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 March the Church Commemorates:

John Wesley, died 1791;

Charles Wesley, died 1788; renewers of the church

Sunday, March 2, 2025

These brothers led a revival originally intended to remain within the Church of England, one that

involved frequent communion and advocacy for the poor. Except for a brief time in America, they

worked in England. Charles was also a prolific hymn writer. After their deaths, their work led to the

formation of the Methodist Church.

Perpetua and Felicity and companions,

Martyrs at Carthage, died 202

Friday, March 7, 2025

Vibia Perpetua, a noblewoman, and Felicity, an enslaved woman, were catechumens at Carthage,

northern Africa. They, with four other catechumens, had defied the Roman emperor who had forbidden conversions to Christianity, and were put to death in the amphitheater.

Harriet Tubman, died 1913; 

Sojourner Truth, died 1883; renewers of society

Monday, March 10, 2025

Harriet Tubman, born into slavery, helped about 300 others to escape slavery until the institution

was abolished. Sojourner Truth, whose birth name was Isabella, was freed after slavery was

abolished, and discerned a call to be a preacher. Taking the name Sojourner Truth, she set out on

an evangelistic journey, where people found her testimony to be deeply moving.

Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome, died 604

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Born into wealth and power, Gregory was for a time the chief administrator of the city of Rome.

Giving this up for a life in the church, he was elected pope in 590. He influenced public worship through the establishment of a lectionary and prayers to correlate with the readings. Gregorian chant is named in his honor.

Patrick, bishop, missionary to Ireland, died 461

Monday, March 17, 2025

A native of Britain, Patrick was kidnapped by pirates at age sixteen and sold into slavery in Ireland.

After a few years, he escaped, returned home, and entered the ministry. Returning to Ireland, he

successfully served as a bishop and missionary there.

Joseph, Guardian of Jesus

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Though the Bible tells us little about the husband of Jesus' mother Mary, we know that he was a

carpenter or builder by trade. He is also shown as being devoted both to God and to Mary and Jesus.

It is assumed that he died before Jesus became an adult.

Thomas Cranmer, Bishop of Canterbury, martyr, 

died 1556

Friday, March 21, 2025

Cranmer's lasting achievement is contributing to and overseeing the creation of the Book of Common

Prayer, which remains (in revised form) the worship book of the Anglican Communion. He was

burned at the stake under Queen Mary for his support of the Protestant Reformation.

Jonathan Edwards, teacher, missionary to American Indians, died 1758

Saturday, March 22, 2025

A Puritan minister in Connecticut, Edwards is remembered as being a great preacher. Though his

most famous sermon talks at length about hell, he was more concerned with God's love. He served

both as missionary to the Housatonic people in Massachusetts, and as president of the future

Princeton University.

Oscar Arnulfo Romero, Bishop of El Salvador, martyr, died 1980

Monday, March 24, 2025

Romero was deeply concerned with injustices evident toward the poor and powerless in El Salvador,

and worked forthrightly against political repression. He was assassinated while presiding at the

eucharist in a chapel near the cathedral in San Salvador.

Annunciation of Our Lord

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Nine months before Christmas we celebrate the annunciation, in which the angel Gabriel announced

to Mary that she would give birth to the Son of God. The ancient church believed that this was also

the date of the world's creation and of Jesus' death on the cross.

Hans Nielsen Hauge, renewer of the church, died 1824

Saturday, March 29, 2025

Hauge was a layperson who wished to revitalize the church in Norway. As a result of a mystical

experience, he felt called to preach. Many professionals in the church feared his motives and

influence, and he was imprisoned for leading unauthorized gatherings.

John Donne, poet, died 1631

Monday, March 31, 2025

After finishing his education at Oxford University, Donne seemed headed for a career in the English public service. But a series of circumstances led him into the ordained ministry. He is well known as a writer of both secular and sacred poetry.

Beginning in April 2025, 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.