Saints & Feast Days

Image: Stained glass window of Saint Irenaeus | Église Saint-Irénée, France | photo by Gérald Gambier Saint of the Day for June 28 (c. 130 – c. 202) Saint Irenaeus’ Story The Church is fortunate that Saint Irenaeus was involved in many of its controversies in the second century. He was a student, we...

Image: Statue of Saint Cyril of Alexandria in Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora do Sameiro, Braga, Portugal | photo by Joseolgon Saint of the Day for June 27 (378 – June 27, 444) Saint Cyril of Alexandria’s Story Saints are not born with halos around their heads. Cyril of Alexandria, recognized as a great...

Born c.610 in East Anglia (part of modern England) Died • 17 June 680 of natural causes following a lengthy illness • he died while being carried to chapel for compline services • buried at Ikanhoe

Marie-Françoise-Thérèse Martin was a French Carmelite nun. Her autobiography, The Story of a Soul, introduced her "Little Way" of spiritual childhood. She is a Doctor of the Church. Feast day: October 1.

Francesco Forgione, known as Padre Pio, was an Italian Capuchin friar, priest, and mystic who bore the stigmata for 50 years. He was canonized in 2002. Feast day: September 23.

Catherine Benincasa was a lay member of the Dominican Order who lived during the 14th century. She is a Doctor of the Church and patron of Italy and Europe. Feast day: April 29.

Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, known as Francis of Assisi, was an Italian friar, deacon, mystic, and preacher. He founded the Franciscan Order. His feast day is October 4.

Thomas Aquinas was an Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, Catholic priest, and Doctor of the Church. His greatest work, the Summa Theologiae, remains a cornerstone of Catholic theology. Feast day: January 28.

Joan of Arc was a French peasant girl who, claiming divine guidance, led the French army to several important victories during the Hundred Years' War. She was burned at the stake at age 19. Feast day: May 30.

Karol Józef Wojtyła served as Pope from 1978 to 2005. He is one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century. His pontificate of nearly 27 years was the third longest in history. Feast day: October 22.

Helena Kowalska, known in religious life as Sister Maria Faustina, was a Polish nun who reported visions of Jesus Christ and wrote the Diary of Divine Mercy. Feast day: October 5.

Aurelius Augustinus Hipponensis was a theologian and philosopher from Roman Africa. One of the most important Church Fathers, his writings profoundly influenced Western Christianity and philosophy. Feast day: August 28.