The most commonly known saint celebrated in February is Saint Valentine, however, there are many other wonderful saints whom the Church also acknowledges. In this blog, we explore four feast days that strongly influence the lives of Christians around the world.
6th – Saint Josephine Bakhita
St Josephine Bakhita was a Sudanese nun who endured the traumatic experience of human trafficking at a young age. Over the course of twelve years after being kidnapped, she was sold, bought, and given away a number of times, beaten, incapacitated, whipped, cut, and suffered many physical scars from the abuse, as well as the emotional and mental scars that followed.
When one of the families she served as a nanny for went away, she was put in the custody of the Canossian Sisters. It was during this time when St Josephine learned more about who God truly is and felt called to follow Christ.
St Josephine was declared free from slavery, was baptised, and received her First Holy Communion and Confirmation. She took her final vows in 1896 and worked as a cook and doorkeeper for 42 years in the convent in Schio.
Read more: Secondary Unit 56 – Part 3 – Pages 13 to 16
11th – Our Lady of Lourdes
Our Lady of Lourdes is one of the most beloved titles of the Virgin Mary. The title originated through a series of Marian apparitions experienced by a 14-year-old girl named Bernadette in Lourdes, France. During one of the apparitions, she was asked to dig in the ground near the grotto of Massabielle. There, water began to flow from the ground and later became associated with many miraculous healings.
St Bernadette shocked many by stating that ‘the lady’ referred to herself saying, ‘I am the Immaculate Conception.’ Lourdes has since become a major centre of pilgrimage for the faithful, particularly the sick.
The feast of Our Lady of Lourdes is also recognised as the World Day of the Sick.
Read more: Primary Unit 36 – Part 5 – Page 8
Secondary Unit 26 – Part 4 – Page 9
Secondary Unit 52 – Part 7 – Page 11
14th – Saint Valentine
Valentine’s Day originated as a Christian feast day to honour the memory of St Valentine, a Roman clergyman from the 3rd century who ministered to persecuted Christians.
While there is a lack of reliable information about the life of St Valentine, it is commonly agreed that he secretly married couples in hidden locations to protect the sanctity of Christian marriage during a time of persecution. His actions were eventually discovered, and he was given the opportunity to become a loyal Roman citizen, but he remained strong in his beliefs and was martyred for them.
“Valentine stood for something much bigger than him. He put his life on the line to marry people, tell them about Christ, and help them win against war.”
23rd – Saint Polycarp
St Polycarp was a Christian bishop in Smyrna and played an important role in keeping the Church united. He was one of the earliest Christians and, according to tradition, a disciple of St John the Apostle, making him a direct link to the apostles.
He guided Christians during a period of persecution and refused to renounce his faith, and ultimately being martyred for it. He was 86 years old at this time.
According to tradition, St Polycarp was tied up to be burned. After he finished praying, the fire that was lit formed an arc around him, and instead of burning him, made him glow. The captors were astounded by what they saw and decided to stab him instead. The blood that flowed from his body distinguished the fire.
Read more: Primary Unit 44 – Part 6 – Page 6
Secondary Unit 4 – Part 8 – Page 1
