She was an unflagging advocate for minorities, crusading for better educational opportunities and standing against racial discrimination and injustice. I always need the reminder that my child is watching my every move, and how I speak, treat the people around me, and even in the little things like how I prepare them for school or talk about school, all of my actions are teaching them. Becoming overwhelmed by the corruption in the justice system, Alphonsus quit practicing law to study Scripture in 1723. At the age of 61, after decades of teaching young women, Angela founded the Ursulines, the first order dedicated to the education of girls. Teachers and students spend generous amounts of time planning events, projects, and other activities. For one year, one of the boys was vice president of the student body. 1 St. Aloysius Gonzaga Patron of Young Students Learning about the lives of saints can help us become better Catholics. We go to Mass and remember that all these holy people are happy with God. Nearly all of the boys were famous and many of them held offices in the school. He reminds us to have kind words for everyone especially those who are troublemakers or more difficult to love. Cavalry - George [1] Chandlers - Ambrose of Milan, [1] Bernard of Clairvaux. Two of my favorite quotes from St. John Bosco are advice he passed on to his fellow teachers in regards to dealing with difficult students: Get them to love you and theyll follow you anywhere and Its not enough to love them, they have to know theyre loved.. , one of only four women to be declared a Doctor of the Church, Litany of Saints for Teachers #BISblog //. His was also the time when universities were just beginning, so the young men traveling to university towns invoked the intercession of St. Nicholas for protection on the journey and later for their studies. St. Augustine, also called Saint Augustine of Hippo, original Latin name Aurelius Augustinus, (born November 13, 354, Tagaste, Numidia [now Souk Ahras, Algeria]died August 28, 430, Hippo Regius [now Annaba, Algeria]; feast day August 28), bishop of Hippo from 396 to 430, one of the Latin Fathers of the Church and perhaps the most significant Christian thinker after St. Paul. Despite his formidable intellect, Alphonsus was direct in his teaching and writing. Truly, anyone with a name like "Albertus Magnus" makes for a worthy and incredible patron. Michelangelo's Pieta in St. Peter's in Rome is widely considered his masterpiece; Dante's is The Divine Comedy. Read all of Grace's posts here. He was the founder of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, and also established teacher colleges throughout France. Today, members of his order now called the Redemptorists continue his work of evangelizing rural people in all parts of the world. He believed the laity needed to be educated in these matters so to be able to live out their Faith in the fullness of truth. For St. Katharine Drexel, Mother Thodore Gurin, Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini, and St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, building schools and educating the youth were an essential part of their missionary work. St. Albert was the teacher of St. Thomas Aquinas and, like his famous student, also became a Doctor of the Church. Today, she is known as the namesake of a monastery at Mount Sinai that claims to be the oldest in the world. He is also a patron saint of Egypt. Joseph was named their superior and proved himself to be incredibly virtuous in the face of adversity. Explore the unique architecture and sacred art of the largest Roman Catholic church in North America. He was an avid student of Aristotelean philosophy and is also known to have studied the Muslim scholars of his day. The son of a teacher who then went on to become one himself, his life of virtue and instruction lead to Blessed Contardo Ferrini to be dubbed the patron Blessed of universities. Elizabeths most lasting impact, however, was the founding of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Josephs in 1809 the first religious order in America. by Kevin Vost Jan 5, 2023 Self-Knowledge. May St. John Henry Newman assist us all in preparing our students to live virtuous lives in a secular world. The Religion Teacher's Confirmation Worksheets. She decided to use her inheritance to establish the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament in 1913. I picked up the book and randomly opened to the page about the Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order. Josaphat is the patron saint of Ukraine. A Litany of Saints for Students. Feast day: Nov. 25Catherine is thought to have been born to a noble family in Alexandria, Egypt. She was revered for her spiritual wisdom and she taught local girls in order to make a living. He attended the Collge Sainte-Barbe of the University of Paris. In the rural areas outside Naples, he discovered pagan people who were severely uneducated, living in material and spiritual poverty. At the end of their senior year, the student body selected ten seniors for special recognition as the "school four of the ten were Saints. His life was lived in total service to others. 1. These holy men and women certainly prove the inaccuracy of that sentiment. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Born in Alexandria, Egypt, Peter headed its catechetical school before being named bishop-patriarch in 300. This is a great vocation, and the Lord himself will reward all who serve in it as educators in the cause of the word of God. Pope John Paul II. Gianna can be called upon as an intercessor for many reasons, including by those who truly struggle to obtain their degrees. Erica Lynn Mesa, 28, was a math . Though a cradle Catholic, she continues to be amazed at the depth of peace and joy that can be found within the Faith and cant help but share that passion with others as a teacher, writer, and speaker. Leonella empowered her students to better their own lives and serve their community. Unfortunately, Alphonsuss teaching garnered not only intense support, but also strong opposition. Thousands of Men Hold Rosaries, Sing Ancient Marian Hymn at Basilica in Poland Watch the Video! He was the patron of sailors and travelers. Grace is a regular contributor to the BIS Blog. TheCatechism of the Catholic Church says, the saints contemplate God, praise him and constantly care for those whom they have left on earth. In addition to her many, many works, she and her sisters established schools in all over the country, as well as in Europe and South America, educating the poorest of society in an attempt to help them rise above their difficulties. Teaching Students with Catholic Saints. To prepare for their Confirmation, young people are required to pick a saint's name similar to the name they were given at Baptism. The program was so successful Kuriakose took the idea to the king and it was implemented in all government schools. Stay up-to-date on whats happening at the Basilica throughout the year. Through a vision, this scholarly young woman converted to Christianity and began evangelizing others, including the wife of the pagan emperor who was persecuting Christians. However, others loved him and compared him to Saint Dominic Savio. If you're thinking about joining a debate team, Catherine is the person to contact! of the boys was vice-president of the student body one year. Whether they were founding parochial school systems or teaching rural populations, each of them significantly expanded educational opportunities in their communities and beyond. He would find them a place to live and help them get jobs. May we all learn to share our personal passions with our students that they can be formed to improve the community around them. Born to Christian parents, Agatha actually received her schooling from consecrated virgins. "Your total ignorance of that which you profess to teach merits the death penalty. He is the patron saint of the natural sciences, scientists and philosophers. I know from personal experience how difficult it can be to find quality, engaging . Born in Naples in 1696, Alphonsus was an astonishingly bright student, earning his law degree in civil and canon law at age 16. [Read More ] It is a comprehensive work but in a simplified format for that time. He not only gave these boys a home and an education, he set up apprenticeships with local tradesmen so the boys would be successful when they outgrew the school. That meant making last minute trips to the library, finding a cool, quiet place to read for as long as possible, and eating as much ice cream outside as I could get away with after my 30th time running through the sprinkler. This trio would be great to turn to when seeking holy, supportive friendships. A Conversation with a Catholic Filmmaker | feat. During their time of prayer they received another vision of Mary in which she revealed her desire for them to found the Order of Servites. Grant that I may like you succeed in the (here mention the name of Examination ) examination. Yet the Saint himself proclaimed, Education has always been my line.. If Berchmans ever witnessed a fellow student getting reprimanded for an indiscretion he would promptly say something positive about him. A truth that even the Saints know! Twitter. Throughout all of his work Aquinas demonstrates his desire to know the truth in all things. Sadly, he died of tuberculosis before finishing his degree. According to legend, after she defied the emperor and refuted philosophers brought in to test her faith, she was imprisoned and tortured. Read More. Only the assistance of a tutor, and much diligence and prayer on his part, overcame this obstacle and even . Here are some of my favorites who may be of assistance to help all of us students through this time of intense study. Not to the East, but to the West, he told her, and Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini obeyed. He was ordained a priest and sent to Chablais to try to restore Catholicism; there he converted thousands. Saints Who Went to College. St. Catherine of Alexandria 10. Peter and Andrew) who were both among the twelve apostles, and were two of Jesus' closest friends. We thank God for our teachers, who strive to endow students with a hunger for knowledge and cultivate in them a lifelong intellectual curiosity. Albert is proof of the incredible impact a good teacher can have on generations, and we ask through his intercession for the grace to do the same. About three years later, he was ordained, and began educating and ministering to some of the most indigent and crime-ridden districts in Naples. Feast day: Nov. 26. Zepherin was the son of a Mapuche Chief who was sent to a military school in order to better advocate for his native people. Various types of religious personages have been recognized as saints, both by popular acclaim and official pronouncement, and their influence on the religious masses . An Italian woman of the twenty-first century, Leonella was a religious sister who spent 30 years serving the poor in Kenya and Somalia. Saint Catherine of Siena famously said, If you are who you should be, you will set the world on fire. In a similar fashion, political activist Nelson Mandela claimed, Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. As followers of Jesus, we would add certain elements to that sentiment: Christ and His grace. Share . The next time you are faced with an exam try praying one of these prayers: O Great St. Joseph of Cupertino who while on earth did obtain from God the grace to be asked at your examination only the questions you knew, obtain for me a like favor in the examinations for which I am now preparing. -May Saint Gemma, the patron of students, be our heavenly advocate and friend. 3 St. John Baptist de la Salle - Patron of Teachers In many . Saints Zachary and Elizabeth. The Catholic Church highly values education. 4 Pope St. Gregory the Great Patron of Teachers But I did discover that there is also a patron saint for "liars and fakes," for "mediocrity," for "hand-gunners," and that even Harry Potter is listed as a patron saint. Most of his relics were moved from Asia Minor to Bari in 1087, and a portion to Venice during the First Crusade. And you've got to get it. Over the course of his life, Aquinas composed numerous works, most notably his Summa Theologica. Have you finished your school shopping? An Italian bishop and teacher in the 4th century, it was discovered Cassian was a Christian when he refused to pay homage to Roman gods. In the diocese of Philadelphia, St. John Neumann built the Catholic school network from two schools to over 100. Sacrificing better jobs and cushier lives, these Saints dedicated their lives to ensuring the development of other people, often even using their own money to do so. In addition, he knew that his students would get more out of their schooling if they received a midday meal to sustain them, a luxury many poor families could not afford. Her fellow dancers created a poster with Alexzandria's image that is now part of a growing memorial in front of the school. Narrowing the saint search from 3 finalists to 1. In My Best Teachers Were Saints, Swetnam focuses on fifty-two saintsmany of them teacherswho faced challenges similar to those that nearly all educators face today, from indifferent students and recalcitrant colleagues to their own limitations and feelings of isolation. Eventually her teaching efforts caught the attention of the government and she was beheaded. This is not something unique to school, but it is a challenge that faces both students and faculty alike. Be transformed through the power and beauty of music in the Roman Catholic Liturgy. His grades had been excellent, so he continued to study and learn on his own. The Kindergarten Teacher. If you or someone you know and love is off to college, check out these Saints who could serve as heavenly intercessors throughout your post-secondary studies! 4.8. A convert from the Angelican faith, Bishop Barron describes Saint John Henry Newman as a pivotal player in the field of theology and the eyes of the Catholic Church. My Best Teachers Were Saints: What Every Educator Can Learn from the Heroes of the Church Paperback - February 1, 2007 by Susan H. Swetnam (Author) 4.5 out of 5 stars 10 ratings saint, holy person, believed to have a special relationship to the sacred as well as moral perfection or exceptional teaching abilities. The witness of the saints can help us to deal with the struggles that we face in academics, and their prayers can strengthen and encourage us during the difficult times of the year. It should come as no surprise then that many of the canonized Saints within the Church possess college degrees. Peters own theological writings were cited in a fifth-century dispute over Christs divinity and humanity. The 13th-century saint was . St Rita of Cascia was also called Margherita Lotti. She would also be great for all those seeking the fullness of Truth. When they entered into the joy of their Master, they were put in charge of many things.Their intercession is their most exalted service to Gods plan. Francis did so not because he thought these people to be more important than others, but rather he recognized their gifts were meant to help the whole Church and these souls often had no idea how to develop them. Saint Joseph Calasanz was a priest with advanced degrees in theology and law, but he walked away from those careers because he was deeply stirred by the need of the poor for proper education. Copyright Aleteia SAS all rights reserved. His thinking became enormously influential in later centuries and he was named a Doctor of the Church in 1567. If you have any additional questions, you may contact us by clicking. In 1965, the Second Vatican Council taught that seminarians should learn under the guidance of St. Thomas, in order to illumine the mysteries of salvation as completely as possible. He is also a patron saint of academics, chastity, colleges and universities, Catholic schools and theologians. If you or someone you know and love is off to college, check out these Saints who could serve as heavenly intercessors throughout your post-secondary studies! Advertise on Catholic Exchange He is portrayed in the Basilica in a statue in the west apse of the Upper Church, in the north faade of the Upper Church, and in the Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel. Saint Joseph Calasanz is a great comrade to call upon when we find our efforts being criticized by others. It should come as no surprise then, that the job itself is far from easy. It is beautiful when we discover our talentslike . She has a BA in Visual Arts from St. Gregory's University. Berchmans was a great student but his most notable quality was his ability to say something nice about everyone. Outside of ministry, she dabbles in a bit of everything, excels in almost nothing, and like most moms, cannot survive without at least one cup of coffee a day. Age of 35, he became bis and venerables to saints that were teacher and student from > Profile teacher were undertaken was born Savoy., philosophers, students, communities ) are assumed to agree with the same 16-year-old,. And by the time he was 11 he was teaching the Catechism to younger children. Grace is a regular contributor to the BIS Blog. The typical grade for the group was 'B' with two of the boys having almost a straight 'A' average. He didnt even stop there he would advocate for them at their jobs so that they were treated fairly. Easel Activity. Catechists - Charles Borromeo, Robert Bellarmine [4] Catholic students - Aloysius Gonzaga. The saints are ourintercessors in heaven and a great help for New Year's Resolutions or any other need. St. Joseph dedicated his life to the education of poor and neglected children. 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