The Saints and Our Children

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

Profile
Beautiful, pious farm girl, one of six children of Luigi Goretti and Assunta Carlini. In 1896 the family moved to Ferriere di Conca. Soon after, Maria's father died of malaria, and the family was forced to move onto the Serenelli farm to survive.

In 1902 at age twelve, Maria was attacked by 19-year-old farm-hand Alessandro Serenelli. He tried to rape the girl who fought, yelled that it was a sin, and that he would go to hell. He tried to choke her into submission, then stabbed her fourteen times. She survived in hospital for two days, forgave her attacker, asked God's forgiveness of him, and died holding a crucifix and medal of Our Lady. Counted as a martyr.

While in prison for his crime, Allessandro had a vision of Maria. He saw a garden where a young girl, dressed in white, gathered lilies. She smiled, came near him, and encouraged him to accept an armful of the lilies. As he took them, each lily transformed into a still white flame. Maria then disappeared. This vision of Maria led to Alessandro's conversion, and he later testified at her cause for beatification.
Born
16 October 1890 at Corinaldo, Ancona, Italy
Died
choked and stabbed to death during a rape attempt on 6 July 1902 at the age of 12

Also known as
    Apostle of Ireland; Maewyn Succat; Patricius; Patrizio
Memorial
    17 March
Profile
    Kidnapped from the British mainland around age 16, and shipped to Ireland as a slave. Sent to the mountains as a shepherd, he spent his time in prayer. After six years of this life, he received had a dream in which he was commanded to return to Britain; seeing it as a sign, he escaped. He studied in several monasteries in Europe. Priest. Bishop. Sent by Pope Saint Celestine to evangelize England, then Ireland, during which his chariot driver was Saint Odran, and Saint Jarlath was one of his spiritual students. In 33 years he effectively converted the Ireland. In the Middle Ages Ireland became known as the Land of Saints, and during the Dark Ages its monasteries were the great repositories of learning in Europe, all a consequence of Patrick's ministry.
Born
    387-390 at Scotland as Maewyn Succat
Died
    461-464 at Saul, County Down, Ireland
Canonized
    Pre-Congregation
Name Meaning
    warlike (Succat - pagan birth name);
    noble (Patricius - baptismal name)
Patronage
    archdiocese of Adelaide, Australia against ophidiophobia; against snakes; archdiocese of Armagh, Ireland; diocese of Auckland, New Zealand; diocese of Ballarat, Australia; archdiocese of Boston, Massachusetts; diocese of Burlington, Vermont; archdiocese of Cape Town, South Africa; diocese of Dromore, Ireland; engineers; diocese of Erie, Pennsylvania; excluded people; fear of snakes; diocese of Fort Worth, Texas; diocese of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Ireland; diocese of Kilmore, Ireland; Loiza, Puerto Rico; archdiocese of Melbourne, Australia; diocese of Mymensingh, Bangladesh; archdiocese of New York; Nigeria; diocese of Norwich, Connecticut; ophidiophobics; diocese of Poona, India; diocese of Port Elizabeth, South Africa; diocese of Portland, Maine; diocese of Sacramento, California; snake bites

Also known as

Teresa of the Infant Jesus; Therese of the Child Jesus; the Little Flower; the Little Flower of Jesus