Video
St. Maximilian Kolbe—Martyr
The video "St. Maximilian Kolbe—Martyr," by The Story of Liberty, available on YouTube (4:52), presents this saint to the students in a way that brings his sacrifice to life. Best with Chapter Project.
Video
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
The video "St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross," available on YouTube (7:13), is an engaging short film on the life of this saint. It would tie well to the "People of Faith" segment at the end of the chapter. It …
Video
When the Saints Go Marchin’ In
The song/video "When the Saints Go Marchin’ In," by The Weavers, available on YouTube (2:39) with lyrics, is best used on day 4.
Video
St. Rose Philippine Duchesne
The video "St. Rose Philippine Duchesne," by apostleshipofprayer, available on YouTube (2:00), introduces Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne. It is best used on day 4.
Video
St. John Neumann
The video "St. John Neumann," by apostleshipofprayer, available on YouTube (2:01), introduces Saint John Neumann. It is best used on day 4.
Video
St. Francis Xavier
The video "St. Francis Xavier," by apostleshipofprayer, available on YouTube (2:00), documents the life, travels, and missionary spirit of Saint Francis Xavier. It is best used on day 4.
Video
St. Thomas More
The video "St. Thomas More," by catholicnewsagency, available on YouTube (2:01), shows the strong Catholic faith of Saint Thomas More and how he stood up to King Henry VIII instead of recognizing the Church of England. It is best used …
Video
Let My Prayer Arise—Orthodox Lent Chant in English
The song/video "Let My Prayer Arise—Orthodox Lent Chant in English," performed by the parish choir of Saint Philip Antiochian Orthodox Church in the USA, is available on YouTube (5:10) with lyrics and photos of Orthodox worship. This is chanted at …
Video
Catholic History in Less than Five Minutes: (4) The Early Church Fathers
The video "Catholic History in Less than Five Minutes: (4) The Early Church Fathers," by Pat McNamara, is available on YouTube (4:47). It is best used on day 1.
Video
Song/video "Deyenu, Coming Home"
The song/video “Deyenu, Coming Home,” by the Ein Prat Fountainheads, available on YouTube (2:54), is a fun song about Passover by a contemporary Jewish group and is appropriate for use on day 2.
Document
Interview Chart for Religious Beliefs
This chart allows students to see the comparison between the beliefs of five major religions and those of the Catholic Church.
Document
Religious Identity Descriptions
This handout provides the religious identities for five major world religions.
Document
Sacred Scripture and the Rules of the Saints
This activity has students work individually and in small groups to read and reflect on the rules of St. Augustine, St. Benedict, and St. Francis.
Presentation
Discovering God in Creation
This PowerPoint accompanies Unit 2, Chapter 4, by discussing the revelation of God through creation, prayer, and the saints.
Document
Unit 2 Preassessment
This preassessment helps students identify what they know and want to know about concepts from Unit 2.
Presentation
Religion in the Modern World
This PowerPoint accompanies Chapter 15 by giving an overview of religion in the modern world.
Presentation
Christianity
This PowerPoint accompanies Chapter 13 by giving an overview of Christianity.
Presentation
Ancestors of the West
This PowerPoint accompanies Chapter 11 by giving an overview of the Ancestors of the West.
Presentation
Zen Buddhism
This PowerPoint accompanies Chapter 9 by giving an overview of Zen Buddhism.
Presentation
Confucianism
This PowerPoint accompanies Chapter 7 by giving an overview of Confucianism.
Presentation
Indigenous Religious Traditions
This PowerPoint accompanies Chapter 2 by giving a brief look at several indigenous religions.
Presentation
Studying the World's Religions
This PowerPoint gives a brief introduction to the basics of studying the World's Religions.
Document
Empathizing (Religion in the Modern World)
This article provides several suggestions of ways to help students reflect on their experiences with people from different forms of religion in the modern world.
Document
Empathizing (Islam)
This handout provides several suggestions to help students draw connections between Islam and Christianity.
Document
Empathizing (Christianity)
This handout provides several suggestions to help students draw connections between the various denominations of Christianity.
Document
Empathizing (Judaism)
This handout provides several suggestions to help students draw connections between Christianity and Judaism.
Document
Empathizing (The Ancestors of the West)
This handout provides several suggestions to help students draw connections between Christianity and polytheistic religions of the West.
Document
Empathizing (Shinto)
This article provides several possible ideas of ways to help students see, experience, and better understand the Shinto religion.
Document
Empathizing (Zen Buddhism)
This short article provides questions, reflections, and suggestions to help students empathize with Zen Buddhism.
Document
Empathizing (Taoism)
This short article provides questions, reflections, and suggestions to help students empathize with Taoism.
Document
Empathizing (Confucianism)
This short handout provides questions, reflections, and suggestions to help students empathize with Confucianism.
Document
Empathizing (Sikhism)
This short handout provides questions, reflections, and suggestions to help students empathize with Sikhism.
Document
Empathizing (Jainism)
This short handout provides questions, reflections, and suggestions to help students empathize with Jainism.
Document
Empathizing (Buddhism)
This short handout provides questions, reflections, and suggestions to help students empathize with Buddhism.
Document
Empathizing (Hinduism)
This short handout provides questions, reflections, and suggestions to help students empathize with Hinduism.
Document
Empathizing (Indigenous Religious Traditions)
This short handout provides questions and reflections to help students empathize with indigenous religions.
Document
Comparing and Contrasting Religion in the Modern World with Christianity
This short handout compares and contrasts several key ideas and beliefs in Christianity and religion in the modern world.
Document
Comparing and Contrasting Islam with Christianity
This short handout compares and contrasts several key ideas and beliefs in Islam and Christianity
Document
Comparing and Contrasting Forms of Christianity
This short handout compares and contrasts several key ideas and beliefs in different forms of Christianity.
Document
Comparing and Contrasting Judaism with Christianity
This short handout compares and contrasts several key ideas and beliefs in Christianity and Judaism.
Document
Comparing and Contrasting the Ancestors of the West with Christianity
This short handout compares and contrasts several key ideas and beliefs in Christianity and the Ancestors of the West.
Document
Comparing and Contrasting Shinto with Christianity
This short handout compares and contrasts several key ideas and beliefs in Christianity and Shinto.
Document
Comparing and Contrasting Zen Buddhism with Christianity
This short handout compares and contrasts several key ideas and beliefs in Christianity and Zen Buddhism.
Document
Comparing and Contrasting Taoism with Christianity
This short handout compares and contrasts several key ideas and beliefs in Christianity and Taoism.
Document
Comparing and Contrasting Confucianism with Christianity
This short handout compares and contrasts several key ideas and beliefs in Christianity and Confucianism.
Document
Comparing and Contrasting Sikhism with Christianity
This short handout compares and contrasts several key ideas and beliefs in Christianity and Sikhism.
Document
Comparing and Contrasting Jainism with Christianity
This short handout compares and contrasts several key ideas and beliefs in Christianity and Jainism.
Document
Comparing and Contrasting Buddhism with Christianity
This short handout compares and contrasts several key ideas and beliefs in Christianity and Buddhism.
Document
Comparing and Contrasting Hinduism with Christianity
This short handout compares and contrasts the key ideas and beliefs in Christianity and Hinduism.
Document
Comparing and Contrasting Indigenous Religions Traditions with Christianity
This short handout compares and contrasts the ideas of god, an ultimate reality, and history between indigenous religious traditions and Christianity.
Document
Worldviews: Religions and Their Relatives
This article explores two examples of modern worldviews and how they different from traditional religions.
Document
Teacher Evaluation An Interreligious Interview
A teacher evaluation for interviewing someone of a different religion.
Document
An Interreligious Interview
This handout offers guidelines for setting up an interview with a person from a different religion.
Document
The Ninety-Nine Names of God
This handout lists the ninety-nine Islamic names for God and poses several questions regarding the list.
Document
"In the Beginning Was the Word"
After presenting John 1:1-18 from the Christian Bible, this handout challenges to students to identify key parts that describe the doctrine of the incarnation.
Document
Images of Jesus
This handout provides many different images and descriptions of Jesus for students to examine and relate to.
Document
Greek and Roman Gods Today
This handout challenges students to identify the associations they have with Greek and Roman gods.
Document
A Zoroastrian Symbol
This handout presents a Zoroastrian Symbol of faith and explains its elements. Students are then challenged to create their own symbol to represent their personal understanding of faith and human nature.
Document
Who Is the Sage?
This worksheet provides the opportunity to choose life situations that exemplify practices of the Taoist sage.
Document
The Sikh Khalsa
The information on this handout provides further insight into the nature of the Sikh Khalsa
Document
The Ten Gurus of Sikhism
This list of the ten Gurus of Sikhism briefly summarizes the key contributions of each Guru.
Document
The Biographies of the Tirthankaras
A list of patterns and themes found in the biographies of the Tirthankaras
Document
Monks
This handout is to be used as students rotate to various stations. At this station, students examine a picture depicting monks in Thailand.
Document
Objects Used in Tibetan Rituals
This handout is to be used as students rotate to various stations. At this station, students examine objects used in Tibetan rituals.
Document
The Fasting Siddhartha
This handout is meant to be used as part of a station activity in which students observe different pieces of artwork from various religions.
Document
Right Speech
This handout provides a reflection on students’ use of words and speech. Students identify ways to improve their use of words to speak truth and kind things.
Document
Right Meditation
This handout provides a space for students to write impressions, observations, or questions that arise as they meditate on a statue of Buddha.
Document
Buddhist and Judeo-Christian Understandings of God
This article compares and contrasts the Buddhist and Judeo-Christian understanding of God.
Document
Karma Marga: "The Path of Works"
An individual worksheet that examines the intentions and motivations behind one’s actions.
Document
The Fruits of Action
An individual worksheet that challenges students to apply teachings from the Bhagavad-Gita to real-life situations.
Document
Teacher Evaluation: The Game of Samsara
This evaluation is to be used as a rubric for a game that groups of students created using Hindu concepts.
Document
What Harm Is in Our Sun Dance?
This short article provides the point of view of a Blackfoot Indian about the illegalization of the Sun Dance.
Video
How Does the Catholic Church Declare Official Saints?
This video from Busted Halo takes a fun spin on answering common questions about being named a saint in the Catholic Church.
Document
Images of God, Understandings of Life
The sketches below represent the different images of God and understandings of life that were held by the Jewish wisdom sages. Beneath each sketch, list the wisdom books that correspond to that image.
Document
Teacher Evaluation: An Interreligious Interview
The following ratings identify your scores on a scale from 1 (poor) to 10 (excellent).
Document
Greek and Roman Gods Today
Next to the name of each god or goddess in the chart below, jot down any person, place, object, time, program, or product with which you associate the name. You may also note titles of songs or TV programs or …
Document
A Zoroastrian Symbol
The illustration on this handout is the Faravahar, a symbol of Zoroastrian faith. With the example of the Faravahar in mind, create, on a separate sheet of paper, a symbol that represents your own religious faith or personal understanding of …
Document
Koans: Food for Intuition
Read the following Zen koans two or three times. Choose one and answer or explain it.
Document
Who Is the Sage?
In each pair of situations below, one of the people described resembles the ideal of the Taoist sage, the person who lives in accord with Tao and practices the virtue wu-wei. Read each pair of situations and circle the letter …
Document
Chinese Calligraphy
Calligraphy is one of the cultural arts that was pursued in the process of becoming a chun-tzu. Try your hand at reproducing the Chinese characters below, drawing your versions in the space provided to the right of the characters. The …
Document
The Sikh Khalsa
The information on this handout provides further insight into the nature of the Sikh Khalsa.
Document
The Ten Gurus of Sikhism
This list of the ten Gurus of Sikhism briefly summarizes the key contributions of each Guru.
Document
Kuan-Yin
1. Look at the statue or picture at this station. 2. This image depicts the deity Kuan-yin. Write words that describe this image.
Document
Monks
1. Look at the picture at this station. 2. Write words that describe the actions that you see in the picture. 3. Write words that describe the relationships between people that you see in the picture.
Document
Objects Used in Tibetan Rituals
1. At this station are several objects. Some may look familiar. Gently pick up each object and examine it. SOME OF THE OBJECTS ARE FRAGILE. PLEASE HANDLE THEM CAREFULLY. 2. Write the following information about each object.
Document
The Fasting Siddhartha
1. Observe the statue or picture at this station. 2. Notice that it is probably different from almost any other image of the Buddha that you have seen. 3. Look closely and write down what you observe. How does this …
Document
Right Meditation
1. Here is a Buddha statue or picture. Sit quietly and stare at it. Meditate on it. Let it be a visual focus for your medi- tation. Learn from it. 2. Write any impressions, observations, or questions you have.
Document
Correlation to Curriculum Framework
Correlation to Curriculum Framework Course IV: Jesus Christ’s Mission Continues in the Church from The Church: Christ in the World Today.
Video
Asking the Saints and Mary for Prayers
A personal reflection on why Catholics ask the saints and Mary for prayers.
Document
Life Issues F Summary: Saints as Role Models
A summary and the learning objectives of Life Issues F Summary: Saints as Role Models from the Catholic Connections Handbook for Middle Schoolers, Second Edition.
Document
Life Issues A Activity: Saint Augustine: The Reluctant Saint
Read the article on Saint Augustine on page 351 in The Catholic Connections Handbook and then, thoughtfully and reflectively, respond to the following questions.
Document
Life Issues A Summary: The Ultimate Question: Why Am I Here?
A summary and the learning objectives of Life Issues A Summary: The Ultimate Question: Why Am I Here? from the Catholic Connections Handbook for Middle Schoolers, Second Edition.
Document
Chapter 25 Activity: People of Faith
Use some or all of these people for the “People of Faith” activity, making sure to include a mix from different time periods. Instruct the participants to research their person of faith by referring to the page numbers in The …
Document
Chapter 23 Activity: How Much Do You Know about the Church?
The descriptions below relate to the Church, present and past. Write the word or name from the box that matches each description. Some words will be used more than once.
Saint Joseph Cafasso (1811-1860)
Saint Joseph Cafasso was born to peasant parents in Castelnuovo d'Asti, which is in the Piedmont region of Italy. He was ordained to the priesthood and became a popular professor of theology at the Institute of Saint Francis. Saint Joseph …
Presentation
Chapter 15
A PowerPoint on The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth, Third Edition Chapter 15, The Last Things.
Saint John Nepomucene (1345-1393)
Saint John Nepomucene was a renowned preacher and a member of the 14th-century Bohemian court of King Wenceslaus IV. While at court, Saint John was a peacemaker and solved many arguments and disagreements. He was also the queen's confessor. When …
Blessed Luigi and Maria Beltrame Quattrocchi (20th Century)
Two of the first people Pope John Paul II beatified in the new millennium were Luigi and Maria (Corsini) Beltrame Quattrocchi. They were an Italian couple who were married for forty-six years. They had four children, three of whom entered …
Blessed Julian of Norwich (c.1342-1420)
Julian of Norwich was an anchoress (from the Greek word for recluse) who lived a life of solitude and contemplation. Julian stepped away from worldly activity to spend her days contemplating God. As part of her daily life, she lived …
Document
Dialogue with Others
Excerpts from the address of Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday, April 17, 2008 at the John Paul II center in Washington D.C.
Document
Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 2
The rubric for the final performance task options for Unit 2 of Church History: Apostolic Times to Today. The options include creating a children’s picture book, or making a PowerPoint presentation for a parish community.
Document
Final Performance Task Options for Unit 2
The final performance task options for Unit 2 of Church History: Apostolic Times to Today. The options include creating a children’s picture book, or making a PowerPoint presentation for a parish community.
Document
Islam: Historical Orgins
Islam began almost two thousand years after the start of Judaism and more than six hundred years after Christianity. In fact, Islam, which goes back to the seventh century, began in support of the monotheism of these two religions, and …
Document
Characteristics of Apologetics
With your group, read Saint Ignatius of Antioch’s letter to the Romans. Then answer the following questions.
Document
Themes in Paul’s Epistles
An artistic presentation of several themes in Paul’s epistles, and the Scripture passages they correspond to.
Document
How Paul’s Conversion Changed His Life
A worksheet using Scripture passages to show how Saint Paul’s attitude toward Christ and Christians, Gentiles, and his enemies changed after his conversion.
Document
The Road to Damascus: A Scripted Version of Acts 9:1-22
A scripted version of Saint Paul’s conversion experience on the road to Damascus, found in Acts 9:1-22.
Document
Worksheet About Paul
On this worksheet from the Student Activities Workbook for Breakthrough!: An Introduction to People of Faith, you will find a crossword puzzle as well as facts and reflections questions on Paul's life and his conversion.
Document
Interview with Paul
This interview with Paul is from Breakthrough! The Bible for Young Catholics. On this colorful page, Paul explains his ministry and his legacy.
Saint Catherine Laboure (1806-1876)
From the time that she was a young child, Saint Catherine Laboure felt called to religious life. However, after her mother passed away, young Catherine was charged with taking care of the household, while her older sister joined a religious …
Saint Junipero Serra (1713-1784)
Junipero Serra was born in Majorca, Spain, in 1713, and was ordained a Franciscan priest in 1737. He spent most of his priestly life as a missionary in Mexico, Texas, and California. During his ministry Father Serra is believed to …
Blessed John Duns Scotus (c.1265-1308)
Blessed John Duns Scotus was part of a well-off family of farmers. He is referred to as "Duns Scotus" to specify where he was born--Scotland. He joined the Friars Minor at Dumfries, and began his studies after novitiate. In those …
Saint Columba (521-597)
Tradition tells us that Saint Columba was born in Donegal, Ireland. After completing his studies, Saint Columba was ordained to the priesthood, and devoted a large portion of his life to preaching throughout Ireland and Scotland. At the age of …
Saint Pothinus (87-177)
Saint Pothinus was the bishop of Lyons, France. When he was at the advanced age of 90 years old, he and his Christian companions were detained by an angry mob and brought to the magistrate for trial based on their …
Saint John of Cassian (360-435)
Saint John of Cassian was a monk and religious writer. He befriended and defended Saint John Chrysostom in Rome. After his defense, Saint John of Cassian was ordained to the priesthood and he established several monasteries in Europe. He is …
Saint Anastasia (d.304)
Saint Anastasia was a Roman of noble lineage. Her father was a pagan, but her mother, a Christian, had Saint Anastasia baptized as a baby and secretly raised in the Christian faith. Saint Anastasia married a man named Publius, who …
Pope Saint Gregory VII (c.1020-1085)
When Saint Gregory VII became pope, the corruption of the clergy had become a serious scandal to the faithful of the Church. Pope Gregory VII saw the need for reform, so he dismissed the members of the clergy who had …
Document
Chapter 37 Activities
Activities for Chapter 37 Praying Together including a core activity, core activity extension, and additional activities.
Document
Aquinas’s Five Proofs for the Existence of God
The Summa Theologica is a famous work written by Saint Thomas Aquinas between AD 1265 and 1274. It is divided into three main parts and presents reasoning for almost all core Christian beliefs. The Summa Theologica is well known for …
Document
What Do Sisters Do?
An article that discusses the roles and responsibilities of religious sisters.
Document
Litany Promises Promises
Rev. John P. Mack Jr. discusses the rite of ordination, including the litany and the promise to obedience that priests make. He also talks about the challenges that priests face, and questions that he is often asked by high school …
Seven Blessed Martyrs of Songkhon (d.1940)
The Seven Blessed Martyrs of Songkhon were seven Roman Catholics who were martyred in the village of Songkhon in northern Thailand. They were executed in December of 1940, in the midst of the Franco-Thai War, after being falsely accused of …
498 Spanish Martyrs (d.1934; d.1936; d.1937)
The Spanish Civil War began in 1936 and raged on until 1939. It was fought between the Republicans, who were loyal to the Spanish Republic, and the Nationalists, who opposed the Republicans and their persecution of Catholics. This period of …
Saints of the Cristero War (1926-1929)
The Cristero War, which took place between 1926 and 1929, was a rebellion against the anti-Catholic government in Mexico. This oppressive government was set on breaking down the Catholic faith of its people. Catholic institutions were shut down, foreign clergy …
Blessed Martyrs of Nowogrodek (d.1943)
The Blessed Martyrs of Nowogrodek are comprised of a group of Roman Catholic nuns from the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. These nuns were an important part of the town of Nowogrodek. During the oppressive occupation of Poland …
Saint Theophane Venard (1829-1861)
Saint Theophane Venard was brought up in a devout family. He was ordained to the priesthood and followed God's call to become a missionary to southeast Asia. Saint Theophane spent several months ministering to the faithful in Hong Kong, then …
Video
Early Church Fathers: Saint John Chrysostom
A short video on the life and works of the early Church father, Saint John Chrysostom.
Video
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha
A short video on the life and works of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Native American saint.
Video
Matthew Leonard on Saint Ignatius of Antioch
Matthew Leonard comments on the life and works of Saint Ignatius of Antioch.
Video
Saint Athanasius
A short video on Saint Athanasius' special love and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Video
30th Anniversary of John Paul II’s Assassination Attempt
A video explaining the assassination attempt on Pope Saint John Paul II's life.
Video
What’s in the Name ‘Francis’?
A video on Saint Francis of Assisi, and why Pope Francis chose his name.
Saint Pachomius (292-348)
Saint Pachomius joined the army when he was a young man. His unit was stationed in Thebes, Egypt. The Christians at Thebes showed the soldiers such great kindness that Saint Pachomius was inspired to convert to Christianity. After joining the …
Saint Marianne Cope (1838-1918)
Saint Marianne Cope was born in Germany, but emigrated to the United States when she was a young child. Her family settled in Utica, New York. When her father became too ill to work, Saint Marianne went to work in …
Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690)
Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque lost her father at the tender age of eight years old. After his death, she was sent to the Poor Clares School. During this time, Saint Margaret Mary was afflicted with rheumatic fever and became confined …
Venerable Catherine McAuley (1778-1841)
Venerable Catherine McAuley was born to devout Catholic parents in Dublin, Ireland. Her parents lived out their faith by ministering to the needs of the poor. Sadly, Catherine's parents passed away, and she was sent to live with relatives. Catherine's …
Saint John Houghton (1486-1535)
Saint John Houghton graduated from the University of Cambridge with degrees in both civil law and canon law. He served as a parish priest for several years and then felt the call to become a Carthusian monk. Saint John became …
Saint Caesaria the Younger (c.465-c.530)
Saint Caesaria the Younger established a convent in 512, and served as its first abbess. Her convent became very popular, especially with women who had been widowed. Saint Caesaria's house soon expanded to include hundreds of sisters. She and her …
Saint Fulgence of Ruspe (c.465-533)
Saint Fulgence of Ruspe was a high-ranking Roman who was born in North Africa. He felt called to become a monk, even though his widowed mother opposed his decision. Saint Fulgence became abbot of his monastery, but had to flee …
Saint Gregory of Nyssa (c.330-c.395)
Saint Gregory of Nyssa was a member of a very holy family. His grandmother was Saint Macrina the Elder, his parents were Saint Basil and Saint Emmilia, his older brother was Saint Basil the Great, and his sister was Saint …
Saint Clement of Rome (d.101)
Saint Clement of Rome was a convert who was brought into the Christian faith by either Saint Peter or Saint Paul. He was selected to serve as bishop of Rome. Saint Clement penned a letter, known as Clement's First Epistle …
Saint Gianna Molla (1922-1962)
Saint Gianna Molla was born into a very devout family. She became involved in the St. Vincent de Paul Society and received degrees in medicine and surgery from the University of Pavia. Gianna opened a clinic where she specialized in …
Saint Gregory of Nazianzus (329-390)
Saint Gregory of Nazianzus was a friend of Saint Basil the Great, and accepted his invitation to join him in monastic life at Basil's newly founded desert monastery. Saint Gregory enjoyed a life of prayerful solitude at the monastery, but …
Blessed Pope Pius IX (1792 - 1878)
Blessed Pope Pius IX was born Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti. He was an intelligent and reverent young man who was afflicted with epilepsy. Giovanni attended Piarist College in Volterra, Italy, and then continued his studies in Rome. He wished to join …
Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)
Blessed John Henry Newman spent the first half of his life as an Anglican. He was an important member of the Oxford Movement, which highlighted the Church's debt to the early Church Fathers, and opposed the complete subjectivity of the …
Saints Cyril and Methodius (d.869; d.884)
Saints Cyril and Methodius were brothers. They were raised in Thessalonica by a well-known Christian family. Because numerous Slavic peoples inhabited Thessalonica, Cyril and Methodius knew the Slavic language. The brothers joined the same monastery, but were summoned to become …
Saint Simeon of Thessalonica (d.1429)
Saint Simeon of Thessalonica is well known for his liturgical writings. His most famous work is "Against All Heresies." This tome is made up of two treatises: one regarding doctrine and another on the liturgy and Sacraments. We celebrate Saint …
Pope Saint John Paul II (1920-2005)
Saint John Paul II was born Karol Wojtyla in Wadowice, Poland. His mother, father, and older brother passed away before he turned 21. Karol attended Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland, but had to abandon his studies when World War II …
Saints Gabriel, Raphael, and Michael, Archangels
Angels are God’s messengers. They appear often in the Bible, but only these three are named. Gabriel is the most well-known, as he is the messenger who asks Mary, the young Jewish girl, to bear the Messiah. In the Scriptures …
Saint Benedict the Moor (1524-1589)
Saint Benedict was not a Moor; his name comes from the Italian phrase "il Moro," or "the Black One." He was granted freedom from slavery at the age of 18. Even though he was free, he continued to work for …
Saint Melito of Sardis (d.180)
Saint Melito of Sardis was a second-century exegete and apologist. He acted as bishop of Sardis, which was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia. Little is known of Saint Melito's life, but fragments of his ecclesiastical writings remain. …
Saint Clement of Alexandria (150-215)
Saint Clement of Alexandria taught at the famed Catechetical School of Alexandria. One of his students was the famous theologian and teacher, Origen. Saint Clement preached that Christians must live moral lives to attain perfection and, ultimately, God. He also …
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha (1656-1680)
Kateri Tekakwitha, born in present-day Auriesville, New York, to a Christian Algonquin mother and a non-Christian Mohawk chief, was the first Native American to be canonized. When she was four, smallpox killed her parents and younger brother and left her …
Servant of God Dorothy Day (1897-1980)
If changing the world seems impossible, get to know Dorothy Day. She was your age about a century ago, but her legacy of compassion lives on today. An earthquake rocked Dorothy’s family in 1906, and they moved to Chicago’s slums. …
Saint Elizabeth (1st century)
Most everything we know about Saint Elizabeth comes from the beginning of Luke’s Gospel. In it, Elizabeth is married to Zechariah, a priest of the Temple in Jerusalem. She is also the cousin of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. One …
Pope Saint John XXIII (1881-1963)
He was born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli in Italy. Later he became known as "Good Pope John." During his lifetime, the world experienced two World Wars, the rise of communism, and the Holocaust. In the Church, there was fear of the …
Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997)
Saint Mother Teresa was a woman of great faith. She was born Gonxha Agnes Bojaxhiu in 1910 in Skopje, Macedonia. At age 18, she joined the Sisters of Loreto and took the name Teresa in honor of Saint Thérèse of …
Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556)
Ignatius of Loyola was the youngest of 11 children of a noble family in Spain. As a young adult, his goal in life was to achieve fame and fortune. At the age of 30, he was seriously injured in a …
