Communion of Saints
The great cloud of witnesses — explore the lives, feast days, and patronages of holy men and women who shaped the Church throughout history.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…" Hebrews 12:1
Image: Stained glass window of Saint Peter Julian Eymard | Santa Clara de Montefalco Parish Church, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila | photo by Judgefloroo Saint of the Day for August 3 (February 4, 1811 – August 1, 1868) Saint Peter Julian Eymard’s Story Born in La Mure d’Isère in southeastern...
Image: Portrait of Pope Saint Pius X | Library of Congress | Tryphosa Bates-Batcheller Saint of the Day for August 21 (June 2, 1835 – August 20, 1914) Saint Pius X’s Story Pope Pius X is perhaps best remembered for his encouragement of the frequent reception of Holy Communion, especially by children...
Image: Saint Sharbel Makhlouf | unknown Saint of the Day for July 24 (May 8, 1828 – December 24, 1898) Saint Sharbel Makhlouf’s Story Although this saint never traveled far from the Lebanese village of Beka-Kafra where he was born, his influence has spread widely. Joseph Zaroun Maklouf was raised by...
Image: Imre Varga’s statue of Saint Stephen I, Apostolic king of Hungary, 1993, along the cathedral, Aachen, Germany Saint of the Day for August 16 (975 – August 15, 1038) Saint Stephen of Hungary’s Story The Church is universal, but its expression is always affected—for good or ill—by local culture...
Image: Portrait of Teresa Benedicta of the Crossin the student chapel of the Hochschulgemeinde Wien im Edith-Stein-Haus | photo by Braveheart Saint of the Day for August 9 (October 12, 1891 – August 9, 1942) Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross’ Story A brilliant philosopher who stopped believing in...
Image: Saint Thomas | Georges de La Tour Saint of the Day for July 3 (1st Century – December 21, 72) Saint Thomas’ Story Poor Saint Thomas! He made one remark and has been branded as “Doubting Thomas” ever since. But if he doubted, he also believed. He made what is certainly the most explicit statem...
Image: St. Titus Brandsma | Wikipedia Commons Saint of the Day for July 27 (February 23, 1881-July 26, 1942) Saint Titus Brandsma’s Story Given the birth name Anno, Brandsma and his siblings grew up on their parents’ dairy farm in rural Frisia. As devout Catholics, the family was in the minority amo...
Image: Statue of Saint Veronica Giuliani | Mercatello sul Metauro, Marches, Italie | photo by Adri08 Saint of the Day for July 10 (December 27, 1660 – July 9, 1727) Saint Veronica Giuliani’s Story Veronica Giuliani’s desire to be like Christ crucified was answered with the stigmata. Veronica was bor...
Image: Detail | Abrazo de San Joachim and Santa Anne ante la Puerta Dorada | Ambrosius Benson Saints of the Day for July 26 (c. 1st century) Saints Joachim and Anne’s Story In the Scriptures, Matthew and Luke furnish a legal family history of Jesus, tracing ancestry to show that Jesus is the culmina...
Image: Forty Martyrs of England and Wales commissioned by the General Postulation of the Society of Jesus | Daphne Pollen Saints of the Day for July 12 Saint John Jones (c.1530 – 1598) and Saint John Wall (1620 – 1679) Saint John Jones’ and Saint John Wall’s stories These two friars were martyred in...
Image: Jesus, Lazarus, Martha and Mary | St. Botolph without Aldersgate Saints of the Day for July 29 (c. 1st century) Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus’ story Martha, Mary, and their brother Lazarus were evidently close friends of Jesus. He came to their home simply as a welcomed guest, rather than a...
Image: The Virgin and Child with Saints Peter and Paul | Girolamo Figino Saint of the Day for June 29 Saints Peter and Paul’s Story Peter (d. 64?) Saint Mark ends the first half of his Gospel with a triumphant climax. He has recorded doubt, misunderstanding, and the opposition of many to Jesus. Now...
Aurelius Augustinus Hipponensis was a theologian and philosopher from Roman Africa. One of the most important Church Fathers, his writings profoundly influenced Western Christianity and philosophy. Feast day: August 28.
Catherine Benincasa was a lay member of the Dominican Order who lived during the 14th century. She is a Doctor of the Church and patron of Italy and Europe. Feast day: April 29.
Helena Kowalska, known in religious life as Sister Maria Faustina, was a Polish nun who reported visions of Jesus Christ and wrote the Diary of Divine Mercy. Feast day: October 5.
Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, known as Francis of Assisi, was an Italian friar, deacon, mystic, and preacher. He founded the Franciscan Order. His feast day is October 4.
Joan of Arc was a French peasant girl who, claiming divine guidance, led the French army to several important victories during the Hundred Years' War. She was burned at the stake at age 19. Feast day: May 30.
Karol Józef Wojtyła served as Pope from 1978 to 2005. He is one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century. His pontificate of nearly 27 years was the third longest in history. Feast day: October 22.