House Saints

We have four House Saints, and each child will be part of one of these saintly communities. Our House Saints are St. Josephine Bakhita, St. John Bosco, St. John Henry Newman, and St. Monica. Each saint serves as a role model, inspiring our children to grow in faith, kindness, and perseverance.

St Josephine Bakhita      

Born: 1869

Canonized: 1^st October 2000

Feast Day: 8^th February

St. Josephine Bakhita was born in Sudan in 1869. As a child, she endured great hardship, being kidnapped and sold into slavery at just eight years old. She faced cruelty and was even forced to change her faith. But her life changed when she was sold to an Italian consul, a kind man who took her to Italy. There, she gained her freedom, as slavery was illegal.

Josephine chose to dedicate her life to God, joining the Canossian sisters in Venice. In 1896, she took her vows and became a nun, sharing powerful lessons of kindness, forgiveness, and gratitude. She was later declared a saint and is now the patron saint of Sudan, inspiring many with her incredible journey of faith and resilience.

"Her mind was always on God, and her heart in Africa."

St John Bosco

Born: 16^th August 181

Canonized: 1^st April 1934

Feast Day: 31^st January

St. John Bosco grew up in Italy, helping on farms near his home. As a young boy, he had a natural gift for entertaining others and even learned tricks from a traveling circus! He put on magic shows in his local town, starting each one with the Rosary and retelling the priest’s sermon—sometimes even while walking on a tightrope!

John Bosco became a priest in 1841 and initially worked in a girls' orphanage. However, he felt called to help the many orphaned boys struggling to survive in the slums of Turin, Italy. In 1846, he bought an old shed and turned it into a school and home for these boys, providing them with education, care, and hope for a better future.

His legacy lives on today, as Bosco schools around the world continue to teach young people valuable skills and trades, such as carpentry, while instilling kindness and faith.

"Not with blows will you help these boys, but with goodness and kindness."

St John Henry Newman

Born: 21^st February 1801

Canonized: 13^th October 2019

 Feast Day: 9^th October

St. John Henry Newman was a brilliant scholar who became an Anglican priest after studying at Oxford University. In 1833, while on holiday, he fell seriously ill. When he recovered, he believed that God had saved him for a purpose—to share the Christian faith across England. This journey led him to become Catholic, as he felt it was the true path to fulfilling his mission.

After studying in Rome, he founded an Oratory and religious community in Birmingham, providing a place of worship and learning. He also played a key role in education, establishing a university in Ireland, now known as University College Dublin. His dedication to faith and education was recognized in 1879 when Pope Leo XIII made him a cardinal, one of the highest honors in the Catholic Church.

Since his death, he has been celebrated for his deep commitment to religious teaching and inspiring others in their faith.

"We can believe what we choose. We are answerable for what we choose to believe."       

St Monica

Born: 332 AD

Canonized: Late 390s

Feast Day: 27^th August

St. Monica faced many challenges in her life, but through patience, perseverance, and deep faith, she remained devoted to prayer and virtuous living. Her unwavering prayers first helped bring her husband and mother-in-law to faith, and eventually, all three of her children, including her most well-known son, St. Augustine.

She is a powerful example of hope for anyone praying for loved ones who may have lost their way. Her faith and determination remind us that no one is beyond God's reach.

"Nothing is far from God."