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.

Prayer

And St. Francis Preached to the Birds

This video puts the lines of the prayer “And St. Francis Preached to the Birds” to music for an easy-to-use resource to start a parish meeting, youth group event, service trip, or religion class....
Prayer Service

Living CST: Jimmy Carter

This prayer service reminds us of the faith that has moved U.S. President Jimmy Carter to dedicate himself to human rights, global healthcare, and peace for many decades and that continues to...
Prayer

Rejoice and Be Glad: Praying the Rosary for Global Social Justice

The Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary are a way to reflect on bringing Catholic social teaching into our daily lives.  
Prayer

Living Holiness Today

This video puts the lines of the prayer “Living Holiness Today” to music for an easy-to-use resource to start a parish meeting, youth group event, service trip, or religion class. To view the...
Prayer Service

Living CST: Pope Paul VI

This prayer service uses quotes from Pope Paul VI, whose life and writings call us be reformers, evangelizers, pilgrims, and bridge builders.  
Prayer

Lamentation to Our Lady of Sorrows

This prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows is in the tradition of lamentation, mourning injustice and asking that grieving bring us to a deeper realization of that we are called to be present to the Cross so...
Video

Living Human Dignity: Quotes by Pope Francis

This resource is a collection of notable quotes from Pope Francis on the CST theme of human dignity. To view the artistic reflection, click here: http://bit.ly/2uR5HWl. Quotes and citations...
Prayer Service

Living CST: Ilia Delio, O.S.F.

This prayer service uses quotes from Sister Ilia Delio, O.S.F, and calls us to be open to new concepts of God and ways of caring for our common home and one another.  
Film Discussion Guide

Pope Francis: A Man of His Word

This film highlights Pope Francis’s message for people to engage and produce a culture of encounter through hope and love in order to combat social problems and bridge gaps in our...
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Creative Voice

Creative Voice: On the Call to Holiness in Today’s World

This artistic reflection invites us to reflect on the words of Pope Francis’s apostolic exhortation, Gaudete et Exsultate: On the Call to Holiness in Today’s World, which are meant “to unsettle...
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Reflection

Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad)

This resource provides context for reflection on Pope Francis's latest apostolic exhortation and offers a summary of its main sections. Discussion questions and a prayer are also included.  
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Prayer

Living Holiness Today

Pray to find holiness in daily life, encounter, and community in the spirit of Pope Francis’s latest apostolic exhortation, Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad).