The Church honors many inspiring men and women throughout the liturgical year. October is a particularly spectacular month, as the Church shows off an amazing collection of feast days and memorials in the weeks leading up to All Saints Day. So, while you enjoy crisp sweater weather and sip your warm pumpkin-spice drink, take a moment to celebrate these amazing saints with the Church.

October 1st – St. Thérèse of Lisieux

Pray: St. Therese would make little offerings throughout her day to please God. Today, make a small sacrifice like washing the dishes without being asked, participating in a class lecture, or going without a sweet treat, and quietly offer your sacrifice for the intentions of someone else.

Celebrate: St. Therese is known as the “Little Flower” due to her simple, yet profound, spirituality. Today, place a beautiful bouquet somewhere you can enjoy them, or gift flowers to someone who has been a spiritual mentor to you. As you celebrate her legacy, ask St. Therese for her prayers. Her earnest faith and devotion to the Child Jesus make her a powerful intercessor.

October 2nd – The Holy Guardian Angels

Pray: Today, pray the Prayer to Your Guardian Angel: Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love entrusts me here, ever this day be at my side to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

Celebrate: The Church’s belief in guardian angels affirms God’s love and care for every person. Celebrate your special protector today by thanking God for your angel and expressing gratitude for your guardian’s inspiration to do good. Then, with your family, enjoy angel food cake for dessert!

October 4th – St. Francis of Assisi

Pray: Today, pray the Prayer of Peace by St. Francis of Assisi: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

Celebrate: St. Francis is known for his simplicity and love for the natural world, especially animals. In his honor, take a walk outside today and notice the beauty of nature and thank God for creation. If you have a pet, take it on the walk with you or give it extra attention today.

October 5th – St. Faustina Kowalska

Pray: St. Faustina received communications from Jesus that include the Divine Mercy image and the Divine Mercy chaplet prayer. Today, take ten minutes to pray the Divine Mercy chaplet. Level up by praying it during the hour of mercy at 3:00 pm. Or meditate on only the closing prayer, thanking God for his mercy: Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world. (Repeat it three times.)

Celebrate: Honor St. Faustina’s Polish heritage by enjoying kolaczki (Polish wedding cookies) today, or bake sugar cookies and decorate them with red, white, and pale blue frosting to match the colors used in the Divine Mercy image. 

October 7th – Our Lady of the Rosary

Pray: The Rosary is such a powerful prayer that an entire feast day is dedicated to Mary’s patronage of it. Today, pray the Rosary, of course! If the whole thing is intimidating, start with a decade and go from there. Offer your prayer for a special intention.

Celebrate: Gather in a group of ten for a snack, dinner, or activity to commemorate the ten Hail Mary prayers within each decade of the Rosary. Then, pray for each person by name as part of your bedtime prayers.

October 12th – St. Carlo Acutis

Pray: St. Carlo Acutis had a strong desire to share the Eucharist with the world. Today, spend time praying in an adoration chapel and ask for St. Carlo’s intercession.

Celebrate: St. Carlo is the newest saint on this list and the first millennial saint. In honor of his youth, engage in a childlike activity that stirs your youthful heart, such as playing at a playground, having a water balloon fight, finger painting, or playing video games or singing songs from your childhood.

October 15th – St. Teresa of Ávila

Pray: St. Teresa of Avila was a mystic, a reformer, and is a Doctor of the Church. She is close to those who are suffering. Today, pray for St. Teresa’s intercession in matters of struggle or misunderstanding. 

Celebrate: St. Teresa’s mystical experience included a vision where Jesus said, “I would create the universe again just to hear you say that you love me.” Today, shout your love to Jesus or perform an extravagant act of love for him.  

October 18th – St. Luke the Evangelist

Pray: Yes, that St. Luke, the writer of the Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles. Today, read a chapter from either of those books of the Bible.

Celebrate: Today, use the power of words to communicate truth. Write a letter to God or someone you are grateful for to express how you feel. 

October 19th – American Martyrs 

Pray: Today, we honor St. Jean de Brébeuf and St. Isaac Jogues, both priestly missionaries martyred in North America for their faith. Pray for missionaries everywhere. If possible, pray in a church and add to your prayer gratitude for safe, public expression of your faith.

Celebrate: Today, proudly wear a crucifix, Catholic apparel, or other outward sign of your faith and thank God that you are free to do so.

October 22nd – St. John Paul II

Pray: A central phrase from St. John Paul II’s papacy was “Be not afraid.” Today, spend some time meditating on one of the many uses of this phrase in Scripture, such as in Isaiah 41:10, Joshua 1:9, Luke 12:32, John 6:20, and Philippians 4:6-17. 

Celebrate: St. John Paul II loved theatrical arts. Today, watch a movie, read a book, or gaze upon a piece of artwork that elevates your soul.

October 28th – Sts. Simon and Jude, Apostles

Pray: Saints Simon and Jude were Apostles of Jesus and traditionally considered to have been martyred together, which is why they share this feast day. Today, pray for the intercession of these saints to help you follow Jesus closely and embrace holy friendships.

Celebrate: St. Jude is the patron of impossible causes. Today, try something you previously thought was impossible, such as leveling up in sports or athletics, being bold in a relationship, or shooting for a big goal. As a bonus, eat an Impossible® burger for dinner.