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.

Mildred Lisette Norman was a hiker and peace activist who began a challenging ministry as Peace Pilgrim, walking back and forth across the U.S. for years in order to promote peace. Her own words...
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Christopher Kerr2015-06-17 02:18:522022-02-04 13:11:37Walking the Road to Justice with Peace Pilgrim (July 18)
St. Ignatius of Loyola created a new pathway that is reflected in the many ministries that Jesuits and Jesuit volunteers engage in today. This prayer service celebrates their concerns for justice and...
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Anna Misleh2015-06-17 02:16:172022-02-03 16:09:18Walking St. Ignatius’s Pathway to Justice, July 31
Pope Francis’s words make up this Prayer for Peace and help us focus on what he sees as central to peacemaking today.
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Christopher Kerr2015-06-17 02:01:492025-01-02 15:49:09Prayer for Peace by Pope Francis
This prayer is a modern version of the St. Francis “Blessed Be” prayer that is referenced in the opening of Pope Francis’ new encyclical on ecology. It celebrates the themes of this significant...
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Christopher Kerr2015-06-17 01:35:552022-02-03 16:58:40Be Praised for Creation
Learn more about Gustavo Gutiérrez, O.P., a Peruvian theologian who has contributed so much to our understanding of the option for the poor and its expression in Liberation Theology.
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Christopher Kerr2015-05-05 20:02:542022-02-04 10:04:57Gustavo Gutiérrez: Father of Liberation Theology
This film brings to life the writings of Anne Frank and her time in hiding in Amsterdam during World War II and the advance of Nazism in Europe. Anne Frank, born on June 12, 1929, braved unspeakable...
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Anna Misleh2015-05-05 19:59:402022-02-04 10:07:06The Diary of Anne Frank
Pope Francis offered this prayer to Our Mother of Migrants, asking Mary to protect her lost and wandering children as they seek rest, welcome, refuge, and peace.
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Christopher Kerr2015-05-05 19:38:012022-02-04 10:28:41Pope Francis’ Prayer to Our Blessed Mother for Migrants
This resource profiles Bob Marley, a world-renowned musician whose legacy continues today. Through his music, he was able to advance issues of social justice and unite people in working for justice...
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Christopher Kerr2015-04-12 22:47:032019-04-12 13:42:28Rhythms of Social Justice: The Life and Legacy of Bob Marley - Death May 11
This resource invites us to reflect on the life of Digna Ochoa, an attorney and human rights defender from Mexico, who was assassinated in 2001 for defending victims of human rights abuses in her...
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Anna Misleh
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Anna Misleh2015-04-12 22:44:242019-04-12 13:42:41Digna Ochoa: Facing Injustice in Mexico
This two-page, ready-to-print prayer service focuses on celebrating the gifts that all mothers bring to the world. The scripture passage on the Visitation reveals Mary in touch with the world around...
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Anna Misleh2015-04-12 22:35:092024-05-02 16:38:46Prayer Service for Mother’s Day
Mary has been hailed as Mother of all Africa. In a continent rich with cultures and resources, many are impoverished and are suffering the results of war and greed. This litany is a prayer of...
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Anna Misleh2015-04-12 22:27:172019-04-12 13:44:36Mary, Mother of All Africa
At 85, Dolores Huerta remains a woman of vision and courage, still speaking out for migrant workers, for women, and for all those whose human dignity and human rights have not been respected. This...
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Christopher Kerr2015-03-18 01:41:042019-04-12 13:50:26Dolores Huerta: Woman of Justice - April 10