October
is home to many Feast Days, and those Saints are so important to those who
follow the Catholic faith. Though this month does not contain any major Holy
Days, there are many special days for which to pray and celebrate in October.
Here are a few of our favorites:
St Therese the Little Flower –
Feast Day: October 1st
Saint
Therese of Lisieux, also known as St. Therese “the Little Flower”. On the Feast Day of the “Little Flower” – we celebrate her extraordinary love for God and service to humanity. She was born
in France in 1873. Since then, Lisieux has become a popular Pilgrimage site for
those who wish to pay homage to this beloved Saint. According to Pope Pius X,
St. Therese was the “greatest Saint of modern times.”
In Lisieux, pilgrims can view her relics, clothing, her hair, personal belongings, and visit her family home, known as “Les Buissonets”. You can also visit the Carmelite Convent she entered in 1888 where she is now entombed alongside her parents.
St. Francis of Assisi – Feast
Day October 4
St.
Francis of Assisi lived his life deeply dedicated to imitating the life of
Jesus, serving the poor, and taking a vow of poverty himself. As many know, he
is the patron Saint of Animals and the Environment.
There are many accounts of
St. Francis respecting, preaching to, and blessing animals as he would a human.
He is also responsible for founding the Franciscan Order, and is the
inspiration for our Holy Father, Pope Francis.
St. Teresa of Avila – Feast Day
October 15
Saint
Teresa of Avila is widely known for being a nun, author, and theologian of
contemplative life through mental prayer. Also called, Saint Teresa of Jesus,
she was born in Avila (Spain) in 1515. The city is now dedicated to her, and has
not changed much since her passing in 1582. Saint Teresa, the great mystic, was
the first woman ever to be named a “Doctor of the Church”.
You can visit sites
from her life, the La Encarnacion Convent where she became a nun, the museum
built to honor her, and the Cathedral and Cuatro Postes (the four columns)
dedicated to her life on tour 210!
Celebrate October with these Saints in mind!
