Saints Flashcards
Father Damien (St. Damien of Molokai / Jozef De Veuster)
1840-1889 Catholic priest from Belgium - Known for his ministry in the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi to people with leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) on the Kalaupapa Peninsula of the island of Molokaʻi - Contracted the disease after 16 years working there, y died from it at age 49 - Described as a martyr of charity, y was canonized in 2009
Paul the Apostle (Saint Paul)
5-67 AD - Aka Saul of Tarsus - Early Christian apostle (although not one of the 12 apostles) who traveled the Mediterranean teaching - Took advantage of his status as both a Jew y a Roman citizen to minister to both Jewish y Roman audiences - Prior to his conversion, he was tasked with arresting Christian disciples, but was struck blind on his way to Damascus by a great light, y began preaching the faith - Attributed as the author of 13 of the 37 books of the New Testament
Saint Dominic (Dominic of Osma)
1170-1221 - Castillian Spanish priest - Founded the Order of Preachers (aka Dominican Order) in France in 1216 , in part to convert members of the popular Catharism movement - Patron saint of astronomers
St. Andrew (Andrew the Apostle)
1st century Christian apostle - Brother of St. Peter, they were fishermen called by Jesus - Crucified on an X-shaped cross (Saltire or St Andrew’s Cross) to not replicate Jesus - Patron of Scotland, Russia, Ukraine, etc.
St. Christopher
Christian martyr from 3rd century - A giant (7.5ft tall) from Canaan named Reprobus who learned of Christ and helped ferry people across a fierce river - Carried a child who turned out to be Christ, hence new name which means “Christ-bearer” - Patron saint of travelers
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
1774-1821 American saint from NYC - 1st native-born American to be canonized (in 1975 by Pope Paul VI) - Established 1st Catholic girls school in US in MD - Established Sisters of Charity religious congregation
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
1850-1917 Italian-American saint - Founded Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, which supported Italian immigrants - 1st naturalized US citizen to be canonized (in 1946 by Pope Pius XII) - Patron saint of immigrants
St. Francis of Assisi
1182-1226 from Assisi, Italy - Catholic friar and preacher - Founded Franciscan Order and Poor Clares - Patron saint of Italy, animals, the environment - Created the Nativity Scene
Saint George
275-303 soldier of Cappadocian Greek origins - A member of the Praetorian Guard for Roman emperor Diocletian who was sentenced to death for refusing to recant his Christian faith - 10th Century text introduced the legend of him taming y slaying a dragon that demanded human sacrifices, y rescuing a princess who would be the next offering - Patron of England, Georgia, Malta, et al.
St. Ignatius of Loyola
1491-1556 Basque-Spanish knight y theologian - Founded the Society of Jesus (aka the Jesuits) in 1541 - Leader during the Counter-Reformation - Patron saint of soldiers
Thomas Becket (St. Thomas of Canterbury)
1118-1170 Archbishop of Canterbury (1162-70) - aka Thomas a Becket - Conflicted with Henry II, and murdered by his followers - Canonized by Pope Alexander III shortly after - The pilgrims in Canterbury Tales are going to his shrine
