Saints, Martyrs, and Heroes
Saints, Martyrs, and Heroes are ordinary individuals who provide us with role models and examples of how to live as disciples in a complex world. By learning about their lives and paying attention to their example, we can draw strength for our journey of faith as we strive to bring about the vision of love, justice, and peace.
Discover inspiring resources that highlight the lives of saints, martyrs, and heroes who embodied the values of Catholic Social Teaching. These extraordinary individuals serve as role models of faith, justice, and compassion, offering profound examples of how to live out the Gospel in service to others and the common good.
On this page, you’ll find:
- Profiles of Saints and Martyrs: Stories of holy men and women who championed human dignity, social justice, and peace in their lives and missions.
- Faith-Based Reflections: Prayers and meditations inspired by the actions and legacies of saints who upheld the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.
- Educational Resources: Lesson plans and activities exploring the connection between the lives of these saints and the Church’s call to promote justice, solidarity, and care for creation.
- Multimedia Content: Videos, articles, and infographics that bring to life the enduring impact of saints and holy people who worked tirelessly for the poor, marginalized, and oppressed.
- Advocacy Inspiration: Tools and examples of how the lives of saints can inspire modern acts of faith-based advocacy and justice.
These resources offer a meaningful way to explore the practical application of Catholic Social Teaching through the lives of those who have gone before us. Perfect for educators, faith leaders, and advocates, they serve as powerful tools for fostering a deeper understanding of the Catholic Church’s social tradition and a call to action in today’s world.
This resource reviews the central message of Pope Francis's 2016 Lenten Message in the Year of Mercy. Reflection questions and a prayer are included.
Pope Francis offers this prayer to Our Mother, who listens, who decides, and who acts by the example of her son Jesus.
This prayer service, entitled “Migrants and Refugees Challenge Us: The Response of the Gospel of Mercy,” uses words from Pope Francis’s message with a response that is meant to stir us into...
Fr. Rutilio Grande walked with the poor and marginalized Salvadoran people and is said to have inspired Monseñor Óscar Romero to become another voice for the oppressed people of El Salvador. This...
This Smilebox reflection invites us to reflect on Pope Francis’s 2016 World Day of Peace Message. His words remind us that we are called to make compassion, love, mercy, and solidarity a true way...
This resource is an introduction to the gifts Sr. Thea Bowman shared with the Church as she embodied the joy and celebration of African American worship.
Hermano Santiago (Brother James Miller, F.S.C.) lived a life in solidarity with the people of Nicaragua and Guatemala until February 13, 1982 when he was shot dead. Brother Paul Joslin, F.S.C., a...
Father Pedro Arrupe, S.J., a great missionary, a man on fire promoted compassion through structural change. He was a pioneer in urging the combination of pastoral concern, biblical reflection, and...
Sister Sally Ann Brickner, O.S.F. offers this prayer service to commemorate the theme, “Overcome Indifference and Win Peace” in Pope Francis’s 2016 World Day of Peace Message.
In this prayer, Pope Francis invites us to pray to our Mother of Silence by asking her to “Lift us from the torpor of laziness, pettiness, and defeatism.” This prayer is in both English and...
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God [c]
January 1, 2016
Pope Francis has issued a call to reject indifference and to grow in solidarity, mercy and peace in the New Year. These reflection questions on his message can help us to think about his challenge...
