School is starting up again, and the summer is over (not that it felt much like summer because there weren't pools to swim in or museums to go to or trips to take). We have to wake up earlier, get ourselves back into a routine, and focus our minds on learning. And with all of this sudden change, it can be a little crazy and overwhelming. That's when we can turn to the saints, because there are some very amazing ones who we can ask to help us with busy school life.
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Saint Edith Stein (Teresa Benedicta of the Cross)
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Edith Stein was born Jewish but she became Catholic as an adult. There was also a brief time in her life when she was an athiest, which means she didn't follow any religion. Edith Stein was a very bright young woman, and she was able to attend a university, which was very uncommon when she was there. She studied philosophy, which is the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. She had close friends who were also philosophers, such as Edmund Husserl (Edith eventually became his assistant). After Edith Stein was baptized a Catholic, she left behind her promising career at the university and entered a Carmelite convent with her sister, Rosa. She was martyred during World War II because of her Jewish heritage, and has been named one of the patronesses of Europe.
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Saint Thomas Aquinas
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Thomas Aquinas was sent by his parents to live and be educated at a Benedictine monastery at the early age of five, in the hopes that he would become a monk there. He was sent elsewhere to complete his studies and was attracted to the philosophy of Aristotle. Then, Thomas decided he would not become a Benedictine monk, but a Dominican friar. His parents were greatly displeased and sent his brothers to kidnap him. Thomas was kept at his home for over a year. After he was set free, he became a great teacher and studied the teachings of the Catholic Church, and teaching them to others. He wrote many documents still treasured by the Church today on the teachings of the Church. He was named a Doctor of the Church.
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Saint Gemma Galgani
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Saint Gemma Galgani is one of the patronesses of students. She was a very diligent student and was loved by her teachers fellow students. She excelled and received outstanding grades. However, Gemma was a very sick girl, and her sickness prevented her from completing her schooling. Gemma turned to Jesus. She spent her days caring for the poor and the sick and taking care of her seven siblings because their parents had died. Gemma got even sicker, but continued to pray constantly and care for her siblings and the poor. She wanted to become a Passionist nun but was rejected due to her poor health. Gemma remained very close to Jesus and died of tuberculosis at the age of 25. Even though she was never able to join the order, the Passionists recognize her as one of their greatest saints.
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Saint Albert the Great
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Not too much is known about Saint Albert's early life. We do know that he was well educated. He attended the University of Padua and studied Aristotle. After an encounter with Our Lady he became a Dominican. Albert became a great Dominican teacher and taught other great saints such as Saint Thomas Aquinas. Albert was appointed a bishop but resigned after a few years, finding that the life of a bishop was not for him. Albert wrote thirty-eight books on all sorts of topics from philosophy to friendship. He is the patron saint of scientists.
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Saint Catherine of Alexandria
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Saint Catherine of Alexandria was born around 287 in Egypt. Catherine was of noble birth, and might have even been a princess. She was well educated and had excellent debating skills. After a vision of Our Lady and the infant Jesus, she converted to the Catholic faith. Catherine was not pleased with the emperor's persecution of Christians, and she went to him and told him so. The emperor ordered his best philosophers and speakers to come debate Catherine, but the Holy Spirit gave her the right answers to speak in defense of her faith. The emperor became angry and he had her tortured and imprisoned. The emperor thought she was very beautiful and asked if she would become his wife. If she said yes, she would become the empress and she would not die. However, Catherine told the emperor that she was already married to Jesus and would never marry anyone else. The emperor became extremely angry and ordered her execution. They came out with a spiked wheel to kill her, but the instant Catherine touched it, it shattered into a million pieces. The emperor ordered her to be beheaded. Catherine is one of the most well known saints and is still remembered for her unwavering faith in Jesus and also her excellent debating skills.
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Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
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Elizabeth was born into a rich Protestant family in 1774. She grew up in the upper class of New York and was a profuse reader. Despite her high class, her life was simple and often lonely. Elizabeth relied on the Bible for constant support. Elizabeth fell in love with William Seton and they were happily married in 1794. Their first few years of marriage were like an oasis. She was happy and free from her loneliness. However, those years were short-lived. William's father died, and Elizabeth and William were left to care for William's siblings and his father's business. William's business failed, and the family lost all their money. William got sick, and the family went to Italy in the hopes that a new environment would help William's sickness. Elizabeth was devastated when the trip proved unsuccessful and William died there. Again, Elizabeth turned to the Bible for comfort in those hard times. Elizabeth was drawn to the Catholic Church and she was baptized. Elizabeth started a school in Maryland, which became the first free Catholic school in America. Elizabeth became a nun and continued to teach until she died. She had established two orphanages and two schools. She is the patroness of Catholic schools.
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Saint John Bosco
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Saint John Bosco was born into a Catholic family. His mother encouraged him to live the faith every day. When he was nine years old he had a dream that called him to educate the young people. From that day, he worked to lead his peers in prayers and games. He became a priest and decided to teach the poor youngsters that lived where he lived. John led young people to Christ through his example of kindness. He was well-loved by all the children he taught. He founded the Salesians and the Salesian Sisters with the help of Saint Maria Domenica Mazzarello. He is the patron saint of schoolchildren.
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Saints Benedict and Scholastica
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Saints Benedict and Scholastica were twins born into a Christian family in Italy. Benedict became a hermit. He came to be in charge of a troublesome group of monks who did not like his teachings so much that they tried to poison him. He founded monasteries all over Italy. It was there that Benedict wrote his book. He died standing in front of the altar with his fellow monks standing around him. His sister Scholastica was also very religious. She led a group of nuns and was always close to Jesus. Scholastica was very close to Benedict, and they frequently had holy conversations. They would meet to talk at a small house between Benedict's monastery and Scholastica's convent. On one occasion, Benedict had to leave so as to be home by nightfall. Scholastica told him not to go, and when he said he had to, Scholastica cried and prayed and suddenly a storm kicked up outside, preventing Benedict from leaving so they could finish their conversation. Benedict and Scholastica were buried together in Benedict's monastery. Both are patron saints of education.
Saints Edith, Thomas, Gemma, Albert, Catherine, Elizabeth, John, Benedict, and Scholastica, PRAY FOR US!!!
