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.

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Book Discussion Guide

Rutilio Grande: A Table for All

Rhina Guidos’s book, Rutilio Grande: A Table for All, tells the remarkable story of Martyr Rutilio Grande, S.J., the priest who laid the foundations for a “new” Salvadoran Church, deeply...
Toolbox

El Salvador

This collection of new and revised resources celebrates the many social justice heroes from El Salvador who have led the Church in its pursuit of social justice, human rights, and the dignity of...
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Reflection

The Catonsville Nine: A Call to Harmonize Faith and Action

On May 17, 2018, the peace community will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Catonsville Action. This reflection explores the action of the nine Catholic activists who engaged with the...
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Litany

Catonsville Nine: Witnessing Peacemaking Through Active Nonviolence

Inspired by the action of the Catonsville Nine, we are called to witness peacemaking through active nonviolence in the troubled and challenging world in which we live.  
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Prayer

Prayer for Peace in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Pope Francis continues to call us to sow seeds of peace in the lands of South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and in all lands devastated by war  
This person in the middle of the dessert is embracing their loneliness along with the journey towards God's eternal light and love.
Reflection

Pope Francis’s 2018 Lenten Message

This reflection is based on the text of Pope Francis’s 2018 Lenten Message. To view the reflection, click here: http://bit.ly/2HgyxVA.  
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Reflection

Earth Day Reflection on Plastic Pollution

This short resource reflects on the theme of Earth Day 2018, connects this theme to Pope Francis’s concerns for Creation, and offers suggestions for action and an Earth Day prayer. EFJ’s 2015...
Pope Francis: Jerusalem as an InterFaith City
Reflection

Pope Francis: Jerusalem as an Interfaith City

The first day of February begins World Interfaith Harmony Week; this resource looks at the efforts of Pope Francis and the three popes before him to promote interfaith harmony in the holy city of...
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Reflection

Pope Francis’s 2018 World Day of Peace Message

This artistic photo reflection uses quotes from Pope Francis’s 2018 World Day of Peace message. To view the reflection, click here: http://bit.ly/2jlRdJr.  
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Reflection

Pope Francis: World Day of Peace Message, 2018

This resource builds on Pope Francis’s World Day of Peace Message for 2018. He calls the world to a new way of seeing immigrants, migrants, and refugees; the Pope challenges us all to practice hope...
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Reflection

Pope Francis on Sustainable Urban Communities, Encounter, and Solidarity

Pope Francis reminds us that we cannot simply work for the environment in our communities without concern for “the cry of the poor.” He believes all is interconnected and we must hear “both the...
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Prayer Service

In Memory of Vann Nath, Cambodian Painter and S-21 Survivor

This resource explores the journey of a Cambodian painter who used his art to expose the injustices and sufferings imposed on so many by a corrupt regime; as a genocide survivor, Vann Nath helps us...