SAINTS - A

St. Achilleus - Feast: May 12th (Optional Memorial)
Born: Unknown -- Died: 304 -- Canonized: Unknown
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: No -- Other:

St. Achilleus was a Roman Soldier until his conversion to Christianity. Believed to have been martyred by being burned or beheaded in the First Century. The little we know basically comes from what Pope St. Damasus placed on his tomb.

St. Adalbert - Feast: April 23rd (Optional Memorial)
Born: Unknown -- Died: 997 -- Canonized: Unknown
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: No -- Other:

St. Adalbert was born of a noble family in Bohemia. At the age of 26 he was elected bishop of Prague. St. Adalbert was forced to flee twice due to violent oppostion from political opponents. He was murdered by the Prussians in 997 A.D. St. Adalbert is the Patron of Bohemia, the Czech Republic and Prussia. He is also a Patron of Poland.

St. Agatha - Feast: February 5th (Obligatory Memorial)
Born: Unknown -- Died: 251 -- Canonized: Unknown
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: Yes -- Other:

St. Agatha was martyred in 251 A.D. for refusing the solicitations of a Roman Senator. She is mentioned in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I). St. Agatha is the Patron Saint of Fire, Nurses, and Volcanic Eruptions.

St. Agnes - Feast: January 21 (Obligatory Memorial)
Born: Unknown -- Died: 304 -- Canonized: Unknown
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: Yes -- Other:

According to St. Augustine and St. Ambrose, St. Agnes was martyred at the age of 12. Pope Damasus adorned her tomb with sacred poetry. St. Agnes is represented with a martyrs palm and a lamb. On her feast day the pope blesses the Pallium, a stole made from lambs wool which is worn by metropolitans. St. Agnes is mentioned in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I). She is the Patron Saint of Children of Mary, Engaged Couples, Girls, and Young Girls.

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque - Feast: October 16th (Optional Memorial)
Born: 1647 -- Died: 1690 -- Canonized: 1920
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: No -- Other:

St. Mary Alacoque was born in the diocese of Autun, France in 1647 A.D. She dedicated herself, at a young age, to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. While a Visitation nun, St. Mary Alacoque was chosen by God along Father de la Colombiere, S.J. as the instruments to promote the Feast of the Sacred Heart in 1675 A.D. She was later favored in life with mystical revelations. St. Mary Alacoque died on October 17, 1690.

St. Albert - Feast: November 15th (Optional Memorial)
Born: 1206 -- Died: 1280 -- Canonized: 1931
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: No -- Other: doctor of the Church (1931)

St. Albert was born in Lauginen in 1206 A.D. He was the famous instructor of St. Thomas Aquinas. St. Albert was named bishop of Ratisbon. He wrote brilliantly on many subjects to the advantage of the sacred and secular sciences. St. Albert died in Cologne in 1280 A.D. He is the Patron Saint of Scientist.

St. Ambrose - Feast: December 7th (Obligatory Memorial)
Born: 339 -- Died: 397 -- Canonized: Unknown
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: No -- Other: doctor of the Church (1298)

He died on Good Friday, April 4, 397. St. Ambrose is most know for his help in converting St. Augustine and baptized Augustine after his conversion. Amborse is also well know for is strong fights against heresy of Arainism. He is the Patron Saint of Domestic Animals, Bee Keepers, Bologna, Candle Makers, Chandlers, Learning, and Milan.

St. Andrew - Feast: November 30th (Feast)
Born: Unkn -- Died: Unkn -- Canonized: Unkn
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: Yes -- Other: Apostle

St. Andrew was the brother of St. Peter and a follower of St. John the Baptist and was the first of the apostles to follow Christ. He preached the Gospel in Greece. St. Andrew was crucified in 60 A.D. in Patras on an X-shaped cross. He is Patron Saint of Fisherman, Old Maids, Russia, Scotland, and Singles.

St. Ann - Feast: July 26th (Obligatory Memorial)
Born: Unknown -- Died: Unknown -- Canonized: Unknown
Roman Calendar: Yes (1471) -- Roman Canon: No -- Other:

Not much is known about St. Ann. Her name is found in the Protoevangelium of St. James from the second century. St. Ann started to be honored as the Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary around the sixth century. Her feast day is now combined with the father of Mary, St Joachim. St. Ann is the Patron Saint of Cabinet Makers, Childless Women, Christian Mothers, Housewives, Miners, Mothers, and Women in Labor.

St. Anselm - Feast: April 21st (Optional Memorial)
Born: 1033 -- Died: 1109 -- Canonized: 1494
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: No -- Other: doctor of the Church (1720)

St. Anselm was born in Piedmont in 1033 A.D. and died in 1109. He was the Archbishop of Canterbury and was twice exiled for defending the rights of the Church. St. Anselm is the author of "Prosologian", "Cur Deus Homo" and "The Procession of the Holy Spirit". Finally, he is known as the Father of Scholasticism.

St. Ansgar - Feast: February 3rd (Optional Memorial)
Born: 801 -- Died: 865 -- Canonized: Unknown
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: No -- Other:

St. Ansgar was born in France in the 9th century. He was educated at the monestary of Corbie. St. Ansgar began preaching in 826 A.D. in Denmark, but did not have much success. However when he traveled to Sweden and began to preach there he worked hard and met with great success in the conversion of Swedes. St. Ansgar was appointed bishop of Hamburg by Pope Gregory IV. He died in 865 A.D. St. Ansgar is the Patron Saint of Denmark, Germany, and Iceland.

St. Anthony of Egypt - Feast: January 17th (Obligatory Memorial)
Born: 251 -- Died: 356 -- Canonized: Unknown
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: No -- Other:

St. Anthony of Egypt was born in Egypt around 250 A.D. When his parents died he gave all of his property to the poor and began a life as a hermit. St. Anthony's life style attracted many disciples and they labored for the Church. He along with St. Athanasius of Alexandria in giving support to believers during the Persecution of Diocletian and fighting the Arian heresy. St. Anthony died in 356 A.D. at age 105. He is the Patron Saint of Basket Makers, Brush Makes, Butchers, Domestic Animals, Grave Diggers, and Skin Diseases.

St. Anthony of Padua - Feast: June 13th (Obligatory Memorial)
Born: 1195 -- Died: 1231 -- Canonized: 1232
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: No -- Other: doctor of the Church (1946)

St. Anthony of Padua died when he was only 36 years old. He was a gifted Orator and Preacher and was know as the "Evangelical Doctor". Saint Anthony of Padua is the Patron Saint of Barren Women, Elderly, Grave-Diggers, Lost Articles, The Harvest, The Poor, Portugal, Swine Hearders, and Travelers.

St. Thomas Aquinas - Feast: January 28th (Obligatory Memorial)
Born: 1225 -- Died: 1274 -- Canonized: 1323
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: No -- Other: doctor of the Church (1567)

St. Thomas was born in 1225 A.D. into the family of the Count of Aquino. While studying in Paris at Cologne, he had St. Albert the Great for an instructor. St. Thomas has been given the title of the Angelic Doctor. His most known works are Adoro te devote, O salutaris, Tantum Ergo, Pange Linqua, and Summa Theologiæ which was never finished because he died on his way to the Council of Lyons in 1274 A.D. His body was transferred to Touluse in 1369 A.D. on January 28. St. Thomas is the Patron Saint of Book Sellers, Catholic Schools, Colleges, Universities, Philosophers, Schools, Students, and Theology.

St. Athanasius - Feast: May 2nd (Obligatory Memorial)
Born: 295 -- Died: 373 -- Canonized: Unknown
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: No -- Other: doctor of the Church

St. Athanasius was born in 297 A.D. in Alexandria and died in 373 A.D. He was the bishop of Alexandria for 45 years. St. Athanasius was considered the champion of the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D. He was a prolific polemicist against the Arians who exiled him 5 times. St. Athanasius is one of the four great doctors of the Eastern Church. He wrote the "On the Incarnation", the "Discourses Against the Arians", and the "Life of Anthony". St.Athanasius is known as the Doctor of Incarnation.

St. Augustine - Feast: August 28th (Feast)
Born: 354 -- Died: 430 -- Canonized: Unknown
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: No -- Other: doctor of the Church

St. Augustine was born in Tagaste, Africa in 354 A.D. He received baptism from St. Ambrose at the age of 33. St. Augustine has over 500 homilies that are extant. He is most noted for the "City of God" and his "Confessions". St. Augustine became bishop of Hippo at age 41. He combatted the Manichees, Donatists, and Pelagius. St. Augustine is one of the four great Doctors of the Western Church. He is the Patron Saint of Brewers, Printers and Theology.

St. Augustine of Cantebury - Feast: May 27th (Obligatory Memorial)
Born: Unknown -- Died: 604/5 -- Canonized: Unknown
Roman Calendar: Yes (1882) -- Roman Canon: No -- Other:

St. Augustine of Cantebury was sent to England by Pope Gregory I. He converted many people including King Ehtelbert of Kent. St. Augustine established dioceses in Cantebury, London, and Rochester and received the pallium as Primate of England.