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: Saint Camillus de Lellis in facade of church Santa Maria Maddalena | photo by Livioandronico2013 Saint of the Day for July 18 (1550 – July 14, 1614) Saint Camillus de Lellis’ Story Humanly speaking, Camillus was not a likely candidate for sainthood. His mother died when he was a child, his fa...
Image: Saint Clare | original painting for the Poor Clares in Cincinnati, Ohio Saint of the Day for August 11 (July 16, 1194 – August 11, 1253) Saint Clare of Assisi’s Story One of the more sugary movies made about Francis of Assisi pictures Clare as a golden-haired beauty floating through sun-drenc...
Image: Statue of Saint Cyril of Alexandria in Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora do Sameiro, Braga, Portugal | photo by Joseolgon Saint of the Day for June 27 (378 – June 27, 444) Saint Cyril of Alexandria’s Story Saints are not born with halos around their heads. Cyril of Alexandria, recognized as a great...
Image: Stained glass | Saint Dominic sends out the Friars | photo by Lawrence, OP | flickr Saint of the Day for August 8 (August 8, 1170 – August 6, 1221) Saint Dominic’s Story If he hadn’t taken a trip with his bishop, Saint Dominic would probably have remained within the structure of contemplative...
Image: Elizabeth of Portugal| Francisco de Zurbarán Saint of the Day for July 4 (1271 – July 4, 1336) Saint Elizabeth of Portugal’s Story Elizabeth of Portugal is usually depicted in royal garb with a dove or an olive branch. At her birth in 1271, her father Pedro III, future king of Aragon, was rec...
Image: Santo Eusébio Ressuscitando Três Pessoas | Raphael Saint of the Day for August 2 (c. 300 – August 1, 371) Saint Eusebius of Vercelli’s Story Someone has said that if there had been no Arian heresy denying Christ’s divinity, it would be very difficult to write the lives of many early saints. S...
Image: Saint Francis Solanus statue at Howard University School of Divinity | photo by Jim McIntosh Saint of the Day for July 17 (March 10, 1549 – July 14, 1610) Saint Francis Solano’s Story Francis came from a leading family in Andalusia, Spain. Perhaps it was his popularity as a student that enabl...
Image: Saint Gregory Grassi, OFM | Whitworth Digital Commons | Whitworth University Saints of the Day for July 8 (February 13, 1823 – July 9, 1900) Saint Gregory Grassi and Companions’ Story Christian missionaries have often gotten caught in the crossfire of wars against their own countries. When th...
Image: Stained glass window of Saint Henry | photo by Lawrence, OP | flicker Saint of the Day for July 13 (May 6, 972 – July 13, 1024) Saint Henry’s Story As German king and Holy Roman Emperor, Saint Henry was a practical man of affairs. He was energetic in consolidating his rule. He crushed rebelli...
Image: St. Ignatius of Loyola | Peter Paul Rubens Saint of the Day for July 31 (October 23, 1491 – July 31, 1556) Saint Ignatius of Loyola’s Story The founder of the Jesuits was on his way to military fame and fortune when a cannon ball shattered his leg. Because there were no books of romance on ha...
Image: Stained glass window of Saint Irenaeus | Église Saint-Irénée, France | photo by Gérald Gambier Saint of the Day for June 28 (c. 130 – c. 202) Saint Irenaeus’ Story The Church is fortunate that Saint Irenaeus was involved in many of its controversies in the second century. He was a student, we...
Image: Detail | Santiago apóstol con donante | Jaime Baço Saint of the Day for July 25 (d. c. 44) Saint James’ Story This James is the brother of John the Evangelist. The two were called by Jesus as they worked with their father in a fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had already called anoth...
Image: Stained glass window in Église Saint-Honoré-d’Eylau, Paris | photo by Mbzt’s Saint of the Day for August 12 (January 28, 1572 – December 13, 1641) Saint Jane Frances de Chantal’s Story Jane Frances was wife, mother, nun, and founder of a religious community. Her mother died when she was 18 m...
Image: Wooden statue of Saint Joan of the Cross | A l’école des soeurs de Jeanne Delanoue | unknown Saint of the Day for August 17 (June 18, 1666 – August 17, 1736) Saint Joan of the Cross’ Story An encounter with a shabby old woman many dismissed as insane prompted Joan of the Cross to dedicate her...
Image: Stained glass window in Saint-Pierre de Dourdain | photo by GO69 Saint of the Day for August 19 (November 14, 1601 – August 19, 1680) Saint John Eudes’ Story How little we know where God’s grace will lead. Born on a farm in northern France, John died at 78 in the next “county” or department....
Image: Stained glass window of Curé d’Ars | Luant, France | photo by François Goglins Saint of the Day for August 4 (May 8, 1786 – August 4, 1859) Saint John Vianney (Saint Jean Vianney), also known as the Curé d’Ars, is considered the patron saint of parish priests. He is known for his deep devotio...
A statue of St. Junipero Serra sits among flowers outside San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission in Carmel, Calif. (CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec) Saint of the Day for July 1 (November 24, 1713 – August 28, 1784) Saint Junipero Serra’s Story In 1776, when the American Revolution was beginning in the east,...
Image: Stained glass of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha | Saint Stephen Catholic Church, Chesapeake, Virginia | photo by Nheyob Saint of the Day for July 14 (1656 – April 17, 1680) Saint Kateri Tekakwitha’s Story The blood of martyrs is the seed of saints. Nine years after the Jesuits Isaac Jogues and Jean...