Confident his son would follow in his footsteps as a lawyer, François de Sales de Boisy never anticipated the greatness the young Francis was to achieve.

This saint earned his “golden-mouthed” surname with his incredible preaching skills, which ultimately led to him falling out of favor with Church and political leaders because he called for reform.

Edith Stein was born in Poland in 1891 to a devout Jewish family. She gave up practicing the Jewish faith as a teenager and began to pursue a degree in philosophy.

During his lifetime, Anthony encouraged the faithful to commit to 40 hours of continuous prayer before the Eucharist.

Feast: May 21

Teresa was ultimately guided by her literal burning love for God, and she paved her own way.

Andrew of Phú Yên, Vietnam, became a student of Alexandre de Rhodes, a French Jesuit missionary, at the insistence of his mother.

The mother of Constantine the Great had humble beginnings, but rose to great importance in Christian history.

Despite illness and suffering, St. Marguerite Bays still asked, “What can we do to love God more?”

Benedetta died on March 21, 1858, but her example of courage and fidelity to God’s will live on.

Not too many saints are known for fighting demons and their hermit lifestyles, but St. Anthony the Abbot is one.

St. Olympias was orphaned and widowed, and she still managed to serve God and the poor.

Saints for kids

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first U.S. citizen to be canonized, is a role model to all who face adversity.

In spite of his short life, St. Gerard was considered a saint by the people he served..

The first Korean-born Catholic priest courageously practiced, spread and died for his faith.

After the death of her husband, St. Jane Frances de Chantal attended a Lenten program in 1604.

The Gospel of Luke reveals John’s preordained role in salvation history.

The life of a generous, hardworking farm laborer who loved God and the land he tended is celebrated around the world as spring planting begins.

St. Benedict the Moor was the renowned lay leader of the Franciscan Brothers in Palermo, Sicily, in the 16th century.

Saint Patrick, the beloved patron of Ireland, is renowned as the bishop who brought Christianity to Ireland.

The well-known theologian also wrote these timeless hymns.

Considered one of the fathers of Irish monasticism, St. Finnian founded Clonard Abbey in Ireland.

St. Cecilia has inspired Christians and artists for centuries.

Inspired by the stories of missionaries, St. Daniel Comboni consecrated his life to Africa at 18.