Each saint has a story of devotion to the faith. Though the Roman Catholic Church honors many saints during the month of July, the best known include Bonaventure, Anne mother of the Blessed Virgin, Martha sister of Lazarus, and Ignatius of Loyola.
July 15, Feast of St. Bonaventure
The Church celebrates the feast of St. Bonaventure, great Franciscan scholar and Doctor of the Church, on July 15. Bonaventure, born John Fidanza, lived in the 13th century. He is known as one of the greatest theologians of the Middle Ages as well as a writer of profound spiritual depth and insight.
Bonaventure served as the head of the Franciscan Order and the author of the Life of St. Francis, the most famous and beloved biography of St. Francis of Assisi.
Many legends surround why Bonaventure changed his name. A colorful legend states that his parents brought him to St. Francis as a sick infant to be blessed, and Francis cried out, "o buona ventura," or "oh good fortune." Bonaventure's name proved correct as he explored Church teaching as well as preserved the life and legends of a most beloved saint, Francis of Assisi.
July 26, Feast of St. Anne, Mother of Our Lady
Anna’s name means “grace” in Hebrew. Tradition states that Anne had no children until God blessed her for living a devout life of prayer and devotion with a baby, the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Anne and her husband Joachim suffered greatly for many years believing they would never have children. Anne’s humility and patience as she waited for her pregnancy with Mary became virtues valued by all believers struggling as they wait for God’s blessing in their lives. St. Anne is patroness of all women in childbirth, as well as miners and the province of Quebec in Canada. St. Anne's feast day is July 26.
July 29, Feast of St. Martha, Sister of Lazarus
Martha is mentioned in Holy Scriptures along with her siblings Mary and Lazarus. Jesus chastised Martha, the hard-worker, for not sitting and resting with Him (Luke 10: 41-42).
Martha also talks with Jesus about resurrection and inspires Jesus’ teaching, “I am the resurrection and the life: He who believes in me, though he is dead, will live on in me” (John 11: 25). Martha is the patron saint of hotel keepers, who also aspire to cleanliness and good hospitality. Martha's feast is July 29.
July 31, Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola
The Church celebrates the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit Order, on July 31. Born in 16th century Spain, Ignatius enjoyed a wild youth and successful military career, until a wounded leg rendered him bedridden. While recovering, Ignatius read the lives of the saints and decided to devote himself to the spiritual life.
Ignatius developed a method of self-reflection and confession known as The Spiritual Exercises. Ignatius believed in discipline and education as key to upholding the faith, and his example continues to inspire the Church today.
St. Ignatius, St. Martha, St. Ann, and St. Bonaventure are only a few of the many saints whose lives shine as examples for the faithful in the Roman Catholic Church, this July and always.
For more lives of the saints, Best Known Catholic Saints with Feasts in August may be of interest.
Sources:
Englebert, Omer. Lives of the Saints. Barnes and Noble Books, New York, 1994.
Various Saints. The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912.
Melissa Roberts - A trained hospital chaplain, Melissa is a freelance writer, teacher, retreat leader, and spiritual director.
