Known also as Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Edith Stein was a brilliant German teacher and advocate of women in education, society and the Church during the difficult times...
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....
Gemma Galgani was born in 1878 in Italy. Following the death of her mother, young Gemma longed for Heaven and therefore cherished the sacraments. She had visions of Jesus, Mary...
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...
Born in 1922, St. Gianna Beretta Molla was an Italian pediatrician, wife and mother who refused to abort her unborn child, despite knowing that the complicated pregnancy could result in...
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...
James and his brother John were working by the seashore when Jesus called them to be apostles. James followed faithfully, even to martyrdom. His remains rest in the Spanish city...
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...
Born a peasant in what is now eastern France, Joan of Arc cut her hair short to blend into and lead the French army in many of their pivotal victories...
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...
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,...
Pope from 1978 to 2005, John Paul II was a strong but compassionate leader known for his voice against rising materialism, oppression and moral relativism. He loved sports, literature, theater...
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...
From the moment he was elected pope in 1958, Pope John XXIII was a difference-maker. He is best known for his role in calling the Second Vatican Council. The council’s...
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...
Joseph was responsible for teaching Jesus how to work, pray and learn. Even before Jesus was born, Joseph showed great faith during the pregnancy of Mary and courage in protecting...
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...
Lawrence, a deacon in Rome during the third century, was asked to present the Church’s treasures for confiscation by Roman authorities. With quick wit, Lawrence abided by bringing forth the...
As a fifth-century pope, St. Leo the Great was confronted with division in the Church and even the looming threat of Attila the Hun! Rooted in faith, Leo faced those...
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 many Christians murdered under the reign of the emperor Diocletian in the early 4th century, Lucy is known by many as a bright light during a very dark...
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...