The great cloud of witnesses — explore the lives, feast days, and patronages of holy men and women who shaped the Church throughout history.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…" Hebrews 12:1
Aurelius Augustinus Hipponensis was a theologian and philosopher from Roman Africa. One of the most important Church Fathers, his writings profoundly influenced Western Christianity and philosophy. Feast day: August 28.
Catherine Benincasa was a lay member of the Dominican Order who lived during the 14th century. She is a Doctor of the Church and patron of Italy and Europe. Feast day: April 29.
Helena Kowalska, known in religious life as Sister Maria Faustina, was a Polish nun who reported visions of Jesus Christ and wrote the Diary of Divine Mercy. Feast day: October 5.
Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, known as Francis of Assisi, was an Italian friar, deacon, mystic, and preacher. He founded the Franciscan Order. His feast day is October 4.
Joan of Arc was a French peasant girl who, claiming divine guidance, led the French army to several important victories during the Hundred Years' War. She was burned at the stake at age 19. Feast day: May 30.
Karol Józef Wojtyła served as Pope from 1978 to 2005. He is one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century. His pontificate of nearly 27 years was the third longest in history. Feast day: October 22.
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.
On her feast day, we explore the life and spiritual teachings of this 16th-century mystic and reformer.
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.
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.