Read about the lives of the saints. https://www.catholic.org Copyright 2026 Catholic Online en Sun, 24 May 2026 12:53:24 PDT https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=25 It would be easy to concentrate on the mystical experiences God gave this saint, rather than on her life. In fact, it would be difficult to do differently, so overwhelming were those gifts from God. The temptation for many modern readers (including the author) would be to see little to identify with in these graces and walk away without seeing more. The other temptation would be to become so fascinated with these stories that one would neglect to dig deeper and learn the real lessons of her ... Catholic Online 2026-05-25 00:00:00 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=25 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=23 St. John Baptist de de Rossi, also known as Giovanni Battista de' Rossi, was born on February 22, 1698 in Voltaggio, Italy. He was the fourth child of Charles de Rossi and Frances Anfossi, known to be a holy and faith filled couple. Though John's family was not financially wealthy, they were rich in faith. Through their guidance and a wonderful education, John learned to excel in his living faith, piety and gentleness. A pair of priests, Scipio Gaetano and Giuseppe Repetto, saw great ... Catholic Online 2026-05-23 00:00:00 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=23 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=22 Saint Rita was born Margherita Lotti in Roccaporena, Italy in 1381. The day after her baptism, Rita was surrounded by a swarm of white bees, which went in and out of her infant mouth without hurting her. Rather than being alarmed, her family believed she was marked to be virtuous and devoted to God. At an early age, she begged her parents to allow her to enter a convent but was instead arranged to be married to a cruel man named Paolo Mancini. Young Rita became a wife and mother at only twelve ... Catholic Online 2026-05-22 00:00:00 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=22 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=21 Eugene de Mazenod was born on August 1, 1782, at Aix-en-Provence in France. Early in life he experienced the upheaval of the French Revolution. None the less, he entered the seminary, and following ordination he returned to labor in Aix-en-Provence. That area had suffered greatly during the Revolution and was not really a safe place for a priest. Eugene directed his ministry toward the poorest of the poor. Others joined his labors, and became the nucleus of a religious community, the ... Catholic Online 2026-05-21 00:00:00 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=21 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=20 In the year 1400, a young man came to the door of the largest hospital in Siena. A plague was raging through the city so horrible that as many as twenty people died each day just in the hospital alone. And many of the people who died were those who were needed to tend the ill. It was a desperate situation -- more and more people were falling ill and fewer and fewer people were there to help them. The twenty-year-old man who stood there had not come because he was ill but because he wanted ... Catholic Online 2026-05-20 00:00:00 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=20 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=19 When the father of this Italian saint died, his good mother brought up her twelve children well, even though they were very poor. "Oh, if I could only have the joy of seeing one of you become a saint!" she use to say. Once when she asked as usual, "which one of you is going to become a saint?" little Peter (who was to become Pope Celestine) answered with all his heart, "Me, mama! I'll become a saint!" And he did. When he was twenty, Peter became a hermit and ... Catholic Online 2026-05-19 00:00:00 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=19 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=18 St. John I, Pope and Martyr (Feast day - May 18) A native of Tuscany in Italy, John was elected Pope while he was still an archdeacon upon the death of Pope Hormisdas in 523. At that time, the ruler of Italy was Theodoric the Goth who subscribed to the Arian brand of Christianity, but had tolerated and even favored his Catholic subjects during the early part of his reign. However, about the time of St. John's accession to the Papacy, Theodoric's policy underwent a drastic change as a result of ... Catholic Online 2026-05-18 00:00:00 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=18 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=17 Franciscan lay brother and mystic. Born to a peasant family at Torre Hermosa, in Aragon, on Whitsunday, he was christened Pascua in honor of the feast. According to accounts of his early life, Paschal labored as a shepherd for his father, performed miracles, and was distinguished for his austerity. He also taught himself to read. Receiving a vision which told him to enter a nearby Franciscan community, he became a Franciscan lay brother of the Alcantrine reform in 1564, and spent most of his ... Catholic Online 2026-05-17 00:00:00 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=17 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=16 Although little is known about Simon Stock's early life, legend has it that the name Stock, meaning "tree trunk," derives from the fact that, beginning at age twelve, he lived as a hermit in a hollow tree trunk of an oak tree. It is also believed that, as a young man, he went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land where he joined a group of Carmelites with whom he later returned to Europe. Simon Stock founded many Carmelite Communities, especially in University towns such as Cambridge, ... Catholic Online 2026-05-16 00:00:00 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=16 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=15 Dymphna was born in Ireland sometime in the seventh century to a pagan father and devout Christian mother. When she was fourteen, she consecrated herself to Christ and took a vow of chastity. Soon afterward, her mother died and her father - who had loved his wife deeply - began to suffer a rapid deterioration of his mental stability. So unhinged was Dymphna's father, Damon, that the King's counselors suggested he remarry. Though he was still grieving for his wife, he agreed to remarry if a ... Catholic Online 2026-05-15 00:00:00 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=15 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=14 How does one qualify to be an apostle? The first act of the apostles after the Ascension of Jesus was to find a replacement for Judas. With all the questions, doubts, and dangers facing them, they chose to focus their attention on finding a twelfth apostle. Why was this important? Twelve was a very important number to the Chosen People: twelve was the number of the twelve tribes of Israel. If the new Israel was to come from the disciples of Jesus, a twelfth apostle was needed. But Jesus ... Catholic Online 2026-05-14 00:00:00 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=14 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=13 Bishop of Colonia in Palestine and a hermit. Born in Nicopolis, Armenia, he established a monastery at the age of eighteen. Appointed a bishop at the age of twenty-eight, he spent nine years in his office before retiring to Jerusalem to embrace the eremitical life. Through a vision, he found his way to the monastery, or laura, of St. Sabas, asking to be walled up and living for seventy-five years as a silent recluse. Catholic Online 2026-05-13 00:00:00 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=13 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=12 So often we hear people or even ourselves excuse an action by saying "I was only following orders." But for Nereus and Achilleus this excuse could not stand in the face of the cross. Everything we know from authority about the two first- century martyrs comes from a testimony written by Pope St. Damasus in the fourth century and inscribed on a memorial tablet that commemorates their lives. But even this commentary comes 300 years after they died. Damasus tells us that Nereus ... Catholic Online 2026-05-12 00:00:00 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=12 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=10 The man who would become St. Damien of Molokai, was born in rural Belgium, on January 3, 1840. His name was Jozef De Veuster, and he was the youngest of seven children. Growing up on the farm, Jozef was prepared to take over for his family, but he did not want the responsibility. Instead, he wanted to follow his older brother and two sisters who took religious vows. Jozef attended school until the age of 13 when his help was needed on the family farm full-time. He aided his family until he was ... Catholic Online 2026-05-10 00:00:00 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=10 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=9 St. Pachomius was born about 292 in the Upeer Thebaid in Egypt and was inducted into the Emperor's army as a twenty-year-old. The great kindness of Christians at Thebes toward the soldiers became embedded in his mind and led to his conversion after his discharge. After being baptized, he became a disciple of an anchorite, Palemon, and took the habit. The two of them led a life of extreme austerity and total dedication to God; they combined manual labor with unceasing prayer both day and night. ... Catholic Online 2026-05-09 00:00:00 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=9 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=8 Cistercian archbishop. Peter was born near Vienne, in Dauphine, France, and joined the Cistercian Order at Bonneveaux at the age of twenty with his two brothers and father. Known for his piety, at age thirty he was sent to serve as the first abbot of Tamie, in the Tarantaise Mountains, between Geneva and Savoy. There he built a hospice for travelers. In 1142, he was named the archbishop of Tarantaise against his wishes, and he devoted much energy to reforming the diocese, purging the clergy of ... Catholic Online 2026-05-08 00:00:00 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=8 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=7 Blessed Rose was born at Viterbo in 1656, the daughter of Godfrey Venerini, a physician. Upon the death of a young man who had been paying court to her, she entered a convent, but after a few months had to return home to look after her widowed mother. Rose use to gather the women and girls of the neighborhood to say the rosary together in the evenings, and when she found how ignorant many of them were of their religion, she began to instruct them. She was directed by Father Ignatius Martinelli, ... Catholic Online 2026-05-07 00:00:00 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=7 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=6 Dominic Savio was born on April 2, 1842 in the village of Riva in northern Italy. His father was a blacksmith and his mother a seamstress. He had nine brothers and sisters. His family was poor but hardworking. They were devout and pious Catholics. When he was just two years old, Dominic's family returned to their native village of Castlenuovo d'Asti, (Today, Castlenuovo Don Bosco) near the birthplace of John Bosco. Bosco would himself later be canonized as a Saint by the Church and became a ... Catholic Online 2026-05-06 00:00:00 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=6 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=5 Bishop of Arles, France, and friend and relative of St. Honoratus. He was born to a noble family in Lorraine and was successful, although he gave up his secular career to join St. Honoratus at Lerins Abbey. When Honoratus died after being named the bishop of Arles, Hilary was chosen as his successor in 429. He was known for his austerities, his aid to the poor, and for ransoming captives. On two occasions Hilary became embroiled in controversies with Pope St. Leo I the Great, but they were ... Catholic Online 2026-05-05 00:00:00 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=5 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=4 The St. Florian commemorated in the Roman Martyrology on May 4th, was an officer of the Roman army, who occupied a high administrative post in Noricum, now part of Austria, and who suffered death for the Faith in the days of Diocletian. His legendary "Acts" state that he gave himself up at Lorch to the soldiers of Aquilinus, the governor, when they were rounding up the Christians, and after making a bold confession, he was twice scourged, half-flayed alive, set on fire, and finally thrown into ... Catholic Online 2026-05-04 00:00:00 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=4 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=3 St. James the Less, the author of the first Catholic Epistle, was the son of Alphaeus of Cleophas. His mother Mary was either a sister or a close relative of the Blessed Virgin, and for that reason, according to Jewish custom, he was sometimes called the brother of the Lord. The Apostle held a distinguished position in the early Christian community of Jerusalem. St. Paul tells us he was a witness of the Resurrection of Christ; he is also a "pillar" of the Church, whom St. Paul ... Catholic Online 2026-05-03 00:00:00 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=3 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=2 St. Athanasius, also known as Athanasius the Great and Athanasius the Confessor, was a bishop and doctor of the church. He is called the "Father of Orthodoxy," the "Pillar of the Church" and "Champion of Christ's Divinity." Athanasius became one of the most dedicated opponents of the heresy of Arianism. Much of his life was a testimony to the divinity of Jesus Christ. Born in either 296 or 298 in Alexandria, Egypt to a prominent Christian family, Athanasius received a wonderful education in ... Catholic Online 2026-05-02 00:00:00 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=2 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=1 Marculf is also known as Marcoul. He was born at Bayeux, Gaul, at noble parents. He was ordained when he was thirty, and did missionary work at Coutances. Desirous of living as a hermit, he was granted land by king Childebert at Nanteuil. He attracted numerous disciples, and built a monastery, of which he was abbot. It became a great pilgrimage center after his death on May 1. St. Marculf was regarded as a patron who cured skin diseases, and as late as 1680, sufferers made pilgrimages to his ... Catholic Online 2026-05-01 00:00:00 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=May&day=1 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=April&day=30 Pope from 1566-1572 and one of the foremost leaders of the Catholic Reformation. Born Antonio Ghislieri in Bosco, Italy, to a poor family, he labored as a shepherd until the age of fourteen and then joined the Dominicans, being ordained in 1528. Called Brother Michele, he studied at Bologna and Genoa, and then taught theology and philosophy for sixteen years before holding the posts of master of novices and prior for several Dominican houses. Named inquisitor for Como and Bergamo, he was so ... Catholic Online 2026-04-30 00:00:00 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=April&day=30 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=April&day=29 Discover More About St. Catherine of Siena with Journey with the Saints St. Catherine of Siena was born during the outbreak of the plague in Siena, Italy on March 25, 1347. She was the 25th child born to her mother, although half of her brothers and sisters did not survive childhood. Catherine herself was a twin, but her sister did not survive infancy. Her mother was 40 when she was born. Her father was a cloth dyer. At the age of 16, Catherine�s sister, Bonaventura, died, leaving her ... Catholic Online 2026-04-29 00:00:00 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=April&day=29 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=April&day=28 In St. Peter Chanel, Priest and Martyr (Feast day - April 28) The protomartyr of the South Seas, St. Peter Chanel was born in 1803 at Clet in the diocese of Belley, France. His intelligence and simple piety brought him to the attention of the local priest, Father Trompier, who saw to his elementary education. Entering the diocesan Seminary, Peter won the affection and the esteem of both students and professors. After his ordination he found himself in a rundown country parish and completely ... Catholic Online 2026-04-28 00:00:00 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=April&day=28 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=April&day=27 St. Zita was born into a poor but holy Christian family. Her older sister became a Cistercian nun and her uncle Graziano was a hermit whom the local people regarded as a saint. Zita herself always tried to do God's will obediently whenever it was pointed out to her by her mother. At the age of twelve Zita became a housekeeper in the house of a rich weaver in Lucca, Italy, eight miles from her home at Monte Sagrati. As things turned out, she stayed with that family for the last forty-eight years ... Catholic Online 2026-04-27 00:00:00 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=April&day=27 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=April&day=26 St. Cletus was the third bishop of Rome, and succeeded St. Linus, which circumstance alone shows his eminent virtue among the first disciples of St. Peter in the West. He sat twelve years, from 76 to 89. The canon of the Roman mass, (which Bossuet and all others agree to be of primitive antiquity,) Bede, and other Martyrologists, style him a martyr. He was buried near St. Linus, on the Vatican, and his relics still remain in that church. Catholic Online 2026-04-26 00:00:00 https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php?month=April&day=26