Popes
I am considered one of the more important figures in modern religious history. I was born in Poland and grew up during World War II. I was ordained in an underground seminary, became a priest, then bishop, archbishop, cardinal, and finally pope. I was known for my diplomacy skills amongst world leaders and religious leaders alike.
Pope John Paul II
I was a Nobel Peace Prize winner for my work with the poor across the globe. I left my home of Loreto at the age of 18 for Darjeeling and was given a hostel that became a home for the dying and destitute. My order and I later offered services to orphans, abandoned children, alcoholics, the aging, and street people.
Mother Teresa
I was known for my vitriolic pen used during my writing. I was a Scripture scholar who translated the Bible from Hebrew into other languages known as the Vulgate. I am the patron saint of librarians and scholars
St. Jerome
I was an Italian Capuchin Franciscan who was drafted during World War I before getting discharged for tuberculosis. One night after mass, I had a vision of Jesus and when I awoke, I had the stigmata on my feet, my side, and my hands. Busloads of people would come to see me and I would hear confessions for 10 hours per day. In 1962, Pope John Paul II asked me to pray for a woman with cancer, and it was miraculously gone within two weeks.
Padre Pio
I am from France and worked among imprisoned galley slaves. I became the leader of the Congregation of the Mission and is now named after me. I took vows of obedience and poverty. Later I established charities to service the poor and sick. I am the patron saint of charitable societies.
St. Vincent de Paul
By the age of 30, I was the prefect of Rome and later became a Benedictine monk. I served as the papal representative to Constantinople before being elected Pope at the age of 50. I was known for reform of the liturgy, and for strengthening respect for doctrine. I am considered one of the four key doctors of the Church.
St. Gregory the Great
I am from Italy but became the first American saint after my work there. With the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, I built hospitals and orphanages in New York City. I am the patron saint of immigrants.
St. Frances Cabrini
I am known as a sinner turned saint who converted, turning from a life of creature-pride to a life of faith. I became a Christian at the age of 33, a priest by the age of 36, and a bishop at the age of 41. I am considered a doctor of the Church
St. Augustine of Hippo
Little is known about my life, but I lived during the 300’s during the reign and persecution of Emperor Diocletian. After I was beheaded, my blood was transported back to my hometown of Naples. My dried blood liquefies many times throughout the year and after various experiments, there is no scientific explanation.
St. Januarius
I inspired the Church by taking the Gospel literally. I was a totally poor and humble workman. I gave up all of my earthly possessions and was torn between a life devoted entirely to prayer and a life of active preaching of the Good News. Two years before my death, I received the stigmata on my hands, side, and feet. I am the patron saint of Italy and animals.
St. Francis of Assisi
I was born in Italy with the name Giovanni Batista Montini. I studied in Rome before becoming the Vatican Secretary of State where I served for 30 years. I was named archbishop of Milan and oversaw the rebuilding of the Church after World War II. I was named a cardinal by Pope John XXIII and was elected Pope in 1963. I was known for meeting with Athenagoras and several other international leaders. I increased the number of cardinals and wrote numerous encyclicals.
St. Paul VI
I was a French nun who joined a third order group founded by St. John Eudes. Later I founded the Little Sisters of the Poor who have since expanded globally. I was canonized in 2009.
St. Jeanne Jugan
My nickname is “The Little Flower.” I am from France and became a Carmelite nun at the age of 15 and died at 24. I was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church, the third woman to receive the honor. My parents have also been canonized.
St. Therese of Lisieux
I was a Franciscan priest in the 1600’s who had a tendency to levitate during prayer and meditation. Many people came to see me until I was eventually transferred before being investigated by the Inquisition.
St. Joseph of Cupertino
I was the son of a freed Panamanian woman and a Spanish grandee from Lima, Peru. At a young age, I became a barber-surgeon where I learned to cut hair and draw blood. I became a Dominican and my days were filled with nursing the sick and caring for the poor. I treated people of all colors, races, and status, built an orphanage, and treated the slaves brought from Africa. I was a good friend of St. Rose of Lima. I am the patron saint of African Americans, barbers, and social justice.
St. Martin de Porres
I was the Pope before John Paul II. After I was ordained, I served as a stretcher-bearer in World War I. During World War II, I helped save an estimated 24,000 Jewish people from the Nazis. I famously met with both political and religious leaders from around the world. I was heavily involved in efforts to resolve the Cuban Missile Crisis.
St. John XXIII
I am the patron saint of Sudanese Christians. Born in Sudan, I became a slave at a young age. My last name, which means “lucky” was given to me by my captors. I was bought by an Italian diplomat who treated me with kindness as his cook, nanny, and sacristan. Later I became a Christian and continued my life as God’s servant.
St. Josephine Bakhita
With a name that means “golden mouth”, I am from Antioch and was brought to Constantinople after years of service in Syria, where they made me bishop. Although I suffered from stomach illnesses, I was a talented speaker with great sermons. I was a defender of justice and charity where I called for the rich to share wealth with the poor. I was later exiled for my beliefs and died in exile in 407
St. John Chrysostom
I was born in London but raised in Milan. After receiving my first communion, I was often at Church and used St. Francis of Assisi as a role model. Considered a computer geek by some, I spent four years creating a website dedicated to cataloging every reported Eucharistic miracle around the world. I also enjoyed films, comics, soccer, and playing popular video games. I was later diagnosed with leukemia and passed away in 2006
Blessed Carlo Acutis
I was a Gospel writer who also contributed to the Acts of the Apostles. My Gospel shows the parallel between the life of Christ and that of the Church. I was the only Gentile Christian among the Gospel writers. Tradition holds me to be a native of Antioch, and Paul calls me “our beloved physician.” I am the patron saint of doctors and artists.
St. Luke
I was elected pope after the previous one was martyred. The greatest problem of my two-year term as pope had to do with the Sacrament of Penance and centered on the readmission of Christians who had denied their faith during the time of persecution. After my election, a priest named Novatian had himself consecrated a rival bishop of Rome—one of the first antipopes. I was a great friend of St. Cyprian.
St. Cornelius
I was chosen by Christ to arouse the Church to a realization of the love of God symbolized by the heart of Jesus. My early years were marked by sickness and a painful home situation. I entered the Order of the Visitation nuns at the age of 24. Christ appeared to me at intervals. His human heart was to be the symbol of his divine-human love. I looked to make up for the coldness and ingratitude of the world—by frequent and loving Holy Communion, especially on the first Friday of each month.
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
I was a promising scholar from Tuscany and later was named a cardinal by Pope Clement VIII on grounds that “I had no equal for learning.” I lived my life very frugally and clothed the poor with hangings from my room saying “the walls won’t catch a cold.” I was a great friend of Galileo.
St. Robert Bellarmine
The son of Christian converts, I was the first native-born Korean priest. After my baptism at the age of 15, I traveled to China and stayed there for six years before returning to my home country. I was later arrested, tortured, and finally beheaded at the Han River near Seoul.
St. Andrew Kim Taegon
I was a Jesuit missionary in the colonies of the New World. After reaching Cartagena, I devoted myself to the services of the slaves: feeding them, administering medicine to them, and assured them all of their human dignity and God’s love. I am the worldwide patron of missionary work among black slaves.
St. Peter Claver