Saint of the Day
Today’s Saint
- Whether or not Saint Mary Magdalene was a notorious sinner—and she most likely was not—she was one of the women who traveled with Jesus and the Apostles, and was present at the cross. She also was the one chosen to bring the good news of the resurrection to the Apostles.
- A Capuchin Franciscan, Saint Lawrence of Brindisi was a scholar, administrator, preacher, and lover of the poor. Versed in many languages, Saint Lawrence was an outstanding scripture scholar and used his knowledge of the holy writings to produce many homilies. He served his community as Minister General and served the papacy as an emissary and peacemaker.
- Unwilling to take no for an answer, Saint Apollinaris was exiled from Ravenna several times, but he always returned trying to preach the good news to the people. He finally died of a beating he received in a suburb of Ravenna.
- Australia’s first canonized saint, Mother Mary MacKillop founded the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart, better known as the Josephite Sisters.
- Saint Camillus de Lellis was rejected by the Capuchins because of an ongoing medical condition. Against the advice of a friend, he founded a religious community on his own to care for the sick. These men proved to be invaluable during the plague, caring for the worst of its victims.
About the Saint of the Day
The Saint of the Day is a tradition that dates back centuries, in which Catholics honor a particular saint on the day of their feast. This tradition helps to focus the faithful on the virtues and examples of the saints, and to inspire them to imitate those virtues in their own lives.
There are hundreds of saints to choose from, each with their own unique story and message. Some, like St. Peter and St. Paul, are well-known figures in the Bible who played key roles in the early spread of Christianity. Others, like St. Therese of Lisieux, are lesser-known but no less important figures in the history of the Church.
Regardless of their fame or obscurity, all the saints have something to teach us about living a life of faith. They faced their own struggles and challenges, but through their trust in God and their dedication to living a life of service, they were able to overcome them and become sources of inspiration for generations to come.
In honoring the Saint of the Day, Catholics can learn more about the lives of these holy men and women, and can reflect on the ways in which their own lives might be more closely aligned with the values of the faith. Whether it’s through prayer, reading about the saint’s life, or simply taking a moment to reflect on their example, the Saint of the Day is a powerful reminder of the endless possibilities that come with living a life of faith.