Faith, Featured, patron saints, Spirituality

Twenty Five Popular Patron Saints For Men To Consider As Their Confirmation Name

StickyFebruary 21, 2026 Vicki Scheenstra

Easter is just around the corner! Students of Catholicism are preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation. At the Easter vigil adults coming into the Catholic faith will be baptized, receive their first communion and be confirmed.

The list below is twenty five male patron saints which men might be interested in as they choose their patron saint for confirmation.

Young Catholics will receive the sacrament during the Easter season, when the Bishop of their diocese visits their parish.

The sacrament of confirmation is one of the three sacraments of initiation. First is baptism which is often received shortly after birth. Second is Communion or Eucharist, which received at age of reason, usually seven or eight years of age. The third is confirmation. The age for confirmation is decided upon by the Bishop of the Diocese and can range from age of reason to high school.

When confirmed, the person is “sealed with the Holy Spirit”. The sacrament makes the person a full member of the Catholic Church. It’s history goes back to Pentecost, the birthday of the Church. On Pentecost the Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and their confusion was lifted. The Apostles received gifts from the Holy Spirit. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are the following: 1.Wisdom, 2.Understanding, 3. Counsel, 4. Courage 5.Knowledge 6. Reverence, 7. Wonder and awe. Not everyone receives the same gifts.

The fruits of the Holy Spirit come when we make use of the gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit. The fruits of the Holy Spirit are the following: 1. Charity 2. Joy 3. Peace 4. Patience 5. Kindness 6. Goodness 7. Generosity 8. Gentleness 9. Faithfulness 10. Modesty 11. Self-control 12 Chastity

The person being confirmed chooses a patron saint. The name of the saint is the name the bishop will use when he anoints him/her and lays hands in prayer on them. The saint is to be a role model and guide for the person throughout their life. In good times and bad, we ask our patron saint to pray with us and for us.

Are you searching for a patron saint?

The following twenty five saints should be considered as you choose your patron saint.

St. Andrew the Apostle

Feast day: Nov. 30

Patron of fishermen

Apostle and martyr

St. Andrew was the brother to Simon Peter. They were both fishermen. Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist and the first apostle to be called by Jesus. When Andrew asked Jesus where he lived Jesus responded “Come and See.” Andrew then told Simon Peter about Jesus saying “We have found the Messiah!”

After the resurrection, St. Andrew preached in Greece.

St. Andrew was martyred by crucifixion.

St. Anthony of Padua

Feast day: June 13

Patron of lost items and missing persons

Doctor of the Church

St. Anthony was born in Portugal in 1195. He joined the Augustinian Order. Later he joined the Franciscan Order at age 26. He is called “The hammer of the Heretics.” His preaching was simple and easy to understand. The Infant child Jesus miraculously appeared to him.

St. Anthony was canonized less than one year after his death in 1231.

St. Augustine of Hippo

Feast day: Aug. 28

Patron of Brewers

Father of the Church

St. Augustine was the patron of brewers because of his lifestyle which included loose living and parties. His mother was St. Monica, who prayed for him for many years. He finally converted after reading a passage of scripture which said, “put away all impurity and live in imitation of Jesus.” This passage helped him to decide to return to the faith.

He was baptized by St. Ambrose. Eventually, he became the Bishop of Hippo. He is know for the poem “Too late have I loved You.”

In the year 430, he fell ill. He spent his last days in prayer, dying on Aug. 28.

St. Bernard Clairvaux Public Domain Image — St. Bernard Clairvaux

St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Feast day: Aug. 20

Doctor of the Church

Patron saint of mountaineers, The Alps

St. Bernard was born in Burgundy, France. After his mother’s death he entered the Cistercian Order. He founded a monastery known as the Abbey of Clairvaux. He was the Abbot. He refused offers to become a bishop. In 1128, he participated in the Council of Troyes. He was known for fighting against heresies.

In 1139, he assisted in the Second Council of the Lateran. He encouraged Lectio Divina and contemplation on scripture.

St. Dominic

Feast day: Aug 8

Patron of Astronomers

Founder of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans)

St. Dominic was born in 1170 into a wealthy family at Calaruega, Spain. As a priest he preached against the Albigensianism heresy. He also helped to reform the Cistercians.

He organized the Order of Preachers, known as the Dominican Order. They were traveling preachers who practiced a life of prayer and penance.

St. Dominic spread the Marian devotion of praying the Rosary.

St. Dominic died on Aug. 6

St. Francis of Assisi

Feast day: Oct. 4

Patron of environment and animals

Founder of The Franciscan Order

St. Francis was born in Assisi, Italy in 1181 into a wealthy family. He lived a wild life when young, becoming a soldier. However, God appeared to him in a dream telling him to go home.

Later, in prayer, God said “Francis, repair my church.” Francis took this literally, and began to repair the church buildings which were falling down. Eventually, it led Francis to leave his family, founding the Franciscan Order. Franciscans took a vow of poverty and served the sick and poor.

St. Francis loved animals and nature. Birds and wild animals had no fear of him. He also composed music.

St. Francis died in 1226.

St. Gregory the Great

Feast day: Sept. 3

Patron saint of students, teachers, musicians

Doctor of the Church

St. Gregory became a prefect of Rome before the age of 30. The pope chose him to be one of his seven deacons. At age 50 he was elected pope. He is know for reforming the liturgy. The Gregorian chant is attributed to St. Gregory.

Pope Gregory became a Benedictine monk living in his own home. He founded six monasteries after five years in office. He also re-energized the missionary work of the church.

Pope Gregory died in 604. He was declared a saint by popular acclamation.

St. Jerome

Feast day: Sept. 30

Patron of librarians, students, and orphans

Doctor of the Church

St. Jerome was born in 342 in Aquileio. He is the most educated of the Church Fathers. He was baptized by Pope Liberius in 360.

Wanting a religious library, he copied St. Hilary’s books. He is most famous for his translation of the Bible from Hebrew into Latin (the vulgate). He also wrote many commentaries on scripture. He was a priest, confessor, theologian and historian.

St. Jerome died near Bethlehem on Sept. 30, 420.

In art he is shown as one of the four church fathers (Augustine of Hippo, Ambrose, Pope Gregory the Great and Jerome).

St. John the Baptist

Feast day: June 24

Patron of prosperity, baptism and conversion

Cousin to Jesus

John the Baptist was the cousin to Jesus. He was the son of Elizabeth, who miraculously conceived in her old age. Zechariah was his father.

At age 30 John began to preach in Jordan against evil behavior. He called everyone to penance and baptism, saying the Kingdom of Heaven is close at hand. He baptized large crowds of people. Eventually, he baptized Jesus, saying. “It is I who need baptism from You.”

It is John who identified Jesus as “The Lamb of God”.

John the Baptist is considered the last of the Old Testament prophets.

John was beheaded at the request of the daughter of the king on June 24th.

St. John the Evangelist

Feast day: Dec. 27

Patron of Book sellers, printers, art dealers

Apostle

St. John was a Galilean, born to Zebedee. His mother was Salome. He was the Brother to St. James the Greater. John and James were known as “the sons of thunder.” St. John is also known as “The beloved disciple” and “The Apostle of Charity”.

John was with Jesus at the marriage feast of Cana. He was given the honor of sitting next to Jesus at the Last Supper. He was also with Jesus during all of his suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and at the crucifixion. He was the only Apostle who stood with the holy women at the foot of the cross.

Jesus spoke about him from the cross, saying “Woman, behold thy son”. John took Mary the mother of Jesus into his home after Jesus’ death and cared for her.

St. John was the first Apostle to recognize Jesus when he appeared to them on the shore.

St. John worked in Jerusalem and at Ephesus after the death of Jesus, living in Asia Minor. He wrote the fourth Gospel, three Epistles, and possibly the Book of Revelation.

St. John of the Cross

Feast day: Dec. 14

Patron saint of poets, mystics, and contemplatives

Doctor of the Church

John of the Cross was born in Spain in 1542. After the death of his father he attended a school for orphans. His mother kept the family together inspite of being homeless. At the age of 14 he took a job caring for hospital patients who suffered mental and terminal illnesses. From poverty and suffering John found beauty and happiness not in the world but in God.

St. John joined the Carmelite Order. He met and became a friend to St. Teresa of Avila. She asked him to help him reform the order. Threatened by the change John envisioned, he was captured and imprisoned by members of his own order, being locked in a small room and beaten regularly. After nine months he escaped, taking only his mystical poetry with him. This poetry includes The Dark Night of the Soul.

St. John of the Cross died in 1591.

St. Joseph

Feast day March 19, May 1

Patron of fathers, a happy death, workers, foster children

Foster father of Jesus

Husband to the Blessed Virgin

Joseph was engaged to be married to Mary, when she was found with child. He was going to divorce her quietly to avoid scandal, however an angel appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do no be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. Mat: 1: 20-21

Joseph immediately took Mary as his wife.

The angel appeared to Joseph a second time. This time he was told his family was in danger. They fled to Egypt where they stayed until the angel told him it was safe to return.

Joseph worked as a carpenter. He was the foster father of Jesus, loving him and providing for him and Mary. Jesus, Mary and Joseph are referred to as “The Holy Family”.

We celebrate two feast days for St. Joseph. The first is on March 19; Feast day of St. Joseph, husband of Mary. The second feast day is May 1; Feast day of St. Joseph the worker.

St. Joseph is the patron for a happy death because tradition tells us that he died with Jesus and Mary at his side.

St. Jude Thaddius Public Domain Image — St. Jude Thaddius

St. Jude Thaddaeus

Feast day: Oct. 28

Patron of desperate causes

Apostle and martyr

St. Jude was an apostle of Jesus. He was brother to St. James the Less. He is not the same person as Judas who betrayed our Lord.

St. Jude is the author of an epistle in the Bible. Because he stressed the need to persevere during difficult times, he is considered the patron of desperate causes.

Tradition tells us that he suffered martyrdom along with the apostle Simon the Zealot in Beirut, a province of Syria. In art he is shown with an ax which was used in his execution.

St. Justin Martyr

Feast day: June 1

Patron of philosophers

Martyr

Father of the Church

St. Justin Martyr lived from 100-165. He was born a Gentile at Flavia, Neapolis. He converted to Christianity and defended the faith in Asia Minor and Rome. He wrote two “Apologies”. These were attempts to explain the faith. His first Apology is one of the earliest records teaching the meaning of the Eucharist.

St. Justin was a student of philosophy. After his conversion, he continued to debate philosophy publicly with his fellow students. A rival philosopher turned Justin in to authorities because of his faith. He was put on trial and then executed. He was beheaded in the year 165.

St. Justin Martyr is considered a Father of the Church.

St. Luke

Feast day: Oct. 18

Patron of physicians and surgeons

Author of the Gospel of Luke and The Acts of the Apostles

St. Luke was a gentile who spoke Greek. He followed Paul after the Resurrection of Jesus. He accompanied Paul to Macedonia. When Paul was imprisoned, St. Luke stayed near him.

St. Luke was born at Antioch in Spain. He is referred to as a physician by St. Paul, St. Jerome and St. Irenaeus. He is referred to as “the beloved physician” by Paul in Col. 4:14.

The Gospel of Luke focuses on God’s mercy and forgiveness of sinners. Only in the Gospel of Luke does the story of the Prodigal Son appear.

St. Mark the Evangelist

Feast day: April 25

Patron of attorneys, prisoners, notaries

Martyr

St. Mark was a disciple of Jesus who traveled with St. Paul. He accompanied Paul and Barnabus on their missionary journey.

St. Mark wrote the second gospel when Romans requested that he write down the teachings of St. Peter. Tradition says that he was present at the Miracle of Cana when Jesus turned the water into wine.

Tradition also tells us he was martyred in the year 68 by being dragged through the street with a rope around his neck.

He is portrayed as a lion because his Gospel begins with John the Baptist crying “Make ready the way of the Lord”.

The relics of St. Mark are in Venice.

St. Matthew

Feast day: Sept. 21

Apostle

Patron saint of bankers and accountants

Martyr

St. Matthew was one of the twelve called to be an Apostle. He was a tax collector before Jesus called him to follow him. He is also known as ‘Levi”.

The Gospel of Mathew was written in Aramaic which the Hebrew tongue. The Gospel of Mathew has the most parables of the Gospels. It also has the Beatitudes which are in the Sermon on the Mount. Tradition tells us that he worked in Ethiopia.

Tradition tells us that St. Matthew died a martyrs death, being killed with an ax.

St. Michael the Archangel

Feast day: Sept. 29

Archangel

Patron of police, paratroopers, mariners, sickness

The name Michael means “Who is like God.” St. Michael is the leader of the good angels. He is considered a warrior angel. In the Book of Revelations it is St. Michael who is the leader during the final battle between good and evil at the end of time.

St. Michael the Archangel is the patron of police because of his battle against evil. St. Michael defend me in battle is a popular Catholic prayer.

St. Michael has appeared in three places: the cave of St. Michael in Italy, Mont St. Michel in France and The Grotto of St. Michael in Mexico.

St. Patrick

Feast day: March 17

Patron of Ireland, slaves

St. Patrick was born in Kilpatrick, Scotland, in 387. At age 14 he was captured by a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave. As a slave, he tended to the sheep. He turned to God in prayer. His prayer “The Breastplate of St. Patrick” is well known.

Patrick was a slave until the age of 20. He received guidance in a dream. He was led to sailors who took him to Britain. In another dream, the people of Ireland asked him to return.

He became a priest, then a Bishop. As Bishop he was sent back to Ireland. Many people converted under his guidance. He is known for using the shamrock to explain the Trinity.

He died in Saul, where he built his first church, on March 17, 461.

St. Paul

Feast day: June 29

Apostle

Martyr

Author of 14 Epistles

Patron of converts, authors, writers, publishers

St. Paul is known as the Apostle of the Gentiles. He is also known as Saul of Tarsus. Before his conversion, he was persecuting Christians. In the Book of Acts his conversion story is told. Paul hears a voice saying “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Paul replies, “Who are you, Lord?” “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up enter the city and you will be told what to do.” Acts 9: 4-6

After this experience Paul was baptized, and he began preaching that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. He fled Damascus returning to see Peter. Paul traveled on several missionary journeys, accompanied by Barnabus.

He was imprisoned in Caesarea and then in Rome, being kept in chains. After his release he went to Spain. He was imprisoned again and beheaded in the year 67.

St. Paul wrote 14 Epistles which have greatly influenced the Christian faith.

St. Peregrine Laziosi

Feast day: May 1

Patron of cancer victims

St. Peregrine was born to wealthy parents in Forli, Italy in 1260. He was active in politics when he was young, being a member of the anti-papal party. After striking St. Philip Benizi in the face at an uprising he repented and converted to Catholicism.

St. Peregrine received a vision of the Virgin Mary, after which he followed her instructions to join the Servites, observing silence and solitude.

He was afflicted with a tumor on his leg which the doctors wanted to amputate. He spent the night before the operation in prayer. The following morning he was completely cured and the tumor was gone. The miracle became well known.

St. Peregrine died at the age of 85.

St. Peter

Feast day: June 29

Patron of fishermen

Apostle and martyr

Peter’s name at birth was Simon. He was from Bethsaida and the brother to St. Andrew. Both Simon and Peter were fishermen. It was Andrew who told Simon that he had found the Messiah. Jesus then called Simon to follow him.

Jesus gave Simon the name of Peter which means “rock”. When Peter acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah, the son of the living God, Jesus said to him, “You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

St. Peter is always listed as the first of the Apostles in all of the New Testament accounts. Peter, along with James and John were present at the transfiguration, the raising of Jairus’ daughter and the Agony in the Garden.

At the crucifixion Peter denied Jesus three times.

When Jesus appeared to Peter after the Resurrection, he told Peter three times “feed my sheep”.

After the Resurrection, Peter appointed the replacement of Judas. He preached to the Gentiles.

Peter died in Rome during the reign of Nero. He was crucified upside down because he declared himself unworthy to die in the same manner as the Lord.

St. Sebastian

Feast day: Jan. 20

Martyr

Patron of archers, athletes and soldiers

St. Sebastian was born in Gaul. He became a soldier in the Roman army. Sebastian converted many people to the christian faith. He is also known for curing a deaf mute.

St. Sebastian was named captain of the guards. When they learned he was Christian, he was ordered executed. He was shot with arrows and left to die. The widow of St. Castulas found him still alive and nursed him back to health. Soon after, he was beaten to death on the Emperors orders.

St. Sebastian is considered the patron saint of athletes because of his physical endurance and energetic way of defending the faith.

St. Thomas the Apostle

Feast day: July 3

Patron of architects

Apostle and Martyr

St. Thomas was born into a Jewish family. Jesus called him to be one of the twelve disciples.

He is most remembered for not believing that Jesus had risen from the dead, saying “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in his side I will not believe. John 20: 25

Jesus appeared to Thomas a week later saying “Peace be with you. Put your finger here and see my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered “My Lord and my God!”

St. Thomas is remembered as Doubting Thomas.

After Pentecost, Thomas was sent to evangelize the Parthians, Medes, Persians, and India.

St. Thomas was speared to death at Calamine.

St. Vincent de Paul

Feast day: Sept. 27

Patron of Charitable Societies

St. Vincent was born in 1581 to poor parents in Gascony, France. His first school was led by Franciscans. He was ordained a priest in 1600 after studying at the University of Toulousse.

St. Vincent was captured by pirates while he was at sea. They held him prisoner for two years. He escaped, going to Rome and then returning to France.

St. Vincent founded the Sister of Charity who served the poor through corporal and spiritual works of mercy. He then founded the Vincentians. Their mission was to serve the poor in smaller towns and villages. He also conducted retreats for clergy and established seminaries.

St. Vincent died at the age of 80.

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Featured, History, Jesuit Saints, Martyr

Saints from the United States of America

StickyOctober 23, 2022 Vicki Scheenstra

During colonial times, Catholic immigrants coming to the U.S.from Europe settled primarily in the colonies of Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York. Laws protecting religious freedom had not yet been written. Intolerance between religious groups was a common occurrence.

After over fifty years without a bishop, Father John Carroll, a Jesuit, was consecrated bishop and served the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Catholics were a distinct minority at the time. Bishop Carroll estimated the Catholic population in the colonies to be 25,000, or less than one percent of the total population. The church grew rapidly under his guidance.

Today, according to Pew Research there are 75 million Catholics in the United States, approximately 24 percent of the total population.

The colonial Catholics were served by missionaries, both Jesuits and Franciscans.

The following men and women in the U.S. have been proclaimed saints by the Pope. They are considered role models in holiness for Catholics today to turn to for guidance.

There are four steps to becoming a saint in the Catholic Church.

Servant of God…….Formal investigation has begun…………………….82 investigations ongoing
Venerable……………Heroic virtue has been decreed by Pope……….16 from U.S.A.
Blessed……………….First miracle has been confirmed……………………7 from U.S.A.
Saint..………………….Second miracle has been confirmed……………..12 from U.S.A.

The following saints have lived in the United States. Most are immigrants, however two were born in the United States; Kateri Tekakwitha is the first Native American saint and Elizabeth Ann Seton is the first saint from the United States to be canonized.

The Catholic Church teaches that everyone in heaven is a saint. The Church declares certain people to be saints when their holiness is obvious, if they were martyred for the faith and after miracles attributed to them have been investigated.

While there are thousands of declared saints, only the following Americans have received the official title of Saint.

North America Jesuit Martyrs Public Domain Image — North America Jesuit Martyrs

North American Martyrs

In the 1600’s, eight French Jesuit missionaries lost their lives while trying to spread the news of the gospel to the Huron, Iroquois, and Mohawk Indians. Three of them died in what is now New York State, five of them died in what is now Canada.

Isaac Jogues, René Goupil and Jean La Laude died in New York.

John DeBrebeuf, Gabriel Lalemant, Charles Garnier, Anthony Daniel, and Noel Chabanel died in Canada.

St. René Goupit was a Jesuit Lay brother. He was the first to be martyred. He was killed by tomahawk at Osermenon, (Auriesville, NY)) in 1942.

Father Isaac Jogues, a Jesuit priest, was held captive by the Mohawks for thirteen months. He had several fingers cut off his hand. He escaped and returned to France. He later returned to the mission. He was killed by tomahawk by a Mohawk brave in 1946.

St. Jean de La Lande, a Jesuit donné (not a member of the Society, but at their service) tried to retrieve Father Isaac Jogues’ body, but was killed also.

These martyrs were the first saints of North America. The martyrs were canonized by Pope Pius XI on June 29, 1930.

The memorial in the U.S.A is celebrated on Oct. 19. The memorial in Canada is celebrated on September 26.

The martyrs are patron saints of America

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Public Domain Image — St. Frances Xavier Cabrini

St. Francis Xavier Cabrini

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. Francesco Cabrini was born in Lombardi, Italy in 1850. She was one of 13 children, raised on a farm. She attended school in a convent. She wanted to become a nun but was hindered by poor health. She became a teacher, teaching at a girl’s school for six years.

Frances took religious vows in 1877, adding Xavier to her name to honor St. Francis Xavier.

At the request of her bishop she founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart to care for poor children.

At the urging of Pope Leo XIII, she immigrated to the Unites States with six nuns to work with Italian immigrants. She crossed the Atlantic ocean in spite of her great fear of water.

She founded many schools, hospitals, and orphanages in the United States, England, France, Spain and South America. In New York City, St. Frances Cabrini founded Columbus Hospital and Italian Hospital. In the 1980’s they merged into Cabrini Hospital.

In 1909 St. Frances Xavier Cabrini became a naturalized United States citizen. She died from malaria at the age of 67, on December 22, 1917, at Columbus Hospital in Chicago, IL.

In 1931, her body was exhumed, found partially incorrupt, and is now enshrined under glass in the altar at St. Frances Cabrini Shrine in Manhattan.

The National Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini was dedicated in 1955. It is located in Chicago at Lincoln Park. Chicago is the city where she primarily lived, worked and died.

The feast day of St. Frances Cabrini is celebrated on November 13th.

St. Frances Cabrini was beatified on Nov. 13, by Pope Pius XI. St. Frances Cabrini was canonized on July 7, 1946 by Pope Pius XII.

St. Frances Cabrini is the patron saint of immigrants. orphans and against malaria.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is the first native born American to be canonized a saint.

Elizabeth was born on Aug. 28, 1774 in New York City. She was raised in the Episcopal Church. At the early age of 3 her mother died. At the age of 19 she married William Seton, a wealthy businessman.

Within four years, she suffered the death of her father in-law which left William in charge, not only of his father’s business but the seven half-brothers and sisters as well. The business failed, forcing bankruptcy.

William became ill with tuberculosis. In an attempt to find a cure they moved to Italy. He died while living in Italy. Elizabeth grew very close to God. She accepted and embraced the will of God. Elizabeth eventually was led into the Catholic church. She had a strong devotion to the Virgin Mary.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton established the first free Catholic school in America. On March 25, 1809 she took a vow of poverty, chastity, and obedience. She became the founder of the Sisters of Charity, which followed the rules written by St. Vincent de Paul for the Daughters of Charity in France. She became Mother Seton.

Her final years were spent leading and developing the new congregation. The sisters opened free schools and orphanages along the East Coast.

Elizabeth. died in 1821 of tuberculosis at age 46.

Pope John XXIII canonized her as St. Elizabeth Ann Seton on Sept. 14, 1975. He stated, “In a house that was very small, but with ample space for charity, she sowed a seed in America.”

The feast day of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is celebrated on Jan. 4.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is the patron saint of in-law troubles and loss of children.

St. John Newman Public Domain Image — St. John Newman

St. John Neumann

St. John Neumann was born in Bohemia in 1811. Due to the shortage of priests in the colonies, he traveled to New York to be ordained a priest and worked in an isolated parish.

Father John eventually joined the Redemptorists who were dedicated to helping the poor and abandoned. In 1852, he was appointed Bishop of Philadelphia. He increased the number of Catholic schools from two to a hundred.

His desire to hear confessions led him to learn at least six languages. He knew Spanish, English, French, Italian, Dutch and Gaelic.

Bishop Neumann died at the age of 48 on Jan. 5, 1860.

After his death the National Shrine of St. John Neumann was constructed at the Parish of St. Peter the Apostle in Philadelphia. Our Lady of the Angels College, founded by the Congregation of Franciscan Sisters he had founded renamed the College Neumann College. It was later given University status.

St. John Neumann was beatified on Oct. 13, 1963 by Pope Paul VI.

St. John Neumann was canonized on June 19, 1977 by Pope Paul VI.

The feast day of St. John Neumann is celebrated on Jan. 5, the day of his death.

St. John Neumann is the patron saint of Catholic education.

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne

St. Rose was born in Grenoble, France in 1769. She was drawn to the contemplative life. During the French revolution she spent her time nursing prisoners. She soon joined the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

During Eucharistic Adoration she experienced a vision where she was serving God in the New World. Twelve years later , at the age of 49, she moved to the United States. She was sent to the Louisiana Territory.

In Louisiana, she opened the first free school west of the Missouri River. By 1828 she had founded six houses. She worked among the Potawatomie Indians who named her Quah-kak-ka-num-ad, “Woman-Who-Prays-Always”.

St. Rose died at the age of 83 at St. Charles, Missouri on November 18, 1852.

St. Rose was Beatified by Pope Pius XII in 1940.

St. Rose was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1988.

The Feast Day of St. Rose is celebrated on November 18.

St. Rose is the patron saint of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Missouri

St. Theodore Guerin

St. Theodore Guérin’s birth name was Anne Thérése. She was born on Oct. 2, 1798 in Etables, France. Her father served in Napoleon’s navy. At the young age of 15 her father was murdered by bandits while traveling home for a visit.

Anne Thérése turned to God in the difficult years following his death. At the age of 25 she entered the Sisters of Providence to serve the poor, sick and dying. Anne Thérése became Sister Theodore. She was asked to lead a small missionary band of Sisters to the United States in Indiana.

Mother Théodore accepted the mission in spite of her fragile health. She could only consume soft, bland food and liquid. She traveled to the Unites States with five other sisters. After surviving a violent storm at sea in the trip Mother Théodore wrote the following:

“What strength the soul draws from prayer! In the midst of a storm, how sweet is the calm it finds in the heart of Jesus. But what comfort is there for those who do not pray?”

Mother Théodore established schools in Indiana and Illinois. She is described as saintly by people who knew her.

Sixteen years after coming to the United States she died. She is buried in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in St. Mary of the Woods, Indiana.

St. Théodore Guérin was beatified on Oct. 25, 1998 by Pope John Paul II.

St. Théodore Guérin was canonized on Oct. 15, 2006 by Pope Benedict XVI.

The feast day of Théodore Guérin is celebrated on October 3.

St. Théodore Guérin is the patron saint of the Diocese of Lafayette, Indiana.

St. Katharine Drexel Public Domain Image — St. Katharine Drexel

St. Katherine Drexel

St. Katerine Drexel was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Nov. 26, 1858. She was the child of wealthy parents who taught her to be generous.

Katherine became a Sister in 1889 at the age of 31. She founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Black and Native American people. She dedicated her life and great wealth to this work.

She helped to open the first mission school for Indians in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Other schools soon followed. She then founded Xavier University in New Orleans.

St. Katherine Drexel is the second recognized American born saint.

Katherine Drexel was beatified on Nov. 2, 1988 by Pope John Paul II.

St. Katherine Drexel was canonized on Oct. 1, 2000 by Pope John Paul II.

We celebrate the feast day of St. Katherine Drexel on March 3.

St. Katherine Drexel is the patron saint of philanthropists and racial justice.

St. Kateri Tekakwitha

St. Kateri is the first Native American saint. She was born in 1656 to the daughter of a Mohawk warrior and a Catholic Alqonquin.

When Kateri was four years old smallpox attacked her family. Her mother and little brother died from the disease. Kateri’s face was scarred by the disease and she became partially blind. Her two Aunts and an Uncle adopted her.

On Easter, 1676, Kateri was baptized by Jesuit missionary Father Jacques de Lambertville at the age of 20. She was devoted to prayer, penitential practices and the care of the sick and aged in Caughnawaga near Montreal. Her relics are now enshrined in Caughnawaga..

Because of her conversion, she incurred hostility from her tribe. She went to a new Christian colony in Indianan, Canada. She was devoted to the Eucharist and to “Christ crucified.” She spent much time praying before the Blessed Sacrament. Her motto was…

“Who can tell me what is most pleasing to God that I may do it?”

At the age of 23 Kateri died on Wednesday of Holy Week, at approximately 3 p.m. Within fifteen minutes after her death, her face, which was marked by smallpox, was healed and became beautiful. Father Cholone called others to see what had happened.

Miraculous cures at the Sault Mission were frequent that year (1682) and attributed to Kateri. She appeared to many people after her death, always carrying a cross.

She was beatified (declared Blessed) by Pope John Paul II in 1980 and canonized by Pope Benedict XVI at Saint Peter’s Basilica on October 21, 2012.

We celebrate St. Kateri‘s feast day on July 14. She was known as “the Lily of the Mohawks”.

St. Kateri Takakwitha is the patron saint of the environment.

St. Damien of Molokai Public Domain Image — St. Damien of Molokai

St. Damien de Veuster

St. Damien of Molokai was born Joseph de Veuster on Jan. 3, 1840 in Tremelo, Belgium. He was raised on a farm. He chose the name Damien when he joined the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

Damien was still in minor orders when he volunteered to go to Hawaii. Two months after his arrival in Hawaii, he was ordained a priest on May 24, 1864.

The Hawaiin King Kamehameha IV created an isolated settlement on the island of Molakai to deal with the public health crisis. Many people were dying of influenza, syphilis and leprosy. Father Damien wished to minister to the sick so he asked his Bishop to send him to Molokai knowing the risk of death.

When he arrived in Molokai, there were 600 lepers for him to minister to. He built the Parish Church of St. Philomena for the people to learn the Catholic faith. He restored personal pride and dignity to people who needed hope. He provided care and comfort for sixteen years. working as a priest, doctor and builder. He built houses, a school and an orphanage. Not only did he dress their ulcers, he also built over 600 coffins and dug graves.

Father Damien said ” My greatest pleasure is to go there (the cemetery) to say my beads, and meditate on that unending happiness which so may of them are already enjoying.”.

In 1885, Father Damien contracted leprosy. In his final years, he enlarged his orphanages and sought help. St. Marianne Cope came with her sisters to help him while he was ill. She reassured him she would carry on his work.

Father Damien died at the age of 49 on April 15, 1889.

The feast day of Father Damien is celebrated on May 10.

Father Damien was beatified by Pope John Paul II on June 4, 1195.

St. Damien was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on Oct. 11, 2009.

St. Damien is known as “The Apostle of the Lepers.”

St. Damien of Molokai is the patron saint of Hawaii, leprosy and the outcast.

St. Marianne Cope

St. Marianne Cope was the first Franciscan woman from North America to become a saint.

The birth name of St. Marianne Cope was Barbara Koob (now officially Cope) She was born on Jan 23, 1838 in SE Hessen, West Germany. She was one of ten children. Her father was a farmer. The family moved to the United States one year after her birth.

Her vocation to the religious life was delayed by the necessity to support her family when her father became ill. At the age of 25, Barbara entered the Sisters of St. Francis in Syracuse, New York. She received her religious habit and the name of Sister Marianne. She served as a teacher and principal in several elementary schools in New York. She also helped establish two of the first hospitals in central NY. In 1870, she became a nurse administrator at St. Joseph’s in Syracuse, NY.

In 1882, a priest requested help managing hospitals and schools in Hawaii; primarily working with leprosy patients. She responded to his letter with the following words.

“I am hungry for the work and I wish with all my heart to be one of the chosen ones, whose privilege it will be to sacrifice themselves for the salvation of the souls of the poor Islanders…I am not afraid of any disease, hence, It would be my greatest delight to minister to the abandoned lepers.”

Along with six other sisters of St. Francis, she arrived in Honolulu in Nov. 1833. Mother Marianne was the supervisor as they managed Kakóako Branch Hospital on Oahu which treated 200 leprosy patients. They began by thoroughly cleaning the hospital. They also opened a home for the healthy daughters of the patients who were ill.

Mother Marianne met Fr. Damien (now St. Damien…the Apostle to Lepers) in January 1884 while he was still healthy.

In 1887 the new government in charge of Hawaii closed the Hospital. In 1888, she went to Kalaupapa several months before the death of St. Damien. She reassured him she would provide care for the patients at the Boy’s Home at Kalawao on the Island of Molokai.

Three Sisters ran the Bishop Home for boys and girls.

Mother Marianne died in Hawaii of natural cause on August 9, 1918 and is buried on the grounds of Bishop Home.

The Saint Marianne Cope Shrine and Museum was built to honor her memory.

Mother Marianne was beatified on May 14, 2005 by Pope Benedict XVI.

St. Marianne Cope was canonized on Oct 21, 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI.

The feast day of St. Marianne Cope is celebrated on January 23.

St. Marianne Cope is the patron saint of outcasts.

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Faith, Featured, Prayer, Quote, Spirituality

Twenty Five Quotes for Peace from the Saints

StickyJuly 9, 2022 Vicki Scheenstra

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; I do not give to you as the world gives. Do no let not your heart be troubled, and do not be afraid.” John 14:27.

Quote of Jesus

Peace and serenity of heart are difficult to acquire. The world is a chaotic place to live. Our emotions can make us feel quite helpless. How do we find peace? How do we live in peace? Faith is a gift. With faith, we can pray for peace.

The following quotes of the saints are ‘pearls of wisdom’ to help us in our journey.

Lord, Make me an instrument of Thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

St. Francis of Assisi

2. Keep your soul at peace, in order to be able to be attentive and very faithful to the inner movement of the Holy Spirit.

St. Peter Julian Eymard

3. Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?”

St. Gerard Majella

4. Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.

St. Francis de Sales

5. From humility of heart proceed serenity of mind, gentleness of conduct, interior peace, and every good.”

St. Paul of the Cross

6. While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it more fully in your heart.

Saint Francis of Assisi

7. If you want peace, work for justice. If you want justice, defend life.
If you want life, embrace truth.

St. John Paul II

8. Joy, with peace, is the sister of charity. Serve the Lord with laughter.

St. Padre Pio

9. Mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to My mercy.

St Faustina

10. Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. Go forth without fear, for he who created you has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Blessed be you, my God, for having created me.

St. Jane Frances de Chantal

11. Let us not be justices of the peace, but angels of peace.

St. Therese of Lisieux

12. But above all preserve peace of heart. This is more valuable than any treasure.

St. Mary Margaret Alacoque

16. Be peace loving.Peace is a precious treasure to be sought with great zeal. Live your life that you may receive the blessings of the Lord. Then the peace of God the Father will be with you always.

St. Francis of Paola

17. Maintain a spirit of peace and you will save a thousand souls.

St. Seraphim of Sarov

18. Be at peace with your own soul, then heaven and earth will be at peace with you.

St. Jerome

19. The only way to peace is forgiveness.

St. John Paul II

20. What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.

St. Teresa of Calcutta

21. Abide in peace, banish cares, take no account of all that happens, and you will serve God according to His good pleasure and rest in Him.

St. John of the Cross

22. If you remain constant in faith in the face of trial, the Lord will give you peace and rest for a time in this world and forever in the next.

St. Jerome

23. We shall steer safely through every storm, so long as our heart is right, our intention fervent, our courage steadfast, and our trust fixed on God.

St. Francis de Sales

24. Strive to preserve your heart in peace; let no event of the world disturb it.

St. John of the Cross

25. Peace demands four essential conditions: Truth, Justice, Love, and Freedom.

St. John Paul II

Faith, Featured, Spirituality

Prayers for Peace and Healing

StickyFebruary 23, 2022 Vicki Scheenstra

Prayer for Peace and Healing

May I be at Peace

May my heart remain open.

May I be aware of my true nature.

May I be healed.

May I be a source of healing for others.

May I dwell in the

Breath of God.

St. Teresa of Avila

O Blessed Jesus,

give stillness of soul in You.

Let Your mighty calmness reign in me.

Rule me, O King of Gentleness, King of Peace.

St. Teresa of Avila

And I saw a river over which every soul must pass to reach the Kingdom of Heaven, and the name of that river was suffering.and then I saw a boat which carried souls across the river, and the name of that boat was Love.

St. John of the Cross

May today there be peace within.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received and pass on the love that has been given to you.;

May you be content knowing you are a child of God.

Let this presence settle into your bones and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, prais and love.

It is there for each and every one of us.

St. Therese de Lisieux

Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

St. Francis

Prayer for Peace of Mind

Fortify me with the grace of Your Holy Spirit and give Your peace to my soul that I may be free from all needless anxiety, solicitude and worry.

Help me to desire always that which is pleasing and acceptable to You so that Your will may be my will.

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini

Sacred Heart of Jesus,

I pray for Your healing touch upon my body, mind and spirit.
I beg You to remove any fear or anxiety.
Fill me with the Peace that You alone can give.
I place myself completely in Your hands.

O my Lord Jesus, trusting in Your care and love for me, may my recovery be swift, my strength be renewed, and my health restored.

I lift up all my afflictions in Your hands, Lord, for You are the Divine Healer with Divine Mercy.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I put my trust in You.
Amen.

Calendar, Faith, Feast Days, Featured, patron saints

Feast Days and Saint of the Day; MARCH CALENDAR

StickyFebruary 1, 2022 Vicki Scheenstra

St. David of Wales,,,Missionary priest
Bl. Henry Suso...Swabia…Dominican
St. Kathrine Drexel...U.S.A…patron saint of philanthropists and racial justice.
St. Casimer… Poland
St. John Joseph of the Cross…Italy…Franciscan Priest
St. Collette...France…Benedictine
St. Perpetua & St. Felicity...North Africa…Martyrs
St. John of God...Portugal…patron saint of booksellers, printers, firefighters, heart patients, hospitals, nurses and the sick.
St. Gregory of Nyssu...Bishop…Asia Minor
St. John Ogilvie Scotland…Martyr
St. Teresa Margarite of the Sacred Heart...Carmelite…Italy
St Seraphina...Italy
St. Leander...Spain…Benedictine…Doctor of the Church
St. Matilda…patron saint of widows
St. Louise de Marillac...France
St. Julian of Antioch…Cilicia (Turkey)…Martyr
St. Patrick...Patron saint of slaves, Ireland and snakes….Britain and Ireland
St. Cyril of Jerusalem...Doctor of the Church
St. Joseph…patron for a happy death
St. Ambrose Sansedoni…Italy…Dominican
Bl. Marie Candida of the Eucharist...Sicily…Carmelite
St. Catherine of Sweden…Abbess
St. Turibius of Magrovejo…Bishop…Spain
St. Oscar Romero y Galdomez…Archbishop…El Salvador…Martyr
Annunciation of the Lord St. Lucy...Benedictine … Italy
St. Margaret Clitherow...England…Martyr
St John of Egypt...Hermit
St. Sixtus.….Pope
St. Mark of Arethusa...Bishop
St. John Climacus ,,,Syria..Abbot
St. Benjamin,,,Deacon…Persia

Carmelite Saints, Feast Days, Martyr, patron saints

Twenty Five Popular Patron Saints Women May Select For Their Confirmation Name

StickyMay 24, 2021 Vicki Scheenstra

Confirmation season is here! During the Easter season Catholics and students preparing to come into the church will receive the sacrament of confirmation. They are searching for the patron saint who will be their role model and guide during their pilgrimage on earth.

When we receive the Rite of Confirmation, we are sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. The symbols of the Holy Spirit are tongues of fire, a dove, and the wind.

The Catholic Church believes in the Communion of Saints. Each baptized person is a member of this communion, the living and the dead. The saints are considered the Church Triumphant. The pilgrims on earth are considered the Church Militant (still defending the faith). We ask our patron saint to pray with us and for us as we face the trials on earth. The more prayer to God on our behalf the better!

During the rite of Confirmation, the Bishop prays over the candidate calling them by the name they have chosen as their confirmation name.He also anoints them with the oil of chrism. When a person is confirmed they receive the grace of the Holy Spirit. Come Holy Spirit, Come!

Are you searching for a patron saint?

The following twenty five popular female patron saints should be considered as you search for your role model and patron saint.

St. Agatha

St. Agatha was born in Sicily, She is the patron saint of breast cancer. She was imprisoned and then tortured for her faith. During the torture, her breasts were amputated. In an apparition of St. Peter, she was healed. St. Agatha was a martyr for the faith. The feast day of St. Agatha is celebrated on Feb. 5.

St. Anne

The feast day of St. Anne is July 26. She is the grandmother of Jesus and the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She is the patron saint of mothers and grandmothers. St. Anne was married to St. Joachim. Tradition tells us they were both wealthy and pious.

St. Bernadette

The feast day of St. Bernadette is April 16. She is the patron saint of bodily ills and orphans. While young, Bernadette suffered from digestive problems and asthma. Because of ill health Bernadette received the sacrament of the sick at least three times. St. Bernadette had a vision of the Virgin Mary when very young. At Lourdes France, she was told to dig in the mud by Our Lady. A spring appeared which resulted in many healings.

St. Catherine Laboure’

St. Catherine Laboure’ is a visionary and the patron saint of the Miraculous Medal. She was born on May 2, 1806 in France. The Virgin Mary appeared to her three times instructing her to have the medal made. The medal was eventually made and credited with many miracles. The medal became known as The Miraculous Medal. St. Catherine Leboure’s feast day is celebrated on Nov. 28.

St. Catherine of Siena

St. Catherine of Siena is the patron of firefighters. She was born in Siena, Italy in 1347. At the age of six she began having mystical experiences. She often saw gaurdian angels. She became a Dominican tertiary at the age of 16 after having visions of Christ, Mary and the saints. She is considered a great writer. Some of her ecstasies included falling into fire unharmed. This is why she is the patron of firefighters. She received the stigmata (the wounds of Christ) and her body was found to be in-corrupt. St. Catherine’s feast day is celebrated on April 29.

St. Cecelia

St. Cecelia is the patron saint of musicians. She was born in Rome. After seeing an angel praying at the side of his wife, Cecelia’s husband converted to the faith. St. Cecelia was arrested and martyred for her faith. An attempt to suffocate her failed after which she was beheaded. She is the patron of musicians because she heard music in her heart on her wedding day. St. Cecelia’s feast day is celebrated on Nov. 22.

St. Clare of Assisi

St. Clare is the patron saint of eye disease and communications. She was born in Assisi, Italy in 1194. After hearing St. Francis of Assisi preach on Palm Sunday, she joined the Franciscans. The women following St. Francis became known as “The Poor Clares”. They lived an enclosed life of prayer, away from the world and serving the sick. St. Clare’s feast day is Aug. 11.

St. Edith Stein

St. Edith Stein was also known as St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. She is the patron saint of loss of parents and converts.. She was the youngest of a large Jewish family. In 1922 she was baptized into the Catholic Faith. When the Nazis conquered Holland she was arrested along with her sister and sent to Auschwitz. St. Edith Stein was sent to the gas chambers and died a martyr at the age of 51 in 1942. Her feast day is celebrated on Aug. 9.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is the patron saint of in-law troubles and loss of children. She grew up in New York City and married William Seton. Within four years, she suffered the death of her father in-law which left William in charge. His business failed forcing bankruptcy. They moved to Italy to help his health. He died of tuberculosis in Italy. Elizabeth grew close to God. She became Catholic and had a devotion to the Virgin Mary. She established the first Catholic school in America. On March 25, 1809 she took a vow of poverty, chastity, and obedience. She became Mother Seton. Elizabeth. died in 1821 of tuberculosis at age 46. The feast day of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is celebrated on Jan. 4.

St. Elizabeth of Hungary

St. Elizabeth of Hungary is the patron saint of widows , the homeless and young brides.
She was the daughter of the King of Hungary and married at age 14 to Louis of Thuring. Deeply in love, her husband died in the crusades after six years of marriage. Her in-laws disliked her generosity and threw her out of the palace. St. Elizabeth of Hungary served the poor and the sick. In 1218 she joined the Secular Franciscan Order and worked in a hospital she founded in honor of St. Francis. She died at the age of 23 in 123l. The feast day of St.Elizabeth of Hungary is celebrated on Nov. 17.

St. Faustina

St. Faustina is the patron saint of Divine Mercy. She was born in Poland in 1905. She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy whose mission is the poor and education. She took the name Sister Maria Faustina. She received a message from our Lord to spread the message of his mercy to the world. She wrote about the mercy of God in her Diary which is now published. Divine Mercy is now celebrated on the Sunday after Easter. Sister Faustina died in Oct. 1938. The feast day of St. Faustina is celebrated on Oct. 5.

St. Jane Frances de Chantal

St. Jane Frances de Chantal is the patron saint of forgotten people and widows. She was born in Dijon, France in 1572. She married the Baron de Chantal (Christophe) at the age of 20. They had four children before he was killed in a hunting accident. With the aid of St. Frances de Sales, Jane founded the Visitation Order. She wrote many letters of spiritual direction. She died in 1641 at 69 years old. We celebrate the feast day of St. Jane Frances de Chantal on Aug. 12.

St. Joan of Arc

St. Joan of Arc was born in 1412 in France. She is the patron saint of soldiers and France. While very young she heard messages from St. Michael, St. Catherine and St. Margaret. They told her to go to the King of France and help him reconquer his kingdom. The 17 year old girl was given a small army with which she achieved success. She was captured and sold to the English. Joan of Arc was burned at the stake on May 30, 1431. We celebrate her feast day on May 30.

St. Kateri Tekakwitha

St. Kateri Takakwitha is the patron saint of the environment. She is the first Native American saint. She was born in 1656 to the daughter of a Mohawk warrior and a Catholic Alqonquin. Father Jacques de Lambertville, a Jesuit missionary baptized her. She was devoted to prayer and penitenial practices. She also cared for the sick and aged. At the age of four her mother and brother died of smallpox. Kateri’s face was scarred by the disease and she became almost blind. St. Kateri died during Holy Week. Within 15 minutes of death her face was healed of its scars. She appeared to many people after her death, always carrying a cross. We celebrate St. Kateri’s feast day on July 14.

St. Margaret Mary

St. Margaret Mary is the patron saint of polio victims. She was born in 1647 in Burgundy, France. She was bedridden for five years as a child with rheumatic fever. She had a devotion to the Eucharist. Refusing marriage, she entered the Visitation convent. St. Margaret Mary was a visionary. She had visions of Christ which instructed her to spread the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Eventually the devotion was officially approved. We celebrate the feast day of St. Margaret Mary on Oct. 17.

St. Maria Goretti

St. Maria Goretti is the patron saint of rape victims, youth and purity. She was born in Italy on Oct. 16, 1890 to a farm worker. Her father died of malaria leaving her mother struggling to feed her children. At the age of 12 she was attacked by an 18 year old neighbor who tried to rape her. When she resisted he stabbed her. Before she died a martyr in the hospital, she forgave him. However, he was sentenced to 30 years. He was unrepentant until he had a dream. Maria appeared to him and gave him flowers. It changed him forever. When he left prison, he attended the canonization of St. Maria Goretti in St. Peter’s Square. St. Maria Goretti’s feast day is celebrated on July 6.

St. Martha

St. Martha is the patron saint of housewives, domestic workers and cooks. She lived in Bethany at the time of Jesus. She was a devoted follower and had a sister named Mary. Martha is most known for the story in the gospel Luke 10:38-42 which tells us the story of Jesus being a guest in their home. She is busy in the kitchen while Mary is sitting listening to Jesus. When Martha goes to Jesus complaining “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” Jesus responded by saying “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” We celebrate the feast day of St. Martha on July 29.

St. Mary Magdalene

St. Mary Magdalene is the patron saint of penitent women. She was a devoted disciple of Jesus. Jesus cast out seven demons from her. Because of the sorrow she had for her sins she anointed Christ with her tears and dried His feet with her hair. Mary Magdalene was present at the crucifixion of Jesus. She is the one who discovered His body missing from the tomb. She is honored by being the first person to whom Christ appeared to after His Resurrection. She reported seeing Him by exclaiming to the other disciples. “I have seen the Lord!”

The feast day of St. Mary Magdalene is celebrated on July 22.

Mary, Mother of God

Mary is the Mother of God. She is also considered the Queen of Saints because Jesus is our King.. She is the spiritual mother of all of us. Mary is the patron saint of all of humanity, mothers, the suffering and families.

The Archangel Gabriel appeared to Mary telling her she would have a child. He said, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” He continued saying, “Fear not, Mary for you have found grace with God. Behold you shall conceive in your womb and shall bring forth a son and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever and of his kingdom there will be no end. Mary responded, “How can this be?” The angel answered “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child will be holy. He will be called Son of God and now your relative Elizabeth in her old age has conceived a son and is in her sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing is impossible. with God.” Mary responded, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word.” Then the angel departed.

We celebrate many feast days to honor Mary. The feast day of Mary, the Mother of God is celebrated on January 1st.

St. Monica

St. Monica is the patron saint of mothers, alcoholism and troubled marriages. She was born in Africa in 331. Married to an abusive alcoholic pagan, they had three children. St. Augustine was her son. He left the church when young to live a wild life. Monica prayed constantly for his return to the faith. Eventually, he returned to the faith becoming a priest, then a Bishop. St. Monica’s husband converted to the faith before he died. St. Monica’s feast day is celebrated on Aug 27,celebrated on Aug 27,

St. Rita

St. Rita is the patron saint of impossible cases. When she was young she desired to enter the convent. However a marriage was arranged. Her husband was violent and abusive. After twenty years of marriage her husband was stabbed to death. Her two sons also died leaving Rita alone in the world. She joined an Augustinian convent at Cacia Umbria. After praying, “Please let me suffer like you Divine Savior.” Rita was wounded by a thorn on her forehead. It would not heal and caused her to suffer until her death on May 22, 1457.

The feast day of St. Rita is May 22.

St. Teresa of Avila

St. Teresa of Avila is the patron saint of headache sufferers. She was born in Spain in 1515. Her mother died when she was 14. Her father placed her in a convent to protect her from the world. She struggled to balance her love of God with her need for friends and fun. She eventually joined the Carmelite Order. She was a mystic and a poet and an author. She is considered a Doctor of the Church Her feast day is celebrated on Oct. 15.

Bl. Teresa of Calcutta Public Domain Image — Bl. Teresa of Calcutta
Public Domain Image

St. Teresa of Calcutta

St. Teresa of Calcutta is the patron saint of World Youth Day, the poorest of the poor, and the dying. She joined the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, known as the Sisters of Loreto. Born in Skopje, her birth name was Agnes Ganxha Bojaxhiu. She became Sister Mary Teresa after St. Therese of Lisieux. In 1946, she had a “call within a call”. She heard Jesus say “Come be My light”. She formed the Missionaries of Charity and served the sick and dying in Calcutta, India. Mother Teresa became known to the world as a living saint. She died on Sept. 5, which is the day we celebrate her feast day.

St. Therese of Lisieux Public Domain Image — St. Therese of Lisieux

St. Thérèse of Lisiuex

St. Thérèse of Lisiuex is the patron saint of missions. She is also a Doctor of the Church. She was born in 1873 in France. St. Thérèse became known as the “Little Flower” because of her statement, “The only way I can prove my love is by scattering flowers and these flowers are every little sacrifice, every glance and word and the doing of the least action for love.” Her spirituality is known as “The little way”. She believed in trusting Jesus to make her holy and relying on small sacrifices instead of great deeds to find holiness. She is the author of “The Story of a Soul”. The feast day of St. Thérèse is celebrated on Oct. 1.

St. Veronica

St. Veronica is the patron saint of photographers. Little is known about Veronica. She was a follower of Jesus and present during his crucifixion. While Jesus carried the cross, she was moved with compassion. She knelt in front of Jesus and used her veil to wipe his face clean. Her kindness is commemorated on the sixth station of the cross prayed by the church. The soldiers pushed Veronica away and she later discovered the imprint of Christ’s face on her veil. It is believed that Veronica left her veil in the care of Pope Clement I, the successor to St. Peter. St. Veronica’s feast day is celebrated on July 12

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Faith, Prayer, Spirituality

Jesus Remember Me

StickyMarch 15, 2018 Vicki Scheenstra

Jesus Remember Me, when you come into your kingdom.
Luke 23: 32-43

Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him saying, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him which said;

“This is the King of the Jews.”

One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God,, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.”

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

The Good Thief turned to Jesus at the very end of his life. He did not need to know all the answers regarding religion. He had not been baptized. He simply acknowledged his guilt and asked Jesus to remember him. Sometimes, we make faith way too complicated. All we really need to do is turn to God and ask him to lead us to the truth.

God is Love… God is truth.

Let’s keep it simple….Seek Love…Seek Truth

Faith, Featured, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Colette, Feast Day March 6

StickyMarch 4, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

The feast day of St. Colette is celebrated on March 6.

St. Colette was born in Corbie, France in 1380. Her father was a carpenter. Both her parents were near sixty when she was born. She was orphaned at the age of 17 and left in the care of a Benedictine abbot.

In her search for a vocation, St. Colette first joined the Bequins, then the Benedictines and the Urbanist Poor Clares. She then chose to live the life of a recluse. In her dreams, she received direction to reform the Poor Clares. She joined the Poor Clares, founding the Colettine Poor Clares. She founded over 17 convents under the reformed rule which was quite strict. Her reform movement met with resistance. She was even accused of sorcery.

St. Colette was well known for her sanctity, ecstasies and visions of the Passion. She foretold the date of her own death. She had a deep devotion to the Passion of Christ and was known for her love of animals. Her sanctity was rewarded with the gift of miracles and supernatural favors.

St. Colette died in 1447. She was canonized in 1807.

If there be a true way that leads to the Everlasting Kingdom, it is most certainly that of suffering, patiently endured.

Quote of St. Colette

March is the Month of St. Joseph

St. Colette in Art

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Faith, Featured, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Katherine Drexel, Feast Day March 3

StickyMarch 1, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

The feast day of St. Katherine Drexel is celebrated on March 3.

St. Katherine Drexel was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Nov. 26, 1858. She was the child of wealthy parents who taught her to be generous. She is the patron saint of philanthropists and racial justice.

Katherine became a Sister in 1889 at the age of 31. She founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Black and Native American people. She dedicated her life and great wealth to this work. She helped to open the first mission school for Indians in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Other schools soon followed. She then founded Xavier University in New Orleans.

In 1935, St. Katherine Drexel suffered a heart attack. Two years later she retired from her leadership position. She died in 1955 at the age of 96. Her order had over 500 active members at the time of her death. They had opened 145 missions, 49 elementary schools and 12 high schools.

St. Katherine Drexel is the second recognized American born saint. Katherine Drexel was beatified on Nov. 2, 1988 by Pope John Paul II. St. Katherine Drexel was canonized on Oct. 1, 2000 by Pope John Paul II.

O most merciful Jesus! I embrace Your wounded hands and feet!

Quote of St. Katherine Drexel

March is the Month of St. Joseph

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Dominican Saints, Faith, Featured, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Henry Suso, Feast Day March 2

StickyFebruary 29, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

Bl. Henry Suso Public Domain Image — Bl. Henry Suso

The feast day of Bl. Henry Suso is celebrated on March 2.

Bl. Henry Suso was born Heinrich von Berg in Constance, Swabia in 1300. He became a Dominican at an early age, studying under Meister Eckhart in Cologne. After making his profession he returned to Constance to teach and write. He wrote many books which were popular during the middle ages. The Little Book of Eternal Wisdom was written by Bl. Henry Suso.

At the age of 18, Bl. Henry Suso had a mystical experience which changed his life. He was filled with divine light and joy which seemed to transport him out of the world. From this point on, he had a burning love for the Eternal Wisdom which dominated his thoughts and led his actions. He referred to himself as “the Servant of the Eternal Wisdom”.

Bl. Henry Suso also preached in Switzerland and was an adviser to the Dominican Order.

Bl. Henry Suso died in 1366. Pope Gregory XVI beatified him in 1831.

A man who has not suffered, what does he know?

Quote of Bl. Henry Suso; Feast day, March 2

March is the Month of St. Joseph

Faith, Joy, Quote

Twenty Five Quotes from the Saints about Joy

December 9, 2025 Vicki Scheenstra

Chritmas, Easter and Pentecost are holy seasons of joy. We are filled with the spirit of joy as we journey with Jesus and deepen our faith.

The tradition of the Church lists twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit.

The fruits of the Holy Spirit are charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, and chastity. Additionally, the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord

What words of wisdom have the saints given us about joy?

1. Joy is a net of love by which you catch souls!

St. Teresa of Calcutta

Bl. Teresa of Calcutta
U.S. Stamp
Public Domain Image

2. Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say rejoice!

St. Paul the Apostle

3. Do not abandon yourself to despair. We are the Easter people, and hallelujah is our song.

St John Paul II

4. Joy, with peace, is the sister of charity. Serve the Lord with laughter.

St. Padre Pio

5. Christian joy is a gift of God flowing from a good conscience.

St. Philip Neri

6. The Lord delights in every little step you take.

St. Francis de Sales

7. Desire to see God, be fearful of losing Him, and find joy in everything that can lead to Him. If you act in this way, you will always live in great peace.

St. Teresa of Avilla

8. Joy is the simplest form of Gratitude.

St. John Paul II

9. The joy promised by the Beatitudes is the very Joy of Jesus himself, a joy sought and found in obedience to the Father, and in the gift of self to others.

St. John Paul II

10. If we wish to serve God and love our neighbor well, we must manifest our joy in the service we render to Him and them. Let us open wide our hearts; it is joy which invites us. Press forward and fear nothing.

St. Katharine Drexel

11. God made us for joy. God is joy and the joy of living reflects the ongoing joy that God felt in creating us.

St. John Paul II

12. Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love.
where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope.
where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

St. Francis of Assisi

13. Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God.

St. Teresa of Avila

14. It is characteristic of God and His angels to bring to the soul, when they occupy if, true happiness and spiritual joy; and to drive from it the sadness and trials which the enemy incites in it.

St. Ignatius of Loyola

St. Ignatius of Loyla
Public Domain Image

15. Let nothing else please us and cause us delight except our Creator Redeemer and Saviour, the only true God.

St. Francis of Assisi

16. The world promises us pleasure, but it is only in Jeus that we find joy.

St. Therese of Lisieux

17. May we always live joyfully. God is infinite joy.

St. Teresa of the Andes

18. Jesus is happy to come with us, as truth is happy to be spoken, as life is to be lived, as light to be lit, as love is to be loved, as joy is to be given, as peace, to be spread.

St. Francis of Assisi

19. Do few things, but do them well, simple joys are holy.

St. Francis of Assisi

20. No man truly has joy unless he lives in love.

St. Thomas Aquinas

21 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; That, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding Joyl

St. Peter the Apostle

St. Peter by Rubens
Apostle and Martyr
Public Domain Image

22. In the house of God there is a never ending festival; the angel choir make eternal holiday. The presence of God’s face gives joy that never fails.

St. Augustine

23. OH, God, to know you is life. To serve You is freedom. To praise you is the soul’s joy and delight. Guard me with the power of Your grace here and in all places. Now and at all times, forever. Amen.

St. Augustine

24. To me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.

Therese of Lisieux

25. We who are Christians have a further cause for joy; like Jesus, we know that we are loved by God our Father. This love transforms our lives and fills us with joy!

St. John Paul II

Faith, Spirituality

Advent: The Season of Waiting

November 30, 2025 Vicki Scheenstra

Advent Wreath

The period of four weeks before Christmas is called Advent. It is a period of anticipation and hope. In today’s culture it is a busy time, filled with shopping and socializing. However, in ages past, it was a quiet and sacred time of prayer and waiting… anticipating the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Reflecting on the birth of Jesus, we look with hope to our salvation. Jesus was born of Mary. He became man to redeem us. By the cross, we are saved from our sins and have the hope of eternal life. What a tremendous mystery! How can a little baby be both human and divine?

The omnipotence of God is shown by his humbling himself and becoming a man. His humble beginnings, being born in a manger, tells us of his connection to the poor and lowly. He was not the type of king the Jewish people were expecting. The kingdom of God is an important thing to reflect on during the Christmas Season. Are we trying to follow the teachings of Jesus…to love not only our neighbor but our enemies? Are we helping the poor and downtrodden?

God is love. When we look at a little baby it is easy to define love. However, we need to be loving our neighbor at all times. Celebrating the incarnation (God becoming Man) this year, let’s try not to lose sight of the spiritual nature of Christmas. Waiting helps us to slow down. Hopefully, we will be spending time in prayer… sharing with God our hopes, difficulties, fears and love.

A soul enkindled with love is a gentle, meek, humble, and patient soul.

Quote of St. John of the Cross

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Faith, Franciscan Saints, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Feast Day Nov. 17

November 13, 2025 Vicki Scheenstra

St. Elizabeth of Hungary by Moroder Public Domain Image — St. Elizabeth of Hungary
by Moroder

The feast day of St. Elizabeth of Hungary is celebrated on November 17. Elizabeth was a Princess born in 1207 to King Andrew II of Hungary. St. Elizabeth of Hungary is the patron saint of widows, charities, bakers and young brides.

St. Elizabeth of Hungary was born in 1207 in Hungary. She was the daughter of Alexander II who was the King of Hungary. She was betrothed at the age of four to be married to Louis of Thuringa (a German principality). At the age of 14 she married Louis who was 21.

Elizabeth was very pious from a young age. Louis, also was quite religious. Their marriage was a happy and fruitful union. They had three children. Louis was a brave soldier. While he was away Elizabeth devoted herself to charity. She helped to build a hospital which had 12 beds.

He encouraged her works of charity. After six years of marriage Louis was killed during the crusades while she was pregnant with their third child at the age of 20. Elizabeth’s relatives resented how generous she was with the family’s money. They mistrusted her and eventually threw her out of the palace.

Upon hearing the news of her husband’s death, Elizabeth cried out,

“The world with all its joys is now dead to me.”

After finding care for her children, Elizabeth left the castle and became a Third Order Franciscan, joining them on Good Friday. She devoted herself entirely to helping the sick and poor. A Franciscan hospital was built in which she was able to care for the sick and suffering.

St. Elizabeth died at the age of 24 in 1231. Soon after her death miracles of healing were reported at her grave site

A legend exists that her husband met her unexpectedly as she went secretly on an errand to help the poor. The bread she was carrying was turned into roses. Pictures of St. Elizabeth often show her carrying bread or roses.

St. Elizabeth of Hungary died at the age of 24 in 1231 at Marburg, Germany of natural causes. She was canonized on May 27, 1235 by Pope Gregory IX.

https://stelizabethdallas.org/

“How could I bear a crown of gold

when the Lord bears a crown of thorns?…

and bears it for me!”

Quote of St. Elizabeth of Hungary

November is the Month of the Holy Souls

St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Art

November is the Month of the Poor Souls

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Carmelite Saints, Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Raphael Kalnowski, Feast Day Nov. 19

November 11, 2025 Vicki Scheenstra

The feast day of Bl. Raphael Kalnowski is celebrated on Nov. 19.

The name at baptism given to Bl. Raphael Kalnowski was Joseph. He was born to Polish parents in Vilnius in 1835. After military service he studied engineering at St. Petersburg. He helped design the Kursk-Kiev-Odessa railway.

During the Polish insurrection against Russia, he accepted the post of Minister of War. He was arrested on March 24, 1864 and condemned to death. The sentence was changed to ten years hard labor in Siberia.

After his release, he became a tutor for Prince Augusto Czarteryski in Paris. Augusto was inspired to become a priest, becoming a member of the Salesians. Through his travels, Joseph met St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross, both Carmelites. Two years later he decided to join the Carmelite Order taking the name of Brother Raphael of St. Joseph. H studied theology in Hungary and was ordained a priest on Jan. 15, 1882.

He served as a priest with apostolic zeal. He was known as a good confessor and a spiritual director. He worked for church unity and was known for his holiness.

Bl. Raphael died of natural causes on Nov. 15, 1907. Miraculous healings which were attributed to him led to his canonization by Pope John Paul II in 1991.

I like to find at least a few moments each day spent in doing good for others out of love for God. These few moments, almost unnoticeably used, bring something like rays of peace and comfort behind them; they unite us with people and God by a pure feeling of tender sweetness.

Quote of Bl. Raphael Kalnowski

November is the Month of the Holy Souls

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Faith, Prayer, Quote, Spirituality

Twenty Five Quotes from the Saints about Truth

November 10, 2025 Vicki Scheenstra

Many in the world today are discovering that not everything we believe is actually true. The following quotes are attributed to the Saints. Hopefully they will help us to understand the meaning of Truth.

1. Anyone who seeks Truth seeks God, whether or not he realizes it.

St. Edith Stein

2. Truth is not private property.

St. Augustine

3. Truth suffers but never dies.

St. Teresa of Avila

4. Proclaim the Truth and do not be silent through fear.

St. Catherine of Siena

4. Proclaim the Truth and do not be silent through fear.

St. Catherine of Siena

5. Humility is nothing but truth, and pride is nothing but lying.

St. Vincent de Paul

6. He is an all-powerful God, who is Truth

St. Faustina

7. Faith and Reason are like two wings of the human spirit, which it sours to the Truth.

St. John Paul II

8. There is no true peace without fairness, truth, justice and solidarity.

St. John Paul II

9. I can nourish myself on nothing but Truth.

St. Therese of Lisieux

10. Jesus said, ” I am the Truth” and it is your duty and mine to speak the truth, then it is up to the person who hears it whether to accept or reject it.

St. Teresa of Calcutta

11. When lies have been accepted for some time, Truth always stands with an air of novelty.

St. Clement of Alexandria…Church Father

12. True happiness is to rejoice in the Truth, for to rejoice in theTruth is to rejoice in you, O God, who are the Truth, you my God, my true Light, to whom I look for salvation.

St. Augustine

13. To lovers of the Truth, nothing can be put before God and Home in Him.

St. Basil

14. Do not accept anything as Love which lacks Truth.

St Edith Stein

15. If I do not speak the truth, I become a slave of the father of lies and beome a member of the Father of lies.

St. Jerome Emiliani

16. Speak the Truth in a million voices. It is silence that kills.

St. Catherine of Siena

17. Sin makes a man a coward, a life in the Truth of Christ makes him bold.

St. John Chrysostom

18. For He who is true God is also True man; and there is no deception in this union, where the loftiness of God and the lowliness of man are brought together.

St. Leo the Great

19. No one in the world can change Truth. What we can do and should do is to seek Truth and to serve it when we have found it.

St. Maximilian Kolbe

20. Serve the Lord in fear and Truth.

St. Polycarp…Church Father

21. God is supreme Truth; and to be humble is to walk in Truth.

St. Teresa of Avila.

22. Charity and kindness unwedded to Truth are not charity and kindness but deceit and vanity.

St. Ignatius of Loyola

23. My longing for truth was a single prayer.

St Edith Stein

24. Seek the Truth, Do the Good, Love the Beautiful!

St. John Henry Newman

25. What prayer could be more true before God the Father than that which the Son, who is Truth, uttered with His own lips?

St. John Chrysostom

.

Faith, Prayer, Spirituality

Do Evil Spirits Really Exist?

October 27, 2025 Vicki Scheenstra

The Fall of Man Michelangelo — The Fall of Man
Michelangelo

On Halloween, we see many representations of good and evil: angels, witches, devils, monsters, princesses, gangsters, rock stars, politicians, super heroes.

While we are made in the image of God, each of us has a temptation to do evil. Society glamorizes evil.

If we take the Bible seriously, we should not doubt the existence of Satan and evil spirits. Jesus refers to Satan and angels multiple times.

Satan is actually an angel. He fell from grace when he turned from God. He has been at war with God ever since.

It is only in modern times, that people have denied the existence of evil spirits. Halloween is a time when we should reflect on the good and evil evident around us.

Halloween (All Hallows Eve) comes on the night before All Saint’s Day. Halloween is a display of both good and evil. All Saint’s Day (November 1st) is a display of people who have overcome evil for the glory of God.

Angels have existed since the beginning of creation. They are servants and messengers of God. Unlike human beings they are pure spirits. During the life of Jesus they are always present. Archangel Gabriel announces his birth, they protect Jesus in his infancy, (Mat 4) serve him in the desert, and they strengthen him in his agony in the garden,

The Feast Day of the Archangels is celebrated on September 29. The Feast Day of the Guardian Angels is celebrated on Oct. 2.

The Church teaches that Satan, in the beginning, was a good angel, but became evil by choice. We learn in the bible that Jesus came to conquer evil.

“Everyone who commits sin is a child of the devil; for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The Son of God was revealed for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.“ 1 John 8

When Jesus is praying in the Garden before his crucifixion, he prayed for unity among Christians. He also prayed for protection against satan.

“I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.” (John 17:15)

The fallen angels have never repented for their fall from grace. Their hatred of God leads them to seduce men into choosing their evil ways.

We have free will. God did not create evil. On Halloween, we should reflect on which path we wish to follow…the path of God…or the path of evil.

Being neutral is not an option, it is evil; the sin of omission, laziness, and being lukewarm.

The devil is always trying to tempt us to do evil. We need to turn to God with the Lord’s prayer when we need to be strengthened.

‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (Matthew 6:13)

We need to be aware of the evil around us and the temptations which may cause us to go astray. How else can we choose to do good rather than evil? Pray! Pray! Pray!

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Martyr, North America, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: The North American Martyrs

October 20, 2025 Vicki Scheenstra

The Feast Day of the North American Martyrs is celebrated on October 19 in the United States. In Canada it is celebrated on September26th.

Isaac Jogues, René Goupil and Jean La Laude died in New York.

John DeBrebeuf, Gabriel Lalemant, Charles Garnier, Anthony Daniel, and Noel Chabanel died in Canada.

St. René Goupit was a Jesuit Lay brother. He was the first to be martyred. He was killed by tomahawk at Osermenon, (Auriesville, NY)) in 1942.

St. Jean de La Lande, a Jesuit donné (not a member of the Society, but at their service) tried to retrieve Father Isaac Jogues’ body, but was killed also.

These martyrs were the first saints of North America.

The martyrs were canonized by Pope Pius XI on June 29, 1930.

Devil, Evil, Psalm, Quotes of Saints, Sin

Twenty-five Quotes about Evil, Sin and the Devil from the Saints

October 18, 2025 Vicki Scheenstra

During times of stress and turmoil, turning to God is comforting. When surrounded by evil, meditating on the words of the saints can help us connect with God. When evil surrounds us, let our faith strengthen us and give us courage. The following quotes may guide us.

He that is kind is free, though he is a slave, he that is evil is a slave, though he is a king.

St. Augustine

2. The devil does not bring sinners to hell with their eyes open; he first blinds them with the malice of their own sins. Before we fall into sin, the enemy labors to blind us, that we may not see the evil we do and the ruin we bring upon ourselves by offending God.

St. Alphonsus Liguori

3. Anxiety is the greatest evil that can befall a soul, except sin. God commands you to pray, but he forbids you to worry.

St. Francis de Sales

4. Anyone who wishes to frolic with the devil cannot rejoice with Christ.

St. Peter Canisius

5. We have only one evil to fear and that is sin.

St. Alphonsus Liguori

6. To sin is human, but to persist in sin is devilish.

St. Cathirine of Siena

7. Sin is loving what God hates and hating what God loves.

St. Catherine of Siena

8. Never let us fall asleep in a state of sin, lest the prince of wickedness gain power over us and snatch us away from the Kingdom of the Lord.

St. Barnabas, Apostle

9. You must ask God to give you power to fight against the sin of pride which is your greatest enemy…the root of all that is evil and the failure of all that is evil and the failure of all that is good. For God resists the proud.

St. Vincent de Paul

10. The greatest sin of the century is the loss of the sense of sin.

St. John Paul II, Bishop of Rome

11. The root of all evil is “I”, “ME”. “Mine”!

St. Padre Pio

12. Nor did demons crucify Him, it is you who have crucified Him and crucify Him still, when you delight in your vices and sins.

St. Francis of Assisi

13. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because he cares for you. Be sober minded, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone t devour.

St. Peter, Apostle

14. The devil is always discovering something novel against the truth.

St. Leo I, Bishop of Rome

15. Just as every little fresh water is blown away by a storm of wind and dust, in like manner the good deeds that we think we do in this life are overwhelmed by the multitude of evils.

St. Basil

16. Be ashamed when you sin, don’t be ashamed when you repent. To repent means to have a change of heart and mind. It is not simply a feeling of sorrow, but a psycho/spiritual growth away from evil/death and a turning to God/life. Sin is the wound; repentance is the medicine. Sin is followed by showing repentance, repentance is followed by boldness. (Boldness means to beg God for undeserved mercy! Satan has overturned this order and given boldness to sin and shame to repentance.

St. John Chrysostom

17. Sin makes a man a coward…as life in the Truth of Christ makes him bold.

St John Chrysostom

18. The devil tempts that he may ruin, God tests that he may crown.

St. Ambrose

19. It is no fault of Christianity that a Hypocrite falls into sin.

St. Jerome

20. An evil discovered, is half healed.

St. Jane Frances de Chantel

21. The power of evil men lives on the cowardice of the good.

St. John Bosco

22. Even if the forces of darkness appear to prevail, those who believe in God know that evil and death do not have the final say.

St. John Paul II

23. The devil is afraid of us when we pray and make sacrifices. He is also afraid when we are humble and good. He is especially afraid when we love Jesus very much. He runs away when we make the sign of the cross.

St. Anthony of Padua

24.There is nothing the devil fears so much, or so much tries to hinder so much as prayer.

St. Philip Neri

25. Arise, soldiers of Christ, throw away the works of darkness

and put on the amor of light!

St. Cecelia

Eucharist, Heaven, Pope Leo XIV, Quotes of Saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Carlo Acutis

October 11, 2025 Vicki Scheenstra

The Feast Day of Carlo is celebrated on October 12. Carlo Acutis was born on May 3, 1991 in London to Italian parents who working there. He was raised in Milan, Italy. Carlo died at the age of 15 in Manza, Italy of leukemia on October 12, 2006.

St. Carlo Acutis was beatified by Pope Francis in 2020 and Canonized by Pope Leo XIV on Sept. 7, 2025. He is considered the first millennial saint and the patron saint of the internet.

At a young age of 11, Carlo became very interested in Eucharistic Miracles. He visited the birthplace of many of the saints and sites of the Eucharistic miracles. His passion for the Eucharist led him to use his skills as a coder to build a website cataloging over 150 Miracles. He listed them by country and date. His site is still active at Carlo Acutis La dlinea del tempo di Carlo Acutis

St. Carlos was known for being very generous. He helped the poor and defended students in his school from bullies. He enjoyed helping the elderly and disabled. His passion for his faith inspired his parents to become active in their faith. They enrolled in a theology class so they could answer questions which came up.

At the age of 14, Carlo fell ill. At first, they believed he had the flu; however he was diagnosed with acute Myeloid Leukemia. Afte r suffering from a cerebral hemorrhage, he went into a coma and died on October 12.

Initially buried in Ternengo his body was reburied in January 2007 in Assisi because of his devotion to St. Francis of Assisi.

St. Carlo is credited with two miracles. The healing of a Brazilian boy born with a malformed pancreas was healed after prayers of intercession to Blessed Carlo in 2020. The second miracle occurred in Costa Rico then a woman was healed in 2024 after suffering a serious head injury. Prayers of intercession were prayed at St. Acutis’s tomb after which she was healed. These miracles led to the canonization of St. Carlo in 2025 by Pope Leo XIV.

Angels, Quotes of Saints, Spirituality

Twenty-Five Quotes about Angels from the Saints

September 13, 2025 Vicki Scheenstra

8Miracles8

September 29th we will be celebrating the Feast of the Archangels. October 2nd is the Feast of the Guardian Angels.

The following quotes help us to understand the beliefs of the believers long ago. Faith is a mystery. We can’t see the angels, but we can read about them in the bible and learn about them from the Saints.

1. Our Guardian Angels are our most faithful friends, because they are with us day and night, always and everywhere. We ought to invoke therm.

St. John Vianney

3. Pride and nothing else caused an angel to fall from heaven. And so, one may reasonably ask whether one may reach heaven by humility alone without the help of any other virtue.

St. John Climacus

4. Is there any greater happiness than to imitate on earth the Choir of Angels?

St. Basil the Great

5. How great is the dignity of souls, that each person has from birth received an angel to protect it.

St. Jerome

6. To pretend angels do not exist because they are invisible is to believe we never sleep because we don’t see ourselves sleeping.

St. Thomas Aquinas

7. I saw them with my bodily eyes as clearly as I see you. And when they departed, I used to weep and wish they would take me with them.

St. Joan of Arc

8. The devil writes down our sins…our Guardian Angel all or merits. Labor that the Guardian Angel’s book may be full, and the Devil’s empty.

St. John Vianney

9. Ask your angel to console and assist you in your last moments.

St. John Bosco

10. The battle against the Devil, which is the principal task of St. Michael the Archangel, is still being fought today, because the Devil is still alive and active in the world.

St. John Paul II

11. Somehow, I am necessary for His purposes, as necessary in my place as an archangel in his.

St. John Henry Newman

12. The rosary is my favorite prayer. A marvelous prayer! Marvelous in its simplicity and its depth. In the prayer, we repeat many times the words that the Virgin Mary heard from the Archangel and from her kinswoman Elizabeth.

St. John Paul II

13. How happy is that guardian angel who accompanies a soul to Holy Mass.

St. John Vianney

14. Remember that the good angels do what they can to preserve men from sin and obtain God’s honor, but they do not lose courage when men fail.

St. Ignatius of Loyola

15. Angels are intelligent reflections of light. that original light, which has no beginning. They can illuminate. they do not need tongues or ears for they can communicate without speech…in thought.

St. John Damascene

16. Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch or weep tonight, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend your sick ones, O Lord Jesus Christ, rest your weary ones, bless your dying ones, sooth your suffering ones, pity your afflicted one, shield your joyous ones and all for your love’s sake. Amen

St. Augustine

17. Let us affectionately love His angels as counselors and defenders appointed by the Father and placed over us. They are faithful; they are prudent; they are powerful; Let us only follow them, and in the protection of the God of heaven, let us abide.

St. Bernard Clairvaux

18. Do not be surprised that you fall every day; do not give up but stand your ground courageously. And assuredly, the angel who guards you will honor your patience.

St. John Climacus

19. We are like children, who stand in need of masters to enlighten and direct us. God has provided for this, by appointing his angels to be our teachers and guides.

St. Thomas Aquinas

20. Angels are spirits, but it is not because they are spirits that they are angels. They become angels when they are sent. For the word angel refers to their office, not their nature. You ask the name of this nature, it is spirit; you ask its office, it is that of an Angel, which is a messenger.

St. Augustine

21. This is the highest point of philosophy, to be simple and wise. This is the angelic life.

St. John Chrysostom

22. Among the Angels in Heaven, none surpass St. Michael the Archangel in Glory.

St. Vincent Ferrer

23. Whenever some act of wondrous power must be performed, Michael the Archangel is sent, so that his action and his name bake it clear that no one can do what God does by his superior power.

St. Gregory the Great

24. Oh, my Holy Guardian Angel, care for my soul and my body. Enlighten my mind that I may better know the Lord my God and love Him with all my heart. Watch over me when I pray, so I won’t give in to life’s distractions. Sustain me with your counsel to live as a righteous Christian and help me to do good works with a generous heart. Protect me from the cunning of the advisary and lift me up when I am being tempted so I may win the fight against evil. Stay with me at all times, never stop watching over me until I am called back to the Father’s house, where we will praise our great God together for all eternity. Amen

St. Padre Pio

25. How consoling it is to know that we have a spirit who, from the womb to the tomb, never leaves us even for an instant not even when we dare to sin. And this heavenly spirit guides and protects us like a friend or a brother.

St. Padre Pi o\

Doctor of the Church, Faith, Featured, Quote

Who are the ‘Doctors of the Church’

July 15, 2025 Vicki Scheenstra

Who are the Doctors of the Church? The title of Doctor was given to a person known for their holiness and knowledge of the faith. They were teachers of the faith through their writing. The title was bestowed on them after death by the Pope at en ecumenical council.

Three requirements were needed to earn the title.

Holiness that was outstanding
Knowledge of doctrine
Extensive writings which express Catholic Tradition

There are currently 37 Doctors of the Church. The original eight doctors included four from the Eastern Church and four from the Western Church.

The Doctors from the Eastern Church are St. Athanasius, St. Basil the Great, St. John Chrysostom and St. Gregory Nazimek.

The Doctors from the Western Church were: St. Ambrose, St. Augustine of Hippo, St. Gregory the Great and St. Jerome. They were proclaimed Doctors by Pope Boniface VIII in the 13th century.

Four women were added in the 20th century. They were St. Teresa of Avila, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Therese of Lisieux and St. Hildegard of Bingen.

The following is a list of all the doctors of the church in the order of when they were designated.

Saint Ambrose (c. 340-397), bishop of Milan, Italy, a major opponent of Arianism, [named a Doctor of the church, 1298].

Saint Augustine of Hippo (c. 354-430), North African bishop, author of Confessions, City of God, and numerous treatises, countered heretical movements, one of the most influential theologians of the Western church, called “Doctor of Grace” [1298].

St. Jerome c. 343-420), translated Old Testament from Hebrew into Latin and revised Latin translation of New Testament to produce Vulgate version of Bible, called “Father of Biblical Science” [1298].

Saint Gregory the Great (c. 540-604), pope, strengthened papacy and worked for clerical and monastic reform [1298].

Saint Athanasius (c. 297-373), bishop of Alexandria, dominant opponent of Arians, called “Father of Orthodoxy” [1298]

Saint John Chrysostom (“Golden-Mouthed”) (c. 347-407), archbishop of Constantinople, homilist, writer of scripture commentaries and letters, patron of preachers [1568].

Saint Basil the Great (c. 329-379), bishop of Caesarea in Asia Minor, refuted Arian errors, wrote treatises, homilies, and monastic rules, called “Father of Monasticism of the East” [1568].

Saint Gregory of Nazianzus (c. 330-390), bishop of Constantinople, opponent of Arianism, wrote major theological treatises as well as letters and poetry, called the “Christian Demosthenes” and, in the East, “The Theologian” [1568].

Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), Italian Dominican, wrote systematically on philosophy, theology, and Catholic doctrine, patron of Catholic schools and education, one of the most influential theologians in the West [1568].

Saint Bonaventure (c. 1217-1274), Franciscan, bishop of Albano, Italy, cardinal [1588].

Saint Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109), archbishop, called “Father of Scholasticism” [1720].

Saint Isidore of Seville (c. 560-636), Spanish bishop, encylopedist, and preeminent scholar of his day [1722].

Saint Peter Chrysologus (c. 400-450), archbishop of Ravenna, Italy, homilist and writer, counteracted Monophysite heresy [1729].

Saint Leo I, the Great (c. 400-461), pope, wrote christological and other works against the heresies of his day [1754].

Saint Peter Damian (1007-1072), Italian Benedictine and cardinal, ecclesiastical and clerical reformer [1828].

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (c. 1090-1153), French Cistercian abbot and monastic reformer, called “Mellifluous Doctor” [1830].

Saint Hilary of Poitiers (c. 315-368), one of first Latin doctrinal writers, opposed Arianism [1851].

Saint Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787), founder of Redemptorists, preeminent moral theologian and apologist, patron of confessors and moralists [1871].

Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622), bishop of Geneva, spiritual writer, patron of Catholic writers and press [1877].

Saint Cyril of Alexandria (c. 376-444), bishop, authored doctrinal treatises against Nestorian heresy [1882].

Saint Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 315-386), bishop, catechist, vigorous opponent of Arianism [1882].

Saint John Damascene (c. 675-749), Syrian monk, doctrinal writer, called “Golden Speaker” [1890].

Saint Bede the Venerable (c. 673-735), English Benedictine, called “Father of English History” [1899].

Saint Ephrem the Syrian (c. 306-373), counteracted Gnosticism and Arianism with his poems, hymns, and other writings [1920].

Saint Peter Canisius (1521-1597), Dutch Jesuit, catechist, important figure in Counter-Reformation in Germany [1925].

Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591), founder of Discalced Carmelites, called “Doctor of Mystical Theology” [1926].

Saint Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621), Italian Jesuit, archbishop of Capua, wrote Reformation-era doctrinal defenses, catechisms, and works on ecclesiology and church-state relations [1931].

Saint Albert the Great (c. 1200-1280), German Dominican, bishop of Regensburg, teacher of Saint Thomas Aquinas, patron of scientists, called “Universal Doctor” and “Expert Doctor” [1932].

Saint Anthony of Padua (1195-1231), first theologian of Franciscans, preacher, called “Evangelical Doctor” [1946].

Saint Lawrence of Brindisi (1559-1619), Italian Capuchin Franciscan, influential post-Reformation preacher [1959].

Saint Teresa of Ávila (1515-1582), Spanish Carmelite, initiated discalced Carmelite movement, prolific spiritual and mystical writer, first woman Doctor of the church [1970].

Saint Catherine of Siena (c. 1347-1380), Italian Third Order Dominican, mystical author, also active in support of Crusades and in papal politics [1970].

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (1873-1897), French Carmelite, wrote spiritual autobiography describing her “little way” of spiritual perfection [1997].

Saint John of Ávila (1499 or 1500-1569), Spanish priest, preacher, and mystic, was influential in spreading the faith in Andalusia and reforming the church in Spain [2012]

Saint Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179), German Benedictine abbess and mystic, recorded her visions in writing, also wrote lyric poems, letters of advice and prophecy, and treatises on medicine and physiology [2012]

Saint Gregory of Narek (950-c. 1005), Armenian monk and poet, also recognized as a saint in the Armenian Apostolic Church [2015]

St. Irenaeus of Lyon (125- 202) Bishop of Lyons, theologian and martyr, [2022]

St. Andrew the Apostle

St. Anthony of Padua

St. Augustine of Hippo

St. Bernard of Clairvaux

St. Dominic

St. Francis of Assisi

St. Gregory the Great

St. Jerome

St. John the Baptist

St. John the Evangelist

St. John of the Cross

St. Joseph

St. Jude Thaddaeus

St. Justin Martyr

St. Luke

St. Mark the Evangelist

St. Matthew

St. Michael the Archangel

St. Patrick

St. Paul

St. Peregrine Laziosi

St. Peter

St. Sebastian

St. Thomas the Apostle

St. Vincent de Paul

North American Martyrs

St. Francis Xavier Cabrini

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

St. John Neumann

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne

St. Theodore Guerin

St. Katherine Drexel

St. Kateri Tekakwitha

St. Damien de Veuster

St. Marianne Cope

The following quotes of the saints are ‘pearls of wisdom’ to help us in our journey.

2. Keep your soul at peace, in order to be able to be attentive and very faithful to the inner movement of the Holy Spirit.

3. Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?”

4. Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.

5. From humility of heart proceed serenity of mind, gentleness of conduct, interior peace, and every good.”

6. While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it more fully in your heart.

7. If you want peace, work for justice. If you want justice, defend life. If you want life, embrace truth.

8. Joy, with peace, is the sister of charity. Serve the Lord with laughter.

9. Mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to My mercy.

10. Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. Go forth without fear, for he who created you has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Blessed be you, my God, for having created me.

11. Let us not be justices of the peace, but angels of peace.

12. But above all preserve peace of heart. This is more valuable than any treasure.

13. Peace in the society depends on peace in family.

14. Be at Peace. What God has started He will finish.

15. Let peace be your quest and aim.

16. Be peace loving.Peace is a precious treasure to be sought with great zeal. Live your life that you may receive the blessings of the Lord. Then the peace of God the Father will be with you always.

17. Maintain a spirit of peace and you will save a thousand souls.

18. Be at peace with your own soul, then heaven and earth will be at peace with you.

19. The only way to peace is forgiveness.

20. What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.

21. Abide in peace, banish cares, take no account of all that happens, and you will serve God according to His good pleasure and rest in Him.

22. If you remain constant in faith in the face of trial, the Lord will give you peace and rest for a time in this world and forever in the next.

23. We shall steer safely through every storm, so long as our heart is right, our intention fervent, our courage steadfast, and our trust fixed on God.

24. Strive to preserve your heart in peace; let no event of the world disturb it.

25. Peace demands four essential conditions: Truth, Justice, Love, and Freedom.

Sacred Heart of Jesus,

St. Agatha

St. Anne

St. Bernadette

St. Catherine Laboure’

St. Catherine of Siena

St. Cecelia

St. Clare of Assisi

St. Edith Stein

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

St. Elizabeth of Hungary

St. Faustina

St. Jane Frances de Chantal

St. Joan of Arc

St. Kateri Tekakwitha

St. Margaret Mary

St. Maria Goretti

St. Martha

St. Mary Magdalene

Mary, Mother of God

7. If you want peace, work for justice. If you want justice, defend life.
If you want life, embrace truth.

12. Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love.
where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope.
where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.