Religious, 1715 – 1787
Felix of Nicosia was born on November 5, 1715 and given the name Philip James Amoroso. He was the son of a poor family, the cobbler Philip Amoroso and Carmela Pirro. He was not formally educated but his mother taught him the basics of Catholic faith and encouraged him to spend time with the local Capuchin friars.
June 1: Saint Justin Martyr—Memorial c. 100–c. 165 Patron Saint of philosophers, lecturers, and apologists Pre-Congregation canonization Liturgical Color: Red Quote: And this food is called among us the Eucharist, of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are true, and who has been...
Mid-Third Century–c. 304
Invoked by those enduring hardships in life
Pre-Congregation canonization
On February 23, 303, Roman Emperor Diocletian issued an edict that mandated the destruction of Christian churches and scriptures, revoked all legal rights of Christians, and called for the confiscation of their property. In 304, Diocletian ordered the arrest of clergy, forcing them to offer sacrifices to the Roman gods or face imprisonment, torture, and death.
This is the place where Christ’s light shone on your land with a particular splendor. This was the place of darkness, Namugongo, where Christ’s light shone bright in the great fire which consumed Saint Charles Lwanga and his companions.
c. 675–754
Patron Saint of Great Germania
Pre-Congregation canonization
Gregory, the servant of the servants of God, to Boniface, a holy priest: Your holy purpose, as it has been explained to us, and your well-tried faith lead us to make use of your services in spreading the Gospel
Saint Ephrem, Deacon and Doctor—Optional Memorial
c. 306–373
Patron Saint of spiritual directors and spiritual leaders
Pre-Congregation canonization
Declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict XV in 1920
I, Ephrem, am dying. With fear, but also with reverence, I entreat you, citizens of Edessa, not to bury me under the altar or elsewhere in the house of God.
St. Landry, also known as Landericus, was a Bishop of Paris who lived from about 646 to 661. He is celebrated for his dedication to serving God and helping the poor. He was known for his work in establishing the city's first hospital, selling church property to aid the famine-stricken, and welcoming the Benedictines to his diocese. His feast day is June 10.
Catholics celebrate the memory of St. Barnabas on June 11. The apostle and missionary was among Christ's earliest followers and was responsible for welcoming St. Paul into the Church.
“St Paphnutius, who led an ascetical life in the Thebaid desert in Egypt, has left us an account of St Onuphrius the Great and the Lives of other fourth century hermits: Timothy the Desert Dweller, the abbas Andrew, Charalampus, Theophilus, and others.
Date of birth unknown; died 816. He was elected on the very day his predecessor was buried (26 Dec., 795), and consecrated on the following day. It is quite possible that this haste may have been due to a desire on the part of the Romans to anticipate any interference of the Franks with their freedom of election.
Born into a noble family at Lisbon, Portugal, in 1195 (on August 15, it is believed), and baptized Fernando, the man we would come to know as St. Anthony was 15 years old when he entered the Canons Regular of St. Augustine. He was trained for the priesthood in Coimbra, in the monastery of the Holy Cross, and ordained at the age of 24.
Elisha (e-LIE-sha) was a prophet in the northern kingdom of Israel in the 800s BC. His moment of calling was rather mystical: Elisha was plowing a field with twelve yoke of oxen when his predecessor, Elijah, came along and placed his mantle over Elisha’s shoulders―a symbol of a call to share in prophetic work.
In the heart of the snowy Alps, a tale of extraordinary kindness and devotion was sown that still reverberates across time. This is the story of Bernard of Menthon, the patron saint of mountaineers and travellers, whose legend continues to inspire Catholic believers worldwide. Read more here: https://catholicsaints.day/bernard-of-menthon/
Saint Germaine Cousin was born in 1579 in Pibrac, a small village not far from Toulouse, France. From her earliest years she was a frail, sickly child, and throughout her life was afflicted with scrofula, a tubercular condition affecting particularly the glands of the neck.
The Holy Martyrs Vitus, Modestus, and Crescentia suffered for Christ during the reign of Emperor Diocletian (284-305). Saint Vitus was the son of an illustrious Sicilian dignitary, the pagan Gelas. Gelas tried to turn his son from Christianity, but failed. Paternal love then turned to hatred, and he decided to kill Vitus.
A reading from the Second Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians 9:6-11 Brothers and sisters, consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make...
Reading of the day A reading from the Second Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians 11:18, 21-30 Brothers and sisters: Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast. To my shame I say that we were too weak! But what anyone dares to boast of (I am speaking in foolishness) I...
Saint Romuald, Abbot—Optional Memorial
c. 951–1027 | Invoked for reformation of the Church and monastic life
Canonized by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 | Liturgical Color: White
Reading of the day A reading from the Second Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians 11:1-11 Brothers and sisters: If only you would put up with a little foolishness from me! Please put up with me. For I am jealous of you with the jealousy of God, since I betrothed you to one husband...
Reading of the day A reading from the Second Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians 11:18, 21-30 Brothers and sisters: Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast. To my shame I say that we were too weak! But what anyone dares to boast of (I am speaking in foolishness) I...
Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious—Memorial
1568–1591 | Patron Saint of students, Christian youth, Jesuit novices, AIDS patients and caregivers
Invoked against eye troubles and epidemics | Canonized by Pope Benedict XIII on December 31, 1726 | Liturgical Color: White
Luigi Gonzaga was the firstborn son of eight children, and the scion to a wealthy and noble inheritance. He was born into the Duchy of Mantua, modern-day northern Italy
Reading of the day A reading from the Second Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians 12:1-10 Brothers and sisters: I must boast; not that it is profitable, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who, fourteen years ago (whether in the body or...
c. 354–431 | Patron Saint of bellmakers | Invoked by the people of Nola, Italy
Pre-Congregation canonization | Liturgical Color: White
Pontius Meropius Anicius Paulinus, more simply known as Paulinus, was born in Bordeaux, modern-day France, into a noble senatorial family. Bordeaux, then part of the Roman Empire, was a major center for learning, culture, and trade.
Saints John Fisher, Bishop and Martyr and Thomas More, Martyr—Optional Memorial
Saint John Fisher: 1469–1535 | Invoked for courage and by those who are persecuted
Saint Thomas More: 1478–1535 | Patron Saint of statesmen, politicians, lawyers, civil servants, court clerks, adopted children, large families, stepparents, and difficult marriages
Canonized by Pope Pius XI on May 19, 1935 | Liturgical Color: Red
First Century | Patron Saint of baptism, bird dealers, converts, monastic life, motorways, printers, tailors, lambs, and prisoners
Invoked against epilepsy, convulsions, hailstorms, and spasms | Pre-Congregation canonization | Liturgical Color: White of Gold
When Elizabeth conceived John the Baptist, she and her husband, Zechariah, “were advanced in years” (Luke 1:7).
June 26—Optional Memorial (in various ecclesiastical provinces)
Though not on the General Roman Calendar, Saint Josemaría is inscribed in the Roman Martyrology for today and he may be celebrated liturgically when this day falls on a weekday in Ordinary Time. | Liturgical Color: White | Patron Saint of diabetics
Saint Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop and Doctor—Optional Memorial c. 376–444 | Patron Saint of Alexandria, Egypt | Invoked against Christological heresies Pre-Congregation canonization | Declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Leo XIII in 1883 Liturgical Color: White Quote: The entire population of the city stood from dawn to dusk, waiting for the decision...
Sacred Heart of Jesus—Solemnity Friday following the second Sunday after Pentecost Quote: Once, being before the Blessed Sacrament and having a little more leisure than usual, I felt wholly filled with this Divine Presence, and so powerfully moved by it that I forgot myself and the place in which I was. I abandoned myself to...
c. 135–c. 202 | Patron Saint of those who work for the unity of the Eastern and Western Churches
Invoked against Christological heresies, and by apologists and catechists | Pre-Congregation canonization
Declared a Doctor of the Church (Doctor of Unity) by Pope Francis in 2022Liturgical Color: Red
Saint Peter: c. 1–c. 64
Patron Saint of Rome, bakers, brickmakers, masons, bridge-builders, butchers, clockmakers, cobblers, fishermen, harvesters, watchmakers, locksmiths, netmakers, the papacy, and the Universal Church
Invoked against feet problems, fevers, and frenzy
Saint Paul: c. 3–c. 64
Patron Saint of Rome, evangelists, theologians, musicians, public relations personnel, writers, publishers, and reporters; rope-, saddle-, and tentmakers; Gentiles; Cursillo movement; and Catholic Action
Invoked against snakes and hailstorms
Pre-Congregation canonizations
First Martyrs of the Church of Rome—Optional Memorial Died c. 64 | Pre-Congregation canonizations Quote: At Rome, in the time of Nero, the commemoration of many holy martyrs, who were accused of having set fire to the city, and cruelly put to death in various manners by the emperor’s order. Some were covered with the...
Saint Thomas the Apostle—Feast
Died c. 72
Patron Saint of doubters, architects, blind people, builders, geometricians, masons, surveyors, and theologians
Pre-Congregation canonization
Liturgical Color: Red
Saint Elizabeth of Portugal—Optional Memorial
(Celebrated July 5 in the USA)
1271–1336
Patron Saint of widows, brides, charity workers, those falsely accused, victims of adultery, and the Canary Islands, Spain
Invoked against jealousy, war, and difficult marriages
Canonized by Pope Urban VIII on June 24, 1625
Liturgical Color: White
Saint Maria Goretti, Virgin and Martyr—Optional Memorial
1890–1902
Patron Saint of young people (especially girls), rape victims, and the poor
Invoked for the grace of mercy and forgiveness
Canonized by Pope Pius XII on June 24, 1950
Liturgical Color: Red