Author, Apologist, Feisty, Insightful Portrayer of Human Nature Flannery O’Connor When discussions at a famous literary gathering turned towards the Holy Eucharist, one well-known writer commented that the Eucharist was a symbol, and a pretty good one at that. Flannery O’Connor stood up, and with a shaky voice, responded, “Well, if it’s just a symbol, [...]
Irish Musician and Athlete, African Missionary, Lover of the Blessed Virgin Mary Edel Quinn Edel Quinn was born in Ireland in 1907 and was known for her natural good looks, sense of fashion, and wide-ranging talents that allowed her to excel in her studies, sports, music, singing, and acting. People were drawn to her attractive [...]
Mohawk Princess, Patroness of Ecology and of Youth St. Kateri Tekawitha History has proven there the famous statement of Tertullian “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church”. In 1656, nine years after the martyrdom of Jesuit missionaries Isaac Jogues and Jean de Brébeuf, Kateri Tekakwitha, the “Lily of the Mohawks” was [...]
Bohemian Lifestyle, Radical Social and Political Activist, Mother, Convert Dorothy Day Dorothy Day was a radical social and political activist who experienced failed love affairs, suffered an abortion, and attempted suicide before experiencing a spiritual awakening that led to her conversion to Catholicism. Dorothy was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1897 and became interested [...]
Wife, Convert, Socialite, Mystic, Lover of Beauty, Evangelist Elisabeth Leseur As a married woman and mystic whose prayer and suffering converted her atheist husband, Elisabeth Leseur is a compelling example of holiness lived in the context of marriage and in secular society. Raised in a wealthy Parisian home as the daughter of a distinguished lawyer, [...]
Big Sister, Patroness of Youth and Purity, Converted Her Murder St. Maria Goretti "In Maria Goretti shines out the radical choice of the Gospel, unhindered, indeed strengthened by the inevitable sacrifice that faithful adherence to Christ demands.” These are the powerful words of St. John Paul II, referring to the youngest canonized saint in the [...]
Missionary, Foundress, Chronic Poor Health, Fearful of the Ocean St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Born prematurely as the youngest of 13 children to a peasant Italian family in the year 1850, Francesca Cabrini was inspired by stories of the missionary life and developed a deep love for the missions at an early age, despite her fragile [...]
Survivor of the Slave Trade, Catholic Convert, Model of Forgiveness St. Josephine Bakhita God’s loving mercy is powerfully displayed when He takes a life of tremendous suffering and transforms it into a marvelous work of grace. Such is the case of this great saint, who from a young age was exposed to cruel and unjust [...]
Debutant, Heiress, Foundress, Missionary to American Indians and African Americans St. Katharine Drexel Katharine Drexel’s decision to leave high society and spend her life dedicated to service of American Indians and African Americans shocked those who were not aware of her ardent desire to be involved in the missions. Katharine was born in 1858 to [...]
Teacher, Catholic Convert, Wife, Mother, Foundress St. Elizabeth Ann Seton The struggles of living during the American Revolution did not damper the warm and outgoing demeanor of Elizabeth Ann Bayley. She was born on August 28th, 1774, into an upper-class Anglican family in New York City. Living in in the comforts of high society, she loved [...]
