Saints & Feast Days

Image: Elizabeth of Portugal| Francisco de Zurbarán Saint of the Day for July 4 (1271 – July 4, 1336) Saint Elizabeth of Portugal’s Story Elizabeth of Portugal is usually depicted in royal garb with a dove or an olive branch. At her birth in 1271, her father Pedro III, future king of Aragon, was rec...

Image: Saint Thomas | Georges de La Tour Saint of the Day for July 3 (1st Century – December 21, 72) Saint Thomas’ Story Poor Saint Thomas! He made one remark and has been branded as “Doubting Thomas” ever since. But if he doubted, he also believed. He made what is certainly the most explicit statem...

Image: Oliver Plunkett | Edward Luttrell Saint of the Day for July 2 (November 1, 1629 – July 1, 1681) Saint Oliver Plunkett’s Story The name of today’s saint is especially familiar to the Irish and the English—and with good reason. The English martyred Oliver Plunkett for defending the faith in his...

A statue of St. Junipero Serra sits among flowers outside San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission in Carmel, Calif. (CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec) Saint of the Day for July 1 (November 24, 1713 – August 28, 1784) Saint Junipero Serra’s Story In 1776, when the American Revolution was beginning in the east,...

Image: Christian heroes and martyrs | William A. Foster | The Library of Congress Saint of the Day for June 30 (d. 64) First Martyrs of the Church of Rome’s Story There were Christians in Rome within a dozen or so years after the death of Jesus, though they were not the converts of the “Apostle of t...

Image: The Virgin and Child with Saints Peter and Paul | Girolamo Figino Saint of the Day for June 29 Saints Peter and Paul’s Story Peter (d. 64?) Saint Mark ends the first half of his Gospel with a triumphant climax. He has recorded doubt, misunderstanding, and the opposition of many to Jesus. Now...

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.