Autumn Saints

Saint Pope Paul VI
​Feast Day: September 26  ​
Consider purchasing or borrowing this movie Paul VI: The Misunderstood Pope, a documentary on the pope who closed the Second Vatican Council, steered the Church in the midst of the European turmoil of 1968,  and was the first pope to speak to the United Nation.    
Borrow this book from a local library: 
Paul VI: The First Modern Pope
by Peter Hebblethwaite
​"He managed to complete the Council without dividing the Church.  He reformed the Roman Curia without alienating it.  He practiced ecumenism without impairing Catholic identity." 

Canonization of a Teen and a Young Adult took place on
September 7, 2025
Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati 

Picture
Photos from Vatican News
  • Carlo Acutis, a young Italian Catholic known for his devotion to the Eucharist and his use of technology to spread the faith, was beatified in 2020. Carlo was born on May 3, 1991, in London, England, and died of leukemia on October 12, 2006, in Monza, Italy, at age 15. The original canonization date was set for April 27, 2025, during the Jubilee of Teenagers, but it was postponed due to the death of Pope Francis. 
  • Pier Giorgio Frassati, a young Italian layman known for his vibrant faith and charitable works, died at the age of 24 in 1925. He was beatified in 1990. He was a role model for living a joyful and virtuous life rooted in faith. His love for God, his dedication to serving the poor and sick, and his passion for the outdoors have inspired many. He was a member of the Third Order of St. Dominic. At the age of 17, he joined the St. Vincent de Paul Society and dedicated much of his spare time to taking care of the poor, the homeless, and the sick as well as demobilized servicemen returning from World War I.
Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels
Feast Day: September 29
CLICK HERE for lots of food, craft, and activities ideas from Catholic Icing. 

Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are the Patron Saints of:
  • Grocers
  • Police Officers
  • Radiologists
Saint Gabriel is the Patron Saint of:
  • Broadcasters
Saint Raphael is the Patron Saint of:
  • People with blindness
Saint Francis of Assisi
​Feast Day: October 4
PET BLESSING SERVICES & PRAYERS
Book that you might want to purchase
​(or borrow from your local library): 
Saint Francis and the Animals: A Mother Bird's Story. Gallery, Phil.  Paraclete Press, 2018.
Mother Bird tells her son stories of St. Francis of Assisi. If the animal kingdom can understand the life and teachings of the world’s most famous saint, so can children, who will be delighted by this simple, beautiful book for the ages
Beautiful musical Prayer of St. Francis
The Jesuit Martyrs of El Salvador
Anniversary: November 16

Advent Feasts and Saints

Saint Nicholas, December 6

Reflect on "The Life and Legends of Saint Nicholas" here from Loyola Press. 
Enter more deeply into what we really know about the saint here at Franciscan Media. 
Find a prayer and poster for younger children to share here from Loyola Press. 
The St. Nicholas Center has activities, prayers, articles and more for families, churches, and schools. Find it here.  
Borrow these Saint Nicholas books from your local library:  
This video done beautifully in the style of shadow puppets shows the essence of the life and legacy of Saint Nicholas. 

The Immaculate Conception of the
​Blessed Virgin Mary (December 8) 

 Loyola Press has lessons for Grades 1-3, 4-6, 7-8, and Family on the readings for the Feast  here.  
"Teaching About Mary on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception" is here from Catechist's Journey. 
The above lessons are about Mary, and what we can learn about her from the readings of the feastday. Franciscan Media explains succinctly here how the gospel of the feast (Luke 1:26-38, the story of the Annunciation) tie to the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception.
For more resources on The Blessed Virgin Mary, check this page of our website. 

Saint Juan Diego (December 9)
Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12) 

Spring Saints

March Feast Days– Catholic Saints to Celebrate with Children
Download free, printable resources for 5 Saints we celebrate in March from Sadlier:  
​ www.sadlier.com/religion/blog/catholic-saint-feast-days-in-march-for-children
Saint Katharine Drexel
Feast Day: March 3

Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament (the order that Sister Katharine founded) has a helpful illustrated timeline of her life HERE. 
​
Ideas from Catechist magazine for charity and justice projects relating to Saint Katharine HERE. 
A Philadelphia (her hometown) television station put together this enriching 15-minute story of her life and legacy: 
The same station has 4 informative minutes on the road to canonization: 
Saint Patrick
Feast Day: March 17
Catechist magazine gives ideas for Saint Patrick stories, projects, and prayer HERE. 

HERE is "Celebrate St. Patrick's Day the Catholic Way" from Catechist Journey. 
​
Books to consider purchasing or borrowing from your local library:
Saint Joseph
Feast Day: March 19
Catechist magazine outlines a project and a prayer service to connect children to Saint Joseph and the idea of "familyhood" HERE. 

"In fact, St. Joseph does not say one word in the Gospels. Yet he speaks volumes. What can catechists learn from the life of this holy man?" Find a helpful reflection for yourself on silence, trust, and apprenticeship HERE from Catechist Journey. 

Click Here to Meet St. Joseph for Kids from Teaching Catholic Kids. 

​The Diocesan Library has these books and more on Saint Joseph...
Saint Oscar Romero
​Feast Day: March 24


​Consider purchasing or borrowing the movie Romero, a powerful look at the transformation of the Archbishop from a middle-of-the-road priest to a committed leader for the gospel in El Salvador. 

​Monseñor: The Last Journey of Oscar Romero
a film by Ana Carrigan & Juliet Weber
This compilation of footage from the last three years of Romero's life is a balanced portrait of a man of great courage.  There's a Study Guide with background, glossary, session designs, and reflection questions.  Appropriate for teens and adults. 
​
Books to consider purchasing or borrowing from your local library:
Annunciation of the Lord
March 25


​CLICK HERE for good ideas from Loyola Press to lead children in observing this feast. ​
Saint Benedict the African
Feast Day: April 3
CLICK HERE for good ideas from Sadlier Religion Blog for
"May Feast Days to Celebrate with Children."

Saints Isidore and Maria
Feast Day: May 15

Saint Madeline Sophie Bratt
Feast Day: May 25

Saint Philip Neri
Feast Day: May 26

Saint Joan of Arc
Feast Day: May 30 

Summer Saints

St. Columba
June 9 

CLICK HERE to learn more about Columba,
for lessons for grades k-12,
and an intergenerational session
on the patron saint
​of the Diocese of Youngstown. 
CLICK HERE for a St. Thomas More biography for children, from Loyola Press.
St. Thomas More
​June 22
Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
June 24

​CLICK HERE for St. John the Baptist's story from Franciscan Media. 
CLICK HERE to find ways to celebrate St. John the Baptist. 
This short video will help children learn about the Birth of John the Baptist:
Saints Peter and Paul
June 29 
​
CLICK HERE for elementary and intermediate activities from Sadlier Connect about St. Peter. 

CLICK HERE for RCL background information on St. Paul. 
St. Kateri Tekakwitha
​July 14

​CLICK HERE for a play script from Loyola Press about The Lily of the Mohawks.

CLICK HERE for a pdf of a reflection on St. Kateri Tekakwitha by Sr. Kateri Mitchell, SSA, Mohawk Nation Turtle Clan, the executive director of the Kateri Tekakwitha Conference.
Our Lady of Mt Carmel
July 16
Click Here  for Stories and Saints from Loyola Press, Our Lady of Mt Carmel. 

​Click Here  for Franciscan Media's Saint of the Day, Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
St. Mary Magdalene
July 22
​
CLICK HERE for scripture-based learning and activities on Mary Magdalene. 

CLICK HERE for a clear understanding of what we know about Mary. 


St. Ignatius of Loyola
July 31
​
CLICK HERE for a free poster and booklet on St. Ignatius of Loyola from...you guessed it...Loyola Press!


​St. Maximilian Kolbe
​August 14
CLICK HERE for "9 Things to Know about St. Maximilian Kolbe."
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
August 15
​
CLICK HERE for Assumption and other feast days of Mary. 

CLICK HERE for a Mary scripture quest activity from Sadlier. 

CLICK HERE for the Marian Resources page from Loyola Press.

CLICK HERE for the "All About Mary" website from the University of Dayton. It answers any question about Mary, and gives access to art, film, symbols, music, and much more.



​St. Augustine Feast Day: August 28
​CLICK HERE for a brief but meaningful introduction, "Who was St. Augustine and Why Should I Care?" 

Winter Saints

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Feast Day: January 4

CLICK HERE here for "Elizabeth Ann Seton: A Profoundly Human Saint" from Franciscan Media.

CLICK HERE for informative slides on her legacy and that of her order, now the Daughters of Charity, part of the Vincentian Family.
The Seton Shrine in Emmitsburg, Maryland, provides excellent materials on the saint: 
​
Download Her Biography (PDF)

You can learn how Elizabeth Ann Seton became a saint in their animated video, Betty Bayley Becomes A Saint, especially for children and teens.

Download a Student Learning Packet and even more educational resources about Mother Seton.
View Helpful Resources


St. Valentine 
Feast Day: February 14

Click Here for instructions for a Saint Valentine puppet from Catholic icing 

Click Here for a printable Valentine cut and paste craft from Catholic Inspired
​
The Catholic Roots of Saint Valentine's Day from Franciscan Media



​Saints Jacinta and Francisco Marto
Feast Day: February 20 
​
CLICK HERE for ideas from Catechist magazine to connect with the younger Fatima saints.