Miniature Stories of the Saints
Book III
Item Number: 1731
These lives of the saints are written in an easily understood and entertaining story form. Each story, one page in length, also has a full-page picture. The stories will leave a lasting impression on children. This volume contains stories of Saints: Andrew Apostle, Augustine, Benedict, Christopher, Dominic, Edward the Confessor, Gregory the Pope, Ignatius, Jerome, Stanislaus Kostka, Leo the Great, Matthew, Philip Neri, King Lewis of France, Luke, Robert the Monk, Sebastian, Stephen and Francis Xavier.
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Feast Day:
Eastern Calendar - 11/30
Roman Rite Calendar - 11/30
Patron Of:
Anglers, Fishermen, Gout, Maidens, Singers, Sore Throuts, Unmarried Women
St. Andrew, the Apostle, son of Jonah, or John (Matthew 16:17; John 1:42), was born in Bethsaida of Galilee (John 1:44). He was brother of Simon (Peter) (Matthew 10:2; John 1:40). Both were fishermen (Matthew 4:18; Mark 1:16), and at the beginning of Our Lord's public life occupied the same house at Capharnaum (Mark 1:21, 29).
From the fourth Gospel we learn that Andrew was a disciple of the Baptist, whose testimony first led him and John the Evangelist to follow Jesus (John 1:35-40). Andrew at once recognized Jesus as the Messias, and hastened to introduce Him to his brother, Peter, (John 1:41). Thenceforth the two brothers were disciples of Christ. On a subsequent occasion, prior to the final call to the apostolate, they were called to a closer companionship, and then they left all things to follow Jesus (Luke 5:11; Matthew 4:19-20; Mark 1:17-18).
Finally Andrew was chosen to be one of the Twelve; and in the various lists of Apostles given in the New Testament (Matthew 10:2-4); Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:14-16; Acts 1:13) he is always numbered among the first four. The only other explicit reference to him in the Synoptists occurs in Mark 13:3, where we are told he joined with Peter, James and John in putting the question that led to Our Lord's great eschatological discourse. In addition to this scanty information, we learn from the fourth Gospel that on the occasion of the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, it was Andrew who said: "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fishes: but what are these among so many?" (John 6:8-9); and when, a few days before Our Lord's death, certain Greeks asked Philip that they might see Jesus, Philip referred the matter to Andrew as to one of greater authority, and then both told Christ (John 12:20-22). Like the majority of the Twelve, Andrew is not named in the Acts except in the list of the Apostles, where the order of the first four is Peter, John, James, Andrew; nor have the Epistles or the Apocalypse any mention of him.
From what we know of the Apostles generally, we can, of course, supplement somewhat these few details. As one of the Twelve, Andrew was admitted to the closest familiarity with Our Lord during His public life; he was present at the Last Supper; beheld the risen Lord; witnessed the Ascension; shared in the graces and gifts of the first Pentecost, and helped, amid threats and persecution, to establish the Faith in Palestine.
When the Apostles went forth to preach to the Nations, Andrew seems to have taken an important part, but unfortunately we have no certainty as to the extent or place of his labours. Eusebius (Church History III.1), relying, apparently, upon Origen, assigns Scythia as his mission field: Andras de [eilechen] ten Skythian; while St. Gregory of Nazianzus (Oration 33) mentions Epirus; St. Jerome (Ep. ad Marcell.) Achaia; and Theodoret (on Ps. cxvi) Hellas. Probably these various accounts are correct, for Nicephorus (H.E. II:39), relying upon early writers, states that Andrew preached in Cappadocia, Galatia, and Bithynia, then in the land of the anthropophagi and the Scythian deserts, afterwards in Byzantium itself, where he appointed St. Stachys as its first bishop, and finally in Thrace, Macedonia, Thessaly, and Achaia. It is generally agreed that he was crucified by order of the Roman Governor, Aegeas or Aegeates, at Patrae in Achaia, and that he was bound, not nailed, to the cross, in order to prolong his sufferings. The cross on which he suffered is commonly held to have been the decussate cross, now known as St. Andrew's, though the evidence for this view seems to be no older than the fourteenth century. His martyrdom took place during the reign of Nero, on 30 November, A.D. 60); and both the Latin and Greek Churches keep 30 November as his feast.
St. Andrew's relics were translated from Patrae (Patras) to Constantinople, and deposited in the church of the Apostles there, about A.D. 357. When Constantinople was taken by the French, in the beginning of the thirteenth century, Cardinal Peter of Capua brought the relics to Italy and placed them in the cathedral of Amalfi. In recent years, by decision of Pope Paul VI in 1964, the relics that were kept in the Vatican City, were sent back to Patras. The relics, which consist of the small finger, part of the top of the cranium of Andrew and small parts of the cross, have since that time been kept in the Church of St Andrew at Patras in a special shrine. St. Andrew is honoured as their chief patron by Russia, Romania, Greece, Ukraine and Scotland.
This article is from the New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia.
All information used with permission of the Patron Saint Index.
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Feast Day:
Roman Rite Calendar - 08/28
Tridentine Calendar - 08/28
Patron Of:
Brewers, Eyes, Printers, Theologians
Also Known As
Aurelius Augustinus
Doctor of Grace
Memorial
28 August
Profile
His father was a pagan who converted on his death bed; his mother was Saint Monica, a devout Christian. Trained in Christianity, he lost his faith in youth and led a wild life. Lived with a Carthaginian woman from the age of 15 through 30. Fathered a son whom he named Adeotadus, which means the gift of God. Taught rhetoric at Carthage and Milan. After investigating and experimenting with several philosophies, he became a Manichaean for several years; it taught of a great struggle between good and evil, and featured a lax moral code. A summation of his thinking at the time comes from his Confessions: "God, give me chastity and continence - but not just now."
Augustine finally broke with the Manichaeans and was converted by the prayers of his mother and the help of Saint Ambrose of Milan, who baptized him. On the death of his mother he returned to Africa, sold his property, gave the proceeds to the poor, and founded a monastery. Monk. Priest. Preacher. Bishop of Hippo in 396. Founded religious communities. Fought Manichaeism, Donatism, Pelagianism and other heresies. Oversaw his church and his see during the fall of the Roman Empire to the Vandals. Doctor of the Church. His later thinking can also be summed up in a line from his writings:
Our hearts were made for You, O Lord, and they are restless until they rest in you.
Born
13 November 354 at Tagaste, Numidia, North Africa (Souk-Ahras, Algeria) as Aurelius Augustinus
Died
28 August 430 at Hippo
Canonized
Pre-Congregation
Patronage
brewers
Bridgeport, Connecticut, diocese of
Cagayan de Oro, Philippines
Ida, Philippines, diocese of
Isleta Indian Pueblo
Kalamazoo Michigan, diocese of
printers
Saint Augustine, Florida, city of
Saint Augustine, Florida, diocese of
sore eyes
Superior, Wisconsin, diocese of
theologians
Tucson, Arizona, diocese of
Valletta, Malta
All information used with permission of the Patron Saint Index.
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Feast Day:
Roman Rite Calendar - 07/11
Tridentine Calendar - 03/21
Roman Rite Calendar - 07/11
Patron Of:
Against Witchcraft, Civil Engineers, Dying, Farmers, Gall Stones, Homeless, Kidney Disease, Monastics, Monks, Poisoning, Schoolchildren, Speleologists
Profile
Roman nobility. Twin brother of Saint Scholastica. Studied in Rome, but was dismayed by the lack of discipline and the lackadaisical attitude of his fellow students. Fled to the mountains near Subiaco, living as a hermit in a cave for three years; reported to have been fed by a raven. His virtues caused an abbey to request him to lead them. Founded the monastery at Monte Cassino, where he wrote the Rule of his order. His discipline was such that an attempt was made on his life; some monks tried by poison him, but he blessed the cup and rendered it harmless. He returned to his cave, but continued to attract followers, and eventually established twelve monasteries. Had the ability to read consciences, prophesy, and forestall attacks of the devil. Destroyed pagan statues and altars, drove demons from groves sacred to pagans. At one point there were over 40,000 monasteries guided by the Benedictine Rule. A summation of the Rule: "Pray and work."
Born
c.480, Narsia, Umbria, Italy
Died
21 March 547 of a fever while in prayer at Monte Cassino, Italy; buried beneath the high altar there in the same tomb as Saint Scholastica Roman nobility. Twin brother of Saint Scholastica. Studied in Rome, but was dismayed by the lack of discipline and the lackadaisical attitude of his fellow students. Fled to the mountains near Subiaco, living as a hermit in a cave for three years; reported to have been fed by a raven. His virtues caused an abbey to request him to lead them. Founded the monastery at Monte Cassino, where he wrote the Rule of his order. His discipline was such that an attempt was made on his life; some monks tried by poison him, but he blessed the cup and rendered it harmless. He returned to his cave, but continued to attract followers, and eventually established twelve monasteries. Had the ability to read consciences, prophesy, and forestall attacks of the devil. Destroyed pagan statues and altars, drove demons from groves sacred to pagans. At one point there were over 40,000 monasteries guided by the Benedictine Rule. A summation of the Rule: "Pray and work."
All information used with permission of the Patron Saint Index.
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Feast Day:
Eastern Calendar - 03/09
Roman Rite Calendar - 07/25
Tridentine Calendar - 07/25
Patron Of:
Against Lightning, Archers, Automobiles, Bachelors, Boatmen, Bookbinders, Bus Drivers, Epilepsy, Floods, Gardeners, Hazards While Traveling, Lightning, Mariners, Motorists, Porters, Sailors, Storms, Sudden Death, Toothache, Travel, Travelers, Truck Drivers
Profile
Third century martyr in the persecutions of Decius. Little else is known for sure.
His fame derives from the pious legend of him being a "Christ-bearer" (= Christopher). He was a powerfully built man who wandered the world in search of novelty and adventure. He came upon a hermit who lived beside a dangerous stream and served others by guiding them to safe places to cross. He gave Offero instruction in the truth of God. Offero took the hermit's place, but instead of guiding travelers, he carried them safely across the stream.
One day he carried a small child across the stream; the child's weight nearly crushed him. When they arrived on the other side, the child revealed himself as Christ, and he was so heavy because he bore the weight of the world on himself. He then baptized Offero with water from the stream. Christopher's service at the stream led to his patronage of things related to travel and travelers, people who carry things, etc. One of the Fourteen Holy Helpers.
Born
at Canaan as Offero
Died
martyred c.251 Third century martyr in the persecutions of Decius. Little else is known for sure.
All information used with permission of the Patron Saint Index.
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Feast Day:
Roman Rite Calendar - 08/08
Tridentine Calendar - 08/08
Patron Of:
Astronomers, Choir Members, Dominican Order, Falsely Accused, Scientists
Born of wealthy Spanish nobility. Son of Blessed Joan of Aza. When she was pregnant, his mother had a vision that her unborn child was a dog who would set the world on fire with a torch it carried in its mouth; a dog with a torch in its mouth became a symbol for the order which he founded, the Dominicans. At Dominic's baptism, Blessed Joan saw a star shining from his chest, which became another of his symbols in art, and led to his patronage of astronomy.
Studied philosophy and theology at the University of Palencia. Priest. Canon of the cathedral of Osma. Augustinian. Worked for clerical reform. Lifelong apostolate among heretics, especially Albigensians, and especially in France. Worked with Blessed Peter of Castelnau. Founded the Order of Friars Preachers (Dominicans) in 1215, a group who live a simple, austere life, and an order of nuns dedicated to the care of young girls. Friend of Saint Amata of Assisi.
At one point Dominic became discouraged at the progress of his mission; no matter how much he worked, the heresies remained. But he received a vision from Our Lady who showed him a wreath of roses, representing the rosary. She told him to say the rosary daily, teach it to all who would listen, and eventually the true faith would win out. Dominic is often credited with the invention of the rosary; it actually pre-dates him, but he certainly spread devotion to it, and used it to strengthen his own spiritual life.
Reported miracle worker who brought four people back from the dead. Legend says that Dominic received a vision of a beggar who, like Dominic, would do great things for the Faith. Dominic met the beggar the next day. He embraced him and said, "You are my companion and must walk with me. If we hold together, no earthly power can withstand us." The beggar was Saint Francis of Assisi.
Born
1170 at Calaruega, Burgos, Old Castile
Died
4 August 1221 at Bologna
Canonized
13 July 1234 by Pope Gregory IX at Rieti, Italy Born: 1170 at Calaruega, Burgos, Old Castile
Died: 4 August 1221 at Bologna
All information used with permission of the Patron Saint Index.
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Feast Day:
Roman Rite Calendar - 12/03
Tridentine Calendar - 12/03
Patron Of:
Apostleship Of Prayer, Australia, Borneo, China, Emigrants, Hospital Administrators, Immigrants, Missionaries, Missions, Domestic, Missions, Foreign, New Zealand, Winemakers
Profile
Nobleman from the Basque reqion. Studied and taught philosophy at the University of Paris, and planned a career as a professor. Friend of Saint Ignatius of Loyola who convinced him to use his talents to spread the Gospel. One of the founding Jesuits, and the first Jesuit missionary. Priest.
In Goa, while waiting to take ship, India, he preached in the street, worked with the sick, and taught children their catechism. He would walk through the streets ringing a bell to call the children to their studies. Said to have converted the entire city.
He scolded his patron, King John of Portugal, over the slave trade: "You have no right to spread the Catholic faith while you take away all the country's riches. It upsets me to know that at the hour of your death you may be ordered out of paradise."
Tremendously successful missionary for ten years in India, the East Indies, and Japan, baptizing more than 40,000. His epic finds him dining with head hunters, washing sores of lepers in Venice, teaching catechism to Indian children, baptizing 10,000 in a single month. He tolerated the most appalling conditions on long sea voyages, enduring extremes of heat and cold. Wherever he went he would seek out and help the poor and forgotten. He traveled thousands of miles, most on his bare feet, and he saw the greater part of the Far East. Had the gift of tongues. Miracle worker. Raised people from the dead. Calmed storms. Prophet. Healer.
Born
1506 at Javier, Spanish Navarre
Died
2 December 1552 at Sancian, China of a fever contracted on a mission journey
Beatified
25 October 1619 by Pope Paul V
Canonized
12 March 1622 by Pope Gregory XV
All information used with permission of the Patron Saint Index.
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Feast Day:
Roman Rite Calendar - 09/03
Tridentine Calendar - 09/03
Patron Of:
Choir Members, Educators, Masons, Musicians, School Children, Singers, Students, Teachers
Profile
Son of Gordianus, a Roman regionarius, and Saint Silvia of Rome. Nephew of Saint Emiliana and Saint Tarsilla. Great-grandson of Pope Saint Felix III. Educated by the finest teachers in Rome. Prefect of Rome for a year, then he sold his possessions, turned his home into a Benedictine monastery, and used his money to build six monasteries in Sicily and one in Rome. Benedictine monk. Upon seeing English children being sold in the Roman Forum, he became a missionary to England.
Elected 64th Pope by unanimous acclamation on 3 September 590, the first monk to be chosen. Sent Saint Augustine of Canterbury and a company of monks to evangelize England, and other missionaries to France, Spain, and Africa. Collected the melodies and plain chant so associated with him that they are now known as Gregorian Chants. One of the four great Doctors of the Latin Church. Wrote seminal works on the Mass and Office.
Born
c.540 at Rome, Italy
Papal Ascension
3 September 590
Died
12 March 604 at Rome, Italy
All information used with permission of the Patron Saint Index.
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Feast Day:
Roman Rite Calendar - 07/31
Tridentine Calendar - 07/31
Patron Of:
Jesuits, Retreats
Profile
Spanish nobility. Youngest of twelve children. Page in the Spanish court of Ferdinand and Isabella. Military education. Soldier, entering the army in 1517, and serving in several campaigns. Wounded in the leg by a cannonball at the siege of Pampeluna on 20 May 1521, an injury that left him partially crippled for life. During his recuperation the only books he had access to were The Golden Legend, a collection of lives of the saints, and the Life of Christ by Ludolph the Carthusian. These books, and the time spent in contemplation, changed him.
On his recovery he took a vow of chastity, hung his sword before the altar of the Virgin of Montserrat, and donned a pilgrim's robes. Lived in a cave from 1522 to 1523, contemplating the way to live a Christian life. Pilgrim to Rome and the Holy Land in 1523, where he worked to convert Muslims. In 1528 he began studying theology in Barcelona, Alcala, and Paris, receiving his degree on 14 March 1534. His meditations, prayers, visions and insights led to forming the Constitutions of the Society of Jesus on 15 August 1534; it received papal approval in 1541. Friend of James Lainez, Alonso Salmerón, Nicholas Bobadilla, Simón Rodriguez, Blessed Peter Faber, and Saint Francis Xavier, the group that formed the core of the new Society. He never used the term Jesuit, which was coined as an insult by his opponents; the Society today uses the term with pride. He traveled Europe and the Holy Lands, then settled in Rome to direct the Jesuits. His health suffered in later years, and he was nearly blind at death.
The Jesuits today have over 500 universities and colleges, 30,000 members, and teach over 200,000 students each year.
Born
1491 at Loyola, Guipuzcoa, Spain as Inigo Lopez de Loyola
Died
of fever on 31 July 1556 at Rome, Italy
Beatified
27 July 1609 by Pope Paul V
Canonized
12 March 1622 by Pope Gregory XV
All information used with permission of the Patron Saint Index.
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Feast Day:
Roman Rite Calendar - 08/25
Tridentine Calendar - 08/24
Patron Of:
Barbers, Builders, Button Makers, Construction Workers, Death Of Children, Difficult Marriages, Embroiderers, Hairstylists, Kings, Masons, Needle Workers, Sculptors, Sick, Soldiers, Stone Masons, Tertiaries
Profile
Son of King Louis VIII and Blanche of Castile. King of France at age eleven; his mother ruled as regent until he reached 22, and he reigned for 44 years. He made numerous judicial and legislative reforms. Promoted Christianity in France; established religious foundations, aided mendicant orders, propagated synodal decrees of the Church, built leper hospitals, and collected relics. Married Marguerite of Provence at age 19, and father of eleven. Supported Pope Innocent IV in war against Emperor Frederick II of Germany. Franciscan tertiary. Led two Crusades and died on one.
Born
25 April 1214 at Poissy, France
Died
25 August 1270 at Tunis, Algeria of natural causes; relics in the house at Saint Denis, Paris, France; destroyed in 1793 during the French Revolution
All information used with permission of the Patron Saint Index.
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Feast Day:
Roman Rite Calendar - 10/18
Patron Of:
Artists, Bachelors, Bookbinders, Brewers, Butchers, Doctors, Glass Industry, Goldsmiths, Jewelers, Lace Makers, Notaries, Painters, Physicians, Sculptors, Surgeons
Profile
Born to pagan Greek parents, and possibly a slave. One of the earliest converts. Physician, studying in Antioch and Tarsus. Probably travelled as a ship's doctor; many charitable societies of physicians are named for him. Legend has that he was also a painter who may have done portraits of Jesus and Mary, but none have ever been correctly or definitively attributed to him; this story, and the inspiration his Gospel has always given artists, led to his patronage of them. He met Saint Paul at Troas, and evangelized Greece and Rome with him, being there for the shipwreck and other perils of the voyage to Rome, and stayed in Rome for Paul's two years of in prison. Wrote the Gospel According to Luke, much of which was based on the teachings and writings of Paul, interviews with early Christians, and his own experiences. Wrote a history of the early Church in the Acts of the Apostles. Martyr.
Born
at Antioch
Died
c.74 in Greece; some stories say he was martyred, others not; relics at Padua, Italy
All information used with permission of the Patron Saint Index.
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Feast Day:
Roman Rite Calendar - 09/21
Patron Of:
Accounts, Bankers, Bookkeepers, Stockbrokers, Tax Collectors
Profile
Son of Alphaeus, he lived at Capenaum on Lake Genesareth. He was a Roman tax collector, a position equated with collaboration with the enemy by those from whom he collected taxes. Jesus' contemporaries were surprised to see the Christ with a traitor, but Jesus explained that he had come "not to call the just, but sinners."
Matthew's Gospel is given pride of place in the canon of the New Testament, and was written to convince Jewish readers that their anticipated Messiah had come in the person of Jesus. He preached among the Jews for 15 years; his audiences may have included the Jewish enclave in Ethiopia, and places in the East.
All information used with permission of the Patron Saint Index.
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Feast Day:
Roman Rite Calendar - 01/20
Patron Of:
Archers, Arrowsmiths, Athletes, Bookbinders, Cattle Diseases, Enemies Of Religion, Funeral Directors, Gardeners, Hardware, Iron Workers, Lace Makers, Lead Workers, Masons, Philippines, Plague, Plague Patients, Police Officers, Potters, Racquet Makers, Soldiers, Stone Masons, Swans, Unruly Children
Profile
Son of a wealthy Roman family. Educated in Milan. Officer of the Imperial Roman army, and captain of the guard. Favorite of Diocletian. During Diocletian's persecution of the Christians, Sebastian visited them in prison, bringing supplies and comfort. Reported to have healed the wife of a brother soldier by making the Sign of the Cross over her. Converted soldiers and a governor.
Charged as a Christian, Sebastian was tied to a tree, shot with arrows, and left for dead. He survived, recovered, and returned to preach to Diocletian. The emperor then had him beaten to death.
During the 14th century, the random nature of infection with the Black Death caused people to liken the plague to their villages being shot by an army of nature's archers. In desparation they prayed for the intercession of a saint associated with archers, and Saint Sebastian became associated with the plague.
Born
at Narbonne, Gaul
Died
martyred c.288 at Rome
All information used with permission of the Patron Saint Index.
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Feast Day:
Roman Rite Calendar - 12/26
Patron Of:
Austria, Bricklayers, Casket Makers, Deacons, Germany, Headaches, Horses, Masons, Stone Masons, Stone Workers
Profile
First Christian Martyr. Deacon. Preacher. All we know of him is related in the Acts of the Apostles. While preaching the Gospel in the streets, angry Jews who believed his message to be blasphemy dragged him outside the city, and stoned him to death. In the crowd, on the side of the mob, was a man who would later be known as Saint Paul.
Born
unknown
Died
stoned to death c.33
All information used with permission of the Patron Saint Index.
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