Saint Francis of Paola, O.M. (Francesco di Paola)(†1507) was an Italian mendicant friar and founder of the Order of Minims, a religious order emphasizing humility and penance. Born in Paola, Calabria, he displayed profound piety from a young age, living as a hermit before establishing his order at age 19. Known for his miracles, austerity, and compassion, he attracted followers across Italy and France. He served as a spiritual advisor to French kings, earning widespread reverence. Canonized in 1519, he is the patron saint of Calabria and seafarers. His feast day is April 2, and his legacy endures through the Minim order.
Saint Maurus (†584) was the first disciple of Benedict of Nursia. Around 543, Innocentius, the Bishop of Mans, sent his vicar, Adenard, to Monte Cassino to request Benedict to send some monks to Gaul. Maurus was dispatched and, during the journey, obtained many cures for the sick and injured encountered along the way. Through the generosity of King Theudebert, he founded Glanfeuil Abbey, which he governed for many years. He resigned the abbacy in 581 to spend the remainder of his life in solitude and prayer. The Blessing of Saint Maurus is customarily bestowed on the sick with a relic of the true Cross, in hopes of assisting to restore their health. His Feast day is January 15 and he is considered a Patron Saint of cripples, charcoal burners, cobblers, coppersmiths, and shoemakers; invoked against rheumatism, epilepsy, gout, hoarseness, and cold.
St. Rose of Viterbo, T.O.S.F. (†1251), was a young woman born in Viterbo who spent her brief life as a recluse and was outspoken in her support of the papacy. Otherwise, leading an unremarkable life, she later became known for her mystical gifts of prophecy and miraculous powers. She is a patron saint of people in exile; people rejected by religious orders; Franciscan youth; and Viterbo, Italy. Her feast day is celebrated on 4 September.
Saint Vincent de Paul († 1660) was a French Roman Catholic priest who dedicated himself to serving the poor. He is a Holy Patron of charities; horses; hospitals; leprosy; lost articles; Madagascar; prisoners; Richmond, Virginia; spiritual help; Saint Vincent de Paul Societies; Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory; Vincentian Service Corps; and volunteers. The Society of St Vincent de Paul was founded in 1833 to sanctify its members through personal service to the poor. His feast day is commemorated on 27 September.
Saint Rose of Lima, TOSD (†1617) was a lay member of the Third Order of Saint Dominic in Lima, Peru, who became known for both her life of severe penance and her care of the poverty-stricken of the city through her own private efforts. Rose of Lima was born to a noble family and is the patron saint of embroidery, gardening and cultivation of blooming flowers. She was declared a saint by the Catholic Church, being the first person born in the Americas to be canonized as such. Her shrine is located inside of the convent of Saint Dominic in Lima, Peru. The Catholic Church says that many miracles followed her death: there were stories that she had cured a leper, and that, at the time of her death, the city of Lima smelled like roses; roses also started falling from the sky. Many places in the New World are named Santa Rosa after her. As a saint, Rose of Lima has been designated as a co-patroness of the Philippines, the primary patroness of Peru, and of the local people of Latin America. Her feast day is celebrated on August 23.
Saint Pacificus of San Severino (†1721) was an Italian Roman Catholic priest renowned for his piety and reported miracles. He was orphaned at a young age and raised by the archdeacon of the Cathedral of San Severino. He joined the Franciscan Order of the Reformati at Forano, adopting the religious name "Pacificus." Ordained as a priest on June 4, 1678, Pacificus served as a professor of philosophy for six years at Fossombrone and later worked as a missionary in central-northern Italy. Despite enduring severe health issues, including lameness, deafness, and blindness, he maintained a life of deep contemplation and was believed to possess miraculous abilities. After his death on September 24, 1721, numerous miracles were attributed to him, leading to his beatification by Pope Pius VI on August 4, 1786, and subsequent canonization by Pope Gregory XVI on May 26, 1839. His feast day is celebrated on September 24, and he is considered the patron saint of those suffering from chronic pain.
Saint Vincent Ferrer, O.P., (†1419) was a Spanish Dominican friar, renowned preacher, and missionary. Born in Valencia, he entered the Dominican Order at 18 and studied theology in Barcelona and Toulouse. Known for his fiery sermons, he traveled across Europe, preaching repentance and conversion, earning the title "Angel of the Apocalypse." Vincent played a key role in resolving the Western Schism, supporting Pope Benedict XIII. His miracles, including healings, bolstered his reputation. He founded the Fraternity of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. Canonized in 1455 by Pope Callixtus III, his feast day is April 5. Vincent remains a patron of Valencia and builders.
Saint Apollonia (†249) was one of a group of virgin martyrs who suffered in Alexandria during a local uprising against the Christians prior to the persecution of Decius. According to church tradition, her torture included having all of her teeth violently pulled out or shattered. For this reason, she is popularly regarded as the patroness of dentistry and those suffering from toothache or other dental problems. She is venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, and Oriental Orthodoxy, and her feast day is celebrated on February 9.
St. Lucia of Syracuse (†304), also known as Saint Lucy, or Saint Lucia (Italian: Santa Lucia), was a young Christian martyr who died during the Diocletianic Persecution and is venerated as a saint by the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Orthodox Churches. She is one of eight women, who along with the Blessed Virgin Mary, are commemorated by name in the Canon of the Mass. She is a patron of the blind; martyrs; Perugia, Italy; Mtarfa, Malta; epidemics; salesmen, Syracuse, Italy, throat infections, and writers.
Saint Christopher is venerated by several Christian denominations as a martyr killed in the reign of the 3rd-century Roman Emperor Decius. According to Tradition, he carried a child, who was unknown to him, across a river before the child revealed himself as Christ. Therefore, he is the patron saint of travelers, and small images of him are often worn around the neck, on a bracelet, carried in a pocket, or placed in vehicles by Christians. St. Christopher is a widely popular saint, especially revered by athletes, mariners, ferrymen, and travelers. He is revered as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. He holds the patronage of things related to travel and travelers — against lightning and pestilence — and patronage for archers; bachelors; boatmen; soldiers; bookbinders; epilepsy; floods; fruit dealers; fullers; gardeners; sudden death; mariners; market carriers; motorists and drivers; sailors; storms; surfers; toothache; mountaineering; and transportation workers. The Eastern Orthodox Church venerates Christopher of Lycea with a Feast Day on May 9 and the Roman Martyrology remembers him on 25 July.
Saint Gaetano dei Conti di Thiene (†1547) was an Italian Catholic priest and religious reformer, who helped found the Congregation of Theatines. Saint Cajetan was beatified in 1629 and canonized in 1671. His feast day is celebrated on August 7. He is patron saint of bankers; gamblers; unemployed people; workers; non-gamblers; document controllers; job seekers; Albania; Italy; Ħamrun(Malta); Argentina; Brasil; El Salvador; and Guatemala.
Saint Andrew of Crete (c. 650–740), also known as Andrew of Jerusalem, was a prominent early Christian bishop, theologian, and hymnographer. Born in Damascus, he became a monk in Jerusalem before being appointed Archbishop of Crete. Renowned for his eloquence and piety, Andrew composed the Great Canon of Repentance, a profound liturgical hymn still used in Eastern Catholic and Orthodox churches. His homilies and hymns enriched Christian worship, emphasizing repentance and devotion. He played a key role in defending orthodox teachings during the iconoclastic controversies. Canonized for his contributions, his feast day is July 4.