Saints & Heroes

July 3: Saint Thomas the Apostle, commonly known as "doubting Thomas," eventually spread the Gospel as far as India and died a martyr.

July 5: From childhood, St. Elizabeth of Portugal learned to practice self-discipline, mortification of wayward tendencies, the avoidance of sin and the pursuit of virtue, prayer and union with God’s holy will.

July 7: Around 430, Pope Celestine I consecrated Palladius a bishop, and sent him into Ireland as its first bishop, preceding St. Patrick.

July 8: Saint Withburga was born to a devout Christian King Onna, the youngest of his four daughters, all of whom are canonized saints.

July 9: Augustine Zhao Rong, is one of a group of 120 Catholics, among many more who were martyred between the years 1648 and 1930 in China.

July 10: Saints Antony and Theodosius greatly influenced the spiritual well-being of medieval Ukraine during their lifetime through the monasteries they founded.

July 12: In his youth, Saint John Gualbert had the opportunity to slay his brother's murderer on Good Friday, but was moved by grace to spare the culprit, embracing and forgiving him instead.

July 13: St. Clelia Barbieri is the youngest founder of a religious order in the entire history of the Catholic Church.

July 15: Saint Bonaventure, known as "The Seraphic Doctor" wrote extensively on philosophy and theology throughout his life. Legend has it that when seriously ill as a child, his mother took him to St. Francis of Assisi. As the saint prayed over him, he was shown the infant's future spiritual greatness and exclaimed, “O, buona ventura!” O good fortune!”