SAINTS OF THE MONTH: LISTING
Charles de Foucauld
Feast Day: December 1
Beatified: November 13, 2005
Venerated: April 24, 2001
Canonized: May 15, 2022
Charles was raised by his grandfather in Strasbourg, France, after his parents died in…
Francis Xavier
Feast Day: December 3
Canonized: March 12, 1622
Beatified: October 25, 1619
The Catholic Church calls Saint Francis Xavier “the Apostle to the Indies” and “the Apostle of Japan.” The word apostle means “one who is sent.” Jesus…
Read More »John Damascene
Public Domain, Link
Feast Day: December 4
Canonized: Pre-Congregation
John was born in 676 and raised in Damascus. His father worked for the Muslim government which controlled the…
Read More »Nicholas of Myra
Feast Day: December 6
Canonized: Pre-Congregation
Every year at Christmas, children await Santa Claus. When they get older, they think he is just make believe. But Santa Claus really lived—long, long ago. His generosity is based on a saint who was a great gift-giver.
Nicholas was born to a wealthy family in what is today Turkey in the latter part of the third century. When…
Read More »Ambrose of Milan
Feast Day: December 7
Canonized: Pre-Congregation
God gave many talents to Saint Ambrose. He used them to keep the Church true to God's Word. In 340 AD…
Read More »Juan Diego
Feast Day: December 9
Canonized: July 31, 2002
Beatified: April 9, 1990
Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin was born in Mexico in 1474. Everyday, he rose before dawn and walked 15 miles to Mass in what is today Mexico City. On December…
Read More »María Maravillas de Jesús
Feast Day: December 11
Canonized: May 4, 2003
Beatified: May 10, 1998
Venerated: December 17, 1996
María Maravillas Pidal y Chico de Guzmán was born into an important royal family in Madrid, Spain, in 1891. Her father was also Spain’s ambassador to the Vatican. The family was very religious, and María was always encouraged to put God first in her life. She prayed…
Read More »Our Lady of Guadalupe, Feast
Public Domain, Link
People in Mexico and in the United States celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12. Mary is the Patron Saint of…
Read More »Odilia of Alsace
Feast Day: December 13
Canonized: Pre-Congregation
Odilia, also known as Odile, was born in France in the seventh century. Her father was the Duke of Alsace. When she was still an infant, her parents realized that she was blind. Her…
Read More »Lucy of Syracuse
Feast Day: December 13
Canonized: Pre-Congregation
Lucy lived so long ago that many details of her life are unknown to us. We do know that she came from the island of Sicily and that she died in the year 304. We have proof that…
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