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...
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...