Franciscan Spirit

Teresa Benedicta of the Cross may be one of the best known Catholic converts of the twentieth century. She was born Edith Stein on Yom Kippur and was raised Jewish, but she abandoned a faith life at an early age. 

Kateri Tekakwitha, called the “Lily of the Mohawks,” had virtually no traditional family support on her Christian journey. By some reports, her Algonquin mother was a Christian, educated by French missionaries.  However, before her mother, father, or baby brother could ...

Some of our most beloved saints wouldn’t take no for an answer. Catherine of Siena, a Doctor of the Church and one of the most influential women in Catholic history, is one of those saints.

We all know the story of how Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous, a simple girl of fourteen, at Lourdes.  But what sometimes gets lost in the story is Bernadette’s strong faith.  Her statements were challenged over and over again by ...

St. Katharine Drexel was socially conscious, donating large amounts of money to help the less fortunate.

Louise de Marillac and Vincent de Paul. Paula and Jerome. Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross. It’s not unusual for women saints to have had non-romantic ministry. Much like Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi.