Saints

January Saints Feast Days and Solemnities

1. Mary, Mother of God: On January first, the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God is a feast day of the Blessed Virgin Mary acknowledging her motherhood of Jesus Christ.
2. St. Basil the Great: St. Basil, a distinguished Doctor of the Church, was Bishop of Caesarea. He is the patron saint for hospital administrators.
3. Most Holy Name of Jesus: For Catholics, January is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. The Jesuits celebrate this feast on January third.
4. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton: St. Elizabeth Ann founded the Sisters of Charity, opened the first American parish school, and established the first American Catholic orphanage. There are six groups of religious women who can trace their beginnings to Elizabeth Ann Seton's original order of the Sisters of Charity in America.
5. St. John Neumann: St. John Neumann was a Redemptorist priest who served poor immigrants in the United States, where he established the first diocesan school system.
6. St. André Bessett: St. Andre Bessett, called the “Miracle Man of Montreal,” had a lifelong devotion to Saint Joseph that led him to heal the sick with oil that burned in his college chapel. He is credited with saying, “I don’t cure, Saint Joseph cures.”
7. St. Raymond of Peñafort: St. Raymond of Peñafort, the patron saint of lawyers, was a Dominican lawyer known for organizing the Church’s legal code and a book for guiding confessors. At 63 he was elected to be the head of the Whole Order of Dominicans.
8. St. Angela of Foligno: Angela of Foligno was known as the “Teacher of Theologians.” Exchanging an early life of wealth and social position for prayer and service to the poor and sick, she entered the Secular Franciscan Order and authored the Book of Visions and Instructions.
9. St. Adrian of Canterbury: Under the leadership of abbot Adrian, the Monastery of Saints Peter and Paul in Canterbury became an important learning center attended by scholars who became bishops and archbishops.
10. St. Gregory of Nyssa: The son of two Saints, Basil and Emilia, St. Gregory of Nyssa was elected Bishop of Nyssa in372 and was known as a great defender of orthodoxy.
11. Blessed William Carter: Blessed William Carter was a printer and publisher of Catholic materials in the time of Elizabeth I when Catholics were persecuted for practicing their faith. He was found guilty of being a traitor and martyred.
12. St. Marguerite Bourgeoys: St. Marguerite Bourgeoys, known as “Mother of the Colony,” lived in poverty in New France, offering education to children of European and Native Americans and performing the works of mercy.
13. St. Hilary of Poiters: A fourth century pagan who converted to Christianity, Saint Hilary of Poiters upheld the divinity of Christ and defended the faith despite banishment.
14. St. Gregory Nazianzen: “Gregory the Theologian” was the contemporary of St. Gregory of Nyssa,famous for his sermons on the Trinity and his religious poetry.
15. St. Paul of Thebes: Also known as St. Paul the Hermit, he retreated into the desert during a time of persecution under the Roman Emperor Decius and found joy in a life of solitude and prayer, becoming an inspiration to the monastic movement.
16. St. Berard and Companions: St. Berard and his Franciscan companions left Italy to preach with the blessing of St. Francis and were apprehended when preaching in Morocco. They are remembered as the first Franciscan martyrs.
17. St. Anthony of Egypt: Wealthy St. Anthony of Egypt gave away his riches for a life of solitude, providing guidance and spiritual healing.
18. St. Prisca: Little is known about St. Prisca, a young Roman woman who was martyred around the third century.
19. St. Fillan: An Irish monk, hermit, and abbot, St. Fillan was known for his miracles in the eighth century.
20. St. Sebastian: Saint Sebastian is remembered asan early Christian martyr, the patron saint of athletes and archers, and a protector from the bubonic plague.
21. St. Agnes: When young St. Agnes refused a marriage in the thirteeth century, she was reported as a Christian and martyred. She is remembered as the patron saints of girls and of the Girl Scouts.
22. St. Vincent of Saragossa: St. Vincent of Saragossa was an Italian deacon who during a time of persecution of Christians refused to burn sacred books of Scripture and was martyred for his faith around the year 304.
23. St. Marianne Cope: St. Marianna Cope was a Sister of St. Francis who served those living with leprosy in Hawaii. The community Cope founded there on Molokai continues to minister to a small number of patients who have Hansen Disease today.
24. St.Francis de Sales: St. Francis de Sales wrote extensively to lay people to help them understand their call to sainthood. He is the patron of authors, journalists, and writers.
25. The Conversion of St. Paul: The St. Paul’s life and ministry was defined by his meeting with Jesus on the road to Damascus.
26. Saints Timothy and Titus: Saints Timothy and Titus were both disciples of Saint Paul.
27. St. Angela Merici: St. Angela Merici led women to a new way of life in serving the Church outside of a monastery and living in the world while living a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
28. St. Thomas Aquinas: St. Thomas Aquinas was a Dominican and his writing was a great contribution to the Church and to Catholic theology. He is the patron saint of Catholic colleges, philosophers and theologians, and students.
29. Brother Juniper: A servant of God, Brother Juniper was known for generosity.
30. Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska: Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowskaserved God by working with poor people in Warsaw, and she founded the Congregation known as the Felician Sisters.
31. St. John Bosco: St. John Bosco is the patron saint of boys, writers, and teachers. He wrote and published many religious and catechetical pamphlets and founded the Salestions in 1589 and later organized the Salesian Sisters.

January Highlights

As a bishop and a martyr, Saint Timothy was dedicated to spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. He helped to build up and encourage Christian communities during the early days of Christianity. Timothy reminds us of the powerful influence that community and friends can have on our faith. We celebrate his feast day on January 26.

On January 31, Catholics celebrate the feast day of Saint John Bosco who lived in the 1800s. He overcame obstacles of poverty and lack of education in his dream of becoming a priest. John Bosco was the founder of an order of priests called the Society of St. Francis de Sales (or Salesians), an order for women called the Daughters of Mary, and an organization of laypeople to help work with and teach neglected children. The Salesians continue to operate schools today, carrying on John Bosco's philosophy of education.

Download a kit with short biographies and printable activities to learn about and celebrate saints with feast days in January.

February Saints Feast Days and Solemnities

1. St. Brigid: The patroness of Ireland, Saint Brigid helped establish Ireland’s first religious community of women.
2. Feast of the Presentation of the Lord: 40 days after Jesus’s birth, celebrated by the Church on December 25, this feast which recalls Jesus’s presentation in the Temple is also popularly known as Candlemas.
3. St. Blaise: An early martyr, Blaise was known for living in solitude and prayer among animals and for healing a choking child.
4. St. Joseph of Leonissa: A preacher who ministered to Christian slaves in Constantinople in the late 1500s, Joseph escaped imprisonment and death to live a life of service and peacemaking.
5. St. Agatha: One of the Church’s most venerated virgin martyrs, Agatha is remembered as a steadfast and courageous woman and as the patron saint of those impacted by fires.
6. St. Paul Miki and Companions: Jesuit Brother Paul Miki and 26 other Christians,including lay people and religious, were martyred in Nagasaki, Japan in the late 1500s, crucified for their Christian faith.
7. Blessed Pope Pius IX: A great leader in spiritual matters, Pope Pius IX was pope longer than any other pope—thirty-two years.
8. St. Josephine Bakhita: Saint Josephine Bakhita became a Canossian Sister in Italy 1896 after enduring many hardships,including being kidnapped from her native Darfur and enslaved.
9. Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerick: A devout young woman whose religious life was impacted by Napoleon’s reign, she was known for revelations and visions in her later life.
10. St. Scholastica: Inspired by her twin brother, Saint Benedict, Scholastica founded a community of nuns and dedicatedher life to serving God from an early age.
11. Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes: This annual celebration recognizes the liturgical memorial of a Marian apparition in 1858, to a peasant girl, in Lourdes, France.
12. Bl. Jolenta of Poland: Her later life as a Franciscan abbess continued Jolenta’s early commitment to philanthropy and care of the sick, women, and children in the 1200s.
13. St. Anthony Padua: A Doctor of the Church, he was known for his knowledge of Scripture and theology and teaching theology to the other friars
14. St. Valentine: A martyr of the early Church, this saint is a patron of love and remembered for steadfast faith and miracles.
15. St. Claude de la Colombière: A French Jesuit with a special devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Saint Claude is remembered as a preacher and confessor in the late 1600s.
16. St.Gilbert of Sempringham: Founder of the Gilbertines, the only religious order of English origin founded during the Middle Ages, Saint Gilbert gave up family wealth to serve the less fortunate as a parish priest. The Gilbertines began a tradition of filling “the plate of the Lord Jesus,” to share the best parts of a banquet meal with the hungry.
17. Septem Viri: Seven merchants in 13thcentury Florence, Italy, left their jobs and families to dedicate themselves to a life of penance, contemplation, and service to Mary. They eventually formed a community, the Order of Servants of Mary. All seven were canonized together in 1888.
18. Bl. John of Fiesole: Patron Saint of Christian Artists, Blessed John was known as Fra Angelico, painted religious art that stirred feelings of religious devotion.
19. St. Conrad of Piacenza: Conrad spent his later years as a hermit and is remembered for prayer and penance after taking responsibility for a forest fire in his early life.
20. Sts. Jacinta and Francisco Marto: Jacinta and Francisco were among the three children in ahome Mary appeared in near Fátima in Portugal in 1917,where a shrine to Mary now stands and welcomes millions annually.
21. St Peter Damian: After a difficult childhood, Peter was mentored by his eldest brother and became a professor and then a cardinal who worked for reform. He was named a Doctor of the Church for his contributions and writings.
22. The Feast of the Chair of St. Peter: This feast day celebrates the role of St. Peter within the Catholic Church, by which Peter was appointed for Jesus and which the popes have continued to this day.
23. St. Polycarp: An early martyr, as bishop of Smyrna in 155 he fought heresy and was killed for refusing to proclaim that the emperor was a higher authority than Jesus.
24. St. Adela: Ruling as regent while her husband was on crusade, this well-educated English royal and philanthropist in the late 1100s fostered a strong relationship between the Church and government.
25. Bl. Sebastian of Aparicio: Sebastian, known as patron of travelers, traded in a lucrative career building roads in Mexico for a simple life as a friar
26. St. Isabel of France: Daughter of King Louis VIII of France, Isabel refused to marry and instead ministered to those who were sick and poor, later founding the Franciscan Monastery of the Humility of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
27. St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows: A member of the Passionist order, Saint Gabriel is remembered as the patron of clergy, students, and young people and for achieving holiness through daily observances of love and penance.
28. St. Pope Hilary: Pope Hilary is remembered for building churches,libraries, chapels and other public worksduring his time as pope. The oldest records of a synod occurred during his papacy as well.

February Highlights

On February 1, the Church celebrates the feast day of Saint Brigid, who lived around the time of Saint Patrick. Brigid became a nun and built convents and schools all around Ireland. Brigid made a small cross made from tall grasses to teach others about Jesus. These crosses became associated with Saint Brigid. On Brigid’s feast day in Ireland, people weave crosses from tall grasses and put them in their homes to keep them safe.

Saint Valentine is remembered on Valentine’s Day, a day widely celebrated for its lovely themes and associations.

Download a kit with short biographies and printable activities to learn about and celebrate saints with feast days in February.

March Saints Feast Days and Solemnities

1. St. David of Wales: This popular British saint and patron of Wales was a missionary who founded several monasteries and is remembered for his austere lifestyle.
2. St. Angela of the Cross: Known as “Mother of the Poor,” she established the contemplative, reclusive order, the Sisters of the Cross, to serve the poor and dying.
3. St. Katharine Drexel: As a missionary, Mother Katharine established systems of schools for African American and Native Americans in the United States, including Xavier University in New Orleans, the first Catholic university in the United States for African Americans.
4. St. Casimir of Poland: The patron saint of Poland, Lithuania, and young people, Casimir gave up a princely life to devote his life to God and give charity to those in need in the late 1400s.
5. St. John Joseph of the Cross: A Franciscan reformer, he became a provincial. After retirement, he focused on his role as confessor and practicing mortifications.
6. St. Colette: A reformer, Colette joined the Poor Clares and reintroduced the Rule of St. Clare in the 17 monasteries that she founded, where sisters were known for poverty and fasting.
7. St. Perpetua and Felicity: Perpetua was a young Christian noblewoman and mother who chronicled her imprisonment in the Roman amphitheater when she refused to renounce her faith. After her death, the account was finished by a witness. Felicity was a slave and new mother who was martyred at the same time.
8. St. John of God: Patron saint of hospitals and the dying, he converted to a life of poverty, humility, and charity and converted his own home to minister to the sick.
9. St. Frances of Rome: After a plague changed the fate of her own family, Frances converted part of her home to a hospital to care for the sick before founding a society of women focused on God and service to the poor.
10. St. Dominic Savio: Despite his early death at age 15, Dominic is credited withhelping to organize the Salesian order of priests and living his faith fully each day.
11. St. John Ogilvie: Martyred while a missionary in Scotland in 1615, Saint John Ogilvie became the first Scottish saint since 1250.
12. Bl. Angela Salawa: During World War I, Angela helped prisoners of warandcared for wounded soldiers with great devotion to Jesus.
13. St. Leander of Seville: He introduced the practice of praying the Nicene creed in the 6th century.
14. St. Matilda: A German queen in the late 800s, Matilda oversaw the building of churches and monasteries.
15. St. Louise de Marillac: With St. Vincent de Paul, Saint Louise de Marillac cofounded the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, a congregation of laywomen dedicated to teaching and hospital work.
16. St. Clement Mary Hofbauer: Ministering to Catholics in Europe at a time of persecution and religious tension, Saint Clement preached sermons, opened schools, and became known as “the apostle of Vienna.”
17. St. Patrick: Patron of Ireland, Patrick is well known throughout the world and remembered for teaching about the Blessed Trinity.
18. St. Cyril of Jerusalem: 4thcentury bishop and Biblical expert Saint Cyril is remembered as a Doctor of the Church.
19. Solemnity of St. Joseph: One of two feast days for Saint Joseph celebrated by the Church, this is for Joseph the Husband ofMary and foster father of Jesus.
20. St. Salvator of Horta: A Franciscan brother, he was well known as a healer with the Sign of the Cross.
21. Bl. John of Parma: As general minister of the Franciscan Order in the 1200s, he worked to restore the original spirit of the order after the death of Saint Francis of Assisi.
22. St. Lea: A friend and contemporary of Saint Jerome, Lea of Rome gave up her wealth to enter the consecrated life.
23. St. Turibius de Mogrovejo: A 16th century bishop, Saint Turibius worked to uphold the rights of Peru's indigenous peoples and became one of the first canonized saints of the Americas.
24. St. Oscar Romero: Archbishop of San Salvador, Romero is remembered as a “voice for the voiceless” for his work of ministering to the poor and oppressed before he was assassinated while saying Mass in the Chapel of the Hospital of Divine Providence.
25. Feast of the Annunciation: One of the principal feasts of the Catholic Church is celebrated on this day, nine months before Christmas.
26. St. Margaret Clitherow: After she converted to Catholicism, she became a zealous defender of the faith, even hiding priests in her home. She was martyred in 1586.
27. St. Rupert: A monk and bishop, Rupert’s missionary labors built up the Church in Austria and Bavaria.
28. St. John of Capistrano: Though he was also well known for his roles as a governor, preacher, and theologian,he became known as "the Soldier Saint" for launching a crusade at the age of 70 in the year 1456 against the invading Ottoman Empire.
29. St. Berthold: Considered by some to be the founder of the Carmelite order, Berthold was a brilliant scholar and reformer who led the Carmelites for nearly fifty years.
30. Bl. Amadeus IX of Savoy: A duke, well known for his care and concern for the poor, is remembered as a model for charity.
31. Martyrs of Africa: A group of Christians known only by their names—Anesius, Cornelia, Felix, and Theodulus—were martyred for the faith.

March Highlights

On March 15, the Church celebrates the feast day of Saint Louise de Marillac, a friend of Saint Vincent de Paul who helped found the Daughters of Charity. She worked with this group that cared not only for poor people, but also for orphans, the elderly, and those who suffered from mental illness.

The feast days of Saint Patrick and Saint Joseph are two popular feast days in the month of March. Saint Patrick’s feast day is March 17 and Saint Joseph’s feast day is March 19. These days are marked by special traditions worldwide.

As a bishop and missionary in Ireland, Saint Patrick built over three hundred churches and baptized thousands. Legend has it that he used a shamrock to explain the Blessed Trinity. Just as there are three separate leaves on one plant, there are three distinct Persons in one God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Because of this, the shamrock is the traditional symbol of Ireland.

Saint Joseph, the husband of Mary and the foster father of Jesus, was a man of great compassion and great faith. He believed that God would protect him and in turn, protected and cared for Mary and Jesus. 

Download a kit with short biographies and printable activities to learn about and celebrate saints with feast days in March.

April Saints Feast Days and Solemnities

1. St. Mary of Egypt: Though she is not well known, she experienced a conversion that changed her life and she sought and received forgiveness through the Church.
2. St. Francis of Paola: Though he was never a priest, he founded the Roman CatholicOrder of Minims.
3. St. Richard of Chichester: A priest and the patron of Sussex, he served as archbishop of Canterbury in the 1200s.
4. St. Isidore of Sevilla: A learned archbishop and scholar, Isidore compiled reference books and encyclopedias that were historically significant.
5. St. Vincent Ferrer: A preacher and missionary, Vincent is considered the “patron saint of builders” for his work in building up the Church.
6. St. Juliana of Mont Cornillon: Her great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament led to the Feast of Corpus Christi.
7. St. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle: This priest and educational reformer founded the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and is remembered as a patron saint for teachers of youth.
8. St. Julie Billiart: Forced to hide and flee for much of her youth during the French Revolution, Julie co-founded the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur to provide young girls with a Christian education.
9. St. Saint Casilda of Toledo: A Muslim princess, Casilda is credited with showing kindness to Christian captives and converted to Christianity herself.
10. St. Michael de Sanctis: A discalced Trinitarian Priest, St. Michael of the Saints is remembered for his particular love and reverence for the Holy Eucharist.
11. St. Stanislaus: The symbol of Polish nationhood and the patron of Cracow, as Bishop of Cracow he denounced the injustices of and excommunicated King Boleslaus the Bold.
12. St. Teresa de los Andes: The first Chilean saint, she is remembered for her kindness and is called “the Flower of the Andes.”
13. Pope St. Martin I: Though he experienced exile and humiliation over a controversy about the relationship between Christ's human and divine natures, Pope St. Martin I was cleared by The Third Ecumenical Council at Constantinople in the year 681, which confirmed the divine and human will of Christ.
14. St.Bénézet: A divine vision helped him to construct a bridge at a location where the force of the Rhône river was thought too strong and Bénézet is now considered thepatron of bridge builders.
15. St. Hunna: The patron of laundresses, she was thought to wash the clothing of the poor and remembered for her piety despite a wealthy upbringing.
16. St. Bernadette of Lourdes: Her visions of Mary as Our Lady of Lourdes led to the Marian shrine at Lourdes, where millions of pilgrims visit.
17. St. Donnan: Patron of Scotland, Donnan was an Irish monk at a monastery on Eigg Island. He and others were martyred for their missionary work.
18. St. Apollonius the Apologist: The Apologia, or defense of the faith, written by Apollonius is considered one of the most important documents of the early Church.
19. Pope St. Leo IX: Leo was instrumental in the Great Schism of 1054, in which the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches formally separated, creating peace.
20. St. Agnes of Montepulciano: Agnes is remembered as a miracle worker during her time as a Dominican prioress in medieval Tuscany, Italy.
21. St. Anselm of Canterbury: An archbishop, Benedictine monk, and a Doctor of the Church, Anselm is remembered for his influential writingson God’s existence and Christ’s atonement.
22. Sts. Epipodius and Alexander: Companions who were devoted Christians, they were martyred for their faith during the early Church.
23. St. George: A martyr of the early Church, cult legend of George involves the slaying of a dragon, and he is remembered as patron of knights, soldiers, scouts, fencers, and archers.
24. St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen: Known as the “poor man's lawyer” Fidelis was a Capuchin friar involved in reformation efforts that led to his martyrdom.
25. St.Mark: Venice’s patron saint, Saint Mark’s feast day is also called the rosebud festival. Saint Mark is one of the four authors of the Gospels in the New Testament.
26. Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel: A miraculous fresco appeared at the feast of Saint Mark in Italy in 1467 featuring the Blessed Virgin Mary and child Jesus. Today it remains intact after more than 500 years and the destruction of the church built around it. Countless miracles have been attributed to the intercession of Our Lady of Good Counsel.
27. St. Zita: Patron saint of domestic workers, housekeepers, waitresses, and household chores, many remember Zita on her feast day by baking a loaf of bread.
28. St. Gianna Beretta Molla: Italian wife, mother, and doctor, Saint Gianna is remembered for her prayerful service to God through all her roles and decisions.
29. St. Catherine of Siena: Catherine’s prolific and famous writing is also credited with encouraging the pope to move the papacy back to Rome in the 1300s.
30. St. Marie of the Incarnation: A French Ursuline Sister, Marie worked as a missionary to educate young Indian and French-Canadian girls in their own languages: Algonquin, Iroquois, Huron, and Montagnais.

April Highlights

Saint Teresa de los Andes, the first saint of Chile, was a Carmelite nun and a prolific writer from 1900 until her death in 1920. She is very relatable to children. Teresa, whose feast day is celebrated on April 12, enjoyed doing many of the things children today enjoy doing. She was an ordinary person who focused her life on Jesus and tried to love others as he loves them.

On April 28, the feast day of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla is celebrated. A modern saint, Gianna followed Christ as a doctor, a mother, and a wife in Italy in the 1900s. She reminds us that we are called to follow Christ through prayerful service in every situation in life.

Saint Catherine of Siena is credited with writing many letters, encouraging people from all walks of life to live in peace. She is also credited with convincing the pope to move the papacy back to Rome from France in the 1300s. Her writing is among the classics of Italian literature. April 29 is her feast day.

Download a kit with short biographies and printable activities to learn about and celebrate saints with feast days in April.

May Saints Feast Days and Solemnities

1. St. Joseph the Worker: The second of two feast days dedicated to Saint Joseph, this day recalls Joseph as a carpenter and a worker and coincides with International Workers' Day.
2. St. Athanasius the Apostolic: A theologian, ecclesiastical statesman, and Egyptian national leader, Athanasius maintained that Jesuswas God.
3. St. James: One of the twelve Apostles of Jesus, he is also called “James the younger,” or “James the less.”
4. St. Florian: Florian is remembered as the patron saint of firefighters and is one of the first known commanders of a Roman firefighting squad.
5. St. Hilary of Arles: Remembered for his piety and his talent, he died at 49 and served as a bishop and orator.
6. St. Marian and James: A lector and deacon, both martyrs, they courageously faced death for their faith.
7. St. Rosa Venerini: An education pioneer, she founded the Venerini Sisters for the education of girls and women.
8. Apparition of Saint Michael the Archangel: In a vision, Michael asked for a church to be built in Monte Gargano, Italy, near a cave now known as the Sanctuary of St. Michael.
9. Bl. Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger: Foundress of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, she is remembered for her impact in thefield of education.
10. St. Damien of Molokai: A Belgium missionary, he devoted his life to living and working among those affected by Hansen’s disease in Hawaii.
11. St. Ignatius of Laconi: A Capuchin friar was particularly loved by the poor and by children to whom he ministered during his life.
12. St. Pancras: Both young orphan Pancras and his uncle Denis, for whom he cared, were martyred. Devotion to this saint grew after his death, and he is attributed with many miracles.
13. Feast Day of Our Lady of Fatima: The feast day on the first day of Mary’s apparition to several children in Portugal in 1917.
14. St. Matthias: Saint Matthias was an Apostle of Jesus and a martyr of the early Church.
15. Sts. Isidore and Maria: Husband and wife, Isidore and Maria are examples of humility and holiness for all Catholics.
16. St. Simon Stock: Aptly named Stock, meaning "tree trunk," Simon is said to have lived as a hermit in a hollow tree trunk of an oak tree beginning at the age of 12. He received a vision of Mary holding a brown scapular; the Scapular of Mount Carmel bestowed on Simon Stock is now the best known.
17. St. Paschal Baylon: Though he was urged to study for the priesthood, Paschal became a brother who carefully observed his vow of poverty; he also had the roles of porter, cook, gardener, and official beggar.
18. Pope St. John I: ended the Acacian Schism between the eastern and western Churches and established the date of Easter during his papcy.
19. St. Celestine: Celestine V became a pope at the age of 84. He lived a life of humility and achieved a childhood dream of becoming a saint.
20. St. Bernardino of Siena: Also called Bernadine, he worked to revive the country's Catholicism during the 15th century.
21. St Atilano Cruz-Alvarado: He was a Catholic priest martyred in Mexico during the Cristero War.
22. St. Rita of Cascia: She is known as the Peacemaker and Saint of the Impossible for the many challenges she faced in life, including the murder of her husband, and many graces since her death.
23. St. William of Perth: A Scottish saint and martyr, William is remembered as the patron saint of adopted children.
24. Feast of Our Lady Help Of Christians: This feast day to the Virgin Mary was instituted by Pope Pius VII.
25. St. Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi: Called the “ecstatic saint,” Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi is remembered for the mystical ecstasy she experienced during her lifetime.
26. St. Philip Neri: An Italian priest, Philip Neri was known for a warm personality and faithful connections among people. He also is considered one of the Counter-Reformation’s outstanding mystics and founder of theCongregation of the Oratory.
27. St Augustine of Canterbury: He was amonk who became the first archbishop of Canterbury in 597 AD.
28. Bl. Iuliu Hossu: Bishop of Cluj-Gherla, Romania, Iuliu Hossu died as a martyr in 1970.
29. St Bona of Pisa: An Augustinian nun, Bona helped pilgrims who were traveling and is now remembered as a patron saint of travelers, particularly couriers, guides, pilgrims, and flight attendants.
30. St. Joan of Arc: As a teenager, Joan is credited with leading an army and uniting the country of France due to her faith.
31. The Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: One of the Marian feasts, the date of this feast follows the Annunciation of the Lord and precedes the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist.

May Highlights

Even though her feast day is actually January 1, Catholics especially honor Mary, Mother of God, throughout the entire month of May. In addition to celebrating her feast day, there are lots of ways to honor Mary in May, with prayers, activities, and crownings.

Other saints honored during the month of May include husband and wife Isidore and Maria on May 15. Isidore and Maria lived a humble life during the early 1100s sharing all that they had with those who were in need. They serve as an example that ordinary lives can be filled with holiness.

Saint Madeline Sophie Barat, who lived in France during the 1700s, helped found the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She wanted to make education possible for women, and led this order for 63 years. This order still operates schools for young women throughout the world. Her feast day is May 25. 

Saint Philip Neri is celebrated on May 26, and remembered for the gift of his sense of humor and his warm personality as an Italian priest in the 1500s. His life increased the faith of many people.

Joan of Arc, a teenage girl who became a soldier in France in the 1400s, was faithful to God's will in her life. She achieved what seemed impossible; she led an army and united the country of France because of her faith. Her feast day is celebrated on May 30.

Download a kit with short biographies and printable activities to learn about and celebrate saints with feast days in May.

June Saints Feast Days and Solemnities

1. St. Justin Martyr: A convert at the age of 30, Justin the Philosopher was inspired by Scripture and saintly heroism and became one of the first great Christian apologists.He died a martyr.
2. St. Erasmus: Also known as Saint Elmo, he was an early bishop and martyr of the Church.
3. St. Charles Lwanga: Charles Lwanga and his companions were martyred in Uganda for teaching about Christianity and refusing to give up their faith.
4. St. Francis Caracciolo: He was known for his devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and died of a severe fever on the eve of Corpus Christi. He often repeated the quote from the psalms“zeal for Thy house has consumed me.
5. St. Boniface: A lifelong missionary, Boniface is remembered as “apostle to the Germans,” and the patron of brewers and tailors and Germany.
6. St. Norbert of Xanten: Saint Norbert was a Catholic bishop and founder of the Premonstratensian order of canons regular.
7. St. Robert of New minster: A Benedictine abbot, his miracles are remembered and his tomb in Newminster, England is a pilgrimage site.
8. St. Medard of Noyon: A French bishop, his feast day is remembered with special customs in Salency, France where he is thought to have originated a scholarship as bishop.
9. St. Columba: An Irish missionary, Columba helped to re-introduce Christianity to Scotland and Northern England and is a patron of Ireland.
10. St. Olivia of Palermo: The patron saint of Palermo, Sicily, Olivia was a Christian virgin-martyr.
11. St. Barnabas: An apostle of Jesus, Barnabus is credited with welcoming St. Paul into the Church.
12. The Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary: A marian feast, this event encompasses Mary’s joys and sorrows, her virtues, and her motherly love for Jesusand all Christians.
13. St. Anthony of Padua: Anthony was a Franciscan friar, Doctor of the Church, and a great patron of the poor in the early 1200s.
14. Bl. Sante Spessotto: A missionary to El Salvador, Sante Spessotto was martyred before Mass at his church.
15. St. Germaine Cousin: A simple and pious young French girl in the late 1500s, she was poorly treated by her caretakers but remained holy and kind before her early death.
16. St. John Francis Regis: The 17th-century French Jesuit is remembered for his zealous missionary efforts and his special care for the poor and marginalized.
17. St. Emily de Vialar: Emily de Vialar was the foundress of the Sisters of St. Joseph "of the Apparition"to help the poor and children.
18. St. Elisabeth of Schönau: This German Benedictine visionary and abess experienced numerous religious visions.
19. St. Romuald of Ravenna: Saint Romauld founded the CamaldoleseBenedictines, an order of hermits in the early 1000s in Italy.
20. St. Vincent Kaun: A native of Korea and a martyr of Japan, he was a Jesuit missionary who catechized in China and Japan before his death.
21. St. Aloysius Gonzaga: An Italian Jesuit, Gonzaga is the patron saint of Roman Catholic youth.
22. St. Thomas More: Thomas More resigned as Lord Chancellor of England when he refused to change his religious beliefs for King Henry XI of England’s political gains and was martyred in 1535.
23. St. Joseph Cafasso: Joseph was greatly dedicated to the Eucharist, urging devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, and encouraging daily Communion. He is also known for his work ministering to condemned prisoners.
24. St. John the Baptist: John was a preacher who prepared people for the ministry of and baptized his cousin, Jesus.
25. St. William of Montevergine: A Catholic hermit, Saint William the Abbot founded the Congregation of Monte Vergine, also known as “Williamites.”
26. St. Josemaria Escriva: Known as “the saint of ordinary life,” he demonstrated that daily life can be a path to holiness.
27. St. Cyril of Alexandria: In the 5th century, Cyril was a bishop and theologian who helped the Church navigate early doctrinal questions.
28. St. Irenaeus: The Church’s first great theologian, he was bishop of Lyons and a defender of the Gospels. His name means “peaceful” in Greek
29. Sts. Peter and Paul: Both friends of Jesus, Peter was the leader of the twelve Apostles and Paul was an early Christian missionary. Both died as martyrs.
30. Venerable Pierre Toussaint: He was brought to New York City from modern-day Haiti. During his life of charity and holiness, he also became free, and was renowned as a hairdresser.

June Highlights

The feast day of Saint Charles Lwanga is celebrated on June 3. A Ugandan martyr, Charles courageously refused to give up his faith in Jesus. He was known as a good leader and teacher. 

Saint Columba, celebrated on June 9, was an Irish missionary who helped to reintroduce Christianity to Scotland and Northern England. He was a talented preacher, an illustrator of manuscripts, and a poet.

Saint Thomas More was a trusted advisor of King Henry VIII of England. He resigned from government and refused to recognize the king's authority when he made himself head of the church of England. Executed for treason, Saint Thomas More is an example of courage and following his conscience. His feast day is June 22. 

Jesus’s cousin, Saint John the Baptist, who baptized Jesus in the Jordan river, is celebrated on June 24. John baptized people as a symbol of conversion and taught that Jesus has the power to baptize with the Holy Spirit. 

Saint Peter the Apostle, celebrated on June 29, was a fisherman before Jesus called him to follow him. Peter was present during the major events of Jesus’ ministry. Jesus entrusted Peter with a very special task, appointing him the leader of the Church. With the help of the Holy Spirit, he encouraged the early Christians to spread the Gospel message to people of all nations.

June 30 is the feast day of Venerable Pierre Toussaint, who was born a slave on the island of Haiti but died a free man in New York City. Despite lifelong discrimination, Pierre Toussaint had a successful business and did extensive charitable work. He chose to devote his life to the service of others. 

Download a kit with short biographies and printable activities to learn about and celebrate saints with feast days in June.

July Saints Feast Days and Solemnities

1. Bl. Junipero Serra: A missionary, Junipero Serra established nine missions in California beginning in 1767.
2. St. Bernardino Realino: A Jesuit well known during his life for his teaching, preaching, and confessing, he was dedicated to supporting the poor and working with children.
3. St. Thomas: The story of the Apostle Thomas is remembered in the Gospels when he initially doubted the Resurrection but later accepted the risen Jesus.
4. St. Elizabeth of Portugal: This saintly queen used her resources to support the poor and vulnerable and is remembered as a peacemaker.
5. St. Anthony Zaccaria: Early plans to become a doctor were replaced by aspirations to become a priest. In this role, Anthony was an effective preacher and established two religious communities.
6. St. Maria Goretti: After a violent attack she sustained as a young girl, Maria is remembered for her holiness and is called “Little Saint of Great Mercy.”
7. St. Claudio: An early Christian martyr, Claudio is the patron saint of the Roman city of Ostia which became known as San Claudio.
8. St. Kilian: Also spelled Cillian, he was an Irish missionary bishop and the Apostle of Franconia in the 7th century.
9. St. Veronica Giuliani: As a member of the Poor Clares directed by the Capuchins, Veronica was very devoted to the Eucharist and to the SacredHeart.She received the stigmata.
10. Bl. Faustino Villanueva: A member of theMissionaries of the Sacred Heart, Father Faustino ministered inGuatemala for two decades before he was murdered. He was beatified as one of the Martyrs of El Quiché by Pope Francis.
11. St. Benedict: Considered the father of Western monasticism, Benedict founded theBenedictine Order. The motto Ora et labora of the Benedictine Rule is inspired by this saint.
12. St. Veronica: This saint wiped the brow of Jesus while he carried the cross to Golgotha.
13. St. Iosephus Wang Kuiju: This saint was martyred as a lay person during the boxer rebellion in 1900.
14. St. Kateri Tekakwitha: The “lily of the Mohawks,” she turned to God in prayer, converted to Christianity, and is the first Native American saint.
15. St. Bonaventure: This saint was a Franciscan bishop, cardinal, theological,and philosopher who lived during the late 1200s.
16. The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel: The date on which Mary appeared to Saint Simon Stock and presented the brown scapular is remembered on this Marian feast day.
17. St. Marina of Antioch: Marina’s story is considered a legend, but she ranked among the most famous saints in the Middle Ages.
18. St. Frederick of Utrecht: A bishop and martyr, he was murdered for his faith in the late 800s.
19. St. Arsenius the Great: Born in 354 in Rome, Arsenius was a hermit, scholar, and tutor to future great thinkers in the Church.
20. St. Theresia Yi Mae-im: Theresia Yi Mae-im worked in the apostolic vicariate of Korea andwas canonized by Pope John Paul II.
21. St. Victor of Marseilles: Victor and three Roman soldiers he converted to Christianity –Longinus, Alexander and Felician –were killed near the end of the 3rd century for their faith.
22. St. Mary Magdalene: Apostle of the Apostles, Mary was among the first women who followed Jesus to proclaim Him risen.
23. St. Bridget: As a member of a royal family, she did charitable work for those in need. She also made pilgrimages during which she had visions. She is the patron saint of Sweden.
24. St. Maria Mercedes Prat: Maria was a member of the Society of Saint Teresa of Jesus when she was killed in 1936 for being a nun.
25. St. Christopher: A martyr of the early church, Christopher is venerated as one of the 14 holy helpers and the patron saint of travelers.
26. Sts. Anne and Joachim: The parents of the virgin Mary, husband and wife Anne and Joachim are remembered for their trust in God.
27. Bl. Maria of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ: Maria was known for her charity, prayer, and devotion to the Eucharist and commitment to her Congregation, the Sisters Crucified Adorers of the Eucharist in Barra, Italy.
28. St. Alphonsa: Annakkutty (little Anna) was born in Kudamaloor, India. She was a member of the Franciscan Clarist Congregation and a teacher. She is the first female Indian saint.
29. St. Beatrice: a Roman martyr, Beatrice died during the persecutions of Diocletian. She shares her feast day with saints Simplicius, Faustinus, and Rufus, also martyrs.
30. St. Peter Chrysologus: A Doctor of the Church, his name means “Golden Orator.” He served as an archbishop of Ravenna, Italy, in the early 400s.
31. St. Ignatius of Loyola:Founder of the Society of Jesus, Ignatius was called “a soldier for Christ.”

July Highlights

On July 31, the Church celebrates the feast day of Saint Ignatius Loyola, sometimes referred to as a "soldier for Christ.” Saint Ignatius Loyola wrote The Spiritual Exercises in the 1500s to help people become more like Christ. Ignatius is best known for founding the Society of Jesus, better known as the Jesuits. 

Saint Benedict of Nursia was a fifth century mystic who left behind his family’s wealth and the corruption of the city in order to seek a life devoted to prayer. His feast day is celebrated on July 11.

Louis and Zelie Martin, parents of Saint Therese of Lisieux, were the first married couple to be made saints together. The Martins’s story is one of fidelity to one another and to God. Their feast day is July 12.

The feast day of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha is celebrated on July 14. She was the first Native American to be named a saint. She survived smallpox and was baptized at the age of 20. When life became hard, Kateri turned to God in prayer and focused on helping others, sharing stories about Jesus, and doing everyday chores as acts of love.

Saints Anne and Joachim are honored as the parents of Mary, Mother of God, and the grandparents of Jesus. When angels told them that God would bless them with a child who would be known throughout the world, Anne and Joachim placed their trust and faith in God. Their feast day is July 26. 

Download a kit with short biographies and printable activities to learn about and celebrate saints with feast days in July.

August Saints Feast Days and Solemnities

1. St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori: A prolific writer, his many volumes made him a Doctor of the Church. He served as Bishop of St. Agatha in the early 1700s.
2. St. Peter Julian Eymard: This saint founded the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament and inspired the Eucharistic Congresses.
3. St. Nicodemus: According to the Gospel of John, Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin who visited Jesus to discuss his teachings.
4. St. John Vianney: John Vianney was a French priest who was renowned as a confessor and for his great holiness. He is the patron of parish priests.
5. St. Margaret the Barefooted: Married young and poor, Margaret is remembered for her holiness, her care of the poor, and her dedication to the Church.
6. Feast of the Transfiguration: This feast commemorates the event in which Jesus revealed his divinity to three of his closest disciples through a miraculous light.
7. St. Cajetan: A priest with great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, he founded the Theatines and worked to help those who were ill.
8. St. Dominic de Guzman: Founder of the Dominicans, Dominic was known for his preaching style and his great knowledge.
9. St. Edith Stein: A Carmelite nun inspired by Saint Teresa of Avila, she was killed by the Nazis at a prison camp.
10. St. Lawrence: The bright stars that light the sky on the feast day of Saint Lawrence were thought to be the tears he shed during his martyrdom.
11. St. Clare of Assisi: A contemporary and friend of Saint Francis of Assisi, she founded the Clarissan Sisters, known as the “Poor Clares.”
12. St. Jane Francis de Chantal: A friend of Saint Frances de Sales, Jane Frances de Chantal was a holy religious nun of the 17th century whose feast day has moved many times throughout history.
13. St. Philomena: A saint remembered with intense devotion despite many unknowns about her life, her Sanctuary containing her preserved relics is visited by many pilgrims.
14. St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe: The Polish Conventual Franciscan was a missionary in Japan before returning to wartime Poland. He took the place of a fellow prisoner condemned to death at Auschwitz in 1941. He is remembered as a “martyr of charity.”
15. The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: This Marian feast day recalls Mary being taken body and soul to Heaven.
16. St. Roch: Also known as Saint Rocco, this saint is the patron of plague victims and dogs. After ministering to the sick, he himself became ill and was cared for by a dog.
17. St. Clare of the Cross of Montefalco: She lived as a hermit and established a convent of nuns under the Rule of Saint Augustine. She was deeply devoted to the Passion of the Christ.
18. St. Helena: Helena lived in the early 300s and is the patron of difficult marriages, divorced people, converts, and archaeologists.
19. Saint John Eudes: This saint is the founder of the Congregation of Jesus and Mary which is focused on training of candidates for the priesthood.
20. St. Bernard of Clairvaux: A French Cistercian monk and mystic, Bernard founded and served as abbot of the abbey of Clairvaux in the early 1100s.
21. Pope Saint Pius X: As pope, Piux X oversaw liturgical reforms and is credited with initiation of the Code of Canon Law in 1917.
22. The Feast of The Immaculate Heart of Mary: This Marian feast began in 1954 when Pope Pius XII established the Feast of the Queenship of Mary.
23. St. Rose of Lima: The first saint of the Americas, Rose of Lima lived a life of intense prayer and penance from a young age.
24. St. Bartholomew: One of Jesus’s twelve Apostles, he is unknown except for mentions in the Gospel accounts.
25. St. Genesius of Arles: A notary, Genesius was martyred in the early 300s and is the patron of notaries and secretaries.
26. St. Teresa of Jesus Jornet Ibars: Foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor, the order grew to fifty houses by the time of Teresa’s death.
27. St. Monica: The influence of Saint Monica led to the conversion and holy life of her son, Saint Augustine.
28. St. Augustine: Augustine had a conversion in his early life to become a preacher, bishop, theologian, influential Doctor of the Church, and founder of monasticism.
29. St. Sabina: An early Christian martyr, little is known about this Roman noblewoman.
30. Bl. Alfredo Ludovico Schuster: During his role as a cardinal, Afredo focused on catechesis and promoted the role of the laity in the parish. During World War II, he denounced fascism and racism and served the poor.
31. St. Joseph of Arimathea: A member of the Sanhedrin, he gave his own tomb up for Jesus after the crucifixion.

August Highlights

Saint Dominic was well known for his interesting style of preaching, his generosity, and his knowledge. He made preaching his most important work. He started a religious order of priests called the Order of Preachers, now known as the Dominicans. His feast day is August 9. 

When Edith Stein was 30 years old, she was inspired by the life of Saint Teresa of Avila and was baptized Catholic in 1922. She became a Carmelite sister. She and her sister were captured by the Nazis and killed in a prison camp. She is an example of courage and comfort. Her feast day is August 9.

Saint Alberto Hurtado Cruchaga, celebrated on August 18, knew firsthand what it meant to be poor and he turned that knowledge into a ministry that served others. Alberto centered his work in his love for Jesus Christ. He worked tirelessly to remind people of their responsibility to help those in need. His charity, Hogar de Cristo, is still serving the poor today.

Saint Monica was a loving mother with strong faith who prayed that her son, Augustine, would change his sinful ways. Augustine was baptized, became a bishop, and then one of the Church's greatest saints. Augustine was always thankful for his mother and her prayers. The feast day of Saint Monica is August 27, and the feast day of Saint Augustine is August 28. 

Download a kit with short biographies and printable activities to learn about and celebrate saints with feast days in August.

September Saints Feast Days and Solemnities

1. St. Giles: One of the 14 holy helpers, and the only member of the helpers to not have been martyred, Giles is invoked against illness and plagues.
2. St. Justice of Lyon: Bishop of Lyon in the 14th century, Justice was active in the Council of Valencia before becoming a hermit.
3. Pope St. Gregory the Great: As pope, Gregory worked to reform and solidify the Roman liturgy, Church disciplines, Roman military and economic security, and influence of the Catholic Church in western Europe.
4. St. Rosalia: She is especially important internationally as a saint invoked in times of plague and the patron of some Italian cities. She is known as “the Little Saint.
5. St. Teresa of Calcutta: Known as Mother Teresa, she devoted her life to caring for the poor and homeless in Calcutta, India.
6. St. Eleutherius: The first Bishop of Tournai, little is known about this sixth century saint.
7. St. Cloud: A French prince born in 552, he became a priest and later started a monastery.
8. Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary: This Marian feast recalls the birth of Mary, Mother of God.
9. St. Peter Claver: A Jesuit missionary who worked with enslaved people in the colonies of the New World, Pope Leo XIII declared him the worldwide patron of missionary work among black slaves.
10. St. Nicholas of Tolentine: After living a life of both contemplation and active ministry, Nicolas was the first of the Augustine order to be canonized.
11. St. John Gabriel Perboyre: Missionary to China during a time of persecution, this French priest was martyred in 1840.
12. The Feast of the Holy Name of Mary: This Marian feast honors Mary’s holy name.
13. St. John Chrysostom: This saint was a Bishop of Constantinople and an early father of the Church.
14. The Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross: Saint Helen, the mother of Constantine, discovered the cross of Jesus on this date in the year 326 during a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
15. The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows: This Marian feast refers to the titles of Mary relating to the seven sorrows in her life and is portrayed in traditional art.
16. St. Cornelius: Cornelius served as pope between 251 and 253 during a time of schism and dispute in the early Church.
17. Bl. Sára Salkaházi: During the Nazi occupation of Hungary, this sister is credited with saving the lives of many Jews.
18. St. Joseph of Cupertino: A priest, he was commonly known to lift off the ground during an ecstatic state at Mass.
19. St. Januarius: The patron of Naples, Italy, Januraius was martyred during the Roman rule in 305.
20. Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang and Companions: Known as the Korean Martyrs, these men were killed during Christian perscutions in Korea in the 19th century
21. St. Matthew the Apostle: Matthew is remembered as both an apostle and an evangelist, one of the four authors of the Gospels in the New Testament.
22. St. Maurice: An Egyptian military leader, this saint was the leader of the Theban Legion of Rome, a legion of about a thousand Christians that were all martyred when they refused to attack fellow Christians.
23. St. Padre Pio: An Italian priest was noted for his charityand piety, he received the stigmata and drew large numbers of pilgrims.
24. Feast of Our Lady of Mercy: This Marian feast day commemorates the apparition of Our Lady of Ransom, who carried two bags of coins for use in ransoming Christians imprisoned by Moors.
25. St. Fermin: The co-patron saint of Navarre, Spain, Fermin is remembered as a holy person and martyr who lived in the 3rd century
26. Sts. Cosmas and Damian: The patron saints of medicine and pharmacy, Cosmas and Damian were brothers from Arabia who offered their skills of medicine and healing free of charge. They were martyred around 303.
27. St. Vincent de Paul: Co-founder of the Daughters of Charity, Vincent is remembered for his charitable work.
28. St. Wenceslaus: A king in central Europe, he was martyred for his faith and for working to build up the Church in his native Bohemia.
29. Sts. Gabriel, Michael, and Raphael, Archangels: The feast day of the three archangels (“high ranking angels”) mentioned in the Bible is celebrated on September 29.
30. St. Jerome: One of the Fathers of the Church and an expert in languages, he is credited with translating the Bible from Hebrew and Old Latin.

September Highlights

On September 5, the Church celebrates the feast day of Saint Teresa of Calcutta, who devoted her life to caring for the homeless people on the streets of Calcutta, India, until her death in 1997. She began the Missionaries of Charity. Their mission is to love and serve the poor, especially those who have no one else to care for them. Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace. 

Saint Peter Claver is a saint who is an exceptional example of mercy. A Jesuit priest who traveled to modern day Colombia, he is known for his work with enslaved people and his feast day is celebrated September 9. 

Also on September 9, the Church celebrates the feast day of Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, who dedicated his life to serving the poor and founded the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. He believed that charity and justice go hand in hand. 

Blessed Sára Salkaházi offered her talents as a writer, teacher, and organizer in the service of Christ. She is credited with saving the lives of a hundred Jews, and her order protected more than a thousand during the Nazi occupation of Hungary in World War II. Her feast day is September 17. 

On September 20, the Church celebrates the feast day of the courageous Saint Andrew Kim Taegŏn, who escaped from Korea to become a priest on September 20. Andrew took on the dangerous work of making it possible for other priests and catechists to enter Korea. He was imprisoned and martyred for his faith. 

Saint Vincent de Paul recognized that his faith in Christ needed to be an active faith in service of his neighbor and charitable work. He and Saint Louise de Marillac founded the Daughters of Charity. His feast day is celebrated on September 27.

Download a kit with short biographies and printable activities to learn about and celebrate saints with feast days in September.

October Saints Feast Days and Solemnities

1. St. Thérèse of Lisieux: Her “little way” to holiness was reflected in her quiet life of prayer, but her influential writings made her a Doctor of the Church.
2. The Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels: This memorial honors guardian angels, a custom that dates to the 4thcentury.
3. St. Theodore Guerin: A French missionary, Theodore Guerin opened schools, pharmacies, and orphanages for children in the United States in the 1840s.
4. St. Francis of Asissi: The patron saint of ecology and animals, and founder of the Franciscan order, many Catholics bring their pets for a blessing on this feast day.
5. St. Faustina: A young Polish nun who had visions of Jesus Christ, Faustina is remembered for her devotion to Divine Mercy and was the first saint canonized in the new millennium by Pope John Paul II.
6. St. Bruno the Carthusian: Founder of the Carthusian order modifying the Benedictine rule. He is remembered for his learning.
7. Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary: This Marian feast remembers Mary as Our Lady of the Rosary, previously known as Our Lady of Victory, for Mary’s intercession in a 16th century naval victory.
8. St. Simeon Senex: In the Gospel of Luke 2:25, Simeon held and blessed the infant Jesus.
9. St. Denis: Denis is thought to have served as the first bishop of Paris. He is remembered as a martyr and honored as the patron saint of France.
10. St. Francis Borgia: After the death of his wife, he became a Jesuit priest and later superior general, overseeing the order’s missionary work.
11. Pope St. John XXIII: John XXIII convened the Second Vatican Council with the goal of renewing the Church.
12. Feast of Our Lady of Aparecida: Our Lady of Aparecida was declared the patronness of Brazil in 1930 by Pope Pius XI.
13. St. Gerald of Aurillac: Founder of a church and abbey, he is a patron of bachelors and counts.
14. Pope St. Callistus I: Callistus emphasized God’s mercy in his ministry. He is remembered as a pope and martyr
15. St. Teresa of Avila: A Doctor of the Church, Teresa of Avila was a reformer in her order and is the patroness of Catholic writers.
16. St. Gerard Majella: A lay Redemptorist brother, Gerard is the patron of unborn children, mothers, and expectant mothers.
17. St. Ignatius of Antioch: Ignatius of Antioch was a bishop of the early Church and considered a Father of the Church. He was martyredat the Roman amphitheater.
18. St. Luke: One of the writers of the Gospel accounts in the New Testament, Luke is the patron of artists.
19. Bl. Jerzy Popieluszko: Jerzy was martyred for his work as a chaplain supporting students anti-communist protesters in 1984.
20. St. Magdalene of Nagasaki: As an Augustinian tertiary, Magdalene of Nagasaki taught the catechism to children and supported the poor, despite persecutions in Japan in 1634. She is one of the Martyrs of Nagasaki.
21. St. Ursula: The legend of Saint Ursula is that she was the leader of virgins reputedly martyred at Cologne, Germany, by the Huns, in the 4th century.
22. Pope St. John Paul II: Focused on social justice, this pope helped transition the Church into the modern world and established the tradition of World Youth Day.
23. St. John of Capistrano: Remembered as both a preacher and a great 15th century military leader, he led the army that liberated Belgrade from a Turkish invasion.
24. St. Anthony Mary Claret: The founder of the Congregation of Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretians), Anthony is remembered for helping to spread devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Blessed Sacrament.
25. Sts. Crispin and Crispinian: Brothers and patrons of shoemakers, it is said that Crispin and Crispinian worked as shoemakers to earn a living while converting many to Christianity in the 200s.
26. Pope St. Pius V: This pope codified the Tridentine rite of the Mass and established the Feast ofOur Lady of Victory, now Our Lady of the Rosary, in 1571.
27. St. Emilina of Boulancourt: Pilgrims favored Emilina for her life of prayer, penance, and fasting in the early 1100s.
28. St. Jude Thaddeus: One of the least known Apostles of Jesus, Jude was known for his “zeal” and was potentially a cousin of Jesus.
29. St. Narcissus of Jerusalem: An early bishop and patriarch of Jerusalem, he worked for unity and peace.
30. St. Alphonsus Rodriguez: After the death of his wife and children, Alphonsus joined the Society of Jesus in 1571 as a lay brother.
31. St. Wolfgang of Regensburg: Wolfgang served as bishop of Regensburg in Bavaria in the late 900s and is regarded as a great German saint.

October Highlights

On October 1, the Church celebrates the feast day of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. As a Carmelite, she devoted herself to what she came to call her "little way" to holiness. She led a simple and quiet life of prayer. After her death, her writings were published as The Story of a Soul. She is a Doctor of the Church. 

Saint Theodore Guerin was a missionary that traveled from France to Indiana in 1840. She helped open schools, orphanages, and pharmacies and was the superior of a school for girls called the Academy of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. Her feast day is October 3. 

On October 4, the Church celebrates the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi who lived in poverty, traveling and helping the poor. Francis is the patron saint of ecology. Pope Francis's encyclical letter Laudato Si': On Care for our Common Home, is named from the canticle of praise composed by Saint Francis.

Saint John XXIII was open-hearted, loving, generous, funny, caring, yet also seriously concerned about the future of the Church. Pope John XXIII’s most memorable act was calling the the Second Vatican Council, with the goal of renewing the Church. His feast day is October 11. 

On October 15, the Church celebrates the feast day of Saint Teresa of Avila, a joyful mystic who founded sixteen monasteries of women and whose prayer, “The Bookmark Prayer,” is particularly relevant for today. Saint Teresa began the Order of Discalced Carmelites and was named a Doctor of the Church. 

Blessed Jerzy Popieluszko was a Polish priest who served as a chaplain for nurses and students studying medicine in Warsaw and supported anti-communist protesters to the government. He was killed in 1984. He is remembered for his generous and courageous ministry and his work for freedom. His feast day is October 19.

Saint John Paul II inspired people throughout the world with his deep faith and his passion for social justice. He helped to transition the Church into the modern world and established World Youth Day. His feast day is October 22. 

Download a kit with short biographies and printable activities to learn about and celebrate saintswith feast days in October.

November Saints Feast Days and Solemnities

1. All Saints Day: This solemnity honors all the saints of the Catholic Church.
2. All Souls Day: This day commemorates all the faithful departed of the Catholic Church.
3. St. Martin de Porres: A Peruvian saint, Martin is known for his gifts of healing and care and concern for all of God’s creatures.
4. St. Charles Borromeo: An important figure in the Counter-Reformation, Charles served the Church as cardinal and archbishop.
5. Sts. Elizabeth and Zachary: The parents of Saint John the Baptist and the cousin and cousin-in-law of Mary, Mother of God, are remembered on this day.
6. St. Leonard: The patron of political prisoners, Saint Leonard is remembered as a confessor and a hermit.
7. St. Herculanus of Perugia: bishop of Perugia and martyr, he is remembered as the Patron of Perugia.
8. St. Martinô Ta Ðuc Thinh: Martinô Ta Ðuc Thinh served as a priest in West Tonkin, Vietnam. He was killed in the persecutions of Emperor Thieu Tri.
9. The feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran: This event marks the cathedral church of Rome by Pope Sylvester I in 324.
10. Pope St. Leo the Great: A Doctor of the Church, he is also credited with avoiding two invasions of Rome during his papacy.
11. St. Martin of Tours: The feast of Saint Martin, also called Martinmas, commemorates the death of Saint Martin, who left the army to become a monk and bishop.
12. St. Josaphat Kuncewicz: This saint was amonk and bishop of Ukraine who worked for Christian unity, remembered as a “martyr for unity.”
13. St. Frances Xavier Cabrini: The first naturalized citizen of the United States, Frances worked to support immigrants with needed social services.
14. St Lawrence O'Toole: This saint was the first Irish-born archbishop of Dublin, Ireland in the 12th century.
15. St. Albert the Great: A Doctor of the Church, Saint Albert is remembered as the patron saint of scientists.
16. St. Gertrude: Remembered as “Gertrude the Great,” this saint was a Benedictine nun and mystic with a special devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
17. St. Gregory Thaumaturgus: A convert to Christianity, this saint served as Bishop of Neocesarea and was called a “wonder-worker” for his miracles.
18. The Dedication of the Basilicas of the Apostles Peter and Paul: This combined event is a feast day that celebrates the churches built to honor the great saints Peter and Paul in the 4th century.
19. St. Tuto: Also known as Toto, this saint founded the Ottobeuren Abbey in Ottobeuren, Germany in 764.
20. St. Edmund: A noble king, concerned with equity, Edmund was also a martyr.
21. Feast of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary: This event commemorates the presentation of the Blessed Virgin as a child by her parents in the Temple in Jerusalem.
22. St. Cecilia: A Christian who lived during a time of persecution in the early Church, she is also a famous martyrwho sangin times of suffering or trial and is now the patron of music.
23. St. Clement: Pope Clement I is remembered as the patron saint of metalworkers and blacksmiths
24. Sts. Andrew Dung Lac, and his Companions: A collective feast day honors 117 Vietnamese martyrs and a priest between the 17thand 19thcentury.
25. St. Catherine of Alexandria: One of the 14 holy helpers, Catherine is the patron of philosophers and scholars and was an early Christian martyr.
26. St. James the Hermit: Little known James the Hermit was a monk and hermit who was known for his miracles in Syria.
27. St Secundinus of Ireland: His work in Ireland supported Saint Patrick in 439.
28. St. Catherine Labouré: St. Catherine Labouré is the patron saint of the elderly, infirmed people, and the Miraculous Medal, based on a vision of Mary that Catherine received during her evening meditations.
29. St. Saturnin: This saint was one of the bishops from Rome sent out to preach the Gospel and rebuild Christian communities in the years 236 to 250.
30. St. Andrew the Apostle: Brother of Saint Peter, Andrew was the first Apostle called by Jesus. He is the patron of fisherman.

November Highlights

In November, we have the opportunity to celebrate all the saints. Each year, on the solemnity of All Saints' Day, we honor those who inspire us with their generous and faith-filled lives. On All Saints’ Day, celebrated on November 1, we are obligated to attend Mass to praise and worship God and honor the lives of the saints. We celebrate all the saints–those who are known and unknown. We are especially mindful of our patron saints: the saints whose names we share, those that our families honor, or that our schools or parishes are named. There are many ways to celebrate All Saints’ Day with students.

On November 3, the Church celebrates the feast day of Saint Martin de Porres, who was born in Peru in 1579. He is remembered for his poverty, his humility, his gifts of healing, his care and concern, and his friendship with all, including the least of God's creatures. 

Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini always dreamed of becoming a missionary. She never lost sight of her dreams. In her mission to support and care for Italian immigrants, she founded schools, orphanages, child-care centers, and hospitals and became the first naturalized citizen of the United States to be declared a saint. Her feast day is November 13. 

On November 16, the Church celebrates Saint Margaret of Scotland, who was known for her love of books and of learning. Margaret, born around the year 1045, was a queen. She used her position as an opportunity to help others. She used her resources and influence to improve the lives of her people and her eight children.

Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne was a French missionary who traveled to Missouri in 1818. As a teacher and educator and a founder of schools, she reminds us of the great value of education and the sacrifices it may demand. Her feast day is November 18.

November 22 is the feast day of Saint Cecilia, a Christian who lived during a time of persecution in the early Church. She is a famous martyr. She is the patron of music because of the way she sang during times of great trial and suffering during her life. Music expressed her great love for Christ, and her joyful belief that God would watch over her. 

Download a kit with short biographies and printable activities to learn about and celebrate saints with feast days in November.

December Saints Feast Days and Solemnities

1. St. Elegius: Remembered for his skill and honesty in his trade as a blacksmith, Elegius also founded monastic houses and became a bishop.
2. St. Bibiana: Martyred along with her family members, this Roman woman was devoted to Christ until death.
3. St. Francis Xavier: Co-founder of the Society of Jesus, Francis Xavier was a Spanish missionary and companion of Saint Ignatius Loyola.
4. St. Barbara: Remembered as one of the 14 holy helpers, Barbara was a virgin and martyr of the early Church.
5. St. Sabas: Sabasis considered one of the founders of Eastern monasticism when his quest for a solitary life turned into a community of those who desired to join him.
6. St. Nicholas of Myra: This popular saint is associated with beloved traditions that make him the patron of children and young people.
7. St. Ambrose: 4thcentury archbishop of Milan, Italy, Ambrose is remembered for his humility, generosity, scholarship, and care for the poor.
8. The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception: This Marian feast recalls that Mary wasconceived and born without sin.
9. St. Juan Diego: Mary appeared to Juan Diego, a peasant from present-day Mexico, as an Aztec noblewoman in 1531. He cared for the chapel later built on the site throughout his life.
10. Feast of Our Lady of Loreto: The Holy House of Loreto is where Mary was born and where the angel Gabriel appeared to her at the Annunciation.
11. Pope St. Damasus I: The accomplishments of this pope include the canon, or list, of Sacred Scripture.
12. Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe: On this Marian feast, Catholics honor Mary as Our Lady of Guadalupe and the patroness of the Americas, who appeared to Juan Diego in Mexico City in the 1500s.
13. St.Lucy: An Italian saint whose name, Lucia, means light, Lucy was a martyr who lived in the late 200s. She is remembered for her dedication to Jesus and for her service to the poor.
14. St. John of the Cross: Also called the “Mystic Doctor,” this 16th century Spanish theologian, mystic, and Doctor of the Church helped reformed the Carmelite Order.
15. St. Valerian: Valerian served as bishop of Abbenza (Tunisia) and died after being forced to live on the streets rather than turn over Sacred vessels during the persecution of the vandals.
16. St. Adelaide: Adelaide was an empress who built monasteries and churches and attended to the poor in the late 900s.
17. St. Daniel: Daniel was a prophet who prophesized the fall of the Empire of Babylon during the 7th century BC. Legend has it that God saved him from the lions intended to kill him.
18. St. Malachy: Malachy was a prophet who told about John the Baptist during the 5thcentury BC.
19. Pope St. Urban V: Elected pope in Avignon during the schism, this pope tried to return the papacy to Rome.
20. St. Dominic of Silos: Dominic was known for miracles and is remembered for his work in reinvigorating the monastery at San Sebastian in Silos.
21. St. Peter Canisius: A Jesuit preacher and Doctor of the Church, Peter Canisius is credited with growing the faith in southern Germany where he was sent as a missionary.
22. St. Frances Xavier Cabrini: Remembered on December 22 as the patron saint of migrants, Frances Xavier Cabrini is the founder of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
23. St. Thorlak of Iceland: Patron of Iceland, Thorlak started a monastery and implemented reforms while serving as bishop of Skalholt. The celebration of his feast day remains a national custom in Iceland.
24. St. Tarsilla: Tarsilla was a nun in Rome and the aunt of Pope St. Gregory the Great. Her nephew praised Tarsilla for her faith and charity.
25. Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord: This feast commemorates the birth of Christ.
26. St. Stephen, a Christian deacon in Jerusalem, Stephen was known as a friend to the poor and an early Christian martyr.
27. St. John: Apostle and evangelist, John is credited with writing the fourth Gospel account.
28. Feast of the Holy Innocents: On this feast, the Catholic Church honors the children of Israel killed by King Herod during his attempt to find the infant Jesus.
29. St. Thomas à Becket: Thomas à Becket served as archbishop of Canterbury and during King Henry II’s reign.
30. Bl. Margaret Colonna: Despite poor health and great suffering, she was known as a miracle worker who served the sick and the poor.
31. St. Sylvester: Pope in the early 300s, he is thought to have helped craft the Edict of Milan and to have baptized Constantine.

December Highlights

One of the world’s most popular saints, Saint Nicholas of Myra, is celebrated on December 6. Not much is known about this bishop but legends abound. He is the patron saint of children and remembered for his generosity and kindness. A Blessing of Candy Canes and a prayer service are some ways to celebrate this feast day. 

On December 9, the Church celebrates the feast day of Saint Juan Diego, and on December 12, we honor Mary as Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of the Americas. Mary appeared to Juan Diego in Mexico in 1531. She gave Juan Diego the special task of building a shrine on the spot she appeared to show her "love, compassion, help, and protection" of all people.

Download a kit with short biographies and printable activities to learn about and celebrate saints with feast days in December.

The saints’ love and prayers for the Church are constant. We celebrate the saints throughout the year and follow and share their holy examples so that we too can live as disciples of Christ.