Missionary Childhood Association
Saint of the Month Archive
The saints are our friends in heaven, and we can count on them for their help, prayers, and intercession. These short lesson plans each tell a saint’s story, ask follow-up questions, and suggest activities that help your students understand that saints are ordinary people who follow the God’s path in their lives. Each saint will help your students become better missionary disciples!
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Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys
Marguerite Bourgeoys felt called by God to be a nun. At the time, that meant living a cloistered life. After being rejected by two different orders, Marguerite joined an order of lay women. With an invitation from the mayor of Montreal, in New France (Canada), she set out on a journey to the New World that would see her face hardships, educate children, and empower women. Those she recruited to join her would become the first order of sisters to live and work outside a cloister. Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys is the first female saint of Canada. Her feast day is January 12th and she is the patron saint of people who are face rejection.
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Saint Mariana de Jesus de Paredes
Much of what we know about Saint Mariana de Jesus de Paredes comes from her own words – she kept a detailed diary during her short life. Mariana had a special devotion to the Blessed Mother and Jesus in the Eucharist. She decided at a young age to devote herself to religious life but did not enter a monastery. Find out why this Ecuadorian saint is compared to Saint Rose of Lima. Saint Mariana de Jesus de Paredes’ feast day is May 26th and she is the patron saint of Ecuador and people who are orphaned at a young age.
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Saint Mary MacKillop
Have you ever heard of a saint that was excommunicated in her lifetime? Meet Saint Mary Mackillop of Australia! A teacher by trade, she started a boarding school, a religious order, visited the pope, had a priest for a best friend, was excommunicated, and taken in by a Jewish family before she could practice her faith again. Find out why the order she founded is still nicknamed “The Brown Joeys.” Saint Mary MacKillop is the first Australian saint. Her feast day is August 8th and she is the patron saint of Australia and the Archdiocese of Brisbane, Australia.
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Saint Mathilda of Ringelheim
Saint Mathilda of Ringelheim was a woman of nobility born in what is now Germany. She was the mother of five children and a queen. Two of her sons were known to have gone to war over their fathers’ kingdom! What’s a mother to do? Pray, of course! Mathilda was known for her generosity and founded many convents, one of which she lived in after the death of her husband. Saint Mathilda’s Feast Day is March 14th and is the patron saint of parents of large families and widows.
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Saint Mother Teresa
Known for her white sari with a blue stripe, Mother Teresa was a world renown figure. When she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from the United States and the Nobel Peace Prize, she used her fame to point back to the Gospel message of service to the poor. Learn more about how Sister Teresa became Mother Teresa amidst the slums, poverty, and disease of Kolkata, India. Saint Mother Teresa’s feast day is September 5th and she is the patron saint of World Youth Day and her order, The Missionaries of Charity.
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Saint Paul Miki
Saint Paul Miki was a Japanese Jesuit who was known as an excellent preacher. He is one of 26 Japanese Martyrs killed during a persecution of Catholics. Forced to walk 600 miles to the site of his death, he sang the Te Deum, praising God in His glory. His feast day is February 6th and he is the patron saint of Japan. This lesson plan includes the words to the Te Deum, the prayer that Saint Paul Miki recited as he was marched to certain martyrdom.
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Saint Pedro de San José Betancur
Pedro Betancur was born to a poor family in the Canary Islands and grew up working as a shepherd. He wanted more from life, so headed to New Spain – present day Guatemala – hoping to find it. His money ran out by the time he got to Cuba! How often do things not turn out as we planned? Learn how Pedro came to take the name Pedro de San José (Peter of St. Joseph) and be referred to at his canonization by then-Pope John Paul II as “an outstanding example” of Christian mercy. Saint Pedro de San Jose Betancur’s feast day is April 26th and he is the patron saint of the Canary Islands, the homeless, and those who serve the sick.
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Saint Peter Claver
During his 40 years of ministry in what is now Columbia, Saint Peter Claver ministered to enslaved people, many times pushing past angry captains to enter the foul conditions of the slave ships to bring medicine, fresh water and food to the people who had been stolen their lands. The compelling story of his practice of Christian love for others is embodied in his own words: “We must speak to them with our hands before we try to speak to them with our lips.” Saint Peter Claver’s feast day is September 9th and he is the patron saint of enslaved people and race relations.
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Saint Peter Mary Chanel
Known as a cheerful student, Peter Chanel fell in love with the idea of being a missionary priest from listening to stories read to him about the missions. When he was ordained, he added the name “Mary” to his own to honor the Blessed Mother. His life took a great turn when his proposal to start a missionary order to the South Seas was accepted and the Society of Mary (The Marists) was born. Learn what it was like to be the first missionary to set foot on a remote island in this lesson. It includes instructions to make an origami sailboat. Saint Peter Mary Chanel was the first martyr of Oceania. His feast day is April 28th and he is the patron saint of Oceania (the Pacific Islands).
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Saint Philip Neri
Known as The Apostle to Rome, Saint Philip Neri used his gentle disposition and a great sense of humor to communicate the Gospel message. He was also known as a wonderful spiritual guide and helped people give great Confessions. Do you visit seven churches on the Wednesday before Good Friday? You can thank Saint Philip Neri for starting that pilgrimage tradition in Rome! Learn more about this great, affable saint! Saint Philip Neri’s feast day is May 26th and he is the patron saint of Rome, laughter, and a good sense of humor.