December 4: Saint Barbara. Saint Barbara was an early Christian martyr. Her name can be traced to the seventh century. Due to doubts about her history and legend, her name was removed from the General Roman Calendar of the Catholic Church in 1969, but she was not removed from the … Read more...

Since the election of Pope Francis and his taking of the great Saint of Assisi’s name, the Church has become a little more aware of all things Franciscan. Saint Agnes was Saint Clare of Assisi’s sister and her first follower into the community that later became known as the Poor … Read more...

Saint Winoc is an appropriate saint to consider when thinking about food. He was a monk who, even though he founded the monastery in which he lived, spent much of his time in manual labor. He took to heart Saint Paul’s directive, that those who refuse to work should not … Read more...

Saints Simon and Jude were, as the meditation on the Saint Mary’s Press Resource Center Web page explains (click here for the meditation), not the most famous of the Twelve Apostles. Yet, they were chosen and loved by Jesus, and that was enough for them! Simon was originally among the … Read more...

Saint Cirilo Bertran was a Christian Brother who was martyred for his faith during the Spanish Civil War. Canonized on November 21, 1999, Saint Cirilo reminds us that sacrificing our lives for the faith is still possible for Christians and Catholics, even in our modern times. We might ask Saint … Read more...

Saint Mother Theodore Guerin is the most recently canonized saint who ministered in the United States. She is the eighth American saint. She was born in France in 1798 and, as a French Sister of Providence, won government awards for teaching. She arrived in the United States in 1840 with … Read more...

Saint Peter Claver (1581-1654) was a Jesuit missionary in South America. He served the African slaves who arrived in chains in the holds of ships. He brought them food, medicine, and a message of God’s love and care. His feast day is September 9. Saint Guy of Anderlecht (950-1012) felt … Read more...

Saint Bernard, the founder of the Cistercian Order, is a good example of someone who followed God’s call and brought his family and friends along with him! He reminds us that we can do good things much more easily if we have the support of a community or of a … Read more...

Saint Francis Solano "went places" for the Gospel. He was a Franciscan missionary who left his native Spain to preach the Gospel in South America (in what is now Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Peru). He was noted for his simple austerity, his service to the poor, and his defense of … Read more...

A short overview of the life of Saint Germaine of Pibrac can be found in our Liturgical Calendar. Saint Germaine was born with a disability (a withered hand) and was victimized by an abusive stepmother. As a shepherdess, she spent much time outdoors and was forced to sleep in the … Read more...

Very few saints are called to lead an army into battle, but Saint Joan, a teenage peasant girl, was. Her story convinces us that God uses each individual person to contribute to his kingdom and the world, each in a unique way. We can admire Saint Joan for her willingness … Read more...

Fittingly, we honor a traveling saint in this newsletter: Saint Brendan the Navigator. This intrepid and courageous saint may have been the first European to discover America! He set sail from Ireland in search of a land unknown, which he called "The Promised Land," or "Paradise." Seven years later, he … Read more...

This year, on the Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday), Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II will be canonized as saints! The liturgy will begin at 10 a.m. in Saint Peter’s Square in Rome. If you go to the Vatican Web site, you will find a calendar … Read more...

We have a basketful of saints for this pre-Easter newsletter! First, happy feast day to all teachers! Today, April 7, is the feast of Saint John Baptist de La Salle. Not only is he founder of the Brothers of the Christian Schools (Lasallian Christian Brothers) but, in 1950, he was … Read more...

Saint Stephen was a monk whose uncle was the gifted and talented Saint John Damascene (feast day December 4). Saint John Damascene was the last of the Eastern Fathers of the Church and is one of the two greatest poets of the Eastern Church. He wrote several of the hymns … Read more...

Saint Cyril is a good saint for Lent because of his concern for the poor. Pope Francis often echoes Saint Cyril’s concern. The Saint Mary’s Press Resource Center has more information about Saint Cyril and a calendar of saints for each day. To find the liturgical calendar and the saint … Read more...

It seems that Blessed Villana was one of those willful types. If they can’t have what they want, they say, "So what! Who cares?" and go completely off the deep end in revolt. Born in 1332, she ran away to a convent at the age of 13. Forced to return … Read more...

Yes, Virginia, there really is a Saint Valentine! See http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=159 for more information. This article confirms that the origin of Saint Valentine—and how many there were—remains a mystery. The legend of Saint Valentine—that he wrote letters and notes to his Christian friends from prison—is reflected in our Valentine celebrations today. … Read more...