Saints

Saint Katherine Drexel (1858-1955) Born and raised in the American aristocracy, she left it all to minister to the marginalized. Her father was an international banker, residing in Philadelphia. Her mother died while Katherine was just an infant, so she was raised by her loving step-mother. Nursing her step-mother through a three year terminal illness, Katherine discovered even their great wealth did not make one immune to pain and death. Through her travels and education, Katherine became invested in aiding…

Saint Casimir (1458-1484) Though royalty, Casimir chose to lead a life of austerity. He was the third child born to Casimir IV, King of Poland, and his wife Elizabeth of Austria. It is said that he wore a hair-shirt (a penitential garb) under his vestments, and that he would often sleep on the ground instead of his bed. He had a great devotion to our Blessed Mother, reciting the hymn “Omni die dic Mariae” (which we see partly in the…

Saint John of God (1495-1550) From his own trials, John found his life calling.  John had received faith in God growing up, but during his career as a soldier he gave up an active faith life.  When his career as a soldier came to an end, John became a shepherd.  At the age of forty, John had a conversion experience, filled with deep remorse for his past way of life.  He decided to start up a bookshop and religious goods…

 Saint Frances of Rome (1384-1440) Frances models how to find balance among the many tensions of life.  She had an ardent desire to join Religious Life when she was young, but her parents had her married instead.  Amidst all the many demands of family life, Frances maintained a deep life prayer.  Her family was of the noble class, yet she used her resources to be able to minister to the poor.  She herself would visit and care for the sick…

Saint Patrick (385?-461?) From slave to apostle, Patrick’s life is marked with mercy.  Born in modern-day Great Britain, Patrick was of Romano-British origin.  At sixteen years of age, Patrick was kidnapped by Irish raiders and sold as a slave in Ireland.  For six years he worked as a slave shepherding.  This was a time of great spiritual growth for Patrick.  Inspired by a dream, Patrick fled.  Patrick caught a ship that brought him to France/Gaul, and he eventually made his…

St. Joseph A just man.  That is how Joseph is described by Sacred Scripture, that he was a just/righteous man.  He is the icon of fatherhood.  To Joseph the Heavenly Father entrusted the fathering of His Divine Son, Whom God had conceived in the Joseph’s spouse Mary.  Very little of St. Joseph’s life is recorded in Sacred Scripture, and not one word of his is preserved there.  Yet, in this quiet, almost hidden life, Joseph faithfully lived out his role…

Saint Turibius de Mogrovejo (1538-1606) Sometimes life can take a rather unexpected turn, but God always provides what we need.  Turibius was born in Mayorga, Spain.  He studied law, becoming a professor at the University of Salamanca.  King Philip II appointed Turibius as chief judge of the Inquisition in Granada.  However, when the Archdiocese of Lima, Peru was in need of a new bishop, Turibius, though a layman, was chosen for the office.  Although Turibius protested, he was ordained and…

The Annunciation of the Lord Just nine months till Christmas!  Today the Church honours and celebrates the Word becoming flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Today salvation history, God’s working in human history, takes a radical turn.  Today God enters into human history Himself, taking to Himself our human nature and becoming, as it were, one of us.  And this is all thanks to the “Yes” Mary gave to God’s Will.  Her trustful and radical surrender allowed…

St. Vincent Ferrer (1350?-1419) A prophet for his time, Vincent is remembered most for his preaching.  Vincent was born in Valencia, Spain.  While still a youth, he entered the Dominican Order.  Vincent was recognized for his great learning and leadership.  Embarking as a missionary preacher, Vincent traveled Western Europe preaching on the need for repentance and conversion in light of the coming Judgment of God.  Many healings and miracles accompanied Vincent’ preaching.  Massive crowds flocked to witness this preacher, and…

St John Baptist de la Salle (1651-1719) In the movement begun by John Baptist is found the beginnings of the modern school system.  John Baptist was born in Rheims, France.  At the age of eleven, John Baptist entered formation for the priesthood, being ordained at age twenty-seven.  However, John Baptist came to leave behind his nobility, wealth, and status in order to dedicate himself fully to the education of poor boys.  Others gathered around him in this task, and thus…

St. Martin I (d. 655) The last Pope to be honoured as a martyr.  Martin I assumed the papal office in 649, without the confirmation of the (Byzantine) Emperor.  Shortly thereafter, Martin I called the Lateran Council.  Here the position that Jesus Christ had no human will, but only a Divine Will, was condemned.  Emperor Contans II, who supported this condemned position, was furious.  In retaliation, the Emperor had Martin I kidnapped and brought from Rome to Constantinople.  There Martin…

St. Kateri Tekakwitha (1656-1680) Conversion comes with a cost.  Kateri was born in what is now Auriesville, New York.  Her mother was a Christian Algonquin from the Trois-Rivières area that had been taken captive and given in marriage to a Mohawk chief, Kateri’s father.  A smallpox epidemic took the life of both her parents and her younger brother when Kateri was just four years old.  Though Kateri survived, her face was scarred and her vision impaired.  Her uncle succeeded her…