The Communion of Saints
Saints & Angels
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses... let us run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1). The saints are not distant legends — they are family, still praying for us.
What is a saint?
A saint is simply someone who has entered the full joy of Heaven. The Church canonizes certain men and women — after careful investigation of their life and, traditionally, miracles worked through their intercession — as models we can confidently imitate and ask for prayer. But the "communion of saints" is far larger than the canonized calendar: it includes every soul who has died in God's friendship.
Catholics do not worship saints; we ask for their intercession, the same way you might ask a friend to pray for you — except these are friends already home with God. Every saint's life answers the same call given to all of us: "Be holy, for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:16).
The Archangels
Michael, Gabriel & Raphael
Only three angels are named in Scripture, and the Church honors all three together on September 29.
St. Michael the Archangel
Whose name means "Who is like God?" — the great defender who cast Satan out of Heaven (Revelation 12:7–9). Patron of soldiers, police, and all who are engaged in spiritual battle. Catholics often pray the St. Michael Prayer for protection against evil.
St. Gabriel the Archangel
Whose name means "God is my strength" — the messenger who announced the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah, and the Incarnation of Christ to the Virgin Mary at the Annunciation (Luke 1:26–38). Patron of messengers and communications.
St. Raphael the Archangel
Whose name means "God heals" — the healing angel who guided young Tobiah and restored his father Tobit's sight in the Book of Tobit. Patron of travelers, the sick, and those seeking a good marriage.
The Four Evangelists
Matthew, Mark, Luke & John
Before they were Gospel writers, the Evangelists were witnesses and disciples — two of the Twelve Apostles, and two companions of the apostles.
St. Matthew
A tax collector called directly by Jesus (Matthew 9:9), who left everything to follow Him and wrote for a Jewish-Christian audience.
St. Mark
A companion of St. Peter, traditionally understood to have recorded Peter's own preaching in the earliest of the four Gospels.
St. Luke
A Gentile physician and companion of St. Paul, who also wrote the Acts of the Apostles and shows particular tenderness toward the poor and outcast.
St. John
The "beloved disciple," youngest of the Twelve, who stood at the foot of the Cross and later wrote the Gospel, three epistles, and Revelation.
Friends for the Journey
A few saints to get to know
St. Francis of Assisi
c. 1181–1226 · Feast: Oct. 4
A wealthy young man who gave up everything to live the Gospel in radical poverty, rebuilding the Church "stone by stone" and finding a brother in every creature. Patron of animals, ecology, and Italy.
St. Thérèse of Lisieux
1873–1897 · Feast: Oct. 1
Known as "the Little Flower," a Carmelite nun who died at 24 and taught the "Little Way" — sanctity found not in grand gestures but in doing small things with great love. A Doctor of the Church.
St. Padre Pio
1887–1968 · Feast: Sept. 23
An Italian Capuchin friar who bore the wounds of Christ (the stigmata) for fifty years, spent hours daily hearing confessions, and became one of the most beloved confessors of the modern era.