Chronological Listing of Catholic Saints and Feasts

Below is a listing of the saints and feasts of the liturgical year that are on the General Roman Calendar, with additions to the calendar of the United States. The chronological listing is based on either the date of the event, the date of death of a saint, or the date that the feast was added to the General Roman Calendar. For those who want to study the history of the Church and understand the unfolding of the Gospel mission as orchestrated by the Holy Spirit, the chronological approach is recommended.

At the outset, it is important to offer a note about the chronological dating of the events in this appendix. Prior to 1582, the Church used the Julian Calendar, established by Julius Caesar in 46 BC. The calendar was important because it helped the Church to pinpoint the date of Easter every year. The problem that arose with the Julian Calendar is that it had an error of one day every 128 years, due to the actual solar year being slightly less than 365.25 days. In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII revised the Church calendar, after careful consultation with astronomers and mathematicians, and promulgated the use of the Gregorian Calendar, which is universally accepted today throughout the world.

When the Gregorian Calendar was implemented in 1582, the ten days between October 4 and October 15 were omitted that year to correct the error from the previous centuries caused by the Julian Calendar. There are two facts that are important to note about the Gregorian Calendar. First, the Gregorian Calendar begins with the year AD 1 and, therefore, assigns the birth of Christ to AD 1. There was no year zero. Therefore, according to this calendar, when Jesus turned two, the year was AD 3. Second, Pope Gregory and his advisors relied upon a sixth-century monk named Dionysius Exiguus for the calculation of the year of Christ’s birth. However, due to poor records at that time, most modern historians believe that Dionysius Exiguus miscalculated the year of Jesus’ birth, which most likely took place between 4–6 BC on the Gregorian Calendar. This is noted because the dates that follow for the events of Christ’s life will follow what we may call the “symbolic” numbering of years rather than the literal numbering. If we were to follow the literal numbering, we would assign the birth of Christ with the date 4–6 BC, which might become confusing. To avoid that confusion, the chronological numbering in this appendix will use the symbolic date of AD 1 for the birth of Christ and all events before and after will follow that rule.

We begin our chronological reflections on the history of the Church by pondering the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary around the year 15 BC, given that she was about fifteen years old when she gave birth to Jesus. Though the birth of the Church is typically associated with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, it is important to note the first and immediate event that made the birth of the Church possible was the Immaculate Conception of Mary, who would become the New Eve and the Mother of God.

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

To learn more about this important century within the Church, the following reflections can be read in chronological order:

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

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

November 21: Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary—Memorial (c. 12 BC)

March 25: Annunciation of the Lord—Solemnity (1 BC)

May 31: Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary—Feast (1 BC)

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

The first century is, without question, the most important century in world history. It was then that Jesus was born, His mother became the Mother of God, the Holy Family was established, and Jesus “… became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him” (Luke 2:40). Within the first part of the first century, we ponder all the events that made up the human life of the Son of God. We ponder His birth, public ministry, Passion, Resurrection, Ascension into Heaven, and Pentecost. We also ponder those people and events that were part of Jesus’ earthly life, such as His presentation in the temple, the visit of the Magi, John the Baptist, and more.

After Pentecost, which took place around 33 according to our symbolic dating system, the Church was born and the Apostolic Age began. It concluded around 101 with the death of the last Apostle, Saint John the Evangelist. The Apostolic Age is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles and in various other early writings and legends. Acts details the early Christian community in Jerusalem, the choosing of Saint Matthias as the replacement for Judas, the martyrdom of Saint Stephen, and the scattering of that community throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. After the conversion of Saint Paul, the missionary activity of Saints Peter and Paul is detailed, and the other New Testament letters highlight the challenges and blessings within the newly established Christian communities in Jerusalem, Antioch, Rome, Corinth, and Ephesus. The activity of many of the other Apostles is known mostly by legends and other late biographies that have questionable authenticity.

In this first century, we ponder the significant events in the Blessed Mother’s life, including her Assumption and Coronation in Heaven, as well as the lives and deaths of those who were close to Jesus, such as Saints Mary Magdalene, Martha, Mary, Lazarus, and Saint James (son of Zebedee), the first Apostle to suffer martyrdom.

All of the other Apostles fulfilled their apostolic duties in this first century, and all but Saint John suffered martyrdom. By 64, Saint Peter, the first Vicar of Christ, was residing in Rome when the Roman Emperor Nero initiated the first systematic persecution of Christians. Saints Peter and Paul both were martyred in that persecution, as well as many others who are collectively known as the First Martyrs of the Church of Rome.

By the end of the first century, through the efforts of the Apostles and other disciples, the Christian faith spread far and wide. Christian communities were established in various territories that are located in modern-day Israel, Syria, Turkey, North Africa, Greece, Armenia, Iraq, Cyprus, India, and Lebanon.

During this first century, theological debates took place and the first heresies were dealt with, such as those referred to as the Judaizers and Gnostics. The Judaizers insisted that Gentile converts must adhere to Jewish law, including practices such as circumcision, in order to be fully accepted as Christians. In his letters to the Galatians and Romans, Saint Paul corrected them. Gnosticism was an early heresy that emphasized secret knowledge (gnosis) for salvation and presented a dualistic worldview, distinguishing between an evil material world and a good spiritual realm. Saint Irenaeus, who would be martyred in the next century, wrote extensively against this belief.

Toward the end of the first century, other saints on the General Roman Calendar were martyred, including laity and some who were successors to the Apostles in the role of bishop. Among them are Saints Apollinaris, Timothy, Titus, Nereus, Achilleus, and the fourth successor to Saint Peter, Pope Saint Clement I, one of three main Apostolic Fathers who left behind two important epistles.

To learn more about this important century within the Church, the following reflections can be read in chronological order:

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

December 25: Nativity of the Lord—Solemnity (AD 1)

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

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

January 3: The Most Holy Name of Jesus, Optional Memorial (AD 1)

February 2: Presentation of the Lord—Feast (AD 1)

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

May 1: Saint Joseph the Worker—Optional Memorial

December 28: Holy Innocents, Martyrs (c. AD 1)

July 26: Saints Joachim and Anne—Memorial (Late First Century BC–Early First Century AD)

Baptism of the Lord—Feast (c. 30)

August 29: The Passion of Saint John the Baptist, Martyr—Memorial (c. 30 or 33)

August 6: Transfiguration of the Lord—Feast (c. 32)

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion—Solemnity (c. 33)

Holy Thursday (c. 33)

Good Friday (c. 33)

Holy Saturday (c. 33)

Easter Sunday—Solemnity (c. 33)

Divine Mercy Sunday—Solemnity (c. 33)

The Ascension of the Lord—Solemnity (c. 33)

Pentecost Sunday—Solemnity (c. 33)

Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church—Memorial (33 AD)

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

December 26: Saint Stephen, the First Martyr—Feast (Early First Century–c. 35)

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

July 22: Saint Mary Magdalene—Feast (First Century, date of death unknown)

July 29: Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus—Memorial (First Century, dates of death unknown)

August 24: Saint Bartholomew the Apostle—Feast (First Century, date of death unknown)

October 28: Saint Simon and Saint Jude, Apostles—Feast (First Century, date of death unknown)

August 15: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary—Solemnity (First Century, date unknown)

September 21: Saint Matthew, Apostle, Evangelist—Feast (First Century, dates of death unknown)

August 22: Queenship of Blessed Virgin Mary—Memorial

July 25: Saint James (son of Zebedee), Apostle—Feast (First Century–c. 44)

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

June 11: Saint Barnabas the Apostle—Memorial (Early First Century–c. 61)

May 3: Saint James (son of Alphaeus), Apostle (and Philip)—Feast (First century B.C.–c. 62)

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

June 30: First Martyrs of the Church of Rome—Optional Memorial (Died c. 64)

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

July 3: Saint Thomas the Apostle—Feast (Died c. 72)

July 20: Saint Apollinaris, Bishop and Martyr—Optional Memorial (First Century–c. 79)

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

May 14: Saint Matthias the Apostle—Feast (First Century)

October 18: Saint Luke the Evangelist—Feast (First Century, died c. age 84)

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

May 12: Saints Nereus and Achilleus, Martyrs—Optional Memorial (Died c. 98)

November 23: Saint Clement I, Pope and Martyr—Optional Memorial (c. 35–c. 99)

With the death of Saint John the Apostle around the year 101, the Church moved into the age of the Apostolic Fathers, those leaders who personally knew the Apostles and were formed by their teaching and ministry. Two of Saint John’s disciples were Saints Ignatius of Antioch and Polycarp. They were both bishops, and both left behind important letters that reveal the development and formation of the early Church under the bishops. Their letters were written to Christian communities and provided pastoral guidance, encouraged unity, spelled out instructions on Church governance, and addressed emerging heresies.

One emerging heresy was Montanism, which taught that true Christianity depended on a mystical experience with the Holy Spirit. Marcionism was a heresy that rejected the Old Testament and portrayed the God of the Hebrew Bible as a lesser deity, distinct from the God of the New Testament. Montanism claimed new prophetic revelations given to certain individuals by the Holy Spirit that surpassed the authority of the Church hierarchy and Scripture. Saint Irenaeus, the Bishop of Lyons and disciple of Saint Polycarp, was a hero of orthodoxy who wrote his work Against Heresies that addressed the heresy of Gnosticism and touched on Marcionism. 

In this century, the writings of the Apostles, which would later become the canonical New Testament, began to be collected, read, and revered. Further theological development took place, and apologists such as Saint Justin Martyr provided a clearer understanding of the faith and defended that faith before the officials in the Roman Empire. He also gave us one of the earliest descriptions of the celebration of the Mass. Further, Saint Justin was one of the first to begin using Greek philosophy as an intellectual foundation to explain revealed truths, such as the nature of Christ and the Holy Trinity

Missionary activity continued in this century, and the Gospel is believed to have reached the modern-day territories of France, Germany, Spain, the Balkans, Britain, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and North African countries, such as modern-day Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, and Ethiopia.

Localized and sporadic persecutions of Christians took place in the second century under Roman emperors, such as Trajan, Hadrian, and Antoninus Pius, who tolerated Christians unless they refused to honor the Roman gods. Under Emperor Marcus Aurelius, a philosopher who viewed Christianity as superstitious, persecutions intensified in some areas. During this century, the persecution of Christians was not yet carried out through systematic empire-wide campaigns, which would emerge in the next two centuries.

To learn more about this important century within the Church, the following reflections can be read in chronological order:

December 27: Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist—Feast (Early First Century–c. 101)

October 17: Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr—Memorial (Early- to Mid-First Century–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)

During the third century, the Church experienced much growth, doctrinal development, and increased persecution. The doctrines on the Trinity and the nature of Christ continued to develop and provided a foundation for definitive clarification from Church councils in the fourth century. Saint Cyprian of Carthage wrote on the importance of the Church’s unity, and Hippolytus of Rome wrote against heresies and on the structure of the Church, including the liturgy. 

The Church’s liturgical practices continued to develop, as did the organization of Christian communities under the bishops. Christian art and architecture began to emerge, and the catacombs were increasingly revered because of the martyrs buried there.

During the first half of the third century, the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire continued. Saint Irenaeus was martyred at the beginning of the century by Emperor Septimius Severus, as were Saints Perpetua and Felicity, who are mentioned in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I). They were martyred in North Africa, in the city of Carthage (modern-day Tunisia). Perpetua was a noblewoman and Felicity was her servant. They were arrested and killed for converting to the Christian faith in defiance of the emperor’s edict prohibiting conversions. In addition to Perpetua and Felicity, Cecilia and Agatha—two virgins who are also included in the Roman Canon—were martyred. Five popes were martyred in this century: Callistus I, Pontian, Fabian, Cornelius, and Sixtus II.

In 250, Roman Emperor Decius issued an edict requiring all people in the Roman Empire to offer sacrifice to the Roman gods. Those who refused were subject to the confiscation of property, torture, and death. Valerian, who became Roman emperor a few years later, continued this practice, especially against clergy and their church property. Among the most well-known martyrs of the second half of the third century are Saints Lawrence and Sebastian, and the twin brothers Saints Cosmas and Damian.

Another heresy that arose was Novatianism. Because of the empire-wide persecutions, some Christians renounced their faith in order to save their lives. They were referred to as “lapsi.” Novatian, a priest in Rome, argued that those who renounced their faith could not be readmitted into communion with the Church. Pope Pontian disagreed, and Saint Cyprian clearly argued that they could be readmitted after confession and penance.

To learn more about this important century within the Church, the following reflections can be read in chronological order:

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

October 9: Saint Denis, Bishop and Companions, Martyrs—Optional Memorial (Third Century)

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

March 7: Saints Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs—Memorial (Died 203)

October 14: Saint Callistus I, Pope and Martyr—Optional Memorial (Late Second Century–c. 223)

August 13: Saints Pontian, Pope and Hippolytus, Priest, Martyrs—Optional Memorial (Unknown–c. 235)

January 20: Saint Fabian, Pope and Martyr—Optional Memorial (Died 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: Died 253; Saint Cyprian: c. 200–258)

August 7: Saint Sixtus II, Pope and Martyr, and Companions, Martyrs—Optional Memorial (Unknown–c. 258)

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

September 26: Saints Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs—Optional Memorial (c. Late Third Century–c. 287 or 303)

January 20: Saint Sebastian, Martyr—Optional Memorial (c. 255–c. 288)

During the fourth century, the Church experienced freedom and substantial growth within the Roman Empire following one last severe empire-wide persecution, known as “The Great Persecution.” In 303, Emperor Diocletian issued a series of edicts demanding Christians renounce their faith and offer sacrifices to the Roman gods. Many complied to save their lives, but numerous others, firm in their faith, became martyrs. Among these martyrs who are on the General Roman Calendar are Saints George, Januarius, Marcellinus, Peter, Lucy of Syracuse, Pancras, Agnes, Vincent, and Catherine of Alexandria.

At that time, the Roman Empire was governed by the Tetrarchy system, with two Augusti and two Caesars. In 305, Diocletian and his co-emperor Maximian, both Augusti, abdicated their thrones, intending for their Caesars to succeed them. Constantius Chlorus, then Caesar in the West, became Augustus, but upon his death in 306, his son Constantine was proclaimed Augustus by his troops, a title that was not immediately recognized empire-wide. At the same time, Maxentius, son of the former Western Augustus Maximian, declared himself Augustus in Rome. Conflict ensued between Constantine and Maxentius, culminating in Constantine’s victory at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312. Prior to the battle, legend holds that Constantine saw a vision of a cross with the words, “In this sign you will conquer.” He had his troops paint the cross on their shields and won the battle, securing his position as the Western Augustus.

In 313, grateful for his victory that he attributed to the Christian God, Constantine, along with Eastern Emperor Licinius, issued the Edict of Milan. This decree granted religious tolerance throughout the Roman Empire, which became a significant turning point in history for the Catholic Church.

After the Edict of Milan, Constantine provided substantial support for the Church. He donated property and funds for the construction of key churches in Rome and the Holy Land, such as the Lateran Basilica, Saint Peter’s on Vatican Hill, Holy Cross of Jerusalem, and Saint Paul Outside the Walls. In Jerusalem, his mother, Saint Helena, built the Church of the Holy Sepulchre over Mount Calvary and Christ’s tomb. Today, these churches remain some of the most important places of Christian pilgrimage and worship.

The fourth century also saw the rise of Arianism, a heresy from Alexandria in North Africa that denied Christ’s divinity, teaching instead that He was subordinate to the Father and not co-eternal. In response, God raised up outstanding 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 theological stances led Emperor Constantine to call the first ecumenical (universal) Council of Nicaea in 325. From that council, the Nicene Creed was drafted and Arianism was condemned. However, Arianism did not entirely go away. In 381, the First Council of Constantinople was held, which further addressed and condemned Arianism and expanded the Nicene Creed.

In 324, Constantine became the sole ruler of the Eastern and Western Roman Empires and established Constantinople as the new capital. In this period, the Church began to exert significant influence both in Rome and across the empire.

In Egypt, Saint Anthony played a foundational role in the development of monasticism. He became a hermit, living in a cave, engaging in a life of prayer, solitude, and penance. Toward the end of his life, he helped guide other hermits who wanted to imitate him. His influence would be felt for centuries to come, especially given the fact that the great exiled Bishop of Alexandria, Saint Athanasius, came to know Saint Anthony and wrote a book about his life and vocation.

Later in the century, Saint Augustine of Hippo emerged as one of the greatest theologians in Church history. His writings became foundational for Christian theology for the centuries that followed and continue to be highly influential.

Upon the death of Emperor Theodosius I in 395, the last to rule a unified East and West, the Empire was divided between his sons. Theodosius’ death marked a significant moment, leading to distinct cultural and political paths that the Eastern (Byzantine) and Western (Latin) Church would begin to take.

To learn more about this important century within the Church, the following reflections can be read in chronological order:

November 2: All Souls Day—Commemoration (Added to the Universal Roman Calendar in the Fourteenth Century)

April 23: Saint George, Martyr—Optional Memorial (Died c. 303)

September 19: Saint Januarius, Bishop and Martyr—Optional Memorial (Died c. 304)

June 2: Saints Marcellinus and Peter, Martyrs—Optional Memorial (Mid-Third Century–c. 304)

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

May 12: Saint Pancras, Martyr—Optional Memorial (c. 289–c. 304)

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

January 22: Saint Vincent, Deacon and Martyr—Optional Memorial (Late Third Century–c. 304)

November 25: Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr—Optional Memorial (c. 287–c. 305)

February 3: Saint Blaise, Bishop and Martyr—Optional Memorial (Died c. 316)

November 9: Dedication of the Lateran Basilica—Feast (Dedicated in 324)

November 18: Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles—Optional Memorial (Dedicated c. 325)

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

December 31: Saint Sylvester I, Pope (c. Late Third century—335)

December 6: Saint Nicholas, Bishop—Optional Memorial (c. 270–c. 346)

August 5: Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Our Lady of the Snows)—Optional Memorial (c. 352)

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

January 13: Saint Hilary of Poitiers, Bishop and Doctor—Optional Memorial (c. 315–367)

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

June 9: Saint Ephrem, Deacon and Doctor—Optional Memorial (c. 306–373)

August 2: Saint Eusebius of Vercelli, Bishop—Optional Memorial (c. 283 or early Fourth Century–371)

December 11: Saint Damasus I, Pope—Optional Memorial (c. 305–384)

March 18: Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop and Doctor—Optional Memorial (c. 315–c. 387)

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

January 2: Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors—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—Memorial (c. 339–c. 397)

In the fifth century, the Church saw significant theological development, growth in missionary endeavors, further development of monasticism, political and cultural changes, and the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Saint Augustine, who converted in the late fourth century, made significant contributions in this era, writing his foundational works, Confessions and City of God. This period was also blessed by the theological insights of several other doctors of the Church, including Saints John Chrysostom and Jerome, whose influence began in the late fourth century but continued to have an impact throughout the fifth century. Saints Cyril of Alexandria, Peter Chrysologus, and Pope Leo the Great also emerged in the fifth century, especially providing greater insights into orthodox teaching on the nature of Christ and grace.

These theologians addressed various emerging heresies, such as Pelagianism, which challenged the necessity of grace for salvation, and Nestorianism, which claimed there were two Persons in Christ, a divine and human person. With the help of these doctors of the Church, the Council of Ephesus, called to address Nestorianism, proclaimed Mary as the Mother of God (Theotokos), and councils in Carthage were called to address Pelagianism. In 451, the ecumenical Council of Chalcedon addressed Monophysitism, a heresy that claimed Jesus had only a single, divine nature, rather than a human and divine nature that were united in a single Person.

In 410, the Visigoths sacked Rome, and in 476, the Western Roman Empire fell. This had a profound effect on the Church in the West and the East. In the West, the papacy became a stabilizing force and began to assert greater influence in civil matters, alongside its spiritual authority. Monasticism further emerged and monasteries became places of learning, preserving the sacred doctrine. In the East, the Church and State became more intertwined, developing somewhat independent of Rome and the papacy, which would lead to later division.

One of the most well-known saints of this era is Saint Patrick, who was born in Roman Britain, captured by Irish pirates as a teenager, and sold into slavery in Ireland. After escaping, Patrick heard God calling him back to Ireland as a missionary. After completing his theological studies, he was ordained a priest and then bishop and returned to become the great evangelizer of that land.

To learn more about this important century within the Church, the following reflections can be read in chronological order:

September 29: Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels—Feast (Initially celebrated in Fifth Century)

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

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

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

June 22: Saint Paulinus of Nola, Bishop—Optional Memorial (c. 354–431)

June 27: Saint Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop and Doctor—Optional Memorial (c. 376–444)

July 30: Saint Peter Chrysologus, Bishop and Doctor—Optional Memorial (c. 380 or 406–c. 450)

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

March 17: Saint Patrick, Bishop—Optional Memorial (c. 387–c. 460 or 493)

Though only three saints on the General Roman Calendar died in the sixth century, others emerged toward the end who made a great impact upon the Church. In the first half of the sixth century, one of the most influential figures to emerge was Saint Benedict of Nursia. Saint Benedict was a monk who founded monasteries, most notably the Monastery of Monte Cassino. To govern his monastery, he wrote the Rule of Saint Benedict, which eventually became the standard rule for monasteries within the Western Church. Saint Benedict’s sister, Saint Scholastica, a founder of the women’s Order of Saint Benedict, is also honored this century.

In the Eastern Byzantine Empire, Arianism continued to be a source of division and tension. Toward the end of the fifth century, Emperor Zeno issued a document called the Henotikon that sought to ease the tensions by finding a middle ground between the official Church teaching on the nature of Christ as defined in the Council of Chalcedon and the Arian view that was still plaguing the Church in the East. However, in 523, Byzantine Emperor Justin, an orthodox Catholic, issued an edict outlawing Arianism and mandating the acceptance of the teaching of the Council of Chalcedon throughout the Eastern Empire. Arians were forced to turn their churches over to Chalcedon Catholics. 

In the West, Rome was under the control of Theodoric the Great, the king of the Ostrogoths, who was an Arian. His Arian views caused tension between him and the pope, as well as all orthodox Catholics. When the Eastern Roman Emperor Justin I issued his edict in 523 against the Arians, Theodoric was outraged and threatened that if the edict were not rescinded, he would treat all Chalcedon Catholics in the West in the same way that Arians were being treated in the East.  This led to the death of Pope Saint John I, the only martyr of this century.

In Ireland, the great missionary monk, Saint Columban, who died in the seventh century, began to establish monastic centers across Europe. Pope Saint Gregory the Great also engaged in missionary work by sending Saint Augustine of Canterbury to evangelize the Anglo-Saxon people of England, laying the groundwork for the English Church.

To learn more about this important century within the Church, the following reflections can be read in chronological order:

May 18: Saint John I, Pope and Martyr—Optional Memorial (c. Late Fifth Century–526)

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

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

The seventh century began with the continued influence of great saints, such as Saint Augustine of Canterbury who was instrumental in the evangelization of the Anglo-Saxon people of England. This mission, initiated by Pope Saint Gregory the Great toward the end of the sixth century, laid the groundwork for Christianity’s growth in England. At the same time, the Irish monk Saint Columban significantly contributed to the evangelization and reform of parts of Europe, particularly in regions needing reform after the Western Roman Empire’s collapse.

In the Byzantine Empire, known as the Eastern Roman Empire, the Church remained strong and closely tied to imperial rule, significantly influencing theological development and political decisions. Emperor Justinian I’s reign, which extended from 527 to 565, was particularly noteworthy for its attempts to reconquer former Western territories and for the construction of the Church of the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople.

In the territories of the former Western Roman Empire, various Germanic kingdoms emerged as ruling powers. The Visigoths, dominant in the Iberian Peninsula, converted from Arianism to Catholicism by the end of the sixth century. The Franks, ruling modern-day France and parts of Germany, were staunchly Catholic under the Merovingian dynasty. The Lombards, initially Arian Christians, controlled large parts of Italy by the late sixth century and gradually embraced Catholicism. The papacy and the Byzantine Empire retained control over parts of southern Italy.

Saint Isidore of Seville emerged as a significant figure around 587, when both Bishop Leander and he successfully convinced the Visigothic King Reccared to renounce Arianism and return to the Catholic faith. In 601, Isidore succeeded Leander as Bishop of Seville. He made a profound impact through his powerful preaching and exhaustive writing, notably the Etymologiae, an encyclopedia of all knowledge foundational for education in medieval Europe.

The seventh century also witnessed the resolution of the monothelite controversy, a theological debate asserting that Christ had only a divine will, not a human will. Pope Saint Martin I, a former papal legate to the Byzantine emperor, played a central role in resolving this heresy. He called the Lateran Council in 649 without the emperor’s consent, leading to his arrest, imprisonment, and martyrdom due to the Byzantine Emperor’s strong support for monothelitism.

Furthermore, the seventh century saw the beginnings of the Islamic Caliphate, leading to the conquest of parts of the Middle East and North Africa, profoundly impacting the Christian faith in these territories.

Finally, the Rule of Saint Benedict continued to have a transformative effect on monasticism in the West. Monasteries became centers of learning, spirituality, and cultural preservation, significantly contributing to the Church’s life and mission.

To learn more about this important century within the Church, the following reflections can be read in chronological order:

May 27: Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop—Optional Memorial (Early Sixth Century–604)

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

November 23: Saint Columban (Columbanus), Abbot—Optional Memorial (543–615)

April 4: Saint Isidore, Bishop and Doctor of the Church—Optional Memorial (c.560–636)

April 13: Saint Martin I, Pope and Martyr—Optional Memorial (c.595–655)

One of the most divisive controversies in the eighth century was the Iconoclasm Controversy. At that time, the Islamic Caliphate ruled parts of the Middle East, formerly under the control of the Byzantine Empire. Though he permitted Christians to practice their faith, the Islamic Caliph became increasingly concerned about the Catholic practice of reverencing sacred images. In 721, the Caliph outlawed the use of images and ordered their destruction in all churches. At the same time, the  Byzantine emperor, Leo III, who was a very religious man, also became concerned about the use of sacred images and outlawed them in the Eastern Roman Empire. The Patriarch of Constantinople opposed the emperor, so Leo deposed him and appointed a new patriarch without the permission of the pope. The pope also opposed Leo and the Caliph, so grave tensions arose. It was Saint John Damascene, a desert monk not far from Jerusalem, who came to the defense of the use of sacred images by writing Apologetic Treatises against those Decrying the Holy Images. In that work, Saint John articulated the rationale for the use of icons in a profoundly theological way.

Also in that century, the Catholic faith continued to flourish in Anglo-Saxon England where Saint Bede the Venerable would have a profound impact by his teaching and writing of The Ecclesiastical History of the English People. He also helped to establish the correct dating of Easter and left behind insightful commentaries on Scripture that would have a profound impact on all of Europe.

Newly evangelized Anglo-Saxon England also greatly contributed to the evangelization of pagan Germanic tribes through the missionary work of Saint Boniface. Born in Anglo-Saxon England, Saint Boniface sensed a call to return to his ancestral homeland in modern-day Netherlands and northern Germany. After a failed mission, he consulted with the pope, who encouraged him to return. The next three years of evangelization were so fruitful that the pope ordained him a bishop and put him in charge of the whole Frankish territory. For thirty more years, he reformed the Frankish Church and helped win over many pagans.

One of the most important developments that took place in this century that would profoundly affect the future Church for centuries was the alliance between the papacy and the Frankish kings. This led to the creation of the Papal States in 756 and would pave the way for the creation of the Holy Roman Empire at the beginning of the ninth century.

To learn more about this important century within the Church, the following reflections can be read in chronological order:

May 25: Saint Bede the Venerable, Priest and Doctor—Optional Memorial (c. 673–735)

December 4: Saint John Damascene, Priest, Religious and Doctor—Optional Memorial (c. 676–749)

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

The ninth century began with Pope Leo III crowning Charlemagne on Christmas Day, 800, as the first Holy Roman Emperor. Charlemagne’s coronation deepened the alliance between the Catholic Church and the Frankish Kingdom, paving the way for the Church’s growth and stability throughout Europe for centuries to come. It also marked the beginning of new controversies that would arise in later centuries between the papacy and future Holy Roman emperors, especially in regard to the right of the pope to have full control over the Church. Under Charlemagne’s patronage, the Church saw a revival in art, culture, and learning, especially as monasteries continued to flourish. The Liturgy and Divine Office became standardized throughout the empire. Clerical reforms were implemented, such as the enforcement of celibacy, better education, and the prohibition against simony. Monasteries were tasked with the copying and preservation of important classical texts. Canon Law was also reformed and organized to help govern the Church.

Tensions between the Eastern (Byzantine) and Western (Roman) Churches also continued in this century. A schism broke out in 858 and lasted until 867, caused by the appointment of Photius as the Patriarch of Constantinople by the Byzantine emperor, without the approval of the pope. 

Throughout Europe, many monasteries were prospering and accumulating substantial wealth. This wealth attracted the attention of Vikings from the northern regions of the Frankish kingdom, present-day Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. To address the threat of continuous Viking raids, the Church chose a strategy of evangelization rather than warfare. In 831, Saint Ansgar was appointed the first archbishop of the newly formed Hamburg-Bremen diocese in northern Germany. In addition to being responsible for his diocese, he was also charged with converting the Scandinavians to the Catholic faith.

Over the next thirty-five years, Saint Ansgar dedicated himself to stabilizing his diocese, renewing the faith, and spreading Christianity in the Nordic regions. He established churches, hospitals, schools, and monasteries despite facing numerous challenges, such as wars, invasions, and the repeated destruction and confiscation of his churches.

Two of the greatest Slavic saints, the brothers Cyril and Methodius, ministered in this century. They were born in Thessalonica, Greece, but their mother was most likely of Slavic origin, so they learned her unwritten language. After Cyril and Methodius entered monastic life, Prince Rastislav of Moravia asked Emperor Michael III to send missionaries to Great Moravia, today’s Czech Republic. His people had begun to accept Christianity at the hands of the Frankish clergy, but the language barrier proved problematic. Cyril and Methodius were chosen. One of the first things they did was to create an alphabet for the Slavic language and translate the Scriptures and liturgical texts into that language. Their alphabet became a standard for many Slavic languages, and the Church vastly increased.

To learn more about this important century within the Church, the following reflections can be read in chronological order:

November 1: All Saints—Solemnity (Added to the Universal Roman Calendar in 837)

February 3: Saint Ansgar, Bishop—Optional Memorial (801–865)

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

Though only two saints listed in the General Roman Calendar, Saint Wenceslaus and Saint Adalbert, died in the tenth century, several others significantly influenced the Church during this period. Saint Wenceslaus, the Duke of Bohemia, is celebrated as a martyr who fervently promoted the Catholic faith in his region, striving to eradicate the remnants of pagan practices. Saint Adalbert, the Bishop of Prague and a missionary to the Prussians of the Baltic region, faced numerous challenges in reforming his diocese and curbing pagan practices. His short-lived missionary work and martyrdom, however, later sowed the seeds of faith throughout Bohemia, Poland, and Hungary.

The Holy Roman Empire continued to evolve and saw a renewal of the practice of imperial coronation by the pope with Otto I, also known as Otto the Great, crowned by Pope John XII in 962. This event underscored the strong, yet tension-filled, Church-State relationship, particularly over issues like the imperial influence in the appointment of bishops and abbots. During this time, the papacy and Roman curia often struggled with periods of corruption and political manipulation, due in part to the interference of Roman nobility.

In the East, the Byzantine Church continued its development somewhat independently of the Roman Church. Though the century was free from major schisms, the theological and liturgical differences between the Eastern and Western traditions became increasingly pronounced, laying the groundwork for future conflicts.

Missionary activity continued with concerted efforts to evangelize the remaining pagan regions in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. The establishment of new dioceses and parishes facilitated the spread of Christianity in these areas. The Church also witnessed the beginnings of significant monastic reforms, especially the Cluniac reforms, aimed at revitalizing the Benedictine tradition. These reforms were crucial in addressing issues within the Church, such as clerical marriage and simony, setting the stage for more extensive reforms in the following centuries.

To learn more about this important century within the Church, the following reflections can be read in chronological order:

September 28: Saint Wenceslaus, Martyr—Optional Memorial (c. 907–929)

April 23: Saint Adalbert, Bishop and Martyr—Optional Memorial (c. 956–997)

Several important saints emerged during the end of the tenth century and the beginning of the eleventh. Saint Gregory of Narek, an Armenian monk, poet, theologian, and philosopher, has long been considered a saint within the Armenian Church, but only recently was added to the Catholic General Roman Calendar by Pope Francis. He is best known for his literary work, the Book of Lamentations, a collection of profoundly intimate and mystical prayers and meditations. The Italian Saint Romuald founded the Camaldolese order, a reform branch of the Benedictines. He gave witness to a life of rigorous asceticism and solitude and established several monasteries across Italy. Saint Stephen of Hungary was crowned king in 1000 and greatly strengthened the life of the Church in his territory. He founded and reformed bishoprics and monasteries, and worked closely with Church leadership. Saint Henry II was the only Holy Roman Emperor to be canonized a saint. Like Saint Stephen, he did much across the empire to help reform the Church and make it flourish.

One of the most painful and lasting blows to the Church occurred in this century. For centuries, the Church in the Eastern Roman Empire had continued to separate itself from Rome. Though various controversies and schisms were often resolved, in 1054, as a result of ongoing theological disputes, liturgical practices, and disagreement over ecclesiastical jurisdiction, Pope Leo IX and Patriarch Michael I Cerularius of Constantinople mutually excommunicated each other, marking the split of the Church into the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.

One of the most consequential saints of this century is Pope Saint Gregory VII. First as Archdeacon of Rome under several popes and then as the pope himself, Pope Gregory was a true reformer at a time the Church needed reforming. He vigorously reformed the clergy, enforced celibacy, rooted out simony, and lessened the control the civil authorities had on the Church.

Most notably, shortly after becoming the supreme pontiff, Pope Gregory declared twenty-seven clear and concise declarations of papal authority, elevating the authority of the papacy above every civil ruler, including the emperor. This was not immediately well-received by the young Emperor Henry IV whom the pope ultimately excommunicated. Henry was eventually reconciled after begging forgiveness and doing penance.

The main controversy involved the appointment of bishops and abbots, called the Investiture Controversy. The pope claimed full authority over these Church decisions, but the emperor and nobles struggled to let go of that power. The disagreement would not be settled until 1122 at the Concordat of Worms.

In 1071, Muslim invaders continued to expand their control over parts of the Roman Empire when they captured Anatolia from the Eastern Roman Empire, modern-day Turkey. As a result, in 1095, as a gesture of friendship to the Byzantines, Pope Urban II called for the First Crusade to take back Anatolia and to reclaim the Holy Land which was taken in the seventh century. By 1099, the Crusaders had many victories and were able to establish several Crusader states in the Holy Land. However, this also led to increased tensions between Christians and Muslims, which would be felt in the centuries to follow.

To learn more about this important century within the Church, the following reflections can be read in chronological order:

February 27: Saint Gregory of Narek, Abbot and Doctor of the Church—Optional Memorial (951–c. 1003)

July 13: Saint Henry—Optional Memorial (973–1024)

June 19: Saint Romuald, Abbot—Optional Memorial (c. 951–1027)

August 16: Saint Stephen of Hungary—Optional Memorial (c. 975–1038)

February 21: Saint Peter Damian, Bishop and Doctor of the Church—Optional Memorial (1007–1072)

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

May 25: Saint Gregory VII, Pope, Religious—Optional Memorial (c. 1020–1085)

Ash Wednesday (Added to the Universal Roman Calendar in 1091)

November 16: Saint Margaret of Scotland—Optional Memorial (c. 1045–1093)

The reforms of the Church begun by Pope Gregory VII in the previous century continued in the twelfth. Canon law was consolidated and systematized, Scholasticism was founded, universities emerged, the Crusades continued, the Investiture Controversy lingered, monasticism expanded, and an interest in Marian devotion grew. 

Saint Bruno died at the beginning of the twelfth century, in 1101. He was a renowned scholar who had great potential to advance within the Church. Instead, he renounced every temptation toward ambition and founded what is today the most radical form of religious life. In 1084, with the support of Pope Urban II, Saint Bruno founded the first Carthusian monastery, the Grande Chartreuse, in the French Alps. Though the Carthusians live in community, they do so in separate hermitages that enable them to jointly live as hermits in solitude and deep prayer. 

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux and Saint Norbert also added to the ongoing reform and strengthening of monastic life in this century. Saint Bernard founded the important monastery in Clairvaux that grew to about 700 monks by the time of his death. He also left behind profound spiritual writings that sought not only to feed the mind but also the heart, so as to draw one into a deeper and more intimate union with God. His love of the Blessed Mother was also evident, which helped to spark greater devotion to her in the years that followed. Saint Norbert was a bishop and the founder of the Premonstratensian Order, an order that sought to intertwine monasticism and pastoral clerical life. Female monastic orders also began to develop in this century, especially under the inspirational leadership of people such as Saint Hildegard of Bingen, an abbess, mystic, and polymath. She is especially known for her writing of twenty-six mystical visions she had that touched on the creation of the world, the nature of God, Heaven and hell, angels and demons, humanity, the Incarnation, Scriptural interpretations, the fall, redemption, the Church, Sacraments, the end of time, and much more.

Scholasticism began to grow as an intellectual movement in the century. Saint Anselm of Canterbury—a Benedictine monk, philosopher, and theologian who became the Archbishop of Canterbury—helped lay the foundation of this movement for future thinkers. In addition to monasteries being centers of learning in Paris, Bologna, and Oxford, universities began to develop. New cathedral schools were also on the rise, making education more accessible to many.

The Investiture Controversy took a good step toward resolution with the Concordat of Worms in 1122, which delineated the different rights of the Church and secular rulers in episcopal appointments and abbots.

To learn more about this important century within the Church, the following reflections can be read in chronological order:

October 6: Saint Bruno, Priest—Optional Memorial (1030–1101)

April 21: Saint Anselm of Canterbury, Bishop and Doctor of the Church—Optional Memorial (c. 1033–1109)

May 15: Saint Isidore—USA Optional Memorial (c. 1070–c. 1130)

June 6: Saint Norbert, Bishop—Optional Memorial (c. 1080–1134)

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

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

September 17: Saint Hildegard of Bingen, Virgin and Doctor of the Church—Optional Memorial (1098–1179)

The thirteenth century saw the emergence and rapid growth of a new form of religious life called the mendicant orders. Saint Francis of Assisi founded the Franciscans, and Saint Dominic founded the Dominicans. These orders focused on poverty, preaching, and mobility, in contrast to the more established monastic orders that valued stability and the acquisition of land as a source of income. These new mendicant orders were especially effective in evangelizing newly urbanized Europe.

Saint Francis is perhaps the best known and most loved saint in the history of the Church. After experiencing a radical conversion, he gathered a few followers around him who embraced radical poverty, begging for food, loving lepers, and fulfilling the roles of itinerant preachers. Within a very short period of time, the Franciscans grew to over 5,000 members. At the end of his life, Saint Francis received the stigmata from a Seraphim, which is why he is often called the Seraphic Father. Alongside Saint Francis was Saint Clare, who founded the Poor Clares, a contemplative form of the Franciscans for women.

The thirteenth century is often called the “golden age of Scholasticism,” thanks to brilliant thinkers like Saints Thomas Aquinas, Bonaventure, and Albert the Great. Among the most important writings to emerge in this century was the Summa Theologica of Saint Thomas Aquinas, arguably the greatest and most influential work in the history of the Church. Scholasticism approached theological exploration with the aid of Aristotelian logic to further the development of doctrine. The universities founded in the previous century flourished and became centers for this new approach.

Marian devotion continued to flourish in the thirteenth century, enriched by the emergence of new devotions, such as Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Our Lady of Sorrows, and Our Lady of Loreto. This period also saw a significant rise in Christian mysticism and an increased focus on the Eucharist, which led to the establishment of the Feast of Corpus Christi. The arts, particularly Gothic architecture and sacred music, experienced much growth, reflecting and contributing to the deepening devotional life of the Church.

The popes continued to centralize and strengthen their authority, Church councils helped combat heresies and define doctrine, and the Papal Inquisition was instituted to deal with heretics. The Fourth Crusade was called for by the pope, but the Crusaders diverted from their mission of recapturing the Holy Land and sacked Constantinople in 1204, killing many and looting the city. Though the pope excommunicated those involved, this tragedy further separated the East and the West. The East never fully recovered, which contributed to its Muslim conquest a couple of centuries later.

To learn more about this important century within the Church, the following reflections can be read in chronological order:

July 16: Our Lady of Mount Carmel—Optional Memorial (Late Twelfth–Early 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: Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order—Optional Memorial (c. 1240)

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

October 16: Saint Hedwig, Religious—Optional Memorial (1174–1243)

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

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ—Solemnity (First added to the Universal Roman Calendar in 1264)

August 25: Saint Louis, King—Optional Memorial (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—Optional Memorial (1175–1275)

November 15: Saint Albert the Great, Bishop and Doctor—Optional Memorial (c. 1200–1280)

December 10: Our Lady of Loreto—Optional Memorial (Late Thirteenth Century)

The fourteenth century was marked by the Avignon Papacy, the Great Schism, the Black Death, mysticism, the decline of Scholasticism, corruption, growth in personal piety, and continued production of Gothic art and architecture. Though only four canonized saints who died this century are included on the General Roman Calendar, their impact was great.

In 1305, French-born Pope Clement V was elected to the papacy. Because of a hostile political climate in Rome and his French origins, Clement settled in Avignon, France, which was part of the Papal States at that time but heavily influenced by the French King Philip IV. In 1309, Pope Clement began to move the Roman curia to Avignon. This led to much internal Church turmoil, interference by the French crown, and political maneuvering. Seven subsequent popes resided in Avignon.

During this period, three great mystics—Saints Gertrude the Great, Bridget of Sweden, and Catherine of Siena—received numerous private revelations from God and recorded them, providing the Church with a wealth of mystical spiritual knowledge for the centuries to follow. In addition to their profound mystical experiences and writings, Saints Bridget and Catherine were actively involved in Church reform and strongly urged the pope to return to Rome. Finally, their prayers, letters, and pleadings won out, and Pope Gregory XI returned the papacy to Rome in 1377.

Though many were initially delighted, not all welcomed this return with open arms. The following year, Pope Gregory died and Pope Urban VI was elected. Those in Avignon contested his election and elected Antipope Clement VII in an attempt to keep the papacy in Avignon. This “Great Schism” (also referred to as the “Western Schism”) continued for decades. Even the saints of this era disagreed. Saint Catherine of Siena supported Pope Urban, but Saint Vincent Ferrer initially supported Clement VII. In 1417, the matter was finally resolved by a Church council in Constance, and Saint Vincent not only embraced the decision, he also worked to convince others to accept it.

When the plague referred to as “Black Death” struck, it had a profound effect upon Europe. At least 25 million people died, with some estimates as high as 200 million. Monasteries and clergy were devastated, and many laity questioned why God would permit such a horror, which led to the need for spiritual renewal and personal prayer.

To learn more about this important century within the Church, the following reflections can be read in chronological order:

November 16: Saint Gertrude the Great, Virgin—Optional Memorial (1256–1302)

The Most Holy Trinity—Solemnity (Added to the Universal Roman Calendar in 1334)

July 4 (July 5 in USA): Saint Elizabeth of Portugal—Optional Memorial (1271–1336)

July 23: Saint Bridget of Sweden, Religious—Optional Memorial (1303–1373)

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

With the end of the Great Schism, the papacy began to return to normalcy in the fifteenth century, only to encounter other challenges. Conciliarism began to emerge, which was the notion that a Church council had greater authority than the pope. Problems within the Church were addressed in the fifteenth century, with attempts made at reforming abuses, such as poor education of the clergy, moral decay, simony—the buying and selling of church offices—and the buying and selling of indulgences. These were among the central issues that contributed to the Protestant Reformation in the next century.

This century saw the birth of the Renaissance, a period in European history in which there was a return to Classical Greek learning, advancements in science, new forms of art and architecture, all fueled by philosophical ideas such as Humanism. These new ideas and classical learning raised questions about governance and religion. The invention of the printing press in 1440 added to this movement.

This century saw the birth of the Renaissance in Italy, which eventually spread across Europe. It was a movement that led to a renewed interest in the learning, art, and culture of ancient Greece and Rome. During this period, the arts, literature, and scientific inquiry flourished. Central to this movement was Humanism, a philosophy that emphasized the value of human experience, individuality, and the study of classical texts in the original languages.

Feudalism, in which the nobility governed smaller territories, began to decline in this century and centralized nation-states emerged, particularly in France, England, and Spain. This led to the rise of strong monarchies that began to consolidate power and form more unified and centralized governments that would eventually become the norm in the centuries to follow.

Advancements in science were significant at this time, which challenged medieval understandings of the natural world with a growing emphasis on empirical evidence. The invention of the printing press around 1440 provided greater access to literature and scholarly works. As a result, new questions arose regarding traditional governance and religious practices, setting the stage for substantial social and religious changes in sixteenth-century Europe. Though Scholasticism remained, there was a growing interest in mysticism and personal experiences with God, which led to an increase in private devotion.

In 1453, Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Empire, marking the end of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire. This led to new attempts at reconciliation between the Orthodox and Catholic Church, but little came to fruition. 

At the end of the fifteenth century, interests in exploration emerged, especially after the discovery of the New World in 1492. This discovery would set the stage not only for the colonization of the Americas, but also intense missionary activity.

To learn more about this important century within the Church, the following reflections can be read in chronological order:

April 5: Saint Vincent Ferrer, Priest—Optional Memorial (c.1350–1419)

March 9: Saint Frances of Rome, Religious—Optional Memorial (1384–1440)

May 20: Saint Bernardine of Siena, Priest—Optional Memorial (1380–1444)

October 23: Saint John of Capistrano, Priest—Optional Memorial (1386–1456)

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

March 4: Saint Casimir—Optional Memorial (1458–1484)

Though the sixteenth century began with chaos, it also produced numerous great saints. In 1517, the Augustinian priest, Father Martin Luther, issued his Ninety-Five Theses that led to the Protestant Reformation, or Protestant Revolt. Father Luther raised many legitimate concerns in his theses, such as the abuses that persisted with the buying and selling of indulgences. Though many within the Catholic Church agreed there was need for reform, Father Luther’s approach, the rallying cry that accompanied him, and his condemnation by the Church, brought about rapid dissension and division within the Church and within nations. Soon, others followed with other questions and concerns, such as John Calvin and Ulrich Zwingli. Luther’s influence was especially felt in Germany, Calvin in Geneva, Switzerland, and Ulrich Zwingli’s influence was predominantly in Zurich, Switzerland.

In 1519, Luther dissented further as he began to question papal authority and in 1520, Pope Leo V condemned Luther’s writings. Luther reacted by publicly burning the papal bull. In 1521, Luther was condemned at the Imperial Diet of Worms by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and declared a heretic. In 1523, two Augustinian monks who were followers of Luther were sentenced to death for their heresies.

In 1525, a series of peasant revolts broke out in Germany in support of Luther. By 1530, a number of German princes supported Luther’s ideas and formally presented their new profession of faith in Augsburg in 1530, beginning a more formal split within the empire.

In 1533, King Henry VIII of England was excommunicated by Pope Clement VII over Henry’s insistence that the pope grant him an annulment, and in 1534, Henry declared himself the Supreme Head of the Church of England, separating the English Church from Rome.

Among this darkness, the brightest lights in the sixteenth century were the Council of Trent and the saints who helped implement its reforms. Trent began in 1545 and continued until 1563, addressing both internal reform and the errors that were emerging from the Protestants. Abuses in the Church were addressed and key teachings were reaffirmed, such as on the Sacraments, the nature of salvation, and the authority of the Church. Trent sparked what would become the Catholic-Counter Reformation, and many great saints took up the torch of renewal.

New orders started to spring up in the sixteenth century to meet the crisis at hand. Saint Cajetan founded the Theatines in 1524, Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria founded the Barnabites in 1530, Saint Angela Merici founded the Ursulines in 1535, Saint Ignatius of Loyola founded the Jesuits in 1540, and Saint Philip Neri founded the Oratorians in 1575. These orders provided a new missionary zeal, defense of the Church, education, and Christian charity to a suffering Church. Other more established orders, such as the Carmelites and Franciscans, encountered reform movements. Most notably, Saints Teresa of Jesus (Ávila) and John of the Cross had a profound impact on the renewal of religious life and upon the development of mystical theology. Strong bishops also rose up to help implement the Council of Trent, such as Saint Charles Borromeo.

Missionary activity to the Americas, Asia, and Africa also took place in the sixteenth century. Saint Francis Xavier, and later Saint Paul Miki, began to evangelize Asia. Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo became the missionary Archbishop of Lima, Peru. The Blessed Virgin Mary became one of the greatest evangelizers of modern-day Mexico when she appeared to Saint Juan Diego, and is forever remembered as Our Lady of Guadalupe. Other saints became new missionaries to Europe to counter the Protestant Reformation, such as Saints Peter Canisius, John Leonardi, Lawrence of Brindisi, Francis de Sales, and Fidelis of Sigmaringen.Most of these European missionaries began their work in the sixteenth century and continued into the seventeenth.

To learn more about this important century within the Church, the following reflections can be read in chronological order:

April 2: Saint Francis of Paola, Hermit—Optional Memorial (1416–1507)

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

June 22: Saints John Fisher, Bishop and Martyr and Thomas More, Martyr—Optional Memorial (Saint John Fisher: 1469–1535; Saint Thomas More: 1478–1535)

February 8: Saint Jerome Emiliani, Founder—Optional Memorial (1486–1537)

July 5: Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria, Priest—Optional Memorial (1502–1539)

January 27: Saint Angela Merici, Virgin—Optional Memorial (1474–1540)

August 7: Saint Cajetan, Priest—Optional Memorial (1480–1547)

December 9: Saint Juan Diego, Hermit—Optional Memorial (1474–1548)

March 8: Saint John of God, Religious—Optional Memorial (1495–1550)

December 3: Saint Francis Xavier, Priest—Memorial (1506–1552)

July 31: Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest—Memorial (1491–1556)

May 10: Saint John of Ávila, Priest and Doctor of the Church—Optional Memorial (1499–1569)

April 30: Saint Pius V, Pope—Optional Memorial (1504–1572)

December 23: Saint John of Kanty (Cantius), Priest—Optional Memorial (c. 1390–1473)

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

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

December 14: Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor—Memorial (c. 1542–1591)

June 21: Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious—Memorial (1568–1591)

December 21: Saint Peter Canisius, Priest and Doctor—Optional Memorial (1521–1597)

February 6: Saints Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs—Memorial (Died 1597)

Renewal, missionary activity, and personal sanctity flowed from the sixteenth century into the seventeenth with even more incredible saints. Missionaries to Asia, such as Saints Lawrence Ruiz and Companions, shed their blood in Japan, and Saint Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions began a centuries-long act of martyrdom in Vietnam. In South America, Saint Peter Claver became a true slave of the African slaves who were cruelly treated, and Saints Jean de Brébeuf, Isaac Jogues, priests, and their companions shed their blood to the north, in what is now the United States and Canada. The Franciscans, Dominicans, and Jesuits played a central role in this effort of worldwide evangelization. Though many of the European soldiers and settlers abused the rights of indigenous peoples in the new lands, the role of the Church was to share the faith and fight for the rights of the natives. The Church in Peru began to flourish, and new native-born saints, such as Saints Rose of Lima and Martin de Porres, gave witness for their deep humility, prayer, and charity; Saint Kateri Tekakwitha did the same in North America.

In addition to the ongoing challenges faced by the Protestant Reformation, the intellectual and philosophical movement of Rationalism also emerged with the onset of the Enlightenment. This movement emphasized reason, individualism, and a critical approach to traditional authority in areas such as religion, science, and government. Reason became the chief source and test of knowledge.

In Europe, the previously mentioned Saints Peter Canisius, John Leonardi, Lawrence of Brindisi, Francis de Sales, and Fidelis of Sigmaringen continued their good work of countering the Protestant Reformation and addressed the questions that were emerging from Enlightenment ideas. Within the already established Church structures, the Council of Trent began to be implemented in force in the seventeenth century with the reform of the Liturgy, ongoing catechesis for clarity on Church doctrine, the reform of the clergy, and the establishment of the seminary system for proper training of clergy. Civil wars also marked this period within Europe and England, especially stemming from the ongoing religious conflicts.

Personal piety continued to grow under the inspiration of saints, such as Mary Magdalene de Pazzi and Margaret Mary Alacoque. Both were mystics, leaving behind inspirational accounts of their interior encounters with God that would inspire many for centuries. Saints Vincent de Paul and Camillus de Lellis were devoted to serving the poor and sick, Saints Robert Bellarmine and Francis de Sales were among the great spiritual teachers, and  Saints Joseph of Calasanz and John Eudes were instrumental in education. Saints like Saint Josaphat continued to heal the centuries-old division between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church that had persisted since the eleventh century.

To learn more about this important century within the Church, the following reflections can be read in chronological order:

March 23: Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo, Bishop—Optional Memorial (1538–1606)

May 25: Saint Mary Magdalene de Pazzi, Virgin—Optional Memorial (1566–1607)

October 9: Saint John Leonardi, Priest—Optional Memorial (1541–1609)

July 14 (July 18 in USA): Saint Camillus de Lellis, Priest—Optional Memorial (1550–1614)

August 23: Saint Rose of Lima, Virgin—Optional Memorial (1586–1617)

July 21: Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest and Doctor—Optional Memorial (1559–1619)

September 17: Saint Robert Bellarmine, Bishop and Doctor—Optional Memorial (1542–1621)

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

April 24: Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Priest and Martyr—Optional Memorial (c. 1577–1622)

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

September 28: Saints Lawrence Ruiz and Companions, Martyrs—Optional Memorial (c. 1600–1637)

November 3: Saint Martin de Porres, Religious—Optional Memorial (1579–1639)

August 12: Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, Religious—Optional Memorial (1572–1641)

October 19: Saints Jean de Brébeuf, Isaac Jogues, Priests and Martyrs; and their Companions, Martyrs—USA: Memorial (Died between 1642–1649)

August 25: Saint Joseph of Calasanz, Priest—Optional Memorial (1556–1648)

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

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

October 2: Guardian Angels—Memorial (Added to the Universal Roman Calendar in 1670)

August 19: Saint John Eudes, Priest—Optional Memorial (1601–1680)

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

September 12: Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary—Optional Memorial (1684)

October 16: Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, Virgin—Optional Memorial (1647–1690)

November 24: Saint Andrew Dung-Lac, Priest and his Companions, Martyrs—Memorial (Seventeenth–Nineteenth Centuries)

During the eighteenth century, the Enlightenment reached its peak as an intellectual movement, further emphasizing reason, individualism, and a negative view of traditional authority in religion, science, and politics, while emphasizing the use of reason as the primary source and measure of knowledge. This posed an ongoing challenge for the Catholic Church’s emphasis on tradition and authority as new ideas began to contradict her long-standing doctrines. This led to the emergence of secularism and the decline of Catholic monarchies, which reduced the influence of the Church in many European political activities.

To address these challenges, the eighteenth century saw the emergence of new religious orders, such as the Passionists, who were founded in 1720 by Saint Paul of the Cross, and the Redemptorists, who were founded in 1732 by Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori. The Passionists focused on the Passion of Christ through prayer and contemplation, preached retreats, and engaged in pastoral ministry. The Redemptorists specialized in preaching to the poor and conducting missions. They played a significant role in pastoral care and were known for their approachable and compassionate style of preaching. The Brothers of Christian Schools, founded by Saint  John Baptist de La Salle in 1680, significantly grew in the eighteenth century, focusing on the education of the poor and marginalized, and playing an important role in developing modern teaching methods.

Personal piety was strengthened in the eighteenth century with a renewed emphasis on devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, especially through the teachings of  Saints Louis de Montfort and Alphonsus Maria de Liguori. The feast of Our Lady of the Rosary was added to the Church calendar, adding emphasis to this personal devotion. Devotion to the Sacred Heart also grew.

Missionary activity continued, especially in the Americas and Asia. Most notably, Saint Junípero Serra and his fellow missionaries expanded their missions into what is today the western United States. In Vietnam and Japan, mass martyrdoms continued as the faith steadily grew, and persecutions were felt in China and Korea.

In 1773, under significant political pressure from European monarchs, Pope Clement XIV suppressed the Jesuit Order, impacting their missionary work and role in Europe combating Enlightenment ideas and the Protestant Reformation. The Jesuits also opposed the emergence of Jansenism, a theological movement within the Catholic Church that emphasized original sin, human depravity, divine grace, and predestination. Jansenism advocated a rigorous lifestyle, including severe asceticism and frequent reception of the sacrament of penance, while discouraging the reception of communion due to a flawed view of human unworthiness. The suppression of the Jesuits not only left a void in missionary and educational efforts but also in the intellectual defense of Catholic doctrine against these contemporary challenges.

To learn more about this important century within the Church, the following reflections can be read in chronological order:

October 7: Our Lady of the Rosary—Memorial (Placed on the Universal Roman Calendar in 1716)

April 28: Saint Louis Grignon de Montfort, Priest—Optional Memorial (1673–1716)

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

October 19 (October 20 in the USA): Saint Paul of the Cross, Priest—USA: Optional Memorial (1694–1775)

July 4: Independence Day—USA Optional Memorial (July 4, 1776)

July 1: Saint Junípero Serra, Priest—USA Optional Memorial (1713–1784)

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

Several of this century’s saints were born into the chaotic time of the French Revolution in the latter part of the eighteenth century. The Revolution led to the suppression of public worship, confiscation of churches and property, and the deaths of thousands of clergy in France. It also had an impact upon the Church across Europe, as secularism and nationalism continued to grow, diminishing the Church’s political, intellectual, and cultural influence. The rationalism of the Enlightenment and evolutions in science and industry not only changed the landscape of Europe, they also took their toll on the Church’s doctrine and perceived moral authority.

In response, God raised up many who would help reconcile faith and reason, and defend the Church’s ever ancient teachings. Saint John Henry Newman articulated a vision of education that integrated faith and intellectual inquiry. His theological contributions helped the Church engage with modern philosophical and theological questions. Saint Anthony Mary Claret, a bishop and founder of the Claretians, preached, wrote, and established libraries and schools, helping to educate clergy and laity in Spain, and for six years, in Cuba.

Other notable saints battled the challenges of the age by their holiness, simplicity, teaching, and writings. Saint Jean Vianney, who suffered through the worst of the French Revolution, was transformative due to his pastoral zeal and administration of the Sacraments. Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus sparked a profound love for interior conversion and love of God. Saint John Bosco was a beacon of light during the Industrial Revolution, particularly among young boys in need of jobs and moral direction, integrating spiritual formation with practical skills, preparing his students to live their faith in the modern world. Saint Peter Julian Eymard founded the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament in France and was a fervent apostle of the Eucharist.

The Church in the Americas continued to grow as Saints Elizabeth Ann Seton, Rose Philippine Duchesne, John Neumann, Francis Xavier Seelos and Blessed Marie Rose Durocher ministered to the migrants, and Saint Damien de Veuster of Molokai served the lepers in Hawaii. In other parts of the world, missionary activity continued. Saint Anthony Mary Claret had a great impact as a bishop in Cuba. Saint Peter Chanel became the first martyr in Oceania. Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and their 101 companions shed their blood in Korea. Saints Charles Lwanga and companions died for their faith in Africa.

Personal piety and devotions continued to flourish. The Dogma of the Immaculate Conception was proclaimed by Pope Pius IX in 1854, and Our Lady herself appeared to Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, France, in 1858, confirming her new title, “The Immaculate Conception.” The Sacred Heart of Jesus was added to the General Roman Calendar in 1856, marking the culmination of that devotion over the previous centuries.

At the end of the century, the First Vatican Council convened, primarily to address papal authority in the realm of doctrine and dogma. It also addressed the relationship between faith and reason, and condemned rationalism and materialism. In 1891, in response to social issues caused by the Industrial Revolution, Pope Leo XIII issued his encyclical Rerum Novarum to address the conditions of the working class and critique capitalism and socialism, which would emerge more fully in the next century.

To learn more about this important century within the Church, the following reflections can be read in chronological order:

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

September 20: Sts. Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Priest, and Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs—Memorial (Died 1839–1867)

April 28: Saint Peter Chanel, Priest and Martyr—Optional Memorial (1803–1841)

October 6: Blessed Marie Rose Durocher, Virgin—USA Optional Memorial (1811–1849)

November 18: Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, Virgin—USA Optional Memorial (1769–1852)

December 8: Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary—Solemnity (Added to the Universal Roman Calendar in 1854)

Sacred Heart of Jesus—Solemnity (Added to the Universal Roman Calendar in 1856)

February 11: Our Lady of Lourdes—Optional Memorial (1858)

August 4: Saint Jean Vianney (the Curé of Ars), Priest—Memorial (1786–1859)

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

USA: Thanksgiving Day—Optional Memorial (Abraham Lincoln proclaimed it a national holiday in 1863)

October 5: Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, Priest—USA Optional Memorial (1819–1867)

August 2: Saint Peter Julian Eymard, Priest—Optional Memorial (1811–1868)

October 24: Saint Anthony Mary Claret, Bishop—Optional Memorial (1807–1870)

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

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

May 10: Saint Damien de Veuster of Molokai, Priest—USA Optional Memorial (1840–1889)

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

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

July 24: Saint Sharbel (Charbel) Makhlūf, Priest, Hermit—Optional Memorial (1828–1898)

The twentieth century brought with it the ravages of two world wars, the rise of Communism and Fascism, martyrdoms, developing social issues, technological advancements, the transformation of the Liturgy, a second Vatican council, public scandals, new devotions, and the canonization of numerous saints. Pope Saint Pius X began this century with a truly pastoral papacy. A parish priest at heart, he was a humble reformer and teacher, devoted to the Blessed Mother and the Eucharist. He firmly opposed modernism, which took expression in new forms of art, philosophy, and social organization due to the newly emerging industrial world. It has been said that he died of a broken heart at the outset of World War I.

During the war, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children in Fátima, Portugal, calling for prayer and penance, the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart by the pope, and with warnings that the worst was yet to come if her pleas were not heeded. Our Lady of Fátima became a great inspiration to many and the cause of many prayers. In 1925, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe was added to the General Roman Calendar to remind the world that Christ alone is King.

Saints Frances Xavier Cabrini and Katharine Drexel had a great impact upon the United States at the beginning of the century, and Saint Marianne Cope did as well in Hawaii. In Central America Church-State tensions were on the rise, leading to the martyrdoms of Saint Christopher Magallanes and companions, and of Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro. At the same time, Saint André Bessette gave a humble witness to those in Canada. Saint Faustina Kowalska, a Polish cloistered nun and mystic, lived her short life at the beginning of this century. Saint Faustina’s greatest impact would not be felt upon the Church until her diary became well known at the beginning of the twenty-first century with the institution of Divine Mercy Sunday. Saint Pio of Pietrelcina also emerged as a powerful inspiration in Italy during the time of turmoil caused by World War II.

Though World War II brought devastation to the world, it also produced great saints, such as Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe, a Polish priest and devotee of our Blessed Mother who volunteered to die in place of a stranger at Auschwitz, and Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, a Carmelite nun, philosopher, and convert to Catholicism from Judaism, who also died in Auschwitz. Post-World War II brought profound liturgical changes in the Church as it worked to meet the needs of an increasingly changing world, and was led by saintly popes such as Saints John XXIII and Paul VI. Under their guidance, the Second Vatican Council led to profound changes in the Liturgy and produced guidance on ecumenism and the Church’s approach to the modern world.

Two of the brightest lights in the Catholic Church in the latter half of the twentieth century were Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta and the great Pope Saint John Paul II. The legacies of these two saints will be better understood in the centuries to come, and only fully in Heaven. Mother Teresa was recognized and loved around the world by people of every faith and political affiliation for her tireless devotion to the poor. Pope John Paul II took the reins of the post-Vatican II Church and helped her navigate through a tumultuous period of change. He was a key player in the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe, a true missionary, doctrinally orthodox, pastorally sensitive, an intellectual, and a man of deep prayer. As the social, political, and cultural climate throughout the world continued to change, he provided the Church and the world with sound guidance and moral clarity.

To learn more about this important century within the Church, the following reflections can be read in chronological order:

July 6: Saint Maria Goretti, Virgin and Martyr—Optional Memorial (1890–1902)

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

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

May 13: Our Lady of Fátima—Optional Memorial (1916–1917)

January 23: Saint Marianne Cope, Virgin—USA Optional Memorial (1838–1918)

Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe—Solemnity (Added to the Universal Roman Calendar in 1925)

May 21: Saint Christopher Magallanes, Priest and Martyr and Companions, Martyrs—Optional Memorial (1869–1927)

November 23: Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, Priest and Martyr—USA Optional Memorial (1891–1927)

July 9: Saint Augustine Zhao Rong and 119 Companions, Martyrs—Optional Memorial (1648–1930)

January 6: Saint André Bessette, Religious—USA Optional Memorial (1845–1937)

October 5: Saint Faustina Kowalska, Virgin—Optional Memorial (1905–1938)

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

August 9: Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), Virgin and Martyr—Optional Memorial (1891–1942)

Immaculate Heart of Mary—Memorial (Added to the Universal Roman Calendar in 1944)

February 8: Saint Josephine Bakhita, Virgin—Optional Memorial (1869–1947)

March 3: Saint Katharine Drexel, Virgin—USA Optional Memorial (1858–1955)

October 11: Saint John XXIII, Pope—Optional Memorial (1881–1963)

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

January 22: Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children—USA Memorial (1973)

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

May 29: Saint Paul VI, Pope—Optional Memorial (1897–1978)

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

October 22: Saint John Paul II, Pope—Optional Memorial (1920–2005)