Hagiography: The Monastic Saints

So now we move on to some of the more extreme saints who completely removed themselves from civilization to be closer to God. This monastic calling is quite different from the priestly or missionary vocation in that it is pure asceticism (simplicity, self-discipline, and complete removal isolation from society). It can be broken up into two distinctions; solitary monasticism and communal monasticism. The sole purpose is to remove all material and social distraction so as to spend more time on prayer and faith. The early Desert Fathers, such as Anthony the Great, established this mentality by the late 200s. What began as an isolated calling, eventually evolved into a communal calling with still the same structure. It's probably fair to say that almost anyone who completely spends their entire life in prayer could be considered a saint. However here I want to focus on the most famous ones. 

The Desert Fathers (and mothers) are such an intriguing topic for me. From about 200-600 AD this movement spread across Egypt and the Holy Land. Unique individuals so consumed by their hunger for faith, that they were willing to completely cut ties with the world. They moved to the remote wilderness, deserts, or even deep forests where survival was secondary to their prayers. Quite often they lived in caves pushing the boundaries of mental and physical discipline. I just can't help but envision Obi-Wan Kenobi in the deserts of Tatooine, living his hermit life among other outcast jedi. Many of these Christians were indeed escaping Roman persecution while others simply wanted to find complete seclusion. They were basically wild-people living off nothing but river water, herbs, and prayer. 

From these early Desert Fathers came the concept of communal ascetism and the establishment of monasteries. This was a much healthier practice of structure and moral support with like-minding people of deep faith. Famous monks such as Pachomius and Benedict established some of the first major monasteries with a code of rules. The structure consisted of a balance of prayer with work-and-study. Monks were expected to support themselves financially thru the fruits of their communal labor. This often included farming, raising animals, brewing, and copying manuscripts. It actually doesn't sound like that bad of a life. To be free from all the noise, to just read, write, garden, drink, eat, and pray. I find I do enjoy the peace, quiet, and solitude of a hermit lifestyle. But even I could not fully commit to this level of devotion and isolation. 

The Desert Fathers

Saint Paul the Hermit

• 
  Years: 227-341 (113 years)
  
• Nationality: Thebes, Roman Egypt
• Life: He is considered the first hermit, who left society to live an isolated-monastic life in complete prayer and devotion to God. He was actually born into a wealthy family, very educated, and converted to Christianity at a young age. He decided to flee into eastern desert of Egypt so as to escape Roman persecution but also to live a solitary life dedicated to God. He found a cave with a spring and a palm tree, and spent approximately 90 years surviving on the bare essentials. He had absolutely no contact with human society for the majority of his life, aside from meeting Saint Anthony the Great (another famous desert ascetic). His life was one of legendary sacrifice to God, since he lived this way for 90 years (a feat even more impressive then martyrdom). He died at the old age of 113, and according to tradition he was buried by two lions, and was put in Anthony's cloak. He left no writings behind, all that survives is the legacy he lived from various witnesses. Much of his story was later recounted by famous theolgian scholars such as St. Jerome.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Hermits, ascetics, basket weavers, solitude
• Symbols: Two lions, palm tree, raven
• Feast Day: Jan 10
• Famous Churches:
• Monastery of Saint Paul the Anchorite (Eastern Desert, Egypt)- 5th century- Built near the holy site where Paul lived most of his ascetic life
• Saint Paul the First Hermit Cathedral (San Pablo City, Laguna, Philippines)- 18th century- Cathedral dedicated to Saint Paul the Hermit
• Church of St. Paul the Hermit (Mosta, Malta)- 14th century- rock cut chapel within a cave

Saint Anthony the Great

• 
  Years: 251-356 (105 years)
  
• Nationality: Koma, Egypt (Roman Empire)
• Life: He is regarded as the first monk, who abandoned all his possessions to live a life of isolation in the desert praying to God. At the age of 20 he began his hermit lifestyle in a cave and a fortress near the Nile River where he practiced asceticism and scriptural study. According to legend he was tempted by demons various times of which he often used a bell to drive them away. On one occasion he was attacked and nearly killed by them. When he asked the Lord why he had abandoned him, the lord responded it was to test his faith. Anthony then returned to face the demons and this time was protected by the light of the lord. He became a spiritual master and leader during his isolation and was visited by various other monks, priests, theologians, and prominent Christians (including Athanasius of Alexandria and Constantine the Great). In his elder years he played a pivotal role in developing theology that defended Christians from persecution, and helped strengthened the doctrine of the trinity (which was disputed by Arianism). He also helped develop the concepts of Christian monasticism and mysticism. He lived a long life and died at the age of 105 in the desert at Mount Colzim.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Animals, skin-disease, farmers, butchers, the poor, gravediggers, cemeteries, monasticism
• Symbols: Bell, Lamb, Tau-shaped cross
• Feast Day: January 17
• Famous Churches:
• Monastery of Saint Anthony (Red Sea Desert, Egypt) 356- Burial site of Saint Anthony
• Saint Antoine l'Abbaye (Isere, France) 1297 - Became home to the monastic order known as Hospital Brothers of Saint Anthony with several of his relics

Saint Pachomius the Great

• 
  Years: 290-348
  
• Nationality: Thebaid, Roman Egypt
• Life: He is considered one of the early Desert Fathers who organized the monastic community way of of life. He was a Roman soldier as a young man who was moved by the plight of the persecuted Christians. He later converted to Christianity himself and sought a new extreme life to fully devote himself. He traveled to the desert to live the hermit life, where he was trained under an elder named Palamon. He came to discover that the solitude aspect was mentally damaging, and that more could be achieved thru communal monasticism. He then created a guide book of rules, duties, prayers, communities, and structure. His key rule was the monks should live in communal homes, headed up by an abbot. Also there should be structured days of prayer, work, meals, and rest. This was an early effort to scale back the individual extremism, and have a productive community. This laid the groundwork of many monk orders to follow such as the Benedictines, Franciscans, and Dominicans.
• Cause of Death: Plague
• Patronage: Monastic communities, abbots
• Symbols: Hermit robes, Crossing the Nile on the back of a crocodile
• Feast Day: May 9
• Famous Churches:
• Monastery of Saint Pachomius (Tabenna, Egypt)- 318-320- Founded by Pachomius as the first cenobitic monastery
• Basilica of Saint Pachomius (Pbow, Egypt)- 336-337- Major shrine dedicated to Saint Pachomius
• Monastery of Saint Pachomius (Luxor, Egypt)- 4th century

Saint Hilarion

• 
  Years: 291-371
  
• Nationality: Gaza, Palestine
• Life: He was born of pagan parents, but later converted to Christianity as he studied in Alexandria, Egypt. While in Egypt he visited the famous monk Anthony the Great and became one of his disciples. He then took on his own vow of ascetism settling in the deserts of Gaza, Palestine. He became famous during this time for performing miracles of healing and exorcisms. He also was tormented by demons (just like Anthony) which even included a naked woman trying to tempt him. Hilarion often resisted these temptations and trials thru prayer and intense body discipline. Hilarion would often have to relocate to new places so that he could find true isolation in the desert. This included the deserts of Egypt, Libya, Sicily, and Cyprus. He is considered the father of the Palestinian monasticism.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Hermits, monks, Palestine
• Symbols: scroll monk robes
• Feast Day: Oct 21
• Famous Churches:
• Monastery of St. Hilarion (Gaza, Palestine)- 4th century- One of the earliest Christian monasteries in the Holy Land established by St. Hilarion

Saint Macarius the Great

• 
  Years: 300-391 (90 years)
  
• Nationality: Shabsheer, Egypt
• Life: He was a camel driver, who was falsely accused of fathering child. Rather than fight the case, he humbly accepted the accusation and supported the woman and child. Once the woman confessed the truth he decided to live an ascetic life in the desert devoted completely to God. During this time he documented many of his mystical experiences and inner theological thoughts such as the heart being the source of sin and the Holy spirit dwelling in the soul. He also famously preached in favor of compassion over judgement. Unlike many other hermits, Macarius still lived a public life and had many visitors that saw him as a spiritual leader. He also shared many of his theological writings the most famous being the Macarian Homilies. He died at the ripe old age of 90, most of which was spent living in solitude in the desert. However much of his theology on inner transformation was preserved in writings. He is regarded as one of the key Desert Fathers alongside Anthony the Great.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Monks, hermits, spiritual leaders
• Symbols: Desert, elder with long white beard, basket, skull
• Feast Day: Jan 15
• Famous Churches:
• Monastery of Saint Macarius the Great (Wadi El Natrun, Egypt)- 360-385- Principle shrine dedicated to St. Macarius. One of the oldest active monasteries in the world.

Saint Onuphrius

• 
  Years: 320-400
  
• Nationality: Ethiopia
• Life: He is another of the famous Desert fathers, who abandoned his life in the monastery to live in complete solitude. He spent approximately 60 to 70 years in the desert without any human contact. He lived mostly off of water, wild herbs, and constant prayer. He was eventually discovered by another hermit named Paphnutius who witnessed him as a very skinny wild-man with a very long beard. They briefly had a conversation and shared a meal that was provided by the angels. Paphnutius heard his testament and later preserved his legacy thru writings. Before he died Onuphrius made one request to Paphnutius, that he spread the word of God's mercy. According to legend his body was immediately buried by angels and his hermit-cave crumbled shortly after.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Weavers, jurists
• Symbols: loincloth, long beard, hermit with an angel, hermit with a crown at his feat, dove
• Feast Day: June 12
• Famous Churches:Saint Onofrio al Gianicolo (Rome, Italy)- 1419-1439- Dedicated to Saint Onuphrius and those who practiced desert spirituality
• St. Onuphrius Monastery (Jerusalem, Israel)- 4th century; rebuilt in 1892- believed to have been a cave where Onuphrius spent some time. Also believed to be the site where Judas hung himself.
• Monastery of Saint Onuphrius (Lviv, Ukraine)- 1292; rebuilt in 1680

Saint Moses the Black

• 
  Years: 330-405 (75 years)
  
• Nationality: Scetis, Egypt
• Life: Similar to Mary of Egypt, Moses the Black also underwent a major transformation in the Egyptian deserts. As a young adult he was a dangerous criminal known for thievery, drinking, and even murder. At one point he fled from the authorities to hide in the Scetis desert (same location as Macarius the Great). It was here that he met various monks and was suddenly moved by the Holy Spirit to change his ways. He completed devoted himself to isolated prayer and repentance for his past life. He even became a monk and fought against his wicked demons thru prayer, fasting, and manual labor. Thru his devout transformation he eventually became a priest, especially administering to those with troubled pasts. He met a heroic death when a band of raiders approached his monastery. He confronted the raiders by telling them those who live by the sword shall die by the sword. This allowed the other monks to escape, while Moses the Black was killed by the raiders. This was a very heroic act of martyrdom, however I decided to include him here with the monastic saints since he is considered one of the primary Desert Fathers.
• Cause of Death: Sword
• Patronage: Africa, nonviolence
• Symbols: Leaking basket of sang, broken sword, desert, scroll
• Feast Day: Aug 28
• Famous Churches:
• Paromeos Monastery (Scetis, Egypt)- 335- Founded by Macarius the Great, this is where Moses lived as a monk. This is also where he was martyred. This is his primary shrine that contains some of his relics

Saint Arsenius

• 
  Years: 350-445 (95 years)
  
• Nationality: Rome, Roman Empire
• Life: He was a highly educated scholar from Rome, and was even chosen by Emperor Theodosius to tutor his son. He later became a deacon and for a while lived among the wealthy circles of Constantinople. One day while praying to Christ, he heard a response in his head, telling him to flee from men and your soul shall be saved. In 394 Arsenius took to heed the message and abandoned all his material wealth to live in the desert of Scetis, Egypt (the same region as Macarius the Great). He took on a new discipline of silence and humility during his isolation. He spent most his time living in a cell, fasting, praying, and doing manual labor. He had to relocate several times due to barbarian raids. Although he spent over 50 years isolated in the desert he did have some interactions with the monastery of Scetis which preserved his legacy. He is considered as one of the great foundational desert fathers of the monastic life.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Monks, hermits, silence
• Symbols: Elder monk with long beard, scroll, finger to the lips indicating silence, desert
• Feast Day: May 8
• Famous Churches:
• Protaton Church (Mount Athos, Greece)- 9th-10th century- Although not dedicated to him, there are many frescoes glorifying his monastic example

Saint Simeon Stylites the Elder

• Years: 390-459
• 
  Nationality: Sis, Eastern Roman Empire (Turkey)
  
• Life: He was born near Syria from a poor Christian family, and was drawn to the monastic life by the Beautitudes. He built a reputation from the start of his extreme discipline ranging from starvation of fasting, refusal to sit down for days, and injuring himself with flagellins. Eventually the monastery asked him to leave due to this unorthodox behavior even for a monk. He then began an independent hermit life, continuing his extreme masochist patterns dedicated to God. In 423 AD he came up with the idea to completely remove himself from people by living on a high pillar (50 feet tall). He had many followers who lived below, and provided him with food and water via ropes. He eventually achieved some fame for this outrageous discipline, and began consulting people, even the emperors. He spent most of his time standing in prayer for 35 years until his death. The church later recognized him as a holy man, and many other saints committed similar acts of devotion that became known as stylites. There were also examples of people who lived up in trees in total isolated devotion.
• Cause of Death: Exhaustion
• Patronage: Hermits, Stylites, fasting, solitude
• Symbols: Monk robes, standing on top of pillar
• Feast Day: Sept 1
• Famous Churches:
• Church of Simeon Stylites (Aleppo, Syria)- 5th century- Church complex constructed on the site of Simeon's stylite pillar. It is mostly in ruins now but still considered his primary shrine.

Desert Mothers


Saint Syncletia of Alexandria

• 
  Years: 315-375
  
• Nationality: Alexandria, Egypt
• Life: She is one of the foundational Desert mothers, who gave up her wealth and beauty to completely live an ascetic life dedicated to God. She found isolation with her sister in the remote wilderness on the outskirts of Alexandria, Egypt. She practiced silence, prayer, fasting, and charitable service. She grew a reputation for her devout sacrifice and gathered many female followers. Many of her teachings were preserved iby Saint Athansaius in the Sayings of the Desert Fathers scrolls. Her most famous teachings were that joy could be achieved thru dedicated prayer; the importance of humility; the unending threat of temptation; and the mental and physical aspects of ascetic life. Her final few years she suffered a painful cancer, but endured it with great humility. She taught her students that thru the pain and suffering she got closer to God.
• Cause of Death: Old age, cancer
• Patronage: Spiritual mothers, long illness and suffering
• Symbols: Scroll, cross, elderly women
• Feast Day: Jan 5

Saint Paula of Rome

• 
  Years: 374-404
  
• Nationality: Rome, Roman Empire
• Life: She was also a Roman aristocrat who gave everything up to live an ascetic life in the deserts of Palestine. While she went on long periods of isolation she did still stay involved with local monasteries and religious communities. She traveled excessively throughout the Holy Land, Turkey, and Egypt where she established 4 monasteries. She eventually settled in Bethlehem with her daughter St. Eustochium where she worked closely with St. Jerome. In Bethlehem she established her most famous convent for women of which she was the abbess of until her death.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Widows, monks, nuns, Order of St. Jerome
• Symbols: Abbess with a book, depicted as a pilgrim, with St. Jerome, embarking in ship
• Feast Day: Jan 26
• Famous Churches:
• Church of Saint Paula the Roman (Rome, Italy)- 1949-1951- Primary church dedicated to Saint Paula
• Monastic Complex of Saint Paula and St. Eustochium (Bethlehem, Israel)- St. Paula's famous monastery established near the Church of the Nativity. This is where she spent her final years and is buried here with her daughter.

Saint Melania the Younger

• 
  Years: 383-439
  
• Nationality: Rome, Roman Empire
• Life: Just like many other great hermits, she was also wealthy and decided to renounce everything to completely devout herself to God. She was the granddaughter of Melania the Elder, who had also become a famous Desert Mother. She was married for a brief while, but when she lost both of her infant children this drove her into a deep somber state. She moved to live an ascetic life in North Africa for a while, then eventually settled in Jerusalem. While there she established a women's monastery where she became the abbess for the rest of her life. Many of her spiritual teachings were preserved in writings by her students.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Widows, Abbesses, pilgrims, loss of a child
• Symbols: Scroll, monastic building, cross, veil
• Feast Day: Dec 31

Saint Mary of Egypt

• Years: 430-520
• 
  Nationality: Alexandria, Egypt
  
• Life: She was a harlot from Alexandria, who sought pleasure in sexual promiscuity. However one day she joined some pilgrims to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem and something magical happened. She was unable to cross thru the threshold of the church due to her life of sin. She then heard the voice of Mother Mary tell her to cross the River Jordan to find rest. From this point on she made a vow to live a life of purity and devotion to Christ. She relocated to the desert east of the Jordan River and lived a life of solitude for 47 years in total repentance. She struggled with many of her past demons and found peace thru fasting and prayer. Towards the end of her life she met a traveling monk, St. Zosimas whom documented her story. Apparently Mary knew this man's name without ever meeting him. The following year Zosimas brought her holy communion and saw her walking on water. He then found her dead in the desert the next year. Truly a unique story of someone who underwent an extreme conversion from wickedness to holy mystical devotion to God. Her story has many similarities to that of Mary Magdalene.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Chastity, deliverance from lust, sexual demons, fever, skin disease
• Symbols: Cilice, skull, loaves of bread
• Feast Day: April 1

Communal Monastics


Saint Benedict of Nursia

• Years: 480-547 (67 years)
  
• Nationality: Nursia, Italy
• 
  Life: He began his calling as a hermit living in a cave for three years, where another monk lowered food to him. Just like with Saint Anthony he fought many inner demons during this period. At one point he desired a woman badly and decided to roll in a thorn bush to put the lust to rest. He later accepted a role as abbot of a monastery however was disliked by the other monks who attempted to poison him (which miraculously shattered before he could drink from it). St. Benedict then began to gain some following and established twelve monasteries throughout Subiaco. He later established one of his most famous monasteries at Monte Cassino, where he wrote the Rule of Saint Benedict (guidelines for the monastic life). Throughout the later part of his life it is believed he performed many miracles of visions, foresight, multiplying food, and driving out demons. There were also examples of monks who decided to leave his monastery and were met with mysterious episodes of convulsions or a giant dragon. Long after he died his monastic order survived to this day to become one of the largest and most famous (alongside the Dominicans and Franciscans).
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Against poison and curses, agriculture, engineering, fever, monks, illness, schools, students
• Symbols: Bell, broken cup, and serpent bush, bundle of sticks, raven
• Feast Day: July 11
• Famous Churches:
• Monte Cassino Abbey (Montecassino, Italy)- 529- Birthplace of the Benedictine Rule
• Sacro Speco (Subiaco, Italy)- Sacred cave where Benedict lived as a hermit
• Monastery of St. Benedict (Subiaco, Italy)- Monastery near the sacred cave

Saint Scholastica

• Years: 480-543
• 
  Nationality: Monte Cassino (Ostrogothic Kingdom)- Germanic Rome
  
• Life: She was the twin sister of the famous Benedict of Nursia, he had a similar devout calling to the monastic life. She established the first women's monastery using principles that her brother had outlined. According to legend Benedict and Scholastica met once a year between their monasteries to pray and discuss theology together. She famously convinced her disciplined brother to stay longer with her so they could continue their sibling connection. When Benedict tried to refuse, thunder struck, which they both understood as a sign from God, convincing Benedict that it was okay to spend extra time with his sister (even if she was a woman). While Benedict embodied prayer, structure, and discipline, Scholastica embodied prayer, love, and relationship. When she died Benedict saw her spirit rise like a dove. They were both later buried together.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Nuns, sisterhood, convents
• Symbols: Sister robes, holding crozier or book, dove flying over her head.
• Feast Day: Feb 10
• Famous Churches:
• Abbey of Monte Cassino (Cassino, Italy)- 529- Monastery founded with her brother. This is her primary shrine and contains her tomb next to her brother.
• Abbey of Saint Scholastica (Lazio, Italy)- 6th century- Benedictine monastery founded by Benedict but dedicated to his sister
• Cathedral of Saint Scholastica (Lazio, Italy)- 6th century; rebuilt in 18th century

Saint Columba

• Years: 521-597 (75 years)
• 
  Nationality: Gaelic, Ireland
  
• Life: He was an Irish monk who played a key role in spreading Christianity thru Ireland and Scotland. He was known for his poetic oratory and established many monasteries throughout Ireland by the age of 40. In 563 AD he then went on a mission with 12 companions to spread the faith into pagan Scotland. There on the island of Iona he founded a very famous monastery. He converted many of the local Pict tribes and had dealings with kings and other notable warlords. His most famous legend is his confrontation with the iconic Loch Ness monster. After his death, his monastery at Iona became one of the most important monasteries during the Middle Ages. He is celebrated as the patron saint of Scotland.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Scotland, Derry, flood, bookbinders, poets, Ireland
• Symbols: monk robes, crosier, Celtic cross
• Feast Day: June 9
• Famous Churches:
• Iona Abbey (Iona, Scotland)- 563- He established this monastery as the spiritual center of his Celtic Christian mission. Many of his relics are here.
• Monastery of Kells (County Mearth, Ireland)- 6th century
• Dunkeld Cathedral (Dunkeld, Scotland)- 6th century; rebuilt in 1260- Columba's original burial location

Saint Romuald

• Years: 951-1027
  
• Nationality: Ravenna, Italy
  
• Life: As a young man Romuald witnessed his wealthy father kill a man in a duel which had a significant impact on him. He decided to break away from society and completely devout himself to the Benedictine monastic order. Romuald quickly realized that the life in the monastery was too luxurious and he wanted something more remote and isolated. Despite his reluctance to be independent he was frequently called upon to be an abbot at various monasteries due to his deep faith. He eventually established his own order of monks known as the Camaldoli Order. It was essentially a monastery with hermit cells thus allowing individuality and community. Even after this however he continued to travel and establish new monasteries and continued to live a life of extreme ascetism.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Camaldolese Order, hermits, silent prayer
• Symbols: White monk robes, ladder ascending into heaven, hermits cell
• Feast Day: June 19
• Famous Churches:
• Camaldoli Holy Hermitage and Monastery (Arezzo, Italy)- 1012- Primary monastery established by Saint Romuald that is still active today.
• Chiesa di San Biagio e San Romualdo (Marche, Italy)- 17th century- Shrine for St. Romuald's tomb

Saint Bruno of Cologne

• Years: 1030-1101
• Nationality: Cologne, Germany
  
• 
  Life: He was a highly educated scholar from Cologne, Germany who taught at the University of Reims. During this time he taught future bishops and popes and even counseled kings. He suddenly realized he was driven by too much ambition and was losing his soul in the process. In his mid-40s he left all his high-status posts to live an isolated life of a hermit. Similar to Saint Romuald, he sought community but also isolation at the same time. He eventually came up with an idea to start a new order on this basis. In the Alp mountains of Grenoble, France he and his companions built a monastery comprised of separate hermit cells. This gave each monk their own private quarters to spend time in prayer while still part of a community. It became known as the Carthusian Order. Due to his established fame, the monastic order quickly became quite popular. Even the pope, whom he had trained visited and called Bruno up for counsel. His holy act of dropping all his successful achievements to dedicate himself fully to God led to his canonization.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: hermits, isolation
• Symbols: Carthusian white robes, holding a skull, cave, crucifix
• Feast Day: Oct 6th
• Famous Churches:
• Eglise-Saint-Bruno-des-Chartreux (Lyon, France)- Dedicated to Saint Bruno
• Eglise-Saint-Bruno (Grenoble, France)- near the original site of his first Cathusian monastery
• Santuario di San Bruno (Calabria, Italy)- Sanctunary founded by Bruno that contains his tomb

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

• 
  Years: 1090-1153 (63 years)
  
• Nationality: Burgundy, France
• Life: He was born into a noble devout family, his father a knight his mother a very pious woman. He later joined a Benedictine monastery in Citeaux dedicating his soul to God. At the age of 25 he established a new monastery in Clairvaux in which he became abbot. During his time as abbot he also became a highly regarded theologian with an emphasis on how to love God. As his writings gained popularity he quickly rose to a public role advising kings and popes. He was a key player in calling for the Second Crusade and the Knights Templar as a means to defend the sacred land of Christians from conquest. He was later a crucial architect of the Marian devotion which emphasized the importance of Mary. It is also believed he performed many miracles such as healing, prophecies, mystical visions, and exorcisms. Thru his theological writings he is also considered a Doctor of the Church.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Cistercians, Burgundy, Beekeepers, candlemakers, Knights Templar
• Symbols: Cistercian habit, book, crosier
• Feast Day: Aug 20
• Famous Churches:
• Clairvaux Abbey (Clairvaux, France)- 1115- The monastery founded by Saint Bernard still stands today. This is his burial site and primary shrine. During the French Revolution his tomb was destroyed and body was scattered as a protest against religion.
• Troyes Cathedral (Troyes, France)- 13th century- Although dedicated to Peter and Paul, many of Bernard's relics were moved here after the events of the French Revolution.
• Basilica and Convent of Saint Bernard (Fontaine-les-Dijon, France)- 11th century- The site of Bernard's birthplace.

Saint Gertrude the Great

• 
  Years: 1256-1302 (46 years)
  
• Nationality: Thuringia, Holy Roman Empire (Germany)
• Life: She was a scholar highly educated in scripture, Latin, philosophy, and theology (influenced by the life of Hildegard of Bingen). At the age of 25 she received a vision from Christ that inspired her to dedicate herself to ascetic prayer and meditation. She became a Benedictine nun where she spent much of her time studying and in prayer. She became an advocate for the study of Christian mysticism. She was also one of the early promoters of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (alongside St. Bernard of Clairvaux). This theological idea emphasizes the love Christ showed for us by dying for our sins. It puts more emphasis on his physical heart, rather then his suffering pain on the crucifix. Gertrude's most famous writings included The Herald of Divine Love and Spiritual Exercises. She continued to experience mystical visions throughout her life during her deep prayer and meditations.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Mysticism, theologians, purgatory, the Sacred Heart of Jesus
• Symbols: Cross, radiant heart
• Feast Day: Nov 16
• Famous Churches:
• Helfta Abbey (Eisleben, Germany)- 13th century; Rebuilt in 1999- This was the Benedictine monastery she spent most of her time in. She was buried here however the original site was destroyed during the Reformation. It was just recently rebuilt with new shrines to honor her.

Saint Rita of Cascia

• 
  Years: 1381-1457
  
• Nationality: Cascia, Italy
• Life: She felt the calling to Christ at a very young age however was pushed into a marriage at 18 with Paolo, a violent husband. Eventually this violent lifestyle caught up with her husband and he was murdered by a rival. The two sons of Rita and Paolo wanted vengeance for the murder but Rita prayed that they would be saved from committing the mortal sin of murder. Both sons later died of an illness, which was painful for their mother Rita, however she was also glad they did not commit murder. She then fully devoted herself to being a nun at the Augustine convent in Cascia (according to legend she was denied several times until the saints intervened on her behalf). In 1442 she experienced her claim to fame when she received a stigmata wound on her forehead while praying. She believed the wound was from the Crown of thorns and the pain stayed with her for the rest of her life. At her deathbed she asked for a rose, which seemed impossible in the midst of winter. However miraculously one of her relatives was able to find one rose in a snow covered garden to give to Rita before she died.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Lost and impossible causes, sickness, wounds, abuse, marital problems
• Symbols: Forehead wound, rose, bees, grape vine
• Feast Day: May 22
• Famous Churches:
• Basilica of Santa Rita da Cascia (Cascia, Italy)- 1937-1947- Principle shrine dedicated to Saint Rita which contains her shrine, tomb, and relics.
• Monastery Church of Mary Magdalene (Cascia, Italy)- 13th century- the monastery where Rita spent her life as a nun
• Santa Rita da Cascia alle Vergini (Rome, Italy)- 1615-1660- Baroque church dedicated to Saint Rita

Hagiography: The Confessor Saints

So now we move to the confessor saints. These are saints who were not martyred for their faith, but rather lived in the example of Christ. They were like John the Apostle, martyrs by will but not by deed. They were so devout in their faith that they would have died had they faced the trial. These confessor saints mostly includes missionaries, priests, kings, queens, and even some common folk. Thru their evangelization, devotion, and charity they set a Christian example that was worthy of canonization. Many of these saints lived thru brutal repression, and heroically spread the word of Christ in pagan lands. Missionaries such as St. Patrick and St. Martin endured great challenges to help build the church in western Europe.

Then there was the kings and queens who played a vital role in the progression of Christianity. I consider Constantine the Great as one of the most important figures in Christian history. He completely changed the narrative when he accepted Christianity and made it legal in 313 AD. During the Middle Ages, kings and queens also played a vital role at strengthening Christianity. They took bold steps to accept the faith and set an example of piety and charity for their people to follow. Then there were priests who strived for the sanctity and preservation of the church amidst trying times during the Protestant Reformation. There were even common folk such as Isidore the Laborer or Elizabeth Ann Seton, who were true examples of Christ's holy influence. 

Early Confessor Saints

Saint Silas

• Years: 10-65 AD
  
• Nationality: Judea, Roman Empire
• Life: Silas joined the early Christian movement after the Resurrection of Christ and is considered one of the 70 disciples. He quickly became an affluential leader among the apostles at the Council of Jerusalem. He was later chosen to join Paul, Barnabas, and Timothy on their missionary work in Antioch and the Baltic region. According to scripture he was beaten and imprisoned repeatedly, however there is no record if he was a martyr. He later became a bishop of Corinth prior to his death.
• Cause of Death: Unknown, old age
• Patronage: Missionaries, prisoners, those who are persecuted
• Symbols: Chains, shackles, palm branch
• Feast Day: Jan 26

Saint Timothy

• 
  Years: 15-97 (82 years)
• Nationality: Lystra, Anatolia (Roman Empire)
  
• Life: He was a devout believer of God from Lystra, and was personally chosen by Paul as a close companion. Timothy became Paul's personal assistant and student, considered his spiritual son. He joined Paul on his missionary travels throughout Asia Minor and was also an evangelist transcribing many of Paul's teachings. Timothy eventually goes on his own missionary work to oversee the church in Ephesus, Turkey. It is believed he died here in Ephesus of old age.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Stomach and intestinal sickness
• Symbols: Pastoral staff
• Feast Day: Jan 22
• Famous Churches:
• Cathedral of Termoli (San Timoteo, Italy)- 11th- 13th century- Dedicated to Saint Timothy with many of his relics
• Church of the Holy Apostles (Constantinople, Turkey)- 330- Destroyed in 1461. Had many of St. Timothy's relics

Saint Thecla

• 
  Years: 30-90 (60 years)
  
• Nationality: Iconium, Turkey
• Life: She was a follower of Paul the Apostle after she heard him preaching in Iconium (Turkey). She was a young noblewoman who decided to renounce her possessions and follow Christ to the full. She was engaged to be married, but later rejected the marriage so she could devout herself completely to God. This of course caused a great scandal with her husband and the nobles and they had her sentenced to death. She was to be burnt at the stake but miraculously a rainstorm put out the flames. She was then thrown to the beasts, but they refused to devour her. She manages to baptize herself in the midst of this chaos and is eventually let free. She then goes on to live an ascetic life in isolation and prayer for the remainder of her life.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Virgin women, survivors of violence, preachers
• Symbols: Lioness, flames, scrolls, water
• Feast Day: Sept 23
• Famous Churches:
• Aya Tekla Cave Church (Selecuia, Turkey)- Believed to be the location where she lived as a hermit

Saint Helena

• Years: 246-330 (82 years)
• 
  Nationality: Bithynia, Roman Empire (Modern day Turkey)
  
• Life: She was the mother of Constantine the Great who helped change the course of Christian history. She was a devout Christian of low social status, and had a child with the Roman officer Constantius which would become Constantine the royal heir. However since she was not of noble birth she was set aside for some time. When Constantine became emperor he brought his lowly mother back into the royal court life. Despite being in her 70s at this point she took an administrative role in her son's empire promoting charitable policies towards the poor. Her true claim to fame was her pilgrimage to the Holy Land, where according to tradition she found the True Cross of Jesus Christ. She had many of the sites explored and excavated near the site of Calvary where a Roman temple stood. It was under this temple she found the crosses buried and knew it was the true cross when it miraculously healed a child. She went on to build churches on the sacred sites across the Holy Land which included the Church of The Holy Sepulchre, Church of Nativity, and Church of the Ascension. She played a crucial role in convincing her powerful son to convert and make Christianity acceptable as well as glorying the Holy Land with churches.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Archeologists, converts, difficult marriages, divorcees, empresses, new discoveries
• Symbols: crown, cross, nails
• Feast Day: Aug 18
• Famous Churches:
• The Church and Mausoleum of St. Helena (Rome, Italy)- 326-330- Primary church dedicated to St. Helena with her burial site.
• Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Jerusalem, Israel)- 326-335- Helena disovered the true cross at this location, and had the Roman temple destroyed and replaced with this famous church
• Church of the Nativity (Bethlehem, Israel)- 327-333- She also had a church built in the location of Christ's birth
• Chapel of the Ascension (Mount of Olives, Israel)- 390- She also played a role in developing this shrine on the location of Christ's ascension
• Trier Cathedral (Trier, Germany)- 1235-1270- Allegedly has her skull on display in the church's crypt
• Basilica of Saint Mary of the Altar in Heaven- (Rome, Italy)- 12th century- Also has some of her relics
• Saint-Leu-Gilles-de-Paris (Paris, France)- 1235-1780- Although it is dedicated to Saint Giles, it contains many of her relics

Saint Nicholas

• 
  Years: 270-343
  
• Nationality: Patara, Roman Empire (Turkey)
• Life: He was born into a wealthy family, here his parents died at a young age, thus giving him a large inheritance. Saint. Nicholas became a devout Christian while it was still considered illgal, however he also lived during Constantine's Edict of Milan in 313 which made it legal. St. Nicholas famously became a steward for charity and giving gifts thru his wealthy inheritance. One of the more popular stories include him giving gold to a poor family so their daughters weren't sold into prostitution. He also famously rescued sailors from a storm, brought children back to life, and saved a man from execuion. He became bishop of Myra where he continued to defend the poor, innocent, and downtrodden. It is even believed he attended the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. According to some legends he did face persecution and even torture, however survived and did not die as a martyr. His charitable persona slowly evolved into the embodiment of Santa Claus that we know him as today. He is also very popular in the Eastern Orthodox church.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Children, coopers, travelers, sailors, fishermen, merchants, toymakers, broadcasters, unmarried people, brewers, pharmacists, archers
• Symbols: Bishop red robes, omophorion
• Feast Day: Dec 5
• Famous Churches:
• Basilica of Saint Nicholas (Bari, Italy)- 1089-1197- Houses the relics of Saint Nicholas
• Church of Saint Nichoals (Demre, Turkey)- 520- Built over the original tomb of St. Nick. Considered his oldest church dedicated to him
• St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral (Kronstadt, Russia)- 1903-1913- Memorial to sailors and Nicholas as their patron
• Basilica of St. Nicholas (Amsterdam, Netherlands)- 1884-1887- Central catholic church in Netherlands dedicated to the Sinterklaas tradition

Saint Constantine

• Years: 272-337
• 
  Nationality: Nicomedia, Roman Empire (modern day Turkey)
  
• Life: He was a game changer of world history, who made Christianity legal and ended the 300 years of persecution. Although his mother Helena, was a devout Christian, Constantine did not convert until later in his reign. According to legend Constantine received a vision from Jesus Christ prior to the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312. In the vision he saw a cross of light, which made him order all his soldiers to put the cross on their shields. The Romans then went on to win the battle and Constantine became converted overnight. He quickly began to repeal some of the harsh laws against Christianity, most notably by making it legal in the 313 Edict of Milan. He eventually began a new campaign of Christian advocacy, locating relics and building churches. In 325 he took part in the Council of Nicaea, the first time an emperor sat in on a church council. He was officially baptized right before his death in 337. He is only recognized a saint by the Eastern Orthodox and not the Western Roman church. The case against his sainthood is his involvement in war, however I think he was a crucial figure in the acceptance of the religion.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Rulers, statesmen
• Symbols: The Chi-Rho, Roman military banner, crown and imperial robes
• Feast Day: May 21
• Famous Churches:
• Church of the Holy Apostles (Constantinople, Byzantine Empire)- 4th century- 1453- Central church of Christianity in Constantinople that was destroyed in the Ottoman sack of 1453. The church was the mausoleum of Constantine with relics of Constantine, St. Luke, St. Timothy, and St. John Chrysostom.
• Hagia Eirene (Istanbul, Turkey)- 330
• Church of Saints Constantine and Helena (Jerusalem, Israel)- 4th- 6th century
• Church of St. Constantine and Helena (Rome, Italy)

 

Saint Martin of Tours

• Years: 336-397 (61 years)
• 
  Nationality: Candes, Gaul (France)
  
• Life: He was a Roman soldier who underwent a conversion while stationed in Gaul (France). He saw a cold beggar and decided to cut his cloak in half so as to give him warmth. Later that night he received a vision from the Lord, thanking him, which inspired St. Martin to baptize himself. He then decided to leave to the Roman army and begin work as a monk and missionary. He became a student of St. Hilary of Poitiers and eventually went out on his own missionary work and established the monastery of Marmoutier. He was then convinced to be bishop of Tours, which he reluctantly accepted, however continued spreading the Gospel across France until his death. According to legend during his lifetime he performed many miracles to help convince the people of the power of God. Such as having a tree fall towards him then change directions, raising a dead catechumen, and performing exorcisms over demons. He became very popular during his lifetime and is regarded as the St. Patrick confessor of France.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Against poverty, against alcoholism, calvary, France, geese, horses, innkeepers, riders, soldiers, tailors, wine makers
• Symbols: Man on horseback sharing his cloak with beggar, man cutting cloak in half, globe of fire, goose
• Feast Day: Nov 11
• Famous Churches:
• Basilica of Saint Martin (Tours, France)- 397-471(destroyed during French Revolution); rebuilt in 1886-1924- This is the site of St. Martin's tomb
• Abbey of Marmoutier (Tours, France)- 372- Founded by St. Martin it is one of the earliest monasteries in western Europe
• Liguge Abbey (Poitiers, France)- 360- Monastery founded by St. Martin
• St. Martin's Church (Canterbury, England)- 580-597
• Martinikerk (Groningen, Netherlands)- 1220-1230- Dedicated to St. Martin with a massive iconic church steeple known as St. Martin's Tower  

Saint Germanus of Auxerre

• Years: 378-448
• 
  Nationality: Auxerre, Burgundy (France)
  
• Life: He was born into a noble aristocrat family with a solid Roman education. Thru his nobility he became a civil administrator of Burgundy with great authority. However he later had a conflict with Bishop Amator over a sacred tree. Bishop Amator felt Germanus was gifted with the holy spirit, and was able to convert him by shaving his head and appointing him as bishop against his own desire. Germain thus succeeded Amator as bishop of Auxere and quickly took on to the Christian life. He gave up much of his wealth and title to humbly serve Christ. He was a devout Christian renown for his preaching, caring for the poor, healing the sick, and casting out demons. He later traveled to Britain to fight against Pelagianism ( which believed salvation came thru free wall and not thru Christ and God). His transformation was quite miraculous on par with St. Paul.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Bishops, church leaders, missionaries, defenders of the faith, Alleluia, France
• Symbols: Priest robes, book, scroll, bare feet,
• Feast Day: July 31
• Famous Churches:
• Abbey of Saint-Germain d'Auxerre (493-500)- His primary shrine and location of his tomb and relics. It later developed into a Benedictine abbey

Saint Patrick

• 
  Years: 385-461 (76 years)
  
• Nationality: Britain, Roman Empire
• Life: His father was a deacon, however he did not feel Christ's calling at first as a child. However at the age of 16 he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and enslaved as a shepherd for six years where he found Christ. He was eventually able to escape back to Britain with a new found devotion to the teachings of Christ. He decided to later return to Ireland to do missionary work after receiving various visions calling for him to be the Voice of the Irish. He was eventually ordained a priest and bishop in Ireland and was able to convert many pagans to Christianity while establishing many churches. According to legend he used various signs to convince people of the power of Christ such as shamrocks, expelling snakes, and creating a circle of purgatory. He lived the majority of his life in Ireland where he died of old age and thus is considered the Apostle of Ireland.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Ireland, Boston, New York, snakes
• Symbols: Shamrock, bishop robes, snakes, the color green
• Feast Day: March 17
• Famous Churches:
• St. Patrick's Cathedral (Dublin, Ireland)- 1191-1370 (near the site of Patrick's baptismal well)
• St. Patrick's Cathedral (Armagh, Ireland)- 1840-1904 (where Patrick built his first church)
• Down Cathedral (Downpatrick, Ireland) 461 (The burial site of Patrick)
• St. Patrick's Cathedral (New York City, USA)- 1858-1878 (Largest Gothic cathedral in America)

Saint Augustine of Canterbury

• Years: 550-604
• Nationality: Rome, Italy 
  
• Life: He was the famous missionary sent by Pope Gregory the Great to convert England to Christianity. Augustine traveled to Kent to meet the Anglo Saxon king Ethelberht and establish the first Catholic church in Canterbury. At the time England was still heavily influenced by pagan Celtic religions, despite growing Christian popularity in Ireland and Wales. King Ethelberht was the key piece that allowed the conversion to happen since he was married to a Frankish princess who was a Christian. The timing and organization was perfect, taking advantage of Ethelberht's strong influence across the Anglo Saxon kingdoms. Augustine used his skills of coordination but also preaching the church law so that it was successfully implemented across the kingdoms. Even after establishing this church however, England would still compete with Celtic practices for some time after. However Augustine is regarded as the founder of Christianity in England, where Canterbury still remains it's Christian center.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: England, English Church, missionaries, evangelizers
• Symbols: Crozier, book or gospels, church
• Feast Day: May 26
• Famous Churches:
• Canterbury Cathedral (Canterbury, England)- 597 AD- The central church of the archbishop of Canterbury established by Augustine. It was the first church in England.
• St. Augustine's Abbey (Canterbury, England)- 598- Monastic residence for Augustine and his monks which is also his burial site.
• St. Martin's Church (Canterbury, England)- 597- This church was also used during Augustine's foundational mission in England
• St. Augustine's Church (Ramsgate, England)- 1846-1852

Middle Age Confessors

Saint Vladimir the Great

• Years: 958-1015
  
• Nationality:
• Life: He was the Grand Price of Kyiv who played a crucial role in converting the Slavic region of Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia to Christianity. His early life as a pagan ruler was of course violent as was the norm in those days, however in 988 he accepted Christianity and was baptized in Crimea. He then made Christianity the new state religion and had many of the pagan idols and temples destroyed. He completely changed after his baptism and set a new example of moral discipline for his people to follow. He established many churches across the Slavic region, encouraged literacy, marriage, and took care of the poor. He is considered the key confessor of the eastern European region, celebrated in both Roman and Eastern Orthodox traditions.
• Cause of Death: Sickness
• Patronage: Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Baptism, Conversion
• Symbols: Crown, cross, thorn
• Feast Day: July 15
• Famous Churches:
• St. Vladimir's Cathedral (Kyiv, Ukraine)- 1862-1896- One of the most important churches in Eastern Europe
• St. Vladimir's Cathedral (St. Petersburg, Russia)- 1708-1789
• Church of St. Vladimir Equal to the Apostles (Moscow, Russia)- 17th century

Saint Henry II Holy Roman Emperor

• Years: 973-1024
• 
  Nationality: Bavaria, Germany (Holy Roman Empire)
  
• Life: He is the only Holy Roman Emperor who is a saint, as he ruled as a servant of the church instead of thru war mongering. He saw himself as the moral authority of keeping his people in tune with the laws of the church. He served as an example himself by practicing celibacy with his wife St. Cunigunde sharing constant devotion and prayer. He partook in the reform of churches, clergy, and building many new churches and dioceses across the empire. Even though there were still wars fought under his reign he was an example of religious piety. He tended to fight defensive wars against rebellions rather then campaigns of conquest or civil brutality. For his constant devotion and contributions to the church he was canonized a saint.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Benedictine orders, disabled people
• Symbols:
• Feast Day: July 13
• Famous Churches:
• Bamberg Cathedral (Bamberg, Germany)- 13th century- St. Henry II built this church and it's diocese. It is considered his primary church and holds his tomb and relics along with his wife, St. Cunigunde.

Saint Stephen of Hungary

• 
  Years: 975-1038 (62)
  
• Nationality: Esztergom, Hungary
• Life: He was born as Vajk prince of the ruling pagan people known as the Magyars, and later was baptized with the new name of Stephen. When he became king he aligned his kingdom with the Roman Church which marked the beginning of the Kingdom of Hungary. During his reign he crushed rebellions that sought to fight against the statehood of Christianity. He established churches, dioceses, and appointed clergy members across the kingdom. He worked closely with the Papacy seeking to establish a counter balance between chuch and state. While he had to use violence to fight against his enemies he also was known for his almsgiving and protection of the poor. Towards the ends of this death, he dedicated the Kingdom of Hungary to the Virgin Mary. He was canonized as a confessor saint he worked to convert his pagan people and spread the faith across the nation.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Hungary, kings, masons, stonecutters, protector against sick children
• Symbols: Crown, scepter, globe
• Feast Day: Aug 20
• Famous Churches:
• St. Stephen's Basilica (Budapest, Hungary)- 1851-1905- Dedicated to St. Stephen of Hungary; displays the relics of his holy right hand
• Cathedral Basilica of St. Stephen the King (Szekesfehervar, Hungary)- 1758-1768- Dedicated to St. Stephen

Saint Edward the Confessor

• Years: 1003-1066 (63 years)
• Nationality: Oxfordshire, England
• 
  Life: He was the last Anglo Saxon king and a very devout Christian. He faced continuous Viking raids, however ultimately he sought peace and prayer over war and violence. There are many claims that he preferred the monastic life over his royal duties, and even remained celibate in his marriage. His greatest achievement was establishing the iconic Westminster Abbey in 1065 (which still stands today as one of England's great landmarks). He did not
  have any children, which led to a succession crisis, that became the precursor to the Normandy Conquest of 1066. He was canonized as a saint for his great humility and temperance towards Christ, choosing prayer over violence.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Monarchy, United Kingdom, difficult marriages
• Symbols: Royal garments, crown, a ring, scepter and cross,
• Feast Day: Oct 13
• Famous Churches:
• Westminster Abbey (London, England)- 1040-1065- Built by King Edward the Confessor originally dedicated to St. Peter but considered Edward's primary church where he is buried.
• St. Edward the Confessor Church (Essex, England)- 1400
• St. Edwards Church (Cambridge, England)- 13th century

Saint Margaret of Scotland

• 
  Years: 1045-1093 (47 years)
• Nationality: Edinburg, Scotland
  
• Life: She is the patron mother saint of Scotland, who used her position as queen consort to set an example of being a pious Christian. She took in active role in reforming the church and state law, with daily prayer, fasting, church services, and updating the liturgy. She also took care of the poor, captives, and slaves. She taught her husband King Malcolm III how to show justice, thru the compassion of Christ. She raised her children to be devout Christians, which included three future Scottish kings, such as David I. She played a pivotal role in spreading and establishing the Christian practice across Scotland.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Scotland, queens, widows
• Symbols: Crown, books, black rood, bowl
• Feast Day: Nov 16
• Famous Churches:
• St. Margaret's Chapel (Edinburgh, Scotland)- 1130- Oldest standing building in Edinburgh
• Dunfermline Abbey (Fife, Scotland)- 1070- Founded by Maragaret, that is her burial site and other famous Scottish kings

Saint Isidore the Laborer

• 
  Years: 1070-1130 (59 years)
• Nationality: Madrid, Kingdom of Castile (Spain)
  
• Life: He was a peasant and a farmer from Madrid who lived a simple life with his wife Maria. They were hard workers, devout in their faith which brought on several miracles. The most famous was when Isidore's employer witnessed him standing alongside two angels who were helping him plow the field. Another legend was that while feeding the hungry, his pot miraculously never went empty. There is also a legend of his son falling into a well, by which Isidore prayed, and the water rose his son back up. His story is a very unusual one, of a common person with deep faith, who experienced many miracles. There are approximately 438 reported miracles that occurred throughout his lifetime (with testaments and witnesses). Whether legend or not, the holy character of St. Isidore made a major impression on his peers, which inspired the church to identify him as a saint. His story also gives homage to the dignity of work, especially for humble laborers that are often associated with the lower-class peasants (as Jesus himself was a lowly carpenter and fishermen). There are also many posthumous miracles associated to his grave and patronage, that give his story all the more credibility.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Agriculture, farmers, laborers, Madrid, Spain
• Symbols: Peasant holding a sickle, staff, angels alongside him plowing, white ox near him, spade, plough
• Feast Day: May 15
• Famous Churches:
• Collegiate Church of San Isidro el Real (Madrid, Spain)- 1620-1664- Jesuit church that was later dedicated to St. Isidore and his burial place
• Church of St. Andrew (Madrid, Spain)- 11th century- First major site that recognized Isidore's holiness.

Saint Dominic

• 
  Years: 1170-1221 (50 years)
  
• Nationality: Caleruega, Kingdom of Castile (Spain)
• Life: He was born in Spain, devout in the faith and learning theology. He later became a priest, and while traveling thru southern France he witnessed the heresy of the Cathar movement. This inspired him to begin a new pursuit of theological teaching and preaching. He had many visions during this time and was inspired by the Virgin Mary. This devotion to Mary drove him to popularize the traditional rosary prayer. His true claim to fame however was establishing the Dominican Order of preachers. This was a monastic order that lived in poverty and traveled teaching and spreading the true word of Christ (in opposition to the heretical claims). Despite achieving some fame during his lifetime, he remained humble and always displayed great joy in his work. He is celebrated for his many contributions to the church and theology, but also more so for the example he set. He was truly a blessed holy man, and had many miracles attributed to him.
• Cause of Death: Exhaustion
• Patronage: Astronomers, natural science, Dominican Republic
• Symbols: Dominican monk robes, rosary, dog with a torch in it's mouth, star above his head, lilies, staff
• Feast Day: Aug 8
• Famous Churches:
• Basilica of San Domenico (Bologna, Italy)- 1228-1240- Burial place and primary shrine dedicated to Saint Dominic
• Basilica of San Domenico Maggiore (Naples, Italy)- 1283- Dominican center
• Santa Sabina (Rome, Italy)- 1219- Headquarters of the Dominican order

Saint Francis of Assisi

• Years: 1181-1226 (44 years)
• 
  Nationality: Assisi, Italy (Holy Roman Empire)
  
• Life: He was born in a wealthy family and sought fame and glory as a knight and even joined the army. However one night while praying he heard the voice of Christ telling him to follow his master and rebuilt the church that had fallen into ruin. Francis underwent a major transformation at this point, not as a man for fame and glory, but as a humble man living for God. He sold all his possessions and began to live amongst the poor and share the Gospel with them. He lived as a beggar, but soon had many followers in the streets from his passionate preaching. He eventually got an audience with the pope to establish an on order of friars who miraculously approved. According to legend Pope Innocent III received a vision of Francis saving the Lateran Basilica and thus put his faith in this total stranger of poverty. His true claim to fame came after the establishment of his Order of Friars Minor which later became known as Franciscans. It was here that he experienced mystical occurrences such as visions, stigmata, and was even known to talk to the birds, wolves, and animals. He was quickly canonized after his death for his preaching, theology, but more so the holy life that he lived.
• Cause of Death: Exhaustion
• Patronage: Poor people, peace, ecology, animals, merchants, needle makers,
• Symbols: Franciscan monk robes, birds, animals, stigmata, crucifix, book, and a skull
• Feast Day: October 4
• Famous Churches:
• Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi (Assisi, Italy)- 1228-1230- Primary shrine that contains his burial place
• Papal Basilica of Santa Maria degil Angeli (Porziuncola, Italy)- 1568-1679- The headquarters of the Franciscan Order, which contains the Chapel of the Transit (the site where he died).
• Church of San Damiano (Umbria, Italy)- 1205-1206- Site of his calling from God
• Basilica of Saint Clare (San Giorgi, Italy)- Was his first burial spot before it was relocated to the Basilica of Assisi

Saint Ferdinand III of Castile

• Years: 1201-1252
• 
  Nationality: Kingdom of Leon (Spain)
  
• Life: He was the pivotal leader of re-establishing Christianity throughout Spain during their Reconquista from the Muslim occupancy. He reunified Castile and Leon thru peace talks, ending a long civil war. He restored the central authority of the church throughout Cordoba, Jaen and Seville. He ruled with humility and Christian devotion instead of thru violence and war. He fought against corrupt, and worked closely with the church to establish a balanced relation with the church-and-state. The church celebrated him as a person of justice, piety, and responsible use of power.
• Cause of Death: Sickness (Dropsy)
• Patronage: Cities, Seville, engineers
• Symbols: Crown, royal robes, sword, cross bearer, kneeling in prayer
• Feast Day: May 30
• Famous Churches:
• Royal Chapel (Seville, Spain)- 1401-1506- Burial place of St. Ferdinand III
• San Fernando Cathedral (San Antonio, Texas)- 1738-1750- Dedicated to Saint Ferdinand and is one of the oldest cathedrals in the United States.

Saint Elizabeth of Hungary

• Years: 1207-1231 (24 years)
• 
  Nationality: Kingdom of Hungary (modern day Bratislava, Slovakia)
  
• Life: She has a very intriguing story at the height of the Medieval ages. She was born a princess, however had a strong calling to the faith. Nonetheless she was married off, and genuinely loved her husband alongside Christ (a rare example of a married female saint). She put much of her effort and resources into caring for the poor and sick. During the Sixth Crusade her husband was killed and she became a widow and quickly loss favor with the nobles. She eventually gave away all her wealth and possessions to live among the poor. She died at the young age of 24 likely due to the harsh reality of poverty.
• Cause of Death: Poverty (exhaustion, malnutrition, illness)
• Patronage: Hospitals, nurses, bakers, brides, homeless people, widows
• Symbols: Roses, crown, food basket
• Feast Day: November 17
• Famous Churches:
• Church of St. Elizabeth (Marburg, Germany)- 1235-1283- One of the earliest Gothic churches. It is dedicated to Elizabeth and contains her tomb and many of her relics

Saint Louis IX of France

• 
  Years: 1214-1270 (56 years)
  
• Nationality: Poissy, France
• Life: He was a very pious Christian king, who to enforce every aspect of Christianity upon his kingdom. He was a king for justice, who restricted the wealthy power elite and opened up more privileges for the common people and the poor. He practiced his devotion every day thru prayer, fasting, and works of charity. He was also a warrior king, who led several crusades against heretics, most notably the Albigensian Crusade against the Cathars. He also led the Seventh and Eighth Crusade of which he was briefly captured and later died of sickness. He was canonized by the church not for his crusades but for his dedication to the church and protecting the poor.
• Cause of Death: Sickness
• Patronage: France, New Orleans, Saint Louis, MO
• Symbols: Crown of thorns, crown, sceptre, sword, fleur-de-lis, mantle
• Feast Day: Aug 25
• Famous Churches:
• Cathedrale Saint-Louis de Versailles (Versailles, France)- 1743-1754- Primary shrine dedicated to St. Louis IX
• Cathedrale Saint-Louis de Blois (Blois, France)- 1699-1704
• La Rochelle Cathedrale (La Rochelle, France)- 1742-1784
• Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis (Saint Louis, MO)- 1834
• Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis (New Orleans, LA)- 1855-1923
• Saint-Chapelle (Paris, France)- 1241-1248- Incredible royal chapel commissioned by King Louis IX which was to house the crown of thorns and other important relics

Saint Elizabeth of Portugal

• 
  Years: 1271-1336 (65 years)
  
• Nationality: Kingdom of Portugal
• Life: She was Queen of Portugal thru her marriage to King Denis and played a crucial role in the kingdom thru her faithful devotion. Despite being married to a cruel husband, Queen Elizabeth displayed piety and charitable works throughout her life. She also played a significant role in establishing peace by riding out in the midst of a battlefield to lead the negotiations and avoid a deadly civil war. Her most famous story is the Miracle of Roses, when her husband caught her smuggling food and money to the poor. When she lied and told him it was roses, the money miraculously turned to roses to convince the husband. Towards the latter part of her life after King Denis died, she gave away much of her wealth and possessions to the poor. She lived her final years in silent prayer, devotion and humility towards God.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Peacemakers, disrespected wives
• Symbols: Olive branch, dove, holding roses
• Feast Day: July 5
• Famous Churches:
• Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova (Coimbra, Portugal)- 17th- 18th century- Her burial place that was built just for her
• Igreja de Santa Isabel (Lisbon, Portugal)- 18th century

Saint Ignatius of Loyola

• Years: 1491-1556 (64 years)
• 
  Nationality: Azpetia, Kingdom of Castile
  
• Life: He began his young adult life by seeking honor thru the Spanish military. However during the Battle of Pamplona in 1521 his leg was shattered by a cannonball. During his recovery he was given a book about Christ and the saints. He was inspired by these stories, and they brought him a new outlook on pursuing internal peace vs honorably glory. He then spent months in prayer and meditation and wrote his most famous work Spiritual Exercises. After this he became a priest and studied theology in Paris. It was here where he was able to establish a new order with his companions known as the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). It was a missionary organization that would spread the word of Chrit. The pope fully supported the idea as this was at the dawn of the discoveries of America and Asia, and missionary work was hot-in-demand. The Jesuit organization quickly spread across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. They also played a pivotal role in fighting against the counter-reformation.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Society of Jesus, soldiers, spiritual retreats, accidents and injuries
• Symbols: Priest robes, cassock, biretta, crucifix, rosary, holding a book
• Feast Day: July 31
• Famous Churches:
• Church of the Gesu (Rome, Italy)- 1568-1580- Church dedicated to the Jesuit missionaries, which contains St. Ignatius burial tomb
• Basilica of St. Ignatius of Loyola (Loyola, Spain)- 1689-1738- Dedicated to Ignatius as it is built is home town
• Sant'Ignazio di Loyola (Rome, Italy)- 1626-1650-Baroque church dedicated to Saint Ignatius

Saint Francis Xavier

• Years: 1506-1552 (46 years)
• Nationality: Xavier, Kingdom of Navarre
• 
  Life: He became a close companion of Saint Ignatius of Loyola while studying theology in Paris and became one of the co-founders of the Society of Jesus order. Unlike Ignatius, Francis actually did missionary work for the newly established organization. Over a ten year period he traveled into India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Japan. His mission in Japan was his most ambitious project as he fully submerged into the culture. While he was able to establish a foothold in Japan, his mission would eventually meet heavy resistance from Japanese authorities. He eventually died during his travels from sickness and exhaustion. He is celebrated mostly as laying the groundwork in opening Christianity to Asia.
  
• Cause of Death: Sickness
• Patronage: African missions, India, foreign missions, Indianapolis, Indiana, plague epidemics, parish missions
• Symbols: Cassock, surplice, stole, ferraiolo, crucifix
• Feast Day: Dec 3
• Famous Churches:
• Basilica of Bom Jesus (Goa, India)- 1594-1605- Famous church dedicated to Francis Xavier what contains his burial site
• St. Francis Xavier Cathedral (Mdina, Malta)- 1693-1702- Dedicated to Francis Xavier and the Jesuit mission
• San Francisco Javier (Navarre, Spain)- 16th century- Built near his birthplace site

Saint Charles Borromeo

• Years: 1538-1584 (46 years)
• 
  Nationality: Milan, Italy
  
• Life: During the Protestant Reformation, St. Charles Borromeo was a key figure in leading the Counter-Reformation of the Catholic Church. He played the lead role in organizing the Council of Trent (1562) to completely update church law. The church had become clouded with scandal, corruption, and simony and needed a major facelift. Borromeo pushed for stronger discipline and laws among the clergy body, as well as updated liturgy and sacramental practice. For his administrative role during the Council of Trent he was later appointed archbishop of Milan in 1564. As bishop he continued to fight against corruption and superstition while updating the church's catechism. Some of his rules were so strict, that he was nearly assassinated. During the Plague of Milan in 1576-1578 he stayed put to help organize charity and relief for the sick. He is someone who lived as he preached in total spiritual devotion to the scripture. He can be considered the savior of the church as it was starting to falter after the Renaissance and during the Protestant Reformation.
• Cause of Death: Illness
• Patronage: Against ulcers, apple orchards, bishops, catechists, intestinal sickness, Italy, spiritual leaders, stomach sickness
• Symbols: Cord, red cardinal robes
• Feast Day: Nov 4
• Famous Churches:
• Milan Cathedral (Milan, Italy)- 1386- Chapel of St. Charles Borromeo contains his burial tomb and many of his relics
• Basilica of Saints Ambrose and Charles on the Corso (Rome, Italy)- 1612- National church that honors the two great Milan Christians; Ambrose and St. Charles Borromeo
• San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane (Rome, Italy)- 1638-1646- Built in honor of St. Charles
• Colossus of San Carlo Borromeo (Arona, Italy)- 1614-1698- 115 massive statue commissioned by his cousin Cardinal Frederico Borromeo

Saint Vincent de Paul

• Years: 1581-1660 (79)
• 
  Nationality: Gascony, France
  
• Life: He was born as a peasant in southern France but was very ambitious and sought education and the priesthood as a way to escape his poverty. Once he became a priest he continued on an upward trajectory seeking power, fame, and respect. However in 1605 he underwent a massive transformation when he was kidnapped by pirates and sold to slavery in North Africa. He was a prisoner for two years where he discovered a new form of humility in Christ. After converting many of his captors to Christianity, he was able to escape, and begin a new mission in his priesthood. He began campaigns to support the sick and poor thru charitable organizations such as the Daughters of Charity and the Congregation of the Mission. This gave more care for the pare but also gave women more of a vital role in administrating the faith. This sisterhood was encouraged to leave their monasteries and care for the poor, sick, orphans, elderly, and homeless throughout the streets. His charitable organizations became his true claim to fame, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul remains one of the most popular hospital, school, and charitable institutions.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Hospitals, charities, horses, leprosy, prisoners, spiritual help, volunteers
• Symbols: Poor, beggars, crucifix, book
• Feast Day: Sept 27
• Famous Churches:
• Eglise-Saint-Vincent-de-Paul (Paris, France)- The site where Saint Vincent did much of his work
• St. Vincent de Paul Chapel (Paris, France)- 1827- Contains many of his relics and his burial place

Modern day Confessors

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

• 
  Years: 1774-1821 (46 years)
  
• Nationality: New York, America
• Life: She was raised in the Episcopalian faith during the early years of American independence. As a young girl she was very devout in her prayer and study of scripture. She later married at the age of 19, had five children, then moved with her husband to Italy who was growing ill from tuberculosis. At the age of 29 her husband died, and she was left to care for all five children on her own. During this time Elizabeth relied on various local Italian families where she began to understand their practice of Catholicism. She was especially moved by the reverence towards the eucharist as well as their charity, discipline, and sacrifice. When she returned to the United States she found it difficult to return to her Episcopalian life, and officially converted to Catholicism. She eventually found stability in Maryland where she established the first free Catholic school for girls as well as the Sisters of Charity congregation (modeled off the St. Vincent organizations). She died at the young age of 46 also from tuberculosis but was celebrated as a devout missionary and confessor. She was the first native-born citizen to be canonized as a saint and is without question the most famous American saint.
• Cause of Death: Tuberculosis
• Patronage: Catholic schools, widows, converts, parents,
• Symbols: Book, keys, church, rosary, children, pen
• Feast Day: Jan 4
• Famous Churches:
• National shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Emmitsbug, Maryland)- 1965- Musuem and basilica on the site of her home, that contains her tomb

Saint Padre Pio

• Years: 1887-1968
• 
  Nationality: Benevento, Kingdom of Italy
  
• Life: He was a Capuchin friar and priest who is known for his mystical visions and experiences of transverberation. He was very disciplined in his prayer, so much so that he would receive the stigmata on his body (wounds of Christ) . These wounds never went away and even brought him great fame as a total scientific mystery. He did not seek fame or fortune however and spent most his time in humble prayer and service. He was a firm advocate of the importance of confession (the soul's bath) and would spend half his day listening to people's confessions. He received visitors from all around the world wanting to confess their sins to him and left feeling transformed. As his fame grew he was eventually challenged by the Vatican who questioned his credibility. They began to strip alot of his authority, including his right to hear confessions as a priest. Padre Pio did not fight them however and stayed humble. He also established a large modern hospital known as Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza to care for the poor. It is believed his stigmata vanished shortly before his death as he continued repeating the phrase "Jesus, Mary".
• Cause of Death: Old age, heart problems
• Patronage: Civil defense, volunteers, adolescents, stress relief, confession, January blues
• Symbols: Stigmata, Franciscan robes
• Feast Day: Sept 23
• Famous Churches:
• Sanctuary of Sant Pio of Pietrelcina (San Giovanni, Italy)- 2008- Contains his tomb and relics
• Church of Santa Maria della Grazie (San Giovanni, Italy)- 1538-1540- Church where Padre Pio celebrated mass

Saint Mother Teresa

• Years: 1910-1997 (87 years)
• 
  Nationality: Albanian
  
• Life: Born in North Macedonia, Mother Theresa felt the calling for religious vocation at a very young age and joined the Sisters of Loreto at the age of 18. She was sent to do her missionary work in India, teaching and caring for the poor in Calcutta. She later decided to act on a call she had received from Christ to leave her convent life and administer to the impoverished slums of India. This was a very dangerous move, as it essentially cut her ties from the missionary orders and put her out in the wild. However Mother Teresa was determined in her passion to care for the poor and eventually she established her own organization known as the Missionaries of Charity in 1950. Her sisterhood lived among the poor in the streets, thru active care and attention. By 1979 she had achieved international recognition for her sacrificial service to the poor and won the Noble Peace Price. She later confessed to having periods of doubt and emptiness in her faith, however she endured with the dedication to her work. She is one of the most famous saints of our era, alongside Pope John Paul II.
• Cause of Death: Old age
• Patronage: Missionaries of charity, religious youth, Calcutta
• Symbols: Religious robes, rosary
• Feast Day: Sept 5
• Famous Churches:
• Mother House- (Culcutta, India)- 1953- Considered her primary shrine of devotion that contains her tomb
• Kalighat Home for the Dying (Culcutta, India)- 1952- A hospice Mother Teresa established for the sick that is still operating to this day.
• Sacred Heart Church Site- (Skopje, North Macedonia)- 2009- The shrine of her birthplace that contains museum, relics, and a chapel