List of Catholic Saints and Feasts According to Their Time for History

Below na list of the saints and feasts for the liturgical year wey dey for the General Roman Calendar, together with the ones wey dem add to the calendar for the United States. The list follow their time for history, based on either the date wey the event happen, the date wey a saint die, or the date wey dem add the feast to the General Roman Calendar. For people wey want study the history of the Church and understand how the Gospel mission dey unfold as the Holy Spirit dey direct am, we recommend make dem follow the order of time.

As we dey begin, e important to first talk something about how dem arrange the dates of the events for this appendix. Before 1582, the Church dey use the Julian Calendar, wey Julius Caesar establish for 46 BC. The calendar dey important because e help the Church know the exact date of Easter every year. The problem wey come with the Julian Calendar na say e get error of one day every 128 years, because the actual solar year dey slightly less than 365.25 days. For 1582, after Pope Gregory XIII carefully consult astronomers and mathematicians, e revise the Church calendar and officially order make dem use the Gregorian Calendar, wey the whole world generally accept today.

When dem begin use the Gregorian Calendar for 1582, dem leave out the ten days between October 4 and October 15 for that year, to correct the error wey the Julian Calendar don cause for the centuries before. Two important facts dey to note about the Gregorian Calendar. First, the Gregorian Calendar begin with the year AD 1, so e put the birth of Christ for AD 1. No year zero dey. So, according to this calendar, when Jesus reach two years old, the year na AD 3. Second, Pope Gregory and the people wey dey advise am rely on one monk from the sixth century wey im name na Dionysius Exiguus to calculate the year wey Christ was born. But because records no too complete for that time, most historians today believe say Dionysius Exiguus make mistake for im calculation of the year wey Jesus was born, wey most likely happen between 4–6 BC for the Gregorian Calendar. We mention this because the dates wey follow for the events of Christ life go follow wetin we fit call the “symbolic” numbering of years, instead of the literal numbering. If we follow the literal numbering, we go put the birth of Christ for 4–6 BC, and this fit bring confusion. To avoid that confusion, the numbering of years for this appendix go use the symbolic date of AD 1 for the birth of Christ, and all events before and after go follow that rule.

We begin our reflections on the history of the Church according to time by meditating on the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary around the year 15 BC, since she dey about fifteen years old when she born Jesus. Even though people usually connect the birth of the Church with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit for Pentecost, e important to note say the first event wey directly make the birth of the Church possible na the Immaculate Conception of Mary, wey go become the New Eve and the Mother of God.

The first century BC continue with Mary birth, her presentation for the temple, the Incarnation of the Son of God for the moment of the Annunciation, her visit to Elizabeth—the Mother of Saint John the Baptist—and John birth.

To learn more about this important century for the Church, you fit read these reflections according to their time for history:

December 8: Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary—Solemnity (c. 15 BC)

September 8: Di Birth of di Blessed Virgin Mary—Feast (c. 15 BC)

November 21: Wen Dem Present di Blessed Virgin Mary for Temple—Memorial (c. 12 BC)

March 25: Wen di Angel Announce di News About di Lord—Solemnity (1 BC)

May 31: Wen di Blessed Virgin Mary Go Visit Elizabeth—Feast (1 BC)

June 24: Di Birth of Saint John di Baptist—Solemnity (1 BC)

Without any doubt, di first century na di century wey matter pass for di history of di world. Na dat time dem born Jesus, His mama become di Mother of God, di Holy Family begin, and Jesus “… grow strong, full of wisdom; and God im favour dey upon am” (Luke 2:40). For di first part of di first century, we dey reflect on all di things wey happen for di Son of God im life as human being. We dey reflect on His birth, di work wey He do among di people, His Passion, His Resurrection, His Ascension into Heaven, and Pentecost. We dey also reflect on di people and events wey be part of Jesus im life for earth, like wen dem present Him for di temple, di visit of di Magi, John di Baptist, and others.

After Pentecost, wey happen around 33 according to di symbolic system wey we dey use put dates, di Church begin and di Apostolic Age start. E end around 101, wen di last Apostle, Saint John di Evangelist, die. Di Acts of di Apostles and different other early writings and traditional stories record di Apostolic Age. Acts give details about di early Christian community for Jerusalem, how dem choose Saint Matthias to take Judas im place, how dem kill Saint Stephen because of im faith, and how dat community scatter throughout di Roman Empire and beyond. After Saint Paul turn to Christ, Acts give details about di missionary work of Saints Peter and Paul, and di other letters for di New Testament show di challenges and blessings inside di Christian communities wey dem just establish for Jerusalem, Antioch, Rome, Corinth, and Ephesus. Na mostly from traditional stories and other life histories wey dem write later, wey people no sure whether dem genuine, we take know about di work of many of di other Apostles.

For dis first century, we dey reflect on di important things wey happen for di Blessed Mother im life, including her Assumption and her Coronation for Heaven. We dey also reflect on di life and death of people wey close to Jesus, like Saints Mary Magdalene, Martha, Mary, Lazarus, and Saint James (son of Zebedee), di first Apostle wey dem kill because of im faith.

All di other Apostles carry out their apostolic duties for dis first century, and dem kill all of dem because of their faith except Saint John. By 64, Saint Peter, di first Vicar of Christ, dey live for Rome wen Nero, di Roman Emperor, begin di first organised persecution of Christians. Dem kill both Saint Peter and Saint Paul for dat persecution, together with many others wey dem dey call, as one group, di First Martyrs of di Church of Rome.

By di end of di first century, through di work of di Apostles and other disciples, di Christian faith don spread far and wide. Dem establish Christian communities for different areas wey dey inside wetin we dey call Israel, Syria, Turkey, North Africa, Greece, Armenia, Iraq, Cyprus, India, and Lebanon today.

During dis first century, people debate matters about God and di faith, and di Church deal with di first heresies, like di teachings of people wey dem call Judaizers and Gnostics. Di Judaizers insist say people wey no be Jews but don turn to Christ must follow Jewish law, including practices like circumcision, before dem fit fully accept dem as Christians. For im letters to di Galatians and Romans, Saint Paul correct dem. Gnosticism na one early heresy wey teach say secret knowledge (gnosis) dey necessary for salvation. E divide everything into two sides: di material world wey e say na evil, and di spiritual realm wey e say na good. Saint Irenaeus, wey dem go kill because of im faith for di next century, write plenty against dis belief.

Near di end of di first century, dem kill other saints wey dey for di General Roman Calendar because of their faith. Among dem na lay people and some wey succeed di Apostles as bishops. Dem include Saints Apollinaris, Timothy, Titus, Nereus, Achilleus, and di fourth successor to Saint Peter, Pope Saint Clement I, one of di three main Apostolic Fathers, wey leave two important letters behind.

To learn more about this important century for the Church, you fit read these reflections according to their time for history:

January 1: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (AD 1)

December 25: Di Birth of di Lord—Solemnity (AD 1)

March 19: Saint Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary—Solemnity

Feast of di Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph (AD 1)

January 3: Di Most Holy Name of Jesus, Memorial wey no be must (AD 1)

February 2: Wen Dem Present di Lord for Temple—Feast (AD 1)

Epiphany of di Lord—Solemnity (AD 1–2)

May 1: Saint Joseph the Worker—Memorial wey Person Fit Choose

December 28: Di Holy Innocent Children, Martyrs (c. AD 1)

July 26: Saints Joachim and Anne—Memorial (Near di End of di First Century BC–Early for di First Century AD)

Di Baptism of di Lord—Feast (c. 30)

August 29: Di Suffering of Saint John di Baptist, Martyr—Memorial (c. 30 or 33)

August 6: Wen di Lord Im Appearance Change—Feast (c. 32)

Palm Sunday of di Lord Im Passion—Solemnity (c. 33)

Holy Thursday (c. 33)

Good Friday (c. 33)

Holy Saturday (c. 33)

Easter Sunday—Solemnity (c. 33)

Sunday of God Im Mercy—Solemnity (c. 33)

Di Ascension of di Lord—Solemnity (c. 33)

Pentecost Sunday—Solemnity (c. 33)

Blessed Virgin Mary, Mama of di Church—Memorial (33 AD)

February 22: Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle—Feast (33 AD)

December 26: Saint Stephen, di First Martyr—Feast (Di early part of di first century–c. 35)

January 25: Di Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle—Feast (c. 35)

July 22: Saint Mary Magdalene—Feast (Di first century, nobody know di date wey she die)

July 29: Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus—Memorial (Di first century, nobody know di dates wey dem die)

August 24: Saint Bartholomew di Apostle—Feast (Di first century, nobody know di date wey e die)

October 28: Saint Simon and Saint Jude, Apostles—Feast (Di first century, nobody know di date wey dem die)

August 15: Assumption of di Blessed Virgin Mary—Solemnity (Di first century, nobody know di date)

September 21: Saint Matthew, Apostle, Evangelist—Feast (Di first century, nobody know di dates wey e die)

August 22: Blessed Virgin Mary as Queen—Memorial

July 25: Saint James (Zebedee pikin), Apostle—Feast (Di first century–c. 44)

November 30: Saint Andrew di Apostle—Feast (c. 5/10–c. 60/80)

June 11: Saint Barnabas di Apostle—Memorial (Di early part of di first century–c. 61)

May 3: Saint James (Alphaeus pikin), Apostle (and Philip)—Feast (Di first century B.C.–c. 62)

June 29: Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles—Solemnity (Dem die c. 1–c. 64)

June 30: Di First Martyrs of di Church for Rome—Memorial wey no compulsory (Dem die c. 64)

April 25: Saint Mark di Evangelist—Feast (c. 12–c. 68)

July 3: Saint Thomas di Apostle—Feast (E die c. 72)

July 20: Saint Apollinaris, Bishop and Martyr—Memorial wey no compulsory (Di first century–c. 79)

May 3: Saint Philip, Apostle (and James)—Feast (c. 4–c. 80)

May 14: Saint Matthias di Apostle—Feast (Di first century)

October 18: Saint Luke di Evangelist—Feast (Di first century, e die when e dey about 84 years old)

January 26: Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops—Memorial (Saint Timothy: 17–97 A.D; Saint Titus: Di first century–96 A.D)

May 12: Saints Nereus and Achilleus, Martyrs—Memorial wey no compulsory (Dem die c. 98)

November 23: Saint Clement I, Pope and Martyr—Memorial wey no compulsory (c. 35–c. 99)

After Saint John di Apostle die around di year 101, di Church enter di time of di Apostolic Fathers. Na those leaders wey know di Apostles personally, and wey di Apostles dem teaching and ministry form. Two of Saint John disciples na Saints Ignatius of Antioch and Polycarp. Both of dem na bishops, and both leave important letters wey show how di early Church grow and take shape under di bishops. Dem write their letters to Christian communities to guide dem as shepherds, encourage unity, give clear instructions on how to govern di Church, and address false teachings wey dey come up.

One false teaching wey dey come up na Montanism, wey teach say true Christianity depend on mystical experience with di Holy Spirit. Marcionism na false teaching wey reject di Old Testament and present di God of di Hebrew Bible as a lower god, different from di God of di New Testament. Montanism claim say di Holy Spirit give some people new prophetic revelations wey get authority pass di Church hierarchy and Scripture. Saint Irenaeus, di Bishop of Lyons and disciple of Saint Polycarp, na strong defender of di correct teaching of di faith. E write im work Against Heresies, wey address di false teaching of Gnosticism and still touch on Marcionism. 

For this century, people begin gather, read and honour di writings of di Apostles, wey dem go later accept as di books of di New Testament. Understanding of theology still grow, and defenders of di faith like Saint Justin Martyr help people understand di faith more clearly and defend that faith before di officials for di Roman Empire. E still give us one of di earliest descriptions of how dem celebrate Mass. Also, Saint Justin na one of di first people wey begin use Greek philosophy as foundation for reasoning to explain truths wey God reveal, like di nature of Christ and di Holy Trinity

Missionary work continue for this century, and people believe say di Gospel don reach di areas wey today be France, Germany, Spain, di Balkans, Britain, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and countries for North Africa, like wetin today be Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, and Ethiopia.

For second senchuri, dem persecute Christians for some places from time to time under Roman emperors like Trajan, Hadrian, and Antoninus Pius. These rulers dey allow Christians live in peace unless dem refuse to honour the Roman gods. Under Emperor Marcus Aurelius, one philosopher wey see Christianity as belief in superstition, persecution come worse for some areas. For this senchuri, dem never begin persecute Christians through campaigns wey dem plan and carry out across the whole empire. That one go start for the next two senchuri.

To learn more about this important century for the Church, you fit read these reflections according to their time for history:

December 27: Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist—Feast (Early Years of First Senchuri–c. 101)

October 17: Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr—Memorial (Early to Middle Years of First Senchuri–c. 107)

June 1: Saint Justin Martyr—Memorial (c. 100–c. 165)

February 23: Saint Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr—Memorial (c. 65–c. 155 or 166)

For third senchuri, the Church grow well-well, understanding of doctrine develop, and persecution increase. The doctrines about the Trinity and Christ nature continue to develop. This one lay foundation for the Church councils for fourth senchuri to explain these teachings clearly and settle the matter. Saint Cyprian of Carthage write about how important the unity of the Church be, and Hippolytus of Rome write against heresies and about how dem arrange the Church, including the liturgy. 

The way the Church dey celebrate liturgy continue to develop, and so too the way dem organise Christian communities under the bishops. Christian art and building styles begin appear, and people dey honour the catacombs more and more because of the martyrs wey dem bury there.

For the first half of third senchuri, persecution of Christians continue for the Roman Empire. For the beginning of the senchuri, Emperor Septimius Severus have Saint Irenaeus killed because of im faith. Dem also kill Saints Perpetua and Felicity, wey dem mention for the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I), because of their faith. Dem kill them for North Africa, for the city of Carthage (Tunisia of today). Perpetua na woman from noble family, and Felicity na her servant. Dem arrest and kill them because dem become Christians, against the emperor decree wey ban people from becoming Christians. Apart from Perpetua and Felicity, dem also kill Cecilia and Agatha because of their faith. These two virgins too dey inside the Roman Canon. Dem kill five popes because of their faith for this senchuri: Callistus I, Pontian, Fabian, Cornelius, and Sixtus II.

For 250, Roman Emperor Decius issue decree say everybody for the Roman Empire must offer sacrifice to the Roman gods. Dem fit seize the property of anybody wey refuse, torture them, and kill them. Valerian, wey become Roman emperor some years later, continue this practice, especially against clergy and their church property. Among the martyrs wey people know well from the second half of third senchuri na Saints Lawrence and Sebastian, and the twin brothers, Saints Cosmas and Damian.

Another heresy wey come up na Novatianism. Because of the persecution across the whole empire, some Christians deny their faith so that dem fit save their lives. Dem dey call them “lapsi.” Novatian, one priest for Rome, argue say dem no fit accept people wey deny their faith back into communion with the Church. Pope Pontian no agree, and Saint Cyprian argue clearly say dem fit accept them back after confession and penance.

To learn more about this important century for the Church, you fit read these reflections according to their time for history:

November 22: Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr—Memorial (Late Years of Second Senchuri or Early Years of Third Senchuri)

October 9: Saint Denis, Bishop, and Im Companions, Martyrs—Memorial Wey No Be Compulsory (Third Senchuri)

June 28: Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr—Memorial (c. 135–c. 202)

March 7: Saints Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs—Memorial (Dem Die for 203)

October 14: Saint Callistus I, Pope and Martyr—Memorial Wey No Be Compulsory (Late Years of Second Senchuri–c. 223)

August 13: Saints Pontian, Pope, and Hippolytus, Priest, Martyrs—Memorial Wey No Be Compulsory (Dem No Know–c. 235)

January 20: Saint Fabian, Pope and Martyr—Memorial Wey No Be Compulsory (E Die for 250)

February 5: Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr—Memorial (c. 231–c. 251)

September 16: Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs—Memorial (Saint Cornelius: E Die for 253; Saint Cyprian: c. 200–258)

August 7: Saint Sixtus II, Pope and Martyr, and Im Companions, Martyrs—Memorial Wey No Be Compulsory (Dem No Know–c. 258)

August 10: Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr—Feast (c. 225–c. 258)

September 26: Saints Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs—Memorial Wey No Be Compulsory (c. Late Years of Third Senchuri–c. 287 or 303)

January 20: Saint Sebastian, Martyr—Memorial Wey No Be Compulsory (c. 255–c. 288)

For fourth senchuri, the Church get freedom and grow well-well inside the Roman Empire after one final serious persecution across the whole empire, wey dem know as “The Great Persecution.” For 303, Emperor Diocletian issue several decrees wey demand say Christians must deny their faith and offer sacrifices to the Roman gods. Plenty people obey so that dem fit save their lives, but plenty others stand firm for their faith, and dem kill them as martyrs. Among these martyrs wey dey for the General Roman Calendar na Saints George, Januarius, Marcellinus, Peter, Lucy of Syracuse, Pancras, Agnes, Vincent, and Catherine of Alexandria.

For that time, dem dey govern Roman Empire with Tetrarchy system, wey get two Augusti and two Caesars. For 305, Diocletian and Maximian wey dey rule as emperor with am, both of dem Augusti, comot from their thrones, with the plan say their Caesars go take over from dem. Constantius Chlorus, wey be Caesar for West that time, become Augustus. But when e die for 306, im soldiers declare im son Constantine as Augustus, though no be everywhere for the empire accept this title immediately. For that same time, Maxentius, son of Maximian wey be former Augustus for West, declare imself Augustus for Rome. Fight come start between Constantine and Maxentius, and e reach im highest point when Constantine win the Battle of the Milvian Bridge for 312. Before the battle, one old story wey people dey tell talk say Constantine see vision of one cross with these words: “Na with this sign you go conquer.” E tell im soldiers make dem paint the cross for their shields, and e win the battle. This victory make im position as Augustus for West stand firm.

For 313, Constantine, wey dey grateful for im victory and believe say na the God of Christians give am, join Emperor Licinius of the East issue the Edict of Milan. This decree allow people practise their religion throughout Roman Empire, and e become one major turning point for the history of the Catholic Church.

After the Edict of Milan, Constantine give the Church plenty support. E donate property and money to build important churches for Rome and the Holy Land, like Lateran Basilica, Saint Peter’s for Vatican Hill, Holy Cross of Jerusalem, and Saint Paul Outside the Walls. For Jerusalem, im mama, Saint Helena, build the Church of the Holy Sepulchre over Mount Calvary and Christ tomb. Today, these churches still dey among the most important places where Christians dey go pilgrimage and worship.

For the fourth century, Arianism also begin spread. Na heresy wey come from Alexandria for North Africa, wey deny say Christ na God. Instead, e teach say Christ dey under the Father and say E no dey from all eternity together with the Father. To answer this teaching, God raise up great theologians: Saints Athanasius, Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianzus, Gregory of Nyssa, and Ambrose of Milan. With the support of Pope Sylvester I, their united stand for matters of theology lead Emperor Constantine to call the first ecumenical council (council for the whole Church) for Nicaea in 325. For that council, dem draw up the Nicene Creed and condemn Arianism. But Arianism no disappear completely. For 381, dem hold the First Council of Constantinople, wey address Arianism further, condemn am, and add more to the Nicene Creed.

For 324, Constantine become the only ruler of both the Eastern and Western Roman Empires, and e establish Constantinople as the new capital. For this period, the Church begin get strong influence both for Rome and throughout the empire.

For Egypt, Saint Anthony play one important role wey lay foundation for the growth of monastic life. E become hermit, dey live for cave, and give imself to life of prayer, staying alone, and penance. As im life dey near the end, e help guide other hermits wey want follow im example. Im influence go continue for many centuries after, especially as Saint Athanasius, the great Bishop of Alexandria wey dem send go exile, come know Saint Anthony and write one book about im life and vocation.

Later for that century, Saint Augustine of Hippo become known as one of the greatest theologians for Church history. Im writings become foundation for Christian theology for the centuries wey follow, and dem still get strong influence.

When Emperor Theodosius I die for 395, dem divide the Empire between im sons. Na im be the last person wey rule East and West together as one. The death of Theodosius mark one important turning point, wey lead the Eastern (Byzantine) and Western (Latin) Church to begin follow different paths for culture and politics.

To learn more about this important century for the Church, you fit read these reflections according to their time for history:

November 2: All Souls Day—Commemoration (Dem Add Am to the Universal Roman Calendar for the Fourteenth Century)

April 23: Saint George, Martyr—Memorial wey No Dey Compulsory (E Die c. 303)

September 19: Saint Januarius, Bishop and Martyr—Memorial wey No Dey Compulsory (E Die c. 304)

June 2: Saints Marcellinus and Peter, Martyrs—Memorial wey No Dey Compulsory (Middle of the Third Century–c. 304)

December 13: Saint Lucy of Syracuse, Virgin and Martyr—Memorial (c. 283–c. 304)

May 12: Saint Pancras, Martyr—Memorial wey No Dey Compulsory (c. 289–c. 304)

January 21: Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr—Memorial (c. 291–c. 304)

January 22: Saint Vincent, Deacon and Martyr—Memorial wey No Dey Compulsory (Towards the End of the Third Century–c. 304)

November 25: Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr—Memorial wey No Dey Compulsory (c. 287–c. 305)

February 3: Saint Blaise, Bishop and Martyr—Memorial wey No Dey Compulsory (E Die c. 316)

November 9: Dedication of the Lateran Basilica—Feast (Dem Dedicate Am for 324)

November 18: Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles—Memorial wey No Dey Compulsory (Dem Dedicate Dem c. 325)

September 14: Exaltation of the Holy Cross—Feast (335)

December 31: Saint Sylvester I, Pope (c. Towards the End of the Third Century—335)

December 6: Saint Nicholas, Bishop—Memorial wey No Dey Compulsory (c. 270–c. 346)

August 5: Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Our Lady of the Snows)—Memorial wey No Dey Compulsory (c. 352)

January 17: Saint Anthony of Egypt, Abbot—Memorial (251–356)

January 13: Saint Hilary of Poitiers, Bishop and Doctor—Memorial wey No Dey Compulsory (c. 315–367)

May 2: Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor—Memorial (c. 296–373)

June 9: Saint Ephrem, Deacon and Doctor of di Church—Memorial wey no compulsory (c. 306–373)

August 2: Saint Eusebius of Vercelli, Bishop—Memorial wey no compulsory (c. 283 or early Senchuri Nomba Four–371)

December 11: Saint Damasus I, Pope—Memorial wey no compulsory (c. 305–384)

March 18: Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop and Doctor of di Church—Memorial wey no compulsory (c. 315–c. 387)

August 27: Saint Monica—Memorial (c. 332–387)

January 2: Saints Basil di Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of di Church—Memorial (St. Basil: 329–379; St. Gregory: c. 329–389)

November 11: Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop—Memorial (316 or 336–397)

December 7: Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of di Church—Memorial (c. 339–c. 397)

For senchuri nomba five, di Church grow well for understanding of theology, missionary work increase, and di way monks dey live their religious life develop more. Political and cultural changes happen too, and di Western Roman Empire fall. Saint Augustine, wey convert near di end of senchuri nomba four, contribute plenty for this period. E write im important books wey lay foundation, Confessions and City of God. This period also receive blessing through di deep understanding of theology wey some other Doctors of di Church get, including Saints John Chrysostom and Jerome. Their influence start near di end of senchuri nomba four, but e continue throughout senchuri nomba five. Saints Cyril of Alexandria, Peter Chrysologus, and Pope Leo di Great also become prominent for senchuri nomba five. Dem especially help people understand more deeply di correct teaching about di nature of Christ and grace.

These theologians address different false teachings wey dey come up, like Pelagianism, wey challenge di teaching say grace dey necessary for salvation, and Nestorianism, wey claim say two Persons dey inside Christ, one divine Person and one human person. With di help of these Doctors of di Church, di Council of Ephesus, wey dem call to address Nestorianism, proclaim Mary as Mother of God (Theotokos), and dem call councils for Carthage to address Pelagianism. For 451, di ecumenical Council of Chalcedon address Monophysitism, one false teaching wey claim say Jesus get only one nature, wey be divine, instead of human nature and divine nature wey unite for one Person.

For 410, di Visigoths attack Rome and loot am, and for 476, di Western Roman Empire fall. This one affect di Church deeply for di West and di East. For di West, di office of di Pope become one force wey help bring stability, and e begin get more influence for civil matters, alongside im spiritual authority. Di religious life of monks develop more, and monasteries become places where people dey learn and preserve sacred doctrine. For di East, di Church and di State join more closely together, and dem develop with some independence from Rome and di office of di Pope. This one go later lead to division.

One of di saints wey people know pass for this period na Saint Patrick. Dem born am for Roman Britain. When e still be teenager, Irish pirates capture am and sell am as slave for Ireland. After e escape, Patrick hear God dey call am to return to Ireland as missionary. After e finish im theology studies, dem ordain am as priest and later as bishop, and e return to become di great person wey spread di Gospel for that land.

To learn more about this important century for the Church, you fit read these reflections according to their time for history:

September 29: Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels—Feast (Dem first celebrate am for Senchuri Nomba Five)

September 13: Saint John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of di Church—Memorial (c. 347–407)

September 30: Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of di Church—Memorial (c. 340s–420)

August 28: Saint Augustine of Hippo, Bishop and Doctor of di Church—Memorial (354–430)

June 22: Saint Paulinus of Nola, Bishop—Memorial wey no compulsory (c. 354–431)

June 27: Saint Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop and Doctor of di Church—Memorial wey no compulsory (c. 376–444)

July 30: Saint Peter Chrysologus, Bishop and Doctor of di Church—Memorial wey no compulsory (c. 380 or 406–c. 450)

November 10: Saint Leo di Great, Pope and Doctor of di Church—Memorial (c. 400–461)

March 17: Saint Patrick, Bishop—Memorial wey no compulsory (c. 387–c. 460 or 493)

Even though na only three saints for di General Roman Calendar die for senchuri nomba six, other saints become prominent near di end of di senchuri, and dem make big impact for di Church. For di first half of senchuri nomba six, one of di people wey become prominent and get plenty influence na Saint Benedict of Nursia. Saint Benedict na monk wey establish monasteries, especially di Monastery of Monte Cassino. To direct how im monastery go dey run, e write di Rule of Saint Benedict. Later, this rule become di standard rule for monasteries inside di Western Church. Dem also honour Saint Benedict sister, Saint Scholastica, for this senchuri. She be one of di founders of di women Order of Saint Benedict.

For di Eastern Byzantine Empire, Arianism continue to cause division and tension. Near di end of senchuri nomba five, Emperor Zeno issue one document wey dem call di Henotikon. Di document try to reduce di tension by finding common ground between di official Church teaching about di nature of Christ, as di Council of Chalcedon define am, and di Arian view wey still dey trouble di Church for di East. But for 523, Byzantine Emperor Justin, one Catholic wey hold di correct faith, issue one decree wey ban Arianism and order everybody throughout di Eastern Empire to accept di teaching of di Council of Chalcedon. Dem force Arians to hand over their church buildings to Catholics wey accept di teaching of Chalcedon. 

For di West, Rome dey under di control of Theodoric the Great, di king of di Ostrogoths, wey be Arian. Di Arian beliefs wey e hold bring tension between am and di pope, and between am and all Catholics wey hold di true teaching of di faith. When Justin I, di Emperor of di Eastern Roman Empire, issue im decree against di Arians for 523, Theodoric vex well-well. E threaten say if dem no cancel di decree, e go treat all di Catholics for di West wey follow di teaching of Chalcedon di same way wey dem dey treat Arians for di East.  Na this lead to di death of Pope Saint John I, di only martyr for this century.

For Ireland, Saint Columban, di great missionary monk wey die for di seventh century, begin establish monastic centres across Europe. Pope Saint Gregory the Great join for missionary work too: e send Saint Augustine of Canterbury to preach di Gospel to di Anglo-Saxon people of England. This work lay di foundation for di Church for England.

To learn more about this important century for the Church, you fit read these reflections according to their time for history:

May 18: Saint John I, Pope and Martyr—Memorial wey no compulsory (c. Late Fifth Century–526)

February 10: Saint Scholastica, Virgin—Memorial (c. 480–543)

July 11: Saint Benedict, Abbot—Memorial (c. 480–c. 547)

Di seventh century begin as great saints continue to get influence, like Saint Augustine of Canterbury, wey play important part for preaching di Gospel to di Anglo-Saxon people of England. Pope Saint Gregory the Great start this mission near di end of di sixth century, and e lay di foundation for Christianity to grow for England. For di same time, Saint Columban, di Irish monk, do plenty work to spread di Gospel and bring reform to some parts of Europe, especially places wey need reform after di Western Roman Empire collapse.

For di Byzantine Empire, wey dem also know as di Eastern Roman Empire, di Church remain strong and closely connected to di emperor im government. Di Church get plenty influence on how theological teaching develop and on political decisions. Di reign of Emperor Justinian I, from 527 to 565, stand out especially because of im efforts to conquer again di territories wey formerly belong to di Western Empire, and because of di building of di Church of di Hagia Sophia for Constantinople.

For di territories wey formerly belong to di Western Roman Empire, different Germanic kingdoms rise as ruling powers. Di Visigoths, wey get di main power for di Iberian Peninsula, don turn from Arianism to di Catholic faith by di end of di sixth century. Di Franks, wey rule di place wey be France today and some parts of Germany, hold di Catholic faith firmly under di Merovingian dynasty. Di Lombards, wey first be Arian Christians, don control large parts of Italy by di later part of di sixth century, and dem gradually accept di Catholic faith. Di papacy and di Byzantine Empire still keep control of some parts of southern Italy.

Saint Isidore of Seville begin stand out as important person around 587, when e and Bishop Leander succeed to convince Reccared, di Visigothic king, to reject Arianism and return to di Catholic faith. For 601, Isidore take over from Leander as Bishop of Seville. E make deep impact through im powerful preaching and im many detailed writings, especially di Etymologiae, one encyclopedia wey gather all knowledge and serve as foundation for education for Europe during di Middle Ages.

For di seventh century too, dem settle di monothelite controversy, one theological debate about di claim say Christ get only divine will, and no get human will. Pope Saint Martin I, wey formerly be di pope im representative to di Byzantine emperor, play central role to resolve this heresy. E call di Lateran Council for 649 without di emperor im consent. Because di Byzantine Emperor strongly support monothelitism, this lead to dem arresting am, putting am for prison, and im death as martyr.

Also, na for di seventh century di Islamic Caliphate begin. This lead to di conquest of parts of di Middle East and North Africa, and e deeply affect di Christian faith for these territories.

Finally, di Rule of Saint Benedict continue to bring deep change to monastic life for di West. Monasteries become centres for learning, spiritual life and preservation of culture, and dem contribute plenty to di life and mission of di Church.

To learn more about this important century for the Church, you fit read these reflections according to their time for history:

May 27: Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop—Memorial wey no compulsory (Early Sixth Century–604)

September 3: Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of di Church—Memorial (c. 540–604)

November 23: Saint Columban (Columbanus), Abbot—Memorial wey no compulsory (543–615)

April 4: Saint Isidore, Bishop and Doctor of di Church—Memorial wey no compulsory (c.560–636)

April 13: Saint Martin I, Pope and Martyr—Memorial wey no compulsory (c.595–655)

One of di disputes wey divide people pass for senchuri nomba 8 na di Iconoclasm Controversy—di dispute about destroying holy images. For dat time, di Islamic Caliphate dey rule some parts of di Middle East wey bin dey under di Byzantine Empire before. Even though di Islamic Caliph allow Christians to practise dia faith, di Catholic practice of showing reverence to holy images begin worry am more and more. For 721, di Caliph ban di use of images and order make dem destroy dem for all church buildings. For di same time, di  Byzantine emperor, Leo III, wey be man wey take religion serious, begin worry too about di use of holy images, and e ban dem for di Eastern Roman Empire. Di Patriarch of Constantinople oppose di emperor, so Leo remove am from office and appoint new patriarch without di pope permission. Di pope too oppose Leo and di Caliph, so serious tension arise. Na Saint John Damascene, one monk wey dey live for desert no far from Jerusalem, defend di use of holy images by writing Writings to Defend Holy Images against Those Wey Dey Condemn Dem. For dat work, Saint John explain di reasons for using icons with deep understanding of theology.

For dat same senchuri, di Catholic faith continue to grow well for Anglo-Saxon England, where Saint Bede the Venerable go later make deep impact through im teaching and im book, Di History of di Church among di English People. E also help establish di correct way to calculate di date of Easter, and e leave behind commentaries wey explain Scripture with deep understanding and wey go later make deep impact for di whole of Europe.

Anglo-Saxon England, wey just receive di Gospel, also contribute plenty to spreading di Gospel among Germanic tribes wey dey worship other gods, through di missionary work of Saint Boniface. Dem born Saint Boniface for Anglo-Saxon England, and e sense say God dey call am to return to di land of im ancestors, for di places wey be Netherlands and northern Germany today. After one mission wey no succeed, e consult di pope, wey encourage am to go back. Di work of spreading di Gospel for di next three years bear so much fruit that di pope ordain am as bishop and put am in charge of di whole Frankish territory. For another thirty years, e reform di Frankish Church and help bring many people wey dey worship other gods to di faith.

One of di most important things wey happen for dis senchuri, wey go deeply affect di Church for many senchuris to come, na di alliance between di papacy and di Frankish kings. Dis lead to di creation of di Papal States for 756, and e go prepare di way for di creation of di Holy Roman Empire for di beginning of senchuri nomba 9.

To learn more about this important century for the Church, you fit read these reflections according to their time for history:

May 25: Saint Bede the Venerable, Prist and Doctor of di Church—Memorial Wey Person Fit Choose to Celebrate (c. 673–735)

December 4: Saint John Damascene, Prist, Memba of Religious Order and Doctor of di Church—Memorial Wey Person Fit Choose to Celebrate (c. 676–749)

June 5: Saint Boniface, Bishop and Martyr—Memorial (c. 675–754)

Senchuri nomba 9 begin with Pope Leo III crowning Charlemagne as di first Holy Roman Emperor on Christmas Day, 800. Di crowning of Charlemagne strengthen di alliance between di Catholic Church and di Frankish Kingdom, and prepare di way for di Church to grow and stand firm throughout Europe for many senchuris to come. E also mark di beginning of new disputes wey go arise for later senchuris between di papacy and future Holy Roman emperors, especially about di pope right to get full control over di Church. With di support of Charlemagne, art, culture and learning come get new life for di Church, especially as monasteries continue to grow well. Di Liturgy and Divine Office come follow di same standard throughout di empire. Dem carry out reforms among di clergy, like enforcing celibacy, improving education, and banning simony. Dem give monasteries di work of copying and preserving important writings from ancient times. Dem also reform and arrange Canon Law to help govern di Church.

Tension between di Eastern (Byzantine) and Western (Roman) Churches also continue for dis senchuri. One schism break out for 858 and last until 867, because di Byzantine emperor appoint Photius as di Patriarch of Constantinople without di pope approval. 

Throughout Europe, many monasteries dey prosper and gather plenty wealth. Dis wealth draw di attention of Vikings from di northern parts of di Frankish kingdom, di places wey be Denmark, Norway and Sweden today. To deal with di danger of di constant Viking raids, di Church choose to spread di Gospel instead of fighting war. For 831, dem appoint Saint Ansgar as di first archbishop of di Hamburg-Bremen diocese wey dem just form for northern Germany. Apart from being responsible for im diocese, dem also give am di work of bringing di Scandinavians to di Catholic faith.

For di next thirty-five years, Saint Ansgar dedicate imself to making im diocese stand firm, renewing di faith, and spreading Christianity for di Nordic regions. E establish church buildings, hospitals, schools and monasteries, even though e face plenty challenges, like wars, invasions, and di repeated destruction and seizure of im church buildings.

Two brothers, Cyril and Methodius, wey be among di greatest Slavic saints, do ministry for this century. Dem born dem for Thessalonica, Greece, but e most likely be say their mama na Slavic person, so dem learn her language wey no get written form. After Cyril and Methodius enter monastic life, Prince Rastislav of Moravia ask Emperor Michael III make e send missionaries go Great Moravia, wey be Czech Republic today. Frankish clergy don begin help im people accept Christianity, but di difference for language come cause problem. Dem choose Cyril and Methodius. One of di first things wey dem do na to create alphabet for di Slavic language and translate di Scriptures and liturgical texts into di language. Their alphabet come become standard for plenty Slavic languages, and di Church grow well-well.

To learn more about this important century for the Church, you fit read these reflections according to their time for history:

November 1: All di Saints—Solemnity (Dem add am to di Universal Roman Calendar for 837)

February 3: Saint Ansgar, Bishop—Memorial wey no compulsory (801–865)

February 14: Saints Cyril, Monk, and Methodius, Bishop—Memorial (Saint Cyril: c. 827–869; Saint Methodius: c. 815–885)

Even though na only two saints wey dey di General Roman Calendar, Saint Wenceslaus and Saint Adalbert, die for di tenth century, some other saints get strong influence on di Church during this period. Dem dey celebrate Saint Wenceslaus, di Duke of Bohemia, as martyr wey work with strong devotion to spread di Catholic faith for im region, as e try to remove di pagan customs wey still remain. Saint Adalbert, di Bishop of Prague and missionary to di Prussians for di Baltic region, face plenty challenges as e try to reform im diocese and reduce pagan customs. But im missionary work wey no last long, and im martyrdom, later plant seeds of faith all over Bohemia, Poland, and Hungary.

Di Holy Roman Empire continue to develop, and di practice wey pope dey crown emperor start again when Pope John XII crown Otto I, wey dem also know as Otto the Great, for 962. This event show how di relationship between Church and State strong, even though tension full am, especially for matters like how di empire dey influence di appointment of bishops and abbots. During this time, di office of di pope and di Roman curia often struggle with periods of corruption and political manipulation, partly because di noble families of Rome dey interfere.

For di East, di Byzantine Church continue to develop with some independence from di Roman Church. Even though no major schism happen for di century, di differences for theology and liturgy between di Eastern and Western traditions come dey show more and more, and this prepare ground for conflicts wey go come later.

Missionary work continue as people join effort to carry di Gospel go di pagan regions wey still remain for Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. Di new dioceses and parishes wey dem establish help Christianity spread for these areas. Di Church also see di beginning of important reforms for monastic life, especially di Cluniac reforms, wey aim to give di Benedictine tradition fresh strength. These reforms dey very important for handling problems inside di Church, like clergy wey dey marry and simony, and dem prepare ground for wider reforms for di centuries wey follow.

To learn more about this important century for the Church, you fit read these reflections according to their time for history:

September 28: Saint Wenceslaus, Martyr—Memorial wey no compulsory (c. 907–929)

April 23: Saint Adalbert, Bishop and Martyr—Memorial wey no compulsory (c. 956–997)

Some important saints come stand out towards di end of di tenth century and di beginning of di eleventh. Saint Gregory of Narek, an Armenian monk, poet, theologian, and philosopher, don be person wey di Armenian Church regard as saint for long, but na only recently Pope Francis add am to di Catholic General Roman Calendar. Di writing wey people know am best for na di Book of Lamentations, a collection of prayers and meditations wey deeply personal and full of mystical experience. Saint Romuald, wey come from Italy, establish di Camaldolese order, a reform branch of di Benedictines. E bear witness through im life of strict self-denial and solitude, and e establish several monasteries across Italy. Dem crown Saint Stephen of Hungary king for 1000, and e greatly strengthen di life of di Church for im territory. E establish and reform dioceses and monasteries, and e work closely with di leaders of di Church. Saint Henry II na di only Holy Roman Emperor wey dem canonize as saint. Like Saint Stephen, e do plenty work across di empire to help reform di Church and make am flourish.

One of di blows wey pain di Church pass and wey im effect last long happen for this century. For many centuries, di Church for di Eastern Roman Empire don continue to separate itself from Rome. Even though dem often settle different controversies and schisms, for 1054, because of theological disputes wey continue, liturgical practices, and disagreement about who get authority over Church matters, Pope Leo IX and Patriarch Michael I Cerularius of Constantinople excommunicate each other. This mark di split of di Church into di Catholic and Orthodox Churches.

One of di saints wey get di greatest impact for this century na Pope Saint Gregory VII. First as Archdeacon of Rome under several popes, and later as pope imself, Pope Gregory na true reformer for time wey di Church need reform. E work with strong determination to reform di clergy, enforce celibacy, root out simony, and reduce di control wey civil authorities get over di Church.

Wetin stand out pass be say, small time after Pope Gregory become supreme pontiff, e make twenty-seven declarations wey clear and short about pope authority, and e put papacy authority above every ruler for civil government, including the emperor. The young Emperor Henry IV no welcome this at first, and the pope later excommunicate am. Later, Henry reconcile with the Church after e beg for forgiveness and do penance.

The main dispute concern who get right to appoint bishops and abbots; dem call am the Investiture Controversy. The pope claim full authority over these decisions for Church, but the emperor and nobles find am hard to leave that power. Dem no settle the disagreement until 1122, for the Concordat of Worms.

For 1071, Muslim invaders continue to spread their control over parts of the Roman Empire when dem capture Anatolia from the Eastern Roman Empire, for the place wey be Turkey today. Because of this, for 1095, Pope Urban II call for the First Crusade as sign of friendship to the Byzantines, to take Anatolia back and recover the Holy Land wey dem take for the seventh century. By 1099, the Crusaders don win many battles and fit establish several Crusader states for the Holy Land. But this also make tension between Christians and Muslims increase, and people still feel the effect for the centuries wey follow.

To learn more about this important century for the Church, you fit read these reflections according to their time for history:

February 27: Saint Gregory of Narek, Abbot and Doctor of the Church—Ncheta wey no be Obligation (951–c. 1003)

July 13: Saint Henry—Ncheta wey no be Obligation (973–1024)

June 19: Saint Romuald, Abbot—Ncheta wey no be Obligation (c. 951–1027)

August 16: Saint Stephen of Hungary—Ncheta wey no be Obligation (c. 975–1038)

February 21: Saint Peter Damian, Bishop and Doctor of the Church—Ncheta wey no be Obligation (1007–1072)

April 11: Saint Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr—Ncheta (1030–1079)

May 25: Saint Gregory VII, Pope, Member of Religious Order—Ncheta wey no be Obligation (c. 1020–1085)

Ash Wednesday (Dem add am to the Universal Roman Calendar for 1091)

November 16: Saint Margaret of Scotland—Ncheta wey no be Obligation (c. 1045–1093)

The reforms wey Pope Gregory VII start for Church for the century before continue for the twelfth century. Dem gather canon law together and arrange am well, Scholasticism start, universities begin come up, the Crusades continue, the Investiture Controversy still remain, monastic life spread, and interest for devotion to Mary grow. 

Saint Bruno die for the beginning of the twelfth century, for 1101. Na well-known scholar e be, and e get great chance to rise for Church. Instead, e reject every temptation to pursue high position and found wetin be the most radical form of religious life today. For 1084, with support from Pope Urban II, Saint Bruno found the first Carthusian monastery, the Grande Chartreuse, for the French Alps. Even though the Carthusians dey live as community, each person dey live for separate hermitage, so that together dem fit live as hermits for solitude and deep prayer. 

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux and Saint Norbert also help the ongoing work to reform and strengthen monastic life for this century. Saint Bernard found the important monastery for Clairvaux, wey grow reach about 700 monks by the time e die. E also leave deep spiritual writings wey no aim only to nourish the mind, but the heart too, so that person fit enter deeper and closer union with God. E love for the Blessed Mother also show clear, and this help kindle greater devotion to her for the years wey follow. Saint Norbert na bishop and the founder of the Premonstratensian Order, one order wey seek to join monastic life and the pastoral life of clergy together. Monastic orders for women also begin develop for this century, especially under the inspiring leadership of people like Saint Hildegard of Bingen, wey be abbess, mystic, and person wey get deep knowledge for many fields. People especially know her for wetin she write about twenty-six mystical visions wey she receive. These visions touch on the creation of the world, the nature of God, Heaven and hell, angels and demons, humanity, the Incarnation, interpretation of Scripture, the fall, redemption, the Church, Sacraments, the end of time, and plenty other things.

Scholasticism begin grow as movement for learning and deep thinking for this century. Saint Anselm of Canterbury—one Benedictine monk, philosopher, and theologian wey become Archbishop of Canterbury—help lay the foundation of this movement for thinkers wey go come later. Apart from monasteries wey be centres of learning for Paris, Bologna, and Oxford, universities begin develop. New cathedral schools also begin increase, and this make education easier for many people to get.

The Investiture Controversy take good step towards settlement with the Concordat of Worms for 1122, wey set out the different rights wey the Church and civil rulers get for appointment of bishops and abbots.

To learn more about this important century for the Church, you fit read these reflections according to their time for history:

October 6: Saint Bruno, Priest—Ncheta wey no be Obligation (1030–1101)

April 21: Saint Anselm of Canterbury, Bishop and Doctor of the Church—Ncheta wey no be Obligation (c. 1033–1109)

May 15: Saint Isidore—Ncheta wey no be Obligation for USA (c. 1070–c. 1130)

June 6: Saint Norbert, Bishop—Ncheta wey no be Obligation (c. 1080–1134)

August 20: Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot and Doctor of the Church—Ncheta (1090–1153)

December 29: Saint Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr (1119–1170)

September 17: Saint Hildegard of Bingen, Virgin and Doctor of the Church—Ncheta wey no be Obligation (1098–1179)

For di thirteenth century, one new kind of religious life wey dem dey call mendicant orders start and grow quick-quick. Saint Francis of Assisi start di Franciscans, and Saint Dominic start di Dominicans. Di main things wey these orders face na poverty, preaching, and to dey move from place to place. Dem different from di monastic orders wey don already get strong foundation, wey value to remain for one place and to get land wey go dey bring income. These new mendicant orders really help spread di Gospel for Europe, where new towns and cities dey grow.

Saint Francis fit be di saint wey people know pass and love pass for di history of di Church. After e experience deep conversion wey change im whole life, e gather some followers around im. Dem embrace complete poverty, dey beg for food, love people wey get leprosy, and dey travel from place to place to preach. Within very short time, di Franciscans grow reach more than 5,000 members. Near di end of im life, Saint Francis receive di stigmata from one Seraphim. Na why people often dey call am di Seraphic Father. Saint Clare work alongside Saint Francis. Na she start di Poor Clares, di branch of di Franciscans for women wey dedicate their life to prayer and contemplation.

People often dey call di thirteenth century di “golden age of Scholasticism,” because of brilliant thinkers like Saints Thomas Aquinas, Bonaventure, and Albert the Great. Among di most important writings wey come out for this century na Saint Thomas Aquinas im Summa Theologica, wey person fit argue say na di greatest work wey influence di Church pass for all her history. Scholasticism use Aristotle im way of reasoning to study matters about God and help doctrine develop further. Di universities wey dem establish for di century before grow well and become centres for this new way of study.

Devotion to Mary continue to grow for di thirteenth century. New devotions like Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Our Lady of Sorrows, and Our Lady of Loreto make am richer. For this period too, deep mystical experiences among Christians increase well-well, and people give more attention to di Eucharist. This one lead to di establishment of di Feast of Corpus Christi. Di arts, especially Gothic style of building and sacred music, grow well-well. Dem show how di devotional life of di Church dey deepen, and dem still help am deepen more.

Di popes continue to gather authority under their office and make am stronger. Church councils help fight false teachings and clearly state doctrine, and dem establish di Papal Inquisition to handle people wey dey teach heresy. Di pope call for di Fourth Crusade, but di Crusaders leave their mission to take back di Holy Land. Instead, dem attack and plunder Constantinople for 1204, kill plenty people and carry things from di city. Even though di pope excommunicate di people wey take part, this tragedy make di separation between di East and di West worse. Di East never fully recover, and this one contribute to how Muslims conquer am about two centuries later.

To learn more about this important century for the Church, you fit read these reflections according to their time for history:

July 16: Our Lady of Mount Carmel—Memorial Wey No Be Must (End of di Twelfth–Beginning of di Thirteenth Century)

August 8: Saint Dominic, Priest—Memorial (1170–1221)

October 4: Saint Francis of Assisi—Memorial (1182–1226)

June 13: Saint Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor—Memorial (1195–1231)

November 17: Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious—Memorial (1207–1231)

February 17: Di Seven Holy Founders of di Servite Order—Memorial Wey No Be Must (c. 1240)

September 15: Our Lady of Sorrows—Memorial (c. 1240)

October 16: Saint Hedwig, Religious—Memorial Wey No Be Must (1174–1243)

August 11: Saint Clare, Virgin—Memorial (c. 1193–1253)

Di Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ—Solemnity (Dem first add am to di Universal Roman Calendar for 1264)

August 25: Saint Louis, King—Memorial Wey No Be Must (1214–1270)

July 15: Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor—Memorial (c. 1217–1274)

January 28: Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor—Memorial (1225–1274)

January 7: Saint Raymond of Peñafort, Priest—Memorial Wey No Be Must (1175–1275)

November 15: Saint Albert the Great, Bishop and Doctor—Memorial Wey No Be Must (c. 1200–1280)

December 10: Our Lady of Loreto—Memorial Wey No Be Must (End of di Thirteenth Century)

Di things wey mark di fourteenth century include di time wey di popes dey stay for Avignon, di Great Schism, di Black Death, mystical spiritual life, di decline of Scholasticism, corruption, growth for personal devotion, and di continued making of Gothic art and buildings. Even though na only four canonized saints wey die for this century dey for di General Roman Calendar, their influence great well-well.

For 1305, dem elect Pope Clement V, wey dem born for France, as pope. Because political conditions for Rome no favour am and e come from France, Clement settle for Avignon, France. That time, Avignon na part of di Papal States, but King Philip IV of France get strong influence over am. For 1309, Pope Clement begin move di Roman curia go Avignon. This one cause plenty trouble inside di Church, interference from di French monarchy, and political scheming. Seven popes wey follow after am stay for Avignon.

During this period, three great mystics—Saints Gertrude the Great, Bridget of Sweden, and Catherine of Siena—receive plenty private revelations from God and write dem down. Their writings give di Church plenty deep mystical spiritual knowledge for di centuries wey go follow. Apart from their deep mystical experiences and writings, Saints Bridget and Catherine take active part for reform inside di Church, and dem strongly urge di pope to return to Rome. At last, their prayers, letters, and pleas succeed, and Pope Gregory XI bring di papacy back to Rome for 1377.

Even though plenty people first glad, no be everybody welcome dis return with open arms. Di following year, Pope Gregory die, and dem elect Pope Urban VI. Di people for Avignon challenge im election and elect Antipope Clement VII as dem try to keep di office of Pope for Avignon. Dis “Great Schism” (wey dem also dey call “Western Schism”) continue for many decades. Even di saints of dis period no agree with one another. Saint Catherine of Siena support Pope Urban, but Saint Vincent Ferrer first support Clement VII. For 1417, one Church council for Constance finally settle di matter, and Saint Vincent no only accept di decision; e also work to persuade other people to accept am.

When di plague wey dem dey call “Black Death” strike, e affect Europe well-well. At least 25 million people die, and some estimates put di number as high as 200 million. Monasteries and clergy suffer heavy loss, and plenty lay people begin ask why God go allow dis kind terrible thing. Dis one bring di need for spiritual renewal and personal prayer.

To learn more about this important century for the Church, you fit read these reflections according to their time for history:

November 16: Saint Gertrude di Great, Virgin—Memorial wey no dey compulsory (1256–1302)

Di Most Holy Trinity—Solemnity (Dem add am to di Universal Roman Calendar for 1334)

July 4 (July 5 for USA): Saint Elizabeth of Portugal—Memorial wey no dey compulsory (1271–1336)

July 23: Saint Bridget of Sweden, Religious—Memorial wey no dey compulsory (1303–1373)

April 29: Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of di Church—Memorial (1347–1380)

As di Great Schism end, di office of Pope begin return to normal for di fifteenth century, but other challenges come face am. Conciliarism begin rise; na di idea say Church council get more authority pass di pope. For di fifteenth century, dem begin address problems inside di Church and try to correct abuses, like poor education among di clergy, moral decay, simony—di buying and selling of Church offices—and di buying and selling of indulgences. Dem dey among di main issues wey contribute to di Protestant Reformation for di next century.

Na for dis century di Renaissance begin, one period for European history when people return to di learning of ancient Greece, science move forward, and new forms of art and architecture come out. Philosophical ideas like Humanism give all dis things strength. Dis new ideas and learning from ancient times make people begin ask questions about governance and religion. Di invention of di printing press for 1440 give dis movement more strength.

Na for dis century di Renaissance begin for Italy, before e later spread across Europe. Na one movement wey make people renew their interest for di learning, art and culture of ancient Greece and Rome. During dis period, art, literature and scientific research flourish. Humanism dey at di centre of dis movement. Na one philosophy wey stress di value of human experience, di uniqueness of each person, and di study of ancient writings for di original languages wey dem use write dem.

Feudalism, where nobles dey rule smaller territories, begin decline for dis century, and nation-states wey get central government begin rise, especially for France, England and Spain. Dis one lead to strong monarchies wey begin gather power together and form governments wey get more unity and central control. Na dis kind government go later become di normal pattern for di centuries wey follow.

Science make big progress for dis time, and dis one challenge how people for di Middle Ages understand di natural world, as people begin put more weight on evidence wey observation and experiment provide. Di invention of di printing press around 1440 make literature and scholarly writings reach more people. Because of dis, new questions come up about traditional ways of governing and religious practices, and dis prepare di ground for big social and religious changes for Europe for di sixteenth century. Even though Scholasticism remain, people begin show more interest for mysticism and personal experiences with God, and dis make private devotion increase.

For 1453, Constantinople fall to di Ottoman Empire, and dis mark di end of di Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire. Dis one lead to fresh attempts to reconcile di Orthodox Church and di Catholic Church, but little come out of dem. 

For di end of di fifteenth century, people begin get interest for exploration, especially after di discovery of di New World for 1492. Dis discovery go prepare di ground, no be only for di colonization of di Americas, but also for serious missionary work.

To learn more about this important century for the Church, you fit read these reflections according to their time for history:

April 5: Saint Vincent Ferrer, Priest—Memorial wey no dey compulsory (c.1350–1419)

March 9: Saint Frances of Rome, Religious—Memorial wey no dey compulsory (1384–1440)

May 20: Saint Bernardine of Siena, Priest—Memorial wey no dey compulsory (1380–1444)

October 23: Saint John of Capistrano, Priest—Memorial wey no dey compulsory (1386–1456)

May 22: Saint Rita of Cascia, Wife, Mama, Widow, Religious (c. 1386–1457)

March 4: Saint Casimir—Memorial wey no dey compulsory (1458–1484)

Even though na wahala full everywhere as di sixteenth century start, plenty great saints still come out for dat time. For 1517, Father Martin Luther, wey be Augustinian priest, publish im Ninety-Five Theses—95 points wey lead to di Protestant Reformation, or Protestant Revolt. Father Luther raise plenty genuine concerns for im theses, like di wrong practices wey buying and selling of indulgences continue to cause. Even though plenty people inside di Catholic Church agree say reform dey necessary, di way Father Luther take handle am, di call wey gather people behind am, and di way di Church condemn am, quickly bring disagreement and division inside di Church and among nations. E no tey before other people, like John Calvin and Ulrich Zwingli, follow with other questions and concerns. People feel Luther influence especially for Germany, Calvin own for Geneva, Switzerland, and Ulrich Zwingli influence dey mainly for Zurich, Switzerland.

For 1519, Luther disagreement go further as e begin question di pope authority, and for 1520, Pope Leo V condemn Luther writings. Luther react by burning di official papal document for public. For 1521, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V condemn Luther for di Imperial Diet of Worms and declare am person wey dey teach heresy. For 1523, dem sentence two Augustinian monks wey dey follow Luther to death because of their heresies.

For 1525, farmers begin rise against their rulers for different parts of Germany to support Luther. By 1530, some German princes don support Luther ideas, and dem formally present their new profession of faith for Augsburg for 1530. Dis one begin make di division inside di empire more formal.

For 1533, Pope Clement VII excommunicate King Henry VIII of England because Henry insist say di pope must grant am annulment of im marriage. For 1534, Henry declare himself di Supreme Head of di Church of England, and separate di English Church from Rome.

Inside all dis darkness, di brightest lights for di sixteenth century na di Council of Trent and di saints wey help carry out di reforms wey di Council call for. Trent start for 1545 and continue till 1563. E address both reform inside di Church and di errors wey dey come from di Protestants. Dem address wrong practices inside di Church and confirm important teachings again, like teachings about di Sacraments, wetin salvation be, and di authority of di Church. Trent start wetin later become di Catholic Counter-Reformation, and plenty great saints carry di torch of renewal.

New religious orders begin come up for di sixteenth century to face di crisis wey dey ground. Saint Cajetan found di Theatines for 1524, Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria found di Barnabites for 1530, Saint Angela Merici found di Ursulines for 1535, Saint Ignatius of Loyola found di Jesuits for 1540, and Saint Philip Neri found di Oratorians for 1575. These orders bring fresh zeal for missionary work, defence of di Church, education, and Christian love to di Church wey dey suffer. Other orders wey don already stand well, like di Carmelites and Franciscans, also experience movements for reform. Especially, Saints Teresa of Jesus (Ávila) and John of the Cross get deep influence on di renewal of religious life and di growth of mystical theology. Strong bishops, like Saint Charles Borromeo, also rise up to help put di Council of Trent decisions into practice.

Missionary work for di Americas, Asia, and Africa also happen for di sixteenth century. Saint Francis Xavier, and later Saint Paul Miki, begin spread di Gospel for Asia. Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo become di missionary Archbishop of Lima, Peru. Di Blessed Virgin Mary become one of di greatest people wey spread di Gospel for wetin be Mexico today when she appear to Saint Juan Diego, and people go always remember her as Our Lady of Guadalupe. Other saints become new missionaries for Europe to counter di Protestant Reformation, like Saints Peter Canisius, John Leonardi, Lawrence of Brindisi, Francis de Sales, and Fidelis of Sigmaringen. Most of these European missionaries start their work for di sixteenth century and continue into di seventeenth.

To learn more about this important century for the Church, you fit read these reflections according to their time for history:

April 2: Saint Francis of Paola, Onye wey dey live im one for prayer—Ncheta wey no be compulsory (1416–1507)

December 12: Our Lady of Guadalupe—Feast for USA (1531)

June 22: Saints John Fisher, Bishop and Martyr, and Thomas More, Martyr—Ncheta wey no be compulsory (Saint John Fisher: 1469–1535; Saint Thomas More: 1478–1535)

February 8: Saint Jerome Emiliani, Founder—Ncheta wey no be compulsory (1486–1537)

July 5: Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria, Fada—Ncheta wey no be compulsory (1502–1539)

January 27: Saint Angela Merici, Virgin—Ncheta wey no be compulsory (1474–1540)

August 7: Saint Cajetan, Fada—Ncheta wey no be compulsory (1480–1547)

December 9: Saint Juan Diego, Onye wey dey live im one for prayer—Ncheta wey no be compulsory (1474–1548)

March 8: Saint John of God, Onye wey don take religious vows—Ncheta wey no be compulsory (1495–1550)

December 3: Saint Francis Xavier, Fada—Ncheta (1506–1552)

July 31: Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Fada—Ncheta (1491–1556)

May 10: Saint John of Ávila, Fada and Doctor of the Church—Ncheta wey no be compulsory (1499–1569)

April 30: Saint Pius V, Pope—Ncheta wey no be compulsory (1504–1572)

December 23: Saint John of Kanty (Cantius), Fada—Ncheta wey no be compulsory (c. 1390–1473)

October 15: Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church—Ncheta (1515–1582)

November 4: Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop—Ncheta (1538–1584)

December 14: Saint John of the Cross, Fada and Doctor of the Church—Ncheta (c. 1542–1591)

June 21: Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Onye wey don take religious vows—Ncheta (1568–1591)

December 21: Saint Peter Canisius, Fada and Doctor of the Church—Ncheta wey no be compulsory (1521–1597)

February 6: Saint Paul Miki and di Odas Wey Dey With Am, Martyr dem—Memorial (Dem Die for 1597)

Renewal, missionary work, and personal holiness continue from di 16th century enter di 17th century, with even more saint dem wey their life really dey amazing. Missionary dem wey go Asia, like Saint Lawrence Ruiz and di odas wey dey with am, shed their blood for Japan, and Saint Andrew Dung-Lac and di odas wey dey with am begin di martyrdom wey continue for many centuries for Vietnam. For South America, Saint Peter Claver become true slave to di African slave dem wey people dey treat with cruelty, and Saint Jean de Brébeuf, Isaac Jogues, wey be fada dem, and di odas wey dey with dem shed their blood for di north, for di places wey now be United States and Canada. Di Franciscan, Dominican, and Jesuit dem play central role for dis work to spread di Gospel all over di world. Even though many European soldier dem and people wey settle for di new lands violate di rights of di people wey originally own di lands, di role of di Church na to share di faith and fight for di rights of di native people. Di Church for Peru begin grow well, and new saint dem wey dem born for di land, like Saint Rose of Lima and Martin de Porres, bear witness through their deep humility, prayer, and love for God and neighbour; Saint Kateri Tekakwitha do di same for North America.

Apart from di challenges wey di Protestant Reformation continue to bring, di movement for thought and philosophy wey dem dey call Rationalism also come up as di Enlightenment begin. Dis movement put strong emphasis on human reasoning, di individual person, and di practice of questioning traditional authority for areas like religion, science, and government. Human reasoning become di main source of knowledge and di main way to test am.

For Europe, Saint Peter Canisius, John Leonardi, Lawrence of Brindisi, Francis de Sales, and Fidelis of Sigmaringen, wey we don mention before, continue their good work to counter di Protestant Reformation and address di questions wey Enlightenment ideas dey bring up. Inside di Church structures wey don already dey, dem begin put di decisions of di Council of Trent into full practice for di 17th century. Dis include reform of di Liturgy, catechesis wey continue so Church doctrine go clear, reform of di clergy, and di setting up of seminary system to train di clergy properly. Civil wars also mark dis period for Europe and England, especially because of di religious conflicts wey still dey go on.

Personal devotion continue to grow through di inspiration of saint dem like Mary Magdalene de Pazzi and Margaret Mary Alacoque. Both of dem be mystic dem, and dem leave inspiring accounts of their inner encounters with God wey go inspire many people for centuries. Saint Vincent de Paul and Camillus de Lellis devote themselves to serve poor and sick people, Saint Robert Bellarmine and Francis de Sales dey among di great spiritual teachers, and  Saint Joseph of Calasanz and John Eudes play important role for education. Saint dem like Saint Josaphat continue to work to heal di division between di Eastern Orthodox Church and di Roman Catholic Church wey don last for centuries since di 11th century.

To learn more about this important century for the Church, you fit read these reflections according to their time for history:

March 23: Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo, Bishop—Memorial Wey No Be Compulsory (1538–1606)

May 25: Saint Mary Magdalene de Pazzi, Virgin—Memorial Wey No Be Compulsory (1566–1607)

October 9: Saint John Leonardi, Fada—Memorial Wey No Be Compulsory (1541–1609)

July 14 (July 18 for USA): Saint Camillus de Lellis, Fada—Memorial Wey No Be Compulsory (1550–1614)

August 23: Saint Rose of Lima, Virgin—Memorial Wey No Be Compulsory (1586–1617)

July 21: Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, Fada and Doctor of di Church—Memorial Wey No Be Compulsory (1559–1619)

September 17: Saint Robert Bellarmine, Bishop and Doctor of di Church—Memorial Wey No Be Compulsory (1542–1621)

January 24: Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of di Church—Memorial (1567–1622)

April 24: Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Fada and Martyr—Memorial Wey No Be Compulsory (c. 1577–1622)

November 12: Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr—Memorial (1580–1623)

September 28: Saint Lawrence Ruiz and di Odas Wey Dey With Am, Martyr dem—Memorial Wey No Be Compulsory (c. 1600–1637)

November 3: Saint Martin de Porres, Memba of Religious Order—Memorial Wey No Be Compulsory (1579–1639)

August 12: Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, Memba of Religious Order—Memorial Wey No Be Compulsory (1572–1641)

October 19: Saint Jean de Brébeuf, Isaac Jogues, Fada dem and Martyr dem; and di Odas Wey Dey With Dem, Martyr dem—USA: Memorial (Dem Die Between 1642–1649)

August 25: Saint Joseph of Calasanz, Fada—Memorial Wey No Be Compulsory (1556–1648)

September 9: Saint Peter Claver, Fada—Memorial for USA (1581–1654)

September 27: Saint Vincent de Paul, Fada—Memorial (c. 1581–1660)

October 2: Guardian Angel dem—Memorial (Dem Add Am to di Universal Roman Calendar for 1670)

August 19: Saint John Eudes, Fada—Memorial Wey No Be Compulsory (1601–1680)

July 14: Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin—Memorial for USA (1656–1680)

September 12: Di Holy Name of di Blessed Virgin Mary—Memorial Wey No Be Compulsory (1684)

October 16: Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, Virgin—Memorial Wey No Be Compulsory (1647–1690)

November 24: Saint Andrew Dung-Lac, Fada, and di Odas Wey Dey With Am, Martyr dem—Memorial (17th–19th Centuries)

During di 18th century, di Enlightenment reach im highest point as movement of thought. E put even more emphasis on human reasoning, di individual person, and negative view of traditional authority for religion, science, and politics, while e stress say human reasoning na di main source of knowledge and di main way to measure am. Dis continue to challenge di Catholic Church wey dey put emphasis on tradition and authority, as new ideas begin contradict di doctrines wey di Church don hold for long. Dis lead to di rise of secularism and di decline of Catholic kingdoms, and dis reduce di influence of di Church for many political activities for Europe.

To face these challenges, new religious orders begin come up for di eighteenth senchuri, like di Passionists, wey Saint Paul of the Cross found for 1720, and di Redemptorists, wey Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori found for 1732. Di Passionists put their mind on di Passion of Christ through prayer and deep contemplation, preach for retreats, and do pastoral work. Di Redemptorists focus especially on preaching to poor people and conducting missions. Dem play important role for pastoral care, and people know dem for di way their preaching show compassion and make people feel free to approach dem. Di Brothers of Christian Schools, wey Saint  John Baptist de La Salle found for 1680, grow well-well for di eighteenth senchuri. Dem focus on educating poor people and people wey society push aside, and dem play important role for developing modern ways to teach.

Personal devotion grow stronger for di eighteenth senchuri as people put fresh emphasis on devotion to di Blessed Virgin Mary, especially through di teachings of  Saints Louis de Montfort and Alphonsus Maria de Liguori. Dem add di feast of Our Lady of the Rosary to di Church calendar, and this give this personal devotion more emphasis. Devotion to di Sacred Heart grow too.

Missionary work continue, especially for di Americas and Asia. One important example na Saint Junípero Serra and di other missionaries wey work with am, wey expand their missions enter di area wey today be di western United States. For Vietnam and Japan, dem continue to kill plenty people together because of their faith, even as di faith steadily dey grow, and persecution reach China and Korea too.

For 1773, because European kings and queens put serious political pressure on am, Pope Clement XIV suppress di Jesuit Order. This affect their missionary work and di role wey dem dey play for Europe to oppose Enlightenment ideas and di Protestant Reformation. Di Jesuits also oppose di rise of Jansenism, one theological movement inside di Catholic Church wey put emphasis on original sin, di corruption of human nature, divine grace, and predestination. Jansenism support very strict way of life, including severe self-denial and frequent reception of di Sacrament of Penance, but e discourage people from receiving Communion because of one wrong understanding of how human beings no worthy. Di suppression of di Jesuits no only leave gap for missionary work and education; e also leave gap for di use of learning and sound reasoning to defend Catholic doctrine against these challenges of that time.

To learn more about this important century for the Church, you fit read these reflections according to their time for history:

October 7: Our Lady of the Rosary—Memorial (Dem put am for di Universal Roman Calendar for 1716)

April 28: Saint Louis Grignon de Montfort, Priest—Memorial wey no be must (1673–1716)

April 7: Saint John Baptist de La Salle, Priest—Memorial (1651–1719)

October 19 (October 20 for USA): Saint Paul of the Cross, Priest—USA: Memorial wey no be must (1694–1775)

July 4: Independence Day—Memorial wey no be must for USA (July 4, 1776)

July 1: Saint Junípero Serra, Priest—Memorial wey no be must for USA (1713–1784)

August 1: Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of di Church—Memorial (1696–1787)

Dem born some of di saints of this senchuri during di confusion and trouble of di French Revolution, for di later part of di eighteenth senchuri. Di Revolution lead to di stopping of public worship, di seizure of church buildings and property, and di death of thousands of clergy for France. E also affect di Church across Europe, as secularism and nationalism continue to grow and reduce di influence wey di Church get for politics, learning, and culture. Di rationalism of di Enlightenment and di changes for science and industry no only change di condition of Europe; dem also affect di Church doctrine and how people see di Church authority for matters of right and wrong.

To answer these challenges, God raise many people wey go help show how faith and reason fit agree, and defend di teachings wey di Church don hold from ancient times. Saint John Henry Newman clearly explain one vision of education wey join faith with di use of di mind to search for knowledge. Di things wey e contribute to theology help di Church address modern questions about philosophy and theology. Saint Anthony Mary Claret, one bishop wey found di Claretians, preach, write, and establish libraries and schools. E help educate clergy and lay people for Spain, and for six years, for Cuba.

Other well-known saints face di challenges of that time through their holiness, simple way of life, teaching, and writings. Saint Jean Vianney, wey suffer through di worst part of di French Revolution, bring deep change through di zeal wey e get to care for souls and di way e administer di Sacraments. Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus awaken deep love for conversion inside di heart and love of God. Saint John Bosco be like light wey dey shine during di Industrial Revolution, especially among young boys wey need work and guidance for right living. E join spiritual formation with practical skills, and prepare im students to live their faith for di modern world. Saint Peter Julian Eymard found di Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament for France and serve as one zealous apostle of di Eucharist.

Di Church for di Americas continue to grow as Saints Elizabeth Ann Seton, Rose Philippine Duchesne, John Neumann, Francis Xavier Seelos and Blessed Marie Rose Durocher dey minister to people wey move come from other places, and Saint Damien de Veuster of Molokai dey serve people wey get leprosy for Hawaii. For other parts of di world, missionary work continue. Saint Anthony Mary Claret make big impact as bishop for Cuba. Saint Peter Chanel become di first martyr for Oceania. Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and their 101 companions shed their blood for Korea. Saints Charles Lwanga and companions die because of their faith for Africa.

Personal devotion to God and different devotional practices continue to grow. Pope Pius IX proclaim di Dogma of di Immaculate Conception for 1854, and Our Lady herself appear to Bernadette Soubirous for Lourdes, France, for 1858, to confirm her new title, “Di Immaculate Conception.” Dem add di Sacred Heart of Jesus to di General Roman Calendar for 1856. This one mark di highest point wey dat devotion reach after di centuries wey don pass.

For di end of di century, di First Vatican Council gather, mainly to address di pope authority for matters of doctrine and dogma. E also address di relationship between faith and human reasoning, and e condemn rationalism and materialism. For 1891, to respond to social problems wey di Industrial Revolution cause, Pope Leo XIII issue im encyclical Rerum Novarum to address di conditions of working-class people and examine di faults of capitalism and socialism, wey go develop more fully for di next century.

To learn more about this important century for the Church, you fit read these reflections according to their time for history:

January 4: Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious—Memorial: USA (1774–1821)

September 20: Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Fada, and Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Their Companions, Martyrs—Memorial (Dem die 1839–1867)

April 28: Saint Peter Chanel, Fada and Martyr—Memorial Wey No Be Must (1803–1841)

October 6: Blessed Marie Rose Durocher, Virgin—Memorial Wey No Be Must for USA (1811–1849)

November 18: Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, Virgin—Memorial Wey No Be Must for USA (1769–1852)

December 8: Immaculate Conception of di Blessed Virgin Mary—Solemnity (Dem add am to di Roman Calendar for di whole Church for 1854)

Sacred Heart of Jesus—Solemnity (Dem add am to di Roman Calendar for di whole Church for 1856)

February 11: Our Lady of Lourdes—Memorial Wey No Be Must (1858)

August 4: Saint Jean Vianney (di Parish Fada of Ars), Fada—Memorial (1786–1859)

January 5: Saint John Neumann, Bishop—Memorial: USA (1811–1860)

USA: Day of Thanksgiving—Memorial Wey No Be Must (Abraham Lincoln declare am as national holiday for 1863)

October 5: Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, Fada—Memorial Wey No Be Must for USA (1819–1867)

August 2: Saint Peter Julian Eymard, Fada—Memorial Wey No Be Must (1811–1868)

October 24: Saint Anthony Mary Claret, Bishop—Memorial Wey No Be Must (1807–1870)

June 3: Saints Charles Lwanga and Im Companions, Martyrs—Memorial (1860–1886)

January 31: Saint John Bosco, Fada—Memorial (1815–1888)

May 10: Saint Damien de Veuster of Molokai, Fada—Memorial Wey No Be Must for USA (1840–1889)

October 9: Saint John Henry Newman (Memorial for England and Wales) (1801–1890)

October 1: Saint Thérèse of di Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of di Church—Memorial (1873–1897)

July 24: Saint Sharbel (Charbel) Makhlūf, Fada, Hermit—Memorial Wey No Be Must (1828–1898)

Di twentieth century bring di terrible destruction of two world wars, di rise of Communism and Fascism, di killing of people because of their faith, social problems wey dey develop, advances for technology, changes for di Liturgy, a second Vatican council, public scandals, new devotions, and di canonization of plenty saints. Pope Saint Pius X begin dis century with leadership wey truly show care for di people of God. For im heart, e be parish fada; e be humble reformer and teacher wey devote imself to di Blessed Mother and di Eucharist. E firmly stand against modernism, wey show itself for new forms of art, philosophy, and di way society dey organize itself because of di new industrial world wey dey emerge. People don talk say na broken heart kill am as World War I begin.

During di war, di Blessed Virgin Mary appear to three children wey dey look after sheep for Fátima, Portugal. She call for prayer and penance, and for di pope to consecrate Russia to her Immaculate Heart. She also warn say di worst never come if people no listen to her pleas. Our Lady of Fátima become great inspiration to many people and make dem pray plenty prayers. For 1925, dem add di Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of di Universe to di General Roman Calendar to remind di world say na Christ alone be King.

Saints Frances Xavier Cabrini and Katharine Drexel make big impact for di United States for di beginning of di century, and Saint Marianne Cope do di same for Hawaii. For Central America, tension between di Church and government dey rise, and this one lead to di killing of Saint Christopher Magallanes and im companions, and Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, because of their faith. For di same time, Saint André Bessette humbly bear witness to di faith among people for Canada. Saint Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun wey dey live inside enclosed convent and receive mystical experiences, live her short life for di beginning of dis century. Di Church no go feel Saint Faustina greatest impact until her diary become well known for di beginning of di twenty-first century, when dem establish Divine Mercy Sunday. Saint Pio of Pietrelcina also become strong source of inspiration for Italy during di troubled time wey World War II cause.

Even though World War II bring destruction come di world, e still produce great saints, like Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe, one Polish Fada wey get strong devotion to our Blessed Mother and wey volunteer to die for Auschwitz in place of person wey e no know, and Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, one Carmelite nun and philosopher wey convert from Judaism enter Catholic Church, wey also die for Auschwitz. After World War II, deep changes happen for di liturgy of di Church as di Church dey work to meet di needs of di world wey dey change more and more. Holy popes like Saints John XXIII and Paul VI lead di Church for dat time. Under their guidance, di Second Vatican Council bring deep changes for di Liturgy and give guidance about how Christians fit work towards unity and how di Church go relate with di modern world.

Two of di people wey shine like bright light pass for di Catholic Church for di second half of di twentieth century na Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta and di great Pope Saint John Paul II. For di centuries wey dey come, people go understand better wetin these two saints leave behind, but na only for Heaven dem go understand am fully. People of every faith and political group for all over di world recognise and love Mother Teresa because she no tire to devote herself to poor people. Pope John Paul II take up di leadership of di Church after Vatican II and help di Church find her way through one troubled time of change. E play important part for di fall of Communism for Eastern Europe. E be true missionary, e hold firmly to correct Church doctrine, e dey sensitive to people needs as pastor, e be deep thinker, and e be man of deep prayer. As di social, political and cultural conditions for all over di world continue to change, e give di Church and di world sound guidance and clear teaching about wetin good and wetin bad.

To learn more about this important century for the Church, you fit read these reflections according to their time for history:

July 6: Saint Maria Goretti, Virgin and Martyr—Memorial Wey No Be Iwu (1890–1902)

August 21: Saint Pius X, Pope—Memorial (1835–1914)

November 13: Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin—Memorial for USA (1850–1917)

May 13: Our Lady of Fátima—Memorial Wey No Be Iwu (1916–1917)

January 23: Saint Marianne Cope, Virgin—Memorial Wey No Be Iwu for USA (1838–1918)

Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of Di Whole Universe—Solemnity (Dem Add Am to di Universal Roman Calendar for 1925)

May 21: Saint Christopher Magallanes, Fada and Martyr, and Im Companions, Martyrs—Memorial Wey No Be Iwu (1869–1927)

November 23: Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, Fada and Martyr—Memorial Wey No Be Iwu for USA (1891–1927)

July 9: Saint Augustine Zhao Rong and 119 Companions, Martyrs—Memorial Wey No Be Iwu (1648–1930)

January 6: Saint André Bessette, Memba for Religious Order—Memorial Wey No Be Iwu for USA (1845–1937)

October 5: Saint Faustina Kowalska, Virgin—Memorial Wey No Be Iwu (1905–1938)

August 14: Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe, Fada and Martyr—Memorial (1894–1941)

August 9: Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), Virgin and Martyr—Memorial Wey No Be Iwu (1891–1942)

Di Immaculate Heart of Mary—Memorial (Dem Add Am to di Universal Roman Calendar for 1944)

February 8: Saint Josephine Bakhita, Virgin—Memorial Wey No Be Iwu (1869–1947)

March 3: Saint Katharine Drexel, Virgin—Memorial Wey No Be Iwu for USA (1858–1955)

October 11: Saint John XXIII, Pope—Memorial Wey No Be Iwu (1881–1963)

September 23: Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio), Fada—Memorial (1887–1968)

January 22: Day to Pray Make Law Protect Children Wey Dem Never Born—Memorial for USA (1973)

June 26: Saint Josemaría Escrivá, Fada (1902–1975)

May 29: Saint Paul VI, Pope—Memorial Wey No Be Iwu (1897–1978)

September 5: Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta—Memorial (1910–1997)

October 22: Saint John Paul II, Pope—Memorial Wey No Be Iwu (1920–2005)