A saint is a person just like you and me that God gave them special graces to in order for them to do special things. All the saints were holy men and women. Some of the saints could work miracles, some could heal, some had the ability to be in two places at once. God knew these people, as He knows us, and gave them these abilities because God knew these people would do His Will.
Each class at St. Patrick’s has a dedicated saint. The children will learn about the Saints life, why they are a good role model and how through their example, we might become closer to Christ ourselves. We will also be asking these saints for their intercessions during our own collective worship.
Nursery and Reception: Saint Francis of Assisi
As our children begin our school, they will learn about Francis of Assisi. Saint Francis is one of the most well-known saints of the Roman Catholic Church. He is one of the patron saints of Italy. He founded an order, or group, of monks called the Franciscans. The Franciscan order is one of the largest orders in the Roman Catholic Church. Saint Francis was known for his love of nature, particularly his love of animals.
St Franicis … Pray for Us.
Year 1: Saint Teresa of Calcutta
Year 2: Saint Christopher
Year 3: Saint Oscar Romero
Oscar Romero was Archbishop of San Salvador. He embraced a simple lifestyle; he was a popular preacher who responded with real compassion to the poor. He gave dedicated pastoral service to the diocese of San Miguel for 25 years and became a fierce advocate for human rights. He spoke up repeatedly for the voiceless, listening to the stories of the poor and establishing aid projects and pastoral programs to support the victims of violence.
St. Romero … Pray for Us.
Year 4: Saint Bernadette of Lou
Saint Bernadette was born into a very poor family. She had a pleasant personality, very poor health, and bad asthma. Bernadette helped her mother around the house and helped to take care of her siblings. As a young teenager, she had a series of visions of the Virgin Mary in the Massabielle grotto, ultimately leading to the founding of the shrine of Lourdes.
St. Bernadette … Pray for Us.
Year 5: Saint Clare of Assisi
Born into a noble family, Clare of Assisi was expected to have an advantageous marriage, but instead, she was called to God after hearing Saint Francis preach. She left her family, cut off her long hair and gave up her wealth in order to embrace a religious life.
St Clare … Pray for Us.
Year 6: Saint Maximilian Kolbe
Kolbe used his Church to shelter 2000 Jews from the Nazis and ran his own pirate radio station speaking out against the Nazis. On 17 February 1941 he was arrested by the German Secret Police and sent to a concentration camp – Auschwitz – as prisoner #16670.
St Kolbe … Pray for Us.