John B. Manos

Philip drops everything to follow Jesus and wins Nathaniel with four words: “Come and see.” James the Less lives like a camel in prayer, writes an epistle, and dies a martyr. Two Apostles who gave everything.

Catherine of Siena dictates letters to kings and popes, brings Gregory XI back to Rome, predicts the Great Schism, bears Christ’s wounds, and dies at 33. The girl who ran the Church from her cell.

Peter of Verona leaves everything to preach against heresy, gets slandered and punished, then martyred by axe and dagger — yet writes his Creed in blood with his dying hand. The Dominican who turned death into a profession of faith.

Paul of the Cross lives 81 years modeled on the Passion, founds the Passionists, brands the Holy Name on his side, and dies while the Passion is read to him. The saint who lived the Cross.

Servant Zita works 48 years for the same family, rises before dawn for Mass, does everyone’s chores, gets slapped and insulted — then angels bake her bread. The maid who became a saint.

Cletus and Marcellinus: two early Roman bishops who shepherded the Church through persecution. Both styled martyrs. The popes who kept the faith alive when it cost everything.

Converted by Peter, Mark pens “Peter’s Gospel” packed with eyewitness touches, establishes Egypt’s Church and first Christian school, then dies a martyr. The Apostle whose words still make the Savior come alive.

Lawyer Fidelis ditches the courtroom for the Capuchins, heads to Switzerland to convert Calvinists, preaches with fire, gets stabbed, and dies forgiving his murderers. From advocate to martyr.

Soldier George tells Emperor Diocletian to stop killing Christians, endures brutal tortures, and is beheaded. Became the dragon-slaying patron of England and symbol of faith conquering evil.

Pope Soter ruled with fatherly gentleness, poured out alms on the poor and suffering, wrote a letter to Corinth read publicly like Scripture, and crushed the Montanist heresy. The dad-energy defender of the early Church.