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.

Collage of saints and holy people who dedicated their lives to living out the values Catholic Social TeachingDiscover 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.

Pope Francis and the Idolatry of the Self

Creative Voice
Creative Voice Stephen B. Young, Global Executive Director of Caux Round Table, shares his insights from Pope Francis’s recent visit to the United States and his commentary on the need for...

Reflection on Pope Francis’s Address to the U.S. Congress

Video
Reflect on the prophetic and passionate words of Pope Francis as he challenged us to care for our common home and for one another in his address to the U.S. Congress: http://bit.ly/1jeCr4U.  

Pope Francis's U.S. Visit: A CST Perspective

Reflection
What will the Pope talking about during this historic visit to the U.S.?   Many of the themes he will discuss are grounded in Catholic social tradition, as this resource explores.  

Exploring the Legacies of Sts. John Paul II and John XXIII

Reflection
Explore the messages of Saint John Paul II and Saint John XXIII in this resource that outlines the encyclicals authored by these two popes who were so dedicated to Catholic social thought and...

The Awe-inspired Economics of Pope Francis

Creative Voice
Creative Voice David Kane explores the pope's latest encyclical, Laudato Si' (Praised Be), focusing on the recommendations that Francis has for making our political and economic systems more...
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CST in Pope Francis's Laudato Si'

Reflection
This updated reflection on Pope Francis's encyclical, Laudato Si’: On Care of our Common Home, discusses how the Catholic social thought grounds his discussion of the signs of these times and the...

Jubilee Year of Mercy

Reflection
This resource offers a brief summary of the main points in Pope Francis’s Holy Year of Mercy, beginning on December 8, 2015, as well as discussion questions and a prayer for mercy.  
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Stephen Bantu Biko

Reflection
This backgrounder explores the life of Stephen Bantu Biko, an anti-Apartheid activist in South Africa most known for the development of the Black Consciousness movement.  

Peace Prayer by Pope Francis

Prayer
Join Pope Francis in this plea for peace in our world as we pray “Shalom, Peace, Salam!”  

Prayer for Pope Francis's U.S. Visit

Prayer
This prayer invites us to be open to Pope Francis's words, and to the actions he models, during his trip to the U.S.  

Praying with St. Ignatius of Loyola

Reflection
Reflect on the beautiful words of St. Ignatius as he offers all to God. What do you offer to God? (http://bit.ly/1FcjiTD)  

Prayer Service to Celebrate Pope Francis’s Ecological Encyclical

Prayer Service
To celebrate Pope Francis's new encyclical and to reflect on the tradition he is drawing from, this prayer service offers quotes from past popes on environmental concerns as well as from Francis. It...