THE SAINTS CALENDAR · CHIARA!
SAINTS.
CLOSER THAN EVER!
A story for every day.
And something that speaks to you.
A prayer for today
An original prayer by CHIARA!
Lord Jesus, walk with me today. Help me listen to the people I meet, notice those in need and ask for help when courage fails me. Through the lives of the saints, teach me one small act of love I can offer today. Amen.
BROWSE THE DAYS!
NOVEMBER
30 stories to discover
JANUARY
1JanuaryMary, Mother of God
The year begins with Mary: celebrated within the Christmas octave, this solemnity recalls the divine motherhood of Jesus’ mother. It was the first Marian feast established in the Western Church.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUMary opens the year with a relationship: which people do you want to cherish, beyond adding new goals?
2JanuarySaints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen
Two bishops, two Doctors of the Church and a deep friendship: Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen shared their journey of faith. Their memorial also brings them together in the calendar.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUTheir friendship asks you a simple question: with whom can you truly talk about your faith?
3JanuaryThe Most Holy Name of Jesus
The name Jesus means “God saves”. This observance invites us to recognise in Christ’s name the heart of the Christian message: God approaches everyone as Saviour.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUSaying a name means addressing someone: today, try beginning your prayer in this simple way.
4JanuarySaint Elizabeth Ann Seton
Widowed with five children, Elizabeth Ann Seton became Catholic. In the United States she founded a women’s religious congregation, supported parish schools and devoted herself to people living in poverty.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUHer new beginning does not erase the past: what possibility can you still imagine for yourself?
5JanuarySaint John Neumann
Born in Bohemia, John Neumann ministered in the United States among migrants and people living in poverty. A Redemptorist and bishop of Philadelphia, he fostered schools and communities on the outskirts.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUNeumann also looked towards the outskirts: who risks being left outside your attention today?
6JanuarySaint Charles of Sezze
Also remembered: Epiphany of the Lord ↗
A farmer’s son, Charles joined the Franciscans and performed everyday tasks, from kitchen work to serving at the door. He combined contemplation with charity and also became an adviser to popes.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUBetween kitchen and doorway, Charles encounters God: which everyday action could you approach with greater attention?
7JanuarySaint Raymond of Penyafort
A Dominican expert in canon law, Raymond trained missionaries. As leader of the Order he cared for many European convents; tradition recognises him as a patron of legal professionals.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUHis expertise became service: could something you know how to do help someone feel less lost today?
8JanuarySaint Lawrence Justinian
A Venetian nobleman, Lawrence became Venice’s first patriarch in 1451. He sought renewal in the Church through writing and above all through example, choosing a life of poverty.
TAKE THIS WITH YOULawrence trusted example to bring change: which small action would make your words more credible today?
9JanuarySaint Andrew Corsini
A Florentine Carmelite and bishop of Fiesole, Andrew helped the poor and restored convents damaged by the plague. He also sought peace between towns frequently in conflict with each other.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUAndrew sought bridges between rival towns: in which disagreement can you lower your voice without abandoning truth?
10JanuarySaint Agatho, pope
Originally from Palermo, Agatho was pope from 678 to 681. He worked for Church unity and defended the teaching of two wills, human and divine, in Christ.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUAgatho faced complex questions: what aspect of faith would you like to understand better, without feeling ashamed to ask?
11JanuarySaint Paulinus of Aquileia
A theologian and musician from Cividale, Paulinus became bishop of Aquileia in 787. He contributed to Church reform and the evangelisation of Slovenia, bringing together study, responsibility and proclamation.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUMusic, study and service coexist in Paulinus: which of your talents is still waiting to find room?
12JanuarySaint Anthony Mary Pucci
Affectionately called “the little parish priest”, Anthony Mary Pucci led Saint Andrew’s parish in Viareggio for forty-eight years. Devoted to Mary, he encouraged organised participation by laypeople.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUForty-eight years in one community: who taught you that caring also means being there consistently?
13JanuarySaint Hilary of Poitiers
After converting to Christianity, Hilary became bishop of Poitiers. This thinker from a pagan background defended the Church’s faith against Arianism, also enduring a period of exile.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUHilary changed direction without stopping thinking: is there a conviction you sincerely want to explore more deeply today?
14JanuarySaint Felix of Nola
A third-century priest, Felix lived through the Roman Empire’s persecutions. Once free, he declined the episcopate and chose a life of poverty, supporting himself through his daily work.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUFelix declined a prestigious role: which choice would make you freer, even without receiving any applause?
15JanuarySaint Paul, the first hermit
Few secure details of Paul’s life are known. Tradition remembers him among the earliest Christian hermits in Egypt, withdrawing into the desert during the ancient persecutions.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUPaul’s desert suggests a space for listening: where could you find a few minutes of silence today?
16JanuarySaint Marcellus I, pope
Pope in the early fourth century, Marcellus faced the tensions following persecution. He welcomed back into the community those who sincerely sought to return after denying their faith.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUMarcellus leaves a door open for return: whom are you denying even the possibility of changing?
17JanuarySaint Anthony the Abbot
Born in Egypt around 250, Anthony devoted his life to living as a hermit. Remembered among the fathers of Christian monasticism, he is traditionally invoked as a patron of animals.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUAnthony chose recollection: which noise could you turn off to hear more clearly what is within you?
18JanuarySaint Prisca
Prisca belongs to Rome’s earliest Christian memory. Traditional accounts present her as a young martyr linked to Peter; the details of her story remain uncertain.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUFaced with an ancient, uncertain story, can you preserve respect without turning every account into a certainty?
19JanuarySaint John, bishop of Ravenna
In an Italy marked by war against the Lombards, John cared for Ravenna’s community. Gregory the Great sent him the Pastoral Rule; the bishop died in 595.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUJohn addressed concrete needs: which nearby need deserves more attention today than your abstract worries?
20JanuarySaint Sebastian
Tradition portrays Sebastian as a Roman army officer who supported imprisoned Christians. When his faith was discovered, he suffered persecution and died a martyr for his fidelity to Christ.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUSebastian’s closeness to prisoners also challenges you: who needs help not to feel forgotten today?
21JanuarySaint Agnes
Agnes is among Rome’s best-loved martyrs. Tradition remembers her as very young, killed during the fourth-century persecutions because she remained faithful to her Christian faith.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUAgnes’s memory invites us to protect the young: how can you listen seriously to a younger voice?
22JanuarySaint Vincent Pallotti
A Roman priest, Vincent Pallotti encouraged laypeople to take an active role in proclaiming the Gospel. He founded the Society of the Catholic Apostolate, envisioning a community where every baptised person could participate.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUFor Pallotti nobody was merely a spectator: what can you contribute to your community, just as you are?
23JanuaryBlessed Benedetta Bianchi Porro
Born in Dovadola in 1936, Benedetta Bianchi Porro left letters describing an intense Christian experience. In Jesus’ love she found joy even within a life marked by illness.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUBenedetta was not happy about illness itself: which relationships help you feel loved on difficult days?
24JanuarySt Francis de Sales
Bishop of Geneva and Doctor of the Church, Francis de Sales chose dialogue and gentleness. He also used printed leaflets to communicate faith, bringing it closer to everyday life.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUFrancis joined truth and kindness: how would your next message change if you truly sought both?
25JanuaryThe Conversion of Saint Paul
The Acts of the Apostles recount Saul’s encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus. The persecutor of Christians changes direction and becomes Paul, proclaiming the Gospel to the nations.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUPaul did not remain a prisoner of his past: what mistake can you acknowledge today to begin changing?
26JanuarySaints Timothy and Titus
Close collaborators of Paul, Timothy and Titus received responsibilities in the early Christian communities. Timothy was entrusted with Ephesus, while Titus cared for the Church in Crete.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUPaul did not do everything alone: whom could you trust more, sharing a responsibility that weighs on you?
27JanuarySaint Angela Merici
In 1535 Angela Merici founded the Company of Saint Ursula in Brescia. Her vision opened new possibilities for women’s consecration, enabling them to live it within the world.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUAngela imagined a new path for women: which possibility do you tend to exclude simply out of habit?
28JanuarySaint Thomas Aquinas
A thirteenth-century Dominican, Thomas Aquinas brought philosophical inquiry together with Christian reflection. A Doctor of the Church, he trusted reason and its dialogue with faith.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUThomas sought understanding: which question do you hide, wrongly fearing that it might make your faith less authentic?
29JanuarySaint Constantius of Perugia
Remembered as Perugia’s first bishop, Constantius belongs to the memory of the ancient persecutions. According to tradition, after imprisonment and release, he was arrested again and killed.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUPerugia preserves his memory: which person has left a lasting mark of faith in your community?
30JanuarySaint Hyacintha Mariscotti
From a noble family, Hyacintha entered a convent after romantic disappointment and a decision imposed by her family. Her Christian journey matured through service to older people and the sick.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUHyacintha found direction through service: which action could give meaning to a day that started badly?
31JanuarySaint John Bosco
John Bosco devoted his mission to young people and their education. Founder of the Salesians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, he was canonised in 1934.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUDon Bosco placed young people at the centre: when did you listen to a youngster without immediately preparing a lesson?
FEBRUARY
1FebruarySaint Brigid of Ireland
Brigid founded one of Ireland’s earliest monastic communities near Kildare. She continued the evangelising work associated with Patrick; medieval tradition also invoked her protection for pilgrims.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUBrigid symbolically accompanies travellers: who is going through a change and could use your encouragement?
2FebruarySaint Nicholas Saggio of Longobardi
Also remembered: Presentation of the Lord ↗
A farmer’s son, Nicholas entered the Order of Minims and performed simple tasks in several convents. In Rome he devoted himself to material and spiritual support for people living in poverty.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUNicholas combined practical help and listening: does someone today need a word, an action or both?
3FebruarySaint Blaise
Bishop of Sebaste, Blaise is remembered as a martyr of the ancient persecutions. The traditional account of a child saved from choking underlies his invocation for throat ailments.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUDevotion to Blaise holds a request for care: whom could you help feel your closeness today?
4FebruarySaint Joseph of Leonessa
A Capuchin born in 1556, Joseph assisted imprisoned Christians in Constantinople. Back in Italy, he travelled through towns proclaiming the Gospel and reaching people in poverty, the sick and prisoners.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUJoseph went out to meet people: which meeting do you keep postponing while waiting for someone else to reach out?
5FebruarySaint Agatha
A young Sicilian Christian of the third century, Agatha is remembered for her steadfast faith during persecution. She died a martyr in Catania, which preserves her memory.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUAgatha’s memory calls for respect for every woman: what word or action could challenge violence today?
6FebruarySaints Paul Miki and companions
A Japanese Jesuit, Paul Miki proclaimed the Gospel in his homeland. In 1597 he was killed in Nagasaki alongside twenty-five other Christians, remembered with him in the Church’s memorial.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUTheir story recalls religious freedom: can you also defend it for those whose beliefs differ from yours?
7FebruarySaint Richard
An Englishman of the eighth century, Richard is remembered as the father of Willibald, Winibald and Walburga, also saints. A pilgrim to Rome, he died in Lucca, where his tomb remains.
TAKE THIS WITH YOURichard’s journey also passes through family: what good inheritance have you received and hope to pass on?
8FebruarySaint Josephine Bakhita
Originally from Darfur, Josephine Bakhita endured enslavement before becoming a Canossian sister. Her life, spanning the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, bears witness to a journey from violence to freedom.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUBakhita is more than the violence she suffered: how can you recognise a person beyond their wounds?
9FebruarySaint Apollonia
A Christian of Alexandria in Egypt, Apollonia was already elderly when arrested during the persecutions of 249. Remembered for her apostolic work, she remained faithful and died a martyr.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUApollonia was respected for integrity and courage: which older person deserves to be truly heard today?
10FebruarySaint Scholastica
Benedict’s sister, Scholastica is associated with the beginnings of women’s Benedictine monastic life. Her memorial centres on a life consecrated to prayer and charitable love.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUPrayer and charity meet in Scholastica: which action could give your prayer a human face today?
11FebruaryOur Lady of Lourdes
This observance recalls Mary’s first apparition to Bernadette Soubirous, according to Catholic belief. Lourdes has become a place of pilgrimage bringing together people from many countries.
TAKE THIS WITH YOULourdes gathers stories and vulnerabilities: can you stay close to those who suffer without claiming to have every answer?
12FebruarySaints Saturninus and companions of Abitene
At Abitene in Africa, forty-nine Christians were arrested in 304 after gathering for Sunday Mass. The Church remembers them for their fidelity to the celebration of the Eucharist.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUFor them, gathering was essential: which community relationship nourishes you yet risks being neglected by you?
13FebruaryBlessed Jordan of Saxony
Jordan succeeded Dominic as leader of the Order of Preachers. A missionary in Europe, he is remembered for his ability to communicate faith; he died in 1237 returning from the Holy Land.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUJordan communicated with passion: when you speak about faith, do you also leave room for your listener’s heart?
14FebruarySaints Cyril and Methodius
Brothers and missionaries, Cyril and Methodius helped spread Christianity in Eastern Europe. John Paul II proclaimed them co-patrons of Europe, recognising the value of their evangelising work.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUTheir proclamation crossed borders: when you encounter a different culture, does curiosity or mistrust take the lead?
15FebruarySaint Onesimus
Onesimus, an enslaved man from Colossae, met Paul and became Christian. The apostle sent him back to Philemon, asking that he be welcomed as a brother, beyond his enslaved status.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUPaul asks for a brother to be seen: which label still stops you meeting someone as an equal?
16FebruarySaint Juliana of Nicomedia
Tradition remembers Juliana as a young Christian of Nicomedia, denounced and persecuted for her faith. She died a martyr in the early fourth century without renouncing Christ.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUHer story recalls a free conscience: do you respect another person’s choice even when it differs from yours?
17FebruaryThe Seven Holy Founders of the Servites
Seven thirteenth-century Florentine merchants left their wealth to devote themselves together to contemplation and prayer. Their shared experience gave rise to the Order of the Servants of Mary.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUTheir choice was shared: what good project could you develop with others instead of postponing it alone?
18FebruaryBlessed Fra Angelico
A Dominican friar and painter, John of Fiesole is known as Fra Angelico. His art translates contemplation into images; John Paul II proclaimed him patron of artists.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUAngelico told faith through colour: which creative form could express today what you do not know how to say?
19FebruarySaint Conrad Confalonieri
After a fire caused during a hunting expedition, Conrad changed his life. Becoming a Franciscan tertiary, he gave away his possessions and combined recollection with caring for the sick.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUConrad responded to harm by changing his life: what concrete responsibility can you accept after making a mistake?
20FebruarySaint Leo of Catania
Originally from Ravenna, Leo became a monk and then bishop of Catania. He defended sacred images against Byzantine iconoclasm and experienced a long period of forced withdrawal.
TAKE THIS WITH YOULeo preserved the value of images: which work of art helps you pray or recover hope?
21FebruarySaint Peter Damian
A reformer and Doctor of the Church, Peter Damian denounced corruption among clergy and the buying and selling of Church offices. Dante placed him among the figures of Paradise.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUPeter Damian did not confuse faith with silence: which injustice needs a clear, responsible word today?
22FebruarySaint Margaret of Cortona
After her partner’s death, Margaret faced hardship with her son. Drawn to Franciscan spirituality, she devoted her energies to the sick and opened a hospital for the poor.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUMargaret rebuilt her life without erasing it: can you see a person beyond their relationship history?
23FebruarySaint Polycarp of Smyrna
Connected with the apostles’ generation and a disciple of John, Polycarp was bishop of Smyrna. The Church remembers him as an authoritative pastor who died a martyr in old age.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUPolycarp cherished a faith received from others: who passed something precious to you without overriding your freedom?
24FebruarySaints Evetius and Peter
Christians of Nicomedia, Evetius and Peter are remembered among the victims of Diocletian’s persecutions. Their memorial recalls the prohibition of Christian worship and the destruction of books.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUTheir memory speaks of denied freedom: can you recognise the value of practising faith without fear?
25FebruarySaint Nestor of Magydos
A bishop in Pamphylia, in present-day Turkey, Nestor protected Christian communities during Decius’s persecution. Arrested while praying, he remained faithful to his faith and was killed.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUNestor sought shelter for others: what safe space can you help create for someone who is afraid?
26FebruarySaint Faustinian of Bologna
Tradition recognises Faustinian as Bologna’s second bishop. In the early fourth century he supported the Christian community through preaching, despite the persecutions ordered by Diocletian.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUFaustinian encouraged a vulnerable community: who might regain a little confidence through your words today?
27FebruarySaint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows
After a youth attracted to worldly life, Gabriel joined the Passionists. He died in 1862 aged twenty-four; many students turn to his shrine at Isola del Gran Sasso.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUGabriel changed perspective while young: what authentic desire deserves attention beyond the expectations of those watching you?
28FebruarySaint Romanus, abbot
In the fifth century Romanus withdrew to the Jura with the Bible and tools for work. Joined by his brother Lupicinus, he founded a monastic community at Condat.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUBible and tools accompany Romanus: what balance do you seek today between inner listening, work and shared life?
29FebruarySaint Auguste Chapdelaine
A French priest of the Paris Foreign Missions Society, Auguste left for China in 1852. In Guangxi he proclaimed the Gospel, was imprisoned and died a martyr for his faith.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUAuguste travelled a great distance: what step can you take towards someone who seems far away today?
29 February · in leap years
MARCH
1MarchSaint Albinus of Angers
Bishop of Angers from 529, Albinus defended poor people and prisoners. He also used diocesan resources to ransom people held hostage.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat resources could you make available to someone who lacks freedom today?
2MarchSaint Angela of the Cross
Born in Seville in 1846, Angela founded the Sisters of the Company of the Cross. The community paid particular attention to caring for sick people.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhen someone is ill, can you be present without searching for perfect words?
3MarchSaint Cunigunde
Empress and wife of Henry II, Cunigunde supported Church life in Germany alongside him. Together they contributed to the building of Bamberg Cathedral.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUIn your relationships, what shared project could leave something good behind?
4MarchSaint Casimir
The son of Poland’s king, Casimir did not let dynastic ambitions determine every choice. He declined the Hungarian crown and a political marriage.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich expectation from others do you need to distinguish from your own conscience?
5MarchSaint Lucius I
A third-century pope, Lucius endured exile and supported the return to the community of Christians who had yielded during persecution, following a penitential process.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUDo you leave those who have erred real room to begin again responsibly?
6MarchSaint Rose of Viterbo
A Franciscan tertiary, Rose proclaimed the Gospel in Viterbo’s streets. She died very young in the thirteenth century; popular devotion has long preserved her memory.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat good word could you take beyond the places where you feel safe?
7MarchSaints Perpetua and Felicity
African Christians of the third century, Perpetua and Felicity were arrested in 203 during persecution. The Church preserves the memory of their faith together.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWho is still excluded for what they believe, close to you?
8MarchSaint John of God
After an eventful youth, John found his mission in Granada caring for sick people. He is remembered as founder of the Hospitallers and patron of the sick.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat past experience could become practical care for somebody else today?
9MarchSaint Frances of Rome
In Rome between the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, Frances came from a wealthy family. She chose to serve poor people and founded the Oblates of Tor de’ Specchi.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich difficulty in your city could you stop merely watching from the sidelines?
10MarchSaint John Ogilvie
A Scottish Jesuit, John secretly supported Catholics in his homeland in the early seventeenth century. He was arrested and killed in Glasgow in 1615 for his faith.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUHow can you defend religious freedom without encouraging hostility towards people with different beliefs?
11MarchSaint Sophronius of Jerusalem
Bishop of Jerusalem from 634, Sophronius defended the faith in the controversies of his time. During the city’s siege he obtained freedom of worship for Christians.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat difficult dialogue could protect the freedom of someone beside you today?
12MarchSaint Luigi Orione
Born in Pontecurone in 1872, Luigi spent several years at Don Bosco’s oratory. After becoming a priest, he founded the Sons of Divine Providence. He died in 1940.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich formative encounter left goodness in you that you could pass on?
13MarchSaint Leander of Seville
A monk and later bishop of Seville, Leander helped the Visigothic monarchy embrace Catholicism. In 589 he convened the Council of Toledo; he died in 600.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhen beliefs differ, do you first try to understand the other person?
14MarchSaint Matilda
Wife of the duke of Saxony, later king of Germany, Matilda lived at the centre of medieval dynastic politics. The Church remembers her as a holy queen.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUDoes the role you hold leave room for the person you want to become?
15MarchSaint Clement Mary Hofbauer
First a baker, then a Redemptorist priest, Clement Mary worked for Church renewal and help for poor people. The Church also remembers him as patron of Vienna.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich skill from your work could find a new form of service?
16MarchSaints Hilary and Tatian
Bishop and deacon of Aquileia, Hilary and Tatian are remembered as martyrs. Their relics were transferred to Grado; they are patrons of the city of Gorizia.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUHow well do you know the people and stories behind your city’s names?
17MarchSaint Patrick
Ireland’s patron, Patrick experienced slavery as a boy. His story connects prayer developed during that ordeal with his later journey as a bishop and missionary.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat wound can you entrust to God without having to justify it?
18MarchSaint Cyril of Jerusalem
A fourth-century bishop, Cyril faced exile several times during controversies over faith. His catecheses accompanied people preparing to receive baptism.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWho helped you understand faith without belittling the questions you asked?
19MarchSaint Joseph
Mary’s husband and father in Jesus’ earthly life, Joseph is patron of the universal Church. His remembrance also calls families and workers to mind.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWho cares for you through quiet actions that you might fail to notice?
20MarchSaint John of Nepomuk
A priest in fourteenth-century Prague, John resisted King Wenceslaus IV’s demands. His memory connects the Church’s freedom with the protection of confession.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhen someone entrusts something sensitive to you, how do you honour their trust?
21MarchSaint Nicholas of Flüe
A Swiss husband and father, Nicholas began living as a hermit at fifty. His search for God intertwined with his commitment to peace in his country.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUDoes your need for silence also help you build more peaceful relationships?
22MarchSaint Lea
A fourth-century Roman widow, Lea chose a Christian community on the Aventine rather than remarriage. Saint Jerome remembers her spiritual guidance of other women.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich choice feels your own, even when it does not meet others’ expectations?
23MarchSaint Turibius of Mogrovejo
A Spanish jurist, Turibius was called to lead the diocese of Lima in 1580. He devoted his ministry to evangelisation and renewal of clerical life.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUDo those who lead a community truly listen to the people within it?
24MarchSaint Óscar Romero
A bishop and martyr, Óscar Romero is remembered for standing beside persecuted people. He denounced poverty and injustice, giving voice to his people’s suffering through his mission.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich injustice have you learned to regard as normal, knowing it is not?
25MarchSaint Lucy Filippini
Also remembered: Annunciation of the Lord ↗
Orphaned as a child, Lucy devoted her vocation to educating poor girls. She founded the institute of the Religious Teachers Filippini and died in 1732.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich girl lacks an opportunity today that you could help to open?
26MarchSaint Castulus
Tradition remembers Castulus as an imperial official who sheltered persecuted Christians. Arrested during the persecutions, he is venerated as a martyr of the Roman Church.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUHow can you offer practical protection to someone who is afraid today?
27MarchSaint Rupert of Salzburg
A missionary monk, Rupert worked in Bavaria around 700. He founded a monastery near ancient Juvavum and became the first bishop of the city of Salzburg.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat small meeting place could you help bring into being where you live?
28MarchSaint Castor of Tarsus
Remembered in ancient martyrologies, Castor is associated by tradition with martyrdom in the city of Tarsus. Few details of his life have reached us.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUCan you respect a story even when you do not know every detail?
29MarchSaint Eustasius of Naples
Bishop of Naples, Eustasius is remembered in the Roman Martyrology as a third-century martyr. Information about his story remains sparse within the community’s memory.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich rarely mentioned people deserve a place in the memory of your community?
30MarchSaint John Climacus
A monk of Sinai, John lived for a long time as a hermit without forgetting others. As abbot he wrote spiritual works, including the celebrated Ladder of Divine Ascent.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat small, achievable step can you take on your inner journey today?
31MarchSaint Balbina
According to Roman tradition, Balbina was the daughter of the tribune Quirinus and was baptised alongside him. She is venerated as a martyr of the early Christian centuries.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat story of faith passed down in your family would you like to know better?
APRIL
1AprilSaint Hugh of Grenoble
Hugh desired monastic life, but led the diocese of Grenoble for many years. He devoted himself to educating the faithful and renewing the clergy.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat unexpected responsibility is asking you to put your abilities to use?
2AprilSt Francis of Paola
Founder of the Order of Minims, Francis is patron of Calabria and seafarers. His memory recalls closeness to poor and oppressed people.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWho risks remaining invisible when you focus only on your own plans?
3AprilSaint Richard of Chichester
An English bishop, Richard promoted renewal of the clergy and the free administration of sacraments. He paid particular attention to poor and sick people; he died in 1253.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUDo people with fewer resources truly find open doors in your community?
4AprilSaint Isidore of Seville
A seventh-century bishop and writer, Isidore gathered much ancient knowledge in his encyclopaedic work. His texts became an important reference during the Middle Ages.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUDoes what you learn also help you make the world clearer to others?
5AprilSaint Vincent Ferrer
A Spanish Dominican and preacher, Vincent lived through the years of the Great Western Schism. He worked for Church unity and renewal of Christian life.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhen your community is divided, what word could open up sincere listening?
6AprilSaint Galla
A sixth-century Roman woman, Galla was widowed after a short marriage. She chose not to remarry, devoting herself to charity for poor people and later to monastic life.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUDo you give people space to choose how to begin again after loss?
7AprilSaint John Baptist de La Salle
A French priest, John Baptist recognised education as a mission. In 1684 he founded the Brothers of the Christian Schools, a community of laymen devoted to popular education.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWho made you feel capable of learning when you doubted yourself?
8AprilSaint Dionysius of Corinth
Bishop of Corinth in the second century, Dionysius nurtured relationships between Christian communities through letters. His writings show concern for Scripture and communion.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat message could you write to mend a bond that has weakened?
9AprilSaint Liborius of Le Mans
Bishop of Le Mans in the fourth century, Liborius led the community for many years. Alongside forming priests and deacons, he helped the poorest people.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUDo your responsibilities bring you closer to people’s needs or further away?
10AprilSaint Magdalene of Canossa
Founder of the Daughters of Charity, Magdalene combined determination with attention to spiritual life. She asked her sisters for simplicity and joy, distancing herself from rigorism.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUDoes the way you live your faith also leave room for joy?
11AprilSaint Gemma Galgani
A laywoman and mystic from Lucca, Gemma was born in 1878. She experienced bereavements and illness while maintaining an intense prayerful relationship with Christ. She died aged twenty-five in 1903.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat pain would you like to bring into prayer without having to pretend serenity?
12AprilSaint Giuseppe Moscati
A lay doctor in Naples between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Giuseppe treated people of every background, paying particular attention to poor patients. He died in 1927 and was canonised in 1987.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhen someone seeks help, can you see the person before their financial means?
13AprilSaint Martin I
Pope from 649, Martin faced the Christological controversies of his time. Conflict with the emperor led to imprisonment and exile; he died in Crimea in 655.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich conviction deserves a clear word, even when silence would be easier?
14AprilSaints Tiburtius, Valerian and Maximus
Roman tradition remembers Valerian and Tiburtius for burying Christians who had been killed. Their story is linked to Maximus, a converted jailer; they are venerated together as martyrs.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUHow can you restore respect to people whose dignity has been denied?
15AprilSaint Abundius
Gregory the Great remembers Abundius, who served in the Vatican basilica, for humility and dignity in daily work. Few details of his life are known.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUHow much respect do you show those doing work that almost nobody notices?
16AprilSaint Bernadette Soubirous
A young woman from a poor family, Bernadette is associated with the Marian apparitions at Lourdes. Her account recalls the invitation to prayer and conversion of heart.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUCan you also listen to people without education, prestige or impressive words?
17AprilSaint Robert of Molesme
A French monk, Robert sought a life faithful to the Benedictine rule. In 1098 he founded the abbey of Cîteaux, from which the Cistercian monastic family began.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhen a habit loses meaning, can you seek change without despising others?
18AprilSaint Galdinus of Milan
Galdinus saw Milan destroyed in 1162. As cardinal and archbishop he helped rebuild the city, accompanying the restoration of buildings with that of the Christian community.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUAfter a crisis, which relationships need rebuilding alongside material things around us?
19AprilSaint Expeditus
Little is known about Expeditus, venerated as a martyr at Melitene. Popular devotion invokes him in urgent needs and depicts him with symbols of the present and waiting.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat necessary action do you keep postponing, knowing you could begin today?
20AprilSaint Agnes of Montepulciano
A Tuscan religious, Agnes led monastic communities from a young age. In 1306 she founded a Dominican monastery in Montepulciano, linking her life to prayer and community.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat shared space helps you preserve what truly matters to you today?
21AprilSaint Anselm of Canterbury
Born in Aosta, Anselm was a Benedictine monk and archbishop of Canterbury. His theological thought and pastoral ministry earned him recognition as a Doctor of the Church.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat question about faith do you want to explore without feeling ashamed of not knowing?
22AprilSaint Soter
Originally from Fondi, Soter led the Church of Rome in the second century. His pontificate is remembered for charity and assistance to poor people.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUDoes your community’s solidarity also reach those who live far from you?
23AprilSaint George
Venerated as a martyr of the early centuries, George is honoured in many countries. Churches and communities preserve his memory, while devotion enriches the story.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUBehind a familiar image of a saint, what story would you like to know better?
24AprilSaint Fidelis of Sigmaringen
First a tutor and lawyer, then a Capuchin, Fidelis left Germany to preach in Switzerland. He was killed in 1622 amid the religious conflicts of the time.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUHow can you speak about your convictions without turning someone who disagrees into an enemy?
25AprilSaint Mark the Evangelist
An evangelist and patron of Venice, Mark is represented by the winged lion. Christian tradition links his Gospel to Peter’s preaching and recalls his relationship with Paul.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich story of Jesus would you like to reread carefully, beyond your memory of it?
26AprilSaint Cletus
Among Peter’s earliest successors, Cletus led the Roman community in the first century. Tradition connects him with preserving the apostle’s memory at the Vatican.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat inherited memory helps you understand where your own faith comes from?
27AprilSaint Zita
A domestic worker in Lucca from girlhood, Zita worked in the Fatinelli household. She is remembered for helping poor people and for the trust she earned through her work.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUDo those working in your home or community receive respect, attention and recognition?
28AprilSaint Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort
A French priest, Louis-Marie founded religious communities and wrote the Treatise on True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin. His spirituality centres on a relationship with Mary.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUDoes your devotion help you live more attentive and practical relationships today?
29AprilSaint Catherine of Siena
A Doctor of the Church and patron of Italy and Europe, Catherine worked for peace. She supported the papacy’s return to Rome and the Church’s unity.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUIn which conflict could you seek a word of peace without abandoning truth?
30AprilSaint Pius V
Elected pope in 1566, Pius V is associated with devotion to the Rosary. After the Battle of Lepanto he established a Marian feast of thanksgiving.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat practice of prayer helps you ask for peace in your own time?
MAY
1MaySaint Joseph the Worker
Hands at work, family close by: Joseph, Mary’s husband and Jesus’ earthly father, reminds us that even a humble trade belongs within a life of faith.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich part of your work deserves greater care today, even if nobody applauds it?
2MaySaint Athanasius of Alexandria
Faith to safeguard even amid controversy: Athanasius was bishop of Alexandria and defended Christ’s full divinity against Arianism. He died in 373, after a long episcopate.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUCan you explain what you believe clearly, without turning a conversation into a confrontation?
3MaySaints Philip and James, Apostles
Two names in one feast: Philip and James belong to the Twelve. Their shared remembrance recalls the transfer of their relics to Rome, to today’s Church of the Holy Apostles.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWho can walk beside you in faith, without either of you needing all the answers?
4MaySaint Antonina of Nicaea
What survives about Antonina concerns Diocletian’s persecutions. Probably from Nicaea, in present-day Turkey, she is remembered as a martyr after lengthy imprisonment and violence inflicted because of her faith.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUHer memory invites you to defend religious freedom: who is being denied it today?
5MaySaint Nunzio Sulprizio
A young worker, a life far too short: Nunzio Sulprizio experienced exploitation and illness. He died in 1836, aged nineteen; Francis proclaimed him a saint during the Synod on Young People.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUHow can you recognise and challenge exploitation, without mistaking suffering for a duty?
6MaySaints Marian and James
In ancient Numidia, now Algeria, Marian and James were young Christian ministers. Having survived an earlier persecution, they were killed at Lambaesis in 259 because of their faith.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUPeople living under threat also need practical protection: what help can you support?
7MaySaint Rose Venerini
A home, a group of women, a question about education: Rose Venerini’s calling takes shape here. In Viterbo she starts schools for girls and establishes the Religious Teachers Venerini.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWho could gain a new opportunity through what you know, if you shared it?
8MaySaint Victor of Milan
In Milan under the Roman Empire, Victor was a Christian soldier. The Church remembers him as a martyr, alongside the witness of fellow Christian soldiers Nabor and Felix, who died in Lodi.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhen a group pressures you, which convictions do you want to keep while respecting others?
9MaySaint Louise de Marillac
After being widowed, Louise de Marillac devotes renewed energy to people in poverty. In France, with Vincent de Paul, she founds the Daughters of Charity in 1633, a community of service.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUA painful change does not erase your future: what small possibility can you see today?
10MaySaint John of Ávila
In sixteenth-century Spain, John of Ávila preaches and offers spiritual guidance to many people, including other saints. A priest and mystic, he is declared a Doctor of the Church by Benedict XVI in 2012.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUCan you listen before offering advice, giving the other person space to find their own voice?
11MaySaint Anthimus
Along the Via Salaria, the memory of Anthimus recalls early Christian faith. According to tradition, he was arrested and killed after hiding in a villa near Rome.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhen reading an ancient story, can you distinguish religious remembrance from historical details that remain uncertain?
12MaySaint Pancras
Pancras is remembered as a Christian teenager in Rome, a victim of Diocletian’s persecution in 304. His memory is especially close to young members of Catholic Action, who honour him as patron.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUYoung people’s convictions deserve a hearing: who could you offer a truly safe space to today?
13MayOur Lady of Fátima
Three children, a small Portuguese village: the remembrance of Fátima recalls the Marian apparitions of 1917 to Lúcia, Francisco and Jacinta, and their invitation to prayer and conversion.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat change could you begin today, without waiting for an extraordinary sign to care for others?
14MaySaint Matthias, Apostle
A responsibility needs filling and a community discerns. In the Acts of the Apostles, Matthias is chosen by lot to join the Twelve after Judas; his final years remain historically uncertain.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhen you receive a responsibility, can you see it as service rather than proof of your worth?
15MaySaint Isidore the Farmer
Fields, prayer, something to share: Isidore lives his faith through farm work. Born in Madrid around 1070, he is also remembered for helping people in poverty, alongside his wife María.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUYour everyday life is not too small for goodness: what could you share today?
16MaySaint Ubald of Gubbio
A city to accompany through difficult times: Ubald leads the Church of Gubbio for many years. Remembered for gentleness and courage, he also intervenes with Frederick Barbarossa to defend his community.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUYou can be gentle without staying silent about a problem: where is your voice needed today?
17MaySaint Paschal Baylon
From shepherd to Franciscan brother: Paschal Baylon, born in Aragon, lives a deep devotion to the Eucharist. He dies in 1592 and is remembered as patron of Eucharistic associations.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUCan you make room for a moment of quiet presence, without immediately filling every space with words?
18MaySaint Felix of Cantalice
For forty years Felix walks through Rome collecting donations as a Capuchin friar. His days bring prayer and charity together; among his friendships is one with Philip Neri.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUBehind a request for help, do you see only a need, or also a person to meet?
19MaySaint Peter Celestine V
From hermitage to papacy, then resignation: Peter of Morrone becomes Celestine V in 1294. In L’Aquila he establishes the Perdonanza and leaves the papacy a few months after his election.
TAKE THIS WITH YOURecognising a limit can be a responsible choice: which burden do you need to reconsider?
20MaySaint Bernardine of Siena
Clear preaching that reaches very different people: Bernardine of Siena is a fifteenth-century Franciscan. He contributes to reform within his order and is canonised in 1450.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhen you speak about faith, do your words open a door or leave someone feeling excluded?
21MaySaint Eugene de Mazenod
Noble origins do not decide an entire life: Eugene de Mazenod chooses the priesthood. In 1816 he begins a missionary community, later the Oblates of Mary Immaculate; he becomes bishop of Marseille.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich expectations of others are you following, and which choice feels deeply your own?
22MaySaint Rita of Cascia
First a wife and mother, later an Augustinian religious: Rita lives through different seasons of life. Popular devotion invokes her in seemingly impossible situations; her body is kept in Cascia.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUYou can ask for hope without denying hardship: what situation would you entrust to prayer today?
23MaySaint John Baptist de Rossi
In Rome, John Baptist de Rossi becomes a much sought-after confessor. Ordained in 1721, he founds an association of secular priests and accompanies people on their spiritual journeys.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWho can you speak honestly to, without playing a role, including about what weighs on you?
24MaySaint Vincent of Lérins
In the Provençal monastery of Lérins, Vincent combines monastic life with reflection on faith. In the fifth century he writes the Commonitorium, an important text about safeguarding Christian tradition.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUBefore sharing a religious claim, do you take time to check it and understand its context?
25MaySaint Bede the Venerable
Books, prayer and patient study: Bede is an English monk, historian and biblical scholar. His writings and teaching earn him recognition as a Doctor of the Church.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat would you like to understand better about your faith, rather than accepting the first answer you find?
26MaySaint Philip Neri
The streets of Rome become the setting for his closeness to people. Born in Florence, Philip Neri links his life to the Eternal City, especially its poorer neighbourhoods.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUFaith can pass through a simple encounter: who could you reach out to with sincere care today?
27MaySaint Augustine of Canterbury
A journey changes a community’s history: Augustine, a Benedictine abbot, is sent as a missionary to England. He becomes archbishop of Canterbury and dies in 604, leaving a lasting legacy.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUEntering a new setting calls for listening: who would you like to know before judging?
28MaySaint Germanus of Paris
First responsibility for a monastery, then for a city: Germanus becomes bishop of Paris. His monastic and pastoral life leaves a mark on sixth-century France.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUCaring for a community begins with relationships: which connection needs your attention today?
29MaySaint Paul VI
The Church undergoes major change: Paul VI brings the Second Vatican Council to a close. Pope from 1963 to 1978, he visits five continents and is canonised by Francis in 2018.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUHow can you stay faithful to what matters while welcoming changes that require courage?
30MaySaint Joan of Arc
A young woman enters French history: Joan of Arc leads the army at Orléans. Unjustly condemned for heresy, she is killed in 1431; the Church venerates her as a saint.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUHow much do prejudices influence you when a young person challenges what you take for granted?
31MaySaint Felix of Nicosia
Also remembered: Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary ↗
In the friary he performs simple tasks, from tending the door to shoemaking and caring for the sick. Felix of Nicosia is a Sicilian Capuchin who also teaches children catechism; he dies in 1787.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich unnoticed task keeps your home or community going, and who could you thank for it?
JUNE
1JuneSaint Justin
Questions do not drive him away from faith: Justin also seeks God through philosophy. Among the earliest Christian thinkers, he dies a martyr in 165 and is remembered as a philosopher and witness.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich question about faith are you keeping hidden, and who could you explore it with without fear?
2JuneSaints Marcellinus and Peter
A priest and an exorcist in the ancient Church: Marcellinus and Peter are remembered together as martyrs. Their story belongs to the persecutions of the late third and early fourth centuries.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUFreedom of belief concerns everyone: can you defend it for people whose convictions differ from yours?
3JuneSaints Charles Lwanga and Companions
In late nineteenth-century Uganda, Charles Lwanga and other Christians become victims of persecution. Their remembrance recalls Namugongo and a history involving both Catholic and Anglican witnesses.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUA faith different from yours does not erase fellowship: who can you build mutual respect with today?
4JuneSt Francis Caracciolo
From a noble family to religious life: Ascanio Caracciolo takes the name Francis and founds the Clerics Regular Minor. Devotion to Mary and Eucharistic adoration accompany his service.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat space will you give prayer so it becomes part of life rather than just another obligation?
5JuneSaint Boniface
Beyond the Rhine, Boniface devotes his life to Christian preaching and organising communities. A bishop and martyr, he is remembered as the Apostle of Germany for his impact on its religious history.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhen you share what you believe, do you truly leave the other person free to respond?
6JuneSaint Norbert
Always on the move, Norbert preaches and seeks reconciliation. At Prémontré he founds the Premonstratensian canons, later becoming archbishop of Magdeburg; he dies in 1134 after a life of religious renewal.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUIs there a conflict where you can encourage dialogue while also respecting the need for safe boundaries?
7JuneSaint Anthony Mary Gianelli
From Liguria to episcopal service in Bobbio: Anthony Mary Gianelli is born in 1789. He enters seminary in 1808, becomes a priest in 1812 and founds the Daughters of Mary.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUA calling takes shape over time: which good desire deserves a practical step today?
8JuneSaint Jacques Berthieu
The journey from France to Madagascar becomes a life of mission. Jacques Berthieu, a Jesuit born in 1838, helps people in poverty and illness, challenges injustice and dies a martyr.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUCare for distant people begins with listening: which community’s history would you like to know better?
9JuneSaint Ephrem
Faith finds words, poetry and song: Ephrem is a fourth-century deacon. He brings reflection, artistic expression and charity together; the Church recognises him among its Doctors.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich song or poem helps you express what you cannot find words for in prayer?
10JuneSaint Landry of Paris
People’s hunger comes before precious objects: Landry, bishop of Paris, even sells sacred furnishings to help them. He also establishes a hospital near the cathedral; he dies around 657.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich possession could become practical help for someone, rather than remaining only an object?
11JuneSaint Barnabas, Apostle
He does not belong to the Twelve, yet the Church calls him an apostle: Barnabas takes part in the earliest missionary journeys. He encourages Paul and carries Christian preaching beyond its original boundaries.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWho needs you to recognise their possibilities, without making their decisions for them?
12JuneSaint Gaspar Louis Bertoni
In Verona, Gaspar Louis Bertoni devotes attention to young people and the ministry of confession. A priest from 1800, he founds the Stigmatine religious community and dies in his city in 1853.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUBeing there for young people requires consistency: what realistic commitment could you sustain over time?
13JuneSaint Anthony of Padua
Public preaching and quiet retreat alternate in Anthony’s life. A Franciscan, preacher and confessor, he is a Doctor of the Church; art often depicts him with the infant Jesus and a lily.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUBetween what you say to others and what you hear in silence, is there room for balance?
14JuneSaint Elisha, Prophet
Elisha carries on Elijah’s prophetic legacy in the Old Testament. The Bible recounts his words and wonders without attributing a written book to him; his memory recalls salvation open to everyone.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat good received from others could you continue, while finding a way that is truly your own?
15JuneSaint Vitus
What is certain about Vitus is his martyrdom in Lucania and a cult documented from the fifth century. Devotional traditions have grown around him, especially prayers for healing.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUIllness calls for care and closeness: what presence can you offer, without promising answers or healing?
16JuneSaints Cyricus and Julitta
Tradition remembers Julitta and little Cyricus, mother and son, among the victims of Diocletian’s persecutions. Their martyrdom is placed in Tarsus, in present-day Turkey, in 305.
TAKE THIS WITH YOURemembering a child calls for protecting children today: which practical initiative can you support?
17JuneSaints Blasius and Diogenes
Two names kept in Rome’s Christian memory: Blasius and Diogenes are ancient martyrs. Their relics rest in the Basilica of Saint Praxedes; information about their lives remains limited.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUNot knowing every detail does not erase a person: who might you be reducing to just a name?
18JuneSaint Gregory Barbarigo
Alongside plague patients and people in poverty, Gregory Barbarigo lives his episcopal service. Bishop of Padua and a cardinal, he also devotes particular attention to the formation of priests.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUHelping well also requires skills: what could you learn to care for others better?
19JuneSaint Romuald
From monastic life to the search for silence: Romuald, from Ravenna, founds several monasteries. At Camaldoli a community takes shape, bringing together Benedictine tradition and an eremitical vocation.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhen noise fills your day, what small space of silence could you protect?
20JuneSaint Silverius, Pope
Politics weighs heavily on his short pontificate: Silverius is elected in 536. Caught in tensions between Byzantines and Goths, he is exiled to Ponza, where he dies; the Church remembers him as a martyr.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUSomeone facing injustice needs a hearing: can you suspend judgement before learning the facts?
21JuneSaint Aloysius Gonzaga
A life different from the one his family expected: Aloysius Gonzaga leaves noble privileges and joins the Jesuits. He devotes himself to prayer and service; he dies in Rome during the plague of 1591.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich choice feels right for you, even if it differs from what others expect?
22JuneSaint Thomas More
Conscience meets power: Thomas More does not recognise Henry VIII as head of the English Church. Killed in 1535, he is honoured as a martyr and patron of statespeople and politicians.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich compromise troubles you, and how can you address it clearly without facing it alone?
23JuneSaint Joseph Cafasso
In Turin’s prisons, Joseph Cafasso offers listening and spiritual care, including to people sentenced to death. A priest and educator, he guides Don Bosco and is remembered as patron of prisoners.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUDignity does not disappear after wrongdoing: how can you recognise it without dismissing victims’ pain?
24JuneNativity of Saint John the Baptist
The Church celebrates the birth of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus. His figure prepares the way for encountering Christ; the calendar also remembers his martyrdom on 29 August.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUCan you rejoice when good comes through someone else, without needing to be at the centre?
25JuneSaint William of Vercelli
His journey takes him to Irpinia: William of Vercelli lives as a pilgrim and hermit. He founds Montevergine Abbey and a monastic community; born in 1085, he dies in 1142.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUBetween setting out and staying, which choice would help you put down roots in what matters today?
26JuneSaint Josemaría Escrivá
Holiness within everyday life: this is the heart of Josemaría Escrivá’s message. A priest and founder of Opus Dei, he invites people to seek God in ordinary occupations.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich everyday activity could receive more honesty, care and love, without waiting for a special day?
27JuneSaint Cyril of Alexandria
Who is Jesus? Cyril devotes his service as bishop to reflection on Christ, the incarnate Word. Honoured in East and West, he is declared a Doctor of the Church in 1882.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhen you say Jesus’ name, what image accompanies you, and what would you like to understand better?
28JuneSaint Irenaeus of Lyon
Safeguarding the Gospel and guiding a community: Irenaeus is bishop of Lyon and among the great early Christian theologians. His death is tentatively placed around the year 202.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUDefending a conviction also calls for listening: can you uphold your faith without despising those who do not share it?
29JuneSaints Peter and Paul, Apostles
Two different stories, one shared remembrance: Peter leads the apostolic community and is remembered as Rome’s first bishop. Paul brings the message of Christ to the nations after his conversion.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUDifferences can enrich a shared journey: who could you work with without needing to be alike?
30JuneFirst Martyrs of the Church of Rome
After Peter and Paul, the Church remembers Christians persecuted in Rome under Nero. Falsely blamed for the fire of 64, they suffered sentences and violence fuelled by those in power.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhen a group is accused without evidence, can you pause before joining the collective judgement?
JULY
1JulyBlessed Antonio Rosmini
Born in Rovereto, this thinker did not separate faith from questions. A priest from 1821, Rosmini also devoted his studies to philosophy and education.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat question do you keep away from faith, as though God feared your thinking?
2JulySaints Processus and Martinian
Tradition presents Processus and Martinian as jailers converted by Peter and Paul. Their Roman cult preserves the memory of two Christian martyrs.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUTheir story invites this question: can you see a person beyond the role they hold?
3JulySaint Thomas the Apostle
Thomas did not hide his difficulty believing in Jesus’ resurrection. This apostle, linked by tradition to evangelising India, recalls a faith that journeys through questions.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat doubt would you finally like to bring into prayer, without feeling ashamed of carrying it?
4JulySaint Pier Giorgio Frassati
Friendship, prayer and concern for the poor intertwine in Pier Giorgio’s young life. He died in 1925 and was proclaimed a saint on 7 September 2025.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUAmong your commitments and friendships, who risks remaining invisible to you today?
Read the story on CHIARA! ↗Source and further reading · Vatican News ↗
5JulySaint Anthony Mary Zaccaria
In the sixteenth-century Church, Anthony Mary opened new paths. He founded the Barnabites, the Angelic Sisters and a community of married laypeople committed to living the Gospel.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhere could you live the Gospel more freely, without waiting to have a different life?
6JulySaint Maria Goretti
Maria Goretti was a child killed by an attacker in the early twentieth century. Her memory preserves her forgiveness without erasing the seriousness of the violence.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUFaced with her story, remember: no victim ever loses dignity because of violence suffered.
7JulyHoly Roman Pontiffs
Today this collection remembers together the popes venerated as saints. Their stories point to Peter’s task: supporting his brothers and sisters in the Christian faith.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhen you have a responsibility, do you mainly seek to be heard or to support those entrusted to you?
8JulySaints Aquila and Priscilla
A home can become a community: the married couple Aquila and Priscilla showed this alongside Paul. Their hospitality and teaching supported the first Christians.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUDoes your home, imperfect as it is, make room for someone who needs to feel welcome?
9JulySaint Veronica Giuliani
For fifty years Veronica lived among the Capuchin Poor Clares of Città di Castello. Becoming abbess, she led a contemplative life also recognised by the Church for its mystical experiences.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat happens inside you when silence lasts longer than a few minutes?
10JulySaints Rufina and Secunda
Tradition tells of Rufina and Secunda, two young Christian women who did not abandon their faith during persecution. Rome remembers them as martyrs on the Via Cornelia.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUTheir story questions freedom: can you choose what you believe without fearing threats?
11JulySaint Benedict of Nursia
Monastic life finds a decisive reference in Benedict. His Rule guides community life, bringing together prayer, work and spiritual growth; he is a patron of Europe.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUIn your days, can work and reflection coexist, or does one always swallow the other?
12JulySaint John Gualbert
John left a monastery after denouncing its simony. At Vallombrosa he founded a new community, shaped by poverty, work and the example of Jesus’ apostles.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhen something is unjust, can your faithfulness also find the courage to say so?
13JulySaint Henry II
An emperor between the tenth and eleventh centuries, Henry II combined government with religious commitment. The Church remembers his faith and support for ecclesial communities.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat values guide your decisions when nobody can check how you use your power?
14JulySaint Camillus de Lellis
Camillus placed sick people at the centre and founded the Ministers to the Sick. His legacy calls for practical charity expressed through care and closeness.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhen someone is unwell, can you be present without expecting to have every answer immediately?
15JulySaint Bonaventure of Bagnoregio
A Franciscan and theologian, Bonaventure gave his order’s tradition a strong intellectual expression. He died in 1274 during the Council of Lyon, devoted to Christian unity.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUDoes the faith you live leave room for study and the desire to understand more deeply?
16JulySaint Mary Magdalene Postel
Also remembered: Our Lady of Mount Carmel ↗
After the French Revolution, Julie opened a school in Cherbourg. Taking the name Mary Magdalene, she founded a congregation and devoted her energies to education.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWho helped you learn when it seemed difficult, and to whom could you pass on that gift?
17JulySaint Marcellina
Ambrose’s sister Marcellina stood alongside him when he became bishop of Milan. Living with several companions, she combined prayer with concern for the poorest people.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich family relationship could become a collaboration, leaving each person space for their own calling?
18JulySaint Frederick of Utrecht
Bishop of Utrecht in the ninth century, Frederick proclaimed the Gospel and studied Scripture. He was murdered in 838; the circumstances of the conspiracy remain unclear.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUCan studying Scripture open a new question rather than merely confirm what you already think?
19JulySaint Symmachus
Elected pope in 498, Symmachus faced conflict and opposition. His pontificate also made room for efforts to ransom enslaved people and restore their freedom.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUAmid your difficulties, can you still see someone who is waiting for practical help?
20JulySaint Elijah the Prophet
The prophet Elijah lived in Israel in the ninth century before Christ. His preaching called the people to faithfulness to God, resisting the lure of idols.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat are you treating as so indispensable that you let it decide your worth?
21JulySaint Lawrence of Brindisi
A Capuchin from adolescence, Lawrence received responsibilities throughout Europe. He died in Lisbon in 1619 while seeking to defend Neapolitans against their ruler’s abuses.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhen you have access to someone influential, can you also speak for those who go unheard?
22JulySaint Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene followed Jesus to Calvary and announced his resurrection. The Church remembers her as a witness and messenger of news that changes everything.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUAre you willing to hear a woman’s voice without reducing her to labels others have given her?
23JulySaint Bridget of Sweden
A wife, mother of eight and religious founder, Bridget travelled through fourteenth-century Europe. She wrote to powerful people and asked the pope to return from Avignon to Rome.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat important words are you holding back because you think your voice lacks authority?
24JulySaint Charbel Makhlouf
A Lebanese Maronite monk, Charbel chose the life of a hermit in 1875. Silence and prayer shaped his journey; numerous healings were attributed to him after his death.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat small space of silence could you protect today without immediately filling it with notifications and commitments?
25JulySaint James the Greater
James is one of Jesus’ apostles. For centuries his name has accompanied the pilgrimage to Santiago, linking the proclamation of the Gospel with the concrete experience of walking.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUYou do not need to see the whole road: what first step can you take in trust today?
26JulySaints Joachim and Anne
Christian tradition preserves the names of Joachim and Anne, Mary’s parents. The Gospels do not name them; their memory recalls Jesus’ family roots.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat good received from previous generations do you want to preserve without feeling obliged to repeat every choice?
27JulySaint Pantaleon
Tradition remembers Pantaleon as a physician who treated poor people free of charge in Nicomedia. His Christian witness ended in martyrdom during fourth-century persecutions.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat skill could you offer someone who cannot afford help today?
28JulySaints Nazarius and Celsus
Milanese devotion remembers Nazarius and Celsus together as Christian martyrs. Tradition recounts a shared journey proclaiming the Gospel and links the discovery of their relics to Ambrose.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWho accompanies you in faith without insisting on choosing every step for you?
29JulySaints Martha, Mary and Lazarus
In the home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, Jesus found friendship. The Gospels describe the service, listening and trust these siblings placed in their Lord.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUIn your friendships, is there room both to do things together and to truly listen?
30JulySaint Peter Chrysologus
Bishop of Ravenna in the fifth century, Peter sought peace through preaching. His sermons preserve the witness of speech capable of drawing people in.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUDo the words you choose today help someone understand, or do they only help you win?
31JulySaint Ignatius of Loyola
Ignatius founded the Society of Jesus during the Catholic reform. His Spiritual Exercises offer a path of prayer and discernment that continues to raise searching questions.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUBefore choosing, can you distinguish what truly moves you from what merely unsettles you?
AUGUST
1AugustSaint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori
Alphonsus left the legal profession to become a priest. In 1732 he founded the Redemptorists; his journey also led to episcopal service and theological reflection.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat change do you fear because it seems to contradict everything you have built so far?
2AugustSaint Eusebius of Vercelli
Originally from Sardinia, Eusebius became bishop of Vercelli in 345. He defended the Nicene faith even in exile; returning, he resumed serving his community.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhen a conviction makes you inconvenient, can you keep it while still respecting those who think differently?
3AugustSaint Lydia
In Philippi, Lydia traded in purple cloth and welcomed Paul into her home. Acts recounts her acceptance of the Gospel and hospitality that supported the emerging community.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat door can you open today so someone finds a listening ear without first earning your attention?
4AugustSaint John Mary Vianney
In Ars, John Mary devoted his life to priestly ministry and listening in the confessional. The Church remembers him as patron of parish priests and a witness to pastoral care.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUDo you have somewhere to tell the truth about yourself without always having to appear fine?
5AugustDedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major
This observance celebrates a Roman basilica dedicated to Mary. The tradition of August snow on the Esquiline accompanies devotion but should be distinguished from the building’s history.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat place helps you pray and feel part of a larger story?
6AugustSaint Hormisdas
Also remembered: Transfiguration of the Lord ↗
A widower and father, Hormisdas became pope in 514. His pontificate is linked to reconciliation between Rome and Constantinople after a long division between the Churches.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat divided relationship might move forward if someone truly began to listen?
7AugustSaint Cajetan
A nobleman from Vicenza who became a priest, Cajetan chose closeness to poor and sick people. With companions he founded the Theatines, calling religious life back to the Gospel.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat practical need is calling you while you wait to be able to do something great?
8AugustSaint Dominic de Guzmán
In the Middle Ages, Dominic made proclaiming the Gospel the centre of his life. He founded the Order of Preachers, giving preaching a mission of faith and formation.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhen you speak about what you believe, do you also leave room for your listener’s questions?
9AugustSaint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
Edith Stein, a philosopher of Jewish origin, became Catholic and a Carmelite named Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. She died at Auschwitz in 1942, a victim of Nazi extermination.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUHer memory asks you to recognise each person before labels and prejudices.
10AugustSaint Lawrence the Deacon
The Church remembers Lawrence as a deacon and martyr. Popular tradition links shooting stars to his feast, but his memory concerns above all his Christian witness.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUBeyond stars and wishes, what quiet service deserves your attention today?
11AugustSt Clare of Assisi
At eighteen Clare followed Francis and left her family’s wealth. Founder of the Poor Clares, she built a life of prayer in Assisi through a radical choice of poverty.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat do you keep out of habit even though it no longer helps you live freely?
12AugustSaint Jane Frances de Chantal
Jane Frances experienced marriage and widowhood. Close to Francis de Sales, she founded the Visitation Sisters and combined religious life with care for people in need.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUAfter a loss, what small action could help you find a connection with life again?
13AugustSaints Pontian and Hippolytus
In the third century Pontian and Hippolytus were deported to the mines of Sardinia during persecution. Pontian resigned the papacy; both were later venerated as martyrs.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUFaced with overwhelming responsibilities, can you recognise when stepping aside may be an act of care?
14AugustSaint Maximilian Mary Kolbe
A Polish Franciscan, Maximilian founded the Militia of the Immaculata. Deported to Auschwitz, he offered himself in place of a father and died a prisoner of the Nazi system.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUHis choice does not make violence good: what vulnerable life can you defend today?
15AugustSaint Tarcisius
Also remembered: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary ↗
Tradition tells of Tarcisius as a young Christian killed while carrying the Eucharist. Patron of altar servers, he is remembered today, the solemnity of Mary’s Assumption.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat does receiving a sacred gift and caring for it with practical attention mean to you?
16AugustSaint Roch
Tradition remembers Roch as a pilgrim who left Montpellier after giving up his possessions. Travelling towards Rome, he devoted himself to people affected by plague.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUPeople experiencing illness also need company: to whom can you offer closeness?
17AugustSt Clare of Montefalco
From childhood Clare lived in a religious community led by her sister. She became an Augustinian abbess at Montefalco, where her spirituality centred on God’s love.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUIn what you lead or organise, do people feel loved or merely judged?
18AugustSaint Helena
Mother of Emperor Constantine, Helena supported poor people and the building of important basilicas. Christian tradition also links her to the finding of Jesus’ cross.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUDo the resources you have, small or great, make a practical difference in someone’s life?
19AugustSaint John Eudes
A French priest of the seventeenth century, John cared for plague victims and poor people. He founded the Congregation of Jesus and Mary in a country marked by war.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhen suffering seems everywhere, what nearby, achievable act can you choose to do?
20AugustSaint Bernard of Clairvaux
A Cistercian monk and founder of Clairvaux Abbey, Bernard engaged with medieval Europe’s religious questions. The Church recognises him as a doctor for his spiritual and theological legacy.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUDo the words about faith that you hear also help you pause and pray?
21AugustSaint Pius X
Giuseppe Sarto became Pope Pius X in 1903. His name remains associated with the catechism and commitment to formation in the faith.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUCan you explain what you believe in simple words without making anyone feel out of place?
22AugustBlessed Virgin Mary, Queen
Eight days after the Assumption, the Church celebrates Mary as Queen. This memorial invites contemplation of Jesus’ mother beside her Son and in her maternal intercession.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat idea of greatness do you cherish: standing above others or caring for them?
23AugustSaint Rose of Lima
Isabel Flores, known as Rose of Lima, lived in Peru and followed Dominican spirituality. She is the first canonised saint of the Americas and a figure of Latin American devotion.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUHer faith rooted in a place invites this question: where can you love in practical ways today?
24AugustSaint Bartholomew the Apostle
Bartholomew belongs to the Twelve Apostles and is traditionally identified with Nathanael. His memory recalls encountering Jesus and proclaiming the Gospel beyond familiar boundaries.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat prejudice could stop you today from recognising something good in a new person?
25AugustSaint Joseph Calasanz
In Rome Joseph met poor children without access to education. He devoted his life to them through free schools and founded the Piarists, making education a practical form of service.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWho lacks an opportunity to learn today, and how could you help them gain it?
26AugustBlessed John Paul I
Albino Luciani led the Church for just thirty-three days as John Paul I. His brief pontificate left the memory of a smiling presence.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUDo you measure the value of a presence by its duration or by the good it leaves behind?
27AugustSaint Monica
Augustine’s mother Monica lived her faith within everyday family life. The Church remembers her for prayer that accompanied her life and those she loved.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUCan you entrust someone you love to God without trying to control every step of their journey?
28AugustSaint Augustine of Hippo
Augustine travelled a long path of searching and conversion. He became bishop of Hippo; his writings reveal a faith that thinks, questions and seeks.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat restlessness are you trying to silence when perhaps it first deserves to be truly heard?
29AugustSaint Sabina
Church tradition remembers Sabina as a martyr of the early centuries. In Rome, the basilica on the Aventine preserves her relics and name in Christian memory.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUA church also holds little-known lives: to whom would you like to restore a name and attention today?
30AugustSaint Pammachius
A Roman senator, Pammachius chose to devote himself to poor people. He helped establish a free hostel near the Tiber’s mouth for poor pilgrims and sick people.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat privilege could you turn into an open door for someone facing too many closed ones today?
31AugustSaints Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus
Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus cared for Jesus’ body after the crucifixion. The Gospel remembers them through the practical, respectful act of his burial.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhen you cannot change suffering, what gesture of respect and presence is still possible?
SEPTEMBER
1SeptemberSaint Giles
His origins remain little known. Giles lived as a hermit in southern France and became an abbot, accompanying people in his region in their faith.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUSilence can become listening: when did you last truly make room for someone’s voice?
2SeptemberSaint Zeno and his sons
An ancient Latin account remembers Zeno and his sons Cosconius and Concordius among those persecuted for their faith. Their stories intertwine history and tradition.
TAKE THIS WITH YOURemembering a persecuted family invites you to defend other people’s freedom of belief today.
3SeptemberSaint Gregory the Great
He wanted monastic life but was called to lead the Church as pope. Gregory left numerous writings and promoted reforms that shaped Western Christianity.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhen life changes your plans, what part of your vocation can you hold on to?
4SeptemberSaint Rosalia
Palermo honours Rosalia as its patron saint. According to tradition, she left court to live as a hermit; devotion to her grew during the seventeenth-century plague.
TAKE THIS WITH YOURosalia’s choice asks you: which expectations from others keep you from truly listening to yourself?
5SeptemberSaint Teresa of Calcutta
Founder of the Missionaries of Charity, Teresa made serving poor people central to her life. She received the Nobel Peace Prize and was canonized by Francis.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUFaced with a concrete need, what small gesture can you turn into presence today?
6SeptemberSaint Onesiphorus
The Second Letter to Timothy remembers Onesiphorus supporting Paul during his imprisonment. Traditions do not fully agree with one another about other aspects of his life.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUBeing close to someone isolated matters: who is waiting for a visit or call from you?
7SeptemberSaint Regina
Regina is remembered as a martyr of ancient Gaul. Tradition tells of a young Christian opposed by her father; biographical details belong to her passion narrative.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUNo faith justifies family violence: how can you support someone facing hostility over their beliefs?
8SeptemberSaint Thomas of Villanova
Also remembered: Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary ↗
Archbishop of Valencia, Thomas combined preaching with practical concern for people. He devoted himself especially to poor people and young people and founded the Presentation seminary.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWords gain weight through actions: where can you make a good intention more concrete?
9SeptemberSaint Peter Claver
A Jesuit missionary in Colombia, Peter devoted over forty years to people who had been deported and enslaved. His ministry accompanied lives wounded by the slave trade.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUDignity does not depend on origin: whom do you risk seeing as a category rather than a person?
10SeptemberSaint Nicholas of Tolentino
Born in the Marche region, Nicholas met the Augustinians as a teenager and joined the Tolentino community. Alongside prayer, he practised charity with an approachable manner.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUNicholas’s faith also held a smile: how do you make your way of helping welcoming?
11SeptemberSaints Protus and Hyacinth
Evidence attests to their martyrdom, while their personal stories remain wrapped in legend. Protus and Hyacinth preserve the memory of the earliest persecuted Christians.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUEven an incomplete story deserves respect: can you recognize the value of someone you barely know?
12SeptemberThe Most Holy Name of Mary
This memorial invites people to turn to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Its focus is not a new biography but the maternal bond celebrated in the Church’s prayer.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUSpeaking a name can hold affection: whom do you want to entrust to your prayer today?
13SeptemberSaint John Chrysostom
Patriarch of Constantinople, John was known for the power of his preaching. He denounced corruption among clergy and at court and ended his life in exile.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUTelling the truth can be costly: what injustice can you name with courage and responsibility?
14SeptemberSaint Albert of Jerusalem
Also remembered: Exaltation of the Holy Cross ↗
First bishop of Vercelli and then Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, Albert gave the Carmelites a rule that would guide their way of life for many centuries.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUA rule can protect freedom: what habit would help you live with greater consistency?
15SeptemberSaint Catherine of Genoa
Also remembered: Our Lady of Sorrows ↗
Born into the Fieschi family, Catherine changed the direction of her life and devoted herself to poor and sick people. Genoa preserves the memory of her service.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUChanging course remains possible: what need close to you is challenging your priorities?
16SeptemberSaints Cornelius and Cyprian
Cornelius was pope and Cyprian bishop of Carthage. Both died during the third-century persecutions; the Church preserves their memory and their witness together.
TAKE THIS WITH YOURemembering them together helps you ask: with whom can you share a responsibility that feels heavy today?
17SeptemberSaint Robert Bellarmine
A Jesuit, theologian and later cardinal, Robert chose a path different from his father’s expectations. Alongside scholarship, he cared for poor people; he is a Doctor of the Church.
TAKE THIS WITH YOURobert’s learning met charity: does what you learn make your life more attentive?
18SeptemberSaint Joseph of Cupertino
A seventeenth-century Franciscan, Joseph had limited schooling. Tradition attributes mystical experiences to him; devotion recognizes him as the patron saint of students and aviators.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUDifficulties at school do not measure your worth: what talent are you learning to recognize in yourself?
19SeptemberSaint Januarius
Bishop of Benevento and martyr, Januarius is Naples’s patron saint. The city’s devotion preserves relics of his blood and regards their liquefaction as miraculous.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUDevotion brings a city together: what shared gesture makes you feel part of a community?
20SeptemberSaints Andrew Kim and Paul Chong with their companions
The priest Andrew Kim and the catechist Paul Chong belong to the Korean martyrs canonized in 1984. Their memorial tells of a Church also built by laypeople.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUFaith also grows through laypeople: what personal contribution can you offer your community?
21SeptemberSaint Matthew
From tax collector to disciple of Jesus: the Gospel tells of Matthew’s calling. Christian tradition venerates him as an apostle and as an evangelist.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUA calling can surprise us: are you allowing someone the possibility of being different from their past?
22SeptemberSaints Maurice and companions
Tradition remembers Maurice and the soldiers of the Theban Legion as Christians killed for refusing a sacrifice to the gods. Their story belongs to ancient hagiographical memory.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUConscience places limits on obedience: what unjust request do you need to learn to refuse?
23SeptemberSaint Pio of Pietrelcina
Born in Pietrelcina as Francesco Forgione, Padre Pio was a Capuchin priest. Franciscan spirituality and meditation on the passion of Christ shaped his life.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUPrayer runs through everyday life: what thought do you want to entrust to God today without disguising it?
24SeptemberSaint Pacificus of San Severino
Born in San Severino Marche as Carlo Antonio Divini, Pacificus entered the Friars Minor. He devoted years to ministry in his own region; he was canonized in 1836.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUPacificus served in his homeland: what good can you cultivate nearby without waiting to go far away?
25SeptemberSaint Firmin of Amiens
Tradition presents Firmin as a native of Pamplona, educated in the Christian faith and later an evangelizer in France. He is venerated as bishop of Amiens and martyr.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUA faith received can become a gift: who helped you discover something essential?
26SeptemberSaints Cosmas and Damian
Tradition remembers them as physician brothers who treated sick people without charge. Cosmas and Damian, venerated as martyrs, are patron saints of doctors, surgeons and pharmacists.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUCare given freely speaks of dignity: what skill can you share with someone who needs it?
27SeptemberSaint Vincent de Paul
Encountering poor people transformed Vincent’s way of living his priesthood. He promoted organized charity and helped bring about the founding of the Daughters of Charity.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUAllowing an encounter to change you requires listening: who is challenging your certainties?
28SeptemberSaint Lawrence Ruiz and companions
Lawrence Ruiz was a Filipino layman. With fifteen other Christians linked to the Dominican Order, he was martyred in Japan; the group was canonized by John Paul II.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUA layperson’s story reminds you that you matter too: where can you witness to respect and freedom?
29SeptemberSaints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael
The Church celebrates these three archangels of biblical tradition together. Their names and their missions evoke God’s presence, the message and the work of care.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUAnnounce, protect, accompany: which of these verbs can become a concrete action for you today?
30SeptemberSaint Jerome
A scholar of Scripture and a Father of the Western Church, Jerome translated the Bible into Latin in the service of Pope Damasus. He sought to unite study and life.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUA page can change your outlook: are you giving the Word time to truly question you?
OCTOBER
1OctoberSaint Thérèse of the Child Jesus
A Carmelite of Lisieux, Thérèse is also known as the Little Flower. Patron saint of the missions and France, she was declared a Doctor of the Church by John Paul II in 1997.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUA quiet life can speak far away: what hidden good are you cultivating without seeking recognition?
2OctoberHoly Guardian Angels
This memorial celebrates angels as God’s messengers who accompany people. It is a feast of Christian tradition, rooted in the presence of angels in the Bible.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUFeeling accompanied can give confidence: to whom will you offer a discreet and respectful presence today?
3OctoberSaint Candida
Few certain facts tell us about Candida, a martyr of the early Christian centuries. One tradition links her to Pimenio’s burial and Christian memory along the Via Portuense.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUPreserving a memory is already care: what forgotten person can you remember with gratitude today?
4OctoberSt Francis of Assisi
Francis chose poverty to follow the Gospel. His love for God, for people and for creation continues to speak to the Church and to the world.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUFrancis invites you to make room: what excess can you let go of to encounter others better?
5OctoberSaint Faustina Kowalska
A Polish religious sister, Faustina devoted her life to the spirituality of Divine Mercy. Her writings recount the mystical experiences through which this devotion spread.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUMercy meets real vulnerability: where can you replace a hasty judgment with listening today?
6OctoberSaint Bruno
Bruno gave up a possible ecclesiastical career for a hermit’s life. He founded a community at Chartreuse and, after a period in Rome, withdrew to Calabria.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUChoosing silence does not mean disappearing: what quiet space would help you rediscover what matters?
7OctoberSaint Mark, pope
Also remembered: Our Lady of the Rosary ↗
Mark’s pontificate lasted a few months in 336. In Rome he supported a basilica dedicated to his namesake evangelist, leaving a mark on the Christian community’s life.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUEven a short time can leave good behind: what can you build with the time you have?
8OctoberSaint Pelagia
Pelagia is remembered in Antioch’s Christian tradition. Ancient accounts do not agree about her story and transmit different profiles, which should be distinguished without forcing historical certainty.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUA complex memory asks for sensitivity: can you hear a story without immediately filling every gap?
9OctoberSaint John Leonardi
Originally from Lucca, John became a priest after considering work as an apothecary. He founded the Clerics Regular of the Mother of God, focusing on catechesis and reform.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUA path can change without losing meaning: what authentic desire deserves your attention today?
10OctoberSaint Paulinus of York
A monk sent to Britain by Gregory the Great, Paulinus became bishop of York. His mission followed a gradual path and also reached the king’s court.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUGradual progress respects people’s pace: in which relationship can you stop demanding immediate results?
11OctoberSaint John XXIII
After years of service abroad and the experience of two wars, John XXIII became pope. He convened the Second Vatican Council to address the challenges of the contemporary world.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUOpening yourself to the present requires trust: what new question are you avoiding for fear of changing?
12OctoberSaint Carlo Acutis
Carlo lived his faith as a teenager, witnessing to the Gospel in everyday life. He died in 2006 at fifteen; the Church celebrates his memorial on October 12.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUA teenager’s faith asks you: what daily choices show who you truly want to be?
13OctoberSaint Theophilus of Antioch
Theophilus approached Christianity through reading the Bible and observing Christian life. He became bishop of Antioch and wrote works devoted to faith and the Scriptures.
TAKE THIS WITH YOULife can make words credible: what image of faith do your actions convey?
14OctoberSaint Callistus I
After slavery and exile, Callistus was entrusted with Rome’s Christian cemeteries. As pope, he supported a merciful approach towards sinners; he is venerated as a martyr.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUA difficult past does not close the future: whom are you denying the chance to begin again?
15OctoberSaint Teresa of Ávila
Teresa promoted a profound reform of Carmelite life. A writer and spiritual teacher, she was among the first women declared Doctors of the Church, alongside Catherine of Siena.
TAKE THIS WITH YOURenewal takes courage: what habit in your spiritual life needs to become authentic again?
16OctoberSaint Margaret Mary Alacoque
After entering the Visitation Order, Margaret Mary recounted mystical experiences linked to the Heart of Jesus. Her witness helped spread devotion to the Sacred Heart in the Church.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUThis devotion evokes a love that draws near: how can you bring warmth to an encounter today?
17OctoberSaint Ignatius of Antioch
Bishop of Antioch, Ignatius endured a long journey to Rome during the persecutions. His seven letters preserve the voice of a pastor close to Christian communities.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUA letter can sustain a bond: to whom do you want to write long-postponed, sincere words?
18OctoberSaint Luke the Evangelist
Luke is venerated as an evangelist and patron saint of artists. His attentive way of portraying people contributed to the tradition that associates him with painting.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUTelling someone’s story takes attention: what aspect of someone close have you not yet truly noticed?
19OctoberSaint Paul of the Cross
Paul Francis left behind plans to become a merchant and embraced religious life. He founded the Passionists, centring their life on contemplating Christ’s love in the passion.
TAKE THIS WITH YOULooking at the cross also means recognizing pain: to whom can you offer closeness without easy explanations?
20OctoberSaint Maria Bertilla Boscardin
A religious sister and nurse, Maria Bertilla worked in Treviso and also knew hospital life as a patient. Her life of care ended in 1922; she was canonized in 1961.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUThose who care may need care themselves: what always-available person deserves your attention today?
21OctoberSaint Gaspar del Bufalo
A Roman priest, Gaspar devoted himself to evangelizing poor people and refused submission to Napoleon. In 1815 he founded the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, developing a new missionary experience.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUReaching out to people on the margins requires presence: where can you move beyond your usual circles?
22OctoberSaint John Paul II
The first Polish pope, John Paul II led the Church for almost twenty-seven years. He promoted World Youth Days and guided the Great Jubilee of 2000.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUMeeting young people means hearing questions: what voice from another generation will you take seriously?
23OctoberSaint Severinus Boethius
A Roman philosopher, Boethius wrote The Consolation of Philosophy while imprisoned. His work connects the classical heritage with medieval thought; the Church venerates him as a martyr.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUQuestions can accompany difficult days: what reading helps you put your experience into words?
24OctoberSaint Anthony Mary Claret
Born in Catalonia, Anthony nurtured a missionary calling. He founded the Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, now known as Claretians, and went to Cuba as bishop.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUA desire becomes a path through choices: what concrete first step can you take towards your service?
25OctoberSaints Crispin and Crispinian
Tradition remembers Crispin and Crispinian as shoemakers in Soissons, in present-day France. Alongside their work they shared the Christian faith; they are venerated as early Christian martyrs.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWork also tells what you believe: what act of integrity can you choose today?
26OctoberSaint Folco Scotti
Bishop of Piacenza and Pavia, Folco is remembered for his work to bring peace between the two cities. Pavia’s cathedral preserves his body and his memory.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUPeace begins between real people: what rivalry can you stop feeding with your words?
27OctoberSaint Frumentius
Enslaved as a young man, Frumentius regained his freedom and became a bishop. In Axum he helped the Christian community grow, leaving a mark on Ethiopian history.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUNo enslavement erases dignity: what stories of freedom do you need to learn to hear?
28OctoberSaints Simon and Jude Thaddaeus
Simon, called the Zealot, and Jude Thaddaeus belong to Jesus’s group of apostles. The Church remembers them together, preserving their witness and the tradition of their martyrdom.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUNot all apostles are equally well known: what quiet presence deserves more gratitude in your life?
29OctoberBlessed Chiara Badano
Born in Savona in 1971, Chiara met the young people of the Focolare Movement as a child. Known as Chiara Luce, she lived her faith also during serious illness.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUA person remains more than their illness: can you hear desires and relationships beyond a diagnosis?
30OctoberSaint Germanus of Capua
Germanus gave his family’s wealth to poor people and became bishop of Capua. Sent to Constantinople, he helped heal a division between the Roman and Eastern Churches.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUHealing a rift requires a step: what broken dialogue can you try to reopen respectfully?
31OctoberSaint Alphonsus Rodríguez
After losing his wife and children, Alphonsus entered the Society of Jesus. In Majorca he served as a porter, living his faith through everyday hospitality.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUOpening a door can become service: how do you welcome someone who enters, even for a moment?
NOVEMBER
1NovemberAll Saints — solemnity
The Church celebrates all the saints together, including those whose names nobody knows. This solemnity opens our eyes to communion with God and to Christian hope.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich unassuming person has shown you that goodness can live in a completely ordinary life?
2NovemberCommemoration of All the Faithful Departed
Today the Church prays for those who have died, entrusting them to God’s mercy. This commemoration cherishes our bond with those we miss, within Christian hope for eternal life.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWho are you missing today? You can entrust that name to God without hiding your longing.
3NovemberSaint Martin de Porres
In Lima, Martin de Porres becomes a Dominican friar and devotes himself to caring for people. Born in 1579, his own story brings together Peru’s African and Spanish roots.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhen you meet someone, can you see the person before the labels others attach to them?
4NovemberSaint Charles Borromeo
Charles Borromeo becomes a cardinal very young and later Archbishop of Milan. In the sixteenth century he works for Church renewal, connecting the responsibilities of office with practical care for people.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich responsibility could you turn into service today, instead of experiencing it only as a burden?
5NovemberSaints Domninus, Theotimus and companions
Domninus, remembered as a young physician, Theotimus and other Christians from Caesarea are killed during the persecutions. Their remembrance preserves the names of people targeted for their faith.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUFreedom of belief belongs to everyone: how can you defend it for people who think differently?
6NovemberSaint Leonard of Noblac
Tradition remembers Leonard, a hermit in sixth-century France, for his commitment to prisoners. His story is associated with a monastery and a devotion spread along pilgrimage routes.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUIs there someone you have reduced to their mistake, forgetting that they remain a person?
7NovemberSaint Willibrord
Willibrord travels from England to continental Europe to proclaim the Gospel. He becomes Bishop of Utrecht and continues travelling in northern Europe; he dies at Echternach in 739.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich encounter invites you to step outside your habits and listen to a different story?
8NovemberBlessed John Duns Scotus
A Scottish Franciscan, Duns Scotus studies and teaches theology, shaping the dialogue between thought and faith. Ordained a priest in 1291, he dies in 1308 after years devoted to study.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich question about faith do you keep locked away through fear, when you could begin exploring it?
9NovemberSaints Mary and Neon
Mary and Neon are remembered with their family among Christians persecuted under Valerian. Their veneration reaches Rome, where their relics are transferred in the eighth century.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich family faces persecution today? You can seek information and support those offering protection.
10NovemberSaint Leo the Great
Pope in the fifth century, Leo the Great is a central voice in discussions about faith in Christ. His pastoral work and encounter with Attila shape the memory of his pontificate.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUIn which difficult conversation could you seek firm words that still leave room for dialogue?
11NovemberSaint Martin of Tours
First a soldier, then a monk and Bishop of Tours, Martin stays close to the poor. The tradition of sharing his cloak with someone in need captures his practical charity.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat can you truly share today, without waiting to have more time or more money?
12NovemberSaint Josaphat Kuntsevych
Josaphat lives across the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries in a region marked by religious tensions. He defends communion with Rome and is killed amid conflicts between Christians.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUCan you defend a conviction without turning someone who disagrees into an enemy?
13NovemberSaint Homobonus
Homobonus Tucenghi works as a merchant in medieval Cremona. His Christian life unfolds within his work and the city that honours him as its patron; he dies in 1197.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUIs there an honest choice you can make at work even if nobody applauds?
14NovemberSaint Serapion
Born in London in 1179, Serapion joins the Mercedarians after an eventful life. He devotes himself to freeing enslaved people and is killed in Algiers in 1240.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUOther people’s freedom concerns you: which organisation fighting exploitation could you learn more about?
15NovemberSaint Albert the Great
A Dominican, teacher and bishop, Albert the Great devotes much of his life to study. Thomas Aquinas is among his students; he dies in 1280, leaving a broad intellectual legacy.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich curiosity have you neglected? Learning something can also become a way of caring for yourself.
16NovemberSaint Margaret of Scotland
Queen of Scotland, Margaret combines family life with responsibility in the kingdom. The Church remembers her charity and her contribution to the renewal of Scotland’s Christian community.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUDoes the role you hold allow you to protect someone? Think of one possible action today.
17NovemberSaint Elizabeth of Hungary
Elizabeth experiences marriage, motherhood and widowhood very early. She chooses the Franciscan path and care for the sick; she dies in 1231, aged just twenty-four.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich vulnerable person can you meet without reducing them to their need or illness?
18NovemberSaint Rose Philippine Duchesne
The French Revolution interrupts Philippine’s first plans for religious life. Later joining the Society of the Sacred Heart, she leaves for the United States and begins a community in Louisiana.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUAn interrupted plan does not erase your desire: which different path could you calmly explore?
19NovemberSaint Mechtilde of Helfta
In thirteenth-century Saxony, Mechtilde lives as a nun at Helfta, where she leads the choir. Her spiritual experience, remembered alongside her kindness, is collected in a written work.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich song or word helps you find stillness when all you feel inside is noise?
20NovemberBlessed Anna Kolesárová
Anna grows up in a Slovak farming family and lives her faith in everyday life. During the Second World War, a soldier kills her after she rejects his advances.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUEveryone deserves safety: can you respect a no without making excuses for someone who violates it?
21NovemberBlessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd
Also remembered: Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary ↗
Frances Siedliska chooses consecrated life despite different family expectations. Taking the name Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd, she founds a congregation close to children, women and migrants.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich genuine desire do you struggle to express because you fear disappointing other people’s expectations?
22NovemberSaint Cecilia
Cecilia is a Roman martyr of the early centuries whose story combines history and tradition. Her name accompanies musicians and singers, who honour her as their patron saint.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich music reconnects you with what you feel but cannot manage to say?
23NovemberSaint Clement I
Among Rome’s earliest bishops, Clement writes to the Christians of Corinth to encourage reconciliation. His letter is an early witness to the Church’s life and responsibilities.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUIn an argument, can you seek to mend things without pretending the problem does not exist?
24NovemberSaint Andrew Dũng Lạc and companions
Andrew grows up in Vietnam with a catechist’s help and becomes a priest. Repeatedly arrested during anti-Christian persecutions, he is killed in 1839; the Church remembers him with other martyrs.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich communities still live in fear because of their faith? Learning about them can begin an act of solidarity.
25NovemberSaint Catherine of Alexandria
Tradition presents Catherine as a young Christian able to debate the scholars of her time. Her story as a martyr is handed down chiefly through hagiographic accounts.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhen you express an idea, do you allow yourself to speak clearly without apologising for existing?
26NovemberSaint Leonard of Port Maurice
A Franciscan priest, Leonard travels across Italy preaching and promoting the Stations of the Cross. His work connects the proclamation of the Gospel with meditation on Jesus’ passion.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUCan you stay close to someone’s pain without immediately filling it with explanations or advice?
27NovemberSaint Virgil of Salzburg
An Irish-born monk, Virgil becomes Bishop of Salzburg. His mission in continental Europe includes proclaiming the Gospel and working to encourage peace in Bavaria.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUIn which divided setting can you stop feeding conflict and begin to listen?
28NovemberSaint James of the Marches
James joins the Franciscans in 1415 and also preaches in eastern Europe. He opposes usury, bringing into religious life practical concern for people at risk of being crushed by debt.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhen someone struggles financially, can you offer respect before making any judgement?
29NovemberSaint Saturninus, martyr in Rome
Originally from Carthage, Saturninus is remembered in Rome among the martyrs of the early centuries. Information about his life is limited; his memory is associated with the Via Salaria.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUNot knowing an entire story does not make it less precious: which overlooked voice will you hear?
30NovemberSaint Andrew the Apostle
Peter’s brother, Andrew is among the first called by Jesus. His remembrance links apostolic tradition with the Church of Constantinople, which honours him as its patron.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich invitation to do good are you postponing while waiting to feel completely ready to respond?
DECEMBER
1DecemberSaint Charles de Foucauld
Charles leaves an aristocratic French life and chooses the Algerian desert. He lives his faith through the Eucharist and closeness to isolated people; he is killed in 1916.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWho lives on the margins of your days? You can begin with a simple, respectful presence.
2DecemberSaint Bibiana
Rome preserves a church dedicated to Bibiana, a martyr venerated in tradition. Accounts of her life lack sufficient historical confirmation and should be read distinguishing devotion from documentation.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUCan you cherish what you love while still asking honest questions about what you know?
3DecemberSt Francis Xavier
Among Ignatius of Loyola’s first companions, Francis Xavier leaves as a missionary in the sixteenth century. He proclaims the Gospel in India and Japan; the Church honours him as patron of missions.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich encounter with a different culture can you approach with curiosity, avoiding any sense of superiority?
4DecemberSaint John of Damascus
John is born into a Christian family in Damascus and chooses monastic life. He defends the veneration of images and writes theological works; in 1890 he is declared a Doctor of the Church.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUIs there an image that helps you pray? Pause over what it awakens within you.
5DecemberSaint Sabbas
Sabbas chooses monastic life while young and reaches the Holy Land. In Palestine he founds a community of monks, remembered for its way of life; he dies in 532.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat space for silence can you protect today without turning it into another achievement to pursue?
6DecemberSaint Nicholas of Bari
Bishop of Myra and also venerated in Bari, Nicholas is among the best-loved saints. Tradition associates him with protecting children and young people, remembering him on 6 December.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich child or young person needs an adult to truly listen without belittling their fears?
7DecemberSaint Ambrose
Bishop of Milan, Ambrose leaves the Church writings and hymns that accompany prayer. He is remembered among the great Christian teachers of the West and honoured as a Doctor of the Church.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich words do you keep repeating to yourself? Choose one today that supports rather than accuses you.
8DecemberImmaculate Conception — solemnity
The solemnity celebrates Mary preserved from original sin from conception, through God’s grace and in view of Christ. The dogma is proclaimed by Pius IX in 1854.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUCan you allow yourself to be freely loved without turning faith too into a competition for perfection?
9DecemberSaint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin
Juan Diego, an Indigenous Mexican, stands at the centre of the tradition of the Guadalupe apparitions. The account of his encounter with Mary accompanies a devotion embraced by pilgrims worldwide.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich voice considered unimportant could you listen to today, setting your prejudices aside?
10DecemberOur Lady of Loreto — Marian memorial
The memorial of Our Lady of Loreto is linked to the Holy House shrine, a pilgrimage destination. The account of its transportation belongs to devotional tradition; aviators also invoke Mary there.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich place makes you feel welcome? Think about making your own space more welcoming too.
11DecemberSaint Damasus I
Pope from 366 to 384, Damasus preserves the martyrs’ memory through inscriptions on their tombs. He also supports the work of translating the Bible into Latin.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhose memory do you want to preserve? Writing down an episode can save something precious from oblivion.
12DecemberOur Lady of Guadalupe — Marian memorial
On Tepeyac Hill in Mexico, devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe draws generations of believers. Her Marian memorial is particularly associated with Indigenous peoples and people living in poverty.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhen you speak of welcome, which actual people do you picture and which do you still fail to see?
13DecemberSaint Lucy
A martyr of Syracuse, Lucy is remembered on 13 December and invoked as a protector of sight. Devotional stories have grown around her figure and must be distinguished from historical evidence.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat small light can you recognise on a difficult day without expecting it to erase all the darkness?
14DecemberSaint John of the Cross
A sixteenth-century Spanish mystic and theologian, John joins Teresa of Jesus in the Carmelite reform. His writings on spiritual life earn him recognition as a Doctor of the Church.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhen you feel nothing in prayer, can you talk about it without judging yourself a failed believer?
15DecemberSaint Valerian
A bishop in fifth-century Africa, Valerian is expelled from his home during the Vandal persecution. Elderly, he suffers abandonment and deprivation; the Church remembers him as a martyr.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich older person risks being left alone? Practical help can begin with a phone call.
16DecemberSaint Adelaide
Adelaide is born in 931 and becomes empress by marrying Otto the Great. She also governs during her grandson’s minority, supports the poor and founds churches and monasteries.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUHow do you use the power, however small, you hold over other people’s days or opportunities?
17DecemberSaint Daniel, prophet
The biblical book of Daniel recounts the life of a Jew exiled in Babylon. In its stories, faithfulness to God faces political pressure, dangers and hope of deliverance.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat pressure makes you lose your voice? You can seek an ally to help you find it again.
18DecemberSaint Malachi, prophet
In the biblical book bearing his name, Malachi denounces religion separated from justice. His voice invites the people to prepare sincerely for their encounter with the Lord.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUIs there a gap between the words you speak and how you treat those around you?
19DecemberBlessed Urban V
A French Benedictine monk, Urban V becomes pope in Avignon in 1362. He seeks to restore the papal seat permanently to Rome, helps the poor and opposes corruption in the Church.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich inconsistency can you correct in your own life without waiting for others to change first?
20DecemberSaint Philogonius
A Syrian lawyer, husband and father, Philogonius becomes Bishop of Antioch in 314. His story connects experience of family and civic life with responsibility within the Christian community.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich experience from your past could help you understand someone better instead of becoming a label?
21DecemberSaint Peter Canisius
A sixteenth-century Dutch Jesuit, Peter Canisius contributes to Catholic renewal through writing and preaching. He is particularly associated with Germany and recognised as a Doctor of the Church.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhen explaining your beliefs, do you seek understandable words or mainly want to prove yourself right?
22DecemberSaint Frances Xavier Cabrini
Founder of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Frances Cabrini devotes her work to migrants. Her mission meets those leaving in search of peace, dignity and a better future.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUBehind the word migrant, can you imagine a home left behind and a person who hopes?
23DecemberSaint John of Kęty
A priest and teacher in Kraków, John of Kęty also puts his salary at the service of the poor. His life combines study and charity; he dies in 1473.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich of your skills can you share so they become practical help for someone?
24DecemberSaint Tarsilla
An aunt of Gregory the Great, Tarsilla lives in Rome and devotes her life to prayer and charity. Her nephew remembers her faith and attention to people in difficulty.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUAmid the preparations, who might you forget? You can send them a sign of care.
25DecemberNativity of the Lord — solemnity
Also remembered: Christmas — Nativity of the Lord ↗
The Church celebrates Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, recounted in the Gospels. 25 December is the solemnity’s liturgical date, not an established historical date of birth.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUCan you make room for a vulnerable presence even if your Christmas is unlike the one you imagined?
26DecemberSaint Stephen
The Acts of the Apostles describe Stephen among the seven chosen to serve the community. Killed by stoning, he is remembered by the Church as the first Christian martyr.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUFaith never authorises violence: how can you protect someone excluded because of their convictions?
27DecemberSaint John, Apostle and Evangelist
John belongs to the Twelve and is traditionally associated with the fourth Gospel. His remembrance also recalls Mary, entrusted to the disciple in the crucifixion account, and mutual care.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWho can you show today, through a credible action, that they need not face everything alone?
28DecemberHoly Innocents
Matthew’s Gospel recounts the killing of Bethlehem’s children ordered by Herod. The Church remembers them as the Holy Innocents, preserving the victims’ memory within the account of Jesus’ infancy.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhat action supports children’s protection today? Their safety calls for listening and adult responsibility.
29DecemberSaint Thomas Becket
Previously Henry II’s chancellor, Thomas becomes Archbishop of Canterbury and clashes with the king over the Church’s freedom. He is murdered in the cathedral on 29 December 1170.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhen a friendship encounters disagreement, can you defend your boundaries without giving up respect?
30DecemberSaint Felix I
Bishop of Rome from 269 to 274, Felix I is remembered for preserving the martyrs’ memory. His pontificate belongs to the early centuries of Rome’s Christian community.
TAKE THIS WITH YOUWhich memory helps you remain faithful to goodness when your day seems to have no direction?
31DecemberSaint Sylvester I
Sylvester leads the Church of Rome in the age of Constantine and the Council of Nicaea. The first great Roman basilicas arise during his pontificate; he dies in 335.
TAKE THIS WITH YOULooking back on the year ending, what good can you acknowledge without pretending there were no wounds?
FEASTS AND FURTHER STORIES
These celebrations and stories complement the daily selection.
- 6 January · Epiphany of the Lord ↗
- 31 January · Saint John Bosco ↗
- 2 February · Presentation of the Lord ↗
- 19 March · Saint Joseph ↗
- 25 March · Annunciation of the Lord ↗
- 16 April · Saint Bernadette Soubirous ↗
- 28 April · Saint Gianna Beretta Molla ↗
- 29 April · Saint Catherine of Siena ↗
- 22 May · Saint Rita of Cascia ↗
- 31 May · Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary ↗
- 13 June · Saint Anthony of Padua ↗
- 6 July · Saint Maria Goretti ↗
- 11 July · Saint Benedict of Nursia ↗
- 16 July · Our Lady of Mount Carmel ↗
- 6 August · Transfiguration of the Lord ↗
- 11 August · St Clare of Assisi ↗
- 15 August · Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary ↗
- 8 September · Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary ↗
- 14 September · Exaltation of the Holy Cross ↗
- 15 September · Our Lady of Sorrows ↗
- 23 September · Saint Pio of Pietrelcina ↗
- 29 September · Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael ↗
- 1 October · Saint Thérèse of Lisieux ↗
- 4 October · St Francis of Assisi ↗
- 5 October · Saint Faustina Kowalska ↗
- 7 October · Our Lady of the Rosary ↗
- 12 October · Saint Carlo Acutis ↗
- 15 October · Saint Teresa of Ávila ↗
- 22 October · Saint John Paul II ↗
- 1 November · All Saints ↗
- 21 November · Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary ↗
- 8 December · Immaculate Conception ↗
- 25 December · Christmas — Nativity of the Lord ↗
THE DATES THAT CHANGE · 2026
Easter and other movable dates in the Roman rite in Italy, for 2026.
- 18 February · Ash Wednesday ↗
- 29 March · Palm Sunday ↗
- 2 April · Holy Thursday ↗
- 3 April · Good Friday ↗
- 5 April · Easter Sunday ↗
- 17 May · Ascension of the Lord ↗
- 24 May · Pentecost ↗
- 25 May · Mary, Mother of the Church ↗
- 31 May · The Most Holy Trinity ↗
- 7 June · The Body and Blood of Christ ↗
- 12 June · The Sacred Heart of Jesus ↗
A little encounter. Every day. ♡
Sources and further reading
The cards are original CHIARA! summaries based on the linked sources. The questions are editorial reflections, not quotations from saints.
Vatican News · Source and further reading ↗
A selection of saints, blessed people and observances for all 366 days, including 29 February. Dates of remembrance do not always match liturgical celebrations: Sundays, precedence and local calendars may change them. Consult your diocese’s calendar for the daily liturgy; Milan and some other communities may follow the Ambrosian rite.