Every Saint is an incredible model of heroic virtue and powerful intercessor. Some stories affect our lives more intimately or reveal God’s power more extraordinarily. Here are some April Saints to be sure to check out. Add ’em to your calendar and do something special to remember them and pray with them on their feast days.
- 4/4 St. Isidore of Seville – Archbishop, Doctor of the Church, “Schoolmaster of the Middle Ages”, wrote an encyclopedia, dictionary, history books, and much more. Because of this incredible amount of writing and amazing knowledge, Isidore is proposed as the patron of the internet.
- 4/5 St. Vincent Ferrer – Dominican priest, patron of builders, excellent preacher, famous missionary, miracle worker
- 4/7 St. John Baptist de la Salle – Priest, Patron of teachers, founder of the Christian Brothers. Known for his work with the poor as well as in education.
- 4/11 St. Gemma Galgani – Experienced mystical phenomena and special graces throughout her life (including the stigmata – the wounds of the Crucifxion). Died of tuberculosis at the age of 25.
- 4/11 St. Stanislaus – Bishop, Very important figure in Polish nationhood, patron of Cracow, and very significant in the spiritual heritage of Pope John Paul II.
- 4/11 Pope St. Martin I – He convened the Lateran Council to settle the theological debate that Jesus had both a human will and a divine will. He has two natures, He is fully human and fully God.
- 4/16 St. Bernadette – Our Lady of Lourdes – The “Immaculate Conception” appeared to a French peasant girl, St. Bernadette, over 150 years ago on February 11th. She appeared a total of 18 times to Bernadette and a miraculous spring still flows at this place, one of the most famous of pilgrimage destinations today. Thousands of miracles are claimed, at least 67 are thoroughly documented!
- 4/18 St. Apollonius the Apologist – Second Century Martyr whose defense of Christianity is “one of the most priceless documents of the early Church.”
- 4/21 St. Anselm – Benedictine monk, Archbishop, Doctor of the Church
- 4/22 Earth Day. It comes as no surprise to us that St. Francis of Assisi is the Patron Saint of Ecology. Check out this page: Earth Day for Catholics
- 4/23 Bl. Giles of Assisi – Friend of St. Francis of Assisi (one of the very first Franciscans ever!)
- 4/23 St. George – Yep, the dragon-slayer, Patron of England, Martyr
- 4/25 St. Mark – Missionary partner with St. Paul and friend of St. Peter. Author of one of the four Gospels, can you guess which one?
- 4/26 Our Lady of Good Counsel – title given to Our Lady from a miraculous painting in Italy. “Although much of the church was destroyed during World War II, the image has remained intact — and continues to be suspended miraculously.”
- 4/28 St. Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort – Only one of my absolute favorites. A short biography never does this great Saint justice. Go buy one of his books! Ever wonder where the motto “Totus Tuus” came from?
- 4/29 St. Catherine of Sienna – Doctor of the Church, Mystic, Third Order Dominican… Same as St. Louis, a short bio can’t give you the appreciation this spiritual giant deserves.
- 4/30 Pope St. Pius V – Implement the Council of Trent, worked hard to reform the Church. Check out what happened through his efforts and the Rosary at the Battle of Lepanto! (in an interesting article about Our Lady, and in a poem by GK Chesterton, one of my favorite authors)
- 5/1 Divine Mercy – The first Sunday after Easter is Divine Mercy Sunday. What is the Divine Mercy message and devotion? Who was St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, the person Jesus revealed this devotion to?
- 5/1 St. Jospeh the Worker – Carpenter, Foster father, Patron of the Universal Church. St. Joseph got a feast day in March, but May 1st is dedicated to his patronage of workers.
Speak Your Mind