Thursday 1 November 2012

All Saints' Day

All Saints' Day, In some cultures, All Saints' Day, on November 1, has become overshadowed by Halloween. But there are many great saints to celebrate in this long-standing tradition, from the popular to the obscure, and their life stories are riveting.

St. Anthony of Padua

When is his feast day?

He defied lineage to become a monk, and he held Jesus in his arms. He died returning to Padua, Italy, from a nearby hermitage.
Joan of Arc

When is her feast day?

She rose from humble beginnings to great admiration. She was condemned to death as a heretic, a sorceress and even this. She died a terrible death.
St. Jude

When is his feast day?

He was an apostle following in his father's path, as well as a martyr.
St. Francis of Assisi

When is his feast day?

He was kind to animals, the environment and the "Poor Clares." He died while doing this.
St. John the Apostle

When is his feast day?

He was a prolific writer and lived a long life.
St. Valentine

When is his feast day?

"Valentine" was the name of several martyred saints. Little is known about the one who inspired this, except that he was buried on Feb. 14.
St. Martin de Porres

When is his feast day?
                                         
He led an austere life, experienced miracles and has this distinction.
St. Agnes

When is her feast day?

She was a young martyr and is commemorated by a certain animal.
St. Augustine

When is his feast day?

He is credited with formulating the Christian concepts of original sin and the just war.
St. Mary the Egyptian

When is her feast day?

She was a runaway misfit and miraculously converted at the end of her life.
St. Fabiola

When is her feast day?

She was a bigamist because she left an unfaithful husband and married another man. She later refocused her life.
St. Olga

When is her feast day?

She was a Russian royal who murdered hundreds to avenge her husband's killing. Later she was a pioneer convert.
St. Mary Magdalene

When is her feast day?

She was a reformed woman, depicted washing Jesus' feet. Some people speculate about their relationship.
Lawrence

When is his feast day?

He cared for books and the poor but is best known for what he said when he was tortured.
St. Ambrose

When is his feast day?

He was one of the original "doctors" of the Catholic Church. He had a celibacy burden.
St. Bonaventure

When is his feast day?

Of all the unusual saints, Bonaventure is perhaps the most unusual. He was healed from childhood sickness by an aforementioned saint.
St. Nicholas

When is his feast day?

Santa Claus and much folklore originated from his habits.
St. Bruno

When is his feast day?

He was a priest who eventually rejected religion and retreated to a mountain.
St. Dominic Savio

When is his feast day?

He died young while studying to be a priest. He was admired by his notable teacher.
St. Frances Cabrini

When is her feast day?

She was also known by another name and was the first citizen from this country to be canonized by the Roman Catholic Church.
St. Christopher

When is his feast day?

He was a large man from Palestine who left his native land, saying this.
St. Gregory the Great

When is his feast day?

Pope Gregory is well known for his writings, earning this second name.
St. Benedict

When is his feast day?

He lived in a cave in the side of a cliff before working with monks who followed this rule. He is said to have had the power to perform miracles.
St. George

When is his feast day?

He was a Roman soldier and a priest before he was imprisoned and tortured.
St. Dymphna

When is her feast day?

Her pagan father had great wealth and power but was said to suffer from mental illness. She died at his hand.
St. Anne

When is her feast day?

She was the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandmother of Jesus.
St. Clare

When is her feast day?

The daughter of a count and countess and close friends with this saint, she suffered an illness for 28 years.
St. Peter Claver

When is his feast day?

He spent 40 years in a slave market in South America, laboring for the salvation of Africans.

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