Saint Catherine of Siena, whose feast we celebrate on April 29, is a super saint. Not only was she a stigmatist, theologian, philosopher, mystic, and helper to the poor and suffering, but she was also a highly esteemed political ambassador utilized by popes!
He is author of the earliest recorded systematic teachings of the Catholic faith. He suffered persecution and banishment for adherence to the truths of the faith. Ultimately, he was declared a Doctor of the Church for his exemplary writings explaining the tenets of the faith. He is St. Cyril of Jerusalem (315-386 A.D.). whose feast we celebrate on March 18.
“Every priest who preaches the Word of God in times of persecution,” Blessed Elías del Socorro Nieves said, “has no escape; he will die like Jesus on the Cross, with arms tied.” His feast day is March 10.
“It is of vital urgency to have a clear awareness of what the Cross of Christ means, of what it accomplishes in the mystery of the person," wrote Blessed Maria Concepción Cabrera Arias de Armida (feast day March 3), the first Mexican laywoman, wife, and mother to be beatified in the Catholic Church.
Pope Leo XIII told St. Katherine Drexel (feast day, March 3), “Why not be a missionary yourself, my child?” And so she did, helpoing the poor and fighting racism.
Who was St. Scholastica? Brother Austin, MIC teaches us about the life of this holy and devout saint, whose feast day is Feb. 10. Saint Scholastica is known as the twin sister of St. Benedict of Nursia, who you may know from the St. Benedict Medal. St. Scholastica, pray for us!
She was “the beloved mother of the outcasts,” a religious Sister of St. Francis who chose to become a missionary serving those afflicted with the most terrifying of diseases in the Hawaiian islands. Saint Marianne Cope (feast day: Jan. 23) was, in a word, fearless.
The first woman declared a saint in Canada, St. Marguerite Bourgeoys (feast day: Jan. 12) is also the foundress of the first non-cloistered female congregation in the Catholic Church, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Montréal.
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.
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.
