c. 1181/1182–1226FraternityEurope · Italy
Francis of Assisi
From a merchant family to a simpler life. Francis formed a fraternity centred on the Gospel.
Read the storyThe saints
Meet the person behind the name. Explore their choices, journeys and remains.
Continents indicate the main setting of a story or ministry, which may differ from birthplace.
11 stories
c. 1181/1182–1226
1193–1253SteadfastnessEurope · Italy
Clare of Assisi
Clare chose poverty and community with the sisters at San Damiano. She defended their way of life with determination.
Read the story
c. 1195–1231Preaching and serviceEurope · Portugal
Anthony of Padua
Born in Lisbon as Fernando, Anthony became a Franciscan teacher and preacher who worked in Italy and France.
Read the story
1873–1897Love in ordinary lifeEurope · France
Thérèse of Lisieux
A young Carmelite who wrote about trust and love in daily life. Her story reached readers far beyond Lisieux.
Read the story
1491–1556DiscernmentEurope · Spain
Ignatius of Loyola
A war injury opened a new direction in Ignatius’s life. Pilgrimage, study and friendship led him to co-found the Society of Jesus.
Read the story
1910–1997CompassionAsia · India
Teresa of Calcutta
From Skopje to Kolkata, Teresa built a community serving people in poverty. She was canonized on 4 September 2016.
Read the story
c. 1860/1861–1886Courage in communityAfrica · Uganda
Saint Charles Lwanga
Leader of the young pages at the Buganda court. His newly received faith became a source of strength for accompanying others through persecution at Namugongo.
Read the story
1821–1846Faith across bordersAsia · South Korea
Saint Andrew Kim Taegon
Korea’s first native Catholic priest, formed within a Church sustained by lay believers. His journeys across Asia connected communities living under persecution.
Read the story
c. 1656–1680Prayer, identity and serviceNorth America · United States / Canada
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha
A Mohawk woman with Algonquin family heritage. From the Mohawk River valley to a community near Montréal, her life brought together prayer and care for others.
Read the story
1586–1617Prayer becoming careSouth America · Peru
Saint Rose of Lima
A lay Dominican in colonial Lima. Work, prayer and service to poor people shaped the legacy of the first canonized saint born in the Americas.
Read the story
1803–1841Encounters in the Pacific islandsOceania · Futuna, Wallis and Futuna
Saint Peter Chanel
A French Marist priest serving on Futuna. Travel accounts and his journal help introduce missionary life before his martyrdom in 1841.
Read the storyNo results yet. Try another name or clear the filters.