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Saints Alive! | St. Josemaría Escrivá

St. Josemaría Escrivá, priest and founder of Opus Dei, was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002 and declared the “saint of the ordinary” for his example and teachings on the value of work and daily life as the path to holiness in the middle of the world. His organization, Opus Dei, which means "The Work of God," calls the laity and priests to dedicate oneself to the universal call to holiness in the belief that it can be pursued and found in ordinary daily life. Opus Dei now has over 80,000 members worldwide. For more about this great saint please click on the image. Peace be with you!

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Saints Alive! | St. Domingo Henares

Born to a poor family in Spain, St. Domingo (Dominic) Henares became a missionary, leaving home for the Far East. He and his companions suffered persecution at the hands of the Vietnamese emperor in the first third of the 19th Century. He was arrested, tortured, and beheaded. Saint Domingo Henares is one of an estimated 130,000 to 300,000 Catholics martyred for the faith in Vietnam between the 15th and 20th centuries For more about this saint and Christian martyr, please click on the image. Peace be with you!

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Saints Alive! | The Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist

Each June, the Church celebrates the birthday of John the Baptist because "John surpasses all the prophets, of whom he is the last" (CCC 523). John the Baptist "is the Lord's immediate precursor or forerunner, sent to prepare his way," who "inaugurates the Gospel... from his mother's womb" (CCC 523). It was John the Baptist whom God sent to prepare His people for the coming of the Messiah. For more about this great saint, please click on the image. Peace be with you!

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Saints Alive! | St. Joseph Cafasso

St. Joseph Cafasso lived in the city of Turin, Italy, in the 19th century, and was known as a model of priestly life. It was there that he was given the nickname “the Priest of the Gallows,” for his pastoral care of criminals, especially those condemned to death. He stood by their side as they were led to the execution, bringing them to repentance by showing them the mercy and compassion of God. It was particularly for his commitment to prisoners that he is numbered among the so-called “social Saints” of Turin – a group of religious and lay faithful dedicated to addressing the most pressing social issues of the day. He once famously said, "Heaven is filled with converted sinners of all kinds, and there is room for more." For more about this great saint, also known as the "Priest's Priest," please click on the image. Peace be with you!

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Saints Alive! | St. Thomas More

A devoted father and close friend of King Henry VIII, he died a martyr for the Catholic faith. St. Thomas More was, as the title of Robert Bolt's play proclaims, truly a man for all seasons. He is the patron saint of statesman, politicians, lawyers, civil servants, and large families. "One of the greatest problems of our time is that many are schooled but few are educated," he famously said. In this age where such words resound ever true, may we heed Saint Thomas More's good counsel. For more about this great saint, please click on the image. Peace be with you!