As a boy, John Bosco would juggle and do magic tricks for his peers. Having captured their attention, he would use the opportunity to share a sermon he had heard...
St. John Neumann was born in Central Europe in 1811. He moved to New York and was ordained a priest at the age of 25, joined the Redemptorists at 29,...
The Bible tells us that John "leapt for joy” in his mother’s womb when news arrived that Mary was to give birth to Jesus. Thirty years later, living on the...
From a young age, John Vianney felt called to the priesthood. But with little formal education, he struggled in his studies. John hired a tutor, worked hard and was eventually...
In 1927, Catholic Mexico was suffering from extreme religious persecution. Soldiers of faith, known as Cristeros, took up arms in defense of their faith and families. After begging to join...
Josemaria Escriva was a priest from Spain. In 1928, he founded Opus Dei, an institution of the Catholic Church which emphasizes that all of us are called to sainthood and...
Josephine Bakhita was born in 1869 in Sudan. As a child, she was kidnapped, enslaved, sold, tortured and humiliated. Eventually, a master moved her to Italy. There Josephine met the...
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...
St. Jude was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus (not to be confused with Judas). His writings are even part of the New Testament. Jude is known best as...
Junípero Serra was an 18th-century Franciscan priest and a driving force in the Spanish colonization of what is now the state of California. Even more importantly, he was a passionate...
Often referred to as the Lily of the Mohawks, St. Kateri was born in 1656, the daughter of a Native American warrior. She was baptized at the age of 20...
In 1858, Katharine Drexel was born into a wealthy Philadelphia family. The loving family prayed daily and provided food, clothing and rent to those in need. Katharine’s devotion to the...
Born in France in 1844, St. Leonie Aviat co-founded, alongside Blessed Louis Brisson, a religious congregation focused on outreach to young factory workers who needed homes, education and support with...
Born in the Philippines around 1600, Lorenzo Ruiz was the son of a Chinese father and a Filipino mother. A gifted altar server and calligrapher, Lorenzo was also a member...
Born in France, St. Louis de Montfort became a priest in 1700. He was an amazing preacher who traveled far and wide, inspiring others to follow the example of loving...
Louis, King of France, was crowned at the young age of 12 and married at 19. He focused heavily on the less fortunate by founding hospitals, caring for the sick...
Louise de Marillac was born into a wealthy French family in 1591. Though She pondered religious life, Louise married, had a son and lived a happy life. After 12 years...
One of the four Gospel writers, Luke is known for his impressive writing skills which probably stemmed from his education. Luke was a physician by trade and a friend of...
Born in Italy in 1890, Maria Goretti was only 11 years old when she was attacked by her neighbor. After pleading more for his soul than her own safety, Maria...
One of the four Gospel writers, Mark is believed by some to have been present during many of the New Testament’s events because of unique details like “green grass” in...
Martin de Porres was born in Lima, Peru, the son of a Spanish nobleman and black former slave. He became a Dominican friar at a young age and was known...
Mary Magdalene is infamous for her name as well as her possibly checkered past. What many people do not know about Mary Magdalene is that she was present at the...
Mary MacKillop co-founded Australia's first order of nuns, the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart, in 1866. The sisters stared their work in a converted stable, providing free...
One of the four Gospel writers, Matthew was also one of the original twelve apostles. He was a tax collector, a job that made many question his integrity. When Jesus...
In 1941, Father Maximilian Kolbe was arrested by the Nazis and placed in the Auschwitz concentration camp. When ten men were chosen to die one day, Kolbe volunteered to replace...
What we know of Saint Michael, we know from Scripture: "Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought...
Monica's husband, Patricius, and her son, Augustine, amended their scandalous lives and converted to Christianity after years and years of Monica's patient prayer and example. She is a source of...
Moses the Black is probably one of the most dynamic and exciting saints of all time! This knife-wielding bandit terrorized northeast Africa with his tribe of felons until, while seeking...
Born as an answer to his mother’s prayers, Nicholas demonstrated saintliness at an early age and later joined the Augustinian Friars. He was devoted to the poor, sick and dying...
Around the end of the 7th century, Odilia of Alsace was born blind. Because of her afflication, she was rejected by her father, a French duke, and sent to live...
St. Olaf was King of Norway from 1015 to 1028. He reigned during a particularly harsh and brutal time and led with the Viking principles of courage, aggression, preparation, shrewdness...
Padre Pio, born Francesco Forgione in 1887, was the son of poor Italian farmers. He became a Capuchin priest in 1910 and in 1918 received the visible marks of Christ...
Originally from Scotland, Patrick was kidnapped and enslaved at only 14. He was taken to Ireland to work as a shepherd. In the fields his faith grew immensely. He later...
Paul is one of the most significant figures in all of Christian history. Once a vicious persecutor of Christians, Paul was thrown from his horse as God commanded him to...
Born in the 13th century, Peregrine lived a life of great charity with a deep love of penance. The holy saint was miraculously healed of cancer a day before his...
Peter, a simple fisherman by trade, was far from perfect. The saying "ye of little faith" stems from St. Peter's distrust when Jesus invited him to walk on water. It...
The archangel Raphael’s name is likely derived from the Hebrew words for “medicine doctor” and “God heals the soul.” Both of these translations are appropriate because Raphael’s healing mission is...
Rita was forced into an arranged marriage with a mean-spirited man. Through her love, patience and prayer, he repented but soon after was murdered. Their two sons wanted revenge. Rita's love...
Sebastian was a Roman soldier around the year 275. Because his Christian faith was forbidden, Sebastian was tied to a tree, shot full of arrows, and left for dead. He...
Teresa was born in Spain in the early 1500’s. Like many teenage girls, she loved fashion, boys and dreaming about the world outside. This same passion inspired her to follow...
Thomas More was a very famous English lawyer and the personal councillor to King Henry VIII during the early 1500’s. He passionately opposed the king’s vision of reformation in the...
Valentine was a Roman priest of the early Christian church around the year 300. During that time, Christianity was outlawed and Valentine was known for secretly performing Christian weddings in...
Born in France, St. Vincent de Paul was a priest known for his compassion, humility and generosity. At the age of 24, he was kidnapped by pirates and spent two...
Louis and Zélie Martin married in the year 1858. Louis was a watchmaker, Zélie owned a lace business, and love radiated within their home in Alençon, France. But the Martins...
Fulton J. Sheen was an American bishop known for his charistmatic preaching style and his work on television and radio. Sheen was a brilliant Christian theologian with a strong grasp...
Throw the most beautiful Baptism party ever or use for a baby shower! In the rite of Baptism, it is said "Parents and godparents, this light is entrusted to you to...