Saints’ Feast Days

As the culmination of each Saints’ Weeks of Action, students from the saints’ forms will be invited to a liturgy to celebrate the Feast Day of their saint. The Saints’ Feast Day Liturgy will take place on a day during their feast week, and our school chaplain uses this celebration as an opportunity to teach more about the Saint, both during in the homily and prior to the Mass.

 

Don Bosco

Don Bosco’s primary teachings and beliefs centred around the idea of “reason, religion, and loving kindness,” which he called “the three R’s.” He believed that education was key to lifting young people out of poverty and helping them to lead successful and fulfilling lives. Saint John Bosco’s legacy lives on through the Salesians, the religious order he founded and inspires students and education still to this day.

 

Teresa of Liseiux

Teresa of Liseiux was known as God’s little flower. At the age of 13 she had a religious experience that helped her change her ways and see the light of God.  Her “little way” emphasises small acts of love and kindness each day. Her teachings continue to inspire and teaches people the way of the Lord around the world.

 

Blessed Carlo Acutis

Carlo’s life was characterized by a remarkable integration of faith and reason. Despite his young age, he exhibited an exceptional intellect and a keen interest in understanding the mysteries of technology and Catholicism. He spent many hours honing his skills as a computer programmer while remaining committed to prayer and devotion. Blessed Carlo Acutis taught us that the Eucharist is the key to making relationships with God. So, we can be with him, serve him and be like him.

 

Anna Wang

Saint Anna Wang is a Chinese Roman Catholic martyr who is recognized as one of the patrons of the Catholic Church in China. Anna Wang's story is one of courage and faith. She was born into a Catholic family and grew up in a time of great persecution for Chinese Catholics. In 1900, during the Boxer Rebellion, anti-foreign and anti-Christian sentiments were running high in China. Anna's village was attacked by a group of Boxers, who were opposed to the spread of Christianity in China. Despite the danger, Anna refused to renounce her faith and convert to Chinese folk religion. She was brutally tortured and eventually killed, along with her mother and several other members of her family.  Anna's faith and strength in the face of persecution have made her an inspiration to Catholics in China and around the world.

 

Catherine of Siena

Catherine of Siena often visited hospitals and homes where the poor and sick were found. Her activities quickly attracted followers who helped her in her mission to serve the poor and sick. St. Catherine was drawn further into the world as she worked, and eventually she began to travel, calling for reform of the Church and for people to confess and to love God to all.

 

Perpetua and Felicity:

Perpetua and Felicity are best known for their joy and calm amid terror and horrendous suffering. Saint Perpetua was a noblewoman, and Saint Felicity was a slave. They met in prison when they were both arrested for being Christians. But Perpetua and Felicity knew that loving God was more important than anything else on earth, so they stayed strong and stayed close to God.  They are the patron saints of mothers, expectant mothers, ranchers and butchers. 

 

John Paul II

John Paul II is the first ever Pope to visit the White House, and a mosque. He travelled more than any other Pope before him, visiting many of the countries of the world. He is also famous for starting the annual World Youth Day. After he was beatified, his title was changed to Blessed John Paul II. John Paul II was canonized by Pope Francis on April 27, 2014, which means that the Polish Pope is now known as Saint John Paul II. He was an inspiration through leadership, faith and movement for the catholic faith.

 

Bakhita

Born in Sudan in 1869, St. Josephine Bakhita was kidnapped and sold into slavery as a young girl.  After being traumatized and traded many times, she landed in Italy and found her way to both freedom and faith.  Her story is an incredible one, it can truly inspire.

 

Vaz

Saint Joseph Vaz, a man who embraced hardship for his faith, gave hope to the hopeless, and shone light in the darkest corners of the world. He's not only an inspiring figure but also a testament to the power of faith. Vaz baptised, catechised and built 300 chapels, churches and built homes for the old, sick and the needy next to the churches. He would always keep a sack of rice to be distributed to the poor after mass as a symbol of his service to the most vulnerable.  He continued to live a life of service despite the danger of him doing so in Sri Lanka.

 

Teresa of Calcutta

She founded a school in Motijhil, Calcutta, before she began tending to the poor and hungry. At the beginning of 1949, Mother Teresa was joined in her effort by a group of young women, and she laid the foundation for a new religious community helping the "poorest among the poor". She has inspired the catholic faith to dedication and service their life to those that are poor and most vulnerable, her life mission was for them.

 

Stein

Edith Stein was a Jew who converted to Catholicism in 1922 and was ordained a Carmelite nun in 1933. She died in Auschwitz in 1942. She was subsequently declared a Catholic martyr and saint. She campaigned publicly on issues relating to women’s rights and education and was an example of strength and dedication to faith.