THE SAINTS CALENDAR · CHIARA!
FEBRUARY
A story for every day.
And something that speaks to you.
BROWSE THE DAYS!
FEBRUARY
29 stories to discover
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
FEASTS AND FURTHER STORIES
These celebrations and stories complement the daily selection.
- 2 February · Presentation 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 ↗
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.