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...
Nicholas was a third century bishop who stood up for his faith during the rule of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, a ruthless persecutor of Christians. Known today as a gift-giver,...
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...
In 1802, the tomb of a 4th-century teenage girl was discovered with the inscription: Peace be with thee, Philomena. Young Philomena had refused the evil advances of Emperor Diocletian and...
Born of humble origins to Polish parents who emigrated to Italy, Pope St. Pius X strived to “to renew all things in Christ.” He stood against the relativism of his...
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...
From the moment Rose was born in 1586, people admired her beauty. She was so beautiful that her mother once placed a wreath of flowers on her head to show...
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...
Critical of the corrupt religious leaders who rejected Jesus, Stephen was an outspoken deacon who did not hold back. “You stiff-necked people!” he yelled once while speaking in Jerusalem. “You...
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...
Known also as "Saint Theresa, the Little Flower," Saint Therese of Lisieux famously begged Pope Leo XIII to let her become a nun at the early age of 15. Her...
Thomas Aquinas lived in the 13th century and is perhaps the most influential thinker in the Christian Church. He was called "Dumb Ox" by his teachers as a young boy,...
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...
As Jesus carried the heavy cross on the way to his crucifixion, one woman in particular took great pity on him. In a brief moment of relief for Jesus, the...
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...