Saint of the Day

September 1. One of the 14 Holy Helpers of Germany, Saint Giles was a popular saint in Germany, England, and elsewhere. While we know little about him, his wide popularity attests to his holiness.

September 2. Victims of the French Revolution, these blesseds witnessed to their faith by refusing to take a civil oath which amounted to a denial of the faith. On a single day in Paris, 185 people were martyred.

September 3. Saint Gregory became pope at the age of 50. In his new role, he had much to do both within and outside the Church. Gregory proved to be a capable shepherd, addressing many ecclesial and civil issues with a firm, steady resolve.

September 4. Saint Rose achieved sainthood in only 18 years of life. She had shown a great desire for prayer early in life, and joined the Secular Franciscan at the age of 10. Rose preached in the streets and was very generous to the poor.

September 5. Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta was born in Albania, but is known for her work in India. A member of the Sisters of Loreto, she felt a call to live among the poor. While working with the poorest of the poor in India, she founded the Missionaries of Charity who continue her work.

September 6. Blessed Claudio was the youngest of nine children whose father died when Claudio was only nine years old. At the age of 15 he entered the army where he served for three years. Eventually, he joined the Franciscans and was known for his artistic abilities.

September 7. Blessed Frédéric Ozanam proved to be a leader who helped others help the poor. He also formed a newspaper to push the cause of justice. In 1833, he founded the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, which continues to the present day.

September 8. Affirming the humanity of Jesus, the Church celebrates the birth of Mary, his mother. While Scripture does not record the birth of Mary, the apocryphal Protoevengelium of James notes the development of Christian piety around Mary's parents and her birth.

September 9. A native of Spain, young Jesuit Peter Claver left his homeland forever in 1610, to be a missionary in the colonies of the New World. He sailed into Cartagena, and began a ministry to the slaves brought there from West Africa, as well as becoming a moral force in the city of Cartegena.

September 10. Saint Thomas was from Castile in Spain and received his surname from the town where he was raised. After joining the Augustinian friars at Salamanca, he became prior and then provincial of the friars. He sent the first Augustinian friars to the New World.