Here are the highlights in this midweek update:
- American Saints
- Curious Catholic Things: Path to Sainthood
American Saints
While not actually a mark of the Liturgical year, in the United States we celebrate Independence Day this July 4th. I thought it might be a good time to highlight American Saints (or soon-to-be Saints), some of which you may not be familiar with. This list includes Americans spanning several centuries, men and women, lay people, religious and priests, Saints that are Black, White, and Native American.
- Click on the name or picture of each saint below to watch a short video about their life. I suggest the video about Venerable Augustus Tolton to start.
- Check out these Holy Men and Women of America at home activities for kids:
- Links to Coloring Pages, Activities, Songs, and Prayers.
- An American Saints map noting where these holy men & women lived.
- Use these Litany of American Saints & American Saints Flag printables.
Elizabeth was the first person born in the United States to be Canonized a Saint.
Kateri was the first Native American to be Canonized a Saint.
Fr. Damien served and cared for those in the leper colonies of Hawaii.
Fr. Isaac was a French priest who came to North America as a missionary.
Mother Cabrini was the first US citizen to be Canonized a Saint.
Born into wealth she started schools for Black & Native American children.
Fr. Solanus was a Capuchin who served the poor, hungry, troubled, and ill.
A Haitian born enslaved man, Toussaint was generous to all, especially the poor.
Sister Bowman converted to Catholicism and became a a powerful evangelist.
Fr. McGivney, an Irish immigrant to the USA founded the Knights of Columbus.
Fr. Tolton, born into slavery, once freed became the first Black priest in America.
Fr. Kapaun served as a military chaplain and was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Born into slavery, Julia was freed and in her own poverty she cared for the poor.
Curious Catholic Things: Canonization
Above you see examples of holy men and women on the path to Sainthood, some already declared Saint by the Chuch, and others at different places on the path including Blessed, Venerable, and Servant of God. It might help to understand what their title means by understanding where they are in the process of becoming a Canonized Saint. The short video below should help!
Have a blessed July 4th weekend!
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us.
St. Kateri Tekakwitha, pray for us.
St. Isaac Jogues, pray for us.
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, pray for us.
St. Katharine Drexel, pray for us.
St. Damien of Molokai, pray for us.
St. Marianne Cope, pray for us.
St. Rose Philippine Duchesene, pray for us.
St. Mother Theodore Guerin, pray for us.
St. John Neumann, pray for us.
St. Junipero Serra, pray for us.
Blessed Solanus Casey, pray for us.
Blessed Stanley Rother, pray for us.
Blessed Frances Xavier Seelos, pray for us.
Blessed Miriam Teresa, pray for us.
Blessed Leo William Miller, pray for us.
Venerable Augustus Tolton, pray for us.
Venerable Pierre Toussaint, pray for us.
Venerable Michael McGivney, pray for us.
Venerable Henriette Delille, pray for us.
Venerable Nelson Baker, pray for us.
Venerable Patrick Peyton, pray for us.
Servant of God Thea Bowman, pray for us.
Servant of God Emil Kapaun, pray for us.
Servant of God Julia Greeley, pray for us.
Servant of God Mother Mary Lange, pray for us.
Servant of God Dorothy Day, pray for us.
Servant of God Nicholas Black Elk, pray for us.
Servant of God Vincent Capodanno, pray for us.
Servant of God Rhoda Wise, pray for us.
All you holy men and women, pray for us!
In Christ, through Mary,
Cassi FitzGerald
Parish Life Coordinator
faithformation@stjohnsclonmel.org