Saint Anthony of Padua

Transcription

1 Saint Anthony of Padua Saint Anthony was born in Portugal. He was strongly attracted to the simple Gospel lifestyle of the Franciscans. The martyrdom of five Franciscan friars who had gone to preach in Africa inspired Saint Anthony to follow in the footsteps of these heroes of the Faith and he joined the Franciscan Order. Saint Anthony was initially assigned to work in the kitchen. One day, he was chosen to give the homily and everyone was deeply impressed by his theme and delivery. From then on, Saint Anthony was recognized as a great preacher and travelled throughout Europe to share his love of God and passion for the salvation of souls. The crowds that came to hear Saint Anthony speak were so large that he often had to preach outside, since the churches were not big enough to hold everyone. Saint Anthony was canonized only a year after his death and is the patron saint of lost and stolen articles. He is also a Doctor of the Church.

2 Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Blessed Kateri was a Mohawk Indian who lived in New York. When Kateri was four years old, her entire family died of smallpox disease. Kateri also had smallpox and as a result had poor eyesight and scars on her face. Kateri was adopted by her uncle, who was the chief of the Indian clan. Many men sought Kateri s hand in marriage, but she realized this was only for political reasons and did not want to marry someone she did not love. French missionaries came to Kateri s tribe and taught the people about Jesus. Kateri fell in love with the Christian message and wanted to be baptized into the faith. However, many people in her Indian tribe criticized her for praying and going to mass. After Kateri was baptized, she escaped to a Christian colony of Native Americans in Canada. There, she lived a life dedicated to prayer, penance, and care for the sick and aged. Her last words are said to be, "Jesus, I love You! Blessed Kateri is known as the Lily of the Mohawks. She is the first Native American to be declared a Blessed. She is the patroness of the environment.

3 Saint John Vianney Saint John Vianney was a parish priest in the small town of Ars, in France. When he was first assigned to Ars, the village people did not respect the Catholic faith. On Sundays, they would work in the fields or drink in a tavern instead of going to mass. However, Saint John Vianney taught the people about the importance of their faith and living a moral life. He spent many hours praying for them and performed many sacrifices. His example and his prayers and sacrifices eventually transformed the town into a community of very devout people. Saint John Vianney became famous for his holiness and people would come from other countries to go to confession with him. He often spent up to 18 hours hearing confessions. Even great sinners were converted when he spoke with them. Saint John Vianney is the patron saint of priests.

4 Saint Thomas Aquinas Saint Thomas Aquinas was born in Italy as the son of a noble family. He had a strong desire to become a Dominican priest, which was against the wishes of his family. Thomas s brothers captured him and locked him in a castle for two years to prevent him from becoming a priest. Eventually his mother helped him to escape and Thomas was ordained. Saint Thomas was nicknamed the Dumb Ox because of his silent ways and huge size. However, he was actually a brilliant student. His many writings are among the most important works in the Church and he was also a great teacher. Towards the end of his life, Saint Thomas had such a powerful experience of God that he stopped writing because he realized that nothing could describe the awesomeness of God. Saint Thomas Aquinas is a Doctor of the Church and is the patron saint of students.

5 Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Mother Teresa Mother Teresa was a nun who lived in India and whose mission was to help the poorest among the poor. She established the Missionaries of Charity to serve the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers, all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, and uncared for throughout society. Mother Teresa and her sisters found men, women, and children dying on the streets. They brought them to the homes run by the Missionaries of Charity to care for them and give them medical treatment. Mother Teresa told her workers to Speak tenderly to them. Let there be kindness in your face, in your eyes, in your smile, in the warmth of your greeting. Always have a cheerful smile. Don't only give your care, but give your heart as well. Mother Teresa won the Nobel Peace Prize in She is the patroness of World Youth Day.

6 Saint Patrick Saint Patrick was born in Britain. When he was 16, Irish raiders captured him and took him as a slave to Ireland. While in captivity, Patrick worked as a herdsman and his faith grew through daily prayer. After six years, he was able to escape and returned home to his family. Saint Patrick became a priest and bishop, and then felt God calling him to return to Ireland as a missionary. He traveled throughout Ireland, converting and baptizing thousands of people. The pagan druids were hostile to Saint Patrick, but the people of Ireland welcomed him and the Catholic faith into their lives. Saint Patrick used the shamrock, which is a 3-leaf clover, to teach the Irish about the mystery of the Trinity. Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. He is also the patron saint of the Archdiocese of Boston.

7 Saint Cecilia Saint Cecilia lived in Rome, Italy and was a member of a noble Roman family. She married a man named Valerian who was a pagan. By the power of her example and the strength of her faith, Saint Cecilia was able to convert her husband and his brother to Catholicism. Saint Cecilia s husband and his brother developed a ministry of giving proper burial to martyred Christians. As a result of their work, the two brothers were arrested and martyred for their faith. Saint Cecilia taught the faith to many people who converted to Catholicism. When this was discovered, she was also arrested and martyred. Saint Cecilia is the patroness of musicians because it is said that she sang praises to God as she died.

8 Saint Francis of Assisi Saint Francis was born in Assisi, Italy as the son of a wealthy merchant. He enjoyed a pleasurable lifestyle, but was soon disenchanted by worldly possessions. Francis once saw a beggar in the marketplace. He ran after him and gave the beggar all the money he had in his pockets. As a young man, Francis was inspired to abandon all his possessions and follow Christ. Saint Francis founded the order of the Franciscans. He and his followers celebrated poverty and imitated the life of Christ. They joyfully carried out Christ s work by travelling and preaching to ordinary people. Saint Francis is known for his simplicity and his love of God and neighbor. Saint Francis also had a great love for animals. Birds were drawn by the power of his voice and often surrounded him. Saint Francis is the patron saint of animals.

9 Saint Monica Saint Monica was born in North Africa. She married a pagan man named Patricius who had a hot temper. Monica s patience and gentle conduct greatly influenced her husband and he eventually converted to Christianity. Saint Monica had three children, one of whom was named Augustine. Augustine had a very immoral lifestyle and did not believe in the Catholic faith. This greatly pained Saint Monica and she prayed extremely hard for him. After many years of his mother s prayers, Augustine discovered the truth of Christianity and was baptized. He was then so dedicated to God that he became a priest and bishop. Augustine s great teachings and writings made him a Doctor of the Church. Saint Monica s son Augustine also was canonized a saint. Saint Monica is the patron saint of mothers.

10 Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton was born in New York to a wealthy Episcopalian family. She married William Seton and the couple had five children. Elizabeth s husband then became very sick and died while on a trip to Italy with the family. Saint Elizabeth became acquainted with Catholicism while in Italy and converted soon after her discovery of the faith. After her husband s death, Saint Elizabeth provided for her young children and brought them up by herself. She was devoted to prayer and Christ s presence in the Eucharist. Saint Elizabeth established a Catholic school in Maryland to educate young girls and form them in Christian values. Once her own children were grown, Saint Elizabeth became a religious sister and founded the Sisters of Charity who were dedicated to social ministry and education of the faith. Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton is the first native-born United States citizen to be canonized. She is also the patron saint of Catholic schools.

11 Saint Joseph Saint Joseph was the foster-father of Jesus and spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. An angel appeared to Joseph to tell him about Mary s conception of Jesus and to encourage him to take her as his wife. After Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt to escape the massacre of children that was planned by King Herod. God chose Saint Joseph to be the head of the Holy Family and protector of Jesus and Mary. Joseph was a humble and hardworking carpenter in the Holy Family s town of Nazareth. He was a strong and gentle man and a perfect model of humility. Saint Joseph is a very powerful intercessor and is the patron saint of Christian families and fathers. Since he died in the arms of Jesus and Mary, he is also the patron saint of a happy death.

12 Saint Joan of Arc Saint Joan of Arc was born in France to pious parents of the peasant class. At a very early age she saw visions of saints and heard them speak to her. The voices of these saints told her to go to the King of France and help him reconquer his kingdom. Joan was 17 years old when she was given a small army. She led her army into battle and had a series of spectacular military successes. Her victories allowed the King of France to be properly crowned. Joan was captured by the enemy during battle and sold to the English. She was then put in prison and held on trial. Saint Joan of Arc was condemned to death and burned at the stake. She is loved by the French people for her bravery and holiness. Saint Joan of Arc is the patron saint of soldiers and of France.

13 Saint Gianna Beretta Molla Saint Gianna was born in Italy to devout Catholic parents. She was the 10 th of 13 children in her family. As a student, Gianna dedicated herself to her studies and was involved in service to the youth, elderly, and poor. She became a doctor and opened an office in which she specialized in pediatrics. Saint Gianna experienced life as a marvelous gift from God. She loved fashion, music, skiing, and mountain climbing. Gianna married Pietro Molla and the couple had three children. Saint Gianna was completely dedicated to her husband and children. When she became pregnant with her fourth child, a large tumor put Gianna s life and the life of her unborn baby at great risk. Saint Gianna refused to have an abortion, which would have saved her own life by ending the life of her baby. As a result of this heroic decision, her child was born healthy but Gianna died several days later. Saint Gianna is the patron saint of mothers, physicians, and unborn children.

14 Saint Sebastian Saint Sebastian was raised in Italy. He entered the Roman army in order to assist the confessors and martyrs during their sufferings. Sebastian was appointed as a captain of the guard since the Romans were unaware that he was a Christian. Saint Sebastian encouraged Christian prisoners to remain strong in their faith. He also converted many people and cured a person who was unable to speak. When the Emperor Diocletian discovered that Sebastian was a Christian, he condemned him to be shot to death by arrows. Saint Sebastian was then thought to be dead, but a widow found his body alive and nursed him back to health. Soon after, Sebastian went to the Emperor and denounced him for his cruelty to Christians. As a result, Saint Sebastian was beaten to death. Saint Sebastian is the patron saint of athletes because of his physical endurance and his energetic way of spreading and defending the Faith.