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 prayer reminds us of the journey of Dorothy Day, her longing for God and for beauty, and her discovery that what she was seeking was found in promoting peace and justice for the most...
In his reflection on St. Francis, Fr. Joseph Nangle, O.F.M., seeks to show us a pro-active Francis concerned with real issues of peace. Francis went to the Middle East during the Fifth Crusade and...
This Litany focuses on areas of our global community where the resources of the earth have become a cause of violence and source of conflict; where greed and economic incentives have led to loss of...
Gandhi was a model for a life-long commitment to nonviolence; this prayer honors him and reminds us that we are called to move beyond fear and support peaceful ways to settle conflict.
Mother Teresa’s Justice Prayer reminds us to pray for those around the world who face injustice, violence, suffering, and oppression; it ends with a call to make love practical though serving...
This prayer service, guided by Saint Óscar Romero’s life, asks us to choose life over death, nonviolence over violence, and love over fear. Quotes from CST documents and Saint Óscar Romero are...
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was a man of deep faith who wrote many prayers as well as sermons and speeches (his “I Have A Dream” speech was delivered on August 28, 1963). This prayer service is...
This prayer is in honor of Nelson Mandela who was a model of perseverance and nonviolence in the quest for justice and equality.
Posted June 16, 2014
July 14th is the feast day of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, Lily of the Mohawks, the first Native American of North America to be canonized a saint. This reflection features a short biography of St. Kateri...
On July 18th, the global community will honor the life of Nelson Mandela on the anniversary of his birth. This prayer was written in his honor. Like Jesus, Mandela modeled Gospel values showing us...
Born on May 20, 1907, Franz Jägerstätter was a martyr for the faith, a conscientious objector, a husband and father of three. He was executed for his refusal to fight for Hitler. On June 1, 2007,...
Jesus learned the value of work beside his father, Joseph, carpenter of Nazareth. We pray with this patron saint of workers that their rights be respected and protected.
Education for...
