These special saints that gave up their lives for their faith are called "martyrs."īased on the course of their lives and the circumstances surrounding them, some of the saints serve as "patrons" of certain peoples, places, things, and occupations, as they intercede for us before God. These feast days are very often the day of the year in which they died, especially if they gave up their lives for their faith. "Feast Days" are recognized for each saint. He was only 15 years old when he died in 1857, but spent his young life helping less fortunate. Dominic Savio may be the youngest saint ever canonized. These saints, living exemplary lives, provide for us examples to follow so that we may, in turn, follow them to Heaven. The Patron Saint of Teenagers in Trouble. In the earliest stage, the saint-in-the-making is identified as a "Servant of God." That stage is followed by a recognition of being "Venerable" and then "Blessed" before being recognized by the Church as a saint or "Friend of God." This official recognition by the Church as a saint comes at the conclusion of the process and ceremony called "canonization."
The road to being officially recognized by the Church as a saint is a long one.
St Francis of Assisi (1181 AD 1226 AD) is known as the Patron Saint of Animals and is commonly thought to be the main saint who showed concern for animals. Saints are men and women who have lived their lives (and very often gave them up freely) in such a way as to be rewarded with the Kingdom of God. St Francis of Assisi: Feast Day 4 October. The word "saint" comes from the Latin word sanctus, which translates to "consecrated" or "holy."