In our Sunday prayers there is always a petition remembering the saints who have gone before us to rest with God; we give thanks for their lives as models of faith and hope and love.

Many times when we pray these prayers we gratefully remember friends and family members who have died. But it can also be good to remember the saints of the past who have shown us different ways of being a faithful disciple; who can encourage us in our own lives of following Jesus.

May these brief stories of the saints be an inspiration to you in your faith journey. If you are interested in learning more about any of the saints mentioned, a Wikipedia or Google search is only a few keystrokes away!

In April the Church Commemorates:

Benedict the African, confessor, died 1589

Friday, April 4, 2025

Born into slavery on the island of Sicily, Benedict lived as a hermit until the pope ordered all hermits

to attach themselves to a monastery, at which time Benedict joined the Franciscans. Though

illiterate, he was highly respected as a confessor and later superior of his community.

Albrecht Dürer, died 1528; Matthias Grünewald, died 1529; Lucas Cranach, died 1553; artists

Sunday, April 6, 2025

These great artists revealed through their work the mystery of salvation and the wonder of creation.

Dürer's work reflected the apocalyptic spirit of his time. Though he remained a Roman Catholic, he

was sympathetic to Martin Luther's reforming work. Grünewald's paintings are known for their

dramatic forms, vivid colors, and depiction of light. Cranach's work includes many fine religious

examples and several portraits of Martin Luther. Cranach was also widely known for his woodcuts.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, theologian, died 1945

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Bonhoeffer was a German theologian who wrote profoundly, yet in an accessible manner. In the

Second World War, he became a leader of the Confessing Church in Germany that resisted the Nazi

movement. Linked to a plot to kill Hitler, he was hanged shortly before the end of the war.

Mikael Agricola, Bishop of Turku, died 1557

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Consecrated bishop of Turku, Finland, without the approval of the pope, Agricola began a reform

along Lutheran lines. In only three years, he translated the New Testament and worship texts into

Finnish, in the process establishing the rules of Finnish writing that are still used today.

Olavus Petri, priest, died 1552; Laurentius Petri, Bishop of Uppsala, died 1573; renewers of the church

Saturday, April 19, 2025

These two brothers studied with Luther at the University of Wittenberg and then returned to their

native Sweden to introduce the Lutheran reforms. Olavus published a catechism and hymnal;

Laurentius was a professor who defended the office of bishop and later became one.

Anselm, Bishop of Canterbury, died 1109

Monday, April 21, 2025

This eleventh-century monk was one of the greatest theologians of the Middle Ages. He is

remembered for emphasizing the maternal aspects of God, and for the theory that the Son of God

became human in order to make the necessary payment for our sin.

Day of the Creation (Día de la Creación) (LLC)

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

This observance invites us to notice and give God thanks for the wonders of the created universe.

As stewards of that creation, we are also challenged to be careful in our use of it.

Toyohiko Kagawa, renewer of society, died 1960

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Born in Kobe, Japan, Kagawa was orphaned as a young child. Later, when he became Christian,

he was disowned by the rest of his family. Wishing to bring Christian principles into society, he

worked among poor people, established schools and hospitals, and worked for peace.

Mark, Evangelist

Friday, April 25, 2025

He was not numbered among the twelve apostles, yet Mark was probably a member of the early

church community. The gospel that bears his name is the shortest and most direct, and many

scholars think it was the first to be written.

Catherine of Siena, theologian, died 1380

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

This theologian was the first woman among Roman Catholics to receive the title "Doctor [teacher]

of the Church." Catherine was a Dominican sister known for her mystical visions as well as her work

on behalf of people who were poor and imprisoned.

Beginning in May 2025, the Church Commemorates:

Philip and James, Apostles

Thursday, May 1, 2025

Philip was one of the first disciples of Jesus, and called Nathanael to “come and see.” Little is known

of James, the son of Alphaeus, called “the Less” to distinguish him from another apostle named

James.

Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, died 373

Friday, May 2, 2025

Best remembered for defending the teaching that Christ was fully God against those who taught

otherwise, Athanasius was an influential church leader around the time of the Council of Nicea. He

was banished from Alexandria five times for his forthright views.

Monica, mother of Augustine, died 387

Sunday, May 4, 2025

Monica was married to a pagan husband who was ill-tempered and unfaithful, but whom she helped

bring into the Christian faith. She repeated the influence on her son Augustine, who went on to

become one of the greatest church teachers.

Julian of Norwich, renewer of the church, died around 1416

Thursday, May 8, 2025

When she was about thirty years old, Julian (or Juliana) reported visions that she later compiled into

a book, Sixteen Revelations of Divine Love, now a classic of medieval mysticism. The visions declared

that love was the meaning of religious experience, provided by Christ who is love, for the purpose

of love.

Victor the Moor, martyr, died 303 (TFF)

Thursday, May 8, 2025

Also known as Victor Maurus, this native of the northwest African nation of Mauritania was a soldier

in the Roman Praetorian Guard. Under the persecution of Maximian, Victor died for his faith at Milan.

Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf, renewer of the church, hymnwriter, died 1760

Friday, May 9, 2025

When he was 22, a group of Moravians asked permission to live on Zinzendorf's land. He agreed,

and eventually worldwide Moravian missions emanated from this community. Zinzendorf participated

in these missions, and is also remembered for writing hymns characteristic of his Pietistic faith.