In times of challenge, looking to saintly models of faithfulness can inspire us. Every saint in Heaven faced life’s challenges with faith. During their earthly lives, they placed their trust in God to guide them and carry them through whatever troubles they faced.
Saint Francis of Assisi
One of the best-known and well-loved saints is Saint Francis of Assisi. He is the patron saint of animals, archaeologists, ecology, Italy, merchants, messengers, and metal workers. His feast day is October 4. Learn and share about him by using the Seasonal Resources linked below:
- Seeds: Saint Francis of Assisi / San Franciso de Asís
- Good News: Five Scenes from the Life of Saint Francis of Assisi / Cinco momentos en la vida de San Franciso de Asís
- Family-Parents: Saint Francis of Assisi (1182–1226)
Saint Carlo Acutis
Saint Carlo Acutis was canonized in 2025. His feast day is October 12. The first millennial saint, Carlo is known for his deep faith and for using his computer skills to create an online database of Eucharistic Miracles around the world.
Friendly and cheerful, Carlo lived an ordinary life filled with friends, sports, video games, and computers—yet his love for Christ was extraordinary and deep. From a young age, Carlo was devoted to the Eucharist, receiving Christ in daily Mass, spending time with him in Eucharistic adoration, and praying the Rosary daily. He had a special love for those in need, often giving his allowance to the poor, volunteering to help the homeless, and assisting classmates who were bullied or struggling in other ways.
Diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer at age 15, Carlo offered his suffering for the Pope and for the Church. He died less than two weeks after falling ill. He was canonized by Pope Leo XIV in 2025.
Learn more about the process of canonization in “Canonization—Recognizing and Proclaiming a Saint.”
Image credit: Jim Forest (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) via flickr.com, carloacutis.com
