Called the “Mother of Universal Charity,” by Pope St. John XXIII on her beatification, St. Marguerite d’Youville (feast day: Oct. 16), foundress of the Sisters of Charity (the “Grey Nuns”), is the first native Canadian to be declared a saint in the Catholic Church.
American Catholics can take special pride in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (feast day: Jan. 4): the first natural-born U.S. citizen to be canonized a saint, and the foundress of the first religious congregation of women in our country.
Many people think that the Blessed Virgin Mary has only appeared to children. However, in one of her most widely-recognized apparitions in Guadalupe, Mexico, the Mother of God appeared to 57-year-old St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin (feast day: Dec. 9), the designated Patron of Indigenous Peoples.
By happy coincidence, the eve of Christ the King, Nov. 23, is the feast of Bl. Miguel Agustin Pro, a humble Mexican priest who was martyred for the faith, shouting "Viva Cristo Rey!" [Long live Christ the King!]
She is called “The Lady of Mercy,” an immigrant to the U.S. who opened schools and orphanages to teach and evangelize Native American and immigrant children. She is St. Rose-Philippine Duchesne (feast day: Nov. 18).
Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, popularly known as Mother Cabrini (feast day: Nov. 13), was the first U.S. citizen to be canonized a saint.
Saint Mother Theodore Guerin (feast day: Oct. 3) was an immigrant to the United States who founded schools, orphanages, and a convent in Indiana. But this great and pious nun also suffered betrayals, misunderstandings, and great hardships — even imprisonment and excommunication for a time!
After the heartbreaking losses of her husband and children, Blessed Émilie Tavernier Gamelin (feast day: Sept. 24), remained faithful to Christ and went on to become the foundress of the Sisters of Providence, dedicated to serving the poor in Quebec, Canada.
The Canadian Martyrs, also known as the North American Martyrs (feast day Sept. 26), are a group of 17th century Jesuit priests and volunteer missionaries martyred for proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ in modern-day New York State and Canada.
Saint John Neumann (feast day: Jan. 5) was renowned as a tireless worker and evangelizer. He built 80 churches and was the first to organize a Catholic diocesan school system. He is is the first American bishop and the first male U.S. citizen to be canonized.
