THE SAINTS CALENDAR · CHIARA!
AUGUST
A story for every day.
And something that speaks to you.
BROWSE THE DAYS!
AUGUST
31 stories to discover
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?
FEASTS AND FURTHER STORIES
These celebrations and stories complement the daily selection.
- 6 August · Transfiguration of the Lord ↗
- 11 August · St Clare of Assisi ↗
- 15 August · Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary ↗
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.