Lessons We Can Learn from Catholic Saints
Who needs celebrity tosh, when you can read about Catholic saints? St Francis of Assisi was a real party boy in his time, and Durham’s own St Cuthbert (buried on the island of Lindisfarne where he spent most of his life as a hermit) used to guard sheep.
He even passed laws to protect eider ducks, and is regarded as ‘the world’s first environmentalist’. It’s said that he became a monk after witnessing angels carrying St Aiden (the monastery’s abbot) to Heaven.
You can take an ancient pilgrimage on the Northern Saints Trails. These six routes cover County Durham and Northumberland (including the island of Lindisfarne).
England used to be a Roman Catholic country until the Reformation when Henry VIII banned it, so he could divorce. Many monks and nuns were killed.
The World’s First Environmentalist Saint!
Northumberland’s local boy St Cuthbert was regarded as the world’s first religious environmentalist. He guarded sheep, and campaigned for the welfare of eider ducks.
Lindisfarne is a small island off the coast of Northumberland, only around 200 people live there, but 650,000 yearly tourists. Just 3 by 1.5 miles, the mudflats that separate it from the mainland are protected nature reserves.
Keep dogs away from sand dunes (due to birds and seals). Also check the tide times, as stranded people in cars have to be rescued. Read more on tidal causeways and keeping dogs safe by the seaside.
Craving isolation, he returned to live on Inner Farne, after serving as Bishop of Lindisfarne, and after he died, his body was taken back to Lindisfarne, where the many claimed miracles at people who prayed by his grave, led to him being declared a saint.
It’s said that otters would dry his fur, after he’d gone for a swim! And that he became a monk after witnessing angels carrying St Aidan (the monastery’s abbot) to Heaven.
The Interesting History of St Aidan
In 635AD, Lindisfarne is where St Aidan came to found his monastery. He was a well-travelled monk who was from Ireland and had already lived as a monk on the Isle of Iona in the Scottish Highlands.
He learned English (he spoke Gaelic) and died in Bamburgh on the Northumbrian coast. He is now known as the one who converted all the Northumbrian heathens to Christianity!
There is a lovely story about St Aidan, in that he made a stag invisible, so it would not been seen by hunters. Wouldn’t that be lovely if someone could do that today?
The other two saints associated with this tiny island are St Eadberht (a bishop who is now buried in Durham cathedral.
Get to Know the Cornish Saints!
St Austell took its name from a 6th-century Cornish saint, Austol (above right), who was a disciple of the Welsh Celtic St. Mewan (above left), who lived in the 6th century. He travelled to Cornwall and Britanny with St Austell to spread the word of Christianity, before moving to France, where he established monasteries. The two saints remained good friends, and died within a week of each other.
Saint Blaise, an Armenian bishop from the fourth century, became a local hero. Legend says he healed those with throat problems and even animal diseases, often with miraculous results. People travelled far, hoping for cures or blessings. Over time, St Blazey adopted his name and a unique tradition: every February, locals would visit church to have their throats blessed, a ritual that still lingers in village memory.
Saint Blaise also served as the protector of animals, which fit the rural life in Cornwall. Stories say livestock owners would bring sick animals to the parish seeking protection and healing. This blend of practical faith and hope gave the area a sense of community and togetherness that still lasts.
St Albans: A City with its Own Patron Saint
St Alban’s is a beautiful small city, with its own patron saint, who lived in around 305 AD. A former pagan, a priest who he sheltered made such an impression, he converted himself.
He is recorded as the first-ever Christian martyr (killed for his faith) and is apparently the patron saint of converts and torture victims. His prayer is often still said today:
I worship and adore the true and living God, who created all things’.
There is a story that St Alban’s execution was delayed, as the fast-flowing river that he could not cross dried up, allowing him to escape. When he was eventually beheaded, his head rolled down a hill and a spring immediately created fresh water.
The executioners were so surprised, they began to revere him as a saint, and the well still stands today at Holywell Hill. Who needs reality TV?
Lessons in Compassion: St Francis of Assisi
St Francis of Assisi loved deeply. He cared not only for people but also for animals and nature. He’s a powerful reminder that kindness ripples outwards and shapes the world around us.
Francis came from wealth but chose a simple life. He dropped comfort and pride for humility. This shift freed him to focus on others, not things.
Today, in a culture full of “more, better, faster,” his story shows how less can mean more. Learning to live simply can lead to greater peace and stronger connections.
Known as the patron saint of animals, Francis respected every creature. He saw animals as friends and the whole earth as family. His example speaks to our duty to care for the world and each other.
Protecting the environment and treating others with respect starts with the smallest acts—much like Francis did.
Faith in Action: St Clare of Assisi
St Clare stood out for her strength and clear sense of purpose. She didn’t back down, even when facing pressure and uncertainty.
Clare’s life shows the power of sticking to your beliefs. She escaped a life set out for her to follow her calling, even when it meant hardship. Her courage inspires us to hold onto our values, no matter the odds.
Clare didn’t just step out on her own—she brought others with her. She founded the Poor Clares, a group that gave women new ways to grow, serve, and lead. Her example proves you can change your world by lifting up those around you.
Applying the Saints’ Lessons Today
The saints’ values aren’t locked in the past—they fit daily life:
- Show everyday compassion. Smile at strangers, check in on a friend, and help where you can.
- Practice simplicity. Clear clutter, manage your time, and focus on what matters most.
- Stand by your values. Speak up for what’s right, even when it’s tough.
- Build others up. Support team members or neighbours, lead with kindness.
- Give back locally. Volunteer or help someone in need to strengthen your community.
A Book About Little-Known Catholic Saints
Pray for Us is a unique and interesting book that explores the lives of 75 lesser-known saints who sinned and suffered and struggled their way to holiness.
This book will stretch anyone’s notions of holiness when they read of a chain-smoking socialist, teenage video gamer, opium addict, satanic high priest, disabled beggar and self-absorbed mean girl, who all became saints.
This book highlights the sorrows and struggles of broken people, who turned their lives around and dedicated themselves to God and his work.
Through these edgy profiles with fresh and fascinating stories, the author explores the universal call, and shows how God can transform anyone (from grouchy theologians to bratty teenagers) into saints.
Anyone can become a saint if they trust in the Lord! Among those you’ll meet are:
- Blessed Carlo Acutis (an Italian teen who enjoyed video games and loved the Eucharist) but refused to waste time on things that weren’t pleasing to God.
- Blessed Sara Salkahazi (a chain-smoking socialist from an upper-class Hungarian family) who exposed the plight of the working class, and smuggled Jewish people to safety during World War 2.
- Blessed Victoire Rasoamanarivo (a married women who defied her family’s opposition to lead the church in Madagascar).
- St Dulce Pontes (the daughter of a wealth family in Brazil) who decided to serve the poor by becoming a nun, and teaching literary to children and their parents in the slums.
- Blessed Bartolo Longo, a satanic priest who returned to the Church and worked to bring people back to Christ. He also founded schools for the poor, established orphanages and created Rosary groups.
- St. Mark Ji Tianxiang, a Christian opium addict who never got clean, but still had the courage to die a martyr’s death for his beliefs, during the Boxer Rebellion in China.
What a diverse collection of captivating stories. These are not dull saccharine accounts, stringing together bare facts and dates, as most saint collections do.
These stories of relatively unknown saints will make your heart come alive. Get this book for any person who thinks saints are boring. Brandon Vogt
Meg Hunter-Kilmer is a Catholic writer, retreat leader and missionary who has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from University of Notre Dame.
An Illustrated Guide to Modern Saints
The Modern Saints is a wonderful and unique book to change the way you think about saints. Gracie believes (and we agree!) that stuffy images and boring text can lead people to be uninspired by Catholic saints and lead people away from their faith.
The artist also has a website The Modern Saint, where she uses her creative skills to modernise the lives of ancient saints.
St Anastasia was born to a pagan nobleman and a Christian mother in Sirmium (an area which is now Serbia and under Roman rule at the time).
Her mother baptised her and secretly raised her as a Christian. When she was older, she married a loving husband, until he discovered that she was Christian.
He immediately changed and would chain her up, beat her and instructed servants to do the same, while he was away as ambassador to Persia. However, his boat sank and he drowned on one journey, setting Anastasia free.
In this book, Gracie paints funky images, shares their stories and also includes information on what she believes they would care about today.
You can also use the book and site to discover your most likely ‘kindred spirit’ saint, and then you know which of her affordable prayer cards to buy, with images on the front and prayers on the back, to keep with you when you need them.
- St Agnes, a wealthy beauty from Rome who after deciding she did not want to marry (but devote her life to God) was dragged through the streets and set on fire, then beheaded. Today she would likely care about domestic abuse and assault survivors.
- St Mary was a Celtic nun in Australia who got ex-communicated (only returned just before her death) because her order of nuns reported alleged sexual abuse by a priest, in the last century.
- St Basil was a Turkish priest who created soup kitchens and weeded out leaders unfit for church positions. He helped thieves and prostitutes, and built shelters, hospitals and hospices, and broke up trafficking rings. Today he would be involved in world justice.
- St Dymphna was a beautiful red-head from Ireland, whose father began to lust after her, when his wife died. When she refused to marry him, he beheaded her. She is patron saint for mental health issues.
- St Ignatius of Loyola was a Spanish saint from nobility, who found faith while recovering from a soldier’s wound, and used the rest of his life to service. He’s the saint, to use your God-given talents to help others.
- St Francis of Assisi (and his friend St Clare of Assisi) are patron saints of animal welfare. Francis was born to a wealthy family and a real party boy. He gave all his possessions away to live a simple life.
Animals stopped everything to listen to him preach. He is also patron saint of simple living and ecology. These are the saints, if you love animals more than humans (and Catholics don’t understand you!)
Gracie Morbitzer is a graduate of Columbus College of Art & Design, whose work is popular with the Catholic church, as it’s bringing back young people to the faith.
Do what really matters to you! Don’t do what you think will sell or what you think as popular. Don’t be afraid to ruffle some feathers – if everyone likes it, it is probably not honest enough to make a difference.
Being truly ourselves and working authentically (while sharing our art) is how we make a different in the world. Gracie
How Ordinary People Can Become Saints
Room for Good Things to Run Wild is an interesting and unique book. If you feel that your faith has been reduced to a boring list of ‘should’ advice from preachers who are as bored by what they preach to you listening, then this is an anti-dote.
After spending too many days feeling bored and depressed, this author was disillusioned by both his faith and the world around him. So instead of ‘giving up on faith’, he chose to explore the real life and mission of Jesus, and the ‘saints of old’.
Accompanied by original illustrations and living liturgy, this book travels the Jesus Way, from Canada to England, and from Ireland to Spain.
Rediscover the wild world that God created for you, in order for you to experience it. Not to listen to a hate-filled preacher, but to discover the beauty of the natural world, the amazing wonder of a polar bear or a purring cat or the leaves of the trees.
Awaken your soul to the real faith, whatever you believe.
Author Josh Nadeau is an artist and writer from Canada’s west coast. His art and words are invitations to imagine the holy ordinary of everyday life, under the beauty of Jesus. He has a Master’s in Theological Studies, an undergraduate in physics, and a doctorate from the ‘school of hard knocks’.
He has his Undergrad in Physics, a Master’s in Theological Studies, and a doctorate from the School of Hard Knocks. He is a husband to Aislinn and a father to Ransom. He spends his days reading, writing, bouldering, and trying to enjoy every good and perfect Gift.
This video from Josh explains why he would use addictions to cope with life, and finally wanted ‘the big sleep’ until he found a way of communing with Jesus in a more hopeful way.
There is Hope to Be a Saint!
If you think that your life up till now has been less than saintly, remember that many people in history did not start out as saints!
Perhaps the most well-known convert from sinner to saint was Blessed Bartolo Longo, who was born in southern Italy. While studying law in Naples, he joined up with ex-priests to oppose the Pope and church, eventually moving from the occult world to become a satanist (promising his soul to a demon).
His family sent a Catholic professor to convince him to see a Dominican priest, and after 3 weeks of talks, he went to confession and became a third-order Dominican himself. He built a shrine in Pompeii, founded orphanages (and a school to give children of criminals a better life).
And it was from his writings that the name ‘Luminous Mysteries’ was given to The Rosary (a prayer used by Catholics using beads). He was beatified as a saint in 1980.
Saint Francis of Assisi (the patron saint of animal welfare, ecology and simple living) was a real party boy! Born in a wealthy family in Italy, he only gave away his possessions and became a saint later on life. It was said that birds would listen to his word, and fish would leap up from the sea, to hear him preach!
St Alban (the town in Hertfordshire is named after him) was a pagan, who was so impressed by a priest that he sheltered, that he converted himself. The first-ever Christian martyr, he was killed for his faith.
