In 1859, northeast of Green Bay, Wisconsin, Our Lady of Good Help appeared to a young Belgian woman named Adele Brise. In response to Mary’s call to teach the faith...
In 1531, the Virgin Mary appeared to a Mexican peasant named Juan Diego and asked him to have a church built at the site of the apparition. Seeking proof, Juan...
Our Lady of Kibeho began appearing to several Rwandan girls and women in 1981 at a time of increasing tension between two ethnic groups in the region: the Tutsis and...
At least 15 people saw the exact same thing on the night of August 21, 1879, in the small, suffering Irish village of Knock. Judith Campbell was there and shared...
In the French town of Lourdes, Mary appeared to 14-year-old Bernadette in 1858. The young girl hurried home but was rebuked for lying. Mary asked Bernadette to tell people she...
Our Lady of Mount Carmel is the title for Mary as patroness of the Carmelite Order. The first Carmelites were Christian hermits living on Mount Carmel in Jerusalem 800 years...
The image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help depicts Mary comforting Jesus as he clings to her, frightened at the idea of his crucifixion. The star on Mary's veil reminds...
Under the title “Seat of Wisdom,” Mary is often depicted holding Jesus closely as he rests on her lap. Jesus, the fullness of wisdom, is protected and safe with his...
The beloved title “Our Lady Star of the Sea” has been used for Mary for centuries. In the 1100s, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux wrote: "If the winds of temptation arise;...
"Eve, by her disobedience, tied the knot of disgrace for the human race; whereas Mary, by her obedience, undid it." These words of St. Irenaeus nearly 2,000 years ago resonate...
On March 13, 2013, the new Pope Francis endeared himself to the world, saying in his first speech: "And now I would like to give the blessing. But first, I...
Having grown up on a Kansas farm, Fr. Emil Kapaun’s courage and work ethic were second-to-none. While serving during the Korean War, the popular Army chaplain traveled by jeep and...
The story of St. Abigail is rich with Irish lore and tradition. An angel told her she would find nine deer grazing in the place she was meant to spend...
Often depicted with a lamb (“agnus“ in Latin), Agnes lived around the year 300. The lovely 13-year-old daughter of Roman nobles had several suitors but, having consecrated herself to Christ,...
Born in 741 near Belgium, St. Amelia was preparing to become a nun when she caught the attention of the infamous Charlemagne. Wanting to retain her purity, she once struggled...
Andrew and his brother Peter were fishermen by trade until Jesus visited them on the docks. “Follow me,” Jesus said to them, “And I will make you fishers of men.”...
Anne was the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandmother of Jesus. She played an essential role in Church history; her child was the first person since Adam and...
St. Anthony was a 13th-century member of the Franciscan Order, known for his rich knowledge of Church theology. But even more important was his incredible ability to explain the Faith...
Augustine lived much of his life indulging in worldy pursuits. But in time, through prayer, reflection and study, he admitted his mistakes and wrote to God these words: "Restless is...
In all of history, no one has contributed as much to Western monasticism as St. Benedict. Born in Italy sometime around 480, Benedict founded twelve monasteries before founding the famous...
Bernadette Soubirous was only 14 years old when Our Lady appeared to her at a grotto in Lourdes, France. There, Mary told her to dig a small spring. Young Bernadette...
In the year 1111, Bernard became a Cistercian monk at the age of 20. Confident, bold and outspoken, his influence spread far beyond the monastery. The “honey-tongued” orator settled international...
St. Blaise was a skilled physician who lived in the 4th century. He was well-known for his kindness as well as his passion for treating both people and animals. Blaise...
Brigid lived in the 5th century and from her youngest years showed an interest in religious life. She was inspired by St. Patrick, who had baptized her parents. Brigid founded...
In 1830, Our Lady appeared three times to Catherine Labouré, then a novice with the Daughters of Charity in Paris. She asked Catherine to create a medal depicting one of...
St. Catherine of Alexandria was a princess born in the year 287 in Egypt. During that time, Emperor Maxentius was brutally persecuting Christians. Catherine visited him to denounce his cruelty....
An early follower of Saint Francis of Assisi, Clare is the foundress of an order of nuns known well as the "Poor Clare's." Having heard Francis speak, Clare discovered a...
Born in 1840, Fr. Damien spent the last 16 years of his life on the Hawaiian island of Moloka'i. For decades, authorities used the island to banish anyone found suffering...
Dominic was born in Spain in 1170 and held a deep understanding of the spiritual disciplines. But Dominic saw a need to use those disciplines in a new way to...
Elizabeth Ann Seton was born in 1774 and is the very first American saint. She lived a difficult life of loss and personal challenges, including the death of her husband...
Elizabeth was the daughter of the King of Hungary in the early 13th century. Because of her elite royal status, her peers chastised her for her love of the poor...
In 1931, Jesus appeared to a Polish nun named Sister Faustina. She recounted the event in her diary: “Jesus said to me, ‘Paint an image according to the pattern you...
Florian was a 3rd-century commander in the Roman army. He organized the army's firefighting brigade and personally trained an elite group of firefighters. For refusing to persecute Christians, Florian was...
Following his ordination in 1593, Francis de Sales traveled throughout Switzerland to share the Faith. Hoping to open hearts, he slipped simple pamphlets under doors instead of lecturing people. He...
Born in Assisi, Italy, around the year 1181, Francis was born wealthy but gave away all that he owned to follow Christ in humility. He soon attracted many followers and...
While attending university In the 1530’s, Francis Xavier met and befriended St. Ignatius of Loyola. The two men, along with several others, became the first members of the Society of...
In 1889, amidst the chaos and poverty of an over-populated New York, Mother Frances Cabrini and her sister companions arrived from Italy. They quickly began organizing catechism and language classes...
Gabriel holds a special place in the story of our redemption. It was Gabriel who visited Mary to announce that God had chosen her to be the mother of Jesus....
In the year 430, St. Germain was speaking to a crowd near Paris. He felt inspired by God to call forth a special young girl named Genevieve and asked her...
George was a Christian in the Roman army during the reign of Emperor Diocletian, one of the most violent persecutors of Christians in history. Having ascended in the ranks, George...
A man of deep faith, Gerard Majella passionately vowed obedience to God’s will. As a child, he was surrounded by miracles which grew more intense over time. Gerard was able...
Pope St. Gregory the Great joyfully began his religious life around the year 575 as a Benedictine monk. So, when he was elected pope, Gregory was hesitant to take the...
Enjoying the life among royals as an apprentice in Spain, Ignatius eventually went to war seeking more glory and fame. A serious cannonball injury left him recuperating in a hospital....
St. Irenaeus was born around the year 125 A.D. His passion for spreading the true Christian message - grounded in Scripture and passed down through the Apostles - made him...
As a newly-ordained Jesuit, Isaac Jogues was assigned to the native tribes of Canada in 1636. Though he saw many people turn to Christ, missionaries were not always welcome. In...
After her beloved husband was killed in a hunting accident, Jane Frances de Chantal sought peace and purpose as a Christian mother. She established stability for her children at her...
One of the four Gospel writers, John the apostle has a very special role in Church history. John was the only apostle to stand loyally beneath Christ at the crucifixion....
Born in France in 1651 and considered the founder of Catholic schools, John Baptist de La Salle is the patron saint of teachers and principals. Through his generous spirit and...