Catholic Feast Day Calendar

One of the earliest Christian apologists. A philosopher who embraced Christianity as the "true philosophy" and was martyred in Rome c. 165 AD.

Young Ugandan pages martyred in 1886 by King Mwanga II for refusing to renounce their Christian faith. Patron of African youth.

"Apostle of the Germans." English Benedictine missionary who evangelised Germany and was martyred in Frisia. Patron of Germany.

Apostle and companion of St. Paul on his first missionary journey. His name means "son of encouragement." Martyr of Cyprus.

Portuguese Franciscan friar and Doctor of the Church. Renowned preacher and miracle-worker. Patron of lost things and the poor.

Italian Jesuit novice who died at 23 while nursing plague victims. Renowned horn of noble inheritance. Patron of Catholic youth.

Both martyred under Henry VIII for refusing to accept royal supremacy over the Church. A bishop and a statesman united in fidelity.

One of three birthdays in the liturgical calendar (along with Jesus and Mary). The forerunner who prepared the way of the Lord.

The Christians killed by Nero in 64 AD, blamed for the Great Fire of Rome — the Church's first organised persecution.

The doubting apostle who cried "My Lord and my God!" on seeing the Risen Christ. Tradition holds he brought the faith to India.

11-year-old Italian martyr who died defending her purity and forgave her attacker on her deathbed. Patron of youth and purity.

Father of Western monasticism. His Rule has guided monks for 1500 years. Patron of Europe. "Ora et Labora" — pray and work.

Franciscan theologian, philosopher, and cardinal who wrote a celebrated life of St. Francis. The "Seraphic Doctor."

Feast of the Carmelite Order and the Brown Scapular devotion. Mary as the model of contemplative life on Mount Carmel.

First witness of the Resurrection — the "Apostle to the Apostles." Freed of seven demons by Jesus. A model of repentance and devotion.

First of the Twelve to be martyred. Patron of Spain; his shrine at Santiago de Compostela is one of the great pilgrimage sites of Christendom.

The parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandparents of Jesus. Patron saints of grandparents, parents, and married couples.

The active sister in the household of Bethany who declared "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God." Patron of hosts and homemakers.

Basque soldier turned mystic. Founded the Jesuits in 1540 and wrote the Spiritual Exercises. "For the greater glory of God."

The Curé of Ars. A simple French village priest who became one of the most sought-after confessors in history. Patron of parish priests.

Founder of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans). Preached against the Cathar heresy through dialogue and example. Patron of astronomers.

Roman deacon and martyr who, when ordered to hand over the Church's treasures, presented the poor. Roasted on a gridiron, he reportedly quipped: "Turn me over — I'm done on this side."

Friend of St. Francis and founder of the Poor Clares. Known for her radical poverty and mystical prayer. Patron of television.

Cistercian abbot, reformer, and Doctor of the Church. Preached the Second Crusade and composed the beloved hymn Jesu dulcis memoria.

First person born in the Americas to be canonised. Dominican tertiary who practiced severe penance. Patron of Latin America.

Apostle traditionally identified with Nathanael — "in whom there is no guile." Missionary to Armenia and India; martyred by flaying.

Mother of St. Augustine, whose thirty years of prayer and tears led to his conversion. Patron of mothers of wayward children.

Greatest theologian of the Latin Church. From restless sinner to Bishop of Hippo. Confessions and City of God shaped Western thought.

Carmelite nun who died at 24. Her "Little Way" of spiritual childhood is one of the most beloved spiritualities of modern times. Doctor of the Church.

The feast honouring the angels assigned to protect each soul from birth. "See that you do not despise one of these little ones" (Mt 18:10).

Commemorates the victory at the Battle of Lepanto (1571), attributed to the Rosary. One of the great Marian feasts of the Church.

Spanish Carmelite mystic and reformer. Author of The Interior Castle. First woman named Doctor of the Church. Co-patron of Spain.

Bishop and martyr who wrote seven precious letters on his way to execution in Rome. First known use of the word "catholic" for the Church.

Physician, Evangelist, and travelling companion of St. Paul. Author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Patron of artists and doctors.

Polish pope who helped bring down Communism, authored Theology of the Body, and travelled the world proclaiming "Be not afraid!"

Two apostles honoured together. Simon the Zealot and Jude Thaddaeus — the patron of hopeless causes — who preached together in Persia.

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed. The Church prays for the souls in Purgatory, hastening their purification and entry into heaven.

First black saint of the Americas. Dominican lay brother in Lima who served the sick and poor and was renowned for miraculous cures.

Archbishop of Milan and key figure of the Counter-Reformation. Tirelessly implemented the Council of Trent and served plague victims.

Roman soldier who cut his cloak in half to clothe a beggar, then dreamed it was Christ. Became a monk and eventually Bishop of Tours.

First American citizen to be canonised. Italian immigrant who founded 67 institutions in the US for poor immigrants. Patron of immigrants.

Hungarian princess who gave up her royal privileges to serve the poor and sick. Founded a hospital at the foot of her castle. Died at 24.

Roman martyr who sang to God in her heart on her wedding day. Patron of musicians and sacred music. Her body was found incorrupt in 1599.

Brother of Peter and the first to follow Jesus. Preached in Greece and was crucified on an X-shaped cross. Patron of Scotland and fishermen.

Jesuit co-founder and the greatest Christian missionary since St. Paul. Brought the faith to India, Japan, and the Far East. Patron of missions.

Bishop of Myra renowned for secret generosity to the poor, especially children. The original Santa Claus. Patron of children and sailors.

Roman governor elected bishop by popular acclaim before his baptism. Doctor of the Church who baptised St. Augustine. Patron of bishops.

Mary appeared to St. Juan Diego in 1531, leaving her image on his tilma. Within seven years, 9 million Aztecs converted. Patron of the Americas.

Sicilian virgin-martyr renowned for bringing food to Christians hiding in the catacombs — candles on her head to light the way. Patron of the blind.

Carmelite mystic and poet. Imprisoned by his own order for reforming it. Author of Dark Night of the Soul. Doctor of the Church.

The beloved disciple — youngest apostle, author of the Fourth Gospel, three letters, and Revelation. The only apostle not to be martyred.

The infant boys slaughtered by Herod in his attempt to kill the Christ child. The first martyrs — who died for Christ without knowing him.

Archbishop of Canterbury murdered at the altar by knights of King Henry II. "Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?" Patron of the clergy.