Mary is the Mother of God (Theotokos, God-bearer, is her Greek title) because she is the mother of Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God. The Council of Ephesus affirmed this title for Mary in 431. Because we are united with Christ in Baptism, we are one with him as … Read more...

Saint Stephen was the first (proto in Greek) martyr, the first to give his life for Christ. Thus the first day after the celebration of the birth of Christ is given to the memorial of Saint Stephen. As Saint Stephen is the patron of deacons (because he was chosen as … Read more...

For those of Scandinavian descent, Saint Lucy is a familiar Advent saint. Her name means "light," and on December 13, her feast day, girls in Sweden wear crowns of candles on their heads and serve their parents breakfast in bed—a wonderful treat for a cold winter morning! (Their brothers are … Read more...

Saint Andrew, whose feast day is November 30, ushers in the season of Advent. Andrew has the honor of becoming the first disciple to follow Jesus, and he brought along his brother, Simon, whom Jesus renamed "Peter." Saint Andrew is the patron of both Russia and Scotland. The flag of … Read more...

In contemporary parlance, we might say that "Faith" is Saint Paul’s middle name. Over and over again, he writes of the necessity of faith in Jesus Christ as the basis for understanding and living the Gospel. As he is such a famous saint, we tend to overlook the challenges he … Read more...

Saint Spotlight Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Saint Kateri Tekakwitha will be canonized on Sunday, October 21. Her feast day is July 14 (Roman Missal, Third Edition). Saint Kateri Tekakwitha was a Native American woman who converted to the Catholic faith. She was born in Auriesville, New York, but was forced to … Read more...

Saint Spotlight Pope Blessed John XXIII October 11 is the memorial for Pope Blessed John XXIII. Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli was born in 1881 in Sotto il Monte, Italy. Before being elected the 261st Pope, he served as a chaplain in World War I, a priest, an archbishop, Vatican diplomatic representative, … Read more...

Saint Spotlight Blessed Jan Beyzym October 2 is the memorial for Blessed Jan Beyzym. Blessed Jan Beyzym was a Jesuit priest and teacher who was called to minister to lepers in Madagascar. He displayed his commitment to the dignity of life through his care for those isolated from society due … Read more...

Saint Spotlight Blessed Teresa of Calcutta September 5 is the memorial for Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. Mother Teresa was born in 1910 in Albania. In 1950 she founded the Congregation of the Missionaries of Charity with a commitment to serve the poorest and most neglected among us. In 1979 she … Read more...

Saint Alberto Hurtado Cruchaga August 18 is the memorial for Saint Alberto Hurtado Cruchaga. Saint Alberto was dedicated to the education and care of the youth of Chile. He also worked to confront the social problems of his country. In his commitment to the young and marginalized, Saint Alberto is … Read more...

Saint Ignatius of Loyola July 31 is the memorial for Saint Ignatius of Loyola Ignatius of Loyola was the youngest of eleven children from a noble family in Spain. As a young adult, his goal in life was to achieve fame and fortune. At the age of thirty, he was … Read more...

Saint Aloysius Gonzaga June 21 is the memorial for Saint Aloysius Gonzaga. Saint Aloysius Gonzaga is the patron saint of Catholic youth and teenagers. At a young age, he began to teach the Catholic faith to the poor. At the age of eighteen, he became a Jesuit novice. He later … Read more...

Saint Justin Martyr June 1 is the memorial for Saint Justin Martyr. Saint Justin was a philosopher in early second-century Rome. Through the witness of Christians and the reading of Scripture, he converted to Christianity. He is recognized as the first Christian philosopher, and he became an active defender of … Read more...

Saint Jose Isabel Flores Varela May 25 is the memorial for Saint Jose Isabel Flores Varela, as well as numerous other saints martyred in Mexico in the early 20th century. Jose Isabel Flores Varela was a parish priest in Zapotlanejo, Jalisco. During the government persecution of the Church, he went … Read more...

Saint Bernadine of Siena May 20 is the memorial for Saint Bernadine of Siena. Saint Bernadine was a renowned preacher and peacemaker. He was noted for working to navigate the tension between secular life and Christian ethics. Today he is recognized as the patron saint of, among other things, advertising … Read more...

Saint Damien de Veuster May 10 is the memorial for Saint Damien de Veuster, better known as Damien of Molokai, the “apostle to the lepers.” Born in 1840 in Belgium, Damien became a missionary priest who ministered in the Hawaiian Islands. He later volunteered to minister to the leper colony … Read more...

Blessed Caterina Cittadini May 5 is the memorial for Blessed Caterina Cittadini. Born in 1801 in Bergamo, Italy, Caterina’s mother died when she was seven, and her father abandoned her and her younger sister, Giuditta. The sisters grew up in an orphanage where they were instilled with a strong faith … Read more...