anthony, please come around. Something is lost and needs to be found.” You might hear this rhyme when someone has lost something, like car keys. That’s because Saint Anthony of Padua is the patron saint of searchers …
Saint John of Sahagun (1419-1479)
Saint John of Sahagun was a priest, spiritual advisor, scholar, and preacher. He became an Augustinian friar and had prayerful visions, performed miracles, and had the gift of reading souls. He publicly denounced evil actions, which angered some townsfolk who …
Saint Barnabas (1st century)
Although Saint Barnabas was not one of the original Twelve Apostles, he became friends with Saint Paul and is considered an honorary Apostle. He was originally called Joseph, but was given the name Barnabas by the other Apostles, which means …
Saint Landericus (d.661)
Saint Landericus's deep love for God and the poor guided every action in his life. He was elected Bishop of Paris, and worked very hard to improve the lives of the poor in his diocese. He sold all of his …
Saint Ephrem (c.306-373)
Saint Ephrem was born around the year 306 and died in 373 at Edessa, called Urfa today, in Iraq. He was a famous theologian and writer, but he is best known for his musical writings--hymns, songs, and homilies--written to be …
Saint William of York (d.1154)
Saint William of York was born into a wealthy and powerful family in 12th-century England. It seemed like he would have an easy road to greatness, but family conflicts complicated things. William was appointed Archbishop of York. However, the joy …
Saint Gottschalk (d.1066)
Saint Gottschalk was a Christian prince of Wends, but he turned his back on his religion when his father was murdered by a Christian Saxon. Gottschalk spent some time serving in the army of Canute of Denmark. He became a …
Saint Norbert (1080-1134)
Saint Norbert of the Rhineland was knocked off his horse and had an epiphany. He "became a sincere penitent, gave away all of his property to the poor, established the Order of Premonstratensians, and accepted the dignity of the Archbishop." …
Saint Boniface (c.680-754)
Saint Boniface was a Benedictine monk from England who gave up being an abbot to work to convert the Germanic tribes. He was well-known for his orthodoxy to the Christian faith and his loyalty to the pope of Rome. When …
Saint Francis Caracciolo (1563-1608)
Saint Francis Caracciolo had a rare skin disease that resembled leprosy. When he was ordained a priest, the mysterious condition went away. He joined the White Robes of Justice, who ministered to condemned prisoners. He was mistakenly contacted by John …
Saint Kevin (c.498-618)
Saint Kevin's name in Gaelic was Coemgen, and he founded a monastery in the little valley called Glendalough. There are many stories of Kevin, perhaps the most famous of which is of a blackbird laying eggs in his hand. Kevin's …
Sts. Marcellinus and Peter (d.304)
Saint Marcellinus was a priest and Saint Peter was an exorcist. They were imprisoned for their Christian faith under the persecution of Diocletian, but did not lose their hope or zeal. In fact, they used their time in jail to …
Saint Justin Martyr (c.100-165)
Saint Justin was on a never-ending quest for religious truth. He was a pagan philosopher who converted to Christianity through Scripture study and witnessing the bravery and unwavering faith of martyrs. Justin found that Christianity answered questions about life better …
Saint Mechtildis (d.1160)
Saint Mechtildis was the daughter of a count and countess. Her parents built a monastery on their estate in Bavaria and placed Mechtildis there at the age of five. She became a Benedictine nun and was eventually appointed abbess. The …
Saint Joan of Arc (1412-1431)
Joan of Arc, while still in her teens, was burned at the stake because of her faith in God. She had been born into a peasant family in France, and was a child at the time of the Hundred Years' …
Saint Ursula Ledóchowska (1865-1939)
Today's saint began life as Julia, but took the name Ursula after becoming an Ursuline nun. She founded the Ursulines of the Sacred Heart, or Gray Ursulines, in 1906. Ursula translated and published a Finnish catechism, and relocated to Rome …
Saint Bernard of Montjoux (923-1008)
Saint Bernard of Montjoux was ordained a priest and spent over four decades doing missionary work in the Alps. He constructed schools, churches, and two hospices to help lost travelers. The men who ran the hospices became Augustinian canons regular …
Saint Augustine of Canterbury (d.605)
Saint Augustine of Canterbury and 40 monks were sent by Pope Saint Gregory the Great to spread the Good News to the Anglo-Saxons in England. When they heard of the ferocity of the Anglo-Saxons, they returned to Rome to seek …
Saint Philip Neri (1515-1595)
As a youth, Saint Philip Neri was instructed in the humanities by the Dominicans. When a family member was struggling with his business, Philip moved to San Germano to help him. While there, Philip would often disappear to a Dominican …
Saint Bede the Venerable (672-735)
Saint Bede was raised in the abbey of Saints Peter and Paul at Wearmouth-Jarrow in England. He became a Benedictine monk, and was a famous teacher and author. He was known as one of the most learned men of his …
Saint Vincent of Lerins (d.445)
Saint Vincent of Lerins was a soldier, but felt called to become a monk. He entered a monastery on the coast of southern France and was later ordained. His most famous written work is the Commonitorium, which determined between true …
Saint Julia (fifth century)
Saint Julia was born to a noble family in northern Africa. When she was a young girl, her city was taken over by barbarians. Julia was captured by the conquerors and sold as a slave to a pagan merchant. She …
Saint Rita of Cascia (1381-1457)
Saint Rita of Cascia showed an interest in religious life as a young woman, but was betrothed instead, at the wish of her parents. Rita bore her husband twin sons, but he was a violent and cruel man. Even though …
Saint Cristóbal Magallanes Jara (1869-1927)
Saint Cristóbal Magallanes lived at a time when there was a very anti-Catholic government in Mexico. The government had forced churches, schools, and seminaries to close. They also banished the foreign clergy. Cristóbal established a secret seminary in Jalisco. He …
Saint Bernardino of Siena (1380-1444)
Saint Bernardino was a Franciscan who was a great preacher, traveling from town to town on foot, often preaching for hours to great crowds. He was a leader of his order and established schools of theology for his monks. Even …
Saint Theophilus of Corte (d.1740)
Saint Theophilus was born in Corte, Italy, and given the name Biagio Arrighi. When he as a young man he felt called to enter religious life and joined the Franciscans, taking the name Theophilus. He exhibited a great passion for …
Saint John I (d.526)
Saint John I was elected pope at a time when Italy's ruler, Theodoric the Goth, supported the Arian heresy. However, Theodoric tolerated Catholics during his reign. Theodoric underwent a change though, and became suspicious of everyone, visualizing plots to seize …
Saint Paschal Baylon (1540-1592)
Saint Paschal Baylon was born to humble and pious peasants. From a young age, he showed a great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. As a lad, he worked as a shepherd. He was extremely honest, even offering to compensate owners …
Saint Brendan (d.577)
Saint Brendan was from Tralee, on the west coast of Ireland. Brendan famously sailed with 60 of his friends in tiny boats to find the Isles of the Blessed in the roaring Atlantic Ocean. Scholars now think that Brendan actually …
Saint Hallvard (c.1020-c.1043)
Saint Hallvard was a brave young man of faith--both faith in God and faith in innocence. One day Hallvard was preparing to cross a fjord in a boat, when a woman falsely accused of theft ran up to him. Hallvard …
Saint Matthias (1st century)
For years Matthias followed Jesus. He was with him from the time John the Baptist baptized Jesus until Jesus ascended into heaven. It wasn’t until after the Ascension that the Apostles selected him to replace Judas. (Taken from "Take Ten: …
Saint John the Silent (454-558)
When Saint John the Silent's parents died, he used his inheritance to construct the Church of the Most Holy Mother of God. By the time he reached 20, he had established a monastery for himself and 10 of his young …
Saint Epiphanius of Salamis (c.310-403)
Saint Epiphanius of Salamis was a man of many and great accomplishments. He was the founder of a Christian monastery while still very young, and served as abbot at that monastery for 30 years. He was then elected bishop in …
Saint Ignatius of Laconi (1701-1781)
Saint Ignatius of Laconi was born to a poor farm family. At 17, he became severely ill. He made a promise to God that, if he was cured, he would devote his life to being a Franciscan. He was cured, …
Saint Damien Joseph de Veuster of Moloka'i (1840-1889)
Damien was a farm boy in Belgium who had to quit school as a teenager. Eventually he became a priest and volunteered to go to a remote island in Hawaii where people with the terrible disease of leprosy were isolated. …
Saint Catherine of Bologna (1413-1463)
Saint Catherine was born in Bologna, Italy. She had a great love for the arts. Her noble lineage allowed her to be educated at court, where she became interested in painting. After her education, Catherine joined the Poor Clares. She …
Saint Peter of Tarentaise (1102-1175)
Saint Peter was the abbot at a Cistercian monastery. He replaced a very corrupt bishop when he was appointed archbishop of Tarentaise. He accepted his new position with enthusiasm and eagerness. Peter reformed his archdiocese, replaced corrupt clergy, and ministered …
Saint Rose Venerini (1656-1728)
Saint Rose Venerini was engaged to be married, but joined a convent upon the death of her fiance. Shortly thereafter, her father also passed away, and Rose returned home to comfort and care for her mother. While at home, Rose …
Saint Eadbert (d.698)
Saint Eadbert lived as a monk at Lindisfarne Abbey in Ireland. The other monks admired his deep personal holiness, vast knowledge of the Bible, and charity towards the poor. In fact, Eadbert gave the poor one-tenth of his possessions each …
Saint Hilary of Arles (d.449)
Saint Hilary of Arles was born into an aristocratic family. He had a tough decision to make: strive for a secular career or enter into religious life. With the persuasion and guidance of a family member, Saint Honoratus, Hilary chose …
Saint Florian (d.304)
Saint Florian was an officer in the Roman army. He was a Christian, but kept his faith a secret for fear of persecution. Even though he kept it hidden, Florian's faith was so strong that he saved an entire town …
Saint Philip (1st century)
Saint Philip was one of the Twelve Apostles. He is said to have been young and shy, but practical as well. He was with Jesus when he performed the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. He was …
Saint Athanasius (c.297-373)
Saint Athanasius was one of the Church's most dedicated soldiers against Arianism. His strong defense against this heresy did not sit well with some, and he was sent into exile five times. However, Athanasius kept persevering for what he knew …
Saint Joseph the Worker (1st century)
Saint Joseph was the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. Joseph was a just and compassionate man, and protected Mary from shame when he discovered that she was pregnant, even though he did not understand that …
Saint Pius V (1504-1572)
Saint Pius V was elected pope in 1566. During his papacy, he was given the arduous task of reforming and reuniting a shaken and scattered Church. The Church had been badly beaten and bruised by corruption, the Reformation, the threat …
Saint Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)
Catherine of Siena lived during a time of conflict between dozens of Italian city-states as well as a time of leadership problems in the Church. She mediated between warring cities, ministered to sick people, and was a mystic, someone unusually …
Saint Zita (1212-1272)
Saint Zita "showed a marked tendency to do God's will whenever it was pointed out to her by her mother." She was a maid for 50 years in a weaver's house in Lucca, and gave away her food and the …
Saint Richarius (d.645)
Saint Richarius was born a pagan, but converted to Christianity after boarding two Irish missionaries who were in hiding from non-Christian townsfolk. After his conversion, Richarius was ordained a priest and traveled across the country spreading the Good News of …
Saint Mark (1st century)
Mark was a disciple of Saint Peter. An early Church tradition says that Mark wrote the earliest Gospel, a Gospel full of little details that the author may have learned from Peter. Peter’s first epistle reminds us to not be …
Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen (1577-1622)
Today's saint began life as Mark Roy, a philosophy teacher and lawyer. He became disenchanted with the corruption of the legal system and became a priest. He joined the Capuchin branch of the Franciscans and changed his name to Fidelis. …
Saint George (d.303)
Saint George has a very famous and fanciful legend associated with him. The legend goes that Saint George, a Christian knight, came upon the town of Sylene while on a quest for adventure. When he arrived in the town, he …
Saint Opportuna (d.770)
Saint Opportuna was born near Hyesmes, Normandy. Her brother, Saint Chrodegang, became the bishop of Seez. Opportuna felt God's call to enter religious life and joined a Benedictine convent at Monteuil. Opportuna lived a life of great humility, obedience, prayer, …
Saint Anselm (1033-1109)
Even though Saint Anselm brushed religion aside as a young man, he embraced it in his later years. He became one of the Church's most important theologians and leaders. He was named "Father of Scholasticism" for trying to examine and …
Saint Agnes of Montepulciano (1268-1317)
Saint Agnes entered the convent of Montepulciano at the age of nine, after badgering her parents for admittance from the time she was six. When Agnes's spiritual advisor was appointed abbess at Procena, she brought Agnes with her to her …
Saint Leo IX (1002-1054)
Legend tells us that when Saint Leo IX was born he was covered with small red cross markings. It is believed that he had these markings because his mother fervently meditated on the Passion while she was pregnant. Leo was …
Saint Galdinus (d.1176)
Saint Galdinus was the archdeacon to Archbishop Hubert of Milan in the 12th century. Galdinus stood by the pope of Rome during the schism of 1159. He was forced into exile when Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa sacked the city in …
Saint Stephen Harding (d.1134)
Saint Stephen Harding was placed in an abbey when he was a young boy, but left it to pursue the life of a traveling scholar. He believed that God wanted him to establish a monastery, and eventually founded one with …
Saint Bernadette Soubirous (1844-1879)
Most people recognize Saint Bernadette for the 18 apparitions of Mary she witnessed as an adolescent in Lourdes, France, in 1858. The visions are an important part of her faith story, but she was not canonized for seeing apparitions alone. …
Saint Hunna (d.679)
Not much is known about Saint Hunna. In fact, some say that her name is Huva. She was born in the seventh century in Alsace. She was the daughter of a duke, and she married a nobleman. Hunna was an …
Saint Benezet (d.1184)
Saint Benezet was a shepherd by trade, but was called by God to do something very different with his life. During an eclipse, he heard a voice from above requesting that he build a bridge over the Rhone River in …
Saint Martin I (d.655)
Saint Martin I became pope at a time when the emperor and patriarch of Constantinople closely cooperated with each other. This support often fueled the struggles that were going on within the Church. A teaching that enjoyed strong support in …
Saint Teresa of the Andes (1900-1920)
From a young age, Saint Teresa showed a great devotion to Christ. Inspired by the autobiography of Saint Thérèse de Lisieux, she became a Carmelite nun at Los Andes in 1919. Teresa found great joy in her simple lifestyle and …
Saint Stanislaus (1030-1079)
Saint Stanislaus was born into a noble family near Krakow, Poland. When his parents passed away, Stanislaus gave away his inheritance to the poor. Stanislaus soon became a noted preacher and a popular spiritual advisor. He was an effective reformer …
Saint Bademus (d.376)
Saint Bademus was a wealthy Persian noble. He founded a monastery in Bethlapeta, Persia, on his estates. He practiced numerous penances and spent many nights in prayer. Bademus, along with seven other monks of the monastery, were incarcerated for their …
Saint Casilda (d.1050)
Saint Casilda was the daughter of a Muslim leader in Toledo, Spain. Even though she was brought up in the Muslim religion, Casilda showed a special compassion for Christian prisoners. When she became ill, she did not believe that any …
Saint Julie Billiart (1751-1816)
Saint Julie Billiart was poorly educated, compared to other school children, but was highly educated in her Christian faith. She had her catechism memorized by the time she was seven years old. Instead of running around and playing, Julie spent …
Saint John Baptist de La Salle (1651-1719)
Saint John Baptist de La Salle was born to a wealthy family in northern France at a time when education was reserved for the rich. He was ordained a priest in 1678, and got involved in teaching almost by chance. …
Saint William of Eskilsoe (c.1125-1203)
Saint William of Eskilsoe was a renowned reformer and missionary. He was born in Saint-Germain, France, and acted as a canon at the Church of Saint Genevieve in Paris. William's reputation for holiness and discipline was so well known that …
Saint Vincent Ferrer (c.1350-1419)
Saint Vincent Ferrer joined the Dominican Order in Spain at the age of 19. A bright student, he was ordained into the priesthood and became prior of his Dominican house in Valencia. Vincent was alive during a troublesome time for …
Saint Isidore of Seville (c.560-636)
Saint Isidore of Seville is celebrated as a bright scholar, but he hated schoolwork as a young man. One day, he noticed a timeworn stone well. He observed the grooves worn into the walls of the well by the persistent …
Saint Agape (d.304)
Saint Agape, along with her sisters Saint Chionia and Saint Irene, was accused of possessing sacred scriptural texts during the persecution of Emperor Diocletian. At the time, possessing these materials was a crime punishable by death. During their trial, the …
Saint Francis of Paola (1416-1507)
Saint Francis made pilgrimages to Rome and Assisi in his teens. He was so inspired by these trips that he became a hermit, living in a cave near Paola, Italy. Before he turned 20, he already had many followers. His …
Saint Hugh of Grenoble (1052-1132)
Saint Hugh was a very devout Christian who became the bishop of Grenoble, France. Hugh's first few years as bishop were not easy. He had to deal with a lot of corruption in his diocese, including the buying and selling …
Saint Stephen of Mar Saba (d.794)
Saint Stephen of Mar Saba was introduced to the monastic lifestyle at age 10 by his uncle, Saint John Damascene. When he turned 24, Stephen began to serve the monastery by doing a number of jobs. After a time, he …
Saint Peter Regalado (1390-1456)
Saint Peter Regalado was only 13 when he entered the Franciscan Order in his hometown of Valladolid, Spain. After several years, he decided to transfer to the more simplistic and rigorous monastery at Tribulos. While at this monastery, Peter was …
Saint Gwynllyw (450-500)
When Saint Gwynllyw proposed marriage to Saint Gladys, her father was less than enthusiastic. When he refused to allow the union, Gwynllyw kidnapped Gladys and the two became bandits on the run. Eventually, they met a priest who convinced them …
Saint Hesychius of Jerusalem (d.450)
Saint Hesychius of Jerusalem was a priest and monk who penned the history of the Church, which has unfortunately been lost to time. Apart from writing the Church's history, Hesychius also documented many major issues of his time, including the …
Saint John of Egypt (304-394)
Saint John of Egypt devoted himself to a life of prayer and meditation as a hermit. He lived the majority of his life in a small, walled-up cell. He was as strict with his diet as he was with his …
Saint Braulio (590-651)
Saint Braulio was a bright scholar who was educated at the college in Seville, Spain, which was founded by Saint Isidore. He and Isidore became good friends and they collaborated together to pen the Etymologies. Braulio was also an advisor …
Saint Dismas (1st century)
Saint Dismas was one of the thieves who was crucified alongside Jesus. The other crucified thief is traditionally known as Gestas. Dismas is known as the "Good Thief" because he reprimanded Gestas for a rude comment that he made to …
Saint Catherine of Sweden (1331-1381)
Saint Catherine of Sweden was one of eight children. Her mother was Saint Bridget of Sweden. She had an arranged marriage at the age of 13 to a religious German noble. On their wedding night, both Catherine and her husband …
Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo (1538-1606)
Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo was a brilliant lawyer, scholar, and professor. When the archdiocese of Lima, Peru, needed a new bishop, Turibius was chosen to fill the position. Even though he was a layman, he possessed the holiness and personal …
Saint Nicholas Owen (d.1606)
Saint Nicholas Odoenus, or Nicholas the Builder, is legendary even now after four centuries for his extraordinary skill in building hiding places for priests during the worst savagery of anti-Catholicism in England under the dreaded Penal Laws (which bloodied Ireland …
Saint Nicholas of Flue (1417-1487)
Saint Nicholas of Flue was born in 1417 and was a soldier. At age 30 he married, and he and his wife, Dorothy, had 10 children. At age 50 he told his wife that he had heard God's call to …
Saint Cuthbert (c.636-687)
Saint Cuthbert was orphaned at a young age, worked as a shepherd, possibly engaged in battle against the Mercians, and became a monk at Melrose Abbey in Scotland. He engaged in missionary work and activities that attracted large crowds. When …
Saint Joseph the Husband of Mary (1st century)
Saint Joseph was the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. Joseph was a just and compassionate man, and protected Mary from shame when he discovered that she was pregnant, even though he did not understand that …
Saint Cyril of Jerusalem (c.315-386)
Saint Cyril, the archbishop of Jerusalem, was caught up in a heated controversy. He was accused of insubordination and selling Church property, even though he used the money to assist the poor. Even though helping the poor is very important, …
Saint Patrick (389-c.461)
Saint Patrick is one of the world's most popular saints. Saint Patrick was born in Roman Britain around the year 389. At age 16 he was captured by Irish pirates and kept as a slave for six years. While herding …
Saint Julian of Antioch (d.305)
Saint Julian of Antioch was born in what is today Turkey. He was a high-ranking Christian during the persecutions of Diocletian. He was arrested and exhibited in neighboring cities. He was publicly tortured to influence Christians to renounce their faith. …
Saint Louise de Marillac (1591-1660)
Saint Louise de Marillac felt called to become a nun, but was advised by her confessor to marry instead. Louise was happily married for 12 years before her husband fell ill and died. She and her husband had one child, …
Saint Leobinus (d.558)
Saint Leobinus was a hard worker who yearned for knowledge. The son of peasants, Leobinus worked in the fields as a youth. Yearning to quench his thirst for knowledge, he traveled to a monastery at Noailles, France, where he worked …
Saint Euphrasia (380-410)
Saint Euphrasia was born into the Roman nobility. When her father died, she and her mother became charges of the emperor. When she was five years old, Euphrasia was betrothed. Shortly after her betrothal, she and her mother moved to …
Saint Maximilian of Theveste (d.296)
Maximilian was the son of a Roman soldier. At age 21 he was brought to court and ordered to be enrolled as a soldier--such was the law of the empire. "I refuse to accept military service," he said. "My army …
Saint Aengus (d.824)
Saint Aengus lived the solitary and prayerful life of a hermit near the river Nore. It is said that he spoke with angels on the bank of the river. Word of Aengus's holiness spread and he was soon bombarded with …
Saint John Ogilvie (1579-1615)
Saint John Ogilvie converted to the Catholic faith when he was 17. He joined the Jesuit order and became a missionary in Scotland, despite heavy persecution. John enjoyed a great deal of success in bringing people back to the faith. …
Saint Frances of Rome (1384-1440)
Saint Frances, a wealthy young woman, had many responsibilities as a wife and mother. But when the plague struck Rome, she used all her money and sold her possessions to buy whatever the sick needed. In its cruelty, the sickness …
Saint John of God (1495-1550)
Saint John of God was a very enthusiastic person. When he got an idea in his head, he acted on it in a big way. John stopped practicing his Christian faith during a stint with the military. Once he realized …
Sts. Perpetua and Felicity (d.203)
Saint Paul urged the Philippians not to worry over the things that make us anxious, but rather to rejoice and let God’s peace fill us. Two early Christian women, Perpetua and her slave Felicity, are the ultimate examples of that …
Saint Colette (1380-1447)
Saint Colette was orphaned at age 17. She was called to serve God through religious life and entered the Third Order Rule, where she was appointed anchoress. As anchoress, Colette was enclosed in a small room where the only opening …
Saint John Joseph of the Cross (1654-1739)
Saint John Joseph of the Cross exhibited such strong piety and devotion at a young age that he joined the Franciscans in Naples when he was only 16. His reputation for holiness provoked his superiors to give him the duty …
Saint Casimir (1461-1484)
A teenager leading an army? That is part of the life story of Saint Casimir. He became a conscientious objector after seeing how poorly his soldiers were treated. A serious and prayerful young man, he decided never again to be …
Saint Katharine Drexel (1858-1955)
Katharine Drexel, also known as Mother Drexel, was the daughter of a wealthy Philadelphia banker. She devoted her life and her considerable inherited wealth to serving the poor. At the age of 30, she joined the Sisters of Mercy and …
Saint Agnes of Bohemia (d.1282)
Saint Agnes of Bohemia was born a princess and was related to Saint Elizabeth of Hungary. She decided at a young age that she wanted to enter religious life, but was still promised into many arranged marriages for political reasons. …
Saint David of Wales (520-589)
Saint David of Wales was a priest, missionary, and monk. He established several monasteries and was known for his simple lifestyle. After attending a synod, his fellow monks were so impressed by his expressiveness and clarity that they elected him …
Saint Oswald of Worcester (d.992)
Saint Oswald was the nephew of the archbishop of Canterbury. The archbishop played a crucial role in Oswald's early life, raising and educating him. Oswald decided to travel abroad to France to further his education. While in France, he felt …
Saint Romanus of Condat (d.460)
Saint Romanus felt called to a life of quiet prayer and focused spirituality. At the age of 35, he traveled to the Jura Mountains between Switzerland and France to live as a hermit. He enjoyed his life of quiet solitude, …
Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows (1838-1862)
Gabriel Possenti of Italy was born in 1838 and died in 1862 at only 24 years old. He was a passionate priest who was canonized whirlwindingly soon, comparatively, in 1920. "His devoted life, full of cheerful humility, was ordinary and …
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 …
