1. He changed his name for a good reason…now he’s telling us why!
St. Peter was the only one of the twelve apostles to have his name changed by Christ.
In John 1:42, the author writes, “And he brought the man to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).”
Peter’s name change indicates a change in identity and a brand new mission. Other people who experienced this life changing, name changing event were Abraham (formerly Abram) and Sarah (formerly Sari).
2. This soldier was shot in the leg with a cannonball…what happened next is cray
Inigo Lopez de Loyola was a soldier when his leg was demolished by a cannonball in the year 1521. During his time of recovery, he wanted to spend his time reading novels and romances. Instead, all they could find on the bookshelves for him was the lives of the saints and the life of Christ.. Inspired by their true courage, Inigo devoted himself to Christ and holiness.
He later went on to found the Jesuit order, and today is known as St. Ignatius of Loyola.
3. This woman’s life motto will make you more holy
The newly canonized St. Teresa of Calcutta taught her sisters and those who came in contact with her to remember the “Gospel on Five Fingers.” The main phrase she relied on during her lifetime of service to the poorest of the poor in Calcutta was “You did it for Me,” as she held up a finger with each word she said. It came from the gospel passage in Matthew 25:31-46. This passage speaks of Christ asking how we treated the poor, the sick and the hungry.
4. The devil hates him! See how he gets souls to Heaven with one simple trick!
St. Louis de Monfort teaches us how to consecrate ourselves to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This consecration is something the devil hates. De Monfort writes in his book True Devotion to Mary:
“Satan fears her not only more than angels and men but in a certain sense more than God himself. This does not mean that the anger, hatred and power of God are not infinitely greater than the Blessed Virgin’s, since her attributes are limited. It simply means that Satan, being so proud, suffers infinitely more in being vanquished and punished by a lowly and humble servant of God, for her humility humiliates him more than the power of God.”
5. 7 Spiritual Secrets that Carmelites want you to know
St. Teresa of Avila discovered that the Carmelite order to which she belonged had grown lax while living out their vows. She lived in Spain, and saw visitors of high power frequenting the convent, blurring the lines between the world of the spiritual which the convent represented, and the worldly things they vowed to leave behind.
She reformed the Carmelite order after the Protestant Reformation in 1517.
6. Woman loses her eyes…
St. Lucy was a virgin martyr of the early church around the year 300AD. She was martyered under Emperor Diocleation, who was particualry cruel to Christians. According to tradition, her eyes were gouged out before she was taken to her final execution.
7. Man doubts in the resurrection…
St. Thomas is remembered as the doubting apostle. Despite hearing Christ talk about his upcoming resurrection and ascension, he doubted Christ’s ability to rise from the dead.
In John 20:24-29, the author writes: “Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
8. Woman asks for help finding lost ring…wait ’til you see where this man finds it!
Fernando Martins de Bolhoes was also known as Anthony of Lisbon. After discernment, he became a Fransiscan and a Catholic priest. This Portuguese saint is known for his patronage to finding things that are lost.
9. You thought virgin births were a legend…until you met this woman
The Catholic Church teaches that Mary posesses perpetual virginity – that even after the conception of Christ in her womb and even after His birth, she still maintained her virgintiy. Matthew 1:23 says, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
10. Nazis sentence prisnor to death until this hero steps in to save him!
St. Maximilian Kolbe was captured by the Nazis and sent to Auschwitz. There in the concentration camp, the men were called to line up. Some of them would be sent to the starvation bunker as a form of punishment. Maximilian Kolbe stepped out of and volunteered to go in the place of Franciszek Gajowniczek, a Polish armyman who had a wife and family waiting for him at home.
11. Watch and see this man save three women from slavery
St. Nicholas heard about the horrible fate of three young women who, after not being able to afford their dowrey, were waiting to be sold into slavery. St. Nicholas came to their home three nights in a row, each time leaving a bag of gold for each girl so they could marry and avoid life as a slave. This legend started the tradition of viewing St. Nicholas as the gift-giving man we remember him as today.
12. She is 172 years old, but she looks 35
The oldest daughter of a miller, St. Bernadette is the most famous for her Marian apparitions in Lourdes, France. She died in 1879 in France, but her body remains incoruptable, forever looking the same as she did when she died at age 35.
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