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.

2011 World Day of Peace Message for January 1, 2011

Pope Benedict's 2011 World Day of Peace Message for January 1, 2011 focuses on Religious Freedom as the path to peace this year.  This resource provides and overview of his message along with...

Reflection on the Communion of Saints by Henri Nouwen

This reflection, by Fr. Henri Nouwen, is on the "communion of saints".

Beatified: John Henry Newman

John Henry Newman was one of the most influential and well-known figures of 19th century Catholicism. Newman’s life was spent attempting to integrate mind and heart, faith and reason.  In his...

Marian Prayers: Prayers to Mary, Mother of Justice

The prayers and images found on the following pages explore the many ways in which Mary is a model of grace, hope and intercession.  Use the prayers and images for individual or group prayer,...
Retreat

Mary as a Model of Justice

This retreat format is designed for participants to listen, explore, and discern God's call in their lives.  Various components of the retreat are designed to help explore what it means to be a...

Work: The Key to the Social Question

Job creation is a key agenda item for the current administration in 2010.  This is a moral task as well as an economic necessity.  From a theological perspective, authentic human...

Interactive Lenten Calendar Based on "Caritas in Veritate"

This resource is a downloadable interactive Lenten calendar based on Pope Benedict's social encyclical, "Caritas in Veritate".  Each day includes excerpts from "Caritas in Veritate" for...

They Killed Sr. Dorothy

"They Killed Sister Dorothy" is a narrative documentary about the life of Sr. Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN. Sr. Dorothy stood up for the rights of the indigenous people and worked to protect their land from...
Reflection

Thomas Merton & Education of the Whole Person

Merton's thoughts on education, as they are explicitly recorded, are provocative, but brief and general. He summarized in a letter that education "means the formation of the whole person"; he...
Prayer Service

Una Luz en la Oscuridad: Una Vía Crucis con Mons. Romero (Stations of the Cross with Oscar Romero)

This Stations of the Cross reflection, in Spanish, uses words from Oscar Romero's Sept. 10, 1978, homily to correspond with each of the Stations of the Cross. A great resource for Spanish-speaking...

Reflections on Peace, Justice, and Hope from Martin Luther King, Jr.

The writings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., hold powerful ideas to uplift, enlighten, and transform: "We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny....