10 saints to pray to this Lent
10 saints to pray to this Lent
Catholics have the opportunity, in a unique manner, to seek the intercession of a minimum of 10 saints during this Lenten period.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops frequently lists Lenten saints whose celebration days occur during the 40 days of prayer and fasting preceding Easter. The U.S. bishops encourage the faithful to explore and contemplate these sacred lives while participating in Lent.
For 2023, the U.S. liturgical calendar features the subsequent 10 saints whose feast days take place in the season of Lent, commencing on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22, and finishing on Holy Thursday, April 6. Below are their narratives.
1. St. Katharine Drexel (1858-1955)
A Philadelphia socialite with a fortune, St. Katharine devoted her life and her legacy to supporting Native American and African American communities. She established the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and managed educational institutions across 13 states for African Americans, along with 40 mission centers and 23 rural schools. In collaboration with her order, she created Xavier University of Louisiana, the sole Catholic and historically Black college in the United States. She also set up 50 missions for Native Americans.
Her celebration day is March 3.
2. St. Casimir (circa 1458-1484)
St. Casimir Jagiellon was a royal figure of Poland, yet he prioritized his role as a servant of God. The offspring of Casimir IV, king of Poland and grand duke of Lithuania, and his spouse, Elizabeth of Austria, he was said to embody self-denial, from wearing humble attire to resting on the ground. He is recognized for his devoutness, his commitment to aiding the less fortunate, and his dedication to the Blessed Mother.
He rejected marriage and opted to live a life of celibacy. He passed away in his 20s, allegedly due to tuberculosis. In modern times, he is celebrated as the patron saint of Poland and Lithuania.
His celebration day is March 4.
3. and 4. Saints Perpetua and Felicity (deceased 203)
St. Perpetua, a learned noblewoman, and St. Felicity, a servant, perished as martyrs in Carthage, now known as Tunisia in North Africa. Although they held different social standings, the two young women shared a similarity: Both were mothers devoted to Christianity. While waiting for their execution in jail, Perpetua cared for her baby son and Felicity welcomed a daughter into the world.
After a wild cow failed to slay them in the arena, the sacred women met their end at the hands of a gladiator’s sword.
Their celebration day is March 7.
5. St. John of God (1495-1550)
Following a significant transformation later in life, St. John committed himself to serving the less fortunate, ill, and destitute. Removed from his Portuguese parents during childhood, he labored as a shepherd and worker in rural areas prior to enlisting as a soldier in Spain. He was briefly placed in a mental health institution before dedicating his life to helping the needy. Upon his passing, his adherents established the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, a Catholic religious organization that carries on his mission to this day.
His celebration day is March 8.
6. St. Frances of Rome (1384-1440)
A Roman noblewoman, St. Frances felt a calling toward a religious vocation, yet her parents arranged for her hand in marriage during her teenage years. Reports indicate that her marriage was joyful — she and her husband, Lorenzo Ponziani, had several children together. She discovered a like-minded companion in her sister-in-law, with whom she prayed and served individuals in need.
She also experienced tragedy, from the loss of children during a plague to the brief exile of her husband and the looting of their residence. Frances reacted by persisting in her service to the needy and even transformed her home into a hospital. Additionally, she established a religious community of women, now recognized as the Oblates of St. Frances of Rome.
Her commemorative day is March 9.
7. St. Patrick (circa 387-461)
St. Patrick, the revered saint of Ireland, initially hailed from Britain. Taken captive by Irish invaders during his adolescence, Patrick was enslaved in Ireland and tended sheep. Eventually, he managed to flee, but later returned as a missionary and held the position of a bishop.
As per legend, he incorporated regional symbols in his sermons, utilizing the shamrock to illustrate the enigma of the Holy Trinity (with the three-leaf clover symbolizing three Persons in a single God). In contemporary times, he is a cherished saint both in that nation and globally.
His celebration day is March 17.
8. St. Cyril of Jerusalem (approx. 315-386)
St. Cyril, an esteemed bishop and doctor of the Church, created significant works in the realm of faith. He was brought up and trained in Jerusalem, ultimately serving as the bishop of that location. He existed during a chaotic period — at various times, he faced exile from Jerusalem as the heresy of Arianism, which rejected the divinity of Christ, gained traction.
Cyril is likewise renowned for his catechetical teachings and guidance in the Faith.
His celebration day is March 18.
9. St. Joseph, partner of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Although St. Joseph does not utter a single word in the Scriptures, the Jewish carpenter is referred to as “a righteous man” in the Gospel of Matthew (Mt 1:19). As Mary’s husband and Jesus’ earthly father, he consistently answered “yes” to God and his angels — from accepting Mary as his spouse to safeguarding Baby Jesus by escaping to Egypt following his birth.
Due to the traditional date of St. Joseph’s feast falling on the fourth Sunday of Lent this year, Catholics will celebrate St. Joseph on Monday, March 20, in 2023, instead.
10. St. Turibius of Mogrovejo (1538-1606)
Hailing from Spain, St. Turibius instructed in law and held the position of judge prior to his role as the archbishop of Lima, Peru. As a missionary archbishop for the Spanish settlement in Peru, he observed the injustices of colonialism. Consequently, he dedicated himself to his mission, journeying extensively to serve his community, reforming the clergy, organizing synods, and authoring catechisms in indigenous languages. He established churches, hospitals, schools, and seminaries — and motivated Indigenous individuals to pursue the priesthood.
He led numerous individuals into the Christian faith via baptism and confirmation, encompassing others saints, including St. Rose of Lima and St. Martin de Porres.
His celebration day is March 23.
Katie Yoder is a contributing editor for Our Sunday Visitor.
