Stories of the Saints

We can turn to the Saints as people to encourage us in our journey of faith! While we often think of saints as just holy priests, nuns, popes, etc., it is important to remember that there are many holy saints who were also Mothers, Fathers, and children! Here are a few saints to ask for their intercession for your family!

Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin
Feast Day: July 12 | Patron of: illness, marriage, parenting, widowers.
They were the first couple canonized together! They raised 5 daughters, all of whom became nuns (their daughter St. Therese is listed below here). Read more here.

St. Therese of Lisieux
Feast Day: October 1 | Patron of: Florists, Missionaries, Pilots, Priests
She is the daughter of Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin. She struggled with being overly sensitive as a child and often struggled in relationship with her Mother. Despite these struggles, Therese became a great saint and is now known as a Doctor of the Church because her “Little Way” has become so popular. Read more about her here.

St. Gianna Molla
Feast Day: April 28 | Patron of: mothers, physicians, and unborn children.
She was a mother and a physician. During the pregnancy of one of her daughters, the doctors discovered she had a tumor and needed to get a hystorectomy in order to survive. Yet not wanting to have her child die, she risked her life to give birth to the baby in her womb. She died, and her daughter went on to live and become a physician herself. Read more about her here.

Bl. Chiara Corbella
Feast Day: June 13 | Patron of: Mothers, Wives, Families, Unborn children, Pro-life movements
Chiara and her husband were married and suffered many trials. They lost their first two children quickly after birth. While pregnant with the third, doctors discovered Chiara had cancer. Chiara rejected all of the treatment which would have cost the life of her son. Instead, Chiara gave birth to her baby boy and died a few days later in her wedding gown, surrounded by family and friends. Read more about her here.

Bl. Chiara Badano
Feast Day: October 29
Chiara was a young girl, about 9 when she began to get very involved in her faith. She joined the Focolare movement which emphasizes fellowship among all people. When she was 17, she discovered she had a serious form of bone cancer. She became paralyzed and confined to her bed, but even in her suffering she felt so close to Jesus. When she was about to die, she said: “I have nothing left, but I still have my heart, and with that I can always love.” Read more about her here.

St. Joseph
Feast Day: March 19 | Patron of: the Universal Church, unborn children, fathers, workers, travelers, immigrants, and a happy death
St. Joseph is the quiet man, husband of Mary and Father of Jesus. He led his family through difficult times and always protected both Jesus and Mary. He is such an important piece of our relationship with Jesus. You can read more about him here. Check out this book on St. Joseph and learn how you can start to accept him as your own spiritual father.

St. Monica
Feast Day: August 27| Patron of: wives and abuse victims
St. Monica is the mother of St. Augustine, one of the Doctors of the Church. She was a faithful woman who prayed daily for the conversion of St. Augustine and her husband, both of whom did not believe in God. Eventually, her prayers were answered and St. Augustine went on to become Bishop of Hippo. You can read more about her here.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Feast Day: January 4 | Patron of: Catholic School and loss of parents
Her parents died at a young age and yet she found joy in the midst of it all. She got married and together they had 5 children. Her husband died of Tuberculosis at a young age. To support her family and her children, Elizabeth began to open Catholic schools. She was the first American citizen to be canonized. You can find out more about her here.

St. Thomas More
Feast Day: June 22 | Patron of: of adopted children lawyers, civil servants, politicians, and difficult marriages
St. Thomas was a lawyer and a husband with four children. He worked to uphold the truth and dignity of marriage. He was a wonderful father who worked hard to provide a great education for his daughters. You can read more about him here.

The Holy Family
Feast Day: celebrated the Sunday after Christmas
We can ask for the intercession of the Holy Family to make our own families holy. Even in the midst of struggle, we can look to the Holy Family as an example of how to love each other and care for each other always.