SAINT IGNATIUS LOYOLA

Saint Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556) was the youngest son of a noble Spanish family. An injury received in battle occasioned his religious transformation and led him to the priesthood. He founded the Society of Jesus, a powerful force in the Catholic Counter-Reformation.

SAINT JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL

Saint Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641), who for eight years was happily married to the Baron de Chantal, founded the Order of the Visitation in her thirty-eighth year, after she had been widowed for ten years. That foundation and her religious development were influenced by her close friend, Saint Francis of Sales.

JESUIT MARTYRS OF NORTH AMERICA

Saint Issac Jogues, Saint John Brebeuf, Saint Rene Goupil, and five others, who were either priests of worker-companions. All were martyred between 1642 and 1649 while laboring among American Indian tribes. These heroic men can be our inspiration as we pray and sacrifice for the missions.

SAINT JOACHIM

The name which tradition has given to the father of the Blessed Virgin. According to that same tradition, the Blessed Virgin was born during the old age of her parents and in answer to their prayers. Saint John Damascene says of these parents, "By your fruits are you known; you have given birth to a daughter who is greater than the angels and has become their queen."

SAINT JOHN BAPTIST DE LA SALLE

Saint John Baptist de la Salle (1651-1719) gave the Church a new type of religious congregation, in which none of the members would take holy orders, that they might be free for the work of teaching. His educational reforms earned for him the title father of modern pedagogy. (Apostle of children and young folk)

SAINT JOHN BERCHMANS

Saint John Berchmans (1599-1621) had a naturally kind and gentle nature. From an early age he was distinguished by great piety, and as a student for the priesthood with the Jesuits he was remarkable for devotion to the Constitutions of the Order.

SAINT JOHN BOSCO

Saint John Bosco (1815-1888) was the founder of the Salesians, who are dedicated to the education of youth. He is a most lovable model for those who would give themselves to the Christian training of children.

SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS

Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591) joined the Carmelites in Spain and, under the influence of Saint Teresa of Avila, became the first male member of the reform she initiated. He is remembered chiefly for his superb mystical writings. (Doctor of the Church).

SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST

Forerunner of the Messiah, was beheaded for preaching against the immorality of Herod's marriage with Herodias. Because of the teaching that he was sanctified in his mother's womb and thus born free from original sin, the Church celebrates his birthday, rather than the day of his death, as his principal feast.

SAINT JOSEPH

Saint Joseph has left an admirable example of a life devoted to Jesus and Mary. We cannot afford to neglect Joseph, upon whom the Blessed Virgin showered love, reverence, and obedience, and to whom the Divine child was happily obedient.

SAINT GERARD MAJELLA

Saint Gerard was an eighteenth-century Italian laybrother, a religious of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists). While living a life of model obedience, he was able through his almost unlimited power over nature and sickness to assist many people in need. Mothers and expectant mothers have found him to be a powerful intercessor.

SAINT LOUIS MARIE GRIGNON DE MONTFORT

Saint Louis Marie Grignon de Montfort, a Breton preacher of the late seventeenth century, conducted missions throughout western France, spreading devotion to the Cross and the Rosary. He founded the Daughters of Wisdom and the Company of Mary (Montfort Fathers).

SAINT LUCY

One of the few woman saints, mentioned in the Canon of the Mass, suffered martyrdom about the year 303, during the persecution of Diocletian. She died for the sake of her virginity, having been denounced as a Christian by a frustrated suitor. Though her story does not mention blinding as part of her torments, she is commonly pictured in art bearing a dish containing two eyeballs, and she has long been invoked against eye aliments.

© 1997 - The Catholic Prayer League